Ahiru didn't pay attention as she ran – she just let her wounded heart lead her home. She drew some stares as she ran – the people wondering who this strange girl in the Kinkan Academy uniform was – and why she was running though town sobbing. In the distance they could see a boy chasing the girl, and knew that it was a lovers quarrel.

Ahiru entered the woods, and as she ran, she easily avoided the tree branches and roots that leapt up at her – for once she was glad for the slight bit of grace that she was granted, for she would not have to face Fakir.

Ahiru spotted Mytho standing by the side of the lake, and she watched a frown cover his face as the sobbing girl ran towards him. His frown deepened to anger as he saw Fakir chasing Ahiru.

Ahiru paused next to Mytho, placing her hands on the necklace.

"You were wrong, Mytho. There is no one that Fakir would even consider dating." Ahiru pulled the necklace over her head as she spoke, and her clothing swished to the ground. A bright yellow duck waddled to the lake, glancing at the Prince, and the knight who grew closer.

"I wish to be alone. Please leave." Ahiru entered the water and swam to the middle of the lake, her back to the two men, who at some point in time had held her love. She did not want Mytho of Fakir to see the shattered pieces of her heart – both could read her far too well, and she knew that Mytho had glimpsed some of the pain in her eyes.

With a sigh Mytho picked up the pendant, cupping it in his hands, and brought his hands to his heart. The pendant disappeared in a flash of light as Fakir skidded to a stop beside him.

"Mytho, what happened? How did she—" Fakir stopped as Mytho walked past him, without speaking. Mytho did not even spare Fakir a glace. He paused, several feet away and his voice was soft.

"I told you that I would regret making her feel as if you didn't care." Mytho continued to walk and Fakir froze

"She thought I meant what I said to Lilie?"

"Why would you speak a lie?" Ruu's voice was soft, and she stood next to her husband. The princess and the prince – the perfect couple.

"Because I did not think that I could have what I wanted."

"You could have – if you had been truthful. She does not want to see any of us now. Leave her." Mytho's voice did not leave room for disobedience, but Fakir did not pay the prince any mind as he walked closer to the edge of the lake, his school bad dropping uselessly beside him.

"Ahiru…" His voice was sad and he could see her stiffen, though she did not turn around. "Ahiru, please, just look at me." Fakir's voice pleaded – he knew how much he had messed things up with Ahiru, and he was desperate to fix things. How could she not realize how much she meant to him, that she was the reason that he stayed in Kinkan town, that she was the reason to dance – that she was his reason?

"Because I never told you – I never got to tell you"

"I do not wish to talk to you, Fakir. You wish to be bound to no one, therefore our pas de dues, and your promise was obviously a lie. You are no longer held to the promise to stay with me always since you do not wish it. Leave." Ahiru's quack was harsh, and she swam farther from the shore, away from the range of conversation. Tears flowed from the eyes of the duck, mingling with the pond water, but no one could tell, as the tears were absorbed into the waves of the water as she swam.

Such was the tragedy of the duck named Ahiru – always to love a human, but never to be loved back.

Fakir sank to the ground at Ahiru's words – his eyes wide, his mouth hanging open with shock.

"Fakir – leave her." Mytho ordered and the knight shook his head.

"I made her a promise. I will keep it. And I will explain the situation. I will not leave here until she understands." Fakir didn't look to Mytho or Ruu, but after a moment he heard quiet footsteps leaving the lake, fading into the forest.

"I will make you understand, Ahiru – I will show you how I really feel."