26. If only I could make you mine

Sophia lay stretched out on the grass of the royal garden. She had her eyes closed and was enjoying the sunshine warming her face. The sky was clear and the air was warm. This was such a peaceful place. Not many came here, not even the queen, which Sophia found odd because it was tranquil and away from the crowds of the city. Suddenly the warmth from the sun disappeared. Sophia opened her eyes to find Fayt staring down at her. She blinked in surprised and then smiled up at him. "What are you doing here?"

He moved to sit on the grass next to her. "I could ask you the same. You didn't tell anyone where you were going."

She sat up wrapping her arms around her knees and resting her head on top of them. "I didn't feel like it. I just wanted to be alone I guess."

He looked her over with concern. "You're not sad or anything are you? I know this all has to be hard on you."

"No" she said laughing softly "I was just doing some thinking that's all."

He nodded and then looked behind her. "Hey what's that?" Before she could stop him he reached out and picked up the object. She was shocked when she saw it was a letter he was holding. She panicked and checked her pocket. Sure enough Albel's letter was missing. This wasn't good.

"It has your name written on it? Who's it from?"

She quickly snatched the letter from his hands. "Oh it's nothing really."

"You're blushing! Sophia is that a love letter or something."

"No it's nothing like that."

"Come on, you can tell me? I bet it's from a secret admirer isn't it?"

"No really it's just a letter from Albel…"

"Albel!"

She quickly put the letter back in her pocket. "Well it's not what you think, he just wanted to tell me he was going to be longer than expected." And that he bought me a gift, she mentally noted.

"Sophia do you know what you're saying? It's not like albel to write anyone a letter. And why would he tell only you that he would be longer? It would make more sense to tell the whole group." He looked puzzled for a moment before speaking again. "Why didn't you tell anyone about the letter?"

She couldn't help the blush that crept up on her face. "He asked that I not make a big deal about it. He didn't want everyone to be in his personal life."

Fayt just watched her for a long time before speaking again. "Why didn't you tell me you had feelings for Albel?"

Sophia's eyes widened in shock and she shook her head vigorously. "It's not like that really."

Fayt smiled "Come on Sophia, you really can't lie to me. I've known you too long. You should have told me you liked him."

Sophia stated twirling her hair around her fingers. "We've just been having these odd moments lately. Sometime I think he likes me and sometimes it's like he can't stand me. And I didn't say anything to you because you two really don't seem to like each other and I didn't want to stir things up."

Fayt rolled his eyes at her. "Well I'm not really looking forward to having him for a brother in law if that's what you mean."

She reached out with her left hand and gave him a playful shove. "There's nothing that serious going on."

He laughed. "But that's what you want isn't it? You want to have a relationship with him don't you?"

She giggled and wrapped her arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Fayt there is nothing going on really we've had a few good conversations."

"Yeah but when you say that about Albel that like saying he's told you he loves you. The man doesn't talk to just anyone. No make that he doesn't talk to anyone at all.

"Well until we go beyond talking I don't think you need to worry about a new brother in law anytime soon."

"I just wish you had picked someone who….oh I don't know….hadn't tried to kill me twice."

She rolled her eyes. "I don't really think he tried. I mean if he had been trying you'd probably be dead now."

"Was that supposed to make me feel better?"

"Well more than likely nothing will happen. It's probably just some silly crush anyway."

"Sophia Albel is lucky you even like him. You're beautiful and smart and if he doesn't return your feelings than he's the one who's the fool."

Sophia blushed lightly. "Really?"

Fayt leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "I just want you to be happy. If Albel makes you happy and treats you right than I guess I can forgive the whole trying to kill me thing." They both burst into laughter.

Albel watched the two of them from the castle entranceway. He couldn't really hear what they were saying but it was clear they were both talking, laughing, and smiling. Sophia had her arm wrapped around Fayt's and she was looking up at him. She looked genuinely happy around the blue haired man. Fayt said something and Sophia blushed a bit. Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead.

At that point Albel had had enough. He turned away from the disgusting seen before him and stormed back inside the castle. He felt sick for some reason. He shouldn't have these kinds of feelings over something so stupid. The girl obviously had feeling for the boy.

He meant what he wrote in that letter, he had grown accustomed to her. In fact some very small part of him had even wanted something more from her that just company. But that really didn't matter, it probably never did. She wasn't his and never would be.

He told himself he could care less but even he didn't believe that.