Okay! I'm back! Sorry for being slow but... I have a special reason. My common tests and class tests are coming (this week and next week and the week after), and also Chinese New Year. So it's like in school, I'm busily staying back almost everyday, and there's still a pile of homework waiting for me at home. During the weekends, I'm helping to decorate the living room. So, no time! And just telling ya' that I'll probably be more slower next time. Please be patient.

Love Story

Chapter 3:

"Chill, I was just—"

"I don't want to hear!" Rachel yelled.

"Rachel Roth!" the king, who had been watching them the whole time, shook his head. "Come up here immediately!"

Rachel climbed up the white stairs and prepared for the worst in her father's wrath. She took each step timidly and slowly, hoping to prolong the time. As she met her mother's gaze, she noticed that she was smiling?

"Rachel Roth! How could you misbehave yourself in front of the prince? He could be our money machine!" King Trigon thundered.

"Calm down, my lord, I think there's a chance for these two. The prince seems to be interested in our daughter. If he wishes for her more than anything, he'll come to us," Queen Arella placed her hands on the king's shoulders.

"If this is well, you may leave," the king exhaled.

"Really?" Rachel asked in disbelief. "Just like that?"

"Just leave," Queen Arella motioned her to step out of the gallery.

Rachel grinned and proceeded down. She glanced up at the gallery and saw no one. "Yes! No parents, more fun!"

Just gonna stand there and watch me burn

But that's alright because I like the way it hurts

Just gonna stand there and hear me cry

But that's alright because I love tha way you lie

All of a sudden, the sea of crowd in front of Rachel parted and a charming young man materalised in fromt of her. He had spiky hair, and a pair of blue eyes, as bright as the sky, but as they bored through her, they seemed as deep as the ocean. Rachel felt something familiar about the boy.

"Sorry, but have I seen you before?" Rachel looked at the teenager. He was wearing a tuxedo with a black tie. Could it be...

"No way," she shook the thought out of her mind.

"Good day isn't it? This whole place is filled with anticipation," the boy smiled cockily, "Raven?"

"What the..." Rachel's eyes were brimmed with tears, and she hugged the boy impulsively. "I... I... You came back..."

"Come on, you're not as young as used to be anymore. Stop crying," the boy soothed her and stroke her soft silky hair.

"Robin..."

"This place is too crowded, let's go to the garden. Then I'll explain everything to you," Dick smiled warmly as Rachel looked up.

RxR

A gentle breeze blew onto their faces. It was already midnight. The serenity of the night was only shattered by the howl of the wind. The leaves rustled and the trees bowed to them. They walked under the peaceful glow of the moon which held a mysterious aura. Everything seemed fine.

"I go by the name of Richard now," Dick started.

"Hmm?"

"When I was in Gotham with my parents and brother, we were involved in a circus act. Not soon after, they were killed."

"I'm sorry," Rachel frowned.

"It's okay. They were murdered. I knew someone was fiddling with their instrument. But... But I did not have the courage to tell them. And... I was there too, when they fell," Dick sobbed, but his eyes, his blue eyes were now engulfed with fire. "I'll always remember the man, the one single man, who killed my parents."

"What about your brother?" Rachel asked, concerned.

"Well, he was my adoptive brother. A few years, a war broke, we're seperated," Dick paused. "I was then adopted by King Bruce, King of Gotham. I've searched him for many years, but to no avail."

Rachel frowned. Dick strolled towards the lake in front of the garden. There, stood his reflection, so cold and so liveless. Many years had passed, but still a cloud gloom followed wherever he went. The adonis sighed and sat on the grass. Rachel sat beside him, shoulders sulked. She had no idea all the bad things happened to him for all these years. They were like plague, like a disease, clogging up his mind, making him so desperate about live.

"Well, let bygones be bygones. I'll help you find your brother. My father's soldiers are good at finding missing people," Rachel tried to brighten up his mood.

Dick smiled and threw a smooth pebble, which skidded quite some inches before sinking, "What about you, my princess?"

"Wow, you're good at this game," Rachel said as she threw a pebble which sank after skidding once.

"Now you're changing the subject," Dick looked at her.

Rachel sighed. Her life wasn't better compared to him.

"These few years... I don't know what had happened to me. Depression, anger, I just don't know. But I'm glad you're back," the princess closed her eyes as her head rested on Dick's shoulders. "Things changed. A lot. Time passed quickly. Still remember four years sgo, at the balcony?"

"Definitely. But some things have not change, like you. Still beautiful and childish."

"What!" Rachel rosed from her calm composture and gave Dick a slight puch on his shoulders.

"Hey! What's that for?"

"Consequences for saying me chidish," Rachel smirked.

"My, my, little Raven is still as immature as always," Dick teased and ran around the grass patch.

"Stop there, you bird brain!" Rachel shouted as she chased Dick.

The two birds ran across the grass patch, chasing each other. Dick caught her waist as pushed her down to the ground. Their exaustion turned into calm breathing,slowing leaning towards each other. Only a few inches apart...

"Rachel Roth!" a ear peircing vioce broke the silence and both birds turned and stared at the source.

So... Like it? Hate it? Please review. Ohhh... And yes. The song is 'Love the Way You Lie' by Eminem ft. Rihanna. Actually, I wrote 'Love Story' but I was listening to that song and I thought it fits the scene a lot coz' they all miss each other dearly and unknowingly. So... if you disagree, yea, I'm sorry.