Quoththeraven1103: yepp. but now let's have a LOVE TRIANGLE time :)))

yea... quite depressing... hope you enjoy.

Love Story

Chapter 14:

"Son. Who sent you back yesterday?"

"Well, I visited Princess Rachel, but..." Richard scratched the back of his neck. "What is it, Father?"

"It's Trigon. They're engaging a war... with us."

RxR

"Seems like you're a little to protective over my daughter, Slade."

"It is my duty to protect Princess Rachel from any unwanted..." Slade mulled over some words, then finally decide, "guests."

Trigon chuckled, "Seems to me, there's something more..."

RxR

"So... How are you? I mean... Well, you know what I meant."

"Fine. My injuries are recovering fast," Richard smiled, but the upward curve of his lips soon faded. A wisp of frown etched on his forehead.

Rachel noticed it, but stayed silent. None of them spoke for what it seemed like eternity.

Richard sighed as the hollow wind passed by them, picking up the fallen brown leaves as it swept. Summer had ended. The forest was a patch of land, yellow, red, and brown. [1]

Rachel faced him and raised her brow. Richard met her gaze. His blue eyes became dull and liveless. Rachel felt herself swimming in his blue eyes. She was sure that in his eyes, she saw, or rather felt, a flicker of sadness.

"What is it?"

"What?"

A frown shadowed Rachel's face. She peered at him.

"You know what I am talking about."

Richard's gaze hardened.

"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Rachel's eyes softened.

The two adolescents stood in silence again.

RxR

"Rachel," Trigon bellowed.

"Yes, Father?"

"Since all of you are here, I'll announce the good news."

Rachel had a bad feeling about it, she galced at Kori, who placed her hand on her shoulder and smiled warmly.

Trigon cleared his throat, "My daughter, Princess Rachel of Azarath. And Slade Wilson, the lead commander of the upcoming war. I hereby pronounce, Princess Rachel of Azarath, to be bethrothed to Slade Wilson."

Rachel's eyes widened in shock, all her words got stucked in her throat. Kori looked at Trigon, then at Slade, disbelievingly. She also could not utter a single word. Queen Arella gaped at the scene, confused.

Slade gawked at Trigon, "I... I... This offer is too... big, I... I can't..." One part of him was shocked, but another part of him was smirking.

Trigon chuckled, "No, no, no... I have absolute trust in you, Wilson. I know you can take care of her. From now on, Rachel will be yours."

"I... I..." Rachel still could not register the fact that she was engaged to Slade Wilson.

"Rachel, my lovely daughter. I am very proud of you, You will marry him, after the war."

"But, Father! I... I don't love him, how could you..." Rachel's voice faltered.

"Dear," Arella beckoned Trigon to listen to her. He lowered his head and Arella whispered into his ear, "Dear... Why did you let our daughter get betrothed to him? He is a lead commander already, what is up with you lately?"

"Can't you see that he loves our daughter? He is over-protective towards her."

"But he's... The difference in their age is too—"

"I know, but it's the only way for Rachel to stop thinking about Richard. We're attacking his country. Once she had learned about it, our plan will fail. She'll influence all my men. This concerns about our future, the future of country," Trigon whispered.

He cleared his throat again, "So... Slade Wilson, do you accept this—"

"Yes, I do," before Trigon finished his sentence, Slade answered enthusiastically.

"What about you... Rachel?" As Trigon turned to face her, he found out that she was missing from her wear she had been standing.

"Argh... Guards! Get her back, NOW!"

RxR

Rachel covered her ears as she ran out of the palace, "This can't be true. It can't be!"

She ran into the forest subconciously and sat down at the bank of the river. She felt her eyes watered. Rachel picked a pebble and threw it at the river. This is not true. Not true. Not true. Not true. There has to be some mistake.

Richard was strolling in the forest and found Rachel sitting at the river bank alone. He went and settled down beside her. Rachel didn't even notice. She was busily pondering over her confusion.

"Rae?"

No respond.

"Hello?" Richard tapped on her shoulder gently, but she didn't move at all.

Richard smiled warmly. He bent over and hugged her, nuzzling her shoulder.

Rachel was interrupted in her deep thoughts. She jerked forward and felt something warm beside her. "Robin?"

Richard lifted his head and smirked, "Took you long enough to find out."

Rachel frowned and rested her head on his shoulder while he moved closer and took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers.

"So what's bothering you?"

"I could ask the same thing."

They sat in silence, not moving, just enjoying each other's company.

Richard sighed, "It's not good to keep things bottled up in your mind. Come on, you know you can trust me."

"What about you?" Rachel counted.

"Raven..."

"Robin..."

Richard nudged at her and they were so close that she could feel the heat from his skin.

"I... I... I am betrothed," Rachel closed her eyes, "To Slade Wilson."

Richard couldn't believe what he heard.

"I... I really don't know what happened," Rachel ruffled her hair, too stressed out think.

" Father just... I... I am sick of living here already. I..." Rachel faltered.

Richard was sure she heard Rachel mumbled the word "elope".

"I'm sorry. I cant."

Rachel met his gaze. Richard stroked her face.

"I have to go on a war."

[1] Uh... yea. So um... You know, I live somewhere on the equator, so I don't experience Autumn, and I don't know how the scene looks like. The only time I saw how it looks like during that season was when I'm little, watching the TV. So... If I decribe it wrongly, I hope you'll understand.

Yeah? How's the story? Review Review Review :DDD