Chapter 16:

Daphne had seen the kiss between her daughter and Lucas as she was peeking through the window. The mother's eyes showed a smile. She was happy for Peyton finding love, but the smile could only go half way for she knew about the possible consequences of Peyton falling in love with a poor stranger. Still, she did not wish to spoil the bliss coming over her daughter Peyton.

After a while though, the queen and the princess had to return to the castle. Peyton came home with a radiance and happiness so visible in her countenance. The smile on her lips was small but mysterious. Her gaze seemed so distant as if looking at a view beyond mountains even if she was inside the castle. She almost glided to her room and fell freely on her bed. That kiss…That kiss was all she could think of.

MEANWHILE…

It was still noon and while Peyton was daydreaming in her room, Haley was reading in a book in the field behind the garden.

Haley's eyes were covered by two hands. "Guess who?" asked the one covering Haley's eyes.

Haley already knew that voice. She couldn't help but smile at the thought. "Hmmm…" She mumbled as though she was thinking hard about who it was. "Carl?" She joked. "I'm only joking. Nathan…You can take your hands off now."

Nathan smiled at Haley's light being. He took his hands off her eyes and sat down on the grass in front of her. "Guess what…"

"What?" Haley asked curiously.

"I'm getting married." Nathan said casually.

Haley was aware of this, and though it hurt her, she had to stay composed. She nodded her head. "And?" She asked looking for something more.

"And what?" Nathan asked without a clue.

Haley's eyeballs went left and right thinking of what to say. "Umm…What is your feeling about it?" Haley asked unsure of her question.

Then, Nathan was caught in an uncomfortable position. He stared at the first thing that he could see and started thinking of an answer. Haley remained silent waiting anxiously for an answer. Then Nathan met Haley's eyes and uneasily began, "Nervous…Unprepared…Frightened…"

"Don't you have a single GOOD feeling about marrying the princess? I mean…You are going to be the King! The king of Armedes, who is the wife of Queen Peyton Raleigh, the most beautiful lady in all the land!" Haley said stretching her arms and shrugging Nathan's shoulder shaking some sense into him. It's actually ironic how she can't shake herself and stop rooting for something against what her heart is really saying.

"I know, I know…That's just it. I'm nervous of what King I'm going to make to this land and to Peyton. I'm nervous of what's going to happen to the friendship we have taken care of. I'm not prepared to rule a land. I can lead my men into battle, but this…This is different. I am frightened of the mistakes I could make because everyone is going to be watching my every move if I become the king." Nathan explained.

Haley felt sorry for Nathan. "Still…No good feeling?" She was hoping for a No because that would mean that Nathan did not love Peyton that much.

"Well…I am quite delighted to be marrying such a beauty inside and out…I feel fortunate to know my wife-to-be so well. Other than that, I'm kind of running out." Nathan sighed.

Finally, Haley felt the need to ask, "Do you love Peyton?"

Nathan looked at Haley, and as he did, there was this wind in her hair and the sun shone on her face giving her a glow. Her eyes twinkled with hope and sadness at the same time. What a sight to see. Nathan was struck, for this was the first time he had seen Haley in such a way. He has always seen Haley as a free spirit who might never want to be in love. She, to him, has always been the type of lady who cares not of how she looks. Now, Haley was this effortless beauty speaking from the heart. Nathan's heart stopped. Haley, on the other hand, was savoring the moment they were sharing. The gaze from both Haley and Nathan to each other, was so magnetic that time seemed to stop for both of them. It was no surprise for Haley to feel this way, but Nathan was quite shocked with how this sight of Haley was hitting him. He then went back to the time he talked to and hugged Haley as they were talking about Peyton. They were outside the cabin. Then, just now, he thought sharply of Haley's countenance as she asked him if he loved Peyton. That was when he knew. He was not good at reading people, but this time was different. Something had hit him, and he was sure of his theory. He knew. He knew that Haley saw him in some special way. It's not a boastful nature of his. It's just a feeling that hit him at the right time in the right place.

"No." Nathan said softly, but with a certainty in his tone.

Haley snapped back to reality. "Excuse me?"

"No I don't love Peyton." Nathan said as if he was under a spell.

Haley's face lit up, and she wasn't aware of how Nathan noticed this. Nathan smiled as Haley did. She tried to contain that happiness though, but Nathan only found that attempt so adorable. "Oh…Ok…Well…I'm sure in time you will fall and she will too." Then Haley broke their eye contact sensing how Nathan was on to her.

Nathan couldn't help but grin. Still, he was confused as to why Haley was going through the pain of encouraging him to love someone else. She could just ignore it and talk about something else, but she chose to go against her heart. "Really?" He asked with a more cheery tone. Feeling he had the upper hand, he wanted to play mind games with her. It wasn't for the fun of it. He just adored Haley's reactions and expressions. Plus, he wanted her to stop pretending and give him assurance. After all, he might be wrong. " 'Cause I'm not sure I will. I mean…We could be king and queen, but we don't have to love each other as husband and wife."

Again, Haley felt the want to smile. "But part of being king and queen is making love! Having children!" She said dreaming it would've been she and Nathan getting married.

Then Nathan's playful mood was wiped away. He forgot about the part where they had to "make love". He was back to his nervous self. "I think I forgot about that."

Haley's glow faded as well. They sat there in silence pondering about their problems.

After a very long moment of silence, Nathan spoke up. "I'm not the only knight worthy of Peyton's hand in marriage you know," he said trying to convince Haley and himself as well.

"But you are the best candidate for King, and you said it yourself: You and Peyton already know each other well." Haley said. She wanted to know how Nathan would respond to the realities he has to face. This way, she could know if there really was hope for her love for him.

"How about that Lucas Oliverus, eh? He is like me, remember?" Nathan joked. "But if that doesn't work…Then I'm going to have to say something. I have the right to find love. I am not the son of the king and queen of Armedes. I should not be obliged to agree to an arranged marriage." Nathan surprised himself with what he had just said. Was he really going to do that? He believed it, but not enough to be sure of acting on this belief.

Haley was carried away with what Nathan said about finding love. "Yes. You have the right to find love. Do you really think you can't love Peyton?"

"Until now, I was uncertain, but now. I'm sure. I can't love Peyton. I think I thought I did, but that was probably admiration." Nathan said, discovering things about himself in this conversation with Haley. "How about you Haley? Do you not wish to find love?"

Haley blushed, and not knowing why, she answered, "I've found love."

Nathan smiled at her answer, but Haley wanted to take it back. She knew Nathan would get fishy and she couldn't lie about love. "How lucky is that lad to be loved by someone like you." Nathan said holding Haley's hand.

Haley's face was turning pink. She tried to shake off the feeling, but only found herself laughing to try concealing her bliss. "Come on you're going to make my head huge."

"But it's true. That lad is lucky. You are this free spirit who can make anyone smile even if they're feeling like their world's going down. You speak your mind, but not to the point where anyone would get hurt, except maybe you. And that smile you have. It could make any man's heart melt. Your laugh could make anyone's worries go away for even just a few moments. And your voice, whether you're speaking or singing…It's music to anyone's ears." Nathan didn't know exactly what came over him. The words just kept on pouring. Perhaps it was love. He was falling in love, and he just said why he did.

Haley sat stunned and flushed. "That's…Really sweet of you to say Nathan." Then she smiled at him.

Hearing Haley say his name and seeing that smile in that moment, sealed the deal. Love hit Nathan unexpectedly, and at first, he didn't believe it, but his heart could not stop jumping every second he looked into Haley's eyes. The thought of falling in love over a conversation seemed crazy to Nathan, but it was happening to him. There was no other explanation for they joy he was feeling just spending time with Haley.

Before Haley could change the subject, Nathan thought of something. He wanted to know if he was right to assume that Haley did have feelings for him, for he knew he had feelings for her. So he told Haley, "You say you've found love already. I think…I've found love too."

Haley's eyes widened for she couldn't help but feel that maybe…just maybe…Nathan found love in her. Nathan did say he didn't love Peyton, and it was only now he realized he found love. Who had he been with in the last 3 hours? No one but Haley. And who had he been praising about being a free spirit having smiles, laughs and a voice that brings light? No one but Haley. And whose hand is it he's been holding; eyes he's been looking into? No one but Haley's. Then in that moment, she felt compelled to do something. She felt compelled, for she wasn't sure if there would ever be a chance for her to do this in the future. She felt compelled, for she had such an unnerving feeling that doing this will bring about something good for her heart and Nathan's as well.

Haley kissed Nathan passionately. This is what she felt compelled to do and did.

AN: Phew! It's been so long! I'm so sorry I left this fic. I wanted to leave it forever, but all the reviews just couldn't be ignored! I'm sorry if you would feel any off-ness in the coming chapters. I tried rereading my fic to get back into the right mood, but…I don't know. Hahaha. I'm really trying to make this fic consistent.  Hope you like it!

FYI. I do believe a gaze is enough reason to fall in love. Victor Hugo believed in it too if you've read Les Miserables. :D