Alex's P.O.V.

Kuru walks in the door, his head down. "Are, are you angry with me?" He asks in a quiet voice. "Now, why would I be angry with you? Kuru, you weren't angry

with me, so I'm not mad at you. But, I thought you liked Zamira." "We talked about it the other day, and, we just work better as friends. Really close friends. I've

known her so long, I can't love her that way; she is too much like a sister." "Oh. Well, I'm sorry for both of you. It must have hurt ." "Yes, but we are still friends.

What about Caleb? How are you holding up?" "You know, Kuru, I loved Caleb, and he will always hold a special place in my heart, but not the same one. He's

gone. He had to leave; it was his destiny, just as being princess is mine. It was his destiny to move to the south, and no one can hold a person from their

destiny." I sighed. "But the elders... Shall I not be punished?" He asks, coming to sit near me. " Why, Kuru? I am going to make sure that nothing bad happens to

you." "But, it's as bad as treason, falling in love with the princess!" He exclaims without knowing what he had just told me. "Y-you love me?" I asked. "Of course I

love you. I can't help it. But it's forbidden." "It worked for my mother and Omar..." I said slowly. "But their's was a secret. I would not want it that way."

"Oh Kuru, it would never be a secret." I said in a sincere voice. "Then, what shall we do?" He asks. "We wait to see how it plays out. And I need to focus on

getting better too. Do you mind checking those bandages?" I asked with a smile. He started blushing and so did I, but it was ok, because I realized something;

Kuru would always be my best friend, no matter what. "Kuru, the elders will just have to deal with it. It's my kingdom and I get to choose who I love. And I love you, Kuru."

Kuru's P.O.V.

I couldn't believe my ears; she loves me? "Wh-what?" "I love you, Kuru." "I love you too." I told her, taking her hand in mine. Then she did something I didn't

expect; she laid her head on my shoulder and asked me when I was going to check those bandages for her. I told her I would get Amanda, and went out.

I turned back to see her pouting, and said, "Princess, I am still your servant. And you are still the princess." "But, if this is going to work, you must call me Alex

more often." "Very well, Pr- I mean Alex." She smiled at me, and I left; dreaming about what was yet to come.

I went to the market place, because I knew that Alex didn't really need her bandages checked yet. I spotted J.B., talking to Cosma while he played the drums.

He was muttering something about lunch, and Cosma was nodding vigorously. I smiled, They are very much in love. Amanda is shopping and Taylor is tagging

along, holding her shopping bags. I can tell he's getting tired of shopping, but Amanda looks as if she has just begun. I feel sorry for Taylor; I know how it is to

be stuck on a shopping trip with Amanda. Especially when there's the university's dance coming up. She is going crazy, according to Alex. Alex hasn't even

picked out a dress yet. I'm not even sure she'll be able to go. I hope she gets better quickly. I can't stand seeing her hurt like this, though she seems to be

healing. From this, and from Caleb. Perhaps I should rescue Taylor; Amanda has him holding two boxes about the size of my arm, three more the size of his

head, and another one next to Anala, which is almost as big as she is. Soon, Amanda spots me and waves. "Kuru! Look at this amazing dress I found! Isn't it

gorgeous?! Don't you love it?!" She exclaimed. "Um, yes, it's very beautiful." I replied, trying to clear my head. I was again, thinking about Alex. "Please tell her

to stop. We have enough for 50 dances!" Exclaimed Taylor in a desperate voice. "Amanda, don't you think that you should help J.B. now? He seems to be

having trouble telling Cosma something." I said, trying to get her to listen. "Oh! Is he really? I can't miss this! Sorry, Taylor, looks like we'll have to finish some

other time." She says, skipping off to where J.B. is trying to tell Cosma something. "Thanks, mate." "It was no trouble, really." I replied. "So,

what do I do with Amanda?" He asks. "Do you love her?" "Of course." "Then do what most people do when they love someone." "But we're still in university."

"Then wait till you have graduated. But make sure she knows of your intentions." "So you think I should tell her that I love her? What if she doesn't love me?"

"Have you seen the girl? She's absolutely insane for you. Go and tell her that you love her, and wish to marry her after you finish university." "A-all right. I'm

nervous, but I can do it. I will do it. I have to." He says, going to where Amanda is now tasting some strawberries. I stand there watching them a minute, but

decide that it is rude to see their private, special moment.

I go back inside the palace to check on Alex. She is laying on her bed, sleeping peacefully. I sit down

at the end of her bed,and she whispers, "Kuru, when I get married, I don't want too much fuss. Just Mum and Dad and Amanda and J.B. and Taylor and Zoe. I

want a small white cake, and a simple dress. Amanda will be my maid of honor, and Zoe and Zamira can be brides maids too. I-I just, I don't want to look like

this. All beaten up and, and, I-I want to be beautiful on my wedding day. And, I-I almost l-lost e-ever-everything.

I-I can't believe th-that I came s-so cl-close t-to-" She stuttered. "Alex, you are beautiful; and you didn't lose everything, remember? You are okay. You are

fine."I said, cutting her off. "I know, but, it still feels like I- like I've already ruined everything; all of me. I didn't know, I didn't see. Oh why didn't I listen! I didn't

and now this happened and it- it's all my fault!" She sobbed. but I was getting angry, how could she believe that this was her fault!? "Alex, none of this was

your fault. You couldn't have known. You are perfect, and you are alright. H-he hurt you, but we are going to get through this. You didn't lose everything; it's still

here. You have your heart, and every day, Alex, I'm thankful for your life. You have everything left. You didn't lose it all." "But, I was so scared and I thought- I

thought that- I almost-" "But you didn't! It's okay now." "But it isn't. I-I'll never be the same." "No, but you don't have to be. You can be stronger, braver, better

than all of this. Show the world what Alex Wilson is capable of. Show them that she won't give up." "I-I don't think I can. I don't think I can do this. My family

will be so hurt and shocked. Everyone will look at me differently. Even you do; you look at me like you want to just take me in our arms and shield me from the

world." "That is because I do. But I know you will not let me protect you from everything. Besides, I know that you don't need me for everything. You are strong

and can stand on your own." "But I can't. I need you, Kuru. Literally, I can't walk. and also metaphorically. I just don't see how you or anyone could love me

while I'm like this. I'll have scars for the rest of my life; mentally too." "Alex, I already told you that you are still beautiful. I do wish that you hadn't gone through

this, but maybe we'll both grow stronger through it. I want you to be happy again, and I want you to smile. I want to take all of your pain away. Give it to me,

Alex. It won't hurt as much as seeing you hurting." "Kuru, the only thing worse than this pain, would be seeing you experience it. I feel so ruined inside. You say

I haven't lost anything, but I have! I won't get to give my husband my fist kiss, and no, he didn't take it from me, but it's still true. And all those things that I

wanted to do, I can't walk! It'll take me at least a week and then months for my ribs to heal. And Kuru, there's something wrong. I know it. I can feel it.

Something else is wrong with me. I don't know what, but I know there's something wrong. I-I don't feel right.