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Chapter 11: The Swan Lake Princess and the Frog Prince
Now at the serene scenery of the tranquil Swan Lake, Odette gave a hand for James to jump on. To express her gratitude for aiding her, the Swan Lake Princess gave James a kiss. To her surprise, the Frog Prince began to glow a green aura. Setting him on the ground, she was even further amazed as the frog transformed into a handsome Prince!
"At last! I'm please to finally speak with you, Princess Odette. Now you may see me as I truly am! Prince James, at your service, milady." James introduce to the Swan Lake Princess.
He lend her a hand which she took.
Still stunned by his appearance, Odette questioned in awe, "You're... A Prince?"
The man standing before her nodded, "Yes, I came here to Dire Island to get over my loss. But instead, I've found myself falling hopelessly in love again... With you."
"W-With me?" Odette was shock, but mostly honored.
"Yes, however, despite my love for you, I'm not sure if you feel the same." James noted. "Therefore, I shall leave to give you your time and space."
The Prince was about to leave, leaving Odette in shock. It was that brief confession from the Frog Prince that has tugged on her heart a bit.
"W-Wait, James!" she called out. Having his attention on her, the Princess uttered, "I..."
"Yes?" James now approaches her.
"I... I'd like to invite you to my kingdom." Odette ended up making an excuse to cover up her almost attempted confession.
The Frog Prince looked dubious of the suggestion as if there was more... Nevertheless, he smiled as he replied, "I'm honored to accept your invitation."
The Swan Lake Princess gave a small smile as she gestures to the Swan Palace. When James wasn't looking, her smile turned into a small frown.
'What am I doing? What was I thinking? To almost confess my love...' she thought.
Conflicted with her feelings, the Swan Lake Princess began to show the Frog Prince around the area.
For a few days, Odette has slowly fall in love with James even more if she haven't already. The two would walk around, enjoying the new peace within Dire Island from dawn to dusk. Of all the places of the Swan Kingdom, they always ended up near Swan Lake at the end of the day. There, they would talk, away from the public eye as each told their adventures and tales.
As she gets to know more about James, Odette knew that she couldn't deny the truth any longer. Unlike James' assumption, in truth, she does love him. However, she was a Swan Guard, she made an oath to not fall in love... At least, not with outsiders. Most Swan Guards were married before taking the role so their feeling didn't get in the way of their duties. Unfortunately, that didn't happen with her. She may have acknowledge her love, but the next step was going to be hard. How to explain this to her fellow guards? They're basically family to her. Brothers, sisters, and friends all in one, and she's going to break it to them just like that?
'No, not yet.' she thought.
Despite she had told James on some occasion that she's fine or put on a fake smile, the Prince knew that everything wasn't alright. On one evening, as the two of them sat on the grassy field of the island, James suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.
"Odette."
"Yes, James?" she asked.
"I think we need to take a break." he suggested.
"What?" the Princess became confused as she look at James in his eyes.
"Don't get me wrong, but I don't think it's the right time for us to be together." the Prince stated.
"What do you mean?" she questioned.
"How long do you think you can keep this up?" James supported his statement.
"I..." Odette paused, unsure at what her answer was going to be.
Noticing her conflicting thoughts, James place a hand on hers, "I maybe ready for love, but are you, Odette? Are you truly ready to give everything up just to be with me?"
"I-I'm not sure." the Swan Lake Princess answered.
For the first time in her life, she was unsure of something. For three years as Swan Princess, she never had troubles with her thoughts, but now...
"This is why I'm telling you this. You're conflicted and I wouldn't want to get in the way of your duties as Swan Princess. Therefore, take your time to think it over. I'll be waiting for you at the gates. If you come before sunset, I'll be joyful, knowing that you decided to come with me. If you don't, I'll understand." James offered.
Odette had spent the next day in utter conflict. What should she do? Maybe she should go, after all, she does love him... But she can't. How can she do this? The Princess spent her time thinking until...
'Yes, maybe it will work!' she thought.
Looking at the clock, the sun was starting to set.
"Oh no! I hope I'm not too late!" Odette exclaimed as she ran out her room.
Like he said, James had waited at the gates the whole day.
'It's almost sundown.' James thought. 'Maybe it's just not meant to be.'
James was about the leave, heading towards the opened gates when...
"Wait!"
He turned to see Odette running to him.
"Odette!" he ran to hug her. "Does this means you're coming?"
Her smile fell a little, "No, I do think that we are meant to be together, just not now. I have my duties here and I don't think my fellow guards would understand, but I do love you."
James had a sad, yet an understandable smile, "I'll see you again one day. Take care, Odette."
He was about the leave.
"Wait." she stops him once more. "Can I... Have your address?"
"You'll know." James smiled.
She also smiled until he turned around and walk outside the kingdom. She watched in disappointment until the gates closed.
Returning to the palace, she softly whispered, "I wished you could've stayed just a little longer."
A few days later, Odette continued her life as the Swan Princess. Like she told Bradwr, she didn't execute the traitor. Instead, she banished him from the kingdom. She then requested for Ewan to build an elevator so there can be access at the top of the Dire Tree. It took three months until the craftsman finish the Princess' request. Odette gratefully paid him and welcomes him to the kingdom anytime when he left. It wasn't long until a carrier pigeon came with letters for the Swan Lake Princess. When Odette read the letters, she was delighted to see that they were from James! She immediately went to her room in the barracks where she grabbed a piece of paper and a inked feather to write her letter. Every two weeks would be back and forth between the two.
Despite they haven't seen each other for a while, they still communicate through letters. Odette had not only ruled the Swan Kingdom and write letters to James, but she had also decorated her room with a statue of the Frog Prince at the corner and a tapestry of her and James.
The year was close to becoming finished and the Swan Lake Princess read a letter that will make her ready to decide. She can no longer deny her feelings anymore.
Dearest Odette,
As I write, the sky's light is fading, the
castle grows dark, and I grow lonely. I
can think only of the moments we spend
together at the lake, hidden from
the public eye.
The thought of our reunion never leaves
my mind.
I yearn for your response.
James
Throughout this entire one year without James for so long, she'd also grown lovesick. That was when the Princess knew, she never felt love in most of her life, but now she does. It has come to her decision that love is more important than duty. It maybe selfish, abandoning her duties of protecting her kingdom to live a happy life with the man she loves... However, if she keeps this up, she would not only be dishonest to the Swan Guards, but to herself. Therefore, tomorrow, she will announce the truth to the entire kingdom.
The next day came by like a flash of lighting. There she was, on the stage ready to make her speech, the Swan Guards all gathered to see what she had to say. Amongst these loyal Swans were the great grandparents of a Swan Princess who will one day gain the throne in the distance future. The one who defy the destiny that befalls onto these Swans. And despite it was out of a noble intention, she will still risk the kingdom with the sound of a magical sword out of its sheath onto the flesh of a divine entity. This Swan Princess from the distance future will have burden instead of duty and her loyalty shall turn to betrayal. However, that is part of Fate's design, just like Odette's is to confess her "crime" against her kingdom and the Goddess.
"Swan Guards, as your Swan Princess, I know that we bear duty like a burden. That duty gives us the meaning of life, something that we take great responsibility to and that we must carry it with pride." Odette began.
"YEAH!" the Swan Guards cheered.
"It is something that cannot be forsaken..."
"YEAH!"
"However, I, Swan Lake Princess Odette, shall relinquished her duties as both a Swan Princess and a Swan Guard," Odette announced with no regret at all. "To wed the Exiled Frog Prince, James!"
Many of the guards stopped their cheers to look at one another in confusion. Some even gasped out loud in the silence. It wasn't long until Odette found herself being stared at with many glaring and angry faces as well as voices filled with immense fury and rage.
"TRAITOR!" a feminine voice shouted, undoubtedly one of the guards, pointing an accusing finger at the Princess.
"How could you?! When you swear on the Swan Guard's Oath?!" another yelled, this time from a masculine voice.
"She's a traitor and must be brought to justice for treason!" another suggested.
"Let this be an example to all Swan Guards who dares betrays the Goddess Flora!" another added.
"Let the punishment be DEATH!" one roared.
"YEAH!" the crowd agreed.
Odette was losing control over the crowd as they were heading towards the stage when a flash of light appeared, hindering all movements. When the light died down, many gasp can be heard from the people. It was the Goddess Flora! Immediately, everyone knelt to their knees to bow in respect for the Goddess. Nothing, but complete and utter silence.
The Flower Goddess that turned her impassive gaze onto the Swan Lake Princess.
"Rise, Princess Odette." her voice was stern, yet there was a hint of tolerance and compassion in her tone. The Swan Lake Princess rise to her feet, making eye contact with the very Goddess she had admired since childhood. Despite her situation, she was still honored to have meet and even speak with Flora. "Is this what you truly want?"
"Yes." she firmly answered.
"You do know of the consequences if you leave the kingdom?" Flora questioned.
"Yes."
"I understand." Flora gave a little nod with a slight smile on her face after looking into the Princess' determined face. Turning to face the crowd, she spoke, "To my beloved Swan Guards! Although Princess Odette has committed a crime that cannot be forgiven. I know now, that she didn't break her oath to me out of any ill will, out of hatred nor envy. No, this Swan Princess did it simply out of the purest, strongest love I've ever seen. Therefore, I shall have mercy on the girl for her service of protecting the Dire Tree during her time spent here. Instead of death, she shall be exiled from Dire Island."
None of the Swan Guards spoke. Nevertheless, they agreed with the Goddess' choice. Flora then turned to Odette again to converse with the Princess one last time.
"Thank you, Goddess Flora." Odette felt the need to obliged for the Goddess' pardon.
"Because this is all I can do, you know what will happen next, correct?"
"Yes, I'll be cursed into a Black Swan for my betrayal." Odette answered. She then took her crown and gave it to Flora. "I'm no longer worthy to wear this."
"Enjoy your new life, Odette." and with that, the Goddess disappeared in a flash of light.
After the announcement, Odette went to her room to pack the things she needed, mostly any belonging of hers that hold value. Before she left the kingdom for good, she made a last stop to her parents' house. They were sadden of her leaving, but gave her their support and blessing. Heading towards the gates, Odette turned around to have one final glance at the beautiful Swan Lake from the distance before resuming to her exit. The large gates then closed behind her.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please review. Bye.