Part Four Continued

The next morning, it was time to return home to Wysteria. I said my final farewells and thanks to the king of Laurelia.

"You should come next season as well. Laurelia is always happy to welcome the princess of Wysteria." The king smiled as he stroked his beard. "We would like to consider more proactive trade with you as well."

"Thank you very much." I curtsied formally, and then gazed up to the king. (I'm so glad to hear him say that.) It was time for the long trip back to Wysteria. First by horseback, then eventually by carriage again. Giles sat with me in the carriage on the final leg of the trip home.

"The king of Laurelia seemed quite taken with you."

"I hope so." I gave a sigh of relief at Gile's words.

"It definitely helped us move towards a stronger relationship with Laurelia. Well done, Princess." Leo was seated beside Giles, and he grinned at me across the carriage.

"I knew you could do it, Maya." I bit my lip lightly. I thought about all the official duties I'd had to do while in Laurelia. (Whenever I talked to the king, Leo was always backing me up. If he hadn't supported me like that, it probably wouldn't have gone even half as well as it did.) He'd gone back to staring out the carriage window, and I gazed across at his face in profile.

"Thanks, Leo."

"Hmm?" Leo turned his gaze back to me and smiled. "You're welcome." The trip was long, and I found myself staring out the window as well. I'd never really traveled before, and the scenery was beautiful.

As the carriage passed through the woods, I suddenly noticed something.

"Ahh—" (Isn't that?) As I gazed out the window of the carriage, my eyes caught on a flower blooming in the forest. (Isn't that the same type of flower that Leo bought? And it's the same flower that was on that postcard.) I glanced back into the carriage at Leo. "Hey Leo— that flower—"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah." Leo glanced up the window and nodded slightly.

"Leo, does that flower have some sort of special meaning for you?"

"….." Leo flashed me a smile, and turned to look out the opposite window. "I don't remember."

At last we reached the palace. I was glad to get out of the cramped carriage and stretch my legs. I walked slowly through the now familiar corridors until I reached my chamber. I closed the door behind me, and gazed around the empty room. (Now that I'm alone, I suddenly feel lonely.) I laid down on my bed and thought about Leo. (And in the end I never got to ask him about his nightmare. He's always helping me out with things— I wish there was something I could do for him.) I got out of bed again, and moved across my chamber to open the window. The night breeze was gentle against my cheeks. I sighed softly and looked down into the garden.

"Oh!" (Is that Alyn?) I could see Alyn below my window. (Leo and Alyn are twins, right? So maybe Alyn knows something about it.) I hurriedly left my room.

"Alyn!"

"Hmm?" I hurried down to where I'd spied Alyn in the courtyard, and called out to him. (I know that Leo and Alyn don't really get along. But if he could tell me even a little bit—) Alyn glanced over his shoulder, and frowned when he saw me. "What are you doing sneaking out at this hour?"

"Um— there's something I wanted to ask you." Alyn looked puzzled at my words, but then he shrugged.

"What is it?" His response seemed promising, so I kept talking.

"Um— well— it's about Leo."

"Leo?" Alyn raised his eyebrows. "And why should I have to talk about him?"

"Ahh—" Alyn turned his back and started to walk away from me, but I called out to him. "Wait—do you know why Leo can't sleep?!" Alyn stopped short at my words. He turned slowly to look at me.

"He can't sleep?" His frown was even deeper, and I nodded slowly.

"Y-Yeah." (Maybe Alyn didn't know either?) Alyn stared at me in silence. then he turned his back on me again. "Alyn?" Alyn stood with his back still to me, and then he spoke in a soft voice.

"He'll tell you when he's ready. You should wait until then." And with that Alyn walked away, leaving me standing alone in the courtyard. The night breeze was cool as it touched my cheeks. I watched after Alyn until I could no longer see him. (Should I really wait until he tells me himself?) At any rate, there was no further reason to be in the courtyard. I turned and made my way back to my chamber. I was almost there when a voice hailed me from behind.

"Huh? Maya?"

"Ahh!" I turned around at the familiar voice, and sure enough, there stood Leo.

What's wrong? Why are you out here?"

"Leo—" My words caught in my throat as I gazed up at him, but I swallowed and tried again. "You have to sleep properly."

"Huh?" Leo widened his eyes, and I took a deep breath. (I know I should wait, just like Alyn told me to. So in the meantime I'll just say this.) "That was sudden— is something the matter?" I couldn't think of a thing to say. As I stood there gazing seriously up at him, he laughed softly. "You're the first one who's ever scolded me." I caught my breath. Something about his words made me feel suddenly embarrassed.

"W-Well, I mean—" He was still watching me, and I couldn't meet his gaze any longer. I turned my face away, trying to hide my flushed cheeks, and Leo smirked a little. After a long moment of silence, Leo narrowed his eyes and then moved slowly towards me, his arms reaching out. "Wha—?" Before I knew it, he'd wrapped me in a gentle embrace.

Part Five coming soon!