I had hoped to make this story a little longer, but I am somewhat satisfied with what I wrote. What's the point of dragging something out if it looks okay-ish?
I hope you enjoy. Feel free to let me know what you think, only if you wish.
Despite the stress thinking about the recent and upcoming battles, Ivy has found a brief moment of relaxation with a simple stroll around the Somniel. Even though her focus should be on the next battle, she thought that a balance of rest and preparation would help her emotional health. Just seeing everyone train or play or just spend time together is enough to put a smile on her face and remind herself that there's more to fight for than just her home country.
"Princess Ivy," someone called.
Ivy touches the bright red gem of her new necklace as soon as she recognized the voice that called her name. She sighs a happy sigh before turning around to face the one who called her.
"Prince Diamant," she greeted. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"I was just taking a casual stroll when I saw you," said Diamant. His eyes wander to a sparkle that the Elusian princess wears around her neck. "And I see you are still wearing the necklace you made. I don't think I've ever seen you take it off since the day you first showed it to me. Your work on it is truly wonderful."
"Have care where your eyes linger," Ivy teased.
"My apologies," Diamant blushed. "But I do truly mean it. Every time I see you wear it, I am filled with more hope for the future between our nations."
"When I said I would wear it every day, well, that may be truer than even I expected," said Ivy. "To think that a simple gem could hold such power. Every time I look at it, touch it, think about it, I am filled with courage I never thought I could ever feel."
"It gladdens me to hear you say that," Diamant smiled. "I had hoped my gift would help you greatly. I think it helped more than even I expected."
"Well, I wouldn't say it was only your gift," Ivy muttered to herself.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't hear you that time," said Diamant.
Ivy sighs again. She touches the gem of her necklace again as she closes her eyes.
"Do you ever feel that you are never honest enough with the people you trust?" Ivy asked.
"We all have things to hide, even myself," said Diamant. "Secrets vary in how serious they are and how they affect those around us. Why do you ask? Is there something you wish to tell me?"
"You could say that," Ivy responded vaguely. After another sigh, she says, "I thought I'd have the courage to just come out and say it..."
"Don't force yourself if you don't have to," said Diamant.
"No, I feel like I have to," said Ivy. "I thank you again for the gift, Prince Diamant. It has helped more than even I expected. With that being said, I cannot fully credit the gift. If anything, I think the one who gave it to me deserves more credit for my newfound bravery."
"Is that so?" Diamant replied.
"If I may be so bold to admit, the thought of you has filled me with more courage than this gem has," Ivy continued.
"I… you have me at a loss for words, Princess Ivy," Diamant said, confused. "I feel as if you are trying to tell me something more."
"Ugh, I thought this would be easier," Ivy scolded herself. "I'll just say what I have to say. Prince Diamant, I admire you... I adore you... I... I feel that we... that we are..."
"Something more than what we are now," Diamant said suddenly and softly.
"Um... yes," Ivy confirmed awkwardly, her cheeks turning red. "Wait, how did you know what I wished to say?"
"Because you've spoken the very same words I have been juggling in my mind throughout this entire conversation, words that I wished to say to you," Diamant said sincerely. "I admire you, Princess Ivy. I adore you. And I feel that we could be... I mean, I think of you as..."
"Someone very dear and very special to me," Ivy finished.
"Ivy," Diamant gasped.
"Diamant," Ivy mumbled.
Diamant takes a step closer, as did Ivy. The princess puts her fingers on her necklace again as she takes another step closer. Another step closer and their bodies would only touch one another. No one made another move, but their stare into each other's eyes for an awfully long time. Ivy moves a little closer, but not close enough for them to touch. She could see a tint of red on Diamant's cheeks, and he can see a shade of crimson on her face.
They can only read each other's eyes and faces as they continue to stare at one another. Is this reality? Is this the position they want to be in?
"We are in a public spot," Ivy whispered.
"Another step closer, there are those that would see this a scandal," Diamant added.
"Yet why does this feel so... not wrong to me?" Ivy said.
"I feel the same," Diamant said quietly and lovingly.
"Should we, or should we wait?" Ivy asked with desire in her voice.
"I don't know," Diamant answered.
"We should be focused on the war. Can we really afford a moment like this?" Ivy wondered.
"Does it make a difference if we take another step forward?" Diamant teased.
"You are making it harder not to behave like a fool right now," Ivy teased back.
"Do you still hesitate because of our respective positions as king and queen?" Diamant guessed.
"I suppose, although that didn't stop me from opening my mouth about my true feelings," said Ivy. "I wanted to be completely honest with you."
"And I with you," said Diamant.
Despite their places in this world as the future King of Brodia and the soon-to-be Queen of Elusia... despite the bloody history between their nations... despite the importance of the upcoming battle against the Fell Dragon Sombron... despite what their allies and respective families would think if they saw them now...
Diamant and Ivy take another step closer...
Despite the perilous battle that awaits her and her allies, Citrinne can only marvel at the view from Lookout Ridge. She has been training very hard as of late, some might say too hard. There were a couple people who suggested that she take a break so she doesn't strain herself. She fully intends on returning to her training behind their backs, but not before letting this gorgeous view calm her soul.
"Citrinne," someone called.
Upon hearing his voice, Citrinne instinctively puts a hand over her chest where her beating heart. She takes a deep breath before turning around and facing him.
"Hello, Divine One," Citrinne greeted formally. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"Actually, I came here to show you something," said Alear. "Here, Citrinne. Have a look at this."
"Is that a dried flower? It looks familiar," said Citrinne.
"It's from the bouquet you gave me," Alear reminded. "I carefully dried each flower for use as a decoration. I think of your kindness every time I look at them, Citrinne."
Alear gives the dried flower he's holding to Citrinne. She admires the little thing as a sunny feeling arises beneath her cheeks. She can see Alear putting a hand on his cheek, as if he's feeling the same as her.
"What a lovely thought," Citrinne smiled. "I'm delighted to see you've taken such good care of them. Thank you for sharing with me."
"I didn't come here just to show you the flower. This time, I have a gift for you," said Alear.
"Oh, you do? And what might that be?" Citrinne asked.
"This..."
Alear reaches for something. In his hand is a ring, but it was no ordinary ring. It is a ring that he and his friends fought so hard to obtain. A ring that holds great value and meaning to the Divine Dragon. A ring whose beauty shines with purpose.
"The Pact Ring?" Citrinne recognized. She sounded very shocked. "But this is a historic piece of jewelry. I suspect it's worth more than all of my riches combined. Why would you give this to me?"
"I'm giving this to you because…" Alear paused to build up courage. "Because I love you, Citrinne."
"You... what?" Citrinne was beyond shocked now.
Citrinne covers her gaping mouth with both hands, and then moves her hands over her chest. Her heart is beating faster than it has ever beat before. That sunny feeling in her cheeks grew sunnier and harder to ignore.
Alear abashedly covers his smile with his hand as he looks away from Citrinne and at the clouds. Citrinne swears she can see the color red appearing on his cheeks. He stops avoiding eye contact and faces the Brodian noble with a smile on his lips and eyes.
"I want you to be more than just my ally and confidante, Citrinne," Alear continued, with complete sincerity and warmth in his voice. "I'm giving you this ring as a token of my affection. I wish to walk, fight, and stand by your side for as long as we have each other. I had hope you would wish for the same."
Citrinne gasps and sighs. She's so overwhelmed by this sudden confession that she can't think of the right words to say... or any words at all.
"So, what do you say?" Alear asked with that endearing smile of his.
"Divine One, I..." Citrinne paused.
She was still near speechless from his confession.
"I'm sorry. Did I overstep?" Alear asked worriedly.
"What? N-No, you haven't," Citrinne assured. "I'm just surprised, that's all. I have only ever imagined myself in this position. To be standing here right now, listening to your words... am I dreaming?"
"No, this is really real," Alear confirmed. "I meant what I said, Citrinne. When we retrieved the Pact Ring, when I was told that I could give it to the person I cherish the most, I imagined you wearing it on your finger. I knew then and there that I had to give it to you and to tell you how I truly feel. Your courage, your generosity, I admire everything about you. I truly do."
Citrinne gasps with a smile this time.
"This is... honestly, it's too much," said Citrinne. "But I guess this means I can finally be honest with you."
"About what?" Alear asked.
"How I truly feel," Citrinne answered. "Divine One, about the bouquet I gave you... I intended to pick three of each kind, but then my hand wandered to a specific flower. The only flower in the bouquet that stands on its own. Do you know what it symbolizes?"
"You must be talking about the red one," Alear remembered. "What did it mean?"
"My hand and mind wandered towards that flower..." Citrinne paused as she closed her eyes and smiled. "Because I love you, too."
Alear's smile grows wider upon hearing those words.
"So, yes, Divine One, I will accept your gift," Citrinne answered finally.
"I'm so happy to hear that," Alear said very happily.
Citrinne raises her hand forward. Alear gently grabs hold and slips the Pact Ring on her ring finger. Citrinne's blush becomes redder, as does Alear's as they fingers intertwine.
Suddenly, Citrinne pulls herself forward, the hand that still holds the dried flower now on Alear's cheek, and she closes the gap between their lips with a kiss. Alear was shocked at first, but wastes no time returning the kiss, his free hand holding the hand that touches his cheek.
After the kiss, Citrinne looks at the ring on her finger, all the while her fingers remain wrapped around Alear's.
"Heh, you know I love to give gifts, but I rarely receive them myself," said Citrinne. "You were right about sentimental value. A gift from the heart is a wonderful gift indeed."
"I couldn't agree more," Alear agreed with a loving smile.
Citrinne lets out a delightful laugh and says, "I must be the luckiest woman in the world. Thank you, Alear."
Alear gasps. He has gotten so used to everyone calling him "Divine One" that hearing Citrinne say his true name was a real shock. He was gonna talk about it with her eventually, but it looks like she beat him to it.
After the initial shock, he can only smile that she is beginning to see him as more than a deity.
"When this war is over, we must attend a formal ball together," Citrinne proposed excitedly. "Now that I think about it, I suppose it could be our engagement party instead. Oh, I know that's a long way off..."
"Why wait? We can just dance right here and now," Alear suggested. "Think of it as a formal-ish ball, just for the two of us."
"I'd love that very much," Citrinne blushed.
After momentarily covering the blush on her cheeks, Citrinne steps forward and gets into position. One hand wrapped his and the other over his shoulder. She keeps a tight grip on the dried flower as she slowly starts dancing. Alear follows suit. Without any instruments to enhance the mood, Citrinne hums her favorite ballroom music for them to dance to. To look at Citrinne's beautiful face while listening to her melodic humming was enough to make Alear blush, but he stayed steady as he danced.
Citrinne takes another step closer and wraps one arm around Alear as she rests her head on his chest. The dancing continues as the two cherish this moment of harmony and intimacy.
After a happy sigh, Citrinne says, "What a gift exchange this is - you and I both offering to support and to love one another. It's priceless."
END (or not)