"Hey.. how are you holding up?"

Victoria shrugged, "Could be better.. could be worse.."

"True.. would you like to talk about it?"

Victoria shook her head, no. She couldn't tell her cousin.. her crush.. why her best friend lost their life.. she couldn't tell him how horrible it was finding part of their body.. and not knowing if the rest would be separated.. Her best friend didn't deserve the horror she had to face.. Victoria couldn't burden her love with the dark details of her other life.

"Well, if you ever need someone to talk to.. I'm here for you."

"Thanks, Albert.. that means a lot." Victoria murmured.


- Few Months Later -

Victoria tried not to let the loss get her down. She had other tasks that required her attention. Victoria couldn't wallow in self pity. It was unlike her to do so. After all, her line of work had death at every corner. Still, she tried to make the most of her situation. It helped that Albert was around to offer her support.

"Hey, Al…"

"Yes?"

"Do you remember when we first met?"

"Of course. It was around your seventeenth birthday. Our uncle, Leopold, introduced us to each other."

Victoria smiled at the memory.

"Why do you ask?"

"Well.. the truth is.. I fell in love with you from the first day we met."

"Wait.. Really?"

"Yes.. I know it must be strange.." Victoria murmured, "After all, we're first cousins.."

"It's alright."

"It is?" Victoria questioned with a tilt of her head.

"Yes, absolutely! Victoria, I fell for you long ago." Albert held her hands gently, "Our feelings our connected, so it must be destiny."

Victoria giggled, "What would your father say to this?"

"Why, he would approve!"

"He would?"

"Of course!" Albert replied with no doubt in his mind, "My father married my stepmother who was also his niece."

"Oh. Um, why did your father decide to divorce his first wife?"

"My father and mother had rumors of scandals that eventually led to divorce."

"Oh.. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. Don't be.. Anyways, my grandpa married his relative. Sure, she didn't last long cause of the flu, and my grandpa's heart was already taken by the beautiful Augusta. But he didn't have any scandals as he truly loved her. I promise you, Victoria, I will never fall for another woman if you become my bride."

"Really?" Victoria asked in awe.

"I swear on it. For as long as I live, you will be the only one for me."

Victoria grasped her cousin tightly, "Same to you. My love will never falter with you by my side."