Astral's POV:

"What are they talking about over there?"

"Whatever it is, it must be enticing."

My sister glances at me with an odd expression then turns back to the group. What's with that expression?

"Do you think they're talking about us?"

"Us?" He scoffs poking my shoulder. "I'm more leaning on they're talking about you than me."

"Why would you assume that?"

He runs his fingers through his hair. "Because you're the prince."

"What kind of logic is that?"

He shakes his head. "Seriously? Anyway, how are you and your wife doing?"

"We're good."

My friend's eyes narrow as he leans closer to me until our noses touch. I back against the counter. Why is he this close? "Hm…"

"Can you back up for a minute?"

"Tell me, have you kissed her yet?"

"Yes,"

His eyes light up with a smirk. "How was it?"

I scoff and push him back as I straighten my clothes. "Like I'm going to tell you that."

"Why not? Aren't we friends?" He swings my hand back and forth.

"Yes, we're friends but there's a line between my personal life and my relationship between you guys."

"Don't be that way. One thing. Just tell me one thing about it." One thing? Alright then.

"Her lips were soft."

"And…?!"

My lips curve into a smirk. "That was one thing."

He blinks as I can see the gears turning. "No fair! Everyone knows that lips are soft. I want some more details!"

"Then go get yourself a lover and experience it for yourself."

"You think I don't know that?" He rolls his eyes swinging an arm around my shoulders. "It's just none of these women fall for my tactics." Tactics?

"You mean flirtatious attempts to flatter a woman?"

"Exactly!" A hand turns my head to a woman with dark brown hair and brown eyes. "Quite a beauty, am I right?"

"I guess she's pretty." I shrug as he smacks my head.

"Your taste in women are so bad."

"They say beauty is subjective and is in the eye of the beholder."

"Whatever," He directs his gaze back to that woman. "Anyway, I've been making a move and flirting with her since forever but no luck!"

"I'm like seriously?! Am I not attractive for you? Am I doing something wrong?" My friend rambles as I see her pecking a guy on the lips with loving gazes.

Did he not do his research? I tap him on the shoulder. "Or it could be because she has a boyfriend."

"Hm?" He turns back to me with a confused expression. "Why would you say that?"

My finger points in her direction as his jaw hangs. Did he not know? "You have got to be kidding!" He hollers as I clamp his mouth shut.

Everyone looks at us with confused expressions as I laugh nervously. Oh my god.

"Simmer down." I remove my hand from his mouth as he crosses his arms. "We don't want to cause a scene."

"I spent years trying to pursue her only to find that she has a boyfriend? Just great! What awesome luck!" What am I supposed to say in this situation?

"Did you not do your research?" My eyebrow raise as he blinks. "Every being knows that in order to get a woman, research her likes and dislikes, type of men they are in to, and many more."

"But… isn't that a bit creepy though?"

Creepy? Well…

"Eh. Think of it this way, the more you know about your target, the better you have a chance at success."

My friend blinks as I can see the gears twirling in his head. "You do have a point… wait," His eyes widen. "Is that how you get women to like you so much? You look into their files and turn into the man of their dreams essentially manipulating them to get what you want!"

Uh…

A hand pokes my chest. "No wonder everyone you go out with likes you. You're a cold blooded manipulator!"

"What? It's not manipulation." I state after a few minutes as he crosses his arms. "And besides, I can't help it that they like me."

A pout flashes on his lip as he mutters something under his breath.

What now?

"Aw, don't take it too hard," I place a hand on his shoulder. "There are many other women out there for you to chose from."

I meet his eyes as he sighs. "You know what? Women are too complexed. I mean if you slip up even a tiny bit, they get angry." True.

"You've got a point."

"See? You agree as well. So, I'm thinking of being single for the rest of my life."

"You what?!"

Everyone stares at us again as my friend sighs. "Seriously?"

"Sorry but you're thinking of being single forever?" I raise a brow as he bites his lips.

"Well, maybe not forever but until I find the one who is right for me. Plus," An arm pulls me closer giving me a wink and a smirk. "I prefer to be around you than others if you catch my drift." Lets play with him a bit.

My eyes roll as I poke his cheek. "So are you saying you're switching sides?" I return his wink and lean closer until our nose touches. "Don't tell me you're also seduced by my looks?"

"What if I am?"

I run my hand through my hair. "Well, look at me, I'm not surprised that I managed to seduce you." I let out a sigh. "I'm irresistible."

"Yea, you're irresistible." He begins with a smirk. "Irresistibly narcissistic that is."

"That's not even correct but I'll give it to you." My hands push him away with a chuckle. "You're acting is getting really good."

"What if I'm not acting?" He bats his eyelashes as I stifle a chuckle.

"Ok, ok, cut it out."

Astrana's POV:

"Did I just see what I thought I see?"

My friends rub their eyes in shock. "No kidding…"

"They were flirting…"

Their faces were so close I thought they were going to… "Liliana?"

"Yes?"

"Is he… bi?"

She blinks then look at the two of them rolling their eyes and laughing. "I don't think so…"

"That's it," I stand up. "I'm going to see what's so amusing."

"No!"

"Wait!"

If that really is the case… then Zachary will probably be my brother in law… A chill travels down my spine as I rub my arms. Not that I have anything against it.

"Hey you two. Whatcha talking about?"

My brother looks at me with a smile as he ruffles my hair. "Nothing much. How are you enjoying the party?" Switching the topic are we?

"Eh… it's pretty good so far. By the way, why aren't you dancing, Zach?"

"Oh," He scoffs. "I don't like them. Too complexed for my tastes."

Complexed? "We're complexed?"

He nods. "Yeah. Men are more simple than women."

Huh… "Then… you like guys more than girls?"

"Yup!" My friend shoots me a cheeky smile and swings an arm over my brother's shoulders staring at him. "Especially your brother, Astrana."

My face pales as he rolls his eyes. "You prefer me?"

"Duh! You're my go to man when I need help with things."

"Really?"

He nods. "Mhm. I know you don't remember but when ever I need help, I can always come to you."

"Huh… what kind of trouble?"

"Oh, you know, the usual dating drama among us teens. One time, my father set me up with your wife." He said nonchalantly as my brother's eyes narrow. Oh no…

"So you two had an arranged marriage?"

"But you stopped it from happening. Also, for your information, I don't view your wife as a romantic partner."

He ruffles his hair as he makes a face. "Hey, not the hair!"

My brother laughs as he furrows his brows. "Why must you always mess with it? It took forever to style."

"I enjoy teasing you."

"Hmph,"

Am I reading too much into this or are they acting like… "Astrana," He hands me a cupcake in a bowl. What?

"Give this to my wife for me, will you?"

"You're her husband." I put the emphasis on the word husband as I glance at my friend. "Why can't you give it to her?"

"I would love to but I'm occupied."

My gaze drift to my friend hugging his arm tightly. Seriously? "Why are you holding onto his arm?"

"Because I want to!" He shoots a smile at my brother. "Plus, he allowed me to, right?"

"Mhm."

This is… what the heck?!

Star's POV:

"Things aren't looking so good."

"I agree. Do you think Zach likes him or is it the other way around?"

"I'm not so sure… but I think Zach likes him."

"I still have yet to understand how he has the attraction to attract people of the same gender."

No kidding. First it was Eros. Now, it's Zach. My friend walks up to us holding a bowl in her hands. "How was it?"

"Did you find anything?"

"Who was flirting with who?"

She sighs once more and sits down handing the cupcake to my friend. "Lily, here. Your husband got this for you."

"At least he remembered." She stabs a fork in it and smiles. "You guys wanna try some?"

"Nah, we're good."

How is she so calm? We stare at her eating her cake with a carefree smile. "Mmm! It's simply divine." My friend looks at us with a head tilt. "You sure you don't want to try?"

We shake our heads as my friend leans towards me. "Is she in shock?"

"That might be why she's so calm."

"Lily, aren't you worried?"

"And what may I be worried about?"

Seriously?

She places her fork down dabbing her lips gently and opening her eyes to meet ours. "There's nothing to worry about." Her gaze locks onto her husband with a loving smile.

"I got him beat. Whether it's looks or personality." Her lips curve into a sweet smirk making me shiver as I look at my friends. Is it just me or does the air seem thick and murderous?

"I'm his legal wife so the only way they can be together officially is to file for a divorce." She looks at her fingernails as a yawn escapes her lips. "I'm also bearing his child so if he divorces me, there would be no heir to the future throne."

Her purple eyes meets ours as I gulp. "So no, I'm not worried. I got him right in the palm of my hand." Wow… I'm speechless…

"Psst, has she always been this… cunning?"

"I wouldn't use cunning but rather… ambiguous and a deep thinker."

"Think whatever you want but," He points to her deadly smirk. "Since when does she use that expression?"

"I don't know but it's scary."

Liliana's POV:

Hahaha! Look at their terrified expressions. Priceless! "Mama," My daughter tug my hand as my lips curve upwards. "Dada is scary."

Huh? I glance at my beloved who is sporting a sweet smile at me. How is he scary? "Care to explain what you mean, my sunshine?"

She crawls on my lap and hugs my stomach. "I don't know but he's acting funny."

"Funny?"

"Melody, what do you mean by that?"

"The aura that he gives off is not him." Hah?

We look at him staring into space probably thinking of something while my friend walks up to me.

"Zach, I thought you were-"

"There's something wrong with him." He interrupts my friend.

"Yeah no kidding. You were flirting with him."

He rolls his eyes. "That's beside the point, Brandon. I'm talking about how his personality suddenly switched."

His personality switched? "Can you clarify what you mean?"

"You know how he's usually, right?" We nod. Yup. "Well, let's just say, he's acting the opposite."

"What do you mean by that?"

He points to my husband flirting with a lady in the corner of a room. Did he forget that I'm here?! My blood boils as my friends hold me back. "See what I mean?"

"How dare he?"

"Lily," My sister in law sighs gripping my arm. "Calm yourself."

"Astrana," My hazel eyed friend said astonished. "Do you know what it's like to see your husband flirt with another woman?"

"Yeah," My white haired friend places a hand under her chin. "He wouldn't normally flirt with random people like this."

"Perhaps he's been around you too much, Zach." My brown haired friend giggles as he snaps his gaze towards her.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"She means that you're rubbing off on him with your flirtatious personality."

"Shush it, Derek." He glares at him as he chuckles. "Besides, it's a good thing that I'm rubbing off on him. That way, he can be more romantic and less like a block of wood."

Why do I even bother with him? My friends and I groan shaking our heads. He's really something else. That's for sure.

(Flash):

My hand touch his forehead. "You're a bit warm, my darling."

(Flash)

Could it be that… "Does he have a fever?"

My friends blinks as a look of realization crosses their faces. "Ohhhhh…"

"What does having a fever have to do with this?"

"Astrana, Estrella, when he has a fever, he acts strange."

"So…" My sister in law looks at my husband. "You think it's because of a fever that he's acting the way he is?"

"Yes, or," My eyes drift towards my friend. "He's been hanging around this guy too much."

"Hey! You make it sound like I'm a bad influence or something."

We look at each other and burst out laughing as he crosses his arms. "Sorry, sorry,"

"I don't mean to laugh,"

"But the way you said that… hahahahaha!"

After the party:

Astral's POV:

(Pulse)

I hiss rubbing my temples as a hand touch my shoulder. "Honey?"

"Astral,"

"I thought I told you to not bother me."

"Since when do I listen to the likes of you?"

"Why are you here? Who are you?"

He laughs. "Oh, it seems like you have forgotten about me. My name is Dark."

"Dark… why are you here?"

A malicious laugh rings throughout my brain. "Why am I here? I thought you were smarter than this."

"What do you mean?"

"You will find out soon enough… my other half…"

"Your other half? What do you-"

(Pulse)

Ow… what is with him in leaving so suddenly? And what is he? My other half?

My body shakes violently as I blink. "Astral, wake up!"

"What… are… you… doing?" My speech staggers as she stops shaking me.

"Oh thank goodness!" My wife sighs in relief. "I was about to get the doctor."

"Why? Are you feeling ill?"

She blinks and places a hand on my forehead. "No, I'm feeling fine but…" She puts her other hand on her forehead. "No fever. That's a relief."

Huh? A fever? I raise a brow. "You have a fever?" My hands guide her towards the bed. "Here, lay down and rest."

A giggle escapes her delicate lips as she holds my hands. "Silly, I don't have a fever. I was wondering if you have a fever."

Me? I point to myself. "Why would I have a fever?"

My wife blinks with a head tilt. "Oh I don't know. Perhaps it's because I called your name multiple times yet you were frozen for roughly 10 minutes?" Her tone rises as she backs me against the bed. Uh-oh…

Her gaze softens. "What was that phone call about? Ever since you came back, I sense that you're injured somehow."

There's no way that she can sense it. A sharp pain radiates from the center of my chest causing me to wince, hissing breathing heavily. Darn it! This is what I get for forcefully cutting the connection and letting my mind wander.

The woman on the bed let's out a sigh. "I'm right, aren't I? You're injured."

"I'm feeling fine." I gulp as her hands open my shirt pressing a bit in the middle of my chest.

"Ow!" My teeth clench as she shakes her head slowly.

"Why do you keep hiding things from me?" A burst of pink light emits from her hand as it gently lay on my chest causing my body to stiffen. "You hid the fact that you were injured by expending your energy to this spot."

Nothing gets past her. "How can you tell?"

"I'm your wife. If I don't know you, then who will?"

Warmness flows in my body as the pain in my chest starts to dissipate. Wait a minute…! My eyes widen as I move but her hand holds mine tightly. "Don't you dare move an inch!"

"You shouldn't be expending your energy like this. You're-"

"I'm not that weak, Astral. I can heal you just fine."

"But-"

"No buts." She closes her eyes taking a deep breath. "You're my husband and you're wounded. It's my duty as a wife to help you."

Liliana… Her eyes open staring into mine. "Even if you have amnesia, you must know that you have an overall ice core yet, why do I sense an imbalance?"

Uh-oh… "I… um…"

A jolt of energy flows through me as my eyes widen. Is she- "Don't!"

"Stay still!" Her hand pushes me onto the bed as her prowess flows into my chest expelling the heat.

"Do you know what you're doing? Did you forget you have an ice core as well?" I struggle in bed as she pins me down laying on top of me.

"I'll be fine. Did you forget that I along with having an ice core, I have a water core as well?"

Oh right! She has two cores for some reason. I can sense the fire in me starting to balance out with my cores as her powers retreat. Note to self: Don't do anything to upset my core's balance.

We stare at each other as her breathing labors. A hand touch my cheek with a tired smile. "See? I told you that I would be… fine…"

My beloved's eyes slowly shut as her heads falls into my chest. Rhythmic breathing fills my ears as my lips peck the top of her head. "Sleep tight, my love."

(Knock)(Knock)

"Daddy," A tiny figure comes in straightening her clothes. "Can I…" My daughter trails off as she blinks.

"Oh, hey Melody." My friend enters patting her head. "Aren't you supposed to be sleeping?"

"Yeah but I wanna sleep with Dada!"

She giggles and look at me. Her gaze drift towards my wife and back to me. Here's another misunderstanding. "S-Sorry!" My friend spins around on her heel turning my daughter by her shoulders.

"Huh?"

A sigh escape my lips. "Star, it's not what you think."

"I-I didn't mean to interrupt…" Her ears turn bright red as I stifle a chuckle. She's really quite adorable.

My body slowly picks my wife up moving her to lay on a pillow as my lips plant a gentle kiss on her forehead pulling up the blanket. "We weren't doing anything like that."

My daughter hugs my legs. "Doing what?"

"You don't need to know that at your age."

"Mmmm," Her lips curve downwards. "Dada,"

"Hm?"

"Can I sleep with you and Mommy tonight?"

"Of course you can," I said after a moment as her eyes light up.

"Yay! Uppie, please!" A chuckle escapes my lips as my hands lift her up.

"Looks like someone's been working on her manners." I poke her cheek as she rubs it sticking out her tongue.

"My manners are the best!"

"Yes, you're the best, honey." I ruffle her hair as she nuzzles her face against my neck.

"Don't leave me." A tiny and scared voice cause me to raise an eyebrow. Leave her?

My head tilts as she buries herself wrapping her arms around my neck tightly. "Promise me that you will never leave me and Mommy."

Did her real father leave her? Is that why she's saying this? My fingers stroke her blue hair pressing her tiny body against me. "Since when did I say I was going to leave you?"

"Mmm… I just don't want you to leave us again."

This confirms my suspicions. "Sweetheart," I whisper in her ear. "I would never leave you or your mother."

My daughter leans back staring at me with her gorgeous eyes. "Promise?" She holds out her pinky as I stifle a laugh.

"Promise." My pinky intertwines with hers connecting our thumbs to seal the deal.

Her expression brightens significantly as she throws herself at my neck. My hands pat her back. "If you dare break our promise, you'll get struck by heavenly lightning."

My eyes widen as I turn my head a bit. Lightning I heard but heavenly lightning? That's a new one. "You're only two and a half yet you're just like your mother." I mutter as my daughter leans back blinking with a cute head tilt.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

A laugh escapes my lips as I ruffle her hair. "Heavenly lightening? Honey, I never knew you were so violent."

A cute high pitched giggle emits from her lips. "So, if I'm like Mommy, does that mean you love me as well?" Her eyelashes bat innocently. Hm…

I shrug giving her a clueless expression. "I'm still deciding on that matter."

My daughter's eyes narrow. "Hmph!" Her arms cross with a pout. "Mommy, Daddy doesn't love me!"

I glance at my wife whose eyes are slightly opening tiredly. Her body faces us with a lazy smile. "He's joking, my sunshine. Of course he loves you."

"Then why doesn't he ever say it?"

My wife smiles as the being in my arms stares at me. "Down, please."

I place her on the ground as she crawls in bed snuggling against her pulling up the blanket. My love pats her back staring at her with a tender gaze.

Oh great. She took my spot. My lips curve upwards as I approach my gorgeous wife sitting on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

A yawn escapes her as she rubs her eyes. "Fatigued."

"Then rest." My eyes drift to the being laying next to her. "Melody-"

"Mmm," She whines cuddling closer to her mother. "I wanna sleep with Mommy." But… considering that she spent her prowess and energy healing me…

A hand holds mine as I meet purple eyes. "I'm fine, Astral. Just a bit tired is all. She's our daughter."

I nod. "Alright but," My eyes land back on the person next to her. "Don't make too much noise and let her rest, okay?"

"Okay, okay, you love her more than me." She mutters waving her arms dismissively as I shake my head slowly. Why this girl.

I lean down to peck my daughter's head. "You know that I like you, right?"

Her eyes widen as her head snap towards me staring at me in utter disbelief. Her expression morphs into a beaming smile as her arms pull me into a tight hug by the neck. "I love you too, Daddy."

My lips curve into a minuscule smile as a warm sensation flows from within. Who knew that it could be this warm?

Star's POV:

This scene… compared to when he first had amnesia, he's a totally different person. He enters his office as I shut the door staring at the blue sea below. "You have something you wanted to ask me?"

My friend lets out a sigh staring at the cherry blossoms fluttering in the wind. "This is going to sound peculiar but… have we met when we were younger?"

I blink as my head slowly turns to him. What? "I'm sorry?"

"Have we met when we were around the age of 8?"

The age of eight? How does he expect md to remember that when I'm having trouble recalling my own identity? "I'm assuming you're remembering something that triggered this question?" I ask after a moment as he turns to meet my eyes.

"I… don't know but," A hand clutches his head as he shakes it slowly. "I mean, when I remember things, it always comes back as bits and pieces."

"Oh? Does it not manifest as dreams?"

He walks over to his desk pulling up a chair across from him as we sit. A hand opens his drawer pulling out a bunch of files. "It sometimes manifest as dreams but very rarely."

My friend flips through the file with a critical gaze. "It should be in here…" A business man as usual. So organized.

"Ah, here it is." He points to a number then shows it to me. "I did the calculations and if my memory comes back in the form of dreams, there's 49% of that happening."

49%? Why not just make it a solid 50? "Which means that you seem to recall memories when experiencing the same or similar situations, right?"

"Correct,"

A brief period of silence pass through us as we stare at each other. I can't get over the fact that he has those stunning eyes. It's one of those gazes where you see it once and will never forget.

If I had seen him before… then wouldn't I remember his eyes? After all, I doubt that there's another being who has the same pair of unique luminous colors to them.

"Something on my face?" He touches his cheek wiping off imaginary dirt as I blink snapping from my thoughts.

"Ah, sorry. I was thinking about something." I respond sheepishly as he lets out a minuscule smile.

"No need to apologize. I space out on occasions as well." He winks as I stifle a giggle.

"How's remembering going?"

A sigh escape my lips. "Well, it's getting there. It's hazy."

"Hazy?" He places his cup down. "I'm assuming it comes in pieces for you too?"

"Mhm."

"May I…" My friend begins after a moment clasping his hands leaning forward. Huh?

"May you what?"

"This might be a bit personal but if you don't mind… can you share your memories with me?" My eyes widen at his words. Share my memories?

"You don't have to if you don't want to." He bites his lip after seeing my expression. "I-"

"Alright." I shrug. "Where do you want me to start?"

My friend blinks for a minute in shock then his lip curve with a tiny smile. "Have you remembered anything that would give you a clue to your identity?"

Would he believe me though? My eyes drift to his. I'm going to wing it. "This is going to sound crazy but I think I was royalty."

He raises an eyebrow leaning forward a bit. "Royalty… as in a princess?"

I nod fidgeting with my thumbs. "It sounds unbelievable, I know but that's what I saw in my memory."

My friend eyes me critically examining me from head to toe as his gaze locks on my eyes. See? He's not believing my words. And why is he staring at me like I'm a suspect?

"A princess huh?" He mutters as his expression morphs into a smile. "Is there more to the memory?"

"Yea… my father was carrying me in his arms while a guy chased us with a sword." I said after a moment as his eyes widen.

"How old were you when this happened?"

"I don't remember but I'm assuming around 7 or 8."

He places a hand under his chin with a sigh. "Seven or eight years of age…"

"Something the matter?"

My friend blinks looking at me with a head shake. "Ah, it's nothing."

(Ring)(Ring)(Ring)

A phone? A sigh escapes his lips as he holds the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

After a few seconds, his expression morphs into a frown. "Ok, be right there." The call ends with a beep as he lets out a yawn.

What was that call about? "What was that call about?"

"It was nothing." How peculiar…

Astral's POV:

"Waltari,"

He bows as the door opens. "Yes, Your Highness?"

"I want a throughout analysis and report my friend."

He blinks in confusion. "Pardon? I apologize but who are you speaking about?"

"Star. Do an analysis about her past and who she was before her amnesia."

"Right away, Master."

(Ring)(Ring)(Ring)

Again? What's wrong this time? I press the green button on my phone and place it to my ear. "Yes?"

"Your Highness," A masculine voice rings through the phone. "I've got great news. She's stabilized!"

My eyes widen. "Really?"

"Yup! She's stabilized and is on her way to recovery. Although, she seems to be unconscious at the moment, I think she will awaken in the next few days, a week at most."

That's a relief. "How's the child doing?"

"He's doing well. He was crying a bit but he's currently asleep." A sigh rings through the phone. "The baby seems to really miss you, Your Highness. No matter how much the nurses and I feed him and play with him, he keeps staring at the door almost as if he's searching for someone."

That someone is probably me. "Just make sure that he's okay and happy."

"Will do, Your Highness."

"Oh and if her condition changes, let me know immediately."

"Mhm. No need to worry. Goodnight, Your Highness."

"Goodnight."

The call disconnects as my butler stares at me with blinking eyes. "Is something the matter?" I ask after a few moments of him staring.

"No. It's nothing Master." He bows. "I will get on your request right away."

Master huh?

My head nods as I rise approaching him. "Remember, no one can know about this. Especially my friend. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Thanks… (Cough) Waltari." (Cough) (Cough) (Cough)

My finger grips onto my desk as a palm cover my mouth.

My body lunches forward hacking violently into my palm. Why now? Damnit!

My chest stings like a thousand bees. I begin to stagger clutching my chest, biting my tongue until the blood from it mixes with the other coming from my mouth to not scream. Uh-oh…

"Your Highness!" He shouts as a hand tries to help me off the ground. "Anyone, summon the-"

"No…" I whisper while trying to catch my breath with a trail of blood trickling down my lips and onto the carpet.

"But, Your Highness,"

"Waltari, (Cough) listen… (Cough)… to (Cough)(Cough) me!"

My field of vision slowly blurs as my chest squeezes tightly. "Don't… let… anyone… know… about…"

"You cannot be serious!" His brown eyes stare at me with disbelief. "If this keeps up, you will-"

"I… (Cough)… I know but…"

"If you know the severity of it then why must you-"

"I don't want everyone's concern and… worry." My breathing labors as my eyes shut tightly. My fingers clench digging my nails into my palm breaking the skin barrier. Why does this have to happen? "Is it worth getting everyone…" (Cough)(Cough)

"Yes! They are all your family and friends, Master!" He speaks hastily as I shake my head to the best of my ability.

"Yes, but still, they all have their own lives… they shouldn't…"

(Cough)(Cough)(Cough) The pain intensifies as something wet runs down my cheeks. Tears? "They… shouldn't worry…"

"Y-Your Highness," His voice trembles as a hand shakes my shoulder. "Why are you always like this?"

"I… (Cough)" Sweat drips from my forehead as I bite my tongue harder.

He sniffles holding back a sob. "Why do you always think of other's?"

My eyes open slightly to notice tears streaming down his face. What on earth? "Haha… (Cough) why are you crying?"

He stays silent looking away as a stabbing sensation in my chest makes me to dig my nails into my palm harder. Don't you dare scream. Don't you dare, Astral.

"How can I not?" His voice cracks as he sniffles wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be alive at this point."

What? "You may not remember but if you didn't save me from the bandits when you were roughly 10…"

So, I… (Cough)(Cough) Why does it hurts so much this time? Is it getting worse? "Your Highness!" A hand shakes me violently. "Wake up!"

"Quick, summon the-"

"Are you not listening to me anymore?" I ask in my best stern tone. "I said not to call the doctor."

"You must understand. At this rate, you will-"

"I get that but my illness… there is no cure for it."

He stays silent looking down. "Even if there's no cure for it, there must be a way to-"

I shake my head shutting my eyes. "No. The state that my body is in right now… the rapid spread of this illness… do you think it will stop magically?"

"I…" A hand grips my hand with tears glistening. "You got to believe. There's always a way to turn this around, Your Highness!"

"Even if there was, I fear that I would be long gone when a treatment comes out."

The current state that my body is weakening. Before long, all of my powers will disappear and when that happens…

A gasp escape his lips. "Don't say those unlucky words! You'll be fine."

"No (Cough) no need to cheer me up with false hope." My breathing goes ragged. "I know my body better than anyone."

I look towards him to see that he is struggling to stifle a cry. "You're only 17 years old. You have your whole life ahead of you." I lay my hand on his shoulder. "Once I'm gone, leave this-"

He grips my hand tightly. "No. I-I will not be leaving you, Your Highness." The guy in front of me stammers as tears flow down his face. "I owe you my life. How could you possibly say that?"

"Listen, I don't have much time left and-"

"Stop saying that." He gulps as he raises his voice a few notches. "You'll be fine. We will find a cure."

"Waltari-"

"If you die, what will happen to the Princess Consort? What would happen to Your Majesties and Her Royal Highness?" His body trembles with his eyes red from the tears. "W-What will happen to Princess Melody? She's your daughter. What would happen to your unborn child? Do you want them to live without the care and attention of a father?"

I… "Of (Cough) course not… but it doesn't change reality." I clutch my chest as my breathing labors. Oh no… my power to cover this up is disappearing!

I grimace as I unbutton my shirt. A hiss escape my lips. "W-What are you doing?"

"Waltari, what I'm about to do stays between you and me, alright?" I ask as a pale blue light radiates in my palm.

His eyes widen. "But Master…"

Time to do this again. My eyes narrow as I slam my palm into the left side of my chest. A wave of sharp stabbing pain immediately explodes as I grit my teeth, gripping the hem of my shirt tightly as I can. Don't scream. Don't scream! This is the only way to hide it.

"Stop it!" A hand tries to remove my hand from my chest but I push him away. "Your Highness, do you know what you are doing?!"

Tears leak from his eyes down his face. "Please, Your Highness, stop it. Even if you don't want anyone to know about this, you shouldn't put yourself in more pain."

"I beg you. Stop this!"

My powers dissipate as I start breathing normally again. That should be enough for it to seal any power leakage. Although, My eyes drift towards my hand. It isn't a mistake that my powers are indeed weakening daily and having an impact on my body. At this rate…

"Keep this between us." I said after a moment buttoning up my shirt as tears still fall from his eyes.

"H-How long have you been hiding this?"

A sigh escape my lips. "For a few months now." Here it comes. The dreaded lecture. I knew something was off about my body for a while now… who would've guessed this will happen?

"And you didn't even bother to-"

"Before you say anything," I interrupt him. "I didn't want to worry my parents especially my wife."

"But still, how long were you going to hide it? Eventually they will find out and when that happens-"

"I'll figure that out when I get there."

If they find out that I haven't been getting better but worse… how will they react?

(Flash):

"I love you, Astral. An illness isn't going to change that fact."

"But-"

A finger comes into contact with my lips. "Do you think my love is so fickle that an illness could stop it?"

(Flash)

If she knows about this then…

(Flash):

"What would I have to gain?" She wraps her arm pulling my closer. "You." My fiancée's face buries itself into my shirt. "I don't care if you don't love me. I don't care if you don't remember anything about us, our connection." Her voice trembles holding back a sob from existence. "I want you, Astral. Just you is enough."

(Flash)

I gulp. She would most likely… no. I can't let that happen. No matter what, I must hide this from her.

"Your Highness… are you planning to hide this from Her Highness as well?" My butler speaks up hesitantly as a hand helps me to my chair.

"I must." I reply after a moment. "Knowing her, she might do something reckless."

He nods slowly. "But… are you sure that this is the best solution?"

"Probably." I run my fingers through my hair. "Keep this a secret. Don't tell my parents."

He sighs wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "I hope you know what you're doing, Your Highness."

I hope this is the case as well. A yawn causes me to snap from my thoughts as he laughs sheepishly. "You tired?"

"Sorry, Your Highness."

I wave my arm dismissively. "It is getting pretty late. Get a good night's rest. You deserved it."

He nods with a bow as he approaches the door but stopped and turn back to me with an incredulous expression. Why is he looking at me like that?

"Aren't you going to rest as well?"

"I'm resting here tonight." It's for the best. After all, I can't let them see me in such a state.

"But…"

"Relax," I approach him patting his shoulder. "I'll be fine."

"Master," Tears glisten as his voice trembles. "I have a request."

"And what is this request?"

I tilt my head curiously as my butler sniffles. "Can I hug you?"

My eyes widen as he avoids my gaze. He wants to hug me? "Y-You don't have to agree." He mutters with tears dripping on the carpet.

Sometimes I forget that he's a minor. That event must've scared him. "Of course you can."

His eyes widen in great disbelief. "Really?" He voices in a whisper as my lips curve into a minuscule smile.

My head nods as I hold my arms out to envelope his body. His arms wrap around my neck as I can feel the wetness of tears on my skin. I was correct. That event made him afraid. "It's ok… no need to worry." I pat his shoulder as he pulls me closer.

"H-How can you say that everything will be alright?" He stammers choking back a sob. "Your life is on the line here."

"Simple. Sometimes, you just have to accept things as the way they are. This is bound to happen since I was born. I know. That's why…" I have to come up with a way to discreetly leave.

"It will be alright, Waltari." I said after a moment trying to cheer him up. Sorry. "I will be fine."

"Shhh… stop crying. There's nothing to cry about." My hand pets his gray hair as tears soak my shirt.

This is the first time I saw him shed tears. At least I think so anyway. He must really care about me. My eyes drift to the guy sobbing in my arms. And that's why I can't let anyone know about my condition.

(Flash):

"Do you think that my love is so fickle that an illness could stop it?"

(Flash)

No. Definitely not. That's why… I bite the inside of my mouth. I'm sorry, Liliana.