The next week was filled with hidden touches, stolen kisses, and late nights. The thrill of sneaking around for one precious moment with Septimus was worth it. We had to be careful, if anyone found out then I could turn into bait to be used against him. Not as though I'd let that happen.
I wished there was a way we could be freer with each other without the fear of being found out. How sad it was for all the prince's that they could not freely love without each other using it to their advantage. It was all so twisted and now I was part of it, but I guess that's why everyone keeps it secret because I would do anything for Septimus.
Me and Una had a busy morning, we rode to the meadow again to pick some wildflowers as we came up with a good idea to freeze them onto vases. In theory it sounded beautiful but now we had to see if it would really work. We weren't accompanied this time and it was nice to hear nothing but nature fluttering around us. It made me feel at such ease.
"You are in love with him, aren't you?" Una asked without hesitation.
I sighed "Yes, I think I-" and then I froze mid-sentence, what had Una asked me? I was too much of a daze that I hadn't taken too much care to what she had said and then suddenly realised as I retracted, laughing it off "What are you talking about?"
Una raised her eyebrow at me, waiting for me to confess but I decided to play the denial game to see if she pushed it any further. And of course, Una being Una, she did push it further. I had seen that same intense stare from her brother one too many times.
I met her gaze and asked, "Would you hate me if I did?"
This is the one risk that could have the most disastrous outcome. If I had to choose between Una, who had become a close friend almost as if we were sisters. But she could easily make me fall too, if she wasn't happy about us then she could easily be rid of me to the serving quarters. Not that I thought she would do that, but doubt tries to creep in every corner of mind.
Or I could lose Septimus, would it be easy to move on from him? I doubt I ever would. I could break his heart (could I?) and he could go back to hating me for the rest of his life as I crumbled into pieces.
Either outcome would leave me with a broken heart, but I could do it if meant their bond was still secure?
I felt the tears starting to form in my eyes, the longer my mind worked through each different outcome. Una's face softened as she put her hand on my arm and said, "Please don't cry, what is it?"
"I don't want to lose either of you" I couldn't help but start to sniff with every word, unable to control the tears that now flowed.
"Why would you?" She looked curious and a bit confused.
"Because I don't want things to be awkward between us if I am in love with..." I started to say but then realised I hadn't said the word 'love' out loud in relation to Septimus. Had it quickly turned into love? I say quickly, but the man had been tormenting me for just over a year now, but I had mistaken most of that time as hate.
Una giggled at my shyness around the subject and replied "I have been waiting for this day a long time, I thought it would never happen".
"What?" I stuttered out, what did she mean?
"Bella, it is obvious to me how you both feel for each other. Sometimes you both needed a little push" she gave a sly smirk, as if she had been planning this to happen the entire time.
"Una!" I exclaimed "You truly are a dark horse".
The relief that my friend had approved of me, and her brother washed over me as if a huge weight had been lifted and I felt as though my life would never get better than this moment.
We carried on picking flowers, now laughing at my worry and freely being able to talk about my feelings. I wished that I had confided in her sooner, she was always so good at giving advice that I could have done with it over these past few months.
"Wait" I stopped in my tracks "You knew the whole time he was the masked man, didn't you?"
"Of course, I did" she nodded "I was sorry to see you suffer but you had to figure it out for yourself"
So much was starting to make sense now, she really had been making sure that one day we would be united. I had thought she had just wanted us to be friends for her own sake, but I guess she realised the connection we had, before we even had.
We made our way back to the Palace, leaving our horses at the stable - very close to the spot where I first met Septimus. That seemed like another time now as I replayed the memory in my mind.
As we headed back to Una's chambers, I opened the door to see Septimus waiting in there for us.
"Where the hell have you both been?" He almost snapped at us.
"Well, good afternoon brother" Una rolled her eyes at his attitude. I could sense that something was off though, he looked almost nervous.
"What's happened?" I asked, he moved his gaze over to me. I guess he was being careful as I wasn't sure how much he had spoken to Una about me.
He turned to Una gravely and told her "Father is ill."
Una stopped in her tracks as she whispered, "How ill?"
"Apparently he has caught a chill" Septimus relayed the news to us.
"It's going to start now, isn't it?" She looked down, sadness in her eyes.
"You know it has to" he replied darkly.
And then I realised what they were speaking about. With the King being poorly and the chance he might not make it with seven sons still alive, only one being able to claim the throne - the killing would start to begin. I felt like I was going to be sick, the risk had always been there which is why we had always been careful, but this was now a real threat. Who would strike first?
I hated this place, I hated this system, tradition, whichever you'd want to call it. Why birth so many sons if they then must kill each other to get the throne? I understand there was always some sort of competition amongst siblings, but this was out of hand. And then poor Una who would have to stand by and watch it all unfold before her. Her kind heart having to take six heartbreaks of her brothers she grew up with.
I looked at Septimus, I could see the thoughts running through his mind. The thought of something bad happening to him made my head spin. This can't be happening, our story had just begun, and I know what he would do next, I know he would break my heart instead of risking my life. But I don't think he realised I would die either way.
"Septimus, stay in my room tonight. You will be safe here" Una pleaded.
"Absolutely not. I'm not afraid. If anything, I'd like to see anyone try" he brushed off her worries but I wasn't so convinced.
"Please, don't try and be almighty here" Una argued back as Septimus shook his head "If not tonight, it may be another. I will be looking over my shoulder for the rest of life until I am King".
Instantly I felt pity for him, imagine looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life. To be suspicious of everyone's move, of every bite to eat, every time you closed your eyes, he would never rest easy now. I wanted to take his hand, lead him out of this Palace and forget about this place. But I know he wouldn't do that.
And then Septimus looked over at me, I could see it in his eyes as I shook my head "Don't even think about it".
"Una, would you mind if I had a word with Bella in private?" He looked over to his sister who then in turned looked over at me. I think she would have protested at any other time but as she was already upset, she accepted his request and went into her bed chamber.
"Septimus whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it" I told him as I crossed my arms and put my back towards him. I felt his hand on my shoulder as my heart started to race. He gently turned me to meet his green sorrowful eyes.
"You know what I am going to say, please don't make it harder" he softly requested but the fire it me wouldn't allow it as I snapped "You don't get to do this".
"I need you to be safe. Imagine if something happened to you" he tried to spin the safety aspect of it all.
"And what if doesn't? But what if something happens to you" I retorted "You can't live on a what if, Septimus."
"Bella" his eyes went dark "I cannot do this with the thought of you being constantly at risk".
"Luckily I can defend myself" I promised myself would have a justification for every excuse.
I could tell he was losing his patience with me as he exclaimed "You could die!"
"If you break my heart right now, I will die. I don't think you understand that you aren't in this alone anymore. Your problem is also my problem, and I will take whatever risk comes with loving you" I unexpectedly confessed as my eyes widen and he shot a look at me, his eyebrows lowering.
"I can't lose you" he whispered as he turned away from me and headed to the door. Without even a glance back, I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces as a sob escaped me.
That night, the first Prince was murdered.