Reunited

"Well, do you love him?" Prince Hao repeated his question.

The Kouku princess ignored him and quickly turned to take a look at her dead friend. She took his hand and gently placed it over her cheek. It didn't feel that cold. His twin brother was right. Her Yoh looked as if he was only in a deep slumber.

Her Yoh... She had not noticed how time passed them by so quickly. They met as enemies, became close friends, and ended up... maybe more than friends... She did not want to admit it to herself because she did not understand how she could suddenly fall for another guy when she had loved Ren for years. Whatever feelings she had for Yoh, she would lock them away because she thought it was inappropriate.

But Yoh... He did the opposite thing. He fully embraced it and defied everyone's expectations. She thought she was stronger but he was more courageous than she was. She didn't deserve his love. In reality, she wanted him no matter how hard she tried to convince herself that she could not love an enemy.

"I'll leave you alone as soon as you have given me your answer. " Prince Hao was getting impatient.

"It doesn't matter. He's gone..." The blond girl said without looking at him.

The Kasai prince chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes. I look like him, you know. If you want me to pretend as him for just a day, I will be glad to. There's a small price to pay, however..." He walked out of the chamber and sneered at the pair hiding in the dark as he passed them.

Lyserg cursed under his breath as soon as his cousin's ex-fiancé was gone. "I'm going to stand by the hall way entrance in case he comes back."

Prince Ren nodded. He knew Lyserg just wanted to leave him so he can spend this moment with his fiancée. They were both alone now. But then he heard Anna sobbing from inside the chamber.

The Kouku princess took out a necklace with a three-rose pendant from her dress pocket and placed it on the prince's hand. It wasn't for her to hold on to.

Just like Yoh wasn't meant for me to keep...

She kissed his lips then buried her head on his chest as tears started to fall. She had no one left, just a kingdom to rule by herself...

Prince Ren's heart broke with every tear that she shed. He had never seen or heard his friend cry in front of anyone before. He wanted to comfort her in his arms but she badly needed to relieve her pain. He knew that she would stop the moment she sees him. He leaned on the wall near the chamber entrance, closed his eyes, and waited for her to calm down. He only stepped into the room when her wails were reduced to sniffles.

"Go away, Hao. I'm not interested in your offer." She said after hearing footsteps. She hurriedly wiped the trail of tears from her cheeks.

"Anna, it's me..."

The blond girl froze. She slowly turned around to face him. "Ren?"

He gave her a weak smile when their eyes met. "I'm here..."

Princess Anna covered her mouth in shock as she approached her fiancé. When they were a few inches apart, she reached out to touch his face just to check if he wasn't a ghost.

The Kaminari prince took her hand and kissed it. "I finally found you..." He wrapped his left arm around her and let her head rest on his shoulder as he stroked her hair.

"I thought I lost you..." The blond girl whispered.

"I thought I lost you, too... But I never stopped searching... "

To his surprise, Anna returned his hug. He felt wetness on his shirt as tears welled up in the girl's eyes.

"It's okay. You'll be alright. I won't leave you anymore..."

The princess tightened her embrace around him. Prince Ren liked how the new Anna is showing emotions other than anger. Those months that she was away had definitely changed her.

All thanks to him...

Prince Ren peered at the dead boy lying on the stone table. Somebody else had melted the ice queen's heart but he was resolved to win her back no matter what.

"So we have more visitors from other kingdoms..."

The couple was startled and broke off from each other's arms. The prince saw a blond man walking towards the chamber lightly pushing an embarrassed Lyserg.

"Sorry, Ren... I got caught..." his friend lowered his head.

"Ahhh.. The Kaminari prince... We all thought you were dead. Such a shame that Yoh had to die before you have resurfaced. I'm sure your father will be happy to see you."

The Tao heir gave his fiancée a quizzical look.

"I will tell you what happened later," she said to him.

"You guys seem exhausted. Friends of Yoh's friends are always welcome here. I'll ask the king to let you stay in the vacant guest rooms. I've already requested the stable boy to care for your horses. Found them tied to a tree in the palace garden. They sure looked familiar."

"Those were lent to us by the Kouri king," Lyserg replied.

It was Princess Anna's turn to give her fiancé a questioning look.

"I guess we have all night to catch up..." Prince Ren squeezed her hand.