CHAPTER 19

"Your Highness?" A journalist asked.

Jeremy was being interviewed. It's been a year since he arrived at Monaco. He may be able to project a smile whenever he performs his duty as the hereditary prince but everyone felt the sadness of his heart. Even the royal households see him once in a while spacing out. This is the reason why the journalist asked for an interview so that people may know the content of his heart. He was hesitant at first, but since the prince, his grandfather asked him to do so for the people of Monaco, he agreed.

Living in second smallest state in the world with about approximate surface area of 2.02 km, where it has been the most glamorous, star-studded and richest place on earth didn't bring the happiness that Jeremy was looking for. Monaco has been a home for probably 2,000 millionaires and 50 billionaires among the total population of 35,000 citizens. It has been a place where security is never a problem. People have some kind of persona that seems to raise their behavior. It serves as a host of the world famous Monte Carlo Casino and the Formula 1 le Grand Prix.

Some people consider it as a Garden of Eden among the many paradise in the world for the many high-end synonymous to glamour and elegance such as flash cars, helicopters and big yachts that a person can see in this place and most of all for its income tax- free status. Others call it the Euthopia of the rich. Despite the presence of millionaires and billionaires, there is the inevitable respect of the citizens towards the Royalty. Every house hangs its family picture not because it is a law but because everyone believes he is the Key to maintaining Monaco's future. Jeremy knows the gravity of his responsibilities. People saw this coldness in him and asked the Prince to know the situation of their future Prince.

In the events for the rich that Jeremy attended since arriving at Monaco, the selected group of millionaires and billionaires saw in his eyes the sadness that can never be turned by money. It was a much deeper emotion. During the parades and other events for the locals, the citizens saw his smile but they felt the loneliness of his heart. They want to have a steady future but at the same time, they wanted to see their future Prince smile.

"That's the end of the story." Jeremy replied.

"Did you have any chance of talking with her since you arrived here?"

Jeremy slowly shook his head. One year had passed and not even hi nor hello did he receive from her. He did not even dare to go back to the Philippines since he might be more broken. He was afraid that he had caused her so much pain, a pain that is unforgivable in his sight. He did not want to create another scenario where she might reject him all the more. Surely he wanted to ask her forgiveness, kneel in front of her and explain what happened but he was too afraid that she might walk away again. He felt unworthy to show his face to her. He knows what he has done and he was ashamed of it.

"Do you still love her?"

Jeremy did not answer. It was an obvious answer. His heart still and forever will beat for her. It was a promise he made for her. If she wouldn't, then he would continue to do so. She would be the last woman that he has and would ever love.

Mr. Spes noticed that the young hereditary prince is already spacing out. He thanked the journalist to signal that the interview was over. The journalist closed his notebook, placed it in his back together with his pen. He bade farewell, thanked the young hereditary prince and left. He didn't know how to write the young prince's story. It was a story of joy turned to sorrow. He was afraid that it might not bring justice to the young prince. Whatever the case, he has to write it in order for the people to understand the situation of the young prince.

When Jeremy and Mr. Spes were alone in his office, Mr. Spes asked, "Are you okay, your Highness?" It was an obvious question. Of course, he was not okay. His heart has been aching for more than a year now. His mind was traveling far away. How can he be okay if the person he has love and forever will love is not by his side?

"Was my decision correct, Mr. Spes?" Jeremy looked at him with sorrow. This has been his question to himself, to Tobby and to Spes since the time that he arrived at Monaco. He felt that he made a mistake of leaving everything unsolved. He wanted to go back but it seems he was too late.

Mr. Spes opened the window, looked at him, "It doesn't matter what you have done in the past." He reached out a glass of water to him, "What is important now is how you will shape your present and your future," he added.

Jeremy took the glass, "Yet my past haunts me every now and then, it brings so much pain whenever I think about it." Afterward, he drank the water and gave the glass back to Spes.

"It's because it is an unfinished business."

"Was the letter not enough?" Jeremy asked while covering his face in his hands.

"That's not the question you should be asking, your Highness."

"What's the question then?" Jeremy looked puzzled at him.

"Is it really finality or healing that you want? What do you really want?" Jeremy remained silent. He knew that Spes was right. It was not about end or not. It is about what he really wants. If he wants to be with her then he should make a way. It was only his fear that truly halted him from doing so. He knows that nothing would happen if he would not take the risk but the possibility of being rejected again strikes his mind and heart.

"Frère! Frère! Frère!" a voiced shouted as it drew near to them. Jeremy and Mr. Spes stared at the door waiting for the person to come in. They knew who it was. They were familiar with that kind of voice. Only one person in the palace would dare to call him brother. It was Gabriella, the younger sister of Jeremy. She had gone on vacation. She went back to the Philippines to visit some of her friends and some of their relatives.

As she opened the door and saw Jeremy and Mr. Spes, she ran towards Jeremy and hugged him tightly. She said, "I'm home. I miss you!" After few seconds, she released him.

"How was your trip?" Jeremy asked as he stood up.

"It was good. I went out with my friends. Visited some of our relatives." She said.

Mr. Spes left them alone to give them privacy as Jeremy and Gabriella started walking along the corridor. "So… where's Tobby?" Jeremy asked. Tobby was allowed to be one of the companions of Gabriella so that he could at the same time visit his family as well.

"Oh… he's around, maybe giving his souvenirs to some of the royal households. By the way, I saw Kate. Actually… I intended to meet her. Sorry!" Gabriella excitingly said. Jeremy and Gabriella never talked about Kate. She knew what happened to them through Spes and she saw and felt the effect to his brother. In her worries, she planned to make things better for them especially to her brother.

They stopped walking. He shockingly glanced at her waiting to hear more from her. "She's okay. Well, she asked about you and…" she said.

"And…?" waiting for more information from her.

"She asked me to give something to you." She reached out her wallet and gave him a picture. It was a picture of Kate in a long black gown with olive brown hood. He smiled. It was a smile that Gabriella has never seen for a long time, so genuine and unguarded. Kate was in a graduation toga.

Jeremy flipped the picture and saw something that was written at the back. He read it. It says, "Promise soon to be fulfilled!" He smiled. He knew what it means. He recalled the promise that Kate made with her parents during his Christmas vacation with them. His words on the last part of his letter came to his mind as it pertained to a promise for their future. He now understands the effect of his future action.

"What's wrong?" Gabriella asked.

"Thank you!" Jeremy said and walked smiling, holding the picture and staring at it. He passed by Tobby who greeted him but his full attention was on the picture. He continued to walk toward his room without a word but just a smile in his face that most people haven't seen.

Gabriella was relieved. At last, her brother is back to his normal self. She hoped that this is just the start of Jeremy's happiness. She promised to herself that whatever his brother's decision would be in the future, she would fully support him. She may not be allowed to be in the line of the throne, she only wished for her brother's happiness.