The Maple Park

The Maple Park was located at the middle of Vasteria, along the city halls and museum buildings. It was called as maple because of the lined trees along the side street, and the orange-yellow leaves scattered on the floor. Aria doesn't recognize this treasury place at all, and thanks to Prince, she has found a comfort place to sit on when everything was rough.

Prince walked at the center, turning around, walking backwards, and scrutinized Aria's face. The creases of her nose were still seamless, her lips turned down, and her eyes were fighting back the tears. Prince asked, in the most obvious state, "Aren't you going to talk about it? I'm waiting."

Aria jolted awake from Prince's words. She finally looked up, taking steps one at a time, and it's the same pace as Prince joined at. Aria watched him as he did that, shifting the conversation, "Why are you walking backwards? Do you plan to stay that up until I talk?"

Prince quivered his lip, shrugging, and continued to walk. There were no people around, and it's explainable. It's already 10 in the night, and they must be recuperating inside their homes, curled up in a blanket to stay warm all throughout their sleep. However, Prince and Aria doesn't seem to get sleepy. Or even hungry, at most.

"You talk, and I walk like this. I'll listen to it no matter what."

Aria wasn't certain if Prince would advise something good. He's a prosecutor, who dealt with the protection of the law, and not about the people at hand. With his protection for the law, Prince must have seen all of the defendants writhe in punishment.

"Do you… feel empty after you convicted someone inside a prison and let them repent for a mistake they must have done, or worst, they haven't?"

Aria wanted to ask him badly about it. Prince wasn't easy to consume out an answer.

"Sometimes, I do. It made me believe that being a prosecutor is a hell, too. The defendant tried to prove that the evidences were right, and the one sitting beside him doesn't have anything to do with the crime. You know, there are two sides of the coin—and frequently, the bad side is what we serve."

Prince halted from walking, tilting his head to one side, and tried to connect Aria's situation to what her question was. They're midway through the exit of the Maple Park, and the leaves rushed by the hustle of the wind.

"I wanted to listen to the defendant's side before I come up with the final indictment. But guess what, they hated us before we can actually say something. I don't want someone to detest me, but it already happened, so there's no turning back."

Aria could imagine all the hateful words he received it at every time. There's nothing that can calm it down if the trial was still ongoing. Aria doesn't know what kind of cases they work at, but it's simple to even see. Prosecutors have a load to charge at, and in order to lock up the criminals inside the prison bars.

Aria has gone to the most critical part of it all: the talking.

"So, what's the connection of the two? Do you want to talk analogy with it?" Prince asked.

Aria sighed, staring at him with a faint smile. "Good thing you're here, Prince. Whenever I cry, you always show up like a mushroom in the middle of the road. I thought I can wander around earlier, but… you're here, so… I don't have any choice but to talk."

Isn't their relationship have gone deeper than usual? As something that could only be seen inside a national drama in a television? It's as if she's living a fairytale who had shared ups and downs. There's nothing that can change it through. Aria wouldn't consider it as a fairytale if it ended as unhappily as it is.

"I'll never judge you, Aria. Say to me why you're crying, and I'll find the cause of it."

Aria couldn't help but to be grateful. All of the moments she prayed at, she wished for, and the things that she badly desired for a long time was manifesting in front of her. Prince was such a gem she wanted to take care of—a diamond that was priceless and elegant, that even if the government offered her a large amount of sum, she'd never give it away.

Prince was a deal, and it's easy to transact. Only, there's no price involved.

"I met Bryce. He's waiting at the spot where he usually to when we're still together."

Prince blinked, nodding, telling her to go on further. Aria felt the lump inside her throat.

"The moment I saw him at the other side of the street, I wanted to crumble, Prince. Inside me, there's something exploding, and I want to rant it out. But I couldn't do that… in front of many people."

He stared at her blankly. Nothing could ever faze him with tears. Aria breathed deeply, closing her eyes, and earlier, knowing how sudden he touched her, that made her remind what kind of palms he had. Aria unconsciously wrapped her arms, soothing off the icy air.

"He touched me, but it was never the same as before. One point of his finger, and all of the beatings came back rushing to me. I know that in a simple way of showing up like that can bring nightmares to me."

Her eyes welled up, and the tears fell down subconsciously. Prince's heart ached unnoticeably. He broke off the promise he made for himself. Prince warned Bryce to distance himself, but he was getting closer, too, just like the father of her child.

Bryce was right. If he fell in love, there's no turning back.

"I was so down after seeing him. Bryce said to me he wanted to touch my belly, and that he wanted to feel the child we bore. I was so confused and angry that I pushed him away, Prince."

Prince licked his lips, nodding, and understanding what kind of situation Aria was in. With the kind of emotion she's showing to him, Prince doubted he can get rid of her. The plan was intact, progressing rapidly, because of Prince and his relationship with Aria.

Four of secretive people were listening to their conversation. One slip of a word, and he's going to be taken out, or worst, both of them will suffer death.

He might be named as a traitor.

"I was so enraged that I don't want to see him again. Inside me, I still want Bryce. I thought I can forgive him after I've seen him, but no. Difficult times call for difficulty answers. But no, there's nothing that can wash away the punch he marked in my cheek."

Aria creased her forehead, and wiped the tears from her chin. She sniffed. Aria must have cried a lot today, and the energy she saved up for a long time might drain out later. She tried to reduce the heartache, but it was still the same.

"Bryce is my comfort. All this time, I was hugging his chest, and never thought he could hit me."

That's when she sobbed. Prince was just watching her break out. She lost control in her knees, and hunkered down, burying her eyes in her palms. Aria should never have agreed with Prince's invitation to walk in the Maple Park.

It was beautiful scenery to admire, not to cry at.

Aria covered her mouth, biting her bottom lip, whining at best.