XIV

After I send Claudia to her room, I go to find Evander. I am afraid he made something terrible. He's not in his room or dining table. Not even in the library or garden. So, I bring myself to the stable. After I arrived at the stable, I already saw him. Sitting on the ground with his knee covering his face. I see him trembling. At first, I'm afraid to step inside. He might be turning to something. But, somehow I don't think about it. I heard him sob.

"Did he finally cry?", I talked to myself.

"Evander?"

He stops sobbing. But he still didn't lift his face. I step closer. Still didn't think he will hurt me.

"Go away," he murmurs.

His voice is shaking. But, I hesitated to go.

"You don't need to hide it from me. We have the same feeling. We both lost our memories and now apparently we're prince and princess," I sit next to him and rub his shoulder.

I really can't see his face. I've wondered how long he keeps all of those tears. I cry a lot before this. But, Evander never cried once. Now, he finally cries. So, I don't feel like stopping him.

"Why do you stay here? Go!"

"Nope, I won't," I hesitated.

"Why?" he asked.

"Well, a family never leave each other alone. Even if we already know our origin, it doesn't mean we can't be family."

"You know I'll always be here. You can cry at me if you need."

He ignored me. There's no use for me to stay. He won't say anything except want me to go. His privacy is everything. I begin to step away from him.

"Sorry," I said.

Bukk!!!

I bumped into something. When did there something in front of me? I rub my forehead. I look at the thing that I bumped. Unfortunately, it's not a 'thing'. It's him. How can he suddenly appear in front of me so quickly? I don't even hear any movement! I bumped into his chest.

"How you..."

I stopped talking. He didn't seem like he just finished crying. His face remains the same except for the red eyes. And some dark circles around his eyes. That's all. He looked at me. Somehow, I goosebumps. That's not a normal stare anymore. Did he thirst for blood now? It can't be!

"Evander... are you okay?", I whipped his teary eyes.

"No."

"Need help?"

"Yes."

He comes closer to me, holds both of my shoulders and pull me closer. I can feel his hands wrap around my waist. He put his head on my shoulder. I was stunned by his action. He hugs me for the first time! My heartbeat is faster than usual. He hugs me! If Claudia saw this, she might turn crazy again! And I might turn crazy after that too! I'm sure my face turning red now!

I don't want to leave him hanging so I rub his back. I can feel my shoulder begin to wet. He's crying again. I hug him back. Hopefully, I help him a bit. He always helps me before. I never see him like this before. The cold-hearted Evander finally cries because of what he knows. A few minutes later, he loses his hug and let me go.

"Feel better?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Sorry," he said.

"Why?"

He pointed at my damped shoulder. I laugh a bit.

"It's fine. As long as you find. Now, let's get back to the castle. It's almost night."

"Okay."

He let me walk first. Now, I realized that his walk didn't make a sound. Maybe, it's because of his vampiric ability. And he suddenly appeared in front of me, well vampires use to be fast as light. He might be adapted all of it by now.

Maverick POV

They are hugging. I saw it! I can't let this happen! Serenity is mine! I would do anything just to get her!

"That damn Evander ruin it! I should realize it early!"

"But, do Serenity loves Evander?"

"I just can't let it happen! I must do something! I'm this kingdom's crown prince! So, there's nothing I can't do!"

. . . . . ╰──╮╭──╯ . . . . .

Serenity POV

We stopped working at this castle since we know who we are. King Alexander told us to wait and prepare for the moment when we will go back to our kingdom where we belong. I still can't believe what happen to us. We are no longer able to stick together. We need to take a different direction in our life. Different responsibilities that we need to hold. We belong to a different worlds so there's no way we can meet each other like usual.

"How are you feeling today?", Claudia asked me.

"I'm fine. It's still hurt but I'll be fine," I replied.

"I can believe that I'm a princess," she said while playing with her fingernails.

"Me too. But, sometimes reality will be hurt. We need to accept it. We can't run from it. They'll still find us."

"But they failed to find us before. We can run again."

"It's different. Queen Elizabeth already noticed us. And Maverick is her son. There's no way he can run. So we are. Our parents might know our existence already."

"Haih," she sighs.

"I've something to tell you," I said.

"What?"

I smile. I remember what happened yesterday dawn. I can't keep it from Claudia.

"Erm, Evander hug me yesterday when I try to comfort him," I mumble my words.

"Evander what?! Are you serious? He hugs you! And then what happened?!" Claudia still manages to understand what I say.

She was about to jump from her chair. She seems more excited than I was.

"Just hug. Nothing more," I replied.

"Oh my god! Why did he hug you tho?"

"Like what I said, I try to comfort him. So, he hugs me."

I blush. I can't hold it. My face feels hot right now. Claudia looks at my disbelief. I won't tell him about him crying.

"Woah, you're blushing! I know you're truly happy right now!"

"Kinda. But, we won't be able to meet again after this. Maybe just once a year."

"Did you forget? The Queen told us that our families always meet each other here. That's why we are close to each other when we are toddlers.

And I think we can do that again. They lost us for 13 years. I think they will fulfil our wish," she said.

"If you think like that. We should try. At least once a month."

"Yes!"