2: Don’t Say It’s Over

Isana's eyes met Lukas's at once, commanding his attention despite the circumstances. She could tell that something was amiss when his eyes averted directly to the King's.

"I apologize for the interruption, your majesty." He said, bowing slightly.

"All is well."

Lukas continued. "It appears that King Salvador and Prince Bastian have arrived early, and the guards were not aware of their arrival. So I have come to confirm."

Isana's blood turned ice cold at the mention of her betrothed. "You have summoned them without consulting me?" She blurted, astounded, and slightly betrayed. Her previous apology seemed to die in her throat, the kindness she thought her father had shown before turning into a full-blown lie.

"How could you do this to me?" Her voice cracked halfway between surprise and anguish. In her peripheral vision, she watched Lukas's eyes fall to the floor. No… No Lukas…

"Calm down, Isana. I thought they were coming tomorrow. I assumed one day would give you enough time to soak it all in." King Alaric rose to his feet. He pushed his chair in and faced Lukas, both men seeming to avoid the Princess's eyes.

"But no matter." He sighed as if the royalty waiting at the palace steps did not have equally life-changing manners to discuss, as if they were a nuisance. "Lukas, please fetch Gerold to show them around while the Princess prepares to welcome them."

Lukas bowed his head again. "At once, your majesty."

King Alaric turned his attention to the tremendously intimidating glass windows that overlooked the entrance to the kingdom. Even he looked concerned at what he viewed from above.

Not wanting to take a step forward, Isana faced Lukas, unable to hide the fear in her eyes. I haven't even been able to talk to him. What a fool he must think of himself right now…

The two of them shared a longing gaze before he turned sharply on his heels and exited the dining hall.

The silence was overwhelming as the father and daughter contemplated what to do next. "What must I do to prepare?" Isana asked, timidly, even if every bone in her body was instistent on resisting. There was no use now. She was going to meet her future husband, the future King of Slasia.

"Have your lady in waiting help you into your best gown. All the servants will be busy preparing the best meal we can offer."

With one last irritated gaze, Isana departed from the dining hall, wanting to force open the ceiling-high wooden doors with all her might if it hadn't been for the guards at the doors to open it for her. She stormed past them, walking as fast as she could through the halls, holding her breath, trying to disregard the tears that were pricking at her eyelids.

It wasn't fair, none of this was. All she could think about was talking to Freya, her best friend. The only friend she had, the only person she could trust regardless of class, regardless of the power she had. Freya would understand. Freya knew of her discontent.

Her heels were pounding against the stone foundation, she had her bedroom doors in sight, she was about to release all of her emotions until she heard her name called out.

"Isana-"

The Princess stopped in her tracks. She knew who it was without having to turn around.

"I can't talk to you right now." She breathed, afraid, not prepared to have such a heartfelt confession.

"Just let me say this."

Isana looked over her shoulder, on the verge of trembling; just one look from him and all her composure would crumble. That was the one thing that could not happen at that moment. She needed to prepare. She needed to get rid of her emotions.

"Lukas-"

"Do what you need to do." He whispered, looking over his own shoulder to confirm that there wasn't another person present in the hallway. He kept his voice low, knowing it would echo. Even if a servant heard the confession, it would be the end of their secret relationship. "I love you, but we both knew this day would come."

"But-" She faced him fully, eyes glistening over. "I can't."

Lukas stood before her, face firm, expression grim. His iceberg blue eyes conveyed everything he wasn't allowed to admit. "You have to."

"I know I have to." She swallowed. All she wanted to do was think about him. All she wanted to do was be with him. Lukas was the one she loved. They had known each other for their entire lives. He had always protected Isana and had always been there for her.

"I will still be by your side. That one thing won't change." The knight promised, though his expression grew dark. He was trying to remain strong for the sake of her sanity. His was in question, too, watching the girl he loved being handed off to another man as if she was some sort of prize.

Lukas would only remain by her side because that was his duty. It was his own fault that he had resisted common sense in becoming involved with her. Now, he was bitter. Now, all he wanted to do was take her hand and flee the castle. If he could have his way, that was how it would be.

But Isana would never agree. She, too, had known she could never be with him. The young Princess had been raised to cherish and welcome such a proposal from the King. Being with Lukas only clouded her judgment. He made her forget about her responsibilities, made her forget that she had the fate of the kingdom resting upon her shoulders.

"From this moment forward, you cannot be anything but my guard." She said, not wanting to look at his crestfallen expression, not wanting to confront the emotions she was suppressing, not wanting to cry and make herself unpresentable for the future that awaited her.

There was a long stretch of silence before Lukas stepped forward, closing the gap between the two of them. His armor groaned as he reached out, pulling Isana into his chest, tilting her chin up, and commanding her full attention.

"As you wish." He whispered. "Just don't forget about everything we shared."

The Princess's heart skipped a beat. She would never forget. How could she ever forget about her first love, her only love? Isana had known him as a child. She had given him her entire body, her whole soul, everything she was allowed to give to him. Now, he was a warrior. His eyes had darkened with age, his blonde hair fading into a darker shade, he had grown taller, his body more defined.

Lukas was handsome. Isana had memorized every curve of his body. She knew what each part of him looked like underneath the armor he brandished. But soon, those observations would fade.

They were already beginning to. For the last couple of months, the forbidden couple had not been able to sneak away. As if King Alaric had suspected their relationship, he had filled up Isana's schedule with lessons that were able to distract her.

Deep in her heart, she had already pushed Lukas away. That was the only thing she could do to remain sane.

"We must forget." She whispered, leaning into his touch, even if her brain screamed at her to break free. "It is the only thing to do."

Rejecting her plea, Lukas pressed his lips against her own. They shared a parting kiss, for a moment too long, but it was enough to satisfy. It would be their last kiss. Isana seared the memory of his touch into her brain, hoping that a day would never come where she would forget. Hoping that he would never change from the way he was now, that he wouldn't let their inevitable situation reconstruct his view on life.

Isana had prepared herself for this day, letting Lukas go, knowing she would not be able to keep him for her own selfish pleasures. Now it was up to him to respect her destiny, not to try and change it.

“Don’t say it’s over.” He said within the intake of his next breath.

Pressing her hands against Lukas's chest, the Princess edged him away. It took all her strength to do so, suppressing the sadness that threatened to invest her entire being.

"Leave me, Sir Lukas." The formality felt foreign along her tongue, yet it also glided. It was how it had to be from that moment forward. Isana would not let him back into her bedroom again.

"Don't forget, Your Royal Highness." His expression hardened, and then he left. Isana watched Lukas walk gracefully back the way he came, turning sharply around the corner to address the very man he despised.

The knight's words had balanced on a very thin, fragile line. What he confessed could either be taken as a threat or a desperate wish for a future together. Isana stared down the hallway, sending a prayer up to God that it was a wish, not the darker side of jealousy or a backhanded ultimatum.

Though she had noticed the bitterness in his tone, she could not help but have faith that he would overcome.

Little did the Princess know that the man she had once loved was already planning for her family's downfall, all for a selfish, ignorant desire to have her all to himself.