I Don’t Need the Prince! 19

5025 looked at the gauge and poked at it with its blob of light. No matter how much it poked the rectangle, it remained completely filled up. Making sure this was no lie, 5025 started to cheer. It wanted to celebrate with its host but when it turned around, it noticed the stern look Avina wore. Its excitement dwindled and died off flickering less.

The bright box stung her eyes a little. Although she had a small hunch that George harbored feelings, she never expected it would 100%. It was as if it was laughing at her. The number was laughing at her foolishness of believing the small possibility he didn't love her. Avina had no need for his love, all she needed was a little goodwill, a little trust. When she would be framed of misconduct, at the very least he would hold some doubt and an investigation would be called.

This strayed from her plans a little, but it didn't matter. All she truly felt was a pity for Ariel. Pity for the love she could never receive but someone else easily got. She never strayed from Ariel's characteristics, but rather only acted upon them more openly. If Ariel acted warm and bright openly towards George, would she even need Avina to be here?

'Can you find out how long George felt this way?' No matter if it was 100 or less, it would not affect her plans that much. Maybe it would even be better than she originally thought it would end.

5025 went back to the "Meter of Feels" file and searched within it. Looking at the rows of checkboxes below the name, it decided to check every single one of them. More was always better!

Another light lit around the rectangle and soon the entire thing expanded. Replacing the simple meter was a screen with various tools filling each space. To the left was a picture of George with the current information she knew, like age and gender. The upright rectangle was instead replaced with a circle showing the presence of his current emotions. At the very bottom were the names of common emotions along with their percentage. Of course, love was 100%.

Scanning the entire grid, Avina found a notification tab and clicked on it. The screen changed and the fluctuations of emotions were shown. Scrolling through it she had found the love had hit 100 before the garden date. Although it wasn't that long ago, it was still a little unexpected. She had never thought it was before and not during.

While Avina was inside her mind contemplating feelings, George sat still and continued to hug her. Once in a while, he would peek at her face to see if she was okay. Her face had not changed, but he realized her eyes were constantly changing. It would go from deep to calm and then thoughtful. It would replay like a music player but her face did not twitch once.

Soon, footsteps were heard from outside before there were low whispers. One voice sounded like a guard and the other of a young lady. George wanted to see what was the problem, but he could not leave Ariel alone. He could only wait and see if they would walk in and report any new findings to him.

Light footsteps walked in peering inside the room. Upon meeting his eyes, hers jumped before calming down. A guard had come to return Ariel's snatched necklace, but Jane intercepted him. Out of good intentions, she told the guard that the prince and his fiance were in there. She did not think it would be advisable to walk in right now and instead to give it to her; she was Lady Devera's friend. The guard was mildly suspicious but still handed her the necklace.

Jane had decided she would only peek in. If it was okay to step in, then she would place the necklace nearby. If it was not, then she would return outside and wait. Noticing the prince staring at her, she showed him the necklace and pointed towards Ariel before her neck. She then pointed to the nearby table.

George watched her movements before looking at the necklace in her arms. He realized it was one of the many gifts he carelessly ordered to be sent to Ariel. It was one of the more memorable ones because the gems used were light pink with fringes of gold accent. It was a gift from a neighboring kingdom, and he chose it to be sent to Ariel.

Nodding to Jane, Jane proceeded to gently place the necklace on the table. Despite there being little to no noise, Ariel was still disturbed. She twitched in George's arms before looking up and staring at Jane. Jane, surprised, then smiled, and placed the necklace down completely. She waved at Ariel before stepping away.

Avina shifted away from George sitting by herself. She opened her palms - clean. She reached towards her neck - bandaged. She tried to talk, but her voice came out shattered and broken. Slowly, beads of tears rolled down her cheeks plopping one by one in the palms of her hands.

"All I wanted to do was go out and play with my friends," soft complaints fell from her lips. It echoed through the silent room. George stared at her broken sobs muffled in tears and clenched his fist. He removed her hands and wiped her tears away. Staring at her red eyes, he pecked them once before hugging her.

Rare comfort was never found in words but in action and warmth.

After Ariel finished crying, George escorted her back home. She never said a word during the ride but looked towards her intertwined hands. They clasped another twiddling with the knuckles and nails. The carriage stopped and she prepared to step down. Instead, George grabbed her back and handed her the tattered necklace. His soft voice bid her goodbye and another visit soon.

Watching the carriage travel back disappearing into the faint sunset, Ariel's shoulder fell down tired. She looked at the necklace, its clasp barbarically ruined. It laid feeble without form in her hands dripping like mud. The jewels glistened but seem dull compared to before.

"Welcome home, sister! Did you enjoy your day out?" Hector had long seen Ariel outside, but she continued to stand in place unmoving. Worried he came out and called her. The moment she turned around looking bleak with a bandaged neck, he felt his breath stopping.