Heart to Heart

*The Next Night*…Treyvon's P.O.V

Two more days until the celebration for Andrew and Christina. I should be happy for them, but my heart feels heavy. Everyone in the village has been preparing to celebrate also, and I've been helping them for some hours. It's dark now, so I've retrieved Midnight and rode her back to the castle. After putting her back in the stables, I walked through the castle walls to get to my room. On my way there, I walked past Christina's room. My ears picked up yelling coming from the inside. I paused in front of her wooden door, wondering if she was in danger or not.

"You are making this much harder than it needs to be!" I recognized the booming voice as Andrew.

"I think you should leave!" I heard Christina yell back.

"This is my castle and soon to be my kingdom!" Andrew replied. "You do not tell me when to leave! If you were more cooperative, I wouldn't have to act like this! You parents promised my father that you were an intelligent, obedient woman! All I see is an ungrateful brat! I am the one that will make you the queen, understand? You need to show me respect!" It became quiet, and all I could hear was my own heart thumping wildly. Andrew wouldn't hurt her, right?

"Christina, there is no need to cower from me like that," Andrew told her. His voice was much quieter now, and I almost had to strain my ear to hear it. "I am soon to be your husband, and I just want us to be at an understanding," he continued. "…Come to my room, and I will comfort you."

Don't trust him, Christina.

"No, thank you, Andrew," Christina told him. "It's late, and I am very tired."

"Very well," Andrew stated. "I will you see tomorrow."

I heard footsteps coming towards the door, so I moved and hid around the corner. The wooden door opened with a small creaking sound, and Andrew stepped out. I watched him walk away towards his room. I couldn't help but wonder what had started their argument. Then, I heard it. Christina was sniffling quietly in her room. Please don't cry. It broke my heart knowing a nice girl like her was crying for Andrew while he didn't appreciate her.

But how could she not? She was stuck with him for the rest of her life. I stood there for a long moment, contemplating whether I should continue to my room or talk to her. I turned away from her door and walked away. It wasn't my place to get involved in their affairs. Then, I heard her start sobbing. It was no longer the soft sniffles, but a complete act of sadness. My heart wrenched. I could just imagine her beautiful face stained with tears. I turned around and knocked on her door.

"One moment," she called out. A few seconds later, she opened the door. It was obvious that she tried to wipe away her tears, but I could still see the redness in her eyes.

"Treyvon, what are you doing here so late?" she asked me. "Is something wrong?"

"You've been crying," I said. "I heard you and Andrew arguing." She looked shocked but then recovered.

"Yes, we just had to come to an understanding," she told me. "It is fine now. I'm just a little tired, that is all."

"You don't have to make excuses for him," I replied. "He hurt you." She shook her head. "I just miss my family," she said. "I'll get used to it here."

I pulled her to me and hugged her. She didn't want to admit how much she was hurting. All she wanted was love. Was that too much to ask? After a while, she hugged me back. Slowly, she calmed down as I held her in my arms. We didn't need to talk. I know that deep inside, she already knew that I knew what caused her despair. She soon said she was tired, so I reluctantly let go of her. She glanced at me, giving me a small smile, and telling me she was fine. She headed towards her bed, so I bid her goodnight and exited her room. She truly was beautiful. She endured her life with Andrew and didn't complain. I couldn't help but wish she could be saved. Saved from the one thing that blocked her chances for a happy life.

*The Next Day… 3rd P.O.V*

While everyone was preparing for the celebration of Andrew and Christina's wedding, Treyvon strolled through the North castle's hallways. He didn't really know what to do with himself. He couldn't bring himself to enjoy the idea of an upcoming wedding when the bride was in such despair. Why did Christina and Andrew argue last night in the first place? If they fight like that now, what would it be like once they are married? While contemplating about the wedding, Treyvon ran into Andrew.

"Good morning, brother," he greeted. "How are you feeling today?" Andrew just raised an eyebrow and sighed.

"Why are you conversing with me during such a busy time?" the older prince asked. Treyvon ignored his brother's usual curt behavior.

"…Well, now that it comes to mind, I would like to speak to you privately," he told Andrew. Andrew's eyes narrowed.

"About what?" he questioned suspiciously. Seeing guards around, Treyvon lowered his voice to a whisper.

"About your wedding with Christina," he answered. Andrew smirked.

"Hmmm, it's about my wife," he said slowly. "Very well, follow me." Treyvon followed Andrew to his room so they could speak in private. After closing the door, Andrew looked at his younger brother expectantly with his arms folded. Treyvon cleared his throat nervously. The indescribable look Andrew was giving him was unnerving.

"…How do you think your relationship with Christina is going?" Treyvon asked.

"It is fine," Andrew replied confidently.

"…Are you sure?" Treyvon questioned. "The wedding… seems a little… quick, and-"

"What are you trying to say?" Andrew questioned with a scowl. "Why is it that you suddenly cannot speak correctly?"

"I heard you and Christina arguing last night," Treyvon blurted out. Andrew paused, and Treyvon became very uncomfortable. Then, the older prince walked towards his younger brother with slow and intimidating steps. He stopped right in front of Treyvon and looked him in his eyes.

"You say you heard us arguing last night," Andrew repeated. The younger prince just nodded his head. Andrew studied his brother's face, trying to detect any other emotion than simple curiosity. He could see a bit of worry in Treyvon's eyes, and he wondered who it was for. Andrew walked away from Treyvon and shrugged as if nothing happened.

"It is true," he said finally. "She and I did have a dispute last night. And you were eavesdropping, Treyvon."

"I was walking by when I heard you two," Treyvon responded. "I apologize, for I did stop to listen, but that was because I was worried." Andrew spun around on his heel back to Treyvon.

"Worried for who?" he asked.

"Both of you," Treyvon replied. "The wedding has been moved to an earlier date, and I'm not sure everyone is ready for it."

"Christina and I are perfectly ready to be wed," Andrew told him. "…Or is it that you do not support this marriage?" Treyvon didn't know what to say. He wanted his brother to be happy, but Christina didn't seem to want to be married.

*Andrew's P.O.V*

I watched the panic flash through his eyes, and I knew I was right. Of course, I was right. He was too worried about Christina when he should be worried about himself. It is slightly understandable. She is the perfect bride that was chosen for me by my father, so she should be the optimum example of what people would desire to achieve but never have. She is a little difficult right now, but I will mold her into becoming my wife. Now that I know Treyvon has been keeping out a close eye for her, I have to make sure they have as much distance as possible. It could be the work of him that she has defied me so many times before.

"I do support your happiness," Treyvon told me. "But I support hers too."

"Very well," I said, leaving the room. "You are correct. Both of our feelings should be accounted for. I will see you later in the day." I left the room without waiting for a goodbye from the traitorous fool. I had to find my wife.

…

I walked into Christina's room and saw her standing on her balcony.

"I need to speak with you," I told her. She stayed at the other side of the room and nodded her head.

"It seems my brother had heard our…dispute from last night," I explained. "This morning, he confided in me the insecurities he feels about our marriage. He says he does not feel as if everyone is appeased by it. I am satisfied, are you?" She eyed me unsurely for a while, and it irritated me. The fact that she had to contemplate her answer for so long proved that Treyvon had already gotten into her head.

"Your hesitation is the evidence of your dissatisfaction. Tell me, why?" She still didn't answer. She only looked away from me. I sighed, becoming increasingly bothered by her silence.

"If you cannot tell me that, inform me of this…why does my brother know these things about you that I don't?" I asked her. "Tell me why the brother of the man you are destined to marry knows more about you than your husband himself?"

"Because I know you do not love me," Christina replied quietly.

"What makes you believe that?" I questioned. "Everything I have been doing has revolved around you. The celebration coming up is to celebrate our love. I want to make you the greatest queen in all of history. I want our family to be truly blessed. I can give you anything you ask from me. What is it that you need?"

"All of those things you mentioned are for you," she said, louder. "You are the one that wants to be better than everyone else."

"If we are not at the top then where would we be?" I asked her. "That is what we are made for, Christina. We are royalty. Everything in us and for us should be better. And if those are only my desires, what do you want?"

"I want a real marriage with a real husband," she said. "And you cannot give me that. You do not love me. If you were being married to any other woman, it would not matter. You would still get your kingdom, your power, your crown."

She turned away from me and looked off into the distance from the balcony. I walked up to her and hugged her from behind. I tried to kiss her on her cheek, but she moved turned her head.

"You say you want love, yet you deny it when I try to offer it to you," I said. "You are being difficult."

"You are only doing it because I led you to," Christina replied. "When you are truly in love, your body knows that it wants to be near the person they hold dear by itself. It doesn't need to be told, it acts on its own. It is felt freely, not controlled."

"And how would you know all of that?" I asked her, chuckling. "If you truly knew the feeling of love, we wouldn't be having this dreadful conversation. I am your husband and your only love, so you have no reason to be sad anyway." She pushed away from me and started walking out of her room.

"I know it because it is the opposite of what I feel when I'm around you." She slammed the door, leaving me alone to think about what she had just said.

*The Next Day… Andrew's P.O.V*

As I sat with my parents in a meeting about the wedding, my mind was clouded with the things Christina told me last night.

"Because I know you do not love me…I want real love…I know it because it is the opposite of how I feel when I am around you."

When did our relationship go bad? I sighed. I knew exactly what caused it. Treyvon. He brought out the worst in me, and Christina was there every time to see it. I sighed. Things were really getting complicated, and I hate it when I do not have full control over them.

"What is the matter, Andrew?" my mother asked. "Your celebration for your wedding is near. You should be sanguine."

"I know, mother," I told her. "It's just…I'm worried that Christina does not feel love for me."

"She is just not used to here," my mother explained. "You are the best son and man God could ever create. You just need to spend time with her. You've been very busy all of this time."

I nodded my head. All this time I boasted that Christina was such a strong, intelligent princess, and it seems I forgot that. She would not chase after me like a mindless follower. I had to show her that I am a good husband, not just speak of it.

"Mother and father, if you would excuse me, but I have something very important to do right away," I announced.

"Go ahead," my father said. I left the room to look for Christina.

…

I finally found Christina in the field. Unfortunately, she was with Treyvon and his friends. She and Treyvon were swords fighting, and I was surprised Christina even had such a skill. The determination and excitement in her eyes were something I had never seen before. She has never looked at me with any expression other than sadness, anger, or just emotionlessness. How is it that my brother gets to see the sides of her that I cannot seem to discover? It wasn't fair! He didn't deserve that luxury! I stomped over to them, and the knight bowed to me but the servant only gave me a side glance.

"Good afternoon, your majesty," the knight greeted. "How are you?"

"I am fine," I told him. "I was just searching for my bride, and here she is. I never knew she could handle a weapon." The knight nodded his head.

"She is very skilled," he commented. Treyvon and Christina finished their sparring match, and I saw them smile at each other.

"Christina, I had no idea you liked to come out here to spar with my brother," I said aloud. Her smile immediately faded.

"Yes, I do," she answered evenly. "He and his friends are very close friends of mine." How long had that been going on?

"Well, I planned a nice evening for the two of us, and I came to retrieve you," I told her.

I held out my hand to her, but she just said her goodbyes to my brother and his friends and walked past me. I walked beside her and led her to the other side of the field, far away from the others. There, an elegant picnic was prepared. We both sat down, but Christina didn't seem interested in the spread before her.

"What is wrong?" I asked her.

"Nothing, I am just not hungry," she said.

"Well then, let's just talk," I said. "…Christina, what can I do to make you love me?" She looked at me wide-eyed.

"It seems you are never interested in me, but only in my brother," I continued. "What makes him better than me? I can assure you that I am better in all ways. You just have to let me show you."

"Treyvon does not try to control me," she told me. "You are a cruel dictator. He allows me to make new friends and have fun. You just hate everyone and everything."

"That is not true," I assured her. "I do not hate you or my parents." Christina shook her head.

"All you know is hate," she said. "And I cannot agree with that lifestyle." I held one of her hands.

"I know more than hate," I informed her. "You just have not given me the chance to demonstrate that." I wrapped my other arm around her waist and pulled her closer to me. I kissed her on her cheek, but she moved away. Fed up with all the nonsense, I rapidly pulled away.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked her. "You are going to be my wife, you should get used to this. Is it because of my brother? Are you too distracted by thoughts of him to satisfy me?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "I just do not feel that way for you, Andrew."

"You will," I told her. "Treyvon is just in the way. I will figure out how to get rid of him." She gasped.

"You will do no such thing," she told me. "Why wouldn't I?" I questioned. "All of this is ridiculous. He is not and never will be better than me."

"You have lost your mind," Christina declared. "I'll tell your parents that you are trying to hurt him."

"And who will they believe?" I asked her. "Their loyal, eldest son or the new princess that has been causing trouble for everyone?" She said nothing because she knew I was right. I was going to end this problem by getting rid of the source: Treyvon.

"Do not spend any more time with my brother, or I swear it will be his end," I threatened. "You are to be my wife. You will not disrespect me by being around another man, especially a fool like him. I will not warn you again."

I headed back to my room with satisfaction. Love. What a joke. Love did not solve any of my problems. Authority and power get things done. Being nice makes you a pawn for everyone else's games.

With Christina...1st P.O.V.

At that moment, I truly feared Andrew. He had demonstrated full intent to harm even his own family to get what he wanted. I collapsed onto the blanket, exhausted. A twisted fate was waiting for me at that altar. Staring into the sky, I thought about my family. They would never know what type of man they delivered me to. Would he even let me see my family?

And now I had dragged Treyvon into our relationship. He didn't deserve a brother like Andrew. If I am innocent, he surely is an angel from God. How could two young men so opposite ever exist together for so long? Though I shouldn't say that because according to Andrew, his brother's days are numbered.

I sat up. I had to do something about this. If Treyvon were to be harmed, his blood would be on my hands. He still had a future to look forward to. He could leave, make a family, and live out his days in merriment. It would be shameful to drag him into Hell with me and Andrew. He had already suffered enough. I stood up and walked back over to my new friends. I blinked back unshed tears and attempted to put a smile back on my face.

"I have returned," I announced. Treyvon looked up at me, and I almost choked on my guilt.

"I welcome you back, Christina," he replied with a smile. "The three of us were thinking about going out to the village to have lunch with a friend. Care to join us?"

"I...I apologize. I-I have to go back to the castle and help," I told him. He stood up quickly.

"Oh, I can help you," he reassured me.

"Thank you for the offer, but I must decline," I said softly. It hurt to reject his genuine kindness, but I needed space to think. His smile briefly faltered but returned nonetheless.

"Then I will bring you something back," he stated. I could only nod my head.

"Thank you. Good-bye," I said. I bowed shortly to William and Anthony and departed.

3rd P.O.V.

Treyvon, William, and Anthony began leaving the garden to escape to outside the stone walls. Though usually at the front, Treyvon trudged behind the two older men. His brain was swimming with confusion. What had happened between Christina and Andrew? He felt as if she had pushed him out somehow. He was her bridge to exploring, making new friends. Every time she was down, she confided in him. Why not now?

He racked his brain to infer what Andrew could have said to her to tarnish his name. "She wouldn't believe him, right?" he thought. He prayed that Christina would lean more towards his integrity than Andrew's intimidation.

"Treyvon, you can't visit guests with a long face such as yours," William stated. "Do you want to talk before we arrive?" Anthony looked back at him worriedly.

"I...I'm worried for Christina," Treyvon admitted. "After she left with Andrew, she just doesn't seem the same."

"I feel the same way," Anthony agreed. "Something felt wrong. And she loves going out with us. It's out of character for her to just leave." William looked back at Treyvon.

"What do you think?" the servant asked.

"...I think he's threatening her," Trevon declared. Anthony and William stopped.

"What kind of threats?" William inquired, instantly more interested.

"Maybe we should hold off lunch for another time," Anthony suggested. "This is not something we can just ignore. Christina will be our Queen. I don't just protect the king, I defend the entire royal family." Treyvon's eyes downcasted at the mention of "Queen", and William gently nudged Anthony.

"Let's find a quiet place to talk."

…

William, Anthony, and Treyvon sat in a neat triangle in the luscious garden grass. For a moment, it was silent as the men all just glanced at each other. Finally, William cleared his throat and killed the silence.

"Treyvon, you're the only one who knows if there's a chance of Andrew threatening Christina," he said. "You're the only one who can start this conversation."

"Right," Treyvon replied, nodding. "Well...there has been a couple of times when Andrew seemed as if he was using underhanded tactics to get Christina to comply with his orders. For example, when I first met her here in the garden, I was taking her back to the castle on Midnight. He arrived and told her to ride with him. When she objected, he had such a disturbing look on his face. Then… it just turned into an equal criminal smile. It made me feel uneasy." He turned to William.

"That was the day he was antagonizing me at dinner," the young prince explained. William nodded his head in thought.

"Then the other day, as I was walking in the hallway, I heard them arguing in their room," Treyvon continued. "And it was very serious. They were raising their voices at each other. It became quiet, then he tried to convince her to come to his room. She didn't want to, so he left. And afterward, she was crying in her room." Anthony and William looked at him sympathetically.

"And what did you do, Treyvon?" William asked. Anthony turned to him shocked.

"William, why are you asking him that?" he questioned. "You know Treyvon is the last person who would hurt the princess." William maintained eye contact with the prince.

"He knows what I mean," the servant said simply. Treyvon fidgeted in place for a couple of moments.

"...I knocked on her door to talk to her," Treyvon admitted. "And she answered the door… and we talked. I held her in my arms until she stopped crying. Then, she went to bed and I did too - separately, of course." William nodded his head, and Anthony gaped.

"Going to her quarters and holding your brother's bride?" Anthony exclaimed. "Do you know what could happen to you if Andrew were to find out?"

"He's a young boy, Anthony," William assured him. "He's bound to be impulsive in some situations."

"I know who he is, William!" Anthony argued. "And that's what makes it worse! You're the future king's brother, for God's sake! You know what he would do to you?!"

"I am aware of the situation, Anthony" Treyvon snapped. "I didn't mean for this to happen, I promise you. But...I can't let this happen."

"You can't let what happen?" William asked. Treyvon let out a deep sigh.

"I can't let her marry him," he said quietly.

Anthony's eyes softened, now sorry for his earlier outburst. He just couldn't believe the entire situation. He looked at William, who seemed calm with knowingness in his eyes. He knew Treyvon had been feeling that way for a long time. He let out a small smile. William was Treyvon's true brother, the one who would always know him the best.

William's P.O.V

Again, Treyvon looked crestfallen over the princess. Christina had only been here for a short amount of time. His voice was clouded with loneliness. He had become attached to her. He seemed to want to be free before she came; he paid no attention to other girls. Christina was beautiful, but I could tell it didn't matter to him. He has seen many gorgeous women in his life, but none could even make a crack on his determination to escape. The princess single-handedly broke down his walls without even trying, a truly amazing feat.

I have never been in love, but I was sure Treyvon was in love with her. I've heard many stories about true love and its obstacles, and they would mostly end with a heart-warming "Happily Ever After". Unfortunately, this was life, not a storybook. Similar to Anthony, I didn't want anything to happen to the young prince, but no one can stop true love.

"I don't want her to get married," he stated. I wanted him to explain more. Not for me, but for his own sake. I've realized that he needs to lay out his thoughts in order to get them in the right place. He thinks clearer that way, I know it's best to not keep thoughts and emotions inside of yourself.

"Why do you say that all of a sudden?" I asked him. He looked down at the grass.

"...Andrew is a horrible person, and I don't think she'll be happy with him…" I knew he was lying, or at least holding back most of the truth. He just wasn't sure of what he should say. He was hesitating. It was the first time he had been in love, and he didn't know how to word it himself.

"Is that all?" I asked.

"...No," he suddenly said with force. He stood up and shook his head. "Andrew wants to marry her. Marriage is for love, and I know that she doesn't love him. He is also just using her to become the king of the kingdom. It is wrong - everything's wrong! In the time that I've known her, somehow I know I want her to be in my life. Andrew doesn't deserve her!" He started pacing.

"I know that Andrew knows I have strong emotions for her. And I believe that is the reason why the wedding will be sooner. Since he knows, there's no reason to hold back anymore!" He looked at me intensely. "I'm going to tell her how I feel tomorrow night!"

"Tomorrow?" I asked, very surprised.

I was unsure of how to feel at his declaration. I could support him, and he could have the chance of being with his true love. Or, I could try to convince him otherwise because their love could be punished by banishment. Treyvon would probably be upset with me, but it could save him from other things like his name ending up in books as the horrible brother that tried to break apart of peaceful wedding, being depressed if she rejected him and having to see her with Andrew for the rest of his life, or worst of all...death. I shut my eyes tightly at the thought of it. This young boy could be beheaded for this.

"I don't really know what to say," I told him truthfully. I was lost for words, and I felt ashamed that I couldn't help him at such a crucial time as this. My vocabulary failed me.

"There are many dreadful consequences if things do not go as you hope," I warned.

"I know it's quite a risk, William," he said with newfound confidence. "But isn't risk a part of love? I remember how you used to read those books to me. When you feel this way, you risk your heart. I love her, so I will risk my life for even the slightest chance of having her affections."

I didn't think he was capable of such statements. I was utterly shocked...yet happy. He was in love, and he was determined. It made my heart swell to see him grow up to be such a strong young man. He had my support.

"You speak like a knight, boy," Anthony said, shaking his head. "But I see I can't change your mind. And I won't try to." Treyvon nodded his head. "But please," Anthony begged. "Be aware now. Your life is in danger. Use everything William and I have taught you. And do not hesitate to ask for my help. My loyalties lie with you."

Anthony bowed to him and so did I. We would be with him until the last days.