Chapter 10: Before we part

Late autumn was filled with cold, rainy days and Helena didn't get to see Rion as much as she wished to. Things have been weird between them ever since she demanded him to explain himself to her; nonetheless, it seemed that they both valued their friendship too much as they silently decided to call a truce. Helena wasn't sure if they were out of the woods yet and tried her best not to make Rion feel uncomfortable. He also went along with her without complaining, as if nothing has ever happened.

Rion began to develop his love for reading and engaged in it just as much as she did. When he was done with the first book, he surprised her by asking if she could bring him something that described social classes in Orla.

''Is there anything in particular that you wish to find out?'' as an Orlian royal princess, she hoped she would be able to answer his questions.

''No, not really''. Helena rarely saw him this evasive but decided not to pressure him anymore - as the experience has shown, it tended to backfire - and simply brought him the book instead. After all, what mattered is making him happy, as she hoped she was getting good at it.

The winter was coming and heavy snow was forecasted to immobilize most of the Salesia region. Helena tried to postpone the upcoming conversation with Rion although while walking to the farm on an exceptionally chilly and drizzly November afternoon, she realized it was inevitable.

She found him in the stable and entered quietly without him noticing. She watched as he tended to the horses, talking to them calmly.

''Aren't you a beautiful girl, Lady? It is good to see you're doing much better'' the warmth in his voice surprised her.

''My, thank you, I thought I'd never hear these words from you'' he flinched upon hearing her voice.

''Elena, I've almost finished''.

''Take your time'' she sat down on a nearby stool. ''I don't mind waiting''.

He continued grooming the horse in silence and she regretted not hearing his affectionate voice anymore, even if it wasn't directed toward her. Her clothes were damp from the walk and she began to shake uncontrollably.

Rion turned back to her but frowned upon seeing her hunched figure.

''Are you cold?''.

''Yes, a little''.

''There are some horse blankets and clothes around here, let me find them'' he quickly rummaged through the storage. ''Here'' he put a blanket around her. Helena began to feel better yet somehow, her body continued to shake. The wrinkle between Rion's eyebrows grew even longer as he began to rub her arms. ''Does it help?''.

''I'm not sure'' this time, even her teeth were chattering.

''This won't do, come here'' Rion gestured towards a seat in the back. She didn't know exactly how changing her seat would help but she followed him meekly. To her surprise, he sat next to her and pulled her closer to him. Her nostrils were filled with horse musk and the weak smell of soap that he used.

Gradually, her shaking ceased and to her relief, Rion wasn't letting go of her yet. She felt comfortable in his embrace, even if the blankets began to weigh on her.

''You shouldn't come here in such cold weather'' he scolded her.

''You're right'' she pressed her head against his chest. ''Oh, before I forget, I brought this for you'' she managed to free two heavy books from her apron. Rion looked confused.

''I haven't finished reading the previous book, do you need it back?''.

''No'' she protested immediately. ''It's just that... I won't be able to visit you for a while''.

''Why?'' he asked after a pause and looked at her directly. His blue eyes looked stern. She was wondering what he felt as he awaited her response.

''The winter is coming so it won't be safe for me to travel here anymore. I'll be able to see you in the spring'' he seemed to have accepted her explanation, though his expression grew gloomy. He bit his lip and hesitated.

''So, this is a goodbye then''.

''Yes, for now'' she grabbed his hand. ''I will be back''.

''I know you will'' he squeezed her hand lightly ''and I will be waiting for you''.

Winter came in full force and the castle grounds were quickly covered with snow. Helena spent most of her time in her chamber, anguished due to the forced isolation. Weeks were passing by with nothing meaningful taking place until one day, her father summoned her to his work room.

''My daughter, your future fiance has confirmed his upcoming visit to Orla'' Helena's heart sunk to her stomach. ''He won't be able to travel here during the winter time, he is most likely to arrive in April''.

''Yes, father''.

''Aren't you even interested in who this gentleman might be?'' her father looked upset with her. She didn't want to argue but also found it too tiring to engage in any sort of exchange with him.

''No, father''.

''Very well, you may leave'' she took a slight bow and left the room. So the moment has come: her fate will soon be decided and plans will be made as to how to exchange the goods: her body and her freewill for bettering relations with a foreign country. Lost in her thoughts, she stopped upon hearing familiar voices in the corridor.

''I heard that your sister suffers from melancholia, is it true?'' Helena recognized Igor's voice.

''Who told you this?'' Pavel's tone shook her. ''Don't these fools know better than to spread such rumors?''.

''You can tell us, your royal highness. You know that we are on your side'' Tommo tried to soothe him.

''There is nothing to talk about, she's just a moody teenager. Don't you remember how it was for us?'' Helena peeked and noticed Pavel giving Igor a nudge. ''Yet, here we are'' their voices kept echoing in the corridor until they slowly disappeared. Helena wondered what melancholia was.

Months passed by and Helena decided that it was time to train her body to once again make sure that she would be able to visit the farm in the nearby future. Even the shortest of walks made her out of breath, her muscles didn't seem to cooperate with her. As the rest of the snow was melting, she did her best to ensure that she could cover the distance between the castle and the farm in a reasonable time. The excitement was growing inside her: she couldn't wait to see Rion again. She promised herself that after seeing him, she would pay Rachel a visit, too.

Her good mood was quickly spoilt when she ran into Pavel and a huge grin of satisfaction appeared on his face.

''Helena, we just received most wonderful news!''.

''What is it?'' she asked carefully.

''Your future fiance is on his way here, he should reach the castle in just a few days''.

''What?'' she cried.

''You should start preparing for his visit. I saw that you grew a bit, perhaps it is time to change your wardrobe'' he pulled her cheek.

''How can you have so much free time as a crown prince and still pay attention to my wardrobe?'' he grinned again.

''It's because you are my little precious sister''.

''Yeah, right'' Helena started to head back towards her chambers. ''Stop following me'' seeing him laugh made her even more upset. Her plans were ruined and once again, she had her family to blame.

After late breakfast, she decided she needed to visit Rion as soon as possible. The walk was more challenging than she has remembered it and she had to stop a few times to catch her breath. Just before she reached her destination, she noticed a boy walking next to a horse, his black hair curled around his forehead. She recognized him immediately.

''Rion!'' the boy turned to her immediately, he couldn't resist a smile. She ran to him, the energy in her body overflowing her. Just before reaching him, she jumped, wrapping her hands around his neck. His hands reached for her and grabbed her waist. ''It's been too long''.

''I couldn't agree more'' he chuckled. ''I have never received such a warm welcome before'' his breath tickled her ear. She pulled back a bit and gave him a thorough look.

''You are so much taller now!''

''Haven't you also gained a centimeter or two?'' she gave him a nudge to which he reacted with laughter. ''It doesn't matter, you don't have to grow anymore. It might be easier to handle you if you are pocket-sized''.

''Don't tease me'' she pouted. She looked at the horse next to him and stroked its side. ''Who is this beauty? Is it yet another Lady of yours?''.

''If only'' Helena gave him a look, and he laughed once again. ''We have received a special order from the castle. Apparently, it is meant for an upcoming visitor'' Helena went pale. Noticing her reaction, his smile froze. ''Are you alright?''.

''Yes, nothing to worry about'' her face automatically took on a half-smile, which she learned to show whenever hiding discomfort. ''We have so much to catch on!''.

''Where would you like to go?''.

''Remember that beautiful lake we have found last autumn? I wish to see it again''.

''Very well. Would you like to try riding the house with me? He needs some more taming, but I reckon it is moderately safe'' Helena knew how dangerous horses could be and hesitated. ''Don't worry, I wouldn't propose it if I thought I couldn't handle him''.

''Alright'' she nodded and a moment later felt Rion's hands around her. ''What...'' before she could finish her sentence, he sat her on the saddle, and then quickly joined her.

''Let's go then'' he gave the horse a clue. Helena smiled and rested her head on his chest.

''I missed you'' she blurted before she could stop herself. Just when she thought he wasn't going to answer anymore, she heard his quiet voice.

''Me too''.