A moment in the garden

Dinner time was over. The entire Del Montague family, excluding the Duke, were standing outside the manor preparing to send off their guests. Knights from both the respective households had already mounted their steeds, the coachmen were seated and the horses restless. 

Felicia and Alex were having a light exchange with Liam while waiting for Constantine to be done with his conversation with Helena. 

Tyren was super thrilled that Felicia was not hogging the Crown Prince's attention anymore.

The trio were wondering what Helena had pulled the prince aside for. She had simply stated that she needed to speak to the prince privately and pleaded with him to go into the gardens with her. Constantine did not wish to be rude so he agreed. Helena had then folded her arm around his and practically dragged him away.

Unsurprisingly, she had wanted to know what the four of them had discussed in the Emerald room. Constantine had suspected as much and once again felt the urge to tell her the truth. He wanted her to understand so she could aid them in taking down the demon Pope, as well as liberate herself from the dark powers the Pope had given to her.

How shameful it was that he lied to her and told her her magic was holy and a blessing from the Goddess!

Taking a seat on the nearby bench and pulling his arm out of Helena's grip, Constantine looked up at the stars for a brief moment. 

"Unfortunately Helena, I cannot tell you what we discussed. It was a private matter and both Felicia and Alex demanded I not speak on it. I do not wish to go back on my word." Constantine said, gently.

Helena's ire grew and she took a deep breath to keep up her soft act.

"I am their sister. We are a family. What affects them, affects me. There is no reason I should be left in the dark. If it was such an important conversation then why is it that brother and sister confided in you and Marquis Liam, and not the Duke? Obviously, I am being left out. You are all deliberately excluding me and it hurts." Helena started crying.

Constantine took out a handkerchief and offered it to her. Helena accepted it but did not wipe her tears. She opened her eyes larger and tried to look as pitiful as possible. She trembled her lips as more tears flowed.

Constantine was fooled at once and pulled her into an embrace. He then took the handkerchief from her and began wiping her eyes. Helena was filled with glee. She knew she still had control over the prince! He still loved her more than he cared for Felicia. She just had to try harder and she would have all of his attention on her again. As it was always meant to be.

Sagging into his arms, she placed her head on his shoulder and asked again. 

"Helena, I already told you that I cannot say. If you wish to know what the exchange was then you need to ask Felicia and Alex directly." He sighed when he felt her body tense.

Clearly, she expected him to give in to her demand. Normally he would have as he hated to see her unhappy. He especially hated her tears. He always had a weakness for them. It filled him with a desire to both protect her as well as hurt the one who had made her cry. Helena was always so soft spoken and gentle. She had a radiant beauty and her blue eyes were filled with kindness. To be near her was to desire her.

He still felt that way now.

And he knew he shouldn't. Not with another woman as his future wife.

Suddenly, Felicia's bright green eyes, flaming red hair and bold expression filled his mind and he immediately pulled away from Helena. This was not right. He had another woman to woo. And the more time he spent here, the greater chances that Liam might capture her heart first.

Constantine stood up and pulled Helena up with him. He lifted one of her hands and placed a kiss on top of it.

"I really must go now, it's getting late."

Wanting to further stake her claims, Helena stood on her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. Constantine took a step back and narrowed his eyes at her.

"Helena, I am to wed your sister. You cannot just kiss me like that. Not anymore." He hated saying this as her hurt expression tugged at his heart, but he knew he had to be stern.

"Your Highness, I love you." Helena sobbed bitterly. She tried to grab him again, but Constantine quickly stepped back.

"We have to maintain some distance from now on." Spinning on his heels, Constantine left before he did something truly foolish.

Helena fell to her knees and cried some more. Her prince had never been that cold to her. He had wiped her tears and held her in his arms so she thought they were making progress, but now he wanted distance?

Curse you, Felicia! This is all your fault! How dare you steal my lover from me?!