A Broken Soul

Florien took long swift strides as he walked down the corridor.

He was agitated and restless with a tinge of anger.

How can this happen?! It's atrocious and ridiculous!

How can Kaia let this happen?!

He let out a frustrated sigh as he squeezed his eyes close and opened them again.

He took deep breaths to calm himself down.

The sound of his footsteps echoed through the empty corridor. It was otherwise followed by an eerie silence. There were no people in sight, no footmen, no maids, no life.

The castle was barren of life.

A prison....

It was indeed her prison.

A caged princess who longed for freedom.

Even when Florien tried his best to offer her some of it, they only ended in vain. But the clever girl found a way to gain it only for it to get snatched away again which he was sure has happened already.

But what he couldn't understand is her new attempt in order to attain it. He was glad she was trying but he was not glad about the way she's trying to reach her goal.

He let out another agitated sigh and picked up his pace.

As soon as he reached the grand mahogany double doors, he pushed them open abruptly and strode in angrily ignoring the new guards who made no move to stop him. Looks like they've been informed of his arrival.

But the sight before him made his anger deflate and vanish immediately filling him with worry, concern and panic instead.

A startled Alexandra stood beside the bed with a look which was a mixture of worry and annoyance on which a pale Kaia sat looking no different from a beautiful sculpture.

Florien was sure that the latter of the noble woman's feelings were directed towards him and the former towards the unmoving Princess sitting huddled in her bed near the headrest.

Her sapphire eyes which were once filled with brightness were now dull and void of life.

They looked dead.

Her naturally pale skin lost the little colour they had and now almost looked white.

Yet, even in her disheveled form, she was still beautiful.

If her beauty was ethereal before, now she looked almost ghastly. Still she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

If Florien had found women appealing he would definitely try and snatch her to have her all for himself. But deep in his heart he knew she had the power to make him do just that if she wanted to, despite his preferences.

"Kaia" he tentatively called out her name in a low voice.

He received no response.

Not a flinch, not a twitch.

Nothing.

His eyebrows drew together as his worry increased.

He knew she had heard him. He was sure she must have at least known his arrival for he did not open the door quietly.

His worried eyes fell on Alexandra who's clear grey eyes dimmed as she shook her head dejectedly.

Florien walked around the bed and stood beside her.

She sat still, without blinking as her hooded eyes gazed straight ahead as if longing for something which she knew she could never have.

If it wasn't for the faint movement of her chest as she breathed, Florien would think she was lifeless.

"Kaia" he tried calling her again to no avail.

He crouched down and gently placed his hand on her cheek and slowly turned her face towards his.

His breath hitched when her eyes fell on his.

It was the eyes of someone who gave up on life, on love, on everything.

Tears pricked his eyes as Florien reached his other hand towards her and held her tight to his chest without uttering a single word.

She leaned on him limply not even having the energy to wrap her arms around him which she usually did eagerly.

The two royals stayed that way for a long time until Florien had the will to let go of her.

He placed a chaste kiss on her forehead before completely letting go of her. His eyes lingered on Kaia for a while before he turned to face Alexandra who stood near the foot of the bed.

"What has transpired after my last visit?" he asked in a tone that told her not to defy him.

Alexandra bowed her head in respect before she spoke. "Pardon me Prince Garnet but it is not my place to tell" she refused humbly.

Florien's lip twitched but didn't form a smile. Typical of Alexandra not to follow orders. Only she would dare to defy anyone of higher status when it comes to protecting her princess. He would bet she wouldn't care if she had to oppose the king himself.

He sighed as he resigned asking her. It's useless to probe Alexandra. If she says she would or wouldn't do something she would stick by it, no matter what. Even bribing never worked on her.

So he turned towards the only person he could have his answers from.

Kaia's gaze was once again fixed on the window across the lounge. It was sealed with iron rods allowing only the light and a few birds and bugs to pass through.

Florien's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion and horror.

The bars were new...

Even though the king locked up Kaia in the castle grounds, he had never took it this far.

"Kaia" his voice had an edge now.

When she made no move, he continued not caring whether she listened or not but hoping she did.

"What is this I hear about you marrying the Prince of Clarines? You do know he is rumored to be a heartless, arrogant, self centered Prince, don't you? And what about Leortes? Weren't you about to marry him?"

At that Alexandra grimaced and turned away even though the prince's back was facing her, regretting not stopping him sooner.

Kaia flinched as she felt like she had been slapped hard when she heard his name.

For the first time in a few days she turned to look at someone. And in a small part of her desolate heart, she was glad that 'someone' was Florien.

"I don't trust anyone but Leortes to care for you the way you deserve to be. That is why I broke our engagement. If you aren't marrying Leortes, I won't let you marry anyone else." Florien finished slowly but sternly.

Tears welled in her eyes as her face contorted to one of anguish.

Florien's eyes widened for he never expected to witness such an expression in the face of one of the most important women in his life. He never descried such raw pain in anyone, much less Kaia. Hell! He had never seen her without a smile!

Right now the carefree cheerful princess of the past was nowhere to be found. She had been replaced by the current sorrow filled princess who looked broken beyond belief.

It made Florien afraid.

Afraid that she might be lost forever, and her next words shook him to the core as it confirmed his thoughts.

"He is dead Florien!" she wailed as her hands blanketed her face.

"He is dead because of me! I took away his life, I took away his smile, I took away his time, I took away his everything! Now life has lost its meaning to me. It should have been me instead! It should have been me!" she sobbed as Florien sat stunned before her as he tried to comprehend her words.

As soon as he understood, he only felt helplessness and an indescribable anxiety. He could only quietly gather her in his arms and let his silent tears fall.