11 Oil and water.

She didn't know what to say, do the king already know of her plan to escape and sent the prince to her.

It was a big mistake trying to trust him.

Sebastian watched her cautiously, he knew she was shocked and started feeling sad for her.

Poor girl...

Who could she trust?.

I am sorry Sebastian, she said after getting over the shock. It was stupid of me. Very stupid...

It's fine, I just want you to be careful. You can't ruin our plan even when it has nit been executed. He said now moving away from there.

I promise, no more stupid stunts, she said reasurring him.

I trust you.

.... ..... ..... ..... ........ ..... ..... ...... .....

He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this way. The fear of losing someone close to him.

He didn't see his mother die, so this feeling was strange to him. His father had only told of the fatal accident that had killed his mother when he was just a kid.

He had a deep connection with her even if he couldn't even recall her.

He sometimes missed her and often wondered, how can you miss" Someone you didn't even know". It was as if she only could comfort him now.

He soon stood in front of the only picture he had of her. The picture in the library. This picture reminded him of everything. Everything he was missing. All the love he hadn't gotten from her.

Mom!, he said, his voice shaking like he just caught a cold.

You left me, when I was little, too little to know the love I was going to miss in the forth coming years. Too little to understand that you would never come back and the memories will be trapped inside this picture.

He spoke like he was reading a poem and for the first time in years. He wept..

His father used to say, he man who cried in front of others was a feeble man, a weak man.

But here he was crying in front of his mother image hung in the wall. His father was not here to scold him. His mother picture could not speak either.

Is this the freedom he had always wished for. The dreams he had always wished for it to cone to reality. He didn't know anymore.

Williams, a solemn voice called him.

He looked up from where he had buried his face in his hands.

Has his mother risen from the dead. He thought.

He watched her as she came to his side. She stared at the picture like it was mighty scared ornament and looked at his face.

She is beautiful, she said.

He didn't say a word and closed his eyes. His mouth suddenly felt heavy for his face to carry.

I heard about your father. I am sorry, She said with her voice filled with sympathy.

She must not forget what she came to do but as soon as she saw him. Standing there looking distraught and helpless. She didn't know what to think. He reminded her of an innocent little stray bird she used to like years before at her home.

He looked so innocent...

Thank you, but he is going to be fine, he said nodding his head and shaking off the sober look. As if he was ashamed that she had seen him that way.

He is old now, and so i wasn't that shocked, you know.he said sitting down and acting cool.

She listened to him with rapt attention and stood there. She was thinking of what to say next. Would she just say it or postpone it to another day.

He seem messed up already and she didn't want to make him more sad.

What do you care anyways, a voice said in her head. Few minutes ago she was swearing to herself that she will never care for him again.

What now! How come suddenly she felt so soft and sympathetic.

Maybe , because she had lost a dear person before and seeing him like this reminded her of it.

what are you doing?

Are you talking to me? Williams asked.

What! No..., I mean yes... I am here to tell you something, she stammered.

Oh us that so, go on. He said waiting for her to talk.

Emm, I am here to tell you how sorry I am to hear the king state if health. She blabbed.

OK, you have already told me that and I appreciate, he said.

And also one very last thing... Umm,....

Your majesty, the voice of one of the royal servant thundered in front of them. She was have been so distracted that she didn't hear him coming.

Both of them dramatically turned to see him.

Yes, Williams asked.

The physician, he is requesting for your presence, concerning your father's health. The boy said.

OK, tell him I will be right there, Williams said waving him off.

They we're soon alone and Williams faced Natalie.

You we're saying, he asked.

Oh, I think I am going to keep that till later, you have more pressing issues to worry about, she said and in a flash she zoomed out. Leaving him clueless and trying to make sense of what just happened.

But as she said, he had more important issues to think about.

He soon left to see the physician, to know if he still had a father or not.

........ ....... ....... ...... ....... ... ...... ....

'What us this madness "she spat out in rage coming out of the library. She had completely lost control of her senses. She had the opportunity to say it. To end it all.

But what happened. She stood there like a complete dummy making a fool out of herself.

Why was she holding back and what is this strange sympathy she suddenly felt for the prince.

Hot tears if frustration started to fall from her face.

Her sister didn't die for her to be feeling this way. And it even felt worse that she was not only risking her life but also sebastian's. The only person who had been nice and supportive to her. And of course she didn't lose everything for this to happen.

I must end this madness now, she said. Leaving the room again to find the prince.

Luck shone on her as she saw him just finished talking to the physician.

This is your chance...

"Your father needs to rest as long as he should"the man said slowly as he talked to Williams.

I will make sure if that, Williams told him.

He looked forward to see Natalie racing towards him.

OK what now. He thought.

Natalie came to his front hiding her face like she was scared of something.

Are you okay, he asked concerned, there was already trouble on him and he didn't wish for more. Little wonder how this sunny beautiful day had suddenly changed to something he cwouldn't explain.

No I am not, she said now staring eyes to eyes with him.

Is there something wrong? he asked.

I am afraid, I can't be talking to you anymore, I just can't, she said , gulping.

There was a brief silence between them and two if them not saying anything watched each other.

Fine, I agree. Williams replied.

OK, that was easier than expected, he didn't even ask why or argue. She thought.

You see, I feel like you have been trying to say this all these while. Like I have been forcing myself to you and I am sorry. I am sorry and i will stay away from now hence forth, he said not flinching.

Yeah, thank you for understanding, she blabbed.

He moved away and she watched trying hard not to feel sorry for herself. OK so that is it, thus is what she had been all worked up for.

Wasn't so hard.

... .... .... .... ....... ...... .... .......

The night was cold as always and Sebastian lay down at the log of wood he had made for himself.

He didn't have plans to go to bed early today too.and he didn't know why.

Or was he indirectly expecting Natalie this night. He was almost at the same spot as last night and he refreshed the events if the day.

Today was unusually slow maybe because of the news of the king's health. Everyone did their work quietly and briskly and no one wanted to chitchat as before.

It was the first time in years that the king had fallen ill. And he didn't know how to feel. The king has become such a predominant figure in him and the others lives that it was difficult to express their feelings. They may all hate him but couldn't deny that he was a powerful person in their existence . Since when he was a kid he had always feared the man.

He was the source of their pain and happiness. Which is a sad reality of his life.

He paused his thoughts to see Natalie coming towards him.

Ah, of course he had expected her. The night was long...

She looked agitated unlike yesterday and he notified it. Something about the way she walked said it all.

You seem to be having a good time, she said as she stood by him.

Are you surprised, you should too. Our enemy is definitely not having one. He chiped in.

She said nothing as she stared into space.

Well, I saw you talking to your freind today, you must have been comforting him, but he didn't look so happy atcwhwt you we're saying. Sebastian teased.

You dont have to worry anymore, we have parted ways, she said with little esthuism.

You don't look so happy about it, did I ask you to do what you didn't want to? He asked.

What? No, I did it because it was right. The right thing to do. She repeated.

Good, now we can focuse on better things, he said.

Natalie!

Yes.

it is going to be fine, he said staring at her weary face.

She smiled with satisfaction.

Yes, yes.

The stars were aligning.