Confession

The school allowed a press conference and a short interview for her and Caden. She was used to this kind of event since her family was always in the spotlight, but for some reason, she was nervous.

She was in her residence to change and prepare, but it had been half an hour, and she still couldn't find anything to wear. Caden was just outside her bedroom, waiting.

He came here with some servants who had already prepared everything for him while she was in her closet staring at a hundred dresses.

She sighed. She couldn't decide what to wear because she wanted to be the perfect princess for him.

"Need help?"

She was startled when Caden suddenly came inside. She turned to look at him and was surprised that he was wearing his royal robe. She didn't realize that she was staring at him.

He chuckled. "Did you miss me that much?"

"Y-You're so conceited!" She exclaimed, then turned around to look at her clothes again.

He was just a few steps away from her, and she knew he was observing her every move. She couldn't decide, even more, knowing that he was standing near her.

Then again, she was stunned when he suddenly grabbed one of her dresses. He was already behind her and she could feel the warmth of his breath brushing through her neck.

"Here." He said.

He took a baby pink dress and handed it to her. She couldn't turn to face him. She was too flushed, and it was embarrassing if he would see her reaction.

"You like pink, right?" He asked.

She couldn't say a word and just nodded. She was glad that he still knew what her favorite color was.

"How about you? Do you still like the color of the crystals?" She asked curiosity piqued.

He told her that he liked transparent colors when they were young. He said you could easily see a stain in them just like the people around them.

They grew up in a family associated with wealthy people, the royals, and the underworld. And she always thought that it was his reason when he said those words.

"Yes. I like the way it sparkles. It was like the color of your eyes." He exclaimed.

She was surprised. She didn't expect that he would say that.

"We have the same eye color. I like yours better." She said.

He didn't say a word, but her heart when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her waist, embracing her from behind.

"I really missed you. Now we could at least do this." He whispered.

"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

"My mom separated us for twelve years, so we can't do adult stuff. But now, we're eighteen, so we could do something like this." He answered.

She bit her lips when she felt his lips were just an inch away from her neck. His breath was giving her a different sensation when he talked.

"L-Like what? I thought Aunt Peggy was against our engagement because she didn't like me." She said.

He chuckled. Then he turned her around to face him, pushing her gently against the closet's door.

"Do you really not know what I meant? Mother likes you very much, and the reason she wanted us to separate was that she's afraid that I am like my father."

"Uncle Jayden? What about him?" She asked again.

"I give up. You'll find it out soon anyway." He answered.

He stared at her as if memorizing every detail of her face. She suddenly got conscious of her looks. She didn't know he would suddenly show up. She should have gone to a salon and at least gotten her hair cut if she knew he be coming.

"I-I'm sorry about my hair. I always get it cut, but I missed my appointment two days ago. Don't worry; I'll have it cut short." She explained."

"No. I like it. You're breathtaking. It was like I had always imagined." He said, looking at her intently.

"You always think of me?" She asked, surprised.

He nodded and smiled at me.

"Whenever I feel down or sad, I always think of you. Your smile kept me going. My life in the palace wasn't that easy. I was the crown prince, but not everyone treated me like that. They didn't know I was the hidden heir, so I couldn't do anything about it. Elisa would always tell me to cheer up and that everything would be okay in the future. I just have to be patient and wait." 

She frowned. Elisa? That was the girl she heard her Aunt Nina mentioned during her party. The one who was always with Caden. She felt her heart was being pierced; it was painful.

"W-Who's Elisa? Is she one of your girlfriends in Flousia?" She stammered.

She averted her eyes so he wouldn't see how hurt she was. She could feel that tears were starting to fill her eyes. How could he say that name in front of her? She knew that a crown prince or the king of Flousia could have more than one wife. They were allowed to have two to three mistresses.

Caden's uncle, the current King of Flousia, chose not to have a mistress because he was head over heels in love with his queen. But Caden might be different. 

He tilted her head up to look at her face. He was surprised to see that there were tears in her eyes.

"Hey, you don't really know Elisa?" He asked while wiping the tears on her cheeks.

She didn't answer. She's not going to ask him if she already knew who that girl was.

"It's Katie. My cousin." He said, amused.

"Uncle Kyle and Aunt Emily's daughter?" She asked to confirm.

He nodded and was more amused that she didn't know that Katie and Elisa were the same.

"Elisa Katherine, that was her full name. She was called Elisa in Flousia, so I got used to it. I didn't expect you would get jealous of my cousin." He teased.

"I-I'm not. I was curious who that girl was. I heard Aunt Nina talking about her. She said she was always with you to keep you company." She stammered again.

"I like it when you get jealous. But I don't have any other girlfriends in Flousia. I've been in love with one girl ever since I was six." Caden suddenly said.

She was surprised and couldn't say a word. Did he just say he was in love? She blinked twice. His face was full of amusement towards her.

She couldn't figure out if he was telling the truth or just teasing her. But her heart started pounding like a drum.

"What did you say?" She managed to ask him.

He chuckled then grabbed her by the waist, pushing her further against the closet's door.

"Did you really not know how I feel about you, Alira? Did you think it was just puppy love? What I felt for you was deeper than you could ever imagine. When I said I wanted to marry you, that was the truth. I may be six when we first met, but you already captured my heart. I love you, Alira. I would never love any other woman but you." He confessed.

She bit her lip, and the tears from her eyes started flowing again. Why was she so emotional when it's about him? She thought she was the only one who felt that connection between the.. She thought her feelings were just a one-sided love. She was ready to give up and move on, but she was glad she didn't.

There were a lot of things that she didn't know about him. They were separated by force and not by choice. Their parents suggested the engagement, but it was entirely hers and Caden's decision to push through with it.

"Hey, say something. You know I have practiced that confession for a long time. I wanted to send it to you via email, but I wanted to tell you my feelings personally. I know it's late, if you're not prepared to give me an answer, it's fine. I don't want to force you."

She felt that he was nervous. She could see disappointment and sadness in his eyes. But she won't let him wait any longer.

"I love you! That's the reason I waited for you. I don't care if it would take forever as long as I can be with you. I couldn't imagine myself being with any other man; that's why I rejected all of them. I was called a liar because I always tell them that  I already have someone else, but I don't care. Waiting for you was the best decision I had made in my life. I love you Caden!"

They finally said those words to each other. At last, they were able to say what they really felt for the past twelve years.

Caden didn't say a word. He leaned closer, pressing his lips gently to hers.