Everything suddenly came together, forming a picture that I never wanted to see. Something that I never thought I would witness. Benjamin has the prince-ly attitude that Laura talked about when she said someone was trying to earn her affections. And Benjamin mentioned he never cared for a woman’s status as long as she wasn’t a criminal. 
The only question I have now would be… what am I supposed to do? I don’t know who met Laura first, who loved Laura first. But my friend - one of the few people whom I trusted, the man I called my brother - was also in love with her. 
Who should I side with? Who should I choose? 
Him? Or her? 
As I tried to sort out everything inside of me, Benjamin finally spoke, “Laura, we only knew each other for a short while. And I know that whatever I may say or do right now, I might seem I’m moving too fast.” He continued, his eyes never leaving her, “But nothing matters to me anymore. Only you. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were the one I’m looking for. And today, I would like for my search to come to an end.” 
“Benjamin, I know I should’ve told you sooner,” Laura said, sternly. Her eyes looked directly into his as she continued, “My heart already belongs to someone else. And nothing you say or do can change my mind.” 
“Laura, I already know that. Your actions speak louder than your words. But you must realize something,” Benjamin quickly held onto her hand, desperate. He will not let her go that easy. “The gods allowed our paths to cross for a reason. And I believe they did that because you’re meant for me. And I can prove that to you.” 
Her brows furrowed. Her gaze followed Benjamin’s head as he turned to my direction. 
“Robert, tell her.” 
My heart shattered even more as Benjamin begged for my help. His eyes were desperate. He knew he was running out of time. His persuasion wasn’t working on Laura. At the same time, Laura’s eyes plead to stop Benjamin. Laura and I never broke eye contact. But I could see Benjamin shifted from looking at her and then to me. 
Truth be told, I wanted to be honest with Benjamin. Laura’s the love of my life and I wouldn’t trade her for anything else. I would fight for her until the very end of this world. But Benjamin’s my brother. I’ve known him for almost all my life. I don’t want to ruin our brotherhood all because we loved the same person.
On the other hand, Laura was the woman of my heart. We’ve been through a lot of challenges and I don’t want to lose her again. But at this moment, I already knew the right choice. As a future king… my feelings would come second for the greater good of others. 
With a heavy heart, I sighed and looked directly at Laura. “You deserve each other, Laura. He will love you with all his heart. He will take good care of you. He would be able to give your heart’s greatest desires, even more.” Those words felt like bile as they escaped my lips. Those words pierced my heart like a three-edged sword. And what I was about to say would become one of my greatest regrets. “Whoever you have your heart set on, you must forget. It’s best that you allow Benjamin to enter your heart as you have entered his.” 
Her jaw tensed as her eyes watered. As she held her tears, her pain were given away by her teary gaze. 
Our gaze was disconnected as Benjamin grabbed onto her other hand, putting the bouquet on the ground. “Laura, giving me your heart would make me the happiest man in this lifetime and the other,” his frantic stare never left Laura. But Laura, unmoved, gave him a blank reaction. “Give me your all and you’ll have all of me. I’ll provide for you and everything it is that you would ever need. All you have to do is say yes.” 
As Benjamin caressed her hands with her thumbs, my insides crumbled. I should be the one holding her hands in mine. A part of me believed that her hands belonged to me and me alone. I then looked at Benjamin. I could never hate him or curse him. My love for him as a brother has overpowered my affections for Laura. 
And if my pain is my sacrifice for the happiness of my brother… I was willing to let her go. 
“Benjamin, I…” Laura struggled with her words. She then tried to free herself from his hold as she continued, “This isn’t the right time for this. Shouldn’t you give me some time to think about everything?” 
“What’s there to think about when it’s true love?” he quickly replied. His grasp on her tightened. 
“But I don’t feel the same way as you do,” she protested as she raised her voice. She was able to pull her hands back and she added, “I care for you and respect you as a friend. But I cannot give you more than that.”
Benjamin slowly stood up and towered over her. She took a few steps back, overwhelmed by his height. I wanted to shield her from him. But I didn’t want any conflict. “I’ve said this before, Laura: I don’t care about anything, except you. Whether you love me or not, I made a vow to myself that you will be mine,” he answered, tears now streamed down his face. His walls were down. Benjamin has shown his vulnerable side to Laura. “But I need to hear it from you. Because I know, in time, you will love me back.” 
I cleared my throat, causing them to look at me. “I suppose that this is my time to leave. Your conversation has become too personal.” 
“Robert,” Laura tried to stop me as I turned around. 
I didn’t move for a brief second and proceeded to leave. I hopped onto the horse and went on my way. I just want to be alone, away from everybody.