“Send for Gonzalo if you ever need anything,” she added. She then went on her way, the door closed behind her. I turned back to the table and reached for the cup. But as I was about to touch it, Laura’s face entered my mind. My hand hung in the air as the image of her smile caught me still. 
I could see her clearly. Her vibrant eyes. Her cheerful smile. Her rosy cheeks. Her laughter rang clearly in my imagination. Her aura of happiness that radiated off of her. That happiness that can easily affect you and your mood. 
I blinked quickly as I got out of my thoughts. I pulled my hand back, settled my feet on the chair that Nana sat on and stared out the window. As the starry night filled my sight, I couldn’t help but feel drowsy. After a strenuous battle against sleep, I finally succumbed to its power. 
♔♔♔ 
The sunset began as I sat beside Lady’s grave. The men did a great job in following my orders. They buried her exactly where I wanted her to be: on top of a hill, under the very tree where we stayed in. Her grave was surrounded by small, white flowers. A big arrangement sat on top of her. Her grave was nothing but glorious. She was glorious from the day we met until the very last moment I was able to go on a ride with her. Until the end of my days, I will treasure every memory of her. 
Patiently, I watched as the sun slowly disappeared between the two mountains beyond. I was still able to watch this with her. However, what was beside me wasn’t a champion but a grave. As my gaze was fixed onto the sun, I touched each petal from the red rose that I held. 
My mind was blank. 
Nothing remained inside of it but absolute emptiness. The only thing I can think of is the question, ‘What am I supposed to do now?’. The sunset was as slow as the time that pain was taking to leave my body. 
I moved closer to Lady’s grave and settled the rose on top of her grave. “Lady,” I spoke as I stared down on her resting place, “you were taken from me the day I needed you the most.” I then sighed and looked back at the sunset. “Benjamin has asked Laura to be his. Without a doubt, she surely said yes. Who would refuse a gentleman such as Benjamin, right? He’s far better in all aspects than me.” I looked to the ground and played with the grass beneath me. “Who would refuse him?” I whispered to myself.
“Still, he wasn’t man enough for me,” a familiar voice spoke behind me. 
My head turned around. Laura stood behind me and in her hand was a bouquet of sunflowers and daisies. Gently, she walked towards me, never breaking eye contact with me. “May I?” she asked, referring to the flowers she held. 
I nodded. 
She left a small kiss on the flowers and put it on top of Lady’s grave. She then proceeded to sit beside me, not saying a word. 
We remained that way for a long while. We were so close and yet, so far. I wanted so badly to pull her into my arms and protect her with my embrace. But at the same time, I wanted to push her away. I wanted her to be as far away as possible so I could recover from the pain that was inflicted on me. I know that she doesn’t deserve the blame for the pain I’ve felt for a week. But she has become a part of the problem as Benjamin chose her to be his wife. 
I cleared my throat, diffusing the tension between us. “So, what happened between you and Benjamin?” I asked, not looking at her. 
“He left a few minutes after you did,” she replied with an almost faint voice. 
I nodded slightly. “When will the festivities be held?” I asked another. Certainly, she’s already set to be his bride. 
“Festivities?” she asked, her voice sounded confused. 
“The wedding, I mean.” 
She then forced me to look at her. “Do you see any engagement ring on my fingers?” she asked as she held out her hand. 
Indeed, there was no sign of a ring. Perhaps they’re only together so they could work through their differences and build a long-lasting relationship. 
“Then when is the celebration?” I continued with another question. 
“Celebration for what?” she frowned. 
“I’m certain that Benjamin will hold a grand and glorious banquet for your response to his proposal,” I replied. “I’m simply asking where and when it will be held so I could prepare for it.” 
That is if I was invited to the celebration. 
I’m not quite sure if Benjamin will invite me to any possible celebrations that’s for the two of them. I don’t think that Laura herself would invite me as well. She must know by now that her relationship with my brother has continued to hurt me.
My thoughts were cut short when she moved closer to me and said, “Robert, I never said yes to him.” 
My brows furrowed. Did I hear that correctly? She didn’t give him the answer Benjamin was expecting? 
“I couldn’t,” she added. 
I finally looked at her. “Why?” 
She let out a deep breath as she held my hands. She then looked into my eyes and asked, “Why should I give my heart to someone who isn’t worthy of it?” 
“Then, who deserves your heart?” I asked. 
She smiled as she explained, “I once told myself that I will kiss the hands of the one who deserves my heart. It would be a sign of my affection, that I will be devoted to him.” 
I cleared my throat. “And who is this man that you speak of? Is he the one you already have your heart set on?” I asked another, my heart beated faster as we continued this conversation. 
Slowly, she laid a kiss on both of my hands. She caressed the spots she kissed and looked back at me. “The one whose hands I just kissed.” 
Time stopped.