“My apologies, I didn’t mean to--” I was interrupted when she suddenly kissed my cheek and ran back inside. My heart raced, my stomach fluttered as I stood alone. My hand touched the cheek she kissed. And I smiled to myself like an idiot. I wanted to stop because I know people would stare at me but I couldn’t. 
With an unremovable grin plastered throughout my face, I hopped on the horse and rode back to the castle. 
♔♔♔ 
I immediately headed to the stables when I reached the castle. As I arrived, ten men were slowly putting Lady into her own casket. I walked towards Gonzalo who watched from the side. 
“Bring Lady to the fields in the Mortal Realm. Find the perfect resting place,” he instructed as the casket was sealed. 
“Please bury her under an apple tree on top of a hill in that field,” I entered the conversation, catching them all by surprise. “That hill is right in the middle of it.” 
“Your Highness,” they bowed. Gonzalo then returned to the men and continued, “You heard the young prince. And be careful with Lady’s body.” 
The men carefully slid Lady’s coffin onto the wagon. They gave their bow and boarded the wagon. As the wagon moved further away from the stables, my heart sank deeper into my stomach. This was it. I won’t be able to see Lady ever again. 
I sat on a nearby bench and sighed as I held her saddle. Gonzalo sat beside me and said, “I know that you carry so much pain within you right now, young prince. But please, do remember that I’m here if you need someone to talk to.” He knelt in front of me, his fist on his chest. He continued, “For I’m not just your personal guard and humble servant. But I’m also your loyal friend and confidant.” 
I smiled as I put a hand on his shoulder. He lifted his face and I said, “You are more than what your given duty is, Gonzalo. I never forget that you have been a close friend of mine within these walls. I’m thankful to have you as part of my small household.” 
He smiled and nodded. But our conversation was cut short when we heard a horse, faintly approaching the stables. We both stood. Gonzalo stood in front of me, his hand on his sword. As the galloping arrived near the entrance, Benjamin appeared. 
“News has reached my ears. My brother suffered a loss,” he spoke as he unmounted his horse. He continued as he walked towards us, “I’ve come here to console him.” He then opened his arms as he got closer. 
“Benjamin,” I greeted as we shared a hug. 
“Prince Benjamin,” Gonzalo greeted from behind me. 
After we pulled away, Benjamin approached Gonzalo. “Gonzalo,” he put his hand on his shoulder, “there’s no need for such formalities. Call me by my name whenever I visit.” 
“Unfortunately, that cannot be done, Your Highness,” Gonzalo answered, keeping his eyes to the ground. “I have to pay respect to anyone my master has a connection with, especially his family and friends,” he added. 
Benjamin chuckled as he returned to me. “Gonzalo is the finest. You can’t find any better servant than him.” 
“I agree completely,” I smiled, putting my hands behind me. “Shall we go and take a walk in the garden?”
“If you wish it. I just need to put my horse in one of the stables,” Benjamin said. He was about to grab his horse when Gonzalo got the reins first. 
“Please, allow me, Your Highness,” Gonzalo stopped him. 
Hesitating, Benjamin turned to me before looking back to Gonzalo. “Um, if you wish it, I guess,” he said. Still in doubt, he allowed Gonzalo to take his horse away and followed me to the garden. 
♔♔♔ 
“I’m very sorry about your loss, Robert. Lady was a treasure,” Benjamin spoke upon our arrival in the garden. He continued, “I haven’t seen you this sad for a long time, brother. It breaks my heart. As children, you were the most miserable whenever your favourite toy boy would be broken or lost.” 
I chuckled, a faint smile crept upon my face as I was reminded by that distant memory. “I really couldn’t believe that she would be taken from me,” I replied. “It was done swiftly… and in a barbaric manner.” 
I understand how heavy this matter is to you. You loved her with all your heart. As master and champion, your connection was too strong,” he said as we took a right turn. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he added, “I remember that I used to tease you about Lady. I said in the future, she would be your future bride.” 
I chuckled once more. “I clearly remember that,” I nodded. “It was how you would complain if I’m spending more time with her than with you,” I continued as I tried to mask my pain. 
As we continued walking, he put his arm on my shoulder. He pulled me closer and said, “You don’t have to hide your emotions, brother. You don’t have to pretend that everything will be fine. You may be a prince. But you have emotions as well. Now is not the time to act like a monarch.” 
I sighed as I nodded. “I just don’t understand how someone could be so heartless. Lady is a gentle creature. Why did they have to do that to her? Why did they have to harm her?” my voice raised as questions spilled from my mouth. 
Benjamin stopped us from walking. He then stood in front of me and stared at me. His eyes didn’t say anything. He simply stood there and looked at me straight. 
“I know,” I lowered my gaze. “I overreacted. My apologies.” 
Benjamin then walked closer to me. He put his hands on my shoulders, making me look at him. “You don’t have to apologize, brother. You’ve embraced your emotions. Now, it is time to accept and let go,” he replied. We then continued walking and he added, “The world itself is cruel. No one can change that. No matter how hard we try, we can’t do anything about it. What we can do on our side is to accept what happens during this lifetime and learn from it.