My hands trembled as I read the letter. This can't be happening. I must be dreaming or this is some kind of a sick joke, but no, it isn't. The letter that I held in my hands is proof.

Fred is gone. He left.

I bit my lips as they started to tremble. Not because I wanted to cry but because of my mixed feelings.

I didn't notice that everyone's attention was on me. I didn’t want them to see me like this, so I smiled. "I guess that's that then," I said. It was stupid to feel anything. After all, what does it matter if I will be leaving soon anyway?

"Rose-" Nate started to reach out, but I moved away. Dan placed a hand on Nate's shoulder, and he shook his head.

"His choice. Nothing we can do." I shrugged. I started to turn around and mumble an excuse as I left and headed towards the gardens to get a breather. I went to the back door of the castle to get to the gardens. As soon as I was out, I took in a lung full of breath.

The air here always seems to provide me warmth and comfort, and I don't know why. Either it's because of the fresh air that nature provides, or there's just some magic at work here. Either way, I don't really mind it at all.

I went to the pavilion at the center of the garden and sat there looking at the view. The sun was setting, and the flowers began to give off a vibrant glow as the droplets of waters reflected the last rays of the sun. Seeing it reminds me of Fred and how we used to come here whenever he had a break with our training.

I sighed.

I looked back at the letter in my hands as I reread it. I just don't get it. Why would he leave? What was the reason? He obviously forgot to write it down on his letter. Was there a dire situation in which he really needed to go?

"Reading that over and over again won't change a thing." I jumped in surprise when someone spoke. I looked up to see Ace leaning against one of the pillars of the pavilion. His gaze at the setting sun as he spoke, "Prince Frederick is gone."

Looking at him, I narrowed my gaze. "Did you follow me here?"

Without looking, he shrugged. "Came to see if you would try and escape again." When I didn't answer, he turned his head to me and our gazes locked. "What are you thinking?" He asked.

"What?"

He pointed at the letter. "What do you think about the letter?"

I looked down and saw the letter crumpled in my hands. I laid it on my lap and started to straighten it back again. "I don't know," I answered honestly. "I think this is stupid. He didn't leave a note as to why he left." I said and looked up at him again.

"What do you think?" He looked back at the spot where the sun had been. It was starting to get dark.

"How should I know? I'm not Prince Frederick."

"You don't say?" I said in a sarcastic tone and rolled my eyes at him. I should have known that talking to Ace like this wouldn’t make him nicer. Nice talking to you, Ace.

"But I have to say that I agree with you."

Again, I looked at him. "What? Complete your sentence and stop making pauses already."

He gave a dirty look but didn't comment on it. "What I'm trying to say is that it's weird that he didn't leave us a reason for his departure. Something must have gone wrong in their kingdom that needs his full attention."

"What? Don't they have others to do those works for him?"

Then Ace gave me that look that makes you feel like your a useless, stupid, and incompetent human being who ever lived.

"He's a prince, you numbskull. It's his duty to attend to the needs of their kingdom."

"Well, excuse me for not knowing much about it. As I've said for about a millionth time, I'M NOT FROM THIS WORLD, YOU WAR FREAK!!"

He just gave me a deadpanned look. "Well, this world is full of supernaturals like me. Doesn’t that make you the freak here?"

I clenched my hands to my sides. "Wow, is this your way of comforting someone whenever they receive devastating news?"

"Who says anything about wanting to comfort you?"

If I were a cartoon character, I would probably be red and smoking in rage as I watch this man in front of me. "Ugh! Forget it!" I threw my hands up and started to walk away. After having a conversation with that jerk makes me miss Fred even more.

"Where are you going?" He said as I passed him.

Looking back at him, I glared and said, "I'm going to go and come after Fred. I'm going to talk to him and demand why he left. If I find his reason suitable, I'll let him be. If not, I'll drag him back here and send you off instead."

I suddenly felt a hand grabbing my arm and stopping me. Ace was looking at me with a serious expression. "You are not going after him." He said.

I glared at him and tried to pull my hand back, but his grip was too firm. "Say's who?"

"Every sane person in the world is telling you that it's a bad idea to follow him. Whatever it is, it's his problem, his priority. He can handle it."

I stopped pulling my hand from him to look him in the eyes. "Aren't you a little worried about Fred? He's our friend. Whatever problem he has, we should be there to help."

He scoffed and dared to roll his eyes at me. "You and your mundane feelings. You don't understand anything."

I have to admit that his words hurt me a little. And that gave me enough strength to pull away from him. With a disappointed look, I said, "You're right, Ace. I don't understand." I took a step back. "I don't understand how you can act like this when you know that one of your friends is in trouble or is suffering right now," I said and shook my head at him. "At least I have feelings that care enough to find out why he left, unlike some insensitive prince I know." Before turning my back at him, I added. "Don't worry about me. I won't run away."

As I was headed back for the castle, I heard him mutter something like, "It's PRINCE Ace."

***

At dinner, I refused to talk or meet anyone's eyes. Especially Ace.

"Hey, Rose. I asked the queen permission to give you horse lessons. She said yes."

I nodded.

"Isn't that great?"

The twins tried to engage me in a conversation earlier, but getting no response from me made them zip their mouths shut. The silence that came afterward became deafening as we ate. I could have sworn that they were sneaking glances at me.

Not able to take the awkwardness floating around in the air, I excused myself and declared that I was done as I looked at the queen for permission to leave. "But you've barely touched your meal." She said.

"That's okay. I’m full anyway." This was partially true since I had just gone on a picnic with the twins.

The queen looked at my face and studied me before nodding. "Alright. But if you get hungry, just call Cassidy to cook you something."

"I will."

Nate got up. "I'll accompany you then."

I shook my head at him. "No, thank you. I can find my way to my room. Finish your dinner, Nate." I told him, but he just grinned at me.

"Nah. I'm full. I'm about to head to bed anyway. And since our rooms are on the same floor, I figured that we could walk together. Have a chat and all." He reached out his hand for me to take. I looked at his hand hesitantly before studying his face.

In his eyes, I could read that, despite all the cheery acts that he was putting up with, he misses his friend as much as I do.

"Alright," I said softly and took his hand. He smiled and pulled me up from my seat.

"Your grace." Nate bowed as he excused the both of us. The queen nodded once as a response, and Nate escorted me out of the dining room.

We walked side by side. As soon as we reached the first flight of stairs, he spoke. "I know you're upset."

No duh. You don't see me jumping in glee, don't you? That was what I wanted to say but decided not to.

Nate sighed when I didn't answer. "I know how you feel, Rose. Fred is a good friend of mine. I may not know why he left, but it must be something important that he needed to go home." He continued. "It's inevitable really. Fred is a prince, and he may be the next king in their kingdom. Whatever the problem is, he must attend to it."

This time, I looked up at him. My brows furrowed in confusion at what I’d heard. "What do you mean next, king? I thought Fred was the youngest prince in their kingdom. Isn't that the rule for qualification to be the next king in Thalia?"

"Actually," he said. "Fred is the only Prince in their kingdom. The only reason why he was qualified is that he has an older sister, Princess Jenina Star."

"But I don't understand." I shook my head. "If Fred has an older sister, then why did you say that Fred is the next heir to their throne?" I asked. Remembering fully well that a princess can be an heir to the throne according to my lesson with Ace. Only if they are to be married to another prince, that is to be heir to another kingdom, shall the princess lose the opportunity to be queen in her kingdom.

"The kingdom of Hazel is the only exception to that rule." Answered Nate. "They are very strict on whoever shall become the next ruler. They mostly prefer the males to be their next king."

I reached out and grabbed Nate's arm for support when my head started to ache with all the new information. We were almost at the second flight of stairs as we continued to talk about the crazy politics in this world.

"That doesn't sound fair," I said. "But what if I pick Fred to be the next heir to Thalia. What of Hazel then?"

"If that happens, then Princess Jenina will become Queen of Hazel. You see, there are some situations in which they can consider the women to be an heir. One example is that the only prince dies or becomes a king to another kingdom. Another is when there are no other princes in the family."

"I see."

Once we reached our floor, we turned right to the east wing where my room is located. We stopped by my door. I turned to face Nate and smiled at him. "Thanks. I can take it from here."

"You sure?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for the talk. You're way better than Ace when it comes to serious talks." I said bitterly and looked away. Suddenly remember the conversation I had with Ace earlier. It made me clench my first, and I pictured throwing a sword at the bastard's head.

Brutal, but it helps calm me down a bit.

Nate chuckled. "I know. I may have heard you two talking earlier when I tried to go after you myself." He shrugged. "Ace beat me to it, so I just waited for another opportunity like this." Then he met my eyes and smiled shyly at me.

There was a light tint on his cheek that I couldn't help but admire. I smiled at him. "That's pretty sweet even for you, Nate," I told him. "But thank you. I really appreciate it. It's actually nice talking to someone who can relate to what we're going through."

This time, Nate's face suddenly turned flirtatious as he curtsied. "Glad to be of assistance to you then." He looked up and winked. "Tell me, my lady. Shall I have a kiss for a payment?"

"How about I throw you out of the window, run a horse at you, and feed you to the wolves?" I said with a sweet smile on my face.

He suddenly straightened up and put his palms up as if in surrender. "I'll take that as a no. I guess I'll only be taking your gratitude then?"

"Yes. Now goodnight, Nate." I smiled.

"Fine. Goodnight, Rose." He started to turn in back on me when he suddenly added. "Oh, and don't blame me if you can't sleep at night for not getting a kiss from me. Remember, it's all your fault."

I rolled my eyes at him—what a flirt. "Goodnight, Nate," I repeated. This time, I was putting emphasis on every word.

Nate let out a 'hmph' sound before finally disappearing and went to the west wing. Shaking my head, I went into my room.