**Nathaniel**

"You fool!" My father screamed at me before he punched me in the face with a force that sent me to the ground." How dare you break off your engagement! Do you know what that will do to our reputation!?"

I grunted and pulled myself up as I faced my father. "I....don't love Camille!!"

My father glowered at me. "And yet you love that.....that girl!?" The way he said it was so insulting that I wanted to grab him by his neck then and there.

"That girl's name is Kascada, father. And I love her."

He narrowed his gaze at me and I could feel that he's going to strike again. "YOU INGRATE!!!" I was ready for the blow that was about to come when Adam stopped him.

"Father stop!"

My father glared at him. "Don't try and stop me, Adam! Your brother needs to be taught a lesson. He wants to cancel his wedding with Princess Camille because he is in love with another woman. Do you know what sort of embarrassment that will bring to our family!?"

Adam paused and he looked at him, surprise evident on his face. "Really?" He asked me. I nodded.

For a second there, I thought he would let father continue his blow on me but he didn't. Instead, I saw him smile. "That's great!!" Then he turned to father. "Father, you have to let him." Father and I were both shocked at Adam.

"Haven't you heard what I said!?"

"No, father, I heard. But you see." Adam paused and gave me a pleased look before turning to father again. "Little brother here is always following your orders and wishes all his life. Not once had he disobeyed you. Heck, he almost dedicated his life and future just to please you. Why not this once give him the chance to make his own choice. I mean, father, it's his life, his future. Be a father for him once and let him choose his bride."

I was surprised at Adam for saying that but knowing father, he would not hear it. That was why I was surprised when my father gave me one last look before sighing. "Fine." He said. "But just so you know, I will let her live here, but I will never acknowledge her as a family." With that, he was gone leaving me with Adam.

True to his words, my father canceled my arranged marriage with Camille. The king and queen were both understandings. The only one who was not okay with it is princess Camille. But who cares about her opinion? Not me that is for sure.

Soon I introduced Kascada to my family. It wasn't long until our relationship became the talk of the kingdom.

Prince Nathaniel broke off the engagement for the sake of true love.

It sounded cheesy, but it was the truth that I won't deny. Kascada and I have dated for almost a year and a half now. And with time, it was clear that it was she with whom I wanted to spend the rest of my life. That was why I planned the perfect proposal for her. I know how fond Kascada was of table arrangement. So one afternoon, I invited her into one of the vacant rooms with a single table at the center.

I pulled her in front of the table. "Kas, I need your help." I told her and pretended to look worried.

"Sure, Nate. What do you want me to do?" She asked me. Her face looking determined to help that I have to fight the urge to pull her in for a kiss. It'll come later.

I beamed at her and gestured at the table where four names were written on paper. "Tonight, I will have four guests: You, me, Will, and Marry. Can you please arrange our seats?"

She gave me a weird outlook at my request. "Uhh...sure? But I don't know why you called me here for help when you can arrange them by yourself."

"Just arranged them for me, will you?"

"Fine." She sighed and started to pick the paper and arrange them. "There. Me, you, Marry, and Will."

"I don't like it. Try again."

"What?" She pouted at me. I chuckled and kissed her cheek.

"Just try again."

This time she thought for a while. "Marry, me, will, and you."

"Oh! Close. Try again."

"Will, you, marry, me." As soon as she realized it, she let out a gasp and turned to me. I kissed her forehead before I got down on one knee and brought out the ring. Its strap was pure gold, with lapis lazuli embedded on the side. On the center of the ring is a heart-shaped diamond. Obviously, I only bought the best ring for the best girl.

"Lady Kascada Starling, you are the only one for me. The only girl that I would cherish and love. My heart is yours and yours only. So saying, will you do me the honor of becoming my bride?"

"Yes....Oh my gosh YES, Nate, YES!!!" She cried.

"Yes?"

"Yes!"

"YES!" I got up, grabbed her by the waist and twirled her around before planting a kiss on her lips. Then I slipped the ring on her ring finger and we kissed again.

The marriage was in a week or so. The whole Kingdom was ecstatic and it was the only talk of the people. I have never felt so thrilled about my future. Before, I thought I would be following my father's orders until the day I die but look at me now. I made my own decision on who I was to marry. And that is all I could ask for. I was the happiest man alive.

Or so I thought.

Just a week before our big wedding, Camille came since my mother invited her for dinner. Kascada wasn't around that time since we were spending the time with her dad. It struck me as odd when Camille acted so friendly and calm about the whole news. In fact, she looked happy to me. She even gave me her regards to my future wife. While my mother, father, and brother were busy talking, Camille handed me a glass of wine.

"Cheers for your wedding." She said.

I was hesitant. My gut told me not to, but I accepted it since it would be rude not to accept. "Cheers." Then I drank my wine.

Instantly, I felt dizzy so I excused myself and headed for my room. I was feeling hot so I took my shirt and went to bed. I felt someone sneaking into my room. I could tell that it's a girl by her scent, but not my Kascada. I would know it if it was her. The girl tried kissing me, but despite my drunken state. I was able to fight her off.

Suddenly, I heard my door open. I just have about enough strength in me to see who was at the door. But I didn't have to look who was there since I already caught a whiff of her scent.

"Kascada." It was like a spell was broken and I was sober again. I pushed the girl, who was actually Camille, off of me. I ran after her and was able to catch her thanks to my vampire speed. "It's not what you think!"

Worthlessly, she slapped me. "It's not what you think!?" She yelled. "Nate, I saw what I saw! Do you think I'm blind!?" Angry tears started to fill her eyes.

"Let me explain."

"Explain what!?" She wiped her eyes. "You know how much I hate cheaters, you know that!! My mom left my father and I because she cheated on him, Nate." She shook her head and I hated the look of disappointment in her eyes.

"Kasaca-" I reached out for her.

"Don't!" She moved away from me. "Stay away, Nate. Please." She begged and with that, she left. Watching her leave like that tore something inside of me.

The next few days were torture. I tried going to her house to explain but she wouldn't let me. What happened with her parents had traumatized her about being left alone, but I won't do that. I won't. I won't give up on her. Day by day I would come and wait for hours. But she still would not come out. On the fifth day, she finally came out. There was a string of hope when I saw her at the door walking towards me. Quickly, I dusted my pants as I tried to look presentable.

"Kas, I'm so glad-" Before I could finish what I was about to say, she held up a hand to shut me up. Then wordlessly, she took my hand in hers. To be honest, it actually felt good holding her hand again.

But then that feeling suddenly changed when she placed the engagement ring on my hand. I looked at her. Begging. "Kas...."
She shook her head. "It's over, Nate. I'm sorry. Don't make this....difficult." My heart parted at her worlds and suddenly I couldn't breathe.

I grabbed her hand just as she was about to go. "Kas, please don't do this. Please. I-I'll die if you do."

The next thing that happened traumatized me for life and changed me. Kascada looked at me with a stone-cold look. "Then die." That was all she said before leaving me there, stunned at her words towards me.

The wedding was called off. I stayed in my room for who knows how long. I didn't eat or sleep. I would just sit on a chair and stare at the wall. Sometimes I would break things. I was going crazy. I didn't dare open my curtains for I was afraid that the sun would light up my room and bring up unwanted memories with it - both the good and the bad.

It was like I was living dead for a couple of months especially when I heard that Kascada was to be married to another man. I wanted to die. Kill me for being so stupid and letting go of the only girl I loved. I also wanted to kill Camille for bringing this to me, especially my father whom I found out had planned all this to break me and Kascada, but no, I can't kill them because I know it would be wrong to do it so. I guess I still have some sanity left in me.

"Nate, get up." Adam talked to me one day.

"I am."

"But you've barely touched your food."

I shrugged. "At least I still eat."

Adam got up from his feet and threw the tray of food at the wall. "That's it!" Adam angrily marched to me and grabbed my collar. "You've got to stop this!! I can understand that you are broken because of what happened with you and Kascada, but do you really have to stay like that forever!? Let it go, Nate!!"

What he said struck a nerve that I managed to muster up enough strength to get away from his grip. "You think it was that easy!? Adam, she was the only girl for me! And she was easily taken away! How do you expect me to let it go?"

"That's just one girl, Nate. There are others out there. If she moved on from you just like that then she is not the one for you."
"Well too bad, because she is the only one for me." I muttered.

"Wake up, Nate! You have a whole life going on for you. Don't just end it because of her." Adam sighed as if he was growing tired of me. I'm not surprised. It always seems that way. People get tired of me and leave. "Just....please. Don't waste your life on this. Move on. Use this experience as a lesson for you." With that, Adam left.

I sat wordlessly on my seat as I thought of Adam's words. He was right, I should use this experience as a lesson: Serious relationships only bring you pain and suffering. If Kascada thinks that I'm the type of man who cheats then so be it.

I will be that type of man.