Ariella had not been disappointed by anything that had followed her repositioning at his request. She had soon felt him within her once again, filling her with pleasure until it filled all of her senses, drowning out all else. She grasped at the sheets and pulled a pillow closer to her, using it to muffle the loud moan that involuntarily slipped out when the pleasure reached its peak and her body reacted on its own to the orgasm that followed.<br/><br/>As he slowly pulled away and moved to lie next to her, she fought to steady her breathing. She did not immediately move, perhaps because her body was still coming down from the pleasure high, but perhaps also because some part of her expected that he would simply slip out, and she didn’t wish to face him as he did. To her surprise, though, she soon felt his arms around her waist, pulling her to him.<br/><br/>She buried her face in his chest, a faint smile on her lips as she closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and relaxing into his arms. It was undoubtedly selfish, but she felt happy, and she didn’t want it to end. She thought that there would definitely be consequences, but she didn’t regret it, and even if she later regretted the consequences, she doubted that she would regret this. As he buried her face in her hair, against the top of her head, she found herself hoping that this wouldn’t be it, and hoping that he felt the same way.<br/><br/>-<br/><br/>For better or worse, her wish had been granted. He had stuck around over the next few weeks, entertaining her father and the court with his music, and catching the attention of a good many noblewomen with this singing. There had even been times where he had accompanied her to various functions from tea and wine tasting to games, even those events where the company ended up discussing politics.<br/><br/>She was always grateful for the company, as these events were often dreadfully boring, and she tired of them quickly. His presence somehow made them more bearable, sometimes even fun. Of course, the days were also painful and constant reminders that they were walking down separate paths, no matter how either of them might feel.<br/><br/>It all seemed worth it when the day faded into night, when they were no longer separate; these nights were filled with many precious memories that she didn’t think would ever fade. They had made love many times during these nights, and she had become quite fond of his company. That wasn’t accurate. It wasn’t fondness, it was more than that. She struggled to admit the reality of what she felt, though. It seemed too cruel, to have finally found something real, to finally know what it felt like to fall in love, only to have it taken from her.<br/><br/>Cruel thought it may be, though, it was a reality that she had to face. Now, sitting on her bed, looking out at his moonlit figure, she couldn’t deny that cruel reality anymore. Tomorrow, she would travel with the other members of the royal family, as well as some more important members of the court, to the Valic Dominion. Tomorrow, she would marry a man she had never met to seal a treaty that would bring peace to both of their kingdoms.<br/><br/>Tomorrow, everything would be different. Tomorrow, she would have to leave everything behind; her life, her home, and him. This thought left a bitter taste in her mouth and an ache in her heart that she couldn’t quite explain. She’d known from the beginning that it would end this way, but knowing that didn’t take away the sting, nor did it fill the hole that seemed to grow inside of her chest.<br/><br/>Swallowing back these emotions, she stood up, walking towards the balcony. There was no point in allowing herself to wallow in these feelings now. At least for a little longer, he was within her grasp, so she would save the sorrow for another time.<br/><br/>As she stepped out onto the balcony, he spoke up, voicing the very thoughts she had worked so hard to banish, and bringing back the aching feeling. She placed a hand on her chest, hesitating for a moment, her face a conflicted mask of emotions. Her hesitation was brief, though, and the next moment she took the last two steps to close the distance between them. She leaned against his back, not yet having the courage to face him, or rather to allow him to see the weakness on her face.<br/><br/>She rested her head on his back, just between his shoulder blades, her left-hand taking hold of the material of his shirt. She didn’t respond as he finished what he had to say, instead she fought with herself, fought to maintain control of her emotions, to keep the sadness and longing she already felt from spilling over.<br/><br/>“I…” she finally spoke, her voice soft and more hesitant than it had been even on the day they had met. “I won’t forget,” she assured him, her voice so soft that it was almost as if she had simply breathed out the words. She knew that he would hear them, though, so she didn’t repeat herself. “I was happy, too,” she admitted, still soft, but not so soft as before. “Thank you,” she added after a brief pause. It might not be what either of them wanted, and in truth it might make things more painful for both of them, but knowing that there would at least be one person there that she knew made it a little more bearable.<br/><br/>“I wish I didn’t have to go,” she admitted aloud for the first time. “I wish I could just be selfish,” she sighed softly. She had never felt so reluctant to go through with this as she did at this moment. Of course, reluctant though she may be, the reality was that she probably didn’t have it in her to allow so many people to suffer on her behalf. She wanted to be selfish in the moment, she truly did feel this way, but when it was all said and done, she would do what she needed to as a princess, even if it hurt. Even if it broke her heart. Even if it forfeit her own life.