I was tired from doing nothing. Just sitting there and watching made me exhausted. My mind was a mess and my chest had been hurting so long that it no longer did. Eyes still fixated on his bleeding back, I just watched, unaware that it was finally 100. Only when I saw the one with the whip walk off, did I realize that it was done. "It's done," I mumbled to myself. I pushed myself up and stepped towards the outside. Of course, I was stopped. One of the princes grabbed my arm and told me that it was 'dirty' out there and that the princess is awaiting me.

So, I did not go to him. Sabo was released from the rope and he just instantly hit his head onto the pole as he went down. He was then yelled at to stand. Who would be able to stand after all of that... But, to my amazement, he gripped the sand beneath him and gradually pushed himself up. His legs shook at each step when he turned towards us. "Sabo," I said, softly calling out to him in worry.

Sabo let out broken breaths and struggled to even lift his head to look at me. I doubt he could see me... He was crying. Tears from the pain welled up in both eyes. Even his not-functioning eye was able to make tears again... I saw his eyes glancing around slightly, trying to find where I was. You can't fool me, Sabo... You can't even see me... My fists tightened and I shook my head. I shut my eyes and took a breath. Perhaps, I was feeling tears of my own trying to come out. When I looked back up at him, I saw it again...

That smiled he gave me earlier... Sabo smiled again, not even knowing where I was. It may have been directed in some random direction, but I knew he was doing that for me again. I cursed under my breath and turned away quickly. However much I wanted to go to him and hold him, I knew I could not. I knew so, so I turned myself away. If I stayed any longer, watching him like that, I would surely shed tears. I didn't want to look back, but I soon heard a thump. My eyes darted back to him and saw him lying on the ground, lifeless. Now, I couldn't just walk away. I quickly dashed over to him as fast as I could. Somehow, I managed to pass through the princes and guards... for most part. Right before I could reach his fallen body, I was caught by the arm by a guard. My hand could almost reach him, but I was yanked away. "Don't touch it! It's dirty," I was told.

He's dead. He's dead- He's dead. All that was in my mind was that. I had lost him. Sabo- my precious Sabo- He's gone. He's gone. He's left- Gone- Dead-- Probably, if I had never spoken to her, I would have lost it. A maid, that maid, ran to Sabo's side and checked his pulse. She then looked at me and smiled painfully with a nod, telling me he is okay.

I stared at the two with wide eyes. She could be lying, but what else, at this current moment, did I want to believe? He's alive. He's alive, I told myself now. I felt a lot more relieved so quickly. The princes sighed and mumbled to each other about how I acted. Off I was pulled, to see this princess. Even in this state, I had to meet a lady... I was tired. I didn't want to meet another of this province... but, what say did I have?

  ❁  

The walk was long and quiet. My mind was still not just quiet though. The want to know Sabo's well-being still lingered. It will linger until I see him well again. "My precious," I whispered to myself, the thought that came to me when I thought I had lost him. Was that how it it? My precious Sabo... My dearest... The one I cherish-

"We're here, Prince Ace," I heard someone say.

I blinked and looked up. "Eh- ah... um... right," I mumbled. I looked at the doors that were opening and took a breath. As I stepped inside, I expected the ugliest, but...

"Are you the Prince? Prince Ace," a mellow voice of a woman asked. I looked towards the voice and stared at the beautiful appearance. The lady had silky black hair that fell down to her waist. She was spectacular, to be honest. Her fair skin and her light brown eyes... Her soft makeup and her light pink lips... She was beautiful.

"Yeah," I answered quietly. My eyes looked her up and down once, maybe twice before they stayed at her face. Her mother must have been a goddess if someone and that ugly pig could have a daughter this fascinating.

She gave me a smile and made her way to me. "My prince, you look tired. Come sit, won't you? My prince, do you like tea? Oh, get him some warm tea," he said with that constant smile.

"I'm fine... and I am not your prince," I muttered in response. Somehow, having her call me her prince didn't feel good. I didn't like it at all. Her smiled went away for a second.

"Tch- Prince... then? Come and have tea. You are tired," she corrected herself. She was smiling again. Did she click her tongue? I couldn't tell... I eventually went to sit myself down. She sat down next to me and would inch closer to me. She soon took my arm and hugged it to her chest. "Why are you not well? Did something sadden you?"

"Something... Yeah," I replied. I kept my eyes down and was quiet for the most part.

"Prince, does it bother you so much that even I can not rid of it," she asked. I felt her hands rubbing my arm. One strayed to my shoulder then down my chest.

I shut my eyes and grabbed her hand gently to set it away from me. "Princess... I do not to have a relationship with you. You are beautiful, indeed, but I have not interest," I told her before sighing. "You should find someone you truly love, not one who-"

"Oh, but I do love you... I heard so much about you," she interrupted. Her hand came back and touched my thigh. "It will help our provinces too... Come on... Try to like me? You will realize that I am good for you soon enough if you try," she urged. Her slender fingers played with the hem of my clothes as she awaited answers.

"I don't want to because I know I won't, Princess... I will not marry you or have any relation with you," I stated. My tone was getting cold. I was not in the mood to play and she won't be able to make me in the mood. "I ask of you to not touch me," I growled at her.

She flinched and pulled away. "Then... who," she started asking. Her true self was starting show. I didn't believe any higher up in this province could ever be kind... "Who... do you like? Can you at least tell me that... or... why is it that you won't marry into this province," she asked me.

I was quiet for some time before I started talking quietly. "I can't marry you. You may be the most beautiful lady I have seen, but I will not marry you just because of that. I do not know you well. Will I like your true self? I think not... Even if... I have someone already. I love another. I love him."

"... Him? A man? Are you not the heir? How can you love a man?! Who will take your province's throne," the princes questioned, slowly becoming enraged.

"Maybe Marco? Who knows... but I will not take the throne. As long as he is here, I will not marry another. Saying that... is a little weird. Well... if he is gone, I will have none else, so I will just do what is good for my province. My precious... mn... My precious who suffered so much for me..." I took a deep breath and imagined him in my mind. Turning to the princess, I laughed softly, "Princess... I apologize, but this in my decision."

The princess watched me silently. She couldn't believe me. "I see. I see... my Prince. If he is not here, only then will you possibly look at me." she then said with a smile. "I understand." she told. My eyes watched her, realizing what she could be thinking. I opened my mouth to argue, but a cloth was used to mute me. "Sleep," I heard her say softly to me. I felt my conscious fading, but before I blanked out, she moved the cloth and kissed me. "MY prince... sleep. You will see him soon enough... I won't give up so easily, my prince..."