The forest was quiet, lit only by the flickering flame of their campfire. Alina sat on a fallen log, her fingers gripping the letter tightly. Elric sat across from her, watching her face gently—like he was trying to memorize every emotion it held.
"You really loved her," he said softly.
Alina looked up. "I didn't even know who she was until now... but my heart always felt a hole. Like something was missing."
Elric nodded. "I know that feeling."
Silence stretched again. Not awkward—just heavy with unspoken thoughts.
"I thought you were like the others," Alina whispered. "A king only interested in power, not people."
He tilted his head. "And now?"
She glanced at him. "Now I see a man who followed a runaway girl into a forest just to make sure she was okay."
Elric chuckled. "I'm not exactly the picture of royal grace."
"Good," she smirked. "I've had enough of perfect princes."
A breeze blew through the trees, lifting her hair. Elric stood and walked over to her. He gently tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her cheek.
"You deserve to be seen, Alina. Not used. Not caged."
She looked up into his eyes. "And what do you see?"
He smiled. "A queen born of fire... and a girl I can't stop thinking about."
Her heart skipped.
"Do you always flirt this poetically?" she teased, cheeks warm.
"Only when I mean it," he said, voice low and sincere.
They stood inches apart, the tension thick between them—both scarred by the past, yet drawn together by something stronger.
Finally, Elric whispered, "May I?"
Alina didn't answer. She stepped forward and closed the space between them, pressing her lips softly to his.
It wasn't a kiss of passion—it was one of trust, of slowly letting someone in.
And in that moment, the forest, the past, the pain—it all faded away.