Just a little conversation. Nothing much to say and I didn't want to let go this talk from my head.

Missed

"Three times"

"What?"

Dayan looked to a side, fixing his gaze at the tree on the front yard, where the lemon flowers bloomed on each of its branches.

"There was a time when I saw Rosette only three times in two years" he said, diverting his stare among each leave and petal "I had to attend some problems between kingdoms and I wasn't able to see her until it was all finished"

Aki blinked, confused at why the prince was speaking about it so suddenly, but let him continue.

"It was unbearable, I wasn't able to send a single letter because of security procedures, everything reminded me of her, I didn't put foot in that castle gardens the first months because it pained me deeply" he turned away from the window and leaned against the wall, his eyes now focusing at the door in front of him "I saw her the first time after two months of staying in that foreign land. An escort offered to accompany her to where I was for a short visit. It was only for a day but it was worth every minute. She made me notice how marvelous the place was, how many details they had put on the gardens, the flowers, the colors, but most of all, the roses. When she had to leave my heart sunk into depression again, wondering when it would be the next time I'd be able to see her again. I couldn't think of anything else, I just wanted to have her close again"

"And… what did you do?" Aki asked, looking at Dayan, her hands fiddling with the necklace.

"I sulked for a days" he replied, a disbelieved smile forming on his face "I thought I wasn't going to be able to fulfill my duties there because missing her took most of my judgment, I wasn't myself at all" he shifted his weight from one foot to another, his hand tapping against the wall "With time, I started to grow doubts and fears, worrying that something would happen and that it would be over"

"But it didn't"

"No, because I realized later that I was being scared for something that wouldn't happen. I loved her and she loved me. I was certain of that by the time I stayed there the first year, being surprised by Sinuth"

"He went there?"

"He was accompanying his father, since he was responsible for a part of the deal. The moment I was able to have a talk with him, he told me all what had been happening with Rosette."

"He kept tabs on her?"

"Not quite, he asked casually and kept conversation with her. It turned out that she missed me even more that what I could have imagined. But, she remembered every day our good times and any silly detail… and told that sack of air something that made me realize I was afraid of nothing"

"And, what was that?"

Dayan sighed, not with sadness but with realization and a tint of happiness "She told him that missing me was becoming easier every day that passed, because she was closer a day to see me" he turned his gaze once again "And just with that, my way of seeing things changed entirely"

"Really?"

"Yes. After that I managed to stand the rest of the time, until one day I was surprised with the news that the situation was finally solved. I was able to return" he sighed "After that things became even better between Rosette and I" Dayan looked at the ceiling, then to the young girl "The reason I told you all this was to let you know that I know how you feel, how have you been feeling"

Aki looked at him in a mixture of surprise and confusion "How did you…"

"It's not difficult to figure it out when you keep conversation with the other three"

"Now you make it sound as if I'm some kind of open book" she sighed "Something else you've been talking about me?"

"That you shouldn't try so hard to act strong" Dayan said, walking towards the door "At least not in front of us. You know we will listen to whatever your heart has wanted to scream for days"

"How…"

"I'm repeating Yabun's words of course" Dayan opened the door, turning his head "And that if you are ready to go have some dinner with us, we'll be waiting outside"