The Hard Truths

“I’m sorry, I…I followed you Nic.” Maeve turns around giving us a moment to fix our clothes. “I mean I had a feeling I shouldn’t so I waited a little bit to follow you into the hole but” she rambles on bright pink in her cheeks. “I can’t believe you two. How long have you been sneaking around like this? And while we are engaged! What if someone found out? This is ridiculous!”

“Maeve, I’m sorry I should have told you.” I walk up to her and turn her around. She stares back and forth between me and Elau without saying anything. “Please try to understand, Elauthin and I only just realized our feelings for each other and it pains me that you have to find out this way.”

“It pains you?” She huffs, “You are sleeping with my Fiance.”

“And that is entirely wrong of me. When you first got engaged I tried so hard to forget about him, and I’m sorry that my actions have hurt you.... But I love him.” I say this and her anger seems to subside.

“Maeve, you see now, why I’m trying to end our engagement.” Elauthin joins us.

“Yes, well yes but I don’t get it. When did you two get so close?” She asks and moves to sit on the oak tree. “I assumed it was for a girl. I just never imagined that Nic was…”

“I think we need to tell her the truth, Elau.” I look at him for approval and he nods. I move to the tree and take a seat next to Maeve. “Actually, Elau and I have been friends for the past seven years.”

“What? How?” She says with a quizzical brow

“Well we met here.” I motion to the grove around us. “By chance we both found this place and we would meet here a couple times a week becoming friends.”

“So why did you agree to the marriage in the first place?” She looks at Elauthin.

“I…well, I didn’t know how Nic felt. I was scared to find out and so I was doing as I was told.” He tells her “I’m really sorry Maeve. It’s not fair to you. I should have never agreed and it would have saved us from this mess.”

“It’s not just you. I should have said something as well.” Maeve stands and looks down at both of us. “So what do we do now?”

“Maybe if we both refuse they will cancel the engagement.” Elau suggests.

“And if that doesn’t work?” Maeve asks, “If you and I are still forced to marry.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Elau looks at me, “I will abdicate, and you will be free of this engagement.”

“Elau!” I say but I am obviously not going to change his mind.

“And you think that is smart?” Maeve takes this threat seriously.

“I know that I would rather spend this lifetime with Niccola than spend it stuck in a castle acting as a pawn.” He stares back at her just as seriously.

“And you know that even if we end our engagement your parents will probably never approve of her.” She says this and I am taken back.

“What do you mean?” I say almost in a whisper.

“He is a Prince. He needs to marry someone of Royal Blood. They won’t approve otherwise.” She places her hand on mine, “I’m sorry to say this but if you both are serious about this relationship it is going to have to stay a secret, or Elau will have to refuse his title.”

“Elau?” I look at him asking if she is right.

“We will keep it a secret for now, but I’ll figure it out, Niccola. I promise.” He assures me but I don’t feel too confident in his answer. “Just remember, we have a lot to learn about your past.” When he says this a lightbulb clicks. He is right, we haven’t done enough digging, but according to the Goddess I am of Royal Blood.

“Her past?” Maeve squints at us looking for answers.

“We aren’t sure about anything yet, but there are some things we need to look into that could change this entire conversation.” Elau replies not giving away too much.

“What things?” She presses, Elau looks at me as if asking for permission to tell her.

“Maeve, when you and Elau went to Havestree the King and Queen took all of the ambassadors to the Pixie tree.” I start

“Right, Amelia told me all about it.”

“Well when I was there I was led to the Goddess, and she thinks there is more about my past than I know. She said I have royal blood.” She looks at me aghast.

“How is that possible?”

“I am adopted, so I don’t know who my biological parents are. And it’s not just that. “ I say and close my eyes, forcing the shadow hand outside of me. Maeve jumps back startled when the hand floats up to her.

“You’re a witch.” She whispers, I nod, losing focus on the hand and it dissipates.

“So we were thinking that maybe Princess Kiara isn’t actually dead.” Elau adds waiting on her response.

“Princess Kiara, from the Realm of Tartarean. You have to be kidding me!” Maeve stands in shock staring at me and I can see the wheels spinning in her head. “And how do you prove that? Where do you even start with this information? You have to keep this quiet or you could end up creating a coup.”

“Right, so I’m trusting you with this Maeve. Help us figure it out. The three of us together are a lot more powerful than I am by myself.” I walk up to her and grasp her hands. “This is it, I have no more secrets from you. Will you help us?” I can tell she is overwhelmed processing so much information at once.

“Yes, if you are the Princess we need to keep this low and find evidence before any rumors come out.” I hug her, this is the start of a great friendship, I can tell.