Chapter 29- A token of gratitude

Valerie's POV:

As I walked through the west wing's hallway, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Yesterday, I had given my parents part of the prize money I won in the cooking competition before they left for Eldrida. The looks on their faces when they saw the money was priceless, and it was nice to be able to support them. I was determined to work hard and see that pride in their eyes again.

I had received the money just in time, and it felt amazing to be able to provide for my loved ones.

My gaze landed on Lord Alex, standing tall in the hallway. I smiled wider, happy to have run into the person I was planning to go meet.

Lord Alex raised an eyebrow at my enthusiastic grin.

"Good afternoon, Lord Alex," I said, approaching him.

He tilted his head, studying me. I'm sure he was surprised by my weird behaviour. Before he could say anything, I presented him with a small, elegantly crafted black and gold box.

"I wanted to give you this," I said. "A token of appreciation for your support during the competition. You helped me win, and I'm really grateful."

His expression turned skeptical. "That's not necessary, Valerie. Besides, I won't be doing it again."

My smile remained unwavering. "No one has ever done something so selfless for me, Lord Alex. This means a lot, even if you don't think so."

He sighed, taking the box. Lifting the lid, he revealed a sleek black pen with his initials, AC, engraved on it.

Lord Alex's expression transformed, his eyes locked onto the pen. For a moment, he just stared.

"I hope this pen brings you successful business deals and signatures that change your life," I said, my smile still in place.

Lord Alex's gaze remained piercing as he looked up at me. I stared back. After a moment, he said softly, "Thank you."

My whole face broke out in a big grin. "You're always welcome," I replied.

He continued to stare, his expression unreadable. I wondered what he was thinking.

Just then, I heard my name. "Valerie."

I turned to see Mira and Prince Nova approaching us. Mira was smiling slyly, while Prince Nova looked livid, his eyes narrowing at Lord Alex.

"Valerie," Mira said, "I'm so glad we ran into both of you."

I raised an eyebrow, wary. "What?"

Mira glanced at Prince Nova before focusing on me. "I was thinking, why don't the four of us go out together? It'll be fun!"

My eyes widened in surprise.

"Definitely not," Lord Alex said, his tone firm.

Mira frowned. "And why is that, Lord Alex?"

I noticed she spoke as if they were friends - which I was sure they weren't.

"Firstly, I don't even know you properly," Lord Alex replied. "And secondly, I have better things to do with my time."

Mira looked at me almost pleadingly. I understood. She wanted to spend time with Prince Nova but didn't know how to ask. That's why she arranged this.

"Come on, Lord Alex, Prince Nova already agreed," Mira said, "it'll be—"

"No," Lord Alex interrupted, his tone final.

Prince Nova's expression remained tense, his eyes still narrowed at Lord Alex.

I spoke up quietly, "I'm down."

All eyes turned to me. Mira's face lit up. "Yes, thank you, Valerie!"

Lord Alex's gaze lingered on me before he said nonchalantly, "I guess I'll go, then. Might as well make it interesting."

Prince Nova glared at him, and Lord Alex shot back an equally intense stare. The tension between them was palpable.

Mira frowned, noticing the strained atmosphere too, but unlike her, I knew the reason for the tension - and it was me.

Mira attempted to lighten the mood with a nervous laugh. "Hey, it'll be a chance for us to catch up since we're all around the same age, right?"

Lord Alex smirked. "I'm older than all of you," he said casually. We stared at him. "What?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I chuckled, and Mira giggled.

Lord Alex furrowed his brows. "Women," he muttered, shaking his head.

With that, he walked away without so much as a goodbye.

I glanced at Prince Nova, but he was already watching me intently. I knew he wanted me to tell Mira about us, but I looked away. Now wasn't the right time.

The next few days passed uneventfully, except for the latest gossip spreading like wildfire through the Palace. Apparently, Prince Nova giving his handkerchief to Mira at the annual Unity Festival confirmed rumors that she would be his future bride. I hadn't known anyone was making those assumptions until now.

I paid little attention to the whispers, focusing on my duties instead. My attempts to reach Julie remained unsuccessful, so I resorted to praying for her well-being.

Before I knew it, I found myself heading to the amusement park with Prince Nova, Mira, and Lord Alex. Mira had suggested we go to the amusement park, and I agreed. It had been a while since I had gone out to unwind.

However, Prince Nova's presence made things complicated. Mira confided in me that she'd planned this day to get closer to him, and the handkerchief was proof of his feelings. I couldn't dispute it.

Now, sitting beside Prince Nova in the backseat of the car, I felt uneasy. Lord Alex drove, with Mira riding shotgun, and a trailing car of guards followed behind.

Prince Nova's proximity made my skin prickle. I stared out the window, avoiding eye contact.

Mira chattered excitedly with Lord Alex, discussing the park's attractions. I responded with polite smiles and nods.

I glanced at Prince Nova, who was already staring at me. I quickly looked away, but my gaze drifted back to him. Our eyes locked, and we held each other's gaze, unmoving.

Then, he smiled - an unguarded, genuine smile that caught me off guard. I smiled back without realizing it.

When I looked at the rearview mirror, Lord Alex's gaze was on me, and he didn't look happy.

The tension was broken when he announced, "We're arriving."

As we stepped out of the car, I furrowed my brows. The amusement park was eerily silent.

Mira voiced my concern. "Why is it so quiet?"

Lord Alex's confusion mirrored mine.

Prince Nova shrugged casually. "I bought the park for the day. Just for us."

My mouth dropped open, and I stared at him in shock. Mira's eyes widened, then she smiled widely.

"Let's go ride the rollercoasters!" Mira exclaimed, grasping Prince Nova's arm.

Prince Nova's gaze flicked to me before returning to Mira. "After you."

Mira dragged him away, two guards following closely behind, despite the unnecessary need for protection. The only people present were park workers, who greeted Prince Nova and Mira as they approached.

I looked down, and Lord Alex appeared beside me. "Let's go," he said, his arm outstretched.

I raised my gaze to meet his. A ghost of a smile played on his lips.

I smiled back, taking his arm.

Surprisingly, I had an incredible time. Lord Alex and I did our own thing, while the prince and Mira enjoyed themselves elsewhere. It felt oddly like a double date.

We rode rollercoasters, water rides, and even silly games. With no lines to wait in, the experience was exhilarating but I still missed the sound of people.

Lord Alex, usually composed, revealed a vulnerable side when he hesitated before a particularly intense ride.

"You're scared!" I teased.

He shot me a mock-glare. "I'm merely cautious."

I laughed, and he joined in.

We indulged in cotton candy, popcorn, and sugary drinks, embracing the carefree atmosphere.

As evening approached, I excused myself. "I need to use the restroom."

Mira jumped up from her seat beside Prince Nova. "I'll join you."

We walked toward the bathrooms, leaving the men behind.

Mira turned to me, a conspiratorial grin spreading across her face. "I'm having the time of my life! And it looks like you are too."

I smiled, unsure how to respond.

Prince Nova's POV:

As the girls returned, Mira smiled brightly at me. "Let's go to the bumper cars!" she said excitedly.

I agreed and we began walking toward the ride, but my gaze drifted back to Valerie and  Alex. She was talking and  laughing with him, her smile radiant.

A spark of anger ignited within me.

"Mira, go ahead, I will meet you there," I said abruptly. "I need to attend to something."

Mira's uncertain eyes met mine, but she nodded and continued toward the bumper cars.

I turned back to Valerie and Alex, my strides purposeful.

As I reached them, I took Valerie's hand. "Let's go," I said, my tone firm.

Valerie's eyes widened in surprise.

But Alex grabbed her other hand. "She's not going anywhere," he said, his voice low and challenging.

My glare locked onto Alex. I released Valerie's hand, then pushed him away from her, my whisper venomous.

"I don't give a shit about my reputation here," I hissed, gesturing to the park workers nearby. "I'll definitely punch you."

Alex's eyes flashed with anger. "I also don't give a shit about my reputation."

My retort was icy. "Damn it, Alex, I'm not surprised yours is already rotten." I only swore when I was angry and right now I was furious.

Alex laughed without humor. "Is that the best you can do?" he taunted.

I growled, glancing at Valerie behind us. She watched warily, oblivious to our hushed conversation.

"What's your deal with her, huh?" I demanded, my voice low. "What do you want with her? Are you using her to get under my skin?"

Alex smirked. "Maybe." My teeth gritted, but before I could retaliate, he added, "Or maybe I just might like her."

My eyes blazed. I clutched his collar, my fist tightening. "How dare you."

Alex grasped my collar too, his gaze defiant. "What? Am I not allowed to like Valerie?"

I heard Mira asking Valerie what was going on but I didn't look back, my eyes fixed on Alex.

Alex and I glared at each other, tension escalating. Suddenly, Mira appeared beside us with Valerie by her side.

Mira placed her hand on my arm. "Prince Nova, stop."

Valerie added her voice. "Lord Alex, let go."

The two guards seeing that Mira and Valerie were trying to stop us, intervened too. They pried Alex and I apart.

As we broke apart, Valerie dragged Alex away. I seethed, tempted to stop them, but restrained myself.

Mira's worried gaze met mine, but she remained silent.

After a while, I decided it was time to leave. As we began to disperse, I glanced around but Valerie and Alex were nowhere to be found.

"I think they're taking a separate ride," Mira said quietly, noticing my search.

My anger simmered, knowing they'd intentionally separated from us.

The car ride back was tense, the earlier amusement forgotten.

★★★

Valerie's POV:

After dragging Lord Alex to a safe distance, I let go and glared at him. He took a deep breath, his gaze drifting away.

Moments passed before he whispered, "Sorry."

I looked at him. "Why?" I demanded. "Why did you guys fight like that?"

Lord Alex's eyes locked onto mine. "You."

My gaze dropped, guilt consuming me. I had watched movies where a girl was the reason for families to be separated, and I hated that type of girl. Now, I was that girl.

"I feel so bad... it's all my fault," I admitted, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes.

Lord Alex's hands cradled my cheeks, his tone soft. "Hey, hey, it's alright. It's not your fault. Nova and I have had this rivalry forever; you just... amplified it."

I bit my lip. "But why are you guys fighting? Why this rivalry in the first place?"

Lord Alex sighed, releasing my face. "Honestly, I started it. When we were young, we were close - like brothers. But when I learned he was the crowned prince, with all those responsibilities... I knew he'd leave me behind, and I'd be alone. I decided that I would do it first, so I stopped talking to him and resented him for being the cause that we stopped talking." His smile was tinged with sadness. "I was a child then, but that's no excuse."

My heart ached for the pain in his eyes.

"Didn't you miss him?" I asked.

Lord Alex's gaze drifted off. "A lot... but it was too late. I felt like he didn't like me anymore."

I placed a gentle hand on his arm. "Regardless, there's still a chance you can both stop this stupidity and start talking again."

Lord Alex shook his head. "When it's gone, it's gone." I opened my mouth to protest, but he cut me off. "Let it go, Brownie. It's already done."

His guilty expression caught my attention. I took his hand, squeezing it in comfort. He looked back at me, squeezing my hand in return.

Glancing up, I noted the sky's fading light. Biting my lip, I heard Lord Alex's sudden warning.

"Don't."

I turned to him, curious. "What?"

His eyes darkened. "Stop biting your lip."

My eyes widened. Without thinking, I bit my lip again.

Lord Alex moved closer, his sudden movement making me stumble back. He caught me, his grasp firm. I looked up and my eyes widened at the close proximity but I didn't pull away. He was looking at me intensely and I inhaled sharply. He moved even closer until we were both sharing the same breath. Our faces inches apart, my heart started racing.

I almost closed my eyes but Prince Nova's face flashed through my mind, and I knew why. My hands moved to Lord Alex's broad shoulders, ready to push him away but before I could apply pressure, he moved away suddenly. He looked a little sad when he looked at me.

For some reason, I felt bad. I opened my mouth to apologize.

"Let's go," he said abruptly.

I shut my mouth and nodded, following him. We discovered Prince Nova and Mira had already left. Lord Alex called for a ride, and we departed.

At the Palace, he walked me to my door. Without a word or even a goodnight, he turned and left. I stood there, watching him walk away. Perhaps I now understood why he and Prince Nova had fought earlier.

Lord Alexander's POV:

A week had passed since my fight with Nova, and we hadn't spoken since. But I didn't care. My father's summons to return to Valdoria had arrived, and I was eager to leave. Yet, as I stood in the grand foyer, watching the footmen carry my luggage out the door, a pang of uncertainty struck me. Why wasn't I entirely thrilled to be leaving?

The sound of running footsteps broke my reverie. Valerie appeared before me, Nova trailing behind her. Her eyes were cloudy, and my heart thumped in response - like it always did when I saw her.

"Why?" she asked, breathless. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

I shrugged. "I didn't tell anyone. So, how did you find out?"

Valerie's gaze never wavered. "Prince Nova told me."

My glance at Nova was met with an enigmatic smile.

"I know everything," Nova said.

I rolled my eyes and returned my attention to Valerie. She had captivated me in ways I couldn't explain. When I first arrived, I thought there was nothing special about her, but now I realized how wrong I was.

"Don't tell me you're going to miss me," I said, trying to be playful, even though I knew I was going to miss her more than anything. I recalled the anger and hurt I felt when she had tried to push me away during our almost-kiss. But realizing she would never reciprocate my feelings, the anger dissipated.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'm going to miss you a lot." Tears brimmed in her eyes, and my heart skipped a beat. She was crying for me. I stared at her, dumbfounded. She smiled sadly. "But I know I can't stop you. And I know I'll see you again. So, thank you for everything."

My eyes widened. Her words struck a chord. I realized, in this moment, I was deeply in love with her. Forcing a smile, I hid the pain. "No, thank you, Valerie. Thank you for everything."

She smiled and pressed a familiar bracelet into my hand – the one I'd given her. I squeezed it, feeling a surge of emotions, and tucked it into my pocket.

We locked gazes, and I looked into the eyes that never seemed to stop mesmerizing me. I leaned in, and her eyes widened. Grinning, I kissed her cheek, which immediately flushed red.

Glancing back at Nova, I taunted him with a smirk. His fists clenched, he started approaching me and I readied myself for a fight. But instead, he put his hand on my shoulder and he smiled, "Take care... cousin." He said.

My eyes widened, but I relaxed and smiled. "You too... cousin." Then I turned to Valerie, her warm smile a balm to my soul. "Goodbye, Brownie."

Her smile widened in response.

As I walked away, I realized Valerie had impacted Nova's and my bond profoundly. That girl was really something else, I thought with a chuckle.

Reaching the awaiting car, a lone tear escaped. I touched it, looking back at the Palace. A soft whisper, audible only to me: "I love you, Brownie."

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