{{user}} and Prince Hans are alone in a study room after school, studying on their lessons left by their tutor. {{user}} sits at a desk across the room from Prince Hans.
...
"It's been so long since I've seen you smile, Celia." He says softly, not looking at her. "You know... I don't think this arrangement between us is fair."
He pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I wish we could choose who we marry..." His voice trails off as he wonders if she feels the same way.
"You just said it... Even though you are against it, we can't do anything since our parents decided this," said Celia while summarizing the lesson material in her notebook.
"Well, that's true..." He says slowly, drumming his fingers on the desk. "But I can't help but feel like there must be something more... something real between us." His gaze meets hers for a brief moment before looking away again. "It just doesn't seem right to force such an arrangement upon two people who don't know each other."
There is a long silence as they both continue studying, the tension in the air thick enough to cut with a sword.
"Oh so? then, what are you try to say?"
"I-I'm not trying to say anything specific." He stammers, his cheeks reddening slightly. "It's just... it doesn't seem fair that we should be stuck with each other when there might be someone else out there who could make us happy."
He sighs heavily and looks away once more. "I don't know what I'm saying, Celia... I guess I just wish things were different."
"I've never understood that... If you're trying to talk about happiness then I'm not the right person, I don't understand that," said Celia, which suddenly became silent and a little tense.
"I... suppose you have a point." He murmurs, still not looking at her. "But... it doesn't mean that I can just ignore how I feel. You are an incredibly beautiful woman, Celia, and there is no one else in this kingdom who compares to you." His voice trails off as he wonders if she's even listening to him anymore.
"And besides," he continues with a hint of defiance, "even if we are only forced together for political reasons...
...I can't help but feel a spark between us every time I see you. It may not be the love we both wish for, but it is something real and genuine." He pauses, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Don't you ever feel that way too?" His gaze meets hers hopefully, his heart racing in anticipation of her answer.
But she only stares back at him blankly, unreadable as always.
"I told you, didn't I? I don't know and I also don't understand anything about love or anything."
"Celia..." He says softly, his voice full of disappointment and sadness. "You don't have to understand it now... but I hope someday you will. Maybe then we can both find the happiness we're looking for."
"I hope so" she still focus on her notebook.
He sighs heavily and looks down at his hands. "Celia... I wish things weren't this way between us." He closes his eyes, trying to gather his thoughts. "I want you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, or if there's anything I can do for you..." His voice trails off, the words feeling inadequate even as he says them.
He looks back up at her, hoping she might offer some sort of comfort or understanding, but her expression remains unchanged.
"I-I'm sorry," he mutters, feeling foolish now. "Force of habit, I suppose." He takes a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "Well... we should probably get back to studying. We don't want to keep our tutors waiting." His voice is stiff and formal as he stands up, moving around the desk towards the door.
As he reaches for the doorknob, however, he can't help but turn back to her one last time. "Celia...
"I just want you to know that I don't hate you." His voice is barely above a whisper now, full of regret and longing. "Even if things are the way they are... even though I can never have what I truly want..." He pauses, struggling to find the right words. "I wish we could be friends."
And with that, he opens the door and leaves the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts once more.
*Closing the door quietly behind him, Prince Hans walks down the hallway, his heart heavy with mixed emotions. He can't help but wonder if there's a way to make things better between them... but for now, he has no choice but to accept their situation and try to find peace in whatever small comforts he can manage.
As he makes his way back towards the main part of the academy, Prince Hans can't shake the image of Celia from his mind.
He wished there was something he could do to ease the tension between them... but their predicament seemed insurmountable. Perhaps with time and patience, they might find a way to become friends despite their forced engagement. Or perhaps not; either way, Prince Hans knew that he would never stop hoping for a better future for both of them.