"Oh...thank you"

I slowly strolled away from the carriage horse I was talking to and headed back to Tallulah's room.

"Bad luck again, I guess" I muttered.

It surely was. For the past few days, well, maybe like two, ever since I came to civilization, everyday seemed catastrophic. The worst days of my life...

Tonight was supposed to be good though, and actually it did right before I walked away out of the ballroom with my same, present, awkwardly ,sad face.

It felt weird to cross the empty palace corridors. I could catch a bit of the ball music coming from the far end and I guess that did provide me a bit of company I would appreciate. It wasn't dark nor was it like sneaking in but for some reason it did feel creepy. Maybe because I didn't belong here, in his place, in his life.

I was like forever going to be the only human in my world and I guess sooner or later that would make even more sense once I returned back to my paradise, my faraway island on the South Seas.

After an eternity of time, my weary eyes met the golden door knobs of her room. I hope she was awake, after all I didn't want to wake her up from her slumber. She was a part of royalty. She needed her requirements.

"Tallulah?" I quietly went inside with a creak.

"Huh...guess she's not here."

I looked at myself on the mirror. Yeah, that was one fantastic item I explored in civilization. It was incredible. Back on the island, I hardly looked at my reflection on water and in here, I found out that this mirror was the only thing people used to look at their faces.

I smiled as I looked at myself over and over again. Never did I think I'd look so...so 'beautiful'. That's the word he addressed me while we were half way through our dance.

I blushed again while recalling that wonderful moment.

(Presently during the ball dance.)

"Ro," He called out my name.

I didn't reply, I just looked up, into his eyes, waiting for an answer.

A couple of minutes passed, shortly when he started to speak again...

"Ro, there's something I've been planning to tell you, for a long time."

"Yes?"

"Ro, there's something about you, that I like. I...I've got this feelings for you that I-" he spins me around for the second time. Our hands met again, my other went up his shoulder while his went to hold my waist.

I didn't know this feeling, suddenly it felt so good to be this close to him and again and again a feeling of guilt pinched me every time as he spoke to me.

'No, this is not how it's suppose to be. I can't love you Antonio ! Even if I want to, with all my heart . You don't belong with me, you belong to...her. The brunette girl standing alone right at the corner of the room! Her! Luciana!' My mind echoed.

"Ro...I want you to stay with me." He finally let go of his secret and gazed into my eyes, waiting curiously for my reply.

My heart bet fast, really fast. He...he finally confessed it! To me! In person! Even though I knew he loves me from the very beginning, well...listening him actually saying it to me made it more magical, more truthful.

For a tiny period of time I felt like I wasn't moving. As if he controlled me while I danced. I was motionless, speechless and...enchanted.

My brain quickly needed to calculate my answer. I wished I could smile and say...'I...I'd love to Antonio! For the rest of my life! It's you I love!' then I could imagine the wide grin on his face saying...'I love you too, Ro. And forever will...' I would return back his smile, he would pull me closer to him while both of us would eagerly wait for the dance to finish, 'the music stopped'. Without wasting another second, I'd pull his hand to mine, drag ourselves outside where we would get our own space and...he would pull my face close to his, gently slide his fingers on my cheeks and we would slowly close our eyes, and the best moment of my life, our lips would tou-WAIT WHAT?! NO WAY!

Then it struck me...the brunette girl standing alone right at the corner of the room.

Of course! I can't steal him from her. They are meant to be together! I can't be selfish! I held out a sigh...ready to answer.

I breathed a worried sigh" I-I can't. Princess Luciana..."

"She's very nice, but," His face was yet full of hope. He thought maybe if I could only understand the truth. But actually...I already did. They were meant to be together.

"You belong together...I shouldn't have come." I passed him a sad, hopeless look right before I had to say my farewell.

"Good bye, Antonio" I pulled away from him and turned backwards to leave. Away. Forever from his life.

"You don't understand!" He persuaded me to stay and listen.

'I would love to Antonio, but don't you see? I can't...' I knew I couldn't, the more I'd be close to him, the more I'd fall for him, be lovestruck around him, would imagine those things that I shouldn't. The best would be if I'd never see him again.

"Please, don't make this any harder!"

My eyes nearly filled with tears, 'I don't want to go! Why can't I be selfish! Who is it I care for? Myself or Luciana?'

With those questions beaming around my head, I took my exit out of the stuffy ballroom. I was somehow expecting him to run towards me, grab my hand and turn me around so that my face would mirror his. Then he would try to convince me with whatever he's got to tell about why he would pick me over Luciana.

No.

He didn't come.

After, I was halfway across the bridge outside the ballroom.

Still no arrival.

I didn't know if this was right, but...I just had to take a quick glimpse back to see him for the last time.

He wasn't there.

He didn't come after me.

And it was for the best.

...

I felt relaxed. Everything in between us were clear now. That question in my mind, 'What are those feelings I feel when his here by my side?' was answered. It was love.

Both of us had feelings for each other for a short time...but reality made it clear that it was no longer to last. He loves me, I love him. But, no more. It's over.

He's got a beautiful, elegant and kind princess to make his queen. He certainly didn't think I could take that role could I? I've barely lived in civilisation my whole life!

I just need to find my family. No more romance with that person whom I'm not meant to be with.

I walked back to the green house. I didn't chose anything else to wear so I had my blue gown on. I only took off Azul's feathers and quickly tied my hair into a relaxing three layered plait.

To my surprise, I found the enormous doors of the greenhouse widely opened.

"Ro! You're back!" Tika walked to me, smiling.

I sent her a sad smile.

"How was your time at the ball?"

"It was... good."

"Just good or really good?!" She came even closer while I pet her trunk.

"Well..."

"Ro!" This time it was Sagi.

"Oh, hey Sagi." I remembered when I talked to him after the ball and I was pretty sure he knew almost everything about how I felt right now.

"Surely, you do want to ask her how she feels right now. It was horrible for her. . ." Azul flew to a branch.

Well, he was right though. I did.

" Ro, don't tell me you don't have my feathers anymore?"

"Oh, of course not Azul. I just took them off cause I didn't want them to get smashed when I sleep!" I had to calm him, "But believe me, I think your feathers had put the most effort in making me look...'beautiful' tonight!"

"I know I'm beautiful," he scoffed, "I am a Prince." With that he flew away.

I rolled my eyes. "Well?"

"Go to sleep now." Sagi suggested.

"Oh...yes. I was going to do that!"

I also didn't want to spend more time talking about this subject so I walked away to the branch I slept last night and closed my eyes.

"Good night." I yawned. It took a few turns to adjust my sleeping position. It felt awkward for the unfamiliar roughness and shape of the branch I slept on.

Why did I ever think of coming here? What if I don't do any good in finding my family?

I'll just have to wait...and wait...till everything's alright. But what if things just don't go alright?