Okay, now that her mesmerizing emeralds were closed, now he could think properly.
His first thought was to his wife at their wedding. She was beautiful, charming, independent and graceful. In his eyes, his childhood friend was the most perfect woman in the world and he was the luckiest man in the world to hold her affection. Caeda was the prince’s sun when his world turned black in the midst of war and he happily drunk in her luminous rays. In Ylisse’s legends, they continue to speak of her, deservedly, as the beautiful mother of the Akaneia the arose during the Hero King’s rule. However, none alive except him and Silver knew who she was in the flesh. She is long dead in this world and her deeds faded into legend. She was no longer a woman to the people, but a story. For the prince, grief had long since faded into fond memories and the passionate love had turned into fondness.
He would always love her, but if she knew of his predicament, there was no doubt that she would protest his hesitance.
He had always been affectionate towards Silver. She was his companion, closest friend and his soulmate who protected him. In the past, any romantic notion he had towards her was eclipsed by the rays of Caeda’s sun. Wait, romantic notions? He knew that her raw laughter was infectious and he would always find himself smiling along with her. He knew that she was affectionate and gave nicknames to her friends, like Katarina. He knew that she cared deeply for the animals in her care. He knew that she was willing to sacrifice anything to take care of the people she loved. He knew that her playful side was endearing. And he knew that every time one of the male soldiers in his army spoke to her, he felt a pang of jealousy spark through him. She was raw passion and he was fiercely protective of her. If his wife Caeda was his sun, then Silver was his moon, guiding him through the darkness and bathing him in comforting light when he felt lost. As he gazed into her face, he felt his own heating up further. He could only think of reasons that he LOVED her for.
Caeda appeared in his mind one more. What kind of a man was he that harboured feelings for both women? Could either of them forgive him? The image of Caeda’s smiling face in his mind gave him hope however. She had always wished for his happiness. Surely he felt that her spirit beside Naga was smiling down at him.
“Silver...” He cupped her cheeks in his hands. “Thank you for being my best ally and the most loyal person I know.” For this, he pressed a kiss to her cheek. The contact seemed so right and sent sparks of elation through his body.
“Thank you for being my friend when everything was dark and the world was engulfed in the flames of war.” For this he pressed a kiss to her forehead. He realized that this gesture of friendship did not satisfy him as it did before.
“And this.. I hope you...” He stroked her face with his thumb. “..Will accept as my wish for the future.” After what seemed like a millennium, he pressed his lips to hers.
