Chapter 265: Second Lifetime, Freya. (11)
Afternoon.
Seconoria
*****************
The sun cast long shadows across the grand halls of the castle as black coal eye lined Prince Holland wandered through its corridors, lost in thought. His heart was heavy with memories of a love lost, a wound that time had not yet healed. His Shelly was gone.
He had been betrothed to Princess Freya by royal decree, but his heart wasn’t in it. He had seen the way she looked at Theodore, and he had seen the way Theodore looked back at her. It was a look he had once known well, a look that spoke of unspoken emotions and a bond that transcended words.
This afternoon Holland found Theodore practicing in the courtyard. The clashing of swords echoed through the air as Theodore trained with another knight, a dirty blond man. Holland waited until the session was over before approaching him.
"Theodore," he called out, his voice carrying a note of solemnity.
Theodore turned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Your Highness," he greeted with a respectful nod.
Holland took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I see how Freya looks at you, and how you look at her," he began, his voice gentle but firm. "It is clear that there is something between you two, something strong and real. I would hate to come between that."
Theodore’s eyes widened in surprise. "Your Highness, I—"
Holland raised a hand to stop him. "Please, let me finish. I once had a lover, Shelly who meant the world to me. She passed away, and since then, I have believed I could never fall in love again. But I still recognize love when I see it." he sighed his black lined eyes closing shut.