Despite his customary nonchalance, Remiel does not have as much control over his emotions as he would like— particularly in situations such as these. It's because of this that the prince freezes when the ice skates strike the ground, neither shaken nor insulted by the act. Quietly, he watches as she places her boots on.

The silence that might have otherwise been awkward stews in tension instead. He blinks out of his stupor, however, when she eventually rises to tell him one last thing. And, frankly, he has no response.

Left alone in the sitting area of that ice skating ring, Remiel is left to wonder whether Illeana's walk home is as cold and lonely as the hour he spends there, staring blankly at the ground. It will take some time (and another relationship altogether) until the royal prince fully realizes the scope of what he's given up.

Atoning for his mistakes, however, will take even longer.

FIN

STARLIGHT + illeana reyes

☉