She knew he was upset. She watched her Knight try valiantly to hide his displeasure and to most he seemed fine. She knew he was not. His smile was not as wide, he didn't go out of his way to secretly hold her hand or fix her hair. If only she could explain that it was for his own good. She was holding him back and it wasn't fair to him. She was actually glad her Knight begged for his absence to be only two months. The Princess couldn’t deny him when he asked so earnestly, he never asked for anything. She needed time to sort out her mess of feelings. She ran away from her afternoon classes and just lay on the bank of the lake. She placed her fingers over her lips. This was where they shared their first kiss, she missed him already. She heard footsteps. They were light and delicate, she knew it wasn't him–his steps were heavier and solid–but she turned and hoped somehow she was wrong. It was the Delegate. She waved awkwardly.

"I heard you weren't in such a good mood. I brought you some cake from my favorite café. Do you want to try?" she asked.

The Princess sat up and nodded. She wanted to see her Knight, but if anyone had to arrive to give comfort she was glad it was the Delegate. She did need cake, more than she cared to admit. She tried to hold back her tears. She couldn't talk about why her heart was breaking. She didn't think her relationship was a secret exactly, but it was a little dangerous to acknowledge it out loud. She sighed.

"I heard your Knight is going to take a leave for two months" the Ddelegate said. The Princess nodded.

"I’m sorry, I know he's your close friend. You two haven't been separated since you guys were teenagers, right?"

"He’s been with me with barely any time off for years now. I feel bad, I must have stifled him a little. He could have been traveling, or cultivating other hobbies, or anything else. He could even be...he could even be married by now, but he's stuck with me.”

She couldn’t shake the idea that he could have fallen in love with someone else. Maybe she was holding him back from his true soulmate in favor of staying with her. Had she deprived him of real love for the trials of falling for a princess?

“Princess, don't you know how many people would kill for this position? He's been able to become a skilled swordsman thanks to you giving him the opportunity! It’s not like he’s stuck in the palace. He's been with you to every country, every villa, every scenic vacation spot in addition to being able to travel when he chooses to go on a short leave. He's an accomplished lute player, he sings, he dances, he hunts, He's living a very good life. What's more he enjoys your company so much he doesn't feel like he wants to leave your side. As far as marriage goes, plenty of people in his position have found time to get married. I'm sure if he wanted to, he would have done so. I know you have influenced his life quite a bit, but he's definitely capable of pursuing his own goals," she said.

This was true. She sighed deeply. It was nice to have someone from the outside confirm that she wasn't ruining his life. She grinned as she lay back on the grass.

"You still need a distraction, don't you," the Delegate said. "Well...I have an idea," she said. "You said a while ago that you want to try and cultivate plants that could be put into crystal orbs, right? I know a guy who can build you a new greenhouse. Normally this would take a few months, but he is a master builder and an excellent construction manager. I think he could finish it in a few weeks, especially because you're royalty. Would you like to meet him?"

"Yes! It's the perfect distraction!" she shouted.

"I warn you, he's a lot. He's rich, but he's not your typical rich noble you’re accustomed to in this country. He's not even typical in our country. He's more of a Maverick than any man you've ever met,'' she said

"I don't mind," she said. "I just need to not think about my Knight for a while."

"I'll contact him."

The Princess hugged her.

"Thank you. I needed the distraction and you found the perfect thing to help! I’ll grow you the loveliest flowers in your favorite color," she said.

She was already excited for her Knight's return. She'd have a big beautiful greenhouse full of new plants and he'd be interested to hear about each one. The Princess imagined his return; placing a flower in his hair, the way the light in the greenhouse would catch his eyes, the slight flush on his cheeks after she kissed him. She could hardly wait.

If she had her way, she would’ve spent the night in his room the night before he left. He'd only allowed her in his room a few times, and only during the day, and only for a few minutes. He would never say why he wouldn’t let her come in the evening or at night, but she could guess. She knew she would be tempted if they were alone in such intimate quarters. That was a risk they just could not take. Still, she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like if she could just have one innocent night in his arms. Right now all she had was her pillow to hug and a pillow did not hug back nor did it give off much warmth. There were so many scenarios she went through in her mind.

But it all went back to one thing: she just wanted to be near him before he had to leave her for so long. She supposed there would be time before the founding ball he was coming back for a week or so before, but they wouldn’t have the same amount of time together since he was supposed to be on leave. She genuinely hoped he would find someone else to take to the ball. Part of her selfishly wished that he would rather be alone than attend without her, but how could she demand that of him? He had a right to pursue whoever he wanted and she had no right to be jealous of anyone he chose. What was more, she needed to find her own date to the founding ball. She wanted to go with her father, but she was getting a little too old for that. She was of age after all, but who could she ask?

Her Knight was her best friend, she was at a loss as to who she could ask that wouldn’t send ripples across the political hemisphere. If she asked any of the noble boys she grew up with, there might be expectations from their family. They may start to expect a royal favor. She could go with a female friend, but…the image of the women at her tea party entered her mind. She wasn’t really close to anyone. Would the Delegate be willing to go with her?

Despite all her worries, she managed to fall asleep. She wanted to wake up and see her Knight off. For the first three weeks of his leave, her Knight was returning to his hometown. She wasn’t strong enough to say goodbye in person, she’d probably never let him go. She just wanted to see him from a distance. He wouldn’t be in his armor, he’d appear more relaxed, a side of him she wished he’d give into more.

Her Knight was an early riser and she forced herself to wake up earlier so she could see him. She climbed a tree and waited quietly. She was glad for her green hair that let her blend in with the leaves. He looked utterly radiant in the rising sun. His glossy, black hair, his squared jaw, his broad shoulders. His armor often made him look larger, but even without it he was still a large man (or maybe she was just small). She leaned against the trunk of the tree and sighed as quietly as she could as he passed. The Princess missed him already. He stopped and looked right at her.

“You couldn’t hide from me even if you wanted to,” he said. She smiled just a little. He put his bag down. “If you jump down here and hug me, I’ll bring you back a gift.”

“You were going to bring me back a gift anyway,” she said.

He laughed, but there was an edge of sadness.

“I’d still like a hug,” he said.

She closed her eyes. She had no willpower. She jumped out of the tree and into his arms. He caught her and hugged her tightly. She rubbed her cheek against his, stopping herself from giving him a kiss. They could be easily caught and she definitely would have caved and begged him to stay. He’d always kiss her so softly she’d be missing him even while he was standing next to her.

“I’ll see you in three weeks,” he said. All she could do was nod. She watched him go and waited until she could no longer see him and ran off to her garden. She cried silently, shivering from the morning cold, wishing her Knight would come to her side and offer allow her to snuggle with him under his cape for warmth. She didn’t know how she was going to make it two whole months...