unquenchable as a bonfire born of the spark from a flint. My heart belongs to you, Aliana. It’s yours forever, and here, tonight I give it to you. My wish is to be with you, today, tomorrow and forever. Whether we’re enjoying peace or caught amid the worst of wars. I want to be with you, because beside you I’ll overcome all obstacles and gain peace and prosperity for my people. You are my inspiration, my muse; you are my queen. I need you, I love you, Aliana.”
The Healer was so overwhelmed by Gerart’s words that she almost took a step backwards. Those words, coming so genuinely from the bottom of his honest heart, had touched her soul. She felt flattered, moved, yet at the same time confused and divided within herself.
“Gerart… you flatter me…”
“That’s how I feel about you, and you know it’s as true as the moon which smiles upon us tonight.”
“I know you expect an answer, that you want it, even though you’re not asking me. I’m no longer that young inexperienced innocent I was. I’ve seen much these past months, I’ve suffered greatly, and that’s made me open my eyes and mature fast. It’s the price you have to pay when you survive blood, when you suffer the pain of evil and survive to tell the tale. I’ve suffered, I’ve seen blood, I’ve tasted it on my lips, I’ve lost loved ones, I’ve killed… and I’ve grown. We live in a harsh and cruel world, and to survive we have to learn about pain. That’s why I can tell you tonight, with the moon for a witness, that my heart is divided. Divided by the feelings I have for you: strong ones, I admit, Gerart. But at the same time I also have strong feelings for my Order, for my Sisters and my duty as a Healer. Seeing them all today, being with Mother Sorundi, my heart is full of joy, of love. It’s something I can’t help, it’s my calling. Being able to save the great Mage Mirkos has opened my eyes to the importance of my Gift, and how much I can help people if I continue in the Order with my dear Sisters.” Aliana looked into Gerart’s eyes and with a great effort kept her gaze steady.
She did not want the final division of her heart to be apparent to the Prince, the one which drew her to Komir; she would not mention this to Gerart, since it would only create pain and awkwardness. But, deep down she knew that in her heart there were strong feelings towards Komir. This was an impossible situation.
“I understand what you’re telling me, and I respect it. I too have changed since the last time we saw each other. I too have seen much: the death and destruction which this senseless war has brought to our kingdom. Thousands of innocents have perished, and no matter how hard I tried I could not prevent it. My hands are soiled with enemy blood and my heart weeps for the nameless heroes fallen in the defense of Rogdon. I’ve learnt a lot; the doubts of the past plague my mind no longer. I know who I am and the decisions I must make, no matter how difficult they may be. I’m not that same naïve young prince, unsure of himself. And one day I’ll come out from beneath my father’s huge shadow. But that is no longer such a concern to me, nor does it create the insecurity it used to in me. If I’ve learned anything, it’s to be myself and to fight for my people. War, suffering, blood… they make us grow fast, Aliana. That’s why I want to put into words what my heart feels, now that I have the chance. Times are bad, and soon unfortunately they’ll get even worse. I might not survive, perhaps none of us will, which is all the more reason to tell you how much I love you. The decision is yours, my beautiful Aliana. Whenever you’re ready to make it, I’ll be here waiting for you. I offer you my heart and my kingdom, for I wish to make you my Queen and rule this nation with you by my side.”
“If it survives…”
“We’ll save it, Aliana, together, all of us. Rogdon will survive and someday I’ll be King. You are the Queen