I Can't Believe It

"This is your room, if you care to stay. Do you like it? Or is it not to your liking?" I asked.

"It-it's perfect!" Karen admired.

"I'm glad! Would you care to stay in this castle? Or is it too awkward to you?" I asked, concerned.

"If it doesn't burden you, I'd like to stay." Karen said thoughtfully.

"Terrific. I shall see you at dinner, milady. Kindly dress yourself to your liking." I suggested, ecstatic.

I walked out of the room and closed the door softly. My heart fluttered unrelentingly as I near floated to my room. I walked in and closed the door. I leaned against the door and sighed heavily, my eyes closed, my breath shaky.  What was this odd feeling? Remorse? Joy? Pain? It was unbeknownst to me, for I couldn't tell what the feeling was.

I walked to my bed and flopped down onto it. I stared lazily up to the ceiling, as if it were to suddenly speak and tell me what my new feeling was. I turned my head I fell into a shallow sleep, my dreams enchanted strangely of Karen and the pond.

I awoke and found myself getting up and wandering toward the piano room. I heard a familiar melody being played caringly as I walked towards the room. The sweet melody filled the air and danced across the hallowed halls. I walked into the room to find Karen sitting at the grand piano and playing the delicious melody. She played with her eyes closed, her fingers remembering the keys and where they were. She continued playing the gentle melody, oblivious to the fact that I had entered the room. She continued playing until the end of the song. A small tear fell from her eyes and glittered silver as it fell onto her hand. I was right next to her, and I leaned down.

"Karen?" I said softly. Karen jumped slightly, surprised at the sight of me so close. I backed away a step, giving her a bit of space. "S-sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you."

"Oh! N-no, it's quite alright.: Karen said in a soft voice.

"It wa a rather beautiful piece. I liked it." I admired.

"Oh. Th-thank you." Karen said as she blushed royal crimson.

I took her hand gently and kneeled in front of her. She stared at me, her eyes filed with silver tears. I gently wiped her eyes with a smal handkerchief. I held her face gently and looked into her tear-fille eyes, recognizing why she was crying. In her eyes, there was a resounding pain and regret, a sadness that couldn't extinguish the flames that ate away at her memory. I looked deeper, and saw a flaming house, and as it burned, a grand piano was the one thing that stood.

I gasped softly as I was pulled back into the modern world of reality. I pulled her into a tender, loving embrace that healed her heart. I let her nestle her head into my shoulder and held her tightly as she wept. I held her caringly, carressing her head with a gentle hand. I brought her back to her quarters in my arms and kissed her cheek, another burst of unknown feeling exploding inside. Karen smiled and closed the door slowly. I found my way back to my room and flopped onto my bed again.

A knock sounded at my door, followed by a feminine voice calling my name. For some reason, I had high hopes for it to be Karen's voice in which called for me so dearly. Why had I wished for it to be Karen? Oh, Karen. Even the mere thought of her made my heartbeat quicken. I stood and answered the door, revealing the cooks assistant, Lena. She curtsied deeply and kept her eyes on me.

"Yes?" I asked, my heart dropping oddly.

"Dinner is ready, Your Highness." She said, blushing.

"Oh! Thank you, Lena," I said, "and, please, tell my father that I have a guest with me, who will t\be staying with us for a while. It is someone he'd have a great pleasure meeting."

"Of course, Your Highness." Lena said. She smiled assuredly.

She walked away hurriedly. I closed the door and readied myself for the evening event. I looked myself over in the mirror and found myself to be quite dashing. I hope that this look pleases Karen, I thought to myself. I sighed and grabbed a white iris flower from the vase on the nightstand.

I walked up to Karen's room and stopped nervously in front of her door. I found myself blushing instantly and I didn't know why, exactly. I stared at the door until I thought that it would instantaneously combust. I shyly knocked on the door, and it was opened by none other than Karen. She stared at me, her mouth slightly agape. I stared back, the knowledge of what to say skittering away and leaving me blushing like a foo. I cleared my throat and blushed deeply.