Things I Almost Remember: A Selection Story

Revelation

Kate's eyes went wide, and she instinctively gripped Johnny's arm harder, despite the fact he was the one they were trying to get away from. 

"What are you talking about?" Ahren asked, stepping toward Kate and Johnny.

"One of my men overheard these two boys talking about how lucky it had all turned out that the girl they had found turned out to be Princess Kerttu in the end and that they never had to pass her off as the princess," the guard said.

Ahren face turned hard, Johnny took in a sharp breath, and Connor, for once, was speechless. Kate was the first to speak.

"No, Uncle Ahren, there just has been a misunderstanding, they recognized me in Illéa and helped me to start remembering who I was. They wanted to help me..." 

Her voice trailed off as she looked at the forlorn expression on Johnny's face.

"Johnny, tell him, tell him how we met and how you helped me," Kate said, her eyes pleading.

"Kate, I'm so sorry,  I wanted to tell you then, and I was so, so sure it was you, I didn't ever think it would come to you not being Kerttu. I have loved you since we were children. I never stopped loving you, and I knew it had to be you. Once I knew it was you, it just seemed like something that would stay hidden," Johnny rambled, holding Kate's hand in his own. She yanked it away from him.

"You wanted to use me for the money?" she whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

"We were desperate, Kate. You know what it is like to be starving and to need out," Johnny said, trying to gather her hand back in his. She pushed him off and backed further away from him.

"You said you wanted to help me because you cared," Kate said, her breath heaving. "You said you wanted to help me find where I belonged, but all you wanted was for me to learn to be some idealized version of a girl you loved so that you could feel better and get money from a family who already lost everything!"

"Kate, it wasn't like that, please. You have to know how much I love you. It is true I wanted Kerttu back, that I missed her so much and thought she was...that you were dead. When I met you again as Kate, it was surreal. I wanted you to be Kerttu, but in that time as I got to know you as Kate, I fell truly in love with you for who you have become, for every part of you. I love you fully, Kerttu, for your courage, your character, your compassion, your tenacity. Please, Kate," Johnny said, his eyes now pleading.

Kate stared at him for a long time, her expression unreadable. When she finally spoke, her voice was cold.

"I never let anyone in because I had only ever experienced loss. I never had anyone in my memory truly care for me. I thought you were different. You made me feel so alive, so much lighter and freer than I had ever felt, but you were lying to me the whole time. I loved you for your kindness and honor and genuine concern for people around you," she said, her face hard, "I see now I made a mistake. I loved you. I felt more for you than I thought I could feel, but I was wrong. I was wrong, and I hope I never have to see you again."

At that, the coldness in her face slowly fell as Johnny's brown eyes pleaded with her blue ones. The tears she had been trying to hold back came, and her composure fell as she ran from the room. 

"You both are wicked," Elodie snapped, pushing Connor away from her and running after Kate.

"Kate, Kate please," Johnny called, falling to his knees.

Ahren cleared his throat and walked over to Connor and Johnny. 

"I want you both out of my home and away from my family, especially my niece," Ahren said, his expression harder than Kate's had been. "I try my best to be an honest and fair man, and while I don't think either of you deserves our consideration, we will give you the money for the return of the princess. I am a man of my word, and I said whoever brought back our niece would get the reward. However, once you have received the reward, you are to leave at once. Guards will escort you out. While I have the desire to send you back to Illéa, I don't wish going back there upon my worst enemy. Now, go change back into your own things and meet my head guard back here in one hour."

"Your Majesty, I apologize a million times over for what we did to your family, to the princess in particular," Johnny said, looking Ahren straight in the eye. "If she cares to know, please tell her I never will feel for another what I do for her, and while your offer is very generous, getting to see Princess Kerttu reunited with her family is more than enough of a reward for me. I cannot accept any monetary reward. I will go gather my things. I appreciate your hospitality to me and my brother."

With that, Johnny turned and walked from the room toward the direction of the guest suites. Connor looked around at the French Royal Family, gave an awkward bow, then followed after his brother. When he finally reached Johnny, he stopped him.

"What the heck was that? Why would you give up our opportunity to at least take the money?" he snapped.

"Because it is the truth, Kate is safe and with people who love her and will take care of her, and that is reward enough for me," he said, his expression unreadable. "It was selfish and foolish of me to think someone like me could ever be with someone like her."