The Crown

One

"STEFAN, we can't keep doing this" I whispered in the dark.

Stefan and I have been together for about a year now. Problem is, no one knows about us. Our relationship is unacceptable and worthless, knowing he is from the Italian royal family and that we both need to marry someone who could be, in my case a prince consort, and in his a queen.

"I know," he whispered back "but I don't see how I could possibly kiss another woman without imagining it could be you. You know I much I love you."

I sighed. I knew.

"You know I do. But we've been lucky for a year, never got caught. I hardly see how we can not be seen in this," I paused, "intimate embrace for another year. This has to stop."

"That's exactly why we can continue. Think about it, Elena. We never got caught before because we hid well. We surely can do exactly what we did for the past year without getting surprised in this," he smirked "intimate embrace, as you call it."

He didn't understand. Since the day we met a year ago, since our countries became allies, we couldn't keep our paws off each other. We fell illegally in love, and if it continued we were going to pay the price. There was no way I could leave Mystic Falls, become queen of Italy and leave the crown on Jeremy's head. He wasn't ready for this. And I knew it was impossible for Stefan to be prince consort of our country, either. He was a unique child, there was no other heir to his throne. He couldn't let his parents in such distress, and I had no desire of being hated by Queen Lily. The only solution we had was to break up, even if it pained me as much as it pained him. We needed to. It was the princess in me getting order back in my life; being with Stefan would lead me to nothing, only problems. And that's not what I needed for myself.

"Stefan, I won't change my mind. We need to move on with our lives, and that's what I'm planning on doing, even if you don't follow me. I love you, but this... What is it even? We can't call it a relationship. We've been hiding from the world. Hiding. You know I'm not that type of girl. I let the fantasy live for a whole year, but now it needs to stop," I paused to look at his painful face. I hated to hurt him. "I'm sorry. Believe me, I am. I wish we could work, but.. We can't."

I let a tear run down my cheek. I was finally trying to be reasonable, and it sucked. I didn't want to let him go, to see him kiss another girl, to attend his marriage. I didn't want any of it. But circumstances being what they are, we needed to be broken up. For goodness' sake, why was it so hard? Why couldn't we just let love decide and put other things aside?

"Fine, Elena. If that's what you want..." I sobbed even more, "Then that's what will happen. Just know that you can't come back on this. If that's your choice, I will act as your friend and friend only. There will be no way back. And in no moment I will stand your jealousy, am I clear?"

I nodded. Someone else might think Stefan was rude or selfish or cruel, but it wasn't it at all. He didn't treat me as a child, he made sure I understood completely what my choice meant. He didn't want me to make a mistake. He was the good in me.

"Okay, then" he sighed and gave me a chaste kiss, and butterflies exploded in my belly. I enjoyed it as much as I could, remembering the feeling of his lips on mine. But, knowing that if it lasted too long it would go further, I finally pulled away and watched him go, thinking it would be our last kiss. But, as you surely guessed, I was wrong.

A month later

I awoke at the familiar sound of teacups, and as I expected I found Caroline with my breakfast in hands. After a moment of checking if my plate was well done, she looked up and realized I was awake, so, she curtsied.

"Good morning, Your Highness" she greeted me with a smile.

I smiled back "Good morning to you too, Caroline. How are you today?"