I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 4

"I don't want to hear your answer yet, if that's okay. I'm trapped in this race for the crown right now. I can't even quit, no matter how much I want to." He shook his head. "I'll end up like Corran, dead even after I've surrendered. The only way to be free of all this is to beat that old man's foolish game."

"You've already been betrayed once." I whispered. "You need someone to watch your back."

He reached over and held my hand, squeezing it gently despite his bandaged wounds. "I'm fine. I'd rather you be far away from all these plots, and be safe."

"..." I leaned my head against his shoulder silently, thinking.

"Do you want to know how I knew about Eric?" I hesitantly started to talk, feeling nervous.

He didn't answer for a while, and then whispered. "You can tell me later, you don't sound ready to talk."

I nodded slowly. I wanted to answer Luke's feelings honestly. But if I did, I would need to tell him everything. The thought made very uncomfortable. Would he think I was crazy? A liar? Would he look at me differently if I told him I read about this world in a book? Or worse... would he want to use the knowledge of the plot I had to win the crown, like Graham used Chloe?

Luke was right, I wasn't ready to talk just yet.

After a while Luke turned to face the flames, and we sat silently.

"Wait for me, please. I'll come find you in the forest, and then tell you I love you again. Then I would like to hear your answer."

We spent the rest of the night sitting side by side, talking about everything and nothing, just like when we were younger in the Ninth Lord's Household.

__________________________

In the morning, we silently crossed the bridge, entering the Eastern Forest once more. As we neared the branch point where we would have to part ways, both of us slowed our pace.

"You have to reach the Western City before two days are up." I finally spoke up. "Otherwise you won't qualify for the third task. "

Luke sighed quietly. "I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too."

He smiled at my words, leaning closer. "At least I know where to find you when this is all done."

A gentle hand brushed my cheek, and he stepped closer, pressing his lips to my own.

A hesitant first kiss that slowly turned more confident as I returned it. Finally he parted the slightest distance, resting his forehead on my own.

"Stay safe." He whispered.

"Be more worried about yourself." I answered back, reluctant at the idea of parting.

But if I followed him, I was abandoning everything I had worked for. I would be jumping head first into the plot, becoming a main character. If I went to the Western City, there would be no turning back.

I let him go.

But as I watched Luke walk away, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had made the wrong decision.

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Luke settled into his palace quarters looking around with a spiritless glance. The room was richly furnished, but felt cold and empty to him now.

Of course it does. She's not here. He laughed at himself, sitting down with a sigh. He had known he would miss her terribly, known it would be painful to leave her behind. But he had done it anyways.

Because more than I need her to be by my side, I need her to be happy. He would never forget the disappointed look she had given him when she handed back his token. When she saw the greed in his heart, the desire to keep her by his side.
It wasn't easy. The more time he spent by her side, protecting each other, caring for each other... it was addicting. The feeling of having someone to worry about, who thought about you in return. He wanted to be with her, to see her every day.

I hope she's doing well. She would have arrived at her cabin in the woods a day or so before he made it to the Western City. She should be settled in, perhaps going hunting.

Luke rubbed his chest idly, the ache there growing worse. I miss her.

But she's safe. And that's what matters.

He whispered a word he had buried deep in his heart, resting his head in his hands.

"Your Highness." A knock sounded at the door.

"What is it?" Luke's voice was cold as he answered. He had instructed the servants that he didn't want to be disturbed.

"Someone is here to see you..."

Luke shook his head. "I don't want..."

"A young woman. She says she's here to get her bracelet back."

Jumping to his feet, he flung open the door. "Where is she?"

As he breathlessly ran into the sitting room of his quarters, he was greeted by a familiar face smiling back at him. In the candlelight it was difficult to see her eyes clearly, but the joy in them was evident.

"Luke!" She called out sweetly, rushing forward to greet him. Her smile was bright and lovely, and up close Luke could see the beautiful golden color of her eyes as she stared up at him. "I'm come back to you!"

Luke smiled warmly, standing in place a short distance away, his hands resting comfortably at his sides, slowly clenching into fists. "Welcome back."

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I came back from hunting, feeling tired. Staring around my cabin, I sat down and groaned.

It was no use.

I couldn't get back into the familiar rhythm I had lived in for so long. Even as I went through the motions, my mind was far away. Every spare thought was worrying about him, hoping he was safe. I already regretted not telling him more about the third task. It would be difficult, dangerous. A lot of people would die, in true Deadly Crown plot fashion.

What am I doing?

I sat in my safe, remote home, a nameless side character just like I always wanted. And I was miserable.

The plot is bloody and dangerous. Every important character dies and gets replaced... and then their replacement dies.

I stoked up the fire in the hearth, the heat of the flames reminding me of sitting by Luke's side in the camp.

It's not the kind of story to try and be a hero in.

Sitting back down, I stared at the fire, my thoughts racing.

Unless... I think he's worth being part of the plot.

I laughed quietly. "Fool." I wasn't sure if I was talking about Luke or myself, or perhaps both of us.

Just as I stood up, a knock sounded at the door.

Luke? But should't he be in the Western City. Excitement flooded my veins, even as I argued silently with myself that it wasn't possible for him to be there. Cautious, I grabbed my sword in case it wasn't him, opening the door carefully.

"Luke...?" I started to call out, and then stopped.

Standing outside my home was a handsome prince.

But not the one I wanted to see.

Graham smiled, stepping into my home. "Hello again."