The dampened steamy roads of Hope a kingdom forbidden for my kind. The murky waters bubbled as I lay a lousy finger tip against it’s surface, the hollow emptiness never left these street corners though to meet my love I must hide. Be hidden from everything horrible and anything curious. Low footstep approached soft yet hurried our secret spot was closed off from the rest of the kingdom a little to the north of Hope. “My love” I turn around my dress brushing my skin to see his face a perfect reflection of my heart his dimples lit up into a smile, his olive eyes shined under the flickering lamp, “Avie.” Alexander arms found themselves around my waist in a familiar hug, warmth danced around my cheeks, two bodies bound by love. “How have you been, have you gotten the letters I sent you?” Raising my brows “hm, I don’t know” my finger gently runs down his neck “how do these letters go?” Interrupted by a small chuckle he drifts away raising his head “ my love, have I been on your mind?” He trailed off “Because you’ve certainly intoxicated mine. I saw a lily flower not commonly found here…” a flick of his wrist a beautiful lily flower appeared draped in a bouque of leaves. “How did-“ dimples gracefully appearing to the corner of his lips again “I plucked it from is garden bed of weeds because it reminded of you, ravishing petals yet with a firm stem. A reliable backbone built on growth and strength. I hope your day is amazing Lea, love… Alexander” Avie has always been a romantic from his letter written from rose petalied water to his words of affection or those dimples or the way he always tossled his brunette hair. My heart grew another string everytime this man would speak “Avie, you’re sweet” my voice whispered to his sweet words, placing a hand on my chin he closed off the conversation with a gentle kiss. He smiled as we melted against each other in a deep embrace he pulled away ever so slightly “ when this war is over I will marry you “ he said lowly . Right the war the only thing keeping us apart, between Hope and Wisdom a 10 year long battle broke out of disagreement, petty i’d say. Hope was once a kingdom of riches and power but now its power hungry queen only focused on the rich, my people spent hours at war borders strategising plans amongst the wounded soldiers. My heart aches for every soul that died in the war, but people like me and Avie all we can do is wait and pray one day this war ends “ we will get married in a cottage with a field of flowers, I promise” he whispered. “Just like we talked about” I smiled back “anything for you” his eyes spoke more than his words peering down at me with an emotion I seem to never be able to figure out.

1 week later “A letter for you miss Lea” said the mailman, my heart pumped and I eagerly took the golden stamped envelope from his hand. Back in my room my glossed lips tug into a smile to myself, Alexander always stamped a golden rose on the letters he would send, opening the letter with a careful hand my name greeted me on the page decorated with small hearts.

Dear Lea, Hope is planning on settling a peace agreement with Wisdom! I overheard whilst doing my daily rounds at the palace.

My eyes widened at the cursive lettering,

I thought we would have to wait years but we can finally be truely happy. Meet me at our spot this afternoon before the sun sets I’ll be waiting. Love Alexander, I practically screamed of happiness plopping onto my fur blanket the ceiling of a famous painting to scale across my whole room meets my eyes . Would me and Avie finally get married? Have our dream wedding with a beautiful venue while I say my vows in a lovely white dress trailing behind ?! Hours passed day cheeks ached from the cheeky grin printed on my lips . The brush dusted my rosy checks with a pink hue of roses , a light pink lipstick applied to my lips perfectly lining my Cupids bow, hair curled into golden locs . My heels clicked against the cobbled stone , my hair bounced eyes gleaming as I reached our secret spot. As I waited for him to arrive. Mutiple footsteps hurriedly behind me too quick for me to process my eyes turn to my horror a batch of armoured guards dresssed in layers of metal disguised as clothes some holding bloodied swords “Lea Woodson you are under arrest for trespassing “ my heart sank to a hollow shock this was supposed to be a good day this couldn’t be happening. “wait no, you are mistaken-“ those eyes, behind the guards helmet hid the same olive green eyes I would picture in my late night dreams… “Avie..?” My voice hitched, I had to be mistaken. stepping forward no emotion spoke to me through his eyes “trespassing is a crime under the kingdom justice act” a flat voice echoed from under the helmet “do you agree to have the face punishment for your crime ?” Tears trickled down my face that voice it was…Alexander. “Yes or no? Do you agree to your punishment.” A low note asked “Alexander what are you doing?!” I cried out as a guard from behind laced my hands into a tight cuff of metal. “Yes or no!-“ a guard tapped his shoulder “good work Alex ill take it from here” legs shook underneath me as I fell, knees smashing into the pavement. “How could you?” I whispered only loud for myself to hear.