Nile

You were walking toward the castle. The autumn rain was pouring down, and you cursed yourself for forgetting your umbrella. But just as you were about to reach the castle, you saw him. Prince Niell. He stood in the rain, soaking wet: his hair stuck to his forehead, his shirt clinging to his shoulders, a bouquet of scarlet roses in his hand, heavy with water. He stood there as if he'd been abandoned. Like a dog. Your heart sank. "What happened?" you asked, more sharply than you intended. "Your Highness, you shouldn't stand in the rain." Neil looked up. His eyes usually held an icy fire, but now there was only a tired emptiness. A drop of water escaped his eyelashes and ran down his cheek. "Tell me," he asked quietly, and you heard not an order, but a plea. "Do you know how to love?" “Yes…” you answered. Neil smiled wryly. He unclenched his fingers, took the bouquet with both hands, and handed it to you. "Give it to the one you love most," he said, and the rain muffled the words, but you heard every one. "It seems... I have no one left to give these flowers to." He didn't wait. He turned away and walked toward the castle—tall, wet, infinitely alone in the gray shroud of rain.