The days passed, but the weight of Amelia’s emotions only seemed to grow heavier. Each time she interacted with Duke Leo or Prince Lee, the tension was palpable, and it left her with a storm of conflicting feelings. She tried to focus on her duties as princess, but her heart was torn between the two men, each offering her something unique and profound.
That morning, as the sun filtered through the large windows of the castle’s grand hall, Amelia found herself seated at the royal desk, poring over documents. The affairs of the kingdom were important, but her mind kept wandering back to the banquet, to the rivalry she had witnessed between Leo and Lee.
A sudden knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.
“Come in,” she called, smoothing out her dress as she prepared herself for another interruption. It seemed like everyone had something they needed from her these days.
The door opened, revealing Duke Leo. His presence was as commanding as ever, but there was a softness to his expression that made her heart skip a beat.
“Amelia,” he said gently, stepping into the room. “I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
Amelia gave him a small, tired smile. “I’m managing, Leo. Just... trying to focus on the kingdom.”
Leo’s brow furrowed slightly as he approached her, his gaze intense but filled with concern. “You’ve been working yourself too hard. You barely take time for yourself anymore.”
“I have responsibilities,” she replied, though even to her own ears, the words sounded defensive.
Leo shook his head. “You’re more than just the princess of Aldoria. You’re Amelia. And you deserve to live, to enjoy your life, not just be weighed down by duty.”
His words struck a chord deep within her, and Amelia felt a pang of guilt. She had been pushing herself, trying to avoid the confusion swirling in her heart by burying herself in work. But it hadn’t helped. If anything, it had made things worse.
“I don’t know how to find that balance,” she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leo reached out, gently taking her hand in his. His touch was warm, grounding her in the moment. “Let me help you, Amelia. I’ve known you for so long, and I understand you in ways others don’t. You don’t have to carry this alone.”
His closeness, the sincerity in his voice, made her heart flutter. But just as she was about to respond, another voice echoed from the doorway.
“Am I interrupting something?”
Prince Lee stood at the entrance, his usual playful smirk absent, replaced by a more serious expression. There was an unspoken tension between him and Leo, a quiet rivalry that seemed to hum in the air.
Amelia’s stomach twisted as she glanced between them. This was exactly what she had feared—a tug-of-war over her heart that neither of them would let go.
“Lee,” she greeted, trying to sound composed. “We were just talking.”
Lee’s eyes flicked to where Leo still held her hand, and a shadow of frustration crossed his face. “It seems like more than just talking.”
Leo straightened, his expression hardening slightly. “We’re discussing what’s best for Amelia. She’s been under a lot of pressure lately.”
“And you think you’re the one who knows what’s best for her?” Lee countered, his voice sharp.
“I’ve known her longer than you have,” Leo replied, his tone even but filled with meaning.
Amelia’s heart pounded in her chest as the tension between them escalated. She could feel the weight of their expectations, the way they both seemed to be vying for her attention, her affection.
“Stop,” she said suddenly, her voice firm. “Both of you.”
Leo and Lee looked at her, the intensity in their eyes softening just a fraction.
“This isn’t helping,” she continued, taking a step back from Leo. “I can’t handle the two of you constantly fighting over me. I care about both of you, but this—this competition—it’s making everything harder.”
Lee’s expression softened, a flicker of regret passing over his face. “Amelia, that’s not what I want. I just... I care about you. And seeing you with him—it makes me realize how much.”
Leo sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Amelia. The last thing I want is to make things more difficult for you.”
Amelia’s gaze shifted between them, her heart heavy with the weight of their emotions. She cared deeply for both of them, but she wasn’t ready to make a choice. How could she? Each of them offered her something different, something she wasn’t sure she could live without.
“I need time,” she whispered, her voice trembling with the intensity of her feelings. “I need to figure this out on my own.”
Leo nodded, his eyes filled with understanding. “Of course, Amelia. Take all the time you need.”
Lee stepped forward, his expression more serious than she had ever seen it. “I’ll wait for you, Amelia. No matter how long it takes.”
His words hung in the air, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. Amelia’s heart ached, torn between the two men who had come to mean so much to her. But she knew that this was something she had to navigate on her own.
“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
The tension in the room eased slightly, and Lee offered her a small, genuine smile before turning to leave. Leo lingered for a moment longer, his gaze filled with unspoken emotion, before he too left the room.
As the door closed behind them, Amelia let out a long, shaky breath. The weight of the decision she would eventually have to make pressed down on her, but for now, she was grateful for the small reprieve.
Later that evening, Amelia found herself in the garden, seeking the tranquility of the flowers and the cool evening breeze. She needed time to clear her head, to breathe. But, as always, her heart wasn’t so easily settled.
“Beautiful night, isn’t it?”
Amelia turned to see Lee approaching, his hands tucked casually in his pockets. There was a softness in his smile, a warmth that made her chest tighten.
“It is,” she agreed, turning her gaze back to the stars. “I come here when I need to think.”
“I figured,” Lee said, stopping beside her. “I didn’t want to intrude, but I also didn’t want you to be alone if you didn’t want to be.”
Amelia smiled softly. “Thank you, Lee.”
They stood in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle rustling of the leaves and the distant hum of the castle.
“I meant what I said earlier,” Lee spoke again, his voice low but filled with sincerity. “I’ll wait for you, Amelia. I don’t care how long it takes. I know what I feel, and I know it’s real.”
Amelia’s heart skipped a beat at his words. She turned to him, her eyes searching his face for any hint of doubt, but there was none. He was serious.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Lee,” she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion.
“You won’t,” he replied, his eyes locking with hers. “I just want you to be happy. And if that happiness is with me, then I’ll be the luckiest man in the world. But if it’s not... I’ll still support you.”
Amelia felt a tear slip down her cheek, overwhelmed by the depth of his words. “You’re too good, Lee.”
Lee smiled, reaching out to gently wipe away the tear. “I’m just being honest.”
In that moment, Amelia felt a surge of affection for him, her heart aching with the weight of her emotions. She leaned into his touch, allowing herself to be vulnerable, if only for a moment.
And in the quiet of the garden, under the watchful gaze of the stars, she realized that no matter what happened, her heart was leading her somewhere. She just had to trust it.