CHAPTER 13
Alistair
We spend about fifteen minutes getting to know each other in a more relaxed way.
Faith is so easy going and simple, and I mean that in the best way possible. There’s nothing complicated about her. She’s simply a nice girl who loves animals and is a bit of an introvert.
Just because she’s simple doesn’t mean she’s boring.
I reach for my tea and realize it’s gone cold. I instinctively look at my watch and realize another hour has passed. She’s held me captivated for a full hour just telling me about wild adventures she’s had with Peaches and Cream. It makes me feel even better that I was able to help her with her dog today. I really know how much those two mean to her and I certainly know how much she means to me.
I already knew, but being here with her now just affirms the thoughts I had.
I was already attracted to her physically and to her vibe. The way she goes about her day so effortlessly and without a care for the pomp and circumstance that fills mine. She judges people and things on their character, not their titles, salaries, or other human constructs.
But as much as I’m learning about her, and enjoying every second, I still want to know what it is she has to tell me. Luckily she doesn’t make me wait any longer.
“Prince Alistair,” she says.
“Please just call me Alistair.”
“Okay then. Alistair. There’s something I’d like to say to you, but I hope you’ll take it in the best way possible considering the circumstances.”
“Well, I don’t know what you’re going to say, but I will certainly listen to every word and will do my best to process them carefully and thoughtfully and not to react impulsively, even if that means taking a day or more to let what you say soak in. Of course it may take longer or it may take less…because I don’t know what’s on your mind.”
She pauses and sits her tea cup and saucer down on the table, freeing up her lap. She places both hands on her knee and takes a deep breath.
“Do you remember when you came to the stables awhile back?”
“I’m not sure I follow you.”
“There was a day not too long ago when you came out to the stables to get something off your chest.”
“You. You…were there?”
“Yes. I was in the next stall over.”
“I’m sorry you had to hear that,” I say. I can’t believe she was there. I thought for sure she was out with the dogs. It was the reason I went there in the first place. I didn’t want anyone to see me or hear me.
“And I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. It’s just that…well…I was there in that next stall over and out of the blue I heard your voice. I didn’t know what was going on, but once I did I was in a predicament. I wanted to tell you I was there, but I couldn’t. I tried not to listen, but I couldn’t do that either.”
“How much did you hear?” I can’t believe I let what I was holding inside slip out for someone else to hear. My family is always warning me to be more careful and I wasn’t.
“The part that affected me most.”
“Which was?”
“The same experience I’d gone through.”
I pause. This is impossible.
“You’ve also…?”
“Yes. And also in childbirth. Her name was Hope. We were also twins, but I was the only one who made it. I lived with a tremendous amount of guilt, regret, and anxiety for a long time. It was like half of me was dead, which didn’t make sense because we never actually met. I don’t want to sound too cliché, but I guess that twin bond is real.”
I nod my head. “Yes, I guess it is.”
“When I heard you speaking about it at first I almost wondered if somehow you knew I was there and were trying to tell me something, or mess with me in some way, or just…well, I didn’t know. I definitely froze up though.”
“I promise you I didn’t know. I would never do something like that to someone. To intentionally hurt them.”
“I know. I know now and I knew it then. It’s just that it was so surreal. After you left I cried in that spot for quite some time. I didn’t know there was anyone else out there like me. I mean, the doctors tell you there is, but you don’t really ever meet people like that. And there I was just next to you listening to something that has affected me more than anything else in life. And it sure sounds like it’s affected you the same way.”
“It has. I’ve carried this burden for years. That and the whole thing about the privacy and secrets that surround the palace. Of course my family did the birth here, and when it…well, happened…they did their best not to let word of it spread.”
“I understand.”
I pause. I can’t believe she’s telling me this. I can’t believe she was there. And I can’t believe I had this connection with her without even knowing our connection went this deep.
“The doctor that took a look at you today?”
“Yes.”
“He’s the son of the doctor who delivered me that day. They’ve been with our family for years. He knows and of course my mother and father and I know. And now you. The only people in the world that know the truth.”
“Can I ask a very blunt question?”
“You may.”
“Is that why you’re often in the house so much and why you don’t really interact with others?”
“That’s definitely part of it. That and I just don’t like this life as much as one might imagine. I prefer the simple life, or at least I think I would.”
“Actually that’s what I was hoping to talk to you about.”
“Oh. I thought just telling me that you were there and that you heard me was what you wanted to say.”
“That’s the first part of it, but the second part is that, if I may be so bold, I think there are a lot of healing properties in getting outside of this bubble. To let nature and animals and the world show you how much beauty is out there.”
“It’s nearly impossible to leave here on my own terms. Even if I wanted to do something as simple as run to the market. I mean, sure, I can hire a driver and do all that and all the attention that comes with it, but that’s not what I want. I want to do exactly what you were doing this morning. Just wake up early and go to the dog park and enjoy the simple things.”
“Is that why you were there this morning?”
“Yes and no.”
“And no?”
“I was there specifically to see you.”
“Me?”
“I don’t mean to scare you, but after watching you from upstairs I’ve well. I’ve developed very strong feelings for you.”
“For me?”
“I know it may seem strange, but when you know something’s right, you know.”
“That I’m…right?”
“Not right. Perfect.”