[short AU one-shot] When Our Time Ends

Tik… Tok… Tik… Tok…

The night was so quiet. Too quiet that she could hear the clock ticking. The sound she unfortunately dislike, just like everything else right now.

She tried to ignore it, along with those agitated feelings. As she sat in front of the mirror, she tried to distract her thoughts by checking on her look again. But her trembling hands significantly showed how terrified she was.

Afraid…
Stressed…
Lonely…

Oh, how she pitied herself at the time like this, sitting alone, waiting for her time to come.

She wanted to run. Run, Devil, run. But she could never gather enough courage to do so.

Suddenly, she heard some noises, coming from the balcony of her room. She didn’t need to look for she knew what the cause of the noise was. Or rather who… Only one person dared to rudely enter her room like that.

And if that wasn’t convincing enough, the spoken voice was.

“Miss…”

Oh, how she longed to hear that soothing voice and the way he called her. She would always remember how he bargained her request to call her by her name instead of “Princess” with the title “Miss”.

The person spoke again after awhile, “Is something bothering you?”

She smiled in irony, “I wonder if it’s a question or a statement, coming from a person like you.”
When he didn’t speak to answer, she spoke again.

“Tell me, why should I be bothered?”

He thought for a moment before answering, “I don’t know. That’s why I’m asking you.”

His answer angered her. She slapped the dressing table hard.

“How could you! How could you say that when you know exactly what made me in a state like this!”

All her fear, anger and sadness that she managed to overcome all this time suddenly exploded. She knew he wasn’t at fault, yet she couldn’t control her emotion anymore. And just like always, he was the one who she ran into when she couldn’t take it anymore. He was a commander, a loyal friend.

And her secret lover…

“Why bother coming if you pretended like a complete stranger…” She said in a wary tone.

He sighed. He too was in pain, to see the woman he loved in such misery. Oh, how he wanted to embrace her and give her calming words like he usually do. But he couldn’t, because he knew, she wasn’t his anymore. Well, she was never his to begin with, as tonight would mark the end of everything that ever happened between them. When he couldn’t stop himself from coming to her room to just see her, for God knows that it could be the last time to do so, he wished that he could just pretend like everything is alright. That it would be a good, short meeting. But he simply failed.

He should have known better that nothing would be alright with her now.

“I wanted to see you. And perhaps when all masked have already shattered like this, I want to be your strength.”

That simple statement made her want to cry. But she couldn’t, could she? It would damage the beautifully applied make-up on her face. She stood up and ran to hug him. She didn’t care anymore if her dress would be in a mess.

“I’m scared. I’m so damn scared that my hands were trembling! I’m afraid to face the uncertain future. What is the prince like? Will I be able to maintain a good relation with him? Will I be happy or miserable for the rest of my life? Really, I don’t want the time to come. I don’t want to turn eighteen. I don’t want to marry a stranger whom I don’t know at all! I… don’t want to be separated from you…” She didn't hesitate to pour all her feelings and matters to him, just like the usual.

They always knew today will come, the day when she finally turned eighteen and officially engaged to the prince of Thailand. Day after day, they counted them. They were scared, yes, but they never knew that parting would be this hard. They already fell too deep in love. No matter how many times she tried to convince herself that it was for the best of both kingdoms, she couldn’t deny that her heart was screaming for freedom.

Any minutes now, the maid would knock on her door telling her that it’s time for her to go out and come to the ballroom where her birthday and engagement party was held.

“Everything will be alright, Miss. Your fiancé is a handsome wise young man. It will be soon before you both can establish a great relationship. You should stay strong and hold your head high for a beautiful woman like you didn’t suit to be in such miserable state.”

“It’s useless to say something like that. No matter how good he is, he can never replace you in my heart. You’re the only one who can make me feel content. And to let go of you, I can’t, I really can’t. No matter how many times I tried to convince myself. I lov-”

He put a finger on my lips.

“Shh… Don’t say it for it will only hurt the both of us. Let’s just cherish the remaining time we have.”

They embraced each other so tightly for some times before he finally found the courage to speak his vow to her.

“I promised I will always be there beside you.”

She broke the hug and stared at him with slight evidence of shock and confusion.

“How? Tomorrow, I will move to his palace.”

He smiled convincingly, “I’ll find a way, trust me.”

She stared at him for a while before she finally answer, “I trust you, and don’t let me down, okay?”

She smiled warmly. She lied if she said that simple promise washed away all her fear and confusion, but at least she now had something to look forward, something to keep her sane.

Just like she used to when she was with him, never wanted to end their relationship even though she knew it would hurt them in the end.

For she always believed in those happy endings, that somehow she could escape her faith and be together with her loyal commander. Like those fairytale where the princess magically succeeded in escaping a marriage with a royal prince and instead marry a commoner she loved.

But then hers was no fairytale, she realized. She could only be satisfied with a single promise for now.

Tik… tok… tik… tok… tik… tok…

And the clock kept on ticking.

Author’s note:
Short one-shot! Tiba2 terinspirasi saja, dan karena kebetulan saya sudah lama tidak menulis, jadinya saya langsung tulis saja. Ide dasarnya sih, tentang seorang PUTRI yg punya hubungan rahasia dengan PANGLIMAnya, dan bagaimana perasaan di detik2 terakhir mereka bersama karena setelahnya PUTRI itu akan resmi bertunangan dengan seorang PANGERAN THAILAND demi hubungan diplomatik yang baik antara dua kerajaan dan keesokannya pergi untuk tinggal di kerajaan tunangannya. Mungkin di akhir2 agak bingung, tapi maksudnya saya adalah selama ini putri itu tetap berhubungan dengan panglimanya meski dia tau akan jadi bgini karena dia percaya bahwa akhir yang bahagia itu ada. Dan di saat ternyata akhir yang bahagia itu sudah tidak mungkin, dengan janji dari panglimanya dia jadi ada sesuatu yang membuat dia bisa tetap bertahan untuk menyongsong masa depan dan menghadapi takdir yang kejam. Kurang lebih begitu. Hahaha.. Apakah terlalu membingungkan bagi kalian? Semoga perasaan keduanya tersampaikan dengan baik yah.. XDD *Cuma bisa berharap OTL*

Ya sepertinya demikian. Mungkin saya akan membuat sekuel tentang kehidupan PUTRI itu setelah menikah dengan si PANGERAN. XD Dan tentunya cerita ini Alternate Universe dari cerita originalnya Love, Pride, and Scandal. Terima kasih sudah membaca.. ^_^