Chapter Fourteen: Kelton

Once upon a time…
The sun had set before I came back to reality. I was at my thinking spot, the bridge in the woods. I went there often, but never had I gone there so late. Danger occurred in the dark and I knew my father and mother, the king and queen, were going to be upset. I began to follow the path home that I often travelled. My mind had been fogged with thoughts of anything there was to think about, and I soon got lost. In the distance I heard a howl. There were stories told often of the wolves that lived in the forest. I had no doubt that what I heard belonged to a wolf. I began to run.
The trees in the distance rustled. I was frantic. I didn't know what to do. The wolf was going to catch me. "Princess!" a voice half shouted half whispered to me from above. I looked up and saw a man holding his hand down from a tree. "You need to hurry," he said. I didn't know this stranger, but I figured my chances of living were greater with him than with the big bad wolf. I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up. We sat there and not even minutes passed when I saw the wolf. I opened my mouth about to scream when the man’s hand covered my mouth and pulled me close to him.
I didn't pull away. I sat enclosed in his arms for what felt like hours before he told me the coast was clear. We climbed down the tree. I explained to him I was lost and he helped me find my way out of the forest. He offered to escort me to the castle, but I wasn't sure I trusted him so I told him I'd be fine. I thanked him for saving my life and headed on my way. When he was out of sight, I took off running wanting to be in the safety of the brick walls of my home.
That week at the place of worship I saw the stranger. He was sitting with a family that my little sister was well acquainted with. He was beautiful. He had tan skin, short light brown hair, and beautiful green eyes. He had white teeth that rivaled snow. His muscles were defined and when he smiled, it made you want to smile. He caught me looking at him, and quickly I turned my head away.
When I began to walk out with my family, he walked up to me. "I'm Kelton," he said bowing. "Princess Brailee," I responded and curtsied. "I'm glad you're here! I was worried because of the other night. How are you doing?" he asked me. I shook my head and looked at my family. "They don't know," I said in a hushed tone. He nodded in understanding. "Would you maybe want to go out some time with me?" he asked. I was surprised at his boldness and told him I would.
Kelton called on me that week to take me up on my word. It was winter time and he told me to dress warm. I put on the thickest cloak I owned and fur gloves. We climbed into my carriage and were on our way. We ended up at the lake which had frozen over. He helped me out of the carriage and gave me shoes with metal on the bottom. "We are going to skate on the ice," he said while putting on his pair. I followed his lead and then he helped me on to the ice. I could hardly move. "I'm not good at this," I said. "I'll help you," he said holding out his hand. I took it, and like a child he gently began to teach me.
"So I don’t know anything about you except that you're like Robin Hood," I said, teasing. He laughed. He told me how he had just returned from a mission; one just like August had left on. He told me he loved anything adventurous. He'd climb mountains, he'd race horses, he loved to swim, he played instruments, he sang, he loved to travel the world, he was four years older than I, and he loved his family. He asked about me. I explained a little about me, but stayed pretty vague. "Brailee, that doesn't tell me much," he said. He stopped skating and looked at me. "On your death bed, what is the one thing you hope to have accomplished?" he asked. I was stunned. No guy had ever asked me anything really thoughtful, let alone the first time we went out. "I'll have to get back to you on that," I said. "Ask me on about it on our next date." I winked at him and skated off.
We went on another date. And a third.
On our third date, we were walking around the gardens at my castle. It was a cold night, but the cold had almost no effect on me. Something about this man named Kelton made life feel perfect. The whole time we laughed and told stories about our lives. He was so down to earth and understanding. He related to me and I couldn't think of anyone who made me so happy. We came to the gazebo. He took my hand. He looked me in the eyes. "There's no one like you Brailee. You're my dream girl," he said. I smiled, not knowing what to say. I was too twitterpated to even think clearly. He leaned in close and kissed me. It was the best kiss I'd ever had. My heart skipped beats. My senses came alive. I had become afraid of caring for anyone, but my heart knew I could trust him.
After that, we became inseparable. Every day I had to see Kelton. We would stay up late together just talking. With him, there were never enough topics to talk about. He would surprise me with thoughtful gifts. He would spontaneously get tickets to shows, because he knew how I loved them. He would trick me into going to places like my carriage or chambers, where I would find roses waiting. During princess training, a servant would show up with a bouquet of flowers for me from him. He wrote me songs and would sing them on his guitar about me and him and how together "we'd defy gravity like it's nonexistent." Kelton knew me and knew how to make me feel better. I couldn't believe he was real. I'd look at him and get butterflies, not believing anyone in the world existed like him. Every failure of a relationship made sense now. They failed, because I was supposed to be with Kelton forever.
My family all loved him except for my older sister. She wasn't impressed, but that didn't bother me. After my aunt met him, she told me that I was so different with him. I glowed around him and was so happy. We fit so perfectly together. She said she'd never seen me like that before. I couldn't say I disagreed. He was different. Our relationship was different.
As Kelton had told me, he traveled often and one day had to leave me. I was sad, but I knew I'd see him soon. I said goodbye and began the countdown to when he'd return. One day, a letter was delivered to me. It read, "My dearest Brailee, I am hoping this will reach you before I return. I can't stop thinking about you. This land far far away is amazing! Only one thing could make it better, but unfortunately you're a long way away. I guess I'll have to be okay with it being second best until the day I can bring you with me. Before meeting you, I'd never want to leave this place. Now I just can't wait to return to see your beautiful face. I love you, love Kelton.” He made me feel like no one ever made me feel. I knew he was my prince charming. I'd finally found him. The one.
When he returned I was so happy. Our favorite activity was to lay on the grass with a blanket and watch for shooting stars. That night, we just held each other for hours. We saw two shooting stars and each I wished for forever with him. It became clear he felt the same way about me as I did him, because that night he told me he wanted to marry me. I grinned and told him I could see me being with him forever. It was a sweet moment. My heart was in good hands and I'd never felt so good about a decision in my life.
Tragedy struck soon after when Kelton's father fell ill. The doctors in our land far far away said they'd try everything they could to help him, but they didn't think he'd live. After Kelton told me, we went on a walk to get fresh air. We walked in silence. Kelton's father was an amazing man and I knew how important family was to him. My heart hurt for him and I didn't know what to do. It was the first time I saw Kelton cry. I held him in my arms as tightly as I could. That's when he started to open up to me. Kelton said his father had discussed the future and what he wanted to happen when he was gone, and that included Kelton running his father's business. Kelton didn't want to do it and said it was so hard to think of losing his father.
After that day, most of mine and Kelton's time was spent with his family. This didn't please my family, but I knew Kelton and I would be together forever and his father only had so much time left that we needed to spend time with him and we would have the rest of time to make it up to my family.
Kelton's family took me in practically as one of their own. I loved them so much. When Kelton's father's illness took a turn for the worst they decided to seek Merlin the Great to see if he could help them. I was invited to accompany them, which was an honor. It was an amazing experience and one that made me feel so close to the family. I knew I'd never feel like I belonged with someone so much ever again and I was reassured he was the one for me.
Kelton's father's health had its ups and downs, as mine and Kelton's relationship began to have. We began to argue a lot. He'd get mad at me and would leave me mid fight. I'd get frustrated back and neither of us would be willing to be the first to say sorry.
Our relationship became hot and cold. One day, Kelton was planning wedding colors. The next he was sending me away from his cottage for eating food that would risk me gaining weight. Then he was picking wedding dates. The next day he'd be telling me all these girls who were better than I. Then he'd be picking out reception areas. He'd flip sides again, and he would tell me I was a terrible singer and he'd want someone to tell him if he sounded that bad.
I'd receive letters from him saying things such as, "My dearest Brailee, besides the fact that you took my breath away when I first met you, you have continued to surprise me with your amazing qualities! You have helped me trust again and I am grateful that I can trust you. I act extreme sometimes because I am afraid of losing something so special. The thought of spending forever with you brings tears to my eyes and I can't wait to make it a reality." But then he'd turn around and be telling me how he was scared I'd look ugly without being dressed up. Then he would make promises about spending forever trying to get things right and make me happy.
I began to not know where we stood in our relationship. I kept assuming he was just a mess because of his father. He made it clear that that wasn't the case however, because he came over one morning and told me he wasn't sure anymore that I was right for him and he wanted to date other people. His list of reasons was quite long, including that I wasn't outgoing enough, we were too different, he wanted more friends, he needed time for him, he wasn’t sure what he wanted…etc. I stared at him completely stunned. I then cut him off in the middle of his speech and asked him to leave. He told me he wanted to keep seeing me, but not be official. I refused and had the guards take him out.
I then collapsed to the floor trying to remember how to breathe as the tears came flooding. He was the one for me, but I wasn't for him. How could I have misunderstood? What did I do wrong? What was I to do now? It felt like my heart literally shattered, and parts I didn't know even existed inside me, hurt.
Unfortunately, this was not our official ending. If it had been, my heart may have healed sooner. Lucky for me, Kelton couldn't seem to let go and was going to drag our break up on as long as he could. Almost as if he wanted me to suffer.
Not even days went by before he showed up at my door. He needed to talk to me. We went on a walk. The familiar walk we went on numerous times. It was awkward. I didn't want to talk to him, but I did at the same time. Finally he pulled me in a hug. "Brailee, I didn't think it'd be this hard," he said. I was silent and wouldn't hug him back. "Please Brailee, can we please talk?" I looked at him, trying not to cry. "There's nothing to say. You don't want me. So go find the one for you. If you wanted me, you wouldn't have led me on and then ended things," I said. "Brailee I love you. I will always love you. And maybe this isn't the official end. I just need time," he said. I began to cry. He pulled me in. Then kissed me. "Please, lets try to make it work," he said. "I don't know if I can Kelton," I said through my tears. "I didn’t think I'd talk to you. I wasn't planning on kissing you. There's something about you. Brailee, please. Don't let go. Let me figure things out," he pleaded. I nodded. I never would have agreed if I knew what the next months had in store for me.
I became determined to be his perfect girl. I was going to be optimistic, friendly, outgoing, adventurous. I was going to be as beautiful as they come. I wanted to be unforgettable. I wanted to make it so the few moments he spent with me would outdo any amount of time he spent with another female. I worked hard on changing. And I was successful, but not successful enough.
I began to hear about dates he was going on. Kelton practically began to flaunt girls in front of me; ex girlfriends, girls he barely met, girls he knew from school, it didn't matter. Any girl that was remotely pleasing to the eye, he set his sights on. He'd even ask them out in front of me. It destroyed me. Even my best self wasn't good enough. So I decided to move on.
Plenty of men had been waiting to ask me out. I wasn't ordinary whatsoever. I wasn't overweight or untalented or less than anyone, like Kelton had told me in the last few months of our relationship. I was special and I was a princess. And Kelton was not going to be the end of me. Word got around about my dating extravaganzas. Soon enough, it got back to Kelton. What he didn't know, was every date was a failure and every time I was home, I'd sob, wishing on a star that Kelton would return to me. I refused to let him know that part.
Kelton became very upset with me, because I was dating. We'd still go on walks, but each time the tension would increase. He would raise his voice at me and get mad that I was dating. He'd say I would say bad things about him to make him look bad. He insisted I was out to hurt him. Then when he couldn't control himself anymore, he'd storm off, leaving me to walk to the castle alone.
Where was the Kelton who saved me from the wolf? Where was the Kelton that sent me flowers? The one who talked about forever? The one who I was going to live happily ever after with?
At the place of worship one week, he decided to sit by me. I didn't object but I wasn't thrilled. Everything was fine and we talked about life. It felt like we were finally moving forward and could be friends. Until he brought up the girls he'd been kissing. The guillotine would have been less painful. If he had just mentioned it, I could have remained calm, but he went into full detail about each one. I was livid and stood up and walked out in the middle of the meeting. People were staring, but I didn't care. I walked out the doors and to my carriage. I grabbed the door before the coachman could open it for me and was about to shut it when Kelton's hand grabbed it.
"Brailee stop," he said. "Go away!!!" I squeeled, trying to shut the door. "Can we talk?" Kelton asked. "There is nothing to say Kelton! Go back in and find another girl to entertain you and stay as far away from me as possible! I want nothing further to do with you," I said. He was stronger than me and pulled the door open and climbed in to the carriage. "If it makes you feel better, you're prettier than all of them, and no one is even half as good at kissing as you," he said. I let my head fall backwards and sighed. "No Kelton that does not make me feel better. I do not want to hear about your love life. Get out," I said irritated. "I can't go back in now. We made a big scene. People were staring," he said. Now I understood. It wasn't about me at all. It was about his reputation. What people would think. I shook my head. "Fine," I said. We argued for the next little bit as I took him home to his cottage.
We didn't talk for weeks after that, when randomly he called upon me asking me if I'd be his date to another land with his friends. I agreed. I had my sister and her lady in waiting help me find the perfect outfit. I was no longer trying to get back together with him, I just wanted to show him what he was missing out on. I looked perfect and went on the date. It was fun and I made good friends with the peasants who were with us. I had a good time until randomly, Kelton kissed me. Emotions flooded back inside me. I didn't know what to do. I went on like it didn't happen. Until later when we cuddled. It felt so good to be back in his arms. Those arms that once held me daily. Those arms of my prince charming. I felt hope that he had realized what he was missing.
A few weeks passed, when my lady in waiting came running into my chambers. "Princess Brailee, I have an urgent message," she said. "What is it?" I responded standing from my chair. "Kelton's father has passed away princess." My hand went to my mouth and I fell back into my seat, tears falling. I had become quite close to Kelton's father and always thought of him as my future father in law. I was upset by the loss, when I thought of Kelton and wanted to help him.
I had my mother and the servants make a dinner and some cookies and I went to Kelton's cottage. The family was so upset, but they held themselves together quite well. I attended the viewing and funeral for Kelton's father. I saw Kelton's ex girlfriend there and fought every angry emotion I had. She had been his ex years ago so I didn't understand why she was there. I assumed it must mean he'd been seeing her again, and I wanted to leave, but this time wasn't about me. This time was about him and helping him. And so I took deep breaths and stayed strong.
Seeing him so hurt was even worse than the heartbreak he had caused me. I loved him. His happiness was far more important and right now I just wanted to take his pain away, but couldn't. I felt helpless. The night of the funeral, I went to his cottage and just held him. We joked and talked. Unfortunately though, like always the conversation turned bitter. He started verabally attacking me. Then he began saying that the only person who had showed they cared about him was one of the girls he told me about at the place of worship. Again, I fought the angry emotion. I didn't have to try at all to help him in the first place, but I was. In return, here I was being told I wasn't doing a good enough job. It killed me, but I said nothing. Just let him vent.
I tried to be there for him for weeks after and just be a friend. He kept pushing me further and further away. It became hard, because I wanted to move on. I had to let him go.
My good friend started dating one of Kelton's good friends, so I went on a friend double date. It didn't go anywhere, which it was meant to, but I'd soon regret it. One day I got a letter from Kelton saying, "You are one of the most awful people I've ever met. I can't believe you'd go on a date with my friend. You've reached an all time low. You are an evil piece of crap. I hope you go to hell. I hate you. Everyone I tell about you thinks you are a terrible person and are a witch. Do not ever talk to me again. I tried to be your friend and I'm done." I wanted to cry, but I had never been called an evil piece of crap, so I actually laughed at the letter. After that I became stronger. Each morning I took one day at a time and let us done.
Of course he wasn't realy done though. He would continue to say mean things to me and he would befriend guys I dated and tell them not to date me. He told people I was a witch and called me all sorts of other crude names. He'd come in and out of my life as he pleased just to make sure I remembered him and to make sure I knew how worthless I was.
Kelton was the one, but I knew what once was no longer was. I wasn't sure I'd ever love anyone the way I loved him. I knew it'd take a long time to repair the damage he'd cause. I decided it was time to really let us be done. Officially. I took advantage of being royalty and had the king and queen order him to leave me alone. By law, he had to.
And we lived happily never after.