Night star - he hadn’t heard that name of endearment for quite some time. Not since Stella had departed from his life. He had a similar appellation for her - Morning light. However, he could not muster enough courage and strength to refer to her by that name anymore. Luminous and inanimate azure eyes fixated on the Fleuret girl as a diminutive smile formed across his pallid face. Despite the long time apart, she hadn’t changed one bit. Everything from the sound of her voice to the scent of her hair. Everything about her was welcoming and it was nice to speak with someone familiar for a change. Something that he hadn’t experience with anyone for some time now.
At the sound of her next question, he hesitated an answer though he wasn’t too sure as to why exactly. Was he nervous? Was he scared? He hadn’t the slightest clue. But he knew he needed to respond, “I’ve met a lot of new people here,” he began, swallowing a throat, “New friends and even new loves.”
That lingering pain he felt for her all those days when they were apart suddenly ignited once more. The young Fleuret girl was always on the prince’s mind, his heart aching for her’s for as long as he could remember. Finally, she was back but he couldn’t allow his heart to feel the same as it did before. It belonged to someone else.
“I would allow you to stay with me however I am with another and I don’t think she would be too comfortable with you being at the house.”
The pale Tenebraen's heart fell a notch as she didn't hear the familiar term of endearment, that she had been given, come from the prince's mouth and realization hit her. She shouldn't have let herself think that after all her absence things would be the complete same as they were before and on that thought, she gave Noctis a soft, yet sad, smile. She understood, though it hurt.
'...even new loves.' Stella hadn't expected the words to hurt her so hard and make her knees as weak as they did, but she stood tall and elegant, keeping her smile firmly in place. "New love is a wonderful thing, is it not? Like a new life or a new breath." Her other hand rose to cup the other had her chest, which was moving up and down slowly. Others had told her that a thing like this would make her head spin and tears prickle her eyes, but none of that happened. She stood still and strong. Like that of a weeping willow. Though the tree looked said, it stood tall and firm. Just like the golden haired noble. Though her eyes showed pain, she stood with strength.
Stella closed her eyes for a moment, a light sigh coming from her lips. Her smile stayed in place. They would always have the moments that they had shared together, no matter what happened, but she had to admit to herself that she knew it would not last long. What she reminded herself of though, is that they were not fighting. That was all she had hoped for. She had got more, but it was gone now.
'I would allow you to stay with me however I am with another and I don’t think she would be too comfortable with you being at the house.'
Opening her emeralds slowly to meet his azure ones, she stared at them for a moment before shaking her head. "Do not worry, Prince. I have my own place to stay and I would not wish to make you and your lover uncomfortable with my presence."












