Chapter 17: Water and Metal

As the princess walks through the shops, she still thinks about what happened yesterday. She often glances at the key chain given to her because up until now, she still doesn’t know why that was what was given to her.

Is it because she also gave him a key chain of ice cream so he just returned the cone? That makes no sense if that's the reason. Besides…

"Thank you for everything because for the few days I have been here, you are always there reminding me that once… I felt like I belonged.”

The electric princess just frowned just thinking about that. She doesn't understand it. It just so happens that their paths always meet. She didn't mean that they would always be together… but still even so…

She looked at the key chain again. Why did he give her an ice cream cone? She knows it’s related to why he said that and gave it to her but what is that??

She just let out a sigh. Instead of having a headache wondering what the reason is, why don't we just ask him to find out.

Elesa immediately walked to Yani's office because she knew from the conversation they had that every after tour, Pearce should go straight to her office but when she got there, she even knocked first but no one answered so she just opened the door .

She would have greeted her but she just stopped when she saw no one was inside so she was surprised. She just closed the door and thought that maybe Yani needs to go somewhere but where is that guy?

The next thing she went to know where she could really find him was his room. She was close to it, she was already walking down the hall but stopped when she saw the guy at the end of the hallway. She even breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him and she would have called and approached him but she could not continue because… he has someone with him.

No wonder the princess is not in her office because they are together. Elesa's smile were etched on her lips when she saw Pearce but it gradually disappeared.

She just stood in her place while watching them and she could see the joy in their faces even though Pearce's face was just a poker face, but she didn’t know why but she felt something as she watched them. What's more annoying, the two didn’t notice her where she was standing.

She just wanted to leave the two because she remembered to herself that she was a wingman for them to get together but she could not figure out why…

…why did she think of following them and why did she seem to want to interrupt their conversation? She knew they looked so good together and as a wingman, she would really make a way for them to be but... she didn’t know why… why was her heartbeat different?

When she arrived where they were standing and talking…

"Princess, I have something to say," Pearce said.

Yani turned to him and smiled before asking.

"What is it Pearce?"

…when Elesa heard Pearce's next words, as fast as lightning, she immediately hid and leaned against the wall.

"What if I say… I like you?"

Yani was surprised by what he said and not only her… but also the one who is hiding. Elesa was not only shocked… she was also speechless.

She just heard him confess and being their supporter, she should be happy and show some support… but why is it not obvious on her face? Why is her heart beating like that… like she seems to be hurting?

"Are you not going to answer me?" Pearce asked.

Both women returned to the truth after he asked that.

"Ah eh uhm well uuhh…" Yani stuttered. "…hehe it’s because… uhm well… it’s sudden?"

"Sudden?" Pearce asked back. “Isn't this just right? You don't like anyone else, do you?”

Yani was speechless at what Pearce asked. Only silence enveloped and our dear princess who was still hiding remained in her place.

"Uhm well… I'll think about it first if possible," Yani replied hesitantly.

"Think about it? Why Princess, have you still not forgotten how you feel about him?”

Yani was surprised by his question and was speechless. Why does this person speak directly?

"Don't you know that it can help you when you find a new love so you can forget that?"

Yani still couldn't speak while Elesa was even more surprised because right now she can't figure it out but her eyes are starting to water…

Why does he seem to be insisting? Does he really like her? Elesa wants to think that she is a great wingman because in that short amount of time, he already has feelings for Yani but why does her heart ask her a different question? Why can't she answer that she is hurt by what she is hearing?

It was as if she just wanted to leave because she didn’t want to hear what he had to say next but her feet didn’t move because she knew she was responsible for what was happening. She is the reason why this is happening so she should stay to know the result.

Yani let out a sigh.

"Yes you said that and I know that but… sorry Pearce," Yani said. "I don't want to do that because I don't want to use other people just so I can move on with him."

When Elesa heard this, it was as if a thorn had pulled out of her heart. It took a while before Pearce spoke.

"Does this mean you still have feelings for him?"

Yani looked at Pearce and smiled weakly.

"Sorry," was her simple answer.

Pearce suddenly let out a sigh.

"Why are you apologizing?"

Yani was surprised by his question and avoided looking at him.

"Do you think I really like you?" he asked that suddenly startled the two princesses. Yani suddenly wondered.

“Isn't that what you said earlier? Didn't you confess to me?” Yani asked.

Pearce sighed. "What I said is, what if I said that."

Yani was completely surprised. "Huh?"

"It's just a test," Pearce replied. "I'm just looking to see if you have forgotten how you feel about him and what you are going to say."

Yani was slightly surprised. "Meaning—"

"Don't worry," Pearce interrupted her. "…because I don’t feel that way for you."

Yani didn’t speak immediately and seemed confused.

"Why dear princess…"

Pearce smirked at her. "…do you have any feelings for me?"

Yani was completely surprised and immediately stepped backwards from him.

"Ha-hah? N-no ah. No-nothing. I don't feel anything for you,” Yani stammered. “Uhm… so uhm… uhm I think I need to leave. I still have a lot to do so thank you for your help,” and immediately ran away while Pearce watched her go.

When she’s out of his sight, he immediately turned around and walked back just to go back to his room but after he passed by, he immediately stopped and was surprised by what he saw.

Elesa is sitting on her knees with her face buried in her knees.

"Princess," said Pearce but Elesa was silent. "What are you doing—"

Pearce wasn’t able to finish what he was going to say because he was surprised when Elesa lifted her face which was red and her eyes were full of shock. They stared at each other without realizing it when Elesa suddenly stood up, dusted off her skirt and turned around and walked away without saying a word.

"Wait," Pearce immediately got her wrist which she stopped. “Why are you leaving? Where are you going?" Pearce asked but Elesa didn’t look at him and didn’t say a word.

It took a few seconds for them to be in that position.

"How long have you been here?" Pearce asked seriously.

If before, Pearce was always the one who didn’t speak and was silent in the conversation, now it’s Elesa.

"Did you hear our conversation?"

Elesa immediately withdrew her hand.

"I'm sorry but I didn't mean to hear that!" Elesa apologized angrily, still not looking at the person and walked away.

Pearce immediately followed her.

"Why are you in a hurry?" Pearce asked.

"Yes. I am a chismosa (gossiper) so can you just leave me alone?!” She's still angry.

"I haven't said anything yet, princess," he took her arm this time and tried to make Elesa turn to him. "I'm not saying—"

Pearce stopped in shock when he saw Elesa's face because she was not only blushing but she was crying now. Elesa immediately withdrew her arm.

"Why are you crying?" Pearce asked incredulously.

"I'm not crying," Elesa replied firmly. "I just have something in my eyes."

"Is it because of what I said to Princess Yani earlier?"

Elesa was completely surprised and speechless and suddenly something came to her mind.

"Why dear princess… do you have any feelings for me?"

She could not look at Pearce after that and slowly backed away. She didn't even want him to see her red face because almost all the blood of her body was already on her face.

"No… nothin… no-nothing…" she's really stuttering even one word, she can't even say it properly.

"What's nothing princess?" Pearce asked.

Elesa closed her eyes. "Nothing… related…" she tried to deny it but how she wished she could just leave her place. She hopes to escape in front of this guy…

"Hera, wait!" a voice shouted so the two also turned around when they heard that.

Elesa was thankful when that happened because it was good that it came.

"Is that the metal princess?" Pearce asked and since Elesa was the only one with him, he was probably asking her that but…

…Elesa didn’t answer him and just followed where Hera went. Pearce ignored the fact that he was ignored but he still followed Elesa.

Upon following, he also stopped when he saw Elesa just standing in front of a window while looking outside so he looked and there they saw Hera crying while sitting on a bench.

Elesa suddenly let out a sigh and started walking out towards Hera but...

"What do you plan to do?" Pearce asked so she stopped.

She stopped… but she said nothing. She just let the silence pass before Elesa moved straight out again. Pearce just closed his eyes for being ignored again… but he was not angry or irritated by what the princess was doing to him. He just thinks… 'maybe something happened so she is like that'.

He watched Elesa stand next to the sorrowful metal princess that slightly surprised Hera. Even though Pearce is a helpful person, Pearce has no intention of approaching and messing with what is happening because first of all, of all the couples he has met in this nation, this relationship is the one he doesn’t want to destroy. Honestly, their relationship is broken at the beginning because they can’t even touch each other so it is really a test when they have a problem and another thing…

He looked intently at the princess who kept ignoring him.

…he wants to prove something. He wanted to prove what that woman can really do. If you didn’t notice, Pearce kept thinking why this woman… she has no intention to help but sometimes her actions are great influences that could either calm the situation or could give motivation for them to fix their problem. It's so… unusual.

"Pearce," called a voice so Pearce looked at who but he was completely surprised to find out who.

Eaux approached him. "Hey man… huff…" he said breathlessly. “I really need your help.”

Pearce was speechless but he didn’t look away.

"I just… huff… I just want to know… huff… have you seen Hera?" Eaux asked him.

Pearce paused at his place while watching him catch his breath… when suddenly…

"What happened?" Pearce asked which the prince was slightly surprised.

But deep inside Pearce, he knew those words didn't come out right. He shouldn't have asked that. He already knows. He already knows what happens in such situations but… no choice. He seems to be infected by the curiosity of his constant companion princess but…

Eaux looked down first with sorrow on his face and,

"She saw me… touching with a water girl that likes me," Eaux confessed that Pearce was even more surprised.

Eaux can make an excuse that it was his personal problem or maybe force Pearce to talk if he saw the princess so why did he say that to Pearce? What right does he have to know?

Eaux could see the shock on Pearce's face.

"Yeah I know," Eaux added. “That was indeed a grave thing but I'm telling you this Pearce so that you'll understand why I'm finding her. And if you do find her running around here in the Main Cabin crying, it was my fault so I need to speak with her. Please don't lie to me.”

Pearce was completely surprised. He has a reason and for Pearce, that reason was so reasonable that he should know that he should tell him that what he is looking for is just outside so that they can talk… but she’s still talking to someone else so…

Without looking away from him, Pearce would have answered that the princess was not here when…

"She's here," a voice interrupted so the two men looked at Elesa. "She's outside," Elesa pointed out. "You want to talk to her?" she just bluntly asked him which surprised Pearce, however…

"Yes," Eaux replied and went straight to where Elesa was referring but he was stopped because there was no one there.

“Where is she? You said she was just here,” while Eaux is turning to Elesa.

"Yes she was there," Elesa replied. "Maybe she flew away," was her casual answer while Pearce was making a face. This woman is not good at lying.

Eaux wasn’t able to speak back.

"Maybe she needs some alone time to think for herself…" Elesa continued. "…what do you think?"

Eaux still did not speak. Elesa suddenly let out a sigh.

"I don't know what happened between you two but it must be grave that's why your girl needed time to think things through."

Pearce was shocked, not only because of what she said but she saw the prince's reaction. It's like he "snapped" and gave Elesa a glimpse. Pearce thought the prince was angry so in his mind, he was already preparing what this prince could do but he just stopped when he saw his face.

"You think?" he asked Elesa.

Pearce couldn't believe what was happening… especially when Elesa smiled back at him.

"Maybe," she answered.

After she said that, Eaux just let out a sigh and walked away. Pearce still can't believe what happened all because of what this woman just did.

When the water prince finally disappeared from their sight, Pearce thought it’s already over… not when Elesa suddenly walked away. Pearce didn't want to miss that and immediately followed him.

As they walked, he wanted to talk to Elesa but he didn't know where to start but he just stopped when he talked to the very princess the prince was looking for earlier.

What is this? Do they have a plan?

"Do you think you can settle this?" Elesa asked Hera which Pearce began to wonder.

Hera was looking down and it took a while before she answered. “Sure. I will try."

Elesa smiled at her. "Good luck."

Hera smiled back at her. "Thank you Elesa," and she ran away.

He was only watching the whole scene and it took a while before Pearce approached Elesa and if you didn’t know, it was only then that Elesa found out about his presence but again, she immediately averted her companion and walked away again. Pearce had no complaints and again, just followed her.

…

There was only silence between them ... it was not even an awkward silence or a dead one. In fact, the two even wanted to mediate that silence between them. It only broke when Elesa stopped at her place so Pearce also stopped and looked where she was looking.

They watched the metal princess and the water prince talk and even though they could not hear what they were talking about, they didn’t look away. They waited for it to finish until Hera smiled at him while Eaux made a weak smile and he even said something that surprised Hera for a moment but zhe also smiled back at him.

There were smiles on their faces before they parted ways and did not even notice the two watching them.

"What do you think happened?" Elesa asked suddenly, which surprised Pearce.

Pearce paused because at last… she’s talking to him. He let out a sigh and gave her a look. "What should happen."

Elesa smiled at the answer ...

…but she also stopped for a moment when she found out what she did and when she remembered the conversation they had earlier, without a word again, she turned around immediately and walked away,

"Do you think you can escape?"

When Pearce just said that, Elesa stopped immediately. Pearce didn’t approach her but Elesa felt the way he looked at her so she was very nervous. 

"You haven't answered me yet princess why you were crying earlier."

Elesa didn't turn around but, "Why do you want to know?" she asked.

It took a while before Pearce answered. "Because I just want to know if that has something to do with what I said to Princess Yani earlier… is that the reason?"

Before Elesa could answer, she restrained herself… but she did not know how she felt. She couldn't even figure out what she was restraining herself with.

"That has nothing to do with it," she just answered and good thing she stood in her ground… and there was silence this time, deafening because Elesa could not figure out what the speaker would say next, especially since she could not look at the person she was talking to know what he looks like now.

"Ah okay," Pearce answered. "Good that we cleared that up."

Elesa wanted to take a deep breath after hearing that but why couldn't she? Because that's not the answer she expected? Her body doesn’t seem to be in sync with her.

"But whatever you cried about a while ago…" Pearce said suddenly which surprised Elesa. "…I'm just here… in case you need someone to talk to."

Elesa was completely surprised by what she heard and turned her attention to him in no time. Pearce turned his back on her so she didn’t see his face when he said that but Pearce immediately gave her a look but Elesa was even more surprised when he gave her a grin.

She didn’t expect that so he blushed profusely. She doesn’t know if it is because she is annoyed because she was given a grin or because she finds that small gesture… so sweet?

“Pearce…”

Just great. Pearce thought nothing would bother him anymore but then again, someone called him so of course, when he heard his name, he looked at the person who called him but he was very surprised to find out who it was. Even Elesa who’s watching what is happening was surprised because they didn’t expect that it was him.

"Prince…" Pearce stated.

He gave him a polite smile again. "I'm sorry if I disturbed you with Elesa," he politely said.

“Ah no Jethro. You did not disturb us,” replied Elesa.

"Ah is that so," he put his hand at the back of his neck. "I just wanted to say something to Pearce, if possible," Jethro said.

“Ah okay. Uhm I'm leaving too so—“

"Don't," Pearce butted in, which surprised Elesa. "Don’t leave. We are not done yet,” Pearce said seriously, looking straight at her.

Elesa could not move in her place after that.

"Ah yes, you don't have to leave Elesa," Jethro said. "What I’m about to tell Pearce will take a moment and then I'll leave right away."

Elesa had no choice and stayed put at her place. Why is that? She can leave because that guy can't just dictate to her if she wants to leave or not. Also, she’s a princess… but… ah whatever!

"I just want to clarify to you about what happened earlier when you heard me sing…" Jethro started so Pearce got his attention in no time.

Jethro smiled at him. "I'm sorry if I lied a while ago but the truth is, you were right. It was no coincidence that I sang that earlier because I really sang it for someone. I think it is for an image of a woman formed in my heart…”

"Maybe I lied because the image of the woman is blurred so I can not determine who she is. Besides, it just never happened to me once. Recently, that vague image often shows up in my mind.”

At those last words, Pearce was finally surprised. Even the listening Elesa was surprised when she heard that. Jethro looked at the person he was talking to and returned his smile.

“I am telling you this because I was really surprised when you saw that when you just heard me sing. I think not only because you need to know this but… because I need your help.”

Pearce fell silent after he heard that and he wasn’t able to speak back that somehow, startled Jethro.

"Ah but no pressure Pearce," Jethro said to lighten his mood. “Don't think too much about it. I don’t want to add to the burden you’re thinking.”

Pearce remained silent.

"If you have nothing to say, it's okay… but thank you for your time and for listening," he did not lose his polite smile. "I'll take my leave then," he turned around immediately and walked away but…

"Prince," Pearce called, that stopped Jethro and turned to him.

It only happened once for Pearce to hear that request… for him to ask for help so…

"I will try," Pearce promised with a smile. He was really flattered when he asked for his help so why would he miss it?

Jethro was stunned at his answer for a moment before he also returned him with a smile.

"Thank you," and he walked away.

When he disappeared from their sight, Pearce's smile also disappeared immediately and was replaced by panic. Only now did he realize the words he uttered to the prince but what surprised him even more was that he also realized that what he said to the princess, as in to the princess of this nation, to Yani… was wrong… that they have hope to get back together…

…but his headache became worse when he remembered what happened these past few days, that every time he did help, it would always leave in a bad situation.

"What song is that?" Elesa suddenly asked so Pearce came back to his senses but not only that, when he looked at the person he’s talking to, light bulb! He realized something. Instead of answering her,

"I need your help," Pearce asked her, which surprised Elesa.

“Huh? Help? What for?" Elesa asked.

"About what you heard," Pearce replied. "How we can bring Yani and Jethro back together."

Elesa was completely surprised and wasn’t able to speak immediately because not only at his request but for the first time, he stated their name. He looks desperate then… but she is still wondering, why her?

Well maybe because she was the first person he saw around him so probably why would he look for someone else if she was there… blood started to rise on her face again but she immediately shook her head just to avoid that.

She suddenly looked at the person asking for her help and even though she did that, the wait for her answer was still etched on the other person's face.

Elesa let out a sigh. What else can she do? Rather than reject him,

"Okay then. I’ll help you,” Elesa replied, which made Pearce happy when he heard that.

She was somehow satisfied especially when she saw the joy engraved on his face. But her childishness seemed to flip a switch and she seemed to want to tease this guy so she thought of something to say…

…not when her face suddenly changed to surprise because she suddenly realized something. What if…

"I'll help you but…" Elesa said suddenly that made Pearce stop having fun while looking at the other person.

Elesa gave him a smirk. "In one condition."