Chapter 21: Worst Situation

After the tour, they also immediately returned to the Main Cabin and as they walked down the hallways,

"Yani reminded me earlier that you need to go straight to her office after your tour on the Electric Cabin," Elesa told her companion. "Wouldn't it be nice if we talked to her first so she wouldn't wonder why?"

"If we talk to her now," Pearce answered. "…she will just be curious and we might slip in no time."

“Oh, right," Elesa replied as they walked.

When they arrived… in front of Pearce's room, Pearce immediately went in to get something while Elesa waited outside. When he got what he was supposed to get, he also went out and they went straight to an open space outside the Main Cabin and when they were close to the door, they looked out the window… and he was already there so they also stopped at their place.

"He’s fast," Pearce stated.

“Ah, I said it was an emergency, so maybe he hurried. Hehe,” Elesa said with a smile.

Pearce just gave her a look and just walked straight to the door. He was about to touch its door knob when,

"Pearce," Elesa called so he stopped first and gave Elesa a look. Elesa gave him a smile.

"You can do it."

Pearce was slightly surprised by what she said… gave her a nod before opening the door.

The sound of the door opening caught the attention of the ice prince who was sitting on a bench, patiently waiting for something. He stood up when someone came out but he was also surprised who opened up.

Pearce immediately walked closer to the prince while he remained shocked. They stared at each other before,

"Uhm hi Pearce," Jethro just smiled.

Pearce first glanced at the prince before he bowed in front of him, much to Jethro's surprise.

"I'm sorry if you’re bothered, prince," he apologized before he stood up straight in front of him.

"Ah haha, it's really new to me whenever you bow in front of me Pearce," Jethro nervously chuckled. "Does this mean you are the one Elesa said that will talk to me?"

"I am," Pearce replied.

“Ah. If so, what can I do to help Pearce?” Jethro smiled. "Elesa said it was an emergency so just tell me what I can do."

Pearce let out a sigh and took something out of his hoodie.

"This is not an emergency prince but…" he once reached for the item he took out of his hoodie. "…this is all I will ask you to do."

Jethro looked at it and… was slightly surprised at what was being given to him.

"You just have to read it until the end, prince."

Even though Pearce is just handing Jethro a book, Jethro couldn't help but be surprised because it’s not just any book… he clearly remembered what book Pearce is holding. Jethro looked at the person he’s talking to and he saw the serious look on his face.

Jethro let out a sigh to calm himself down.

"I know you were there the day your majesty is giving that to me for me to read it and you saw the whole incident… so in case you just don't know..." Jethro looked at the person he was talking to. "…I was able to slap that book in the hand of Her Majesty because when I held it, suddenly there were pictures that showed in my brain and it happened so fast that I did not realize that that would be my reaction."

Pearce looked back at him. "So that's why," was his only answer.

Jethro formed a weak smile. "So if that is what you are asking me to do, I might reject you, Pearce."

There was a short silence after Jethro said that, and Pearce first lowered his hand holding the book before,

"I understand you prince…" Pearce replied. “…but aren't you wondering why this is what I am asking you to do? Aren't you also wondering why I am letting you read this now?”

Jethro was slightly surprised. "Then why?" he asked.

Pearce didn’t look away from the prince. "Do you still remember the day you talked to me about your singing?"

Jethro was surprised again and was speechless because of that.

"You said you need my help," Pearce said. "This is the help I can give you, prince."

Jethro glanced at the book he was holding when he said that.

"And aren't you also wondering why there are scenes forming in your mind every time you actually touch this book?" Pearce added.

Jethro still can't speak because he has a point.

"If you want an answer," Pearce raised his hand again as he handed the book to him again. "It's all here in this book, Prince Jethro."

The prince was shocked, not only because he said his name, but also because of what he just said. Jethro stared at the book first and yes, Pearce convinced him because of what he said and yes, he knew in himself that he was curious to know the answers to what was happening to him… so…

He let out a sigh first and…

"Are you sure about that, Pearce?" he asked seriously.

Even so, Pearce didn’t budge and he looked back seriously.

"Yes."

After he answered, Jethro looked at the book again and slowly raised his hand to pick up the book… and when he held it, his eyes closed first and he was expecting what might happen…

…but he opened his eyes in shock… and also because nothing happened. He was already holding the book and there were still no pictures forming in his mind and he was suddenly surprised while looking at the book.

"Are you sure this is the book I know you are referring to?" Jethro asked suddenly.

“Why? Is there a problem?" Pearce asked back.

"There seems to be no pictures forming in my brain when I touch it… unlike before."

Pearce paused and was also surprised when the prince said that… but he just thought of an answer.

"Maybe because you're ready to read that."

Jethro stopped for a moment at his answer… and just smiled back.

"Yeah maybe," Jethro said with a smile.

After that conversation, they also thought of sitting on the bench. Jethro started reading while Pearce just sat next to him, patiently waiting for him to finish reading the book.

Most of the time, Pearce will glance to see how he reacts to what he is reading and… he sees what he should see… he is always constantly surprised every time he moves to the next page… but even so, the prince reads and reacts quietly. Pearce also looked back in front of him… and because it’s taking too long, he just looked at the sky… at the same time closed his eyes… to feel the silence.

…

Pearce was shocked when he heard the sound of the book closing… which just means…

Pearce looked at the person next to him, and he saw that he had finished reading but the expression on his face… Pearce didn’t know if his face had been like that for a long time. It’s mixed with shock and he’s dumbfounded even though he was just reading half of the book… but it's good that he also finished it right away.

He thought the prince would keep quiet… but he suddenly asked,

"How long has it been?"

Pearce paused because he didn’t expect that… but he answered,

"Based on the princess, three months."

"Three months?" shocked Jethro said. "That means… I am also hurting her again and again for three months?"

Pearce looked away from the speaker. "It looks like that."

…

Now here comes silence after that… but Pearce really just let it be because the prince needs it. He needs this silence so that he can think clearly and most importantly… so that he knows what to do in their current situation. Pearce will not speak because he doesn’t want to destroy it…

…but if that's what he thinks…

"Wait a minute Yani," said a voice, not only to break the silence that Pearce was forming, but also the two looked at where that voice really came from.

They were both surprised when Yani approached them.

"You're just here, Pearce," Yani said with a smile.

When she arrived, Pearce immediately took the book from Jethro's hands and tried to hide it behind him just so the princess could not see it.

Elesa followed from behind Yani who was staring at them from a window for a long time so Pearce first looked at Elesa full of wonder and made gestures, pointing at Yani in response.

Her only job is to watch for the right time when she can call Yani… but it looks like the princess is bored and she herself approached them. Elesa is trying to stop her at first but the princess was too pushy today and Elesa didn’t realize that she had passed away from her.

"I told Elesa to take you straight to my office because I am going to ask you to do something, and for us to talk but—"

Yani's words were cut short when she felt the presence of another person as he got up from his seat. When she found out who it was… she was a little surprised.

"Ah Jethro, you’re there," Yani said with a smile. "I'm sorry I didn't notice you right away."

When Yani said that, Jethro immediately gave her a look… but he still couldn't get over his shock… especially now that Yani is in front of him.

Yani was surprised by the prince's reaction but Pearce immediately cut it off when,

"Princess, whatever you have to do for me…" Pearce said so he got Yani’s attention. "…can't that wait?"

Yani crossed her arms at him. "It can… if you just let me know first that you have something to do, you know I’ll understand."

“Tss. I will go there immediately after I do this,” irritated Pearce said. "Can't you wait?"

“Wow ah. I can wait. I just started to wonder and worry why you are taking so long so I looked for you. What do you need to do now anyways?”

Pearce looked away from her. “You don’t need to know," was his numb answer.

Yani was even more surprised by his reaction… but suddenly he looked at Pearce’s hand… and was surprised by what she saw.

"Wait, is that my journal?" Yani asked suddenly to the surprise of everyone listening to the scene.

With Pearce's reflexes so fast, he immediately hid the journal behind him which made Yani even wonder more.

"Why are you carrying that?" Yani added but Pearce didn’t answer her and still avoided looking at her.

Yani just let out a sigh, and stretched out her hand like she was asking something.

"Give me the book."

Pearce was surprised by what she did so he didn’t expect his body to obey it and give her the journal. Anyways, he knew that it really belonged to the princess and he had no right to it so he was giving it to the princess in no time…

…but he stopped at what she did next.

Yani immediately made a fire from her hand… and seeing the fire, with his reflexes speeding up again, Pearce immediately retrieved the journal from her hands and immediately pulled Yani in the same setting but it was really far from the two, especially from Jethro.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Pearce whispered to her but he was firmly stating it.

"Huh?" Yani wondered. "Didn't you say that when the day comes that I have moved on, I will prove it by burning this book?"

Pearce was very surprised by what he heard. "Meaning…"

Yani was able to smile at him.

"Yes Pearce, I have moved on from him."

It left Pearce so shocked that he seemed to be dumbfounded. Yani is always wondering about the reaction of the people around her now, but most of the time, she's ignoring it without even knowing why.

"So let me have my journal back to end this," Yani begged and would have taken it from Pearce's grip… but Pearce immediately avoided the book from her hands and pulled Yani back to them, right in front of Jethro.

"The prince wants to tell you something, princess," Pearce told her while giving Jethro a look.

Yani and Jethro were both surprised by what Pearce said but Jethro just looked at Pearce because he was already confused and could not understand Pearce but Pearce is giving him face gestures trying his best to let him tell her that he has read the book.

It was good that Jethro also understood… but worry changed his face, turned his gaze to the princess in front him… and gave her a weak smile.

"If you need Pearce, I'll just go back to my cabin," he said.

They were surprised when he said that, as well as Elesa, of course Pearce especially.

"Ah okay—" Yani replied but,

"No," Pearce immediately entered. "He’s going to say something else princess," he insisted and gave Jethro another look.

Jethro looked away from him. "If you want to continue our conversation, Pearce, we can do it later," he replied.

“Huh? What are you talking about—"

“Ah okay. I think I’m getting it,” Yani suddenly said, so the two stopped and looked at her.

“It looks like you and Jethro have something important to talk about. I don't know, boy’s talk you may call it so I'll just wait for you in my office Pearce,” she smiled and turned around and walked away immediately.

"Wait…" Pearce called but Yani ignored him. "No… tsk," he clicked his teeth just out of frustration.

Elesa is still watching what is happening… and she knows they really talked about what the plan is now… but it doesn't seem like this is what she thinks will happen… and it is not in the plan anymore…

…so she just told herself that she is a great ‘gossiper’ anyways so she will do it her way. She will be the one to tell Yani about what happened today, so that they can get along and finish this and—

"I already remembered it."

Just this statement… just this simple statement that came out of that one man that they are forcing to tell something… suddenly… everything turned around.

Everyone was silent when Jethro just said that while Yani was also stopped in her place.

*Cricket sounds*

This silence… we can not be determined. Yani is about to enter the Main Cabin… but it's good that she stopped.

"I already remembered it, Yani," Jethro said again, the reason the silence broke. "I remembered everything from the beginning of our first meeting and the days we were always together... especially the hours that take place after each of your tours."

After Jethro completed that, this time, we can say that this silence is a dead one because no one really talked after that. They were all waiting for her… they were all waiting for Yani's reaction after that happened.

It's good… it's good that Yani broke the silence when she asked, "So you already remembered?"

"And then?"

Jethro was surprised by her last question and could not answer.

"What now, if you already remembered?" she added and she said it numbly and there… she continued to walk away.

It was then that Pearce began to panic and immediately looked at the prince.

"Go to her prince and explain well," Pearce is pushing him… but…

He was ignored, not because he wanted to do that… but because grief and pain are what’s in Jethro’s mind right now and because of that, he doesn't know what to do next. It seems like he can’t move from his place when he hears that… especially from the one he really loves…

…so Pearce just ran inside the Main Cabin to talk to the princess… and left Jethro there, with Elesa.

It's good that she hasn't gone far yet because she was just walking so Pearce approached her immediately and even grabbed her arm.

"Princess," he gently turned her to him, but when he did meet her eyes, Pearce immediately stopped and was surprised by what he saw.

It's like he wished he didn't just do that… because even though she’s just crying, he could also see the grief, especially the anger in her eyes.

Yani quickly withdrew her arm from him, and immediately averted her eyes from him. She started to cry but she still stayed in her place.

Only her sobs can be heard in the hallways because no one spoke after that… but…

"Princess…" Pearce called again.

"So, is that what you have to do first during those hours?" Yani sobbed and asked him.

Pearce looked down first. "Yes."

Yani sniffed and wiped away her tears. "So, are you happy now?"

Pearce was slightly surprised by the princess' question.

“Are you happy to see me crying? Is it that fun to play with my feelings?”

"Princess," Pearce replied. "That is not my intention—"

"Then what?!" Yani suddenly replied and this time, she also confronted Pearce. "What do you want to happen? Why did you let him read my journal? ”

“Isn't that what you want? That he can read your journal?” Pearce replied.

“What?! Did I say anything like that after? Isn’t it when he slapped the book in my hand, wasn't that enough reason that he didn't want to read my journal?”

“Princess,” Pearce tried his best so much to calm the situation… most especially himself. “You need to know the prince's reason why he did that. Also—“

"Even so," Yani replied again, and sobbed immensely in front of him. “Didn't you yourself tell me that I should move on from him? So what is this? Why do you want to remind him about us again?”

Pearce paused… and with all his might…

"Because you two still have hope."

Yani was surprised by what she heard and wasn’t able to speak immediately. Pearce averted his eyes from the princess.

“I admit that I made a mistake. I really thought that his feelings for you will never return but… I didn’t know your love for each other is so strong… that there is still some left in him.”

Yani was silent when he said all that… while Pearce gave back a look at her.

“I’m sorry princess. Please forgive me,” he sincerely said.

Yani was very surprised by what he did and bowed his head after that.

Elesa is hiding behind a wall while peeking at what is happening and she knows to herself that even though she is a great gossiper, she knows she will not interfere in this conversation. The silence was getting awkward because no one talked after that… when,

"You know, I suddenly thought…"

She suddenly raised her head and looked at him directly in his eyes.

"I wished I never thought of asking for your help!" and she ran away crying.

That statement was the worst than any other statements that Pearce heard while staying in this nation. He could not believe that he could hear that… in the very mouth of the princess of this nation. That statement hit him so hard that his body began to tremble because he’s getting weak.

It was here that Elesa entered and approached Pearce. She saw the whole scene, and even though it was already happening, Elesa still sticks to the plan… and she knew she needed Pearce to end this so,

"It's okay Pearce," she tried her best to cheer him up. “I'm sure Yani didn't mean that. She’s just angry so don't be too—“

"Did you see her eyes?" Pearce immediately entered so Elesa was stopped in no time.

Elesa was even more surprised by what she saw on Pearce's face now… on how serious the pain was because it seemed like only 'pain' was engraved on it… and she knew it was difficult to remove that. A simple 'cheer up' is not even enough.

“Pearce…”

Pearce started walking away and even so, Elesa just stayed in her place as she watched him leave. Not one word came out of his mouth while walking away… and when he completely disappeared from Elesa's sight…

She wanted to approach him. She wants to approach him and do what she can not only to cheer him up… she wants to get rid of the pain he felt on his face… but how? How will she do that?

Only one thought came to her mind… that's why she quickly turned around and ran in the other direction.

One thing's for sure here: she knew she promised him that she would make this plan work.