Neal's Pov

Emma had been acting strange every since the night of her birthday celebration. At first I had thought that she had finally noticed me as more than a friend. She had smiled at me like that. Like I was her world, but I was quick to realize that smile was not for me. Emma tells me almost everything, so when she needed someone to talk to about her mysterious lieutenant, I was the first to hear. I had found out that something was off way before she had told me though. She kept getting lost in her thoughts and small smiles appeared on her pretty face periodically.

Me and Emma were as close as siblings, maybe even closer. I could tell when something was wrong or when she was hiding something. We had know each other since I returned from the land without magic.

I had been there for her. I had wiped away her tears and held her in my arms when she was afraid. I knew her joys and her fears as well as she knew mine. Of course I had feelings for her. She was my best friend and I wanted her. She did not know of my love for her. That was the only thing I have ever kept from her.

I practically live at the Charming's palace. I don't like to live at my father's palace. He said he would change when I returned, but he hasn't. If anything he has gotten worse. He says he is trying to give me the world, but I don't need the world. I just want my father back, not some evil demon that pretends to be a loving and caring father.

After the ball was over I had told Emma's parents that I would supervise the cleanup. I like to help around the palace even though I am a royal. Emma went up to her bedroom to get ready for bed. I watched as she swayed back and forth whispering to herself as she walked up the stairs.

Once the cleaning was complete I walked up to say goodnight to Emma as I always do. This time when I opened her door, she didn't notice my entrance. She didn't even flinch. She stood leaning out her balcony. She didn't even say a word as I walked through the doorframe and leaned against the wall. She held a pink rose in her palms. Her nose breathed in the sweet smelling scent of its petals.

I don't know why, but at the pit of my stomach it boiled with rage, all because of the rose in her hands. I wanted to rip the rose from her and crumble it into tiny pieces, even though at this point I had no idea about her mystery suitor. My head was spinning with all the thought of why she was acting so strangely, but never did I guess that she was in love.

She was humming to herself and swayed back and forth. She didn't seem to have even noticed my presence in her room. I closed the door quietly behind me. I sat there and observed, not in a creepy way, hopefully.

I heard some of the words she whispered to herself. Something about a lieutenant, only two weeks, and I think she said a name. I didn't catch who.

"I will await every day till your return to hear the sound of thy voice and see the man that stole the heart right out of my chest. Stay safe, my dear lieutenant," she whispers into the starry night.

She slowly turns around to face me as she gazes into the rose's petals. She looks up and jumps back as see me there.

"Sorry, Princess. I didn't mean to startle you."

"No you didn't and please how many times do I have to tell you? Call me Emma. We are as close as siblings there is no need to address the titles, unless you want me to start calling you Prince.

I shake my head.

"No, I don't think that would be necessary."

"Neal, what a pleasant surprise. Why are in my bed chambers this late into the night?

"Surprise? Emma? I come in every night to bid you goodnight."

"Oh, of course. I guess I haven't been quite myself in these past few hours," she said while rubbing her fingertips into her forehead.

I come to stand beside her and caress her arms.

"Maybe you should get some sleep?" I say softly.

"I don't know if I can sleep."

I take her hand and lead her to the couch built into the window. I gently sit her down and then sit down with her. She sets the rose down next to her. I engulf her in my arms. She sits with her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. Her perfect blonde curls lay softly around her shoulders. There is a moment of silence as she drifts off into her thoughts. I have always wondered what she is thinking is that beautiful head of hers. I wait a few moments.

"What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," she says innocently.

"Emma, I know you. I know something is on your mind. Do you want to tell me?" I grab her hands as she turns to face me.

"Neal, we have been friends for a while now."

"Yes we have and I don't regret a moment we have had together, princess."

"I told you not to call..."

"Yes, you did. But don't you think for one second that I will ever stop. Now tell me what's on your mind? I am here for you Emma, always."

"I don't know if I can tell you."

"And why is that?"

She stands up and takes the rose with her. I stand and follow her. I give her a moment to think. She places the rose in a vase and sets it on her dresser. She looks into the mirror above the dresser. She takes a deep breath and turns to face me, but avoids my eyes completely.

"You care for me Neal."

"Of course I care for you Emma. What does that have to do with it? Are you doubting that I care for you, Emma?"

"Never," she takes a deep, shaky breath, "You care for me more that a sibling, deeper that a sibling. You love me Neal."

"Emma, I have never said that I love you," I take her hands in mine, "I mean I do love you, but nothing more than friends. That is all you have ever wanted us to be."

It hurt every inch of my soul to say that I didn't love her. It takes every bit of strength to say it as if it meant nothing. She is my princess, but I had to be careful. I couldn't break any of her. I would never forgive myself. I know she doesn't love me like that, but sometimes I just wish for one second she would. Just for one short, helpless second.

"That's not true. I see it in your eyes, the way you look at me. You can't hide it from everyone else, but not me."

I have no idea what she is trying to say, but I know she is scared and when she is scared I have to be there to comfort her. I have to lie to her even though it kills me. She would break if I confessed my love for her. She would have to accept that I love her. She could never ruin our friendship like that, we are too close. She would just accept it and go on with her life. She would force herself to love me. That is why I am so careful with my feelings for her. I know her too well. I couldn't break her.

"Emma?" my eyes plead with her, "I don't love you in that way. I just want to protect you. I don't know what I would do without you," I say as my voice cracks.

I engulf her in the biggest of hugs, not wanting to let her go, ever. Just to hold her here, like old times. I dig my nose into her hair taking in her sweet scent. My heart shattered on the floor in an instant. Just saying it to her, saying I don't love her deeply, shattered my heart into a million pieces. I don't know if I will be able to pick them up. And if I try, the glass will cut through my skin, making it impossible to put it back together all the way, like it was the way before.

She pulls away from me slightly.

"Neal? Are you sure? I just thought that if I finally found someone who I loved, you wouldn't be able to let go of me. You would fight with every fiber of your body to keep me away, not wanting to let me go."

"Emma never think that. I am here for you no matter what. The only thing I would fight for with every fiber of my body is your happiness. You are my closest friend. I want you to be happy."

"Really?"

"Really," I pull her back into my embrace taking in every second.

"Now, who is he? The man you love? I assume that is what is on your mind," I say changing the topic.

I am afraid though, for Emma. I don't want this man to break her heart. I couldn't stand it if she got hurt. I am worried. What if he is just after her crown? What if he physically hurts her, not just emotionally? She is so strong, but once one of her safeguards breaks, she could just collapse. I have seen her when she is weak. Vulnerability is one of her strength, but could this man possible take advantage of that strength.

She told me of her lieutenant, to every last detail. I don't think she missed a single moment in her story telling. How they had met and how he had run back to kiss her gently.

Oh, what I would give to kiss her soft lips, just once.

"The last thing he said to me was that he would return to me if it was that last thing he did. His promise was so sincere. Then he ran off into the night. I could barely stand. He left me speechless. I just don't know if I can wait for him for two entire weeks, two whole weeks Neal. Two long weeks departed from his side."

I just gazed into her beautiful forest eyes. This man was so lucky to hold the heart of the most beautiful, kindness woman ever in his hands. He better treat her like a queen and never disrespect her.

"Neal... say something. Your scaring me."

I realized that I had spaced out.

"I think it is wonderful, Emma, but I am worried for you. What if this man is not who is he says he is? What if he hurts you, Emma? I am worried for you."

"Trust me Neal. He is not like that. He is a man of honor. He would never hurt me, ever."

"Emma! You only met him tonight!" I said with frustration hanging between my words.

"I could tell. I could just tell that he wasn't like that. Even in the few hours that we spent together, I just knew. Please just trust me, Neal!"

Tears stung in her eyes. Rage burned in mine.

"Is that what you think this is about? Me not trusting you? Emma? You don't even know if he feels the same about you."

"If you love somebody you know. It's not like you have ever loved anybody like this. You could never understand."

The tears start to run down her cheeks. This is what I am afraid for. I don't want to ruin of friendship. We are too close to loose each other, but I cannot contain my rage.

"Emma!!" I yell.

I open my mouth to speak, but she cuts me off.

"Why won't you let me be happy? He is my happiness, Neal. If you cared about me you would let me be happy. You are just showing me that you don't love me."

The tears in her eyes are like rain now.

"I do," I say quietly so only she can hear it.

Guilt flooded my senses. Realization hits me like a dagger to the stomach. I am the one ruining us, our friendship. I need to calm down. I take a long, deep breath.

She can't control what she feels. She is just in love and I am angry at her for it. I am being so selfish. She deserves a chance at happiness. Even if it is without me.

She turns with her back facing me. I place a hand on her shoulder. I take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry. Emma, just be careful. Not everybody is who they seem to be. I don't want you to get hurt. I am sorry I got angry. Can you forgive me for my indignation?"

She turns to face me. She nods. I gently wipe away her salty tears.

"Come here. Come here." I envelop her in my arms. She cries into my shoulder.

"I am so... sorry," she says between cries.

"No, no. This was my fault. I am sorry."

My heart aches. I can't lose Emma's trust, our friendship. Even if  that means letting go of my love for her.

Thank you all so much for taking a chance and reading my book. I know this may sound like a SwanFire fanfic, but I promise it gets better. And I am sorry if this chapter wasn't all that good. But it is necessary for the plot. Hope you all have an extraordinary day.

-pinacolada07