Rose was gone.

It was all that Albert could think about, locked away in his room at the hotel. He flipped over onto his side, cradling his bandaged wrist close and stared at the window as the afternoon sun began to sink into the horizon.

The Queen Fury had docked in Fueno several days ago and Haschel taking it upon himself to act as their leader, rented them rooms at the local inn. Shana had taken Albert to his room despite her own sorrow and cared for his wrist. After assuring him it was just a sprain, she had gone to her own room, and hadn't left except to get food. Albert had also stayed locked in his own room.

I have failed you, Lavitz, he thought to himself, closing his eyes. This journey was in order to avenge his killer, take on the responsibilities of being one of the Dragoons, to return the sacred Moon Gem to Bale… but as of late, it had become a quest to gain Rose's trust and heart. Why had his mind altered course?

He couldn't continue wasting his time trying to win her heart, especially now that she was never coming back. But that wasn't what concerned him the most.

It was the sadness that Shana would have to live with because of Dart's disappearance. She would never be the same without her childhood friend being on watch for her. Though she insisted that they would show up any day now, Albert was beginning to wonder if he should say something.

They couldn't remain in Fueno for much longer. Lenus would be getting away with her prize, the Moon Dagger, and they had promised King Zior and the princesses that they would get it back.

He sat up in bed as he thought about Princess Emille. Her star-struck eyes and golden locks were all the more real to him now as they'd been when she was sitting in front of him in that chair, asleep to the world. He'd promised that he would see her again, a promise not to be taken light heartedly or for granted. It had meant something.

He took a deep breath and stood up, walking over to the window. He opened the shutters and gazed out on the town of Fueno. The human traffic was beginning to slow down and the shops beginning to close their doors. He listened to the strike of hammer against metal as the blacksmith carried on into the evening, sparks illuminating his shadowed workshop. The sun colored the cobblestones orange, and the sea sloshed against the docks nearby.

He dipped his head. Without Dart, it seemed as though their purpose and their mission had lost significant meaning. He had been in charge and his drive and enthusiasm had kept them going. In spite of his jealousy at capturing Rose's attention and heart right before both of their demises, he missed his new friend. Dart had been there with Lavitz when he'd died. They had both been good friends with the knight and Lavitz had trusted him implicitly. He wished there had been some way to have pulled them both up on that boat…

A few cries rang out from the wharf. He turned toward it but couldn't see past a few other buildings. What was the commotion about?

Several people suddenly appeared from one of the alleys below. He felt his jaw slacken as he recognized the radiant red armor of his companion, Dart, followed by the svelte glistening black armor of her; Rose.

His legs felt like jelly once again. They had survived? But how? And it meant… they had been alone together for two days. He felt his arms shake with envy. He turned away from the window.

No. I mustn't think this way. We have a long journey ahead of us. If those two plan on choosing a life together, I cannot be blinded by jealousy. I have to keep strong… for Lavitz's memory. And I must remain loyal to Emille. He shook his head. But Shana…

The poor girl would be exuberant at her love's survival and then crushed by his choosing of another woman. It wasn't his responsibility. It was Dart's. And if that was how he was going to act, then Albert wanted no part in his affairs. He was doing this for Lavitz and once he had the Moon Gem and the Moon Dagger in his possession, he'd leave their company and return to Fletz.

The massive inn doors creaked open downstairs and he heard his friends muffled joyful cries through the floor.

"Welcome back!" Haschel announced, clapping his hands.

"We were tired of waiting for you!" Meru exclaimed in her irritated voice. "We've been sitting here for days thinking that you were both dead!"

Kongol grunted. "You. Die. Impossible."

"Everyone!" Dart cried happily.

Rose said something but Albert couldn't hear it. Her voice only made him feel more angry. He couldn't keep it under control. How he wanted to. But every time he closed his eyes, he saw Dart and Rose together, in a cave somewhere during the height of the storm… doing god knew what.

Someone's footsteps thumped up the stairs outside. He listened as they stopped outside Shana's room next door and then entered. A few moments later, Shana's cry rang out. "Dart? Oh, Dart!"

Downstairs, Haschel was speaking again. "I fear something is very wrong with Albert."

Rose said something but again her voice was too low to hear.

"He's been up in his room for days sulking!" Meru said. "He won't even come out and see the town library! He's gone bonkers!"

Albert sat down once again on his bed and put his head in his hands. He had to put on a strong front. Otherwise, Dart would be suspicious. She would be suspicious. He would need to go down there and show them he was alright.

He took a deep breath as he stood up and turned to the door. As he started toward it, the door opened and Rose stepped in.

Albert stiffened. "Oh, Rose."

She stood there, her mouth slightly upturned. Was that a smile?

"You're alive." he whispered.

She nodded and stared at him taking in his appearance. He felt terrible suddenly. His clothes were wrinkled, his eyes tired and burdened by heavy bags, and the color gone from his face. "The others say you haven't left your room in days."

He nodded. "I've had no reason to."

She took a step toward him. He felt his heart nearly stop as her violet eyes stared into his. "You should not feel guilty. You tried to save us. The weight was too much."

He swallowed. So that's what she thought he was hiding out up there for. He coughed. "I…I could have held on tighter."

Rose crossed her arms and walked over to his bed sitting down.

He wasn't sure what to make of what was happening. Rose seemed… different. She normally would never have done something that bold.

"Forgive me for noticing," he started, "but you seem changed."

She sighed. "We were stranded in a cavern along the coast."

His panic returned. "A cave?" his voice quivered.

"Dart was unconscious for a day. That time alone gave me the opportunity to reevaluate why I'm traveling with you all."

"The ghosts that you love?" he guessed.

"They will never leave. But I've spent far too long trying to avenge them and haven't changed anything." She raised her eyes to him once more. "I believe I should try a little harder."

The words made Albert's stomach flutter. "Do you mean to say that you have found someone to… try again with?"

She swallowed. "I thought I had found what I'd lost in the past. Turns out it was just me expecting something that's never going to come back. But yes, I have found someone."

The pain was fresh, not at all like he'd thought it would be. Though his knees felt weak once more, he somehow remained standing. "He…" he started, feeling his voice shake. He stopped and stood up straighter. "Dart is a good warrior. You deserve someone as fine as that."

Confusion filled Rose's eyes. This made Albert frown.

She stood up and took a step closer to him, into his personal space. His stomach fluttered even harder. "Dart was not the man I was referring to."

"Oh." he breathed.

"I want to get to know your majesty. It will take some time, I warn. But I…" Rose drifted off. "… I hope you understand."

He felt his head nodding even though the movement felt suddenly foreign. Something beautiful rose in his chest, a feeling of wonder and happiness that seemed to spawn from nothing. All of these terrible thoughts he'd been considering for the past few days… and this was the outcome? She was going to give him a chance?

"I understand perfectly." he whispered.

Someone knocked on the door and before either of them could turn to answer it, Dart poked his head in. "Albert, we're going to…"

He stopped mid sentence, taking in the scene. Rose nodded to Albert as she stepped around him and exited the door, moving around the frozen Dart.

Albert watched his friend, his worry steadily growing. He doesn't know her sudden change of heart…

Dart stared at the floor, his eyebrows falling. "We're leaving soon."

Albert nodded, half turning away. "Understood."

A moment later, the door slammed shut.