Date on a Secluded Island?

What happened? Let me replay that again.

"I have decided a punishment for you, Lady Valkyrie. You will spend a whole day in the company of Alexander." The King said that but I didn't expect this light punishment.

Brother Vandrel was even angry with me being in this mess.

"I left you for a second and this happened. What did you do this time, Valkyrie?" Brother Vandrel seethed, squeezing my cheeks in frustration.

"Sir Vandrel, I order you to return to your house without Lady Valkyrie! She will serve, no, she will be punished for hurting the crown prince!" The King explained. What's with that "serve"?

"Your majesty! Please--!" Brother Vandrel was cut off by His majesty.

***

And that's how it was but...

"What's going on here? Why are we on a secluded island?" I asked myself. Having a date? This looked like we're about to have our honeymoon. Oh my goodness! That sly King!

This island has a forest at the center too. We can survive a night here, I guess.

"How do we cross the sea, your highness?" I asked him with a smile.

"Are you out of your mind? Do you want to die?" Alexander said while looking so surprised that I even mentioned crossing the sea.

"I was delusional when I said this is a light punishment." I murmured to myself. Yeah, why did I think about that? 

"Do you really hate being with me that much?" Alexander asked me.

"Yes, your highness." I honestly answered.

"Did you really change?" He asked me again and that made me so angry.

"Like I said, I'm not the Valkyrie you knew before, your highness. Did you honestly think that I will love you forever?" I sarcastically asked him back.

He didn't reply. He just became so quiet.

"Emotions are fleeting, which is why it's crucial to cherish someone before it's too late. Once you inflict pain on others, those scars remain irremediable." I conveyed my thoughts to him, feeling genuine empathy for Valkyrie. As a princess, she must bear the weight of her troubles in silence in order to maintain a facade of flawlessness.

While she may be expected to embody perfection, I refuse to adhere to such expectations. I've spent my life trying to please everyone and shoulder all burdens alone, allowing others to take advantage of me. But now, with a second chance at life, I am determined to pursue my own desires.

"It's almost evening. We have to make a fire and shelter and get food." I nudged Alexander, noticing the flush on his face as he turned towards me.

"Are you okay, your highness? Do you have a fever?" I tried to reach his forehead but he slapped my hand. He didn't want me to be close to him, I understand.

"I'll go look for firewood, your highness." I said. Even without your help, I can manage. 

"If you're fine, can you please make a shelter? We are near the sea so let's expect to have a very windy evening." I asked him. You can do that much, right?

"Why should I do that?" He asked me.

"We'll die if you don't, your highness. Stop whining and do your work." I sarcastically smiled at him.

He might've revolted at first but he still agreed to it.

***

After going inside the forest, I collected some firewood. I found them lying under some large trees. As I looked around, I even saw edible herbs and fruits like pears. Amidst my search, I happened upon a bounty of wild herbs and pears, surprising sightings in this remote and desolate island. Perhaps the emperor had ensured the presence of edible provisions long ago, commissioning someone to cultivate this land.

When I returned to where Alexander was, he already made a shelter out of tree branches and leaves. 

"Oh?" I was amazed. He was fast. Was this part of his training before?

"I thought you were just a sheltered crown prince, I guess I'm wrong." I said to him.

"Why are you casually talking to me?" He asked me.

"It's your fault that we're in this mess, your highness. If you didn't grab my hand, I would've thrown you." I sarcastically pointed that out.

"I didn't expect that you will throw me!" He defended himself.

"Don't get angry, your highness. It wasn't intentional." I also explained.

After that, we started a fire. It was really windy and cold.

"Here, your highness. Please eat this." I offered a peach to him.

"Thanks." He accepted it. He also took a bite of that peach.

"Why did you suddenly took a bite?" I asked him. Shouldn't he be checking it first for poison?

"You will never poison me because it's you, Valkyrie." He explained and took another bite.

"Heh?" I reacted as I was amazed too. I heard it from Dianne that Valkyrie and Alexander were so close before. They were childhood friends before being engaged with each other.

"Your highness, I don't know anything about you. I was mistaken. All I heard about you was wrong, I guess." I smiled while looking at the stars.

"I apologize," I said to him, turning in his direction.

Valkyrie, it seems he holds you dear as well. I'm so happy for you.

"Why do you call me 'your highness'?" He asked me while looking at me seriously.

"Eh? Should I not?" I asked him.

"You used to call me 'Alex', but shortly after the accident, you suddenly changed." He added. 

Well, Valkyrie died and I possessed her body so that's expected. I didn't have any memories of her life here.

"I lost all my memories from that accident. I guess you should call it my second life but if you prefer me to call you that way, I could." I explained.

I should have kept my mouth shut that time.