Parting

Kassius kept his eyes carefully away from Myria's tear-streaked face, partially because he could feel the tears welling up in his eyes as well, and knew if he saw her crying, he would actually start himself. He couldn't cry. At least for her sake, he shouldn't. The thought of leaving Dorne behind and never seeing it or Prince Nymeros and Princess Myria again was already doing its best to break his heart. "Please let go, Princess." He said, not having the heart to do much more than pull away from her, trying to pry her arms away from his waist.

"No!" She near shouted at him, burying her face in his stomach. "You have to stay here with me!" Her voice was muffled, but he could still hear her clearly because she was shouting it so adamantly.

He hastily wiped his arm across his face, furiously trying to keep her from noticing he was also sniffling. "I have to go home." He tried to explain to her, as her septa helped disentangle him from her embrace.

"Why?" She demanded, angrily.

"Why?" He parroted her question, flabbergasted. "It's my duty, Princess. I belong in Highgarden. It's a grown-up thing. You'll understand later."

The seven-year-old girl stamped her foot against the ground. "I don't understand and I won't ever! You belong here with me and father!"

He gave a heavy sigh and shook his head. Still holding in his own tears, he knelt down and gave her one last hard hug, "If only that were true, Princess." He told her, before letting go and hastening to the carriage waiting, head kept down to keep anyone else from seeing the look on his face.