Kennedy let out a long breath of relief as he felt her other arm wrap around him. He held her as tight and as close as possible as she leaned into him "I can't either... It took so much strength to not walk back up to you.. and now I don't want to let you go" He spoke back quietly and softly in her ear before lifting his head up to look at her

"I don't want to put you in a bad spot, though..." She sighed, looking back up at him with a conflicted expression.

"I don't care how much trouble I get in, as long as I have you by my side again I wouldn't care... Just as long as you don't get put in a bad spot" He spoke firmly with a stern face that made him look confident in his words

"But I can't leave Xander, you know that, so then I would have to be a cheater and I... I don't want you to get stuck like that." She said, getting slightly choked up.

"Why can't you? What can Xander and his marriage offermore than me?" He said slightly starting to get upset and frustrated but not directly at her "And what will happen if you actually get married... then you really will have to stay away from me" He said with his voice soundng more heart broken than before

"Because, I have no choice, Kennedy! This what I was born for, and this is what I will eventually have to die for. I am the ONLY living heir to the throne, and because of that, I have to do what's best for my kingdom. And if I refuse this marriage? My kingdom could be plunged into war, and that then means YOU would be plunged into war. And I would never forgive myself for that. So what do you suggest, Kennedy? That we run away and have a happily ever after, leaving everything else to rot? Tell me what to do, please!" Mercy cried, laying her head on his chest.

Kennedy stayed silent and listened as she cried out, he let out a long shakey sigh "That just it Mercy I don't know what do to do... No matetr what idea I ahave it will never work.. I don't want anything to happen to you or this kingdom so I say you should go and marry Xander... but the selfish part of me wants you all to myself, where I can rule beside you with no worries even thought I lack what it takes to be a king..." He said while softly stroking her hair

She hugged him closer, sighing. "Maybe you can. One day. But until then, you either have to stay with me in the shadows or wait until then. There's no right answer. I just... need time to think."

He leaned into her hug enjoying her embrace before nodding his head "I will stay by your side until the very end... and whatever you decide I will support it whether I like the idea or not" He said quietly into her ear before placing a kiss on her cheek

She sighed and nodded to him, placing a gentle kiss on his lips. "I love you. I have to go now, though." She said, reluctantly pulling herself away from him and heading into the main hall.