"Good morning, Prince Zuerien", a palace maid greeted Zuerien as he made his way to the dining hall.
"Good morning", he replied and entered.
He saw his mother and his younger sister already seated on the table and ready to eat.
"Good morning, Mother. Sorry I'm late."
"This is unusual. You are never late to the dining hall", Princess Leah said.
He chuckled. "I could not sleep."
"Why?! What is wrong?” Queen Anne said with concern.
"I have no idea."
"Ohh! You should not stress yourself too much. Rest is essential."
"Yes, Mother. Have you been to Father's chambers this morning?"
"I was with him throughout the night. He slept throughout."
Prince Zuerien and Princess Leah exchanged glances and Princess Leah smiled.
"What is wrong with the both of you?” Queen Anne asked.
"Nothing", the both of them said smiling.
"Eat your food and go to your Father. He should be awake by now."
"Yes, Mother", they said and continued eating their breakfast.
They ate their food in silence. When they were through they stood up and went to see their Father.
They entered his room and saw him already seated and eating his breakfast.
"Good morning, Father", the both of them greeted.
"Good morning. How was your night?"
"Fine, Father", they replied.
"How are you feeling today?” Zuerien asked.
"I feel better. What of your Mother?"
"I do not know. She just asked us to come visit you because she was with you throughout the night."
He looked surprised. "She was with me?"
"Yes."
"Was the Queen truly with me throughout the night?” He asked facing the maid present in his room.
"Yes, Your Majesty. She left shortly before you woke up."
He couldn't believe she would still stay by his side even after telling her not to touch him. He felt sad because he was being hard on her but she deserves it. He also tried for her to love him but she kept on pushing him away.
"Zuerien?"
"Yes Father."
"You have to go pick Lady Sophie at the airport very early tomorrow morning."
Zuerien suddenly felt sad. He doesn't understand why his father just couldn't stop this Lady Sophie's issue.
"Yes, Father", he said reluctantly. He said a silent prayer to God to give him courage to one day oppose his Father.
*~*~*~*
In the Duchy of Galdonia, Lady Sophie, the Duke's daughter removed her gown and changed into a black tee and jeans trousers for her secret adventure.
She removed the accessories in her hair, her necklace and her earrings. She put on a smaller earrings, loosened her hair and did a little bit of makeup. She has to look good for him.
When she was done, she opened her door slightly and checked the corridor but nobody was present. Not even any maid or guard. She was happy because she doesn't want anyone to find out what she is about to do.
She sneaked out of the room holding her shoes in her hand and made sure she didn't make a sound. She sneak into the elevator and got to the ground floor without any problem.
She got out of the elevator and moved towards the door but stopped when she heard voices.
"She would leave for Valtoria tomorrow. I trust you will be of a great help to her", she heard her Aunt's voice and wondered who she was talking to
"Yes, My Lady", the other person said and Lady Sophie realized her Aunt was talking to her personal guard, Jacob. She hasn't seen him since he came back from visiting his mother who was a little bit indisposed.
She made sure they left and the coast was clear before running out of the house. When she was out of the house, she exhaled and put on her shoes before making her was towards her bike.
She put on her helmet and made her way to his cabin. She misses him and can't wait to see him. She rode the bike faster than usual and got there in no time.
She got to the cottage and took her own spare key to open the door. She already knows he wouldn't be in but she still entered to wait for him. She sat down on one of the chairs in the cabin and took pictures on her phone.
Minutes later, she heard footsteps and stood up knowing he is back. He slid in the key into the keyhole and opened. On opening the door, she ran and jumped on him.
"What?!” He shouted. He then took a good look at the person that jumped on him. “Oh! Sophie."
"I miss you, Jacob", she told him. Jacob may be a personal guard to everyone else but to her he was more than that. He is her personal guard and the one she loves unconditionally.
"I miss you, too", he replied kissing her forehead.
She removed her legs from his waste and got down. She looked at him before smashing her lips on his. She poured all her emotions into the kiss. She pulled back from the kiss, panting.
"I am so happy to see you", she said.
"Me too", he said. "But I thought we agreed you would not sneak out to meet me again."
She looked down and couldn't meet his gaze looking like a kid that was been scolded. "I am sorry. I could not help it. I miss you."
He placed his hand under her chin and raised her head up. "I know you miss me. But I would have to come to you."
"I am sorry."
"It is okay", he said and pulled her in for a hug.
She wrapped her hand around his waist and placed her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.
"Your Aunt said you are going to Valtoria", he said.
She pulled away from the hug and went to sit on the couch and placed her head on her hands.
He moved closer to her and knelt down beside her. "What's wrong?"
"I don't want to go."
"Why? You have to go."
She looked up at him. "Don't you understand what is going on? They want me to get married to Prince Zuerien."
He sighed. "I know."
"Why are you being cool about this?"
"What do you expect me to do? There is nothing I can do."
She sighed.
"You are the only one that can do something."
"What can I do? I just know I do not love him. You are the one I love and want to spend my life with."
"Me too. But I know-"
"I know what to do!” She shouted as an idea came to her mind.
"What?"
"I will go to Valtoria and make sure they all hate me there."
"I don't understand."
"The reason I'm going to Valtoria is to get Prince Zuerien to fall in love with me just like Father said but I'm going to change the reason. I would not go there to make him fall in love with me but to make him hate me."
"How can you do that? You know due to your personality, everyone likes you. I don't think anyone can hate you."
She smiled. "I can really act. Trust me. And besides, you would be with me."
"They would notice you have changed."
"Why are you being so negative?” She asked raising an eyebrow.
"I'm just stating the fact."
"But I told you I can do it, did I not? Why can you not trust me? Don't you love me?"
"Of course, I do."
"I said I don't want to get married to him. Why are you against my plan?"
"Listen. I'm sure your father would not allow you to choose a guard like me in replace of the Crown Prince. I'm just a guard, Sophie. Let's face the truth. This", he waved his hand between the both of them. "This can't work. We'll just get hurt."
She looked at him with tears in her eyes threatening to fall. "Why are you being like this? Don't you love me?"
"I do, Sophie. I really do."
She wiped her eyes clean and stood up. "I don't think you do", she said and stood up walking towards the door.
Before she could go out the door, Jacob moved to her and held her hand stopping her.
"Let go."
"I won't."
"I'm not joking, Jake. Let go, now. I would n-"
He didn't allow her finish her sentence before he smashed his lips on hers silencing her. She melted into the kiss completely, her anger long forgotten.
He pulled away from the kiss and kissed her closed eyes too. "I'm just hurt."
"Why?” She asked.
"I'm hurt because you are being forced into this marriage. I wish I was more than this."
"I'll choose you over anyone a thousand times. I love you just the way you are, Jake."
"I know. I love you, too. I'm sorry if you think I'm being negative."
"Tsk tsk. You shouldn't apologize. I'm sorry for doubting you."
"It's okay. You know what?"
"What?"
"Let's go with that your idea."
"Really?” She said with her eyes almost popping out of the sockets.
"Really."
"Oh! Jake, I love you", she said and hugged him tight.
"I love you, too", he said and kissed her head.
"I can't wait to get to Valtoria."
"Me too."
"Oh! I forgot to ask. How is your Mother?"
"She is fine. She just miss her son."
"Okay."
"You should get going now. Your Aunt will soon notice you are not there."
She checked her wristwatch. "Oh! I got carried away." She kissed him again. "I'll see you later. Love you."
"Love you too."
"Do you really think she wouldn't hate me because of what I did earlier?” Aurora asked her father as they were stocking the fridge with groceries."I already told you. She understands. Don't worry.""It's just. I don't want her to have the impression that I don't approve of the both of you."He moved closer to her and placed his hands on her shoulders, massaging them. "Relax, princess. Everything will be fine. Trust me." He laughed. "I'm just wondering when you begin to want to impress someone. As far as I know, you usually don't care if someone calls you a snub.""Come on, Dad. She is not just anyone. She is someone you like. So, I want to impress her.""Okay", he said and continued to arrange the groceries."I really hope she likes me.""She will." He closed the fridge. "Why don't we have a duel?""A duel? Really?""Yes. Are you s
Prince Zuerien woke up early and feeling really sad. Today was the day he was meant to pick up Lady Sophie. He was suddenly feeling headache at just the thought of getting married to her. He did his normal morning routine and put on his clothes.While still dressing up, he heard a knock on the door."Come in", he called out and the door opened revealing his mother, the Queen. "Good morning, Mother.""Good morning. How was the night?""It was fine", he lied. He didn't wanted to bother his mother about the headache he was feeling due to what was bound to happen today.She smiled. "You do not know how to lie. I know you are worried but I have a plan."He looked at his mother. "Plan? What plan?""You have to make her hate you.""I don't understand.""During her Saturday here, you have to make sure she hates you. I know the both of
"You should wake up now, little princess", Charles said waking his daughter."Dad!", Aurora groaned. "I'm tired.""This is 9 am. You really should wake up."She had no other choice but to wake since she knew her father wouldn't let her be. "Okay, Dad. I'm up", she said sitting on the bed. "Why aren't you going to work?""I'm going. I will just be a little bit late.""Why?""What's today?""Oh Gosh. Today is Mum's birthday. Oh My God, how can I forget?", She said jumping out of bed.Charles chuckled softly. "Go get dressed and let's go.""Okay. I'll be ready in a jiffy", she said and went to the bathroom.It was a tradition that whenever it was Sandra's birthday, the two go to the cemetery to greet Sandra and have a little bit of picnic to celebrate.Charles went out of the room to get the picnic mat
"I told you not to stand like that when you want to shoot, didn't I? You don't listen, do you?""Aurora! You don't have to shout at your precious student like that", Charlotte said smiling and hugging Aurora."Okay...okay. Let go of me. I can't breathe", she said and pulled Charlotte away."You know I love you, right?""I know. I love you too. But we need to continue. Just shoot this last time and we'll bake those cookies. I'm starving.""Oh! I didn't know. Let me shoot this last one", she said and picked up the arrow again and stood to shoot. She pulled the arrow and released it before crying out loud. "Oh shit!", She shouted dropping the bow and wriggling her finger."What is it?", Aurora said and moved closer to her."The arrow grazed my finger and it is hurting like fuck.""Language", Aurora warned and pressed her thumb in the finger to stop the
"Princess, wake up", Charles shook his daughter gently."Dad, I don't want to get out of bed today", she replied."Why?"She sat down and face her Dad. "I'm nervous, Dad."Charles smiled. "Don't be nervous, princess. Just get up and get dressed. It's past noon. You haven't even eaten breakfast yet.""I'm not hungry."He chuckled. "I get it. Get dressed and be down in 30 minutes."She pouted. "Okay, Dad."He stood up and left the room still chuckling to himself.Aurora groaned and got out of bed to the bathroom. She decided to have a hot bath because she was suddenly feeling cold. She had her bath and stood in front of the mirror."Aurora, stop being like this. They are humans and not aliens for crying out loud. You can do this", she said to her reflection in the mirror. "Yes, you can. Let's get dressed."
Lady Sophie got dressed and prepared to go to the dining hall for dinner. She sighed as she held her necklace facing the mirror. She was nervous because of she has to tell her Father about Jacob tonight. She's been shifting the time but the time can't be shifted again. It has to be tonight. She already told Jacob to go to his cabin and remain there tonight till she breaks the news to her Father.She checked the time and realized it was time to go down for dinner. She sighed and held her necklace again."Wish me luck, Mother", she said and kissed the necklace before going down.She got to the dining hall and saw her Aunt Louise already seated. She sighed in frustrating before sitting."What's with all the sighing?", Lady Louise asked."Nothing", she replied and adjusted her seat."So spoilt", Lady Louise scoffed. "No worries, in no time you'd be married and will have to move to the p
?January, 2014?"Happy birthday!!", Aurora heard the noise from her sleep.She stood up quickly and realized it was her Dad, Bianca and Kevin that stood at her bed smiling hard. She rubbed the sleep off her eyes and smiled back at them."Happy birthday, Princess", her Dad said and hugged her."Thanks, Dad", she said hugging him back."Happy birthday, Princess", Bianca said as Charles pulled away and she hugged Aurora."Thanks, B. I really appreciate it", and said and hugged her back as Bianca kissed her head."Happy birthday, little princess", Kevin also greeted smiling showing his dimples."Thanks, Kevin.""So, how do you want to spend your day?", Bianca asked."Just want to hang out with my family", came the reply."As you wish, baby. I'm gonna make some snacks to celebrate."
Aurora looked around the room once again to make sure she packed everything she needed for college. She felt bad for having to leave for college very far away but something keeps on telling her she made the right decision.The door opened and Kevin came into the room."Are you done packing?", He asked."Yeah", she said."I don't think so.""What do you mean?"He moved closer to her bed and picked up her Tiara box. "This.""Oh! I thought I packed it already. Thank you."He gave it to her. "Thank God you have a big brother to remind you."She smiled."Kids! Come downstairs. Princess, you have a plane to catch", Bianca said from downstairs."We'll be there, B", Aurora shouted back at her. "Let's go before we get scolded", she said facing Kevin."Yeah", he said, picked up her bag