I stared at the letter, my body numb. I couldn't think or understand. My parents were so far away, yet they sent me a letter to tell me to get married?

Oh wait, scratch that, order me to get married?

I only had to marry him to make the (Kingdom's Name) army stronger. And why didn't they tell me this sooner? Was I just a pig being prepared to be slaughtered all this time?

Were they not worried about me? Why didn't they send a letter sooner?
Was I ready to get married?
Was I ready to ruin the life of someone as adorable as Gumball by being a part of it?
Did I deserve Gumball?
Was I even good enough for him?

I was bitter. Maybe, I was overreacting or being immature. But how could I just get married to him to make my kingdom better? Was this how royals spent their lives?

And a thought clicked in my head. Maybe, this was why PG was being so nice to me since the beginning. He knew I was to be his wife all along. He just wanted to please me, didn't he?

My chest began to close in on me and I couldn't breathe. I felt used and betrayed.

"Air. Fresh air!" I choked out, throwing the letter on my bed and running outside.
My thoughts were killing me.

I sat on my usual spot, under the large tree. I stared into the distance, my heart breaking with every passing second. I wasn't ready to be married.
And this was not how I planned to get married. I wanted to fall in love first and then proceed. I wanted to be free and have fun. To live a normal life.

I put my knees to under my chin and covered my face with my hands.

"(Y/N)?" A very familiar voice questioned.

I didn't turn to look, "Hey."

"What's up?"

"Nothing."

A pause, "Where's the usual rude behaviour?"

"Am I really that.. rude, Marshall?" I asked, my voice cracking. His comment had hurt me more than he had expected.

"Oh Lord! Don't cry!" He exclaimed, walking to my side and putting a hand on my shoulder, "Hey, look here! Please don't cry!"

I began to cry harder. I didn't want to live. I was rude, problematic and a cry baby. I wasn't strong or bold. I couldn't do it. I just couldn't.

My hands were pulled away from my face, gently, and arms wrapped around me. A scent of strawberries and apples clouded my senses and I began to cry harder in the vampire's arms.

"Uh, why are you crying? How will you stop crying?"

"I just ruined your shirt!" I mumbled, pulling away from and looking at him sadly.

"I don't care about it."

"I'm so useless, I'm sorry." I whispered out, my voice rough, tears blurring my vision.

He leaned towards me, wiping away my tears with his gentle hands.
He pulled me towards him and hugged me.

I breathed in his scent, it effectively calming me down.

"Princesses like you shouldn't cry, (Y/N)."

"W-why?"

"It ruins their 'I AM SCARY. FEAR ME.' facadé." He chuckled.

A soft smile came on my face. Pulling away from him, I turned to look at him. He was smirking, how typical of him.

Oddly enough, I had started to like it on him.

"See? I like it when you look like that." He stated, staring at me.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused.

"That smile. I like it on you."

I stared at him in shock, my whole face red. W-what?

"You should wear it more often." He smirked at my expression.

"T-thanks."

*********