Recap -

Marina, Nathan, Lucca and Ally are in Benedizione. After a lot of persuasion and some tears, Nathan agrees to Lucio accompanying them.

At present -

It had been two days since Nathan, Marina, Ally and Lucca had revived their journey to Mystic Falls. Yesterday, they took off from Benedizione with a promise to never reveal this place to others along with an unwanted yet forced companion.

Nathan stared at Marina and Lucio, who were constantly talking with each other without a care in the world. Marina was not even sitting in the royal carriage with Nathan. In fact, Marina was riding her horse side-by-side with Lucio. The carriage was only being used by Brialle. Well Nathan didn't want to sit in the carriage alone without another 'human being'.

He was not the only one boring holes into Lucio's skull, Ally too didn't seem to like the reconciliation of 'Mari and Lui'.
According to Ally, Lucio was taking their position in Marina's life and heart. Marina was their best friend, not his, not anymore. So, why was Marina so enthralled with the idea of being with Lui? That's the question on the trio's mind.

Nathan rode his horse faster, falling in step with Marina and Lucio.

"Hello Nathan!" Marina greeted a rather irritated looking Nathan.

"Hello M-" but Nathan was cut off midway by Lucio.

"Do you remember Mrs. Putin's blue berry pies and how you used to steal them?"

"They were and still are so delicious and it happened only one time. Besides, I did not steal them, just tasted them."

"Sure, you tasted the pie by devouring the whole of it," Lucio replied sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

Nathan scowled at their exchange, which somehow involved ignoring Nathan.

Meanwhile, riding behind the royals, Ally trudged forward.

"I don't get it why is that Lucio even accompanying us!" Anne exclaimed angrily.

"I don't get it why is that Lucio even accompanying us," Zitto repeated Anne's words, but adding his own cackling laughter at the end

"Ughh... we only needed this mouthful bird," Anne retorted throwing daggers to the bird.

"Ughh... we only needed this mouthful woman," Zitto replied to Anne while adding his own mocking laughter, which was soon joined by Belle.

Anne glared at the colorful feathered bird and then at the traitor aka her sister.

"I can not believe it you sided with him," Anne said, pointing an accusing finger at Belle.

"I-I, come on Anne, you have got to admit that comeback was mind blowing."

"Come on Anne, you have got to admit it," Zitto repeated Belle's words while irking Anne.

~ After few hours ~

"So, we are going to rest for the night. Anyone who wishes to visit the near by village may do so, but only after informing the Schweitzer sisters," Nathan ordered the soldiers, who replied a chorused - yes sire.

"Lucca!" Nathan called out to his best friend.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I am going to the market place in the nearby village. Do you want to come with we? It's optional, you may deny if you are tired."

"I would love to accompany you, Your Majesty," Lucca replied as the two mounted their respective horses.

Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan looked back at Marina and Lucio, who were engaged in a heated duel, before riding off with Lucca.

~At the market ~

Lucca and Nathan, who had changed their royalty adorned clothes into that of the common people, entered the beautifully decorated market place, that was brimming with life. Silk, satin, precious stones like ruby, sapphire and other stalls displaying variety of things blended together giving the hue of a rainbow glistening over water, in this case people.

Nathan and Lucca were strolling around the market place, when suddenly someone bumped into Nathan.

"I am so sorry. Are you- Princess Charlotte? What are you doing here?" Nathan asked while lending a hand to the princess.

"Prince Nathaniel? What a pleasant surprise to see you here like this," Princess Charlotte, the daughter of the King of a small kingdom that came under Alves, asked while assessing Nathan's common man clothes.

"I was thinking the same thing about you," Nathan remarked looking at the Princess who seemed to have donned the clothes of a maid.

"Oh yes, about my clothes. I was getting bored at the palace and had heard some traders have brought beautiful goods. So, I just thought I would go out and check them out and then buy whatever catches my eye, " the young princess gushed happily.

"What about you? Why are you here?"

"I was just passing by. So, I thought I should visit the market," Nathan replied.

"Oh that's great. Now, we can shop together. Come, let's go," Princess Charlotte remarked while dragging Nathan with her.

Charlotte dragged Nathan to a beautifully painted teal blue stall. The trader greeted them an started showing them various gems, stones and other culinary things. While Charlotte was ecstasized and tried on each jewellery. Nathan's mind wandered back to Marina who despite being a princess, a royalty, never liked gold and abhored status symbols, which according to her were just things that deepened the gap between rich and poor.

Nathan snapped back to reality as his eyes landed on a small silver dagger kept at the end of the stall. Princess Charlotte following Nathan's gaze picked up the dagger.

(A/N - the silver dagger.)

"Do you like it? I personally feel it's too rustic on the edges and not at all your taste," Princess Charlotte said keeping the dagger back at its place.

"You don't like it?" Nathan asked her.

"Who would like silver when you have gold in front of you," Princess Charlotte replied as if it was the law of nature.

"Marina..." Nathan muttered unconsciously, before realizing what he had said.

"What did you say?" Princess Charlotte asked Nathan.

"Noth-"

"Never mind, what do you think of these gowns? Should I buy the pink one or the golden one? I think the golden one brings out my eyes more. What do you think?" Princess Charlotte asked cutting off Nathan midway.

"Typical Princess choice," Nathan muttered to himself but Lucca who was able to hear it, smirked on hearing Nathan.

"You know Your Majesty, Princess Charlotte's choice isn't typical. Most princess would choose the same thing, except some blue - eyed Princesses," Lucca whispered to Nathan.

"I am not comparing her with Marina, even though I am pretty sure, she would never sneak out for such aimless shopping."

"Then, why would her majesty, sneak out?"

"Probably to help someone or teach some girls," Nathan replied remembering the time Marina had argued with him in order to go out and teach some girls.

"Why are we even talking about someone whose not here?" Princess Charlotte asked, looking irritated.

"Your Majesty was remembering his dearest, Your Highness. I apologize if we troubled you in any way," Lucca said expressing his sincere apologies, while mischief danced in his eyes.

Princess Charlotte just glared at the duo while Nathan scoffed at particularly no one, before going to the next stall with Lucca and his smirk hot on heels.

"Do you think Marina would like this?" Nathan asked Lucca showing the teak colored book.

"Which girl would like to read books, Prince Nathaniel? Girls like jewellery, expensive gowns and colorful embroidered drapes. Haven't you heard diamonds are the way to a girl's heart?" Princess Charlotte said putting her opinion for sale, even though the 'buyers' paid no heed to her offer.

"Well, intellectual, intelligent girls, who have better things to do than to worry about the latest fashion trend and gossip of the kingdom do like to read and spend their time in gaining knowledge. At least my girl- my wife does. And do you want to know something else Princess Charlotte? The way to Marina's heart is not through diamonds, gold but through kindness and love. My bad, how would you know that when you yourself are a completely superficial person," Nathan answered angrily, before storming off in another direction with Lucca hot on his heels.

"Why did you get angry, my Lord?"

"Why did I get angry? Princess Charlotte was demeaning Marina!"

"Not her fault, you compared her too much with Princess Marina."

"I was not comparing her with Marina. No one can match my princess, especially someone like Princess Charlotte."

"You are being protective."

"No," Nathan said too quickly.

"I mean, no. I was just stating my views-"

"For 'my princess'?" Lucca asked, smirking.

"It was a slip of tongue," Nathan defended himself.

"If this is not attraction, I wonder what it is," Lucca muttered before mounting his horse.

"Why does everyone think I am attracted to Marina? I mean I defend her when she's wrong. I don't like Lucio because he sticks around Marina like honey bees do around their bee hive-"

"That's called jealousy," Lucca remarked riding faster when Nathan glared at him.

"I can't be jealous. I mean, yeah Marina's good, kind, beautiful and brave. But that doesn't mean I'd get jealous of Lucio because he spends all his time around Marina."

"Remember that time when Lucio held Princess Marina in her arms? You were ready to kill him," Nathan's inner voice piped in.

"Fine, I am jealous of Lucio and why won't I be? Marina's my wife, yet she spends all her time with Lucio."

"You know, you just indirectly confessed you are attracted to Marina?" Nathan's inner voice asked, before disappearing off.

"Wait... I did not. Oh God... I did it."

"Sh*t! I like Marina," Nathan said stopping his horse mid way as the realization hit him hard.

"I don't see what is the problem with liking Princess Marina," Lucca commented, stopping beside Nathan.

"Well, I-I can't like Marina."

"Of course, you can't. After all you aren't a human right? You are not supposed to have feelings right? Oh wait, then I wonder how come you are able to stand on two legs?" Lucca asked, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"Stop speaking in your mother tongue - sarcasm and now speak in the common language."

"You are a human being. Human beings have emotions, feelings and Princess Marina is your wife. So, what's the harm in liking your wife? In fact most people, first court their beloved and then marry them."

"Exactly, that's the problem. We did not have a marriage like many others and I don't want my stupid feelings to ruin our friendship or whatever is left of it after Lucio came."

"You are going too hard on yoursel-"

"You are not to utter a word of this conversation," Nathan ordered Lucca, before continuing his ride.

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Yes!! I updated. Well, I wanted to start the New Year on a good note. So, HAPPY NEW YEAR guys!! Hope you all have a wonderful year.😊😊

Back to the story, what did you think of Nathan's confession?

What are your thoughts on Princess Charlotte? Mari & Lui?

So, I'll try to squeeze in updates like this one. But, no promises.

Anyways, yesterday was my birthday guys! So, this chapter is dedicated to my amazing friend SakinaNasir5253 and ever sweet friend, who shares the same birth date with me - flowerofpomona. Love you guys❤❤

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)