Recap -

Marina, Ally, Lucio and Lucca along with Brialle and Nathan reach the kingdom of Mystic Falls. There Marina meets the royal huntress - Alicia Deanders. Ally and Lucio have to go to Vincenzo Island to break a revolt. Nathan stays back with Lucca and Marina, on hearing about his childhood best friend - Princess Admiranda's arrival.

Present -
(Mystic Falls, Alves)

Today, there was something different about the air of the royal palace of Mystic Falls. For starters, Ally and Lucia weren't there for princess Marina, though she found a new friend in the royal huntress - Alicia Deanders.

Even though the two don't have the best of start yesterday. Today, Alicia was back to her usual happy-go-lucky self. Suffice to say, with Alicia being around, Marina did feel like Ally were around her. Alicia was easy going like Anne but serious and protective like Belle when the situation demanded to.

Other than this, Marina hadn't seen Nathan since yesterday night. Sighing Alicia and Marina went to the entrance of the palace, when Nathan had instructed, not asked, them to be there for Princess Admiranda's arrival greetings.

Marina stopped when her eyes landed on Nathan, before she could even say a word, Nathan was engulfed by a white fuzzy ball or what later became  clear to be Princess Admiranda.

"Nathan!!" The young princess greeted Prince Nathaniel while breaking their hug.

"Princess Admiranda, it is a pleasure to see you in the Mystic Falls," Nathan greeted the grey eyed, platinum blonde haired princess.

Marina observed Princess Admiranda, she was wearing a white gown and with her pale skin and platinum blonde hair, no doubt she could be mistaken like a moving white ball who was currently entangled around her husband.

At least Nathan had the decency to move away from the Princess Snow White. Marina thought to herself.

A bit rude, aren't you?
Marina's inner voice remarked curtly.

Before Marina had the chance to respond she was enveloped into a bone crushing hug by none other than Princess Snow White.

"Hello you must be Princess Marina? I am Princess Admiranda," the young princess said, smiling.

"Nice to meet you Princess Admiranda," Marina replied, putting her 'most polite' smile.

"Pleasure is mine," Princess Admiranda said, before going on to exchange greetings with Alicia.

"Okay, enough with the greetings. Come on Miranda, I'll show you your room. Princess Marina would you please see into the preparations for the lunch," Nathan said, before the two walked away.

Miranda? He never gave me a nickname! Not like I wanted to have one.
Marina thought to herself.

Yeah sure.
Marina's inner voice replied, sarcastically.

"You know her," Marina stated as she entered the dining room with Alicia.

"Yeah, she used to come here a lot during childhood," Alicia replied while checking the food that the maid's brought in one by one.

"Why is she so--"

"White?"

"Yeah," Marina replied while checking the crockery arrangement and helping the servants to light the candles on the dining table.

"I think it's because it is colder where she lives. She is a literal Snow White, right?" Alicia asked, while putting the white handkerchiefs.

"No doubt," Marina muttered to herself.

No sooner were the preparations done than Princess Admiranda and Nathan announced their arrival with fits of laughter.

Alicia looked at the blank faced Marina then at the laughing pair. Sighing she thought, it was going to be a very long, long day

Marina was about to sit in her chair, across Nathan, which was her usual place when Princess Admiranda interrupted her.

"If you don't mind me, can I please sit here, Princess Marina? Since childhood I have always sat here."

Before Marina even reply back, Nathan who had been busy conversing with Lucca, asked Princess Admiranda to sit down.

Grudgingly, Marina sat besides Princess Admiranda. The Lunch was a full torture for Marina, Nathan and Princess Admiranda kept on sharing inside jokes and past memories, memories which Marina wasn't a part of. A part of her wondered, if Nathan ever felt the same way when she and Lucio talked about their childhood times.

That's it, I need to stop acting like a witch or a possessive wife. Princess Admiranda is our guest and Nathan's childhood best friend obviously they have a lot to catch up with. Marina thought to herself while looking at the two best friends.

By the time dinner was finished Marina had made up her mind to give at least one chance to the tribal princess.

But even before Marina had the chance to say a word, Princess Admiranda expressed her desire to see the whole Palace, which her lovely best friend decided to carry out immediately.

"Alicia let's go to the training room. How about you teach me some archery?" Marina asked the royal huntress, who too had gone out for her lunch.

"Sure."

(Few hours later.)

"I must say, for a first timer you did a great job," Alicia said, praising Marina.

"At trying to kill you?" Marina asked, dryly.

"Hey! Don't say like that, it happens at times and you have just started learning archery. So, obviously the arrows could go anywhere," Alicia remarked, trying to cheer up Marina.

"And this is our training room," Nathan said, entering the room with his best friend - Princess Admiranda.

"I can't believe, how much this palace has changed," Princess Admiranda replied.

Her eyes glancing towards Marina for a second, before going back to Nathan.

However, that wasn't what Marina was concerned about. Somehow, she found herself staring at Princess Admiranda's arm, which was currently and conveniently entwined with Nathan's forearm.

Marina violently turned around as the pair of best friends existed the training room.

"You look like you want to kill somebody," Alicia remarked, eyeing Marina.

When Marina glared at her, she quickly put her hands up in air in surrender.

"Princess angry?" Zitto greeted Princess Marina from flying out of nowhere and slowly perched on her wrist.

"Zitto? What are you doing here?" Marina asked the bird as her eyes landed on the little letter tied around his brown feet.

Marina opened the letter, slowly.

Dear Mari/Marines,
                                   We have safely reached the Vincenzo Island and have started heading towards the damaged and captured areas. The weather is moderate here (Anne wanted you to know that). We miss you a lot. But, at least you are safe and sound there. If everything goes as per our plan we'll return in four - five days. Take care of yourself and Brialle. Don't wander alone or try to injure yourself. Don't eat strawberries alone (Lucio wanted to mention that). I know right? I am surrounded by a bunch of idiots (Belle wanted to convey our thoughts to you).

                                         Yours sincerely,
                                          Ally and Lucio.

Marina laughed and she read the letter. At least her friends would be back soon.

(On the other side of the castle.)

Nathan sighed as he entered his study. He was tired showing Miranda the whole castle. He sat on the chair, studying some documents, before Lucca entered the room.

"Oh, I am sorry, I didn't know you were here, Your Majesty. I thought you'd still was sauntering in the castle," Lucca replied sarcastically.

"Lucca, now what did I do? Is it illegal to give your best friend a tour of the castle?" Nathan asked, resting his chin on his palm.

"No. It's certainly not a courtesy to avoid your own wife like plague," Lucca replied, his voice laced with anger.

"I am not avoiding her--"

"Yeah and I am Wizard Merlin. Seriously, I don't get it first you say you like her.Then you say you are not supposed to like her and then you start avoiding her."

"I just don't know how to act around Marina. If I avoid her, my feelings would go away and I don't even have time for them. With Princess Admiranda's arrival and everything happening in Vincenzo Island. I cannot afford to lose my focus," Nathan, reasoned out.

"Wow, great solution," Lucca replied, angrily.

"Just because you can't deal with your feelings, you decide to avoid your wife's existence!"

"It's not just about my feelings, it's about Princess Admiranda's arrival and our political relationship--"

"Save it. I don't want to hear the end of it. It's between you and your wife, I am no one to interfere. But, for your information, you are being a jerk," Lucas said, before storming out of the room.

Sighing Nathan again started to read the documents, he knew what Lucca had said was true and he didn't blame Lucca for getting angry. It's just his best friend - Lucca, was too much of an empathizer.

However, all Nathan could do for now, was just to hope everything turned out right in the end. After all, Nathan didn't know, who he was hurting more in all this, Marina or himself.
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Hello readers!

Sorry for the late update. I have been busy with my new book - The Barista's Girl.

Anyways, back to the story, what are your thoughts about Princess Admiranda?

Finally, we know the reason behind Nathan's changed behavior. What are your thoughts about his reasons?

Lastly, any thoughts on Marina and the letter sent by Ally and Lucca?

Please do let me hear your thoughts.

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)