Six Years Old... August 7, Year 1547

          "Adelaide. Understand that I would have to leave soon. Right after I introduce you."

          "Go where?" The little girl was scared, worried. That they wouldn't accept her, worse, that he wouldn't like her.

          The woman with raven black hair and the warm chocolate brown eyes crouched down to face her daughter who was an exact replica of her, showing signs of the same ever growing beauty even at the young age of six, except instead of having brown eyes, she inherited the most striking blue color from her father. "Go back to Scotland. I must defend our country until you come off age and marry the next king. I will visit you, I promise."

            The little girl who's hair was almost sweeping the floors even with her long skinny legs, was trembling with tears in her pretty blue eyes. "You're leaving me?"

          "No dear, it's not like that. You have to stay here for your own safety. They will protect you because you are their future queen, and also because Prince William Francis adores you." She hugged the little girl tight, reassuring her that she wasn't leaving her forever. At least not intentionally if she was to die in the English hands.

Even at a young age, Adelaide knew what this adoration from the Prince of France was only because of an alliance, but of course she didn't call it that. She knew a lot for a young girl. But she couldn't help wonder, if she will have the same relationship as her parents who seemed to love each other with no bounds. "Do you—" she sighed diligently, "Do you think he will like me?"

Her mother frowned. Taking hold of her shoulders she made her stand straighter and lifted her chin higher. "Of course he will, what's not there to like?"

"No, I meant...is there a chance I can have the same thing as you and Da had?

"I hope you do. But it won't come easy. Nowadays, nothing ever is. You'll face hardships. But I know you'll be prepared." She smiled down at Adelaide and stood up. Grabbed her daughters soft, seemingly fragile hands and walked towards the throne room.
•••🌞🌞🌞•••
          "Queen Adelaide of Scotland. Your arrival with safety gives me great pleasure. I hope you will soon see the French Court as your home, please welcome." The Queen of France, Catherine, Adelaide's soon to be mother in law. She was quite warm with her welcome and so were the other noble men and women.

          Well, wondered Adelaide, This doesn't seem so bad after all.

          Then she remembered of the Prince. Where was he now? As if on cue, a guard announced his arrival and Queen Catherine immediately went to his side to guide him towards Adelaide in the center of the room for everyone to see. Witness the first meeting of the heirs of Scotland and France.

          Her own mother pushed Adelaide towards the prince who was also stumbling from his mothers insistent pushes.

          "He–Hello." Prince William Francis stammered. Adelaide wasn't quite sure whether to call him William or Francis, but whatever everyone else called him, she knew she'd find herself her own nickname for him.

          "Hello. How are you?" Adelaide didn't stammer which she was thankful for but her question seemed like a generic question.

          However Prince William, saying both his names would be a handful and Adelaide had to choose one to use for now, saved her from creating an awkward silence. "Would you like to play upstairs? I'll race you to the top!"

          And off he went with his long legs which made him look more lanky and skinny, but then again Adelaide had the same long skinny legs. And she ran after him.
•••🌚🌘🌗🌖🌝•••
Ten Years Old... Year 1551

           Everyone else called him Francis, but Adelaide wanted something in the way that she could call him her own.

          "William! What are we doing at the stables? I mean not that I'm complaining, but I don't think you'd want to ride out with the weather like this." They'd caused enough trouble in the castles for the last four years. If they were to get sick...

"Calm down." He chuckled. "We're not going out horse-riding." But he continued to walk on to the direction of the stables.

"Then what are we doing heading to the stables?" Adelaide asked.

"Adie," William turned to look at me and he held his hands on the checks of my face. "Stop being so impatient. We'll get there and then I'll show you. I promise. It's the point of a surprise."

"Surprise?" She frowned? What was he talking about, there was no special occasion.

Adelaide didn't have enough time to dwell on it because soon thereafter they were at the stables. Following William into an empty stall at the corner of the stable. It was hard to see because of the dark clouds but Addie managed to see what was his surprise for her was.

"Will! Oh a puppy!" It's mother was nursing it, no doubt that the puppy would grow as big as its parent considering her size. "But what's the special occasion?"

"Addie, today is your 10th birthday and the day you arrived here, in France. Of course I'd want it to be memorable. Well, now we don't have to worry about running off somewhere and have no guards. Besides, if you're going to be the future Queen of this country you need to be well protected. Most of all I wouldn't want you to get hurt." William had come closer to the mother nursing her pup and he petted her as he grabbed the small puppy to hand it to me.

"Well, it may look small and adorable now but soon, he'll just like be his mother, big and strong. Although with the same kindness to her keeper. Anyway, what are you going to name him?"

She smiled up at him since he had been growing over the last year. "Sterling."
•••🌚🌒🌓🌔🌝•••
Fourteen Years Old... Year 1555

Every year in honor of Addie's birthday and her arrival to France, William gave her little pieces of him. Gifts. She wondered what would it be for her fourteenth birthday.

          William barges into her room, literally, and with him a whole bunch of pillows.

         "Now what is this all about?" Addie asked, curious to why he would have a dozen or more pillows.

         "Remember that time when you wondered what it would snow feel like without the cold numbness. Well, I have an idea." He grinned and ripped some of the pillows from the seams, and a fluid of white cloud appeared. Feathers. And soon he threw one pillow right at me, and there was an explosion of white.

         She couldn't help but giggle with happiness. Jumping on the bed. Up and down. Feathers flying everywhere. Touching, caressing my skin.

          Finally, exhausted. We both lay back on my bed, which was now trashed. The bed sheets tangled and askew, the remains of the pillow cases. Feathers everywhere. Catherine would have a fit. Adelaide giggled at the thought. Speaking of...

          "We made a lot of noise, usually they would be up at our business."

          "I sent them away. I've made it a rule on your special day there'd just be the two of us. Having fun, and they can punish us later." Will was breathing heavily but a huge grin was on his face. And that grin was infectious, especially to me.
•••🌜🌛🌜🌛•••
Sixteen Years Old... Year 1557

          "Adelaide! Oh, today is a big day!" Queen Catherine squealed. Addie could tell she was about to launch into her big talk about the Big Wedding, how we have so many things to prepare. Well, she was really doing everything. She didn't know when he wedding was, in all honesty she couldn't wait since she's been dying to tell Will about her little secret. But at the same time, she was apprehensive. What if all he would ever want was a best friend and his marriage would be nothing more but a negotiation?

          Adelaide was interrupted from her own thoughts when she heard William's voice. She'd know it anywhere.

         "Mother, now's not the time. Remember what I told you about Addie being with me the whole day and the next you could have her all you want for whatever means." He smiled his charming smile at his mother.

          "Ah, well alright. But I can't wait any longer! Ten years of waiting and planning... Finally! The big day!" She beamed as she walked out of her chambers and Will closed the door behind her, dismissing all the other servants in the room. You'd think that Queen Catherine was the one getting married. Although I don't think she'd been this excited at her own wedding.

           "Well, Addie. Ready for our annual tradition?" He grinned cheekily.

          He looked exceptionally handsome today. Probably also the fact that it's been years since the day Adelaide first saw him. Being the lanky long legged Prince. But now, there he was. Almost a man. Charming. And everything a girl would want. Especially his soft blonde curls, the bright emerald eyes.

          He's changed so much over the years. Attracting so many attention from the ladies... Now what would little Addie have against all the temptation that he has with every corner of the court? What's the guarantee that he wouldn't turn his back on Adelaide. Is she just his best friend or his soon to be wife?

           Hopefully after the ten years the two have been...together, would be worth it.

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 © 2016 Haniel Laigo.

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