THANKS FOR 200 READS 😔😔 IM SO GRATEFUL :(((♡♡♡.

//

_____________♧ACE POV♧____________

//

It was Thursday, only three days left for the big day as they said- April's Wedding. They've been preparing for the night since one month prior to it. Life's been alright this one month.

Ace and Zia have been meeting rarely nowadays. Ace been busy with helping his sister and Zia have been giving excuses to not meet him. He didn't mind, for he wanted her to meet him willingly. After that night- when she discovered about her real identity, she's been withdrawn a little. Avoiding normal little things like a handshake or a brotherly hug.

Today, he wanted to invite her to the wedding but he was nervous about it. Will she decline? Will she ignore him? Or will she accept but ditch the wedding? Too many insecurities going on in his mind. As to put it Simply, she had been his first friend and it was a little nerve wrecking.

Speaking of friends, Ace gained another little brother who had been nothing but respectful to him. Since the day he refuged Ray's life, the boy ought to pay the debt off by helping where he can. Ace remembered the day he convinced brother who in turn convinced their father about the pledge.

××

"Brother" Ace knocked on his brother's door. It was rare of him to knock on his door that's why Aron's reaction was priceless.

"Ace?" Aron looked so taken aback by his appearance. It was seven in the morning with the sunlight still shyly peeking over the horizon. Aron's clothes looked dishevelled with his reddish shabby curly hair displayed infront of his eyes. He looked sleepy which made Ace a little guilty for waking him up like that.

"Oh...I'm sorry for waking you up but, I have a favour to ask of you"

Aron yawned, nodding his head in approval. He beckoned the younger to join him in the room.

"Speak" he said.

Ace didn't know how to approach this matter, he almost never had to ask anything to his brother. They weren't that close but they were brothers nonetheless so why was he so intimidated to speak up?
"hmmmmm, you see...."

"Yeah?" Aron then scrunched his nose "stop being so damn nervous and speak up, you are stinking up the room for no apparent reason"

Oh right, he could smell him. How can Ace forget the status of his brother? He was an obvious Alpha and they had the strongest senses.

Ace felt a blush creep up his neck in embarrassment. "Oh right, sorry"

Aron shrugged "it's alright, go on"

"So, I got a friend? Yesterday? And....he is poor so me,,, being a good friend of course, told him that I can get him a job here"

"In the palace?"

"Yeah..."

Aron suddenly smirked "so why haven't you gotten him a job still? Why asking me?"

"You see,,, my relationship with OUR dad is basically awful and I know he trust you so much so i didn't know how to approach him about this favour but to ask you"

"Ohhh" It was no surprise that Aron was basically the right hand of their dad. He was the most trusted member of the royal family. His father always depended on his opinions as well as his perspective on things. So it was easier to ask him to convince their dad.

"So will you?" Ace looked at Aron with his puppy eyes that seemed to work everytime.

"Ok...yes" Aron sighed "what does your little friend want to work as?"

"Anything I think, but preferably in the stable...the poor boy has weak physique so I don't think he will be able to endure any hard jobs"

Aron nodded at that "alright I'll see"

Ace beamed at that "really? Thank you very much" he said genuinely.

Aron smiled "no problem, brother"

It was rare to see the two brother conversing peacefully without jumping into bickering with each other. Ace had always been respectful towards his brother even though their age gap wasn't that wide but, nonetheless, Ace saw him as a mature figure in his life. He was proud of what he came to. Although it might seem unfair to him but Ace was always genuinely proud and acceptable of his brother's abilities that he didn't dare to question it.

××

And his brother in fact, talked with their father and Ray got a job as stable boy. From that day onwards, they became inseparable. Often spending the rest of their days chatting and playing. Ace lacked childhood friends and he seemed to have found it.

//

"Rayyyy" Ace shouted waking up the horses. "Oh sorry bud"

"Ace?" The younger peeked out from the side of the dark horse with a wide smile blasted on his face.

"How was your day?" Ray was used to Ace coming to talk off his day to Ray. It was their routine after a long day. Ray usually went home at weekends to take care of his ill mom. And during those two days, Ace suffered from boredom.

"Great!" The younger replied enthusiastically. His sapphirey eyes glinting. "How about you?"

"Well, as usual, I helped April in choosing the type of cake for the wedding which I don't know what is the use of it and then I read a book in the library" He said mindlessly not realising how Ray's body became tense.

"Can I ask you something?"

Ace nodded, brushing the horse's back "yeah sure"

"Can you teach me how to read and write?" He asked quietly as if he was weighing the possibilities.

Ace was caught on guard. He never noticed the lack of literacy from the younger which made him feel at fault about his endless talks about books and literature. He felt bad and so he needed to help him in return.

"If.....that's possible. I know I'm a mere poor boy with no power to ask anything of you...you are a prince and I'm just me...s-"

"I'll do it" Ace cut off the poor rambling boy who looked close to panicking.

The younger widened his eye in disbelief "R-Really?" He stuttered out an answer. The boy had tears already seep from his eyes.

"Yeah" Ace chuckled amusingly and patted the boy on his back. "I'll always help my friends"

"T-Thank you for providing me a clean job and food to eat. Without you, I would've been died helping my mother" The younger responded genuinely.

"Well, do you think I can invite someone?" Ace said while watching the younger brush the horses' hair.

"Who?"

"Oh, a friend of mine"

Ray nodded confused "so why are you asking me though? Aren't you like...a prince?"

"I am!"

Ray laughed at his reaction. He sometimes wondered how can someone this kind-hearted be a prince. Not to judge or anything, but royal members has a stereotypical personality and Ace didn't seem to fit in it.

"I'm just...see, this 'person' isn't someone I can just invite...it's different."

Zia. Ace wanted to invite Zia to the wedding. Albeit he had all right to, it felt different and awkward to just casually tell her that he is in fact a prince. They didn't know each other that much beside some random facts. Throwing a whole 'I'm a prince and my sister is a princess and you are welcome to her wedding at the royal palace' is indeed a very surprising approach.

"Are they your lover?" Ray blurted out.

Ace choked on his breath. The question seemed innocent but he could never picture he and Zia to be....lovers....

"Hey! Don't just say things like that"

"I just thought you had a lover and you were shy about inviting them....I'm sorry" Ray started laughing at Ace's horrified reaction. It was priceless.

"No no!!!! She's....just a friend..."

Ray suddenly smirked "oh? It's a she?"

Ace felt suddenly hot "shut up"

Ray cackled for a second before clearing his throat "tell her someone else invited her....if you are embarrassed to blurt your name out"

"Ray!!! You are so clever!!!!" Ace suddenly thought of Her friend Iris who he had figured out where he saw her before. She was the girl who had danced with him but was snatched by his brother. If she could come again.....that means there's a possibility Zia was going to come along with her. Great!

"Good luck in convincing your not-lover-but-only-friend!"

"I'll fire you!!!!"

//

They usually met here. Where the crimson tree covers the sunlight. It's an amazing view often reminding him of a canvas he saw in the library. It's February and it's not so cold anymore; It gets chilly at night though. Ace and Zia made this cosy spot their territory.

Today was no different. after Ace regained his confidence, he had knocked on Zia's window and told her to meet him there.

He had been waiting since a few minutes ago with no presence of the girl. He considered her ditching but he suddenly heard her laughter emerge from behind the trees. "Caught ya!"

Ace felt a sudden warmth build in his chest. "Yes" he started to chuckle as well, for no apparent reason whatsoever.

"I'm sorry for not meeting you more frequently....I was uh...busy" Zia said unexpectedly, breaking the silence.

Ace knew she was simply more than busy. He felt a little hurt knowing that she didn't feel comfortable enough to tell him. It was all fine though, he never wanted to pressure her to tell him anything.

"It's fine"

Zia nodded "the weather is so cool, I like it"

"Yeah" they both let the silence over come them. They were sitting at the ground with their backs to the tree. Ace noticed that Zia had her hair tied up in a bun which wasn't the norm.

"I'm a prince"

"I'm a princess" they both blurted out at the same time.

Ace felt has jaw fall from the shock "Princess???"

"You? A prince?"

"Me? Of course! What do you mean" Ace suddenly got defensive. What did she mean? Did he not look like a prince?

Zia chuckled at his expression. She got up and nodded "Sometimes....but for real though?"

Ace got up as well, but he tripped on a stick which earned him a high pitchy giggle from Zia. He laughed as well. "Shut up, what about you? How can you be a princess?"

Zia shook her head in disbelief "well, I am."

Ace raised his eyebrows at that "how?"

"Didn't i tell you I'm a magician?"

Ace remembered how Zia met him after that day in cold sweat telling him that she indeed was a wizard. She also told him to promise not to tell a soul, to which he obliged happily. It was their secret. 

Ace nodded. "well, I found out I'm apparently a lost princess too," Zia continued in a shrugging manner.

"Wow, so we both are royalty then" Ace smirked.

"It appears so...."

"Will you give me the honour to escort the princess to a party?" Ace suddenly asked.

"Hey--WHAT?" Zia's eyes went round.

Ace chuckled at that "A PARTY!" he said kicking off a rock.

"Oh I know what is a party," She paused, brows knitted. "But-- why?...." She wondered confused.

Ace sighed looking over at the moon. It have been shining so brightly tonight. "My sister's wedding" He replied nonchalantly.

Realisation hit her at that moment. "Ohh"
Albeit She seemed absorbed in her thoughts. "I'll see"

Ace beamed. He had figured she wouldn't even consider it. "Thank you."

"When's it?" Zia asked.

"Sunday's night, ask your friend to come too"

"Who...?" Zia looked puzzled. "Iris?"

Ace nodded. "Yeah, bring her along."

"Why?" Zia raised her eyebrows. "Do you know her?"

"Yes." Ace noticed Zia's expression become unreadable. "Why do you care?"

"I don't!" She suddenly became defensive too. "I just-- what if you are kidnapping us?" She inquired, forming her lips in a pout.

Ace snorted at her words. "As if" he said under his breath which was caught by Zia.

"What?" She looked angry. A little. "For real though...how can I know to trust you?"

"Easy. If you find things become suspicious, tell the youngest prince. He'll take care of you." And with that he laughed, walking off to the palace.

//

______________♧ZIA POV♧____________

//

Today was the Day. It was Sunday's morning with only a few hours to the wedding night. Zia considered just sleeping and ditching the whole thing or self-indulgening herself in her thoughts, but when her friend knew about the whole invitation she couldn't contain her excitement. So Zia didn't want to disappoint her.

××

"I'm invited to a party!" Zia said upon entering into her friend's house.

"Whatttt????" Squealed Iris. "Is what I am hearing correct?"

Zia chuckled at her friend's antics. "Yes."

"Oh God," started Iris. "Come, come tell me about it." She demanded.

Zia just got the invitation yesterday. She forgot to inform her Aunt about it although they've been on good terms for a while. She just feared a little to what her reaction is going to be but, she was going to eliminate that whole 'my friend's a Prince' part because it was too shocking and threatening.

After waking up this morning, she went straightaway to her friend's. Part of her wanted to get answers about her relationship with Ace and whether she knew him and another part wanted to just genuinely discuss about the whole invitation.

Upon knocking at her door, Zia was harshly pulled into a bigger cottage than hers. She understood too well that her friend was richer than her. She often had to go to royalty gatherings. Iris once told her about the job of her father, saying he was one of the guards to the palace. Must be nice, she thought.

"Do you know Ace?"

Iris frowned her eyebrows in confusion. "Him?" Zia nodded. "No. Maybe? I don't know."

"The prince....?"

Then, Iris's eyes lit up. "Ohh!"

"Ooh?"

Iris laughed. "Yes I do, he is the youngest prince of the north"

.....So he was telling the truth.

"Hmm must be nice"

Iris nodded. "So. What about him?"

"Do you know him?"

Iris nodded again. "Yeah...remember the night I went to the royal party?"

Zia remembered that night too well. She couldn't forget the blush that her friend sported that day. She wondered for a second whether Ace was the cause of it....Strangely enough, that thought made her skin shiver.

"Yeah..."

"I met him there. We danced briefly before his brother came along" and that blush again....nice.

"His brother?" Iris nodded. "Yeah oh, he's name's Aron..."

So it wasn't because of Ace. Thank God. Zia felt so relieved knowing there was no feelings between her two friends. She concluded her discomfort to be because she didnt want to third wheel. Must be it then.

"Nice"

"Indeed"

"So, me and Ace have been friends for a month now." She started.

"Oh so he was that boy?"

Zia nodded. "Yeah, I'm surprised you didn't recognise him though"

"Must be the darkness, or something else but I'm sure if I saw him again, in all his glory, my mind would force me to. Can't forget such a face though." Iris said sporting dreamy eyes.

Zia felt irritated. Right, third wheeling, right. Nothing else. "In all his glory?"

"What? can't I appreciate a sight?" She again had those dreamy eyes.

"A....sight?" Zia never really had the chance to ogle at his face long enough. Sure he had nice hair which she often imagined herself brushing her fingers through it. His chocolate eyes too was a sight. What about his- No no! His my friend!!.

Iris nodded. "Can't you see? Although I'm not infatuated with him but he really is handsome. As well as his brother though...although his brother has a different kind of vibe to which I can't decipher."

"Shut up" Zia said frustrated. She didn't know why she was getting so irritated hearing Iris compliment her friend. Its Third wheeling, right?

"Ok ok I'll....but don't forget to look at the boy more..." Iris smirked in a teasing mode which added to Zia's embarrassment more.

"Shut up!"

"What about the party?" Iris suddenly asked, returning to the main subject.

"He invited me, and I don't know whether I should attend or no...."

"You absolutely should!" Iris said. "How about I come with you?" She said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Why? To see prince charming of yours?"

"Maybe....or maybe just to say hello to Ace again"

Zia had enough of her teasing so she pushed her just slightly. "I said shut up and help me"

"Alright...." Iris stood up, winking at Zia. "Come on"

××

So here she was, laying her party dress down on her mattress. She never attended a social gathering before, but Iris was going to be there to help her. Ace too will protect her....right?

Her dress looked so nice she wanted to actually cry. Never ever in her life had she wore such a majestic dress. It was a blue lacy strapless dress that had her shoulders bared to the air. She felt a little insecure about the dress but she could definitely imagine herself in that. So beautiful.

The dress was decorated with beautiful silvery jewels that were fake of course. The dress was Iris's and she felt so grateful for her help. Iris said that the dress matched well with her black hair. Zia didn't put it on yet, but she was sure it was going to turn out good anyway. Iris's taste never deceived.

Zia sighed and went downstairs to talk to her Aunt about it. She just hoped that she'd accept with no further negotiations. She didn't want to disappoint her further.

Luckily, her aunt was in the garden outside feeding the hens. She hoped her mood was light enough for what's to come.

"Auntie?" Zia said in a quiet, hushed tone.

When her aunt didn't seem to hear, she repeated but in a louder tone. "Auntie?"

Her aunt finally noticed. She smiled beckoning Zia to join her. "What's up, dear?" She said with worried expression.

Zia giggled. "Nothing to worry about" she shrugged.

The aunt visibly relaxed. "So what is it about?"

"I-" Zia gulped nervously. She didn't know how to approach this. "Iwasinvitedtoapartyandiwantyouacceptbecauseirisisgoingtoaccomompanymesoyoushouldntworry"

"Slow down dear..." her aunt chuckled.

Zia exhaled, she was going to repeat this....God! "So," she started. "I am invited to a party" at that her aunt frowned. "Before you say anything just...hear me out" Zia pleaded with her gaze.

Her aunt nodded continuing to feed the hens. "I have a friend...and I know it's dangerous for me but, I knew him before anything happened. He, let's say he's rich so his family is holding a party. I know its risky, but, Iris will accompany me....and I promise I won't talk to anyone just.. him and Iris." Zia stopped, catching her breath.
She started inspecting her aunt's facial expressions for a reaction but it was unreadable.

"Ok"

What?

"What?"

The aunt chuckled, squeezing Zia's cheeks adoringly. "I can't keep you with me forever can I?"

Zia was speechless. "But, is it really ok for me to go?" She didn't believe that her aunt just accepted this easily. She thought she'd have to prepare a whole speech and a lot more convincing, but it was this easy in the end.

"Yes, I can't hide you forever. You will have to grow up one day and explore the world by yourself even if it's risky."

Zia felt tears shimmering in her eyes. "I- Thank you!!!!!" Zia suddenly jumped into her aunt's arms laughing with happy tears.

"I promise I'll protect myself"

Her aunt nodded. "Be careful, and introduce me to that friend will you?"

Zia nodded. "Ok..." she then happily scampered upstairs with longing for freedom.

Her aunt chuckled. "She really is like her mom"

//

So this was originally a one big chapter but I decided to divide it because I added more scenes soo...BTW!! Good news: I finally have the ending planned! I'm so excited to continue this journey with you all!!

Ps: the romance here will be sloooowww burnnnnn so you will die just for one moment but I promise happy things will blossom😔!!!!