"Almost over..."

Artemis had to keep reminding herself that this meeting would soon be over and Harry and her could whisk away for a night alone, together. Those seemed to get rarer and rarer as the days went on, especially with her 18th year right around the corner.

"Artemis?"

"Hm?" She only hummed in response, snapping out of her own thoughts. She found ten sets of eyes starring expectantly at her and she frowned, "I'm sorry, I missed that."

"Stupid Girl," Absoleum mumbled and Artemis had the decency to look offended. "Mirana was inquiring about the fact your 18th year is a mere week away, and you are yet to be engaged."

"I'm sorry, what?" Artemis blinked rapidly at the group starring at her.

"Cheney was so quick to banish us, Darling, we didn't have the chance to explain everything to you when you took the throne," Alice was quick to cut in.

Artemis' wide eyes turned to her mother, "then, please, explain."

Alice and the Hatter shared a quick look, but it was the former who explained everything. "You are to take the throne by your 16th year, but you only have until your 18th year to secure a worthy husband to keep the throne with you."

"And that Isle boy is hardly fit," Absoleum muttered.

"Okay, first of all, don't talk about Harry like that," she immediately jumped to his defense but the 'all knowing' simply rolled his eyes, sharing a silent look with his daughter. "Secondly, I'm not ready to get married. I'm not even 18 yet - Harry and I have only been together for a year."

"Sometimes, sweetheart, you've got to do what's best for your kingdom - it's the spirit of a true Queen," Mirana - the white Queen - spoke up elegantly and Artemis turned her gaze to the white haired woman. "That is why we had a betrothed lined up for you the day you were born."

"Betrothed?" Artemis echoed with an incredulous laugh.

"I like Harry," Alison spoke up to try and ease the tension that was clear when everyone started to gang up on Harry in front of Artemis like that. "He saved Artemis from Cheney, in case we all forgot about that. Can't really go wrong with True Loves kiss."

"Yes, yes, but wouldn't you like another prince - with ruling experience - at your- your side," the White Rabbit stuttered, fixing his glasses on the bridge of his nose and tapping his foot anxiously. "Like, Prince Mason."

Artemis' eyes widened as they darted over to the boy that was mentioned. Mason Marmoreal, son of the White Queen - they practically grew up together and if there was anyone she was expected to end up with, it was him. But, that's not who she wanted - she barely even liked Mason as a friend. He was obnoxious and she was pretty sure he had a thing for Abby.

"This is ridiculous," Abby finally broke in, being the voice of reason. "Artemis turns 18 in a week and if she's not engaged, what're you going to do? Take her off the throne? The people of Wonderland have been following her for almost two years now, they won't let it happen. So, honestly, the choice is yours."

Artemis tossed the dark haired girl a grateful smile that Abby returned, despite all the adults in room seeming equally annoyed and displeased with that idea.

"It doesn't matter," Hatter broke in. "The law of the land is the law - if we didn't abide it we would truly all go mad-" he broke off into irritable grumbling, talking too fast for anyone to understand until Alice laid a hand over his. He stopped, taking in a deep breath to calm himself down. "Sorry," he muttered.

"Fine, you want me to choose?" Artemis shot up from her chair, her dark brown eyes darting around at the lot of them. "I choose Harry, but at my own pace, and if that means I lose the throne then... I lose the throne," she whispered with a shrug. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Harry's waiting for me - we have plans. Meeting adjourned."

"Artemis-"

"Actually," Artemis cut off the White Queen, raising a single finger. "It's still your majesty for another week, good day." And with that she left with a flourish of her blonde curls and the doors shutting heavily behind her.

"Artemis! Hey, Artemis!" A voice called out and the blonde stopped with much reluctance, turning halfway to see Mason was the one to chase after her. She rolled her eyes impatiently, glancing over at the large clock tower for the time. "Look, it was so not cool for them to ambush you back there."

"No, it wasn't," she crossed her arms uncomfortably.

"Yeah, and for the record - I've seen you and Harry on TV, you two seem really good together," he admitted and she felt herself relax at that.

"Right?" Artemis threw her hands out in exasperation. "I mean, my Mother was supposed to get engaged to one of her Dad's business partners and she called it off for my Dad... you'd think she'd understand."

"She does," he assured her, and Artemis' eyes darted up to his. "She's just under a lot of pressure merging back into the whole kingdom life after you- uh... I mean, Cheney banished her for so long." Artemis pressed her lips into a thin line at that - he had a point. "Give her time. You're her daughter, she won't do anything she doesn't think is right for you."

"Thank you, Mason," Artemis finally smiled for what felt like the first time since that meeting started. "I really needed to hear that."

"You're welcome," he smiled charmingly at her. "Now, go on, don't keep your uh, Pirate Charming waiting." Artemis laughed at that, calling out a soft parting before taking off and Mason's eyes followed her the whole way, his bottom lip pulled between his teeth.

She went back to her room to get ready and meet up with Harry. She changed into a dark maroon dress with black lace sleeves to match her heels and tied her hair back into a long braid that came over her shoulder and adorned her crown on the top of her head. She met up with Harry down in the gardens and he led her out of the Castle gate and through the endless maze for a few minutes before reaching their spot.

She smiled at the little break in the garden, her eyes taking in the bench they used to sit at, the bird bath, the little campfire they sat at a year ago before taking down Cheney.

"I figured if there was any place we could be alone, this would be it," he whispered in her ear and she smiled, leaning back into his chest.

"I love it," she turned in his arms to look up at him, resting her hands against his chest. "I know, how crazy everything's been lately with both of us trying to adjust, so it means a lot to me that you would stop and do this... we don't ever get to hang out and just... be us as often anymore."

Harry didn't say anything, simply tightened his hold around her and pressed his lips against her forehead, bringing a cute smile to Artemis' lips that made her cheeks tinge pink and her nose crinkle up.

She slowly untangled from his arms and took his hands to lead him over to the bench. She took a seat, tracing her fingers along one of the roses on the bush, and Harry followed suit, watching with a small smirk pulling up on his lips. "Harry, I need to tell you something."

"What is it love?"

She pressed her lips into a thin line turning to look at him. She didn't say anything for a noticeable moment, just drinking in his face. She knew what she wanted - she wanted this forever, and she'd willingly let one of her siblings take the throne if that was the price.

"My mother just informed me that if I'm not engaged by my 18th year, then I could lose the throne," she said carefully, continuing before he could say anything. "And her preferred choice would be Prince Mason."

Harry's eyebrows furrowed as he shot up to his feet, half turning away from the blonde, "preferred choice..." he scoffed, shaking his head. "She never did like me."

"Harry, it doesn't matter," she quickly jumped to her feet as well, resting a hand on his upper arm delicately. "Because I choose you, and if that means they give the throne over to Matt or Alison, then fine. I never wanted any of this, I just want you."

Harry let her turn him around, her hands cupping his jaw. He shook his head, nudging her hands away, "it does matter. I don't belong here, Arty, I never have and this just proves it."

"Harry, I know this isn't the Isle-"

"Believe me Sweetheart, You have no idea," he scoffed under his breath and Artemis stopped at his tone, her face falling slightly. "I'm not some pompous Prince like Mason, alright. I'm a fraud. Parents don't like me, I don't go to cotillions or have perfect manners... I'm not a King, Artemis, I'm a Pirate, and I can't pretend like I'm not."

"I don't want you to - I just want you," she insisted, her eyes shining with a rare desperation for him to see that.

"Maybe," he took a slight step back. "But, one day yer gonna wake up and realize you did want to be Queen - and I was the one who held ya back. I can't do that..."

"Harry," she tried to reach for him but he simply shrugged her off and stormed off.

Artemis raised a hand to her mouth in shock, feeling the tears well up in her eyes as she watched him go.

Harry stormed back to the castle and to his room where Uma and Gil were gathering up all their things. He flung open the door, not a word leaving his lips, but the anger shining clear on his face as he paced back and forth the length of his suite. Uma shared a quick look with Gil, slowly rising from her seat to approach her first mate.

"Harry?" She began and he glanced at her shortly, not once faltering in his movements. "What's up? What happened?" He didn't say anything, didn't once acknowledge the fact she was even talking. "Harry!" She rose her voice slightly, finally getting him to stop and look at her. "Chill. Talk to me."

"I don't belong here," he muttered, shaking his head and running a hand over his mouth and chin. "I never have, and I never will. I mean, look at me," he gestured down to himself in dismay. "I don't even look like myself anymore - I definitely don't feel like myself..." he yanked off his jacket and tossed it aside before running his hands through his raven locks to toss them up from where they'd been neatly combed back. "I can't do this anymore..."

Gil frowned at him, sharing a hesitant look with Uma. "What're you saying?"

"I'm saying... it's time I go back home."