After doing research I wanted to let everyone know that I am NOT copying Bridgerton in anyway. What I'm writing is how "dating" kind of was in the 1800s. I did change it up a little bit though so it wasn't too similar.

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(Y/n)'s POV
As soon as I was old enough to understand, it was put into my mind by my mother that a first kiss is meant to be one of the most special moments in my life. And the reason it is meant to be so special is because...well it is supposed to be shared on my wedding day with the man I swear myself to — and vice versa.

Never before.

Because then I would no longer be seen as pure and therefore, undesirable to other potential partners. Now there is no set law against it, one can kiss one and still marry another, but it is highly frowned upon by society — when it comes to the higher members of society of course; like a Duchess, a Lady, and a Princess for example.

(A lady is usually the daughter of a Duchess and Duke, for those that don't know (: I'm still learning more about this time period as I go so if anyone has any information they want to share to help me be better, please share it ❤️)

And unfortunately these days, the opinion of society matters.

But that was not enough to convince me to stop.

I tightened my hold around Anakin's neck to deepen the kiss. The moment his lips had touched mine, it was like something inside of me lit on fire — a single spark that needed a push to ignite. A spark that has always been there, laying dormant behind a wall of denial.

I was new to this as well, but he guided me, he taught me how to kiss him back without using any words, just his lips. It was one of the most heart pounding and stomach fluttering experiences of my life. I could feel my knees about to give out any minute now and my head spun with desire.

I thought numerous times that one of us would snap out of it and end it, but neither of us did and it went on much longer than it should have. Because not only are there societal rules, I was a Royal, and a Royal must never be with anyone who does not hold Royal blood.

That one is actually a law. A stupid one at that.

But it was put there because years ago—before I was even alive—a Royal married a commoner, and that commoner did things that should never have been done...the power went to his head. So the law was set in place since Royals are taught leadership and people skills their whole lives. Basically meaning we were born to rule.

Anakin's hands that were on my waist drifted up and he cupped my cheeks. He kissed me for at least a couple more seconds before backing away and looking into my eyes with an unrecognizable expression, never releasing his hold.

"What was that?" I whispered breathlessly. It felt stupid to ask because I knew...this act explained everything. But I wanted him to say it, I wanted to hear it from his mouth just so I know I am not being delusional.

He swallowed nervously before gently parting his lips, "Princess, I-"

"Sweetheart? Have you cleaned yourself up yet?" My mothers voice drifted across the garden from the back door, and Anakin and I immediately jumped away from each other.

His eyes left mine and he stared down at the floor. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head as he thought about what just happened. I know it is us that he was thinking about because he gently ran his fingers along his lips where mine used to be, and I oddly found myself doing the same thing,

Moments later my mother appeared from around the fountain with Obi-Wan by her side. She sighed when she saw me, "Your hair is a catastrophe."

I quickly composed myself even though I still felt a bit shocked over what happened, and placed a smile on my face so they would not read too much into the tension that sat in the air, "It looks much better than how it did before mother and besides, who is really going to care I have damp hair other than you?" I tilted my head to the side. My voice still sounded a little shaky from the rush in my body, but I was hoping she would not notice.

Anakin was right, I probably would have been wonderful in the theater.

She rolled her eyes, "Come on you have had enough punishment out here, let us go back inside there are many suitors you still have not given some of your attention to."

As soon as she said those words, I shifted my gaze to Anakin and we locked eyes for only a moment, before he looked back to the floor and clenched his jaw.

I glanced back and met my mothers soft-hearted gaze, "That is because most of them are boring and are too focused on impressing me than to actually give me any information about them that is valuable," I sighed, wishing I could go upstairs and lay in my bed as I thought all of this over. I would also like to talk to Anakin about what just happened, but I was lost on what I would say.

I am not even sure what to think. He basically answered every question I had with that kiss, and I have no idea how I feel about it.

My mother approached me with her elegant walk as Obi-Wan went to Anakin and they had a conversation I was unable to hear. But judging by Anakin's irritated stance, he was still being scolded for the incident inside, "I know this is not ideal my love, and I am not expecting you to find a husband tonight. But you promised you would try, and that is all I am asking of you." She said in her soft and gentle motherly tone.

This time I sighed with defeat, I did make her a promise and just as she taught me, I always keep them. No matter how much I would like to do the complete opposite.

I parted my lips to give her the answer she was waiting to hear, but paused when another voice interrupted me, "Anakin!" Obi-Wan called after his ward that was walking away from him in the direction of the stables — to Piett no doubt.

My mother looked in his direction as well with a sympathetic gaze, "Poor boy," She sighed, "It is the anniversary of his mothers death tomorrow you know, so please be more gentle with him. Obi-Wan says he has not been handling it well this time around." She informed me and I turned to face her with guilt shadowing over my heart. I got so caught up in myself that  I did not remember that date was so close, and I always remember.

I watched him walk away in the distance and the kiss played in my head again. Did it not actually mean anything like I thought? Was he only looking for some comfort? A tight ache enveloped my chest moments before I looked away from him, "I will Mother." I said low. I still could not even believe I had my first kiss either... I thought I would feel guilty for it, but no, I did not even regret it happening despite knowing it should not have.

My mother lightly tapped under my chin with a smile, "Come on, let us get inside before you are overcome with a cold."

"Wi-" I stuttered as I pulled my brows together, "Without Anakin?" It felt odd being somewhere without him, even my own home. I am just so used to him being right behind me for every moment throughout my days.

She nodded as she placed her hand on my back and guided me towards the palace. She momentarily took her hand off when she felt the wet material, but eventually ignored it and placed her hand back, "Yes, he needs time to cool off, he will come and find you soon when he feels better, I am sure of it."

I turned around once more just in time to see him enter the stables without looking back in our direction. And for once I was nervous he would not come to find me, but would hide instead.

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"There," My mother had fixed my hair by tying it up into a bun and pulling a few loose strands out around my face, "So beautiful." She leaned forward and kissed my cheek before backing away with a smile.

I smiled back and opened my mouth to speak, but my Father appeared by her side and gently kissed her cheek as she did mine, "Just like her mother." He mumbled close to her ear and a rosy blush covered her cheeks.

All these years together and they are still so in love, and that is really all I want, love and happiness that lasts our entire lifetimes — but is the one that can give me that even in this room? I turned around and peered out for the large windows that looked out upon the garden, where I could see the stables in the distance.

"Sweetheart are you listening?" My mothers voice caught my attention and I snapped my gaze back in her direction.

"My apologies mother," I shook my head, "What did you say?"

"I said," My father pulled my gaze to him, before he stepped forward and locked his arm with me as he led me to the dance floor, "That it is time for you to quit stalling and participate in the dances," He placed us in the stance for the waltz in the middle of the dance floor.

I grimaced, but hid it as we stood there and waited for the song to start, "Not everyone is as good of a dance partner as you Father, they will probably step on my toes or twirl me off of the dance floor." I lightly rolled my eyes, making him laugh.

He did not say anything more as the main gentleman for the quartet spoke aloud for everyone in the dance floor to hear, "You know the rules for this one everyone; switch your partner when you hear me give the order. And it seems we have the Princess joining as well so do try not to crowd her, we would not want that guard of hers to come forward now would we?" He joked and a few people in the room chuckled; Anakin's protectiveness is famously known. He then looked at me with a smile, "It is a pleasure to play for you Princess," He slightly bowed and I smiled back.

The gentleman sat down in a chair on the stage and pulled a cello in front of him. He looked at the man next to him who also had a cello and they both nodded together before placing their bows on the strings.

Song on top starts here, and it is an instrumental song so hopefully it won't be a distraction when reading - if you choose to play it. Oh and if the song ends before you finish the chapter, you can just restart it (:

As soon as the song began, we moved together, taking elegant steps around the floor while others were dancing in the waltz around us, "You have not lost your touch," My father commented with a proud smile.

"I had a great teacher," I shrugged. It was him who taught me. He would pull me to the dance floor with him when I was four years old. Despite how much we disagree on a lot of things, we have always had a great relationship with each other.

He continued to move me around the floor and spun me in a circle. I noticed many of the men looking right at me when they passed and I knew they were trying to dance close so they could take the opportunity to grab me next.

But luckily Obi-Wan and my mother were next to us. So when we were given the order to switch, I was handed to Obi-Wan while my mother and father went off with each other, "You look very beautiful tonight Princess," He complimented me with a soft smile.

"Thank you Obi," I said and his smile grew, "Um is Anakin okay?"

He dropped his gaze down for a moment before spinning me around, then our eyes locked once again, "I do not wish to lie to you Princess, so no he is not. This past week he has seemed more moody and distracted. I am sure it is just about his mother, but he will not talk to me when I try."

That explains him walking away.

"Switch!" They shouted out loud and I silently cursed to myself that I would not be able to continue this conversation right now.

I was handed over to someone I recognized and I was not happy about it — it was the magician from the roulette, "You look ravishing," He complimented me as he eyed me up and down, "Did you enjoy my show yesterday?" He asked with a confident smile.

"Not really, no. Magic does not impress me, a person's heart does," I responded honestly as he spun me around and my eyes locked with another pair across the room — Anakin. He had come back inside, and he was leaning against the back door with his eyes on me.

Instantly I was taken over by the urge to go to him and talk to him about what just happened so I could better understand it. But soon he was gone from my vision when I faced my partner again and he held an offended look, "Oh, I-"

"Nice talking to you," I pulled away from him and headed straight for Anakin, our eyes locking again.

But just as I tried to leave, it was time for a switch and so I was pulled into another dance with a suitor that I actually did not remember. "It is an honor to dance with you," He said with a smile.

"Thank you," I looked over his shoulder to see that Anakin was no longer in the same spot. So I shifted my gaze around the room until I found him walking slowly around the dance floor with his full attention on me — watching and waiting for someone to give him a reason to intervene. I even saw a lot of people move out of his way; he has the face of an Angel, but the reputation of a Devil.

The one I was dancing with was having a full conversation with me, and I felt bad for not hearing a single word, but my sole focus was on that kiss and him, "Is that not funny?" My dance partner said with a chuckle.

I fake laughed with a nod, "Hilarious—"

"Switch."

I did not give the man I was with an opportunity for a goodbye. Because I released my hold on him and started to power walk through the people to Anakin, but just as I feared would happen tonight, I started to get crowded by the men who were bickering for their turn as if I was a toy to play with and they were school children.

"I had my hand on her first," One argued with two others who were scowling. This man had his grip on my wrist and when I tried to pull, I learned it was a tight hold that he was not letting up.

"Let go of me before I call Anakin," I threatened.

He instantly released my hold with nervous eyes, "My-my apologies Princess, I did not realize I was holding so tight."

I held my wrist, which was slightly red and I gently massaged the area, "Because you were all too busy treating me as if I am an object, rather than a person."

Moments after my comment, I felt a presence next to me, and my wrist was taken into another hand. I looked up to see Anakin looking at the red area with knitted brows, and he ran his finger tip on it, "If this bruises," He turned his head to the man who looked more than scared, "Your head will roll." He placed his hand on my black and guided me away from them, "Do you wish to continue with your dances or would you like to-"

"Continue." I cut him off, while placing one hand on his shoulder and grabbing his hand to hold it in my for a proper form, "With you." He was trying to act like nothing had happened, and I was not going to let him, "We are going to talk about what just happened Ani, and I do not want anymore lies."

He clenched his jaw and I could tell that this was the last thing he wanted to do. But he abided by my request anyway and placed his hand on my hip with defeat in his eyes.

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Hope you liked it ❤️
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