iii. lies led to confrontation

━ ❝ dreaming of what you could be ❞

━━━━★✼☆｡━━━━

THE HALLWAYS STRETCHED on, never ending it seemed to an outsider. Arabella knew that wasn't the case though. The hallways did end eventually, but that is just what it seemed. While she walked with her normal gracefulness, the Princess was tense. Her six sense tingled swiftly down her spine. Nervous was not what it was. It was a feeling of something being off. Malcolm. Even though she was visiting him later, the usual giddiness was nonexistent the next morning. Something was trying to warn her.

"Arabella!" someone called from behind her.

Arabella turned to see her friend Rebekah walking towards her. Relief escaped her lips, a smile passing over them soon after. The two joined together and embraced for a few moments. "Rebekah." Perhaps her longtime friend could clear her mind. The sarcastic Princess never failed to cheer her up when called for.

"How have you been?"

She flicked a piece of hair out of eyes, tucking it behind her ears. "Fine. How have you been?" It wasn't a lie, but it was an understatement. Bordeom that filled her words was now loaded with enthusiasm. If Rebekah hadn't known the girl in front of her for years, she would've never noticed the shift.

The two told each other secrets through nothing but facial expressions. Rebekah saw the look in Arabella's eyes. She had met someone. She winked at her friend. "Really good. You ready for princess training?"

Arabella gave her a look but failed to hide the smile. "Always am."

Rebekah was from the neighboring kingdom, a good friend of Arabella's kingdom. So instead of splitting the two females into different classes, they fit them into one. The blonde laughed, locking her arms with Arabella's. "Oh, I'm definitely ready."

They both laughed, continuing down the endless hallway. And just like that, Arabella let the thought of her worry go.

———

The air around them was dead. Nothing moved beside the sun outside that shined through a window of patterned glass. Pages flipped, rubbing against one another. A sigh. A groan of complete and utter annoyance.

"Remind me why we must do this again?" Rebekah asked, hissing at the paper cut she received.

Arabella tucked her dress to the side from underneath her. When they turned the age of five, all Princess were required to start training to become a Queen some day. One qualified teacher was assigned to each Princess to guide them on the "right path". Ivy found it ridiculous because she argued that the curriculum they were taught wasn't the one she wanted her daughter to learn. Her daughter was from a long line of powerful beings, they did not need to be taught such idiotic lessons. But Leo explained that it would benefit Arabella's personal training. Ivy didn't argue after that.

"To learn proper training," Arabella explained with a grin. "But they're probably just trying to torture us."

Rebekah slammed her book closed and shoved it away from her body. "Why do we even need to learn this stuff anyway?" She stood. "I mean I get we'll have to rule someday, but all I need to know is the basis, but what if I want to rule with my own rules, and learn on my own?"

Her best friend nodded, the smile leaving her face. "You could if you wished. I cannot, I'm afraid." Arabella closed her book and looked up at her. "My mother has a set future for me. It's my destiny."

She couldn't count how many times she begged to absolutely nothing for her life to be different. Ivy was just so forceful. It was almost like it wasn't Arabella's life anymore, it was her's. Meeting Malcolm somehow made her realize that in the time she lived, she hadn't lived at all. Arabella hadn't done what she wanted.

The girl wanted to live in a cozy cottage in the woods with her true love and children. She wanted to be able to kiss her love with so much passion. Late nights wrapped up in the sheets together, hands intertwined, pressing soft gentle kisses to each other. Whispers in the dark of how much they meant to one another. Children running around outside, watching them grow older. It was all just a dream.

"Arabella-"

The teacher walked in at that very moment, cutting Rebekah off. She looked quite bored herself but forced a smile. "You two lovely ladies did outstanding today. Princess training is over for today and I'll see you two next week." She was gone just as fast and Rebekah scoffed.

"She wasn't even here at all! That little peasant was probably making out with a guard."

Arabella stood up, brushing the non-existent dust from her dress. She went over to the blonde and hugged her for a moment. "I have to go to the village. See you next week Bex."

Rebekah nodded, looking concerned though she knew that her friend knew best and did not push it. Over the years, the knowledge of Arabella keeping many things to herself became clear and evident. If the girl wanted you to know something, she'd tell you.

———

Thankfully, night had not fallen so Arabella was given plenty of time to spend with Malcolm. Something was off, the feeling had returned. Normally, she could easily pinpoint what was bothering her and then fix it before it became a major issue. The Princess only hoped that nothing had befallen to the boy she could not rid her mind of.

But this hope was crushed into the tiniest bits when she was informed that Malcolm was not at the blacksmith. "He's not here today your highness," the man from yesterday revealed. "His father said he was sick."

Sick. Arabella nearly sneered. Malcolm was not sick. His father just needed a pathetic excuse to cover the beatings his son received. Without her meaning to, the thought of ending his life entered her mind. Arabella continued her journey to Malcolm's hut, not yet letting the thought go.

When she knocked, there was shuffling on the inside, the door opened. Malcolm stood before her, his eyes red, bruises covering his face. Arabella gasped. "Malcolm!" Arabella exclaimed as she pushed him back gently so she could get inside the house.

The door shut behind her. He said nothing. "What happened?" she asked softly. Gentle fingers ran over his bruised cheek. Tears filled her eyes. Arabella pushed them away and sighed. Malcolm then grabbed her hands, pulling them down to her sides, then let go. He walked further into the hut.

"Malcolm? Why won't you speak to me?" she questioned as she followed him.

He stopped walking and Arabella stopped behind him. The disappointment that etched his features made her upset. Malcolm looked betrayed, more tears filling his eyes. "You can drop the act now. I know you don't care."

Arabella's face dropped. "Malcolm, what are you talking about? Of course, I care about you! You're my only friend besides my maids and my friend Rebekah who's from another kingdom."

Scoffing sounded through the hut. Malcolm turned away from her as the tears fell down his cheeks. "Stop lying!" He tried to be strong. But he was slowly breaking in front of her.

Nothing else mattered to her. Arabella felt like she was losing a part of herself. He was truly the only person who thought of her as more than just the Princess. She was normal in his eyes and that was enough.

He fell to the floor sobbing. Arabella knelt down beside him, bring his head to her lap and cradling him. She ran her hands through his hair while she spoke soft words of comfort. "It's ok, love. It's ok."

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked, whispering.

Arabella's hands stopped, but then they continued through his hair once more. "Tell you what?"

"That you're marrying a prince from another kingdom."

Silence filled the room like smoke. The brunette opened her mouth hesitantly, then shut it. Malcolm sat up, looking at her tear-filled eyes. "I didn't want my future to ruin what we had." It was the complete and honest truth. Arabella didn't want to lose him because of some poor excuse for a marriage. She would though, that was the undeniable truth.

"But you could've told me," he replied, brushing his hands on her arms.

Arabella could barely form words. The way his hands so delicately made their way up and down her arm made her feel safe, care-free. He was so gentle with her. Her dream came rushing back to her. Her eyes shut. "I'm sorry. I would've told you-"

"Aria," he interrupted. Her eyes opened. "I want you to be honest with me." Malcolm paused before he continued. "Do you care about me?"

She nodded, grabbing his hands and bringing them to her chest. "I do. I do care about you."

He searched her eyes for a lie but found nothing but pure honesty. Malcolm couldn't believe he believed his father's lie so easily. That's all Arabella had been to him. Honest. She may not have told him everything, but did he expect her to? After all, they had just met. There wasn't a chance in the world that she would indulge him with her secrets.

When a smile passed his lips, she sighed in relief. "Why do you think I didn't?"

"Because my father told me last night about you marrying a prince from another kingdom. And I thought if you cared about me you would've told me."

She forced a laugh. A painful laugh. "Well like I told you. I didn't want my future to ruin our friendship." Lie. Lie. Lie. Arabella felt it in her entire being. Whatever the two had, it was not friendship. She hadn't experienced love before, but maybe this is what it felt like. Feeling perfectly content, safe, and loved. Feeling like the person in front of you, you'd do anything for.

Friendship. Much to her anger, that's all the two of them would ever get to have. Friendship. Nothing more. And once the marriage was over, it'd be set in stone: they'd no longer be friends.

"What's wrong?" Arabella asked him, acid burning her tongue.

"Nothing."

Arabella saw through his lie but didn't push it. They may only have a short time left together, but that did not mean she'd waste it. Maybe, just maybe, a miracle would pass through the sky and save them. "How about we go to the meadow? I have a few hours before I'm due back at the castle?" she proposed.

Malcolm smiled. "I'd love too."

———

The two of them continued to meet at 'their meadow' as they called it, and would talk until Arabella had to go back to the castle for dinner. Their time together was always filled with smiles, laughter, and small signs of affection though neither of them stated that they were more than just friends. Every single time he would show her his adoration of her, she'd embrace it and never push him away. Because she cared about him. Too much.

Without them even counting the days, two weeks had passed. Arabella was supposed to be married soon and she wasn't ready. Her feelings for the boy in the nearby village grew with each passing second. Was this what love felt like? Malcolm plagued her every thought and she could not comprehend why. So she could only come to one conclusion: she was in love with him

It didn't matter that they had only known each other for a few weeks. The time they spent together made the both of them truly happy and it made them feel like they mattered. For once in their entire lives, something finally made sense.

Arabella would often see Malcolm with bruises and she would always hold him as he cried. She longed to be able to take his suffering away, to take his pain away. No matter how much she begged him to allow her to heal him, he refused. This was another matter that made her feel determined to show him how much she loved him.

King Leo knocked on his daughter's door one day unexpectedly. Arabella's eyes turned to him. "Sorry to bother you, my dear, but I have some news." Her stomach churned. "We are pushing the date of yours and Alistair's wedding to sometime in two months."

She gasped, smiling. Her happiness could not be contained. "Really?!"

Her father smiled, nodding. "Really."

Arabella jumped up in an instant, rushing to him. "Thank you, father."

Leo hugged her back. When they pulled apart, Arabella saw a slight shimmer in his eyes. Not tears, but he was hiding something. She knew that look. But she was taught not to ask such rude question so she kept it to herself.

Debating with herself, Arabella decided just to ask anyway. "Can I go to the village?"

King Leo nodded. "Of course. Just make sure-"

"That I'm back before dinner. I know," Arabella sighed.

Her father smiled, kissing the top of her head. "I'll tell the coachman of your trip."

———

Despite her usual kindness towards the villagers whenever she entered, Arabella did not spend any time in greeting them that time. She was too anxious. Too excited. This could be her chance. Their chance to finally become something more. The Princess would be damned if she let that go.

Malcolm looked up from where he was working and saw her as she ran towards him with a huge smile. "Aria what-" he was cut off when she pulled his arm gently and pulled him as she ran to their meadow. "Aria, slow down," Malcolm chuckled.

She just laughed in response. When they reached their meadow, she let go of him and turned to him with her large smile. "You will not believe what my father told me."

"What?"

Arabella kept herself from kissing him right then and there. She couldn't help herself. "They're pushing me and Alistair's wedding. The wedding won't be until two months from now," she announced.

Malcolm smiled. "That's great!"

They hugged as the both laughed joyously. Once they pulled apart, the world stopped. All of the birds that were singing, ceased to create their melody. People that worked in the fields nearby, their shovels hitting the dirt, halted. In reality, nothing had stopped. But they did.

Arabella's natural scent of vanilla flowed through the breeze and collided with his not-so-pleasant smell. It didn't matter. Because when Malcolm's shimmering green eyes flickered down to her lips when they grew closer to one another, the world did not exist.

Her hands went into his hair, his hands going to her waist. Their lips were slow, steady. Their bodies fit together like two missing parts of a puzzle. Malcolm put one of his hands on her neck, pushing her toward him even more. She allowed him to. Arabella kissed him with every bit of passion she had for this boy. They both pulled away to caught their breath, only to come back and kiss with more emotion.

Malcolm's grip was gentle on her yet she felt as if he held her so close. Their noses brushed against one another but that didn't stop them. And when they finally pulled away, the world began to move once more.

They both blushed, resting their forehead against one another. For a while, they just stood there. Their conversation from what felt like long ago came rushing back to them. Friendship. That's all the two thought they'd ever have. Friendship.

With a blink of an eye, it suddenly turned to so much more.

———

They kissed! AH! I'm really bad at kissing scenes and this was my first go so hopefully it was ok...but I'm going to need practice because I'm growing as a writer. What do you think will happened now since they finally have confessed that what they have is not friendship?

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