As time went on, Camila and Orion did stay best friends, much to the king's displeasure.

However, at the age of sixteen, Dante began to search for suitresses to marry his son.

Orion hated the idea, feeling like he had no choice in his life at all. He felt trapped and depressed.

He went to the royal library after finding out about the suitresses, needing to calm himself down.

Camila was in her usual corner, reading a fairytale that she wished could be her life.

"Cami," Orion spoke when he saw her, pulling her from her fantasy delusions.

"Oh, hey, Orion!" Camila slipped a bookmark in and shut her book. "What's up?"

He plopped down and put his head in his hands. "My father... he... he arranged for royal and noble ladies to come to the palace this weekend... I'm gonna be choosing one of them to be my future wife..."

Camila felt her heart crumble. She knew that no matter how she felt, nothing would change. "Oh... well, maybe there will be someone that you actually find yourself connecting with."

"I highly doubt that," Orion scoffed as he looked up. "They're all spoiled and just want me for the title and money. I can never see myself connecting with that."

'I want you for so much more than that... but I can't have you...' Camila thought to herself as she subconsciously fiddled with her necklace.

"I just want to make my own choices! I want to be happy!" Orion leaned his head up as he let out an exasperated sigh.

A guard came up to the two and cleared his throat. "Your highness, the king has ordered that you return to your room to be fitted for the gala this weekend."

Orion groaned. "I can't even get a moment to myself anymore," he grumbled as he stood up. "I'm sorry, Cami. I'll see you later."

"See ya, Ori," Camila replied with a wave before watching him leave the library.

Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked down at her necklace. She still wore it every day.

Even though Orion told her that he couldn't marry her like they planned as children, she couldn't stop herself from falling in love with her best friend.

She couldn't tell him because she knew there would be no point. He had to marry someone of royal blood. Not a worthless servant girl like her.

She looked at the book in her hands and clutched it to her chest. It was her favorite book because the lowly peasant girl was able to make the prince fall in love with her and they got married, living happily ever after. It was the story she wished she had. The way she wanted her own story to end.

Michael came into the library to look for his sister after just getting off guard duty.

"Hey, sis!" He smiled as he came over before he frowned and quickly wrapped her in a hug. "Cami? What's wrong?"

"It's not fair... I love him..." Camila cried as she wrapped her arms around her older brother.

"What happened?" Michael asked, already knowing that his baby sister was over heels for the prince.

"H-he's choosing his future wife this weekend... the king is holding a gala for royal and noble women to come so Orion can choose his queen..." Camila explained as she trembled.

"I'm so sorry, Cami. If there was anything I could do, you know I would do it," Michael comforted as he stroked her hair.

"It's not fair... w-we were supposed to get married one day... I can't watch him marry a girl that will never be able to love him as much as I do. And it scares me that maybe he will find a suitress that he falls in love with..." The girl sobbed as she clutched onto her brother tight.

Michael let her spill her feelings, knowing that there was nothing he could do to help her. He hated watching his baby sister suffer, and he hated himself for not having the power to do anything about it.

"I just want him to love me and for us to be together. I don't care about the crown or the money. I just want to be with Orion. I love him more than anything. It hurts so much. I can't take it anymore."

"Everything is gonna be okay, Cami. I know that it hurts and it's gonna hurt for a while, but there is someone out there for you. I know that you want that someone to be Orion, but even if he wants you back, which there is no doubt in mind that he loves you back, his father would never allow it," Michael said softly. "I wish things were different, but we have to make due with the cards we're dealt."

Cami nodded and looked down as hot tears streamed down her cheeks. "Okay... I'll try..."

"That's the least you can do... try," Michael murmured before he kissed his sister's forehead gently.

💧

Aqua flopped backwards onto the soft bed and sighed.

"Isn't this incredible, Var? I mean, we used to hear myths about Atlantis as kids and now we're really here," Aqua spoke as she looked at Varian who crawled into the bed, getting comfortable.

"It really is, but you being here makes it so much better," Varian replied as he gently pulled her close.

Aqua giggled cutely as she rested her head on his chest. They snuggled for a bit before Varian gently made her look at him.

"I don't know if I could've ever come this far without you, Aqua. You are the best friend anyone could ever ask for and the most amazing girlfriend in the world." Varian rested his forehead against hers gently and she sighed happily.

She smiled and ran a hand through his fluffy hair. "You are never gonna be alone in this. You are so incredibly strong and smart. I'm so glad that you chose me to spend your life with. I don't know what I would've done if you didn't return my feelings for you."

"You deserve so much more than what I can give you, but I will always try to be worthy of you. Making you happy is my number one priority," Varian said, resting a gentle hand on her cheek.

She leaned into his touch and looked into his beautiful blue eyes. "And making you happy is my number one priority. Seeing you smile is the best thing in the world."

"Your smile is absolutely gorgeous, just like everything else about you. I love you so much, Aquaria. I promise that I'll always love you," Varian murmured before he gently pressed his lips to hers.

Aqua was about to return the 'I love you', but was cut off by the sweet kiss. She kissed him back and smiled as she tangled her fingers in his hair.

After pulling away for air, Varian pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I don't deserve this, but there's no way I would ever give you up."

"You deserve the world, Varian. Don't ever think otherwise. I love you," Aqua replied, pecking his lips lightly.

Varian couldn't stop the smile that grew on his lips as he pecked her lips back. He moved to press more kisses all over her cheeks, making her giggle in return.

The light kisses tickled her soft skin and she loved it. He stopped with a peck on the tip of her little button nose.

He looked at her and hummed softly. "So, when do you plan to ask about the Queen's Pearl?" He gently brushed a tuft of hair out of her face.

"Tomorrow at some point, but I wanna go back to the library with you in the morning. If you're up for it, that is." Aqua smiled as she twirled her finger in the hair at the nape of his neck.

"Of course I'm up to it. If it means spending time with my beautiful girlfriend while doing something we both love, I'm always up for it," Varian replied, snuggling his face into her hair.

"Perfect," Aqua murmured as she buried her own face in his chest.

Aquaria closed her eyes and started to doze off, comforted by the warmth of Varian's hold.

🧪

Varian had woken up to Aquaria still asleep in his arms which made him smile.

It didn't matter where he was. Whenever he saw Aqua at his side, he immediately felt whole.

There was a feeling in his heart that he had never felt when he was with anyone but Aqua.

It felt like his heart was working double-time and he had a strong urge to be closer to her.

In books he had read, he thought it was an overexaggeration when they said that there were butterflies in their stomach. However, now that he was feeling it, the sensation did truly feel like there were fluttering wings in his stomach.

He moved some hair out of her sleeping face and kissed her forehead softly. "You are so beautiful," he murmured as he studied her face.

He had seen her sleeping form many times before, but every time it still took his breath away. To him, she was the most beautiful being he had ever laid eyes on.

He was so grateful that he met her when they were children. He knew that without them being best friends, he never would've had any chance of being the one she loved. He would still be alone. He probably never would've found the happiness he felt now. And he certainly would have no chance of finding his mother.

"You've given me everything I could ever ask for... I just hope that I'm giving you everything you desire in return. I know you would never leave me, but I don't want to disappoint you," Varian whispered against her forehead, keeping her close to him.

He relaxed as she snuggled closer to his warmth which brought a smile to his face.

When Aqua finally woke up, Varian was still holding her close to him while now lying on his back and reading a book.

"Morning, freckles," she spoke softly as she nuzzled her head into his chest a bit.

"Morning, princess," Varian replied as he looked at her, stroking her hair gently as he put his book down on the nightstand. "How did you sleep."

"Great actually. I know I was dreaming but I can't remember what it was about. I just know that you were there, your mom was there too and she had a little girl with her, but there was another girl as well. She looked a little younger than us and had a... I think it was a purple dress," Aqua said as she looked up at Varian who hummed.

"I don't know, but I'm glad you slept well," Varian responded and she crawled on top of him, snuggling on top of him. He chuckled lightly as he put both arms around her waist.

"What about you? Did you sleep well?" Aqua asked as rested a hand on his chest, feeling his relaxing heartbeat.

"Of course I did. I had an angel in my arms," Varian flirted playfully with a cheeky smile.

Aqua giggled as she blushed lightly and sat up. "Whatever you say, lover boy."

"It's the truth. The angel is sitting right in front of me. She's the most beautiful creature in all existence," Varian continued as he caressed her cheek. "Nothing can compare to her beauty."

"Are you sure? I don't see an angel," Aqua joked as she looked around only for Varian to make her look back at him.

He sat up and kissed her soft lips, enjoying the sweet taste as he shut her up.

Aqua was taken by surprise but she quickly returned the kiss, blushing a bit more as Varian pulled her flush against him.

Varian deepened the kiss and Aqua relaxed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

The kiss was deeper than any other that they had shared in the past and they both were completely lost in the moment.

Aqua pulled back only slightly as her lungs burned for air. Almost as fast as she had pulled back for air, she dove back in.

Varian had taken the opportunity to catch his breath as well, but he met her return with the same amount of passion. He held her hips as his heart raced. He honestly wished that they had done this before. He felt like he was floating. The only thing he could think about was Aqua.

When Aqua pulled back for air again, Varian kissed her jaw. He rubbed little circles on her hips as he moved his lips down her neck gently.

The action caused Aquaria's breath to hitch as she kept her eyes closed, finding it hard to concentrate. She made a small whimpering sound after Varian kissed a spot on her collarbone.

She clutched his hair gently as she breathed heavily, trying to center her thoughts. It took her a moment to realize that Varian was kissing her lips again.

They both pulled back after another minute or two and just stared at each other, breathing staggered and heavy.

"Wow," was the only thing Aqua could utter.

"I meant what I said. You are the most beautiful girl in the universe," Varian murmured as he rested his forehead on hers.

Aqua smiled and nodded slightly, kissing his cheek softly. "And you're the most handsome guy in the universe. I love you so much."

"I love you so much more," Varian replied as he smiled back. He leaned back, pulling Aqua down with him. "I wanna snuggle more. We can eat and go to the library later."

"Agreed," Aqua said with a light laugh, snuggling into Varian's grasp.

She knew that no one else would ever be able to make her feel as special as she did when she was with Varian.

Knowing that, Aqua dozed off again, a smile gracing her lips.