The entire day I was kept under watch... no seriously they all created an around the clock watch on me. I appreciated the fact that they cared enough to do that for me but come on this was just ridiculous.

Trevor took over for Tyler just a minute ago, we were playing on the Xbox so I was putting away the controllers while Trevor unfolded the covers.  "I'm guessing you had the pleasure in getting night watch?"

I get back in bed, I was already wearing sweats and a tank so I didn't have to change into pjs. I pull the blanket up to my chin as I watch Trevor remove his shoes. "Well of course." He climbs in next to me pulling the blankets to his chin as well and turns to face me.

"And how did you manage to get the guys to agree to that may I ask?" If there's one thing I know, Tyler and Fred, would never agree to that.

"Well I'm the only one who doesn't find you attractive so..." I slap the back of his head. "Okay, okay fine! I'm only mostly kidding." I glare at him. "Okay! I'm just kidding! Anyways I managed to convince them- and by them I mean Fred and Tyler-"

"My thoughts exactly..."

"That I wouldn't do anything to you unless you wanted me to." He waggles his eyebrows, lifting up his hand, waving it around like a lasso until he 'throws' it at me. He then precedes to 'pull me forward' and I obey by scooting closer to him. Once I'm as close as I could be, he wraps his arms around me, pumping a fist into the air in victory. We both laugh, finally when his laughter dies down enough for him to talk he continues.

"The girls were too tired to do the night watch and Zach claimed he needed his beauty sleep." I smile.

"And we all know he needs his beauty sleep."

"Oh totally." He laughs, untangling his arms from me so he could gesture with his hands. "So it was just Fred, Tyler, and I left. Of course I knew Tyler had a thing for you so I wasn't about to let him have this chance with you, and Fred well... I don't know I guess I just wanted to look after you after what happened back there. So we Rock Paper Scissored over it."

"And you won." He nods.

"Fred lost the first round and it was left with just Tyler and I. I could tell he really wanted to have night watch but I wanted it more. You know not only to protect you but also because I knew you would kill me when you found out I let Tyler win."

I laugh. "That's very true."

He cracks a smile. "So I beat him with my mad skills." I stare at him blankly.

"Okay 'Mr. I have mad skills' try not to hog all the blankets then. The last time you did, I woke up sick."

"It's not my fault! I was unconscious how was I supposed to know? Besides you could've went with someone else."

"You mean the ones who actually were sharing the blankets equally?"

"Exactly!" He laughs. "Good times." I roll my eyes and turn to my side facing away from him.

"Well goodnight. Oh and please try not to snore."

"I'll try not to." A second later his arm wraps around my waist and he mutters a goodnight to me and just like that he was out like a light.

I was used to cuddling with Trevor that it was neither awkward or romantic. We were just best friends and therefore spent some nights at one another's house. I could see where most people would find it cute in the romantic sense but it really wasn't. We would start off cuddling one another then one of us will wind up in the floor because the other has kicked us off or for Trevor's case, hogged the blanket that I wound up shivering for the rest of the night.

After about 10 minutes or so I feel myself slowly drift to sleep...

"So tell me about yourself." I fold my hands on my lap as I stare at Ky, mesmerized by the thought of him finally here beside me once again.

He lifts a brow in slight confusion. "You already know all about me?"

"Not from these past few years I don't." I frown. "Tell me all about your life. Start from the beginning. Even if I know it."

"The beginning huh?" I nod my head enthusiastically. "Well half of my childhood was spent here in this kingdom. My mother died when I was just 8 and later my father died when I was 12. I had no brothers or sisters so it was either go to the orphanage or choose to join the army. And I chose-"

"The army." He nods.

"I did. I went through series of intense training and went to school at the palace but as you know the army trains on the other side of the palace which explains why we would've never encountered one another if it weren't for that day." I nod my head in agreement.

The palace was so big that I never had the chance to explore the other side of the palace by myself until after that day.

"Anyways I met this innocent little princess," he nudges me. "We played together almost every day. I even taught her a few moves on a wooden sword-"

"Which I still have in my possession by the way."

He smiles. "Good. Maybe I'll teach you some more. Anyways one day I was caught and sent to war. Of course I never actually took part in all the action when I first got there, I mostly tended to all the soldiers who were wounded. After a few years of this I was fighting in the actual war..." His eyes wander off into the the woods.

"I made friends with very good noble men." He smiles faintly. "In the midst of the war I was sent a letter to return back to the palace. I was 17 then. A year later I was 18 and old enough to take ownership of my home again," he points straight down the woods. "Further down there is my home."

"How old are you now?"

"20." We stare up ahead in silence, the sun just rising up the horizon. He gets up and wipes the back of his hands and reaches a hand down to me. "We should get going. You have to be back in bed before the maids stop by and get you ready for the ball tonight."

I sigh. The ball. The welcoming party. For my future husband. I almost forgot. Suddenly I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. I couldn't leave, I couldn't go back to the palace where I would soon meet my future fiancé.

I take his hand graciously as he helps get me to stand. Once I release his hand I do what he had done earlier and wipe any dirt left on my coat.

We walked together in silence, every step I was dreading more and more. We were a bit far from the palace but once the canopy of the trees opened I saw the very tops of the palace and paused.

Once I go in there that'll be it. I'll be someone's fiancée and I wouldn't have a choice in the matter. Why couldn't Ky come any sooner? Would it have changed anything if he had?

"What's wrong?" I walk to him hastily and grab him by the lapels of his jacket. The fabric wrinkling under my hands as I clutched on for dear life.

"Promise me that we'll meet here every day. Every day at the same time." He looks at me confused but I just needed him to agree.

We've only just found each other after all these years. I don't want this engagement coming in the way of that. After all he was my first and only boy I ever liked.

"Please? No matter what happens today we'll meet here at dusk. I now know the way so you won't have to come fetch me anymore, just promise me you will be at the stream where we just were. Promise me that no matters what happens we'll meet here and we will still be Leigh and Ky."

He furrows his brows. "Of course." I nod my head suddenly realizing how close we were to each other. His face was merely inches from mine because I was on the tips of my toes.

He really turned out be a very attractive man. I admit he's the most attractive man I had ever laid eyes on but I shouldn't say that should I? After all I'm about to be married.

I notice when he finally recognizes are closeness for he stills under my hands. And I don't think he know how to react to this situation either.

I un-clutch my fingers from his jacket, letting them fall back to my sides lifelessly and look away, moving forward grudgingly. After a few moments I feel his presence behind me until he's fallen right in step beside me.

"You are still very confusing to figure out." I smile.

"So are you." In silence we enter the palace and sneak up into my quarters. Once we reach my room I turn to him and whisper in his ear, "please don't forget." I kiss his cheek and immediately go into my room, shutting the door quietly.

I lean against the door and sag in relief. I did it. I left the palace and went to the woods. I met my childhood crush again after all these years and kissed him. And this is just the start of my day! I smile widely and rush to bed, kicking my shoes off.

I couldn't possibly sleep now I was too happy even just for this moment. All I wanted was to hold onto this moment for just a bit longer.

The door knob suddenly jiggles. My eyes widen and I hurriedly pull the covers up and close my eyes trying to calm my breathing.

Finally I hear the door open and close as feet shuffle towards me. "Wake up now Princess you got a big day ahead of you and I have orders to make you especially beautiful for tonight's ball!" The covers are thrown off of me and I open and close my eyes as if I were still tired.

"Can't I sleep for just a few more minutes?" I say groggily.

"What is this?" I look at Harriet, my maid, as she's eyes me suspiciously with her chestnut colored eyes.

"What's what?" She crosses her arms.

"Don't play with me, child. Why do you have your coat on?" I silently curse at myself for forgetting to remove it.

"Oh I actually got a bit chilly last night and the fabric was just so warm and soft..." She stares at me a few more seconds before shaking her head.

"Well you should have ringed me I could have brought you more blankets."

"I didn't want to disturb you." I smile sweetly.

"Oh you won't disturb me. It's my job." She smiles. "Now come on the bath is ready."

Hours later I'm sucking in my breath as Harriet ties up my corset. "Almost. Got. It." Damn these dresses. I'm already skinny enough why do I still have to suck in my tummy? "And got it." She says proudly.

I grip my sides, trying to gasp for air. "Once I'm queen I will make sure every dress in this kingdom is burned." She laughs.

"Don't be silly what would we wear? Trousers?" She giggles at the thought. "Now come on let me take a look at you." I do as she says and she gasps in response. "You look beautiful princess." She leads me to the mirrors.

It's me. It's actually me. It's my own raven black hair pulled up into a beautiful elegant updo, my own brown eyes hidden by my curled eyelashes, my own pink plumped lips. The same beauty marks on the exact same spots I knew they belonged. It was me in this emerald green sweet heart ball gown that infatuated my breasts, and my waist, so it created a well defined curve that resembled an hour glass. The color of the dress made my skin look radiant and glowing. I almost wanted to twirl in it. But I have no say in anything, in moving my own arms... I was only along for the ride.

"Oh wait!" Harriet hurries to my dresser and then returns with my crown. It was silver and not that big but not that small either. It was the perfect size. She places it in my head and secures it in. It tied everything together.

Harriet tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. "You'll make a fine Queen one day." I smile politely even though the thought made me nervous.

"Thank you."

"Where's my granddaughter? I demand to see her this instant!" The door opens to my chambers, revealing my grandmother in a plum dress and a maid looking very flustered. "There you are!" She hurries to me.

"I'm sorry princess, she requested to see you."

"It's fine." I smile reassuringly at her, holding my hand out to hush her before my grandmother yells at her for holding her back.

"I'll leave you two alone." Harriet curtseys and shuffles out the room. I don't pay attention as she closes the door as I stare at my grandmother.

"Grandmother you look lovely." She waves me off.

"I look ridiculous now listen to me." I wait silently. "I know about the engagement." I widen my eyes and look towards the door where Harriet exited then back towards my grandmother.

"How do you know? Did my father-"

"No." She shakes her head. "I just know." I look at her slightly confused.

"Everything is set into motion now child and I'm afraid to say that I won't be of much use now, but do know this one thing." She grabs my hands. "Do not make rash decisions. Follow you're heart."

"But the engagement-" she waves me off.

"It's not what you want but I know you must accept. But do not let that stop you in loving someone else... Or a certain someone in the palace, say a soldier."

"How...?" she waves me off again.

"It doesn't matter. Just remember what I've told you." She makes towards the door but I rush forward, grasping onto her arm.

"What about the great evil you spoke about?" She pats my hand.

"Just focus on tonight dear." The door opens, Harriet and the maid from earlier are both revealed.

"The guests are all waiting in the ballroom. You'll be making you're grand entrance in a few minutes come, come." We leave the room and quickly walk down the passage way.

"Has the special guest arrived yet?" Harriet smiles widely.

"The prince? Oh yes." She smiles widely. "Isn't it exciting to have a prince here in the palace?" I sigh.

"Exciting indeed." I mumble. We reach the doors to the ballroom. My grandmother goes in first, sparring me one final glance of sympathy before holding her head up high and leaving me to wait nervously for my turn.

"You look fine!" Harriet fixes my hair. "Don't forget to smile and make conversation to the prince!" She fixes my crown and steps back right when the doors opens.

"Oh I'm sure I will." I walk into the room and the whole crowd goes silent. The soldiers close the doors behind me.

I stare down at everyone, my hands shaking, heart thumping rapidly against my chest I was scared everyone in the room could hear. I smile down at everyone not showing the fact I was having a panic attack for what was about to come.

I turn to my right and start walking down the stairs, my left hand delicately holding on to the railing. I look straight ahead holding my head up high staring at everyone in the room instead of looking down at my steps like I've been taught numerous of times.

Once I reach the bottom of the stairs my father walks swiftly towards me, his luscious white coat bellowing in the air as he does so. My fathers facial hair was recently cleaned and aligned for tonight making him seem more put together then usual.

I watch as he holds his arm out for me, the cuffs of his coat were engraved with the symbol of our kingdom. A warrior with a shield and sword ready for battle.

I gingerly place my hand on his arm, the crowd clears away and makes a path for us. I smile and nod as we pass each woman, man, and child, they smile back happily at me before turning towards one another gushing over the fact I even acknowledged them.

Many of them wore colors of our kingdom, green and white. I wasn't a fan of the colors but it was the color of our kingdom and I wore it with pride. As do many today. Others wore their finest clothing's, so there were various colors in the crowd such as plums, blue, reds, and pinks.

"Remember to smile and say yes politely." My father whispers stiffly to me as he smiles. I don't reply to him. I knew not to argue at this point. My fate was sealed by his decision and I had to live with it.

I find myself looking around the room looking for a certain soldier but instead my eyes wander straight ahead at the boy with long blonde hair and piercing golden eyes wearing a crown on his head right next to an older version of him. The prince and the king. Beside the king was a woman with brown hair and a beautiful gold dress and a matching golden crown. The queen.

They were standing at the platform by the thrones, looking at me as if I were some prize they had just won. Well the king and queen were.

The prince was eyeing me up and down then smirked to himself as if he was satisfied with me, as if I was some object. I shiver, I think I might just throw up. Once we reach the platform we go to the side and climb up the stairs.

I stare up at the prince who was waiting at the top of the stairs with his hand extended, smirking down at me. I hate him already.

My dad puts down his arm and I'm forced to take the princes hand. His hands feel wrong, his face is wrong, everything is all wrong!

"Princess." He slightly bends down to kiss my knuckles. I try not to withdraw my hand and slap him with it.

"Prince." I curtsey. I exchange hellos with the queen and king politely before my father goes up and addresses the crowd.

"I would like to welcome King Louis and Queen Sarah Serrire." He pauses when the crowd cheers. "And their son, Prince Alexander Serrire." He extends his hand to Alexander whose standing unnecessary close by my side.

He still hasn't let go of my hand and was making circles on the back of my hand with his thumb. In the palm of my hand he would do little drawings with his forefinger. One image was always repeated, something vulgar.

I try not to move so I won't show how disgusted I was. If I did it would cause a riot so instead I look out into the crowd, looking at each soldier carefully. Finally I see him, standing guard right ahead of me. He's looking right at me. He seems so big and powerful in his uniform. Not like the man in the woods a couple of hours ago or the boy from my childhood. But still he's calm and looks at me as if I'm the only girl in the world. I blush.

"We are so glad that we have the pleasure of having..." My father drones on commenting and raving on about the pleasure we have to have the Serrire's be here in our kingdom.

I don't pay attention to anything else my father talks on about. I just stay still, Alexander moving slightly closer to me I feel his legs touch the bottom of my dress, his fingers squeezing ever so slightly. I look at Ky, holding eye contact with him, wishing if I could just run off with him. Go into the woods, running around in the forest chasing each other, laughing without a care in the world.

Instead we could only stare at each other. One of us knowing we will never be together, while the other does not.

He cracks a smile at me and nods his head. I smile back, happily. Suddenly the crowd laughs at something my father must have said. But again I do not care. For this instant I imagine myself with Ky instead of here with... "Prince Serrire, I believe you said you had an announcement to make?"

My head snaps right to my father and reality. I was surprised I didn't get whiplash.

So he's going to play dumb, I can almost laugh. But then Alexander brings me forward with him with a tug of my hand to where my father was just standing. Oh god. Here it comes. I'm not ready for this.

"It's not so much as an announcement." He chuckles and as a grand gesture he pauses and stares at me as he gets on one knee slowly for dramatic effect. The whole crowd eats it up as they draw in a breath of surprise. I look out into the crowd and try holding my gaze with Ky. His calm stoic exterior has completely changed as he goes rigid.

I look back down at Alexander as he pulls out a small black velvet box. In the center of it the cress of his kingdom with gold font was proudly displayed. The whole crowd holds their breath as he opens the box and the engagement ring was displayed.

It certainly wasn't small. I think it would be able to feed more than an entire village and I immediately despise it knowing that it could. How could I accept this knowing everything I stand for goes against this?

"But more of a question... A question for Leigh." He smirks as he stares up at me knowing exactly what my answer is going to be. As if I couldn't possibly deny him. Which I couldn't. "Will you marry me?" I hear a few woman gasp and choke back sobs.

I gulp as I stare down at him before looking back out at the crowd, to Ky and his rigid form, his mouth slightly open, staring at me with a mixture of emotions. I know we were both thinking the same thing.

That we were too late.

Please remember what I said, I silently plead. I stare back at Alexander and smile widely with tears forming in my eyes. Maybe the crowd will think it's happy tears.

I nod, swallowing the bile threatening to explode from my throat. "Yes I will marry you." His smirk widens as he removes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger. The whole crowd cheers happily as Alexander stands up, putting away the box back in his pocket. I quickly look at Ky. He has to remember what I said. He promised.

A finger is placed under my chin, my head moves so I am now looking up at Alexander and his smirking figure as he leans down to me and kisses me.

Everything's wrong. The ring feels too heavy on my finger. His lips on mine. I try fighting back my tears as I feel his tongue enter my mouth. My first kiss. He's my first kiss! I pull back, not containing myself. At least I may look shy to the crowd but only my father and I know better, and hopefully Ky.

He looks at me with a smirk on his lips as he puts his hand around the lower part of my waist and waves to the crowd.

I look back at Ky but he's not looking at me anymore. Instead he's looking anywhere but me. He's back to being the stoic soldier from before.

The crowd still cheers on and I force myself to smile and wave along with my new fiancé. A hand clamps my shoulder. I turn to face my father. "Now are kingdoms can be united as one!" The crowd cheers more loudly, chanting Alexander's name and mine. It didn't sound right together.

The entire night I stayed at the side of the room with Alexander, thanking everyone for coming and witnessing this 'special' moment.

We greeted everyone, or at least I think so. When it was requested that Alexander dances with his mother and I dance with his father.

The song begins to play and I curtesy as his father tilts his head. Kings never bow. We begin to dance, silently. My eyes wander to Ky every time I'm spun but he refuses to stare at me or glance in my direction for that matter.

"We were thrilled that you accepted our sons hand in marriage." So apparently it's not only my father putting up a show either.

I smile politely. "It was a pleasure to be asked nonetheless accept." His lips crack into a smile.

"I'm sure my son will have a great many pleasures with you." I hold back my grimace as he looks down at me, twirling me to get a better look of me.

"I hope so." I say through my teeth. To my surprise my father cuts in, rescuing me, asking if he could dance with me.

King Serrire nods his head at me, I reply with a curtesy and turn to my father and begin dancing with him.

"I hope you spoke proper to King Serrire." He smiles, speaking through his teeth. He twirls me.

"That was such a long time ago princess's don't need to remember simple common folk talk." I bite back my smirk when I see him scowl at me. Of course that's not what I truly thought but anything to annoy my father for making me go through this marriage was a bonus and I wasn't about to let go of this. "Keep a good face for the public father after all we are supposed to be the perfect happy royal family."

"I do not appreciate your comments, and neither would your fiancé." Right on que Alexander taps on my fathers shoulder. "May I cut in?"

My father steps back smiling through his teeth. "Why of course." He turns to me. "We will speak of this later."

"Oh I am sure we will father." I turn to Alexander, dismissing my father. He couldn't talk down to me after making me go through this. I will not tolerate that.

"My princess." I curtesy. Suddenly I realize the current situation I'm in and freeze. He pulls me towards him, way too close for my liking.

We dance for a bit, his hips pressed on my dress. I was suddenly glad I had this puffy dress. Maybe I won't get rid of dresses after all...

"It's going to be a pleasure seeing you on our wedding night." He whispers in my ear. His warm breath fanning on my neck.

I shiver. "And why is that?" He chuckles.

"I will get to be with my wife." I smile pretending everything was perfect as we dance along, people staring at us, smiling and gossiping.

On the night of the wedding it was traditional that the two newlyweds were to conceive for their first time. A group full of important people were supposed to watch and be sure that the deed was done and that I was indeed a virgin.

It was sickening to think of and one thing I was dreading out of this whole arrangement besides the fact of spending the rest of my life with him when I wanted to be with Ky.

I tried desperately to make eye contact with Ky the entire night between talks, dances, and even once when I made my way across the room. But he would simply look the other direction. I would notice a couple of girls would go to him giggling but like he did with me he only looked the other direction avoiding them until they left him alone. I smile to myself happily.

By the end of the ball I was tired and in desperate need to leave the ball and go to my room... and so was Alexander.

Once everyone was heading out I slipped out of his grasp and quickly walked out of the ballroom. Before I knew it I was in my chambers ripping the stupid ring off my finger and tossing it to the other side of my room, I rip off my tiara next and toss it carelessly on my bed.

I was too furious to shed a tear right now. All I wanted to do was to go to the woods. I stare out my window. The party went later than I had expected.

I wait in my room for hours until dusk. I remove my heels because they would have made too much noise and put on some slippers before leaving my room quietly, making sure no one was around.

I take the same path from earlier making sure I wasn't being watched or followed and soon I was out of the palace walls and running to the stream to meet Ky. Only he wasn't there, and I was all alone.

I crumple down next to the stream. Tears that were threatening to spill out from earlier finally being released.

I'm sobbing for what feels like eternity until I feel a presence by me but I don't dare look up as I choke back my sobs. Finally a figure sits in front of me and pulls me to them.

"I thought you weren't going to show up." I sob.

"I though we said no matter what happens, remember?" I sob in his arms until there was no more tears left. Until I had nothing else to cry for.

"So you're engaged." I take back what I said earlier. Looks like I still have more tears.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you I wasn't supposed to. It was already arranged- that was why my father had wanted to see me and why I stormed out-"

"Because he told you about it." He nods, finally understanding. "So why are you here then? No offense or anything but here you are a beautiful princess, engaged to be married, in a beautiful dress." He pauses. "Well kind of ruined beautiful dress."

I laugh. It's true I don't know how I can play off the mud stains to Harriet. Maybe I took a trip to the gardens?

He smiles then after a minute stops and clears his throat. "So why are you here? With me... Crying." He looks me in the eyes but I quickly look away.

"It's stupid really. But I always dreamt of marrying someone I loved. Not this arranged marriage." I grumble. "And having to share my first kiss with that good for nothing-"

"First kiss?" I glare at him when he laughs.

"How is that in any way shape or form funny?"

"It's just- I mean come on look at you! I thought you had kissed someone by now." I continue glaring at him.

"What about you huh?" He stops laughing immediately.

"So that was you're first kiss? I am so sorry." I smile.

"Oh no, no no no no! Do not tell me you haven't kissed anyone?" He stays quiet.

I imitate his laughter and voice. "Hahaha oh it's just- come on look at you! I thought you had kissed someone by now!"

He laughs, nudging my shoulder with his own playfully. "Shut up," he moves to my side. "But I am sorry that good for nothing prince had to be you're first kiss." I sigh.

"Sorry for imitating you." I look ahead of me. "Either way I have to suck it up. I mean I'm going to be kissing him and only him for the rest of my life." He stays quiet.

"No he doesn't." I turn to him confused. "I mean it's only fair for you to have the best first kiss that you deserve."

"But I already had my first kiss." I look at him skeptically. He scoots closer to me.

"I know that. Trust me I know." He pauses and clears his throat. "But it's only fair for you to have the kiss you deserve. The kiss you've always dreamt of." My heart skips a beat as I see him lean in.

"But you're first kiss-"

"I always wanted it to be with you." My breathing quickens. He's closer to me than he was ever before.

"I may not be good at this." I breath.

"Me either." And his lips are pressed gently on mine.

It definitely was not like Alexander's kiss, rough and grotesque. This kiss was something bigger and better. It was almost magical.

We pull away and gaze at each other. Then kiss again but this time no longer gentle. It's fierce and passionate and I never wanted it to end.

When it finally does however, my lips felt raw and I was left panting. His lips were pink and he was panting as well. "Yup, wouldn't have it with anyone else." I smile.

"Believe it or not I always thought you would be my first kiss as well."

"Really?" I see him slowly form a smile.

"Yes." I giggle. "I was actually very much fond of you. Some could have even said that I fancied you." I look ahead to avoid his reaction, my cheeks rising from heat.

"And I of you. I was going to kiss you once but- what? What's wrong?" I get up fast when I realize that the sun was rising fast.

"The sun." He curses and gets up as well.

"Come on we can make it before they realize you're gone." He helps me gather my dress as we run to the palace. We have to make it. We have to-

I wake up shivering. I turn around and look to my side where Trevor was wrapped up in my blanket. I roll my eyes and pull the blanket to me only for him to snore loudly and crumple on top of me. Oh yeah. Some magical moment.

________________________________End of Chapter 9