It was the next day. I barely slept because I was filled with both nerves and excitement. I was in the garden setting up for Markus's and mine's date. I had help from the staff.

     "Thank you all for helping me." I thanked them.

     "Of course dear, we are all so happy for you," Molly told me. The rest of the staff nodded in agreement.

     I smiled at them and we got back to work, by the time we were done it was time for lunch. I headed into the hall and saw Markus sitting down, I sat down at the table, and lunch was brought to us.

     "Ready for the date later tonight?" I asked him.

     "All ready." he smiled.

     After lunch, I had to go do paperwork, but after that, it was time for our date, to say I wasn't nervous would be a lie, I was extremely nervous, I thought my heart would jump out of my chest from how nervous I was.

     As I was walking towards Markus's room Molly stopped me.

     "Breathe darling," she told me gently.

     I jumped back, "It's obvious isn't it?"

     Molly nodded her head and I sat down on a bench and sighed.

     "It's okay Alex," she said rubbing my back, "he's probably just as nervous as you are. It seems to me his father is not quite as accepting as yours were."

     "Yeah, his father is not a nice man," I told her.

     "He's not a man at all!" Molly exclaimed, "he's a coward. Trying to hurt a child instead of fighting his own battles. If he comes around I'll show him!"

     I laughed and let my head hang. I then hugged Molly.

     "Thank you." I told her, I let out a sigh and stood up, "Here I go."

     "Good luck honey. You got this!" Molly encouraged.

     I walked to Markus's room and knocked on the door.

     "Coming!" I heard him yell.

     I heard a bunch of shuffling in there, then the door finally opened. He looked nervous.

     I handed him the flowers I had got for him.

     "Ready?" I asked.

     "Yeah," he answered.

     I took his hand and we started heading out.

     "You'll need to be blindfolded soon," I told him.

     "Why?" he asked nervously.

     "So you'll be surprised," I replied.

     "Okay..." Markus said.

     We continued walking, when we arrived right outside the garden I stopped him and put the blindfold on him.

     I then led him outside.

     "Where are we going?" Markus questioned.

     "You'll see," I told him.

     "I can't see anything!" he exclaimed.

     "Oh calm down, only a few more steps," I replied to him.

     I brought him to the blanket and sat him down, I went in front of him and took off the blindfold.

     "Ta-da!" I said shaking my hands like jazz hands.

     "Oh, wow," he replied in complete shock.

     "Is that good or bad?" I asked him.

     "This is awesome," he told me.

     I had the garden lit up by twinkle lights, with a picnic blanket on the ground.

     I took out the sandwiches I packed for the date.

     "Nothing special but sandwiches are always great," I said.

     "They're perfect Alex," Markus replied, "like you."

     I blushed at that and looked down at the blanket.

     "Ooo looks like I was able to make you blush." Markus taunted.

     "Quiet," I told him trying to stop smiling.

     Markus laughed and took a bite of the sandwich, I did the same.

     "These are good," Markus said.

     "Thank you," I replied.

     We talked more and more, after we finished eating I grabbed his hands and pulled him up.

     "Come on," I said

    "Where are we going now?" Markus asked.

     "Just follow me," I told him.

     I took out two lanterns, handed Markus one, and started running toward the field. I saw Markus running behind me. We arrived in the field and I had, vain, and Jacob In the field.

     "What's this?" Markus asked.

     "I was thinking we could ride back to the castle on our horses," I told him.

     "Alright, but one question," Markus said.

     "Which is?" I questioned intrigued.

     "What's your horse's name?" Markus asked.

     "Jacob," I answered.

     "But yet you make fun of me for naming mine vain?!" Markus laughed.

     "Yes!" I exclaimed, I then climbed on my horse, "Race you to the castle!"

     Jacob and I then started speeding to the castle.

     "Wait!" Markus yelled, "No fair!"

     I saw Markus climb on vain and start coming after us. As we were racing it reminded me of when Markus helped me escape and we saw the herd of horses, I smiled at that memory. Soon enough Markus had somehow caught up with us.

     "You know," Markus started, "it's sad that you have to cheat to have a shot at winning."

     "Hey, give me a break," I joked, "I'm rusty, I haven't ridden a horse in almost a whole year."

     "I guess you're right," Markus replied.

     "You guess?" I asked, "I'm always right."

     Markus laughed at my response. He ended up winning the race.

     I took him back up to his room.

     "This date was fun." he told me, "I'd love to do it again."

     "I'd love that too," I replied.

     Suddenly Markus and I kissed. I was not expecting the kiss, but I wasn't upset or mad at it at all. Markus pulled away looking shy about what he had just done. I smiled at him and I saw him calm down.

     "I'll see you in the morning," Markus said.

     "Bye," I told him.

     Markus went into his room and I started walking to my room with a big grin on my face.