Royal Hearts

Alex held his hand up, intertwining his baby finger with hers and holding it there. "I promise that nothing bad will come out of this Lia, I swear it to you" he insisted, keeping his finger wrapped around hers. He took in a deep breath, offering her a smile before letting his eyes drift closed. "Try and get some sleep A little, there is a lot planned for fomorrpw" he told her gently, rubbing her back in a large circle pattern to try and get her even more calm and ready to sleep.

***
Ophelia's eyes narrowed slightly, a smirk tugging at her lips. "Are you challenging me Mr.Winston?" She teased, pulling her legs up under herself, sitting on her knees. "well okay then, I choose Dare" she told him with a laugh, pulling at some loose thread on the sleeve of her sliky robe.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
A small sigh escaped from Aelia as she felt his finger intertwine with hers. It was nice to know that she could count on her friend still. "Will you lay with me till I fall asleep?" She asked quietly, hoping that she could still use him for a pillow for a little bit longer. He was so warm, and the sound of his heart was amazing to hear.

Slowly, Lia shifted her body so that she wasn't pressing on any sensitive places for him and tried to pull him down on the bed. She wanted to curl into him and listen to his heart as she fell asleep.

--

"You can take that however you want. Princess." Harry said as he offered Ophelia a small wink before he let out a small chuckle. He wasn't quite sure if she was going to go along with his little request, but he hoped that she would. He'd love to have her do some embarrassing things that he could tease her about in the morning or something.

"Dare? You sure?" He asked, wanting to make sure that she'd agree to her little dare. "Fine, I want to see you dance again." He told her, smirking a little. "I dare you to dance in the middle of the room."

Alex nodded kindly, laying down on the bed so that she could lay down more comfortably. "I'll stay here as long as you need me to" he said softly. He watched as she got comfortable and her eyes shut. He was careful roads stay as still as he could, wanting to make sure it was as easy as possible for her to get to sleep.

As he ley there allowing her to use him as a pillow, he felt his own eyes growing heavy, and slowly without meaning to he drifted off to sleep holding her in his arms.

***

Ophelia began to laugh softly, standing up of the bed as she raised an eyebrow at him. "You want me to dance?" She asked making her way towards her speaker to play some music. Effie had taken many ballroom and ballet dance classes, but she wasn't sure if that's what Harry had meant.

"If I'm dancing, you have to dance with me" she said, her eyes straight on him as she stood there. "Just like earlier, come on" she said, motioning for him to join her with a little drunk laugh.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
A small chuckle escaped from Harry as he watched Ophelia practically jump off of her bed. "That was my dare for you, yes." He told her, grinning a little bit as he watched her move towards the speaker that she had in her room. "I can't do that Princess," Harry said as he leaned back a little bit on the bed, using his hands to hold his weight. "That's not how truth or dare works." He told her, a hint of teasing in his voice.

Then, after a moment of watching the Princess, Harry got a small idea. "How about we make our own rules for the game?" He suggested as he stood up. "Everyday, after the palace gets quiet. We take turns asking each other to pick truth or a dare. What do you think?" He asked, glancing at the clock to see that it was getting late and knew her schedule for the next few weeks we're going to be busy. "Well?" He asked as he held out a hand for her to take so he could dance with her.

Ophelia woke the following morning to a piercing headache,the slight sunight shining through her curtains feeling blinding. She groaned, turning over on to her stomach and pulling the blanket up over her head as she let her eyes close again, hoping it was early enough that she could go back to sleep. She took in a deep breath, but that only made her body feel worse. As she moved around under the covers she looked down, wondering for a second why she was asleep in her robe before pieces of the night before came flooding back to her.

Quickly, Effie through the blanket off her head, looking around wondering if Harry had left her room.

**

Alex awaoke with a little yawn, quickly realising that his arms was gone completely numb next to him. He turned over to remove it, starting slightly as he realised that Aelia was in the bed beside Jim, he had completely forgotten that he fell asleep in her bed last night.

He began moving around the room quietly, hoping the head back to his own room before she woke. He wanted to give her some privacy to hey ready for the day ahead.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
It had to of been one of the deepest sleep that Aelia has had in a while. She was so warm and comfortable. The only thing that felt off, was the dip of the bed at moments as if someone else was laying next to her on the comfortable mattress. Wait, someone else on the bed. At the thought, Aelia snapped her eyes open and looked around in a panic, wondering if someone had managed to sneak into her room. Or, if she got drugged and kidnapped or something.

Looking around the room in a panic, her body stilled and stiffened at the sight of a tall figure and blonde hair of a man heading towards the door of the adjoined rooms. Lia was about ready to scream, but, then her sleep riddled mind remembered Alex was in the room next to hers. "You scared me," Lia mumbled quietly as she laid back on the bed and looked up towards the ceiling.

--

The palace was quiet at this time of day. Most of the staffing didn't come into the palace to start work until about ten, but thankfully the kitchen staff was already hard at work and a few other members of the staff were awake at the ungodly hour known at eight in the morning. Moving towards the counter in the kitchen, Harry asked one of the kitchen workers for a glass of orange juice for the Princess, to which they asked why he didn't just have it delivered by a different staff member.

Being the smart guy he was though, he told them he was just starting his shift. They bought it. So, with juice in hand Harry back up towards the Princesses room where he had spent the night on accident. "Princess?" He called out softly as he knocked on her door, waiting patiently for a reply or for her to open the door. Either way, he was planning on offering the drink to her.

Alex turned to face Aelia hearing her voice, a soft smile on her face. "Sorry Like, I didn't mean to wake you. You don't need to be up for another hour or so if you want to chill out or get ready or whatever, I'm just going to go for a shower" he explained to her quietly, running a hand through his message sleep hair.

"Did you sleep alright?" He asked her with a smile, knowing full well she did. Those beds were incredibly comfy and if that wasn't enough, her snoring had certainly proved it.

***

Ophelia lay in bed, questioning her decision to drink so much last night. It had been a good idea at the time, but she was suffering the consequences now. As she lay in bed she glanced at the opposite side of the large bed. It looked as if someone had slept there. She thought for a moment when bits and pieces of the night before came back to her.

She heard a knock on the door and groaned softly. "Come in" she called out, shielding her eyes from the light that opening the door let in. "Can I please cancel whatever I have on this morning" she moaned, her hands still covering her face.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
A small tired groan escaped from Aelia as she raised her hands and rubbed her tired eyes. She did not want to get out of bed, nor did she know she had to be up at a certain time. At least, she didn't remember having to. Did she plan something last night? She couldn't remember.

"I don't want to ever leave this bed." Was Aelia's answer to if she slept well. "How are you up? This thing is like a freaking cloud." She murmured, turning onto her side and curling up slightly so that she could look towards Ben while laying down. "Why do I need up be up in an hour?"

--

Walking into the room, Harry tried to be as quiet as he could as he closed the door before walking to Ophelia. "My apologies, but I don't have the authority for that." He told her as he walked to her side of the bed and set the glass of orange juice down on the nightstand as well as a few motrins that were given to him.

"You're to be meeting with the Prince and his fiance' at eleven. I don't think it'd be wise to turn them down." Harry said as he looked at Ophelia, amusement dancing in his eyes. He had warned her to slow down on her drinking last night.

Alex chuckled as he complimented the bed, nodding softly. "I guess I've just gotten used to doing it" he answered. Aelia looked so cute all curled up in the bed, he was really happy to have her here with him. It really did make things easier.

"We are meeting with my sister for brunch at 11, she wants to get to know you" he explained to Aelia, hoping she wouldn't mind. Of all the things she would have to do, he figured meeting Ophelia would be one of the easier tasks. He just hoped she didn't get hung up on the fact that all her life she had known Ophelia as the princess. "I'll pop back in when we need to go" he told her

***

Ophelia grained softly, turning to face him. She wuickly grabbed the juice from the nightstand and knocked back the pills before pulling her blanket around her. "Did you stay here last night?" She asked softly, her eyes curious as she looked at him. She knew the answer but she needed it confirmed.

She lay back on to her pillow keeping her eyes on him the whole time. "We didn't ih... You know... Last night, did we?" She asked, her cheeks flushing slightly.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
A content sigh escaped from Aelia as she hugged the blanket a little closer to herself. She blinked her eyes tiredly as she listened to Alex. Mentally calling him crazy for getting used to sleeping in such a comfortable bed. He had to be an alien for being able to get up so easily in the morning or something.

Then, at the mention of meeting his sister Aelia's eyes widen in shock. "I get to meet Princess Ophelia?" She asked, sitting up straight and grinning. The girl was only a few months younger then them, so it was exciting to meet a royal so close to there age. "Ah, I should get ready." She murmured, moving to jump off the bed but ended up tripping over a blanket instead which caused her to fall onto her hands and knees. "Ow." She murmured.

--

Watching Ophelia taking the pills as her life depended on it caused Harry to arch his brows. The action caused for a slight concern for her. She was a political figure, so if she was this tired, then maybe it would be best to ask the King to cancel some of her things that were scheduled for the day.

"No." Was Harry's simple answer. The right corner of his lips tugging up and he fought back the urge to chuckle at her innocent way of hinting at something. "No, we did not do anything of that caliber." He told her as he stood up straight and crossed his arms over his chest in a relaxed manner. "I only sat on your bed and talked with you." He informed her, leaving out the part where they did a small ball dance in her room.

Alex couldn't help but chuckle slightly, moving over to help her. "You okay?" He asked, crouching down next her. He checked out her hands and knees before helping her up, a small smile still on his face. "There's no need to get too worked up, she's just like us really.. and she lives here, you'll see her plenty" he explained, finding it funny she could be so excited to meet his sister.

He stayed with her a few moments more before heading to his room to get showered and dressed.

***

Ophelia let her eyes close, feeling the cold juice running down in to her stomach. A taught smile pulled at her lips as he said nothing happened, glancing down at herself. She clearly got undressed atsome point, and she knew for a fact she didn't climb out of that dress by herself. "Harry, I'm so sorry if I put you in an awkward position last night, I really didn't mean to" she apologized honestly.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
"Ow." Lia wined quietly as she moved to sit on her but as Alex walked over to her. She looked down at her hands and knees, sighing quietly as she saw that they weren't hurt. "Yeah, I'm fine." She murmured before accepting Alex's help. "Thanks." She murmured and flexed her sore fingers before she looked up at her taller friend.

"Yeah, but you got to see her a lot growing up. I only got to wish I was her." Aelia murmured quietly as she watched her friend leave and then went to change for the day in the bathroom.

--

The corners of Harry's lips twitched up as a smile fought to take over his features. "You're fine Princess." He told her and then took a small step back so that she could get out of the bed on her own. "Now, please get ready for the day. You have about an hour or so before you're to meet with the Prince." Harry informed her.

Then, the tall male turned to walk out of the room, not sure what else he was to say to her. Although, he didn't mind the appearance of the beauty laying on the bed in her PJ's.

Alex gave Lia's hand a gentle rub seeing the skin was red but she had no cuts or bruises. He cleared his throat softly before opening the door. "There's no need to feel that way, she's normal. You'll see I promise. You'll fit in just as well as everybody else" he reassured her before disappearing in to his room.

He changed in to a white button up with black jeans and a jacket. He slicked back his hair the same as usual and brushed his teeth, kind of looking forward to Aelia meeting his sister and beginning to learn what his life truly was.

***

Ophelia sighed softly get to swinging her legs out of the bed and moving over towards her dressing table, watching Harry out of the corner of her room. She had to admit it was much nicer having his face waking her up than her stuffy old bodyguard. She smiled watching him leave the room and then began to apply her makeup, tying her hair up in to a loose ponytail.

She got Dressed, today being one of those days she hated having to always dress so formal. She slapped on a large pair of sunglasses to combat her dire champagne headache. She swing open her bedroom door looking at Harry. "Well let's go then" she said reluctantly.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
Once Lia was all cleaned up and dressed for the day, she headed out of her room and stood in the hallway. She wasn't about to go on her own to this brunch thing. So, she took the time she was given before Alex was ready to look at the marvelous paintings that were hung up on the walls. A small smile playing along with her lips as she admired the bright colors and professional brush strokes.

"These are all so beautiful." She'd murmur to herself before turning towards Alex's door as he emerged into the hallway. It was safe to say that Aelia thought that Alex was looking quite sharp today, although, she wasn't going to tell him that. "Lead the way." She told him as she moved to his side.

--

As the door to Ophelia's room closed behind Harry, he couldn't help but let out a small sigh. His eyes closed for a moment as he tried to calm his racing thoughts. Last night was a one-night thing, there was no way that the two of them would ever be able to talk so casually again. At least, not unless she gets drunk once more or something and wants his attention for a little bit.

Moving to the side of the Princesses door, Harry stood guard for a while before turning his head as the door open. A small smirk slowly wiggled it's a way onto Harry's lips as he noticed what the Princess was wearing, it looked quite nice on her. "Yes, ma'am," Harry said quietly, acting professionally as a servant walked past and motioned for the Princess to move first as they made there way to the royal family's private dining room.

Alex smiled as he opened the door, watching Lia take in the paintings. His eyes grazed down her body to what she was wearing. She looked gorgeous in it, but he was glad they were only going to meet his sister. He made a mental note to ask Ophelia to give her a quick run down on what outfits were good for what events.

Alex lead her downstairs towards the dinning room, winding his arm around her waist as they began to see more and more of the staff. He walked in, admiring the large spread of food and pulled out a chair for Lia before sitting himself. He was surprised that they were the first to arrive, it was unlike Effie to be late. He glanced over at his friend, seeing how nervous she was. He gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "There's nothing to worry about Lia, I promise you it will just be like a normal lunch" he promised, looking over to his sister as she entered the room. "Good morning Effie" he said, standing to greet his sister with a hug.

***

Effie kept a gentle smile on her face as they walked through the palace, greeting every person they met on the way with a warm hello. She allowed one of the servers to open the door of the dining room for her and strolled in, keeping her sunglasses firmly on her face- she really didn't care that she was indoors. "Alex Darling, how is royal life treating you" she said mildly sarcastically as she hugged him, her eyes landing on the girl at the table.

"Hello dear, I'm Ophelia, Alex's little sister. I'm so pleased to meet you! What's your name?" She asked, extending her hand to the girl before glancing at Harry with a soft smile and gently mouthing that she needed another Tylenol.

@ FallenHope95

@ Aoibhe
Butterflies were starting to fill Aelia's stomach as she walked with Alex to the dining room. Rather it was from the close proximity with her best friend or the lunch with an actual princess, she didn't know. What she did know though, was that she felt like this was all a dream. Never in her entire life, had Aelia imagined walking around the Palace and going to have brunch with one of them!

Sitting down in the pulled out chair, Lia cast a worried look at her friend. "That's easy for you to say, you grew up here." She muttered quietly before looking towards the entryway as the Princess came in. Aelia gulped as she stood as well and then shook Ophelia's hand as well. "Hello, I'm Aelia." She said quietly, smiling awkwardly since she had no idea what else she needed to say at the moment. Then, once they released each other's hands, Aelia followed everyone's movements and sat down. Her lips sealed closed as she had no idea what to say or do next.

--

From his position, Harry could clearly see that Ophelia was going to have a hard morning. With her sunglasses on, she was sure to get a talking to from one of her parents if they saw her. Then another talking to about drinking so much at a party that was for her brother, The Crown Prince, as well. Hopefully, as the day goes on, she'll get over her ill after-effects of last night.

Walking into the dining room, Harry closed the door behind himself and stood next to the door. His hands crossed together in front of him as he stood at attention. Ready to react to any sort of threat that could happen at any time. His eyes moving towards the Prince and his betrothed as they greeted the young Princess, making sure that they didn't have any ill intents, even though he knew they most likely didn't. Then, shifting his gaze towards Ophelia, he noticed her mouthing something and nodded. He knew what she wanted, and pressed his earpiece before speaking softly. He didn't have any more on him, so he'd have to ask the medical staff to bring some up.

Just as Harry finished speaking, he glanced towards the doors as the wait staff entered with the plates that were packed with different types of breakfast foods for the royal family to pick and choose what they felt like eating.