crown of sorrow

@ ghost-

Amarille blinked in surprise when Isolde admitted she'd uninvited her so that she could go with Rainier instead, eyes going wide and quickly spotting the advisor at the end of the table before looking back to her sister, struggling to hide an excited smile. "Rainier?" She giggled, ignoring her sister's look that told her to be quiet, instead patting her sister's hand before taking her seat at the table. "Don't you have other ways out of the castle, though?" She asked when she mentioned the guards, wondering if perhaps she'd be able to do anything about it when she became Queen in a few weeks..

Her thoughts were pulled away from her sister's adventure last night when Caspian joined them at the table, her heart skipping a beat as she saw him. They hadn't meant to, but their outfits matched almost perfectly, and it was clear that they'd be a good fit together. She offered him a little smile, although it faltered when he barely said anything to her in greeting, and instead just dug into his breakfast. She could tell that he was exhausted, and she wondered if perhaps he would rather rest today instead of going out into the gardens. But as she turned back to her sister as she began to eat she also worried that perhaps he wasn't interested in her anymore, if something had happened that made him change his mind about the way he felt toward her.

"I'll see what I can do about the guards, Isolde. But everything is going to be so busy the next few weeks before the Coronation, that I'm not sure I'll be able to do anything, and I don't know if there will be time for you to sneak out with everything happening." She murmured apologetically.

Isolde sighed, letting her shoulders slouch before picking up her glass. She wasn't excited about the impending chaos that would soon fall over the kingdom when her sister would accept the princes' proposal and then take the crown. Isolde was fully preparing to sneak out as often as possible during those weeks, knowing all of the craziness would drive her insane. "Don't worry about the guards, though. I do have other ways out, I'm just complaining."

She glanced around the table, noticing just how exhausted Caspian seemed. Did her sister and the new prince stay up late, too? Staring at his golden locks, Isolde blinked a few times before perking up. "I almost forgot to tell you, I did meet someone last week, a really cute boy who lives in the kingdom." Isolde loved telling her sister all the trouble she got herself into. "I don't think it will go anywhere, but he is adorable..."

Caspian finally looked up, not wanting to come ignore the conversation anymore. "Perhaps you can invite him to our wedding." He smiled over to Isolde before glancing towards Amarille. "I will give you permission to invite in a commoner for the occasion."

Isolde glanced back at the prince, in surprise, before glancing back to her sister. "Really? He doesn't know I'm the princess... But, surely there's enough time between now and then for me to figure out how to tell him..." Isolde was sure to keep her voice down so no one at the farther end of the table would hear.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille's frown only deepened when she saw how upset Isolde seemed when she mentioned the impending chaos of the coronation. She knew her sister was still upset over their parent's of death, they both were, but she also knew that she had never had any real interest in the crown or being a royal. But as much as Amarille wanted to help her sister, there wasn't much she could do with her advisors breathing down her neck and pressuring her into all sorts of things. She could only hope that once she was married to Caspian, that the advisors didn't turn their attention to Isolde.

She was about to apologize when Isolde interrupted her to tell her about a boy she'd met out in the city that sprawled out around the castle, a little smile appearing on her lips at her sister's excitement. "That's wonderful, Isolde.." Before she could say more Caspian spoke for the first time, causing Amarille to turn her attention to him, a little smile and blush appearing on her cheeks at the mention of the wedding. Their wedding. She was relieved that he still wanted to marry her, but was still worried about why he seemed so tired, although she knew she'd have time to ask him about it later. "That's a wonderful idea. You should invite him." She wanted to keep the wedding as small as possible, but because she was to be Queen she knew the impossibility of that wish, so having one more person there wouldn't hurt anything.

Throughout the royalty's conversation Rainier was listening intently, subtly using his magic to help the princesses' voices carry to him at the end of the table. Isolde wants to invite the boy to the wedding.. This meant that he would have to find out who he was and get rid of him before that could be allowed to happen, as her falling in love with some commoner wouldn't help him reach the throne. He'd also have to figure out the other ways she escaped the castle, in order to fully trap her here.

Caspian let his smile disappear from his face, trying not to come off as happy because of the wandering eyes at the end of the table. He was pleased to hear that Amarille's sister had her eyes set on a different man other than Rainier. Hearing the girls conversation when he first sat down had helped him piece together what the adviser had been doing last night; leaving her room. Caspian could almost smell deceit and manipulation wafting off of that man whenever he was near. So if Isolde wanted to eventually marry a peasant boy, he didn't care. As long as it wasn't Rainier.

"I'm sure he won't be too upset to find out about your title." The prince couldn't help but chuckle, doing his best to keep his heavy eyes open. He took a sip of his drink, hoping to soon gain some energy from the meal. "What are you ladies busy with today, hmm?" He glanced over at Amarille, a smile trying to creep its way onto his face. "Hopefully you haven't forgotten about our plans?"

Isolde took the last bite of her breakfast, deciding it was time to leave the too alone. "Ugh, you reminded me," she sighed, pushing herself up from her chair. "I have lessons. I'll see you both later." The princess didn't really have any lessons, but she wanted to scope out the rest of the castle and see exactly where Rainier had placed more guards. She hurried away from the table before Amarille could grill her, knowing her sister knew better than to believe her lie.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille looked over at Caspian when he asked what she and her sister were going to do today, offering him a little smile as she shook her head when he asked if she'd forgotten about their plans. "Of course not. I'm set to show you to the gardens after we finish eating." She informed him, turning back to her plate to continue eating. For the first time in a week the food tasted good, and she was excited to spend her day with Caspian, even if he did seem a bit troubled by something. But hopefully he'd open up to her and tell her.

She blinked in surprise when Isolde stood from the table and said that she had lessons to attend to, brows furrowing in confusion as she knew for a fact that her sister did not have any lessons, at least none that she knew of. She wished her sister well before turning back to her breakfast, part of her wanting to sit and eat a little more, although she was also excited to get going so she could be alone with Caspian. "Are you feeling alright?" She asked after a few moments, glancing over at him worriedly. "You seem so tired.. I hope nothing is wrong."

---

Hearing and seeing Isolde excuse herself from the table caused Rainier to do the same, although he waited a little bit to do so, having noticed the way Caspian was acting toward him. The prince didn't trust him, and for good reason, but he couldn't have him suspecting of him being up to no good, especially not before he had managed to get Isolde to fall in love with him.

Tracking her from the dining room was easy enough with his magic, but making it look like he wasn't following her was another thing. He could figure out her escape routes later, but needed to find a way to run into her 'accidentally,' so she wouldn't be too suspicious. Figuring out where she was headed Rainier took a few different halls in order to get to the junction of the one she was walking on, 'accidentally' running into her as she rounded the corner. "Oh! Princess, I'm so sorry. I should have been paying more attention." He offered her a warm smile, hands resting on her arms to steady her. "How was breakfast? It looked like you and your sister were enjoying the prince's company."

Caspian took another bite of his eggs, glancing over at the princess. "I'm alright, just couldn't sleep for some reason. I'm sure I'll gain some energy soon enough." He was certainly not going to tell her the truth, about what he had been accused of. The prince looked down at the other end of the table, eyeing Rainier for only a moment as Isolde walked by him as she left. He wondered if he should bring his concerns up to Amarille, but didn't know if that would be crossing a line. He noticed the adviser get up and leave the table a few minutes later. Turning back to look at the princess, Caspian rubbed the side of his neck, deciding it was better to speak on it.

"I couldn't help overhear your conversation with your sister about Rainier. On my way back to my room last night, I bumped into him as he was leaving hers." He leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms, "I know it's not really my place and stop me if I am crossing a line, but do you trust him?" He figured he'd leave it there. He didn't want to try and convince Amarille of anything. If the man was not to be trusted, that was all he needed to say and Amarille would confirm his suspicions.

---

Isolde had been casually scoping out all of her other usual secret exits, making mental notes of which ones were still guard free when Rainier had run into her. If she hadn't immediately been consumed by anger again, she might've noticed the way goosebumps ran up her arms from his touch. "Please don't touch me." She stepped away from him, giving him a small nod. "Breakfast was fine. And yes, Caspian is a very nice man. Tell the parliament I said good choice." With that, she walked around him, continuing on her way down the hall, hoping he would take the hint. As far as she was concerned, nothing had been sincere the night before.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille frowned a little as he spoke about having not been able to sleep, hesitating a moment before reaching her hand out to rest against his hand, giving it a little squeeze. "I'm sorry you couldn't sleep.. If there's anything I can do to help make it easier, let me know." She offered him a small smile, giving his hand another squeeze before releasing it, turning back to finish her food.

She looked over in surprise when he spoke about Rainier, glancing over at the adviser as he left the table before looking back at the prince. "Adviser Irving? He was my father's most trusted adviser, they were great friends.. I haven't spoken with him much, but he's always served our family, and if my father trusted him, I think I should as well. Or at least give him the benefit of the doubt." She murmured, frowning a bit as she looked at him. "Why do you ask? Do... Do you not trust him?"

---

Rainier frowned as she so quickly stepped away, noticing how curt she was being with him. He'd known that she would be upset with what he'd done, but he had to come up with some way to gain her trust. "Princess, if I've done something to offend you, please, let me know. I'd never do anything intentionally to hurt you or your sister." He said as he followed her, resting a hand over his heart in a sign of sincerity, although he was lying completely. "Is this about last night? Was our trip to the festival not enjoyable?"

"How Isolde was speaking of him was a little unnerving," Caspian decided to hide how he truly felt, for the moment. "And he seemed a little weird last night, I must've just spooked him." Caspian picked up his goblet and took the last sip from it, before sitting it back down on the table and pushing it away from him. "Forget I mentioned it, hmm?" More advisers began to get up from their seats and leave the table and with each one that left, the prince found himself relaxing more and more. "So you will be ready to show me to the gardens once you're done?" A large smile found its way back onto his face and the prince turned in his chair slightly to face her.

---

"No, Adviser Iriving, it's about what you've done this morning." She looked up at the ceiling, trying her hardest not to roll her eyes. The princess didn't stop walking or even slow down, the sound of his footsteps following her was dancing all over her last nerve. She intentionally said nothing about the night before, not wanting to confirm or deny if she had found any of it enjoyable. It didn't matter anymore if she had, because now she was paying dearly for her mistake. The princess didn't think she had to mention how there would be no more evenings spent with him, but maybe she would have to if he didn't stop following her.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

"She's just upset because it's harder for her to sneak out now... I wouldn't worry about it too much." Amarille attempted to reassure him, sitting back in her chair as she finished eating. She also felt relieved as the advisers left the room, soon enough leaving just the two of them sitting at the table. Reaching out she gently smoothed out his shirt where a little wrinkle had appeared, offering him a sheepish smile. "Yes, I'm happy to show you the gardens. We have a nice leisurely walk through the gardens, and then maybe after lunch you could take nap?" She suggested, standing after a moment, waiting for him to join her before heading through the halls and toward the gardens.

---

"Is this because of the guards?" He asked, doing his best to sound apologetic. "Isolde, trust me, I never meant to betray your trust. A few of the other advisers caught me leaving your room last night, and I had to tell them the truth about us sneaking out, because they had believed something far more unsavory." He explained, continuing to follow her. He could only hope she buys his story, as if she didn't this would be a major set back. "I'm incredibly sorry, Princess. I never meant to betray your trust."

"A nap does sound nice," Caspian laughed, pushing himself up to his feet. "Lead the way, your highness," he teased her, a silly attempt at putting a blush on her face. Because Caspian didn't have a good understanding of the curse that plagued him, he was ignoring his primal instinct telling him that Rainier was dangerous. He pushed it aside, for the time being, trying to tell himself that if Amarille trusted him, then he should too. At least, until he was given a proper reason to distrust him.

Caspian followed behind Amarille, his eyes sweeping down over her body, riding her curves. Biting down on his bottom lip, he couldn't help the naughty thoughts that filled his head. He imagined pulling the princess into any of the many empty rooms in the castle, his hands pulling the deep blue dress from her body. He had to force himself to look up, a smirk playing on his face when it was almost impossible to get the thoughts to leave him. "How did you sleep, princess?" He asked eventually, catching up by her side.

---

The princess stiffened her shoulders, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. "I don't believe you." Isolde had always been called hard-headed and was quick to hold a grudge. "And even if you were telling the truth, you didn't have to tell them how we snuck out. I noticed the extra guards near the kitchen." The princess finally stopped, feeling her face growing hot and finding it hard to fight the urge to argue. Turning to face him, she glanced up into his green eyes and faltered for a moment, having to look away. "So, if you are telling the truth, well then I'm sorry, but I'm not trusting you with anything else."

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille blushed at his teasing, smiling at him before leading him out of the dining room. She was a little troubled by what he had said about Rainier earlier, worried that perhaps she shouldn't trust her adviser. She didn't know if she had any reason to distrust him, but she also trusted Caspian's judgement, even if she barely knew him. She was mostly lost in thought while for most of their walk, not noticing how he was looking at her, although she did notice the little smirk on his face as he appeared at her side.

"Hm? Oh, I slept fine.. Better than I have in ages, actually.." She admitted with a sheepish smile, linking her arm through his as they neared the gardens. She paused at the entrance to the gardens when they finally arrived, looking out over the expansive gardens. "Here we are." She smiled, squeezing his hand before continuing into the garden. "There's a labyrinth that my sister and I used to get lost in when we were little.. We could try to find the center? I'm not sure if I've ever found it, to be honest." She laughed a little.

---

"The two of them had been out in the halls near the main entrance to the castle, and when I claimed to have brought you out that way, they said that they hadn't seen us leave, and refused to believe me until I showed them your escape route. I know that it was the easiest one, but you had also mentioned that you have other escape routes, so I assumed that as upset as you would be, at the very least you still had those." He explained, knowing that he was lying through his teeth, but at least he sounded believable. "I deeply apologize, princess. I know that I can't expect you to forgive me for this, but I hope that this doesn't hinder our relationship in anyway."

Caspian was wide eyed as he looked over the garden that never seemed to end. The bright red flowers were a brilliant pop of color among all the green and his smirk only solidified on his face when she mentioned getting lost in a labyrinth. Snaking his arm around her waist and leading them closer to the entrance of it, he grinned ear to ear. "You don't have to ask me twice to get lost in a maze with a woman as beautiful as you are." Beginning their search for the center of the maze, the prince pulled the princess closer to his side as they walked.

Luckily for the pair of them, there was a slight chilly breeze blowing through to cool them down on this hot Summers day. Caspian's hand squeezed Amarille's hip, the prince still craving to touch her soft skin. He wasn't sure where this intense desire was coming from. Yes, Amarille was gorgeous, but Caspian prided himself on being a gentleman and undressing a woman with his eyes on the second day of knowing her didn't really showcase that.

Glancing over at her, the prince let his eyes stray further down, admiring how her breasts were pushed up, but doing his best to be inconspicuous about it. He tore his eyes away and lifted his hand to gently touch the sparkling earrings she wore, "After all these years living in this castle, two princesses couldn't find the center of a labyrinth?" He was only teasing, of course.

---

Isolde couldn't help but grind her teeth, upset mostly over the fact that that had been her best escape path. Right out her own window, it was quick, and made it look like she was just locked away in her room. It was perfect, but now it was gone. "Relationship? What relationship?" She scoffed, growing even angrier because the more he spoke, the harder it was becoming to not believe him. And the more she started to believe him, the more she looked like a bitch for getting angry with him.

The princess tried to keep her voice down, even though they were all alone for the moment, she didn't want any passing guards or servants to hear them. Looking back up at him, she frowned, slowly relaxing her shoulders. She didn't like the look on his face, how sad he looked. The way he said 'our relationship' brought back the memory of how his lips felt pressed against her hand and sent shivers up her body again.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille smiled happily at his excitement about the gardens, a blush heating up her cheeks as he wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her into his side as they walked. It was a much more intimate gesture than the hand holding they'd been doing yesterday, and while she wasn't opposed to it, she suddenly worried if perhaps he expected something from her that she wasn't ready to give until they were married. She blushed even brighter at the thought, especially when he squeezed her hip, her body feeling like it was on fire. Isolde had always been the adventurous one, getting caught kissing a stable boy at fourteen in the hay loft, and they'd had conversations about boys she liked and her desires for them, but Amarille had never felt that way about anyone, had never felt like this before.

She glanced up at him briefly, but only noticed how his eyes lingered on the neckline of her dress, her cheeks heating up even more as she quickly looked away before he noticed that she'd caught him, only looking back up when he touched her earrings. "Isolde says she found it once, but I don't know if I believe her or not.. And I was always busy with lessons, I never had time to find it."

---

"My relationship as your advisor." Rainier explained easily, slowly reaching to take her hand. "Your father trusted me, especially in regards to helping him prepare you and your sister for your futures. I'd hate for that trust to be broken between us, for me not to live up to the promises I made him." The lies made him want to vomit, but he knew that he had to put on the show for her. The only way he'd ever get the crown was through marrying her, and that required her to fall for him, which couldn't happen if she hated his guts.

"I bet she's lying." Caspian whispered to her, smiling brightly as they found themselves going deeper and deeper into the maze. It was the largest labyrinth he had ever seen and the first one he had ever found himself in. The isles of the maze just seemed to stretch on and on, and no matter how close they seemed to get to the center, it appeared they were repeatedly tiptoeing around it.

"Another dead in." He sighed, placing his hands on his hips once they turned the corner and faced another green wall of hedge. "I bet you can't even get to the center," he laughed, walking further towards the dead end, lightly leaning Ted brushingit to take a small rest. He smoothed out his dark blue jacket, his fingers brushing over the golden buttons.

---

"You said last night that my future didn't matter to the court." She pulled her hands away from him, reminding him of how he said they wouldn't care if she ran off with a farm hand, that the only princess that mattered was her sister. She reminded him that she was only a back up in case of a rare situation. Isolde really wanted to press him about the nature of their relationship, about how he was making it out to feel like something more than what he was speaking, but she didnt know how. Just thinking about it made her face hot.

"Don't you have a wedding to be planning, Irving?" Isolde gathered a bit of her skirt in her hands before she started to walk off, finding it impossible to even tease him with his first name.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille laughed softly as his jokes while they walked, sticking close so they didn't get separated in the large maze. That was the last thing she wanted. Reaching another dead end she huffed in irritation, moving to take a seat on the marble bench placed there, so that you could at least rest if you were lost. She looked over at him as he leaned against the wall of the hedge, smiling at him as he adjusted his jacket.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there is no center. But if you look from some of the towers in the castle you can see a center, or at least something that looks like one." She explained, closing her eyes for a moment as she smoothed out the skirt of her dress. The breeze had been pleasant out in the rest of the gardens, but it had all but disappeared in the maze, and as much as she loved the warmth of the sun on her shoulders, she realized she'd much rather be lounging under the shade of a tree but the pond.

---

"That was my impression, but it seems now that your sister and the prince are getting along, the Parliament has decided to turn it's attention to you." He explained. It was a lie, of course, but if he could convince her to place all her trust in him, and convince her to despise the rest of parliament then he'd be smooth sailing.

He bowed slightly as she pulled away from him, sighing as he put on an apologetic look. "I truly apologize, princess. I'll leave you be. I will be in my study, should you need anything." He said before turning to leave as she too left, smirking to himself, rather proud of himself. The bridge hadn't completely been mended, but it was good enough for him.

Caspian joined her on the bench after a moment, running his fingers through his blonde curls, separating different waves. "I bet it's blocked off," he huffed, "or maybe by magic it's sealed away." At this point, he was just rambling, saying something more preposterous than the last in an attempt to entertain her. "In other words, we may not find it today." Caspian laughed, scooting closer to her until their sides were touching.

"I think I've still found a prize, though." He leaned forward, caressing her cheek with the side of his hand, letting it run down her face before he went in for a kiss. He had been thinking of kissing her all day, the constant memory of how
soft her lips were in the back of his mind constantly. Kissing her was like a breath of fresh air, it brought on the urge to let his hands explore her body, but he had to refrain himself. Instead, he let his hands hold hers in his lap, while their lips crashed together, his tongue gently gliding over her bottom lip before pressing further in, but timidly as if asking permission first.

---

Isolde stopped in her tracks, feeling her heart sink to her stomach. "Wait-" she quickly turned around, feeling like she could vomit from the instant wave of nausea that flooded over her. "what?" The princess hurried after the adviser, feeling a lump forming in her throat. "You're lying, what does the parliament want with me?"

The younger princess had always been under the impression that she would never truly be important. Maybe forced to marry if a treaty needed to be made with a bordering kingdom or if a relationship with an ally needed strengthening, but the older she got the more she seemed to be ignored. She had gotten comfortable with the idea that she could fade into the background of the royal family and hopefully find her own happiness. She caught up with Rainier and grabbed his arm, her fingers gripping the fabric of his sleeve tightly.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille laughed as he joked about all the possible reasons that they couldn't find the center of the maze, each one getting more ridiculous as he went on. She'd hardly noticed he'd joined her on the bench until he'd moved so he was pressed against her side, a blush lighting up her cheeks as she smiled up at him. "What sort of King and Queen will we be if we can't even find the center?" She teased, gazing up at him adoringly.

She leaned her head into his hand as he caressed her cheek and her eyes fluttered closed as he kissed her, the princess gladly returning his kiss. She'd be lying if she said she hadn't been waiting for him to kiss her, but this was much different than the soft gentle kisses they'd shared last night. This was much more intimate, hungrier. A soft gasp escaped her when she felt his tongue brush against her lower lip, gladly parting her lips for him. He was heavenly, and even though she knew they shouldn't be doing this, that her advisers would likely be furious with her if they found out, she didn't care. He was the one good thing to happen to her in a long time, and she wasn't about to give up this happiness for anything.

---

Rainier turned to look at her as she grabbed his arm, stopping to turn to look at her as he rested his hand over hers. "I wish I were lying, princess. Before your father's death, he managed to keep the Parliament disinterested in you, wanting you to have a happy life, but there were always members who wanted to use you for their own political gain. Of course, your father and I vetoed these ideas, because we didn't believe what they wanted was right. But now that your father is gone, I can't fend them off, and I'm just one man with one vote, if they decide to do something, there's not much I can do to stop it.." he explained, attempting to sound apologetic.

"Trust me, princess, I'm on your side. I'm doing what I can to help you, even though it may not seem that way."

Caspian's hands found their way up her side, holding her so tightly he could feel the ridges of her corset under her dress. He lightly huffed, damning all the different layers women wore. It's for the best, you know you couldn't anyway... His hands still rubbed up and down her sides, hungering for just a single touch of her exposed body. His tongue slipped into her mouth, pushing and wrestling with her own, until he moved his mouth along her jaw and down her neck. The prince kept his eyes closed, letting himself fall dormant almost as his primal side came forward.

The inviting scent of wisteria and jasmine filled his nostrils as he breathed in the princess's perfume, his lips moving further south and soon the prince was placing fast but gentle kisses along her exposed breasts. He was oblivious to any other thoughts, not even in the slightest concerned with getting caught. It would be impossible for someone to find them out here in the maze. "You are so beautiful," Caspian breathed as he finally pulled away for a moment to catch his breath.

---

Isolde's hand dropped from his arm, falling back to her side. Her anger was immediately replaced with panic, even though the look on her face was just devastation. The princess swallowed around the lump in her throat before stepping away from Rainier, her thoughts racing all over the place. She was no longer concerned with the guards outside her window, or even the ones placed heavier in the halls, or wondering why Rainier's attitude towards her had become more romantic as of yesterday. Instead, she was worried about her future, worried about being forced to marry some prince she hated, or worse some dirty king, worried about Merek...

Snapping out of her thoughts, her eyes beginning to get teary out of frustration, she looked back up at her adviser. "Excuse me, I think I'm going to be absent for lunch." She went ahead and forewarned him, turning back in the direction of her room before leaving him there. Blinking away the hot tears in her eyes, the princess thought only about ripping out of her dress and hiding away in her bed for the rest of the day.

@ katahdin

@ ghost-

Amarille couldn't help but moan against his lips as she felt him push his tongue into her mouth and felt his hands caressing her sides. She practically melted when his lips moved along her jaw and down her neck, fingers gripping the fabric of his jacket as she pressed closer.

"C-Caspian.." she gasped as she felt his lips graze a particularly sensitive spot at the base of her neck, her fingers gripping his jacket a bit tighter. When his lips traveled further down to kiss over the tops of her exposed breasts she gasped, heat blooming between her legs as her fingers moved to tangle in his hair, drawing him flower. Her cheeks were flushed red from both embarrassment and arousal as he pulled back to look at her, feeling rather breathless herself as she looked at him. "You're perfect.."

---

Rainier frowned as he noticed the tears in her eyes, reaching to grab her hand as she pulled away. "Princess.." he began, but before he could say much she disappeared down the hall. He didn't understand why seeing her cry upset him so much, but he pushed the feelings aside as he continued on his way back to his office. After spending hours doing paperwork, he headed to lunch, and was surprised that neither the princesses nor the prince had shown up for their meal. With a sigh he ate his meal quickly before asking a servant to bring Isolde hers, knowing that the girl would feel better if she ate something.

The clock tower in the middle of the kingdom could be heard striking noon and Caspian looked up towards the sky for a moment. "Well, I guess we've missed lunch," he looked back towards the princess with a grin on his face. "I'm sure they won't miss us." That was a deliberate lie, he knew the moment they found their way back into the castle they would both probably be questioned about where they had ran off to and what they had been doing. But he didn't care and he had an alibi; they got lost.

Leaning in to press his lips to Amarille's again, he pulled the girl closer to him, practically onto his lap. "We need to get married sooner..." He whispered against her skin, his lips trailing sweet, soft kisses along her jawline, his arms wrapping around the smallest part of her waist.

---

"Go away!" The princess shouted from underneath the downy blankets atop her bed. She had undressed down to the lace slip she wore under her gown and she had no intentions of pulling her self from her hiding spot. Still, the door opened and in walked one of her maids.

"I'm sorry, your highness, but Adviser Irving asked me to bring you your lunch." The maid brought the meal to her bedside, placing the tray down on the end table. "He seemed worried about you, are-"

The princess cut the maid off again, just popping a hand out from underneath the blankets, waving her away. Her stomach was tied up in knots, tears had pulled her mascara down her face and she was an anxious wreck. However, the mention of Adviser Irving actually worrying about her skipping out on lunch did make her feel just a tiny, tiny bit better. When the she heard the door shut to her room, she pushed the blankets off of her and sat up. Perhaps she would try to eat and then go find him.

@ katahdin