Chaos in the Castle

@ Sweet.Persephone

"True.. I just don't want to get yelled at immediately. If I can have an hour or so before they find out I'm back and tear me a new one, it'll give me time to hide any evidence and come up with a story about where I was that doesn't implicate you." Maisie explained with a sigh, grabbing a twig from the nearby kindling pile to draw shapes in the dirt, frowning a bit as he spoke about coming up with something to get out of the marriage.

She gave him a look when she saw his smile as he asked about her eloping with someone, shaking her head before throwing the stick at him for good measure. "No. I don't even have any friends, let alone someone that I'd want to elope with. You're the closest thing I have to a friend." She pointed out, tilting her head back with a sigh to look up at the clouds, staying silent for a long moment before she spoke. "I have an idea, but as part of it I'm going to tell you something that you can't tell anyone else, ok?" She said, glancing over at him nervously to make sure he'd agree before she began to speak.

"Remember how I mentioned that I didn't really go outside a lot and was always busy when I was a kid? It was because I had cancer, and was always in the hospital or getting treatments or recovering from surgery. I don't know how they did it, but my parents kept it secret from everyone. You're the first person I've ever told about it.. Anyway, I had been going to get checked every six months to make sure it hadn't come back, but once I went to college I missed one appointment, and then another and another, and now it's been almost three years, and I know that I need to make an appointment and go but I'm so scared that it will be back and it will be too late that I'd almost just rather not know." She let out a shaky sigh, running her fingers through her hair. "Anyway, I could tell my parents that I haven't been going to the appointments, that I've been having the migraines, and they might call off the marriage so that I can get tested.. I don't know what would happen if I'm fine, whether they'd still make us get married, but I doubt they would if it has reoccurred.."

@ katahdin

Charles let out a small sigh when Maisie said she didn't have anyone to elope with. It was a bit of a far fetched idea, but one that he was hoping might work. Though he couldn't really blame her since Charles couldn't think of anyone that he would get eloped with either. There was just a lot of complications with that one, even if she did have a boyfriend or something similar. After all, most royal families don't approve of divorce so that would be a life time decision.

Though his eyes shifted up as Maisie said she had an idea. When asked to keep it a secret, Charles agreed to do so. He then proceeded to listen to her idea, staying quiet as she explained everything. Though the more Maisie said, the larger the frown on Charles face became. Once they got to the end of it, the price was looking down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck.

"With all due respect, that is a terrible idea," Charles said as he lifted his head up to look back at Maisie, worry showing clear in his eyes now. "And there are a lot of reasons why that is a bad idea.... but um," Charles shook his head after a moment. "Actually, it doesn't matter. Are you okay? I mean, that is a lot to go through with no one knowing... You should really go get checked, you know, just in case...I uh...I could go with you, if you wanted. If you didn't want to go by yourself that is."As he spoke, Charles could feel that he was fumbling over his words, and sounded a bit of a mess. He just hadn't been expecting to hear what she revealed and the man wasn't quite sure what to say.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie could tell very quickly that her confession had made things awkward, even before Charles began to fumble through his words. "I know, I just.. I just thought I could help." She murmured as he said it was a terrible idea, wiping at her eyes. She didn't want to cry over this, especially not in front of him. She was quick to shake her head when he began to ask if she was ok and if she wanted him to go to the hospital with her to get tested, beginning to collect the dirty dishes from breakfast to give herself something to do.

"No, it's fine.. I-I'm sorry for dumping this all on you.. I should have just kept it to myself. I'll go was these now and go find some more firewood, try to stay out of your way and not ruin your day anymore than I already have." She murmured, grabbing the dishes before she hurried out of their little campsite and down the path that led to the creek. She figured she'd just hide in the tent or somewhere outside of camp for the rest of the day to avoid anymore awkward conversations. Hell, she might even pack up her stuff and head back to the castle early to avoid talking about it more.

@ katahdin

Charles was quick to get onto his feet as Maisie started hustling away from him. He reached out to grab her arm but halfway he stopped himself and allowed Maisie to run off. This was not what he wanted. Clearly he did and said the wrong thing but all he wanted to do was to...Hell, even he wasn't quite sure what he was trying to do and say at the moment. All he knew was he was now worried about her and felt a little lost on how to act. She needed help, right? Charles still felt pretty sure that he should have told Maisie that she needed to get tested but maybe that was the issue. Maybe he said the last thing she wanted to hear.

Charles let out a sigh and sat back down. Running after her seemed like a bad idea. It seemed best to wait until Maisie came back to camp and, hopefully, he could explain himself a bit better. Though, first, Charles had to figure out what exactly he was trying to say. He just knew he wanted to support her in some way. Especially since he was the only non family member who knew.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie spent about twice as long as she needed to washing the dirty dishes they'd used over the past few days, watching the creek as she tried to decide what she should do. She'd clearly made Charles uncomfortable, and based on how he'd been talking he clearly pitied her, and that was the last thing she wanted. Rubbing at her eyes she stood with the dishes and brought everything back to camp, putting it away before she moved to tidy the firewood pile and tend to the fire, staying quiet for a long while before she finally spoke.

"After I find some more firewood I'll go back to the castle. I can bring whatever you don't want to keep, and I promise I won't let them know I was with you or that I know where you are." She said softly, keeping her eyes focused on the fire. "I'll do my best to convince our parents to call off the marriage while you're still gone, maybe try the whole abdicating and renouncing my title thing.." She frowned a bit, knowing that the odds of any of that working were slim to none, looking up at him after a moment. "I'm sorry for ruining our camping trip.. I wish I could take back what I said, so you wouldn't have to know."

@ katahdin

While Maisie was gone, Charles had spent a little time cleaning up camp. It was actually already in pretty good condition but it was better than doing nothing. And the man certainly did not want to leave, now wanting to wait until Maisie came back so they could talk. When he heard footsteps approaching, he was quick to turn and look to see that it was the princess heading in. Luckily, she was the first one to talk, as he hadn't figured out how to start what he wanted to say yet.

Charles shook his head quickly at her words. "You didn't ruin our camping trip, not at all. And I don't have an issue with knowing. Honestly, Maisie, I'm just worried and what you said took me by surprise." His eyes softened up a bit and he took a moment to take in a breath before continuing on. "It just sounded like a difficult thing to go through by yourself and now that you told me, I just wanted you to know that, if you wanted someone who wasn't a part of your family to, you know, talk to or help out a little, I am happy to be the person. But if you don't want to talk about it at all, that's fine too."

"If you want to go back to the castle now, I won't stop you though. But, really, I think it's a bad idea to use it as a way to get out of the marriage. I don't think it would convince them not to follow through with the engagement as much as it would just get them to freak out and get you in trouble. And hey, no point in us getting in trouble unless it gets us closer to canceling our marriage, right?"

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie frowned a bit as she listened to Charles speak, looking away after a moment as she anxiously tugged at the sleeves of her sweatshirt. "I.. I never told anyone before because my parents didn't want me to, but also because I didn't want everyone to feel bad and pity me and treat me like I'm broken or need fixing or coddling or whatever... And I thought that maybe if I told you you wouldn't do that, because we're not friends and don't care and are just trying to get out of this stupid marriage, but now you're acting different and I'd rather you go back to hating me than looking at me like I'm some sort of lost puppy."

She was quick to reach up and wipe the tears from her eyes, sniffling as she looked anywhere but at him. "I'll.. I'll be in the tent, if you need anything.." she said, glancing at him for a moment before she turned and headed in, curling up in her spot before tugging a blanket over her, wishing she could disappear.

@ katahdin

Charles felt a little dumbfounded when Maisie went back into the tent. That woman certainly was a mystery, because he sure as Hell knew that she did not like it when he was mean to her. It took Charles about five minutes before he figured out what to do. He wasn't quite sure it was a good idea but, hey, at least it was better than nothing...probably.

Heading over to the tent, he unzipped quickly it and poked his head in. "Hey, we are not having some pity party in the middle of the woods. No one feels bad for you, I am just worried that if you did have cancer, they would move up the wedding date to tomorrow. And, if you haven't noticed, right now, I am in the middle of trying to dump your ass so I can go home, find some hot chick and bang her in the Bahamas. But right now I'm stuck with you so get your lazy ass out of bed and lets go on a hike like you promised me this morning."

The man waited a moment before going over to her and hooking his arms under her arms and pulling her out of the tent. "You aren't broken and in need of fixing. What you are is lazy and a cry baby."

@ Sweet.Persephone

"I'm not having a pity party." Maisie mumbled from under her blanket, tugging it around her even tighter as he spoke, unable to help but roll her eyes and scoff. As he ripped the blanket off of her and grabbed her under the arms she frowned, squirming as he dragged her out of the tent. "H-Hey! Put me down! I'm not a cry baby!" She shouted, continuing to squirm and try to free herself, although she stopped after a moment as she realized what he was doing, going limp in his arms.

"You... You're a jerk." She mumbled, wiping the fresh tears that had sprung into her eyes before she managed to turn around and rap her arms around him in a tight hug, trying and failing not to cry too much into his shirt. He cared about her, despite their situation, and was just trying to help. She'd never really had friends before, certainly not ones who knew about this, and as different as it was it was sort of nice to have someone caring and looking out for her. Even if he was a jerk sometimes. "The Bahamas are stupid. Too much sand." She mumbled into his shirt as she started to feel better, trying to tease him a bit so he didn't forget she didn't like him.

@ katahdin

Charles had been half expecting Maisie to slap him in the face when she turned so he was pleasantly surprised when her arms wrapped around him instead. His arms slowly wrapped around her and he hugged Maisie close to him. "I know." His voice was soft as he responded to her, knowing that she was just having a difficult time with this. His arms slowly started to run along her back, trying to comfort Maisie and possibly calm her down as she cried into him. And although his shirt was getting rather wet, he didn't mind.

A chuckle left him as Maisie brought up the Bahamas. "What is wrong with sand?" He asked her as his head moved down to rest against the top of hers. "It's warm there, plenty of beautiful beaches. Scuba diving, drinking, a tropical island. What is not to like?" He let out a hum for a moment before continuing on. "Okay then, what place would you want to be whisked off to then? If the Bahamas have too much sand to your liking."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie let out a little laugh as he agreed that he was a jerk, her arms tightening around him a bit as she turned her head a bit so she wasn't crying directly into his shirt anymore, sniffling a bit. She began to feel better as he began to rub her back, her fingers lightly gripping the back of his shirt to keep herself steady, still feeling a bit out of it from being so overwhelmed with emotion. But at least she had Charles to keep her steady, and to help her through how awful she was feeling.

"Sand gets everywhere. And it's always so hot, and full of tourists. Why go somewhere full of people who are there to do cheesy things like swim with dolphins and get drunk at sleazy clubs?" She responded when he asked what was not to like, tilting her head back just enough so that she could glance up at him for a moment before he rested his head against hers, tucking it back into his chest as he rested his head on top of hers and let out a hum as she thought about his second question. "I'd rather be whisked away to some old romantic city in Italy or Greece.. I know you'll just say that they're full of tourists and cheesy activities, but at least the architecture and history make up for it... Or maybe someplace remote, like Iceland, where you can just rent a camper and drive around and be the only people for miles." She murmured, closing her eyes at the thought, although she snickered a bit after a moment. "Too bad I'll never have anyone to do that for me. Hopefully you'll find your Bahamas girl, though. At least one of us deserves a fancy trip after all this."

@ katahdin

"I am beginning to think that the tourists and cheesy activities are not the problem here." He said with a little chuckle. "Just admit that you're not a fan of beaches and we'll be on the same page. Or that you just like old cities." Charles ran a hand through her hair slightly, pleased that Maisie was calming down more. It seemed that he had done something right. Which was really about time considering he had made her storm off and then cry. "Iceland is a good idea though."

"Well, I think it will be a lot easier for me to find some hot Bahamas girl than it will be for you to find the love of your life to take you on a romantic vacation. Not saying that you won't but...well the love of your life is only one person. My Bahamas girl can be anyone," Once he was sure that Maisie had calmed down a bit, he pulled back slightly so he could look at her face. "I know you'll be able to go on all of the fancy, romantic trips you want one day. But, in the meantime, you can still go wherever you want." A bit of a cheesy smile came over his lips. "Like a hike around these woods?"

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie snickered soflty, looking up at him as he ran his fingers through her hair, leaning her head into his touch. "I don't think all beaches are bad... But maybe you're right overall. I just like old cities and remote places." She smiled up at him, laughing a bit as as he spoke about his Bahamas girl and the love of her life. "Why limit yourself to one Bahamas girl, when you could have multiple?" She teased, her nose scrunching up as she laughed again at the thought. She was sure he'd love that.

She smiled up at him as he asked if she'd go on a hike with him, nodding a little as she gave his hands a squeeze. "That sounds nice.. Maybe you can tell me more about what your ideal Bahamas girl is like? Or if you have someone like that back home waiting for you after this whole marriage thing blows over?"

@ katahdin

Charles let out a light chuckle at her teasing before he shook his head. "Nah, I rather only have one at a time." He told her, giving Maisie a little pat on the back. "There can be too much of a good thing." The man unraveled his arms around her body but one moved up and ruffled up her hair. He was glad that it seemed she was in a good mood again.

"I suppose we can talk about it. Though I have to admit that I did not think much about my Bahamas girl as it was just something I said." Charles admitted to her. "We can figure it out on the walk together. I mean, might as well get some input as I would want it to be a fun trip. Though her liking the beaches, sands, and drinking would be a must since that would be a huge part of the trip." Now that she was ready to head out, Charles stepped back and moved out of the tent before holding the flat open for Maisie to follow.

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie laughed at his teasing, swatting at his hand as he ruffled her hair. "Hey!" She laughed, reaching up to attempt to ruffle his as well before she followed him out of the tent. "Well, Bahamas girl could be a stand in for your true love or whatever. I don't know why you'd want my input on what sort of girl you should bring or what to do on your trip, though. And liking sand and drinking aren't real reasons to like someone. I meant more like personality wise. She'll have to be incredibly kind and forgiving in order to put up with how big of a jerk you are." She teased, nudging him for good measure before she grabbed two water bottles and some granola bars, passing some to him as they headed to the edge of their camp.

"Alright. Time to hike. Where do you want to go first?" She asked. She knew he'd done some exploring the other day when he set his traps, and there was always the waterfall, so she knew they had a few options of where to go.

@ katahdin

"You're the one who asked!" Charles pointed out to her before letting out a laugh, shaking his head at Maisie as he did so. "She would just be temporary. So she doesn't have to like me. Just be willing to put up with me for a free and fun trip." He let out a hum, a bit of a smirk coming over his face as he decided to tease her more. "Though I suppose I will just pick one of the women from home that Swoon at me. I am sure they will be more than happy to put up with me for two weeks. In fact, I would think they would feel honored to be in my presence."

Once she was out of the tent, Charles closed it up and then moved back to her side. He took his share of water and food, shoving them into his huge fucking pockets before heading towards the edge of camp. "It doesn't really matter to me. I thought we would just head straight and wander around. I don't really know these woods all that well yet. Unless you had a place in mind?"

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie laughed, shaking her head a little as they began to walk. "You could hold a lottery or a raffle, and take whoever wins." She suggested teasingly, grinning up at him. "I'm sure there's no way you'd end up with a weirdo that way." She laughed again, nudging his arm. "Why temporary? You're a year or two older than me I think, shouldn't you be thinking about more serious relationships? Especially being a prince and all." She was mostly teasing, but was also curious as well.

"I was thinking maybe we could hike to the waterfall I showed you yesterday? It's already getting kind of warm, and I figured being near the water would be nicer since it will help keep us cool and in the shade for the most part." She suggested, although if he wanted to go somewhere else she wouldn't mind.

@ katahdin

Charles let out a small sigh as to why he wanted a temporary girl. "I don't know about you but my parents have always been setting me up with women that they think would be perfect as Queen. Even when I had girlfriends, they just saw them as temporary and would continue to do so anyways. Which, of course, made my girlfriends upset about their lack of approval of them, and thrusting other women on me caused problems in my relationships. And, this time they really outdid themselves with the whole engagement thing. But, it's hard to have a relationship with someone when they do things like that so I need to get them straightened out before I can really have a serious relationship."

The man rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bit awkward about the whole thing. "Yeah, the waterfall sounds like a good idea. We could always dip out feet in." With that, he turned slightly so they could start making their way towards the river."

@ Sweet.Persephone

Maisie frowned a little as he spoke about how his parents messed with him and his relationships, nodding a little in understanding and sympathy. "I'm sorry... For the first two years of college I had a boyfriend, but I didn't tell my parents about him, because I knew they'd do the same thing... He wasn't very nice, though, and not telling them probably contributed to how long I stayed with him even though I knew he was awful... I'm still not sure if I would tell them if I could redo it all, though, even if it would have helped." She sighed, shrugging a little as she looked at him. "I hope you'll be able to find someone you can enjoy being with, and not have to worry about your parents interfering with it. Everyone deserves to be happy and loved, even jerks like you." She teased softly, offering him a little smile as she nudged him for good measure before nodding as he agreed to hike to the waterfall, following him toward their destination.

It took a bit longer than yesterday to get there because they weren't walking in any hurry, and by the time they arrived it had gotten quite hot, and Maisie was looking forward to being able to sit in the shade and stick her feet in the water for a bit. "I wish this place was closer to the castle, I'd come here more often. But then my parents would probably know about it, and that's the last thing I want."

@ katahdin

"I know that I will find someone." Charles told her, a small smile coming back along his face now. "I just have to take care of some things before I do. I mean, who wants to be ignored or bothered by their boyfriend's parents? Dating a royal is already hard enough without my parents contributing to it." The man knew that there were plenty of perks to being his girlfriend since he was the next heir but there were certainly times where it was difficult. Like being judging who he chose. "I am sorry to hear that your boyfriend was awful. What did he do?" He glanced down at her curiously.

"And yeah, at least we can come and hide here when we need to... Though I am sure that we will be guarded much more heavily when we get back to the castle." The man let out a sigh. "At least the few days of freedom should be worth it. At least it is to me." Charles glanced down the path a bit, wondering how far they were now. "If we are really lucky, they'll lighten up on us." He chuckled at the thought. Now that was a pipe dream.