Ever After

"You really do have a talent," Ned chuckled, as I strummed on the harp. I rolled my eyes and looked at him.

"My dad hates it when I play this. He says it's a woman's instrument, but I honestly don't care. I've always been fond of certain things women do," I murmured. My eyes widened and I looked at Ned. He stared at me and I shook my head quickly. "Don't tell my father, will ya? I don't want him getting into my business."

Ned smiled and nodded quickly. He continued writing the invitations for the Pre-Wedding Ball we were having in four more days. I've been to a number of balls and had one when I turned 16, but all balls were the same. Boring. And everyone expected me to act all royally and not give a damn about anyone but myself which is a complete and utter lie.

I wasn't like that.

"I'm really not looking forward to this ball," I sighed, flopping face first onto my bed. My face meshed into the pillow and I groaned into it.

"Why is that? It's to celebrate your soon-to-be marriage in a few month's time," Ned said from behind me.

I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. I bit my lip; thoughts of Rapunzel's face running through my head. River's face then appeared and I shot up gasping a little. Ned stared at me startled, and I could feel myself blushing.

I chewed on my bottom lip nervously and I shut my eyes tightly. "It's...It's not that I'm not in love with Rapunzel. It's just...I'm worried," I said slightly.

Ned sat down the quill pen and looked up at me. "Worried?"

"You know, because I'm getting into a committed relationship. I'm gonna be bonded, you know?" I lied, laughing half-heartedly.

That wasn't the entire reason, but I sure as hell wasn't letting that questionable secret go. It wasn't even true or right for that matter. I mean it wasn't.

I ran my fingers through my hair and stood up. I nodded towards Ned as he was attaching a single rose to the invites. I grabbed a finished one before I walked out of my bedroom and down the hall. I had no idea where I was going. I was getting fitted for my coat for the ball later today though.

I walked down the hallway humming to myself when I saw River softly closing the door of his room. He turned around and stopped dead in his tracks before smiling at me. "Hey River!" I waved, shouting way too loudly. I covered my mouth and he started giggling. I knew for a fact my parents were still asleep and my dad would fucking behead me if I woke him up.

"Hi," he said softly as I walked up to him. I smiled at him and he pushed a strand of hair out of his face.

I pulled out an invitation and handed it to him. "You are cordially invited to invite a family member or friend to the Pre-Marital Ball!" My eyes could have been deceiving me, but I could of seen a hint of a frown on his face. But of course my eyes are creating misleading images now a days. So there isn't any way in hell.

River smiled and said,"Oh this is great! I'm going to give it to Carsen! I'll give it to him when I see him tomorrow!"

My stomach felt as if it were in a twisting knot, and my heart was sinking. I don't know why this feeling was overwhelming, but just hearing that name made me ill. I smiled sheepishly and nodded. "Yeah, invite him. Do as you please," I murmured.

I bit the corner of my lip and was about to walk off until he grabbed at my hand slightly. I felt my skin burn and I turned back towards him. "Thank you Auden. For everything. You don't realize how much of a change this is for me during these three weeks, but you made me feel so calm and welcomed here. Thank you so much."

I couldn't help but smile and I opened my arms wide and he looked me up and down. "Isn't this not right? Me hugging the prince?" he asked, smirking.

"Well, I order you to hug me," I said, smirking back at him. He laughed and wrapped his arms around me, and I pulled him into a tight hug. I closed my eyes and couldn't help but smile. This felt so nice. But before I knew it, we were pulling away.

"Um," I mumbled, scratching my head. "Is your cut any better?"

River laughed softly and nodded. "It's fine Auden. Thank you for caring," he said rolling his eyes.

I shrugged. "You never know! People got the plague a few years ago and cuts were like the main source!"

"Rats Auden. Rats were the main source," he said.

"Well, whatever. I just want you to be in good shape! Is that so hard to believe?"

"Once again, it's a cut. Not a stab wound."

I huffed and surrendered. I was acting like an idiot. I don't know why, but I just felt weird. I was about to speak before a voice I didn't want to hear for another millennium came our way. "Hey cousin!"

My eyes widened and I slowly turned around. Kieran was standing there, arms folded, leaning against the tall pillar of the grand hall. I practically chewed the skin off of my lip. "Um, uh. Hey Kieran. What are you doing here?"

"Well to go to my favorite cousin's ball. You are getting married." He said patting me on the shoulder. "I wouldn't miss it for the world," he whispered gruffly, before grabbing my butt.

"Um, meet River," I said, harshly twisting his arm and pushing it away. He groaned, holding his arm and stared at River for a long time.

"Hey?" he asked, looking him up and down.

"He's Rapunzel's little brother," I said, smiling at him. River looked back at me, his big eyes confused.

"Kieran. My cousin," I said, nudging him. Kieran rolled his eyes and looked back at me.

"I have to ask you something in private," he whispered. His hand hovering over my waist. I grimaced and nudged him away.

"We'll talk later. I was in the middle of talking to River," I said.

"Um, I actually have to go to the facilities. I'll see you later Auden," he said smiling before squeezing my hand. Kieran glared at him and River rolled his eyes, before walking down the hall.

Once he was out of earshot, Kieran pushed me into the nearest room and he planted his lips on mine. I groaned, trying to push him away. His back banged into the wall and I stared at him. "What's wrong with you!" he yelled.

"I don't want this Kieran. I don't."

"Who said you had a choice?" he asked grabbing my arms and turning us around so I was on the wall. I kneed him in the crotch and he groaned, letting go of my arms and holding himself.

"Don't touch me again!" I snapped.

"I don't...I don't care if you're the Prince. I'm still more dominant and I can do whatever I want. Besides, you'd be in trouble too if your dad found out you lost your virginity to a man," he said smirking up at me.

I slapped him and then felt tears prick my eyes. No one. No one but Kieran can make me cry and feel like complete and utter shit. He promised he would never bring that up, ever.

"You're an asshole," I whimpered. I could hear my voice crack.

"You didn't care when I was penetrating yours," Kieran replied before winking.

I stomped out of the room and slammed the door. I felt like crying. He was fucking irrelevant to me and here he was back here ruining my goddamn life. It was my wedding and I should have a say into who the hell I wanted to invite. And Kieran Brantley was not one of those people.

I walked towards the stables, hoping to get a good horse ride and take my mind away from that monster living in our castle. I smiled when I saw River petting Alistair. I walked slowly and snuck behind him. "Boo!" I said loudly.

River jumped and I laughed as he turned around playfully slapping my arm. "Sorry about Kieran. He's a bit of a nut. I don't really talk to him."

"Oh, it's fine. Really. He's kind of odd," he said glancing at me.

I nodded and leaned against the stable. "You know, the ball is a masquerade. You'll have to get a mask to wear. I can ask my mother to make you one. She does things like that in her spare time."

River sat the brush down away from Alistair's mane and sighed. "Honestly, your parents scare me Auden."

I laughed and I could see his face turning a bit red. "They scare everyone. But my mom is mostly fine. She won't ask you about...marriage or executions," I said.

"Good. Well I'll talk to her," he replied.

I stared at him as he brushed the side of Goldie's mane and his eyes lit up at she nuzzled into his touch. He was beautiful. I wasn't going to cover that up. He was. Who would deny that? Of course I don't have any attraction towards him, that would he crazy, but...I do find him beautiful. Beyond it. That doesn't make me attracted to men because of that, right? Right.

And Kieran doesn't count. Of course we had sex before I met Rapunzel, but I honestly was just confused. It was a test. I was just 17. But Kieran won't shut up about it and now he just doesn't want to leave me alone. He thinks Rapunzel is a cover up, but she's not... I love her.

"You okay Auden?" River asked, nudging my arm.

"Oh, I'm fine. Things is just going by so fast. Before you know it, my wedding will be here."

"You dont seem too excited," his voice trailing off.

I looked over at him and smiled. "I am. I just, I dont know. I feel weird."

River nodded and said,"Maybe you're just nervous. Everyone gets a little nervous before something spectacular happens. Marriage is...It's a wonderful thing."

I stared at him for a long time. "Are you okay?" I asked. River looked like he was about to cry. I walked over to him and rubbed his back. "What's wrong River? Tell me."

"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just homesick," he laughed wiping his eyes. "I'm gonna go back inside. See you at dinner." He sat down the brush and jogged back up to the castle. I sighed and slid down on a haystack.

Why does everything feel so different?