"Now, Ash, there is something that we need to discuss." Jake was smiling as he faced me from that armchair. I was being lulled into a sense of security and contentment by the heat from the fire. It was soothing and relaxing. And let's not even mention that Jake was acting completely different from any story book or fairytale prince that I had ever imagined in my entire life. He was being considerate, caring, and the complete opposite of misogynistic. I never knew that a fairytale could have a man that was this mindful of his princess. It was odd. But, well, I guess this whole story was odd to me. From the start to where I am now, it was nothing at all like the Cinderella story that I knew and despised. Everything in this world was surprising me whenever it got the chance.
Well, I guess that the Keeper did tell me that the stories were not the ones that I was used to and that they would all be different. I just never knew how different they would be. I guess it was my fault for not listening to the Keeper.
"Ash?" Jake called out to me. He looked a little worried. Oops. I guess I had spaced out the moment that he started to talk. He probably thought that I was still sick or something.
"Sorry. I was just lost in thought." I rubbed the back of my head and laughed nervously out of embarrassment. "What is it that we need to discuss?" I proved that I had actually been paying attention to him. I was just thinking about other things when he was talking to me too.
"Well, you know the reason that the ball was held, correct? You know what the end result was going to be. You attended the ball knowing the conditions that you would have to live up to if you were the woman that was chosen, correct?" He looked very uncomfortable at the moment. I could tell that he didn't want to be talking about this. "Frankly, I would prefer to find someone that I love in the traditional manner, but the ball was my father's idea. Hahh." He sighed but it didn't sound too exasperated. "Still, it brought me to you, and you are the woman that I want to marry. So, well, I guess that what I am getting to here, is that we need to get married. Now, I understand that this might-."
"I know. And I agreed." I interrupted him. I probably shouldn't have done that, considering that he was a prince and all. And living in a world like this, I needed to make sure that I followed the laws. Part of those laws that I needed to follow was respecting the royal family. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-."
"You agree?" This time, he was the one that interrupted me. He seemed to notice that we both did that and that I was smiling at the oddity of it. He started to smile and then laugh. "I am sorry. We both interrupted each other. That was funny, but I guess we should be a little more considerate toward each other."
"Yes. We should probably wait until the other is done talking so that we can talk. Anyhow, as I was saying, I understand what we must do. And I agree to it. I know that we must get married. Isn't that what is expected of me?" I tilted my head in confusion. The odd thing was that he was giving me the same look. It was like he felt he needed to convince me to marry him.
"I do not want you to do anything that you don't want to though. Just so you know, you still have the right to refuse. It is your life." The look in Jake's eyes then told me the complete opposite of what he was saying. He might be telling me that I could refuse to marry him, but he really didn't want me to. "Let us revisit the marriage topic in a bit. I was thinking that, before any wedding ceremonies, we can get to know each other."
"Get to know each other, how?" I looked at him with skepticism layered all over my face.
"We can go on a few dates. We can explore the city and the rest of the kingdom. We can have picnic lunches at the lake or ride horses through the woods. There is much that we can do, and I want to make sure that you are having as much fun here as possible."
"To me, it seems like you just want me to fall in love with you before we get married." I laughed. "Does that matter, Jake? Will I not learn to love you over time?" I thought that this was how arranged marriages worked.
"That is not the life that I want. I want to get to know you and to spend time with you so that you learn to love me before you commit yourself to me."
What he was saying was going to make the story last longer, but if this was what this story wanted, then I would make sure that I did what I needed to. I would date him. I would pretend to love him. Then I would marry him and get out of here. I had no choice really, since getting to the castle wasn't the end of the story for me.
"Alright Jake. I think that is a great idea." He got my biggest smile and the brightest eyes I could muster. I most definitely didn't show my exasperation at having to be here that much longer.
"Thank you, Ash. I cannot wait to get to know you."
"Likewise."
***JAKE'S POV***
I had managed to get her to agree to date me first. I may already be planning the wedding, but that didn't mean that it was going to happen tomorrow. And to be honest, I had intended to ask her to marry me as soon as possible, but I needed to change that once I was talking to her again. I just didn't want to do anything that would make Ash upset. And there was also the fact that if I dated her, I might be able to check for that mark. I wish it were visible. Then I wouldn't need to wait. And I really hadn't taken my eyes off of her face at the ball so I wouldn't have seen it then even if it were visible.
Hahh! The more that I thought about things, the more that I wondered if Ash was only planted in the story to throw me off. I mean, she looked like Alex for crying out loud. If that wasn't a giant red flag, then I didn't know what else was.
Besides, even if she wasn't my counterpart, I could still have a good time with her until I did find the right girl. I wasn't going anywhere, so it didn't really matter.
Ash and I talked a little bit about what we were going to do for our first date, and when we should have the said date. We decided that the date would be tomorrow and that we would go horseback riding. She admitted that she had never gone before and was interested in learning. Well, I was really glad that I learned when I was a kid. It had been years, but I was certain that I would be able to manage it if I just tried really hard.
After she left the room, I guess I needed to make the arrangements for the date. And I would demand that we be alone for the date as well. Nothing would ruin it quicker than having a guard tagging along as a third wheel.
I summoned Stephen to my study, told him the plans, noticed the displeased look on his face, and put my foot down. I had chosen my bride now, so there was no reason for the king to keep me inside. I needed to woo the woman that I was going to marry, of course my king of story father would understand that.
I left it up to Stephen to tell the king what the plan was and started to think about the date. That would be something that I did nonstop until we left tomorrow afternoon. I could have her ride with me, creating a more intimate setting. We could take food and have that picnic that I mentioned. We could see the city and the shops. Maybe I would buy her something. There were so many options that I didn't know what I was going to do. All I cared about though, was that she was right there with me.
I think that I am starting to enjoy this story book. Just a little bit, maybe. It was interesting at the very least. And partial wish fulfillment for me as well. Who wouldn't like living a story like that?