5 days till the wedding.
Royal Courtyard.
"I JUST DON'T KNOW WHY DAD KEEPS ON DOING THIS!!" Chloe yelled in frustration as she swung her sword at Ronald.
"Hey, Hey, Hey, take it easy... are you trying to damage my flawless skin?" Ron said, trying to dodge an attack from Chloe.
"Take it easy sis." Gina smirked.
Throwing her sword away, Chloe let out a sigh. "I'm sorry. It's just that I'm a bit worked up about this stuff."
"It's not your fault okay?" Ron sat next to her.
"I mean what the fuck does a wife even do?" Chloe raked her hand through her hair.
"You know it took us all morning to comb your hair right?" Gina asked.
"I know and I will mess it up every day because my little sis will always be there to help me brush it." Chloe smiled sweetly.
"Umm I don't think I'll be there forever..... maybe Leon would do that In my place....I mean, he would be happy to brush your hair right Ron?"
"Of course and I think he would be more than happy to do more than brushing your hair right?" Ron smirked and Chloe buried her head in embarrassment.
Just then, Mia came and bowed saying, "Apologies for the disturbance but the queen requests your presence for the wedding arrangements."
"There she goes again." Gina smirked.
"I'll see you guys later okay?" Chloe smiled and walked away with Mia.
Chloe walked along the grand hall with Mia and was escorted into the Queen's chamber.
"I'll take my leave now, your highness." Mia bowed and walked away.
Chloe pushed open the door and stepped in to meet her mother sitting on the bed with a box in her hand.
"Chloe come here." Rachael gestured for her daughter to sit next to her.
"Hi mum." Chloe smiled.
"Sweetheart, I wanted to give you something." She smiled.
She reached out to get the black box that was next to her and opened it, revealing a memorising blue jewel necklace.
"OMG mum. It's really pretty." Chloe exclaimed.
"You see, this necklace holds alot of sentimental value... It once belonged to my mother and it was given to her by her mother.....This necklace is a family heirloom given to the owner's first daughter... I want you to have it... it will guide you during difficulties." Rachael smiled.
"Guide me ?" Chloe asked puzzled.
"Don't worry sweetheart. When the time comes you'll know." Rachael smiled warmly.
"And I wish to talk to you about something else."
"You're getting married in a few days and I'm sure that it's gonna be a bit difficult marrying someone that you don't love but there may be an change and maybe you would fall for him."
Pfft....as if
"Just don't be mad at your father, he was just trying to protect you. Prince Regaleon is the only one capable of protecting you from king Rufus since he had bribed and forced other kingdoms into alliances with him."
"It's okay mum. I understand." Chloe smiled.
"Oh, and one more thing." Queen Rachael smiled nervously. "Your first time would hurt you a bit but you'll enjoy it."
"Huh?" Chloe fell dumbfounded.
"I was your age when I had my first time with your father..... It was—"
"Lalalala I can't hear you." Chloe took the box and ran out of the room cringing.
She ran out of the Queen's chamber and walked into the royal garden.
Taking a deep breath, she walked round the petunias and smiled.
Every flower in this garden was grown and maintained by her.
Smelling the flower, she wondered if there were flowers like petunias and pink roses in Grandcrest.
She stopped as she heard someone's familiar voice.
"That pervert." she frowned.
Turning around, she saw Leon standing at least a mile away from her, talking to someone who looked his age, maybe his friend.
In order for him not to spot her, she quietly slipped away from the petunias and walked deeper into the garden.
Convinced enough that she was away from Leon, she stopped and sighted her favorite flowers – The pink roses. Chloe loved all flowers but she adored pink roses.
She reached out to pick a rose and the moment her hands touched the flower's stem, she felt a thorn prick her palm.
"Ow." she retracted her hand which was now a little blood stained.
"Seems like princess has hurt herself hm?" That deep husky voice rang in her ears.
"Shit." she muttered.
Leon walked up to her and smirked "Are you a kid?... Didn't you even check for thorns?"
"Are you here to criticize me prince Regaleon?" She rolled her eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes princess." Leon smirked mischievously.
"Whatever.... How did you even find me here?"
"Well, let's just say I have good eyesight and superb hearing" he smiled. " Besides, you're not good at sneaking."
Chloe's mouth could only form an 'o' . She was sure she moved quietly.
While she was looking confused and dazed, Leon stared at the tiny blood that trickled from her finger.
In a swift movement, he picked Chloe up in his arms and walked towards the greenhouse.
"Put me down Leon." She yelled.
"No." He said simply.
Chloe was awed at this prince's bluntness. She kicked and kicked but he just wouldn't budge.
At last, they got to the greenhouse and Regaleon sat her down on the chair. He walked to get the first aid kit and came back staring at her.
"W–What?..... why are ..... you staring like that?" she asked.
As if coming out from a trance, Leon fell on one knee and stretched his hand.
"W–What?"
"Show me your hand." he said.
Chloe stared at him in confusion for a second before looking at her bleeding palm. She had forgotten about it because of Leon but it seemed remembering it just doubled the pain.
She slowly placed her hand on Regaleon's and watched him take out the mentholated spirit.
As he cleaned up her wound with the white cloth she winced and grasped his shirt with her other hand.
Regaleon just smiled at her cuteness and cleared his throat "I think you have a splinter princess."
"A s–splinter?!" she frowned.
"Yes. There is a thorn there and I'll have to pull it out." Regaleon said, trying hard not to laugh at this princess's babyish behavior.
"O–Okay but please be careful." she said and shut her eyes tight.
Leon pulled out the thorn and threw it away, staring at her.
"I'm done." he smiled.
"Really?" she opened her eyes.
"Yes, now you can let go of my shirt."
Chloe widened her eyes in shock and released Leon's shirt.
"We should get going now." she said awkwardly with her head down.
"Lead the way princess." Leon said and walked behind her.