Princess Ib sat regally on her throne. She was not amused. The peasant that stood nervously before her had fallen in love with a girl, a girl that was not Princess Ib, a girl that was a peasant like him. Even though Ib was only nine years old, she was certain that she really, really liked that boy. His name was Garry, he was twenty years old, and his purple hair, dishevelled clothes, and nervous smile as he looked around the vast throne room in amazement just made Ib more sure.

She knew about his love for another girl because it had been the gossip of the kingdom. Garry was popular with girls, so keeping them away from him was Ib's prime task before she was old enough to marry him. Realising that he was still standing in front of her, waiting to be told what he was summoned for, she dismissed her thoughts about her future plans of both of them ruling the kingdom together, with two pet tigers, five children (all of which had been named) and throwing elegant balls at which she will always dance with Garry in the middle. Always.

Rising from her throne adorned with jewels, she brushed down her hand-tailored dress, adjusted her silver tiara decorated with miniature silver roses, and cleared her throat.

"Garry. I have called you here today, because I demand you to play hide-and-seek with me. The courtyard is off-limits, as is all 58 bedrooms and all of the dining rooms. Anywhere else in the castle is fine. You must play this game with me, because I am a princess! You can't back out! You can't! I said so!" Ib said desperately. She had to make sure that he was no-where near that other girl. She also had to find out her name and how pretty she really was.

"Um, yeah, sur- I mean… Yes, of course y-your highness. I shall entertain you by playing hide-and-seek, your high-highness" Garry swallowed nervously as he took a bow to show respect. Ib grinned as she took his hand to lead him away. But, just at that moment, her mother walked in.

"Ib! I see you are talking with… Garry, was it?" Ib's mother, Queen Lilliana, had gotten used to seeing Garry around, as Ib called for him to be brought to the castle frequently. But she could see the look on his face, and decided to save him from whatever task Ib had asked him to complete with her. Two days ago, Ib had asked, or demanded, that Garry should go on a boat ride with her down the canal. Three days before that, she had asked him to go on a horse ride with her. These requests are getting more and more crazy, Lilliana thought.

"Yes! This is Garry, remember? Today, he's going to play hide-and-seek with me around the castle!" Ib said proudly. Garry, realising that Queen Lilliana had entered the room, pulled his hand away from Ib's and quickly bowed down.

"I-I'm so sorry, your majesty! I didn't mean to-" Garry's rushed apology was interrupted by Lilliana's gentle laughing.

"Garry, don't apologize! Just call me Queen Lilliana, or just Lilliana. And I see that Ib has plans for you to go play?" Lilliana saw Garry do a little nod, before turning to Ib, "Ib, dearie, I'm sure Garry has to help out at home. Right, Garry?" she directed the last part to Garry.

"Oh, uh…" Garry stumbled, thinking of an excuse, "Yes. Uh, yes, I do. I have to… I have to help make the dinner tonight. Uh, those carrots won't dice themselves! Hahaha…" He said nervously. Why do the royal family keep talking to me so casually? Don't they know that I'm just a simple peasant? He thought.

Ib was sighing and tapping her foot in anger as she watched Garry bow to the both of them, and quickly walk out the double wooden doors, across the drawbridge, and down the dirt road. As soon as he disappeared over the little hill that the castle stood on, making his way down to the town below, Ib turned to face her mother angrily.

"Why did you do that?! He wanted to play hide-and-seek with me. And he could of eaten dinner with us!" Ib moaned. Now Garry was going to get to see her. The girl that she didn't know the name of, but already hated with a passion. Lilliana walked forwards.

"Ib, you're started to abuse your princess status. Calling Garry to the castle, disrupting his daily life, just so he can play a game with you, or pass the time with you, is not how a princess should act. I know it sounds mean, but from now on, you're not allowed to call Garry to the castle. Did you hear that, dearie?" Lilliana looked at Ib as she stomped her foot and averted her gaze from her mothers'.

"Fine." Ib mumbled. But, she thought, everything will have to be done secretively. Everyone will be blown away by how much I can blend in, act like the townspeople.

~~~End of Chapter One~~~