Nya's POV

"Isn't the scenery beautiful, princess?" Jay asked, slinging his arm around my shoulders as the four of us made our way through town.

We had been in town for an hour now, trying to find the dressmaker's shop, unsuccessfully I might add.

A week ago, my brother Kai had announced my betrothal to Prince Cole and suggested we hold a ball to celebrate, therefore I needed a new gown.

"Yes, the scenery is quite spectacular." I said, not really paying him any attention. I spotted the dressmaker's shop, quickening my pace.

I had never been allowed to go into town without escorts, so I had brought some of my most trusted friends.

Arisa, my lady-in-waiting, along with Count Jayson and one of the guards named Kazuo I trusted them with my life, so I entrusted them with the task of accompanying me.

Arisa was beautiful, with her long, wavy light brown hair, light brown eyes, and smooth flawless skin. Jay was cute and always cracking jokes, humoring us all.

Entering the dress shop, I was greeted by an older gentleman with glasses, who introduced himself as Mr. Julien, the dressmaker.

I curtsied as he bowed to me. I decided to introduce myself, even though I'm pretty sure he knows who I am. The others introduced themselves as well.

"I am Princess Nya, its nice to meet you." I said, giving the kind man a smile.

"My name's Arisa, its a pleasure." She said as she curtsied before elbowing Jay, making him introduce himself.

"Oh, I'm Count Jayson, but call me Jay." He said, bowing to Mr. Julien. Kazuo stood there silently, trying to look like the perfect guard.

"It is very nice to meet you all, now if the princess would follow me, I need to acquire your measurements to ensure the dress will fit properly." He said.

I followed him, being told to stand on a small platform as he took my measurements, writing them down before sending me on my way.

"Your dress will be ready in by tomorrow, I guarantee it." He said, smiling at the four of us.

"Thank you, I will make sure you and your entire staff are invited to the ball." I said, making his eyes shine with excitedment.

"Thank you, your majesty." He said, bowing once more as we turned to leave, waving at him as went headed back to the castle.

The ground was clear, but a few light snowflakes drifted across our path. I had always loved the colder weather, so I never minded the snowflakes, for they where a sign of cold weather to come.

We quickly made our way back to the castle, Kazuo running off to his post as soon as we returned. Count Jayson, Arisa, and I decided to go for a stroll in the courtyard.

Jay and Arisa were soon to be wed, much to his parent's dismay, knowing she was not nobility. Jay didn't care about that and had immediately started courting her.

I walked beside them, feeling more like a third wheel than anything as I watched the two of them. They seemed so happy, making me wonder what mine and Cole's marriage would be like.

I had heard many things about the neighboring prince, but had never actually met him. They say he's quite handsome and incredibly strong, the strongest in the land.

My brother heard of him being in search of a wife and had automatically had me betrothed to the prince, without asking for my opinion. I sighed at the thought.

I grew tired of walking with them, so I excused myself, returning to my chambers. I had one of the maids help me remove my dress, slipping into my night clothes.

My brother always disapproved of me running around in my night clothes before bed, stating that it was inappropriate for a princess.

My brother's wife, Rika didn't seem to mind, but I could never tell with her. She had been the daughter of a count, having been raised as a proper lady.

My father had always insisted on having me trained as a proper lady, but my mother always managed to convince him otherwise.

I pushed the thoughts of my deceased parents out of my head, crawling into bed after informing the maid that I would not be going to dinner, finding my appetite had vanished.

She curtsied before leaving, going to inform my brother of my decision to not go to dinner. I sighed, letting my head hit my pillow.

I laid there, my black locks draped across my pillow as I thought about my engagement to Prince Cole, wondering if I'd be happy with our marriage.

I had planned on marrying someone I loved, but when Kai had me betrothed to this guy, I began to think of the good it would do for the kingdom, especially the lower quarter.

The lower quarter was still pretty, but things were quickly falling apart down there. Just the other day, their fountain had broken, the people selling their possessions to fix it.

I sighed once more, deciding to get some rest, closing my eyes and drifting off to sleep.


Zane's POV

My father had spent the next several hours working on a beautiful gown, not once taking a break. I grew curious as to who the gown was meant for, but didn't question it.

I watched as he made the gown, the dress an icy blue color, looking as though it was actually made of ice. A somewhat transparent cape was attached to the gown.*

The bell rang, signaling the arrival of another customer, so I went up front. A middle aged woman came looking for a gift for her niece, browsing through many of our finished gowns.

She stopped as she saw one, light green and light pink in color, flower designs adorning the gown. She purchased it, handing me a sack full of coins, 50 of them to be precise.

I saw a young girl on a carriage outside, a hood surrounding her face, but I could tell she had long black hair and green eyes.

The woman handed the girl the gown before making their way towards the upper quarter, where nobility resides. Me and my father reside in the middle quarter, where all merchants reside.

I placed the coins in our jar, the metal coins clanking as they hit the other coins in the jar. Sighing, I went back to check on my father, finding him almost done with the dress.

Once my father finished with that dress, it was placed on a mannequin, but wasn't placed up front, which means it is reserved for someone.

He pulled out some more fabric, starting on another dress. Business was slow today, so I decided to help him, pulling out a new fabric.

"Ah, there you are Zane. By chance, could I get you to start on the dress for the princess' lady-in-waiting?" My father asked, eyes never looking up.

"Yes Father, was there any particular color she wanted?" I asked, knowing certain customers preferred certain colors.

"No, but she had light brown hair and eyes, so I'd make it a mint green color." He said, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

I nodded my head, going to grab some fabric. I found a nice mint green color and went to work on the gown, wondering why people were needing gowns all of a sudden.

I finished it with an hour, finding myself looking it over, checking for imperfections, but finding none. I nodded my head in approval to nobody in particular.

I had added bits of white and pink in certain places of the dress, adding to its beauty. I went to place it on a mannequin in the back before going back up front.

Another customer had arrived, a young lady, who began browsing through the gowns. She stared at one gown for a few moments before shaking her head, the gown not quite what she was looking for.

She had silver hair and green eyes, she was relatively pretty. She continued to look around, still not finding any of the dresses to her liking.

I walked over to her, tapping her on the shoulder. She turned to face me, her face getting red for some reason.

"Perhaps I may be of assistance?" I asked, wanting her to find the right gown. I usually tried to help the customers, wanting them to be satisfied upon leaving.

"I guess. My name is Pixal by the way, nice to meet you." She said as she curtsied. I bowed to her before speaking.

"I am Zane, son of the owner. Now, perhaps I can find something to fit your tastes?" I said, walking around the store.

Judging from her hair color and her eyes, I think she would be best if she wore a shade of purple or perhaps black.

I decided to go with black and began to look for the dress I had finished a few days ago, eventually coming across it.

It was long and very pretty. It was mainly black, but had bits of silver on it too, like the silver sash around the waist. The sleeves went to the elbow, a silver trim at the end of the sleeves.

I showed it to her, making her squeal in delight, purchasing the gown moments later, thanking me for my help as she left the store.

I went back to check on my father, finding him asleep at the table he'd been working on, glasses falling from his face.

I chuckled a bit, going to close the shop, when I saw a palace guard approaching, so I decided not to.

The guard entered the shop, bearing a scroll for my father and the rest of the staff, an invitation to the royal ball celebrating the princess's engagement to Prince Cole.

I thanked him for the invitation, going to place it on the table in the back, then went to close the shop once more.

After closing the shop, I went upstairs to my room, laying in my bed and falling asleep, wondering what tomorrow would bring.


Okay, so there you go, Chapter 1 of this story. I had already written this story, but I felt that Zane and Nya's relationship has been too rushed in it, so I rewrote it!

Anyways, just so you know, this is NOT a NyCole story, even though I am a die-hard NyCole shipper. Something about Zaya I just like, and you have to admit, they ARE a pretty cute couple!

But anyways, just let me know what you think of this so far! Until next time, ciao!