A/N: So this is my new story. I've literally had this written since September of last year and like haven't posted it because I wanted to finish my other story. So, I hope you like this.

Chapter 1:

Clove walked threw the corridors of the castle, the unfamiliar feeling on the satin gown the only thing reminding her that she wasn't living in a dream. It felt like one though, to actually walk threw the castle as if she belonged there. Cato had asked her to come, since it was his birthday ball. He had snuck her one of his late mother's dresses and added her name to the list of wealthy people his father, the King, had invited.

She was the first peasant to ever be in the castle and the only peasant to befriend the prince, let alone be his lover. "Clove," she heard Cato call as she entered the grand ballroom, she took a slight detour wanting to see the grand paintings and tapestries, luckily she hadn't gotten lost.

She spun around, smiling from ear to ear when she saw the young prince. "Hello, Prince Cato. Happy birthday" she said, forcing the word prince before her beloved's name and even adding a small curtesy. She hadn't called him that since they first met on the streets during one of Cato's many excursions.

"Glad you came, miss Clove" he said, his smile growing at her discomfort of calling him a prince. It was the same look she gave him when he had told her to call him just Cato years before. "And, may I add, you look beautiful." He took her hand, spinning her so he could see the red satin dress.

"Only because you gave me this dress" she said, a small blush growing on her cheeks. She never believed herself to be beautiful and she had no one to tell her that but Cato.

"It had been in the wardrobe for almost sixteen years, it needed to be worn" Cato said. It was his mother's favourite dress, the one Cato pictured her wearing whenever he thought of his mother. She had died a few months after his brother, Prince Peeta, was born and his father remarried less than a month later. Cato still resented him for it.

"Thank you" Clove said. The words tasted unfamiliar on her tong. She was strong and independent, never taking anything from anyone but Cato was the exception. Then again, he was the exception to everything. "You look dashing as well" she added, taking in his dark suit and red tie.

Cato held out his hand as the band started a new song. "Would you like to dance?" He asked and Clove gladly took his hand, letting him lead her to the dance floor. Cato placed his hand on her waist and held the other and Clove placed her free hand on Cato's shoulder. "I really want to kiss you" he stated, the fear of being overheard gone thanks to the loud music and the real Cato, the one only a handful of people see, came out.

Clove laughed lightly as Cato spun her. "We can sneak away in a little while and you may do whatever you want with me" she said as she returned to Cato's arms. She laughed again at the naughty smile on Cato's lips.

"We could always sneak away right now" he whispered to her. "No one will notice except Peeta. You're my only friend here. Everyone else are Father's diplomat friends and the people of high society."

"So I am the poorest person here?" She asked and Cato spun her again.

Clove expected him to chuckle and shake his head at her sarcasm, but instead his blue eyes were serious and he told her, "money doesn't matter at all, Clove." They held each others gaze for a few moments, still moving to the in sync with the other party goers. It was Cato who broke the silence, "I think we could slip away now."

Clove nodded and lopped her arm threw Cato's as he escorted her out of the ball room and threw the winding corridors of the castle. Clove admired the beautiful architecture and art work while Cato lead her threw his home. All she could think about was how the carpet cost more than her home. "Where would you like to go, my drear?" Cato asked her, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"I haven't the slightest idea" she said truthfully. Her head fell against his shoulder as they turned another corner before stopping in front of a tall wooden door. Cato pushed it open and they stepped out into a garden. It was beautiful even in the darkness of night when most of the flowers were closed and colorless but there was something about it. Something that just sang beauty when one looked upon it.

"It's beautiful" she said. Cato picked a perfect white flower and placed it in her hair. "Why did you bring me here?"

"No one knows about this place and even someone who did would never come down here. This is Mother's garden" he answered, pushing a piece of Clove's jet black hair out of her face and resting his hand on her cheek. His lips found hers in a sweet, passionate kiss but he didn't dare take it further, knowing the consciences if anyone found them together so intamently. "I need to ask you something" he whispered in her ear once he pulled away.

Clove watched him as he kneeled in front of her, taking her small hand in both of his big ones. "Clove, I love you" he started. "I've loved you since the first moment I saw you and I purposely ran into you that day in the market. Of coarse I didn't know then but there was something drawing me towards you. The last three years have been the best of my life, Clove, and I want to spend the rest of my years with you. I know we are young and I know we aren't supposed to be together, but I love you to much to let you go. Clove Helane Sevina, will you marry me?"

All the air in Clove's lounges seemed to escape at that moment. Marriage. The word seemed foreign to her at that moment but oh so familiar. Their relationship was forbidden- if the king even thought of it he would have her head- but the love they felt for each other was so strong and real. They were also so young, Clove seventeen years and Cato eighteen only by a few hours. But as Clove looked at the man kneeling before her, his blue eyes full of love and certainty she could only answer one word,

"Yes."