The young prince roamed through the castle, in a constant state of arrogance. His chest puffed out, head held high, and his chin up, who dare to stand before him? He strolled through the corridors until reaching a side room where the rest of his family had been relaxing, a rare feat as the kingdom has been in constant distress. Famine was threatening the land and a civil war of sorts kept the King's mind up past the darkest hours of the night. As result, the King and Queen alike could often be viewed with deep in-set bags under their eyes and a constant tiredness about them. When he entered the room the young princess and gentle Queen were encompassed in a long book, reading just loud enough to catch a word or two. The King had strewn himself over the long table that gave view with a window so that he may see his entire kingdom. Papers, maps, and books occupied every inch of the table and the king went unphased as his son entered the room, working away on a day meant for rest, how typical. His mother looked up and closed the book they had been reading and got up to greet their son.

"You slept in past the sun this morning, we thought you wouldn't make it to your hunting lesson" She kissed his forehead and went over to her husband, lovingly rubbing his shoulders to gain his attention.

"hmmmm?" he muttered, still enthralled in the paperwork before him.

"Take a break and join us" she whispered and he put away his work and worry to join the family on the couch. Cecile arranged her position on the couch to sit next to her father and she layed her small head upon his broad chest. She loved her father endlessly and looked up to him just the same. Just then, a small knock came from the door and the sleepy King ordered a muttered "Enter!" Gaston entered with his gun slunk behind his back. He was tall, and well toned, and his long raven black hair was slicked back in a ponytail. Cecile had straightened up on the couch as she always did when company entered yet she seemed to always stare a bit longer than need be with him. He was a delight on the eyes and she had to look down periodically to make sure she wasn't being rude. He took a long bow before speaking up.

"I'm here for the hunting lesson that you requested." His voice was all too formal she had noted. Nothing on how he regularly acted in the courtyard.

"Yes, thank you Gaston, Adam" the King's attention now towards the prince. "Off you go" He nodded and before they left the room, Cecile couldn't help but notice the hunters eyes glance less casually and a bit longer than necessary in her direction.

Cecile didn't have her lessons for the day which she was most thankful for. She went down into the courtyard to find four knights that she had grown a fondness for over the years. All four had been with the family for as long as she could remember and she could easily say that she had made friends with them. When they weren't escorting the King and Queen while away from the castle, they could be found in the stables or lounging in the grass. She found them talking amongst themselves, in a joyous conversation no doubt on the account of their grins, which only widened as they saw her approach.

"Hello Cece, how are you this fine day?" Daniel had asked. He wasn't always so informal, she had to ease all of them out of the 'stand at attention, bow, and regard her as "Princess Cecile.' Because she found all of the mentioned to be quite irritating, especially getting it constantly. They were trusted indefinitely among the family, they were practically family, and so, she had them call her anything but 'Princess' or 'Princess Cecile'.

"It's a marvelous day!" she exclaimed, joining them in their circle on the ground. "Adam will be preoccupied with Gaston all day" she sighed in relief. They were the only people who knew of Adam's bullying and so they shared in her relief. They talked about anything and everything and laughed the day away. Daniel, Leon, Sebastien, and Astin were a part of a legacy in their families that marked back several generations. To protect and serve the royal family when they were away on business.

"I think the King and Queen might go on holiday soon", Leon mentioned, biting into an apple. "The Queen has been expressing her fondness for the cottage for a while now." He shrugged.

"I think it would be good for them, they need it" the princess muttered. "Papa's eyes have hardly left the papers."

"Hardly think he'll want to take a break now the countries on the brink of civil war." Daniel, often the leader of the team mentioned. Cecile wondered if it were as bad as they said, she hadn't been allowed out of the castle's walls for months because of the rumored riots and disruptions in town.

"Maybe some air will clear his brain" she huffed, laying in the grass (her mother will have a fit no doubt when she sees those grass stains) she had ruined quite a few dresses that way. They talked till it was twilight and they had to go their own ways for dinner. On her way to the grand hall, she was surprised to see Gaston heading towards her, well, towards the opposite wing of the castle.

"Your highness" he bowed. Neither realized that they had both stopped just inches from each other.

"How did the hunting lessons go?" she inquired her voice a bit shaky and nervous, yet her eyes never looked away from his un-admittedly attractive eyes.

"Very well, he's a real natural." Although he said it enthusiastically, she could notice the moment of hesitation, as if it weren't the whole truth. She simply nodded and smiled anyway.

"I'm sure he'll be happy to know that he can add hunting to his brilliance" she said a sarcastically. The hunter chuckled, knowingly at the prince's habitual arrogance.

"I'm going to be late for supper". She sighed. He nodded and they both shuffled on to their intended destinations. It was hard to not have a crush on the most handsome man in town.