Odette was seated at her assigned place in the dining hall. She was sipping her juice as Derek entered looking pissed off.
"Did you have a good night?" His mother asked.
"No I did not," He snapped and took his seat at the head of the table next to Odette, he only sat there because it was his rightful place and the only seat left.
"Derek. You don't mean that," Queen Uberta cried.
"I do! I didn't want this!" Derek yelled.
"But we had to…" Queen Uberta pulled out a tissue.
"I'm sure it will just take some time," Lord Rogers said.
"Time my foot," Derek grumbled as he sat down.
"Would you like some eggs?" Odette asked as she passed over the plate only to accidently on purpose spill them on his lap.
"You see Odette's making an effort," Lord Rogers said.
"She poured eggs on me!"
"Well that was an accident it was a heavy plate," Lord Rogers said.
Odette smiled inwardly she knew how to play her role. "Juice?" She asked as she handed him the pitcher though she'd really liked to have smashed the glass pitcher on his head.
The rest of breakfast was eerily quiet, Lord Rogers and Queen Uberta tried to make conversation to engage the couple but soon gave up and had a pained conversation between themselves until that too died off.
A servant had just cleared away the last plate when Queen Uberta spoke up, "I think you two should go for a walk in the gardens,"
"But…" Both Derek and Odette began.
"No that's not a request it's an order," Lord Rogers said he was standing up and glaring at the couple.
"Could we have some lemonade?" Odette asked. "I mean after our walk?" Damn if she was going to walk with him and not get something out of it.
"That sounds lovely, what a wonderful suggestion Odette," Lord Rogers said. Odette smiled at him glad he had bought her line, while Derek rolled his eyes.
A few minutes later they were in the massive main garden, they waited until the last guard had left and the door had shut before they glared each other down.
"I HATE YOU!" Odette yelled before storming away.
"YOU'RE NO… GAHHH!" He couldn't think of a good insult. He watched her walk along the brick that housed one of the many fountains. She used to do the same thing when they were children, arms spread wide like a mighty bird. He shook his head and followed her.
"So what do you do for fun? He asked. She ignored him and continued to follow the brick. "I said what-"
"I heard you. Oh I needlepoint and paint pretty pictures to please my husband,"
He shuddered, "Did they really teach you that?"
"Would I lie about that?" Her voice was bitter.
That was one thing about her he could always count on her to tell the truth which was maybe why her hate for him was so obvious. "I'm sorry," He wasn't sure why those words had come out of his mouth.
She turned and glared him down, "YOU," Her fists clenched as she tried to control her anger, "You could have stopped this!"
He looked down at the dirt, "I know,"
She hopped down and glared into his eyes, "Then why?"
He shook his head he didn't know what to say. She still stared him down waiting for an answer he settled for the only thing that made sense to him, "I didn't think it would be this bad,"
"Forcing a woman to marry you, bare your children, sleep next to you every night even while she thinks of another?!"
He raised his head that surprised him, "Is there another?"
"You can bet there will be," Her voice was calm and it scared the shit out of him. She spun on her heel and headed deeper into the garden he slowly trailed after her but gave her plenty of space once in a while he could see her yellow hair though the trees.
After several minutes a piece of fruit came flying at his head. He dogged and watched it roll along the ground she clearly hadn't forgotten the picnic when they were children. He picked it up and placed it in a patch of flowers.
About five minutes later a blur of red smacked him in the head. "Those hurt you know!" He yelled.
"I wouldn't throw them if they didn't," She called back to him.
He grimaced. Odette was if possible becoming more unbearable. He rubbed his forehead it was smarting badly. He'd finally reached the center of the ten acre garden his breath was sucked away, "You look beautiful," He said his voice barely more than a whisper.
If Odette heard she said nothing just looked at him, "Come here," He stepped towards her she sat down on the bench in front of the angel fountain. She nodded towards the palace and the two figures that were watched them.
"Rogers and Mom," He sighed.
"Right with binoculars,"
"So they can see us,"
"No kidding dumb dumb," She was swinging her legs and patted the bench, "I think the trees gave us enough cover earlier,"
"But now we have to make a show,"
"Right," She waited until he was seated next to her before she kissed him.
Derek felt a cold object slide into his mouth he tried not to vomit on the spot. It wasn't that he hadn't kissed girls before but the thought of Odette's tongue in his mouth his childhood friend well maybe friend wasn't quite right. Thankfully it was over within a few seconds.
Odette looked over at the palace and saw the two figures were gone, Derek followed her gaze when he turned around she had her head in the fountain. She wasn't drinking from the little angel peeing no full on head in the fountain.
He laughed and stuck his head in as well. He opened his mouth to get the taste of her out, he pulled back, water dripping everywhere. He scooped up some water and splashed it onto Odette's hair getting the rest of the mass wet.
She finally surfaced and splashed water at him. He splashed back. He realized he was in trouble when she actually stepped into the fountain to have an unlimited supply and began throwing as much as she could at him. He backed away to the edge of the clearing but was still getting soaked. He gave up and joined her within minutes they were drenched head to foot.
He wouldn't say that she was laughing but it was an improvement.
It was a hot day so they waited for a few minutes until they were no longer dripping wet and they continued on the path. Odette still walked in front of him but only a few feet this time and she made no effort to throw food. He unfortunately was stuck staring at her rear end until they finally made it out of the winding paths and into a small area set up for picnics in this case lemonade.
He glanced towards the castle they were being watched again so he pulled out her chair and poured her a glass of the cool liquid.
"Thank you," She muttered.
He poured a glass for himself and started up the awkward conversation again. "You never answered me what do you do for fun?"
She glared at him though her hair, and let out an exasperated sigh.
"Alright favorite colour? Wait I know that one green?" He asked she sure wore it a lot. "Ummm favorite season?" He said when she didn't reply.
"Winter," She spat.
He'd walked into that one, it was the only season throughout their lives where they didn't have to see each other.
Finally after several other failed questions he gave up, "Can I do anything to make your stay here bearable?" He didn't know why he said it like that it sounded like she was only staying for the summer not till death do us part.
"Let me go!"
"You know why this has to work," He said.
"Find some other princess,"
"This is as much for your kingdom as mine,"
"I would rather-"
She was cut off by a servant who came bearing goodies. She placed a very large sweet cake in front of Odette and one for Derek and two tiny forks that would take them forever to eat the cakes. He waited until the woman had left, before he stared down at the cake. He watched Odette twirl her fork clearly waiting for him to start. He laid down the fork and picked up the cake with both hands and bit in, powered sugar flying everywhere. He swore he heard her giggle before doing the same.
After they were done they both had very messy faces and were both smiling a bit.
"Thank you for the walk Princess," he bowed down low.
"Thank you," She replied her voice not bitter for once. She curtsied and entered the palace.
AN: Hello sorry about the long update time. I tried to make this a bit longer because I gave you the preview. About the picnic when they were children if you haven't read it I have a story called I loathe you, it's about Odette and Derek as children it's loosely tied in but not necessary to read. I'll be taking down the preview of chapter 2. Hope you enjoyed.