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Today was the day. The day she'd watch her beloved sister be given away to someone she did not love.. a fox. Now that didn't mean Judith was speciest, but her sister, Lilith was a different story entirely. That girl had always been cautious.
Sure he was royalty also, part of the Empire, but that didn't help Judith calm her beating heart. But not solely for that reason. No, although it had been a few weeks since the Prince had come to their kingdom to wed the princess, she still couldn't shake that feeling she had. Ever since that night, although she wasn't one hundred percent sure, she still felt like it had been the Prince, and that she had connected with him like she never thought she could with anyone.

The staring did not help, and catching him gazing at her definitely did not either. Regardless, she kept her head down, tried hard to control her raging emotions at all times, and continued on like it never happened.

The wedding ceremony had gone by like a blur, officials and other Royals, taking turns to congratulate the newly weds, also taking the time to thank them for their sacrifice for their kingdoms.

Her father had been right of course. Not long after that day, Judith DID start to notice a change in their family's people's behaviour. They were polite, and kind to mammals that weren't their own species, especially those of the predator kind. Mammals were.. happier. They felt safer, and Judith couldn't have been more content. Although, that was short lived.

Now that her parents had settled with their oldest settling down, they moved onto her, to her dismay and ultimately, her annoyance. Still, she stood by her word, so no matter how many suitors her mother set her with, she was adamant that she was happy being by herself. She still had to deal with whatever those feelings inside her were, so a buck was the last thing on her worried mind. This of course, infuriated her mother, as she kept insisting her daughter to make up her mind, as eventually, she'd make her marry the next one she picked out for her, regardless if she wanted to or not. Her father on the other hand, rarely ever pushed the matter. He knew his daughter all too well.

"Father could you please convince her!" Judith exclaimed, walking into the armoury, to stand behind the King.

He turned and smiled, acknowledging his beloved daughter and held out his arms. Not a moment later he was hit by a ball of grey fluff. "You know not to aggravate your mother Judith" he soothed warmly.

"Oh I just want her to realise it's not what I want yet. I'm happy by myself" she cried, burying her head into his chest.

"I understand, you know I do dear. But you're a princess, just as much as your sister is.. it's your duty"

"Not if I'm second in line!" she shouted, "Lilith got married because she had to, and she's unhappy! There's no reason for me to wed also!" She was getting frustrated, the King knew. But he also knew that fighting with his wife about this would fall on deaf ears.

"I..I'll try to talk to her Jude, but really.. I can't promise you any of this will change" he concluded. Her ears drooped as she looked up at him desperately.

"Thank you father.. for feeling willing to try for me" she sighed, hugging him tighter, her head dropping back onto his chest.

"I'll try my very best" he smiled, giving her a light squeeze back. "Now run along. Why not visit the library? Get your mind off things with a good book."

"Only you know what makes me happy father. It almost seems like you're the only one that listens to me" she muttered, pulling away, a small smile adorning her pretty face. "I'll talk to you later Father."
Turning around with a wave and an extra skip in her step, she made her way to her favourite place.

'Stupid maids.. why.. urgh." She grumbled. It had only been a week since she visited the book haven, but in that time, the maids had managed to rearrange the entire library while cleaning. And to add insult to injury, her favourite author's books had been moved all the way to the top shelf!

As she steadied herself on the ladder, she adjusted to reach the shelf above her. 'Darn my height' she cursed. Tiptoeing, she just managed to grab the book. But just before she could bask in her success, the ladder wobbled beneath her weight. Before she could react, she was airbourne, and with a small yelp, she braced herself for a rough landing, but to add confusion to panic.. it never came. This landing wasn't the hard tiled floor, it was soft.. and warm? Looking up at the source, she felt her face drain of all colour, and like her heart would leap out of her chest.
Staring back at her with the cockiest grin she'd ever encountered, was a handsome fox with shining emerald eyes.

Prince Nicholas.

"Well hello there Princess" he teased, with half lidded eyes and smirk. "I didn't know bunnies could fly!"

Hopping out of his arms she turned around, and nothing could stop her face going bright red this time. "I'm so so so sorry! Please forgive my clumsiness, that was unbelievably inappropriate of me." She'd never been so nervous in her life. Her words were all over the place. As she was struggling to compose herself, he started laughing. At her.

"What's so funny? I'll have you know you're being just as rude" she frowned, folding her arms across her chest, still very much flustered. "And what are you doing here? Surely you have matters to attend to? I know a Prince with your current status has a lot on their plate at the moment." She finished with a huff. He continued to grin at her, a playful glimmer in his eye.

"Calm down Carrots, I'm on break from my duties. It seems you're not the only one in the palace who enjoys reading." Her ears perked and her cheeks puffed out in annoyance. 'Did he just?..'

"How dare you! Carrots? How insulting! You're the last person I'd expect to say such a thing!" she argued fuming.

"And why's that?" he said, leaning down to come face to face with the angry bunny. Her eyes widened, and she lost her composure again.

"Wha.. be.. because you're a Prince in the Burrows! And you're married to a rabbit." She stuttered out.

Scratch all the others. THIS was the most flustered she'd ever been.

"Oh yes that. Well, it suits you considering you're rarely ever your natural grey colour" he teased, referring to her constant blush.

"You're so insufferable. I don't know how my sister can stand you." She said raising her voice with a pout. His eyebrow raised, he fell back into a smile. "That's because I'm nothing but professional with the Princess.."

Judy looked back at him in apparent shock. "You mean-"

"Precisely. Nothing like that" he said interrupted, his smile faltering.

"But.. you're married!" her arms dropping, her face in disbelief.

"Our marriage was simply for the kingdom. As a Prince of MY kingdom, I respect my duty to encourage peace and my people's safety" he said, lifting himself up, his chest puffed out. Looking down he noticed the book she was putting so much effort for.

"How can you do that? How can you possibly be with someone and not-"

"Sleep together?" he teased, his half lidded eyes returning. She blushed again. " Not quite what I was implying, but I guess that too.."

"Why, if your sister would like to get her hands dirty I'd be happy to comply." He said lustfully.

"I've changed my mind. I have no interest in what you and my sister do actually. Please take no notice of me" she blurted, folding her ears over her face. "This is horribly embarrassing.." she whispered. He took this as an opportunity to lean down and pick up the book off the ground.

"Don't you worry your fluffy little tail. I don't actually find myself attracted to the Princess." He affirmed, lifting himself back up and studying the book's hardback cover.

"I guess I understand seeing as she's a rabbit and you're-"

"No. I just don't have an interest in her.." he interjected. Her ears lifted and she found herself gaping at him. "You on the other hand," he teased, "Are quite cute when you're flustered."

"Don't call me cute" she warned, "It's demeaning."

"I'm merely complimenting you. No insult intended my Princess" he assured. "Your book?" Stretching out his arm, he offered the book she dropped in her haste.

"Ah.. thank you. Please though, refrain from using that word. Especially when with my sister, she has a great distaste for it. More so than the rest of the family" she stated, accepting the book from his padded paws.

"Don't fret, I have no intention of bringing up such a word around the Princess" he assured. "Shakespaw huh?" he motioned, referring to the book now resting in her fluffy paws.

"Ah, yes. He's one of my favourites" she smiled back sheepishly, "Very eccentric."

His ears perked and it was his turn to be curious. "How so?" he enquired. She froze. He was actually interested? She had never had someone actually interested in her love of books before. Not even her father, albeit him fruitlessly trying. "Oh.. well, before you and my sister, had you ever heard of two different species being in love with each other?" she asked.

"We're not in love" he corrected flatly, frowning.

"Yes well, married nonetheless. Well.. it's very strange especially for back in that time. Peculiarity makes for a good tale, don't you agree?" she finished, smiling. He returned the expression, admiring her passion for writing.

"Yes, I believe I do have to concur with you on that." The air quickly turned into an aura of awkwardness shortly after, as they found themselves standing around in silence. Although even still, his smirk did not falter, flustering the bunny further.

"I don't believe I've ever met a Princess with a love for books like you before" he jested, breaking the silence. She cocked an eyebrow.

"That is very strange. Although I must admit my siblings don't very much find joy in reading. I merely assumed it was just a bunny thing" she shrugged, holding her book tighter.

"What, to not like books?" he asked.

"Yes. It made me feel rather.. different" she confessed.

"Different isn't necessarily a bad thing" he dually noted, grinning.

"Oh really? Am I to believe you are different too, my Prince?" she teased back, hand on hip.

"Why yes, I do believe I'm the only one of my kind interested in bunnies." Her breath caught in her throat. "Excuse me?" she managed.

"Well I must be off now Princess. I have duties to attend to, you understand?" he said grabbing a book from a shelf to his right and turning around to leave. "See you later..." he turned his head last minute, to reveal one last playful smirk, "... Carrots."

"I told you to refrain from calling me that!" she scolded furiously. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" Before finally turning out the door, he waved.

'Darn that annoying fox' she cursed, a blush sweeping across her face. She looked down at the book nesting in her arms and a smile slowly grew. 'An interest for books too huh?'

She jumped in place, as a knock came at her door. " Come in" Judith shouted over curtly. The door opened, and Lilith popped her head in. "Hi Judith" she greeted meekly.

"Lilith!" Judy beamed, standing up and walked over to her sister. "They finally let you have some time to yourself?" Lilith smiled back politely.

"Only for an hour or two. My duty as the eldest never seems to end. I almost envy all your freedom" she remarked, hint of a frown. Judith's ears fell limp. She knew exactly what her sister implied when she said that.

"Would you like to talk about something Lilith?" she asked, hoping for her sister to let out what was bothering her.

"I assume you already have an inkling as to what's wrong..?" she questioned back, growing agitated.

"I may.."

"I can't stand this Judith. I don't know why I've done this.." she sniffled. Judy immediately hugged her sister in an attempt to comfort her weeping sibling.

"Hey now, you know why you did it. You longed for peace.. we all did. You're so brave to be where you are now Lilith" she comforted. Lily gripped her tighter.

"We don't even sleep in the same room Judy! I gave up Danial for a loveless life.. with a fox! I don't know what I was thinking!" she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks. Judith frowned and stroked her sister's ears. She hadn't realised it bothered her this much.

"Oh Lily.." she whispered, " You can't just blame his species because of what mother wanted.." Her sister stayed silent albeit still sobbing. "Have you even tried to get along with the Prince?"

"No.. NO! He's a fox! How can I even be remotely attracted to him! Especially when I love somebody else!" she shouted, pulling away.

"Lilith please, keep your voice do-" "OH, let mother hear! Surely she wouldn't bare heed." She wept. "You're lucky you don't have to go through this!"

Judith's ears drooped further and she found she was very close to crying herself. "Lilith if I could take your place-"

"Oh please Judy. You value your freedom of being single too much to do that for anyone, let alone me. You refuse every suitor mother sets you up with for heavens sake!" she spat, shooting daggers and folding her arms. She wanted to reply, but Judith failed to find her voice, taking in the venom her sister managed to conjure out of nowhere. Lilith scoffed at the silence, but sighed shortly after. "I'm sorry Judith.. I'm just so.."

"Hey, it's okay.. Despite everything, you know you're capable with at least trying" Judith said softly, holding her sister's paws.

"I wish I could be as open as you Judy.. But it's not as easy as you think it could be.." she mumbled, lowering her eyes.

'If only you knew..' Judy thought, rolling her eyes, only to widen them. 'Wait, know what ?'

"Well Lily it's never too late to try" she soothed. Lilith looked up at her sister and sighed, a small smile on her face.

"Okay."