A/N: Hello, dear readers. Good news: I'm back! After a six-month delay, during a cray-cray blizzard, the night before Finals, I'm updating. I have the best timing in the world.

Since It's been so long since I've updated, I'll give a small recap.

Chapter One: Elise sneaks off, in the dead of night, to Bowerstone Industrial, and later recalls how she and the prince first met. It involves climbing trees, a fistfight, an immediate bond, and a gardener named Serge.

Chapter Two: After several months in her new home, Elise relents and lets herself be happy. As she walks home, she remembers the first day she became acquainted with her good friend, Laszlo. It involves a rather long game of hide-and-seek, a party invitation, and forceful marriage.

Okay, that's it. Enjoy~!

Sweat stuck to the back of her neck, and she stopped, panting. "Laszlo," She murmured, "How far do we have to go?"

"Not much farther," he said, "it's just up here."

"Who did you say it was?" She asked, swatting away a fly, "David, or...?"

"Yeah, David. He's quite a good speaker, actually. I knew 'im as a kid—always talking people into stuff."

"Right."

The couple neared the factory, and the smoke of it stung at Elise's eyes, but Laszlo seemed completely at ease and unbothered. On a raised platform, a dirty and tired-looking man spoke passionately about fair pay and hours. Behind him, on a balcony, stood Reaver—her breath hitched.

She'd only met him once, as a young girl, at Logan's birthday party. But that same level of disgust had never wavered, not once. She hated Reaver, and always would.

Totally distracted by David and Reaver, Elise didn't notice a handsome face staring at her in the crowd, nor did she hear her name whispered through all the noise. She only saw a decent man being shot, and that no one did anything to stop it.


Elise felt totally and wholly overdressed. There were layers upon layers of silk and lace in her ball gown, and it was entirely too hot and uncomfortable, and the collar scratched her skin. She didn't dare complain, because, they might've banned her from going if she did.

Her father sent her off in a carriage—he was still ill from a fever that swept through the city, so he could not accompany her, so in his stead, he sent her brother—and her mother bid her farewell and then the two retreated into the house, along with a scowling Faye.

The ride there—nearly an hour—seemed unending, and the silence didn't help. She and her brother had never really gotten along, and now that she was 'in' with the Royal family, it didn't help to close the gap between the two, if anything, it widened it.

She chose to ignore that fact, and fixate her mind on the situation at hand.

She was going to ask Rory to marry her.

And yes, it was an odd thing for a fourteen year old girl to say, and yes, it was very odd that she hadn't consulted anyone but an eighteen year old boy she hardly knew of it, but damn it! She wasn't going to let her parents win that easily. This was one time, the only time, where she would behave in a way that may embarrass herself, she promised herself silently. This was the one time she had to get her way.

The carriage stopped clumsily, and her brother cursed and he lurched forward. He exited first, allowing his sister to hold his hand to help her get out and into the cold air.

From the door of the castle, a handsome, dark haired boy burst out, his eyes shining.

"Ellie!" He laughed, and flung himself down the stairs, "You made it!"

Elise's older brother, who had before been so distant, tightened his grip on her hand, "Hello, highness." He said, pushing his sister behind him ever so slightly. "How are you, this evening?"

"... Quite fine, thank you. Now," he straightened himself up, "will you please allow me to escort my brother's guest inside?"

Her brother stoically relented, and Elise smiled at him, "I will see you later, brother."

And the two ran off into the castle, leaving the red-headed boy scowling in the cold.


Rory handed her a small, dainty class. "Ale," he smiled, "Or wine?"

She giggled, feeling shy, "Ale."

He filled it to the brim, and turned his attention to his elder brother, who was dancing across the room, red-faced, with a Noblewoman, who seemed to be irritated with how clumsy he was.

"Oh, Rory!" A pretty, dark-haired girl rushed over to the pair and planted her lips on each of the prince's cheeks.

"Have you considered my father's proposal?" she asked brightly, ignoring Elise.

Rory gave a weak smile, "It's more Logan's decision than mine."

"Oh, but you must have some sort of influence! And no one else has been brave enough to offer! I was informed we were the only ones."

"By whom?"

"My brother, dear Rory! Percy informed me he's one of your closest friends!" The girl laughed as though Rory were being utterly foolish and had said one of the funniest things she had ever heard.

So this girl—beautiful, flawless, completely perfect in every way, was that slime-bag Percy's sister. Elise inwardly smirked. However unmoral her brother's actions were, he would never try to forcefully kiss someone. But, then again, this girl had been 'the only one' to offer the Prince a marriage proposal. Surely, she was luckier than Elise—Rory would likely accept.

"Then he was misinformed." Rory replied, politely, "I'm not very close with your brother."

If the girl was embarrassed, she made no move to show it. Brushing it off easily, as if her pride had never been insulted, she chuckled, "You surely jest, majesty."

She pranced off, giving another kiss to the Prince, completely ignoring the blonde girl at his side.

Elise gritted her teeth, "She was..."

"Something else," the prince suggested.

"Something annoying."

"She's not so bad," Rory assured her, "Not anything like Percy."

"For your sake, I can only hope."

"Hm?" He inquired, taking a sip of wine from his goblet. "What do you mean?"

"A marriage proposal with her, is that right?" She fought to keep her voice steady, feeling increasingly foolish.

"Yes, that is right."

She swallowed hard. "Congratulations."

"Why?"

"Engagement."

"We're not."

"... What?"

"I don't wish to marry her. I've someone else who interests me."

Elise took a gulp of ale, "Lucky lady?"

"You."

"Huh," she choked a bit, "What?"

"'Lucky lady'," he repeated, "That's you, then."

She remained quiet.

"I haven't talked to Logan about it, doubt I will for some time—he doesn't want me getting married before he does. But," he smiled at her, "do you accept?"

She nodded, as she replied, her gaze cast at the floor in embarrassment, "O-of course."

A/N: Love it? Hate it? Review and let me know~! :D