Disclaimer: do not own OHSHC

This is skipped forward about 10 years so I've just made them 16

Chapter 3

Over the coming weeks, months and years, the three grew and played together, learned and fought together, and their relationship flourished. Haruhi blossomed into a young woman: her hair was beautiful and long, her figure, fine and elegant and her eyes...her eyes were the envy of everyone who knew her; deep brown pools that shone with intelligence beyond her years. The twins also grew into fine young men: they were incredibly handsome, fiery hair and, although Haruhi had taught them the importance of maturity, their vibrant amber eyes that sparkled within mischief. No one could tell them apart...except their princess.

The three of them were now sixteen, adults, and King Ryoji had an announcement. The trio walked down the cavernous hallways of the castle, one boy on either side of haruhi, footsteps echoing as they went. Soon they entered the main hall and made their way towards the King.

"Good afternoon, young ones" he said, beaming down at them

"Good afternoon" they replied

"I have some wonderful news! Haruhi, dear, will you please come up here beside me?" Haruhi did as her father asked and stood by his side. He took her hands "Haruhi, as you know, you are an adult now. You have been doing a very good job helping me look after the kingdom but there is something I have not told you yet." He took a deep breath "You have been betrothed since your birth and it will soon be time to meet him." The trio stood, gaping at the king. Haruhi was the first to recover.

"When will I meet him, Father?"

"The end of the week. He is the prince from a land near where your mother came from. He is coming with his father and a small escort" (a/n: guess who the escort are...lol).

"Yes, father, thank you. I will make arrangement with the servants for the castle to be cleaned and rooms to be prepared." Haruhi bowed to her father and made her way back to the still gaping twins.

"You'll make such a good queen, daughter."

Haruhi liked arms with the twins and headed out of the room. They went about their daily business as if nothing had happened, after haruhi told them she was fine. At the end of the day, they said their goodnights and went to bed. The twins lay still and silent for several minutes, listening to their best friend crying. They got up and headed through the door. As they reached the bed Haruhi tried her best to stop but the tears kept flowing. Kaoru climbed in the left side and Hikaru climbed in the right. They snuggled up to her and wrapped their arms around her. Her breathing calmed and her tears stopped falling.

"Princess..." Kaoru started

"Maybe it won't be..."

"Too bad..." they both finished. Haruhi sniffed

"I just...don't want to be betrothed! I thought I'd get to rule here on my own...well with you two."

They smiled at this. "It's not like we'd ever leave you, Haruhi. You're our best friend." They brushed their cheeks against hers and she smiled.

"You're right. It'll be fine. Let's get some sleep."

The twins stayed with her that night. Haruhi felt protected and tried not to dream about the end of the week.

Okay, I should be introducing the rest in the next chapter. Hope you enjoyed this :)