Using a portion of the money he and _...borrowed from her parents, Arthur was able to buy them passage on a ship to Scotland. It broke the Brit's heart almost as much as it did the princess'. Honestly, he didn't much care for the king, but to steal from the queen, who was beloved and treasured by the whole country, including Arthur himself? Just the thought tore him to bits! The queen was like the angel of England! His admiration for her what made him apply this job instead of going else where for work or college.

But he never expected to fall for the queen's daughter. He's risked more since he's been with her than he has his entire life. That's what you do for the ones you love though. You'll do anything to keep them.

Arthur walked into the dining hall. Most of the Royal Family was at the table, chatting amongst themselves. The queen smiled as he came in.

"Arthur! I'm glad you decided to join us." The woman told him before gesturing to a seat. "Please sit."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The Brit sat in the indicated seat and glanced around the table.

The King was talking to Julian about some economic topics and Rose was gossiping with her mother about a dress someone woman wore that was sonot her color. _ and Greyson were no where to found. Arthur found himself staring at the door at the door as he waited. Where was she? Arthur had checked on her a few minutes ago and she said she just had to grab something from her room before coming to eat. The blonde man tapped his finger over his over hand, getting a little impatient for the princess presence.

"Arthur?" The queen asked for attention once more.

His eyes darted to hers.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." He said. "What is it you want of me?"

"Please, just relax." She smiled kindly. "And call me Juliana."

The king snapped his head up at that.

"You're getting a little too friendly, dear." He told his wife, but kept his tone cool and polite.

Juliana smile sweetly at him, but her stare was as sharp as daggers.

"I'll be the judge of that, Caedmon." She told him, speaking in tone that sounded more like 'back off I've had enough of your crap'. "He's a nice young man and I don't want him feeling out off place tonight. It's Christmas Eve after all."

Tension filled the room, thick enough to where even the younger married couple gave each other a look, as if silently coming up with a plan to leave the room. Arthur cleared his throat before trying to start small talk with the king.

_ turned away from her brother and pretended to fix her hair, nervously smoothing it back.

"Haha, very funny." She forced out. "Did you get so bored that you decided to mess with me now?"

Greyson stared her down.

"I saw you leave the treasury!" He argued. "If you weren't Dad's favorite, he'd beat you and lock you in your room for it."

The girl spun around, mouth agape.

"In what world am I his favorite?" She demanded. "I'm the useless one. You're his perfect child. Charismatic, likable, and the only child he thinks is worthy enough to rule."

"I'm his stupid puppet!" He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her into the wall. "I'm not allowed to screw up and can only be who he wants me to be!"

_ froze as her brother towered over her and had her pinned to the wall. Though he was the youngest, the boy was the largest of the three children.

"Grey-"

"Oh _ doesn't have to go to the party; she's too shy." He mocked their father angrily. "Your sister isn't feeling well so so she's not coming to the lessons today. Be nice to your sister, she's too sweet for you to mess with. Ring a bell?"

"H-He never said that last one-"

"He says it practically everyday!" He shot back. "Nothing I ever say is 'kind' enough for 'delicate little _' so why should I even bother?"

The princess just stared at her brother. So that's why he rarely speaks to her? She knew her father cared for her, but didn't realize he was this protective.

The two were interrupted by knocking at her bedroom door.

"Princess?" One of the maids called. "Your and your brother are late for dinner. Your father requests you both down in the dining hall at once."

Greyson let go of her and headed towards the door.

"W-We'll head there now." She called, following her brother. It took her moment to realize Greyson had temporarily forgotten her trips to the treasury.

The food was already on the table when the youngest siblings came in. Arthur had never been more relieved to see the princess than at that moment; the uncomfortable atmosphere becoming too much for the Brit. That feeling soon dissolved when he saw how pale the girl looked. After the king lectured both siblings, they sat down and the dinner started. The queen and Rose led conversation with different topics, mainly ones about memories, how good it is to have the family together, etc.

At some point during the dinner, Arthur reached over and took her hand in his, hidden under the table. _ squeezed his as he ran his thumb over her hand. _ hadn't said a word during the meal and her family continued on as if they didn't noticing a thing. This worried the blonde even more, but all of his comfort to her had to be silent till they were alone and he could ask her what's wrong.

Once dinner ended, each family member retired to their rooms. Arthur collected his things from his room before meeting the princess in her room. He found her sitting on her bed, bag packed (filled only with essentials and two or three sentimental items) and staring at that the wall her brother had her pinned to earlier.

"Darling?" Arthur laid his hand on her shoulder. Her (e/c) orbs met his emerald ones.

"I'm ready." She told him, rising from her bed.

He grabbed her hand.

"Is there something you want to talk about, love? You've looked rather ill since dinner."

_ shook her head.

"Nothing." She lied. "Just...saying silent goodbyes to my home."

Arthur pursed his lips, but decided they didn't have the luxury of time to coax the truth from her lips.

"Alright then..."

The Brit grabbed her bag before the two headed for the door. Most of the servants were away with their families, but the few remaining were busy cleaning up the dining hall so the two should be able to sneak out without being discovered.

Or so they thought. Outside her door stood Greyson. The couple froze in the door way and even Greyson looked surprise at what he saw.

"With the help?" He asked in disbelief, as if that was the most surprising thing about this situation.

"Greyson...just let us go." She begged.

"Why should I?" He asked. "You're making a stupid mistake!"

The girl took a breathe and tried choosing her words wisely.

"Grey...you understand my need to escape more than anyone." She told him, taking a step forward. "If you truly care about me at any degree, will let us go. Let me go."

The boy just stared at his sister, conflicted, stuck between what his father would want him to do and the words his sister had spoken. Escape, something he himself has thought about, but never had the guts to attempt. Why should she get her freedom, but he not get his? Then again, that is only because of his cowardice and not his sister.

"Where do you plan to go?" He finally asked.

_ bit her lip. Was it okay to tell him? Or would he go straight to their father with the information?

"Scotland." Arthur answered for her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. "I have an older brother there who has agreed to taken us in until we have a place of our own."

Greyson glared at him for a minute before speaking.

"You will never be good enough for her." He told him.

A look of surprised covered the Brit's face before he looked away.

"I know."

Before _ could say anything, her brother beat her to it.

"Go. Before I change my mind."

The girl stood there in disbelief before the blond took her hand and started leading her away.

"Thank you!" She called to her brother. "May life be kind to you in my absence!"

Greyson just glared at the floor as his sister and the Brit left for their new life.