-Narration will be in Bold Italics

-Flashbacks will be in Italics (and Flashbacks are all original)

-You'll know when they're flashback because you'll see this: /KR\ : Before and After the flashback begins and ends.

-Thoughts will be in Italics (No * in front of it anymore) (A/N: Because it was asked for and why not – I originally put it there so it wouldn't be confused with a flashback but if you guys are okay with it then so am I).

-/-/- Means a time jump

*** Means Somewhere else

AN: BOOM DIDN'T EXPECT A SECOND CHAPTER TO BE POSTED NOW DID YA! Hahaha Enjoy! Please review guys! I love reading what you think! Even criticism is welcomed, *NOTE: I said criticism not hate.

On the way back to the palace, Kit had been questioned relentlessly by the Grand Duke on why he had let the Stag go. Kit had done his best to ignore him and was very thankful when his friend, Captain of the King's guard distracted the Duke. The moment Kit had arrived at the palace steps he gracefully dismounted his steed and handed the reins to one of the servants. Thanking them, Kit quickly made his way to his room to change for his portrait. He couldn't believe how ridiculous this was, this painting would be sent out to Princesses all over in order for him to find a bride…a pity for the Grand Duke that he'd already found the woman he was going to marry. It didn't matter to Kit that they had only talked once, Kit's Mother had said he was a good judge of character and Kit knew in the deepest part of his heart…this girl was for him.

Kit discarded the clothing he wore on the hunt in a basket in his closer and set out to find his Father, no doubt the Grand Duke had rushed his way up to tell his Father on his wrong doing. Kit found he couldn't care less! All he could think of was of that girl he had met in the forest. Kit found himself laughing at how he had found her, always with that horse. Riding on it, following it, he couldn't believe his luck! Finding the girl that had plagued his thoughts since he was a child. He could remember the day he handed her a rose so clearly, he hadn't thought anything of how she found his secret garden before. His mother had shown it to him when he was able to understand that he was a Prince and what that entailed…and princes, while in front of others had to be prim and proper, could roam free and enjoy being a child in private.

"Ah! Kit! There you are. What's this I hear about the stag being let free?" He was brought out of his thoughts by his Father's voice.

He hadn't even realized how far he had walked, Kit gave a small nod to the Doctor and a smile to his Father, setting out to tell how he came to let the Stag go.

"You sound as if you're the first fellow ever to meet a pretty girl." Kit's Father chuckled as his son finished retelling the events. The King watched his son pace back and forth across the room.

"She wasn't a pretty girl." Kit exclaimed, he rolled his eyes at his Father who looked up at him with a smirk from where he was sitting, "Well, she was a pretty girl, but there was so much more to her." Kit continued to pace, trying to convince his Father.

"How much more? You've only met her once." The King chuckled, Kit badly wanted to tell his Father that they'd met twice before but kept his mouth shut. If his Father found out that there was a way in the castle past the palace guards, he'd have men stationed there faster than he would like. Kit wanted to see the mysterious girl again, even if it was in his secret garden. "How could you know anything about her?"

"You told me you knew right away when you met Mother." Kit turned from his pacing to look at his Father with raised eyebrows.

"That's different. Your mother was a princess." The King raised his hand as the Doctor continued his work.

Kit scoffed and shook his head and continued to pace, "You would have loved her anyway."

"I would never have seen her, because it wouldn't have been appropriate." The King took a deep breath as the Doctor leaned down to listen to his heartbeat. "And my father would have told me what I'm telling you…and I would have listened."

Kit clasped his hands together and turned to go sit next to his father, "No, you wouldn't."

"Yes, I would." The King looked miffed his son had suggested such a thing.

"No, you wouldn't." Kit grinned.

"I would."

"You wouldn't."

"You're right."

They both gave the other a small smile, Kit looked up as the Doctor moved away, "Well, how is he?" Kit grew somber as the Doctor stayed silent.

Looking at the King he started to say, "Your Majesty…" but the good Doctor trailed off. He looked at Kit and tried to start again but couldn't at seeing the Princes concerned face.

"Never mind. If it takes that long to work out a way to say it, I already know." The King said in a resigned voice, looking down.

Kit swallowed; it felt like he couldn't breathe, "Father…" Kit said softly as he reached to hold his hand.

The Kings lips quirked and he turned his head to look at his son, "Way of all flesh, boy." Looking away, he made to get up, "Come. We shall be late," as the King stood he turned to Kit and smiled, "And punctuality is the…"

"…politeness of princes." They finished together grinning as the King lightly slapped his son's cheek in a playful manor.

As Father and Son made their way down from the Royal Chambers, chattering away, they were intercepted by both the Captain and the Grand Duke. Kit rolled his eyes when he heard the Grand Duke start to ramble; looking at the Captain Kit gave a small scoff.

"His Majesty, the King!"

"I'm sure your father spoke to you of your behavior in the forest." The Grand Duke started to speak to the young Prince as they made their way through the large hall.

Kit quickly glanced behind him before turning back around and walking straighter, "Is it any business of yours, Grand Duke?" Kit inwardly sighed, he knew what the Grand Duke would say next, he always said the same thing no matter what they were speaking of. Again Kit thought of the girl from the forest, Kit couldn't help but hope she would find her way back through to the garden.

"Your business is my business, Your Royal Highness." They all stayed quiet for a moment before the Grand Duke continued, "It will not do to let the stag go free."

"Just because it's what's done doesn't mean it's what should be done." Kit fired back with a grin, tilting his head he glanced down a little while smiling and continued, "Or something like that."

Kit glanced back at the Captain and Grand Duke, while his friend gave him a cheeky smile the Grand Duke looked less than pleased.

"Master Phineus, master of the paintbrush, patiently awaits." They heard as they walked into the portrait room. The party was escorted inside by two of the servants whom went straight to work, one ushered Kit into his cloak. Kit watched, stoic, as his father shook hand with the painter. The Captain and Grand Duke walked around to face the front of the canvas.

"Make him look marriageable, Master Phineus. We must attract a suitable bride," the King made his way to stand facing his son, "even if he won't listen to a word I say."

"I shall endeavor to please, Your Majesty." Master Phineus gave a small bow, turning around he shook his head making the twirled ends of his mustache shake, "But I can't work miracles."

"A splendid canvas, Master Phineus." Captain nodded with a small eyebrow raise to Kit. Although they were a few years apart in age, once Kit had become old enough they found that they had many similarities and became fast friends.

"Thank you," Master Phineus turned from his spot near his paint and grabbed the sword meant for Kit and mumbled, "As if he knows anything about art."

Kit grabbed the sword from Master Phineus, addressing his Father, "So, these portraits will really be sent abroad? To induce the high and mighty to attend this ball you insist upon." Kit looked at the three in front of him with a skeptical face; he put one hand on his hip as Master Phineus helped place his feet in the straps.

"Which is a tradition. Which is beloved." The Grand Duke stated automatically with a smug face as he glanced from Kit to the King.

"At which you will choose a bride." The King stated unwavering.

Master Phineus picked up his paint, in a bored tone and a roll of his eyes said, "Fascinating."

Kit couldn't believe his Father and the Grand Duke, "If I must marry, could I not wed, say, a good, honest country girl?" Kit smirked as his Father raised an eyebrow at him.

"How many divisions will this 'good, honest country girl' provide us? How will she make this kingdom stronger?" The Grand Duke was quick to respond when he saw the King and Kit share a glance. The Grand Duke didn't believe Kit could rise up and be a good King like his Father, the Prince was still just a boy who needed to be managed. All this nonsense of marrying a 'good, honest country girl' was a joke and letting the stag go only confirmed the Grand Dukes beliefs. "We are a small kingdom amongst great states, Your Royal Highness. And it's a dangerous world." The Grand Duke turned away to keep from saying anything else that could possibly offend the King.

Kit sat on the pretend saddle and looked away. If only they had met her, maybe then they would understand…divisions didn't matter, although we're small this kingdom didn't need to look outside its own boarders.

Kit looked up startled when his Father walked into his line of sight, "Listen, boy."

From across the room they heard, "Taking you up, Master Phineus."

"Good." Master Phineus replied back as he was lifted up off the ground from his sitting position on the swing. He waited patiently as the King and his son continued their discussion.

"I want to see you and the kingdom safe."

Kit couldn't help but understand where his Father was coming from. He's a Prince; Kit had to think of the good of the people as well, not just his own personal desires. It's just the way of the world.

"All right, Father," Kit relented but paused when he saw his Father start to turn away from him. An idea struck him, he had to see his mystery girl again, Kit wasn't sure if she would find her way back to the garden so he had to make sure he saw her one more time, "On one condition." He could tell his Father was curious, so he continued, "Let the invitations go to everyone, not just the nobility." Thinking more about it, the people deserved a ball as well, Kit and the King looked towards the Grand Duke. While Kit looked at his Father from the corner of his eye, the King continued looking away, "The wars have brought sorrow on us all."

"What do you think?" The King narrowed his eyes at the Grad Duke, "Would that please the people?"

Before he could say anything back, the Captain cut in with a smile, "It's beyond my wit, Your Majesty…" sparing a glance at the Grand Duke, the Captain went on with a grin on his face, "But I wouldn't mind a bit of a jolly." The Captain finished with a chuckle. The King turned and smiled at his son, while Kit looked down and gave a small laugh as well.

"I request that the announcement be sent out as soon as possible…" Kit looked around when they saw through the urgency in his tone, "For…to give the people a chance to prepare themselves for the night." His Father nodded and signaled for the squire to do as his son asked.

"I think we might have made a bargain." The Grand Duke nodded, he clasped his hands together and started striding forward, "A ball for the people, and a princess for the prince." He stopped and held his hand up in the direction of His Royal Highness. The Grand Duke was already deliberating on possible matches for the Prince…now that the little Prince was being reasonable…he could fix the situation to his liking…the old King wouldn't be around much longer and the Grand Duke would be able to better manage the little boy on his own.

"Sounds like a step in the right direction, if you ask…" Master Phineus started to comment when the King cut him off in a strong voice.

"We didn't ask you." While the King didn't truly care if Master Phineus commented on their business, it was all about what was proper and if anyone believed they could just talk to them in that manner…well…then everyone would be Royal now wouldn't they.

"I'm so sorry. Naughty paint, naughty brush." Master Phineus apologized and quickly turned to his canvas, "Down, please, Samson." As his seat descended he twirled the end of his paintbrush in the paint to mix the colors, he gave a quick look to the King and said in a joking voice, "Haven't even got a cushion." Seeing the look on the Kings face, Master Phineus turned around and focused on his painting, "Right, down, down. Not that…" Before he could finish his sentence, his back hit the ground, "Oi! I'm on the ground. I am literally on the ground. Sorry." Master Phineus turned to look at the Prince and saw his eyebrows were raised and his mouth was quirked to the side, although from this position, the light hit the Prince's face rather quite nicely, "Actually this is a very good angle for you. Great nostrils. Could I have a longer brush?"

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry, we went on vacation early and I didn't have any Internet/wifi for my laptop and wasn't able to post till now! Hope you guys liked the chapter!

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Guest: This Chapter is mainly…actually its all about Kit but we're getting close to the dance and ball scene so more Kit and Rose to come!