disclaimer: i don't own Harvest Moon ^_^


The Princess and the Cowboy

~Secrets~


It came as a shock to me that Natalie and Julia had yet to bring up or question the time I spent alone with Vaughn yesterday. Perhaps it was because that particular event that they knew nothing about - and I'm going to make sure they never do - had taken place in the castle, and we were in the presence of Lanna.

No matter though. It sounds oddly childish, but I want to keep it to myself. All of it. I don't want them to know that he had been nice to me. I don't want them to know that I ended up telling him that I find him inspiring. I don't want them to know that we had a full conversation about an issue he'd had.

Most of all, I don't want them to know about what happened at the end. How he'd wanted a reason for him to smile, and that I had given him one, and that we'd blushed when it was out in the open. That belongs to me. If I was to tell them, their minds would twist it into something it wasn't. Underneath everything, it appears that I am a little selfish when it comes to some things. Surprisingly, this doesn't make me want to not be Vaughn's friend. I want to carry on pursuing this crazy thing we're developing and see what else happens.

I think that after seventeen years of being cooped up in a place that, ultimately, I don't belong in, being told what to do, when to do it, and how to act whilst doing it all the while being scolded because the way I'm acting is wrong, I owe it to myself to discover more about me, even if I turn out to be one of the most horrible people alive.

I feel, for some reason, as though the Goddess is shining on me. I know it isn't fair to take as much good luck as you can, but I want to be selfish a while longer.

"Well, she's in a daze…As usual."

"Natalie, don't. She might not have gotten enough sleep last night."

"Chelsea?"

My eyelashes fluttered. My three friends had managed to ground me, bringing me tumbling out of my thoughts. "Hm?"

"Nice to see you," Nat joked, inclining her head.

"What? But I've been here the entire time!"

"…Don't tell me you meant that seriously."

I held her gaze for as long as I could, then burst into giggles. "So that's how you think of me?"

Julia smiled. "She's back."

Lanna leaned over the table towards me. "You were pretty far away; what were you thinking about?" She took a moment to give it some thought herself. I instantly felt wary. Her guesses were scarily accurate - I'd learnt this the first time I'd met her.

Under the table, I crossed my fingers.

"Um…That boy? What's his name…Silver hair, purple eyes, killer expression."

"Vaughn?" The pinkette chipped in unhelpfully.

I relaxed my fingers. Silly thing; must be an old wives tale. I'd noted that it didn't work. I wouldn't be using that good luck trick in the future.

However, since I had fooled Nat into believing that I'd thought she was serious, I was going to put my skills to the test.

"Nope," I said brightly, denying it flat out. "I was thinking about other things. And if you don't believe me, that's your loss. I hope you enjoy being deluded."

I must've sounded so honest that even Jules and Natalie didn't question it. Inside, I was doing a victory dance. My decision to be selfish was working out so far, it seemed.

It was time to move this conversation onto safer waters. I grinned directed at the lighter blonde. "So Lanna, how's it going with that Denny boy? Are you going out yet?"

"Shh!" What is it with people and repetitive actions. Blonde hair swished in the air, head craning in every direction twice to make sure nobody was listening in. "Don't say it out loud!"

I have concluded I live in a mad world. I should've known this from the start…

"Why do we need to keep it quiet?" I hissed.

"Nobody can know! What if somebody hears and tells him?" She paused, pulling a dramatic face. "I think I'll die!"

"So from this we can gather you still like him," said Nat dryly, not paying attention to the squeak that sounded from Lanna.

"What's wrong with that?" asked Julia.

"Sharing is caring," I finished, gaining stares from the three. "What? It's true! By sharing your troubles with friends, it shows caring between- Mff." My mouth had promptly been covered by the no-nonsense Natalie. Pierre clearly hadn't cooked her that meal yet, which is a shame.

"There's nothing wrong with it per say, but if it gets out I like him and he doesn't feel that way, then…" The ex-singer broke off to pull another face.

Julia patted her hand. "That's true, but you shouldn't hide it for too long. Tell him when you're ready."

"Thanks."

I pulled Nat's hand away to take a sip of my drink - and to breathe! - then resumed grinning. "Have you been talking lately? Done anything nice together?"

"Well…We're always talking about fishing and what not. Sometimes we meet up in the diner to eat together…That's nice." She blushed, doing this adorable thing of putting her hands up to her cheeks. "He's different to guys in show biz. I mean, Denny is confident and can be seriously cocky, but he's a great guy."

I want an 'aww' in here. Sadly, I did not get one, feeling that I would probably be suffocated by somebody's hand for doing so. Ah well. There's always other times.

I looked to Natalie this time. "How are things with you and Pierre?"

She stopped stirring her drink with her straw. "What are you talking about?"

"You know, Pierre? The guy who offered to cook for you? The one who you softened up around? Him?"

"Chelsea…"

"Yeah?"

"You'd better start running…!"


I had learned a valuable lesson today: never bring up the subject of being sweet to guys around Natalie. She will become more violent that ever. Really.

I was lying on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, feeling proud of myself that I had managed to escape talking about Vaughn with them. It's going to be our little secret. I smiled a twisted kind of smile. It was strange, having something to myself and somebody other than Julia, Natalie or Lanna. As a princess, everything I do is publicised to my parents, so they can keep track with my failures, with my friends also knowing about it and giggling with me.

Maybe this being selfish lark would be good for me.

My stomach growled. It was coming up to dinner time. For once, I was dressed in proper attire for my status, and was 'home' on time. Nat had to go help her Grandfather out, and Julia was with Mirabelle somewhere. I wondered where Vaughn was. He wasn't working at castle today. Was he at home? Was he practising like he said he would?

I pondered this all the way to the dining room, only to be jerked out of my thoughts when I saw who was seated at the table.

"Pierre?"

"Greetings princess!" The chef was indeed seated opposite of where I normally sit when I'm dining with my parentals, and was not a figment of my imagination.

"W-what are you…? I mean, it's great that you're here and everything; I'm always happy to see you, but it's a bit-"

"Surprising," the deep voice of my father boomed, and I noticed that he and mother were standing near the window, and had been listening to our exchange. "Take a seat, and close your mouth. Flies will land in it."

I actually did as he said, starting to get a headache. It was difficult to get my head around everything that was happening lately.

Pierre flashed me his signature wide grin. "His majesty invited me to dine with you all. It was an offer I could not refuse!"

"Why?" I aimed the question at my father, only half aware of how rude I sounded.

"Why not?" I hated his laugh. I could tell, much like before, that he was hiding something.

Eyes narrowing to slits, I followed his movements as he sat, trying to see if he would give anything, anything at all away.

The door opened and the king chortled once more. "Dinner is served!"

It looked to me like he was faking it in front of Pierre. Father was never in as good a mood as this, even after uncountable glasses of wild grape wine and various fancy named cocktails that smelled of summery fruits and alcohol.

I wasn't the only one in the room hiding a secret.

Conversation flowed easily between my parents and the likeable blonde Gourmet. He radiated that same energy as when he was in his kitchen. Pierre was a curious guy. Childish yet mature. How puzzling.

Then again, Natalie was a funny one herself. Harsh yet warm when one was close to her. They suited each other well, if only Nat would be a tad more honest when it came to him.

"Do you two get on well?"

I hadn't spoken since entering the room, so it was understandable that my father was attempting to get me to join in. Seeing as this question was acceptable, I bit.

"Yes, I would say we do," I responded, smiling back at Pierre. "Your work is clearly very important to you, and I respect that. It's an appealing trait in anybody."

"Thank you kindly princess," replied the youngest Gourmet. "You really are one of the most lovely people I've ever met."

I'm willing to bet Nat's another, although the poor guy doesn't know what he's getting himself into, I chuckled to myself.

"It is pleasing to see that you are becoming fast friends." I didn't like that expression anymore than I liked his laugh. When Pierre had left, I was going to challenge him again.

The main course was delicious - as expected from chefs under Pierre's watchful gaze - and dessert was too. These people know how to cook!

Wiping at my mouth when I was done, I leaned back in my seat. "That was amazing! I want to learn how to bake a cake like that!"

Pierre tipped his hat, then covered his mouth to yawn. "Your majesties, I'm afraid I must retire, but this has been one of the most splendid evenings."

"Not at all, my dear boy!" Father rose at the same time Pierre did, the latter bowing.

"We shall have to do this again sometime," my mother gushed as the Gourmet bowed to her. She turned to me, eyes flashing. "Come and say goodnight Chelsea."

I stood slowly, then waved wildly, grinning. "See you around Pierre! It was awesome that you were here!"

The tense line that was mother's mouth meant she disapproved immensely of my informal language, though she couldn't snap at me in front of Pierre.

We played happy family until his footsteps died down, and then I rounded on my dad.

"What the heck was that?"

"What are you talking about?" He was studiously paying little attention to me, which annoyed me even more.

"All that crap about 'are you getting on'…Why the hell do you care?"

"Chelsea, mind your mouth!"

"I don't care!" I snapped. "I already told you that I want no part of any stupid scheme you're planning."

"A scheme? No, you misunderstand. As Pierre is new to this area, it is important he makes friends. Is that unreasonable?" Goddess, how is it possible for a parent to act like this? I might be a bad stain on the family, but at the end of the day, I'm their daughter.

This felt like déjà vu. I stormed to the door, only stopping to warn, "Friends only. If it turns out you want something more happening, you're gonna have to find somebody who'll actually comply with you, 'cause I sure won't!"

Secrets, lies…This is what holds the family together? No wonder it doesn't work. I smell a rat.


end of chapter


on chapter: hm, this chapter wasn't very funny. don't worry, things will get happier next time! i've got it all planned out!

on other stuff: ah, i got my results ^_^ i did good! one c, a b, two a's and an a*! woot~

thanks to: LatteCurlz, Invader Cakez, theatrelove123 and Cherry3456. as always, you guys are awesome beyond belief!

please review this chapter ^^ see you at the next one!