"I was just walking with home with him, like we always do, he's so protective, will never let me go on my own, and then he just did it! Leaned in and just kissed me!" Tsubaki squealed loudly and flung her arms up in the air. It was the most excited I had ever seen her. She was beaming and blushing, shouting and laughing, her emotions were just all over the place.

"That's amazing! I'm so glad; Black Star has always been so troublesome so I hope you know what you're getting into." I warned jokingly, shaking my finger. Tsubaki laughed, we were sitting on the floor in the library, and although I had intended on reading when Tsubaki had burst in I had immediately stopped. I'd missed her while my mother had locked me up in my room and it was nice to catch up with her now, especially with the news about Black Star. "So what did he do next?" I asked.

"Well…" Tsubaki sighed, "He kind of just ran off… I mean I don't mind since he's probably just shy but it was a little shocking." She smiled. "But I don't mind! I'm prepared to wait for him to tell me when he's ready." She seemed so optimistic about her future and it was refreshing for me. To see someone with so much potential and hope really did make me want to smile.

"This is great for you two; I always knew it would happen someday." I gave her a hug and she smiled.

"Thank you." Then she clapped her hands together, "I almost forgot to ask, but then I haven't seen you in so long, how was your little adventure?" She asked, giggling excitedly, "It's all the talk in the kitchens, everyone is just dying to know what happened and where you went; but of course the queen forbid us to speak of it publically."

"She would want to keep my faults a secret as always I guess," I sighed, "But it was fun, lots of sneaking around and once I got into the city we had a really good time."

"We?" Tsubaki looked at me questionably, her blue eyes narrowed with light suspicion. Ten they lit up, "Was it a boy?" She asked. I blushed slightly and shook my head.

"It wasn't like that at all…" I mumbled, still feeling my cheeks heating up, "There's a boy I'm friends with and he said that he'd take me into the city so that I wouldn't be alone. And anyway, I'm to be married, I couldn't ever fall for another man than Kid." I said sternly. I didn't like Soul, not in that way, I was ninety-nine percent sure. But still… that little one percent, that little feeling I got around him, the little thoughts in the back of my head… I just wanted to be rid of them.

"I understand. What's his name though?" She asked more seriously.

"He's Soul Evans, one of Kid's servants although he's assigned to help me plan the wedding and he's been helping me out with other things as well. We went to the market and he taught me how to dance and he's really friendly-" Tsubaki politely cut in.

"Umm… Maka, what sort of relationship do you have with that boy…?" She whispered. I stopped and went silent.

"We are friends, nothing more."

"Oh of course!" Tsubaki mumbled, "But I just mean that if you were ever to consider anyone other than Kid, it just wouldn't be possible… Not to mention that a princess can't really marry anyone who isn't of noble blood." It felt like a rock had just dropped inside me, pulling a lump down in my throat and making my heart ache. I had known that already but hearing it voiced made me feel sick. It's not even about Soul; it's about me and my choices, that's why I feel like this. Soul is nothing to do with this. I finally looked back at Tsubaki, beaming.

"I know. And anyway why would I fall in love with a servant? Kid will be a fine husband, I'm sure of it." And I meant it. I sealed that thought into my mind and made it definite. I would always be faithful to Kid, I knew that ever since we met; and no matter what any other man side I would not cheat like my father had.

The library door creaked open and closed shut again. It was unusual for people to come in but not unheard of so I paid no attention and continued speaking t Tsubaki.

"But will you ever love Kid?" She asked worriedly, "I'm afraid for you, I don't want you to be unhappy for the rest of your life…"

"Tsubaki, I don't have a choice." I giggled, "And anyway, while I may not love Kid now one day I might."

"You have been given an opportunity most girls would kill themselves for; you better learn to love him." I looked up to see a girl peering down over me, her brow tightly furrowed and her blue eyes cold. Behind Elizabeth I heard Patricia laugh.

"Bet we scared you didn't we!" she giggled. Elizabeth didn't laugh though, she continued to stare. It was annoying me that she would approach me like this, saying such ridiculous things and trying to intimidate me. I stood up and looked the girl straight in the eyes, ignoring her height and speaking firmly.

"Excuse me but I don't know what you mean; this isn't an opportunity, it's a contract. If I really choose not to love Kid then that will be my choice and none of your business."

"Listen brat," She growled, "you may be some rich kid but if you ever think of making my prince unhappy we will personally see that you regret it."

"So quick in the dark no one would know!" Patricia's eyes were scarily wide and she laughed manically. I remembered the things Soul had mentioned to me "Little girls who have never had an experience of the outside world are easily to pick on. And anyway your with kid now, they don't like that". I swallowed my fears and stepped forward.

"Don't threaten me. I don't know what relationship you have with Kid or what relationship you wish you had but don't interfere with me and him. I will make my decisions on what I do within this chosen path and you, maids, have no right or authority to even comment." Elizabeth glared but bother her and her sister kept their mouths closed, "You should really be on your way now." I cocked my head to the side and smiled falsely.

Elizabeth huffed, flicking her head and marching off with Patricia. She stopped, just short of the door, with her fingers resting gently on the shiny brass handle. I watched her wondering what she might do now.

"You know," She spoke slowly, her voice a dangerously low whisper, "I spoke to Soul. He's quite upset about how you treated him the other day; he's such a good friend to you. I do hope that people don't start to get the wrong idea." And with that she quickly pulled the door opened and left, letting the heavy wood swing closed on its own.

I sighed and turned to Tsubaki.

"It's really not like that between Soul and I." She raised her eyebrows doubtingly, "Please believe me…"

"I do, I do!" She apologised.

"Should I maybe stop seeing Soul…?" I thought out loud, it was still an option after all. I wasn't too close to him yet so maybe I could still cut the ties between us. "He is upset anyway after our dancing lesson, maybe I could just stop talking to him and he might leave me alone." Tsubaki shook her head.

"If that's what you think will help…" She smiled, "I'm sure he'll understand; he stands for Kid's service so he will want only the best for you two."

"Thank you Tsubaki. I should be going now." I smiled weakly. She nodded and as I left I couldn't help but feel that I was acting a little like my mother; choosing to respect my duty as a princess over my friendship with Soul.

I wasn't really sure what to do now. I had never questioned my freedom or expected anything more from life than what I was given but now I had let Soul open my eyes to a whole new world which I just couldn't forget. And now I was going to push him out of my life ungratefully after everything he had done. It just didn't seem fair.

"Maka!" The call made my heart drop. Why did he have to find me right now; when the only thing I could say was the only thing I didn't want to. "Princess! Wait up!" He called. I kept walking though, looking straight forward firmly. I can do this… I will.

"Maka! Please!" He ran in front of me, looking at me with a smile but eyes which badly hid his concern. "What's wrong? Did something happen? Was it Liz and patty because you can-" I took a deep breath.

"Nothing's wrong. Why do you even care?" I huffed, pretending to be angry.

"Well something is wrong; you're running away from me."

"I'm not! But why do I have to stop anyway just because you call? I don't have to listen to you at all you know!" I could see the shock spread across his face, his crimson eyes filling slowly with sorrow. I wanted to stop and apologise right then but I didn't, I needed to continue. "How dare you, a pathetic servant, assume that you hold any importance to me. And don't pry into my business like that again, you have no right."

I flicked my head around, hoping that he would see it and think I was angry, instead of noticing the water filling up in the corners of my eyes. I didn't want to say anything else. I just wanted to run right now, to escape what I had said to him.

"…I thought we were friends…" He whispered.

"You thought wrong." I coldly stated, turning on my heel and marching away. I rounded the corner and sank to my knees, letting my hands slap against the wall. The tears were running down my face now. I could feel my breath hitching in my throat and I grabbed a hold of my blouse. It shouldn't hurt like this…

I stayed down in the corner and cried for a long time until I could finally pull myself together. My behaviour was pathetic and I needed to get up and keep moving forward. Soul would thank you for this decision one day, and now Kid's twisted maids could threaten me no more...

...

The next morning I awoke early, not regretting my previous decisions to leave Soul out of my life. I wasn't sure why but it just seemed like the right thing to do now. We weren't secret lovers or partners in crime (unless running away was a crime) and yet I had felt guilty around him. I wanted to step away from him and pretend that I had nothing to do with him when Kid had come in the other day but there had been nothing scandalous or deceitful about our dancing. I couldn't just drag Soul into this.

It still hurt to think of how I had treated Soul but it was my only option. I needed to remember that. Tsubaki had been right when she said that I couldn't marry a servant; even the mention of such treachery could lead to Souls execution. I definitely couldn't risk that.

I stretched and dressed in a light gown, leaving my room and heading for the gardens. Although the sun had barely risen I headed out; watching the bright orb bring light and life into the sleeping world. My toes brushed against the wet grass and a faint wind blew; the start of a crisp day. Winter was coming, bring the ever daunting reminder of my seventeenth birthday in spring. And my marriage to Kid… where would that fit in?

I kept wandering, trying to let the untroubled morning replace my worried thoughts. As the sun rose shadows crept out behind trees and colour flooded into the clear blue sky. Most of the plants in the garden were evergreen but the occasional bare tree, with golden and amber leaves spewn across the ground stood tall. For me it was saddening.

It was good having a little time to myself though, a moment of peace in all of this madness. I strolled silently for a while, listening to the sound of maids arriving and the jobs of the servants starting up. There was a clattering of pots and pans from the kitchens and hushed calls as they all coordinated to get the jobs done. I looked at the dark stone walls, casting my eyes up the tower, until the fell upon someone I was dreading to see.

My mother, with her stern face and eyes fixed directly on me. She looked elegant as ever though I could tell from the ever so slight smile on her face that she was waiting for something. She carefully pulled a strand of hair from her cheek.

"What a lovely morning for a stroll, wouldn't you agree dear?" She called down to me from her balcony, "Such fresh air, it really will do you a world of good."

"Are you attempting to make things better by merely speaking of the weather?" I asked cynically. She pouted before answering.

"I never really meant to make things bad in the first place my darling, it's just so stressful trying to organise all of this and with Sprit still fooling around…" I felt a little bit compassionate for the woman who had lost the love of her husband, even if she had taken her anger out on me. "I will always love you though and I have always been very proud of you and your actions. You will make a fine queen."

"Thank you…"

"Oh I heard about your little argument with one of the servants, oh what was his name again…"

"Soul." I interrupted protectively. Souls wide grin, his snowy hair, his deep eyes. They flashed across my mind and I felt my heart jump. Why am I thinking of him now, I need to forget him. Why did she bring him up?

"Yes, yes, news travels fast in this castle. Anyway it isn't polite to abuse the service of the Prince Kid's servants. Although in this case I will allow an exception since Tsubaki told me it was to protect your honour." She continued on.

"Why were you speaking to Tsubaki?" I asked cautiously.

"I like to check up on you since we haven't exactly been on the best of terms and so I speak to lots of people about you. Is there a problem with that? Because you haven't exactly been on your best behaviour recently and I need to make sure you aren't planning anything reckless again." Now I understood what she meant.

"So you spy on me? How controlling are you going to be, can't I have any freedom at all?!" I shouted, "You're so infuriating! Every time I even think of forgiving you, you just make me realise all the reasons why I shouldn't!"

"Maka I am the one who forgives you for all the mistakes you make. I will not tolerate you turning every talk into an argument, have you lost all your manners?" Her brow furrowed with disgust and she shook her head disappointedly. "I'm warning you now, make the right choices, or there will be consequences." She stepped back inside, though I could see the woman peering slightly trough the curtains.

A slight movement to the side drew my attention. Kid stepped out from the path he'd been following to run to me and I embarrassedly looked down; all too aware that he may have just heard my childish row.

"Ah just who I needed to see!" he beamed, "Oh, may I?" he asked, reaching gently rearrange my hair. I had gathered by now the Princes love of symmetry so I let him continue. "There!" He smiled clearly satisfied.

"Was there something you needed?" I asked, trying to sound polite, despite the anger from my past conversation.

"Oh yes." He looked a little nervous and he was fiddling with his buttons and his pocket. "Well I know it hasn't been long that we've known each other and I was planning on waiting a little longer however due to circumstances I think now would be the appropriate time for this…"

Kid reached into his pocket carefully and despite the wet ground he lowered himself onto one knee. I knew what was happening but it just didn't seem to register. This was what mother had been waiting for. This is why I could feel her looking down on me from within her room, watching my decision. The box was small and black. His hand slowly opened it to reveal the shining silver and jewelled ring.

"Maka Albarn I think now is the time to make this official." He paused, "Will you marry me?"