Chapter 10: Kevin's Relentless Nature

Lapis stirred in bed as the morning sunlight deflected down on her face through the window. She felt something tickle her back. When she opened her eyes and turned around, she gasped when she saw that her fairy wings were visible.

"I can't let anyone other than Jamie see me with these." Lapis thought.

Focusing hard, she used her magic to make her wings invisible to human eyes. After that, she joined the princes and the king and queen in the dining hall for breakfast.

"So, Lapis; I hear that you'll be spending a few days at the castle." Prince Kevin said to the fairy in disguise as she sat down, smirking at her.

"Uh, yes." she stated, feeling a little uneasy.

"Fantastic." the snooty prince bantered. "I look forward to having your company during my time here at the castle."

"Thank...you." Lapis replied with the same tone of insecurity in her voice. She looked down at her plate and tried to focus on eating her breakfast.

"So, Jamie." Kevin said, turning his attention to his cousin. "Did you tell Lapis about the ball coming up?"

"A ball?" the fairy repeated, curiously.

"Oh yes, my parents are holding a fancy ball at the end of the week." Jamie explained to her. "All of the fairest maidens from far and wide will be attending. Mother and Father say that it's a perfect opportunity to find a bride now that I have come of age to marry."

Lapis turned away to hide the sad look on her face. She knew that if Jamie chose a bride at this ball, that meant she lose him forever. But when she took a quick glance back at the one she loved, Lapis was surprised to find that he was equally unhappy. It was almost like he had no interest in marrying a girl he didn't even know. The disguised fairy almost hoped that the prince would not choose a bride.

"Listen, I have some royal business I need to attend to for most of the day." Jamie told Lapis. "Will you be okay on your own?"

"She doesn't have to be alone, cousin." Prince Kevin reasoned as he attempted to put an arm around Lapis's shoulders. "I can keep company for you if you would like."

"Thank you, Kevin." the prince said, removing his cousin's arm. "That is very courteous of you."

Later that day, Kevin accompanied the young fairy as they roamed the castle halls. Then, he put a hand on her arm and said, "You know, Lapis. You should really come to the ball."

"I should?" the fairy questioned.

"Oh, of course" he answered. "And if Jamie doesn't choose you to be his bride, you can be mine."

Lapis was disgusted by what the rude prince just said to her. She didn't know what to say say to him without snapping at him. So instead, she just ran away and found her friends waiting on the balcony.

"Are you alright?" Peridot asked, seeing Lapis out of breath from running. "What's the matter?"

"Jamie's cousin is incessantly trying to make a move on me." the young fairy explained, feeling annoyed. "I don't even like him. And Jamie's not always going to be around defend me. How do I make Kevin leave me alone?"

"Well, you could turn him into a toadstool for a week." Amethyst suggested, mischievously. "That should be good for a laugh."

"No, no." Lapis said, shaking her head. "I'm not using magic on him. Besides, it would make me as bad as he is. I just want to tell him that I'm not interested in him."

"Then, do that." Steven told her. "Be clear and honest, but don't raise your voice and don't get angry."

"Honestly, I would've let you turn him into a toadstool." Pearl muttered, coherently.

"Pearl!" Garnet said, sharply.

"You're not helping." Stevonnie added, angrily.

"Alright, I'll try." she responded, walking back into the hall where Kevin was waiting for her leaning against the wall.

"There you are, beautiful." the prince bantered. "Why did you run off like that? You didn't tell me with you wanted to go to the ball with me."

The disguised fairy looked down with a mad look on her face, but then took a deep breath and thought, "Be calm and honest."

"I understand if you find me attractive and I do not blame you for it." she informed Kevin. "However, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I'm interested in being your bride. You don't even know anything about me and besides, I'm already in love with someone else. But, I am sure that you will the perfect girl for you."

The visiting prince was left standing with his mouth hanging open and a shocked look on his face. And then, he glared and growled at the blue fairy before marching away.

Despite the negative reaction she got from him, Lapis felt proud that she stood up for herself and looked back to where her friends were watching and could tell that they were proud of her too.

Meanwhile, floating against the ceiling; Aquamarine, Skinny, and Carnelian watched Kevin as marched off in a huff.

"Won't Jasper be pleased about this." said Aquamarine, smirking wickedly.