Brandon and Stella 22: You're my new bodyguard and you're cute.

It's not quite bodyguard, but I thought it was cute so I went with it anyways.

The ship landed in Eraklyon just before ten on a bright, sunny Friday morning. They'd landed in the main courtyard of the palace where several dozen people waited to greet them, chief among them were the King and Queen, Erendor and Samara, and their only son, Crown Prince Sky. Stella and her father, King Radius of Solaria, exited alongside the select few people they'd brought and were met warmly by the royal family. The minimal army presence, her father had explained, was a show of good faith for the new alliance that was being formed between Eraklyon and Solaria. Of course, there were also a dozen ships of Solarian soldiers waiting just outside Eraklyon's airspace in case anything should go wrong, through Radius doubted very much that they would. Stella couldn't care less about the diplomatic meeting – though, she really should as the crown princess – she just couldn't wait to get into the city and see what Eraklyon's fashion had to offer.

After the introductions, Stella and Sky split off from the group and took a walk through the garden. Word around the court was that he'd recently gotten engaged, though Stella was still hopeful she might snag him for herself. Eraklyon and Solaria were both wealthy realms, and the two of them would make a power couple for the ages. "I was hoping to get into the city and see the fashions" Stella told the prince in the most nonchalant voice she could muster. "Perhaps you'd be willing to escort me?"

"I would be honoured to, Princess Stella" Sky replied politely. "Unfortunately, my father is rather insistent that I sit in on the meetings today."

"Oh." Stella tried not to let the disappointment she felt show. She didn't need anyone accusing her of upsetting the prince and causing the discussions to go south if they did. Still, it left her in a rather unfortunate predicament. No escort meant no venturing into the city, and she'd only come along for the shopping. Her personal security detail was on one of the ships on standby because she'd been so certain that Sky would be available – a foolish decision according to her father. With no way to go into the city, she'd be stuck wandering the palace, hoping to find something of interest.

Sky noticed the bounce in Stella's step slacken and he felt bad. He wasn't particularly interested in the details of the meeting, but his father thought it was time to start his training. He was also not particularly interested in shopping with the princess, but he knew someone who might be. After all, Sky got a very good feeling from the blonde. "I have someone who could escort you, though."

He led her through the palace until they were in the servant's kitchen. At his arrival, the four occupants stood at attention. Closest to her was an older woman in a black dress with her silver hair pulled back into a tight bun. In front of the woman was a young man in an unbuttoned suit with blond hair so bright it must be bleached. Next to him, a young kitchen maid in a flour-dusted blue uniform with her mousy brown hair still in its net. Finally, at the end of the table was by far the most beautiful man Stella had ever laid eyes on. He wore jeans and a t-shirt, and had a leather jacket laid on the back of his chair. His shaggy brown hair fell onto his forehead just above the darkest brown eyes she'd ever seen. Stella wanted to stare at him forever.

"This is Brandon" Sky said, motioning to the staff that they could sit and resume their regular activities. He led Stella to the beautiful man, completely unaware that the blonde had seemingly lost the ability to speak. "My squire and best friend. I have full confidence that he'll keep you safe."

"Wonderful." Stella smiled sweetly, but the boy just looked at Sky in confusion. The prince explained the situation of Stella wanting to go into the city and needing an escort, and his thinking that Brandon would be perfect for the job.

"It would be my honour, Your Highness" Brandon told her, bowing politely. "If you would please excuse me momentarily while I put my uniform on, we'll be able to leave right away."

Brandon met her by the main entrance mere minutes later. He'd changed into his service uniform; black pants, white button up shirt with black tie, a single-breasted navy jacket and matching hat. Stella requested he get rid of the hat, which he did promptly, tucking it under his arm. He opened the car door for her, sliding into the front seat after having closed the door behind her.

"Where would you like to go first, Your Highness?"

"I hadn't really thought about it. Wherever you suggest is fine" she shrugged. Stella had a knack for finding the most beautiful pieces wherever she went. "And please, don't feel the need to be so formal. Just call me Stella."

"Of course" he nodded, giving the driver a street name that she didn't quite catch.

The two had a wonderful day. Brandon knew exactly where to go for Stella to find whatever it is she told him she wanted or needed. It almost seemed like he'd known her her entire life instead of a few hours. He'd even offered to carry her bags, though Stella kept some of them – she didn't want him thinking she was some spoiled brat. Brandon wasn't just drop dead gorgeous, he was sweet and funny and everything she'd wanted in a man. And he was a squire in a realm far six hours by airship from her own. Why did life have to be so cruel?

Brandon had been so surprised by the princess. He'd been taken by her beauty the second he'd laid eyes on her, but he'd been so sure she would be like every other noble girl he'd met – spoiled and stuck up. He was wrong; Stella was lively and funny, and nice. If she hadn't been so far out of his league, he would have asked her out already, but she was. A crown princess and a squire just didn't make sense.

"I insist on thanking you for your help today" Stella told him as he took her most recent, and last, shopping bag from her without the princess even needing to ask. "What do you want?"

"That's really not necessary" Brandon laughed awkwardly, but Stella continued to push. At some point she realised he wasn't giving in to a random gift so she began insisting that she would buy whatever his next purchase was going to be. "What if I was about to buy a house?"

"Oh. That might be more than my credit card limit" Stella admitted reluctantly. "Maybe the purchase after that? A couch? Table?"

"I'm kidding. The next thing I was going to spend money on was the rest of my mother's birthday gift."

"Great! Okay then, lead the way." Stella motioned him forward – or backwards, she had no idea which direction they were going – but Brandon stayed put, insisting that he wouldn't let her. "Yes, you will. Now lead the way."

Brandon eventually gave in and led her to a jeweler in the main city square. The jeweler showed Brandon the piece that he'd had customised for his mother. Stella looked over the thin silver chain with five pendant heart pieces engraved with names. Brandon explained that they were his and his siblings' names, and he'd had them engraved on the hearts because his mother always said she 'kept her children close to her heart'. "That's so sweet" Stella gushed. "Your family is close then?"

"Oh yeah. My sisters – all four of them – are some of my favourite people in the world."

"And your parents?" The jeweler rang up the necklace and Stella handed him her credit card without even looking at the cost. She was far too focused on Brandon who was telling her about how incredible his parents were. "I'm jealous" she said, trying to pass it off as a joke. She would kill for a family like that – close and loving – so unlike hers that was fractured and too busy for each other.

"You're welcome to join us for my mom's birthday dinner" he offered, not expecting Stella to want to have a meal with a lower-class family instead of whatever extravagant dinner was likely planned at the palace. Much to his surprise, however, the princess jumped at the chance. Brandon called his dad in a bit of a shocked daze to confirm there was enough food for a last-minute addition, which his father assured him there was. "You know how your sister is, can never tell how much to cook and ends up making way too much."

The car pulled up to a small, two-storey brick house with a beautiful, blooming garden in the front yard. Brandon opened the front gate for her, stopping behind the princess as she examined the garden, commenting that her mother loved to garden too, but the former Solarian queen's was nowhere near as nice. "Maybe my mother will send you home with some of her secrets."

The looks on Brandon's family's faces made Stella wish she could take a picture. Clearly Brandon hadn't warned them that their unexpected guest was the crown princess of Solaria. After a few minutes, though, everyone relaxed and warmly welcomed Stella into their home. It had been so long since she'd had a proper family meal; one with joy and laughter and teasing. His mother even hugged her and thanked her for joining them before she left, and Stella almost begged to be adopted into their family.

Brandon escorted her back to the palace after dinner. He wished her a goodnight and watched sadly as she walked back towards the door where the butler waited for her to show her to her quarters. He wanted her to stay – he liked her, liked who he was with her – but she was from another world; she didn't belong in his. Or, rather, he didn't belong in hers.

Stella wanted to stay by his side. She knew it was too early to know for sure, but she was positive that she could fall in love with the squire that she was walking away from. Not only was he what she wanted, but he had the family that she wanted. It had even come out during dinner that he wanted a big family like his own, which Stella agreed with wholeheartedly. They could make the class difference work; she was sure of it, she just needed to know if there was actually something between them.

Before she could convince herself it was a bad idea, Stella turned on her heel and walked at a much quicker than normal pace back to Brandon. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him into a kiss. After a brief moment of shock, Brandon's hands slid onto her lower back, pulling her closer to him. She swore she could kiss him forever – would be happy to – and, from the contented sigh that escaped his lips and the smile he gave her when they finally separated, Brandon obviously felt the same. "You're quite something, you know that princess?"

Stella melted in his arms. Brandon's hands were still firmly placed on her back where they would stay forever if she had her way. That smile did something to her that she couldn't explain, but she knew she liked. "Does that mean I can expect to see you tomorrow?"

"I'd like that."

"Me too."

Brandon told her he'd be back at the palace at 8, that she knew where to find him whenever she was ready. They shared another, more docile, kiss before Stella took her leave, walking towards the open palace door and the shocked butler waiting for her. "Goodnight Brandon" she called over her shoulder as she crossed the threshold.

"Goodnight Stella."