Leslie made her way out of the room the next morning. A suit clad AJ walked out of his and she smiled.
"Hey, how did you sleep?", he asked, approaching her.
He had dinner sent up to her room, figuring she wouldn't want to come down and be bombarded with questions.
"Great. Although, if you didn't want me to meet your people, you could have told me so yourself.", she said, she sounded hurt.
"Is this about dinner? Its not what you think Les. I just thought you would be exhausted from the trip and, I know my people. They would have come at you full force with questions", he said calmly.
"I can take care of myself, I don't need you deciding these things for me without asking me first.", she said angry.
He nodded.
"I apologize, you're right. I just really want you to like Sapphire", he said.
That caught her off guard. Her ex would have yelled back at her and found a way to make it her fault.
"That's it?", she asked.
He seemed confused by her question.
"Is there something else I did?", he asked.
"No. I just, how are you real?", she sighed.
He smiled.
"Would you like to take a walk with me before I leave for Limbo?", he asked.
She smiled and took his arm. They made their way down and the people coming in and out of his house were whispering. Getting outside, a German Shepherd approached them, although Leslie noticed he was almost as big as Creed.
"Leslie, this is Phenomenal, Phenom for short. My trusty companion", AJ said, petting the dog.
Leslie stretched her hand out and the dog approached her, letting her pet him.
"He's a German Shepherd mixed with Wolf.", he explained.
"Its why he's so big", she said.
He nodded. He took her hand as they continued walking.
"How is it that you can walk around without your guards?", she asked.
He smirked.
"The difference between me and the other royals is, my guards know how to blend in.", AJ said.
She looked around at the faces close to her. Some were tending to the garden, others were coming in from town to help clean the castle. They bowed to AJ as they passed.
"I'm sorry", she suddenly said.
"For what?", he asked confused.
"I jumped to conclusions, thinking you didn't want your people to meet me", she said.
He chuckled.
"By the look on your face, I would say you hardly have to apologize for speaking your mind and feelings", he said.
She laughed softly.
"I like that about you Les. I know you won't let me fuck up and you'll call me on my shit. I need that in a queen", he said.
She blushed.
"How could any woman not want to be your queen? How could they fuck this up?", she asked.
"I take it you heard about the others", he said.
She nodded, she stepped in front of him and started walking backwards.
"Just to be clear, I don't want your money or power, or whatever comes with being your queen. Well, okay, there's one thing", she said.
"What?", he asked, amused.
She stopped and he almost ran into her. He chuckled and set his hands on her hips.
"Just you", she said softly.
He smiled and attached his lips to hers.
"And this", she whispered, as her hand slid to the front of his pants.
He shut his eyes slowly and swallowed hard. He had been tempted beyond his self control, he honestly didn't know how he lasted this long. Opening his eyes, he noticed her smirk. She continued walking and he followed.
"Any questions for me?", she asked.
"Do you want kids?", he asked.
She nodded.
"One of each if fate is on my side", she said.
"Sounds reasonable", he said.
She wrapped her arms around his neck before releasing him.
"Are you allowed to show affection outside of castle walls?", she asked.
AJ laughed softly and nodded.
"Yes my future. I don't think there is a law against that. Not showing affection towards your spouse would feel strange to their people.", AJ said.
She blushed and he tipped her chin.
"Don't feel embarrassed. That was a real question.", he said.
He kissed her.
"Show me as much affection as you want to give.", he whispered against her lips.
She noticed as his people would take glances at them. Smiles on their faces.
"All they want is our happiness, darlin.", he whispered.
Meeting his eyes, she couldn't help but feel like she had already fallen in love with him.
"If you say yes, would you like to invite your siblings and your parents? I would love to meet them before hand though", AJ said.
Her smile slipped and she backed away from him, turning to continue walking.
"My parents aren't the nicest of people. I would love for you to meet my younger siblings though", she said.
He nodded.
"Let me figure out your parents for myself, but thank you for the warning.", he said.
She noticed them bring his car to the front of the castle. She pointed and he nodded, they made their way to it.
"Also, you made a comment about being able to take care of yourself. I know that, but its also okay to let me. I want to take care of you Les, when you need it.", he said.
She squeezed his hand.
"Its going to take some time, I'm not use to this.", she said.
He nodded. Lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it.
"This relationship will only work if we can see each others heart, mind, and soul. Accept my decisions as I would yours, but only after we discuss them together. We won't always agree, but we can find a common ground. I'm going to need you, Les. Be my strength when I need it, my calm when the storm comes rolling in, and my voice when I feel lost and can't speak", he said.
She touched his cheek gently.
"Trust me?", she asked.
He nodded.
"Yes", he replied without hesitation.
"Even if our region depended on it?", she asked.
"Yes, because I know you aren't power hungry. You'll do what's best for our region. By the way, I love that you said our region", he smiled.
She playfully pushing him.
"Ready your highness", Frankie said, bowing his head.
AJ nodded. He met her eyes.
"I'll see you for dinner with our people?", he asked.
She nodded. Standing on her toes, she kissed him.
"If you need anything while I'm away, Chris and Joe will be your guards for now. I need Frankie and Kevin", he explained.
Leslie nodded. She watched him get in the car and then drive off. She went to walk inside, people waved and bowed. She felt a bit uncomfortable with it, but knew she would have to get use to it.
Inside, Chris approached her. He bowed.
"Do you need anything your highness?", he asked.
"Oh, I'm not queen", she said.
"Yet", he added.
She laughed softly. She remembered the man her sister wanted her to look into.
"Actually yes. I need help finding someone", she said.
He nodded.
"Who?", he asked.
They went up to her room and she closed the door behind her. She explained what was going on and what her sister was doing.
He nodded.
"You know, we always did find it kind of odd, the way she died", he said.
She grabbed the paper and showed him the name. He nodded.
"Actually, I know him.", Chris said.
"Oh", she mumbled.
"Weird guy actually. Doesn't talk much to the other guards. Check AJ's office. He has all the information on all the guards.", he said.
She nodded.
"Can I be in there without him?", she asked.
He chuckled.
"Of course, your highness", Chris winked.
She nodded.
"Oh and, if you plan to go and speak to him, let me know. My king would kill me if I let his queen go alone", Chris said.
She nodded.
"Thank you, Chris", she said.
He nodded.
Finding AJ's office, one of the women walking around stopped and asked her if she wanted something to eat and drink. She accepted it and said she would be in AJ's office. Logging into his computer, and finding the file that said Sapphire region. More files popped up, one said guards.
She clicked it and typed in Carlos Colón. It sent her to another file, named, The Colóns. The woman from the hall came in with a tray and Leslie smiled.
"Here you go dear", she said.
"Thank you", she replied.
"If you need anything else, let me know", she said happily.
Leslie nodded. Opening the file, she learned a lot about Mr. Colón. Writing down important information she knew her sister would like. Getting his home address, she decided to pay Mr. Colón a visit. Finishing her food and finding Chris. He agreed to take her and called for Joe.
"Do you know anything about his car getting stolen?", she asked Chris.
"He mentioned something, but the day after queen Stephanie passed, he dropped the claim. Saying he forgot his son in law asked to borrow it", Chris said.
Leslie nodded and wrote that down.
"You think he might have something to do with this?", he asked.
"There was a witness who claims to have seen the car, well more than one", she said.
Chris nodded.
"No one claims to have known who the car belonged too. It was abandoned. My sister is really good at digging and that landed me here", Leslie said.
Chris nodded and pointed to the house. They got off and walked up the steps, Joe staying by the car. She knocked and the door opened.
"Hey Carlito, is your dad here? We need a word with him. This is the future queen of Sapphire", Chris said.
Carlito looked her over and nodded.
"My dad's not here right now. He went out with my brother and cousin for the weekend", he explained.
She nodded.
"I can just come back another time, if that's okay", she said.
"What's this about?", Carlito asked.
"I just want to meet some of the guards. Trying to get familiar with the faces here in Sapphire", she said.
Carlito nodded.
"If you want, when he gets home I'll have him call the castle and let you know when you can visit", Carlito said.
Leslie nodded. He seemed to be trying to read her. Figure her out.
"Thanks, Carlito", she said.
He nodded and shut the door. She turned on her heels and Chris chuckled.
"Their whole family likes to keep to themselves. When they go out though, they're the life of the party. Loud, energetic, and wild", Chris said.
Leslie nodded.
"Usually the ones trying to hide something are like that. Makes people second guess them", she said.
He nodded.
"Are they guards too?", she asked.
Chris nodded. She reminded herself to give her sister their names too.