Ooh. Sry fer the slow update. Writers Block is a fatal disease I'm suffering right now! O.o; Anyway, LETSA GO!

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Not A Fairy Tale

Chapter 5: Carried Away

Aeris sighed. Today was going to be a long day, a very long day indeed. Today was the day in search of her betrothed Groom.

"Now, darling, relax. Everything will be just fine." The Queen comforted her.

"But, mom, I don't want to get married to a stuck-up overgrown brat. I want to marry someone I truly care for." Aeris whined. "I hate getting forced into this."

The Queen sighed. "I know, dear, it's tough, but you'll get used to it. It's for the good of this kingdom."

"The good for this kingdom? What about the good for me?" Aeris retorted.

Before Aeris' mother could reply, one of their servants came to interrupt. "Excuse me to interrupt your majesties, but Prince Jackson of Nibelhiem has arrived for dinner." He said abruptly.

Aeris sighed. "Thank you, Jeeves, that will be all." (AN: LOL I was thinking of the Butler's name and I came up with Ask Jeeves! LOL)

Jeeves gave a bow and walked away as the two highnesses headed towards the dining room.

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"So, please, Prince Jackson, tell us a little of your profile." said the Queen, trying to create an outgoing conversation in the dining table. Aeris remained silent and played with her soup with her spoon like a little child. Now only that, the Prince looked hideous. It looked like his nose was about to break off.

"Well," Prince Jackson said in a small voice. "I was always a fan of Peter Pan since I was a small boy."

"Ah, James Barrie. A very talented author." The Queen commented. (AN: I'm not sure if James Barrie was really the person who wrote the original Peter Pan. I think he is.) "So, tell me, what makes you so interested in his most famous work?"

"Well, the story is about a boy who never wants to grow up, like me." He answered.

Aeris and her mother exchanged looks with a confused expression. "W-well, that's very nice, dear. Is there anything else you'd like to tell about yourself?"

"Well, I LOVE children. I always loved to 'play' with them." The Prince explained. "That's why that I would want to 'play' with MY children as soon as me and Princess Aerith are married."

Aeris almost spat out her champagne.

"Ah, Grandchildren! How nice!" said Aeris' mother clueless of what he really meant.

Aeris gave her mother a glare. "AHEM!"

"oh.. OH! W-well, that's very nice.." said Aeris' mother now understanding the situation.

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The next day, the Queen and Princess made another attempt to find the Princess' groom.

"So, Prince Richard, tell us a little about yourself."

"About me? ABOUT ME? Well, your highness, I have to tell you, I've had A LOT of experience with women. BELIEVE ME! Ain't that right, Ducky?" Richard nudged Aeris' arm real hard. She cringed. "Hehe... right... Ducky.. what a hoot.." She muttered.

"And let me tell you, something, Ilfalna, your daughter is a real beaut! I mean, if u throw on a mini skirt and fish nets, she'd be hotter than 50 hookers!" Richard slurred.

Aeris and her mother gasped.

"Hey, waiter, you got any more wine?" Richard slurred before he fainted.

The Queen and Princess stared at the unconscious Richard with a sweat drop. "Well, I guess that crosses him out." Aeris suggested.

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Cloud walked through the silent halls as his heavy boots echoed through them. He, of course, had to because it was his duty. He sighed, hoping he wouldn't get any more trouble from the princess. He was at the edge of the cliff now, and he's praying that someone wouldn't let him fall.

"WHAT! You mean we still have to look for a Prince?" yelled Aeris furiously.

"I'm sorry, darling, but it is accustomed to do so. It's the only way to keep our kingdom that's been passed down from generation to generation of Gainsborooughs." The Queen replied patiently.

"I don't care about the stupid customs! I don't care about the stupid generations family line! I don't even care about being a princess!" Aeris cried falling on the bed sobbing.

"Fine, then, Aerith," the Queen stated. "But, you can't change who you are."

"I can try," Aeris mumbled through her covers still sobbing.

The Queen sighed and left poor Aeris to cry in her room.

Moments later, Cloud peeked in. "Uhm.. hi... your majesty..."

"Don't call me that!" Aeris screamed. After a few seconds, she finally realized it was Cloud. "Uhm... okay... I guess I'll leave you alone.." Cloud said about to go back to the Security Lounge.

"N-no! WAIT!"

Cloud paused.

Aeris started wiping her tears with her wrist. "I'm sorry about yelling at you like that. You see, there's a lot going on around here..."

"You mean being Queen and marrying a Prince?" Cloud asked.

"?"

"Sorry, I overheard everything... I wasn't eavesdropping..." Cloud said handing Aeris a convenient tissue. "Here..."

"Thank you.." Aeris said hoarsely accepting the tissue and blowing her nose. BRRRHHH! She, afterwards, threw it in a nearby trash can.

"So, aren't you done checking up on me? Aren't you going to go back to the Security Lounge?" Aeris said sniffling out a couple of more tears.

Cloud looked at Aeris' expression. She really doesn't want to do this whole royal stuff. He suddenly felt bad for her.

A thought struck Cloud. "Oh, man..." Cloud moaned.

"Wuh?" Aeris said looking at Cloud who was trying to whipe her tears.

Cloud grabbed her wrist and walked out of her room. "Come with me..."

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"Uh, Cloud, what are we doing in the Parking Lot?" Aeris' voice echoed inside the vast building.

"You'll see..." Cloud muttered.

"YOU'RE NOT THINKING OF HIGH-JACKING A CAR, ARE YOU?" Aeris yelled.

"SSSSHHH! No! I'm not!" Cloud retorted.

"Oh.." Aeris whispered and continued to walk silently. She then looked down at Cloud's hand still gripping on her wrist firmly. She smiled and blushed.

Cloud finally came to a sudden halt and Aeris bumped into her back. "ow.." she whined.

"Here we are.." He said sternly.

Aeris looked what was in front of Cloud. Her smile grew brightly. " A MOTORCYCLE! I didn't know you had one of these!" She said excitingly.

Cloud jumped on and put on his helmet. "Jump in."

"What?"

"I'm taking you somewhere far away, so you wouldn't have to go through all these fancy customs of yours." Cloud stuttered blushing.

Is my private security guard trying to help me? Aeris thought.

There was a long-term silence.

"Are you coming in or not?" Cloud asked impatiently.

"Uuh... yeah!" She hopped on behind Cloud and buckled on her helmet. She embraced Cloud's waist tightly. "Ok... hold on!" He turned on his motorcycle. VROOM! VROOM! They drove out of the palace and onto the road.

For once, I think I'm getting carried away by a handsome prince. Aeris smiled.

"Cloud..."

"What?"

"Thank you.."

Cloud blushed and continued to drive away until the palace was hidden beyond the horizon.

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WAS THAT GOOD OR WAS THAT GOOD? Sorry for the slow update! ;; I hope you thought it was cute. Where will Cloud take Aeris now?