A few days passed and it wasn't so bad. Charlie felt a little better and she was able to sleep at night. She was glad she was given a choice in the whole matter. She had planned to run off but instead, she stayed. She had all the money in the world to go wherever she wanted but for how long could she run for?

What if they tried to execute Alastor and Niffty too? That wouldn't be fair to them. She didn't want innocent people to die for her.

She looked out the window from their room just staring. There wasn't much to do for her right now. Her and Niffty already started soaking the wedding dress in blue dye yesterday. It said it could take time for the desired color and that was just fine.

The Duke still kept his distance from Charlie but she wasn't surprised. It just felt weird? Charlie had heard enough stories about men in general about them being horn dogs. The knights she hung around didn't do things like that. She was practically every man's dream- she was hot, young, blonde, a virgin and a princess who was rich on top of that but the man made no move on her or suggested otherwise.

Alastor hadn't informed her if he did have anything but it was just weird. Her initial thought was she was going to pawed at and bedded every night but the man barely wanted to hug her. She was glad he didn't force himself on her but maybe like her, he was different. Maybe he preferred men more?

She frowned.

He didn't say anything about it. Al made it seem as long as the person was willing it didn't matter their gender. Maybe he's waiting until our wedding night?

Her mother didn't really go into detail about it. Charlie only knew from the few times she made out with Vaggie what horny felt like. She heard her parents because they were loud and did it wherever. She didn't want to watch porn either to know what she was supposed to do.

She frowned and wrinkled her nose.

Maybe I'm just thinking about it too hard.

It just felt weird for her. She wanted to be desired.

X

"Miss Charlie?"

Charlie's head popped out from under the covers. She managed to find a book about how cars worked so she had been reading that. She saw Alastor at the door in a white suit that looked weird. He stood there proudly.

"Did I wake you?"

"No! I was just reading. What's up?"

"Would you like to fence?"

"Hell yes!"

She jumped out of bed, nearly knocking the book on the floor.

"Grab your shoes and I'll see you at the bottom of the stairs."

"Alright!"

She dug out a new pair of red and black shoes before running down the hallway for the stairs. Alastor stood there at the bottom watching as the princess came flying down almost sliding on the tiled floor in excitement.

"I am so fuckin' ready!"

Alastor chuckled and motioned for her to follow him. She skipped behind him the whole way until they came to an empty room.

"My fencing room is through that door."

"Oh shit! I thought that was a closet!"

"Ah, well… It was a late addition darling. Let me get you a suit."

She followed Alastor through the door to see the training area. It looked similar to the ones the squires started in- that she started in. She almost felt at home.

"I would like to see your skills before I go into details about the rules. Would that be ok with you?"

Charlie nodded eagerly. She got dressed but it felt weird to be padded up like she was.

"Here you are darling."

"Thanks Al!"

She looked at the thin blade over.

This isn't for a battle of strength but a battle of speed.

Charlie flung it around rather carelessly but it almost felt flimsy. It felt a little weird compared to the swords she normally would. It would be fine. She's had to adapt to such things before.

"Are you ready Miss Charlie?"

"I am Alastor."

She bowed before him, watching him.

"You are so formal aren't you?"

"Only when it comes to this. I'm proud of what I can do."

The man smirked and got into position.

"Go!" he said but Charlie didn't move.

She watched him instead to see what he would do. She took calm deep breaths. This wasn't risky like her normal fighting but that didn't mean she could just pretend it wasn't.

Always act as if your life is in danger.

Alastor made the first move trying to jabbed her shoulder but he was in for the shock of his life. Charlie threw her hand out catching the blade and jabbing him in the chest. He blinked behind his mask a few times. That wasn't how fencing was but holy hell was he shocked. Would she really take a blade like that to the hand?

"You're daring Miss Charlie."

She gave a nod and moved back.

"Let us try more battle-like action. You're quite defensive."

"Always act on defense until you get your opening. Never play fair. In the face of an enemy, your life matters more," she said, repeating it like she had done so a hundred times over.

"I see. The knights are more cut throat than I thought."

"Not cut throat Al- we take our vows seriously and we won't needlessly throw our lives away."

"Aww yes, to protect the king and queen of course."

Her gray eyes hardened, "We do not do it for the king- we do it for our people. He is just a face when the people are the body of the country. They are the reason it stands, not the royal family."

"My apologies dear. Again- give me all you got."

A half an hour later, Charlie and Alastor were breathing heavily, sweaty and tired. He was shocked. He had thought the young woman had been all talk but in fact she was anything but that. He couldn't see her eyes but he was sure they were filled with determination. She was no ordinary princess.

"I think that is enough for today."

Charlie lowered her blade.

"You sure?"

"Yes. I must check the time and then prepare dinner. I must shower first and I know you need to as well."

The two of them stripped the suits off and left the room. Charlie wiped her sweaty hair off her face when she ran face first into the Duke's chest.

"Oh, I'm sorry!"

She looked up at him with her big gray eyes but he looked pissed.

"W-what?"

"Nothing- mind your own fucking business."

Charlie scowled at him and stomped off cussing him out under her breath. Alastor sighed as he looked at the older man.

"Being like that won't get you anywhere."

"What the fuck were you two doing?!"

"Fencing. Well, more like I was defending myself mostly but fencing. She took her knight vows seriously."

Husk's face suddenly looked guilty.

"Did…. did you think we were fornicating in the fencing room? My word Husker. She's practically your wife!"

"No!"

"She's pledged herself to you-

"She hasn't pledged shit Alastor!"

The younger man pushed his glasses up on his nose and glared at the man.

"Get a hold of yourself man. I had a small feeling she would take off from here after the fight she gave when she got here but she hasn't bolted yet. You're going to drive this young lady away. She isn't one of your disgusting harlots."

"You asshole-

"I am an asshole but a truthful one. You keep hurting the one person who could actually love you. She has no issues with the way you talk but quit being jealous. She isn't out to get you."

With that, Alastor headed to his own room to shower off.

Husk stood at the doors of their room just staring at it. He had gotten the all clear from his doctor but he had been nervous about telling her himself. He wanted to ask Alastor where she was but then he saw her all sweaty like that and his advisor was in the same state….

He groaned and opened the doors slowly. He closed them behind him and waited. He could hear the shower going and the steam was seeping under the door a little. He made a face and sat on the bed facing away from the bathroom.

So stupid.

He had heard from others that when you get with someone, they change everything for you but everything has been the same.

Probably because you've been a big dick, he told himself.

This was hard. Personal relationships hadn't been the best thing in his life. All he did was hear his damn parents fight, they never got along and it wasn't the best thing to see. He had read books of those people falling in love and everything was perfect but life wasn't like that. His mom and dad were forced to marry and now he was in the same situation.

A headstrong woman with eyes colored like the most dangerous storms. A cunning woman who could fight and had no issue befriending the only two people constant in his life. She was trying her damnedest to be nice but once she found out what he turns into…

Well, she would run for the hills. It was his own damn fault too. He fucked around and pissed off that one escort and she cursed his ass. He still didn't learn to be a nicer person.

"Hey."

Charlie's soft voice brought him out of his thoughts and he looked at her shocked. When he looked into her eyes, they looked like a cloudy day but not so dark it was menacing. She looked outrageously concerned. It was weird from her usual scowl and smirk he usually saw.

"Y-yea. Um, sorry for whatever bullshit I thought that was downstairs."

Charlie cocked an eyebrow.

"I can assure you, I have never been turned on trying to stab somebody. I hope that eases your mind."

Husk couldn't help but snort before laughing. Charlie looked a little proud of herself.

"Sorry that was fuckin' funny. I guess I won't have to worry about you trying to kill me in my sleep."

The princess stood back, staring at him.

"If you stop mouthing off less, you wouldn't have to worry about it all. Besides, you don't ever sleep in here so it would be hard to do so."

"Man, you're just like Alastor with that morbid ass joke."

"Thanks. I'll take it as a compliment since he's a tough opponent."

"You like fighting?"

She turned around, smiling at him.

"I've always had to fight. It would be nothing different from my day to day life."

Charlie grabbed some stuff from her dresser.

"Be right back."

She went back into the bathroom and came back in gray leggings and a dark blue shirt.

"How come you don't want to sleep beside me?"

Husk's head snapped to the side to stare at her.

"What?"

"Why don't you want to sleep beside me? I usually had Vaggie sleep with me when I had rough nights. She didn't mind it but having someone with you usually makes it easier to sleep. Or do you drink a lot because you can't sleep?"

The Duke stared at her. Charlie waited for him to say something but he seemed to be frozen.

"Are you ok?"

"Huh? Yea, whatever. Why would you want to sleep with me?"

"Haven't you ever cuddled someone before? Or did you not pay your escorts to do that?"

"You're a mouthy ass brat you know that?"

Charlie smirked.

"I've been told. I'm sure it's the reason my parents got rid of me."

For a second, her gray eyes looked so sad that he actually felt bad but she smiled and it was gone.

"You don't want to sleep beside of me."

"Oh, you're a snorer aren't you?" she teased, "It can't be that bad."

"No you just wouldn't."

She rolled her eyes before doing something unexpected. She wiggled between his legs and hugged him. He stiffened at her touch. It was odd at how innocent it was. How nice it felt. She felt like she melted against his body. He could smell her lavender shampoo and some coconut scent coming off of her.

"It wouldn't kill you to hug me back."

"I don't know. You might bite me."

Charlie placed her chin on his chest, gazing up at him.

"Do you want me to bite you?"

His face turned so red, Charlie could feel the heat coming off his face.

"Um…." he looked away, "Got a call from the doctor…. I'm just old and overweight. Nothing else to worry about."

"I'm glad for you but you're not old nor overweight. If you wanna walk with me I can do that, I wouldn't mind."

He arched an eyebrow.

"You can't be that nice."

Charlie rolled her eyes.

"Not everyone is an asshole."

Charlie pulled away slowly and headed for the dresser. She grabbed her brush and started brushing out her hair.

"You're really ok with marrying me?" Husk asked, his voice tense.

The princess turned to smile at him, "I am. You certainly aren't boring and I like that."

X

X

Husk pushed the bedroom door open to peek at Charlie. He had noticed the princess had a lot of issues sleeping at night but she seemed to be more calm since they had talked earlier. He was really glad the doors didn't creak.

He crept into the room, leaving the doors open just in case he had to make a mad dash out the door if she woke up. She was laying in the middle of the bed on her side. It was a more relaxed position than the other times he had seen her thrashing about throwing blankets on and off then spread out like a big starfish.

Charlie didn't have any blankets on her body. She didn't look cold but he covered her up just in case. Her hair was soft and laid out on her pillow. It was thick, being naturally wavy.

Shit this almost feels creepy.

She did want me to sleep next to her.

I guess this is alright.

The Duke got under the blanket and draped an arm around her waist. He heard her mumble something and snuggle herself back against him. His breath caught in his throat making him tense up. It wasn't sexual but it was unexpected she would want to be that close to him.

He glanced at the clock. He had about two hours before the pain would hit him. So… he had some time with her. He moved his arm under the pillow more carefully so he wouldn't tear it open.

It was nice.

He liked this.

He wouldn't be able to do it though.

Fuck.

X

The next morning the princess woke up. She rubbed her eyes before sitting up. She wiggled her toes and felt something soft. She threw the blankets back to see three red feathers in the bed.

Is it from the blanket?

She started looking through the blanket for a hole but there wasn't one.

That's weird.

She frowned. She swore- swore that Husk had come in the middle of the night and stayed with her. It certainly felt like him. She scratched her head and walked over to the window to see a white moving truck pulling in. She saw that head of white hair and knew who it was.

"VAGGIE!" she screamed, sprinting through the bedroom.

She didn't care that she was shouting excitedly. She almost tripped down the stairs, almost ran into Alastor as she slid to the front door. She threw it open and screeched in excitedly.

"VAGGIE!"

The knight placed her hands behind her back and beamed at the princess. Alastor came to the door and watched as Charlie skidded to a halt in the dirt and got down on one knee, taking the woman's hand.

"Hello my fair knight! You grace me with your presence- I feel honored!"

"Ah, you don't have to lower yourself in my presence, my Queen."

Vaggie pulled her to her feet.

"Charlie," she said, holding her hands.

"Yes?"

"I have something for you. I wanted to honor you for the sacrifices you have made. I recognize you as a knight as well. You are no longer the silly squire who set foot in my training arena."

Charlie slapped her hands onto her face.

"Are…. are you serious?"

"I'm dead ass serious, milady. I know I cannot officially knight you as a King or Queen would but to us- the knights of Hellvian recognizes you as such and that's a much bigger honor."

"It is!"

Husk came out behind Alastor with Niffty behind him.

"What the fuck is going on?" the Duke asked.

"I believe this is Charlie's knight."

Vaggie opened the door and pulled out a sheathed sword. She placed it into the princess' waiting hands.

"Charlie Morningstar of Hellvian. I bestow this sword as we fully recognize you as our Queen, our savior and a knight. You have fulfilled your oath to us. I had this sword made for you. The scabbard is blue and so is the hilt. I even had the blade tinted blue. I want to signal your freedom with this sword. You always said freedom was the ocean itself, the blue hue was everything you dreamed of."

Vaggie took the princess' face in her hands.

"Once it's completed, I will bring your armor. That one day you can lead the battle of change. I look forward to it."

"V-Vaggie…. You didn't have too-

"I know but I love you. You made tremendous strides and you kept me running along with you to make the changes our country needs. I will continue your work until you get back. I hope that's ok."

"Fuck Vaggie- it's always ok!"

Charlie held the sword tightly and hugged her friend.

To Husk, this looked more like a declaration of love. He was seething inside and he was pissed. He wanted nothing more than to punch this knight named Vaggie in the face but the fact she was knight stopped him. She probably could kill him with one punch.
"Vagatha! I challenge you to duel!"

The woman smiled, "Of course! Let me get my sword."

Vaggie started unhooking her armor, dropping it on the ground with a loud thud. She wore a tank top and leggings under her armor. She glared at Alastor and Husk before following Charlie to the field.

"Are you gonna stop her?" Niffty asked, "She's going to get killed!"

"No, I don't think so. Let's watch," Alastor said, heading for the field.

Husk followed behind and he heard them.

"I'll stain those white flowers,

But not with my blood-

I'll set the pace and raise my blade,

I will die trying and that's my promise,

I'll have your back and you'll have mine,

Until the sun rises on the next day,

We will live and exist-

Not for the King,

Not for the Queen,

But for our people,

Those stained flowers will be

The reminder our enemies need,

Don't be afraid,

I'll have your back and you'll

Have mine.

We are the knight in arms,

The force of our people,

The soul of the country.

Not for the King,

Not for the Queen

But for our people,

It'll always be the knight's promise

I'll keep"

They bowed and got in position.

"Remember milady. I aim to kill."

"Yes ma'am!"

"Remember, defense and watch for weakness. Spill the blood of the enemy."

"Yes!"

"Above all else- for the people!"

"For the people!" Charlie repeated, her eyes going dark.

Alastor jumped slightly at how fast Vaggie moved. She was a lot faster than Charlie. The princess kept up though. Then it happened. The knight's sword sliced open Charlie's shoulder slightly but the blonde didn't back down or even seem fazed by the pain.

"You got sloppy but faster!" Vaggie yelled, "For shame!"

Charlie growled before taking a deep breath. She continued on, bleeding down her arm. She almost caught the white haired woman's face but she moved in time. She almost caught Charlie on the leg, cutting her pajama bottoms. The fighting continued on, the sound of steel slashing continued to fill the air.

At the last second Charlie didn't move in time, jerked her arm sloppily. Her sword went flying, laying the grass and Vaggie knocked her off her feet before pressing the blade at her neck as she laid in the grass.

"Do you want to know what you did wrong?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"I shed blood for one. I caught you four times. Then your defense fell. You were busy looking for an opening instead of waiting for it to come to you. You moved incorrectly to avoid the blade and so therefore you lost your blade. If this was a real battle, you would be dead. How do you plan to defeat your greatest adversary if you're sloppy?"

"I'm sorry Vagatha. I'll do better."

"You cannot be blamed wholey. It's a shame you have no knights here to train with."

"I fenced with Alastor yesterday."

Vaggie's eyes landed on the two men at the side of the road.

"He's the one with the glasses."

"I see."

She held out her hand and pulled the princess to her feet.

"I have something else for you. The other knights and guards helped me."

"What do you mean?"

Vaggie dragged Charlie to the moving truck once she sheathed her sword. Vaggie pulled the keys out of her bra and unlocked it.

"Open it."

The princess looked at the knight nervously but nodded. She thrust the door open. Her eyes went wide and dropped her sword before falling to her knees. Tears ran down her face.

"Y-y-you…."

"We couldn't allow our Queen to be without her things. You worked hard for all the things you have and you deserve them. You are no doll to be dressed up and shown off. You are a warrior Charlie. The warrior must continue to study and work hard."

"V-Vaggie…."

Charlie's eyes wandered over her bookshelves full of her college books and other books she had collected over the years. Trunks filled with her clothes, items and weapons. Everything was in there. Everything she had been forced to leave behind.

"We couldn't bring the piano since it belonged to the…. Current Queen."

"Did… Did you bring…."

"Your contingency plan? I did."

Vaggie went to the front of the truck and pulled out a plastic zip up bag and handed it to her.

"I nabbed it from your room the second you were about to leave before his knights went in to search your room. I grabbed your trunk as well."

Charlie held the plastic against her chest before running to Alastor.

"Al! Can you place this in the safe? Please!"

She handed it to him, her eyes sparkling.

"Don't read it though! It… It's special."

"Of course Miss Charlie."

"Milady."

Charlie turned to Vaggie.

"Please head upstairs and present yourself for the day as you like. We'll unload the truck. Tend to your wounds. I want a word with your betrothed."

"Yes! As you wish!"

The princess beamed at the Duke before heading inside.

"Let me lock the truck and we can talk, old man."

"What the fuck you rude ass cyclops-

Vaggie snorted.

"So you are a dick like everyone says you are. I'm not disappointed."

Husk stormed into the mansion to wait for the knight.