=Bolverk's POV=
(Wednesday; 6/12/2020- 8:00 am)
(Archian Isle; Archia Preparatory)

Three days more until the royal ball and I was named lord of the court. My suit was done, being guarded by Heather and Olivia in their dorm room. The two were afraid that I'd end up making changes to it, and therefore have refused to let it out of their sight until the ball. I didn't really care, the more I heard about this ball and seeing everyone becoming more and more excited for the night to arrive, I just wanted to skip time, and have it be done. I could do it, but I wouldn't. I knew how unpredictable time magic was. My only breaks were flying Toothless, and being able to lay down at night to sleep. I've spent my last week at the school turning in books, helping out a bit in dragon training, cleaning out my locker, and basically trying to avoid everyone talking about the ball. Even my friends were all over it and it was starting to bother me that it's all anyone is talking about. I also did have my royal lessons to attend with Stoick and Valka. Astrid and I both had to do this, but I knew she was much farther ahead of me.

Right now, I'm walking with my friends for them to get to their class. I'd likely go flying afterward. I needed a break from everything and flying with Toothless helped calm me down. Unfortunately, I was feeling overwhelmed with everything expected of me, and apparently, no one could see how much I was dealing with. I tried to express it to Heather and Olivia, but I guess they don't see the pressure I'm under. Eret and Soren were currently going on about who they were taking to the ball while Heather and Olivia were working at all their fittings for dresses or suits that people have asked them to make for them. Heather's designs were fantastic, and Olivia had the creating skill mastered for speed. The two of them together made quite the pair for business in fashion, which I believe, Fishlegs was helping manage the financial side of things.

"So, Eret, who are you asking to the ball?" Soren asked.

"None of them, then I can dance with all of them," Eret grinned.

I had to roll my eyes and shake my head. I know Ruffnut still had a thing for him, but I guess it wasn't mutual if Eret wasn't going to ask her. "Hypothetically asking…If you were going to ask someone…How would you do it?" Soren questioned.

"Bro, it's easy. All you gotta do," Eret paused as Soren waiting anxiously. "Is be exactly like me and they'll just come to you," Soren grumbled some but straightened up when a girl named Camicazi Boggs strolled forward towards them, she had blond hair and blue eyes, but always kept her hair down and kind of wild. I know she's Chieftess Bertha Bogg's daughter from Bog-Burglar, a town west of us here on Berk, which was the center city of Archian Isle.

"Cami, hi," Soren began almost nervously.

"Hi, Soren," Camicazi smiled.

"I-I wanted to ask you if you…Were excited about the ball?" Soren said. I wanted to facepalm at his attempt to ask Camicazi to the ball. He always ended up nervous and changing his words.

"Everyone is excited about the ball. I can't wait to see Astrid in her ball gown!" Camicazi beamed.

"Okay…Liv and I have an opening at 4 pm to whoever wants it for a dress or suit to the ball?" Heather informed.

"This will be the last one we take, though. The ball is in three days," Olivia added.

"Oh, me!" Ruffnut threw her hand up before Camicazi did.

"Alright," Heather smiled.

"Sorry, Cami," Ruffnut shrugged as Camicazi just smiled and shrugged it off.

"I'll make time for you, don't worry," Olivia promised.

"Okay," Camicazi nodded. "I can't wait to see what you look like in your suit, Bolverk," She giggled.

"Uh, yeah…It's gonna be great. Heather and Olivia made sure I'd look worthy of standing beside the queen…" I replied.

"I can't wait to see what he looks like in his wedding tuxedo," Ruffnut grinned as her twin brother Tuffnut nodded in agreement.

"Ah, I know. We'll get to dress him up like a king!" Heather squealed with Olivia and Camicazi.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm sure that won't be-," I paused, recalling what was said. My wedding suit? "Wait, what?" I asked quickly. "Wedding tuxedo?"

"Well, yeah," Camicazi said. "The royal ball is like the pre-engagement party to becoming engaged, then married to Astrid," She informed.

That's what this ball was meant to represent?! My eyes widened. "That's why you're becoming a member of the court, named Queen Astrid's lord," Ruffnut added.

"It goes lord, prince, king," Snotlout remarked. "Astrid will be announcing you to guests as Lord Bolverk, and it basically means that she's chosen you to marry when she turns eighteen next April, but probably get held off until June when school is complete," He said.

"Wh-Why wasn't I told about any of this? I-I've only just become her boyfriend five months ago, now I'll be her…What? Intended? Then fiancé, then husband?" I panted a bit. I didn't understand, why was all this being rushed? I didn't even know if I loved Astrid. We're together on a liking one another basis, but still in a stable relationship, weren't we? "Do-Don't I get a say in any of this…Or has my life been decided for me just because I'm dating the-," I stopped when I felt Astrid next to me, holding onto my arm. "H-Hi, Astrid…"

"Hi, babe," Astrid giggled and leaned up to kiss my cheek.

"Well, we'll be off to get started on Ruffnut's dress," Heather and Olivia waved and walked away with Ruffnut, who was telling them what she wanted. Tuffnut and Snotlout left with Eret and Soren, who was being told that he severely failed in asking Camicazi to the ball.

"What brings you by?" I asked her.

"Oh, just letting you know that mom and dad canceled lessons for us today. I've got fittings, details, and a whole bunch more ball stuff to handle before it arrives in three days." Astrid smiled.

"Right, cool. Then, in that case, I may go back to sleep or go flying," I sighed.

"Why back to sleep? Are…You not feeling well? Or not get enough sleep last night?" Astrid asked with concern.

"No, no. I'm okay. Flying or sleeping just seems like the best way to kill time since I'm done with school, and we don't have royal lessons today." I replied calmly.

"Oh, good," Astrid sighed in relief. "Can't have you getting sick before the big event," She hugged me. Unfortunately, learning what I have about this event in three days now has me feeling ill.

"Good, while I've got you both here…I need a few decisions for the ball made and I know you, Astrid, just said you're about to be terribly busy. Can I steal you a few moments first?" Camicazi asked.

"Sure," Astrid nodded as she and walked a few steps away with Camicazi. I saw them looking over Camicazi's tablet, and a few color swatches for Astrid to choose from. Afterward, the girls returned and Astrid got an alert on her phone. "Guess I'm being summoned. I'll catch you later, babe?"

"Yeah, of course," I nodded as she kissed my cheek again, then hurried off. "What decisions do you need from me?" I looked at Camicazi, who turned her tablet towards me.

"Well, Astrid left you in charge of choosing the colors for napkins, plates, table clothes-," Camicazi just started on an endless list of things for me to pick and I felt the overwhelming feeling return to me like from the day of the press conference. I felt my powers rising, and the green glow overtook my eyes. Camicazi must have noticed, she suddenly went quiet. I took a moment, relaxing, and then a few breaths as everything settled and I looked back at Camicazi, putting on a smile. "You, uh, okay?"

"Yes, sorry. It's just…A lot of choices," I smiled, clearing my throat. "Uh, I'm late for…My flight with Toothless, he'll escape the stable and come after me if I don't get there now…" I started for an excuse. "Why don't you send me the options to choose from and…I'll get them back to you before dinner? Okay?"

"Sure thing!" Camicazi nodded and hurried off quickly. I sighed out and closed my eyes to start my way to the stables. Yeah, I really needed to go flying right now before I freak out.

. . .

(1:00 pm)

I spent the morning with a long flight on Toothless, literally ranting to my Night Fury about how stressed out I was before learning that I'd be married to Astrid this time next year. Did me becoming her boyfriend just automatically mean we were basically arranged to marry? I didn't hear about any of this when she was with Thuggory? Or was that because they were dating before Astrid became queen? Or that it was planned for her to marry him, then she broke up with him, so it voids out? I had no idea and it only put more pressure on me. Worse now that I'd completely forgotten Astrid and I had a dinner date tonight in the castle gardens. I thought it was Tuesday, not Thursday, and she pointed it out for me right before lunch when she gifted me a black saddle to ride Toothless with. I never used one before, I always rode without one but not a lot of others would dare such a thing. But back to the dinner date, I'd promised Astrid I would cook for her because I mentioned it being something I learned how to do in the last five months through help from Gobber.

I was surprisingly close to him, he treated me like a nephew. I knew he was gay and didn't have kids of his own. Gobber admitted that he was happy to help me in learning things that I didn't on Outcast Island. It had all been part of my plan to fit in, do things without magic. I didn't want to rely on my dad's spellbook, but I didn't have the faintest idea of how to live a normal life. And now I'm learning that I'm getting married in a year? That wasn't enough time to learn how to be normal. It wasn't enough time to learn how to be royal, never mind normal. I'd be the king, ruling Archian Isle beside Astrid. I feel like I've lost all control over my life and honestly, I don't even feel like me anymore. Yes, I want to be good, but I don't want to lose who I am either. I just didn't know what to do anymore, and I'm apparently on my way to see Soren, who asked if I'd whip him up a potion for a truth something or other. He didn't want to be nervous around Camicazi and be able to ask her to the ball.

I know I excelled in all that, so I didn't mind. I sighed and continued making my way through the school to get to the dorm rooms. "Bolverk!" I looked back to see the press had apparently snuck into the school. I quickly bolted to my dorm and got inside. I closed and locked it quickly, Eret and Soren were both in here. I panted with my back against the door and looking around the room. My eyes landed on the TV showing a report about a small date Astrid and I had in the Enchanted Cove a few days back. The person talking kept saying all these things about the future as I quickly grabbed the remote and turned it off as I paced, holding my head.

"Uh, Bol?" Eret started.

"You okay?" Soren tried. I felt the lid loosen again, more than last time as my eyes glowed green and my body reacted by raising my head towards the ceiling and a black aura emitted around me.

"Woah, woah. Bol, settle down!" Eret said quickly. I closed my eyes and tried to refocus. I lowered my head as the aura faded, then I looked at them again, my eyes no longer glowing.

"Easy…What's got you so worked up?" Soren asked.

"Easy?! You think it's easy being me right now?!" I snapped at them. "Why don't you live an hour in the position where you're dating the queen, everyone expects you to be a certain way, and your life isn't even in your control anymore!"

"Hey, hey…" Eret put his hands up. "We're only trying to figure out what's going on with you…"

I eventually sighed and flopped on my bed with my hands over my face and taking a few breaths before I sat up and looked at them. "Don't you ever miss people just running away when you got near them? Or shrinking in fear the moment you look at them? When you knew your name was enough to scare people?"

"Well…No," Soren shrugged.

"No one ran from us when we approached or glared, and it was our parents that people feared…" Eret nodded in agreement.

I groaned and then sighed. "What's up, Bolverk? Come on, talk to us?"

"You're talking like you miss being back on Outcast Island," Soren mentioned.

"No, just…Ugh," I looked down at the ground. "I miss being me…" I looked at myself and closed my eyes. "And this isn't me…This isn't Bolverk Bludvist," I took a breath. "Forget it. It doesn't matter…I chose to be with her, and subsequently, chose this life…"

There was silence for a few moments. "Did you bring the potion?" Soren decided to ask as I glanced over at him, then nodded. I stood up and pulled the vial from my pocket.

"Here," I handed it to Soren. "It's just enough for one dose, but it will make you less anxious and able to tell Camicazi that you want to be her date to the ball…" I informed.

"Cool…Thanks," Soren opened it up. "Well, here go-," He started, but his Terrible Terror, Flare, suddenly came in the window and landed on his shoulder. The bottle went up, the liquid came out and landed all over Flare. The dragon licked herself clean as Eret, Soren, and I were staring at her.

"That stuff was bleh…" Flare said, shaking her head. All three of us stared in shock. Flare was…Talking? "And you, Soren, just need to man up and tell Camicazi how you feel," She added.

"I, uh, think I've got practice…Catch you guys later," Eret began preparing to leave.

"Will you rub my belly?" Flare asked as Soren's eyes widened.

"You heard her…Rub her belly," I quickly exited the room with Eret, who went one way and I went the other. I needed to start on this dinner date meal anyway.

. . .

(5:00 pm)
(The Castle Gardens)

I completely botched the dinner. I tried several times, but without Gobber guiding me, I was helpless. I guess I didn't learn enough, or I couldn't multi-task while stressed out. When 4:30 pm him, I panicked and made something easy, but then used a spell to change the basic meal into something much more appropriate for supper. I carefully set everything up on the table and waited as Astrid arrived.

"Hey," I greeted with a smile.

"Hi," Astrid beamed as she hugged me and we kissed each other's cheeks. "This looks amazing,"

"I did my best…" I replied. "Hope it tastes okay…"

"I'm sure it'll be fine if you had Gobber teaching you," Astrid giggled. "I'm really happy we're getting a chance to spend time together without duties or anything getting in the way. I know it's been a while since we could have a peaceful date,"

"Ye-Yeah, I agree. Not easy being queen, huh?" I asked as we sat down.

"I'm sure I'll get used to it. I think it's just harder to do it alone. My parents are guiding me, but it's still mostly me…" Astrid shrugged. "And hey, I have you too,"

"Yeah, of course," I nodded to her. "Should we eat, wouldn't want it to get cold?" I suggested. Astrid nodded as we started to eat the meal. So far, Astrid was enjoying it and we just talked a bit. More about the ball again. I had used my magic to create a turkey dinner with baked potatoes and corn. We were enjoying ice water as the drink and our dragons weren't far off from the table.

"Oh, do you have napkins, babe?" Astrid asked, wiping some crumbs from her face. "Can't take me anywhere," She laughed a little.

"Yeah, I got some," I reached down to get them from my bag, but I saw her going for the basket that I used to carry everything over here. Astrid reached inside and pulled out my dad's spellbook.

"Bludvist Family Book of Shadows?" I bit my lower lip. "Your father's spellbook? What's this doing in here?" Astrid asked, surprised, and confused.