Tilly and a Knightly Beau

Summary: Six months after offering to help her baby brother raise her niece and nephew post the untimely death of Queen Lorelei, Duchess Matilda meets a love of her own in an unexpected place—a kingdom jubilee. *Written for Sweethearts Day prompt four: AU.

Tilly scarified everything. To control her own life and to play by her own rules all for her baby brother after the untimely death of his wife hours after the birth of her niece and nephew.

But the sacrifice had its perks as Amber and James were looking up to her as a mother figure and Roland allowed her to travel every once in a while.

Sometimes for weeks or months at a time.

Still she didn't mind the royal jubilee he was hosting as it gave her opportunities to learn new kingdoms or in the case of the kingdom of Oxford, reconnect with old friends.

"Ingrid! Glad you could make it!" Tilly greeted her childhood pen pal, smiling warmly at the bundle of joy in her arms. "Is this little Céline? I hadn't seen her since the twins' debut bal!"

"Thank you Tilly," Ingrid smiled. "It's a pleasure to see you again as well for I'm sure the twins keep you busy with you helping Roland care for them…" She frowned, hearing her daughter start to fuss as she rocked her in the hopes it'd calm her down. "I know, baby I know. You're cranky from that new tooth coming in."

"Pardon me ladies, I couldn't help but overhear. I believe I have something to help Princess Céline with her teething."

Tilly recalled the voice from a knighting ceremony she co hosted with Roland three months prior.

What was his name again? Oh yes Sir Bartleby.

The knight in shining armor rarely spoke when it came to the public eye but seemed to be fond of children as Tilly recalled the times he'd play with Amber and James whenever she brought them along on her mid afternoon strolls.

"Thank you Sir Bartleby. Any help that you can bring will surely be appreciated," Ingrid smiled.

Bartleby nodded before turning to Tilly and smiled warmly. "It seems we can't stop meeting each other unless it involves the children can't we Miss Tilly?"

As he took Céline from her arms, the queen of Oxford arched an eyebrow.

"The nerve of that man being informal! How could he possibly know who you are, Tilly?" Ingrid frowned.

Tilly laughed wholeheartedly. "It's okay Ingrid. Sir Bartleby and I are good friends."

"Is that so? Hard to tell by the blush creeping on your face."

Tilly hadn't even noticed she was blushing as she watched Bartleby give Céline something soft to chew on.

"There you go princess. Back to your mommy," Bartleby smiled, handing Céline back to Ingrid and bowed. "I'm sorry the washcloth's a bit informal Queen Ingrid but it's what I had on me at the moment."

Ingrid laughed and shook her head. "It's fine Sir Bartleby. It's helping Céline with her tooth so no harm done though I must ask you are you seeing anyone at the moment?"

"N-Not at the moment per say Y-Your M-Majesty. Why? Do you have anyone in particular?"

"Why yes I do. In fact, she's with us right now."

"Miss Tilly?" Bartleby smiled. "We're just friends. Have been for the last couple of months."

"Anyone who says they're just friends always end up being something more like my husband Hubert and I," Ingrid smiled. She stood up, giving the knight and duchess playful smirks. "Now if you excuse me, I'll be enjoying what I can of the jubilee celebration before it ends this evening."

As she left, Bartleby took off his helmet and smiled warmly at Tilly who smiled back, clearing her throat.

"This wasn't how I was expecting to spend the jubilee my baby brother worked so hard on," she admitted.

"How were you expecting to spend it Miss Tilly?" Bartleby wondered.

"Dealing with kings, queens, dukes, and duchesses from all over the Ever Realm instead of being with the twins."

"Oh? Are Princess Amber and Prince James not feeling well?"

"The future queen of Enchancia and her brother are fine Sir Bartleby," Tilly assured. "Roland just wants to wait until they're a little older before they can come to a party without being asleep for most of the celebration."

Bartleby nodded in understanding as babies didn't mix in too well when it came to parties of any kind. "He doesn't show around the knights but we can tell that what happened with Queen Lorelei still hurts him some days."

"I can confirm that to be true because it still hurts him sometimes. I thought losing Father was hard but I couldn't imagine losing my spouse like he did."

"I'm sure King Roland's glad to have you around as their mother figure."

"He is," Tilly smiled softly. She could hear Baileywick calling for her before squeezing Bartleby's hand, her face completely crimson. "Sir Bartleby, if you don't have any plans after the jubilee concludes this evening, do you want to take a stroll around the castle gardens?"

Bartleby bowed before she let go of his hand, allowing him to put back on his helmet. "I'd love to Miss Tilly."

As they parted ways, Tilly couldn't help but smile blissfully. If she was lucky enough, Bartleby could be Amber and James' uncle in a couple months if everything worked out.

She would just have to see if the stroll would be successful first then take the relationship from there just like she did with helping Roland raise the twins.

One day at a time.