Disclaimer: Don't own and never will

AN: Written for Rare Pair February.

Rose looked nervously at the crowds standing beyond the curtains. A sea of faces who didn't know her and she gulped. This was perhaps the most terrifying thing she had ever seen and she was a Parisian! She had seen supervillians and monsters and all kinds of crazy things, but for some reason this was what scared her.

Ali put his hand in hers and gave it a reassuring squeeze. She gave him a nervous smile. He would be there and with him at her side, she was sure that it would be fine. Or at least, not a complete disaster. And...well his people loved him and his family. It wouldn't be that hard for them if she managed to make a fool of herself, would it?

She gave herself a mental shake. She was sounding like her old friend Marinette. Juleka always said that Rose was sweet. It was going to be fine.

The curtains were opened and Rose and Ali stepped out onto the balcony. The crowd began to cheer, a deafening roar of thousands and Rose felt her mouth go dry. This was actually very scary. So many people watching her every move. So many people willing to judge and that was before she included the cameras that were going off nearby and the film crews filming and countless others.

"People of Achu, I have an announcement to make," Prince Ali's father said and the crowd roared. He waited for the noise to die down and continued. "My son, who has already shown the world his generosity and kindness has found true love!"

Ali gave her hand another reassuring squeeze. She knew that he didn't enjoy the praise, that he felt it was kind of empty, but it was part of his duties to accept it without saying a word. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze and he gave her a smile. They turned their attention back to his father as the crowd calmed down once more.

"It is my great pleasure to announce the engagement of my son to an ordinary French girl." Rose suppressed a wince as he said that. Prince Ali was supposed to marry a noble girl from the right background, not some ordinary, normal girl like Rose. It was like something from a fairytale, like one of her stories. But none of those stories really explained what happened after their happily ever after. It just...happened. "A girl he has met on his travels, in her very home city of Paris no less!" He waved his arm towards Rose and gestured for her to step forward.

For a moment, time seemed to slow down. Rose stepped forward and she licked her lips. She could see the crowd waving at her. Ali stepped forward.

"People of Achu, may I introduce my fiance Rose Lavillant!" he said and he raised Rose's hand, before lowering it. The crowd cheered and Rose swallowed. It was so much. She looked over at Ali, who gave her an encouraging smile and nod. She began to speak.

"People of Achu, I thank you for your warm welcome," she said, gazing out at them with a smile. "I am, but an ordinary Parisian. I am no princess or lady, but an ordinary person like you." She paused. "As a child, I used to dream about being a princess but I never imagined that I would actually meet a genuine prince." She looked over at Ali, an expression of pure love on her face, before turning her face back to the crowd. "But I did and he was as every bit as amazing as the princes in fairytales. Better because he was real." She paused once more. "I do not know if I am worthy to be your princess. Fairytales never go beyond their happily ever after, but I will do my best, because you all deserve nothing less than the best."

The crowd went wild and Rose allowed herself a smile.