"You're kingdom has such a lovely garden, Marie." Edd stated in a voice of awe. Marie wasn't surprised.
"Eh, thanks I guess. May really likes flowers so the servants do their best." Marie shrugged, taking a step forward.
The night's sky was bright with twinkling stars. The moon shone brightly, allowing them to walk without the need of a lantern. The garden was deserted, guests not being allowed out there. The music from inside was muffled but still audible. The sound of crickets and other wildlife were clear however, allowing Marie to take her first free breath of the night.
Edd watched Marie as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, a relaxed smile on her face. Although he's known this woman for such a small period of time, he got a feeling that this was her true self. As a royal himself, he understood the need to place a fake smile on his face to please others.
Marie opened her eyes when she felt something touch her arm. She brought her arm up to her face to inspect, finding a firefly crawling up her arm. She wasn't scared of bugs, so instead she just watched it in silence.
Edd was shocked to see Marie so calm, considering most women he knew ran in the other direction at the sight of a bug. A few more fireflies were surrounding them, their yellow light flickering leisurely.
"Wouldn't it be nice to be a firefly? Be as free as they are?" She asked. Edd blinked.
"I suppose so. A firefly lives up to two months though, so I'm not quite sure I'd want to be them but the freedom must be lovely."
Marie smiled at his technical talk. 'He wasn't kidding when he said he was into science.' She thought.
"I'd rather live an amazing two months than a boring 50 years." By this point, the bug had flown off, allowing Marie to turn around to face Edd.
Edd looked speechless so Marie continued.
"There's so much fun things I want to do but yet I'm stuck here."
To emphasize her point, she took off her heels and chucked them into a nearby bush. She proceeded to hop up onto a bench and walk it like it was a plank off of a pirate ship.
Edd gasped at the rebellious display. "Perhaps you should get down from there before someone-"
Marie hopped off of the bench, rolling her eyes at the boy. "You really should lighten up, Edd. Dontcha want to be crazy and free? I mean, you could say fuck it all and be a scientist! You could run from here and never look back like my sister! Wouldn't that be more fun?"
Edd's face was hilarious, looking shocked and terrified at once. Marie almost laughed at him.
"T-that language! Your mother would be furious!" Marie responded in the only way she could which was to blow a raspberry at him, which imitated the sound of a fart.
She knew it was very childish, but if Edd was going to be stuck with her he should learn as soon as possible what she was really like. She was aware she looked like a pretty perfect princess in her dresses, but that wasn't her.
"I really don't care what that witch thinks of me." Marie said.
"But your mother seems so lovely." Edd was confused, but seemingly shrugged off her childish display.
"Yeah that's what she wants you to think. She's always bossing me around and telling me how to act. I ain't no princess character regardless of my royal status." Marie took this opportunity to sit on the bench.
Edd smiled at her. "I got that vibe off of you. I think it's really admirable that you're different from other women."
Marie felt a blush on her cheeks at Edd's words. He seemed too good to be true. Just to see how he'd react she took the clip out of her hair that held back her bangs and shook her hair to loosen the curls placed there earlier.
She felt her bangs falling back into place covering one eye.
Edd still looked relaxed.
Marie smiled and turned to look at the moon. Both of them sat in silence enjoying the calm of the night. They sat that way only for a few moments before the gardens doors opened and a guard came out. Marie crossed her arms in frustration.
"The party is official ending your majesties. The queens have requested you both back inside." The guard bowed.
"Shall we then?" Edd asked as his hand reached out to Marie. She was less hesitant than before about grabbing his hand. As soon as he lifted her back up she let go of his hand. Although she felt at ease around Edd so far, she didn't want to encourage her mothers idea of their engagement by her seeing them hold hands.
The guard led them both to the ball room where both of their mothers stood around talking. The room was nearly empty, only a few servants remaining to clean up the mess.
Marie's mother turned to face them, a smile on her face.
"I see you two have been getting acquainted." Marie could almost gag at her sugary sweet voice.
Edd approached her mother and bowed. "Yes. You have a very lovely daughter my queen." Marie's mother smiled in surprise while Marie rolled her eyes.
"Thank you, Eddward. Anyways, thank you both for coming. My guards will lead you to your rooms for the night."
Kathleen and Edd bowed at being dismissed and walked away with a few guards.
"Wait, they're staying here?" Marie asked.
"Well of course. They'll be our guests for the week, so behave. Me and Kathleen have some things to discuss before all of you departure."
"So I'm leaving with them?"
"You're going to be their kingdoms queen, so of course. What happened to your hair?"
Her mother changed the subject like she didn't just drop a bomb on her daughter. Marie knew she'd be leaving with them at some point, but to hear it mentioned so casually by her mother was a bit upsetting.
"It doesn't matter." Marie muttered, turning around to go to her room.
She heard her mother sigh. She gave up on fighting for once, something Marie was happy about.
She went back to her room, ecstatic to get her itchy dress off.
"Marie!" She felt someone wrap their arms tightly around her and squeeze.
"May! Get off of me!" She heard her sister laugh goofily before letting go. May was in her night clothes consisting of a silk nightgown. Her long blonde hair was in two tight braids.
Marie rolled her eyes and went into her room, her sister trailing behind. Marie rang a bell in her room that signified for her servant to come.
"How was hanging out with Eddward?" She asked, flopping backwards onto Marie's bed.
May was one who loved sharing secrets and feelings at all given times. Marie didn't mind that much, since if May didn't check up on her no one would.
"Alright, I guess."
Marie's personal servant slipped into the room, pulling nightclothes out of a drawer.
"What's he like? Was he kind?"
Marie contemplated for a moment. "Yeah he was. But he's also really uptight."
"Ohh a goody two shoes? Well at least he'll treat you right then! Because that's following the rules!"
Marie nearly snorted.
"We just met. For all we know he's scary at home. Bet he's just tryna butter us up." Marie lifted her arms so that her servant could take her dress off. She sighed in relief as the itchy material left her body.
May gasped. "I hope not!"
"Only time will tell. They'll be here for the week, so let's keep our eyes peeled." Her servant bowed out of the room as soon as she was done dressing Marie.
Marie went to the bed and flopped on top of May. "Hey!" May cried.
Marie giggled. "That's what you get for earlier!" She sneered.
May nearly shoved Marie off the bed.
The next morning Marie awoke without May next to her. 'She must of got up early for lessons.'
Marie quickly dressed into her street clothes without ringing for her servant. She usually only did that anyways to put her mother at ease. "Royals shouldn't have to lift a finger. That's what servants are for." She would drill into her daughters heads.
This morning though, she wanted to fully take advantage of the other royals being in their home. Maybe if she embarrassed her mother enough, they would want someone else marrying their innocent Edd.
She put on leather pants with high waisted boots and a loose top. She thought she looked pretty good. For added measure she ran her hands through her hair to give it that signature wild look. She practically skipped out of the room with determination. She noticed no one was in the dining room, which meant it must've been warm enough to dine outside. She heard voices as she rounded the corner to the door that led outside.
She stepped outside to feel the warm sun on her skin. May was in the field with her violin tutor. She turned to see her mother, Edd and Kathleen dining at the table. Her mothers jaw was nearly on the floor. Marie had to resist the urge to cackle.
"Morning!" Marie greeted with a wave.
"I deeply apologize for my daught-" Her mother scrambled for words.
"No no! It's quite alright! It's an.. interesting fashion choice." Kathleen said calmly.
Marie was surprised at the queens words. Her own mother seemed to lose them as well. Marie took that as a sign to sit down. Edd was sat opposite of her, with her mother next to her and Kathleen diagonal of her.
A servant poured Marie a cup of coffee. Marie eagerly drank it up.
"No tea?" Kathleen asked in puzzlement.
"No, I'm not a tea person." Marie replied.
The table was silent for a moment until Marie's mother picked up a conversation about their kingdoms. It was all very boring to Marie.
She ate breakfast in silence and stared at the sky afterward. She thought there would be a bigger outrage at her outfit. Boo.
"What are you looking at?" Edd asked, snapping Marie out of her stupor.
"What's it to ya?" She rebutted with a sneer. Edd flushed and seemed to retreat back to his plate.
She giggled and his head snapped up at the noise. "I'm just messing with ya. The clouds."
He sighed deeply. "I should get used to that with you, shouldn't I?" He asked.
"It'll save you a few heart attacks in the future." She stuck her tongue out at him playfully. He chuckled. His breathy laugh gave Marie a few butterflies. She almost blushed.
"Perhaps we can view them together from elsewhere?" Edd asked with an awkward smile. It seemed he was unsure of himself most of the time. Marie really wanted to be like May who would've coddled Edd in this situation. However, that wasn't how Marie rolled.
"Are you suggesting something, Eddward?" She asked in a flirty tone. Instead of his face lighting up in red like she hoped, he cocked his head to the side.
"That we view the clouds together? I'm sure that's what I suggested. I only wish to get to know you more. Plus, I also enjoy watching the clouds."
Marie giggled. His innocence was a breath of fresh air in comparison to the cocky men she was used to. She sincerely hoped this was his true nature and wasn't putting on a show to gain her hand.
"Sure. I know a spot." Marie got up and waved at Edd to follow her. Their parents didn't even notice their absence.
Marie led Edd to a tower near the servants quarters. A few of her people watched in amusement as she grabbed Edd's hand and brought him inside. They knew of Marie's mischievous tendencies and were excited to watch as she corrupted the poor boy.
They had to go up a long circular staircase to get to the top. Marie practically bounced up the steps. When she reached the door that led outside she noticed Edd was almost crawling up the stairs sweating.
"You alright?" She asked in a teasing tone. Edd took a moment to catch his breath. "Not really.. I'm not used to such exercise."
She opened the door. They were at the roof of the tower where there was a silk blanket on the ground held down by a rock at each corner.
"This tower used to be a watch post, but when the threat of our kingdom getting invaded left this tower was abandoned. Now I mainly use it for the view." She explained. She eagerly plopped down onto the blanket and sighed as the sun warmed her skin.
Edd carefully sat down next to her, making sure to leave a comfortable amount of space. She appreciated the fact that he respected her boundaries. Not many men were like that.
"You can lie down, silly. I won't bite. At least not yet." She joked with a wink. She was rewarded with his red face as he lied down to avoid her gaze.
"So, you like the clouds too huh?" She asked. Edd seemed like the type that struggled to start a proper conversation. Although Marie was more introverted, she had no trouble speaking her mind.
"Ah yes, I do. Although I admit, stargazing is my preference."
"I've never been stargazing before." Marie commented. Edd looked at her with puzzlement.
"You come up here often, but you haven't tried stargazing?" He asked.
Marie smiled. "Nope. It's usually during the day when I need an escape. At night my sister doesn't have many duties so we usually hangout together."
"About sisters.. I heard you had another one." Marie tensed up. She knew this conversation would eventually unfold, but didn't think it would be now.
She contemplated for a moment on what to say. She was so tempted to give him a snarky remark that would make him regret bringing the subject up. However, from the short time she's known this boy it seems like he never says anything to upset someone on purpose.
Each time he's said something that didn't agree with Marie he immediately apologized for it. Although she was weary of his intentions, all of his current behaviors suggested he was just curious.
The more Marie thought about it, the less risk there was of just telling him the truth. Most people knew Lee ran away and had speculations on why she did so. Edd likely knew a little bit about it, but there would be no harm in satiating his curiosity. It's not like he can use that information against her since most people in her kingdom already knew it.
"If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to." Edd snapped Marie out of her thoughts. She just realized she was quiet for awhile.
"No it's okay. Yeah, I did have another sister. Lee was the oldest of us. 2 years ago when she was arranged to marry some far off prince, she ran in the middle of the night. Haven't seen her since."
She repeated the information like a record. The words came out without barely a thought. She was focused on the blue sky above her, with clouds as fluffy as cotton. One looked almost like a horse.
"What was Lee like?"
The question took her off guard. "What?" No one really cared who Lee really was. They just cared that she was a royal princess that left her kingdom behind without a thought.
"If it's not something you want to share, you aren't obligated to. I was just wondering. I can tell that you and May are very close so I wondered how Lee fit into your sisterhood."
She smiled with cheeks warm.
"Lee was our second mom. She always looked out for us and made sure we never got into serious trouble. She was the one who gave us advice and never judged us. Not to say she was perfect. She constantly fought my mother on everything. When our mom would hurt our feelings, Lee was always there to comfort us. She was a strong willed woman."
"She sounds like an amazing sister. You're exceptionally lucky to have wonderful sisters."
It felt nice to get that off her chest. No one has ever asked about Lee in such a way which left Marie feeling calm and happy. She was done talking about her life though.
"Why were you so curious?" She asked. She rolled over onto her side to face Edd, her arm cushioning her head. He was still on his back but his eyes met hers for a moment.
"I never had siblings. I suppose I wondered what it was like." Edd stated.
Marie blinked. It was weird to imagine a life without her sisters. Growing up she had them as close friends considering anyone else in their kingdom weren't high enough in status to let her mother be friends with them. She couldn't imagine living a life that lonely.
"That sounds awful. My sisters kept me from going insane in this place, I can't imagine being alone."
Edd smiled at this. "I wasn't alone though, thank the heavens. I acquired two best friends when I was a child. I practically grew up with them. In a way I guess they're my brothers."
Marie was intrigued. She was never allowed to have friends unless they were royals. All the royals she ever met were boring and stuck up. The servants were fun to talk to, but her mother boiled with rage at the sight of two different social classes mingling.
"What are they like?" She asked. She wanted to know what friendship was like.
Before Edd could properly respond, the towers door creaked open.
"Sorry to disturb you both. Queen Kathleen and Queen Anna-Rose require each of their children to report to them."
Marie rolled her eyes. "Well my prince, duty calls." She blew a dramatic kiss at him.
She reveled in the way his cheeks dusted with red. She turned and ran down the stairs.