Chapter 12: Don't Start Now

Kat fiddled with the clasp of her bracelet, trying to get it to fit. Still no luck, so she dropped it back onto her vanity. It was one of her favorites too; Sigrid had brought it back from her honeymoon in Italy.

"Jess?" She called, craning her neck to see into the bathroom, where Jess, her head maid, was putting away fresh towels.

Jess turned and came out of the bathroom, curtsying slightly at the door. "Yes?"

"Would you please send this bracelet to the jeweler, the clasp is broken. And put a rush on it, it is one of my favorites." Kat gestured to the bracelet with her elbow; her hands were occupied with the earrings she was putting in.

"Of course. Peterson?" Jess asked, referring to one of the royal jewelers.

"Yes, Peterson is fine," Kat nodded.

She stood up, took one last look in the mirror, and turned to leave her room. She was meeting Claud for a late lunch in a few hours and wanted to make sure she looked her best. It had been awhile since they had had real time to themselves. The last time they had had a real date was their anniversary, which had been weeks ago. Kat had been so preoccupied with the Selection and Nils, and Claude was busy with her own life. She had college applications to submit, exams to study for, all those things Kat had once been preparing for as well. Now, with Nils being King, the Selection, and everything else going on, Kat didn't know if she would be able to do those things. She could hardly disappear in the middle of the Selection, and who knew when it would be over. Maybe it would only be a few months, but there had been Selections that had taken years. Kat hated it. Nils might be the one hosting the Selection, but it trapped her just as much as it did him.

Kat shook out her body, pushing away those thoughts. That wasn't what she needed. She had a date with Clalude, and that was all that mattered. It was a good day, a happy day. She straightened her shoulders and walked out of her room. She had a few things she needed to do before her date, and she did not want them to take longer than they absolutely had to.

"Kat!" Someone called from behind her.

She turned to see Ian coming down the hall.

"Ian."

"Ooooh nice dress! Someone got a date?" He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Kat turned on her heel; she did not need teasing.

"You look pretty nice for a day of meetings," He said, following her down the hall.

Kat stopped and looked at the ceiling, mock confused. "Hmmm, I'm trying to remember when I asked for your opinion. Oh right! I didn't."

"Ya, well, that's the beauty of being an older brother. It doesn't matter whether or not you asked, I get to give it anyway."

"Oh really? Says who?"

"Uh…God? The creator of older brothers."

"Ian," Kat said, rolling her eyes. "You are an atheist."

"So?"

"So you don't believe in God."

"That is besides the point."

"Whatever." Kat rolled her eyes again.

"Okay, but seriously." Ian stopped. He grabbed her arm, trying to get her to stop too. She sighed, but turned to look back at him.

"What?"

"Where's the date? I know it's been awhile since you and Claude had a real date."

"I don't know. We're having lunch, but, other than that, it's all Claude."

"Well, I'm sure it will be perfect."

"Ya, I hope so. I just don't want the Selection to ruin this relationship too."

"Kat, the Selection is not ruining all your relationships. Yes, it's hard on all of us, but we're still a family."

"Ya, a broken, fucked up family," Kat said, her voice raising a bit. "Sorry."

"It's fine. I know what you mean. But we're all together. We all love each other, we do. That's what matters. No matter what, you are my sister, and I will always love you."

Kat smiled. "Ya."

"Okay, I hope you have a wonderful date, but I need to find Nils. Have you seen him? He's not in his room."

Kat rolled her eyes. She was still mad at Nils. Maybe not mad exactly, just tired. Tired of putting in all the effort. She was done being mad. She had been mad. She had been furious. At this point, she was just fed up. It was an endless cycle. She tried to help, he got mad at her. She, somehow, ended up being the one forgiving him, then, a few days later, it would happen again. She was done. She had been done for a while now. She had given him a second chance. And a third. And a fourth. She was done. If he wanted to make things right, that was up to him. Kat was done. "No, I haven't seen him."

"Okay, let me know if you do."

"Ya," Kat sighed.

"Thanks," Ian said, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "Love you."

"Love you too."

...o0o...

Nils poked his head into the kitchen, hoping it wouldn't be too busy. Breakfast had been over an hour ago, so most of the footmen and kitchen maids should be done. Thankfully, he was right. The kitchen appeared to be empty. He slipped in, closing the door behind him quietly. It would be better if the kitchen stayed empty. He took a moment to look around; it had been awhile since he had been in the palace kitchens. He scanned the room for something like a basket or bag to put the food in. He spotted a basket across the room. It was a bit small, but it would do.

He grabbed the basket and lined it with a napkin. Now for the food. What kind of food does one bring on a first date picnic? Fruit? Sandwitches? Pretzels? Cookies? What if Joan was vegetarian? Or allergic to something? He mentally slapped himself for not asking her when he asked her out. How was he supposed to know what she liked? What do girls even like to eat? He briefly considered calling Kat down to help him but thought better of it. They were not exactly on speaking terms. That was a problem for another day, though. He had a date he needed to get ready for.

He reached into his back pocket, knowing who he could call. Kat would probably kill him, but he could deal with that later. He dialed the number and held his phone up to his ear.

"Nils?" The girl answered, sounding confused. "Uh, do you need something?"

"Claud, thank God. I need your help. Just, please don't tell Kat? We're not exactly on speaking terms…"

"Ya, I know."

"Of course you do," Nils sighed. "Sorry, I shouldn't have called."

"No, no, it's fine. What do you need?"

"It's just I have my first date today—"

"Ooooh, do tell!"

Nils chuckled. "Ya, I'm going on a picnic with her."

"A picnic? Really?" Claud teased.

"Okay, I do not need that. What was I supposed to do? It's not like I know her!"

"Fair point. Okay, what do you need?"

"The picnic…I don't know what to pack. What do girls like to eat?"

Claud laughed. "Nils, we're not a different species, we eat the same food."

"You know what I mean!"

"Ya, ya. You should probably bring a variety. Nothing too messy. Fruit, veggies, maybe some hummus. Bread. Cheese. Oh, and bring something sweet. Maybe some cookies? Or a crisp. A good apple or rhubarb crisp is always good."

"I don't have all day to bake, Claud."

"Right. Cookies then. There are always cookies in the kitchen."

"How do you know that?"

"I just do. Look in the cupboard under the main island."

"Thanks, Claud."

"Anytime, my dude. Okay, I've got to go. Have fun on your date!"

Nils smiled and hung up. Claud was great.

He put his phone back in his pocket and turned back to the kitchen. Fruit, veggies, hummus, bread, cheese, and cookies. And wine. Wine is always good. He found the cookies first, but everything else took a little longer.

Half an hour and about fifty rearrangements of the basket later, Nils sat back and pulled out his phone. It was 10:30; he had half an hour before he had to meet Joan. Just enough time to run back to his room and change. He took a deep breath, grabbed the basket, and slipped back out of the kitchen. He just hoped he wouldn't bump into any of his siblings on the way up to his room. Especially not Kat. He shook his head thinking about her. He had no idea what was going on between them. They argued all the time, sure, but it had been a long time since it was this bad. The last time they had gone this long without speaking was when he was still in high school. It didn't seem like it would end anytime soon, either. At least not if Kat had anything to say about it.

...o0o...

Joan looked over her outfit in the mirror again, running her hand over her skirt. She folded her arms across her chest, her fingers subconsciously tapping on her arm. Was it too formal? Not formal enough? What does one wear to a first date with the King of Illéa? Definitely not something you learn in school. She forced her arms apart, reaching up to brush her fingers through her short hair. It was black at the moment, and she actually really liked it. She had had so many colors over the years; it was a little weird to have a more natural one.

She shook her head and took one last look over herself in the mirror before turning back to her desk. She sat down at the chair and idly took a bite of a croissant. Her maids had brought up her breakfast this morning because she hadn't wanted to deal with all the questions from the other selected about her date. A date which was still an hour and a half away.

Joan looked over to her door as she heard the hall fill with chattering voices. The other girls must have been heading down for their lessons. A small part of Joan wanted to go with them. It had been so long since she had been on a date. She had never even had a real relationship, but now here she was, one of twenty five girls vying for one boy. It was so weird. And who's fault was it? No. She shouldn't go there. Not today.

Joan pushed herself up from her chair and pulled some of her hair into a bun. She grabbed her guitar from the corner of the room and sat down on her bed, tucking one leg under her. She looked down at her fingers on the fingerboard and began lightly plucking at the strings, not playing anything in particular. Her mind wondered, her fingers gently plucking out a random tune.

A couple hours later, Joan was pulled from her music by a gentil knock on her door. Nils. She had dismissed her maids for the day, so she stood up, guitar hanging on her shoulder, and walked over to get the door. She put her hand on the knob, took a deep breath, and opened it.

There was Nils, standing outside her door, holding a basket and looking a little nervous. He was dressed more casually than she had seen him before, just wearing a pair of jeans and a long sleeved t-shirt.

"Hey." He said, smiling at her.

"Hey." She answered. "So, uh, do you want to come in? Or, I guess we should go. We're not having a date in my room, right?"

Nils laughed. "Ya, not today. Thanks for the invitation though."

"Ya. Do, uh, do you mind if I bring my guitar? I assume we're going for a picnic." Joan gestured at the basket Nils was holding.

"Please! That would be great."

"Sweet."

"Right, follow me, I guess." Nils stepped aside and gestured down the hall.

Joan slung her guitar over her back and stepped out of her room They began walking down the hall in the direction of the gardens.

"So," She said, turning her head to look at Nils as they walked down the hall, "Where are we going? The gardens?"

Nils looked over at her and smiled. "Something like that."

"Something like that? I guess I'm just supposed to trust you?"

"Well, yes. This is a date, after all. What would a date be without a little bit of mystery?"

Joan smiled. "I like you, Nils."

"Glad to hear it. I wouldn't be doing my job if you didn't like me."

"Oh really?"

"That's my job isn't it? Wooing all of you. Getting you to fall for me. Love is the goal."

"Is it?" Joan looked away from Nils, back down at her feet.

"Why wouldn't it be?"

"It just seems like it's more for the drama and entertainment. Are you really supposed to find love?"

"That's the hope. Whether or not it happens…we'll just have to see."

Joan didn't answer. She didn't know how. No, this was never her idea, but she did feel bad for him. Maybe he was just about excited about this whole thing as she was.

They walked in silence for a few minutes before they came to the double glass doors that led to the gardens. The two guards, standing at attention, pulled the doors open, letting Joan and Nils out into the gardens.

It was a beautiful day, sunny and warm. There were only a few scarce clouds, tufts of white on the blue background. A light breeze wafted through the gardens, keeping it from crossing the line between warm and hot.

The gardens were beautiful as well. Joan could see them from her room, but she had not yet explored them. She ran most mornings, but she usually ran around the extensive grounds, not the garden. There were flowers everywhere, of every color and variety. There were hedges too, in a maze, just like you would imagine of a palace. Joan had never seen anything like it.

"It's beautiful." She breathed.

"Ya," Nils smiled.

Joan looked over at him and smiled too.

"Here," Nils said, extending his free hand to her. "Follow me."

Joan took his hand, following him into the gardens.

They walked through the gardens, past flowers and bushes and vines and sculptures. It was like something out of a movie. Joan never imagined things like this actually existed. It was so magical. So beautiful. She couldn't believe she was there. Nils guided her through the flowers and fountains and bushes, all of it more beautiful than anything Joan had ever imagined.

Eventually, they stopped by a slightly less groomed patch of the garden. There were tall vines climbing trellises and smaller, busier plants along the ground, many with bright red berries.

"A vegetable garden!" Joan said, looking up at Nils.

"Yes. Here, sit."

Nils guided her over to a small patch of grass and sat down, gesturing for her to do the same.

"Okay," He said, pulling the picnic basket into his lap, "Here is what we have. Grapes, kiwi, apples, carrots, celery, hummus, various cheeses, some fresh bread, and…" Nils looked back into the basket and closed his eyes, a guilty smile growing on his face. "And no silverware or dishes. But! We do have wine. No glasses for the wine though…"

Joan laughed, really laughed. "Well, I guess there is a reason they made you King. Clearly you can't be trusted to do anything on your own."

"Hey! I did my best. I've never done this before!" Nils protested, throwing a grape at her.

"Oh! Food fights? Very kingly, I must say," Joan said, picking up her own grape to throw back at him.

"Well I'm not going to be able to do it any other time. Might as well make the most of the opportunity while I have it."

"You mean they don't let you have food fights with the other kings when they visit?"

"Just eat the grapes!" Nils smiled.

Joan smiled too, picking up the grapes off the grass.

Nils pulled the bread out of the basket and ripped off a piece before handing it to Joan. She took it and ripped off a piece for herself. She let out a hum of satisfaction after her first bite. It was the best bread she had ever tasted. Slightly sour, probably sourdough. Crisp and crunchy on the outside, but soft and warm on the inside. It was heavenly.

"Okay, you need to let me stay here forever. Not even as your One, just a friend. You can't give me food this good and expect me to be able to leave."

Nils laughed again. "It is good, isn't it?"

"Good doesn't begin to cover it. I feel like I'm in France." Joan lay back on the grass, running her hand along the prickly ends. The sky was so clear, such a perfect blue. It seemed as though nothing could ever muddle it. How could a single storm cloud cross such a perfect sky?

"So," Nils said, propping himself up on his elbow. "The guitar. Are you going to play something for me?"

"I suppose. Do you know The Beatles?" Joan sat up on the grass and reached for her guitar.

"Um, obviously. Who doesn't know The Beatles?"

Joan smiled, pulling on her guitar strap. "You never know. People are crazy these days."

She took a moment to tune the guitar before looking up at the sky and starting to play. She plucked out the melody for a moment before looking back down at Nils.

"Words are flowing out

Like endless rain into a paper cup"

Nils smiled, clearly he knew the song. Joan smiled back before looking down at the fingerboard.

"They slither while they pass

They slip away across the universe

Pools of sorrow, waves of joy

Are drifting through my opened mind

Possessing and caressing me"

After an hour of talking, eating, Joan singing beautifully, and Nils singing terribly, the pair found themselves lying on the grass. They weren't talking, just lying on the grass, watching the occasional cloud cross the sky, and enjoying each other's presence.

Nils shuffled on the grass, causing Joan to look over at him. He stood up and extended a hand to her.

"Come on," He said, "It's getting late, and there is something I want to show you."

Joan stood up and took his hand, but before she followed him, she looked back down at her guitar.

"You can leave it here. We'll come back this way."

"Okay."

Nils led her further into the gardens, through one of the mazes. When they came out, they were standing in front of a large, almost entirely glass building. It took Joan's breath away.

Nils slimed, and pulled her forward. There were no guards at the doors, so Nils opened them, stepping aside to let Joan in first.

The building was calm and seerene. There must have been a fountain somewhere, because the soft sound of moving water came from somewhere further into the room.. There were a few birds too, perched in the tall trees that lined the walls.

"Nils…" She breathed, "It's beautiful."

"I know," He said, coming to stand behind her. "It is one of my favorite spots. You are welcome to come here any time. To play or read or anything else."

"Really?"

"Of course."

The two walked through the greenhouse, which held much more exotic and tropical flowers than the rest of the garden. It was relaxing, listening to the sounds of water and the birds. They would stop every once in a while and look more closely at a flower. Nils even plucked a few to give to her.

After quite a while in the greenhouse, Joan and Nils made their way back to the palace. They stopped where they had eaten lunch to pick up the picnic basket and Joan's guitar. It had been a beautiful day, more fun than either of them had expected.

"Joan?" Nils said when they got back to her room.

"Yes?" She turned to face him.

"Thank you for today. I had a lot of fun. It was the best first date I ever could have imagined."

"I had fun too," Joan said, smiling.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Right, see you tomorrow." Joan slipped into her room. She gave Nils a little wave before closing the door, and turning to flop on her bed. She was smiling uncontrollably, giddy in a way she had not been in years. She knew it was bad. She knew the odds of her even getting a second date were next to nothing. Still, as she lay there on the bed, thinking about all the wonderful conversations they had had, she couldn't help but feel the butterflies.

Another chapter! This is my last real week of classes, so I should have a lot more time to write soon!