Guys I am reeeeeaaaaaaaaaaally really sorry for the super late update ;A; I know that you guys are sick of the usual "mental block" and "author's block" shit but it really is true. I can't- I- words- uuuughhhhhh. I can't transfer my thoughts to words. When I write, only the dialogue is coming out. The details are just... *poof!* And I must warn you about the OOC-ness and the lame-ass drama.

Well, I promise to submit the third chapter as soon as possible. I am currently working on it.

Upon hearing the news of the visit of James fiancé arriving in a few days, the palace's dining hall had a thick tension surrounding them. James kept his gaze down, feeling upset about the fact that his very own father hasn't consulted him about heavy matters such as arranged marriages. A few minutes later after the announcement of the news, he abruptly stood up and excused himself.

"I'll be in my room if you need me." He muttered as he walked out of the dining hall. Sofia's poignant gaze followed James as he left the hall. She wanted to follow him so badly, but she decided that she can't. She has to lie-low at the moment, she thought.

As breakfast went on, King Roland immediately changed the topic, in an attempt to erase the intense aura in the room. They quickly went on, as if forgetting what just happened moments ago.

Sofia walked along the palace's corridors heading to James' room. With her head casted down, she couldn't help but think about the situation she is in.

'Maybe it's better if James married his fiancé. The kingdom probably wouldn't approve of our relationship.' She thought glumly to herself. After taking a left, she reached James' room. She stopped in front of the door, having second thoughts on knocking. She heaved a deep breath and gently knocked on the door, feeling a bit uneasy. She heard footsteps slowly walking towards the door, and then James' soothing voice answered.

"Who is it?"

Sofia gulped before she replied.

"It's... me, James." She quietly said.

Hastily, the door clicked open.

"Sofia." He said, feeling a gust of relief. Sofia gave him a warm smile, making James bluish a bit. But despite the smile she showed him, he knows that there was a hint of sadness in it. It's obvious in her eyes, he thought. He let her in by taking hold of her hand, pulling her gently inside his room. He led her to a couch as they both sat down, keeping a small distance in between them, both had their gazes down which made the air around them tense and awkward.

"Dad never really told me about the whole 'arranged marriage' thing." James said, breaking the silence between them. On the other hand, Sofia kept her gaze down.

"Is falling in love really this painful?" Sofia replied, all of a sudden. James was quite surprised to what she just said. He transferred his gaze from the floor to Sofia, as if waiting for her to continue talking.

"From the moment I realized that I really was in love with you, I considered the consequences." She continued, her voice cracking a bit. James bit his lip, as he noticed that she was about to cry. And for him, he hates seeing Sofia cry. With her gaze kept down, she tightened her fists, which were clenched in the sides of her dress.

"But... does it have to be this... painful?" she muttered as tears slowly dripped from her eyes. On impulse, James placed an arm around her shoulders and pulled her for a tight hug. Sofia blushed, taken completely by surprise. She realized that somehow, she felt secure and calmer so she relaxed herself in his tight embrace. She rested her head on his shoulders, her hands tightly clutched on his chest.

"I don't know how Sofia but I promise I'll make things work." He said. Though he said it quietly, his voice was full of determination. As he said those words, he tightened his hold on her, not wanting to let her go.

Sofia stood outside the castle's backyard, where they keep their derby-horses. She was patiently waiting for James who had promised to take her out and go sightseeing. According to him, they should have at least a date before his fiancé arrives. As she was glancing around the field, James called out to her while riding his horse. He was grinning as he led his horse towards Sofia. He extended a hand towards her which she eagerly took and then he pulled her up to ride behind him.

"What's our first stop?" Sofia asked with a sheepish smile on her face.

"The village. I heard that there's a festival going on there." He replied as he started to fly his horse, catching Sofia in surprise and making her hold on to him as tightly as she can. James smiled to himself as he felt her arms immediately wrap around his waist the moment they're up in the sky.

Sofia extended one hand to touch the clouds, with a wide grin plastered in her face. She giggled as she felt the clouds pass through her arm. James, on the other hand, mustered a mischievous smile as he placed both his hands up in the air while laughing. This caught his step-sister in surprise, as the horse suddenly flew down. She hugged James from behind on impulse with her eyes shut close. She didn't even bother shrieking.

James chuckled as he manoeuvred the horse and kept them up in the sky. He turned his head to check on Sofia, who was tightly clutching onto him with eyes closed. He placed a hand on her cheek and gently caressed it with his thumb. Sofia stared up at him and crossed her eyebrows.

"You and your childish pranks, James." She muttered with a small pout. James laughed once more and pinched her cheek playfully.

"But you had fun. Admit it."

Sofia tried to frown but with James staring at her like that, she couldn't help but grin at him.

"Fine, fine. I had fun." She replied, pinching his cheek as well. James gave out another chuckle as he leaned close to her, his thumb slightly grazing her lower lip. She instantly closed her eyes, waiting for his lips to clash with hers. But before that could happen, the horse abruptly flew down once more, interrupting the two from their little moment. James hurriedly manoeuvred the horse and kept their balance. He sighed in relief and kept both his hands on the horse.

"The next time we kiss, let's do it on the ground and not on a horse flying up in the sky, huh?" he said with a sheepish smile.

Upon reaching the village, James landed the horse softly on the ground, making a soft "thud" noise. He first jumped down his horse, and then offered a hand towards Sofia. She took it, and then James gently pulled her towards him. She let out a small gasp as she almost lost her balance but James caught her smoothly, his arms wrapping around her securely.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. Thanks." She replied as she straightened herself up and dusted her dress.

James led the horse to a stable that he could rent. They eventually found one and the owner of the stable was almost beaming with joy.

"It's such an honour to be able to be of your service, your Highness." The old man said. James mustered a smiled as he patted his horse.

"The pleasure is mine, sir." He replied. The old man returned the smile as he spoke.

"You better run along now, Prince James. The festival is about to start soon. You wouldn't want to keep your pretty lover waiting."

Upon hearing this, both Sofia and James blushed deeply.

"Thank you again, sir-" Sofia said with a small smile but was interrupted as the old man spoke.

"Oh, my deepest apologies! I thought she was your lover, Your Highness. I guess I mistook Princess Sofia." The old man quickly said as he adjusted his glasses to make sure he really was seeing the princess. Sofia somehow frowned. She realized that not everyone in their kingdom would really see her as James' lover.

The two went on with the festival like two normal couples. James would play some festival games to win Sofia a prize. They also rode some carnival rides. Sofia even danced with some of the children of the village. Despite all the fun they had, they had to maintain a low-profile, so that no one would suspect anything about them.

As the day was about to end, James decided to end their date walking near the beach. Since the sun was about to set, it was a perfect moment to end their day.

"Sometimes, you're really just cheesy, James." Sofia commented as she savoured the feeling of her feet in the sand. James sheepishly smiled, as he placed his hands on his pockets.

"Yeah? I think all the great princes are." He replied. Sofia giggled and looked at the horizon in front of them. Unconsciously, she heaved a deep sigh, making James glance at her with a tinge of worry on his eyes.

"Are you okay, Sofia?" James asked. She turned her attention abruptly to the blonde with a shade of crimson all over her cheeks. She shook her head, and then smile gently at the prince.

"Yes, I am." She replied. He looked at her uncertainly and then shook off his thoughts as they continued walking until they decided to go home. Sofia wore her shoes while James went ahead to get his horse. While waiting for him at the beach, she let out another sigh. The words of the old man that owned the stable rang inside her head, as if it was a throbbing headache. Sofia bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears.

"Crying won't do anything." She muttered. "I should get a hold of myself."

"Talking to yourself?" James said as he landed his horse down on the beach. Sofia smiled at him, as if nothing was plaguing her.

"I was just feeling happy on how this day went." She said. James gave her a wry smile as he jumped off his horse and lent a hand in front of Sofia. She smiled back, and took his hand. He assisted her to ride on his horse, and then he rode on it as well.

"Let's go, boy." He said, making his horse fly up. Sofia wrapped her arms around James' torso to avoid falling off. She gently leaned her head on his back and then tightened her embrace around him. James frowned a bit upon feeling the warmth of her hug from behind. He transferred his stare to the sunset on his left as his horse continued flying.

Upon reaching their castle, James and Sofia entered their home together, only to be greeted by a furious Amber. The blond princess had both her hands on her waist, though she's holding her fan on her right hand. James bit his lip, mentally preparing himself for his twin's scolding. On the other hand, Sofia had her gaze down.

"Where have you been, James?! Mom was looking all over for you!" she yelled at her poor twin. James scratched his head awkwardly as he replied.

"Out." He meekly replied.

"With Sofia?" Amber asked, in a much softer tone of voice. He could only nod in reply. Sofia raised her head to say something but her step-sister beat her to it.

"Mother said that you were supposed to come with her to our tailor today but we couldn't find you anywhere. You'll have to come tomorrow though." She said. James nodded nonchalantly as he entered the castle.

"The tailor will be here at four in the afternoon." She added.

"Okay." He replied as he continued walking up the stairs.

Sofia could only stare at the prince as he lazily walked up the stairs, heading to his room.

I admit, this chapter is so rushed, I beat Vin Diesel to the finish line. So... it may not seem... great. Sorry.