Chapter 11

Rui stroked the picture she was holding of herself and of the Prince; he was standing behind her – his arms around her waist, and she was leaning into him, her eyes sparkling with joy. Do you really wanna give all that up? a voice asked in her head. Rui bit her lip. She knew she was being stubborn about the whole marriage situation, but she couldn't help it; she knew she was right. A Prince can't just marry some random peasant! No matter how much I wish it was actually possible, it isn't. He will be considered a load of crap if he marries me – a plain old peasant.

Rui stroked the Prince's face in the picture, a tear sliding down her cheek.

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Lu Ten's POV

How dare she?? How dare she spit on my love like that?? How can she think that I would allow myself to act so lowly? How could she expect me to just ignore my love and torture the both of us for the rest of our lives??? AGHH that girl gets me so mad sometimes!!!

I shot some fire at a nearby tree from my fist, helping to release my fury a bit, but not by much. I was about to light the rest of the tree on fire when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I brought down my hand to my side and let my shoulders slump in defeat.

"You shouldn't have said all of those things to her, you know." My father turned me around to face him. I looked down in shame, sighing.

"I know," I sighed.

"She's very hurt, you know. Flattered, I imagine, but hurt all the same." My father paused before changing his mind. "Actually, I believe she's more confused then hurt. I think your words have made her doubt everything she knows." When I just looked at my father strangely, he explained. I think my father tends to forget that I'm only 18 and I don't have the same wisdom, intelligence, and experience that he has. "Until now, she has been taught that there are boundaries between the Royals – that's us – and everyone else – that includes her, as well as her father. That's why, despite the fact that her father and I were very good friends, he always addressed me as Your Highness, Your Majesty, General, or Prince, even until he died. You see, she has grown up with that – so don't you think that it will be kind of hard to forget what she has been taught all her life? And you're also forgetting that she believes that everyone who gets close to her ends up dead, which is one of the major things that you have to change in her. Only then will she be able to be with you peacefully. You can't just yell at her like you did just now – she'll only drift away more. You've worked so hard to get her, Lu Ten, don't let her slip out of your hands so easily."

I looked at his father for a whole minute before breaking out into a smile. I beamed at my father.

"Thanks so much Dad, I'll go and speak to her now. She needs to know that I'm not putting pressure or anything onto her. I'll wait for her, even if I have to wait for the rest of my life." I smiled in fond memory of the girl I love so much – and my father smiled at the love-struck expression on my face.

I left my father and ran straight to her house, where I knew she would be. She always curls up on her bed with her pillows and blanket when she is upset. I didn't even bother knocking; I kicked down the door with my powerful, muscular legs and ran straight to her room. I stopped in her doorway, once again awestruck by her natural beauty. She didn't even have to try to be beautiful! It just comes naturally to her….

I walked over to her sleeping form and brushed away the loose strands of hair from her face. She stirred, but didn't awaken. I knelt down beside her bed, stroking back her hair from her forehead, gently, as not to wake her. That's when I saw and recognized the picture which was cuddled to her chest. I gently removed her hands from the picture and pulled it slowly away from her. I stared at the painting, remembering all too well the day it was painted….

"Your Majesty! I don't want to have my picture painted! Least of all with you!" Rui teased. She laughed and I joined in.

"Well… I guess… that's too bad for you then!" I heard her gasp in surprise as I swept her off her feet and into my arms instead. After she got over the initial shock of being carried in my arms, she giggled.

"Why Your Majesty! You are quite the charmer!" She batted her eyelashes shamelessly, putting her arms around my neck, and, if it were even possible, my grin grew even wider. I faked disappointment.

"After all these months… you just noticed I was charming? Oh my! What ever am I going to do with you, Ms. Xiao? I guess… I'm just going to have to order you to have your picture painted with me," I joked. Rui sighed dramatically.

"And I suppose, being the loyal peasant I am… I shall have to obey you," she said to me in mock disappointment, her eyes twinkling.

She finally let me stand behind her, my arm around her shoulders as the painter began. Suddes nly… I changed my mind.

"No! Wait! Stop!" I cried. Rui looked at me, worried, like she had done something wrong… or that I had finally realized that I didn't want to waste my time with her or some rubbish like that. She always manages to come up with this stuff – and I have no idea how! It's kind of annoying actually… but it's also very cute. She looks so adorable when she's insecure; her eyes begin this kind of automatic pouting thing which is just the most adorable expression I have ever seen! And she chews on her bottom lip nervously. She also begins to wring her hands together, looking down at her feet. "Stop painting!" I cried. The painter looked at me like I belonged in an asylum.

"And, why, may I ask, Your Highness, is this necessary?" He was probably annoyed at the fact that we had wasted one of his canvases or something. Whatever – I couldn't care less.

"I have decided that I want the picture painted in a less formal manner." At this statement, Rui looked up at me, shock evident on her face. She probably thought I was going to dump her or something. Yeah right. She wishes. I'm never giving up on her. I smiled inwardly to myself. I grinned at her, and, upon seeing the mischievous look in my eyes, she began backing away, slowly. She was shaking her head at me, the promise of anger if I did what she was warning me not too, etched into every part of her beautiful face. She knew me too well. My grin widened. "Sorry, Sweetheart." I smiled at the easy-coming victory. "I'm not really planning on listening to you today." I smirked in knowing victory, before I lunged at her. She tried to get away, but she was too slow. My hands snaked around her waste, pulling her close to me. Our faces were less than an inch apart. We began leaning in towards each other, when we heard someone clear their throat in an irritated fashion. Rui and I couldn't help but grin at each other.

That day, in her eyes, I had seen the confession that she had totally lost sense of what was happening and where we were and who we were with when we had been about to kiss. That was when I had realized that she felt she exact same way about me that I felt about her – and that feeling that came with the realization was the most wonderful feeling I had ever experienced. That was the day I had figured out that she loved me, like I loved her.

Hey guys! Sorry about the delay. :$ I got grounded from the computer and then I went on vacation so I didn't really have time to update, so my apologies. Anyways, okay so this was the 11th chapter, so tell me what u think! :) Also, if u are interested in Harry Potter, please check out my story, "Dead or Alive?". It's my new fanfic :) Please review. guys. :) Oh, and also, if u like Harry Potter, u shuld check out the stories: When the Stars Go Blue, and also Dancing in the Dark, as well as Upon a Glimpse. :) Until I next update.... ciao! :)