I do not own Midnight Cinderella Ikémen Royal Romances.

Chapter 9: I Think You'll Do Fine

August 21

There was a knock on my chamber door, just as I was getting ready to relish what little time I had left to sleep. What could it possibly be now?! I hurried over to the door, desperate to get whatever this was over with, and yanked it open. Standing tall and proud there, even without his armor on, was the last person I had expected.

"Sorry about the sudden intrusion," Alyn breezed past me, and into my room. I sighed into my hands, shaking my head and running my fingers through my hair again.

"It's too early for this..." I shut the door and turned to the man now standing in the middle of my chamber.

"So how'd your little scheme go last night Ava?" I groaned obnoxiously, plopping down on the peach colored couch in the middle of the room.

"All I wanted was to speak with one of my students, alright? I... I'd been searching for something, for her, and I couldn't find it." Alyn came to stand in front of me, arms crossed. He watched me suspiciously for a moment.

"This thing you were searching for... Was it what you snuck into the palace to find?" I sighed again, leaning backwards and staring up at the ceiling before answering. My tone was reserved, my voice quiet.

"Yeah. I couldn't find it, so I wanted to apologize to the poor child, at least. She deserves it." Alyn fell silent. Did I get through to him? After a moment, he let out a deep sigh and remarked surprised.

"Are you crazy?" Huh? "Don't get the palace staff caught up in your personal affairs." I frowned at Alyn, until suddenly Nico's smiling face and amber eyes appeared in my mind, and Louis, too. Oh. "I believe you told His Majesty the King that you would fulfill your duties as princess."

"I did, but-."

"Then don't get sidetracked or involve others in your personal affairs. Otherwise no one will accept someone like you as their princess." I smiled smalley. He has a point. If something had happened to me, Nico and Louis would have taken the blame.

"You sure are sharp. Louis though-"

"Came of his own accord, I know. I saw you two leaving the palace." Alyn watched me for a moment, carefully. I couldn't tell what he was thinking. "He's pretty weird you know." I laughed out loud, much to Alyn's surprise.

"'Weird', huh. That's a bit of an understatement."

"Something happen?" I closed my eyes, just breathing for a few seconds.

"I'm all right."

"You're 'all right'?" Alyn mulled over my response for a moment. "Are you sure about this? About becoming the princess?" I opened up my emerald eyes again, sure that my natural beauty was being decayed with every passing moment that I remained awake. I glanced at Alyn without moving my head. His eyes were serious.

"I pledge to do everything in my power to serve Wysteria and it's people."

I did not regret what I said. I recalled the King's gentle gaze as he looked upon me. I made this decision. And now I have to stand by that. I closed my eyes again. It was starting to get light again, and I wasn't ready to face the day. No matter how much I hate myself for it, I have to stand by my decision.

"Yeah, I'm pretty much sure." I was sighing as I replied, so my tone was breathy, and apparently completely unconvincing.

"You weren't even trying to become the princess in the first place."

"No. I wasn't at the time. But now that I've been appointed... I'm just going to have to do my best." Alyn closed his mouth at my words, a strangely wistful expression on his face. He looked away slightly and for a moment, he seemed to have let his guard down. Why does he look like that? Why is he making so sure that I'm into this? Why am I still dealing with crap like this from these people... Just as suddenly, Alyn faced me again and asked in a low voice.

"Tell me... What is it you want to protect Ava?" Alyn's low voice echoed through the quiet of my room.

"Protect?" The question caught me off guard. Which was weird, considering how many times I'd been caught off guard that night. When I looked up at him, confused, his piercing gaze was fixated on me. He's serious... I chewed my lip for a second, keeping my eyes on Alyn's. Protect... What would I want to protect? What would anyone like me want to protect? The first thing that came to mind was my students. Them, and their families. Then I thought of Marissa, and all of the children she'd raised, of the times I'd spent with her. I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for her. Their faces kept repeating over and over again in my mind. Wow... I really haven't got much of anyone, have I? A small, self deprecating smile graced my lips. Finally, I thought about the people in town, who had done so much for me.

"I... I want to protect... I want to protect the people around me. The people who have taken care of me all my life, who..." I thought about my home life, how much of a hell it had been. "Who helped me through the toughest times in my life, the ones that I wouldn't be here without. I guess I want to protect those who I hold dear. The places, too." I smiled thinking about Marissa's farm, and the town square. I had so many good memories at both places. I'd totally forgotten about Alyn standing there, watching me staring into the distance. I chuckled sadly.

"I guess I hadn't really thought about it before. But- I want everyone to be able to live out their lives in peace. Everyone I love. Everyone I've ever cared about." As I ended my little speech, a smile finally spread across my face. A truly happy one.

"I see. So that's why you agreed to be princess elect." I laughed again, recalling everyone's doubt about me. My stubborn attitude too, and determination to prove them wrong.

"Sure, Alyn. I guess that does sound better than 'I just wanted to prove everybody wrong then boast my ass off'." The knight took a step toward me, the smile widening across his face, and a deep chuckle resonating throughout the room.

"In that case, I'll protect you." What? "It's a knight's duty to keep his princess safe." His eyes shone brighter as his smile grew warmer and more inviting. "If you're serious about this, I will guard you with my life." The beauty in Alyn's face captured me as he spoke. That, and his confidence, his utter loyalty, so obviously present in his ruby eyes. My own smile was gentle as I stared up at him. But the moment was over too soon. Alyn's wry smile returned as he continued.

"So make sure you give it all you've got, all right?" He gave me a soft pat on the head, purposefully messing up my hair. His words... Somehow, they're making it easier.

"I'm looking forward to your support, Sir Alyn." Alyn laughed lightly. He seemed thrown by my reply. Our eyes were locked, my emerald with his ruby. Alyn tilted his head a little, hand still on my head. He peered searchingly at my face and smiled at what he found there.

"I think you'll do fine." This time I grinned, my teeth sparkling in the growing light of the room. "See you Ava." Alyn began to leave, but just as he put his hand on the doorknob-

Knock knock! Both of our heads snapped up to look at the door.

"Princess Ava?" A voice came from beyond the door. Suddenly Alyn was right beside me, pulling me up and across the room.

"What are you-" Next thing I knew, Alyn had flung open a curtain and we were behind it, his arms wrapped around me. Holy- As tired as I was, it was nearly impossible for me to control my emotions at all, let alone the beating of my heart as Alyn held me in his powerful arms. "A-Alyn?!"

"Quiet!" I looked up at him, a bit perplexed.

"What does it matter if-"

"I said quiet!" Involuntarily I shivered at the sound of Alyn's low voice in my ear. Nodding silently, I could feel my face flush.

"Your Highness?" When the door slowly opened, Alyn held me even tighter. I swallowed, before putting my hands up on Alyn's chest. I'm not really sure why, but it made me feel less... awkward. "Are you there, m'lady?" That must be Nico, no one else calls me that. I really don't know why Alyn did this but there's no way we're coming out now. My pride and dignity might as well be set on fire...

We stayed still as possible, hidden behind the curtain and avoiding Nico's attention. I looked up again for a moment. Alyn was turned toward Nico, just as calm as he ever was. How the hell does he look so cool still?! Alyn's breath blew past my ear, and I bit my lip to keep from squirming away, and becoming even more flushed.

"Wonder where she went..." Nico muttered to himself. Then there was the sound of the door closing. After a moment, Alyn carefully peered around the curtain.

"He's gone."

"Good." We pushed away from each other and I stumbled clumsily from our hiding place. Alyn quickly made his way toward the door, stealing one last glance at me.

"Is your face all right?" I immediately slapped my hands on top of my cheeks, hiding them and snapping at Alyn while he narrowed his eyes.

"Y-yes, they're fine!"

"Okay, well, I'm heading back."

"Good, yes, thank you very much for the confidence boosting speech Alyn."

"Don't worry about it, bye." Alyn gave a small wave with his typical smile back on his face. Then he left, closing the door behind him.

"Uuugh," I groaned as soon as he was gone, running both hands through my hair, and falling backwards onto my bed. I could still feel the heat in my cheeks.

I took a long sigh, feeling fatigue beginning to take me over, and flipped over onto my side. Psh, anyone would feel like this after something like that. I remembered Alyn's nonchalant manner during the whole ordeal. I can't believe him, he wasn't even fazed. What kind of person doesn't even blink when something like that happens!? I puffed out a little bit of air, sticking out my lip in annoyance, and if I'm being totally honest, jealousy. Even I have trouble keeping that sort of cool in tricky situations like that. After a few seconds though, my eyelids began to feel like lead, and sleep finally came to whisk me away.

Closing the door to Ava's room, Alyn let out a sigh.

"Tsk." The sight of Ava's flushed face after they came out from behind the curtains was still fresh in his mind. "Looking at her like that made me embarrassed too." With that, he walked off, slightly unsettled by the whole affair.

August 21