"I don't want you to go…"

"I'm not going anywhere."

I leaned my head down on Lea's chest, feeling his heart softly thumping against his skin. His arm was wrapped securely around me, keeping my body close to his for the best kind of warmth and comfort. His fingers were trailing through my hair as he leaned his head back against the expensive pillows laid out on my bed. Only Lea was allowed in my bed with me like this, because he was the only one I felt secure with. I would never lay with another male, unless he was Lea. My dearest friend, Lea was all I needed.

"What would you have done if I was taken today?" I asked, looking up to see Aeleus in the open doorway. His back was to us, but he promised to stay by the door until sunrise. Aeleus was a gentle man, he kept his distance from me and was on his security at all times. It's only been a few hours since Aeleus was assigned to keep an eye on me, but I felt safer already.

"I don't know…" Lea spoke softly, moving his head to glimpse at the floor of my bedroom. The rising moon was letting in floods of pale light. Lea and I had blown out all the candles that surrounded my bed chamber, we agreed it was much more peaceful like this. It also made us feel more at ease in the dark, we blended in where nobody could see us.

"Would you come searching for me?" I inquired after thinking about it over for a second.

"…You know I would." I take notice of the smile in his voice and smiled to myself, my fingers now making imaginary shapes along his chest. "I'd probably be out there right now with Isa and Medy. We'd be half way to Rixsap by now." His imagination was running wild as he spoke; it was almost like one of his short stories. I closed my eyes and saw the scene of Lea and his friends he spoke of fighting off the Rixsap army. "I'd take down anyone in my way. No obstacle to difficult. No river too deep. No night too dark…I'd come no matter what got in the way." He stopped moving his fingers through my hair abruptly when Aeleus coughed, it scared me as well. It seems we both forgot he was there.

"Really? All for silly little me?" I laughed, getting his concentration back.

"Of course. You're the princess and not only the princess of Lxaity but, you're my…best friend." He stuttered, my heart sinking a little. "I'd do anything for you. You know I'm like a legal family member to you." He ruffled my hair making me disregard what he had said…just his best friend.

"Yeah, my annoying brother." I turned and looked back at him, his smile faded slightly. My smile flattened at the sight, I licked my lips feeling a little nervous at the look. His hand came down from my hair to stoke against my face, slowly he moved a stray strand of hair.

"Yeah…My princess." I started to thank god we blew out those candles, my face turned a scarlet color as he said those words. Words I only heard in my dreams, the words I longed to hear from his mouth.

Slowly, Lea leaned down, brushing his lips against my forehead. I closed my eyes, now realizing that I was holding my breath. I took a deep breath as he skimmed his soft lips against my skin, his hand again at the back of my head.

"My beautiful, precious princess." He whispered, I smiled happily as my heart leaped up into my throat. He noticed my sudden cough and pulled back a little to look into my eyes. "Did I say something wrong?" He asked unsure of himself.

"No, not at all…" I opened my eyes to look into his, even if we could…it would never happen. "…Why are you so perfect?" I asked, realizing my words as I spoke them aloud. I immediately regretted opening my mouth as he let out a short chuckle. His hands both on the side of my face, his smile remaining as he spoke.

"I'm not even close to perfection." He licked his lips this time, observing me as I looked down at my folded hands.

"Maybe not perfect." I nodded off to the side as he dropped his hands and placed them on top of mine. "But, you make me so happy and you always know exactly what to say. You remain calm and collected, well except for before." He laughed at me as I looked back up at him. "But, most of all…You make me real. Not like some princess. Just a normal teenage girl." It was my turn to touch his face as he smiled softly. "And…and I…"

His face turned serious, his eyes deepened, all his graceful features remained still. I was pretty sure I saw his heart pounding through his chest as he waited for me to continue my sentence. I whispered lowly, hoping Aeleus wouldn't hear.

"Please, Lea…I love you." I closed my eyes, waiting for him to freak out or something…but it never came. When I reopened my eyes he was just sitting there with same expression on his face. Those eyes that usually were glowing with happiness looked so somber, no real meaning. His breathing was so composed, almost as if he hadn't heard what I said.

"Lea?" I tried to get him to speak, "Lea, oh god, I'm so sor-"

Dear lord, who watches over me day and night, you have finally sent my death. You have done the one thing I've only dreamt about since my feelings for Lea developed. The sensation of pure bliss and utter beauty that made up a silly emotion called love has made their crashing arrival. My body is numb with a mysterious joy that I have never felt before, a calming breeze is flowing along my vines. I feel like my world just floated away, above all the stars and moons of the universe. This…this was love.

"Never. Never, be sorry for saying those beautiful words to me. Ever again." He was breathing deeply alongside my lips as we pulled apart. My hands resting on his shoulders, when did they get there? His powerful hands resting along my waist. There was no way I would've believed this was happening if he hadn't had spoken to me. "Promise me, you'll never say that to anyone else."

"I won't…I only want to say those words to you, Lea." I smiled happily up at him, but than reality smacked me in the face. Lea was still a servant. My father would be furious he found out. Don't get me wrong, my father adored Lea like his own son. But, that's exactly the problem. Would any father allow his son and daughter the opportunity to marry? No, it was illegal and wrong. Thankfully, we're no related, but he is my servant and that was his only place in my life. To serve under me, be my best friend, not my lover…

"What? You look dazed all of a sudden?" He brushed my hair away from my face again.

"Lea…I don't-"

"Princess."

Lea and I looked over at Aeleus, both blushing. He was staring at us with a blank expression as if we were just sitting there talking about the weather. He blinked and nodded at Lea, obviously it was time for Lea to go. Lea looked from the Aeleus to me, his eyes full of happiness as he ignored the fact of me being royal and him not. He kissed me quickly, not caring that Aeleus was right there staring at us. I kissed him with passion, almost wishing he would become royal with a kiss.

"Good night, princess." He smiled softly, "Tomorrow, we shall plan your birthday." He jumped off my bed with excitement, walking quickly by Aeleus.

"Good night, Lea…" I said sadly even though he was long gone.

"Yes, good night. Don't worry, I'll be on guard all night." Aeleus spoke to me, his eyes changing as he seemed to be thinking. I stared at the floor in front of him, not really caring about being watched over right now.

"And…You might want to be careful with mister Lea…" He turned at that, I looked up now with surprise. Obviously he had seen the kiss and possibly heard a couple of words.

"I will….Good night, Aeleus." I laid down, still in my dress and not bothering to change. My energy was drained as the thoughts of happiness with Lea disappeared. I pulled my silk and cotton sheets over my body, letting my crown fall onto the pillow above me. Aeleus nodded his head, bowing slightly before closing my door for me and standing on the other side protectively.

I should've kept my stupid feelings to myself. Why did I say that? Now, I have more problems to worry about. Lea is obviously in love with me as well, and now I have to turn him away. We're both going to get hurt now…We're both going to die a little inside when I tell him we can't be together…God, why did you let me open my mouth.

The mouth is the gateway to disaster.

____________________________________________________________________________________

"They're marvelous, Marluxia!"

"Thank you, my princess."

I absolutely envied Marluxia's powers, he created the natural flowers I wanted with no effort. A wave of his hand and there they were! All sorts of clashing colors and marvelous bouquets in one quick slash of a hand gesture.

With my party being tonight, we had much to prepare before the celebration. Of course, I called in Marluxia to take care of the flower decorations and designing. He was more than happy to do so, than again he didn't have much of a choice. My father was down in the kitchen making sure all the finest cooks and bakers were getting there meals prepared a little early . The guards were cleaning themselves up and patrolling the area for tonight. The guest lists were handed out to the servants who were in charge for keeping the guests under control. Every maid and butler were busy making every corner of the castle shine. All the dancers and musicians were starting to come in to learn there spots for the evening, as well as Lea's suggested flame thrower that came from over seas in order to be here. Yes, he somehow talked my father in to getting one.

"Oh, Marly, what would I do without you here today." I smiled gracefully as he twirled his hand up towards the sky, producing a long stemmed, blood red rose.

"I'm sure you would've come up with something." He winked and placed the rose in my hair beside my crown. I blinked and looked past Marluxia to see Lea talking with a very tall, tan skinned man. The man held a stick in his hand that looked a bit wet. Lea looked really excited as he nodded his head, the man laughed. That laugh that I loved escaped his sacred lips…

"Remember, life is as delicate as a rose." Marluxia took my chin in his hand as he spoke, I looked down almost thinking about what he said too deeply. He was right, and did I mention the man loved to give out quotes? It was almost as if he could read my mind…I wouldn't doubt it, I mean come on he makes flowers appear out of nowhere!

"Well, I must get going. Lot's of arrangements to do around your castle, princess. I'm sure I'll see you again this evening, but if I don't, Happy Birthday." He kissed my cheek, in a swift motion before moving to flip his pink hair. I nodded my head with a smile and he gracefully walked away from me.

"Holy lord!" I turned my head at the sound of Lea's yelling voice, seeing a burst of fire came from the man he was talking too. "Do it again!" Lea clapped along with other by standers, but the man nodded his head no and walked towards me with a huge smile.

I smiled back sweetly, letting him wish me a happy birthday before he continued on with his walk. Now, Lea was going to come over and talk to me…maybe even kiss me, oh god…Shit, I really dug a hole this time.

"Good Afternoon, princess." He bowed gracefully as I nodded happily at him. Please, don't kiss me…

"Good Afternoon, Lea."

His eyes searched the garden grounds before he walked past me, grabbing my hand as he went. My heart raced in my chest as he forced me to walk behind him towards his corridor of the castle.

"Lea, where are we going?" I asked with a little concern, he only turned to face me for a second, than continued on.

"My room." He said bluntly.

What?!

"F-For what?" I stuttered, noticing we were nearing his door.

Oh god, I've never gone so far with a guy before. What is he planning? No, wait I don't have to do anything I don't want too. Eh, but do I want Lea like that? Do I want to feel his breath ghost over my pale skin? Would I like him touching skin that nobodies ever see before? Would I desire his kisses even more while he lay over me in the heat of passion?…Woah, what in God's name am I thinking? Lea isn't like that, he wouldn't move so quick…Right? We only admitted our love, yesterday!

Lea opened his wooden door and let me inside his decent room, since he was my top servant he got one of the better rooms. The floors were carpeted in red carpet, the windows had long black drapes, his bed was smaller than mine of course, his closet was wide open, his clothes scattered across the room. The teen was a messy one, for a servant you'd think he's be cleaner.

Lea let go of my hand once I stood beside his bed, waving at me to sit down. I did so, watching him close the door before he disappeared into his joined bathroom. Oh god, he was getting ready for something wasn't he? Shit, shit, shit. Did he insist on me to be doing something? Dear lord who watches over me, please help my bloody stupid soul.

"So, I figured I wouldn't get much of a chance to give you this later after all the guests arrived." Lea spoke from the bathroom, causing me to calm down. Wait, a gift? What a relief…

"Oh? Why not?" I asked, playing with my fingers as he moved around in the other room.

"Well, because I know how those royals are with you," He presented himself again, leaning against the doorframe with one hand behind his back. I smirked up at that smile he gave me as he walked forward. "So, why not steal my princess away for just a while now?"

I sighed heavily, relief flooding my mind as he sat down next to me, taking my face in his hands.

"Take it." He smiles as his hand pops up in my face, a long black box in his fingers.

I looked at the box intently as I held it carefully, Lea wasn't the richest man in the kingdom, but I know of his good pay. But, what would the red head get me for my birthday? I trailed my fingers along the smooth box, than looked back up at Lea. He was looking down at the box, waiting for me to open it. I slowly lifted the lid and immediately gasped at the beautiful necklace inside, he didn't have to do this.

"Lea…" I looked up at him with wide hazel eyes, asking silently why he had gone through the trouble of getting me this. He laughed and took the box from me, transporting the chain out of its silky holding spot to present it for me.

It was a silver, thick chain, all the links leading down a medium sized silver outline of a heart. I smiled at him with a grateful, loving smile.. I can't break it off with Lea, I can't do that to him.

"May I?" He gestured to my neck ,to which I moved my hair and turned my back to him. "You have a beautiful neck…" He leaned down, placing a soft kiss to the back of my neck. Shit, Lea why must you be so loving and careful with me, now? I felt his warm hands wander around my neck with the chain in his grasp. The cold silver rested against my skin, I couldn't hold back a gasp.

"Sorry, it's cold." I laughed, feeling him chuckle under his breathe.

"I know…" He responded, letting go of the chain as it lay down on my skin.

I turned to face him fully, the chain in place as he lit up. His eyes moving down to see the gift in its rightful place, he was happy to see me wear it.

"It looks perfect." Lea continued to smile, getting up and taking my hand. I followed him to a mirror and looked into it. It reflected back me and Lea. I stood in front of the red head as he placed both hands on my shoulders, watching my expression. It felt right to be here with Lea, in his arms, in his room. It was like we were meant to be together.

"I love it, Lea." I whispered, watching him press a kiss to my shoulder as I touched the heart.

"I'm glad you do, princess." He mumbled, wrapping his arms fully around me now.

I didn't want to leave this place. I wanted to remain in Lea's room with him forever, never to be bothered again. If only we could disappear together, than our worlds would be perfect. The truth of the matter was, that it wasn't perfect. I was Princess of Lxaity and he was my trusted servant…