In a town hidden by the forest, there was a community full of peace. They had a King, Queen, and young Prince thriving in this small village. Their society was surprisingly developed, they knew how to work together properly, how to help each other out in times of need without hassle. It was much more than just developed, they had a system.

These people, complete (Well, not complete) strangers would converse like they were the closet in the world. They didn't have any introductions, there wasn't any needed. They all knew each other in some sort of way, either through the "grapevine" or just in general people hearing something about them.

A lot of times the Queen would bring the young, blonde Prince out to the market. There weren't any boundaries separating normal from Royal. Well, except for the castle and cabin difference.

"Mother, why aren't we above everyone?" The Prince once asked his mother, who was currently looking at some ripe apples. Her straight brown hair flowed in the wind, her crown still on her head.

"Well, Alfred, if we were above our people, we would not be unified. Would we?" She replied, her smile soft and kind as she picked up an apple and set it in the basket she was holding in her arms.

Young Alfred readjusted his small crown atop his head, feeling the need to out of habit.

"How do you know so much?" He asked, uncertain.

She straightened and kept grabbing ingredients for the dinner they were having that night. "I am an old woman; my throne will be your bride's someday."

"But mom, I didn't ask that." There was a very confused look plastered onto the boy's face.

"Honey, as you grow, as does your knowledge. It's only natural for you to know as much as I do when you're my age." She paid the vendor for the food.

Alfred stayed quiet through the small talk over dishes and foreign foods. The wheels were turning in his mind. What kind of King would he make? Would he successfully rule over their small but ginormous Kingdom?

He was so caught up in his thoughts he didn't realize he was being tugged away by his mother and by waving people. The blonde was dragged out of his thoughts when he noticed curly, red hair. He instantly stopped in place, holding his mother up.

A girl.

She was about his height and she was the most enchanting thing to him he had ever seen. She must have felt his staring because she turned around to face him. Her eyes an emerald green along with freckles dotting her cheeks.

At his age of nine, this feeling to him was unrecognizable. He had been taught the finest arts and the best courses. But this was something he had not learned. He didn't know the feeling he got when he looked at that sweet face of hers. Those perfect curls, those cute freckles.

Alfred felt his cheeks burn with a calm warmness, the staring was getting to him. She was too much for him, but he was frozen at the beauty he saw in those green eyes. The redhead waved a little and smiled at him which only made the heat in his face become a scolding hot.

The Queen seemed to take notice of this, seeing as she was stopping right in her tracks to exit the market. She knew what was up right away, "Alfred," She called.

Said boy turned towards the calling, "Y-Y-Yes?" The Prince said flustered.

"Do you… have a crush on that girl?" She grinned the happiest grin she could and crouched down next to him.

Alfred went an even darker shade of scarlet, "Don't tell her!" He waved his hands erratically.

"Of course not! It's just cute that you have your first crush."

"Mom…" He whined.

"We should be heading back; I believe your father is waiting for our delicious dinner." The Queen stood and took hold of Alfred's hand to pull him along with her.

"B-But…" The Prince glanced back at the girl who made his heart jump.

"Don't worry, you'll see her again."

The Queen and little Prince arrived home, setting out the apples and spices on the counter to be cooked. They were preparing a special dinner mostly for the King that night (Who was working diligently). When dinner was in bowls and dishes on the dinner table, the King exited his study and into the dining room he entered.

He had a small beard, seeing as he hadn't time to shave anymore. His hair was in a small mess, and his glasses were slightly crooked. Had he fallen asleep while working?

Everyone greeted him out of respect.

"You're just in time!" The Queen gleefully said, sitting at the table.

"Hi dad!" Alfred plopped into a seat at the table as well, and tucked a napkin in his shirt collar.

The King seemed very out of it, and he said nothing back. All he did was sit down slowly and stare off into space which to him was a blank wall. The Queen rolled her eyes, this always happened. She snapped her fingers to grab her beloved's attention. He jerked up to meet her stern gaze.

"Honey," He started, "I'm sorry, there is just so much paperwork that must be done. I'm out of it, I know."

"Oh, I know. But how about you pretend that work isn't there tonight. It's family time." She pushed a bowl of mashed potatoes towards him, her smile always there in its rightful place.

"I'm sorry, but I can't pretend until I get this one thing off my mind… There is a boy of Royalty coming here. He will be staying with us for a couple months, maybe even a year." The King said his smile lifting. He had been thinking about that all day long.

"We haven't had such guest in a long time!" The Queen said, exited.

"How old is he?" Alfred chimed in, shoveling hot stew into a small dish in front of him. He was starving.

"Surprisingly, he's only three years older than you. So you two will get along just fine." The King moved his silverware around and placed a cloth on his lap.

"No way!" The Prince exclaimed loudly, shoving food into his mouth.

After seeing their son so happy, the King and Queen's spirits stayed high despite any bad luck that happened to have during the rest of the evening. The rest of dinner, was peaceful, happy and cheerful. Sometimes Alfred would even start humming quietly.

The King even stopped working for the rest of the evening for some family time together. He hasn't been so kind in a long time. Maybe this new visitor was a new hope to look forward to?

"When is he coming?" The small blonde asked while they were sitting by the fireplace, his parents in the two chairs in front of the flame and him on the soft rug in front of them. The crackling of the fire soothed him.

"Soon enough." His father said. He always said that.

"I can't-" The Prince was cut off by a yawn, "-wait." He finished.

"C'mon Al… Time for bed, alright?" His mother stood, hooking her hands under his underarms and lifting him up onto her hip.

"Oh fine…" He was already closing his eyes.

On the way up to Alfred's room, he fell into a soft sleep in his mother's arms. A couple words were whispered as he was set down in his bed.

"I can't wait…"