The Prince's Marriage

A/N: The words for this chapter seemed to just roll out of my head, it was very easy to write. All the reviews were very much appreciated and had my brain soaring with new ideas, causing me to change my plot line a bit. This chapter is all Lily's POV and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

Chapter 7

Lily's POV

"I asked you to join me for tea today for a reason," Laura said crossly.

"Please go on," I said, attempting to be polite. Her tone made me nervous and I could tell this had something to do with James.

"Sugar?"

I nodded my head and smiled at her vain attempt of acting as if this was a social call.

"As you know, me and the King are leaving you and James for two weeks soon and I wanted to discuss how you and James are doing so far," Laura began in a business tone.

"We have fallen into a better friendship since the last me and you talked," I said, trying to convince her with a smile.

"I see. So you have yet to fall in love with my wonderful son?"

"No."

Laura sighed and shook her head with a disappointed look on her face. I sighed in return at the dismal prospects. I could already hear her lecture in my head on accepting her son.

"Have you tried to give your heart to him?"

"No, but-"

"Stop it! No matter what you felt when you entered into this marriage, its no difference. Your married and you must learn to love him in whatever way possible. Whether that's as a friend or a lover, you must make him feel like you love him."

"I can't just turn it on and off like a switch."

"You can and you will, just like I have."

"You want me to lie to him? To make him believe I am loving him when deep down I know I am going to hate him more and more because of it? Wouldn't you rather me feel comfortable or even alright with my husband? No! All you want is for me to sleep with him and bring him an heir." I demanded, my anger rising to exceeding heights.

"That is exactly what I believe you should do."

My whole perspective on Laura was changing by the minute. At first I understood her wishes, but they were becoming increasingly stupid. I didn't agree with her wishes and refused to follow. It wasn't just unfair to me, but also James. How could she be so heartless towards her own son?

"You think that's fair to James? For me to pretend to love him? What happens when I finally burst and tell him everything? Your his mother! How can you tell me to lie and cheat your son? How do you live with such tainted notions?"

"I am not doing this to hurt my son! I am doing it for his happiness."

"His happiness? Is that what you really believe? Or what you want to believe? All your trying to do is push me in to love him when he's not even pushing me to do that!"

"Your playing with his emotions! Is that fair? Don't talk to me about being cruel to my son when everything I do is for his sake."

"How am I playing with his emotions? I told him from the start that I didn't want to be a part of this marriage and he fully understands how I feel."

"Does he now? He's willing to offer his heart, his life, his position as King for you and all you can do is blame him for everything. You kiss him before avoiding him for two days. Your no better than your great Aunt Fefe!"

I felt myself choke a little at hearing her bring up my aunt. Fefe was not somebody to be proud of. She was a whore until her dying age of 30, when she was shot for putting up a fight to stay in the brothel.

"You have no right to compare me to a fallen woman in my family! I am nothing like her and you would know that if you cared to talk to me more than about your son. You know nothing about me!"

I placed my cup harshly on the table and left the room. I wasn't going to sit around and listen to her talk to me with so much disrespect. How was I to control the actions of a family member I had never met? She was my father's sister, and had run away in her younger years and refused to return home. Everyone had tried talking her into leaving her wild ways behind, however she had refused countless times and eventually my grandparents had given up.

I couldn't help but allow my anger to turn into pain. Tears were welling in my eyes, but I batted my eyelashes furiously and lowered my head to keep them at bay. Passing servants walked by me and I waited until everyone was out of hearing sight before I picked up running towards my bedchamber's. I was halfway there when I realized that James might be inside and I detested the thought of him seeing my tears once again.

I stopped in the middle of the hallway with nowhere to run for privacy. I was missing home more and more. If I were at home, Olivia would be there to comfort me. However, I wasn't at home and I had nowhere to run. I felt my sorrow turn into despair. My knees were weakening and my heart was pounding. I was growing nervous. What if somebody walked down the hallway? The last thing I wanted was to be found by anybody. I looked around me to find a door or a nook to hide in. There was none.

I let out a loud sob and covered my mouth quickly, trying to quiet myself. Tears were flowing freely down my face when I felt a warm hand land on my shoulder. I screamed and jumped away before I turned around to take a look at the person who found me.

It was the last person I wanted to see. James stood there looking hurt and I realized my reaction to his hand was probably less then welcome. He must have seen my tears as he pulled me into a hug and I allowed him to hug me while I cried loudly into his shoulder. I pulled away from him after a few moments, but couldn't force myself to look him in the eyes. I didn't want to see pity or even sympathy. I didn't want him to see me weak after all the yelling that had transpired between us.

I was feeling unworthy of his attention and knew if I had looked into his eyes I would see sympathy. I couldn't face up to that, I wouldn't. Perhaps he knew what I was feeling, or maybe he just understood because he took my hand and started pulling me down the corridor.

"Come along! I want to show you something!"

I didn't know where he was taking me and I couldn't bring myself to worry. Somehow I knew he wouldn't hurt me and I found myself wanting to trust him. Tears were silently falling down my face, but I didn't brush them away, allowing them to fall freely down my already damp cheeks.

We approached a large spiraling staircase and I found myself dreading the long walk up. Crying always made me feel weak afterwards, and I usually don't cry for as long or as hard.

"Do you think you'll be able to climb?" He asked me.

I nodded despite my weakness. I wasn't about to let him down. He had been incredible considerate when he asked that. Not many men I have met would think to ask such a caring question. I didn't know if he cared about me, but he must have. I don't know why I was thinking about his caring about me, and I don't know the reasoning, but I wanted to believe that he cared.

As we climbed the seemingly endless stairs, I realized he still held my hand and I didn't feel the need to remove my own.

When finally we reached the top I was out of breathe and my legs were wobbly. I smiled after looking at the room we stood in. The sun shone through the many windows and bounced back off the stone walls. Walking towards the window you could see the castle grounds. A few house tops could be seen through the forest, and the trees swayed gently in the wind. The water from the lake glistened from the shining sun.

"Its beautiful up here!" I said in awe.

"Yeah. it is. I sometimes come up here to think. The stairs are a bit tedious, but its been my spot since I was a kid. No one ever comes up here and its perfect for seclusion. Your the only person I've brought up here."

"Not even your friends?"

"No I doubt any of them would be willing to climb that many stairs just to get to a nice view."

"Its more then a nice view! Its your spot, meaning its important to you. It should be important to them too."

We sat down on an old blanket that had already been up there. Neither of us spoke, we just sat there looking out at the scenery. I couldn't help but wonder what made him walk up those hundreds of stairs when he was younger- what compelled him to. For the second time that day he answered my unspoken thoughts.

"I was 8 years old and feeling trapped and stressed- well as stressed as an 8 year old can feel. My duties were growing by the day, and my mother was putting pressure on me to become a great heir to the throne. My father was never around to play games with me as all the others fathers did. I felt alone in the castle- I was only allowed to play with my friends once a week, and only for an hour. I wanted my own place. Even my bedchamber wasn't private to everyone- anybody could barge in and ask me this or that. I didn't want to help and I didn't want to be told what to do all the time. I was an adventurous little tyke and one day I just stumbled over to the north side of the castle, where not many people go anymore unless to air out a room, lest it create mold."

"When did you ask for your privacy?"

"I was 14. Me and the marauders were planning pranks in my room when suddenly my mother burst in without knocking. I wasn't happy at all. I was trying to have fun with my friends and she was barging in as if it was her own bedchamber. I reacted horribly, I told my friends to come back later and I yelled at my mother till my face was blue. It was a big day for me. Ever since then my mother has been on cautious waters around me. I don't know why she listened to me and it really doesn't matter, but I got what I wanted."

"Did you still come up here?"

"Yes, all the time. I love it up here. Its like being free from all the duties and the stresses of life. I would move my bedroom up here if not for the hundreds of stairs."

I laughed, trying to imagine someone trying to carry a bed up the stairs. He tapped my chin with his knuckle and grinned roguishly.

"There's the smile I've been waiting to see. Are you going to tell me what was wrong?"

I hesitated, I wasn't sure how he would react to his mothers words. However I felt bad for not telling him, after he showed me he trusted me. I should trust him too and allow him to see it. I just didn't want to hurt him by telling him what his mother had said. I didn't even know why it had upset me so much.

He must have seen my hesitation because his grin slowly evaporated. I felt instantly bad for making it disappear.

"Its not that I don't want to tell you. Its just…I don't want you to get mad about it."

"I promise I won't get mad."

My heart was telling me to tell him the truth, to trust him. My head was telling me to keep quiet, maybe even lie to save him the stress. I didn't understand why I was protecting him the truth, but I figured he must have liked me somewhat and he deserved the same respect from me.

I told him everything- from the first conversation with his mother to the one I had just had. I watched his face for any emotions he might be feeling, his face remained blank. I paused after telling the story and felt ridiculous for crying over such a silly insult.

He didn't say anything for several minutes, and I found my curiosity growing. Would he think I lied? Or maybe he would get mad despite his promise?

"James?"

"I knew she loved to butt into other people's business, but I had never thought she would take it this far."

"Its fine. I was just in need of a good cry and that was what set me off."

"It's not fine. She's asking you to love me. I am sorry you had to put up with this. I will have a talk with her."

"No, don't. Please."

He didn't answer me. Sitting there at the top of the north tower I was relaxed, I lay back and sighed.

I didn't want him to talk to his mother, it would sound like I had ran to James to turn him against his own mother. I didn't want her to have more leverage against me. I wasn't going to help her win this game. No I would win, and this was my battle against my mother-in-law.

I watched James stand up and stride over to the window, looking out about the grounds.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, my voice low.

"I was thinking that you don't want me to talk to my mom about leaving you alone on the subject of me, but I know I have to, to solve future problems, or else she'll never stop. I know my mother. She is too strong willed when determined. I want to talk to her. I'll only tell her to stay out of our marriage."

"You can't do that. It's my battle to fight!"

"Your a princess- my wife, my friend, and your a woman. You will not have a battle to fight while I live."

"I didn't tell you so you could take action for me. I am my own person and I can do what I need to deal with your mother."

"We're the royal family. We shouldn't be fighting each other."

"I know. I am sorry."

"Lily relax, you haven't done anything. My mother is the problem and I will talk to her because as much as you want to believe its your own fight, its our marriage and that involves me. I'll take care of it. Now we best go down for dinner, or someone will come looking for us."

I didn't answer him. I knew he had a point and I didn't want to get angry or yell at him right then. I knew he had my best interests at heart, so I allowed him to lead me out the door. I smiled as he took my hand as we ran down half the stairs. I giggled a little at the feeling. I was feeling free and happy. I couldn't be more relieved that we had found a little peace. James turned and looked at me, with a huge grin on his face. His eyes were twinkling and I was amazed at his change of mood so quickly.

We slowed down halfway down the staircase, both breathing hard and feeling like little kids again. When we finally reached the bottom of the staircase, a maid stood their waiting.

"I thought you said nobody knew you went up there?"

"Nobody does. She must need something on this side of the castle."

We walked by her and she curtsied low, turning her head so I couldn't get a good look of her face. Something was up and I wanted to know what. Why was she standing there? Why didn't she look at us or ask if we needed anything? Out of my peripheral vision I saw James glance back, a confused expression covered his face.

Dinner was a quiet affair. The king must have known something was up as he did not try to make conversation. Just like every other meal, James got my plate and filled it, however, this time he didn't get what I liked, but everything I disliked, which confused me. Not once had he done so horribly in preparing my meal. He must have been distracted as his own plate remained untouched.

I attempted to eat the mushroom soup, green beans, and fish. The bread I ate whole heartedly enjoying it for every bite, as it was the only thing I could enjoy in my plate.

Just before dinner was finished James spoke up.

"Mother, I was hoping I could speak to you after dinner."

"No. Me and your father have plans at the Geogetons."

"Send them my regards."

"Perhaps we can take tea tomorrow."

"Tea will be fine."

Nobody spoke after that. After dinner I went to James's study with him and helped prepare for the ball.

Lists were made, invitations were sent out, chefs were considered and than tossed. We worked for hours, and eventually, all that was left was my dress.

James told me he had sent a letter out last week for Madam Malkins to come and fit me for a dress.

"Pick any one you want, no matter the price. This ball is for you, Lily, and I appreciate your help, but I still want you to enjoy your time. Every high standing family will be attending and I want you as happy as possible when they meet my wife."

"Just because I'm new to the kingdom doesn't change me. I'm excited for the ball and I will enjoy it with or without a top of the notch dress. Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet, my sweet."

"Have you thought any more on the Olivia subject?" I asked quietly, thinking now would be a good time as we were getting along famously.

"No, I haven't had the time. I promise you I will think about it."

"Oh," I sighed, disappointed.

"Now don't go and start yelling again."

"I wasn't planning on it, but don't you ever care about what I want?"

"What you want? Why else am I going to extraordinary lengths to plan a ball for you?"

"Is this ball for me, or for your mother?"

"My mother? How is this for her? Don't take out what she's done on me. I don't deserve that! I'm not her."

I sighed. I didn't want to prove him right and start yelling, but I could feel my body ready myself for it. Instead, I left the room in a huff. Just when I thought we could start getting along, when I was finally warming up to him and thinking he was a decent man, he had to go and get selfish again.

If I wanted to be honest, I would know he wasn't being selfish and I was being unfair, but at the moment I didn't want the truth- I just wanted something familiar. Today hadn't been the best day on my emotions and I could feel them all fighting inside of me. I only hoped tomorrow would be less stressful.

As I climbed into bed I found myself looking forward to meeting Madam Malkins and picking out a dress. Hopefully that would comfort me enough to get me through the ball. I missed home, even if my parents were never around for me. It was familiar a place. I had grown up there and had been there my whole life. Now I had a husband and a new castle to get used to, not to mention my two in-laws, but I knew I would get through it. I just needed to handle my emotions better. I was already doing so, when I left James in his study without yelling like I'd wanted to.

I heard James come into the room and I sighed quietly. I knew I should apologize, he had been nothing but nice today, but I figured it could wait until morning, when I knew my emotions would have had a nice rest. I wasn't up to anymore emotional upheavals.

I felt him sit on the bed and then lay down. He didn't say anything, and neither did I. The truce we had made the night before felt like it had never been made. I dreaded that we backed up a step- I didn't want that. Even though I was a little up with him, I didn't want to go back to fighting with him constantly.

I didn't want to snuggle into him. That would send him mixed signals, saying I wasn't mad, but I was. How could I let him know I still wanted to be friends without also saying I wasn't a little ticked off at him? Being married was hard work- something I obviously haven't got the hang of yet.

For the third time that day he read my mind. He moved over and wrapped an arm lightly over my waist. I felt myself inhale my breathe and hold it at his touch before slowly releasing it. I was slightly confused that he was getting to know me so well. How had he been able to read my mind three times in the same day? Maybe he wasn't reading it but feeling similar towards me? Definitely a mystery I would like to know, however, asking him might be weird. What if he didn't know what I was talking about? I was going to watch out for any more signs in the coming weeks.

I let myself fall asleep with the warmth of his arm on my waist, comforting me into pleasant dreams.

--

I was sitting in the drawing room looking through a book of designs and fabrics. I looked through the entire book admiring certain pieces, but nothing I wanted for myself. I was growing agitated and panicky that I would not find the perfect dress in time for the ball.

"Don't worry Mrs. Potter. Come. Lets measure you for some of the outfits James has picked out for you. When we're finished we'll look through the second book."

I stood up and let her usher me into different outfits. Madam Malkins turned me about, measured me head to toe, shoulder to arm, wrist size, waist and bust- everything. I, however, was lost in my own thoughts at being called Mrs. Potter. I hadn't been called that since the wedding and it was incredibly weird. I hadn't expected it- rarely was I called by my name. With being princess I was usually called by my title. Not wanting to point out the rude manners I decided to let it slide.

"That'll do, look through this. I know I'll have something you'll love."

The second book contained more spectacular dresses than the first book. Halfway through the book I found the perfect dress. It was green with little white bows adorning the sides, two ribbons, one green and one white to wrap around the dress and into my hair. The bodice was tight, the neckline scooped low, and the length would extend to my ankles.

"This is it!"

"That will look lovely Mrs. Potter."

"Please call me Lily. You are going to make me look wonderful, are you not?"

"Yes dear. I will be back next week with your outfits and this marvelous dress. Have Mr. Potter send the money to my shop. Have a lovely day."

I couldn't help but feel my excitement soar. The dress was perfect. I only hoped James would like it as much as I did. I went to find my maid and try and talk to her about suitable hair styles for the perfect dress.

After an hour of contemplation, my hair was draped up in curls perched at the top of my head, a random ribbon was wrapped into it. I was going to look great for the ball, and afterwards, all of my problems would be gone, as the queen would leave for two weeks. That was just another reason to look forward to the ball.

I ran off to find James to tell him the great news. I didn't think he would care, but seeing as I had no one else to run to he would have to do. I smiled as I ran into his study to find him hunched over some documents.

"What're working on?"

"I'm making a deal with King Loy for a trade of grain."

"He was made King already? I thought that wasn't to happen for another 2 years at the least."

"Yes, but his father became violently ill and the outlook's not looking too positive for him."

"That's horrible! Why haven't I heard about this before now?"

"I honestly couldn't tell you. Its been the talk of the kingdoms."

"Have we sent our regards?"

"Yes. My father took them there personally."

"Is that where he went before?"

"Yes. Did you pick out a dress?"

My dismay of King Loy's father vanished in a second as I remembered why I had come to find James.

I sat down in the chair that faced him and smiled widely, earning a smile in return from James.

"Yes! That's actually why I came to find you. Its marvelous! I can't wait until you see it."

He grinned widely and I felt my heart melt. He really was handsome. Funny how I hadn't paid much attention to it before.

"Tell me what it looks like?"

"No, I can't. I want it to be a surprise- but this is the hairstyle I'll be wearing with it."

He stood up from behind his desk and touched a piece of my hair. "It looks very pretty. So you came to tell me that you found your dress, but not what it looks like?"

"Yes! Oh, but its perfect! I promise."

"That's wonderful, Lily, but I really need to finish this clause. Could we talk about this later?" He gave me a small kiss on the cheek and pushed me lightly towards the door.

"No. You'll get it all out of me and it'll ruin the surprise."

He laughed as I walked out the door and down the hallway, content that things were finally looking up.

A/n:Review :D:D