Chapter 6

(Pov: Edmund)

Yesterday was awesome. After dinner Emilia went out for a walk through the gardens and I decided to join her. We talked about our childhood and about our siblings and I realized that she is different to every girl I have ever met. When we talk I don't have to be careful with my choice of words and I don't have to be afraid of saying my opinion out loud. I can be myself without her prejudicing me and I really like that, a lot.

Today we will all go to the market and Emilia and her brothers will show us a bit more of Archenland. Their father will stay in the palace and take care of some "important matters". Deciding that it is probably time for breakfast, I walk out of my room and crash right into a body.

"Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I was just about to knock on your door and fetch you for breakfast." Emilia stood in front of me looking totally embarrassed with a sheepish look on her face

"Don't worry, no harm done. You are allowed to crash into me as often as you want." I wink at her and notice with pleasure the light blush appearing on her cheeks.

"Are you flirting with me King Edmund?" She asks me with a confident smile on her face.

"Why Princess… you enjoying it?"

She turns her face away from me and looks in another direction but I am still able to see the small smile on her gorgeous face.

"We should really go to breakfast now. We have lot of stuff ahead of us today. And as I know you, you will want to eat something before we leave."

Together we walk into the dining room, where everyone is already eating and talking. Everyone has exciting smiles on their faces and is chatting away happily. They don't even notice us entering the room. Good.

"So Emilia, care to share the plan for today? Where will we go after visiting the market?"

"That, my dear Edmund, I can't tell you but you will find out when we get there. All I can say for now is that you and your siblings are going to love our little excursion."

"Will you at least tell me what I should wear?"

She smirks at me and then answers. "Your normal attire will do. We won't be going anywhere too fancy."

Giving up with finding out where we will go today, we eat our breakfast in silence with a few smiles being shared. After everyone is finished with eating, we all stand up and go into our rooms. We all still have an hour before we will go. What should I do now? I am bored…

(Pov: Emilia)

I turn around startled when I hear a knock on my door.

"You may come in."

After saying those words, a very smug looking King walks into my chambers.

"Well my Princess how nice of you to allow me to enter your room. You should really ask who is standing in front of your room before letting anyone in. It could have been a delinquent or maybe even a monster."

I laugh at his played worry and his enraged expression. He put son a charming smile and then walks up to me.

"What is it that you want?"

"Why do I disturb you? I thought you were my friend!" He looks at me with a playful pout and takes a few steps closer to me. "I just came by to see what you are doing, you know. I'm bored senselessly and I don't have anything to do."

"I'm sorry but I can't be of any help. I have to get changed before we leave and that will take quite t a while since all the maids are having a free day today. The laces on my corset will take a lot of time."

"You know… I could help you with those laces. I would have something to do and you would be finished faster."

"Are you serious?!" I look at him doubtfully. As if I would let him help me with getting dressed. Sometimes I really don't want to know what that boy is thinking…

"I swear I don't have any inappropriate intentions and it's not like I didn't do this before."

I just raise my eyebrows. What does he mean with that?

"Oh my god, I did not mean it like that. I already helped Lucy or Susan with their dresses." His face turned red from embarrassment. "You do realize that you have a really dirty mind Emilia."

Now it's my turn to get all red. "Fine Edmund. I will allow you to fasten the laces on my corset. But no funny business! Promise!"

"Yeah, yeah… I promise."

I smile at him and walk over to my closet. "Would you please turn around?" He just nodded and did what I asked him to do. I take the dress that I am currently wearing off and put a new one on. After that I walk over to Edmund and try to hold the dress in place with the help of my hands. Turning my back to him I say: "You can turn around." After some time, I can feel Edmund's hands gently tying the laces in my back. I am able to feel his warm breath on my neck and get a bit dizzy. His hands move skillfully over the fabric of my dress and after some time he is finished with the corset.

"Is it alright that way?" Edmund asks.

I turn around and look at him with a thankful smile on my face.

"Yes, thank you very much Edmund. If I did this on my own, I would probably still stand here and try to fasten the laces."

He just smirks at me and then takes a hold of my arm and guides me out of my room.

"Since we still have a lot of time until our departure, I think we should do something useful. Are you up for a little game of hide and seek?"

Suddenly an idea strikes me. And I walk closer to him.

"Oh yes, I would be delighted to play hide and seek. Maybe we can even get the others to play with us, if they are finished with getting ready. But first of all…", I walk a few steps ahead of him and then start running, "you will have to catch me!"

He laughs and takes off after me. "I sure will catch you princess. As you know, I'm the awesomest person that exists."