Hey!

Enjoy!

The 21 one year old fired, the arrow sailed through the air and hit the bulls eye, he grinned "Perfection, right Alfie?"

"Right mate," Alfie grinned yawning "Mara's coming in a few minutes right?"

"Right," Jerome sighed, running both hands through his hair. For two years he had been plagued with thoughts of her. Of the beautiful Princess who he had teased since they were 13 years old. Whose book he had thrown into the fire. He had rejected every other girl since none of them were like her. Could fight back, could handle a conversation or a chess game with quite so much grace. "Alfie, I've got a very bad feeling I'm in love with her," Alfie grinned

"I knew it," he clapped his hands "I knew it when we were 17, I knew you liked her,"

"Alfie, I hated her back then." Jerome whacked Alfie's arm

"The best one's always start like that."

Line Break

Mara leaned against the side of the boat, watching the waves crash by. She was wearing a white summer dress, with a white cloak. She took a deep breath, smiling at the salty breeze. She was dreading spending another summer with Jerome, but she figured, what else could he do to her now? She was 21, soon to be the Queen, she'd have to get stronger.

"Father," Mara called absentmindedly, running her fingers through her soft hair "Why do we really go to Queen Clara's palace every two years? From June to September?"

King Jack wrapped his arms around his little girl "Mara, Mara, Mara," he whispered "I told you the answer to this question when you were 13, it hasn't changed." Mara rolled her eyes, but decided not to press the subject.

Line Break

"Pleasure to be he-" Mara began, while curtseying, but Jerome cut her off

"No, the pleasure is all mine," he took her hand, kissing it gently. Mara frowned, he had done that last time. Kissing her hand and not being disgusted. And then again, another wave of déjà vu "Would you like some help with your bags?"

Mara shook her head "No, I can manage,"

Jerome watched her leave. Just being around her was a massive flood of relief. He realised…he had missed her.

Line Break

Jerome took a deep breath, mustering as much courage as he could, before gently knocking on Mara's door. He held a tray of food in his hand, her lunch, she hadn't left her room all day and he figured it might mean more if he did it, not a servant.

She opened it with a smile, only for it to drop when she saw him "Yes?" she asked, eyeing the tray of food

"It's for you," Jerome said quickly "I figured you might be hungry,"

Mara examined the food, it was a baguette with crackers and salad. Her favourite "Thank you," she said quietly, taking the tray of food "You didn't have too," she turned and walked inside her large room, placing the tray on the table and sitting down. Jerome stayed standing in the open door way, and Mara sighed "I suppose, if you must, you can come in,"

Jerome smiled gratefully, closing the door behind him, he saw her eyeing the food "Don't worry," he said with a smile "It's not poisoned or anything,"

Mara let out a relieved laugh "Never know," he sat beside her hesitantly

"I'm really sorry about…" he trailed off, unsure how to continue. Mara took a bite of lettuce and watched him carefully. He sighed "I don't know. About everything? Is that an acceptable answer?" he let out a small laugh of relief at her smile "About pushing you in the pond, although to be fair, you did get even. About teasing you, ignoring you, practically bullying you, making your summer's hell. And especially about…your mothers book."

Mara swallowed, shaking her head "You've changed Jerome. I noticed it the last time I was here. What happened?" Jerome looked down at the ground and Mara rolled her eyes knowing the answer "I became somewhat attractive?" she guessed correctly out loud "You really are a Prince, aren't you?"

"Sorry," Jerome said, somewhat sheepishly. Mara shrugged

"It's fine with me. As long as I'm not getting pushed into ponds anymore,"

Line Break

And she didn't.

In fact, during the course of the summer, the two became quite good friends. Seeing no reason to torment one another anymore, and not bickering about everything…they seemed to get on. King Jack and Queen Clara certainly noticed, but dared not say anything, for fear it might not last.

Mara was…she was almost reluctant to leave. And she realised…it had been a pretty pleasant summer. Chess games that went on for days, horse riding with Jerome and Alfie, watching them play archery, late night card games (she still always won) pranks on the chefs, which Mara had to admit, were pretty amazing. Early mornings, reading, sitting opposite each other in comfortable silence.

Mara felt like…a child again. Playing hide and seek in the gardens, sleeping out in the tree house. She hadn't felt like a child in years. Back home…it was always becoming more mature. But here…she felt as though she was living the childhood years she always wanted.

Packing her bags, she smiled, but it also reminded her, Jerome was immature. He had always been immature, and he still was.

Line Break

"Damn, damn, damn." Jerome whispered to himself. He shook his head, turning to face Alfie who was watching him, a little concerned "I have a very bad feeling I'm in love with her, Alfie."

Alfie patted Jerome's back comfortingly "Why is that a bad thing?"

"I don't know," Jerome shrugged "Maybe because she'll never like me back?"

"You have two years to get over her Jerome," Alfie encouraged "Don't worry, I'll have a line of fair maidens all lined up for you,"

Line Break

"I had a very nice time," Mara said truthfully, curtseying. Jerome bowed and smiled

"I am very glad," he nodded. They both watched each other, smiling, waiting to see who would say it. In the end, Jerome gave in "This is my idea of fun," he said with a sigh, Mara beamed.

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