Hi lovies! Sorry for the long gap in between updates. My excuse? School. This simple six lettered word is the source of my nightmares, my lack of sleep, and my stress. But since i have a long three day weekend because of Memorial day on Monday, I had time to write chapter four. So thank you to all of the soldiers that are protecting our wonderful country. I will stop talking so you can enjoy this chapter. Onward comrades! Ok I'll stop being weird now.

Disclaimer: I don't own Degrassi, the characters used, or the Princess Bride. I do, however own this plot.

Enjoy!

Chapter Four

Eli's P.O.V.

After telling me her whole life story and how her mother doesn't really care for her or give her the time of day, the beauty sitting in front of me began to sob and cry. I felt angry, furious, mad…all those terrible feelings of fury were burning inside of me. I also felt my heart break knowing that this angel sent from heaven was hurting and there wasn't anything I could do to comfort her.

There is one thing I could do.

I hesitantly leaned in for a hug.

What if she doesn't take it well? What if she thinks I'm a creep because I want to hug her even though I've only known her for like an hour? What if she runs away because I'm just a poor and filthy commoner?

I know Clare would never do any of these things but I can't help but think of them anyway. I was rejected once and I don't wish for that to happen again. When she leans in and accepts my comfort, I feel relieved. I feel Clare tighten her hold on me as if she's holding onto dear life. It makes me blush a bit and I lean back not wanting someone to see us and get us in trouble. I felt bad for backing away so I decided not to look into her eyes that are probably filled with sadness and despair. But when I feel her hands release mine, which she has been holding on to since she told me her "secret", I looked up and noticed her expression was filled with relief and delight.

Deciding it was time to leave, even though I didn't want to, I got up.

"I should probably get going. I need to pay my mother a visit. After all, that is what I came here for." I said.

"Right." She said in between giggles. She didn't believe me but I didn't want her to know that I came to the castle to admire her from afar. That might actually chase her away.

"It was nice chatting with ye, Clare. I'll see thee around." I took her hand and, without breaking eye contact, I kissed it. I turned around and left with one last glance at the beauty before disappearing around the corner.

Clare's P.O.V.

I felt as if I was just floating on the clouds. Is it even possible to fall more in love with someone? I find it ironic that I'm falling in love with a peasant because this means that my favorite book, The Princess Bride, is coming true. Every time I read this fairytale, I always fantasized about meeting my true love but believed I would never have the opportunity because of my selfish mother forcing me into marriage with a strange man. I finally have an excuse to not marry an arrogant prince from a distant land; I found my soul mate.

Whoa, Clare calm down. I can't be in love with Eli because I BARELY met him and even if I DID love him, mother would never approve. I mentally beat myself up.

I need time to think. I need to talk to someone; someone I trust with my life. So I head to the kitchen.

As I walk into the kitchen, I'm greeted with a familiar voice.

"Good morrow, Miss Clare." I turn to Cecelia, the main cook, with a bright smile. She is one of my closest friends.

"Good morrow, Cecelia. How art thou in this fine day?" I say gracefully. Cecelia looks at me as her right eyebrow shot straight up.

"I'm fine. And why art thee so very cheery?" She asked with a little giggle.

"Well, I met this boy. And he has the most gorgeous eyes and he is so sweet and I get nervous when I think about him." I tell Cecelia about my encounter and let out a loud sigh. I notice Cecelia grinning from ear to ear. She knows I don't get all gooey about a boy very often so when I do, it's very special. I've only felt this way once before.

Cecelia looked at me with a knowing look.

"Sounds like you're in love, Miss Clare. Tell me, what's his name?" She asks in a sing-song voice. "I think I just might be, Cecelia. His name is…" We hear the back door open and I recognize the tall figure with raven black hair.

"…Eli…" I finish saying. Eli stops dead in his tracks.

"…Clare…" He says, shock and panic filling his expression. Is he not happy to see me?

"W-what are you doing here?"

As I open my mouth to answer, Cecelia walks over to Eli and smacks his head. Eli winces and rubs the back of his head. I let out a soft chuckle.

"That's no way to treat the princess! Besides, this is her castle she can be here if she desires." Cecelia scolds Eli. I smile. I like Cecelia's forwardness. I wonder how she knows Eli.

"Sorry, Mom," He replies.

The smile on my face fades away.

"Cecelia is your mother?" I ask. Apparently, I have a ridiculous shocked facial expression because Cecelia just laughs and nods.

"Huh…So thee wasn't lying when thou said that thee was visiting thy mother?" I ask Eli. He laughs.

"I would never lie to thee Clare. I'm hurt that thee would think I was capable of such horrid thing." Eli says dramatically, holding his hand up to his chest feigning being offended. I giggle at his smug character.

"Could thou be anymore haughty?" I ask, raising my eyebrow in question.

"Absolutely!" He responds, making me burst into laughter.

"I have made the, oh-so-bitter, Princess Clare Martin laugh. What a marvelous day this is! I deserve some sort of reward for my accomplishment!" Eli says in between laughter. Eli's comment made me red with embarrassment.

"Hey! I am NOT bitter!" I say, trying to defend myself.

"Yes, thou art"

"No,"

"Yes!"

"No! Stop it!" We yelled back and forth and we were laughing the entire time. I walked towards him, unconsciously backing him up against the wall. I pointed my finger at him in accusation giggling all the while. When Eli's back hit the wall behind him, he grasped my wrists. We stopped laughing in time to realize the position we were in. Eli was backed up against the wall, he had a firm grasp on my wrists, and our faces were two inches away from each other. I could easily just tilt my head and lean forward so that our lips would connect. Would it be too soon? I was about to lean forward when we heard someone behind me clear their throat. Eli let go of my hands and held his hands up in defense. I quickly stepped away from Eli and turned around to see Cecelia with her arms crossed and her foot tapping on the floor. She looked pretty angry. I could feel my face get hot.

"I...um… I've got to go get ready for the…um…thing…" I said not making eye contact with Cecelia. I take a quick glance towards Eli to find him staring at the floor and in the same state of embarrassment. I open my mouth as if to say something but decide to just slip away without another word. I've embarrassed myself enough for one day.