A/N:And here is your next update! Sorry that I'm terribly late also...

Prince Romeo

I followed them every which way through the thick crowd. Every time I gained on them, I would loose them till I saw a red head pop up out of the crowd. You may be wondering how I'm able to find one certain red head through the bustling streets of Aria. It's much easier than it seems since most Arians have blonde or light brown hair with blue eyes and I was no exception with my brown-blonde hair and cerulean eyes. But this girl was different with her dark red hair and her hazel eyes. Not to offend but she stuck out like a sore thumb.

I noticed that they were heading in the general direction of the river, the one that separated the East Side from the West Side. There were many rivers that coursed in and out of Aria but the one that flowed through the city created a figurative border. Though not official, everyone knew that the rich lived on the West Side of town, nearer the castle, and the poor lived on the East. The king and queen, or father and mother, liked to think both sides as a whole but everyone knew the truth of it.

I was pushed and shoved as I made my way to the bridge, I still carried the dismembered teddy bear in my left hand, clutching it so it wouldn't get grappled out of my hand and get lost forever more in the cobbled streets.

I finally arrived at the river, or as close to the river as I would ever get, but I had lost sight of them again. I turned in a full circle, hoping down to catch sight of the red headed girl or maybe even the little girl though I didn't get a good look at her. A thought then crossed my mind, Did I really just want to return the bear?, but those thoughts quickly fled as I turned to the bridge. I saw both of them in clear view but, really, I was focusing on the older, red headed, girl (A/N:I really need them to know each others names xP).

Her hazel eyes bore into mine but instead of approaching me or just staying where she was, she turned around and fled yet again. What was it about me that made people go away?

I went after them swiftly, crossing the wide, wooden bridge which was surprisingly empty, considering the large crowd at the entrance/exit. Now, they were not even 15 feet away.

"Wait!" I called out, "I'm not trying to hurt you!" More like help you, I thought.

I saw the little girl say something to the red head. At first the red headed girl hesitated but stopped and turned so she was facing me. Her eyes locked on mine as I walked swiftly toward them with my rather long stride, I could see that they were laced with suspicion and fear.

I was but 5 feet away when she said, "Stop. What do you want?" Her voice uncertain but firm. I stopped in my tracks and took out the soft, brown teddy bear and held it out to the little girl.

"Celeste!"(A/N:This is for you MR fans out there ;D) She called out and ran forward boldly to snatch up the teddy bear, the name obviously Celeste. The red headed girl tried to hold her back but stopped. Then she looked back at me, it felt as if she was reading my mind.

"What is your name?" I asked. I was being nicer than usual...

"I'd like to return that question," She answered, her face now masked over with a calmness and neutrality.

"I am," I hesitated, should I tell her the truth? "Tristan," I finished. Where'd I get that from?

She looked hard at me," I am...Coriander," her eyes narrowed for a second but then returned to normal.

The little girl with blonde hair was standing directly between us looking positively confused, "But I thought-..." She was cut off by the look that the, now known Coriander, gave her.

"Uhh...Well I'm...Adeline," She then said shyly, turning back to me,"Uhm, well, thank you for returning my bear...Oh! And call me Addy, in secret though," My heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. I knew she had looked familiar, this was not just any random little girl. This was the Duke's little girl. And even if he did not show it, he was mighty fond of her.

I smiled, though no one saw with the hood still covering most of my face.

"You're welcome Adeline I-"

"Come Addy, we need to get you home, it's getting dark," Coriander cut in, giving me a fake smile, "Well. It was nice meeting you but we need to go now," The conversation was clearly over.

"Well bye Tristan!" Adeline called out as she skipped back to Coriander, her shy episode fading away.

"Ya, bye. Now lets go," Coriander said with a note of finality and starting turning and walking away.

"Wait!" I jogged the remaining distance separating us. I saw Coriander mutter something under breath then turn to me.

"What?"

"I uh," What was I doing? "Do you know where you're going? I could uh, help you..."

"Thank you for your offer but-"

"I live in a big white house, do you know where that is?" Adeline cut in. Coriander gave her a glare.

I knew that house too well. There was only one house that was white, it stood out and that's just the way the owner liked it, and that owner was the Duke of Aria.

"Yes, I know that house."

"You do! Did you hear that, he knows where my house is and can take us there!" Addy exclaimed to Coriander.

Coriander sighed,"Lead the way."

She narrowed her eyes as I stepped in front of them,"If you hurt me or her, I will hurt you. If you come from the East Side then you should know the no one trusts any one anywhere, and this isn't an exception," She said softly so Adeline couldn't hear but her words were laced with a cold suspicion.

I half nodded my head.

"Well are we going?" She snapped after about 5 second of silence.

Geez. This girl wasn't like those timid maids or the shy daughters of the nobles. This girl was different, I wondered if most girls were like this on the East Side. I doubted that since it was so nontraditional and uncultural of this Aria.

I started off at a swift pace down the clean, cobbled streets of the West Side, there were many stares from the suspicious nobles and I didn't blame them. A peasant, a noble's daughter plus a hooded stranger didn't usually equal something good.

*~x~X~x~*

We arrived at Duke Bladian's house in complete silence, even the little girl, Adeline, didn't say anything. I guess she felt the cold suspicion that hang in the air between me and Coriander. She seemed bright and promised success.

"Well thank you for your help Tristan but I think we'll be fine from here," Coriander voiced.

That's when something hit me.

Everyday, just as the sun went down a maid would come by my room to check on me, mother's orders. Why? I had no idea. But it gave me roughly only 7 minutes to get back to the castle, through the secret passage way, up the spiral stair case, through my study, into my room and to change into a new pair of clothes. This was going to be tight.

"Uhm, right, I'll be off now," I replied then turned on my heel and walked faster than my usual already fast pace. I broke into a run as soon as I was thought I out of their sight. I ran back across the bridge, back over to the East Side. It was the only way I would get back into the forest that the entrance to the secret passage way was.

Once I was off the bridge I followed the river until it flowed into the forest which was getting ever darker. I finally found the worn down path made in years past when I would sneak out when I was young. Now partly over grown with weeds. I hurried to the entrance of the passageway which was still open. I was lucky that no one found it. I would have to remember next time in case some wild animal came across it and fell inside or a nearby towns person would discover it.

I jumped down into it, closing the door with me, not even bothering to use the metal ladder rungs. I ran down the passage, keeping close to the wall, my eyes still not adjusted to the musty darkness. I quickly ran up the steps as soon as I bumped into the first step. My vision now somewhat adjusted didn't exactly helped as I ran up the cold uneven steps. I felt Father Time working against me or maybe it was paranoia.

I quickly pulled down on the unlit torch that was by where the bookcase would open up. It took longer than I would liked but I squeezed through as soon as the opening was large enough. I hurried and closed the bookcase then went into my bedroom, discarding my cloak and tucking it under my bed. I pulled on the pair of clothes I had on earlier just as a knock came at my door. I tried slowing down my breathing as I said, "Come in."

The maid wasn't that bright anyway. She wouldn't suspect anything. But the maid didn't come in. Instead came in the Queen Of Aria. My mother, and she was pretty bright.

"Hello son," She said in a formal voice that she always used even though I was her son.

"Good evening mother," I replied stiffly trying not to gasp for breath that I needed badly after all the running I had did.

She took a seat in a nearby chair after closing the door, inviting herself in.

"We have some important matters to discuss," She just said in a voice as stiff as mine. I remained impassive.

"We all know that your 19th birthday is coming up and we, your father and I, have decided that if you do not pick a bride soon after the ball then we shall pick one for you, namely the Princess of Orynia," She then continued.

Though I didn't show it I was shocked. Shocked that my father had agree to this. And the Princess of Orynia? That was the enemy kingdom.

"But Orynia is the enemy kingdom, why would I marry her?" I inquired, knowing 'soon' was about 2 days maximum.

"That is the point of the marriage dear son, to have the two kingdoms come to peace. I also heard that she is fair. Beautiful actually. She will be at the ball and I expect you to meet her and at least try to like her for I fear if you do not choose her as your bride then we will. Any other lady who proves to come across your liking will not be approved and dismissed," She ended with her voice still formal and stiff then she left the room with me still sitting there trying to process that I had only one choice.

To marry the Princess of Orynia.

The princess of the enemy kingdom.

The princess whom could bring peace throughout.

The princess whom I did not love.

But it was only I that could save countless lives.

:)

A/N:Ohk, this chapter was pretty long, well atleast longer so appreciate it! I am writing up another chapter to make up for the zillions of weeks I missed. I might even post another one...! :) So that 3 updates in a row counting this one! I bet you love me now xD Maybe. You shouldn't trust me though..

-Jess [You better review]