A/n:

CarmillaIsLifee: This chapter will be longer than the last one guys! Sorry for the lack of an update but life got in the way! Stupid life -sighs-

Synucian: I had to take the ACT. I'm brain dead. I was hoping to have the chapter done last night but . . . someone didn't like me staying up at 3 am. (Their internet got shut off -CarmillaIsLifee)

Laura ran as fast as her feet would carry her through the dark woods. She ignored the pain she felt on the bottom of her bare feet. She was sure she had cut them on the rocks. She ran and ran and ran, panting and out of breath. I can't . . . do this . . . much longer! She could hear it getting closer to her, and her heart felt as if it would explode in her chest. Must keep running! A root grabbed at Laura's foot, causing her to trip and fall face first into the dirt. She let out a cry of pain. She was sure her ankle was broken. No! It can't end like this! She cried out in her mind. The thing grabbed her leg and began slowly dragging her along the dirty ground. "No! Let me go! Let me go!" She screamed. It picked her up by her hair and-

"Laura!" Carmilla exclaimed. Laura woke up with a jolt. "No!" She screamed out, beads of sweat rolling down her pale face. "Laura, are you alright? You've been mumbling in your sleep." She looked over at Carmilla who was looking at her with concerned eyes. Laura wrapped her arms around her torso, clinging tightly. "I-I had a horrible nightmare, Carm." Carmilla stroked her long hair. "It's alright, princess. You're awake now," She cooed. Laura sniffled as she loosened her grip on Carmilla. "You're alright." Then it was like everything bad had gone away. "Is there anything I could get you to make you feel better?" Carmilla asked. She didn't like seeing the princess so upset. She looked up at Carmilla and sniffled. "Can you get me some cake?"

Carmilla woke up the next morning with Laura wrapped around her. Her arms were snaked around her torso with Laura's nose was buried in her neck. Carmilla could feel little puffs of hot air hitting her skin, making tingles go up and down her spine. In this moment, Carmilla thought hard about what is was that she was doing, and what it was that she wanted. She knew she only really wanted to be around Laura, seeing as she wasn't a people person. There was another part of her, though, that knew what she was currently doing was wrong. Laura was married, even if the marriage was loveless and caused by a rape. Carmilla had seen this sort of thing happen many times, but this time it bothered her more deeply. She had kissed Laura the night before, on impulse, but she couldn't help to not care for the repercussions. She knew there was something about the small human curled against her body, that made her do things she normally wouldn't even think about doing. Cuddling, Carmilla scoffed to herself internally. Cuddling is something Carmilla had never done before. It's a sign of weakness. . .

That thought prompted Carmilla to look down at Laura's sleeping face. Her mouth was slightly agape, and there was a light snore that came from her throat. Maybe. . Laura is a weakness, Carmilla thought. She shook her head lightly, shaking such a terrible thought out of her head. Laura was not a weakness. The feelings Carmilla had for her, though, were.

A few more minutes of pondering went by, when Carmilla felt Laura stir from her slumber. "Mmm Carmilla?" Laura asked tiredly. Carmilla made a noise in her throat to let Laura know she was awake. The princess looked up at Carmilla and smiled shyly, "Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep on top of you." Carmilla smiled at Laura, and leaned down to kiss her lips. Laura brought her hand to rest on Carmilla's neck, her fingers finding their way into Carmilla's short locks. Carmilla slid an arm around Laura's waist, pulling her closer, eliciting a small moan from Laura. That small moan seemed to draw out an animalistic side of Carmilla. Her soft, gentle kisses quickly turned into rough, passionate ones. Laura arched her back, pressing into the knight's body. Overwhelmed, Laura withdrew from the kiss, panting a bit. "St-stop," She mumbled, her face a bright red. Carmilla gazed down at Laura with surprised eyes. "I-I'm sorry," Carmilla apologized. She couldn't believe she had let her desires take control of her actions again. "I don't know what came over me." Carmilla started to remove herself from Laura, but the human kept her arms wrapped around the knight. "I-it's alright," Laura reassured, but she seemed taken aback by her actions as well. "It's just . . . too soon," Laura said. "And you're married," Carmilla added. Laura nodded. "Right, I'm also married." Carmilla again went to stand up but Laura held her still. "But . . ." Carmilla rose an eyebrow. "But what?"

"I mean, I wouldn't mind kissing you." The knight seemed surprised. "Princess, you're married. It's not right."

"Well, maybe I don't care. I want to kiss you, not William." Carmilla blinked at her words. "If anyone were to find out though-"

"I don't care," Laura protested. She placed a soft kiss on her knight's lips. "No one will find out." Laura gave her a little bashful smile despite her boldness a few seconds before. The knight sighed in surrender. Laura went to walk away, but didn't get one step before Carmilla was pulling her back. Laura let out an excited giggle right before their lips met again. Laura was the first to pull away. She swatted Carmilla's arm playfully and said, "I have to get ready." Carmilla furrowed her brows, "Ready for what?"

Laura was walking away when she threw an answer over her shoulder, "To go to the market!" Then she closed the bathroom door before Carmilla could protest. Carmilla's shoulders slumped, as she walked over to her chair, plopping down with a sigh.

Great, she thought as she began to pull on her armor.

Laura led Carmilla through the crowds of the market, grinning like a small child. "Come on! We gotta get there while the sweets are still fresh!"

"You know if you eat too many of those, you'll get fat," Carmilla replied, teasing her. Laura looked back at her with a glare. They walked into a small bakery. The scent of baked goods filled the room, causing Laura's mouth to water. "Look, Charles! They have sweet rolls!" Laura ran over to the counter, her eyes gleaming at the site of all the delicious, sugary treats. "Yes, yes, I see Princess," She responded. The bell on the door rang, causing the two to turn in curiousity. In ran two children, who seemed just as excited about the bakery as Laura was. One collided into Laura's leg, causing her to look up at the princess with wide eyes. "It's the Princess!" She exclaimed. Shortly after, an older woman, followed by a third child, walked into the bakery. "Elizabeth! Get off of the Princess!" She scolded, causing the child to slowly back away and lower her head. "Sorry Princess Laura," She mumbled. "I'm terribly sorry about my children, your majesty." She bowed before the Princess, causing Laura to blush. "No, no. It's alright. Your name is Elizabeth?" Laura lowered down onto her knees so she could be eye level with the young girl. She nodded. "Today's my birthday! Mama saved up enough to get me a sweet! I really wanted a sweet roll, but Mama says they're too much." The woman ruffled the girl's blonde hair.

"Times have been hard, but I always try to have enough for my children when their birthdays come along." She gave Laura a sad smile. "Well, how about I buy you guys a sweet roll?" The woman's eyes widened in disbelief. "No, I can't accept that, your majesty!"

"Please, I insist," Laura said. She placed some gold on the counter. "Two sweet rolls please!"

The baker handed Laura two boxes, each one containing a sweet roll. She handed one box to the little girl and said, "Happy Birthday Elizabeth and share your sweet roll with your brothers."

Laura turned to an absent minded looking Carmilla and handed her the box that Laura had purchased for herself, before turning back to the family. She smiled at the youngest child, a boy no more than three, who was waving at her with a cute smile on his face.

Carmilla had kept quiet this whole time, watching the exchange. She was looking over the other things in the bakery when she felt a tug at her cloak. She looked up and around searching for who pulled on her cloak. It occurred to her to look down, and when she did, she saw that one of the little boys was staring up at her. Not ever really being around children, Carmilla had no idea what to do, so she just stood there staring back. Laura was in conversation with the mother, when she noticed that she was looking at something over her shoulder. Laura turned around and saw the exchange, or lack there of, between Carmilla and the little boy. They were just staring at each other. The little boy had his fingers in his mouth, and Carmilla was just holding the little box in her hand. Laura raised her eyebrow as the staring continued before the little boy removed his hand from his mouth and pointed up at Carmilla's sword, "Is that real?" He asked in an adorable voice. Carmilla stared at him for a little while longer before she answered with a confused, "Yes?" The little ones eyes lit up, "Can I see it?" He asked excitedly.

Carmilla, unsure of how to respond, looked up at the boys mother. She gave Carmilla a nod, as if she was supposed to know what that meant. So she put the little box onto the counter, then carefully and slowly drew her sword. Its black steel was almost too dark, and it's edges were the sharpest Laura had ever seen. Laura thought about it, and she realized she had never seen the sword unsheathed. The last time it was out, was here in the market when the old woman attacked Laura, but she hadn't seen the sword. It was beautiful in a twisted way, that she didn't quite understand.

Carmilla knelt down next to the little boy, using her gloved hand to hold the blade up. He looked at it in wonder, with wide eyes. He reached out to touch in and Carmilla spoke in a soft but stern voice, "That's not a good idea little one." The little boy nodded and smiled up at Carmilla, "Thank you for showing me Sir." Carmilla gave him a small nod, then stood up and sheathed her sword.

The mother smiled a knowing smile and turned to Laura, "He's a fine gentlemen." Laura nodded.

"That he is." She said smiling in an oblivious Carmilla's direction.

While riding in the carriage, Carmilla turned her head to Laura and spoke, "You know, you're gonna be a great mother." The comment shocked Laura. "You think so?"

"Of course. I just watched you with that little girl. Did you see how happy she was when you gave her that roll? I'm sure you helped her mother out too." Laura gave a little smile. Maybe this parenting thing wouldn't be as hard for her. She was actually excited about being a mother.

Suddenly, the sound of thunder was heard. Laura looked out the carriage window to see dark, ominous clouds. "A storm? But it was so nice and sunny earlier," Laura complained. "The weather can be unpredictable, cupcake," Carmilla replied as the carriage pulled up to the front of the castle

They walked through the castle doors to see King Hollis waiting for them. "Laura, I'd like to speak with you," He said. There was a hint of sadness in his voice that caused Laura to furrow her brow. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no. I just wanted to speak with my daughter. Is that alright?" His lack of control was unusual, but Laura followed him to the throne room. Carmilla was about to follow them into the room, but he turned to her and said, "Charles, I'd like to speak to my daughter privately for a moment. Could you wait outside the door?" Carmilla didn't like being separated from her. The last time that happened, Laura got hit in the head with a candlestick. She nodded though and stood outside the door. She looked over to the other knight and saw that it was him: William.

Laura walked into the throne room with her father. "What is it, Papa?" He looked at her with sad eyes. "Laura . . . I've been thinking about what I've done and . . . well, I'm deeply sorry. Nothing I can say could fix what I've put you through." He looked at the ground in shame. "I just wanted you to know that . . . I love you dearly, Laura. You mean the world to me." His words brought tears to her eyes. "Oh, Papa . ." She said, her voice cracking. "But please understand . . . that I'm just looking out for the kingdom as well. After your mother died . . . well, it's been hard. I was scared to remarry because I feared I may end up losing her as well." Laura shook her head a little. She understood why her father did what he did, but it still didn't make it okay. "I forgive you, Papa, but it doesn't mean I agree with you." King Hollis frowned. "Yes, I understand, Laura. I sincerely regret what I've done." Laura walked over to her father and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I forgive you, Papa . ."

"Did you see Laura and Charles in the market?"

"Oh, yes! They were holding hands and all!"

"I don't know about you, but I think that something's going on between the two."

"Oh! So scandalous!"

"I know! But you know what they say . . . forbidden love always comes with the best sex!"

"Actually . . . no one says that."

"What? Are you sure?"

"Yeah, no one says that. But I have to say . . . Laura was looking so good today!"

" . . ."

"I mean Charles- Oh! Is it raining now? Hurry, girls! Inside!"

"I think Danny's got a thing for the princess."

"You don't say?"