Waking up, Judy groaned in frustration, over the dread she kept in up until this particular day. She was not looking forward to meeting yet another suitor, and she had made it a goal to steer clear of her mother the past two days. Fighting and having to endure more lectures was not something she was in the mood for, for the time being. It was enough being forced to marry a stupid stranger.

Okay so maybe she shouldn't take out her anger on the poor buck, he was merely going along with whatever duties he had to carry out. It was her mother she needed to direct her anger on. And maybe Nick too.

'Darn that fox,' she thought with a frown. If it weren't for him she wouldn't be having to deal with whatever these feelings were, in addition to the arrangements. There was simply too much to be dealing with at one time, and frankly, it had left Judy exhausted and with a near constant headache.

Of course that's not to mention her having to worry about her studies. Albeit the fact her parents didn't actually know she was studying, let alone what her studying actually entailed. One thing she did not want was her mother and father losing their heads over her studying 'Military Science' and 'Hopology'. When the time came, she'd tell them, and they'd have to deal with it. Now though, was not that time.

She got up with a huff, and threw on the closest gown to her. With a quick glance in the mirror above her vanity, she hopped out of her room. 'Time for more studying,' she grinned.

Strolling into the library, Judy made her way to the back of the room, making sure of course, that her mother hadn't seen her come in here. Once she reached her corner, she grabbed the book from it's hiding space behind a shelf, and sat herself down on the ground. Hopefully if her mother did come in looking for her, she wouldn't be able to see Judy from the far end of the room. With a contented sigh, she began reading at the part she had bookmarked the last time she was here. Her mind though, was not focused in the slightest, and no matter how many times Judy read the lines, they just didn't seem to be sinking in. No, her mind was on a certain fox. The only one who knew anything about her secret learning experience.

The way he made her feel, should have been illegal, and it frustrated her to no end. Why did it have to be him? Her sister's husband no less! No matter how many times she had to remind herself, Judy couldn't help it. She was falling for him.

He listened to her, respected her passions, wasn't afraid to tease and talk back to her, spar with her when no one else would. He respected that she wasn't just a princess, or a girl, but her own person.

"Found you."

Aaand he was incidentally standing right in front of her. How in the world hadn't she noticed him come in and walk right up to her? Judy looked up and gave him a quick glare.

"Ouch Carrots, that stings," he teased, feigning hurt.

"I don't know how many times I have to inform you not to call me that," she threatened, slamming her book shut in frustration. So much for peace and quiet. "Do you need something?"

Nick hummed in response. "Well I won't lie princess, but I could use a hug" he teased. Judy huffed, a blush spread across her face.

"I do believe that's quite enough out of you," she spoke, lifting herself up.

"Whoa there Princess, where are you going?" he said frantic, grabbing a hold of her arm.

"Away from you. I'm trying to study in peace."

"What is it you're studying? Maybe I can be of assistance," he offered. Nick did not want her running off again. It was hard enough finding her in the first place in a castle full of bunnies. Judy paused with wide eyes, studying the fox. She couldn't.. this would not be good for her! She couldn't even control her face not turning bright red.

"You don't want to help me.." she mumbled. He'd probably just annoy her further, and tease her. Perhaps it was a plot to get her to be unable to focus on her studies, which would in turn, affect her future. She didn't want that.

"I promise I won't be annoying" Nick replied, full of sincerity. He watched the bunny consider his proposal, her nose twitching.

'Well now, that is adorable.'

"Fine," she mumbled, defeated. "But one comment about anything not regarding the book's contents, and I leave."

The fox crossed his heart, and smiled cockily. "You have my word."

"No you're wrong!"

"Judith, I've been doing this for years because I've had to, do you really think you know better than me?"

The rabbit's jaw dropped. "Are you implying that just because I'm a princess, I don't know more about the foundations of an enemy castle than you?" she argued, appalled. "Need I remind you, who came up with the idea my father is going through with?"

Nick's ears fell on the back of his and he frowned slightly. 'Oh she's got you there Nicky.'

"That isn't what I was implying Princess, but stating I'm wrong without giving me a chance to explain myself, is hardly fair" he argued back, matter of factually.

Judy huffed and folded her arms. She wasn't going to lie either, sitting on the hard floor was starting to get uncomfortable, only adding to her frustration. The price she had to pay for being a fool and letting him be here with her. "Fine," she mumbled. "Go ahead."

Nick smiled triumphantly and gave her a nod. 'Gods, you are falling hard for this girl.'

"The reason why I said it wouldn't fully work is because you're not using enough force."

Judy slumped looking confused. "Not enough? You'd be using a cannon for heavens sake!"

"Ah, but you'd just be focusing on one area of attack." he pointed out.

"Huh?"

"A good way to be successful in an attack is to have backup that the enemy isn't aware of. While you have them focused on your front attack with your soldiers and that cannon of yours, you have forces going in from another side. A surprise attack, if you will" he explained, watching the bunny listen with intent and awe. Her eyes were wide, and it gave Nick the opportunity to stare at her amethyst orbs further.

'I think I've found my new favourite colour..'

'Shut up Nicky, you're turning into a sap.'

"Wow.. that actually makes so much sense," she said quietly, interrupting his thoughts. He was thankful his blush was hidden beneath his red fur, and smirked, masking his near fluster.

"Of course it makes sense. They don't call me handsome and smart for nothing" he teased, resting his chin on his paw. Judy let out a giggle.

"Sure. Who tells you that, your mother?" Nick chuckled at her comeback.

"Ouch, way to hurt my ego Carrots."

"I'm sure you have enough of that ego to sacrifice a bit," she teased back.

The two continued on with the book, bickering about different things they came to disagree upon in it, and fighting about who was right or not. Nick won the majority, but he had to admit he was surprised she could pull her weight on knowing things not many mammals did not. After a while, he let out a quick yawn, and Judy looked up only now noticing the sun dipping in the sky.

They'd been in the library all day? And her mother hadn't found them? 'Very peculiar' she thought confused.

"Well, I'm famished, are you?" Nick announced, stretching. Judy gasped in surprise. "The dinner! What time is it?"

"Time for you to get into this fox's den" he jested with half lidded eyes, earning him a punch on his forearm. He yelped in surprise and held the wound.

"You're disgusting. I have to go" she grimaced, rushing to get to her feet.

"I'll see you at the dinner table" he smirked, still sitting on the floor. Judy groaned in frustration.

"Oh no, I forgot you were attending. Wonderful," she muttered through gritted teeth. "Don't do anything stupid."

As Judy began walking out of the library to get ready, she barely caught his remark, but when her hearing picked it up and processed what it was he had said, she slapped a hand down her face.

"Don't count on it Princess."

As she made her way down the spiral staircase of the east wing, her nerves returned. Judy was not looking forward to the dinner. Not only were her parents and her supposed future husband there, but her sister and Nicholas had decided to join in as well. On request of Lilith of course. She had personally decided she'd be there for Judy as a form of support. As much as Judy appreciated her sister's efforts, the thought of the Prince being there too, just made her feel even more uneasy. Especially considering he was not going to hold back on comments tonight.

Opening the door for the princess, the servants bowed their heads as Judy entered the Grand Dining Hall. Upon entering, she instantly noticed she was being made to sit between her father, which she had no problem with, and.. Nicholas. Now that, she had a problem with. Panicking, she wondered if there was enough time to retreat back to her quarters but before she could change her mind and turn away, her mother spoke up, ensuring that she stayed put.

"Judith! I'm so thankful you could make it dear!" her mother smiled, gesturing her daughter to take a seat opposite her. Hesitantly, Judy made her way over, and seated herself between the two royals, paws on her knees. Glancing to her right, she caught Nick's glance back, and she blushed as he low-key smirked.

"Judith," her mother started, causing Judy to snap her head back toward the Queen, only now noticing the buck sitting to her left. "I'd like to introduce Jack. He's from the Savage family, you know which one, right dear?" she said. Oh boy, did she know.

The Savages had been the ones to help during the Great war between the Burrows and the Imperials, decades ago. She wondered how much persuading it had taken her mother to get them to agree to this, considering her family was the very one to even join ties with the enemy. She imagined she couldn't have been that easy to boast about, to make the buck be eager to meet her by his own accord. As she looked toward him, he stood and bowed with a curt smile.

"My Princess, it is such an honour to finally meet you," he greeted, looking back up at her.

"Oh the pleasure is all mine" she lied, ears perking at the sound of snickering coming from beside her. Trying her best to shut him up, she kicked his shin from below the table.

"Be quiet" she threatened, through gritted teeth.

"I've heard much about you Princess" Jack continued, urging her to open up.

"Please, just Judith is fine," she assured. "And good things I hope?"

"Should I be worried that there might be bad?" he jested, earning a chuckle out of her father.

"Oh I should think so," she heard Nick say under his breath. She groaned, but masked her annoyance with a smile.

"You need not worry my Prince. I assure my parents raised me well," she said, directing her compliment toward her mother. Her mother smiled back at her, knowing full well her daughter was just trying to get on her good side.

"Did they teach you that foxes are the way to go too?" Nick whispered. He winced with a small grin, as she kicked him again. "Shut up" Judy hissed.

"Ah, that is good to hear Judith. Please, your mother mentioned you got into a bit of a muddle the other day. You have an interest for riding?" he questioned, seating himself back down now that introductions had passed.

"Ah yes, I rather enjoy getting out of the castle" she replied. "Do you ride too?" Jack smiled in response. "Yes as a matter of fact I do!"

The two continued on as her mother let out a sigh of relief and turned to her husband with a smile. 'I think we've found one,' she mouthed. He nodded back, and looked to his right in time to notice the servants bringing in their meals. Now that food had been served, Judy grew relieved at having a distraction, and began picking at her food.

"Tell us more about yourself Jack, please" her mother gestured. As the buck began to tell the guests at the table his somewhat sorrowful tale of his youth, the fox beside her moved his paw under the table, to rest atop hers. After a second, she recovered from her stunned reaction, and pulled away her paw.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she whispered furiously, albeit trying to keep a straight face and pretend to listen to what Jack was saying.

"What does it look like I'm doing? Come now, give me back your paw," he teased under his breath, grabbing it back in his grasp.

"Your wife is sitting right next to you, you fool!" she argued, attempting to pull back her paw.

"Judith?" Upon hearing her name, Judy whipped her head to face her mother. "Yes mother?" she hummed.

"What do you think about that?" she asked her, clearly realising her daughter had not been listening. Judy panicked a little. What did she think about what? Was there a question being suddenly aimed at her? Or maybe it had been some story Jack had told.

'Better safe than sorry.'

"Oh yes, a wonderful story indeed!" she complimented. With the way the room went deadly silent, with the exception of cutlery clanging down on plates, maybe it wasn't such a good idea to be safe. Judy couldn't help but swallow nervously, cursing in her head. 'I'm done for. This is how it ends for me.'

"Well.. that's awfully sadistic of you princess.." Jack grimaced, looking horrified. "I don't think this is going to work your Majesty, excuse me." The Queen got up and tried earnestly to get him to stay. "Please, just wait a moment!"

"I'm awfully sorry, but I don't think I can deal with that" he replied. Bowing to the remaining guests at the table, he left as quick as he came, leaving everyone to direct their stares at Judy. She sunk in her seat.

"Well done Carrots," Nicholas jested quietly. "You seemed to really enjoy the story of his father's death."

She could swear she wanted to strangle him, and out of everything, THAT had to be the conversation they were having. 'My luck.'

"I.. I'm sorry.. I didn't realize what he was saying.. I just thought I'd be polite and-"

"How on earth could you have been distracted Judith?" her mother yelled. "Out of all the things you've been doing lately, this really takes the cake, by far." Suddenly, Judy remembered why she had been distracted in the first place, and tugged her paw away, kicking him under the table in the process.

"Mother, I apologize, really-"

"Leave" Bonnie demanded harshly. Judith found her ears droop once again, as she took a stand, her mouth dry.

"Yes mother" she managed, making her way out of the room, the door shutting behind her. Seconds later, Nick placed his cutlery down.

"Please excuse me your Majesties, I really must use the washroom," he announced to both the King, Queen and his wife.

"Of course Nicholas, please take your time," Stu spoke up.

"Yes, we apologize profoundly for the show my daughter just put on," the queen added.

"Oh it's no trouble," he assured with a wave, he too making his way out of the Dining hall to chase down the bunny. Spotting her just at the end of the hallway, he picked up his pace to stride up beside her.

"What do you want now?" she mumbled, not daring to look at him.

"Are you alright princess?" he questioned curiously, feeling partly responsible. Judy turned to face him.

"Of course I'm not! You made me look a fool and my mother is furious with me!" she yelled.

"To be fair, you did that all on your lonesome Carrots," he teased. Before she could think twice, Judy grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him down to her height. The smirk he held made her more infuriated, and she pushed him further against the stone wall.

"I told you to stop calling me that," she warned, staring him down.

"Well well, there is a feisty side to the quiet bunny" he said playfully, hands raised as a sign of surrender. Judy blushed, letting go, but staying where she was, against him. Nick didn't raise himself up. "Admit it, you like being teased."

"N.. no!" she stuttered, flushing red. "You're just insufferable" she said, looking down. A warm paw rested upon her cheek, and her breath caught in her throat as he pulled her to look at him.

"You bunnies are very emotional I've gathered."

Judy felt stupid, especially because she couldn't find it in her to control herself better. She struggled to find her voice, feeling the warmth of his body on hers, and his emerald eyes shimmering.

"Why are you doing this.." she managed.

"I believe I've already answered that question princess," he whispered in reply, lessening the space between them.

"You have to stop," she whispered back, feeling hot. "It's too dangerous."

"Oh?" he raised an eyebrow, still keeping his distance close. "How so?"

Judy flushed, and with half lidded eyes and expectancy, she whispered, "Because you're going to make me fall for you.."

Grabbing onto her shoulders, Nick pulled the bunny into him further, and crushed his lips against hers. Try as she might, Judy could not stop herself from succumbing to his sudden affection. Although she didn't quite admit to her strange feelings, it did not impede his advances, and she had to wonder why he was so interested in her to begin with.

Why was he so interested in her?

She was reckless, did things without second guessing herself, and she almost always got into some kind of trouble. Judy found it difficult to figure out what it could be that made the fox feel attracted to her. A bunny no less.

As the kiss grew more passionate, she found his stomach with her paws, and gripped his shirt, her heart almost beating out of her chest. A sound of a door shutting startled the pair apart. Judy jumped away from him, her entire face bright red and her breath laboured. Looking down, they both realized nobody was actually coming their way, and proceeded to look back at each other.

"Well well, I must say Carrots, that was not what I was expecting," he quipped, also quite short of breath, as he soothed down his fur.

"You're not going to stop calling me that, are you?" she questioned, still regaining her composure.

"It's growing on me, I'll be honest" he jested. Judy sighed, slapping a paw to her forehead.

"We really need to stop doing this.. that could have been Lilith. Or worse, my mother." Nick hummed in response. "But it wasn't" he pointed out. "And I don't believe I want to stop. It's quite exhilarating, don't you think Princess?" Groaning, Judy turned to make her way back to her quarters.

"May I join you later Judith?"

Stopping in her tracks, she found herself wincing. "Actually, you know what? I do think that nickname is growing on me too," she admitted. She found, the way he said her name, didn't really fit him anymore. Judy resumed her pace, only just missing his smirk. "So is that a yes?"

Before turning the corner of the hallway, she glanced back, her eyes meeting his shyly, and gave him a quick nod in agreement, before fleeing in embarrassment. Now out of view, Nick was left standing alone, before he reluctantly started making his way back to the dining room. All the tod wanted to do in that moment, was bolt straight to Judy's room.

'All in due time Nicky,' he thought, calming himself.

This was going to be a long wait.