The rest of the evening went by in silence, as the four finally finished eating. Nick stood, having his wife mimic his actions.

"Will you be retiring to your rooms?" asked the Queen, standing up also as the servants worked to clear the table.

"I am fairly exhausted your Majesty" Nick nodded in response.

"I'm so sorry that didn't quite go as planned mother." Bonnie turned her head to face her daughter. "Yes well, I shall be having words with her come morning," she spoke harshly, "But for now please do not worry, and sleep well."

Bowing curtly, Lilith started making her way out of the dining room, Nicholas not far behind. Once out, she turned to face him.

"Well, goodnight my prince."

"Goodnight Lilith," he muttered in reply, noticing how fidgety she suddenly seemed. Before he could think much of it, Lilith turned and ran off in the opposite direction of where the rooms were. Nick stood, a look of surprise adorning his features, and could only guess she was running off to meet with her mate.

'Nothing you can prove Nicky' he thought, while turning to make his way to Judy's quarters. 'Not like you're being any better.' After a little walk through the halls, he finally made it to the familiar wooden door, and held up his hand to knock.

'What in the world was I thinking?' Judy thought, furious with herself as she paced back and forth. A knock sounded, interrupting her thoughts.

'Okay Judy,' she soothed herself, 'Just tell him you weren't thinking straight and let him be on his way.' Another knock came, causing her ears to perk and her breathing to increase.

"Carrots?" she heard the Prince whisper. Judy walked over to her door, and unlocked, opening it to reveal his charming muzzle. "What took you so long?" he teased, allowing himself to enter quickly, as she shut the door behind him. She didn't know where to even begin explaining if someone saw him coming to her room like this. Even more of a good reason, why this was not a good idea.

"Listen Nicholas... this clearly wasn't the best course of action. I've been restless lately, and I wasn't thinking straight and-'

"You're adorable when you're flustered," Nick teased, closing the space between them. He held her cheek with his paw and gazed into her amethyst eyes, searching for her affection.

"Please Nicholas, we cannot be doing this.." she mumbled, looking down and biting her lip. Judy couldn't find it in her to push him away and she cursed her annoying feelings for resorting her to act like this.

"I don't believe anyone has any inkling of what is going on between us," he assured, stroking her fur with his thumb. Holding on to his hand with her own, Judy squeezed it in response.

"It doesn't make it anymore right." Nick frowned, and dropped his hand.

"Why deny your feelings, Judith?" he questioned, "Admit it, you like what's happening."

"But my sister-".

"Is more interested in being with her mate than she is getting along with me," he interrupted, agitated.

"N..no.. Lilith wouldn't do that! She's trying!" Judy stammered.

"Clearly not hard enough," Nick said, rolling his eyes. "Besides," he motioned to cup her cheek once more, "I have feelings for you."

Judy blushed, and looked down again, for Nick to have her look back up at him. Her heart was about to beat out of her chest at his blatant confession. "And I know you do for me too." Judy bit her lip.

"What's so special about me anyway?" she inquired, losing patience. Judy needed him to get him out of here. Fast. She did not want to be doing something stupid, and at the moment, she was getting close to pushing it. However, what she did not expect, was for him to answer her with a legitimate answer, and not a teasing one.

"Other than the fact that you're an intelligent, beautiful bun?" he quipped, smirking at the bewildered expression looking up at him wordlessly. "You're.. how can I put this? You're different. You aren't like any vixen.. girl I've ever encountered before. You're interesting, intriguing even. You like to get your hands dirty, you fight for what you believe in, and I keep finding myself admiring those traits of yours."

Nick paused in thought. "Oh, and did I mention you have the most dazzling eyes. Hard to keep my priorities in check when I find myself getting lost in-"

Judy crushed her lips onto his, hungry for something she didn't fully understand. She cursed herself for not being able to control herself, but honestly, she found she didn't care in that moment, nor did she care about any of the consequences this was definitely going to have. Never had anyone spoken about her in such a way that made her feel so..

Hot.

Nick's paw found its way behind her head, and he gripped her tighter, craving more of the affection she was throwing at him. He kissed her back with such intensity, Judy thought she was going to faint. Her arms moved their way onto his chest, and brought up her left paw to rest on his cheek, tiptoeing in the process.

The fox's breathing became somewhat ragged, as he grew hungrier for her, resulting in Judy growing hotter at the change of his demeanor. Judy felt guilty, even though she was thoroughly enjoying every second of the prince's affection, and the guilt grew more and more, making her pull away with half lidded eyes. She stared at the emerald eyes looking back at her in question, panting slowly.

"Nicholas, we mustn't.." she whispered leaning into him, gripping onto his shirt, her legs feeling weak.

"Stop fighting this Princess," he whispered back, stroking her cheek. "You want this as much as I do." Nick rested his forehead on hers, and leaned down further, kissing her again.

Judy found him intoxicating, as his tongue flicked her lips, begging to be let further in, and she complied with earnest. She ran her tongue over his sharp fangs, the strange sensation enticing her even more. Her thoughts were clouded over, and she was unable to think rationally about what was happening.

Nick began pulling her to her bed, and laid the rabbit down on her back, without breaking away from her contact. Moving down from her lips, he directed his muzzle into the crook of her neck, nipping it sensually, earning him sweet moans. Her panting increased, her stomach was doing flips, Judy was completely lost in the thrilling sensation. Nick suddenly felt her buck up into him with her hips, and he gripped onto them in response. Grinning, he pulled himself up to face her, his cocky grin returning.

"Wh..what is it?" Judy stammered, trying to control her breathing and steady her heart which was all but calm.

"Quite eager I see princess," he quipped, pushing down onto her albeit trying his best not to crush her under his weight. Her eyes grew as wide as dinner plates, her face flushed and her ears burned, and in that moment, Judy panicked.

"Oh gosh Nick, what in the world are we doing?" she gasped, attempting to wiggle out from under his grip, to no avail.

"Why I do believe we're enjoying ourselves," Nick teased, giving her light pecks as he spoke. She covered her face with her paws, not wanting to admit she was enjoying herself, as he kissed her on her lips once more.

Maybe enjoying herself a little too much.

No words were said, as they lay staring at each other, the fire in their eyes slowly calming, yet still vaguely present. Then to Nick's surprise, she absentmindedly chinned the top of his head, and the action caused him to roll off of her. Still panting, and holding onto the bunny loosely, he smirked.

"You've made it quite a goal to get me to smell like you," he teased.

Her face flushed red. "Well you were the one down in my most sensitive spot, you dumb fox."

Nick hummed in response. "Worth it."

"You can shower if you like.. I have some rabbit shampoo you can use, that'll get rid of the scent," Judy offered, sheepishly.

Nick moved to cuddle into her, and she responded by relaxing her head into his fluffy chest.

"I think I'd like to keep smelling this scent for a little longer.." he muttered, shutting his eyes. Silence followed and the pair's breathing slowed and synced with one another's'.

"I feel awful."

Nick looked down at the bunny in his arms, but couldn't quite make out her expression, due to her having buried deeper into his chest. "Judy.."

"I've let my sister down Nick.. I went behind her back and.. I've betrayed her," she sobbed, gripping his fur tighter. Nick stroked her ears, in an effort to calm Judy down.

"No you haven't.. you can't help what you're feeling.. what we're feeling" he soothed.

The bunny calmed in his embrace, enjoying how good his comforting made her feel. "But still-"

"No 'buts' Carrots," he interrupted. "Just relax and rest, I insist." Squeezing him, Judy nodded slowly.

"Okay.."

A couple of minutes went by, and Judy's slowed breathing indicated that she had finally nodded off, leaving Nick alone to his thoughts. His smile faltered, and he glanced down at Judy. He had to admit, as much as he really liked Judith, and his feelings for her were very much true, he felt horribly bad for the way he essentially had been treating her. He of course, had known that she reciprocated his affection, but to make her advance them like this, while still being married to her sister, ate away at him. He cursed his impatient needs. He needed to stop thinking, get some rest, and figure this all out later. Nick slowly, but surely, followed Judy into slumber.

'I'll fix things tomorrow..'

Judy stirred, grasping the object that was emanating warmth beside her, as she snuggled deeper into what she assumed was a pillow. Taking a deep breath, her eyes shot open, and her breathing started to increase.

This didn't smell like a pillow..

"Nick..?" she mumbled, still groggy from her sleep. Everything that had happened last night suddenly replayed in her head the second her brain figured out this was a fox's scent.

This definitely wasn't a pillow.

A mumble came from above her head, and looking up Judy noticed two halfway open emerald eyes staring back at her.

"Good morning Princess," he smiled, followed up by a yawn. All Judy could do was stare in disbelief, her mouth slightly hanging open. She couldn't begin to comprehend was in the world she had been thinking the previous evening. Sitting up with a jolt, she struggled to find her words.

"Nick.. I.. we-" A paw snaked it's way to cradle her warm cheek.

"I know you're panicking, you've every right to Judy.. But I know you don't regret it.." he stated, raising an eyebrow. "You can't tell me that you do."

"But this is wrong.." she murmured. Judy pulled herself up from his embrace, only now realised quite how naked she was. She failed to remember how she had gotten undressed in the first place. It wasn't as if they went that far. Without having to be told otherwise, Nick averted his gaze, as to give Judy her privacy. Even if he didn't think she particularly needed it, considering the intimacy shared between them, a voice in his head told him that was regardless.

"You should hurry.." she started, retrieving a new dress from her small wardrobe. "You probably have further things to discuss about the upcoming battle." Nick's smile faltered.

'There goes my morning.'

"Judith.." he cleared his throat, "Don't you want to discuss.. this?" he motioned between them, while sitting up on the edge of the bed. She looked over, a slight scowl on her face.

"There is nothing to discuss" she replied coldly, Nick wincing slightly at her words.

"I don't believe I'm following," he said, trying to reason.

"Nicholas this was a mistake," she sighed, looking down. "You're married, this.. this shouldn't have ever happened."

Nick stood and approached the bunny, kneeling down to face her. "It may have been for you, which I must admit hurts deeply, but it meant more than just nothing to me Princess," he uttered seriously, taking her paw in his own. She lifted her head up and bit her lip.

"I can assure that it did mean something for me Nicholas.." she whispered, earning her a look of hope from the fox in front of her. "But that doesn't make this anymore right. It's just not meant to be."

Nick frowned. "It's only impossible if you believe it to be," he assured. "I don't want to be married to Lilith any longer." Nick stood up and just missed the look Judy's face adorned.

"What?" she muttered, eyes wide.

Nick strolled toward the door and began smoothing down his fur to look decent until he reached his quarter.

"W..wait! Nick you can't do that!" she choked, frantically following him.

"But of course I can Judith. I can't be wed to someone I don't love," he responded. "I was wrong in thinking I could do it."

Judy shook her head, completely in panic. "But what about the partnership? This is going to be all my fault!" she cried. Nick smirked causing Judy to lose it even more. "Why are you finding this funny? This isn't a joke Nicholas!" she yelled.

"Oh the partnership will be fine, but I daresay you'll be shy of the blame."

Judy paused in confusion. "What, how?"

"Why, I'll just marry you instead."

"NO!" she shouted angrily without missing a beat. Nick's ears dropped and he frowned once more. Now it was his turn to be confused. Wouldn't this have been the perfect solution?

"My whole family would be furious with me! Especially Lilith! Nick she's trying, if she were to find out.." she trailed off. "Not to mention how the Kingdom would take it! Why, it'll just look like you're trying to have you way with every royal child!"

Nick froze. 'Darn, hadn't thought of that.'

"Okay, maybe right now isn't the right time to propose it to the King and Queen.." he mumbled, defeated.

"Of course it's not. It never will be! In addition, you're going into battle in 2 days!" she reasoned, calming down a little. At least he was listening to reason now.

"Don't remind me. We don't even know who we are going up against.. or what any of this is about," he drawled. Judy smiled softly, and gave Nick a quick embrace. Pulling away bashfully, she looked up at him. "For good luck."

"Oh so I shouldn't get the wrong idea?" he jested, smirking. She giggled and rolled her eyes. "Just go."

Just before Judith reached for the doorknob, a knock came from behind the door, effectively having the bunny and fox jumping out of their fur.

"Judith? Is everything alright?"

Judy's eyes grew wide and turned toward Nick, her face pale. "Get in the wardrobe," she demanded in a hushed tone.

"What? I can't fit in your teeny tiny wardrobe," he argued, quietly, looking between her and said piece of furniture.

"Now," she hissed, pointing toward it.

"Judith, is someone in there?" the voice spoke louder.

"Everything's fine Lilith! You just caught me at an indecent time, I'll be right there!" Judy replied, still gesturing toward the piece of furniture for the fox to get into. With a defeated look, Nick trudged toward it and ducked himself inside it. Judy couldn't help but giggle at his obvious discomfort. She stopped herself, cleared her throat, and proceeded to open the door with a forced smile.

"What a lovely surprise Lilith! What brings you here?" Her sister frowned, and walked past Judy into her room.

"Father is fuming Judith," she said bluntly, getting right to the point. Judy lifted an eyebrow. Why did people only want her when her parents were in a bad mood? Confused was an understatement.

"Father's angry? Whatever is the matter?" she enquired.

"He's been looking for Prince Nicholas since the early hours of this morning," she started, causing Judy's heart to beat faster in panic. "You haven't happened to see him have you?"

As nervous as Judy was, and how hard it had been for her in that moment, to not shift her eyes at the wardrobe, she kept a straight face, albeit faking confusion. "I'm afraid I haven't even left my quarters Lilith," she assured. Lilith's hopeful gaze fell, and she shifted toward the door.

"Well, if you see him, let him know we've been looking for him," Lilith informed, opening the door. "And I've no idea what you have been doing in here, but it rather.. smells," Lilith pointed out, and Judy froze. She had completely forgotten about the musky scent after last night. She was actually shocked that Lilith didn't smell it on her. "Open a window would you?" she said, walking out and shutting the door. Judy brought her paws up to her face in embarrassment.

"How humiliating," she muttered as she heard Nick climb out of the wardrobe. He gave her an apologetic look and she could only nod in response. Judy didn't even get the chance to ask her sister what really happened to cause all this fuss.

"I should probably shower first.." he blurted out, and she pointed toward the bathroom connection to her main bedroom.

"Shampoo is on the left. Oh Nick, please hurry. Something horrible must have happened," she pleaded. Nick nodded and ran into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Not a moment later, as she sat down on her bed exasperated, the fox popped his head out around the door.

"Want to join?" he smirked.

She'd never thrown anything so fast in her life, he'd barely managed to dodge the clock that had previously been standing upon her bedside table.

'Feisty.'

"At least you smell better."

Nick feigned hurt, and held his paw upon his chest.

"You wound my Carrots. I'll have you know I quite enjoyed your scent all over me," he teased, earning him a punch to the gut.

"Shut up," she scowled, but calmed herself. "Good luck."

"Thank you. I'll see you soon I hope?" he smiled, hopeful.

"We'll see," she smiled back. Before Judy could protest, he leant down and pecked her cheek.

"Till next time Princess," he bowed, bidding farewell, and getting the door shut behind him. Nick chuckled, but adjusted himself to continue on to the King's quarters.

Upon entering, he quickly wished he hadn't gotten on the King's bad side.

"Where in the world have you been?" Stu shouted, walking up to the fox.

"Forgive me your Majesty, I had matters to attend to-"

"Yes well, we have more important thing to be worrying about!" the King interrupted.

Nick grimaced. " I understand my King, but at the time I hadn't been aware, nor was I informed that you had wanted to speak to me," he replied calmly, which surprised him, because Nick was anything but calm.

The King slowly calmed down himself, and cleared his throat, realising he shouldn't have been throwing the blame. "Yes well, pardon my outburst. If you'll follow me?" he gestured, beginning to walk with Nicholas by his side.

"What is this about Sire?" Nick inquired. Surely it had to be something of grave importance to create such a stir.

"We've just been informed that the enemy has crossed our border."

Nick's eyes shot open, wide in shock. Okay, that was something to be worried about. "I'm sorry?"

"Yes I'm afraid I was just as shocked. They're arriving a day early, which is rather inconvenient and unsettling for us," the King continued sadly. "We must inform our people."

"But Sire, that would cause havoc!" Nick protested. "Surely we should wait until we physically prepare to go out onto the battlefield, to inform the public to stay indoors?"

"Hmm, perhaps you're right," the King thought in slight panic. "Very well, we'll do as you say. My soldiers are ready to go into battle, I can only hope you are as well?"

Nick smiled in assurance. The last thing he wanted was for the King to start panicking and making rash decisions. "I can assure, I will be right by your side my King."

Stu smiled, and nodded. "All is good then. We set out tomorrow at dawn. I expect to see you, along with my guard in the armoury an hour prior to prepare," the King said, turning fully to face his step son.

"Yes your Majesty, I'll make certain of it." Nick replied. The King smiled, and grabbed Nick's oversized paw, giving it a good shake.

"Thank you Nicholas. I shall see you then," he beamed, walking ahead, leaving Nick standing behind. Before Nick could turn away to continue to his room, he lifted up his head in realisation, and began sprinting toward the King, cursing himself.

"Wait, your Majesty!" he called out, stopping the King in his tracks, and causing the old bunny to turn his head. "What is it my boy?"

Nick stopped in front of him, straightening out his composure, and cleared his throat. "Forgive me, but it seemed to have slipped my mind," he said, scratching the back of his head. "Have we gotten word of who is declaring this war?" Stu frowned and his sudden reaction caused Nick's stomach to turn.

"Ah yes, we were informed this morning of that too.." the King sighed. "It seems the Duke isn't very happy with the fact we've partnered with your kind."

Nick stood, mouth ajar. "The hare family?"

"I'm afraid so. He believes what we are doing is.." the King trailed off, a slight discomfort upon his face, ".. sick."

The Prince winced, but slowly came to realise why the hare had come to that conclusion. "Well, I do in a way understand, it is unnatural after all," Nick started, earning him a quick glare from the King, "But!" he continued, "That obviously does not excuse this outrageous behaviour!"

"No, I don't believe it does," the King turned once more. "Be assured, the Duke will realise he's making a very careless decision."

"I couldn't agree more with you, your Majesty."

"Good day Nicholas."

Nick nodded in response and watched the bunny King leave the hall. The smile he wore fell, and his shoulders slumped forward. As much as he knew that telling the Princess of this would ultimately be going against his word, it wasn't like he hadn't done it before. Yet this time, it seemed the topic of the conversation was slightly worse. He knew for a fact that Judy was not going to like this, and he had the feeling that she'd insist on helping, further getting him into trouble. Nick still couldn't get over how passionate and driven that bunny was, he really did love that about her.

"Nicholas?" a voice called out from behind him. 'Judy?' he thought, but couldn't seem to find the words to say her name out loud. Nick turned, and found himself staring at Lilith. Maybe it was a good thing that he hadn't said it out loud, that really wouldn't have looked good.

"Ah, my Princess," he greeted politely, hiding his disappointment. "Is there something I can help you with?"

The bunny smiled up at him, and rubbed her arm in a way that made Nick nervous. Why was she so nervous? "Well, my Prince, I was wondering if you'd like to accompany me for a walk in the gardens?" she asked. "It's such a beautiful day."

Nick's first thought, was how dumbstruck he probably looked in that moment and cursed himself. Having Judy in his mind really wasn't helping matters, and he felt he'd mess up and reveal the feelings he harboured for her. He quickly came to his senses and merely nodded.

"Oh wonderful! Shall I lead the way?" she offered, turning to her side, while still maintaining her eye contact. Lilith assumed he probably hadn't even visited the palace gardens since he'd initially arrived at the castle. She was relieved to notice her assumption had been correct.

"If you please, my Princess. I'm afraid I've yet to go outside this castle, what with all the matters that keep arising," he admitted, flushing. He hadn't realised he'd been cooped up this long, with all the deadlines of travelling Royals, and the sudden 'visit' that was arriving in less than 24 hours. He supposed Lilith hadn't had much free time either, and suddenly realised, to his discomfort, Judith had been right. Her sister was trying.

"Well then, if you'd follow me?" she giggled, hopping ahead, albeit still staying close to the fox.

'Well this is going to be awkward.'

Thanks for reading! And thank you all for your reviews, I really do appreciate them!

Just to make things a little clear they didn't sleep together, but they did get intimate, if that makes some sense.