A/N: The theories I read in the comments were all great and some were pretty close (or completely correct)! I am sorry if I didn't respond to your comment, I am genuinely not used to getting this many comments. I am sure you are ready for the reveal!

I am updating this quickly because I am still home sick (virus gave me vertigo, yippie...) so I am mostly sitting on my couch writing.

Thank you for the investment into the horse romance, it is truly wonderful. Their ship name is Lighted and there is more ahead for them too!

Thank you for the wonderful beta, megonagall410

Harry's heart was pounding as he read. He started with the introduction.

The Royal Family is best known for its characteristically ginger hair, pale skin and freckles. They are descendants of the first tribe of the Harpian land, establishing a Kingdom early on. The women of the Harpian line are legendary for their beauty.

Harry thought of Ginny, fitting every descriptor of the paragraph. He took another deep breath and leafed through the pages of the long line of Kings, Queens and descendants until he reached the last entry of the chapter. His finger traced over the name.

Princess Ginevra Molly Cedrella Prewette of Harpia

The Princess was born as seventh child and first daughter to King Arthur and Queen Molly on the 11th of August. She was the first girl to be born into the Royal Family in seven generations. She was killed along with her entire family when Queen Bellatrix of Ogyon usurped the Harpian throne. She was seven years old when she died and the last Royal to be born into the old Harpian family.

Harry read over the text again, trying to commit the words to memory. It only reaffirmed his suspicions. He closed his eyes, remembering how he was just eight when he found out the Harpian King and his family had been killed. They were supposed to meet that summer. He remembered how shocked his parents were, how he was barely let out of their sight in the weeks following the news.

The whole family was supposed to be dead. They had been murdered, there had never been a chance... yet Harry was now utterly convinced Princess Ginevra was very much alive and that they were rather well-acquainted.

He closed the book and stood up. The scraping of his chair as he pushed it back, landed him back in reality. He tucked the book under his arm and left the library in a hurry and did not pause until he was in his chamber. He was relieved to find Ginny was out. He looked around and stepped to one of the cupboards. He tucked the book into it and put something else in front of it before closing the door.

He sunk down on the couch, trying to figure out what he was supposed to do.

"I discovered a new part of the woods today," Ginny said excitedly as she walked into his chamber in her nightshirt.

Harry sighed, still not convinced he was doing the right thing. He pointed at her couch, though she hardly sat on it anymore. "Please sit."

Ginny stalled, her bright eyes on him. "Harry?"

He sat down in his usual spot. "Just sit, please."

Hesitantly Ginny sat down across from him, her brows furrowing slightly. He looked at her. Her ginger hair, pale skin, freckles, even her beauty told him everything he needed to know. Along with her name and her birthday, there was not a chance she wasn't the Princess.

"Why did you become a Knight?" he asked softly.

"I told you, it's because my parents died," Ginny told him.

"How did they die?" he asked carefully.

Her eyes filled with fear. "I—"

He realised it was a difficult thing to ask, especially if it was true. She wasn't going to admit to it, she was trying to keep herself safe.

He looked at her. "I found out who you are, Ginny. I am pretty sure you are Princess Ginevra of Harpia."

Her heart skipped a beat, her blood turning to ice. She grabbed the dagger that was strapped to her thigh from under her nightshirt as she leapt over the table. One knee wedged itself between his legs as she landed on top of him, pinning him against the couch. Her left hand landed on his chest, pushing him back against the couch. She aimed her dagger at his neck without hesitation. Her eyes spotted his jugular, blood coursing through it rapidly in fear.

"If I slice your neck right now, I'd be out of the country before they found you," she bit at him. "You'd take my secret to the grave."

Harry made no attempt to break free from her hold, his eyes meeting hers. "So it is indeed true then, you are a Princess."

Her hand pushed against his chest. "Haven't been one since I was seven," she told him with force. She did not move away, keeping him right there where she was in control.

"I have had my suspicions for a while. If I wanted to rat you out, I would already have done so," he said, staying perfectly still.

Ginny swallowed hard, trying to figure out if he was being truthful.

"Out of all people, don't you think I would understand? I can keep this secret just as well as I've kept the other," he said, pointing at her body.

She had to be honest, he kept that secret just fine. Even if he did not have to. She gritted her teeth.

"I trust you with my life. Trust me with yours." His voice was almost a whisper. His eyes were filled with worry, but not for his own life.

She finally lowered her dagger and nodded. "Alright. I guess you get to live to see another day."

Harry breathed out in relief. "Thank you."

Her heart slowed down a little, the initial panic simmering down. His piercing eyes were trained on her in silence, observing her.

"Are you going to stay here or...?"

Ginny realised she was still sitting on top of him, one hand firmly against his chest. "Oh." She blushed. "Well, no." She swung her leg over him and sat down beside him, her feet landing on the ground. She dropped the dagger on the table.

"Do you always keep a dagger under there?" Harry asked curiously.

"I don't go around unarmed. It is part of my contract with you, but you clearly didn't read the thing."

"I have people who read it for me," Harry replied lightly. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead, King Henry," she retorted for calling her Princess Ginevra. "Don't think I have much more to hide from you."

"You are supposed to be dead, you and your brothers... yet here you are, very much alive. How did you escape?"

Ginny looked at him. She scooted further into the corner of the couch so she could look at him more easily. She pulled one of her legs up under her. She remembered how he had told her how he survived, so she owed him that. "There had been... issues for a while, even before I was born. There was an escape plan for us. I didn't know about it, I was a kid. Being the youngest, at seven I needed to be looked after."

Harry's eyes were softly focused on her as she spoke.

It felt like ripping open an old wound, yet she felt some relief in telling someone else for the first time. "So we ran and hid. When it was confirmed that my parents were dead and Bellatrix had seized power, we knew it was time. My two oldest brothers grabbed me and cut off my hair. I had no clue what was going on. They dropped me off with Regulus and I became a page and trained to become a Knight."

"Regulus, of course. A stray Prince would be the safest place to put you," Harry said softly.

"Yes. He was dedicated to keeping me safe. For a year or five it was fine. I could pretend to be a boy but then I grew up and I could no longer hide I was a girl. That's when the armour came in and the helmet. When I was 19, I became a Knight and I started taking assignments. I don't talk, no one sees my face."

Harry nodded as he listened. "So it isn't just about you being a woman. You want to hide your identity."

"My brothers and I still have the rightful claim to the Harpian throne. They want to kill me as much as they do you, if they knew."

His heart ached for her. It looked like she and her brothers were dealt worse cards than he was. He considered reaching out to her but decided against it. That dagger was easily within reach for her. "Are all your brothers alive?"

"As far as I know." She nodded. "All of them wormed their way into nobility and trade. Enough to live a comfortable life, not starve but without being detected."

He needed to fix it, for her. "We could get Harpia back. Your brother can have the throne, you'd be a Princess again."

Ginny looked at him, studying his face to see if he was serious. She didn't seem to believe him. She shook her head. "What are you getting out of getting Harpia back?"

"An ally? No one likes Bellatrix on the throne." Then it tumbled from his lips. "We could get married." If she was a Princess, it was possible.

She froze, her whole body unmoving as she looked at him. Then she blinked. "Why?" she asked curiously.

Harry thought it was a given. He ran a hand through his hair. "You're in my chambers every night anyway, may as well make it official." He tried to offer her a smile.

"As a friend, for a drink and a chat." She bent over a little towards him. "I have never been in your bed, my King ."

His cheeks flushed and words left him for a moment. He looked away. "Feel free to try it out."

She stood up and looked at it. Her hand touched the sheet. Then she let herself drop on it entirely. She closed her eyes for a moment. Then she shot back up, her eyes wide.

She pushed off the bed. "I better go."

He shot off the couch too. "Ginny, wait— Ginny, Gin."

The last one made her pause. She turned around at him, her jaw clenched. "You don't understand, my parents were killed."

"Right, my parents are very much alive," he retorted, his temper getting the better of him.

She bit her tongue before her eyes landed on him again. "I am your Knight. Everything else is ... out of reach."

"No. It isn't," he insisted. "I am sorry I didn't mean to jump this on you. Give me a chance to explain." His hand came softly around her wrist, trying to pull her back to the couch. If she wanted to go, she would have no trouble getting out of his grip.

Her eyes fell on his hand and back up at him. She sighed. "Fine."

He softly pulled her back to the couch and she sat down.

"I'm going to need wine for this," she said as she folded up on the couch.

He poured both of them a big goblet of wine and placed one in front of her. She was twirling her dagger in her hand. He sat on the couch too, he folded up his legs so he could face her.

"Please don't pull that dagger on me again," he spoke.

Ginny looked at her dagger. "I wasn't going to," she mumbled, placing it on the table again. The side of her mouth quirked up a little. "I could get executed for that."

"You do like to toe the line," he responded. "Any of your old allies, including Ignotia, would have taken back Harpia if we knew any of you were alive. No one moved because if we take over the throne ourselves, we are no better than Bellatrix."

Ginny scoffed. "Not quite."

"It would lead to more war if any of us unrightfully claimed the land. We are all allies. Kingdom of Orion, the Moonlands, Ignotia... if we can put a rightful heir on the throne, we should do it."

"We?"

"Orion will support us for sure, Sirius is my godfather, and he hates Bellatrix with a passion you can only muster for family members," Harry said.

"And the Moonlands?"

"Remus is married to her niece, but they are still our allies. We would heavily outnumber Bellatrix's army. It's doable."

She sipped from her wine. "I would save you the trouble. Don't bother."

"You don't believe me, do you?"

She let out a sour chuckle and put her goblet back. "I am used to disappointment. I understand as a King you are a little less used to not getting your way."

"This isn't about me," he defended.

She looked tearful. "It's a gamble, Harry. Your country is at peace, why change that?"

"Some things have to be set right and if I have the power to do it, why not?" he asked.

"You're noble, I'll give you that." Their eyes met and he could see she was struggling with something.

"What's holding you back?" he asked softly.

She shook her head. "If you can get my brothers here and they agree, you can go ahead. I am the youngest, you can't put me on the throne."

"We can arrange that." He touched her hand. "I am sorry I jumped all of this on you at once."

Her hand turned over and squeezed his. "I know you are just trying to do the right thing, it's a very ' you' thing to do." She smiled.

He took his hand back, pretending to be insulted. "How terrible of me."

She chuckled. "What does marrying mean in this equation?" Her eyes landed on him.

His chest felt tight. "Oh. Well, it would ensure we are good allies."

"So romantic," she snipped.

"Gin," he said again, he liked how it sounded. Not quite Ginny, not quite Gwyn. "You're good company. It would be more Knightly chats, more horse rides, picnics ... but you'd be free. As a Knight pretending to be a man, you can't marry. As a Princess... choices will be limited too."

He just wanted her with him. More of this, better than this and if she was a Princess, it would all be possible. It would be easy.

She couldn't marry him just like that, even if she knew that's what she wanted. An hour ago, it was impossible. Now it was not only possible, but it had also been offered. It felt like a dream.

"Your parents married for love, as did mine," Ginny said, he should do the same.

He nodded and their eyes locked. "They did," he softly agreed. "One can only hope..."

Her heart was pounding so loud, she wondered if he could hear it. She glanced away for a moment. Then her eyes flew back up. "Aha! I know it. You are just eager for offspring. Make sure there is another ass on the throne before you die after another assassin attempt." She leaned back, her elbows on the armrest as she grinned.

Harry immediately turned red. "That's not it."

"You've got a bastard one running around you can legalise?" she poked at him, she just wanted to see him squirm a little.

"No, I don't," he was quick to reply.

"Are you sure? Did you check?"

He seemed to catch on she was playing with him. "Have you seen ladies in my bed? Except for you just now."

"No... I really thought being in a man's bed would be more exciting, to be honest." Her face may have felt hot, but he was definitely red too.

"Save it for the wedding night, I'd say," he said, his voice sounding a little strained.

Ginny suddenly felt much too warm in the room. She tried very hard to push the thought to the back of her mind. His strong hand on her thigh, fingers digging into her skin, his mouth exploring every part of her body. She sat up straight. "Not sure if you could keep up with a Knight, Harry," she murmured.

She saw him swallow. She reached for her goblet, staring at it rather than him.

"If both of us bring a dagger to bed, we're going to have a problem."

She paused, the goblet in front of her and her eyes flew up to meet his. Her face pulled into a grin. She laughed and Harry burst out laughing too. She tried to keep it in and took a sip from her wine. She put the goblet down and picked up her dagger. She held it between her two hands. She raised her brows as she looked at him.

"With all due respect," she started, chuckling lightly. "I think that's a bit boastful." She dropped the dagger between them.

Harry smiled as he blushed. "Not everyone owns as big a dagger as yours, Ginny. I think you're being boastful."

"What can I say? I do like showing it off," she replied. She looked at the dagger and back up at him. "As your Knight I do have to say that I can protect you more efficiently if I am in your bed, but you would have to let me bring the dagger."

Harry picked up his goblet. He smiled. "Well, I have heard marriage is about compromise so..."

He looked at her, her face was glowing and she looked happy. He wanted to keep making jokes with her, if it made her laugh like that. He didn't care if they were at his expense.

"I mean you can compromise, if I do is something else entirely." Her eyes were playful.

"You are working for me so I think you would be allowed some leeway," he responded.

She chuckled. Her smile faltered. "I must go to bed." She stood up and took a deep breath. "You understand this is a lot."

"I know. Just consider it, having Harpia back." He looked down. "Don't think you have to marry me to get Harpia. That's... separate. I am not bargaining you."

She smiled at him. "Goodnight, Harry."

"Goodnight, Gin."

She bent over to pick her dagger up and then walked past him out of his room, closing the door behind her.

He slumped back on the couch. He looked into the goblet and drank the rest of the cup, dropping it down on the couch when it was empty.

He had not planned on asking Ginny to marry him. He had not considered it before, but he said it as he thought it and he realised he wanted it. The thought filled him with a joyful fluttery feeling he had not felt before. He ran a hand through his hair. His heart skipped a beat thinking how she had not said 'no'. If she hated the idea, she would have said so right away.

As he got ready for bed, she was all he could think about. For years he had been pressured to find a Queen, he chuckled at the thought it may turn out at his Knight is a perfect match. If she said yes.

He stepped into bed and pulled the sheet over him, closing his eyes.

She stepped into her room and closed the door. Left to her own thoughts, her mind started racing. Harry finding out she was a Princess terrified her, but if anyone understood the dangers of it, then it was him. Getting Harpia back was something all of them had dreamed about, but it had never been possible. Harry, ever noble and honourable, had offered to help them get it back. It was risky but their family had lived hidden for so long, they had little to lose. She knew if she asked Bill, he would want to try.

The most surprising part of all of this was Harry offering to marry her. She remembered her talk with Regulus, how it couldn't happen. It was true then but if she was a Princess again, marrying him would not be an issue at all, it would be considered a good match.

She sat down on the edge of her bed. She couldn't say no to marrying Harry, but she couldn't say yes either.

She stood back up, a new question gnawing at her. She re-entered his room and stood at the edge of his bed.

"Harry."

He didn't open his eyes. "You know, if you get into bed with me, we will have to make it official."

She picked up the pillow nearest to her and threw it at him. His eyes flew open as it hit his face. He took the pillow off and looked at her.

"I am sorry, that was uncalled for," he deadpanned. "What is it?"

"How did you figure out I was the Princess?" she asked him.

He sighed and sat up, pushing the sheet aside. He walked up to a cupboard and rummaged about in it before taking a book out.

"When you took your helmet off, you said your name was Ginevra. Now as a royal I do know my royals," he said as he looked at her.

He stepped to the couch. They both sat down again. Harry placed the book on his lap, the title read 'The Royal Line'.

"I knew we were supposed to meet that summer. I knew you were all redheads and your age more or less matched. I brushed it aside, I knew the whole family was dead." He looked up at her. "I just couldn't let it go, though. I kept thinking about it. Then a few things started catching my attention, like how you started training to be Page at seven, which just so happened to be the age you were when you 'died'."

Ginny looked down at the book.

He followed her gaze. "So today I went to check what it said about the Princess." He flipped through the pages as he spoke. "The Royal Harpian family is known for red hair, freckles, pale skin, and the women," —He opened the book on the introductory page of her family and read from the page—"Are legendary for their beauty." His eyes met hers. "Matches you rather well, don't you think?'

"You think I am beautiful?" It came out so softly she was surprised he heard.

He chuckled. "Quite so. You do own a mirror, don't you?"

"I actually don't, but I was kindly provided one in my room," she quipped. Her eyes dropped down. "My dad... my dad always said because I was the first girl in seven generations, that I was gifted seven generations of beauty." Her eyes darted back up to him.

He was looking at her softly. "I think he was right."

The heat in her cheeks seemed to move up to her ears, suddenly feeling shy under his gaze. "He said that's why I was so good at bribing the guards to let me sneak around. Everyone found it hard to say 'no' to me."

"You were probably a cute kid," he agreed. "It would be a tragedy if we got married though."

"Why?" She frowned.

"Well, boys would have the misfortune to inherit my awful hair and the girls would have your 'Harpian' beauty. It would be quite out of balance."

She hesitated to speak. "The hair isn't that bad." She cleared her throat. "Besides, they do call you 'handsome like your father', so you know...There's hope." She bit her lip. "But we've gone off-topic, what else did you find in here?"

Harry focused on the book again. "Right."

He flipped another few pages. He slid the book to her so it rested half on her leg, half on his. He showed her the paragraph about her. "It mentions you died when you were seven. And it had your birthday. Altogether it was too much of a coincidence for it not to be you."

"Does anyone else know?" she asked.

"No. I was careful about that," he reassured her. "How do they think you lot are dead?"

She felt tears prickling in her eyes, she bit them back. "As Royal Family we had a plan. My cousins did not. They killed every red-headed kid on sight, after you kill two dozen of them, you figure you must have gotten them all." She could feel she was getting choked up. "All the cousins who lived nearby, all of the ones I was close with were killed. I just think no one expected them to go after the kids, you know?" She kept her eyes trained on the book, worried the tears were going to spill.

Harry moved beside her. His arm wrapped around her, pulling her against his side. Her eyes slipped closed as her head rested against him, a few tears escaping her eyes and trickling down her cheek. She leaned into the comfort for a moment.

"I am sorry, that is awful," he said. "We are going to get Harpia back and make them pay for what they did." He sounded even more determined than before.

She wiped at her tears with the back of her hand but did not move out of his arm. It felt nice to be held for once.