Characters belong to steph meyer.

Synopsis:

Please note: Lemons are lemony. Don't read if you aren't into that sort of thing.

ROYALLY YOURS

ONE

I twirl the little girl in front of me, her golden dress spinning in a delicate circle as her laughter fills the air. My gloved hands hold hers gently, and I drop into a graceful curtsey as her tiny Belle costume billows around her legs.

"You look absolutely enchanting, mademoiselle," I say in my best princess voice, feeling my own gown swish as I stand tall, beaming down at her. "A true princess, just like me."

Her eyes light up, and for a moment, everything feels exactly how it should be. I'm immersed in this world, in the fantasy, making magic come to life for kids like her. It's why I love working here, why I don the yellow gown and lace up the tight corset day after day. Even though I'm studying psychology online, keeping up with assignments between shifts, this—this park, this job—is my escape. A place where I can be someone else entirely, even just for a little while.

As the little girl skips away, clutching her mother's hand, I catch sight of a group of people a little way off, watching me.

A blonde woman is the first to catch my eye, her expression amused as she drops into a mocking curtsey, over-exaggerating the movement. Beside her, a petite woman with a sleek black pixie cut bursts into laughter, her eyes bright as she nudges the blonde with her elbow.

"Oh, look, the boys should definitely get a photo with Princess Belle," the pixie-cut woman teases, her voice playful and full of energy. She winks at the men standing just behind her, and I catch a glimpse of one in particular.

He's tall, standing slightly apart from the group, but it's his stare that stops me in my tracks. He's watching me so intently, like he's seeing right through the princess costume and into… well, me. His tousled auburn hair is messy in all the right ways, and his eyes—a vibrant green—lock with mine, holding me captive in that brief moment. There's something calm and confident about him, but at the same time, an intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.

Next to him, another man—slightly shorter but with a similar serious expression—stands with his hands in his pockets. He has honey-blond hair and sharp features, and when he catches me staring, he gives a small nod, as if acknowledging the strange tension swirling between us all.

I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. Stay in character, Bella.

"Why, what a wonderful idea!" I trill, stepping forward as I wave my gloved hand toward the group. "I'd be honoured to take a picture with such noble gentlemen."

The blonde woman—the one who curtsied—snickers. "Noble? I wouldn't go that far."

The pixie-cut woman grins. "Come on, Emmett, show the princess your best royal smile."

Emmett, the tallest of the group with a broad, easygoing grin, steps forward and flashes a wink. "For the lady," he says with a playful bow.

I smile, though my attention is still fixed on the auburn-haired man standing at the back. He doesn't move to join them for the photo, and his eyes haven't left mine since I first spotted him. My heart flutters, and I struggle to keep my princess composure.

"Do you not want a photo with a princess, sir?" I ask, my voice light but teasing, staying in character. I give him a small smile, hoping to break the spell he's put me under.

The corner of his mouth quirks up into a smile, one that's slow and devastatingly charming. He steps forward, and with every inch he closes, my heart beats just a little bit faster. "How could I resist?" he says, his voice low, smooth. His tone is like velvet, and for a moment, I almost forget to respond.

But I do, falling back into character. "A true gentleman, then," I say, dropping into another curtsey as I reach for his hand. "Shall I teach you how to twirl like a prince?"

His smile widens, and he glances at our joined hands before meeting my eyes again. "I think I'll leave the twirling to you," he murmurs. "I wouldn't want to show you up."

I laugh, keeping my princess mask firmly in place. "How kind of you," I say, and he leans down, pressing a soft kiss to the back of my gloved hand. The moment his lips touch the fabric, a spark of something unfamiliar ignites in my chest.

Emmett, clearly enjoying the attention, steps forward with a wide grin, completely stealing the moment. "She was talking to me, Edward. So, how about that royal photo, Your Highness?" he teases, placing his hand dramatically over his heart.

Edward.. hmm.

I laugh softly, amused by his playful energy. "Of course, Sir Emmett. A picture with a gentleman like yourself is quite the honour."

Emmett turns to the others, flashing a triumphant grin, but as he does, I can't help but notice the shift in Edward's expression. The playful spark in his eyes dims just a little, replaced with something closer to irritation. His jaw tightens, and he narrows his eyes ever so slightly at Emmett.

Emmett, being the observant type, catches the look and smirks knowingly. He knows. He's noticed the way Edward has been watching me—how his eyes never seem to leave mine, even when he's trying not to make it obvious.

I can't help but smile at their silent bickering, the subtle tension between them both. Emmett is clearly doing it on purpose, and Edward's frustration only makes it funnier.

"Now, now," I say, stepping between them with a teasing tone. "No need to fight over a princess, gentlemen. There's enough magic to go around."

I'm about to say more when suddenly, I feel a small pair of arms wrap tightly around my legs. I glance down to find a young girl, no more than five years old, gazing up at me with wide eyes filled with awe.

"Princess Belle!" she exclaims, her face lighting up with pure excitement. "I found you!"

For a second, everything fades away—the playful banter, the tension between Edward and Emmett—and I crouch down, smiling warmly at the little girl. "Oh, hello, my darling! What a wonderful surprise. Have you been looking for me?"

She nods enthusiastically, her tiny hands still clinging to my dress as if she's afraid I'll disappear.

I glance up at Edward, catching his eye just before I turn my attention back to the girl. He's watching me with that same intense look, but this time, there's something i softer in it. When our eyes meet, he winks.

That simple gesture sends a jolt of warmth through me, and I can't help but smile. He's charming, in a way that's both effortless and impossible to ignore. But right now, my focus has to be on the little princess in front of me.

I smile at the girl, pulling her into a gentle hug before I rise to my feet. "Well, I'm so glad you found me, my brave little adventurer. Shall we take a picture together?"

As the moment shifts, I can still feel Edward's gaze on me, and I know this isn't the last time I'll feel it today.

Once the little girl has her picture taken and skips off with her parents, the two women step forward, grinning from ear to ear.

"Alright, our turn!" Alice announces, bouncing slightly on her toes. Her eyes twinkle with excitement, and it's clear she's not joking. "We need a picture with the princess, too. Im Alice and this is Rosalie."

Rosalie gives a playful roll of her eyes but nods in agreement. "Obviously. We can't leave without proof we met the Belle. Jasper take the photo for us."

The blonde man grins and takes her phone from her, holding it up in portrait mode to point at us.

I laugh, amused by their enthusiasm. "Of course, how could I refuse two such beautiful ladies?"

Alice claps her hands together. "She called us beautiful, Rose! She called us beautiful!" Her excitement is contagious, and I can't help but smile wider.

Rosalie, who clearly tries to play it cool, flushes just a little, her normally confident demeanour softening. "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a quick photo. We'll be the envy of everyone we know."

The man, named Jasper gives us a quiet nod once the photos have been taken, handing back Rosalie's phone.

It's almost surreal to see the pair of them—both gorgeous and elegant in their own right—become a little starstruck. I'm used to kids getting excited, but adults? It's the best watching their inner child bubble out.

I give each a small, knowing smile. "You two are far more enchanting than any princess."

Alice beams, practically glowing. "She's way too nice, Rose. We have to come back for more pictures."

Rosalie gives me a sidelong glance, clearly charmed despite herself. "You might just be the best part of this trip."

We snap a couple more selfies, and they both thank me like giddy fans before stepping back to join the rest of their group. I smile after them, still feeling the warmth of their playful energy, and as I glance over at Edward, I catch him watching me again.

This time, there's a slight curve to his lips, a look that says he's noticed everything. And somehow, that look makes my heart race just a little bit faster.

As Alice and Rosalie step back, I catch Edward's eyes on me again. There's something about the way he looks at me—like he's trying to figure me out, like there's more to this moment than just a girl in a princess dress. My heart skips a beat, but I don't let it show.

Instead, I offer him a small, teasing wave and, for good measure, blow him a delicate kiss. His eyebrows raise slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing his features before he smirks in response.

"I'm afraid I must return to the castle," I announce in my light, dreamy princess voice, taking a step back. "My prince is awaiting me, after all."

Emmett, quick on the uptake, lets out a loud, exaggerated groan. "Damn, she's taken, Edward."

The group bursts into laughter, and I can't help but smile at the playful tension between them. Edward's smirk doesn't fade, but there's a glimmer of something in his eyes—something I can't quite place.

"Until next time, my lords and ladies," I say with a final curtsey before turning on my heel, the sound of their laughter still ringing in my ears as I head toward the castle.

But even as I walk away, I can still feel Edward's eyes on me, and a part of me wonders if I'll be seeing him again.

EPOV

I watch her walk away, the golden fabric of her gown shimmering in the afternoon light as she moves toward the castle. The way she carries herself, so poised, so full of grace—even in a princess costume, it's hard not to notice how stunning she is. And it's not just the costume. There's something else. A spark, maybe, something in her eyes that pulled me in the moment we locked gazes.

It's ridiculous, really, finding her attractive like this. I know nothing about her except that she plays a princess for a living. And yet, the way she teased, the way she blew me that kiss—there was something more behind it. Something playful, yes, but deeper, too.

My fingers tap lightly against my leg as I glance down, trying to shake the feeling. This is absurd. I don't get distracted by a woman in a Disney park costume, no matter how charming she is.

"She's taken, Edward," Emmett's voice rings out, pulling me from my thoughts.

I roll my eyes, knowing full well the others are grinning behind me. "Very funny, Emmett."

Rosalie smirks as she steps up beside me, her voice dripping with amusement. "Maybe if you try glass slippers on all the Disney staff, you'll find her again."

The others laugh, and I can't help but smirk despite myself. They're enjoying this far too much.

"Or you could just admit you were enchanted," Jasper says with a raised eyebrow, his teasing mild but still very much present.

"I'm sure she's just doing her job," I reply smoothly, though even I can hear the hollowness in my words.

Rosalie leans in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "I don't know, Edward. She looked pretty interested."

I glance back toward the castle, the sound of guests milling about the park surrounding me, but all I can think about is her. The princess in the yellow dress with that knowing smile and eyes that saw more than they should have.

It doesn't matter, though. I have responsibilities. A whole country to think about. Finding myself distracted by someone like her—it's ridiculous.

Because I am the crown prince of Gestina*.

—-

Gestina is a made up destination.