Royal Connections

It's hard work being a princess: having to keep up your image, practically having no privacy, and DON'T get me started on all the balls and parties my parents force me to attend, especially having to talk to all of their posh and up-tight friends. But hey, it's not all bad...

*Text Message*

Lover boy: Yo, Sunshine.

Lover boy: You there?

Lover boy: Hello?

The second I see Nick messaged me, I can't fight the smile that breaks out. I'm curious as to how he always manages to make me smile whenever I'm in a bad mood, or how he seems to know exactly when I need to talk. It's one of the reasons why I love him... It's unfortunate my parents don't approve, all because he's "not royalty". So what? It's not like it's a law for royals to love or marry other royals.

The main reason they don't like me dating him is because he works for us; he's in training to be a butler, but I'm pretty sure if his father wasn't my dad's trusted adviser, he would have been kicked out by now. I'm grateful he hasn't though, because I don't know what I would do without him.

*Text Message*

Lover Boy: Princess? I'm still waiting you know.

Sunshine: I'm here, relax.

Lover Boy: I can now, knowing that the most beautiful woman I've ever known is free to spend some time with me.

Sunshine: Did you really just go there? You know how I feel about these things...

Lover Boy: Yes I did just go there, and I'm pretty sure you love it when I act like this ;)

Sunshine: That may be true, but I don't just love you for that reason- I love you because you let me be myself, and not just some princess with responsibilities.

Lover Boy: And I love you because you don't see a butler in training, or someone who works for royalty with their dad. You see a guy who has dreams about marrying the woman he loves.

This man, I swear... I feel like my hearts gonna explode, which isn't unusual when Nick's involved. I seriously think I hit the jackpot with this one, I still don't know how this man is mine.

Sunshine: Do you want to make me cry?

Lover Boy: The only time I want to make you cry is when I put a ring on your finger.

Lover Boy: And I don't remember giving you a ring-

Lover Boy: Well apart from all my dreams...

Sunshine: I told you not to make me cry!

Lover Boy: Ok fine,

Lover Boy: Open the door.

"Now would be convenient, there's guards out here, you know?"

What the?... No way- he's outside!

Filled with excitement, I race towards the door, wanting to savour every moment I have to spend with him. My thoughts feel like they're practically racing against me, and my head feels like it's spinning as well, mainly due to the fact I have little-to-no control over anything when it comes to this man.

"How long have you been outside and why did you wait to tell me now?" I say, right before I swing the door wide open and see him leaning on the wall in front of me. I take a peek around the hallway to make sure none of the guards have noticed him here yet.

"I wanted to surprise you, I haven't been here for so long."

I see him pushing off the wall in front of me, so I spring into his arms like I normally do when I see him- not that I can ever seem to stop myself. We embrace each other for what feels like decades after the eternity it's felt like not seeing one another in person.

Everyone's been so busy lately, myself included, and my parent's have been making more and more rules to try and keep us apart... As if they could stop Nick from sneaking out whatever chance he gets to come and see me. I admire how determined he is, but I'm afraid that eventually he'll get caught. That is, if Mother and Father would ever leave their business meetings. So, I guess he's fine for now...

I finally come back round, and I can't help but realise how much I'm in love with him. I love this man like crazy, and I don't know what I'd do without him. He's one of the only people that make me feel like I can escape from the castle walls and be free from all the pressures and responsibilities, that just pile up so quickly and make me feel like the palace is more of a prison that I'll never truly be able to leave.

I get tearful at the thought, so I wrap my arms and legs around him and give him the tightest hug I can produce, as if I hold onto him now, he'll never leave my side and I won't have to face anything alone ever again.

Nick, being the best and knowing what I'm like, wraps his arms around me tighter, as though he knows precisely what I'm worrying about. But once I begin to sob gently into his shoulder, he walks us into my room -shutting the door with his foot behind him- and sits down on the bed whilst calming me down, by rubbing my back and quietly whispering comforting words in my ear.

"I know Eve, it hurts me too, I don't know how your parents can't see how happy you are now, with me, and not with those dreadful suitors they keep trying to hook you up with."

We sit there for what feels like hours, just basking in each other's company while it lasts -as most of the time, something always seems to interrupt our time together. Thankfully, this time seems to be an exception.

"I didn't know I needed that, thank you for staying here and calming me down. I know you hate seeing me cry... I just find it so tough to keep it all bottled up that I had to get that out, I'm sorry" I brush my hand softly on his cheek as a silent 'thank you' and I stand up and go to the bathroom to wipe away any remaining tears. I come to focus on myself in the mirror. I can't believe I just did that. I just poured my heart out right in front of him (in his arms no less).

"It's better in my arms then you being alone in your room with no-one to talk to. Sure, I hate seeing you cry, but I hate seeing you lonely even more. And don't act like you don't know what I'm referring to- I've seen you when you're with your parents in the dining room, or the events that your parents host, hoping that you find yourself a prince instead of 'little old me..." He sighs, as he stands up and walks over to me, before taking a breath. "My point is, you may be able to hide it from everybody else, but you can't hide it from me- nor do I want you to, you understand me?".

I was speechless. I didn't expect that he would see through me that easily... I process his words over and over again and think about all the meanings behind the things he said. Before long, I find myself, dumbfounded, staring into his eyes, as if I could catch a glimpse of his thoughts if I were to just look long enough.

It was then I remembered he had asked me a question. "Yes, I understand. And. I didn't know you noticed that..." I step out of the bathroom, shifting around him, and walk towards my bed. "You coming? I've been missing our nights spent together." I mention, whilst trying to get comfortable.

There's a long pause, and Nick still hasn't moved. "Are you going to just stand there, or are you going to come and cuddle me? These are cuddles that your girlfriend demands by the way!" I say, playfully, nearly at the edge of being desperate for a reaction at this point.

Still nothing.

"Nick, you okay?" I see him, still leaning on the door of the bathroom, in thought -which he rarely does around me. He's so focused on me when he visits it almost feels like I'm imagining it. "Hey, you-" I don't even manage to finish my train of thought before I'm cut off by one of the utmost, phenomenal kisses of my life. I don't even question the reasoning behind it, because I don't need to -I know exactly what this kiss means.

He picks me up and wraps my legs around him and pushes me back against the closest wall, and I go with it, because I know he needs this. We both do... He also knows not to take it any further than this (hence why he chose the wall, because we both know we're not quite ready to do anything too serious yet).

"Nick, it's okay, it's okay... I'm never leaving you. I'd give up my title for you, if you ever were to let me... You read me?" I say, in what comes out as short, breathy fragments.

"Yeah I do..." He sighs, in what seems to be relief. " I have to say though, that was one hell of a kiss you gave there, Princess..." His cheeks are a deep crimson. I would laugh if I didn't feel as though mine were the same. "Come on, I need to give someone some cuddling, because she's been missing them." He says, in a mocking tone, but I can see right through his words. He seems to have recognised that I have and he begins again, "Okay, okay. Honestly, me too..." He smiles, the way in which he admits defeat and makes my heart flutter.

"I love you Evelyn" He says, softly, while slipping himself into the covers, and pulls me into his arms, both of us ready to rest after what's been both a short and eventful day.

"I love you too, Nick." I hardly resist the wave of sleep that overcomes me, finally at peace as we drift off together, tranquil and soothed.