(3) Departing to a New Adventure

~Alex~

It was early morning, a day after we arrived from our travels. It's getting late I thought worryingly as I checked my watch

7:58

The train to Auchrilin arrives at 8 and from there we have to take a car and drive the land difference between the small kingdom of Auchrilin and Afnira. I was immensely grateful that my mother had graciously allowed me to travel without any other person to protect me. Thankfully to the sheltered life, my parents had raised me in, not many of even my own citizens knew me by appearance, which made it a lot easier to travel unnoticed.

Where is Cathy?

"Alex" I felt a tap on my shoulder and I turned to be greeted by a brilliant smile and a girl with her beautiful auburn hair up in a messy bun. "Sorry I'm late, I had a hard time getting out of bed today, it's cold!" she said grabbing my hands to warm up. Her hands were so cold but I pretended they weren't to spare her feelings so early in the morning. I smile softly and take off my mittens to give to her and place my scarf around her neck.

"You dork I told you it was going to be cold, it's winter! What did you expect? why didn't you bring warm things!" I scolded her while we walked to the train that had just arrived. She pouted and linked her arm with mine.

"I did! But I packed them in my bag because I thought it wasn't going to be that cold right now!" She said shivering and getting closer to me, "besides I have my heater," she says teasing me.

Once we had arrived at our car I placed the bags up in the baggage department and plop down. Cathy sits down next to me and cuddles by my side getting comfortable to, I assume, sleep.

"Didn't get much sleep, my love?" I ask her wrapping my arm around her and bring her closer. I felt her shake her head and nest closer to me.

"Ariel and Azrail were so hypered it took me forever to get them to sleep," I heard her say muffled, "and then I had to wake up so early!" I kissed the crown of her head and rubbed her back

"I'm sorry, I know you hate the morning babe but we had to leave early," I apologized "get some sleep," I whispered, she nodded

"remind me to take my pills," she softly said before falling asleep

Soon enough I hear light snores coming from the tall woman by me. I smile and lean my head on hers closing my eyes slightly enjoying the warmth between us.

I was lightly dozing off when I hear the car doors slide. The conductor entered and I quickly pass him the tickets with my free hand to not wake Cathy up. He then smiled and tips his hat and leaves. I go back to my light sleep.

...

I felt the train stop and Cathy stir when I opened my eyes. I don't remember how long the train ride is to Auchrilin but it felt like a second long. I glance at my watch

12:30

We slept for four hours?!

I quickly glance up to where our bags were and felt relief.

Thankfully they didn't take our bags

I shook Cathy gently knowing she was not a morning person. If I don't approach this right, we might have a catastrophe on our hands. She groans and snuggled closer to me

"Baby we're at Auchrilin, let's go," I softly said trying to hurry as the time to get off the train was diminishing. She moved to look at me, a little drool hung from her chin, and her eyes half closed. She's so adorable, I wish I could take a picture

"Huh?" She said softly looking around, she must've been really tired. I wipe her face and put on my beanie on her, wrapping the scarf around her neck and lower face.

"Let's go," I said standing up and grabbing both bags and her hand to help guide her.

She finally woke up when we were in the parking lot of the rental cars looking for the car I had rented.

"Look for a black small car Cathy," I tell her as she wipes her eyes and shifts into gear.

"Of course you'd get a black car," she mumbled. I glance at her and roll my eyes as I continue my search.

Finally, we found it and settled in, deciding I was the one who was driving first.

Luckily Lord Dribrin taught Cathy how to drive despite having drivers to take them anywhere they wanted like me. once Cathy learned he offered to teach me knowing how against my parents were about a noble much less a royal learning how to drive their own car. He's more of a father than my own.

"Ready sweetie?" I ask teaching for her hand and rubbing my thumb on her palm. She nodded and leaned her chair back to sleep more.

...

Once we got to the borders of Afnira's capital, Tralaug, Cathy, and I stopped to change clothes to appear more formally before the king. As I buttoned up my shirt, Cathy snuck a glance and smirked at me.

"Looking very handsome," she commented and I grinned looking her up and down admiring her beautiful mustard dress, and moved to hold her leaning into her and leaving only inches of space between our faces

"You look rather jaw dropping yourself beautiful," I respond with a smile. She scrunches her nose teasingly, knowing how much I love it when she does it, and leans in giving me a peck.

....

I glance at Cathy nervously and she simply smiles calmly leaning in

"Breath you'll do fine Alex," she whispered as they opened the doors and we stepped in.

"Announcing crown princess Alexis of Kauldin and her fiancée lady Cathrine of the house of Belmi of Kauldin," the announcer's voice echoed the room. As I approach his majesty I notice Ade is standing to his side. Great. She's here. Cathy and I curtsy and greet him with the utmost respect and honor.

"Alex! How are you my dear?" He asks as I lift my head, I smile politely, just like I was taught.

"Thank the Gods I've been the pinnacle of health and joy, how are you and your kingdom your majesty?" I answer, he nods and he gestures to the room

"We have been blessed as well, I am slightly upset your parents could not make it but I understand and am overjoyed to see you and your beautiful promised," he signals to Cathy who only smiles brightly.

"I truly have been given the best gift the Gods could give!" I respond moving closer to Cathy and sharing a look of fondness between us before looking back to King Abrafo. He smiled and looked at his daughter Ade who just narrowed her eyes.

"I wish we could find someone like your Cathy for my daughter," he said, "but until then we'll keep looking!" He chuckled and I laughed politely. "Very well, I know you had a long trip so I'll allow you to settle in and get rest for the ball tomorrow," We bow again and I nod

"Of course King Abrafo, thank you for attending us,"

....

"Babe did you take your pills? and are you gonna shower?" I ask her as I change into my PJs. She ran towards the bed and under the covers

"yes, and hell no! It's cold!" She replied peeping her head out and smiling. I rolled my eyes and went to the bathroom to brush my teeth. The room wasn't that big, they gave us one of the smaller ones in Blawl house. The house where the king's guests stayed. Luckily they gave us a big bed instead of two small ones. "Alex" Cathrine called out. I hummed in response and she came in, humming, and began to lightly tug on the wisps of my hair on the back of my head. She was shirtless except for her bra and she's wearing sweats.

"Aren't you cold without a shirt," I ask glancing and grinning. She tugs a little too hard and I yelp while I washed my mouth.

"I like going around without a shirt, and I can't exactly do that at home. Are you ever going to let your hair grow again?" She asks brushing my hair with her fingers. It wasn't any longer than my jawline. I thought about it as I wiped my mouth and turned to her grabbing her waist and pulling her close.

"Nah, I'll let you have all the long hair glory," I responded smiling. She grinned "besides I look cooler like this," I said putting my hair back and giving her an ugly smile. She laughed and her head slightly tipped backward. I nuzzled my face in her neck feeling her laughter.

"You have such nice hair, dark blue and straight," she said brushing my hair with her fingers. I shrug and look at her lovingly,

"You're the one with the nice hair who straightens it every day," I respond taking a lock of her hair and twirling it with my finger. She looked down, "when I'm Queen I'm banning anything that curls hair," I said, she giggles.

"Share your sweater with me," she says shivering, she's always been so thin skinned. I laugh only to move my arm to make space for her to enter.

"I love you" I whisper in her ear and she smiles

"I love you too Alex,"

--

-Aegean✨