Why did you touch it!

"By the way, don't you think it's time for your cousin to get married at his age?"

"He's still young."

"But he's almost 30!"

"Mother, 23 isn't 30. It's far from it" I reasoned but she's right. Julien isn't getting any younger besides both our parents got married at the age of 20

"Still he's at the right age to marry and the Queen Mother and I have been discussing future candidates for him to choose from. It would be nice if you could help us convince him to at least get to know them."

"You know I don't like meddling with his personal affairs and besides he's a grown man capable of finding someone to marry." Julien and I both hate being manipulated. This wouldn't end nicely

"Alright. I know how the two of you get along so well. I don't want you to be in a misunderstanding just because of us."

How did I end up having such a considerate mother?

"I better go. Come down and eat dinner with us, okay? Your cousin and aunt are both also very worried about you." she said as she stood up and hugged me

"Yes, I'll join you for dinner" I said as I hugged her back

She was on her way to leave when *THUD* a faint sound came from the bed

"What was that?" she asked

"Uhhh, maybe it was my phone. I was looking for it on the bed when you knocked and it might've slipped down from wherever it was" I answered without looking at her, my palms were suddenly sweaty. She might not believe me, I thought to myself

"Are you sure?" she was looking more and more suspicious

"Of course, mother." I said, now cold sweat was sliding down the back of my neck. She was looking me in the eye and I was so nervous that she'd see through me that I forced myself to do the same. That was all I can do, hold her gaze or it was game over

"See you later at dinner, sweetie." she said smiling in defeat before going down the hall

Guilt crept through my stomach and it made me feel nauseous. It's not like I always lie to them, especially to my mother. She was an angel.

I quickly shut the door and ran towards Monty

"What happened to you?" I whispered

"I found this under your bed" he said amused as he pulled out my bra from underneath "You should really tell your chambermaids to do a better job at cleaning" he said blushing

I snatched the undergarment as fast as I could and hid it behind my back

"W-w-why did you touch it?" I was unsure what to ask and it came out more like an accusation than a question

"I didn't mean to, I was more surprised when it touched my cheek as I tried to move from under your bed." he was now redder than an apple, we both are

"Why were you even moving? You should've stayed still."

"I was getting cramps."

I was speechless and could only run towards my closet to hide. As a child I hid at the far corner on my dress rack whenever I get upset and I still do

"Hey. It's okay, it's just me. Nothing to worry about." he said crouching in front of me, trying to comfort me from such embarrassment

"No, it's not okay. It's even more embarrassing because it's you." I sobbed as I closed my eyes even tighter, clenching my bra in my hands without me realizing it

"You know, it doesn't bother me. It's a normal thing for women to wear them, it's nothing to be ashamed about." he explained calmly with his soothing voice

He tilted my face upwards to meet his eyes and smiled warmly "It's okay, okay?"

All I could do was lean towards him, allowing my forehead to lay flat on his shoulder. He encased me in his arms, gently patting my back as if I was as delicate as a newborn child

"You're like a child." he said softly

"I'm only like this when I'm with you."

"I know."

We remained like that for a few more minutes until someone knocked on the door

"Your Highness, dinner will be served in 30 minutes" one of the maids called out

"Okay, I'll go down by myself. Thank you!" I shouted from my closet

I was about to stand up when my legs got numbed and I was forced to hold onto his shoulders for support

"Are you okay?" he worriedly asked

"Cr-cramps"

He gently picked me up and carried me over the bed, making me sit on the edge. Then he started massaging my limbs until the pain was gone

"Do you think your age is ideal for marriage?"

"M-marriage? Why are you suddenly asking me that out of the blue?"

"Mother said that Julien needs to get married soon. Will you also be married off to someone your age?"

"I have no knowledge of such plans from my parents but your cousin is the King and it's not that surprising to be married at our age, most are even younger." he simply replied "I don't have any plans of getting married"

Hearing that made my heart stop. What are we then? Will we forever be a secret couple?

"Unless it's to you, of course," he added. kissing the back of my right hand

I don't know what's worst, my heart stopping or it going wild but it's doing both

"Should we get ready then? I asked

"For dinner?"

"For our wedding, silly"

"Why so soon?"

"Why not? You just said that you wanted to marry me? Wasn't that a proposal?"

"Of course, I do but isn't this all so sudden?"

"We're going to do it in the future anyway so why wait?

"You know it's not that easy." he was reasonable at that point

"Nothing's ever easy especially being in our family"

"We still need to get permission from your parents and the King"

Julien can be overprotective at times. He once made two guard dogs chase after a suitor from a noble family who came to visit me. He was only comfortable with Monty being around me as he already knows how sincere Monty is and that he has good intentions for the royal family

"I guess you're right. That's really the problem especially if Julien decides to feed you to the dogs for taking away his favorite cousin" I joked but deep down it really is a problem, a huge one

"Your his only cousin" Monty pointed out

*Knock Knock*

"Dinner's almost ready, Your Highness."

"Yes, I'm almost done" I said as I hastily moved towards my closet to pick out a proper attire for dinner

"I'll get going before your mother comes up to get you." he gently kisses my forehead and walks out the door

A simple V-neck lace stitched half sleeve black and white dress would do, watermelon lip color and a few strokes of eyeliner would complete the look.

Every meal in the castle is like a casual gathering. You need to at least dress decently except for special occasions where we sometimes fool around and wear silly costumes or extravagant gowns for guest or parties