Picnic Date

Queen Annabelle’s POV

"Honey, what's the name of the boy Alexander is promised to?" I asked once I got in bed.

Edward grunted and said, "Cassidy Winters. Why?"

"Oh nothing, Dear. I just think that Alexander won't have a problem with that."

"He already has a problem with it," he grumbled, frowning.

"I'm sure Alexander will work it all out."

~

Cassidy's POV

Yesterday, was a huge blur.

I came home. Got rushed to see a physician. And then took a nap. My father came in worried and left angry at me. I also found out that I had been promised to someone else in an arranged marriage. The Crown Prince. The King has approved. I have no say in this matter.

Of all the things that hurt the most, it's that my father would do this to me.

He'd asked me once, what I thought of arranged marriages and he knew I thought them to be unnecessary causes of pain between two people. It's senseless to force two people who have never met each other, let alone liked each other, to be together till death do them apart.

When Father told me that, I argued, pointing out that he and Mama weren't in an arranged marriage. He said if he didn't think I would be happy, he wouldn't have agreed to it.

He argued that the Prince would be able to take care of me. More like selling my soul to the devil.

In my anger, I said some pretty mean things and Father left the room in a huff. And I, too upset as well, went back to sleep. It had been a long day.

In the morning, I found myself woken up by birds chirping. It would have been the perfect morning if I wasn't still angry at father.

What's so good about the morning anyway? I haven't got my freedom anymore. There's no point.

I got up to relieve myself and brush my teeth, then went to change into my riding clothes. I needed some time alone.

Saddling my horse was its own form of meditation and I led her to the gates.

Just as we walked out, I saw someone on horseback galloping towards us. I squinted a little, trying to make out who that was.

He got closer and I could just make out Alexander's features. His own cloak fluttered behind him as he urged his horse towards us. He pulled the reins of his steed to slow down and I saw a picnic basket in his arms.

"Good morning," I smiled. My mood having lightened considerably in his presence. "I'd hoped to find you again in the forest. I certainly didn't expect you to come to me."

“The cottage is just for the full moons really," he grinned sheepishly. "I thought maybe we could have a picnic? If you want to that is." He watched me with eyes hopeful and expectant.

Oh my god, I thought to myself. He's so cute! "I'd like that."

"I know this great spot we could go to. It's in the forest. Ride with me?" He asked.

"What happened to riding you?" I teased, and his cheeks pinked.

Oh my god! He was blushing! I laughed and he smiled and laughed with me. It was just as beautiful as I recalled. "I'm just kidding. Come on, let's go!"

I mounted my horse and set off in a trot towards the woods. He followed behind. We followed the path of dried leaves in the forest and soon, he directed us left and off the trail.

Soon enough, I heard the burbling streams. Alexander slowed his horse and led us to a little clearing where the stream pooled in the middle of a clearing. I felt a laugh bubbling in my chest.

"It's beautiful," I told him sincerely. "How did you know this was here?" I asked delightedly. I dismounted my horse before running to the crystal clear water.

"When you spend a lot of time in the forest, you just find little spots like this. It's amazing isn't it?" He agreed as he tied the reins of our horses to a tree branch not too far away. I squatted at the river bank and stuck my hand in. The water was cool. Perfect. Soft sunlight shone down on us and I began stripping.

"Cass? What are you doing?" Alexander asked.

"I'm going into the water," I said simply.

"You can swim?"

"Yes, my mother taught me before she died. We used to swim together."

"Ah," he said awkwardly earnest, "my condolences."

I shrugged and hung my clothes neatly on a nearby tree branch as I stripped down to my briefs and splashed into the water. Alexander took a blanket from the basket and spread it out. Then he sat down and watched me.

"Won't you join me?"

He shook his head smiling as I splashed in the water.

"Why not?" I tried persuading him. He smiled again, shaking his head, eyes dark with some unspoken thoughts.

I gave him my best puppy dog eyes. He looked uncertain but still refused. I frowned and narrowed my eyes. "Fine." He smirked and decided to take a nap on the blanket. I smiled mischievously to myself.

As quietly as I could, I climbed out of the water and found two wine glasses in the basket beside a bottle of wine.

Mm… I'd have to sample that later. I filled the wine glasses to the brim and carefully carried it back to Alexander's sleeping form. And then emptied the water on him. He spluttered.

Alex spluttered. “Cassidy!" He shouted.

I laughed maniacally as I jumped back into the water. "You're all wet! Pun intended by the way. Now you have to dry your clothes on the branch there and that means you have to strip so you might as well join me in this perfect water!" I cackled at the look on his face.

Then he smirked and asked, "Why? Are you trying to get me naked again?"

I blinked and flailed my arms as I blushed. "No..." I mumbled.

He just laughed and began stripping. I turned away and covered my eyes. When I turned back, he was gone.

"Alex? Did you run away?" I called out, looking among the trees for him.

Something latched around my ankles and yanked, pulling me under. I screamed. It let go as I splashed in the water to get to the surface. When I got up, my hair was in my eyes. I was soaked through, and Alexander was laughing so hard he snorted. Multiple times.

"Your face!” he snorted. “That was amazing!” He cried, laughing with tears rolling down his cheeks.

I glared at him; my cheeks burned in embarrassment. "I'm glad you found it funny. And that was a cry of indignation," I said as condescendingly as I could.

He just kept laughing, until I swam under and pulled him by the ankles as he did to me. He squealed and snorted the water up to his nose. Then it was my turn to laugh. He glared at me, cheeks pink.

"Oh my god! You squealed!" I cackled.

"Whatever," he sassed, before splashing me.

"How dare you!" I cried and launched myself at him. He squealed again. "You just squealed again. And I once thought you far braver than I."

He glared and grabbed me by the waist, crowding me against the riverbank. My body was pressed flush against his. Heat crept up my neck.