𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 «« Matthew Gray Gubler.

3.4

The Engagement Paradox.

15th of March, 2012.

Heathrow Airport.

Coraline adjusted the sunglasses resting on the bridge of her nose, painfully aware of the paparazzi that would soon swarm them as her brother exited the jet.

"Hey, Cora." Harry greeted, pulling his sister in for a much needed hug after so much time away.

She squeezed him tighter, glad to have him back after his first official tour. "Hello, darling. I want you to tell me everything in the car, I'm driving." She grinned, displaying the clinking keys. Shaking his head at his sisters antics, he followed her to the car, getting into the convertible.

"Before I tell you about the tour, how are you and Matthew? I heard you guys are on the rocks."

Her lips spread into the brightest smile accompanied by a furrowed brow. "On the rocks? Who said that? We're actually great, perfect, even."

The ginger eyed his sister suspiciously. "Are you pregnant?"

Gasping, she nearly swerved at the question. "What? Absolutely not!"

"Okay, good. You had me worried for a minute. Is Kate pregnant?"

"Not yet, I don't think. But the rumors are really spreading like wildfire."

Ჲ

23rd of March, 2012.

Apartment 8, Kensington Palace - Princess Coraline's Residence.

Matthew's sister and her family always enjoyed spending their time in London, and they were finally in the city at the same time as a certain princess.

Coraline had welcomed her friend with open arms, cooing at the baby she brought along. Hunter was born during September, during her tour which led to her only being able to meet the baby a handful of times.

She didn't have any kind of aversion towards children, she loved them and her work was all about making their lives better. Coraline had always doubted her maternal instinct, or lack thereof.

Laura engulfed the blonde in a hug, the six month old between them. "Oh, Cora, how are you?"

"I'm great! How are you and this handsome boy doing?" Her voice had morphed into a baby-ish tone as she leaned down to hold the baby. "He's so perfect, wow."

"He misses his Aunt Cora."

Ჲ

17th of February, 2002.

Benenden School.

Coraline had already experienced so much pain already, and it took everything in her power to make sure she didn't become a simple shell of a 15 year old girl. The death of her mother, her great grandmother and her aunt, she wasn't sure what to do with herself afterwards.

Returning back to boarding school wasn't a welcomed distraction, but it was a distraction nonetheless. She was sure that hours of GCSE psychology would deflect the pain of watching Margaret die and be buried.

Leila Swinton had never appreciated the royals in any sense, and had taken an instant disapproval towards the princess, never failing to make snarky remarks at her schoolmate.

Leaning in the doorway of the dorm, pitifully watching Coraline unpack her things, Leila cleared her throat. "Hey, Wales." She approached the girl wearily.