Royally Matched

Part 5

            "You are not what you seem, Your Highness." You said as you guys walked through the gardens.

"Really? How so?" Bucky mused.

"You're soft on the inside. Like a marshmallow."

Bucky laughed. "I dare say, did you just compare my insides to a marshmallow?"

"Yes, I very much did. So, my point is, why don't you let it show?" You said crossing your arms as you stopped him.

"Now, that is none of your business." Bucky said with a frown.

"Come on! You could easily have a partner by now, IF you let your emotions show!"

"What do you know?" Bucky retorted. "You're a matchmaker with no match, explain that to me!"

"I guess I've been so caught up in making other people happy, that I forgot to make myself happy." You said quietly.

"Then how do you know what the joy of falling in love is like if you've never gone through it yourself?" Bucky said before walking away.

"Well," You groaned. "That could've gone better."

~~~~~

"Ugh, he's right. I'm a matchless matchmaker." You said to yourself as you sifted through candidates' profiles. "Ah ha! Yes! Found you!"

You set the profile in a stack next to you of the top ten. You had looked for Nat, but she was nowhere to be found. You decided to get to work by yourself. There were papers and sticky notes everywhere and your concentration was broken by a knock on the door.

"Come in." You replied thinking it was Damien.

The King slowly opened the door, and you jumped off the floor, papers fluttering as you composed your self.

"Your Majesty, I didn't know you were coming. Excuse the mess." You said sheepishly.

"I came to check on how your work was going." He said gruffly.

"Uh, it's going pretty good. I wanted to talk to you, actually. I have a few girls picked out and I was hoping were could set something up for tonight with the prince. Like a little dinner party or something, that way he could meet some of the girls and see if anything sparks."

"I'll have Damien work on that right away. Thank you."

"The pleasure is all mine your Majesty." You said bowing as he left.

Once the door shut, you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding. Well, you had some calls to do.

~~~~~

"Butterflies you say?" Bucky questioned as he rose an eyebrow. "I must admit I've never experienced these butterflies."

"Yeah, it's kinda makes you feel sick and excited at the same time, and it's just a really special feeling." You said with a shrug.

"Have you ever felt these butterflies with anyone?"

"Once. But, uh, we took our own paths. Now, you mister, are going to have a great time tonight." You said dusting his shoulders off.

"Can you come with me? I'm feeling a bit nervous." Bucky admitted.

"If I came with you, I would just ruin the party. Besides, this is about you, not me. Remember the butterflies, and if you feel them, they are probably the one."

You straitened Bucky's tie before smiling. "Good luck."

Bucky's stomach flip flopped as you smiled at him. Butterflies. He thought as you walked away.

~~~~~

"So, how was it? Give me every juicy little detail." You said finding Bucky fixing something on his car.

"Well, there's not much to say." He said wrenching something. "It was like every other party I've been to, and the women were like every other one I've met."

You sighed. "So, no butterflies then?"

"No butterflies." Bucky confirmed, wiping his greasy hands on a rag.

"Well, there's still time, I guess. I, uh, didn't take you for the hands on type." You said pointing to his now fixed car engine.

"Yeah, I like to fix things. Kind of a hobby I have."

"That's nice. I would also like to apologize about last time, um, in the garden, I shouldn't have—"

"It's fine." Bucky interrupted. "I shouldn't have been so emotional. How about a new start? From the beginning. I've realized I haven't exactly been the nicest, it's, uh, it's just hard to open up to strangers is all."

You stared at Bucky's extended hand, then smiled. "I'd like that. A new start."

~~~~~

You were no closer to finding Bucky a match than you were when you started. You were worried to say the least. Wandering through the castle, your thoughts bounced around in your head. Your company would be ruined if you didn't succeed. Entering a random room, you sighed. You had to think of something, and something quick.

You finally took in your surroundings and gasped. You were in a beautiful ball room. A crystal chandelier hung from the intricately designed ceiling, and the walls were covered in astounding art. You twirled around with a giggle before a strong voice sounded.

"May I have this dance?"

You turned around quickly, your eyes landing on the prince with his charming smile.

"I can't dance."

He laughed. "Everyone can dance."

"Not me." You said with a shrug.

"Come on." He said grabbing you. "I'll teach you."

You let yourself get pulled along by Bucky and he positioned both of you, the smile never leaving his face. "Okay, so just follow my lead and you will get the hang of it."

You followed Bucky, but not without stepping on his feet, causing the prince to wince a few times. As you guys slowed down, you looked into each other's eyes, and Bucky's stomach erupted into butterflies again. Butterflies. It can't be anything else. Bucky thought.

"Jamie!"

You and Bucky quickly jumped away from each other as Amy ran into the room.

"I was looking for you everywhere! Are we going to ride the horses?!" Amy exclaimed clinging to Bucky.

"Of course." Bucky said before turning to you. "Uh, if you would excuse me. S-sorry."

Bucky quickly scurried out of the room, Amy running behind him.

"That man is a piece of work." You said as the doors closed behind them.