The Princess Diaries 2

Chapter ten

Opening my eyes I'm confused by the fact I'm in my bed. After my breakdown yesterday Anthony just held me until I fell asleep, so I'm assuming he carried me to my bed. When I sit up, I'm even more confused at the fact Anthony is awake on my couch.

"Please tell me you didn't sleep there. That can't be good for your back" I tell him.

"Good morning to you to, princess" he smiles.

"Anthony" 

"Well I didn't think it'd be a good idea to leave you in that state and my back is just fine" This man will be the death of me. How can he be so... perfect? I mean come on he's kind and caring and he looks out for me and he gives good advice and good hugs and he's far from bad to look at. No, Aurora stop it. 

"Thank you" 

"Of course. I'd do anything for you" he admits.

***

"I hate this" 

I'm currently attempting to shoot a flaming arrow. I can shoot an arrow beautifully but it turns out when you light it on fire, I simply can't do it. Don't ask how that works. I don't know either.

"You'll get it soon enough, Aurora. I mean when it's not on fire you do wonderfully" Andrew reassures me.

When I hear someone whistelling, I look around and see non other then Lord 'I'll steal your thrown because I'm a man so I deserve it more'. 

"Mia, Lilly? A word quickly?" I say leading them away from Andrew and the Lady's maids.

"Yes?"

"Look over there" I tell them.

"Should I shoo him? Should I shoo him? Just tell me who I should shoo and I'll shoo" Lily starts.

"Or I could always go and stamp on his foot again?" Mia suggests, smiling at the thought.

"I would just like to speak to Nicholas for a second, please" I inform them. When they nod we turn and walk back towards Andrew, "Andrew?"

"Yes, darling?" darling... No, Aurora for the love of god.

"Why don't you go introduce Mia and Lily to your parents? Just tell them I'll be up for brunch in a second" I say smiling at him.

When they walk off, with Lily saying something about finger sandwiches, I turn and see Nicholas walking towards me, just a few steps away.

"Ready?" He gestures to my bow and arrow and I hum in response, "Take you stance"

"Ok" When I'm stood he takes a match and lights the arrow before standing very close behind me, my back pressed to his front.

"Elbow down. Just a bit" he instructs, moving it down slightly, "Relax this hand" he says placing his hand on mine around the bow. "Breathe in. Release" he whispers in my ear.

I let go of the arrow and it flies through the air and hits the target. I turn to look at his and smile, "Thank you" I drop my bow.

"Of course" he moves his hands down to my hips and turns me around to face him, "I have to go. I really only came back to pack my things"

"You're leaving?" I question.

"I think it's time I bowed out gracefully. Don't you?" 

"Did you finally have enough of letting you uncle live his life through you?"

"What?" he asks, confused.

"Nic, you've never been very enthusiastic trying to steal the thrown. It took me longer than I'd like to admit to work it out, but I don't think you ever really wanted to this, although I'm sure you wouldn't complain if a crown just happened to fall into your hands" I say smiling at him.

"Your remarkable" 

"Goodbye, Nicholas" I turn away but he grabs my wrist.

"Could I see you one more time before I go?" 

"I'm watched like a hawk" I tell him, shaking my head.

"I'd find a way"

"I'm getting married soon, I don't think it would be appropriate to go running off with you. In another life, I would have loved to. Nic, bow out gracefully" I say sadly, looking into his eyes, slightly shaking my head. 

***

It's nearing sunset and I'm about to go to the garden to walk my dog, Luna, but first I'm going to ask Anthony to join me because I'd much prefer Anthony watching over me instead of anyone else. He's one of the few people that don't treat me like I'm glass. And I just enjoy his company.

"Anthonyyy" I drag out slightly when I find him.

"Princesss" he mocks, jokingly.

"Go on a walk with me. And Luna. Please" I smile up at him.

"Ok" he smiles back.

The two of us are walking through the garden while Luna runs ahead, just talking. When Anthony sees we're alone he asks, "how are you feeling? And don't you dare lie to me"

I stop and turn to look at him "I'm going to tell you something and you need to promise to not tell anyone" 

"I promise"

"I'm trying to find a way around it. A way I can become queen and find love without it being forced. The way my life is going isn't how I want it to be. And I don't want this for Andrew either. He deserves to be happy and that won't be with me because no matter how hard we try, we can't force love"

"And have you? Found a way around it?" 

"There are ways that could work but there is no guarantee. It all depends on parliament votes, meaning I need to do something extremely dramatic to win them over because that's what most of them care about anyway"

"And what is this extremely dramatic thing?" 

***

After that we both continue our walk just talking about nonsense until I feel eyes on me. I look up at him to see him already looking down at me. We come to a stop and just look at each other in comfortable silence. He places his hands around my waist and I put my arms around his shoulders, my right hand lightly scratching his neck. After a couple seconds I put my head on his chest and he kisses the top of it before he rests his chin on the top of my head. 

"I like this. Just being with you. Like nothing else matters" I admit.

"I like being with you too, angel. More then you know"

***

Authors note: so I completely forgot Luna existed. So here is confirmation she is still alive and here. Nicholas is gone because I feel we are all in agreement that we've fallen in love with Anthony, so if I continue to write about Nicholas it'll be harder to reject him lol. 

Anyway, hope you have a lovely morning, evening or night, whatever time it is x