The Heir and her Guard

Chapter 6

The pair decided to head back to the gardens a while after, and Jane had managed to compromise with Hopper. Instead of an engagement ball, a masquerade was planned.

If you didn't know already, a masquerade is a fancy ball where everyone comes with a mask on. Many intricate and beautiful designs are on these masks, but some are simple. It's a cool incognito sort of idea, and everyone seemed to agree with the arrangements.

It was to happen next month, in December. Luckily, Aveington was a warm kingdom, the winters unlikely to be under 5 degrees Celsius. Summers were around 30 degrees Celsius, but it wasn't very humid heat.

Max had calmed down now, but that guilt still remained. That was the worst part about this whole ordeal. She just hoped this feeling would soon die down, that it was simply just a temporary interest. She was only a teenager 2 years ago, this was normal.

Mike seemed to stay with Will a lot, but that made it easier for Max to get through the day without feeling like she could cut that sharp jawline in half.

Jane and Will had wanted to go to town, so naturally Max decided to come too. For some reason Mike was really enthusiastic about joining them, but Max got on Sterling before he could. Jane decided to sit behind Max while Will and Mike rode on Starfire.

The horses were calm, and Max enjoyed Jane's arms around her waist more than she probably should've. They decided to take the scenic route so Mike could enjoy the beautiful meadows and lakes that Aveington held.

Mike's kingdom, Hawkins, consisted of more... rocky land. It didn't have as many meadows but had a lot of hills. Many people travelled there to scale up the large ones.

The townspeople were very happy to see them, and many were invited to the masquerade. Jane and Will treated the people as equals, so all the people who were able to come, were invited.

At around 11 pm they headed back to the palace, and since Jane was more of a morning person, she fell asleep with her head resting against Max's back.

Max felt her face get hot as she realised what happened, and looked over to Mike and Will who seemed to be enjoying each other's presence.

She rode carefully, making sure to go slowly over the bumps. It was almost midnight when they reached home, and Jane was still asleep.

The boys had already brought their horse back to the stable, and Max watched them as they walked inside, still in deep conversation.

She looked over her shoulder and decided not to wake Jane as she seemed so peaceful. So she rode Sterling back to the stables, getting off the saddle and quickly pulling Jane off before she fell. Lucas and Steve brought the horse back inside, and Max put an arm around her back and the other under her legs as she carried her inside.

The princess was light, and Max was strong, so it wasn't difficult. Max felt the servant's eyes on them as she walked down the halls, and she looked down, not wanting to meet them.

Once she reached Jane's bedroom, she opened the door with one hand still holding Jane and used her leg to shut it behind her.

She went up to the bed and laid her in it, just then realising she was in her gown.

It didn't look very comfortable to wear to bed.

"Jane." Max whispered.
She didn't answer so she leaned closer to her ear, "Princess."

Jane stirred, annoyed after being woken up. "Whatttt." She whined.
"You have to change before you sleep."
"I don't want to." She closed her eyes again and Max thought for a moment.
"Would you like me to get Nancy?" Max asked quietly.
"Noooo, I want to sleep." She replied, pulling the blanket up to her shoulders.

"Jane." Max warned.
"Go away." She pushed her away by her chest, but it didn't too much considering she was half asleep.
"You frustrate me more than anyone I've ever met!" Max grumbled loudly.
"Thank you, now be quiet."
"How hard is it to get dressed?"
"Very hard."

Max huffed, "Shall I get you dressed?" She asked as a joke.
"If it makes you keep quiet." Jane answered simply.
She froze, not expecting that answer. What has she got herself into?
"Are you going to say something, or simply stand there like you've just seen a ghost?" Jane asked, her eyes open.

"Oh, uh- where are your pyjamas?" Max asked, looking around.
"In my closet, of course. Now, may I go back to sleep, or is mommy Max gonna ask for more?" She smiled sarcastically and Max gave her the middle finger, grateful the lights were dim, coz goddamn was she blushing.

Max walked over to the closet, and no, she wasn't going inside it. Instead she opened it, getting a set of silk pyjamas out before closing it.

She walked back over to the bed and Jane's eyes were closed again. Slowly Max pulled the blanket down below her feet, moving her hands back to Jane's gown.

She hesitated for a moment, maybe she should ask first. "Jane-" She began.
"Do what you must. Now not another word, I'm trying to go back into a good dream. Which most definitely didn't include you." She booped Max's nose.

Max chuckled and shook her head, her fingers gently gliding up the gown until they reached the buttons. Slowly she undid them, revealing her neck with each one.

As she undid the forth button, she sharply inhaled.

God.

She looked up to the ceiling, just for a second. She needed to recollect herself, and quick. She looked back down, and her eyes trailed down... slowly... down to her che-

She mustn't stare.

But she couldn't help but look, just a tiny peek. The red laced bra wasn't helping her case, and she quickly got back to work.

She finished undoing the buttons, and slid the gown off Jane's shoulders, down to her lower waist.

Max then carefully lifted Jane up, who was fast asleep at this point. She put her arms through the sleeves and buttoned up the pyjama shirt. She exhaled and put her hands back on the gown.

Slowly she pulled it down, revealing her underwea-

MAX.

She quickly gained control of herself, and pulled the gown off her legs fully, taking her shoes off at the same time. She then put the pyjama trousers on her ankles, lifting them up her lower legs and midway up her thighs.

Max then realised she'd have to lift her legs to get them the remaining way up. She looked at Jane and made sure she was still asleep before gently placing her hands on her hips, lifting her back up ever so slightly so with her other hand she could pull the trousers all the way up.

She took a small step back, proud of herself. She then grabbed the gown and hung it up on the closet door for whoever to put it where it belongs. She put her shoes away and took her socks off before pulling the blanket up over her.

Jane snuggled into them and Max smiled, her racing heart beginning to slow down. "Goodnight princess." She said quietly, looking at Jane once more before exiting the room, shutting the door slowly behind her.