Soulmate Cinderella AU- Solangelo

7

Nico's POV

I had just finished showering in the private bathroom connected to my new room when I saw a note and a stack of books on the bed. I instantly went over to read the note. 

Dear Sunshine, 

I got you some books from the castle library to help you sleep if you're uncomfortable. I don't know what you like so I got one of pretty much everything. 

From, Will. <3

I felt my heart beat just a little faster. He's just...perfect. He's perfect and no one could convince me otherwise. And...I don't deserve him. I sighed but looked at the books he picked out for me. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. This sounds interesting. I sat down on the bed and started reading. About an hour later, I heard a knock on the door and I put the story down. 

"Yes?" The door opened and Will walked into the room, sitting down in the edge of my bed. 

"My father talked to your family. Apparently they don't even need a trial because they basically confessed to it, not knowing it was illegal. We're not going to forbid you from seeing them, but just...bring me, or Cecil, or Lou, or just...someone with you if you do. They're in the dungeon in the basement right now." I felt like I was going to cry.

"Thank you." I whispered. 

"Anything for you, my Sunshine." He got up to leave. 

"Wait! C...Can you stay here? Just until I fall asleep?" He smiled softly and got into bed next to me. "Sorry..." 

"For what?" He asked, confused. 

"For being clingy. I mean, I almost cried when you had to go talk to your father earlier and now I won't leave you alone..." He put his hand on top of mine over the covers and shook his head. 

"I think it's sweet. I mean, I don't want to be apart from you either, and you must have it so much worse from not getting much attention when you were little. I get it." I laid my head on his shoulder shyly. I never got those soulmates who get engaged and married as soon as they meet. I mean, technically every soulmate is engaged automatically but there is still the act of proposing and the wedding. Sure, we kissed rather quickly after we meet, but that was actually quite slow for soulmates. Normally, they would kiss as soon as they realized it, and get engaged about an hour later. That had always just...seemed weird to me. And I think Will understands this. Even little acts of affection like this, I was shy about. He carded his fingers through my hair. 

"What're you reading?" He asked. I lifted the book to show him the title. "Oh, I love that book. You know there's a whole series? 7 books." 

"Really? I'll have to read them. I'm on chapter 7 in this one." He nodded and hesitated. 

"Do you like it here?" He blurted nervously. I lifted my head and looked at him, worriedly. 

"I...why are you asking?" I asked, not wanting to upset him with the wrong answer.

"N-never mind, I-It's not a good time, I don't want to overwhelm you." He pushed his fingers through my hair again, which, if he was trying to distract me, almost worked. Luckily, I was able to clear my head. 

"No, no, tell me. I'll be fine." I insisted, moving so I was sitting in front of him. He smiled hesitantly and joined our hands. 

"Ever since I was little, I-I've never really liked the responsibility and rules of being a prince, and now that I'm the heir, it's even worse. When I was 8, I found this place, far from here, far from anything, really, and I've always wanted to just...run away and live there. Free from being a role model to every citizen, the perfect prince, the perfect...everything really. But I would never leave without my soulmate. If you don't want to go, I will respect your wishes and stay here. It's your choice. I'm perfectly fine with whatever you want, Nico." I smiled at him.