His & His Princess {18+}

Chapter 1: Reunion

The road to Miserth Castle was smoother than I remember. As a young child, I used to take this road within the comfort of my carriage, jostling back and forth within my small body. Perhaps it feels smoother now because I've grown so much. My frame was quite small back then. However, I've learned how to balance myself enough that nothing can throw me. Not even a pebble under the wheel of my beautiful carriage that my father gifted me for my twenty-first birthday.

I giggled at the thought of the boys looking upon my carriage and wondering if it was really me. I could imagine slight bewilderment and surrealism on their faces when they saw me. Of course, I may have the same expression as I haven't seen them in years either. I had no idea what they looked like now.

The last memory I have of them was when we were only twelve years old. Auris was trying to get through his studies while me and Hayze wanted to play in the garden. Winter had been so harsh to the point where we were stuck inside almost every single day. Spring had finally arrived and presented fresh flowers in the royal garden, a real treat to see after nothing but snow blanketing everything. Yet, Auris still refused to go outside with us for the sake of his studies.

Hayze and I went to the garden without him to play. It was a little lonely without him there since we three were always together, but Hayze was trying his best to fill in the gap by himself. We played tag around the garden, weaving through lavender labyrinths and ducking behind rose bushes. He was faster than me. Always has been. But, after a while, he would slow down to make sure I could tag him for a change. After that, though, I would usually use my small size to my advantage. I would be able to crawl under bushes or shimmy my way up a thin tree. Hayze was too big to fit into such spaces without getting hurt compared to me.

On that day, I climbed one of the still-growing maple trees to get away from being tagged. I tried to stay quick and light on my feet as I jumped upon each thin branch, caring not to break one. I remember laughing with glee as I heard Hayze shouting for me to get down, that he could never get me this way. The sun on my face, the view from high up, and the smell of fresh air encouraged me to climb higher. I would never come down. That was until I fell down.

I didn't climb as high as I thought I did back then. In the eyes of a child, I thought that I fell from the top of the world. Instead, I just fell eight feet to the green grass. I wasn't hurt. I was more scared from the shock that caused me to start crying. It was a scary moment for me as a princess who was usually carefully watched within the castle walls.

Hayze was as pale as a ghost when he saw me hit the ground and start to cry. He rushed over to me immediately when I fell, checking over my body for broken bones. It was only a couple of minutes later when Auris showed up, panting and wheezing from running all the way to the garden from the second-floor study. He had been watching us play from the window and witnessed my fall. He didn't hesitate to leave everything behind just to make sure I was okay.

Having Hayze and Auris with me, my two best friends in the entire world, made me stop crying and start smiling. Their presence was enough to make me feel so much comfort after such an accident. I was lucky that I wasn't seriously injured and had such caring friends to take care of me regardless.

And now, I was on my way to being engaged to one of them.

My heart fluttered in my chest and I took a deep breath, returning to the reality within the moving carriage. My nerves were beginning to send jitters through my body. Even though I haven't seen Hayze or Auris for almost ten years now, I still write to them monthly. We have kept in touch all this time and it doesn't really feel like they are strangers to me. Of course, Hayze and Auris have been together this whole time as best friends, adopted brothers, and future kings. They are still close despite the work and study according to their letters. It was just me who had to leave.

I could see Miserth Castle in the distance, a grand, white brick castle that was nearly showing its age. And yet, it still felt like home after all these years. I didn't feel like Cerulle Cardum Estate or Remont Academy was home for me. Not like Miserth Castle with its bright exterior, lush landscape, and welcoming atmosphere. There was a wall around the castle, but that never felt like something meant to keep me inside. Back at the estate and academy, the walls surrounding me were dark, intimidating, and cold.

Not here. Never here.

As we got closer to the castle, the butterflies in my stomach turned into dragons. I was so excited and nervous to meet Hayze and Auris. When I finally came of age to be betrothed, I was over the moon. I was done with Remont Academy, done with Cardum, and done with nonstop study. While I wasn't keen on the idea of having to choose between the two of them, I was sure that our friendship could never crumble. Besides, this betrothal was always intended. I have always been meant to marry one of them someday and become a queen. They expected this too.

It didn't matter if romantic love was present. We all loved each other as friends, and that would be enough.

The carriage began to slow as we passed through the large gate decorated by purple bougainvilleas. Guards, maids, butlers, and other staff were assembled outside to give their greetings. Most importantly, though, the princes were there waiting on the pristine steps to Miserth Castle.

My heart was hammering in my chest by now as I saw Auris and Hayze wait patiently for my carriage to pull in. So much has changed. However, they were still undeniably the friends I have always known. Auris, with his sun-kissed tan and short platinum hair, was in his formal white jacket decorated with his sorcery medals. Hayze, sporting a simple, cream button-down and sword at his hip, never looked better with his cool umber skin and long raven dreadlocks. These were my boys. My princes.

Finally, the carriage slowed to a stop and I waited for the door to open. The driver slowly opened the door to finally reveal the two princes in person. My, did they get handsome over the years. I wondered if they thought the same about me.

Without exchanging any words yet, I took the hand of my driver and carefully stepped onto the solid gravel, caring to smooth out my butterfly blue dress. The princes bowed and I curtsied, as customs demanded. However, as soon as we stood straight back up, I couldn't help myself. I grinned and ran towards them with arms stretched out wide. My heart swelled with happiness as they did the same. "Prince Auris! Prince Hayze! It's so good to see you two again. I've missed you so much!"

Auris chuckled as he held tight, his laugh like a remembered melody. "It's good to see you too, Princess Spira."

"It doesn't feel like much has changed, huh?" Hayze grinned while also crushing me in a bear hug.

Their voices were deeper than the last time I heard them speak. Back then, they both hadn't gone through puberty yet. Now, they were strapping young men. Their voices suited them. Auris's was deep and smooth like flowing honey. Hayze's was strong and rich like spiced cinnamon. Everything about them now suited how I remembered them through memories and letters.

I gave a final squeeze before letting go, the loss of warmth was noticeable as soon as an inch spread between us. If it were possible, I would hug them both forever. "I've really missed the both of you so much. Remont and Cardum were miserable without you two. The studying, the training, the people, all of it was so unpleasant! I'm so glad to finally be here."

"You worked hard for a long time. You deserve some rest and a change of scenery. We figured that you would like to see the garden after all this time, so we set up lunch under the gazebo. We planted a few new flowers and set up a section for a few fruit trees. They haven't produced fruit this year since they are still young, but hopefully next year we can enjoy what is grown." Auris mentioned, his arm looping around mine to start guiding me around towards the garden that I do remember so fondly.

Hayze took my other arm and walked close. "We made sure that everything would be perfect for your arrival. If you find something you don't like, though, just let us know and we can fix it right away. Don't hesitate to reach out to us for help too, okay?"

A warmth spread across my chest as I felt their friendly affection. I'll admit, as Princess Spira Cerulle, I do enjoy luxuries and can be a bit spoiled by my parents. My father, especially, loved to dote on me save for sending me away to Cardum and Remont for my studies. I didn't have many friends where I was either, so having my best friends treating me felt really nice. I could finally open up again.

I really did love them even after all this time.