Red & White

thirty nine.

so sorry about the late update, i've been on holiday! hope you enjoy..

"Harry, we're supposed to be having dinner with your relatives," Leah reminded him as he continued to persuade her to come with him. It was a surprise for the girl that took two hours to set up perfectly.

They were in one of the corridors, exactly one week since Leah had been rescued and brought home to the castle. Queen Anne's sister, Margaret, and her husband sent a telegram from their estate in the country saying that they were hoping to visit the family.  

Harry was dragging her the opposite way of the dining hall. 

"We can skip, they won't mind." Harry shrugged, a determined face settling on his features. He really needed her to come with him. The Prince couldn't waste precious time together. His surprise could easily be ruined if an employee walked in to clean. He had some time with her now and a family dinner was not going to take that away from him. 

"Your parents will be disappointed. What is it that you need to show me so badly?" Her elegant gown swayed in the wind created as Harry continued to forcefully guide her down the passageway. The path was familiar, but she didn't take notice. 

"It's a surprise," he simply said. 

She lightly smiled at him, grateful that he took time in his busy day to create a surprise for her. 

"A surprise sounds exciting, but can't we wait until after dinner? I still feel like I need to prove to your father that I'm worthy of being with you." Leah frowned, sulking from her words and Harry stopped abruptly in the corridor. 

He paused, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek. 

"Firstly," the Prince whispered in a meaningful tone, "you needn't worry about proving anything to my father. There isn't anything to prove. His goddamn eyes just need to open and realize that you're the same person before he knew about you. Society is changing. He needs to accept that our backgrounds should not separate us." A kiss was pressed upon her nose. "Secondly, we cannot wait until after dinner. I spent two hours of my day setting this up and I'd like to enjoy it with you now before the threat of it being ruined arises." 

Leah smiled up at him, finally giving in to trying to persuade him to head back to the dining hall. He was intent on showing her this surprise and she would allow him to. 

"Okay, show me this surprise." The girl giggled, clutching on to her lover's sturdy arm. He stared at her for a moment before twisting his head around and scanning his surroundings before turning back.

"We're here." 

"The library?" Her brow creased in confusion. 

"Come see." Harry took her hand and laced their fingers together. He opened the wide doors with stain glass paintings covering the front. They walked in side by side, and she curiously glanced around, not noticing anything looking different. 

He led her further into the library, passing a myriad of tall, lean bookshelves. She wanted to skim her hand down the spines of the novels, reading each title one by one. Her goal of reading every single book in the library seemed so unfeasible. It would take years with the amount of books held there.

There was a clearing in the bookshelves that the two knew quite well. The area was tucked in the back of the library, hidden from newcomers. It had a large window overlooking the vast garden below. 

This was their spot. The countless hours spent together, perched up on the bench beside the view, reading book after book. 

"Oh, Harry.."