The Fairest One of All- an LGBT Fantasy Novel

Seven- the Princess

Weeks passed on placidly in the castle. In spite of all of the difference and bitterness that harbored itself into the dynamic, the Princess and the Knight did become friends.

Avalon appreciated his wit. Everyone treated her like a child, simply because the entire kingdom had raised her since she took her first breath. As a result of such, she was still young and innocent to them, though time had hardened her. He spoke to her so candidly. Nights had passed where he sat on the other side of the bed and they talked about arbitrary things like the phases of the moon and their favorite animals. They lived contently in this mundane lifestyle. She adored it.

But spending hours alone during a day left one with a penchant to think about the universe. She began to harbor doubts about Alexander. The princess was perplexed, how could he keep that heavy helmet on all day long until his door closed for the evening? He never took it off, only raising the mouthpiece to eat.

She knew the deepest parts of his persona. However, she hadn't seen the most shallow and obvious parts of Alexander.

Avalon had never been bashful, and decided to ask him outright. She marched into the library, knowing he would be there because he adored the novels of the olden days. Indeed, there he was, reading an extremely old copy of Cyrano de Bergerac.

"Xander," she started, using the nickname she had awarded him, "I have a question to ask you."

"Is it a hard question? If not, I probably have the answer."

Avalon sat next to the knight on the red leather sofa. "Is it hard to read with that helmet on?"

"Wh- oh! No, it's not hard at all, actually," he answered evasively.

"Why don't you ever take it off?"

"Well... I guess you could say I'm a little misshapen for a knight."

"You won't show me, even?" She shrugged. "We're friends!"

"I'm so glad you finally think so. However... It's more of a scar than you'll ever know, Avalon."

She was not disappointed, even if he had some kind of facial deformity. The disappointment spurred from the omission. In a world where a princess did not form bonds, it seemed as if it was just a farce.

"Well, alright."

He put his hand out to her. "I'm sorry, Avalon."

"I have one more question."

"Hopefully it won't be so hard," he retorted.

She asked out of the blue, "Do you have any freckles?"

"Freckles?" Alexander replied quizzically. "Well, not as many as you. Maybe one or two. My mum used to call them angel's kisses. Obviously the reason why so many come to kiss you is because you're so beautiful.. And such."

"Oh!" She raised her eyebrows, trying to contain a growing a blush. "Thank you, Xander." Avalon took his hand. "You really are so good to me."

"I try my best," he answered modestly. "Well, I suppose it's past both of our bedtimes-"

But Avalon had already closed her eyes, nestling her head along the side of his lap. Gingerly, he took a pillow and put it under her, so she wouldn't feel the cold of the metal. Reaching for a woven quilt, the knight covered her, relieving himself of his duties.

This was the bravest Alexander had ever been.