I'll Protect You (Original Version)

Taking pictures with Santa and the elves.

Dedicated to InTheRain_ for making such a lovely banner for me. And that little side note at the bottom!

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Park

It was utter chaos the five seconds after the words left his lips. The audience went from a deathly silent to a concert uproar faster than I could blink. Many stood to their feet, outraged glares on their faces as they cried for an explanation. There were your fangirls who cried for Vincent to love them.
        All in all, it looked rather entertaining to watch.

Ushers were rushing around, attempting to calm the wild crowd. Selena Marion was screaming for peace. And through all the noise on the stage, I could hear the commotion behind the scenes as crew members struggled to hold down Mrs. Van Hastings.

When it was near halfway to serenity, Selena Marion said, loudly, "What do you mean it's a lie? You mean this whole relationship is a lie? Were you two set up to date? Perhaps, for Great Britain's gain in land of another, more rich kingdom?"

Crap.

We couldn't embarrass Great Britain. They could hold a grudge, which would lead to riffs in the future. Grudges between families last a very long time. And who knows when Cimeria might need assistance in the future?

"No!" Vincent protested instantly. I had to save his ass now. Vincent wasn't the greatest liar in tough situations.

"Are you saying you never loved me?" I asked, cutting off Selena Marion's upcoming question. "Is that what you're saying?"         
             Thank the gods that my mother passed down her uncanny acting skills to her children. Thank the universe that I loved my mother so much and when I was little, I pretended I was a famous actress, faking expressions and voices in front of the mirror.

Hopefully I sounded hurt, like a girl in love would sound after her boyfriend broke up with her. Come on, Park! the Voice in my head urged. Unleash your inner Giselle Sparrow!     
             It worked. Selena Marion shut her mouth and pity clouded her eyes that were hidden behind her bejeweled glasses. Everything grew as quiet as the woods in the night.

Vincent cleared his throat, smiling kindly at me as his way of thanking me, and continued on. "That's what I'm saying, Park. I may have loved you in the beginning. I was planning on proposing today. But my parents' wish is for me to get married, not mine. I cannot marry a girl I cannot see myself in the future with."

Vincent knelt on his knees in front of me and took my hands. "Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt you. And I hope we can part as friends. But I can't be the one by your side."

The world was waiting for me to make my decision. If I agreed, then the contract would be broken and thrown in the trash. We would lose Great Britain's lending hand. If I laughed and pretended that this was all a joke to fool the world, then we could still seal the alliance with Vincent's country.

"It's alright," I said to Vincent. "It's better if we are friends, anyway. I couldn't imagine myself as your bride either."

Contract, prepare to be ripped apart by my very own hands.

I stood up and gave Vincent a warm hug while the world around us erupted once more. We stepped away and Vincent had a wide grin on his face. His blue eyes were incredibly light with happiness.

"Thank you," I said to him.
"You two were made for each other," Vincent said softly.  "I hope you two have the happiest of happy ever afters. I hope he knows the fact that he gets to be with the most beautiful girl in the world."