Time was running out faster and faster. Christmas was only 2 weeks away and Lord Famin was constantly coming by the castle. The people were demanding lower taxes to the point where riots were breaking out and Robin was being increasing difficult every day.
"I just can't escape!" Aurelia yelled as she stood outside in the freezing cold snow trying to figure out the world. Her parent's gravestones seemed to glare right at her.
"Why did you both have to die! Why did you have to leave me the kingdom and the girls? Why couldn't you of had a daughter before me? Or better yet a son! Then I wouldn't have to marry and old lord and run a kingdom all by myself!" She collapsed on her mother's gravestone and sobbed.
It seemed like weeks since she had been able to cry. It almost felt good. She didn't even notice that her lips were starting to turn blue or that her skirts were heavy from being soaked.
No this was the only time where the world was truly hers. The only time she could be alone.
The snow grew heavier and she still stayed there staring at the gravestones.
"Oh Mother,Father I miss you so much. The girls do too."
"Your Highness!"
She didn't even turn to see where the voice came from. Until a warm hand touched her shoulder.
"Princess you must get inside it's too cold for you. Your not even wearing a proper cloak." A man with light brown hair that curled slightly and the bluest eyes she had ever seen drapped his cloak around her and forced her up.
"Who are you?" The words escaped her lips without her even thinking.
"Sir Grey. Everyone calls me Oliver thought." A warm smile graced his lips as they walked towards the castle.
Aurelia was shaking uncontrollably now as she walked on but listened intently.
"Grey....That's on old family name no doubt...I know where your from! My Father used to know a Sir Henry Grey in the next kingdom over!" Excitement lit up her eyes at the thought of meeting someone who had possibly known her father.
"Yes I'm his son. Your father was a great friend to us. I do believe he brought one of his girls to visit for our Christmas ball once."
"Oh really...I don't ever remember any of the girls going away for Christmas...I have got to ask though how did you know I was a princess and not a mourning villager?" She stopped looking at him waiting for an answer.
"Well once you see a stunning princess with unruly dark curls you never forget her.Even if she was a child when you last met." He laughed and continued to walk on.
"Are you saying we met? The only friends I had out of the kingdom were Jasper and Bella I don't remember their names though...in fact I went to three of their Christmas balls. The last one my sister Jessenia came with." They were closer to the castle doors now the deep snow crunching under their feet.
"I was Jasper and my sister Bella. When we were children we hated out social status. You wanted nothing more then to be free of Princess Aurelia so all three of us changed our names and pretended to be villagers all Christmas. I was Jasper,my sister Eliza was Bella and you I believe wanted to be called Lottie."
Then is all flooded back to her like she had never forgotten. A young Oliver with the same blue eyes and curly brown hair calling her Lottie as they pretended to feed the horses when they were just feeding Oliver's dog.
Then Eliza,Oliver,and Aurelia all sitting at the Christmas feast pretending they were spys from the village coming to bring food to the people.
"I remember! You gave me a little glass marble our last year together! It was right before I had to start training to become a proper heir and you said to never forget that being a princess is more then fancy clothes and how to pour tea. It is about courage,bravery,and never letting the spy's in the village down." She laughed as they walked into the warm castle.
"Yes now you remember! Good I was afraid you had forgotten." She looked at him wondering how in the world she had ever forgotten Oliver Grey.
"Yes but surely you are here on business?" Her spirits dropped as she thought of more paperwork.
"No I'm not. I heard your first Christmas ball alone is in a couple weeks. My dear mother sent me ahead of her if it's alright with you of course to help you with whatever needs to be done. That and to keep Lord Famin out of your hair and act as a distraction until your time comes up."
"What do you mean a distraction?" She led him into the library and motioned to a chair near the blazing fireplace.
"A distraction for His Lordship of course. If he thinks I am here to pursue your hand he will leave you alone through out Christmas at least."
Aurelia dropped the teapot she had been holding and quickly scrambled down to get it. She tried to mop up the tea with her handkerchief.
"Well it never fails.I have succeeded in shocking the great Princess Aurelia." His deep chuckled filled the room and she stood up brushing off her skirts.
"Yes...your are serious then? You are going to keep Lord Famin away?" Hope filled her and she smiled at her long lost childhood friend grateful that gossip traveled even to other kingdoms.
"Of course." He stood up and helped her clean up the tea.
She smiled gently."Thank you Jasper."
"Anything for my friend Lottie. Just as long as she stays the princess she is and doesn't turn into a tyrant queen anytime soon." The both laughed and she lead him down the hallway to meet the other girls.
My apologies for such a short chapter the next one will be longer but I just had to write about Oliver/Jasper as soon as I could XD
