Chosen

29

Weeks have passed. Jack has made sure to spend time with every girl. Since there are six of us he reserves one day for each girl.

Punzie is Wednesday. Middle of the week. Every week their time together gets longer.

Elsa is on Friday because of their traditional talks after the report. They have regular dates during the day but he always goes to her room at night.

I'm on Saturday, the last girl, so Jack can tell me about his week and we can talk and hang out. I help him with any girl troubles he has. He also makes sure Hiccups on guard duty whenever I come down, I'm not sure if it's to help me or just to watch me get flustered.

It was Saturday so I went to his room as I usually did. When I got there Hiccup stood outside the door.

"Hello Lady Merida." He smiled at me. I hated how nervous I was around him.

"Good afternoon Hiccup." I replied politely.

"Prince Jack is tied up with work today so he asked me to keep you company until he could be here." Of course he did.

"That sounds lovely." I said once again being overly polite. I didn't think he would notice but he did.

"Lady Merida you do not have to be so formal." He laughed. "You threatened to turn me into a pretzel!" I blushed and stared at my feet.

"Sorry about that. I was really mad and I needed to yell at Jack." I stated weakly laughing.

"Its okay. As you can see I am not a pretzel so all is well. Now I've set up a picnic in the garden for us if you're interested." He smiled offering his hand.

"That sounds wonderful. " We walked to the garden together and sat in a somewhat secluded place.

"The prince thought it would be best if we went unseen. Don't want to start any conspiracies. " He chuckled. I laughed with a tiny snort. I was immediately embarrassed but he didn't seem to notice.

"That's probably for the best." I agreed. "So what's here to eat?" I asked scanning the blanket for treats.

"Some sandwiches, strawberries, and of course pretzels." He smirked at me.

"Well I am rather fond of pretzels." I laughed. I stopped when I caught him staring at me. "What?" I snapped.

"Nothing. It's just you're very cute when you laugh." My eyes widened and I immediately blushed. "And when you blush." He laughed. I lightly snacked his arm.

"Stop that."

We spent the afternoon laughing and talking and getting to know each other. He studied lizards in his free time, which I made fun of him for, came from a long line of vikings, which I made fun of him for, and came from the same part of Burgess as Lady Astrid which I made fun of him for.

I told him about my brothers and how the only reason I entered the selection was because of my mother.

We talked about castes. He told me he never would have guessed I was a two by the way I looked. I probably should've been offended but I was flattered. I hated being a two. I was so happy I wasn't really in the running to win the selection. I could not handle being a One.

He was a six like Astrid. Before he was recruited for guard duty. He said he enjoyed it and hoped after he was done his mandatory service Jack would keep him. He told me about some of his guard friends, Flynn who Rapunzel had mentioned, Kristoff who I think Elsa mentioned once and Tadashi. They all seemed like great people. Kristoff and Flynn both wanted to stay, like Hiccup but Tadashi wanted to go home to New Asia. His brother was there.

I was laying on his lap as he leaned against a tree. We stayed like this until Jack came outside.

"Sir Haddock, thank you for keeping Lady Merida entertained. Your sacrifice is noted." Jack winked at me. I rolled my eyes. Hiccup and I stood up.

"It was my pleasure Your Highness."

"Yes thank you Royal Pain." I laughed. Hiccup stared at me in awe, probably because I said that to the prince. Oh well.