Crown Jewel

1 // kissing in the moonlight

The posters were everywhere - lamp posts, billboards, taxis, literally anywhere imaginable. Prince Noah was looking for a wife. A week from now, the prince would hold a line up at the palace to select the future queen of Adrya.

Not that it mattered much to me when I had Archer's arms around me. I hugged him from behind lovingly as he ate the spread of food in front of us.

"You didn't have to do this for me." He said, his mouth full of food.

I giggled at how stupid he looked. "Archer, I wanted to. You know nothing can stop me from doing what I want." I frowned. "Besides, you need at least a meal a week. You keep getting thinner and thinner and it worries me."

"I know, I know. It's just that the twins are getting bigger and with Ma being pregnant, there's not enough food for them." He shrugged like it was no big deal, and I suppose it wasn't - to him at least.

Archer's family, like mine, was poor. My family was better off then his though. Archer's family consisted of him, his two siblings - the twins - and his mother. The twins- Nicki and Eli- just turned eight the other week. His father died a few years back because of a factory accident and because of the ban on women working, Archer had to provide for his family and while him sacrificing his meals for them was honorable, it wasn't helping him in any way. I could see the bags under his eyes no matter how energized he seemed.

Whenever we could, my family would give some food to them, but it was rare seeing as how we barely has enough for ourselves. Every week, I try to give Archer a meal just to make sure that he has something in his stomach.

I sighed. "I know, but you shouldn't have to deprive yourself of a full meal every now and then. You deserve it too."

Archer caressed my cheek and pecked my lips. "Well you shouldn't have to eat less so you can give me food."

"I'm not!" I protested pushing my lips towards his. "I just like seeing you happy, and you're happier when there's actually food in your belly."

"You're the best." He kissed me once more before returning his attention to the food.

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Once all the food was finished, we lay on the grass looking at the sky. The stars twinkled in the night sky, looking down on me and Archer.

"Are you planning on going to the line up?" Archer asked while I played with his fingers. He looked gorgeous in the moonlight. He looked positively angelic and well, this angel was mine.

"Why would I? It says all bachelorettes and as far as I'm concerned, I'm taken." I pecked his lips and he grinned at me. I knew he liked it when I said I was his and smiled every time I did. I put my head on his chest and continued our little star gazing session.

"Yeah, but no one knows that. Your family don't. Mine don't either."

"So let's let them know." I said like it was obvious, and it was! We had been dating for years now and yet he refused to tell anyone. I didn't like it but if he wasn't willing to go public with it, then I was fine with it. We were together and that was what mattered.

"Izzie, you know we can't."

"But why not?" I sat up angrily. "It's been two years since we started dating, Archer. Two years! Why would you possibly not want people to know? Is there someone else? Or are you just ashamed of me?" I cried out. For the love of god, I couldn't understand why he wouldn't let us go public.

"God, no." He looked at me, horrified. "Izzie, I'm not ashamed of you. I'm so proud to know you're mine. Also, you're the only person who I'll ever love. You're the only one I have my eyes on right now and the only person I ever plan on having my eyes on."

"Then why?"

"Because, Isabela, I'm not good enough for you. I would want to know that I can properly provide and care for you before society actually expects me to!"

I was speechless. I knew he had insecurities about our relationship, but I never thought they were these kinds of insecurities. I took a step towards him and place my arms around his neck.

"I don't need you to be good enough for society. You're not just good enough for me, you're perfect." I whispered and kissed him.

"I love you, Archer."

"I love you too, Izzie."

And as we kissed under the moonlight, I could care less for the prince or society. All that mattered in that moment was Archer and I.

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817 words. Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter. Pretty short but considering the next few are shorter not too short. ;)

sorryyyy. I'm not too good at doing detailed explanations :(