Falling For You

Chapter 1

Biana Vacker walked through the halls of her grand palace, thinking to herself. She was 18 in one month, soon to be Queen. Time to choose an imperial, dignified prince to marry, and continue the royal line. It had been 10 years since her mother, Queen Della had passed. Now, it was her and her brother, Prince Fitzroy, and the high King Alden, their father ruling the country of England. There was also her best friend, Tam. But Princes Biana often considered him family. Tam came along when she was 6. His father was a black smith, his mother a head maid, and his twin sister, Linh, just starting off as a servant girl. Tam was Biana's first friend, not only because he was the only child her age around the palace, but also because she longed to be like him. Tam was a stable boy. Free to do whatever he pleased as long as he finished his chores, submitted to the royal family, and didn't cause a disturbance. He lived behind the stable in a cabin with his family. For years, Biana longed to be able to leave the castle walls, and run free for a day with no one following her, or questioning where she disappeared to. But she was a princess, a royal. Such behavior was not tolerated. So, she learned to hide her feelings. Sticking to the courtyard where her and Tam would play days without end. 

Life was so much harder without her mother. Queen Della had not only been a mother and the queen, but a friend to Biana. After 10 years, the princess had gotten along without her mother with the help of her main handmaid, Nessie. Nessie had been a maid at the palace since birth and had always been a motherly figure to Princess Biana. Now, 10 years closer, Nessie had become a second mom to Princess Biana. Biana clearly expressed her disgust to Nessie one night...

*FLASHBACK*

"It's not fair, Nessie. Why should I be forced to marry a man I've never met? And in 1 month, no less!" 

"Princess Biana, you know that for the last 100 years of our country's history queen must be married by the time she reaches 18. It's been a rule as long as I can remember," answered Nessie. 

"I know..." sighed Biana. "I just don't feel ready to be married, let alone become queen!? How will I know how to lead?" 

 Nessie told her to trust her heart, something that the princess' mom told her when she was young. Biana thought it was still ridiculous....

*END FLASHBACK*

She reached the end of the corridor and that's where her thoughts and memories drifted away. Biana  walked outside to the courtyard. It was almost dark, and the lamps were just flickering on. Around every entrance and corridor, soldiers took their stance for the night. She was never alone. She sat under a big, old tree. This had been her and Tam's meeting place since they became friends at 6 years old. She was drifting into her thoughts again. Tomorrow, 5 suitors would visit England and come to the palace and get to know her. She had 1 month to make a decision. Then, someone jumped out behind her and screamed! Biana shrieked but let off a small sigh when she realized it was just Tam. She gave the worried soldiers the "I'm ok" nod and punched Tam in the arm. 

"Hey B!" laughed Tam. 

"Don't hey me! You were the one that gave me a heart attack..." said Biana.

"Gosh...I'm sorry 'Your Highness.' Better not treat the suitors tomorrow like that." laughed Tam. This was normal. Tam teased Biana, she got mad, usually punched him, and it recycles. 

But when Biana just looked away, Tam asked, "Hey. B, you OK?" Biana didn't answer. 

"Rough day?" asked Tam. Biana nodded. 

"I don't want to get married, I don't want to queen. I've never wanted this stupid royal life! I just want to be free... like you." added Biana, before bursting into tears. 

Tam gently gathered her in his arms and hugged her. 

"Biana...I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. It's going to be ok. I'm sure you'll love being married. And you're so wise, the kingdom will not be able to imagine the country without you. I should be jealous of you! I bet you'll forget all about me when you're queen..." 

"Tam," Biana said, pulling away from the hug. "I could never ever  forget about you. You're my best friend." 

"Oh whatever. But thanks. Just let me know when you're done falling in love with a boy from every country."

 Biana punched him again. Tam laughed and moved out of her arm's length. 

"Remember when we were kids, and we would make Fitz play dragon with us? He would chase you around..." 

"And  you would swoop in, knocking him off his feet, saving me." Biana finished with a smile at the happy memory. 

"Ahh the good old days." Tam said. 

"Who knew you could be so heroic? What happened?" Biana laughed. 

"Really?? You don't remember?" 

"What are you talking about?" Biana asked curiously. 

"You became a girl." Tam said.

"Shut up. I've always been a girl..." 

"Yeah but you became an actual girl...too busy with clothes and makeup to roll around in the mud with us stinky boys..." Tam noted. 

"I did not. I just got bored of you weirdos. But even if I did, why did that stop you? You never seemed to care tackling me before..." 

"Yeah, but then Fitz had that big brother talk with me about respecting you and the changes you were going through. He really laid it on thick to leave you alone. Honestly, when you're a 14 year old boy, you don't notice those things. So when Fitz told me to back off, I took him seriously. Too seriously I guess..." 

"Oh my gosh! That's hilarious. Fitz actually did that?? Why did you never tell me that?" Biana laughed. 

"Well..." Tam said sheepishly, "it was kinda true. I realized you were a princess, not just a tom boy and my best friend. I felt like I had...violated you in a way. So from then on, I respected you. Sure, I still can drop you any day, but I've chosen not to. Unless you give me a reason..." 

Taking that as a hint, Biana moved to punch him again, and he kicked out her knees where she went tumbling down,  pulling him down with her and laughing the whole way. They laid under the tree, out of breath. 

"You should go. Big day tomorrow." Tam said. 

"I guess. I'm really dreading tomorrow..." she admitted looking up at the branches swaying. "I wish time could pause right now. I don't want anything to change." 

"Me neither. But don't worry... I'll always be here." he promised. 

"Goodnight, Tam." she sighed, getting up. Tam winked at her, and she smiled, turning around, going to her room. 

"Wear something pretty!" Tam called out behind her. Biana rolled her eyes. 

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Princess Biana started getting ready for bed. She had a loooong week ahead of her before things would settle in, and then she had a whole month with the boys before she made a decision. 5 different possible kings were coming in from the surrounding countries to try to win her heart. She felt the dread already. She drifted off into a dreamless sleep, counting the hours till she would have to paste on a smile, act like a lady, and find the one of her true hearts desire.