Royalty

4| Diamonds

Chapter 4: Diamonds (Nicholas' POV)

"I like you," she said. "I think you're lovely." 

"But?" 

"But I don't know you well enough to... well, marry you." 

"That's fair, I agree with you." 

"But..." 

"Another but?" I chuckled. 

"Yes," she nodded with a smile. "But... it's what both our kingdoms need. It's what the people of our kingdoms need." 

"Do you truly believe that?" 

"Yes, because if both kingdoms don't have a reason to call a truce, the people will ruin everything for the other kingdom. Like they've been doing for years." 

"It mainly affects people's day to day jobs in Meralith," I nodded. 

"And the same goes for Velaris. That excludes the brawls and fights on a daily basis. But if things keep going this way, it would result in... in mutual destruction." She's so practical. She's so logical. She's so mature. 

How the hell does a princess turn out this way? None of the others are. 

"So, for the sake of our kingdoms and people, we should get married. It's the right thing to do." 

"But it doesn't feel right, does it?" 

She looked at me guiltily while slowing the car as we reached an empty field with a lake shimmering under the sun a few feet away. "We should walk," she said softly before turning the car off, both of us stepping out and strolling over to the lake. "It doesn't feel right," she sighed. "But it also doesn't feel wrong." 

"That's because it feels like a duty, Princess Ella." 

"Oh, no," she groaned. "Don't call me that, please, Prince Nicholas." I chuckled softly, watching her as we walked and she spoke. "It doesn't feel wrong because you're not a bad person. Not that I know of." She narrowed her eyes at me. 

I shrugged, "Normally, I am not a bad person." 

"Fair enough," she nodded. "But what about you?" 

I frowned in confusion, "What about me?" 

"You're willing to marry me without knowing me?" 

I gave her a small shrug in response, "I'm open to it. You seem very charming to me, Ella. I believe you'd make a great addition to our family and I'd love to have you as my wife. But yes, I'd like to know you a bit better." 

She hummed in response. "Anything specific you want to know?" she questioned. 

I bit back a smile and asked, "What are your views on diamonds?" 

She looked at me weirdly before shaking her head in response. "Overrated, overused, overworn. I'm not very fond of diamonds, they catch the eyes of too many." 

"So, what jewelry would you wear to a ball?" 

"I wouldn't wear much, but maybe simple gold. Or pearls. I believe they're just classier, you know?" she shrugged. 

I nodded, letting out a laugh. "In that case, I'd love to marry you." She smiled, both of us taking a seat on the grass, our legs inches from the lake. I caught a glimpse of her bare feet when she lifted her dress a little higher. "You aren't wearing any shoes?" 

"Nope." 

I stared at her weirdly. 

"I didn't put any heels on when I came downstairs. And then I forgot about them when we got in the car," she mumbled. I laughed, shaking my head at her antics. "Why? Does that bother you, Nicholas?" she asked accusingly.