Anything Could Happen

Chapter Ten: Bonding Time

"I think we are done for the day," Ariana mused with a smile, it had been a long lesson but she was sure that it had sunk in at last; the last couple of weeks had been filled with drilling royal etiquette into Briana's head. 

Briana sighed in relief, she still couldn't believe how much she was learning about the planet and she was grateful for Ariana's help; they had spent the day going over eating with the royal family and the foods that they might have during banquets. 

"Thank you," Briana murmured getting to her feet and hugging Ariana, the two had become good friends in the last couple of weeks and she honestly felt glad that she had someone to talk to apart from Lionel. 

So much had changed in such a short space of time and Briana was doing her best to keep up even if Lionel was taking things slow for her; she had done a lot of reading about Aulean's finding their mates from a book that Ariana had given her. 

Briana still couldn't believe that she was Lionel's mate and she could better understand why his parents seemed so desperate for a date to be set for their wedding. 

"Leo should be home soon... I think he has plans with you for dinner," Ariana mused checking her watch, she needed to get home to her husband and daughters, they always made a point of having dinner together and she loved hearing about what her eldest learnt today. 

Nodding her head, Briana brushed some hair from her face a little excited about seeing Lionel; she missed him while he was out all day and she couldn't believe how quickly she had become attached to Lionel. 

Ariana smiled at the look on Briana's face, she wondered when the brunette would realise that she was falling for her cousin; Lionel would be thrilled to hear her tell him how much she loved him. 

"I'll see you tomorrow," Ariana mused wanting to get home, she remembered the first time that she'd said those three words to Cristiano and it had changed things for them.

***

Lionel smiled stepping into his apartment, he was relieved to be home especially since he now had Briana here with him; it had been very different when he had lived alone and now he had someone to share his life with. 

Pulling off his suit jacket, Lionel sighed in relief glad to be out of the public eye; he wanted to relax and he knew that being home with Briana would help him out. 

Stepping into the living room, Lionel smiled spotting Briana curled up by the fire reading; it was a sight that he had come accustomed to since she had moved in with him. 

"How was your day?" Briana asked finishing off the page that she was on, she couldn't hide the smile on her face and she was glad that he let her read from his personal library. 

It gave her something to do while he was out working and Briana felt a little bad that she had nothing to do; she was bored sometimes sitting about when she didn't have lessons. 

Lionel walked over to her, his fingers eagerly undoing his tie and he sat down next to Briana; things were so peaceful here and he was glad that she was safe here. E

veryday there was news of Carlos trying to get in contact with Briana, Lionel didn't have to guess why but he wasn't going to allow the man to use Briana in his schemes. 

"It was good," Lionel replied simply, he watched as Briana closed her book and he eyed the title with a smile; it was one of his favourite stories as a child. 

It was something that he hoped to read to their child one day and Lionel couldn't help but think about his future with Briana; he was happy to take his time for a future with her.

***

"So tell me about your government?" Briana asked wanting to learn as much as she could about her new home, dinner had been nice and she enjoyed being able to relax with Lionel without people staring at them. 

It almost didn't seem real that she was engaged to a prince, Briana had never felt more content in her life and it was all down to Lionel; he made her feel like she was wanted for the first time in years. 

"Honestly... I barely listened to that while I was in school," Lionel murmured a little embarrassed, he was third in line to the throne if you only counted his two older brothers before him. 

It was never anything that Lionel would need to know, he was never going to be king and he doubted that he would ever need that sort of knowledge like Rodrigo would one day; he was just relieved he didn't have that sort of pressure. 

"It's a parliament though if that helps," Lionel mused making Briana smile at him, she found it so easy to be with him and he made all of this so easy for her. 

It wasn't like there was so much expected of Briana since Lionel had proposed; he kept her safe and away from everyone else unless they needed to be around her, he wasn't rushing her to do anything yet. 

Lionel was being so patient with her and Briana couldn't believe that someone was looking out for her after all these years; it felt so strange and she knew that it would change a lot for her now that she was with him. 

"What did you do today?" Lionel asked softly, he liked this time with her and he couldn't help but hope that things would work out for them; he gently reached for her hand wanting to hold it. 

Things were moving quite well for the couple and Lionel was relieved that he hadn't scared her off; he was still learning about things from Earth just as she was learning things from Aulea.

"My madre was wondering if you wanted to come to temple with us next week?" Lionel asked softly, moving closer to Briana and wondering if she was ready for such an event; he knew everyone was dying to see the new princess but he wasn't going to rush her. 

It was a big step and Briana was going to have to make her first appearance sooner or later; it wasn't going to be easy but Lionel was going to be by her side every step of the way. 

Briana stared at Lionel, her stomach turning a little knowing that it would be a big occasion for the royal family and she wasn't sure if she was prepared to take that step yet; she felt a little out of place and she worried she would mess up. 

"I won't let anything happen to you," Lionel murmured watching Briana closely, it was going to be a big step and he just wanted to show her off; it would get easier for her and the first time that something happened it would always be a little nerve-wracking. 

Briana opened and closed her mouth wanting to say no, she didn't think she would be able to handle being out in front of all those people; she didn't feel good enough for Lionel. 

"It'll be okay," Lionel reassured her, he could tell that she was worried and he didn't know why; everyone was going to love her when they got to know her. 

It was something that wasn't going to get better if Briana stayed locked away in this apartment, she hadn't left the place in weeks and Lionel was starting to get worried. 

"Okay," Briana agreed softly, she wasn't entirely sure that this was a good idea but she had to try for Lionel; he had been so supportive of her since he had taken her in.