[note: so, i tried to add more than one photo, but apparently wattpad doesnt work like that so :D gotta work with what we have i guess]
18 years ago; Ages 5 & 4
Her small hands gripped her mother's gown as she hid behind the material of the dress.
She was not used to seeing someone of her age around the palace, she was always surrounded by people way older than her. And so, to see someone similar to her is quite an unfamiliar feeling.
"I see you finally brought your son." Her father spoke, referring to the young boy who stood beside his father.
"Ah yes, I've decided that I want to start teaching him the ways while he's still young." The other man responded.
Her father nodded. "I won't be surprised if he grows to be as good as you. You are the best guard in the palace after all. I'm sure he'll do well."
"Thank you, your highness." The man lightly bowed before the king.
"What is your name young man?" He knelt down, eye-level with the boy.
"My name is Corpse, your highness." The kid answered with a smile.
The king chuckled at the boy's vibrant aura, ruffling his hair.
The young girl watched everything unfold, her eyes trained on the boy the whole time. She was amazed and happy to finally see someone like her. She used to think that she was the only one in this world, since her parents didn't let her out of the palace at all.
"Why don't you say hi to Corpse, sweetie?" Her mother mumbled to her daughter, gaining her attention.
She simply just shook her head and shied away further.
10 years ago; Ages 13 and 12
Y/N went out to the palace's garden for a stroll around. She always loved to watch the flowers bloom before her eyes, taking in each and every one of the colors of the petals.
And of course, she was accompanied by a special someone, a friend.
"Hey Corpse, look at this flower! It's so pretty, isn't it?" She said as she picked it up and turned to show it to him.
He stood behind her keeping a small distance. A small, almost unnoticed, smile erupted on his face.
"It is, princess."
She puffed her cheeks "I already told you, you don't have to call me that when there is nobody around."
"My apologies princess, but I can't do that." He said softly with a small smile
"Why not? I call you Corpse all the time, it's not fair." Y/N muttered, crossing her arms on her chest.
Present Day
Y/N
"Sorry for taking your time again, Alice. I know you have other more important places to be right now."
Alice was my friend. My best friend for that matter, she was my first girl friend, other than Corpse of course. She worked in the palace as one of the maids but I don't like referring to her as that. Her and Corpse were the ones who stuck by my side, through thick and thin. And I'm very grateful to have them both.
"Don't apologize Y/N, it's no problem!" She said gleefully, as she combed through my hair putting it into a half up-do.
Unlike Corpse, Alice and I address each other by our names without the titles. But we promised to only talk like that when we are alone. We didn't want to stir any trouble from any sides.
"Oh! Also, the queen has tasked me to tell you that your parents want to discuss something important with you." She said.
"She did? Did she say what it was about?" I asked, looking at her through the mirror that was in front of us.
"Nope, she just said to inform you." She replied. I nodded my head, thoughts came in my head, trying to think of what they may have wanted to talk about.
"Can you come with me? At least before the entrance of the throne room?" I wanted to be with her, I knew she could calm me down whenever I felt anxious.
"I wish I could Y/N. But, the higher-ups called us in to the kitchen. Apparently we're gonna be making a feast for a guest that will be coming in later tonight."
A guest? How come I was not informed of this?
"I was not told about this person."
Alice looked at me, confused, just like me. "Really? I thought you knew, maybe even who it would be." I just shrugged, letting her finish my hair.
After a few minutes she was done. "Alright, it's done." She clapped .
"Thank you so much! What would I do without you." I turned to her and engulfed her in a hug.
She lightly laughed. "I have to go now, I don't want them to get mad again." Scratching the back of her neck.
When she left the room, I walked back to the mirror and looked at myself. My eyes trailed over the details of my dress.
Someone knocking my door brought me back to reality. I walked over and opened it to see him standing there.
I stepped out and closed the door behind me.
"What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.
"I'm here to accompany you to the throne room, Princess. Alice asked me for a favor to go with you, since she was not available." He responded.
I looked around the hallways and saw no one around. I looked back at him, squinting my eyes.
"How many times did I say, don't call me that when we are alone."
"I'm sorry Princess. But, as long as we are within the palace's walls, I have to address you with your title." He smiled sadly.
"Ugh, fine whatever. Let's go before they get impatient." I said, rolling my eyes, before taking my steps towards our destination.
-
5 minutes later, we arrived in front of the throne room's grand doors.
"After you." Corpse says, pushing the doors open for me to walk in.
I took in a deep breath and made my way inside, him trailing behind me.
I saw my parents sitting on the throne talking, not noticing our presence.
The sounds of my footsteps were muffled by the soft red carpet below me.
Once I was close enough, I stopped in my tracks and looked at them.
"You called for me?"
Corpse stood beside me, but a little bit further away. His stance and expression was straight, free of any lively expressions.
"Ah Y/N, you finally came. Your mother and I wanted to talk to you about something very important." My father said.
"We know that you are already 18, and your father and I realized that, it's time for you to find a partner, a prince if you will, to take over our positions when the time comes." My mother spoke.
"And?" I asked, starting to know where this is headed towards.
"We decided that, we're going to find that someone for you!" She continued, clapping her hands happily.
"Wait, what?"
"It's partly our fault for never letting you outside the palace, but we're sure you're going to love this person that we have, just for you!" My father interjected.
I looked at them both in disbelief.
"No...No! I refuse to be with someone I barely know, let alone, marry! I can carry the kingdom on my own, I don't need a man if I don't know him!" I exclaimed, my voice raising.
My parents were shocked to hear my sudden outburst.
"Y/N L/N! You are not to talk back to us like that!" My mother yelled.
"We shall be meeting him later tonight, there will be a feast, and you'll have the chance to know him if that is you're main issue." My father announced.
I just stood there in shock, trying to comprehend what just happened.
"I still won't marry him! I would...I would rather die than be with him!" I shouted, my voice echoed throughout the large room.
Before my parents could say anything more, I turned around on my heels and ran out the door.
CORPSE
I stood on the side watching as the king and queen spoke with Y/N.
I knew she wanted me to call her by her name, and as much as I deny it, I do want to say it. I just...can't. Over the past years, ever since we met, I always tried to convince myself that it would be fine, but the words of my father would always remind me.
"No matter what, you cannot address the princess by her name. I know you both will grow close as time goes by, but you must remember that she is still the princess and you're just her loyal guard."
I internally sighed.
"We know that you are already 18, and your father and I realized that, it's time for you to find a partner, a prince if you will, to take over our positions when the time comes."
This made me snap out from my thoughts, my attention now fully on their conversation.
"We decided that, we're going to find that someone for you!" The queen exclaimed happily.
Hearing those words shattered my heart. I knew I stood no chance, I was merely her guard and nothing else, but deep down I always had a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe things will turn out differently.
The day I met her in this very same throne room, I knew that she was the one. I was young but my feelings were not wrong. Even after years, I still wanted to be with her. But knowing where we stand, it always seemed impossible. And now, I truly know, it's all just a dream that can never come true.
"No...No! I refuse to be with someone I barely know, let alone, marry! I can carry the kingdom on my own, I don't need a man if I don't know him!" Her words caught me off-guard. The small hope that washed away slowly came back.
"I still won't marry him! I would...I would rather die than be with him!" She yelled, then ran out the room. Before following her, I bowed to the king and queen and ran out as well, looking around to where she went.
Y/N
After causing a ruckus in front of my parents and running out, I went to the one place where I usually whenever I feel conflicted or just need to be alone.
When I reached outside I immediately went to the palace's vast forest-like-garden. It was wide enough to fit two more of the same sized palace. Out of habit when running, I grabbed my dress and lightly lifted it so I could sprint faster.
Another minute or two has passed and I finally reached my destination. It was a secluded area, covered by the overgrown bushes and flowers. It had a large enough rock for two people to sit on.
I slowed down and sat on it.
My feelings were all over the place. Confused and angry at the same time.
I can't believe my parents would do such a thing. I know they are kind people, they always looked out and made sure our kingdom succeeded in every aspect, they also helped anyone that needed it. But right now, I don't know anymore.
Hearing the crunches of leaves behind me I knew someone was here.
"I know you're here Corpse. Don't bother hiding." I said dejectedly.
I turned around and saw him walking towards me pushing the leaves away from his way.
He didn't sit but stood close enough, still giving some distance between us.
"What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?" I asked looking away from him
"I know you feel...sad, especially after what they said. And I couldn't just stand there watching you run away, alone. So, I decided to follow you, to make sure you'll be alright...physically." He answered.
I sighed and just tucked my knees to my chest and laid my head on them with my arms wrapping around it.
"I feel like running away..." I mumbled softly, but just loud enough for Corpse to hear.
Third-person Point of View
When Corpse heard those words come out of her mouth he was taken aback for a bit.
'Running away?'
He couldn't believe what he was hearing right now. But he knew that no matter what her decision was, he'd stay by her side.
"Princess, no matter what, I'll stay by your side." He said, hoping to ease the discomfort within her.
Y/N's head perked up and she looked at him with wide eyes.
"Do you...mean that?" She said softly.
He nodded at her and she couldn't help but let a small smile grown on her face.
When they both headed back inside the palace, she was greeted by some of the maids. Telling her that the queen demanded her to be ready and to make sure she was presentable for today's special guest.
She has been in her room for almost an hour as they readied her for tonight. Y/N started to feel exhausted but she knew she didn't have much of a choice.
When they were finally done, she asked for the maids to kindly leave her room and to also tell Alice to be here.
"Yes, princess." They said in unison and bowing their heads lightly before exiting her room.
After a few minutes, soft knocks could be heard from the door. The princess let out a small 'Come in' and when the door opened she was met with Alice's face.
Y/N couldn't help but feel the tears that she had been trying to keep for so long threatening to come out. Alice noticed this and rushed to her side, closing the door behind her.
"Woah, what happened Y/N? Why are you crying?" She sat beside her on Y/N's bed.
After explaining everything to her, Alice pulled her into a warm hug, she thought that she may need one right now.
"I'm sorry to hear that, I know I can't do much to help but, as your friend, I'll be here to support you and stay by your side no matter what. Please don't cry anymore." Alice said, rubbing the tears off of Y/N's face.
Y/N mustered a smile after hearing those words from her. "Thank you, Alice. It means a lot to me."
-
Y/N and Alice both made their way to the dining room where her parents and the guest is probably waiting for her.
Alice split off from her, joining in with the other maids right before Y/N went through the doors of the room.
Her eyes were still on the floor, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone else.
She heard the loud chatters of her parents as they talked with the guest.
"Y/N! You finally made it! Come sit down, and meet your new husband!" The king spoke, signaling for his daughter.
When she raised her eyes she made eye contact with the man she was going to be "wedded" to, pure disgust and shock were all that she felt.
"I'm marrying him?!" She said, raising her voice.
♤
[please read]
sooooo, what do we think?? 👀 part 2?
this is what i've been working on for a few days now.
first of all, notice how i used 'Corpse' the whole time?? So! I want to know from you guys, do you feel alright with this change? i wanted to try it out and see what you guys think.
second of all, i wrote this in two separate days. I actually did some plot planning for this a few days before i started writing it, but after the first day of writing this chapter, i got sick so I had to pause for a day then continued it the next day, which is today/now, and i'm still sick, but it is manageable^_^ Which explains the slight delay of upload
that will be all for now, thank you all once again for reading and for the great amount of support! stay safe everyone <3