Ash's POV

"You look beautiful, Lady Locklynn. Are you ready for dinner?" Dahlia asks me as she smooths down my soft yellow gown for the tenth time. I gently brush some loose pieces of hair behind my ears and adjust my bracelets as I answer her question.

"I actually am feeling ready this time, Dahlia."

She excitedly claps her hands together and gives me a bright smile, "I am so happy for you. From what I have heard, Lord Canmore is very anxious to see you again. Especially, after this morning's...events."

Not even Dahlia knows how the blood appears on my clothes when I mysteriously disappear every so often to tend to my mother, but I assume she has a guess. Dahlia is one of the most observant people in this entire castle so I would not be surprised if she knows *exactly* what happens between the King and Queen.

"Sir West is waiting for you in the hallway to escort you to the high hall."

I nod my head in understanding and give Dahlia thank you and a smile before I leave my room. Finn is waiting just outside my door and when he sees me, he smiles and dips his head down into a respectful nod. I click my tongue and his smile grows as he raises his head and offers me his arm. I slip my hand around his elbow, giving him permission to start walking me to the high hall.

"It will be a private dinner tonight, Lady Locklynn. Just you and Lord Canmore. I assured him you were not going to run away this time so please don't make me into a liar."

I roll my eyes and scoff, "You should know better than to make promises on my behalf, Sir West."

He lowers his voice, "I am serious. Please don't run away. I have had enough cardio today without having to chase you down. Again."

I let out a small laugh and he shook his head at me in mock annoyance. We fall into a comfortable silence as we continue toward the high hall. I am delighted by how excited I am feeling about seeing Xander again. Before Aiden interrupted, I was enjoying my time with Xander this morning. He is easy to get along with, but maybe that is just because he understands what it feels like to be under all the expectations and pressures that come with being a noble.

We approach the wooden doors, where two additional guards are posted, and they obediently bow their heads until I click my tongue. I smile at them and slightly squeeze Finn's arm before dropping my hand from his arm. The guards opened the door for me, and I confidently walked into the high hall.

The high hall, often used for our balls and events, is the largest room in the castle with high arched windows along the back wall that flood the room with natural light. However, the room is so grand that there are massive chandeliers hanging from the vaulted ceilings to provide additional light. Large white columns flank the sides of the room where purple banners are hung between them, showcasing the kingdom color. Cascades of purple, yellow, and white flowers dance down the columns, filling the room with their natural fragrances.

The windows along the back wall also highlight the elegant wooden table on the dais; the eating place reserved for the royal family during events. Xander is waiting for me there, dressed in another suit with his family's colors. He descends the steps with practiced grace. He remained at the bottom of the dais and watched me with shining eyes as I approached him. When I am close enough to satisfy him, he sweeps into a low bow, and I immediately click my tongue.

He lifts his head and gives me a charming smile, reaching his hand out to me. I lightly place my gloved hand in his and allow him to guide me up the stairs.

"You look as beautiful as ever, dear. I am glad to see you again."

"I am happy to see you again too, Xander."

He smiles, pulling out my chair for me and I take my seat. He then walks to his seat which has been set up on the other side of the table and I frown at the distance between us now. He doesn't seem to notice so I choose to not say anything.

He snaps his fingers with a clean crisp sound and servants file out of the doors on either side of the dais with food and drinks for us. After they serve us, Xander goes to pick up his fork but pauses with a frown on his face.

"Xander, what's wrong?"

He looks at me with sadness and pouts, "You are just so far away."

I laugh, "Well, Lord Canmore, that is easily remedied."

I stand up and a servant tries to pick my place up for me, but I gently shoo her away, "I can do it myself, Sadie."

She offers me a timid smile which I return with a genuine one and pick up my plate and cup and carry it to the seat next to Xander. He watches me with amusement as I return to gather my silverware and the rest of my place setting. I finally sit down next to him, "Better?"

"Oh, yes," he grins and goes to pick up his fork again. He plucks a potato off his plate but pauses again when he realizes I am not following his actions.

"Are you not hungry, dear?"

I chuckle, "I am."

"So, why are you not eating?"

"I am not allowed to eat until you take the first bite. The first bite is a right granted to the highest-ranking male in the room, which is currently you. Did you not know that?"

"I did but I didn't think you were one for following outdated and ridiculous rules."

"Outdated and ridiculous?" I inquire, quirking an eyebrow at him.

He pops the potato into his mouth, "Mhm."

I roll my eyes at him and take a bite of the potatoes as well.

"You should have the first bite when it is just us, okay, dear?"

"As you wish, darling," I reply, cringing at the pet name that slipped past my lips.

"Darling?"

I shrug my shoulders, "I don't know. It feels weird to only call you by your first name when you call me dear."

"You can call me whatever you wish as long as you at least call me yours."

I choke on my own breath, and he tips his head back and laughs, "That was a ridiculous thing to say, right?"

"Maybe..." I say but I can feel myself blushing.

"I am not very well-studied in the art of courting. Especially, with such a beautiful woman as yourself."

"Hmm, well you can practice all you want with me. We are going to be married anyway so it doesn't really matter if you say ridiculous things or not," I reply, my voice a little more bitter than playful.

Xander is quiet for a moment before he sets down his fork and turns his body toward me. His hazel eyes meet mine and I feel my heart pause its beating.

"Do you wish I was someone else?" he asks so quietly I almost don't hear the words.

Yes. "Of course not."

"Really?"

No. "Yes. I didn't expect to be betrothed so soon but I am not dissatisfied with our interactions."

He heaves a sigh, "Oh good, I was concerned that you were going to tell me you were in love with your guard or that you had a secret lover or something crazy like that."

My heart leaps in my chest at the mere mention of Finn and I nervously laugh, "Yeah, that would crazy. Even if there was someone else, which there is not, it wouldn't matter. I have been pledged to you and I would never disrespect that pledge."

It is not really a lie to say there is no one else when there really isn't, right? I am not in love with Finn so that doesn't count. Right?

"It is understandable if you are hesitant about our arrangement. I certainly was."

"Was?"

He gives me a sheepish smile, "Yes. I am not hesitant anymore. You seem to be the exact kind of wife I have always wanted to have."

I give him an incredulous look and he matches my expression which causes me to giggle.

"I mean it, Lady Locklynn. You are gorgeous, powerful, talented, and a princess. What more can a man like me want?"

"Someone who doesn't run away?"

He huffs out a laugh, "Yes, that would be preferred. Where did you go this morning? You really concerned me when you just disappeared and then we couldn't find you."

"I had urgent personal business to attend to."

He eyes me skeptically but accepts my answer. The rest of the dinner passes by in light conversation and before I notice, the sun has set, and the high hall has been cast in dreamy shadows. The chandeliers flicker with a warm glow and when I glance at Xander, he grins at me, and stands from his chair.

"May I have this dance, Lady Locklynn?"

I place my hand in his and stand up from my chair as well. He leads me down from the dais and onto the main floor of the high hall. I curtsy and he bows before slipping a hand onto the small of my back. I place one hand on his upper arm and the other in his free hand. Despite there being no music to dance to, Xander sweeps me into an elegant waltz. He flows effortlessly through the steps and thanks to my intensive training, I easily keep up with him and I don't step on his toes at all.

After a series of spins, he moves to dip me, and I allow myself to meet his eyes as I trust him to keep me from falling to the floor. His gaze is intense, and my heart skips a few beats under his scrutiny. His eyes flicker to my lips, causing both of us to blush as he rights me, and I straighten my posture.

I boldly step a little closer to him and he swallows hard, his throat bobbing with the motion. I gently grab his hand and also place it on my back before moving my two hands up to cup the sides of his face.

"You are delightfully handsome, Xander. And quite a wonderful dancer," I say as I run my fingers down his jawline and over his chin before tracing his lips.

"Ashlee...I" he whispers, his lips moving under my fingers, "I must admit, I don't quite know what to say to you sometimes."

I let my eyes focus on his lips and whisper back, "Then don't talk."

He tugs me closer to him and bends his head down to mine, placing a feather-like kiss on my lips. He pulls back quickly, obviously embarrassed and he opens his mouth to probably apologize but before he can get any words out, I pull his face back down to mine and I kiss him. I know my kisses are inexperienced and probably bad, but Xander doesn't seem to mind because he kisses me back and I feel my heart once again stop beating.

Xander's kiss is soft and gentle, and I feel myself smiling against his lips and when he pulls back he is smiling as well.

"I think you should do that more often, not-yet husband," I murmur and something flashes in his eyes as he leans forward to kiss me yet again. Right before his lips touch mine for the third time, he mutters, "As often as you wish me to, not-yet wife."