Alexander was happier now, and the queen noticed it. He wasn't smiling, like usual, but the air around him didn't feel thick, it felt light, almost as if a heavy weight was lifted off his shoulder. Isabelle had decided to stay and she didn't send the letter. So, it was safe to say that they both were still engaged. What a relief! Clarisse had no idea what happened that night, but she didn't want to pry between them.

Everyone was seated at the dining table, enjoying breakfast together. Alexander sitting beside Theodore, and Claire next to him. Isabelle sat across from Alexander, Natalia and Nathan beside her. While sipping on his soup, he glanced up at Isabelle who was too engrossed with Natalia. Discretely Alexander stretched his legs under the table, as he touched Isabelle's legs with his shoe. Isabelle glanced up at him from the corner of her eyes and gave him a small smile as his foot traveled up her leg as he smirked at her.

"Jesus Christ!" Theodore yelled out beside Alexander, causing him to retreat his foot, as everyone looked at him in concern. Suddenly Theodore stood up, his chair scraping against the floor with a screeching noise. He then held his foot and bounced up and down.

"Why did you kick me, Talia?!" He yelled out at the princess who sat there glaring at him.

"Why did you touch me with your shoe?!" Natalia yelled back and everyone looked between the two as Alexander realized what was going on. He wasn't caressing Isabelle's leg, but his own sisters and she assumed it to be Theodore and kicked him in response. Before Theo could say anything, Alexander stood from his place and took hold of his friend's arm.

"Come on Theo, let's take you to the nurse," Alexander said hastily before the truth came into light, which would be extremely awkward.

"Wait! But...I!" Theo started but was dragged out by Alexander before anything could happen.

"What was that?" He yelled at his friend as he was dragged off to the nurse with a horrible limp to his side.

"Nothing...why did you scream like that?" Alexander tried to stall the conversation.

"Do you have any idea how much your sister's shoes hurt? Ow! I swear to God, I feel like my foot is broken." He hissed in pain.

"I'm not carrying you." Alexander teased.

"I did nothing to your sister and she suddenly kicked me! Wait a minute...Only you and Claire were beside me. Oh good God! Alexander!" Theodore yelled as he realized."Why would you do that to your sister?!"

"I didn't know it was Natalia! I thought it was Isabelle! She even turned and smiled at me when I did it, so I assumed that it was her!" Alexander defended as the Prince of Monaco shuddered beside him.

"God, I swear..." He trailed off as they reached the nurse. Alexander set Theodore down on a chair as the nurse examined his foot. It end up that Natalia hit him do hard that a few of his fingers were broken, but nonetheless the nurse took care of it, and now the two princes were making their way to Alexander's study while two guards helped Theodore who was grumbling at Alexander for letting this happen to him.

The two now sat in the study, with Theo sitting in front of Alexander who was doing paperwork while he himself was whining about the pain in his foot. Suddenly the doors to his study swung open as the two looked up to find Isabelle and Natalia walking inside.

"Good morning." Isabelle greeted cheerily while Natalia rolled her eyes beside her. Alexander gave an acknowledged nod and turned back to his paperwork.

"How are you, Theodore?" Isabelle asked the prince sitting to her right.

"Oh! I am perfectly fine, it was nothing but slight swelling and now I'm all well." Theodore enthused as he stood from his place.

"Liar, you were just whining about how much your foot hurts," Alexander spoke up from behind his desk while Theodore glared at him.

"Oh! You poor thing! Are you feeling well? Does it still hurt?" Isabelle said in a baby voice causing Theodore to scowl at the tone of voice while Alexander smirked.

"Ah! My dear, why don't you help me get all better with your love?" Theodore spoke in exasperation.

"Of course my dear! I would love to help you." Isabelle played along with conviction.

"My love, I can not bare to be parted from you!"

"Neither can I! When are we to run away?"

"Tell me, love. When do you want to run? We will take all our belongings and get away from here, far away!"

"But my dear, I am afraid I might not be able to go," Isabelle said in a sad tone as she caressed his cheek, causing Alexander to tense while Theo looked as though he was on cloud nine.

"W-what is it my dear?" He choked out.

"There is a monstre, lurking behind these walls. A monster that is adamant on keeping me here." Isabelle whispered secretively. Suddenly Theodore pulled her against his chest protectively.

"Do not fear my love! I will protect you! Even if it costs me my life!"

"But you see...He is very ruthless, and he always gets what he wants." As she said it she momentarily glanced at Alexander from the corner of her eyes.

"Do not fret my dear Belle, mon amour, my love, I will come to your chambers tonight, and we will get out of this palace, ne vous affligez, do not grieve mon amour, we will run, and we will never look back."

"Oh! Yes! But please mon cher Théodore, be careful, I will await your arrival tonight mon amour." Isabelle spoke with such conviction it was hard to differentiate if they were being serious. They both stood extremely close, their noses touching as they both held each other's hands, looking into the other's eyes, seemingly lost.

Suddenly a smile broke out on Isabelle's face and they both laughed. Isabelle stepped back, a hand on her stomach as she laughed about their little theatrical show.

"Eh bien fait l'amour! Well done love!" Theodore exclaimed as he clapped for the princess while she gave a dramatic bow to him

"Merci." Isabelle responded with a smile.

"My Isabelle, you even had me convinced there!" Theodore commented as he wrapped her in an embrace, Isabelle giggled at that.

"If your foot was fine, I would have invited you to stroll with us, but I believe that you need to rest," Isabelle stated as she pulled away while he pouted at the revelation, causing Isabelle to smile.

"I'm sorry Theo, but it would be best if you rest mon Ami." Isabelle smiled.

"If you believe it is the best, then I will rest."

"Yes, I do believe so." Isabelle nodded.

"Alright. I will rest." Theodore relented as he took a seat. Isabelle gave him a smile.

"Now, we will be taking our leave. Get well soon Theodore. Alex." Isabelle said with acknowledged with a curt nod. Isabelle started to walk towards the door with Natalia beside her, when she suddenly stopped in front of the door, hand on the handle. She turned around and looked at the two princes who's eyes followed they're every movement. All of their eyes were trained at Isabelle, who was looking directly at Alexander.

"Alexander, just don't overwork yourself, mon amour." Isabelle spoke softly and Alexander's eyes widened as he sat up straighter. Before he could respond, Isabelle had left with Natalia following closely behind. He sat staring at the spot where she stood and his heart hammered in his chest. Did she just call him 'my love'?

"D-did she just say that?" Theodore asked him with the same amount of surprise he felt.

"I believe so," Alexander replied as a smile made its way on his lips. Alexander tried to hide the smile, but it was futile. This was the first time Isabelle had called him anything other than his name or by Royal status, and he would be lying if he said that he didn't like it. He tried to continue his paperwork, but he would lose focus. Theodore noticed it as he heard the quill against paper when it abruptly stopped, when he glanced up, Alexander sat there, head down and eyes seemingly focusing on the task at hands, but the quill was hovering over the parchment.

"Alexander?" Theodore called out to his friend, looking away from the book in his hand.

"Alexander?" He tried again but got no response.

"Alexander!" Theodore yelled causing Alexander to jump slightly as he looked up to meet his gaze.

"Hmm?" The prince hummed in question.

"Are you well?"

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?"

"You just stopped working, and that is very unusual for you because you never stop working. Ever."

"It is nothing. I just remembered that we were supposed to go to the market today." Alexander revealed. "But seeing as you are unable to walk, would you like me to postpone it to another day perhaps?"

"No! It is quite alright. You should go for an inspection of the marketplace, don't delay it for another time."Theodore reasoned as Alex nodded. "However, if my memory serves me correct, Isabelle is rather fond of going to the french marketplace. If you would want some company, you could take her with you." He suggested slyly.

Alexander seemed to ponder this for a moment.

"I don't know..." He stated hesitantly.

"Come now Alex, don't be a maux de cul! Just ask her! I am convinced that she would love to accompany you!" Theodore exclaimed.

"It is not safe," Alexander said more to himself than anyone.

"Are you serious? 'Not safe'? She is more than capable enough to look after herself!" He exclaimed in shock.

"No, I can not risk her safety." Alexander stated firmly, putting an end to this discussion, but Theodore wasn't one to back down.

"You and I both are aware of her impeccable skills at self-defense. She puts your brother to shame! But her safety is not the matter here. You are being a lâche, a coward, for not taking her with you." This seemed to have gotten Alexander riled up as his quill hovered over the parchment once those words left Theodore's mouth.

"What did you just say?" Alexander asked slowly.

"Vous êtes un lâche. Don't deny that you are coward." Theodore proclaimed, not backing down from the prince.

"A coward? I'll show you what a coward is." Alexander growled as he stood from his chair, causing it to screech against the flooring. Theodore sat with a smirk as Alexander stalked to the end of his study.

"She will most likely be in the courtyard!" Theodore yelled after his closest friend.

"I am aware of that!" Alexander's voice called back to him as Theodore chuckled, he just knew how to get Alexander riled up and talk some sense into him.

The Prince of France strode down the corridors as the staff bowed to him, left and right. Once he descended the staircase that led to the courtyard a cold winter breeze blew by him. He knew that the weather was getting colder, and they should be expecting snow in the next couple of days. His gray eyes scanned the vast land before him until he found his siblings alongside Isabelle to his far left. The three of them seemed to be conversing and strolling with Nathan in the middle, slinging his arm over both of their shoulders.

He walked towards them until he was in their hearing range and could hear their voices but not quite make out what they were talking about.

"Isabelle!" He called out from behind them, causing them all to come to a halt and look back at him. Nathan and Natalia seemed surprised that it was Alexander, but Isabelle looked at him questioningly.

"May I borrow you for a minute?" He asked the princess of Scotland.

Isabelle nodded as she broke away from Nathan, letting his arm fall off her shoulders as she walked towards Alexander, who was looking at his two siblings.

"Yes?" Isabelle asked once she was standing beside him. Alexander held out his arm, through which she looped her own arm, as he started to walk in the opposite direction from the other two. They were silent for a moment as they walked in the courtyard.

"Is something the matter?" Isabelle asked in concern.

"No, no. Nothing is wrong, there is just a question I have been meaning to ask you." Alexander assured and he saw how she visibly relaxed.

"That being?"

"You informed me that you have wanted to visit the french marketplace, and today I will be going there on an inspection. Theodore was going to accompany me, but seeing as he is unable to walk, I was...um...wondering, if you would like to join me instead?" Alexander spoke hesitantly as he was unsure of how to say it.

"I would love to join you, your highness!" Isabelle exclaimed in excitement.

"Isabelle." He said in a warning tone, and Isabelle looked at him questioningly.

"What did I tell you about being formal with me?" Alexander questioned softly as they came to halt. She smiled at that while looking up at him.

"Pardon me, Alexander, it must have slipped my mind." She smiled as Alexander shook his head in exasperation.

"When are we to leave?" Isabelle inquired.

"We'll be leaving in an hours time. Be sure to wear something warm, the weather is only going to get colder here." Alexander informed as he tucked a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. He rested his warm hand against her cold cheek and frowned slightly.

"You're cold, Isabelle. I don't want you getting sick." Alexander voiced his concern for her as she leaned into his touch.

"I won't get sick," Isabelle assured with a smile.

"I wouldn't take my chances in this weather, mon bel ange," He spoke softly while caressing her cheek as Isabelle's cheeks reddened at his nickname for her, 'my beautiful angel'. It made her heart flutter. Alexander pressed a kiss to her forehead as he started to back away.

"I will meet with you in an hour, and please ange, wear something warm," Alexander instructed kindly as he turned around and walked back into the palace. Isabelle felt giddy inside and smiled as she walked back to Nathan and Natalia that patiently awaited her return.

"Why are you so ecstatic?" Nathan questioned as he saw the smile that adorned her features. Natalia hit him on the shoulder causing him to look at her.

"Don't be obtuse Nathan! She just spent some time with her mon amour. Aucune Isabelle?" Natalia inquired with a sly grin, using the nickname she used earlier.

"He is taking me to the marketplace," Isabelle revealed, disregarding their comments.

"Wait..What?" Nathan reciprocated.

"Alexander is taking me to the market in an hour!" Isabelle squealed in delight as she jumped up and down.

"Come, Natalia, let us go inside, it is cold out." Isabelle suddenly said as she dragged the princess back into the familiar warmth of the palace.

Alexander sat alone in his study as Theodore had decided to retire to his chambers for the day, as he was worn out. As always, Alexander was going through some paperwork and didn't notice when Isabelle entered.

"Do you never get tired of this?" Her melodic voice rang in his study causing him to look up at her, as she watched him curiously.

"No, ange. I do not get tired if this." He chuckled as she sat down in front of him.

"Alexander, what is all this?" Isabelle asked in exasperation as she gestured towards his desktop.

"It is paperwork regarding the welfare of France and her people as well as any complaints or queries. Also, there are letters from the rulers of neighboring countries requesting for something, or just inquiring about the overall welfare." Alexander informed as he picked up the letter from King Alejandro, requesting a change in the treaty.

"This must be rather monotonous." Isabelle voiced her opinion and Alexander chuckled as he rested his temple against his fist.

"It is, but then again, it is my duty to look after France in my father's absence." Alexander sighed. He silently watched Isabelle as she looked around his study.

"Mon amour, come here," Alexander instructed as he beckoned her towards him. Confused, she stood from her place and walked towards him until she was standing at the edge of the desk.

"Closer, amour," Alexander stated. She moved forward until she was standing directly beside him. Alexander grabbed hold of her arm and made her sit on his lap, her cheeks flushing a bright red. Alexander looked at her adoringly as he placed light kisses on the back of her hand.

"I hope you do not feel frightened right now Isabelle." Alexander inquired as he placed soft kisses on the base of her neck. Isabelle shook her head in response.

"Good." He murmured against her skin as his lips traveled up her neck to her jaw. His lips had just brushed hers when a knock interrupted them. Alexander groaned in annoyance as Isabelle giggled at his reaction.

"What?!" Alexander yelled across the room.

"Your eminence, the carriage is ready." A guard outside the door informed him. With a sigh, he turned back to Isabelle and gave her a quick kiss, which left her slightly surprised.

"Come now amour, the carriage awaits," Alexander spoke as he helped her off his lap and led her to the doors of his study. Isabelle was practically skipping beside Alexander as she couldn't contain the excitement of finally being allowed out of the castle walls. Before mounting the carriage, Alexander stopped in front of her and pulled the hood of her cloak so that it covered her head.

"There," Alexander spoke with a satisfied smiled as he helped Isabelle get in the carriage as he followed soon after. The two of them sat across from each other, having a whole side to themselves. The doors closed as the carriage lurched forward, starting to move in the direction of the marketplace. Isabelle pulled back the curtains and watched outside as the trees passed by them.

"We have to go through the forest to reach the marketplace?" Isabelle inquired curiously.

"Yes, there is a vast land of forest between the castle and the village square." Alexander nodded.

"How is it? The market I mean." Isabelle asked eagerly, causing Alexander to chuckle at her excitement.

"Well, the marketplace is rather crowded with people. A lot of yellings and chattering. Quite a vast variety of merchandise for the purchaser, there are often a few children running about. The smell over there is rather overwhelmingly strong and often causes headaches. It is basically everything the palace is not."

"So you mean to say that the marketplace is lively."

"Yes...Wait! No!...Actually yes, it is quite lively." Alexander relented while Isabelle laughed at him.

"How long does it take to reach there?"

"Not long actually. Hardly 20 to 30 minutes I believe."

"That is rather nearby then."

"Yes, it is. You can actually see the forest and market beyond from the top of the palace." Alexander informed.

"Can you? I wasn't aware of this."

"Not a lot of people are aware of this since not a lot of us go to the top anymore. Also, Isabelle do you like sweets?"

"Sweets? Why I most certainly do enjoy that." Isabelle smiled.

"Then you must try Tarte Tatin. It is a rather famous French delicacy and is often available at the market, accompanied with a good cup of coffee and you have a heavenly tea." Alexander commented with a smile.

"I would love that." Isabelle smiled in return. Suddenly the carriage came to an abrupt halt, causing both of them to lurch forward slightly. Alexander peered from behind the curtains as a small smile adorned his lips.

"Come. We have arrived." Alexander announced as a grin illuminated Isabelle's features while she was helped to dismount the carriage. Once she looked up at the market in front of her she was greeted by the sight of market stalls lining the route, and she paused for a moment to survey the flamboyant scene and observe the milling throng. Lovers strolled hand in hand, casually browsing, whilst housewives hustled and bustled, and haggled over the price of the exotic fruits and other imported merchandise, with vendors of various nationality.

Isabelle started to follow Alexander into the horde of people buying and selling. The footpaths were crowded with stalls selling sacks of nuts and dried fruit, or meat roasting on roasting skewers. Powdered spices lay in rust red and dusty yellow piles, or spilled bright green from sacks as large as feed bags. Rich and unfamiliar scents cut through the air, so heavy she could taste them in her mouth, like the air inside a fabrication greenhouse.

Isabelle felt ecstatic as she walked beside Alexander, who was answering her questions and enlightening her about the history of certain merchandise. Alexander often stopped at stalls and inquired about their goods, his face hidden from view so that the vendors wouldn't recognize their prince amidst a crowd of french inhabitants. Alexander looked to his side to ask Isabelle a question when he realized that she wasn't beside him any longer. Fear gripped his heart at the thought of the princess being lost in a place where she was a foreigner, not being aware of the dangers and harm that lurked in the shadows cast by the stalls.

"Where is Isabelle?" Alexander asked the two guards that stood not too far away from them. Instantly the two started to look as did Alexander. He searched and called out her name, but didn't get a response. Alexander was on the verge of revealing his identity and demanding that everyone search for Isabelle when suddenly he recognized the bottom of her violet gown in front of a stall. With a sigh of relief, he made his way towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder causing her to turn around.

"Isabelle." Alexander chastised as he saw her familiar delicate features.

"Alex! Look a kitten!" Isabelle exclaimed as she held up a gray kitten in her hands that meowed at him.

"Isabelle put that down, come you must be hungry." Alexander tried to reason as he started to take her away.

"But it is so adorable!" Isabelle exclaimed as she clutched the little gray kitten to herself. "And so are the other two!" She announced as she gestured towards a white kitten then a ginger kitten.

"Isabelle, come now, it will be getting dark soon and we have to return." Alexander sighed in exasperation.

"But...I want a kitty!" Isabelle whined like a three-year-old and pouted for effect.

"Jesus. Stop Isabelle, come, we have to go."

"But..."

"No 'but's, come now."

"Monsieur, why don't you buy these kittens for your sister? She seems to have taken quite a liking to them, I will even compensate on the price." The vendor spoke in a heavy french accent.

"I beg your pardon? My sister?" Alexander asked as anger boiled inside him. His feelings towards Isabelle were nothing like the emotions he felt for Natalia and Claire.

"Pardonnez-moi monsieur." The vendor asked slightly startled by Alexander's tone.

"She is not my sister. She is my fiancee." He growled as he placed the kitten down on the stall and dragged Isabelle away from him.

"Alex, that was rude of you." Isabelle chastised when he suddenly turned towards her with a furious look in his eyes.

"Rude of me? Well, Isabelle, I think you are forgetting that you are my fiancee and not my sister." He growled lowly causing her to take a step back. He just stared at her with those menacing eyes, when he huffed and turned back around.

"I'll get you something to eat, then we return back to the palace immediately." He said over his shoulder as he continued to walk.

Alexander got her a Tarte Tatin with a cup of coffee, and he was right, it made a heavenly tea. Isabelle ate in the carriage on their way back. A tense silence had washed over the two, neither of them making the effort to break it as Alexander stared at the passing trees while Isabelle quietly enjoyed the snack.

Once the carriage came to a halt in front of the palace Alexander was out in a flash, letting the guards help Isabelle dismount, not that she needed the assistance, but just to be polite, she accepted the help offered to her. She walked into the castle to be greeted by the queen and Natalia.

"What is the matter with Alexander?" The queen asked Isabelle as she looked down a corridor.

"Yes, he came and just dragged Theodore away." Natalia informed.

"A vendor at the market assumed I was his sister, and he is getting worked up over it." Isabelle sighed with a hand on her forehead.

"Oh...well." The queen was at a loss of words.

"Come, Belle, tell me how you liked the market." Natalia exclaimed as he looped her arm with Isabelle's and took her away, to her chambers most likely.

"Oh! It was wonderful! There were so many people! So many things! And there were a lot of merchandises...." Isabelle enthusiastic voice faded down the corridor as they both went further away from the queen.

After a long chat with Natalia, Isabelle had finally decided to retire to her chambers and have a warm soak before confiding in the warmth of her bed. Isabelle exited her bathroom, her hair damp due to her bath as she was now clothed in her white silken nightgown. The candles in her room were lit, illuminating the royal chambers. A basket caught Isabelle's attention. The basket sat on top of her bed and had a white cloth covering the top.

Cautiously Isabelle stepped towards it when it suddenly moved. She squeaked in surprise and jumped back when suddenly a familiar sound originated from the moving basket.

"It couldn't be..." She trailed off as she quickly lifted the cloth and her eyes widened as a gasp escaped her lips.

"Kittens!" She squealed as she saw three kittens sitting in the basket, one was gray, another was white and the third was a ginger color. Isabelle picked all three up and cuddled them to herself as she cooed at them. Placing them down on the floor, she let them explore her chambers as they bounced around. Quickly slipping on her robe she swung open her chamber doors she addressed the two guards that stood to safeguard her chambers.

"Good afternoon! Could one of you summon Princess Natalia and Claire to my chambers, please?" Isabelle politely requested. The first time she was polite with them, her guards were flabbergasted, but they eventually became accustomed to her friendliness.

"Of course your highness." One of the guards nodded as he left to alert the two princesses. Isabelle went back into her chambers and happily played with the little kittens. Suddenly she realized that they were the same kittens that she had requested to bargain for. Suddenly her room doors opened allowing the two french princesses access.

"Why have you called me here Belle?" Natalia sighed in annoyance.

"Kittens!" Claire exclaimed beside her as she noticed the little gray creature in Isabelle's hands. She dove towards them and picked the ginger one up.

"They are so adorable!" She enthused as she squeezed the life out of the kitten that was now struggling against her.

"Cute," Natalia announced as she scratched the white one behind the ear.

"Would you two like one of them?" Isabelle inquired.

"We would love one!" They both announced together as they grabbed their the desired kitten. Natalia ends up choosing the white one while Claire opted for the ginger kitten. 

"May we take them to our chambers?" Claire questioned with a hopeful spark. Her question caused Isabelle to laugh.

"You may take them where ever you want, they are yours now." She clarified as Claire blushed ten different shades of red.

"Oh...I'm sorry..."

"Claire! There is nothing to apologize for! Why don't you take the kittens and then we will talk in the morning. How does that sound?"

"Perfect." Claire nodded as she stood from the floor, her nightgown pooling at her ankles.

"Yes, I believe that I should get some sleep as well." Natalia nodded following her sister out of the chambers.

"Good night you two!" Isabelle called out after them as they waved back at her. With a content smile, she closed her chamber doors and walked over to the little gray kitten that was playing with her drapes. She giggled as it rolled around, pouncing and wrestling with the drapes. Suddenly the little kitten let out a big yawn while Isabelle cooed down at it. She gently picked it up and stroked it as it purred in content. Slowly the cat fell asleep in her hands and Isabelle placed it down on her plush dressing chair allowing it to curl up and resume its slumber.

Isabelle silently smiled to herself as she thought about how considerate Alexander is to get her the three kittens. She heard her chamber doors open once more causing her to glance up as she saw the familiar structure of Alexander closing them. Just as he turned around Isabelle tackled him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she firmly pressed her lips to his, surprising him a great deal. Without a second's hesitation, he encircled her waist and kissed back with the same amount of passion.

Both of them pulled away breathing heavily, warm tingles exploding in their body as they rested their foreheads against one another.

"Thank you." Isabelle breathed out as he pulled her towards him.

"What for?"

"The kittens! I gave one to Natalia and Claire each!"

"Are you sure that I got you the kittens?"

"My...If you didn't, then it would either be one of the guards, which would indicate that they fancy me, or someone from the palace, Nathan perhaps, followed us and got the kittens for me." Isabelle shrugged innocently. She noticed the negative effect it had on Alexander as his grip around her waist tightened and his jaw clenched. Isabelle smiled and pecked him on the lips causing him to calm down.

"I know it was you, Alex." Isabelle laughed while Alexander shook his head at her. They both stood in one another's arms lost in the other's eyes. The tension around them seem to increase tenfold, and Isabelle felt the warmth spread throughout her from where Alexander was rubbing circles on her side.

"What do you think about Perle, Pearl?" Isabelle inquired suddenly as Alexander hummed in response, still lost in her green-gray eyes. 

"Alex!" She exclaimed bringing him out of his reverie.

"Yes? I was listening!"

"Oh really, then please do tell me what I said?" Isabelle smirked breaking away from his hold while she rested her hands on her hips.  

"Uh...something about how much you enjoyed the market?" Alexander shrugged hopelessly causing Isabelle to laugh.

"No. I asked what do you think about 'Perle'?"

"Pearl? Well, depends on what you want it for."

"As a name! A name for the little gray kitten." She laughed at his obliviousness.

"Oh! Well, it seems befitting." Alexander nodded in agreement while she flashed him a smile in response.

She stretched her arms over her head as she walked over to her bed, sitting down with her knees pulled up to her chest. Alexander removed his coat and placed it down on the chair as he also sat down on her bed as he looked at the crackling fireplace. They both were silent and a question was nagging at Alexander, he didn't want to ask Isabelle because he was afraid of the answer he might get.

"Isabelle?" He started as he looked towards her, who was now lying on her stomach beside him, also looking at the fireplace, her chin rested on her knuckles.

She hummed in response.

"Does our age difference bother you?" He asked while closing his eyes. Isabelle was silent and dread filled Alexander's mind which started to play the worst case scenarios to him.

"4 years difference doesn't bother me, I find it rather reasonable," Isabelle spoke up finally while Alexander released a breath he wasn't aware he had been holding in. He nodded in reply and before he could say anything Isabelle cut him off.

"Does our age difference bother you?" She asked him, sitting up beside him.

"I thought about it earlier today." He started.

"The difference doesn't bother me, but I continue to forget that you are still young. I start treating you as if though you were my age and then end up hurting your feelings, only afterwards do I realize that: 'no, we are not of the same age and that you are only 16 and still growing and learning'," Alexander sighed as his shoulders slumped.

"I continuously need to remind myself that I have to be patient and careful with you. It is not because you are a girl but because you are so young! I don't want to hurt you, I fear that I might end up hurting you to a point where there is no return. I know our life together won't be easy as a nice summer day, I know that we will have to make sacrifices along the way. We will end up fighting over some matters, and be upset with one another at some point, but it would have been easier if I could just remind myself that you are young and impulsive."

"Now don't start assuming that we will have disputes due to your impulse, they could happen because of me as well. I am aware that I am not the best of a man but...Jesus Isabelle! It frightens me." He whispered.

"What does?" She asked softly as she intently listened to him.

"I frighten myself. When I get angry or upset, I don't recognize myself. I turn into a monster. And I am just afraid that that monster will harm you. I couldn't bare to live with myself if  I hurt you, be it physical or mental, I would hate myself." He admitted to her as he looked down at his shoes. Isabelle was silent when suddenly he felt her move. Before he realized it she was behind him and had wrapped her arms around his neck while resting her head on his shoulder.

"It frightens me too." She spoke softly.

"I am aware that our time together won't be easy, but I am willing to go through all the hardships to be with you. Alexander, I am aware that you are older than me by a few years, but you have more experience than I. We will just have to find a way through this. Together. I trust you and I know you." Isabelle told him softly.

"I may be young, but I'm not stupid. I know what goes on." Isabelle stated firmly while Alexander chuckled. He peeled her hands away from his neck as he turned to be on the bed with her. He didn't speak as he caressed her cheek. He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear as he looked at her from below his lashes. The look that he was giving her made butterflies erupt in her stomach. Just one look from him made her emotions go erratic.

"Alex!" She groaned as she looked away from him.

"What?" He questioned in surprise.

"Don't give me that look!" She exclaimed while pointing an accusing finger at him.

"What look?"

"That! That look you are giving me!"

"What look!?"

"This one." Isabelle proclaimed as she copied what he did, looking at him from below her lashes while biting her lower lip slowly.

"Oh God, stop." He groaned at her while running a hand through his hair.

"See! See what I mean!" She exclaimed while jumping up on the bed. Alexander looked up at her with a raised eyebrow, when suddenly a smirk formed on his lips.

"What?" Isabelle questioned as she tilted her head to the side. Suddenly he grabbed her ankles and swiftly pulled them so that she fell back on the bed with a bounce.

"Oomph!" She let out as her back collided with the soft mattress. She was in a slight daze as she blinked rapidly. Suddenly Alexander was looming over her, smirking down at her.

"Not funny," She exclaimed as she saw how he was suppressing his laughter

"No you are right. It's hilarious!" He exclaimed before bursting out laughing. Isabelle glared at him from beneath him as he continued to laugh, eventually he rested his forehead on her shoulder and chuckled.

"Ha-ha, very funny!" She grumbled as he snickered at her.

He lifted his head away from her shoulder as he looked into her eyes that softened from her glare.

"What?" She questioned as he looked at her adoringly.

"I love you." He blurted out suddenly. He didn't expect any response from Isabelle, he just wanted her to know how he felt for her. His love for her was genuine and ran bone deep, it often surprised him how he could come to love the one person he had promised to hate, but look how the world changes you making you love the person you hate.

"I love you too."