i just can't get you out of my head

"Miss Nicollette, Prince Tobias is downstairs to see you," Malia said as she stood in the doorway of Nicollette's room.

The blonde inhaled slowly, shutting her book. Of course he was, she thought. "Thank you, Malia. I'll be down as soon as I can."

Malia bowed a soft bow before turning and exiting the bedroom. Nicollette sat in her window nook for a second, her eyes drifting outside. She saw Charles in the stables, a sharp pain stabbing her in the chest.

She hadn't spoken to him since the day he kissed her. It was a side of Charles she'd never seen before, one she'd never thought she'd see. She hated it, and as much as she missed being his friend, she also didn't like the way he'd treated her. Matthias had told her that even though to Charles it may have seemed like she led him on, anyone could see that she hadn't. And so she took that piece of advice and ran with it, needing it to get her through the days to not fold and apologize over and over again to him.

After a long moment of hesitation, Nicollette was finally prepared to go greet Tobias. She slowly left her bedroom and made her way downstairs, where he was chatting with her father.

It was rare to see Merlin Terilow at his house. He was mostly there to eat, sleep, and shower. Sometimes he'd have an off day thanks to the King, but most days he still spent at the palace just spending him with him.

Another dull ache hit her chest. She didn't have time to sit on thoughts of Charles and her parents, and she knew this. Nicollette barely got alone time as is with being forced to attend more of the fancy events due to the Season approaching, and so the last thing she needed and wanted was to spend it worrying about everything she'd done wrong in her life.

Nicollette stopped on the bottom step, catching her father's attention. The older man smiled as he saw his only child, stepping away from Tobias and toward the girl. "Nicollette, it's nice of you to join us." He softly said, bowing slightly.

The girl just pressed her lips together and nodded, fidgeting with the railing of the staircase. Her eyes moved from her father to Tobias, "Hey." She said, "What are you doing here?"

Merlin took this as his sign to leave, and cleared his throat before sending Tobias one last bow. He then migrated to a different area of the house, out of sight. Nicollette glanced from where her father had gone to Tobias, noticing he was dressed as he usually was.

Prim. Proper. Put together. Basically everything that Nicollette wasn't. 

Tobias took in her outfit. It was a simple t-shirt and pajama shorts, as she hadn't intended on going anywhere or having anyone come over. She noticed a flash of what seemed to be judgment but pushed it aside, knowing she was probably just assuming the worst. If he did judge her, he didn't comment on it. "I've come to see you. I know that the ball is approaching soon, and I wanted to gift you for agreeing to come with me." He said, pulling a box out from the inside pocket of his jacket. 

"A gift?" Nicollette asked, her nose scrunching up. "I don't need any gifts."

"I know, but it doesn't hurt to show appreciation if we're going to be courting." He smiled sheepishly, holding the velvet box out.

Nicollette felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach. Sure, she hadn't said no to being courted - but she hadn't said yes either. She agreed to go to one ball with him, not marry him. She didn't like the idea of being so prim and proper all the time, of having unannounced visits from Tobias like this. If he was like this simply after they'd just met, what would it be like if they were to actually court?

She hesitantly took the box, not opening it at first. It felt wrong accepting it, knowing that she didn't really want to court. Sure, Tobias was cute. He was nice as well, nicer than most Princes she'd met. Royals, even. But that didn't mean she wanted to change her life completely and marry him. She'd rather be caught dead than marry a royal.

Her lips pressed together as she slowly opened the box. It was a fancy diamond necklace, one that shouldn't have surprised her with how fancy it was, but did anyway. She could almost see her reflection with how clean they were, and she inhaled a long breath.

"Look, Prince Tobias, I-"

Nicollette was quickly cut off by her father coming back into view. He was now wearing his knight attire, which meant whatever day off he'd had today wasn't happening. "Where are you going?" She asked, momentarily forgetting about Tobias.

"King Gerald needs me." He quickly said, adjusting his belt. "I guess the Gilcrest family from Sandria is coming to Aradia to meet with some of the royal family."

Gilcrest. That was Candice's last name. But Candice? Why? Why were they all traveling here?

"W-why?" She couldn't help but ask, her hands falling to her sides. She still held the box with the diamond necklace, the box dangling from her fingertips.

"I don't know the details, Nicollette." Merlin sighed, fixing his cuffs. "Something about a potential arranged marriage or something, maybe? From my guess. Usually, when two royal families meet, it's about becoming allies, and to become allies, you-"

"Marry," She softly whispered, cutting him off.

Merlin smiled, "You're catching on. I'll see you tonight at dinner. Don't be late."

"Dinner? What dinner?" Nicollette asked before he could get out of the door.

"The dinner with the Sutcliffe's. Did you forget already?" He asked, looking at her with bunched eyebrows.

"N-no, no, sorry." Nicollette's cheeks grew red as she realized how many questions she was asking. "Thanks, Dad. See you tonight."

Merlin nodded and, without another word, exited the house. Nicollette pressed her lips together as her mind began to run wild, her eyes on the white stairs she stood on.

"Looks like the man who hates love is going to be wed." The sound of Tobias's voice brought her out of her thoughts. 

Her eyes snapped up from the floor to Tobias. She noticed the smile on his face, how he'd found it so entertaining. Well, she didn't. She couldn't explain it, but she didn't like the idea of Matthias marrying anyone, let alone fucking Candice Gilcrest.

But what could she do? Nothing. Especially because she didn't know what she was feeling in the first place.

She looked down at the diamond necklace again. It was a nice gesture, even if Nicollette wasn't a fan of diamonds or fancy things. She didn't like the idea of having to court a prince of all people, but her options were very limited, and now that he'd shown up with both her mother and her father home, her luck would be that they force it anyway. So, deciding that this was the only option, she smiled a fake smile. 

"I love it." She said. "It's-it's a great courting gift."

Tobias smiled at that. Nicollette smiled as well, although she couldn't help but feel anything but happiness. She chewed on the inside of her lip, shutting the velvet box. 

"I knew it'd impress." He bowed slightly. "I'll be by at seven on the dot to pick you up for the ball. I can't wait to see you."

"Yeah, me too." Her words were flat, ignoring the bile rising in her throat.

She cringed slightly as he grabbed her hand, pressing his lips to it as he'd done almost every time he saw her. She stayed in her spot on the stairs as he stepped back, bidding one last goodbye before turning and leaving the Terilow residence.

It was silent as she stood there. Her mind was running wild. Why was she so bothered by the idea of Matthias marrying Candice? At the idea of courting Tobias and being married to him instead of someone else? She didn't know, and although she gave small excuses such as 'because it's Candice, if it were anyone else, I wouldn't care' or 'because you're not used to liking a royal', she knew deep down those weren't legitimate answers.

She finally made her way back to her room, barely remembering the short trip. She set the velvet box on her vanity without another glance, sitting at the edge of her bed. Her hands rested on her knees, her eyes cast to the floor as she revisited her conversation with Tobias.

Then it hit her.

She just agreed to eventually marry Tobias.

++

Hey guys! I know it's been like half a year since I've updated this story on top of this chapter being short and I do apologize. It was constantly one thing after another, and I've gotten to a point where I'm working on one or two stories at a time but mostly only updating one. This is now my main priority, so expect more updates <3