" Welcome home Lady France. " Mina did a small courtesy as France took a step off of the boat, her light pink heels clacking against the cobblestone roads she knew all too well, the golden sun warm against her skin as she found herself at a loss for words. Her eyes lit up like all the stars in the sky as she took in a deep breath of the salty air and gleaned up, the blue French sky smiling back down towards her practically screaming welcome home. It had been all too long.

France could no longer bring herself to contain the happiness that she had shrouded away for so long. She was back. It was all over, only if for a minute.

" Thank you, Mina. It's nice to be home isn't it? " her smile was infectious as she twirled around in the warm sun, the cheers and excited shouts of onlookers echoing through the morning air. The servant nodded in equal solidarity, her own person seeming practically more relaxed and comfortable than before.

France soaked in the familiarity that greeted her like a warm blanket on a cold night, the memories of her shortened childhood playing like a reel behind her eyes. It had seemed almost an eternity she was trapped across the sea, miles, and miles separating her longing soul from home but here she was, finally back in her own country, all worries and hate for her tenacious life seemingly melting down right there in the street, dissolving into the cobblestone-like tears long forgotten.

" I'm pleased to tell you that we have everything already prepared for your arrival Lady France! Per the request of your father, we have set up his estate by the coast for both you and Britain. He hopes it will help you two finally get to know each other more. " Mina held a deep smirk, her elbow bumping into the princess's side in a gesture of good faith that France refused to reciprocate in her haste.

" I assumed as much... " the princess's voice was idle and quiet as she turned her head and watched Britain slowly waltz off the ship, his hands stuffed in his pockets as he glanced around in fascination, his mouth slightly agape as an assortment of flowers and notes from the crowd peppered the air. "It's always what's best for him. "

Mina grabbed the princess's hand and pat it so lightly that France could have believed it was the wind.

" I promise you Lady France everything will smooth itself out. I know it. If you can withstand others' antics I believe firmly that you can do the same with him. He doesn't look to be of the trouble-making type. " the two females erupted into silent laughter as France nodded her head and heaved out a quiet sigh, her feet twisting into a more comfortable position to stand.

" I suppose he's alright. You should see his brothers " she rolled her eyes and whispered quietly in Mina's ear, turning around and gazing toward the prince who seemed to be trapped in his own little world of interest, a rose bouncing off his chest and falling to the ground in silent agony.

He was curious, she could give him that. It was an unusual trait for a man of his importance, but yet again it didn't seem to bother him. She could tell from the way he walked, and the way he talked that he was a good-natured young man, but France hadn't the will nor the patience to give in to her father yet.

She had to let everything play out, all the pieces fall into their respective positions before she made any bold attempt at leaving everything behind. Start a new life under a new name, find a family and a man worthy of her affection. It was almost cliche to think about a runaway princess, but the thought hadn't left her mind from the second she was aware of her marriage.

"Britain. Are you done yet?" the female pushed her thoughts aside and focused on the present, pulling the Brit from his own silent vanity " You cannot tell me you've never seen the ocean before dear. "

France swore she saw something inside him click at the name. "I've uhh never seen something like this before. Its certainly. Interesting. But beautiful as well. " he let out a subtle chuckle and rubbed the back of his neck, a toothy grin showing past the embarrassment in his complexion.

France snorted slightly and grabbed the Brit's hand, " Welcome to my country loverboy. We play nice, no fighting in the public eye. You got it " her eyes held daggers.

The prince nodded and France looked fulfilled.

" Come. We have much to do " her face changed almost instantly as she grabbed onto her bright white sunhat, the warm wind blowing strands of her brown hair to the side as she marched forward in impatient momentum; unintentionally launching the Brit forward as she grappled onto his hand.

The young prince was once again at a loss for words.

For being a princess France certainly wasnt afraid to share her opinions.

It was something the Brit found uncomfortably beautiful.

She was a princess just like the hundreds of others around the world, just like the practical millions he had met in the past at galas and pageants of sorts. The crown she was so bestowed upon held her in a scandal of royalty and beauty, the horrors of the life unbeknown to everyone who followed.

They were both stuck in a game of neverending chess, their beings used as pawns of the game trying to convince everyone of falsified matrimony. It was almost poetic the lengths that their families would take to look good. Sell their children, and force them to take the position. It was despicable to remember but necessary to keep the people he loved from dying. For one good there was always one bad.

But there was just something more about France he couldn't figure out.

Maybe it was her feisty attitude, maybe it was her blue eyes, maybe it was her determination to reject tyranny within her own family, but something about her kept sending butterflies up Britain's spine. He didn't feel he loved her, but there was a prominent feeling of something else.

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Mina pushed open the door with a small courtesy and ushered the two in, the sunset peeking through the curtains as France pulled off her hat and glanced around, the air warm and sweet smelling as her heels clinked against the floor.

" This is where you'll be staying for now. The best room in the house " the servant smiled and took a step back, her hand firmly wrapped around the golden door handle as Britain raised an eyebrow and turned around, his confusion casting a look of worry into France's best friend. He wasnt willing to be rude, but something was off and France hadn't yet noticed.

" Mina. Excuse me if I come off as rude but this room is made for a single person. " he spoke quietly and softly, like a child who was afraid, to tell the truth, because of the consequences they knew would follow. France who was busy taking the pins from her hair felt her breath hitch. Not this again.

" Mina, dont do this to me again I dont care what- " the princess was abruptly cut off as the door was slammed almost pretentiously closed, the walls shaking in silent terror as the floorboards moaned in sorrow.

"I'm sorry Lady France " a quaint voice spoke from the other side " It was requested by the king. I have no place to disrespect his regards. It's only a few hours, dinner will be delivered at six. "

France now acutely aware of the situation banged her fist on the door, her white gloves sliding down her hands. " Mina, I'm begging you please dont leave me here. Not like this again. "

There was no response for several seconds as Britain rubbed his palms together, a few beads of sweat forming on his brow as France realized she was standard and whipped around, steam practically pouring from her ears. He was going to be beaten to a pulp by her.

" What... What was that " he gathered the last bit of courage he had remaining and spit out the words, almost sounding more stupid than he looked. France laughed manically.

" That was my father. He's done this before. We're stuck in this room until tomorrow so you better get used to me loverboy. "

The prince gulped, struggling to find the words he wanted.

" So.. Uh.. How is this going to work?" Britain stood shaking in the corner, his heart becoming jelly as France growled and pounded on the door one last time, turning around to toss her hat on the floor.

" How is this going to work? " her voice growled as the Brit turned and pretended to be interested in a very ugly painting on the wall. He was going to be dead before he got out of there.

France caught on generally quickly, a scoff erupting from her as she took a few steps forward and pushed Britain down into a plush chair, her dress swirling down by her ankles as she did.

" Ohhhh no loverboy. You're sleeping on the floor, got it. " she pointed her finger and scolded him like his mother used to. Britain felt his heart stop,

" No, no, no. that's now what I- " he stopped himself from going any further. "I'll take the floor. "

France nodded her head with a snort and pulled on the door in a buried panic. " Good. Now get unpacked. We have to figure out a way to get out of this cursed place "

The Brit shivered and glanced around " I thought you were happy to be back. "

" I was before this happened. I can't go anywhere without being tormented by this marriage. You must be as sick of it as I am" 

SUPRISE! Hello, my beautiful Apples! I recently looked back through my google docs and found this abandoned chapter sitting there!  I gathered up enough motivation to fill in a few gaps and here we are! I know it's short and a filler chapter and it honestly sounds like absolute garbage compared to my other stuff but I'm glad she got posed! Thank you so much for your support with this story! Please lmk if I have anyone interested in continuing the legacy! Happy New Years!