The jet touched down smoothly, and the low hum of the engines gradually quieted. The moment they stepped off the plane, the familiar buzz of paparazzi hit them like a wall. Camera flashes lit up the scene as Aria, Charles, Carlos, and Rebecca made their way toward the awaiting black SUV.

As soon as Aria stepped into the open, the media descended like a swarm of bees. "Your Royal Highness!" shouted one of the reporters, his camera trained on her. "Is it true you're spending time with Ferrari drivers instead of your royal duties?"

Aria, who had always been no stranger to the press, shot the reporter a sharp glance. She didn't flinch, her posture as regal as ever. "I'm mingling with whoever I damn well please," she said coolly, her voice laced with sarcasm. "As for royal duties, let's just say they're a little overrated."

The cameras clicked faster, capturing every second of her response. Her words hung in the air like a challenge, and she could see the surprise in the eyes of some of the reporters who weren't expecting such a bold answer.

Carlos, walking behind her, chuckled under his breath, clearly impressed by Aria's quick wit. Rebecca smirked, leaning toward Aria. "You handled that like a pro. Honestly, I should be taking notes."

Aria rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at her lips. "Trust me, Rebecca, it's nothing personal. But sometimes, the press needs to be reminded who's in charge."

As the group moved toward the waiting car, Aria noticed Charles walking beside her, his face calm but with a slight glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "You're not shy, are you?" he asked, his voice low enough that only she could hear.

Aria gave him a sly grin. "Being royal is boring. You get used to not caring what people think after a while."

Charles gave her a knowing look, though he didn't respond. He had a feeling that Aria wasn't just talking about the press—she was talking about everything.

When they arrived at their hotel, the group was led to the back, away from the public eye. The hotel was a luxurious blend of modern and classic design, but Aria wasn't in the mood for sightseeing. All she cared about was getting some peace, away from the scrutiny.

Carlos and Rebecca had, unsurprisingly, booked a charming little cottage for the four of them. They called it their "temporary base," and it was far more secluded than the usual royal suites. It was a way to escape the chaos of the press, a place where they could actually breathe.

Aria raised an eyebrow when they were handed the keys. "You two really know how to plan a getaway, don't you?"

Carlos shrugged with a grin. "We figured you might need some privacy, Your Royal Highness," he said with mock formality.

Rebecca winked. "Plus, we couldn't resist seeing if you and Charles would finally stop being so... distant."

Aria shot her a warning look, but Rebecca just laughed, unfazed. "Come on, you'll thank us later."

Charles chuckled softly, glancing between the two of them. "I can already tell we're in for a fun weekend."

Later that afternoon, the group ventured out into the streets of the Australian city, strolling around the local markets. Aria had never been to this particular part of the world, and the vibrant colors of the marketplace, combined with the sound of locals bargaining and laughing, made it feel like another world entirely.

Charles walked beside her, though he was careful not to crowd her personal space. Rebecca and Carlos were ahead, clearly enjoying the atmosphere, but the two of them kept falling into step with each other naturally, almost like it was second nature.

As they explored the market, Aria felt her tension from earlier slip away. The market was bustling, with vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry to local delicacies. Aria had always been one to enjoy the simplicity of exploring new places, even if it meant ignoring the crowd of people and flashing cameras back home.

She stopped at a small stall selling brightly colored scarves and trinkets, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the fabric. She hadn't noticed Charles standing beside her until he spoke.

"Do you do this often?" he asked, his tone quiet but curious. "Traveling, I mean."

Aria glanced at him, shrugging. "Not really. I mean, I do, but it's always for something—either for a royal event or to escape the press. But this? Just wandering around, with no agenda? It's a first for me."

Charles raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I never figured a royal would want to do something as... normal as this."

Aria laughed softly. "Yeah, well, being royalty doesn't mean you get to do much of anything normal. The things I'd give for a day without someone watching."

There was a hint of something in her voice, something Charles recognized as both frustration and longing. He couldn't help but wonder what it would be like for her to step away from it all, even for just a moment.

"Maybe you should take more days like this," he said, his voice more serious than before.

Aria met his gaze, her eyes thoughtful. "Maybe. But I doubt I'll ever be able to outrun the royal life, even if I try."

Carlos and Rebecca, still a few steps ahead, turned around and grinned when they saw Charles and Aria walking together. Carlos nudged Rebecca and whispered something in her ear, causing both of them to burst into laughter.

Aria rolled her eyes but didn't let their teasing bother her. Instead, she focused on the conversation in front of her, enjoying the quiet, fleeting moment with Charles. For once, there was no rush, no royal event to attend, no headline to worry about. Just the two of them, on a street in a foreign city, sharing a simple moment.

It was... peaceful.

"Come on, Ari," Carlos called over to them with a grin, clearly eager to keep things light. "Let's go find some good food. You know, something that doesn't come with a crown."

Aria shot him a playful glare, then turned back to Charles. "Well, Prince Monaco," she teased, "what do you say? Shall we find something normal?"

Charles smirked, catching her playfulness. "I think that's the best offer I've had all day."

As they moved through the market together, with Carlos and Rebecca trailing behind, Aria couldn't help but feel like this was just the beginning. Whether she was ready for it or not, things were shifting—both with her and with Charles. 

And the fact that they could share a moment like this, away from the press and the chaos, made her think that maybe, just maybe, this whole "normal" thing wasn't so bad after all.

The group made their way through the bustling market, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the Australian streets. After exploring a few stalls, they stopped at a popular food stand selling famous Australian street food—freshly made meat pies, fish and chips, and a variety of savory snacks. Aria had never been one to shy away from trying new food, so she eagerly took a bite of a golden, crispy pie, savoring the flaky pastry and the rich filling.

Charles, who had been oddly quiet since they arrived, seemed to be enjoying the food as well. He glanced at Aria as she took another bite, looking almost... content. There was something calming about the moment—no crowds, no cameras, just the two of them in a foreign city, surrounded by the hum of the market and the rich aroma of local food.

He glanced over at her, noticing how at ease she looked for once. "This place is good," he remarked, popping a piece of fish into his mouth.

Aria smiled, wiping her mouth with a napkin. "I think I could get used to this. Back home, it's all fancy dinners and royal affairs. This—" she gestured around them, "—this feels real."

Charles nodded. "Yeah, it's refreshing. Maybe we should do this more often. Just... get away from everything."

Before Aria could respond, Carlos and Rebecca began to move ahead, eager to continue their exploration of the market. "Come on, you two! We're going shopping," Carlos called out with a playful grin.

"Let's not get lost," Rebecca added, glancing back over her shoulder, "You know how bad Charles is with directions."

Aria rolled her eyes, but with a smirk, she followed them, feeling a little lighter than she had in ages.

As they wandered through the market's narrow lanes, Aria's attention was drawn to a small jewelry shop tucked in a quiet corner. The sign above the door read, "Handmade Bracelets—Unique Designs," and something about the cozy little shop caught her eye.

"I'll be right back," Aria said, stepping away from the group. She wasn't entirely sure why, but something about the delicate pieces in the window made her want to take a closer look.

Rebecca, ever the matchmaker, caught the glint in Aria's eyes and nudged Carlos. "Looks like someone's found something she likes."

Carlos grinned. "I bet Charles will follow her in two seconds."

As if on cue, Charles hesitated, watching Aria move toward the shop. He glanced back at Carlos and Rebecca, who were already whispering to each other with knowing looks. It was clear they were setting something up.

"Go on," Carlos teased, giving Charles a gentle push. "You're not going to let her get away without your input, are you?"

Charles shot him a look. "I'm not the one who buys bracelets," he muttered, though he didn't seem to be protesting too much. With a resigned sigh, he followed Aria inside the shop.

The small boutique was lined with shelves filled with colorful bracelets of all kinds—some made of leather, others with beads or precious stones. Aria's eyes scanned the racks, and she moved toward the back of the store, where more delicate designs were displayed. She was looking for something simple, but unique. Maybe a piece that would remind her of this trip—a way to keep the moment close to her heart.

Charles, having followed her, stood quietly behind her for a moment, his hands tucked into his pockets as he observed her. She looked so... at home here. It was strange, how something as ordinary as shopping could make her seem so far removed from the royal persona she had to uphold.

Aria reached for one of the bracelets on a high shelf, but just as she was about to pull it down, she felt a presence close behind her. Startled, she turned and bumped into Charles, her back gently meeting his chest.

"Sorry," she muttered, looking up at him. Her eyes met his for a brief moment, and she was struck by the intensity of his gaze.

Charles smirked, clearly amused. "Watch where you're going," he teased lightly, though his voice was soft.

She tilted her head, a small smile forming on her lips. "I didn't expect you to be this close behind me."

Before he could say anything else, he reached for the bracelet she had been eyeing, effortlessly plucking it from the top shelf and handing it to her.

"This one's not bad for you," he said, his voice steady. "It's simple, but elegant. Kind of like you."

Aria blinked, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. "Uh... thanks," she stammered, looking at the bracelet in her hands—a CL16 design with a delicate gold chain and small, polished stones.

She looked up at him again, feeling her heart beat just a little faster. It wasn't the first time someone had complimented her, but for some reason, it felt different coming from him.

Before she could say anything more, her eyes flicked to another display. "I'll take this one," she said, pointing to a sleek black leather bracelet with a silver clasp. It felt like a subtle rebellion against the bright, bold one Charles had chosen for her.

"Deal," Charles said with a smile, his expression warm as he turned to the shopkeeper to make the purchase.

Once the bracelets were paid for, Charles took Aria's new bracelet and gently fastened it onto her wrist, the cool metal feeling oddly intimate. He let his fingers linger just a second longer than necessary, before he straightened up and looked at her, his eyes holding a hint of mischief.

"Now you have a reminder of your time in Australia," he said, his voice low but with a playful edge.

Aria smiled, trying to hide the sudden warmth that spread through her. "I guess I'll wear it to remind myself not to make any royal appearances anytime soon."

Just as they were about to leave, Rebecca and Carlos reappeared at the door, both of them wearing knowing smiles.

"Looks like someone's getting cozy with Charles," Rebecca teased, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Carlos chuckled. "I see you two have found your rhythm. Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't mess it up."

Charles rolled his eyes, but there was a lightness to his demeanor that Aria couldn't help but notice. He looked... relaxed, in a way she hadn't seen before. Maybe, just maybe, the matchmakers were onto something.

As they walked out of the shop, the sun was beginning to set, casting a soft golden light over the bustling market. Aria's hand brushed against Charles's briefly, and she felt the familiar tingle that came with it. She wasn't sure what this meant yet—what any of this meant—but for the first time in a long while, she felt like maybe, just maybe, she could enjoy the present.

And for someone like Aria Alexandra Elizabeth Diana, enjoying the moment was something she rarely allowed herself to do.