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You wanna know who your true friends are? 
Skrew up and see whos still there

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One week later

Steve was in his garden staring sadly at the ground. He used to love this place. He used to love how the flowers brought a pop of color to his life whenever he was feeling down. He now only saw them as a reminder of his past mistakes. He had to find a new spot to work through the thoughts in his mind.

Steve decided he was done moping in a garden that only brought him pain. He needed to take a walk. So he stood up and left the garden from the back to avoid the gazes of his guards and servants, that never let him breathe. But the garden was the only place the guards never thought to check. 

He walked down into the big courtyard area behind the kingdom. There were many different things back there, for example, paths that led to benches under the tall trees, one lead to the staffs homing area, another was a training area for archery, where Sir Clinton seems to spend most of his time, and then there was one certain path that if you followed it long enough you would find yourselves in the depts of the tall bushes away from the crowd. 

Steve followed this path, it was more useful for the royal painting of the family, but this time of the year no one had a need to get over there.  That was until now. As Steve walked over there he heard the mummers of two people. 

"I am glad you decided to stay." A deep voice said gently voice. Steve did not want to interfere, however, he was just so interested and curious. That and whoever was speaking sounded so soft and caring but they held a familiarity towards Steve. 

"Thank you James, I am glad to be here." He spoke softly. James. Who was James talking to? Steve thought as he stood around the corner behind a few bushes. 

"I know that there is a lot going on right now with Sharon, the wedding, all the royal boring stuff but don't let that forget about what next week is," James said, Steve could tell by how his voice changed that he was excited. 

"And what exactly is next week James?" The other voice asked. That was voice was so familiar to Steve, he just couldn't wrap his head around it. The voice was obviously female and laced with a very enchanting voice, Steve just couldn't think probably as to think of a face to match the voice. 

"Come on. Don't tell me that you are too busy to even remember Nat!" Steve almost choked. Why was James talking to Natasha? He wondered and felt his face crease as he thought of how the two seemed to be getting closer to one another. 

"I am sorry I really don't. Being the future queen and getting ready for a marriage keeps you really busy. I mean ever since announcing last week to the kingdom about the marriage I haven't gotten a moment alone. I practically escaped from them every day to come out here and have our conversations." She said. She has been speaking with James all week? Thought Steve. He hadn't even seen her since they were pulled apart after the announcement. 

"Well as much as I enjoy our conversations they seem to be dragging you away from the fact that you come of age next week." He said, and Steve frowned. Has it already been so long that she turns 18 next week? It can't be. But alas Steve was indeed wrong. Natasha would be coming of age next week. Which also meant there wedding would be closer than Steve expected. 

Usually, in Steve's family, they allow the next crowned princess to be crowned in her own kingdoms crown, as she is now the ruler of that land, however, when she marries Steve she will wear Rogerteria's crown. She and Steve will rule both kingdoms, but due to her father's choices, romanavia will be primarily ruled by Natasha. And everyone showed support for her including Steve's family. Queen Sarah saw it enlighting. Which also meant if they have a daughter she would rule Romanavia, however, their son would rule Rogerteria, due to kind Joesph traditions and old fashion style.

"Well, I guess my business has kept being from seeing this. I can't believe I am coming of age. No wonder my parents left four days ago, they are setting up, aren't they? That's why I am going back in six days time." Natasha started to piece things together. How had Steve not seen this before? He too was now fully understanding the actions of his future in-laws. 

"Well you know how to ruin surprises princess," James laughed. "You are such a spy." he joked around with her. 

"Please Sir James, I would never be a spy. I can't see a world in which I was a spy." She laughed at the thought of her being anything other than a princess. How ridiculous. 

"Who knows princess, maybe in another world. " They both let off a small laugh, which made Steve's heart somewhat clench in the thought of them becoming such good friends. He shook his head trying to rid the awful things running wild through his, now distressed and confused mind. 

"NATASHA!" Steve froze in his spot and the giggling of Natasha and James vanished as the quickly quieted down, not wanting anyone to notice them hiding away from prying eyes. 

"I am telling you, Maria." Another voice said running after the lady in waiting as she looked for the princess. "She probably needed a break. And I am guessing you do too." Said the male voice, which Steve recognized as Samuel. 

"I do not need a break, Samuel. And I do not understand why you are following me around like so noisy puppy dog!" Maria said, frustration laced in her voice. Steve was nervous because they were having their conversation on the other side of the bush, and Natasha and James were on the other side of the other bush. Steve was in the middle of a very uncomfortable situation, and neither pair was a good option to reveal his presence too. 

"First of all, you do need a break. And don't go and try and tell me otherwise because that vein popping out on the side of your forehead might beg to differ." Sam said causing Maria to turn as red as Natasha's hair. Samuel deciding he likes living didn't say anything about her blushing at all. "And second off maybe she needed a break from everything. That girl never even got a chance to train today." 

"Well if she hadn't run off she would have had all the time in the world. Now her parents will be arriving in Romanavia tonight, and we will leave in six days which means we have to prepare for travel, but first we need to find the princess and get her back to picking flowers for the wedding." She said as her voice trailed off indicating that they were both leaving them. When their voices totally died out he heard Natasha and James speak once more. 

"Looks like the flowers need my attention, James." She said and started to say goodbye to him. "Thank you for once again taking my troubles away even if it was for just a moment." She said, her voice was so soft and kind. 

"No problem Princess, you know that you can always come to me if something is bothering you," James said most sincerely. Steve took this as his opportunity to leave, he didn't want to get caught. He walked away with a sick feeling knowing that he had forgotten her birthday. He was going to make sure that she got the best gift a princess almost queen could ask for. 

Meanwhile, Natasha was staring into James' eyes. His last sentence was replaying in her head. 
"You know James, not everyone in the world would make such a promise." She said softly, but James could sense the annoyance in her voice. 

"I take it promises aren't your thing." He asked, but trying to push her past her limits. Luckily Natasha didn't rip his head off. 

"Not everyone seems to hold up to their end of the bargain if you understand what I am saying." She said. " You can't promise to stay without leaving in the end." She said bitterness laced her voice. Although James didn't know her full story he felt his heart clench seeing her replay the awful memories in her mind. He reached out placing his hand on her shoulder. 

"Hey, I am not going to break this promise. I never do. Ask Steve." He said with his usual charming smile, that got Natasha to once again smile as her old self. " beside where am I suppose to go? I got everything I need right here." He said. 

"Well I will keep that in mind," She laughed. "might even take you up on your offer." She said.

"I hope you do." He said. Natasha looked down before the calling for Natasha were getting louder once again. 

"I should go." She announced. James nodded his head. "Goodbye James. See you tomorrow?" She asked walking back along the path. 

"Sorry not tomorrow Princess, Clint's got me doing some weird nesting thing. Says its good for any future wars. I don't know the king wants me to check it out." James said, referring to Clint's actions of climbing large trees and watching from a distance. 

"His actions are weird but useful," Natasha stated. "Well then see when I see you, James. Thank you for a good time." 

"No problem." He said and she walked away. James didn't take his eyes off of her as she left. He sighed to himself as he lost her from his view. He couldn't help but smile like the smile on his face grew. he mumbled lightly to himself shaking his head. "You're in trouble." 

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Keep the ones that heard you
Even when you didn't say a word.

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