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The beginning of a new era

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Tomorrow was the day of the wedding, and nerves were running through all. After the death of the finest warrior in the kingdom, Rogerteria was working hard to bring peaceful happiness back to their kingdom. In King Joesph and Queen Sarah's eyes, happiness came in the form of a wedding.

Natasha, on the other hand, was trying to understand everything running through her mind. She couldn't understand the smiles on everyone's face when all she was feeling was the pain.

"Natasha you veil, it's very important that you pick one because according to Rogerteria traditions, the veil lifting over your head is a representation of your past life being put behind you and some other superficial stuff that has been passed down from generation to generation." Maria was speaking to Natasha, who was standing on her balcony.

It was early morning and the breeze was still fresh. Natasha was still dressed in her nightgown wearing James's coat over her dress. She clung to it, savoring the smell of him that clung to his jacket. She didn't answer Maria as she spoke.

"Natasha," she said getting her attention, Natasha looked at her with a lost look plastered to her face. " oh honey." She saw the way Natasha looked at her, the hurt in her eyes was noticeable. "are you okay?"

"No," She said in a sad voice, "Maria, why do they want the kingdom to be happy? I am not happy. Why can't I be happy?" She asked.

"Natasha," She sighed. "You are a mess, why are going through this if you are in so much pain? You need to breathe and let it all out," Maria was her best friend, and she was greatly concerned for her.

"I don't have the privilege, Maria, I can't mourn someone I loved, because I need to make sure everyone else is okay..." she sighed.

"but you can't do that if you aren't okay." There was silence between the both of them. Since his death, Natasha has been realizing how much she needed to talk to him, or smile at him she needed that so much. It was all beginning to hurt her more and more every day. The more she thought about it, the more pain she felt. That was when the tears began.

"Why did it have to be me?" She chocked out, tears staining her rosy cheeks. "Why can't I be happy?!" She cried out, her eyes burning from the number of tears coming from her eyes. She collapsed to the floor with tears completely flooding her face as she cried. She was finally letting it all out, she needed this.

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It was the day of the wedding, and the place was being flooded with kings and queens from all over the map, coming to see this unique marriage. Servants were running around as the two queens made last-minute choices. Guards were watching every crook and cranny of the castle, making sure nothing would stop the wedding.

"Been there seen that.." King Stark was having a rather boring King Odison about travel plans, however, King Stark was pushing his lunch with the strong king.

"You know one day, that mouth of yours is going to get you into some trouble," said King Odison. Then their two queens, Queen Jane, and Virginia "Pepper" came walking up.

"Believe me," Virginia said, "It does." The four of them laughed before being escorted by one of the maids to their seats.

In another part of the castle, Prince Steven was being spoken to by the priest going over last minute details about the ceremony. Steve could barely pay attention because he was going through a large amount of anxiety. Not only will he officially be crowned King, as his father would be taking his leave to enjoy "the simple life" as he put it, but the fear of not being able to live up to the husband Natasha deserved to have.

Steve and Natasha would be the beginning of a new era, they would give new hope to their kingdoms. Natasha would be his wife, he would spend the rest of his life showing her how to be loved, showing her that maybe this life wouldn't be too bad.

"You have a very big future ahead of you man," Samuel said to Steven once the maid told him the ceremony was about to begin. "I wish you the best of luck, and believe me when I tell you this, you will be a great king, and I will always be there for you. "

"Thank you, Samuel, it means the world that you are here for me. I appreciate that." He gave him a thankful smile.

"I'll see you out there, now if you'll excuse me, Natasha's friend is just dying for my attention," he spoke winking before leaving Steve's room.

This was it. Whatever happened next would be the stepping stone for the rest of Steve's and Natasha's life. Looking at himself in the mirror to make sure he looked presentable he began speaking as if someone was listening to him.

"This is it, the day I become someone new, the day I become the person I have been raised to be my entire life." He then began to speak as if his best friend was still in the room. "James, Buck, whatever you go by now." He let out a small laugh, "I can never thank you enough for never letting me feel like I couldn't do it like I wasn't meant to be king because truth be told I am scared. I am scared I'll make the wrong choice, but since you are up there I am hoping you will give me signs every now and then to make sure what I am doing is the right thing. I also would like to apologize, I know you loved her. Because with the short time you were with her you somehow stole her heart, made her feel loved and important, something I couldn't do. So with watching over me, I hope that one day I can make her smile and that having you apart of us will make our relationship stronger." He took a deep breath. "You should be standing here, not me. You deserve much more then you let off, and hopefully one day we can reunite, and you can be happy."

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Natasha waited, her dress was being fitted and any last minuted touches were being made. But unlike when she was kidnapped, everything was calm. Everything except for Natasha's heart, which was beating faster than a running rabbit.

As time moved her wedding look slowly began to come together. Besides this moment, she had never felt more like a princess. No matter how much she wished to marry for love, this was what she wanted her entire life, to be a queen. This was her time to show the world that she wasn't just some princess in distress, that thought alone was enough to put a smile on her face.

Steven wasn't a bad guy either. He would make a wonderful King, and if she couldn't marry for love then she was glad that she was marrying a man capable of being a fair and loved ruler. She was ready for the new chapter in her life.

While it may have cost her much to get here, she was ready. She had a supportive family, a loving group of friends, she had an honorable man, and an angel watching down on her making sure who was always doing her best. She was ready.

Wanda came in, already dressed for the wedding and she had a very big smile on her face. It was refreshing for Natahsto to see her smiling once more. It was just one of those days where you couldn't help but smile.

"Natasha, the wedding is about to begin are you ready?" She asked and gasped as Natasha turned around getting a full view of her wedding dress, it looked absolutely stunning on Natasha.

The dress was long sleeves, which were sheer and had flowers all along the side of them. It was a deep v cut and then the dress flew down completely covering her feet.

"Do I look okay?" Natasha asked hesitantly now sure if Wanda's gasp was good or bad. Wanda gave her another smile, to reassure her.

"You look amazing Natasha, I am glad my brother is marrying someone like you," She told her. Natasha gave her a thankful smile before Wanda lead her out of the room toward her to the church. Natasha's heart was suddenly increasing in speed as she walked toward the church in the castle.

"Ahh, there is the beautiful bride!" She looked up to see her mother and future mother-in-law. Natasha gave her a smile before they explained to her that they were taking their seats and when the music started she would go into the church.

"And the king and I will approach after the wedding handing over our crowns to you," Sarah explained to her. Natasha couldn't believe how supportive Sarah was because as far she believed most queens were not too joyed to be giving up the crown. But Sarah was very different, her entire family was and she was glad to be joining this family.

The group left, giving Natasha a few moments before she would walk into the room. Natasha took this alone time to start reviewing her life. She needed to talk to someone.

"James," She said with a sigh, "I really really wish that you were here so I can talk to you in person. It's been a tough time you know. How I miss you. But guess what." She said with a small smile. "Steve and I are beginning to have a friendlier approach. It's really nice. I can feel you watching down on me and I hope that you are okay with this. I knew you were very supportive when you were here but now that it's here I hope you are okay, even though I know deep down we had ...... something. I just hope one day I can be okay with this whole situation." She smiled. "and you were," She sighed, "Steve is a great guy, I shouldn't have judged him, This is the only time I will say that because I know you getting all worked up there," She shook her head. "I miss you, James, Thank you for everything you ever did for me." She gave a smile toward the ceiling before the music became in her ears.

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Steve couldn't stop staring at her, she looked so beautiful. The moment she walked into the room he couldn't take his eyes off of her. Despite knowing that they didn't love each other he couldn't help but feel happy about this marriage. He felt so lucky.

The way her dress hugged her curves and the way her hair fell to her shoulders made her look like a dream. He couldn't understand why he was feeling this way. They were barely even friends, so why did he feel this way.

"Now the future king and queen have vows to exchange is that correct?" The priest asked taking Steve from his trance. He nervously nodded trying to find his words. "Steve you may start," he said, Steve gave a thankful nod. The guest was surprised because most royal weddings lacked the vows because they were not in love, but Natasha and Steve wanted to work in their relationship if they have heirs they wanted something to tell their kids. They wanted to do this correctly.

"Natasha Allinova Romanova- Romanoff, you are a special woman. I am constantly being surprised by everything you do and say. You are such a smart woman, no one can ever take that away from you." he looked into her eyes, which were locked on him curiously as to what he had to say. "Today, Natasha, I join my life to yours, not merely as your husband, but as your friend, and your confidant. Let me be the shoulder you lean on, the rock on which you rest, the companion of your life. With you, I will walk my path from this day forward."

Natasha couldn't help but let the tear that was stinging her eyes fall freely. She couldn't quite comprehend these feelings, however, what Steve was saying to her, what he was promising was giving her a feeling she has never quite felt before. It was all very new.

"I pledge to listen to your advice, and occasionally take it. I pledge to never keep score...even if I'm totally winning. I pledge to always admire your huge, strong, kind, and determined heart. I pledge that I will love you." The crowd had a smile on their faces as he spoke so kindly, lovely and carefree to Natasha.

"What is a husband? I must admit, I'm not sure. All I know is that I am devoted to you completely and am made a better person because of your love. A husband then is a thing that a good marriage makes, molds, and creates a whole. If that is what a husband means, then I am prepared to be yours." He said love, which took Natasha out of her body for a moment, she was confused. Did he have feelings for her? Yet alone love? "I promise to be your navigator, sympathizer, sidekick, best friend, and your husband. Finally, I promise you myself. Natasha, I know you will be an amazing queen, but more importantly, I can't wait to have you as my queen."

Natasha felt like she was in a fantasy. She didn't understand why his words touched her heart so much. She was shocked that he had said such things because from how she thought of their relationship they are at the beginning of their friendship.

Steve, on the other hand, was ecstatic. Natasha had always been somewhat confusing in his heart because he never truly understand the feelings he had for her because of Sharon. But when she was kidnapped, all those feelings he had pushed away sent him overboard. everything he said needed to be said.

"Natasha if you will continue." She gave him a nod and then looked at Steve.

"Steve Grant Rogers, I remember the day I met you, I thought I had my whole life planned but then I met you changing everything I thought I knew. Knowing you have certainly changed my life. We went through a bunch of bad, however, there was a lot of good. You changed my life. You introduced me to so many new people and I couldn't thank you enough." She watched as he smiled almost as if he knew that she was going to say that. " To my husband I vow to follow the lessons put forth in Company by Sondheim, to "hold you too close, to hurt you too deeply, to sit in your chair And ruin your sleep And make you aware Of being alive. I'll always be there, As frightened as you, To help us survive Being alive. I pledge to be your ever faithful, honest, and loving wife."

Steve couldn't stop the smile coming across his face as the wedding continued on. He knew that this wasn't love, what they had between them, however, something about it just made him so happy, so calm. He liked it. He liked her. He realized that he liked her. He really liked her.

"Do you Prince Steven Grant Rogers of Rogerteria take Princess Natasha Alliava Romanova as your wedded wife and queen?"

"I do."

"And do you Princess Natasha Alliava Romanova take Prince Steve Grant Rogers as your husband and king"

"I do."

"With the power vested in me by this church, you may kiss the bride." Steve leaned in, Natasha was nervous but the moment their lips touched it felt comfortable, unlike anything they have ever felt before. The touch of their lips made them feel almost... safe. And when he pulled away the lack of contact made them both feel empty.

Steve couldn't help but give her a smile. Natasha smiled, however, Steve knew there was something off. He had to admit, it kind of really hurt him. He wanted her to be happy. Could he provide that happiness?

Steve's parents both came up to give up their crowns. Natasha parents weren't finished in their kingdom just yet, but Steve's were ready for a simpler life.

"and now Queen Sarah and King Joesph will crown their son and new daughter in law as the king and queen of Rogerteria." The King first went up to Steve carefully taking off the crown from his head.

"I am so proud of you." Joseph whispered to his son, "you will make a great King."

"Thank you father," Steve replied as the crown was placed upon his head. Next Sarah went up to Natasha, she had a smile lacing her face.

"Natasha, thank you for making my son smile, I know you will treat him and this kingdom with the uttermost respect." She said and took off her crown placing it upon Natasha's head.

"Thank you, my queen," Natasha replied giving her a warm smile.

"I am not the queen any more my dear," Sarah told Natasha.

"You will always be my queen." Sarah smiled at Natasha's kind words before stepping away from the new queen. Joseph turned to the crowd.

"I present for the first time, King Steven Grant Rogers and his queen, Queen Natasha Alliava Rogers!"

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The rest of the evening was full of celebration and laughs. Everyone was excited and overjoyed that the prince was finally married and announced King. This was the start of something new in the Rogerteria Kingdom, something everyone was excited for.

They were having a grand party as a celebration and everyone was happy, except for one person. Natasha, although happy for her new kingdom, was confused. Confused at the feelings she was now feeling and the fact that Steve was being so... loving. It was all confusing her.

Steve watched as she was having this battle in her mind, and wanted to give her a sense of peace, even for a moment. She was his queen, and she shall be treated like his queen, he was going to make her happy.
"May I have this dance, my queen?" He asked Natasha, who was sitting upon her new thrown. She looked at Steve confused because he told her that he doesn't dance, so she was a bit confused.

"Are you sure? Last time I check dancing wasn't your thing." Natasha stated, not rudely just confused.

"Alas that is true, however last time I checked, it was your thing. And what is yours is mine and mine is yours, so I hope to gain your love for dancing. Maybe you could show me how." Steve suggested and then held his hand out for her to take. She looked at him warily, before reluctantly nodding her head yes.

"Alright then my dear husband, I will entertain you for a moment," she replied and he took her over to the center of the room and motioned for the band to begin, causing other couples to start dancing around them.

"You are too tense Steven," Natasha pointed out, she moved his hand further down her waist and took his other hand which was awkwardly on her waist in her hand. "Just breathe, if you don't think about it it will come easier."

"You seem to know a lot about dancing," Steven said, in hopes of starting off some kind of conversation between the two of them.

"Well as a princess you have to know how to dance. You dance with many Princes's and officials over the years." Natasha replied she was still not looking at him, however.

"I hope to be the last man you dance with," Steve said, he notices that Natasha was slowly slipping away from him, and he didn't know what to do about that. He wanted their relationship to work. "Natasha you have barely looked at me all evening, if I have done something to upset you I am sorry, it was never my intention I hope you know that." That was what got the queens attention.

"No, Steven, I am sorry if I made you feel insecure, I am just trying to take it all in. This is a lot." She said trying to find her words.

"Well, why don't you talk to me about it? I am your king, and I am here to listen to you. I promise not to say anything until you are ready for me to speak." he told her. The look in her eye made it seem so sincere.

"Steve, it's just that the things running through will make you uncomfortable." She said, once more trying to put her walls back up, Steve, however, wasn't going to let that happen, he needed her to be open and honest to him.

"I am here to listen to Natasha. Don't worry about my feelings, let's focus on you. I want you to be happy."

"See it's that." She said, finally beginning her speech, so Steve stopped speaking. "This kindness that you have started to show me. Your affectionate ways. Your sudden wanting to do things with me. Steve that's all confusing me. We are barely even friends, let alone lovers, so it confusing me why you are acting this way. I don't want to live a fact relationship Steve, I want all of your actions to be true and genuine. I want to be free to have conversations with you, I want to know that if I have a problem I can come to you, however, I don't feel comfortable doing that if I don't know the real you. Now that we are married, it's confusing as to what we can and can't do, because I know you don't see me in any way besides a queen. But I don't want to live this way if we decide to have kids Steve I want them to know that their parents have even a form of love, yet we can't have because we don't know each other. You are also making me very uncomfortable not speaking." She said giving him a look to speak before she went insane.

"I told you, Natasha, I would listen to you. I am not going to just sit here and interrupt you." He said. " I want you to speak your mind, Natasha."

"Why are you acting like this?" She asked, his behavior, all of it was rather weird to her.

"I am not acting anyway, Natasha." He said looking into her eyes, which was driving her even more mad. "look, Natasha, I have to say something to you." Natasha looked at him very confused. "I know that you are confused, but everything I am doing is because I want to do it. I am not faking anything. I know you probably don't want to hear this however, I think I like you. I pretty sure I have since the day we meet, I was just so worked up in Sharon, and Peggy's death that I never saw you for you and when I did I pushed all these feelings away. That's why I felt so guilty about the whole Sharon situation because I cared about you, and when you got closer to James I took a step back because I knew that after everything I did to you that you would not want me. But then I heard you two talking about your birthday and for once I wanted to show you I cared about you, which explains the gift I gave you. When they took you, Nat, I was scared and angry. I really cared about you and that drove me mad, I almost killed my self over losing you and I feel horrible about that whole ordeal you had to go through. I just hoped that one day you and I could make things work because Natasha I like you, on a whole new deep level. I don't know if it's love or not, but Natasha I do care about you. I would never play with your feelings. you are my queen and I am going to treat you such way."

"But Steve I don't want to just be your queen, if we ever want to take this any further then it already is." She said in a soft voice. Steve's words were touching her in ways that never existed before, and she was overjoyed by it.

"Natasha when I say you are my queen I am saying you are my everything as of now. You make me smile, and I want to be the only to make you smile. If you wanna dance I want to be your partner. You are my wife as I am your husband. You are my everything Natasha, I want to treat you as the queen of my world. With or without these stupid crowns." Steve looked into her eyes deeply. "Please let me be that person."

Natasha was shocked. No one ever spoke to her like this. Not even James because they were at the beginning of whatever it is that they had. And now here is this guy promising to give her his world and make it their world. She wanted this. She just didn't know how she was going to get it.

"How are we going to form this life, Steve? How can we just throw everything away and be a loving couple? we weren't taught to love, we were taught to rule." Steve spun her around in the dance before pulling her back closer to his body this time. He leaned down so he could speak quietly in her ear.

"then let's find love together."

~The end~

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Epilogue
5 years later.

The king and queen of Rogerteria kingdom were known throughout the land for their fair ruling, love for their kingdom, and the love between one another. Anyone who saw the king and queen would know just how much love ran through them.

From the simple gift of flowers every day to the Queen's study, the little notes left for the king on his throne, or the constant hand-holding when addressing the kingdom, no one could ever tell it was an arranged marriage, to begin with.

What made them different from other marriages? They found love. they talked to each other, they made decisions together, they never said no to one another, instead they looked for a solution or compromise.

Now it was time for a new change in life. A new chapter in their lives. The queen had a secret, a secret from which she kept from her husband, which never before happened. But she had to know if it was true or not before she could tell him. So she called in her closest friends and the doctors.

"Well well well, look for finally decided to write." The queen was startled by the voice, thinking she was the only one in her room. She turned to see her old friends.

"Clint, Maria, it is so good to see you both." Clint had retired two years after the marriage because he started a new family, Maria too also was beginning a family, in fact, she was currently engaged to retire soldier Samuel Wilson.

" I am sorry, I really wanted to contact you, however, my life has been very chaotic," Natasha apologized embarrassing her best friends.

"we are kidding your majesty, " Maria smirked. "so what is so important that you called us here?" She asked taking a seat of her bed.

"Well, I have called in a doctor to come and have this discussion with us." Natasha stated " But as she is not here yet I guess I will tell you then. The two friends looked between one another before focusing back onto Natasha. "I um... I think I'm pregnant."

They both stood there shocked and confused. As far as they knew Natasha couldn't have kids, a sad fact they learned after the wedding, it was caused by her kidnapping.

"are you sure?" Clint asked her.

"Of course, I missed my period and it's been three weeks. It hasn't occurred to me because I have been so busy, however now I am so excited and I needed to check out because this is so exciting." The two friends have never seen her so happy before.

"Natasha this is great!" Maria said.

"Yeah hun, you definitely deserve this, I am sure Steve is over the moon excited" Clint commented.

"Actually I haven't told him..." Natasha let's out and the friends give her a confused look. "It's just I don't want to get his hopes up if this is true."

"You really love him don't you?" Maria asked her best friend. Natasha smiled and nodded her head.

"More than anything."

"Okay, then come on let's find out if I am going to be an uncle."

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Natasha and Steve were in their bedroom late one evening after a long day of paperwork and arguments with some staff about firing the guards. Steve didn't approve because he didn't want people in his kingdom to be scared of not providing for their family. That isn't how he wanted them to live.

Steve was taking his shirt off to change into more comfortable sleepwear. Natasha was laying in bed, still staring at the wall. She was still in her usual afternoon dress.
"Natasha honey, don't you want to change into something for comfortable?" He asked, his shirt was open revealing his chest. Natasha found out she was actually pregnant, and lately, she found herself even more attacked toward Steve then per usual.

"Or you can just come over here and make me more comfortable." She smirked at him. Steve's face was flushed red. He walked over to her his shirt still opened and climbed on the bed over her.

"You are a really beautiful woman Natasha." Steve smiled and gave her a sweet kiss on the lips. Natasha was smiling through the kiss before she began to realize that she couldn't take things any further in fear of hurting the baby.

"Stop." She said pushing him away from a little. Steve moved away from her face, but still on top of her.

"Hey what's wrong?" Steve asked and saw the sad look lacing her face. He knew when something was bothering her so he moved away pulling her up with him so that they could have a proper conversation. "Talk to me my love, what's wrong."

"Steve have you ever thought about our situation, and what it would be like if we were able to have kids?" Natasha asked watching the look on his face so she could prepare herself for whatever was going to happen.

"Natasha I have told you, I know you can't have kids, however, we can find other ways to grow our family. I don't want to worry you about anything." Steve said. He was always so caring toward her that it made her feel so happy. Sometimes she felt like she was in a dream.

"Steve I really appreciate you being so caring toward me. You are one of the best things to ever happen to me. However, I think that someone has taken your place in my heart." Steve stopped. Completely stopped. His face lost all color. He wore the look he only gave her when she was talking to a pushing member of the court.

"Natasha I am going to ask you something very important," Steve said, his voice was very strained and his eyes were closed tightly shut. "Are you falling in love with someone else?"

"of course not my love. I appreciate that you, however, did not ask if I was cheating,"

"I would never suggest you are cheating on her," Steve told her. "I just want to make sure no one else has captured your heart."He sounded so sad.

"Steve please don't be sad. I am sure you are going to love this new person in my life." Natasha said trying to convince him. Steve, however, did let her finish because of the overwhelming sadness running through his mind.

"How can I love someone that is taking you away from me?" He asked with his sad puppy dog eyes. She loved him, and often at times, his insecurities would be so bad that she would have to constantly remind him how important he is to her.

" Because people usually love their kids." She said and Steve was quiet not moving to try to understand what she was saying, and then suddenly a smile broke out on his face.

"Are you serious?" He asked and then cupped her face as she nodded her head.

"Steve we are going to be parents." She spoked as small tears came down her face.

"I can't believe this." He said in almost a whisper, that if he wasn't so close he wouldn't have heard it. "I am going to be a dad!"

"You're going to be the best dad in the world Steve." Steve connected his lips with hers. This kiss was so full of love and appreciation that they couldn't be happier.

"thank you for giving me the world Natasha." Smiled steve, she nodded before giving her more of a kiss. This was it, the beginning of an era. It was time for a new look on life. They were going to be parents and all because of the wonderful bond they formed.

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we may not have a normal relationship
but I can't love you even more than I already do

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This is the end! I hope you guys enjoyed my story!
Stay tuned for more stories!