Oh my gosh...over 600 views, you guys. I can't thank you enough. I'm having so much fun writing these stories, and I'm happy to announce two new books are coming once I finish this one!
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~MaddieBee
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Grayton sighed as he kept splashing water onto his face, looking into the mirror now and then to see if the chocolate was completely gone. He groaned, exasperated, turned off the sink faucet, and decided to go ahead and get a shower to completely clean off the chocolatey mix of cake and icing. Once finished, he changed into a loose shirt and pants, slipping on a pair of red high top converse to spice it all up. After fixing his hair and making sure the chocolate was gone, he walked into his main bedroom, checking his dresser for something he had been holding dear to him.

He opened a drawer, which was full of different watches, cuff links, and other accessories, but his gaze fell onto a bracelet in the back of the drawer. Grayton pulled it out, examining the piece of jewelry, which had silver pearl-shaped beads and a heart charm in the center. It had been his sister's bracelet...Daphne... Painful memories rattled his mind, a high pitched scream ringing out in his ears. He blinked back tears and shook his head.

"Beatrice would like it..."Grayton cleaned the silver bracelet and gave it a polish. He looked up once he was finished, and slipped the bracelet into a soft velvet box, putting it in his pocket as he stepped outside. Beatrice skipped down the hall towards Grayton's bedroom, wearing the same dress, but her loose waves were pulled into a flip through ponytail away from her face, rather than the bun she had worn at dinner.

"The cake's gone!" he joked as she arrived. "Did I look better with or without it?"

Beatrice surveyed his face critically, before smiling gently. "The chocolate matched your eyes, but I like being able to see your face," she said softly.

Grayton smiled as he took her hand, excited about their date. "I'm glad you didn't get caked, though."

She laughed. "I wouldn't have minded. It's chocolate, after all!"

He smiled down at her while they walked to the kitchen. "Quite true. Now, tell me, Bea, do you feel like you could eat a bit more?"

Beatrice snickered. "I could..if I'm being totally honest."

"Perfect!" Grayton grinned as he led her inside. "Close your eyes, I have a feeling you'll like this!"

Beatrice looked around, her brown eyes wide with wonder at the huge kitchen. "So this is where the magic happens," she said matter-of-factly.

"Ah, well, this is where you get tastes!" he smiled as he let go of her hand and peeked into a door leading to more stoves and ovens. "Yes, chef, is the surprise ready? Okay! Great!" He stepped back out, walking back over to Beatrice. "Alright. Take a seat, Bea," Grayton gestured to the bar stools that were underneath the counter. He pulled out one for her. She smiled and took a seat, Grayton sitting beside her. A chef popped out of the door Grayton had been peeking in, carrying a plate of chocolates.

"You like chocolate, yes?" Grayton asked her as the chef placed the plate in front of them. Beatrice nodded happily. "Of course! These look amazing!"

He smiled at her. "I had some of these made just for you and me. Here, taste this one. If I'm right, it'll have a candy heart in the center."

She tasted the chocolate, her grin spreading from ear to ear. "It's wonderful! What made you choose a candy heart for the center?"

"Well, your pastel hair reminded me of the colors I see on the candy hearts around Valentine's Day, so I thought why not? Here's another one. It should have a marshmallow in it," Grayton said as he handed her one and ate a copy of the chocolate. His face melted into a satisfied smile as the fluffy marshmallow and the rich milk chocolate ran together on his tongue.

Beatrice let out a content sigh as she ate the chocolate. "It's amazing. What's the story behind this one, then?"

He chuckled softly. "Well, my heart felt like it was in the clouds when I kissed you. That and I like marshmallows," he laughed. She laughed with him, shaking her head. "It's great, though. Thank you so much. This really sweet."

"Figuratively and literally!" Grayton smiled down at her. "It's sweet just being around you, Bea."

Beatrice looked up at him. "You...mean that?"

"Of course I do," he whispered as his brown eyes met hers. Grayton was tempted to kiss her, but felt the eyes of the kitchen staff on them and thought better of it. "How does a walk in the gardens sound then? It's amazing out there right about now."

"Sounds wonderful," she murmured as they walked outside.

*

Grayton sighed contentedly as the wind teased his hair, the soft beams of moonlight casting a glow on both of their faces while they walked along the cobblestone paths leading further out into the gardens. Beatrice closed her eyes briefly, letting the light wind play with the tendrils of colorful hair around her face. She smiled up at Grayton, her heart satisfied on the moment.

"It's amazing out here, isn't it, Bea?" he said in a soft whisper only audible to Beatrice.

She nodded. "It most certainly is..."  Beatrice began to hum softly, but in a minute she was singing. Her soft voice filled the warm evening air and sounded almost like birdsong; it was so sweet and clear. Grayton closed his eyes as he drank in her sweet voice, which filled his heart with an indescribable peace and love for her.

Beatrice sang a song about the contrast between the sun and the moon. She sang of moonlight and sunlight, and you could almost see the light, from the way the words described it. When she was finished, she smiled because of the incredible joy she found in song itself.

"My dear Lady Bea, that was simply magnificent," Grayton said ever so softly, his brown eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

Her eyes met his, and her smile grew when she saw his loving gaze. "Thank you..."

"You're most welcome," he whispered, not daring to look at anyone or anything but Beatrice.

Beatrice looked up at the sky, where stars were just beginning to shine brightly. "I sometimes wish that I knew more of the constellations," she whispered.

Grayton shrugged. "I hear Lady Estella knows them well. Your eyes remind me of the stars, in a way."

Beatrice chuckled. "I once knew a girl with eyes like silver, they were stars. Mine are mud."

"No. Yours are the embers of dragon's eyes, a rarity and gift for a girl with such beauty," he whispered, his face reddening at his own words.

"Since when did I become a living Romeo?

Since Juliet walked in," Grayton thought with a smile.

Beatrice blushed faintly, smiling at him. "You can be quite poetic too, you know that?"

"Hah," he chuckled softly. "I didn't know, well, not until just now."

"Well in that case, I am proud of of you because, wow. I've never heard anyone say anything like that about my eyes.." she murmured, her smile glowing in the gentle moonlight.

"And I've never enjoyed someone's company this much before," he whispered, their lips only inches apart, though he didn't kiss her.

Beatrice couldn't contain the smile that tugged at the corners of her lips. "And you know..I don't think I have either," she whispered back. "I have never before felt so.." she struggled for the right word, "..Free. As though I can tell you anything..and always be able to know you will listen." Beatrice looked down at her shoes. "I..don't talk about..my feelings much."

"Come to me. I will listen to you. I am always here for you, Bea. No matter what you think, I'm here," Grayton whispered into her ear, each word genuine.

Beatrice looked back up, straight into Grayton's eyes. "You really have no idea how much that means to me." Her voice was so soft, the light breeze nearly drowned out her words.

"And you have really no idea how much you mean to me," he said softly, his eyes locking with hers.

Beatrice's face reddened slightly, but her brown eyes sparkled even in the dim lighting. "Judging by how much you mean to me, I have a pretty good idea."

He blushed, the gentle moonlight causing his face to glow. "When my dad told me about his selection, I never dreamed that I could fall in love, or the difficulty of the decisions I would have to make. But now, it has all become reality. And I love it."

Beatrice smiled. "If you don't end up choosing me..I will still be able to look back and say with certainty that I haven't been this happy in almost as long as I can remember."

"What made things not so happy in the past?" Grayton asked her with genuine concern in his deep brown orbs.

Beatrice looked down. "Too much death," she murmured. "I felt as though the depression was drowning me..I was never able to get much sleep..I never felt like eating."

"I understand. When Reinette left me, I wouldn't eat for weeks, and after she got married, I almost called off the Selection." He paused. "And I'm thankful I didn't. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met you."

"I wouldn't have entered," Beatrice said softly. She looked back up, a tiny smile adorning her rose bud lips. "It was my dad and sister's idea."

Grayton's expression softened. "I'm glad your family made you enter, then."

Beatrice chuckled slightly. "More like they entered me and didn't tell me until I was selected. I was surprised, if I had to better myself, I don't think I would have expected to be chosen. Yet here I am, with you."

"And yet the prince himself has fallen in love with you," he said almost inaudibly

Beatrice heard him, and it made her face light up like a candle. "There are so many other girls, Grayton," she said in the smallest whisper. "Maybe one of whom you will find that you love more. But just know..I love you."

"That's what makes it hard. I love you too. But I have to carry on like I haven't found anyone yet. It kills me," Grayton whispered, tears daring to blur his vision.

Beatrice moved closer to him, so that her head leaned against his side as she continued to look at the stars. "I'm sorry this is so hard for you," she murmured softly.

"You can't do anything about it. I have enjoyed meeting such lovely girls," he stroked a strand of Beatrice's pastel hair and continued to let her rest her head on his side. "But you are by far the loveliest," he added in a whisper inaudible to even the most intent of listeners.

Beatrice nodded slowly, her gaze still resting on the diamond-like stars set in a soft black velvet sky. "I agree. From everyone I've met so far, Wendy is fun, Kya is so sweet, Estella is wise, Stella is playful, and Ashley is friendly."

"And you are beautiful-inside and out," Grayton smiled down at her, genuinely meaning his words.

Beatrice moved slightly closer to Grayton. "I have never been called 'beautiful'."

His eyes widened. "Are you joking? Never? Wow. It's amazing what beautiful things people miss when they care about themselves only. In way, that's kinda depressing. I'm surprised that you've never been called 'beautiful'. Beautiful describes you perfectly."

Beatrice smiled slightly, not knowing what to say. She had never had someone tell her something so sweet and sincere.

"You don't have to say anything. Let me do my end of the talking," Grayton whispered as he kissed her lips, his heart so content and happy in the moment.

She returned the kiss. "Sometimes the strongest of feelings can't be described in words, but in actions," Beatrice whispered against his lips.

"So true and so beautiful," he whispered breathlessly. "Exactly like you, mon amour."

Beatrice smiled as they pulled away. "You're the sweetest.." She hugged him gently.

He hugged her back, so in love with the girl with the rainbow in her hair. "I love you so, so much." Beatrice closed her eyes, wanting the moment to last forever as she rested in his strong arms.

Grayton took both of her hands and placed them over his neck. He leaned in and kissed her. "Beautiful," was all he could muster to say.

Beatrice's eyes grew slightly misty, simply because no one, not even Peter, had ever been able to make her feel so special. She tightened her arms ever so slightly around his neck, so that she could whisper in his ear. "I love you."

Grayton's heart stopped. By this point, Reinette was a flicker of a memory in his mind. "I love you more," he replied softly and breathlessly.

"Not possible," she said so soft her voice was barely a whisper. "I would literally be lost without you."

"And I..." One lone tear trailed down his cheek. "I'm not sad anymore. You found the magic in me," Grayton whispered, his heart dancing in the stars.

Beatrice gently brushed away the tear and planted a tiny kiss on his cheek. "It was always there," she told him,"You just needed someone to look for it."

"And you found it. And, I'm glad I helped you find your way," he smiled softly.

She nodded. "It's as if you are the lantern that lighted up my dark woods."

"Yes, and you were the star in my once sad nights, where I ignored it. Now, I've looked outside my window and seen the wonder, beauty, and majesty of a star, you, Bea. You are my lucky star. I saw you from afar, two lovely eyes at me they were gleaming, beaming. I'm all star struck," Grayton closed his eyes and savored the moment.

Beatrice let a single tear roll down her nose, sparkling in the moonlight. "How can anything be so perfect?" she whispered as a soft smile graced her pixie-like features.

"I'm honestly too star struck to answer. But you, my sweet Bea, are my star," Grayton whispered as he wiped away her tear while two rolled down his cheeks.

She laughed softly and used one finger to gently wipe his tears. "And you are my candle, the light in my darkness."

"Candle in the Wind," he smiled down at her.

Beatrice chuckled. "How would it not get blown out?" she whispered to him, her brown eyes sparkling under the starlight.

"Love is what blocks the wind," Grayton whispered, a flirtatious smile tugging at his lips.

Beatrice beamed, her cheeks still streaked with the tears of happiness she had shed. "That was the most poetic, adorable thing you have said since I met you."

"And you are the most poetic and adorable thing in my life." Tears of happiness streamed down his own cheeks as Grayton held her close.

Beatrice leaned slightly closer to kiss one of his wet cheeks. "I could say the same for you," she whispered. "You are sweet, adorable, fun, and poetic."

His eyebrows rose as he kissed her on her wet cheek. "You are my lucky star. When things get dark in my night, I think about you, and suddenly the darkness runs away. It can't bear to be in such a beautiful light in which such beautiful girl casts on my life."

She smiled up at him. "That could be a song."

He chuckled softly. "You're a songwriter. I bet you could whip up something, though I think two heads are better than one, yes?"

Beatrice chuckled with him. "I agree."

Grayton smiled down at her, his brown eyes locking with hers. "In that case, I think you may want to enlist yours truly! I'm at your service, mademoiselle! And, I want you to have this so you can remember tonight." He pulled out the bracelet box and opened it, Beatrice's eyes widening at the sight of the presumably priceless accessory.

"Grayton, you don't have to-"

"I insist, Bea. This is something I've held dear to my heart for a long time, and I want you to have it. It would look so beautiful on your wrist," he replied gently while he placed the bracelet around her wrist, locking the clasp into place. Grayton smiled at her joy as she threw her arms around him.

Beatrice wanted to cry. "Thank you so much. I...I'm afraid I don't deserve anything like this."

"But you do. You've made me happier than I'll ever know. Wear this for me, please," Grayton whispered as his eyes went to the bracelet, which seemed to sparkle brighter than the stars in the moonlight.

"Thank you, Grayton..."

"You're welcome, Bea.."