"I can manage that, I guess," I mutter. I know the Queen loves to eat lunch in the palace gardens where the air is warmest and many plants that require more sun can grow. We get there right before the Queen arrives and she brings Prince Nico in tow with her. He bows to me and Matthew.

"Greetings Princess Nakita and Prince Matthew," Prince Nico says. He approaches me and takes my hand. I feel a tension build as he puts his other hand on my shoulder, insert himself between the distance between me and Matthew, and then he steers me to the table which is already laid with food.

"Easy Prince Nico I would hate if you hurt my best friend," Matthew says with a wary voice. "for I would have to do the same to you," he warns.

 "I don't mean to be stiff, but there is something we discuss at this lunch, futures are changing," Nico retorts.

 "No. First, we eat then we can discuss the task I gave you two, then Prince Nico can tell you about my plan to assure you marry sooner than later," the Queen interjects, "Your father approves of my plan," she says. 

 "Let's eat, then," I say. We all dig in but due to an uneasy feeling about my mother's plan makes my appetite run low. I eat what seems like a mountain of food to me then I look expectantly at my mom and at Nico. "Matthew and I decided that instead of sending magi stones to the Fire Kingdom we could send people and they can have dual citizenship in the Kingdoms," I say then wait for my mom and Nico to share their plan. Nico looks at me with a brief smirk then starts talking. 

 "The Queen has made me agree to send you to the Earth Kingdom to see if their Prince is suitable to you better than me, you will stay there for a month. I promise this on one ground, if you do not think he is more suitable we will marry the week after you return-" Nico pauses briefly and I can't help but feel a flit of anger bubble inside of me. He continues "and if you think he is more suitable then I will support your decision and help as much as I can with your wedding," he explains. My head hurts now and I thought I had a while before I had to be married.

"I just got here. I was planning to spend the week with you here. Then this, what am I supposed to do now, and you said you'd bring the seasonal chill," Matthew says disappointedly. I can't believe my mom and dad agreed to this last minute as it was. My head is pounding now. Nico looks at Matthew and laughs for a second then he turns back to me.

"I hope you make the right decision Princess," he says almost mournfully. They continue to eat in silence and as I get up to go inside my mom speaks up. I want to cry but I already have spots in my vision.

 "Prince Ryusaki Kanari has been sent word of your coming. You will leave tomorrow," the Queen says. I pause knowing she has more to say. "Your items have been packed," she continues. "see you three Dears at dinner," she says. I walk through the door and run into my good friend the General Kaname Hyatae.

 "Princess I was just coming to see yo-" he's saying as I just collapse.