Waiting till he was out of hearing, Finn asked Bryony quietly, “Are you alright, Princess Bryony?”

Nodding, Bryony wiped at the tears blurring her vision. “I’m fine,” she lied, “and it’s just Bryony, remember?” She bumped shoulders with him. “And you?”

Finn shrugged but smiled shyly. “Thank you for defending me, Lady Bryony.”

“Of course.” Maybe she was awful at defending herself, but Bryony wouldn’t let Anya treat him cruelly. “And don’t think I didn’t notice that title.” Seeing Sedrick returning, she gave a little scream and started running. “Run, Sir Finn! The dragon is going to eat us!”

Finn quickly followed, and the game went on until Bryony and Finn collapsed on the ground, clutching their stomachs from hard laughter as Sedrick circled them and made various noises while pretending to stalk his prey. Still under the tree, Anya nodded off at some point.

Rolling to her stomach when she stopped laughing, Bryony asked Finn, “Having fun?”

“Yes, thank you, Lady Bryony,” Finn replied, trying to stop giggling.

“Almost there, just call me Bryony.” Pushing herself up on her elbows so her chin rested in one hand, Bryony poked Finn’s shoulder. “Because we’re best friends now, right?”

Finn stopped giggling, looking at her with surprise. “R-Really? Do you want to be friends? I thought you saying it just to annoy Princess Anya.”

“You’re my knight, why can’t we be friends, too?” Bryony paused. “Do you want to be friends?” she asked hesitantly. Maybe she’d been too pushy; maybe he didn’t like her.

“I do!” Finn said quickly, flopping onto his stomach and nodding quickly. “I mean, yes, Prin- Bryony,” he corrected. “But, as Princess Anya said, you’re royalty. What if your parents…”

“I don’t care what they say,” Bryony stressed. “Only what you think. And you… really want to be my friend?” When Finn nodded determinedly, she smiled to hide her relief. “Then no matter what, you’re my best friend now. Right?”

Finn’s smile was bright. “Right… Bryony.”