Most people would find it remarkable, that in the many years Eugene and Tiffany have known each other, they had never fought. Of course there had been arguments, about which one of the two wore the finest clothes, or who would get to eat the last strawberry tart, but it was never enough to call a proper fight. What was even more unique, was that the two were eager to share their belongings with the other. Eugene happily finished Tiffany’s abandoned embroidery projects, while Tiffany was living it up with Eugene’s practice swords. This could only mean one thing to the kings and queens of Capturia and Supricia: the two were made for one another, and they had done a good job by betrothing them to each other. Of course, the promise had been made long before the prince and princess could walk or talk or let alone argue, but it felt good to have their decision reaffirmed.

It would be the perfect relationship between the children, as well as their kingdoms. The plan was as follows: with Tiffany as Eugene’s wife, Tiffany’s hypothetical younger brother would have a foot in the door, negotiating with the kingdom of Supricia, which was much larger and wealthier than Capturia. And now that it became clear that Tiffany would remain an only child, not only the eldest son and daughter of the king and queen of Supricia would become the king and queen of their own respective kingdoms, but their youngest son as well, which doubled their bragging rights. And everything seemed to be just fine, until a certain moment, six years ago.

“Father, why are ‘Gene and I engaged to be married?” Tiffany, then seven years old, asked. She looked at her father, who awkwardly shifted in the oak desk chair of his study.

The question in itself was innocent enough, but the king knew that one of such questions could send all of his future plans for Tiffany, which he had built so carefully, tumbling down in one fell swoop. But he couldn’t just wave her off. The result of that could be much worse. No, he would have to think his answer through with the utmost care.

“You are engaged to be married…” he started cautiously, “because it will be good for the both of you and for our wonderful kingdom. Just you believe me, Tiffany, your mother and I only want what’s best for you.”

Tiffany gave this due consideration. Her face was like an open book and her father read it like no other. When a smile returned to Tiffany’s face, the king found that, to his relief, he could breathe again.

“Alright. If you say so,” she said.

*

It had been another three years until Tiffany brought up the subject again.

At this point, Tiffany was ten years old and and would read anything in her mother and father’s library. This was much to her parents’ approval, because the more she read, the less time she would spend on her explorations and the safer she would be. But what exactly she read, they didn’t really mind. That was, until Tiffany asked the following question:

“Mother, are you in love with father?”

“Excuse me?” the queen asked, startled.

The princess didn’t look up from her book, sitting in her perch in the window seat of the library in part because she just got to a very exciting bit in her book, but mostly because she didn’t dare to look her mother in the eye. “Are you in love with father?”

“Oh you sweet child, why ask such silly questions?” the Queen asked, attempting to look calmer as she thought of her answer. After all, how would you tell your daughter that you’d never really loved her father, and that she, in all probability, would never love her future husband?

“Well, this book says that people get married when they’re in love, and that being in love feels like tickly butterflies in your stomach, but I’d sooner feel that way for the cook’s strawberry tarts than for Eugene….” and while the cook’s strawberry tarts were unmatched in their flavour, she still felt something wasn’t exactly right.

The queen stood up from her chair and walked over to Tiffany to pet her hair. “Oh my love, sometimes you just have to learn to love something. Sooner or later the penny will drop and you’ll find your way,” she told her daughter. “Some men are just like coffee,” she quickly added.

“Coffee?” Tiffany asked, frowning.

“Coffee,” the queen confirmed. “Disgusting when you get your first taste, but the older you get, the better it will taste. Just you believe me, Tiffany, I’m sure you and Eugene will grow up to be a very happy couple.”

Tiffany tilted her head in thought, but soon nodded. “Alright. If you say so.”

The queen patted her head and pressed a kiss against her forehead.

There. Crisis averted.