Just like always, she ate breakfast with her hands, leaving crumbs everywhere. 

I eyed the mess critically. “I’m not sure you will pass your proper princess test at this rate.”

“In real life, I’ll eat as I please. But for the test, you have no worries. It will be all too easy.”

“Do you even know how to dance?”

Her smug demeanor dissipated. “Dance? Uh…well…of course. Doesn’t everyone?”

“You mean you know how to dance like you know how to read?”

She scowled back. “Of course you goons have your own version of everything, thinking you’re better than everyone else. But you'll see. It won’t be a problem for me at all.”

Smirking at her obvious bluff, I stood from the table. “If you’re such the professional, then why don’t you show me?” 

My hand held out to help her up, but she left it hanging and stood on her own. At first, her face held a look of confidence and determination but soon faded to uncertainty. Her lost eyes started to roam around the floor. 

Taking her hand, I set it on my shoulder. “This hand goes here. And your other goes in mine. And then the man puts his other hand at the lady's waist, like this.” 

Her gaze wandered everywhere but towards me. The slight raising of an eyebrow and stiffening lips all spoke of her discomfort. So, the princess wasn’t entirely fearless. I wasn’t sure why, but I found it rather amusing. 

“Now, follow my lead.” I took slow steps for her to match. 

All of this reminded me of when I once learned to dance. Back then, she was still with the fairies, and I had imagined that one day we would dance together when older. I tried to picture her as grown up. And that she gave me the biggest smile as if I was her favorite person in the world. 

But reality and past dreams were vastly abroad. She would probably never look at me that way. I was only lucky going one day without her looking like she wanted to murder me. 

Picking up the pace, I was surprised that she kept up, though her timing and elegance were greatly lacking. 

She finally looked up at me. “See. I told you it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Is that so, Princess?” I pulled her even closer to me, keeping my gaze deep into hers. 

She yanked out of my hold. “It’s uh…time for my other lessons now.” 

“Just as I thought,” I whispered to myself as she walked away. 

~*~

I jostled the shoulders of the princess who had fallen asleep on the desk. “You aren’t going to learn anything if you sleep during your lessons.”

Her tired eyes fluttered open for a moment. “I stayed up all night reading so how am I supposed to stay awake?”

“Was it really that interesting?”

“It was like nothing I have ever read. Not that I have ever read much. Gnomes usually recite poems and don’t write much down. But it was definitely written by a gnome. There were so many gnome-like things and traditions in it. I wonder if a gnome lived in this castle once. Nothing else makes sense.”

I tapped on the papers in front of her. “It matters not. Focus on your lessons. Once you learn to read, then you have countless other books you can go through.”

After giving an annoyed face, she went back to translating but didn’t take long to start chattering again. “The book even mentioned eating mushroom soup. Have you really never had any?”

“I already told you no. Now focus.”

“Then I should make some. I’m sure we could find some in the forest.”

“We aren’t going to the forest. Get back to work.”

Her murderous look returned for a moment before she returned to writing. I didn’t wish to upset her, but trudging through the muddy ground to collect food wasn't suitable for a princess. Perhaps, I could make it up to her in another way. 

“When your lesson is finished, we may go on a horse ride.”

“I don’t want to,” she answered in a melancholy tone. 

As the day continued, my regret started to grow. Her glum attitude flooded every word and look she gave. Part of me didn’t want to give in. A princess needed to learn they couldn’t pout over everything they couldn’t have. But those eyes… I only wanted to see them glow with delight again. 

During supper, she sat and ate nothing.

I found myself not eating as well. “Is mushroom soup really that important to you?”

“It's not important to me, but it is important.”

“You make no sense.”  

Her eyes finally met mine. “Or maybe you only fail to understand. So, are we going to the forest or not?”

For the first time, I wondered if it was all just an act, like one big game, trying to manipulate me to change my mind. Did she understand the power she was starting to have over me? Surely I was only over thinking things. 

“We may go to the forest tomorrow,” I said calmly before she could pick up on my inner conflict. I wasn’t sure if it was a mistake to keep giving in to her. But the elders did say to keep her happy. Maybe it was time to stop caring so much. 

She smiled contently to herself without a look of surprise and finally ate. 

~*~

“Slow down, Princess!” I hollered at the swift body that nearly disappeared behind the trees. 

She poked her head back at me with a playful smile. “I think you just are too slow.” 

It seemed she still enjoyed criticizing me. 

I stopped in annoyance. “We have been out here long enough. Get your mushrooms and let’s be rid of here.”

“Is the prince a bit scared of the deep, dark forest? Besides, yesterday you said we could go to the forest, you never said anything about mushrooms.”

“I am the king, not a prince, my voice edged out. “And that’s the reason you said you wanted to go.”

Unfazed, her look of wonder continued as she walked on. “This forest is quite different from the ones the gnomes live in. And look, what’s this?” She neared a large, fuzzy caterpillar with bright colors climbing on a tree branch. “I haven’t ever seen this kind.” She lifted a finger towards it. 

“Don’t touch it! It might be poisonous.” 

To my surprise she actually listened. But not to my surprise, she made a face. “Now you sound just like Chemy.”

I shook my head at the fact that she was comparing me to a gnome. “Let’s rest a moment,” I said mostly to change the subject as I sat on a fallen log. 

“You rest, I think I see some mushrooms over there.”

I watched as she knelt down and inspected the ground. In no time, I’m sure her dress would be total mud. Mostly unsuccessful, I tried not to let it bother me. I knew that practically it didn’t matter. Even a hundred dresses being ruined and thrown away had no true consequence. But yet something inside of me simply wanted her to act properly. Was it because the thought of being married to someone who acted like a ruffian and a child was bothering? It did sound quite unfit for a king. 

But still…when I looked at her…I couldn’t help but admit that I did care about her. 

She glanced back at me. Quickly, I looked away, hoping she hadn’t noticed me staring the entire time. Was I becoming weak? 

A small object then hit my shoulder and bounced off. I looked up. Was something falling from the trees? 

I felt it again from behind. Turning, I saw the princess still tending to the ground, completely oblivious to anything else. Once again, I looked around. When it happened a third time, I saw that it was a small rock. But a rock wouldn’t be falling from the sky. At least, it shouldn’t be. 

This time when I looked towards the princess, I caught her with a rock in hand about to throw it. So it was her. She quickly dropped it and looked away, hoping I hadn’t noticed. What was she mad at me for this time? Was she upset I had scolded her about the caterpillar? 

Stomping to her, I grabbed her arm, yanking her up. “There aren’t even any mushrooms here, are there? The games are over, we are leaving.” 

She shoved my grip away with a glare. “It’s not my fault that this place has lame forests with no mushrooms.” 

“Then you won’t be sad when we leave.”

“Hey, what’s this over here?” She ran off, totally ignoring me. Her feet took no hesitation splashing in the lake she charged at. “Wow, it’s so big! Much bigger than the lakes in the gnomes forest. Let’s go swimming! 

Her smile soon faded as she saw my disapproving stare. 

“Absolutely not. I already told you we are leaving now. You are already dirt covered and don’t need to be drenched as well.”

She only walked in deeper till the water went up to her knees. “Or maybe the royal prince is scared of a little bit of water.” 

Her swift hand splashed an attack of water right at me. I wasn’t sure what bothered me more, that or the fact she referred to me as a prince again when she knew better. But I had enough of it. It was now clear to me she simply despised me still. Even after everything I had tried to do for her…and she only hated me. 

My fury sent me into the water after her. I knew she wouldn’t listen, so taking her by force was the only option. As I got closer, she kept sending splashes at me, only adding to my rage. 

Once in front of her, instead of grabbing her like I once planned, I found myself pushing her full force backwards into the water. Instantly, I regretted it, but it was too late. Her entire body splashed and then disappeared into the lake. 

Taking a panicked step, I was about to reach out to help her, but she quickly got up on her own. But what I didn’t expect to see was the biggest smile on her face. It turned to a full laugh as if she was having the best time of her life. Her eyes found mine, looking at me as if I had done something amazing. 

So all this time perhaps…she hadn’t done those things out of spite. And only was playing and wanted me to join in. Now feeling a fool, I only stared dimwittedly back at her. 

She giggled again. “Perhaps he’s not scared of the water after all.” After sending one more attack of water at me, she jumped back in and started to swim away. 

Still unable to move, it was like her smile put a spell on me. To see her so happy… It was almost as things used to be. Like we had always known each other and things never changed. So why not let it be like that? 

I jumped in after her. As I started to catch up, she turned with a squeal and then tried to swim even faster. But her little arms were no match for mine. Once behind her, I was unsure of what to do. My hand had accidentally touched her foot, but I ended up grabbing ahold of it. She seemed to like that as she kicked and giggled. Should I take it a step further? 

Okay, Princess, I can show you fun. 

This time, I took both of her feet and yanked her under the water. As she emerged again, her smile proved my success. She placed her hands on my shoulders, attempting to dunk me under. It didn’t work, but she kept trying, giggling the entire time. Surprisingly, I found myself smiling as well.

Next, I took both of her wrists prisoner. She tried to wiggle free but finally gave up. Letting go, I reached for her hair and pulled out a piece of seaweed. I somehow found myself enjoying the simple still moment where I got to look into her eyes. 

She finally looked away. “Oh uh…hey, let’s swim to the other side.”

As she took off, I paused a moment. What would it have been like if she hadn’t ever been taken by the gnomes? We would have been married a couple years by now. Would we have had fun like this? Or only a marriage of duty? It was strange to think about.