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"Hmm, that's true. And I bet we both have lords and ladies and dukes and duchesses." Adele stopped and looked at Caelan curiously. "What's on your mind?" She asked, an expression of curiosity and concern on her face.
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"Us. You and me. What if your family tries to hurt me--or worse? I love you and I just don't want either of us hurt... I wanna have a life with you, not just the little time we've had and I'm...I'm scared, Adele."
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Adele's eyes showed compassion and sorrow as she wrapped an arm around Caelan. For a little while she just sat there, hoping her prescence was enough. Finally she said, "I can't promise that they won't hurt you. My family isn't usually the violent type, but it is definitely a possibility. Whatever happens, just know that I'll always be by your side, standing with you." She paused, then said in a more tremulous voice, "But I'm scared too."
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"But why are you scared? You aren't from the supposed 'evil and horrible kingdom'..." He asked softly in a nervous tone
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Adele's face hardened slightly as Caelan spoke. "Are you saying I have no right to be scared?" Her temper grew as she thought about everything that she was terrified of currently. "I LITERALLY have one of the world's 'most dangerous' magical powers, I'm the heir of the 'good kingdom' smack in the middle of the 'evil kingdom', and right now I'm disobeying every single rule my parents ever taught me! I'm staying in a place I've only ever read about and seen paintings of, and I am sitting next to the 'evil' heir of the 'evil kingdom'!" Her tone of anger softened to vulnerability and fear as she continued, looking into the prince's eyes. "I have every right to be scared right now, just like you. But if being scared means being with you and maybe even uniting our kingdoms, I'd be terrified every day just to have those things."
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Caelan winced when she said 'evil heir', but waited for her to finish speaking. He smirked and crashed his lips hungrily against hers, pulling her into his lap.
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Adele jumped a little at his sudden movement, but was too overwhelmed to really think right now. So she allowed Caelan to kiss her, glad she had gotten those words out. Everything she had just said was bubbling over in her brain, making her almost dizzy. It was all true. She was a horrible princess, daughter, and person in general. Adele couldn't really see how the prince loved her so much, but she knew why she loved him. He was so caring and attentive and... 'Best not to get into why I disobeyed my parents yet,' She thought, and brought herself back to the present. Caelan was still kissing her, and she was happy to kiss him back. But she would need food soon. Adele hadn't eaten since the small snack of pastries and lemonade more than four hours ago.
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Caelan broke away after a while with a soft smile. "I didn't mean to surprise you, it's just you looked like you were on the edge of yelling and hysterics..." He admitted with a small chuckle. "Supper should be ready by now, my love"He said, standing up and offering his arm to her. They walked downstairs to the dining room where his mother stopped him at the door. "How long is this one going to last, Caelan?" She snapped. "Whatever are you talking about, mother? I've never had a personal servant!" Caelan exclaimed, surprised his mother would suggest such a thing. His mother strode across to Adele, still glaring daggers. "And you....don't fall for him. He's a bastard and a useless beast!" She exclaimed, striding off as Caelan had to use every ounce of his being to keep from lunging at his mother. "I'm gonna speak with her for even saying that to you. She's...mean and rude to say the least." He murmured softly in Adele's ear, leading her to her seat beside him. Caelan thanked the servants who brought out dinner and ate while his parents glared at him the whole time.
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Adele smiled back at him. "It's okay. It definitely stopped me from screaming." She took his arm and followed Caelan to the dining hall. Adele decided she was not going to show she was afraid of the queen, so instead of cowering like she usually did, Adele stood taller and lifted her chin, eyeing Caelan's mother with fierce determination. She let the prince do the talking, but it felt good to stand up to her. Even if she had said such horrible things about him. Adele whispered back to Caelan before they sat down, "I think I could do just as much for saying such awful things about you!" Adele ate the food hungrily but daintily, giving a defiant look back at the king and queen whenever their eyes met.
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Caelan's father pulled him aside mid-meal. "Yes, sir?" Caelan drawled, aready bored. "Have you found a nice young lady yet?" His father inquired, face expressionless as always. "In fact I have. You'll love her, she'd quite nice and fiercly devoted to her kingdom." He said with a smile, easily keeping from naming the woman. "And her name?" The king pressed. "Ah, I can't tell you that yet. Raincheck on it, hm?" Caelan snapped in a hushed tone, walking back over to Adele. "About done, darling?" He asked softly, touching her forearm lightly
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