He had seen the book. Moved her paint box to see the cover and then his attitude changed. They needed to talk. Ha. Of course they did. Now she knew something she wasn't supposed to know. At least it wasn't fae court. The fae were always very convincing when it came to shutting people up. Or sending them away.

.

Taeya appeared moments after the prince left, Freyja was frozen, staring at the book. "We need to talk" was the phrase any normal person would fear. Especially when he reacted in such a way. Freyja gulped, stumbling through her morning routine blindly. She was shoved in the bath and told to scrub- she couldn't be damaged for the wedding. Taeya rambled on and on about her schedule. She had four hours to herself and the morning routine was part of it. Because after details were wrapped up with the prince it was time for her fitting to make sure the dress still fit her perfectly. She figured it would be a bit loose now. Taeya was fussing over how much weight Freyja had lost since the journey began.

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Once Taeya left, Freyja felt sore from all of the scrubbing done. And her corset felt tighter than normal, then again. She's only worn one three times since her arrival. The princess let out a hefty sigh and made her way to the kitchens.

.

As expected, no one seemed necessarily excited to see her and no one immediately offered their help. They just looked at her sideways and continued to prepare the lunch for the fae as she looked around for what she needed to make her cookies. She started on the dough, adding extra chocolate chips, and then looked around for a baking sheet. Eventually, she did have to ask and several hands pointed in the direction of a cupboard labeled 'Baking Sheets'. Freyja laughed nervously and grabbed two, walking back to her station to grease the pans and lay the dough spaced apart evenly. She was glad to finally shove them in the oven. She headed back to her area to clean up her mess, she even did her own dishes- much to the surprise of everyone else in the kitchen at the moment.

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By the time the cookies were done, her mess was gone and she even managed to get the flour off of her dress. Freyja grabbed one sheet and a maid grabbed the other. The princess thanked her with a smile. Setting them down, she was handed a plate and a spatula from another and she set to getting the cookies off of the sheets. She had purposely made too many. She took twelve of the eighty-four cookies and left the rest there. The fae had to grab another plate so her fingers wouldn't get tainted by the chocolate that was still warm and gooey. Her first stop was the infirmary, since she was in a rush, she handed it to the healer. "For Aleks. And if he doesn't want them, you can have them or give them to another patient," She informed the other, handing over two of the precious cookies. She sent two more to Montague and another two to Claude. No idea whether they would like them or not. She took another two and sent the rest off to Ronwyn.

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Freyja knocked slowly on Keenan's door, teetering in the hallway on her feet. Not a very princess like thing to do, but she was nervous. And anxious. Never a good combination. Who knew she would ever dread planning her own wedding? Ha.

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"Keenan, I've brought cookies!" She smiled, trying to fake it till she makes it and hopefully the day would go by just fine. But even now, the lit in her stomach was telling her that that was not the case. And this close to the wedding she couldn't cancel planning and not to mention the fitting! She should have stayed away, baking cookies until someone was sent to find her only to find the princess covered in flour and eggs. But no. Responsible. Freyja's middle name, right after people pleaser. She sighed, rubbing her eyes with her arm. So much to do in so little time.

Rubbing his eyes, Keenan opened the door to see Freyja there holding cookies, he gave her a weak smile, “Come in,” he said stepping back.

He closed the door behind her. He was grateful that the bruising was at least fading, hopefully she wouldn’t ask about it. He didn’t need that mess right now. He graciously accepted one of the cookies and gestured for her to take a seat. He sat on a chair to her left, rather than in front of her and behind the desk. “I apologise for the mess, it has been a very long morning so far,” he took a small bite of the cookie, the sugary sweetness filling his mouth, he hadn’t eaten anything like this for the longest time.

“We have a lot to discuss. Should we start with what was in that book? I feel like it would be better that you hear the truth from me, rather than a rumour down the grape vine,” he said with a sigh, “I am assuming you have now noticed that I smell slightly different to other vampires. I have no idea what it would smell like to Fae but to us it smells almost like danger, it’s a feeling you sense that is linked to my actual scent,” he bit his lip trying to think of the best way to say it with out sounding like a complete monster, “I was declared a blood traitor for killing my own brother… no killing sounds to gentle. As far as this court is concerned I murdered my brother. Most believe that it was a power grab, that I always wanted the throne. It could not be further from the truth however, my father did not want to harm the reputation of his favourite, now dead son.”

Keenan shifted uncomfortably, “the truth will always come out eventually. It was not a fun few years. I will spare you the details of that however,” he carefully removed his jacket, “my own brother attempted to kill me, knowing full well that my father would just claim it was an unfortunate accident. He slit my throat with a silver knife,” Keenan touched the scar around his neck, “I still have the brand on my back near my left shoulder. What was done cannot be undone and so the vampire healers refuse to treat me until I am king, when they will have no choice. That is why we still have mages. I am willing to answer any questions you may have,” he said gently.

He sighed, there was also the issue of the wedding, “As much as neither of us actually want to go through with the wedding, it is the only thing stopping my father from having me executed. We have to play the part, at least some what convincingly. How is your dress fitting going?”

[Sorry it's short I ran out of time]

[Literally fine XD]

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Freyja sat, quietly nibbling on her cookie. The prince didn't waste time explaining his reaction towards the book. He did seem a little run down and his face seemed dark, but perhaps it was the lighting or her eyes playing tricks on her. Blood traitor. She heard the Witch Clans had something similar, only it tainted whoever killed the witch. She nodded, not saying much. Mostly because the poor redhead was too tired to do anything but she was still booked until dinnertime. And she'd be taking it in her room.

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"I appreciate your confession prince, but I'd like you to know that it is our flaws that make us unique. Besides, I refuse to have a too attractive husband. Imagine! Outshinibg me on my special day! Bagh!" She grunted, rolling her eyes on those last words. "And my final fitting is at four. So we have time. I am just so excited to be poked with pins and yelled at for not keeping my diet constant. It really is a beautiful dress though. I love it," She said, finishing off her cookie with a shrug. The gown took after the ancient Fae's more simple gowns and when she tried it on original it draped perfectly. She felt like a Goddess in that gown. Now, it seems, she was facing the consequences of comparing herself.

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"Anyways, planning. Can you see to it that there are no roses? I despise them." She said, snapping a bit at the last part before waving it off. "I apologize, I am very tired. Also, I think I have to hunt down Montague. He's yet to come and claim his Jacket."

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Freyja stood, no longer being able to sit without falling asleep in the chair. As she paced circles, she bit her lip. "I think we only have to plan our honeymoon. Could we tour the country? Wherever is safe though. And if you're alright with it, I don't want a slew of people going along with us. The inner circle and my two servants, Taeya and Ronwyn. And then the bare minimum guard. And only ones you trust because when we return all eyes will be on us and we will one: need to figure out how to be convincingly, two: I want to be able to be ourselves for just a while longer. Pre marriage selves. You know? And we can even start planning for the future while we're away from prying ears. I know you vampires have different ways of having heirs, but the fae back home will write me down as the most useless queen in history. But that is something to discuss when the time comes."

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The Princess made her way back to her seat and sighed, leaning back and closing her eyes. "Anything you'd like to add, highness? I hope my relatives and their allies are behaved. I still want everything to be perfect even under our circumstances. Oh, God's. I'm rambling. I'm sorry. I'm so... sleepy," She yawned the last words, rubbing her eyes to hopefully wake herself up. The future was also an iffy thing to talk about in any situation. As royals, they must plan everything and more often than not follow strict schedules with hardly any time to themselves. Freyja had been spoiled these past few days, being allowed to do as she pleased. She could only imagine that she'll just continue being a pretty face. Even if Keenan asked her for advice, it wouldn't be until they were King and Queen that she would actually be making decisions. It made her want to smile at that thought.

Keenan smiled at the princess, there was a genuine kindness too it but he was weary. She seemed so kind, willing to brush off things that disturbed members of his own species. He sighed softly, “I never wanted to be king, never wanted that kind of responsibility but life has a strange way of working out sometimes,” he said quietly.

He took notes while Freyja spoke, at least his hand had stopped shaking and his handwriting was finally legible, “No roses. Of course, I will send word to the florist that was selected. I’m sure they can use something else instead.”

She seemed so happy when she spoke about her dress. Despite her exhaustion, she had a lightness about her. Perhaps they could be happy together. Ending things with Aleksander was inevitable, everyone knew that. That was why they spoke for so long the night before. They knew that they would always have to keep their relationship secret. Keenan’s reputation was already tarnished so it would not matter when he was King but Aleks was young, he had many years ahead of him, he did not need the reputation of being the kings pet, Keenan would not ask that of him. They agreed to remain friends and Aleks would be staying with his inner circle but Keenan wanted him to move on, He wanted Aleks to be able to get married or at least have a public relationship with whoever he chooses.

“Most of the country is safe to tour. I have a distant cousin that controls the north side. We could stay with her for a day or so and enjoy the proximity to the beach?” he suggested, “What about your people, do you wish to return there for a visit? As for guards it may be sufficient to take the inner circle, all including myself have military experience so everyone would be very safe.”

He frowned when she mentioned their own children. He had never wanted children but as king he would have to produce an heir, he had never thought about how raising a fledgling may affect her and rumour surrounding her. “So, you want us to have our own children? If that is what you want and what will make you happy, I am willing to try, but we would need to have a stronger relationship in marriage than just friends. My father was only with my mother so she could produce heirs and that she came from a powerful family. They were more like friends than anything but it made things awkward especially as a child. Rumours follow and I want any child I raise to have a better childhood than I did,” he said softy.

Keenan offered her a small smile when she said she was sleepy. He yawned himself, “It has been a long day. I am just hoping we can get through the wedding without any incidents.”

He wondered if his father would be happy. Keenan was doing exactly what he wanted but it probably still wouldn’t be enough. Keenan was the wrong son and his father would never let him forget it. He wondered if the King would ever step down. It was usual for the king to step down not long after the heir is married and settled. The King usually retired to the countryside or hung around as an advisor if that was what their children wished. Keenan’s first act as king would be banishing his father. No one could change his mind on that.

double xp

Freyja nodded along absent-mindedly. "I'd want one. But you don't have to be the father. And then there's fae fertility. We might have to adopt. Wouldn't that be nice? You, Aleks, and me? I think the kid would have a very strong character. I wouldn't want to put any child through everything that's considered normal for royals. But that's far into the future. I'm still young even if you're an old bloke," She said with a tired grin. Early turn in this go around. Then lots of sleep until the wedding.

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"Keenan? Tell me something about you.... something interesting. I've got another three hours and we agree on too much for planning to take so long. I hardly know anything about you, if I'm being honest. I don't know your favorite color or ...or flower or... instrument. I don't even know your middle name. I feel close to you without even knowing you and that disturbs me." She sighed through her nose. She was rambling again. Always rambling on and on. Perhaps that was one of her good flaws. "Actually, one more wedding plan. I don't want a bouquet of flowers. Unless they're fake."

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She wouldn't risk the flowers decaying in her hands as she walked down the aisle. The people back home would call her a witch. She may never even see them again but the people here? What would they think if their queen couldn't even touch a flower?

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Her eyelids were becoming heavier by the moment, and being comfortable with Keenan wasn't helping. If it were any other noble. Even his inner circle that she was sure only tolerated her because she was the bride to be and the ticket of survival for Aleks and Keenan. She would be wide awake with them. "Highness, sometime I wish... that you were truly one of the monsters from our terror tales. I'd feel much better then, I think. I'd be sleepy in my own chambers instead of actually conversation with you. You're much too nice to me, Keenan, dear. Much to nice," She yawned, her last few sentences hardly mumbles. But she meant every word. One one hand, she had her ever-perfect-yet-Territoria male Cassian who loved her and on the other she had the not perfect whatsoever enemy prince who was nice to her and listened to what she had to say. For once in her life, she didn't have to worry about someone simply attaching her name to theirs. She wouldn't fade into just a pretty face.

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The princess yawned deeply and curled in closer to herself, kicking off her pumps to place her feet on the inner seat. She didn't have anything to worry for anymore. She had four days till she married someone who had respect for her and hopefully soon after, the King would magically disappear so she wouldn't have to pretend to be romantic with Keenan.

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"Keenan, how are we going to tell everyone we aren't having relations after the King is gone?" The world would shift. If by that time, if only the staff listened to her, she'd be doomed. "You'll keep me as queen, right?" She muttered, the words barely audible. The genuine concern coated her tone though as the thought processed but quickly passed as sleep tightened its grip upon her.

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(Bit short, like Freyja. I need a nap)

Keenan rolled his eyes, “I am young for a Vampire, thank you. If I am old, then that makes my father ancient,” he said with a chuckle, “I could agree with adoption. The people would not accept a child if you were the mother, but I was not the father. There would be rumours about my incompetency and then our relationship, thus our suitability to rule,” he sighed, wishing things could be simple, but that was never the way the world worked, “the sooner the King has an heir, the sooner his rule is secure. That is why despite our differences, my father has not yet had me executed.”

Keenan sighed when she asked him to tell her something interesting about himself, “I promise, I’m not actually that interesting. My middle name is Lucian after my grandfather on my mother’s side,” he offered her a small smile, “see not that exciting,” he paused while he thought about her other questions, “My father made me learn how to play piano when I was younger, haven’t touched an instrument out of spite since. I prefer music as a whole when someone else is playing it. Does it make me a big scary vampire to say my favourite colour is red?’ he chuckled to himself, “I don’t care for flowers particularly but now you have to tell me. I especially want to know what causes your distain for flowers considering you don’t want a bouquet.”

Keenan frowned when she asked about the future, “I don’t know. I am not sure how the people would react to us being married but not romantically. I don’t know where that leaves us. Our situation is difficult, especially with you not being a vampire. If anything happened to me, you could not remain on the throne unless you agreed to the transformation as per our laws.”

Keenan sighed, this whole situation was so complicated. He had to stop thinking about himself and do what was best for the country and his people, perhaps his father was right. Keenan was too preoccupied to notice Claude storm in with the other two inner circle members in tow. “What is this I hear about you ending things with Aleks?” she demanded.

Aleks blushed and looked away, “I tried to stop her.”

“Are you just giving up? Kee, I have known you for centuries and you have never given up, even when your own father pressed the brand into your back so he wouldn’t have to admit that your brother had tried to kill you, even in the war when it looked like we would lose and we were slowly starving, even when you were locked away and starved. Why give up now when you are so close to getting what you want?” Claude said angrily.

Claude lifted a hand as if she was going to smack him on the top of the head. Keenan flinched as she got closer. Claude frowned, kindness replacing the anger. She touched the bruising on his cheek, “What happened Kee,” she said gently, “Monty go and fetch a cold compress,” she said shooing the man off.

She paused her interrogation to smile at Freyja, “Sorry to interrupt princess. I had to stop him doing something stupid,” she turned back to face Keenan, “He actually hit you this time. That’s a lot of bruising but then with the strength of an immortal behind it,” she sighed, “What did he threaten you with this time?” she asked, her voice softening.

Keenan hated being put on the spot, it made him anxious, now was no exception, he hung his head. He really didn’t want to repeat it but Claude was not going to leave until she got her answer, “He threaten to execute me, leave me in the sun to die. Hell, I know it would be a horrible way to go but then he promised to after you, that was if I ruined this wedding. If I ruined the marriage, he threatened to have my whipped in the town square and then lock me in the dungeon again.”

Keenan shuddered and it was enough to make Claude snarl. “What if the king was dead?” she suggested.

Keenan gasped, “Claude no, that would be treason.”

“Think about it at least. You can wait until after the wedding. It wouldn't be the first time this has happened in our history,” Claude said with a shrug.

The Princess had nearly fallen asleep, the prince speaking and well... giving her the answers she asked for, was Luke a lullaby and she was grateful for it. Even though her whole body wanted to protest the action, she almost started to answer the flowers question. She was interrupted by the inner circle barging through the doors and started yelling at Keenan. That immediately gave her a headache and she wanted to roll over until she heard why Claude was yelling.

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Keenan had called it off? And then let her ramble about raising the heirs with Aleks as part of their parents? Freyja was immediately on her feet. She'd been so tired, she really had been fooled by the light. Taking it slow since her body decided it wanted to wobble, but she wasn't going to yell her next words for hearing ears in the hallway. Freyja cleared her throat and smiled, "Keenan, please tell me you did not let me go on about raising a child with Aleks and you. Keyword: and. As in all of us. Just to have you call it off? Excuse me? I thought it was already part of the grand plan to get rid of the King, but I am not switching routes completely again. Because fist it was 'you're going to be a good little wife for the prince' and then it was 'Oh goody, he only wants you as a friend because he's got an awesome lover'. We are not switching again. You should have slept on it," She glared, hands on hips. He told them that he was threatened, and then it slowly shifted to his inner circle.

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"After the wedding, Claude. My father wants a full detailed report in the King's hand about the event. Sorry to say, but no amount of distance is too far for him to travel if I step out of line." She turned back to Keenan. "That's why I specifically wanted them all to come with us, if you'd like," She said, turning to them quickly before turning back to Keenan. "I'm much too tired for this all to be happening right now. My fittings at four and decisions make me bloat."

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The Princess made her way to the exit, nodding at both Claude and Aleksander. "Good night. I'll see you tomorrow, then." And she made her way out of his office and continued into her room, slamming the door. She had left her shoes in the other room and groaned. She was not walking back over there. Not for awhile. Let him and his little circle figure it out. And then it struck her. Why was she so upset about this? Any other wife in her lineage had been kept in the dark about everything. She still got to see everything....even if the water was murky.

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"You look troubled. I quite like this painting, firefly. Very depressing." Freyja looked up to see Cassian lounging about in his robe, a glass of wine in his hand as he looked at her cathedral piece. "Is it about a certain someone you're close to?" He asked, placing his glass down to cross the room to her. And even though she was far too tired for all his antics, she stepped into the embrace.

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"No, it's about a story I read. In a book lent to me by one of the ladies here. Fascinating read, really. I loved it." She sighed, leaving him to sit on her bed. "But listen, I'm really really tired. Could we talk...later?" She asked, giving him a winning smile as stretched and brought herself into a cross legged position. "I'm not avoiding you, I swear. I'm very busy. Believe it or not. But the wedding is all sorted out and I still have time for a nap. So could you please.... go?"

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Thankfully, he nodded and he took his wine with him. Freyja sighed and curled up in her bed, not even bathing to get under the blankets. In a blink of an eye, she was out like a light.

Claude pursed her lips, this fae was making things difficult. If going to war was what was necessary to make Keenan happy, then she would do it. Keenan’s attachment to Freyja made things complicated, another variable she had to consider when making plans. “What you don’t know can’t hurt you then princess,” she said with a smile as Freyja left the room, locking the door behind her.

Monty had returned with the cold compress. Keenan hated Claude’s fussing. He would just do what the king asked, then they would have no dramas, problem solved. However, there was Aleks. He wanted nothing more than to be with him, to bee able to spend every free moment with him but it was dangerous for both of them and Freyja. The people would never accept her as queen unless he stood by her side. She was Fae not vampire, she didn’t understand the struggles of the community. The court vampires were civil but how would she cope when she had to deal with the vampires from the scary stories.

“I say we kill the king,” Claude said.

Keenan opened his mouth to tell them absolutely not but Monty shut him up by pressing the cold compress into his face. “How?” Monty asked.

“Simple. Slip some poison into the King’s blood at the wedding,” she said, keeping her voice low.

Keenan shook his head, “We cannot ruin the wedding. Too many people and far too many Fae and healers.”

Claude raised an eyebrow, surprised that Keenan was contributing. “So we stake him then. Burn the stake afterwards to dispose of the evidence,” Aleks said.

Keenan sighed, “After the wedding. However, we are being sent away on our wedding tour, you three will be coming as well as her two servants. What if we did it at the return dinner.”

“One problem with that,” Monty said, “It’s a bit obvious if you stake the king as soon as you return.”

There was a collective eye roll, “We will drug the blood so when the king returns to his chambers early and falls into a deep sleep, that will be the ideal opportunity to stake the king,” Claude said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“There is just one more thing to be decided,” Aleks said, “Who will be the one to stake the king?”

Keenan let out a soft breath, “I will. I know my way around the secret passages the best, it makes sense,” he said with his voice shaking slightly.

“But it will make you a blood traitor,” Monty said.

“It will make no difference. Everyone believes I am anyway. You cannot be branded as a blood traitor twice.”

Claude nodded. They all knew that it had to be done but for now they had to focus on keeping Keenan alive until they returned and Claude had to select the right potion. It had to be perfect otherwise they would all be executed. It was a risk they all seemed willing to take, besides Keenan knew his father was waiting for him to slip up so he could lock him out in the sun regardless.