Haven listened to the King give his speech before turning to her parents. Her father fave her and her younger brother a couple coins each and told them to meet them back at the carriage. Smiling down at her brother she looked around the village square before spotting the caramel apple stand. "Hey Anthony I'll get to the caramel apples before you" she said and started running towards the stand. Havens bright auburn hair stood out in the large crowd as most of the villagers had brown or black hair including her family. Frowning as her younger brother beat her she shoved him playfully before waiting in line for her favorite treat.

Alexander and his brother had snuck away as soon as the speech ended. Their best excuse when they were caught was that it was good to socialize with the people. They didn't bring Charlotte, but promised to bring her back an apple. When they all went, it was suspicious, and their parents started looking for them quicker. They weaved through the crowd, happy that only a few of the residents noticed who they really were. The carmel apple line looked long, but they didn't mind too much. The boys looked at each other, and started running, both trying to get to the line first.

He playfully shoved his brother, and slipped into the line for carmel apples in front of him. With a pretend shocked look, Edmund shoved his older brother into the other people in the line. Scowling at his brother, he frantically whispered that they shouldn't draw too much attention to themselves. Edmund rolled his eyes, and started to chat with another boy in the line.

Haven was almost to the front of the line talking with her little brother when she felt a sudden shove from behind. Looking down to see her brother had already started talking to another boy and was ignoring her, she turned around with a scowl on her face. "You should be more mindful of those around you" she said before looking up at the person who bumped into her. Gasping she covered her mouth with her hand before lowering her eyes and giving a small curtsy. "Prince Alexander, please forgive me." she asked before turning back around. Rolling her eyes at herself she bit her lip, of course she would be the one to scold a prince. She prayed the Prince would just ignore her as she stepped up the buy an apple reaching over she grabbed her brothers coat and pulled him with her.

He smirked at the girl. "I'll do my best, my lady."

Alexander watched amusidly as Edmund grabbed his new friend's coat as well, and pulled him back to finish their conversation. He laughed, not wanting to embarrass the girl, but at his brother's petulantness. He waited until the people in front of them had ordered, and politely asked for three caramel apples. He smacked his brother to get his attention, and handed him an apple.

"We should probably go, Ed." He started away, but the other boy started complaining.

"I want to stay and talk with my friend for a while. We like all the same things! I want to race horses with him."

Alexander gave him an exasperated look. He'd managed to get his brother back to the stand, but their parents were mingling with the people by then, and Charlotte just wanted her apple. He sighed.


"Fine. Go find your friend. But pay attention to when Mum and Father get ready to leave!"

Alexander wandered to a group of girls, and started boredly flirting with them.

Haven got her and her brothers apples and handed him his before going an leaning up against the stone wall. Watching her brother talk to the younger prince she smiled before her eyes drifted to Prince Alexander. Sighing as she watched him halfheartedly flirt she rolled her eyes before finishing her apple and handing the core to a near by horse. Walking up to her brother and the prince she bent down not minding her dress hanging in the mud. "Okay lads, Anthony it is time to meet father and mother to head back home, i'm sure you guys will meet again to race horses and I might even let you use Fly" she said and stood up placing a hand on her brothers shoulder. "If we do race horses I will win, my sisters horse Fly in the fastest we have " her brother told the prince happily. Haven smiled at the thought of her horse, he was a gift from her father when she turned 18 and they bonded quickly she rode him through the woods by their house when ever she had the chance. She named him Fly because she felt free and as if she was flying when riding him.

Alexander smacked his brother before he could say anything about the many rules of ettiqute the boy had broken.


"I don't know about that. My brother's horse, Versailles, is very fast. He's won many races before."

Alexander didn't know why he was sticking up for his brother. Usually, he'd think it was hilarious if someone could beat him, but something about these two got on his nerves, just a tiny bit.

He gave his brother a little push towards his family again, telling the two that maybe they'd see each other later. Once he was sure that Edmund was well on his way back to their parents, he turned back to the girl that he'd been flirting with. She'd told him her name was Lady Marissa Tathlone, and that her father was the baron that watched the village. Alexander had a sudden urge to make Haven jealous, and bent down and kissed Marissa on the cheek.

"I hope I can see you later."

Haven flicked the back of her brothers head for breaking the royal etiquette rules and started to guide him back towards their carriage. Hearing Lady Marissa'a voice she turned her head just in time to see the prince kiss her cheek. Haven rolled her eyes before following her brother, when they reached the carriage Haven paused when she saw her parents were in conversation with the King and Queen. Her mother caught sight of them and motioned them over "King and Queen Arlay, these are our children 18 year old Haven and 13 year old Anthony" their mother said introducing them. Haven lowered her eyes and curtseyed looking over she saw her brother bow "Pleasure to meet you your Royal Highnesses" she said softly. Straightening her back she glanced towards the queen and noticed her staring at her with narrowed eyes and a look of confusion. Looking away Haven waited for her parents to finish so they could leave and started playing with the ends of her red hair.

Alexander saw his parents, and jogged quickly over to them, about to start making excuses. Instead, his mother caught his shoulders, and spun him around.

"This is our eldest of course, Alexander." Queen Elenor said, smiling. "My other two are around here somwhere."

Alexander bowed politely, and tried to catch up on what the two women had been talking about. He zoned out after a moment, but his conciousness snapped back when he heard his mother speaking again.

"Well, I've truly enjoyed talking to you," the Queen said. "Perhaps you would come to the manor with the King and I, at least for dinner?"

Alexander's eyes went wide. He hated when they had guests, because then they had to stay the picture perfect family, and he was expected to help entertain the guests. But he knew it was his duty, so, he arranged his handsome features into a blinding smile, and nodded along with his mother's words.

Haven turned her head with her eyes wide, looking back and forth between her parents and the royals she waited. Her father cleared his throat and bowed "it would be our pleasure to attend dinner with the King and Queen" he said. Her mother curtsied and Haven did the same. "Please allow us to freshen up before we arrive at the palace" Her mother said before ushering the kids away "Come Haven for an occasion such as this we can spend to get new clothes" she said before pushing Haven into the nearest dress shop.

Alexander grabbed his brother, and they started towards the carriage laughing, and chattering. Their sister came up behind them, and they climbed into the coach.

The Queen informed her children and the driver that they would be going to the Summer Palace, which was closer to the village.

Once there, the family began to prepare themselves for the dinner. They dressed in some of their best clothes, and made sure that the meal was moving quickly.

Alexander dressed in a deep blue suit, and helped his brother straighten his tie. Edmund was dressed neatly in an emerald green coat, and hated it. The boys decided that while they waited, they would go out and see the horses,