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When I finally get back to the room Alara is pacing back and forth, "Where have you been?!" she squeals. "What's going on?" "He is on the way" she says shaking me "My heart feels like it will explode" she shakes me more.

"Help me get ready?" I bathe Alara as she once did for me and massage her back to try and relax her.

When she gets out and is moisturized, I help her into a grey-ish blue floral dress, I then unbraid her hair and brush it out so it is wavy and paint her lips light pink.

"What do you think?" I ask her. "I love it!

" she says. "You should wear your hair down more often" I smile back.

I take my third bath of the day and put on a long flowy lilac dress letting my hair fall around my face. As I got ready, I told her about what happened with Prince Cain and then what happened in the maze and then the closet. She was clapping with delight the entire time and giggled at the end.

We finally made our way to the hall, "How do I look?

" she asks me as we pause at the door. "Absolutely beautiful" I beam at her.

When we walk in I notice a man laughing with Cain I hadn't seen before.

When he turns, I notice he looks like Cain except with two brown eyes, when he sees us he flashes the biggest smile.

Alara leans toward and says, "That's him, my lover".

"Run to him" I encourage her. With the permission she squeals and jumps into his open arms. They laugh and hug and kiss it was really cute, I couldn't help but tear up.

I was happy my friend was happy. Once they reluctantly detangle from each other Alara drags him towards me.

"This is my dearest friend Nova, my love.

Nova this is Vato" she looks between us hoping we get along.

"Its so nice to meet you! Alara wont stop talking about you" I laugh as Alara blushes a deep red.

"I heard of you from her letters, I am happy she found a kind and loyal friend" he grabs my hand and places a kiss.

It was my turn to blush, I sat down and stared at my plate like it was the most interesting thing ever.

Cain came to sit next to me "I often wondered what having dinner with you would be like". Why was he thinking about eating with me who does he usually eat with? "You are nicer company than Bower" he says making me laugh. "I think anyone is better company than him" I smile.

"Little brother, are you happy to be home?

" Cain turns towards Vato. Vato looks at Alara who is stuffing her face and smiles "Yes, I missed it dearly".

"Lord... um... Prince Vato?" "Vato is fine Nova if you are okay with not being so formal" I nod as he says this.

"How did you two meet?" I point at him and Alara.

Vato smiles at the memory "As you may know I am the King-be's right hand man".

"I thought Bower is" I say making Vato let out a melodic laugh.

"Bower likes to think that.". "Alara had just started working here, I was immediately taken with her.

I tried courting her but she wouldn't give me the time of day. I think she hated me" he smiles.

"Why do you think that?" I couldn't believe the smitten Alara could. "She told me" he laughs. "Every time I would approach her I would be splashed with water or a stream would carry me away" It was my turn to laugh imagining Alara do that.

"I studied my opponent and found out she loved poems, so I wrote from my heart. She stormed into my office and asked me what the meaning of this was. When I told her I was in love she let out a long sigh and told me I had one day to court her." he smiles. "What happened?" I lean in.

"Everything went horribly" Alara laughed. "I saw how much he tried so I gave him another shot and we started courting" she smiles. "I will never stop courting you my love not even when you are my wife" Alara giggles and sighs dreamily. I start tearing up "oh my god that's so cute".

We continue dinner with casual conversation until Alara and Vato ran off after dessert.

I found it impressive how long they waited to be alone.

Cain and I sat there as I tried all the desserts.

"Most woman stop at one" Cain breaks the silence.

"Most women are trying to impress someone; I literally don't care.

If I gain weight it goes to my hips anyways which I don't mind" I say as I grab a cream puff.

I feel Cain's eyes flicker down to my hips. "I enjoy curvy women" he mumbles I think he thought he said it low enough that I wouldn't hear but I do. "Are you excited to meet your potential new bride?" I take charge of the conversation.

"Excited is a big word" he says thoughtfully.

"Come let's go to bed, I need you fresh for tomorrow" he stands up and waits as I grab three more cream puffs.

We walk silently to our wing of the castle, Cain walked at my pace which I found nice.

When we get to my room I say, "Well this is me". "I know it's you" he replies.

I let out a laugh "It's an expression from where I came from". "It makes no sense" he frowns. I laugh again "now that you say it, I agree. It is usually said after a date and the person either invites you in for you know or one of them promises to meet again if it went well." I explain.

"A date?" he looks confused. "I think the equivalent is courting".

The wrinkles in his forehead disappear, he nods when he understands.

"Do you want me to come in?" he asks. My eyes widen as I imagine no no no we are not imaging that I tell myself.

I look at his lips then back to his eyes.

Cain was dangerously close; I could smell his intoxicating cologne or was that his natural scent.

I back into my door as my heart starts racing, curse this deliciously handsome man. I reach for the handle as he observes me. I turn it and close the door in his face trying to steady my breathing. I don't hear his footsteps walk away, so I open the door and he was still standing there.

Maybe I had no manners. I wedge my body between the door and say, "Good night my Prince" before I can close the door again, I feel him grab my chin and force me to look at him.

I see annoyance, confusion, curiosity it was interesting given the different eye colors.

"Goodnight Nova" he breathes before releasing me.

I close the door and splash my face with water. Why did Alara have to leave me alone? I bet she was enjoying her reunion, I found myself clapping happily for her. I drifted off to sleep and was awoken by the sun peeking through the curtain.