"Pardon me, I've had many lovey rides on that carriage." I say
"Alright fine, we can take the carriage. But only because I love you, and I don't want your feet to hurt. You're probably not used to walking as much as I do."
"I'm not. I'm taken just about everywhere on a horse or in a carriage. Although, I'll hold your hand if you'd like."
"Thank you."
~
𝑩𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒆
"Billie dear, we're here." Zalia says upon arrival. 
"I know. I'm just nervous."
"I know, would you like to me come with you?"
"No, no. Wait here. If anything goes bad I don't want you there for it, I'll come out and get you alright?"
I gently cup her face and give her a soft kiss. 
"Alright, good luck my love."
"Thank you."
I take a deep breath before I'm helped out of the carriage and I dust myself off before walking into my home. 
"Mother? Father?" I called out and my mother came from around the corner. 
"Billie, there you are. Where on earth have you been?"
"Um well that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about, well everyone actually. Are father and Finneas here?"
"Yea they're just out back, would you like to me go and get them?"
"Yes please, it's very important."
She goes to get them and we all sit down at the table. 
"So um I have something very important to discuss with all of you and I really really need you to keep an open mind."
They all nod and I take another bracing breath. 
"Alright so...a little over a week ago while I was doing my runs to the castle I met someone and over the course of the few days that came after, I believe we fell in love."
"Oh Billie dear thats wonderful. Who is he?" My mother says, taking my hands in her own. 
"Um well...that's just it mother."
"What do you mean?"
"Its umm...it's not a man. It is a woman."
She retracts her hands slightly as her and my father's faces drop. 
"Oh."
"And um even more so...she also happens to be the princess."
"Oh my."
"Do you hate me?" I ask and my mother is quick to take my hands again, reassuring me.
"What? Oh no Billie dear, never. It's just a lot to process. You see women being together is supposed to be strictly forbidden. And you're a commoner? Why, I'm surprised is all. I never thought any kind of royalty would fall for people like us."
"She's different, she's so kind mother she's the kindest person I've ever met and I say the villagers are pretty kind." 
"Hm. Patrick? What do you have to say about this?" My mother turns to my father and I anxiously await his answer. 
"You say you love this woman?"
"Yes, very much."
"Hm. Well I see no issue with it." He shrugs and my eyes widen. 
"Really?"
"Mhm. Of course it's forbidden but that doesn't mean it won't happen every once in a while. Just because something isn't supposed to happen doesn't mean that it won't." He says with a smile. 
"Um, she's actually waiting outside. I told her to wait in the carriage. Would you like to meet her?"
"Is that allowed?" My father asks. 
"Yes, we'll explain everything I promise."
"Well then we would love to."
I smile and we head outside, I tell them to stand in front of the house while I help Zalia out of the carriage.
"Zalia, this is my mother, Maggie, my father Patrick and my brother Finneas. Mother, Father, Finneas, this is Princess Zalia of the Northern Kingdom and...my future wife."
Zalia gives a small curtsy and a smile as my family does the same.
"You are to be married?" My mother asks
"Yes ma'am. My mother and father have already set a date for us. Two months from today. And there's no need to worry about the dress and such, we have it covered. I understand that this is all new, and a bit sudden and maybe even a tad confusing but I promise I have no ill intentions. I love your daughter."
She reaches over and laces our fingers together with a smile that I happily return. 
"Well, you weren't kidding."
"Why on earth would that be something I kid about brother?
He only shrugs and I give a scoff as I roll my eyes and turn to Zalia.
"Ignore him, he's a fool."
"Oh goodness. Well isn't this exciting? Oh my daughter is to be married. And to royalty, oh my gosh." My mother places a hand on her chest and fans her eyes.
"Mother please don't cry."
"I'm sorry. I just never expected this. Finneas why couldn't you get married to royalty?"
"Because I never leave the village. Billie's the one who goes to the castle every month. Speaking of which, I have chores to attend to so, Princess, if you'll excuse me and congratulations sister."
He gives a bow, bidding his goodbyes to us before Zalia speaks up with a question.
"Um I was wondering, would it be so terrible if...perhaps Billie slept in the castle with me tonight? Uh just so you could perhaps get used to it is all." She says to my parents and to me.
"Well, I see no issue with it? Patrick?"
"As long as you're back tomorrow before sunset."
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