As her clothing and belongings for the summer where being packed she looked out the window hoping something would happen so she did not have to go. She understand the importance of the relationship between her and the prince but they never got along. She could remember all the time they had yelled at each other or times when they would not even say a word. She turned to walk back into the room from the balcony and made sure that she got her drawing pads and pencils for sketching and drawing. She carried her bags one by one to the small car outside putting them by the trunk for the driver to put in after she got her bags down to the car she walked back up one more time to clean up her room a little so when she returned it would not be a horrible mess. She walked back down pulling her jacket on and slipped into the car. She did not say goodbye to her parents as she was slightly upset with them for making her go back to the old manor house in the edge of a forest in the middle of no where. She pulled out her book and sat back in her seat and got ready for the long dry car trip. After hours of driving she fell asleep. When the car stopped the driver woke her up gently. She sat up and got out of the car looking around at her surroundings.

She looked at the tall pine trees and dirt road. The house was a bright white with clean glassy windows. A soft breeze blew threw from the beach a mile away. She walked to the door and it opened easily. She found something to prop it open with so that the bags could be carried into the manor easier with out much hassle. She walked back tot he car grabbing some of her bags and carried them inside until all of them where inside the manor. She stopped to breath a little wondering why her lead maid packed so much she probably would not use most of it. She sighed and got back into gear and carried them to her old room. When she walked in the stopped and looked around at all the familiar decorations and furniture. The blue green and purple colors and the peacock themed room made her smile. She loved the decorations in this room but she wish it was not here. She slowly unpacked her stuff away into the closets and wardrobes. She sat on the bed relaxing a little. Her mind wondered threw her thoughts and concerns. She wondered if he was hear yet and was just avoiding her, or if she was the first one there in a house full of servants but et no one she could really talk to.

She stood up and walked threw the manor looking around at all of the familiar rooms and hallways. She stopped as she looked at the doors that lead to his room. She sighed slightly pushed it open seeing it was empty. She smiled a little and walked to the main sitting room waiting for him to show up. She figured that even though as kids they never got along she might as well start off being friendly to him not like it could hurt...........could it.

"But why must you go for the eeentire Summer? You don't even like her!"

Jeremiah smiled softly to himself at his sister's comment. His siblings had insisted on accompanying him to the mansion where he had spent much of his childhood. With a slight chuckle, he closed the book he had been attempting to read, one of Shakespeare's finest, and looked to Lacy with slight disappointment. "Now, I never said I did not like her," he protected without much effort. That was how he was. Even when in rage his voice was soft and soothing, almost effortless if you will. He often let difficulties wash over him, it was better this was as he was basically forced into caring for his younger siblings. With his parents' misunderstandings, he took it upon himself to supply the love that Gale and Lacy needed. "I simply said I do not remember her well."

This answer did not seem to satisfy Lacy as the limo costed through the countryside, nearing his destination. "Well, if you liked her you would remember her," Lacy insisted. "Come back home. You were supposed to teach me how to fence. You promised to show me your tricks."

Jeremiah sighed and leaned back into the seat. "It is not my decision to go, you know that Lacy. Besides, Gale can teach you."

At the mentioning of his name, Gale glanced away from the countryside and moaned. Lacy's reaction was similar. "But he cheats!" she cried.

"I do not," Gale growled. "You simply suck at it. You always cry when you loose and-"

Jeremiah's gaze shifted to a stern stare and Lacy's lips began to tremble. "Gale," he warned, "go easy on your sister. She is younger than you." Jeremiah paused, looking to the young girl. "I was your age when I last saw the princess. I wonder how she has change." Jeremiah sighed, looking out the window in time to see the white mansion approaching quickly. The driver pulled into the driveway and opened their door. Delicately, Jeremiah lifted his single bag from the trunk and stood, admiring the beauty of the house. That was one thing he missed about the summers of yesteryears.

"You can still come home," Lacy interrupted.

Jeremiah smiled and turned to kiss his sister of the forehead. "I'm sorry, but you know I cannot. When you are older you will understand." The girl pouted but remained silent. Jeremiah turned his attention to Gale. "Take care of Lacy for me," he said softly while holding out his hand. Gale nodded slowly and shook his hand. In six years, this would be the first time the siblings would be apart. Even Gale, who was in his difficult stage, realized how much they depended on each other. Lacy ran forward to hug Jeremiah and, to his surprise, Gale joined in on the family event. "Be good you two," Jeremiah said. "I will be back soon." He smiled and remained outside to watch the car leave with his siblings safely inside. Slowly he picked up his bag and made his way to the house. As usual, his mind wandered about in deep thought. Had it already been six years? How had the princess changed? He chuckled as he thought of how he himself had changed. It was the summer after their last encounter that he had his growth spurt. And his personality had changed also. He was quieter back then, at least now he was able to function well in social situations as his maturity settled in. He opened the door silently and stepped inside, surprised to see a figure already there. It took him a moment to realize it was the princess Diana. She had grown greatly. And, if Jeremiah was in any position to say so, she had developed into a rather beautiful young woman. He smiled, recalling the battles the two of them had shared over what he now considered trivial events. Letting his bag rest on the ground, he bowed. "Lady Diana, it is good to see you again," he said calmly, trying to make light of the awkward situation they were forced into by their parents. "Have you been well?"

She looked over from the window she was standing at as the door open at first she did not recognize the young man standing near the door. It took a few moments before she realized it was Jeremiah. She smiled when he addressed her and bowed. She in turn curtsied softly. "i have been well thank you for asking" Her eyes were bright mystifying blue from the light reflection shinning in from the window and off of her eyes. She was still slight pale as she had been when she was younger. Her hair seemed to have gotten straighter and she had but it short and let it set slightly messy but in a way that made the hair style look almost perfect even though it was un natural for girls especially in a royal family to have short hair. She walked over till she was a few feet away smiling. Her two-toned green shirt and dark blue skirt knee length skirt seemed to only accent her blue eyes and dark red hair with blond highlights. She did not seem to get much taller then before but she did thin out very well.

As always she had a few cuts and bruises on her arms and legs from her clumsiness but there seemed to be less of them then in the years passed. She tried to be as welcoming as she could able to tell he was a little bit on the uncomfortable side as she herself was. As she looked at him she noticed how much taller he was then her. She smiled thinking of the summer she was an inch taller then him and how it seemed to make all the manor workers laugh when they talked about it. He had also grown up to be quite a handsome young man. She could also tell he was slightly sad and she wondered if it was because he had to leave his siblings. She looked to the side slightly. "Jeremiah if it would help the awkwardness we can not do all the formalities like years passed" She looked back at him wondering if asking that was to respectful or if he would agree with her. She hated formality which partially was because her mother forced her to be formal even in front of her and her father in the dinning hall when no one else was in there. She noticed he only had one bag and that made her blush softly knowing how many bags she was forced to bring, She hoped he never found out it would be very embarrassing.

Jeremiah smiled softly to Diana's request. In truth, Jeremiah was always smiling when in another's presence. It gave him he appearance as if deep in thought. Perhaps he was. Jeremiah often questioned the world around him and what it meant to live and die. It was not that he was suicidal, quite the opposite in fact. He respected life to its fullest. But, those were not matters that he should be considering now with the princess before him. "Yes, I suppose you are right. We will be spending the entire summer together, so titles may get in the way." He was glad that she offered this. Being polite as he was, Jeremiah would have never considered calling Diana by familiar terms unless with her permission.

Even so, he questioned if they were eve familiar any longer. "So, six years since last coming to this place," he sighed, running his hand on the banister in wonder. "I almost expected that I wouldn't be coming back. But I suppose old habits die hard." He looked down to the girl, wondering how much she had changed internally. Physically she was... Wow. But it was internal beauty that interested Jeremiah. He looked down to his single bag and smiled. "I think I will go unpack. I'll be right back," he said, slipping around her and heading off into his room. Silently, he shut the door and opened his bag on his bed. It was all simply clothing, more the dress of a commoner than a prince, but that was how Jeremiah preferred to present himself. He worked diligently for a few moments until stumbling upon a small, black velvet box. "Yes, old habits die hard," he sighed, sitting upon the bed and exposing the continents to the room.

Nestled inside the box was a ring with a large sapphire stone crowned in diamonds. He was nineteen by now and, upon his father's orders, was to take Diana as his bride. He knew it had been coming, and he was sure the princess also anticipated, it but the orders were difficult for him to accept. He had not seen this girl in six years and they had not left on the best terms to say the least. As a prince, however, Jeremiah was force to do what was best for his country. Even if it meant sacrificing love.

Jeremiah glanced up as he heard a sound from outside the door, a maid probably, but he jumped from his seat and hid the ring inside his draw of clothing. It was not the right time yet, even if Jeremiah doubted the right time would ever come. He exited his room and neatly closed the door behind him as he returned to Diana. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting. Would you like to...." Jeremiah frowned as he realized he had no idea what Diana liked to do. "What would you like to do? I'm at a loss of what your interests are nowadays."

Her smile soften when he agreed with the non-formalities. she was relieved that he did not take offence to it. "i am glad you agreed" she looked out the window and sighed "part of me truly thought of running away so i would not have to come back here" she admitted in a soft almost none hear able voice. She nodded as he walked out of the room. She walked over to the window leaning against the ledge as she looked out. thinking to herself she wondered what he would want to do maybe spend some time and get to know each other again, or reminiscent on old times. The thought of thinking of old times mad her laughs she could remember hiding frogs in his pillows or rigged his saddle so after a few paces it would fall to the side. She looked down remembering the last few words they had said to each other when they where twelve. she felt like she should say sorry for all the horrible things she had said to him and said about his family, then again it might be best just to let the past be in the past. She had matured a lot since then especially in the past few years after a small revolt had broken out among her fathers people. She could remember the executions and the screaming and crying people, the gun fire and bodies laying dead. It got so bad that one of the kingdoms prettiest white sand beaches still has a red tint to the sand from all the blood that had been spilt on it. She felt like crying she had spent so many nights laying awake scared to go to sleep for fear she would have nightmares or that someone would attack the castle. She bit her lower lip which had become a habit for her. She reached into her pocket and looked at the picture of sword she was ment to give him as a token of love. She sat on the windows ledge and sighed like the two of them could ever grow to love each other, becoming friends might be possible and she could tell that they both had a sense of respect for each other but after everything that had happened in their lives she was not quite sure that love would be possible. She pushed her hair out of her face and turned hearing him walk back into the room. She was able to pull a smile "no it was fine do not worry" She looked at him her eyes soft "well um music had become a hobby for me i am still a big fan of anything outdoors" she looked down slightly "i am sorry um what are some of your hobbies these days as you said it has been six years since we last spoke or yeah" her voice got quiet for the last few words as the last things they said to each other where yelled with very angry and unhappy tones. "and Jeremiah i just wanted to say i am sorry for all the things i said last time we parted ways i truly am" she looked at his eyes with a very sorry full look "i hope you could forgive me"

Jeremiah was rather surprised by Diana's apology. Had they been twelve again, she would have stubbornly blamed everything on him. He himself probably would have denied the apology out of pride, especially since she had been slightly taller than him back then. But then again, Diana was not the same frail princess as back then. Jeremiah knew of the revolts in her kingdom. It was a horrible time and probably caused the young, careless girl to grow up quickly in lost youth. Jeremiah pushed away these thoughts and smile to her. He found many of their past bickers rather amusing, but there had also been some dangerous exchanges of words that left scars. One of them including her insults on his piano skills. Unknown to her, Jeremiah had worked effortlessly on mastering the piano the year following their last summer. At the time, it was simply to show off if they ever met again. But at the years past he realized the foolishness of the thought and simply began to enjoy music. He was often now found playing the piano alone or giving Lacy lessons.

Chuckling at the memory, Jeremiah put a hand on her shoulder and smiled knowingly. "Do not worry. It is in the past and we are both to blame. Let's just try to enjoy the summer, shall we?" He removed his hand and stuffed them into his back pockets. "I'm the same as usual. A little fencing, reading, music. Nothing too extraordinary." He sighed, looking around the room rather bordly. It was not Diana's fault, Jeremiah was often simply bored by people and small talk. He liked to be doing things, not chatting about topics that no one really cared about. "How about we go explore the garden?" he suggested, recalling that she liked nature.

She smiled softly and looked at him "that would be fun to see how much it has changed since no one has been here to tend to the plants in years." She walked over to the door waiting for him patiently "do you still play the piano or did you stop?" She herself could not play any instruments but she had discovered she could sing dance very well. She could see the entrance to the garden from the door way. The vines had sneaked their way into the entrance and made it look a little bit old and if it was an entrance to another time. The sunlight shone threw the cracks int he door.

Her mind wandered to the last time she was in the garden. She had been crying after a fall from the roof tops as she had been trying to get her kite that had blown onto the roof top. she remembered staying there for hours until she heard the car that was to pick her up. She had held her pain in very well and was able to hid it till she got home then was grounded and told that it had been the most stupid thing a young princess could do. She loved the garden it made her feel safer most people never went into the garden at home so it was always empty and quiet. She liked to sing in the garden but she has yet to sing in front of anyone.

Jeremiah followed Diana to the garden as he lived by the rule of 'ladies first.' At her question, he chuckled to himself and nodded casually as if playing the piano was a casual interest instead of his life's perfection. "I do," he responded shortly. "I play when I can, but I'm sure you realize how our positions in the royal court do not leave much time for personal interests. I'm trying to teach Lacy how to play, but Gale becomes to frustrated to allow himself time to learn." With his hands stuffed deep into his pockets, Jeremiah wandered about the garden path slowly. He thought upon how Diana would sneak away to the garden when she thought he was occupied inside to sing. In childish dispute he had thought little of the action, but with age he came to respect an instrument of many kind. "Do you still sing?" he asked casually as he began to inspect the garden he grew to love as a child.

The foliage had overgrown into the path as single floral arrangements became in differentiable. The bushes were wild with new buds from the spring growth and brought a smile to his face as the touched a pink rose with his long fingers. "I like the garden better this way. Everything is in a natural beauty rather than shaped into what humans believe beauty to be," he said almost to himself. "This is a rare occurrence in our world. We seem to be blinded by artificial beauty that isn't beautiful at all." He snapped a rose from its stem and smiled softly to it before letting it fall from his fingers into the water fountain. As a child, he had often found himself reading by this very spot. He sighed and looked around. "I wonder when the horses will arrive."

She turned and looked at him with surprise. "yes i still sing when i can find the time to with is so hard to now. It seems everyday my mother has me off on some important lunch or event i never even have time to just sit and breath." she looked around at the garden she loved the smells and the colors. She noticed the old stone bench by the fountain and she walked over toward it and sat down gently. She looked around the garden. "u agree the garden at home for me is just an empty lifeless place but here this is where i feel at rest" she thought for a second or two. She loved ridding horses because on the horse it was you and the horse no one else to tell you want to do or how to do it. "i think they are supposed to be getting here tomorrow evening i am not sure my father never tells me anything no one does." She hated her father he had no respect for anyone if they were not a male just like most people in her kingdom. She hoped one day she could fix that but it would have to also be something that he would want. For her job was to be a loving respecting and obeying wife just like her mother. She hated the thought of that. Love and respect she had no issues with but the obeying part made her twitch with anger.

Jeremiah watched Diana with interest as she sat down. Rather than joining her on the bench, he leaned against the trunk of a tree and sighed. So she was in a power struggle also. That was one thing Jeremiah, as the eldest male heir, never needed to worry about. However, he saw the way his father treated Lacy and detested it. Even if Gale had less responsibilities than Jeremiah, at least the young boy had some say in important matters with the expectation that he would marry a Princess from another Kingdom and inherit her land. Jeremiah was to take the crown of their own kingdom and thus, made it his business to know everything that went on.

He thought about the war in her kingdom and why her parents sent her here after all these years. If it was not for the same reason Jeremiah was here-- to ask for marriage-- then perhaps they felt this would be safer for the young girl. He would have liked to brought Lacy with him here for that very reason as the rebellion began to spread into their own kingdom. Jeremiah sighed and decided to think of better matters than that around the Princess. She had enough of that at home.

Without the horses, he wondered what else there was for them to do. He could not deny the frost between them, but was unsure how to mend their past and even if either of them wanted to. He sighed heavily and looked about the garden. "Everything has changed so much since we were last here, it is difficult to think of it as the same place. Are you hungry at all? Believe it or not, I can cook rather well until the servants come. I do not like relying on there services when it is something I can do myself," he said with a shy smile. He was always independent of his royal states, detesting the easy life other royals often fell into when poverty was at their castle door-steps.

She looked at him then back around at the garden remembering what it looked like when it was trimmed and cleaned and taken care of. She liked it better this way it seemed friendlier. She looked at him in slight surprise. "you know how to cook? when did you get the time to learn how to cook between all the different community events parties and important meetings. I I mean........sorry" she looked away blushing slightly feeling like she said a little to much. She stood up slightly wrapping her around around her waist. "i i am sorry i just need a little time i just i do not feel right" she looked at him once with an apologetic look and walked back to her room shutting the door behind her.

She looked threw her bags trying to find her journal and her music player. She finally found it stuffed at the bottom of the bag. When she picked it up she heard a metallic clanging sound under the music player. She put it down on her bed and then looked back into the bag pulling out a long sword with silver etching on the sword in a simple design with emeralds embedded into the hold which is pure gold with a matching silver etching. She set it softly onto her bed and walked over to the chair near the corner of the room. She sat down curling her knees to her chest. She felt like crying she wanted to run but nothing would come of it. No where she could go would she not be noticed.

She wanted to know him. She could tell he was a wonderful kind person but deep in her heart she felt like a the garden roses trimmed and cut to perfection never able to bloom and grow on their own. A soft tear slid down her cheek. She shook herself slightly and stood up. She walked to the morrow and cleaned herself up. She had to go apologies for her rudeness before things got worse. She felt like she was trying to cross a half burnt bridge.

Jeremiah watched Diana leave the garden in slight puzzlement. It was a big adjustment needing to fall back into place in this old house, but he wished he could know what was bothering the princess. Sighing heavily, he wandered into the kitchen to fix something for them to eat. He had been amused by Diana’s reaction to his unusual skill in cooking. It was a common shock when people knew Jeremiah could cook, and cook well. Many, including his father, believed it to be a “womanly task” and not fit for a prince. Jeremiah disagreed that tasked should be segregated by gender and had been happy to learn the useful skill. It was his nurse, an older woman who had been Jeremiah’s attendant since birth, that gave him this unusual skill. She had encouraged him to try new things such as music, archery, and cooking. She treated him like a child, not a prince, and Jeremiah couldn’t have loved her more for it.

Finding the kitchen pantry full in anticipation of the royals’ arrival, he pondered on what the Princess would like to eat. A complex meal would take hours to finish and the long drive to the mansion made him skip breakfast. He whistled as he gathered bread, chips, and meats to make two rather large sandwiches with chips. He was often comforted by common food rather than the luxurious food of a royal and hoped that Diana would appreciate it. As he whistled, he decided to whip up a batch of fresh lemonade and set the bowl of sugar on the table in case she preferred hers sweeter than he. He set the table and waited for her to come out of her room, trying to think of topics that could lighten her mood. Unfortunately, his mind wandered to the ring. As small as it was, the ring was a heavy burden on his shoulders. He knew nothing of the princess and yet he had to ask her to marry him. It could wait, he decided, until the end of the summer. For now he would try to enjoy himself. He straightened when Diana entered the room and smiled. “Lunch is ready. It is not the grand event that we are used to, but it will fill our stomachs.” He smiled to her, unable to shake the feeling that something was bothering her. He also knew that it was not his place to ask if the princess would even answer him.

She walked following the sound of the whistling she hummed along with the tune. When she was close enough she stopped and smiled and walked into the kitchen. She looked at the table then at him she smiled softly and nodded "yeah its fine i do not really like all the fancy food its normally to spiced or to bland" She pushed away her frustration and anger knowing she needed to be relaxed and friendly. She walked over and grabbed two glasses from the counter and brought them to the table putting one by his plate the sat down. "sorry about my rudeness i should not have run off like that it was rude" she looked at him her face calm and relaxed. A small glint in her eyes gave a look as if she wanted something more or that she herself wanted to be more. "thank you for making lunch i never have had the time to learn to cook i have tried but 5 minutes in the kitchen every other month does not help you learn anything" she laughed softly and poured some lemon-aid into her glass and then looked at him "you would like some as well correct?"She figured that if he made it she might as well help serve some of it. It was only the polite thing to do. She was happy that it was just sandwich and chips a nice simple meal she could not remember the last time she had something this simple to eat.

She felt a little better then she did before maybe it was the informality that we was showing that made it so she could relax but she was still scared that she would let her father down. It seemed every moment in her life she had been raised or trained or this summer like she could never be who she was because she always had to be the princess. As an only child she never had someone to hang out with or play with or really even talk to. That also ment she was the only child her parents had to worry or focus on with ment less freedom for her. She could not wait for night to fall when she could slip out and go have some fun and possibly get some frustration out. She had learned to love the night at an early age there was so much more you could get away with under the cover of darkness then you could in daylight. She looked out the window lost in thought for a second but then pulled herself back to reality.

Jeremiah sat down across from Diana and studied her carefully. She seemed stressed. Long ago Jeremiah had learned that bottling everything inside would just cause someone to explode with the lightest shake. He had decided that he would take things as they come and not worry about what was out of his control. Some disagreed with the laid back personality this thought process gave to Jeremiah, but in his mind it gave him the time to focus on what was really important to life: being true to himself.

He took a sip of lemonade, his calculating eyes watching for any signal she could be trying to give him. Finding nothing, he sighed softly and leaned against the table with his chin perched upon his fist. "Hey, look at me," he said, his voice laced with sad humor. "Let's just get this out now. Neither of us really wants to be here, but we both realize that he have no control over our futures. As Princess and Prince, our fates were laid out since before our births. But come on," he said, extending his arms out and motioning to the room and house. "Look at this place! How about we just try to have some fun for the summer and forget about our duties for a bit. We both deserve a vacation, so why turn this opportunity down? I get it if you need some time to yourself. Take all the time you need. But let's just try and have some fun this summer. After these few months we can get on with our lives and find other people to pester. Deal?" he said, flashing her a grin.

She looked at his had that he was balancing a chip on. The following the motion of his hands she looked around. She relaxed slightly leaning back in her chair. Then she thought for a moment. "deal but there is something i would like to say and i think you might agree" she paused for a moment she new if either of her parents or his parents heard her say this it would be really bad for the both of them. "we are in a lovely wonderfully fun place right we as having been he so much before know what its like know all the secrets and hiding places but one thing that neither of us have ever truly been able to see is out side the gates" she bit her lip a little smiling "i think we should break out you say we need a vacation and to be honest i agree but a vacation only spent here in this place would feel more like a prison" She looked him in the eyes a small spark of curiosity and rebellion flashing threw them. Him being so laid back made her feel like she could be herself more even though most would say she was immature. "let make a deal now to forget everything we said or did before we both have changed a lot i know i have i am not as cruel hearted as before and you seem a little less snobbish no offence ment by that" she smiled an apologetic smile "and yes lets make the most of the summer just do not expect me to spend ever minute here" she had a small smirk on the corner of her lips.

Jeremiah gave Diana a blank stare for a moment before erupting into a laughter that only he could have pulled off without looking like a fool. "Me, a snob? My dear princess, I think you have me confused with someone." He chuckled, pleased by her honesty and amused by her stumbling tongue. She was beginning to feel real to him and not simply the wax doll she had been raised to be. "And you want an adventure? I can handle that. After all, we have seen everything here before." He smiled, and looked outside the window. Perhaps he had been too quick to judge to failure of this summer. He rose from his seat and began to clear away the finished dishes.

"I'll be right back," he said, slipping into his room to bring a few items with him. He grabbed his notepad and pencils, along with a sword to decorate his waist. He hated the thought of needed it, but as a Prince it felt strange for him to be without a weapon. And the location of the mansion was a bit close to the rebellion for his liking, but he as interested in seeing Diana's true colors. Returning to the main room, he bowed jokingly to her at the door. "Lead the way, Princess," he said with a smile.

She had quickly run to her room changing into simple jeans and a tank top with a jacket over it she felt more comfortable that way. She pulled boots on and slipped a long knife into each and then put a short sword at her hip. She had walked back to the kitchen door before he had got back. She smiled as he walked back. "we thought alike some what" she smiled and walked toward the front door as none of the servants had arrived yet there seemed no real need of sneaking out when they simply could walk out. She opened the door and held it for him not caring about the stupid curtsy rules i mean they where already sneaking out might as well throw that out the window.

She breathed in the fresh air she loved being outside even more being outside with out supervision. It seemed weird though that she was outside in day light without three guards and her nurses, but it was a good weird not a bad weird. She looked up at the crystal clear blue sky not a cloud in sight for miles. She looked back at the prince with a smile on her face she felt more relaxed and a little more free. A thought crossed her mind that made her wonder...........maybe this could work. She looked back at the tree line she felt free for the first time in years.

Jeremiah smiled to Diana as they stepped outside, interested as to where this day out would lead them. A Princess and Prince unsupervised in a room together was scandalous. Alone and walking in the woods? The thought made Jeremiah chuckled to himself as he remembered to slow down his long strides so he would not outpace her. Of course, nothing would happen between them, Jeremiah was a true gentleman and would never abuse a situation, and he still questioned the love/hate relationship that they seemed to struggle with in overcoming their past. For now, he would just enjoy himself. Although, he could not deny the few paces he would slow down occasionally to watch the young girl from behind. A princess or not, she was still and attractive woman.

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and strolled alongside her, easily distracted by the beauty of the forest. It was a shame they were not allowed here as children. Perhaps it would have made the summers more enjoyable. "So tell me," he said casually, "if you could only use three words to describe yourself, what would it be?" He smiled as they neared a pond with a mother swan and her chicks trailing behind.

She looked around at the beauty of the forest still alive and fresh from spring time. She saw some squirrels jump from one tree to the next then she looked over at the prince as he asked the question. It made her think for a few seconds. She was not quiet sure how to answer. She thought for a while and finally decided on three words. "well i believe i am sheltered, spirited, and as hard as it may be to believe alone." she smiled slightly she did not like to use big words they always sounded so fake so political. then she laughed softly "what about you what three words would you pick?" She looked in the direction he had looked at and saw the swan and chicks. She loved animals especially ones out in the wild able to care for themselves.

A soft breeze blew threw the trees blowing her hair slightly. She lifted up one of her hands to brush her bangs from her eyes. She looked up at the tree tops hearing the leaves rustle as the wind blew threw them. The colors all around were beautiful from the purples pinks and red of the flowers, the greens and browns from the trunks of the trees with leaves and moss, to the blue of the water and the yellow rays of sunlight. She loved being outside.......she could not believe she was thinking this but she loved being here.

Jeremiah smiled and looked about the woods, happy to be free for once. Every once and awhile he would glance around to see if Gale or Lacy were creeping about in attempt to scare him or if they were about to start a battle. He sighed softly. Less than a day and he was already thinking of his siblings. The separation would be good for them, though. It would help Gale pull himself together for once. "Let's see. . . I am practical, a thinker, and a . . Well, this is difficult. I suppose I would say genuine."

He sighed and stepped off the path and toward the lake. Picking a stone off the ground, he tested its weight before skipping it across the mirroring surface. "A prince and princess. Many people find it difficult to think that we are alone in the world when we are at the center of social parties. But at least I have siblings. Gale and Lacy. I learn as much from them as I teach them." He smiled and skipped another stone across the surface. As he turned to leave, his shoe caught on a submerged root. With a slight cry of surprise he toppled into the shallow water and landed with a splash on his rump. Blinking in surprise, he looked down to himself, now soaked in the crystal water, and began to laugh. He looked anything but princely in this state.

She sighed looking out at the lake. The colors that danced off of the surface with the sunlight. the ripples caused by falling leaves landing softly onto the surface of the water. The fish jumping out of the water randomly and the light shining off of there scales. She heard the splash of water and the soft thud. She ran over to where he was "Jeremiah?!" her voice was full of worry and concern. she knelt down into the water slightly the lower part of her jeans getting soaked. she held her hand out to help him up her face was concerned "are you ok?" she shivered slightly from the cold water but she did not mind it all that much. the light reflected off of her eyes softly giving them a look like they were glowing.

She ducked slightly as a fish jumped up near were they were splashing even more water at them. she laughed slightly as the water hit her face. She was thankful she was wearing jacket. she could take it off and she would not be wet well would not be wet other then her jeans. she looked at him softly biting her lower lip still wondering if he was ok. He was laughing but still was he ok or just shocked into thinking he was ok.

Jeremiah laughed at his current situation. Even he was not fully sure why he was laughing. For the most part, however, it was because he could. As a prince, he was forced into being a serious person without being able to have an ounce of freedom. Here, he could just be himself for awhile. If his mother or father had seen him now, he knew that he would have been punished severely. Calming down from his laughing spurt, he reached out to grasp Diana's hand. Unfortunately for her, he did not do as the kind gesture had intended. Rather that accepting her offer to pull himself up, he pulled her down with him into the crystal water.

"I'm better than okay," he said, beginning to laugh charmingly again as he looked at her surprised face, now both of them soak.

she screamed slightly in shock as he pulled her into the water toward him. She hit the water with a splash. She started to laugh a bit and looked at him. She splashed water at him. "i think i noticed you are ok" she blushed softly as she noticed how close they were. She sat up in the water draining some of it from her hair. she stood back up splashing a little more water at him with her foot. "i will race you back to the manor?" She looked at him and grinned slightly. "or are you to scared to get beat by a princess huh" she giggles slightly waiting for him to stand up before taking off at a full sprint.


((back at the manor))

Two fancy cars pulled up to the front walk. The kings of both kingdoms exited from their vehicles and walked to ward the from doors. they both nodded and bowed slight at each other before going inside and heading to were they expected the two young royals to be. after searching for a few minutes they both had walked out to the front of the manor with looks of confusion anger and frustration as neither of them was their for a friendly visit but to remind their children of why the summer had been planned and of the party that is to be the day they get home.

Jeremiah smiled as he shook his head out like a wet dog, water flickering from his brown locks while scrambling after the Princess. A race, how fun. This was a task that he was not even able to do with his siblings. "Races are for the commoners," his father would chide him, "A prince must never show such low class."

Jeremiah chased her through the woods, not caring who their true identities were outside this forest world. Diana had the advantage of size and lithe (along with the few steps she had taken before Jeremiah arose), but the prince had height and muscular strength. The match was fairly even as they rounded near the manor. Before breaking from the forest's edge, however, Jeremiah grabbed Diana's hand and pulled her back to take cover behind a bush. "Hush," he said before she could begin to protest. "Look, I doubt that they are here for a friendly visit," he said, glaring to the cars. His jaw was stiff as he grinded his teeth in distaste. Of course his father would come to remind him of his mission. Heaven forbid it could escapes the prince's mind even for a moment. "What do you think we should do?" he asked softly.

She laughed as she ran threw the trees. She held back a scream when he pulled her back. She looked over seeing the cars and her eyes widened. she looked back at him thinking for a few moments. "do you think there is a way to sneak to the beach and make it look like we fell off of the docks?" she kept her voice down and looked back at the cars. why was her father there hadnt he lectured her enough already. She looked down slightly hearing the two kings arguing with each other. "or we could say i went for walk and got lost and you went out looking for me and saved me?" she was trying to make it so at least he would not get into any trouble especially since it was her idea to go out into the woods she did not want him to take the fall.