Y/N 's POV

We arrive at the village mid afternoon. I mixture of nerves and excitement wash over me.

On the one hand I can't wait for them to be reunited, but on the other hand I know this has to be done delicately. Afterall Calum has spent the past two years believing she was dead. I couldn't just walk through the door with her.

I approach Calum's hut, he should be back from his morning hunt by now. I could see the look of anticipation on Eva's face, but there was no doubt she was nervous, her hands were trembling as she looked around the village. It has changed alot since she left but the eerie shell of what used to be is still here.

"I'm going to go in and talk to him, get him emotionally prepared, then you can come in" I say. I don't mean to sound so stern but this is Calum, the boy I've had to soothe to sleep because of his tormenting dreams. I wasn't going to let him see her until he was emotionally prepared to do so, regardless of whether she is my friend or not.

I knock on the door.

"Come in" he mutters.

I hear Eva's sharp intake of breath, not having heard his voice in so long.

I push through the door, shutting it behind me.

"Oh, you're back" he says coldly.

"What's that tone for?" I say, resting my hand on my hip and staring at him questioningly.

"Nothing, did you bring Prince fuckface with you or has he moved onto his next conquest?" he spits at me.

"He's the King now and no he's not here. I came without him"

"I never thought you'd be the type to let a man walk all over you" he mutters. Was he trying to start a fight?

"Cut the shit Calum, I'm not arguing with you right now. I only came back for you because it was important and when you know why, badmouthing the man I love is going to be the last thing on your mind"

"You're in love with him?" he questions, his voice no longer hostile, instead slightly understanding.

"Yes, but that's not the point" I say trying to get to the point.

"What's so important anyway"

"Well-"

"AAACHOOO" there was a loud sneeze from the other side of the door.

Calum's head snapped in the direction of the door, his eyes widening, his face going blank like he had seen a ghost.

He knew, I knew he knew.

Even after all this time, he still holds onto the sounds she would make. Well so much for delicately approaching the matter.

It's like I didn't exist anymore, he pushes past me, striding to the door and yanking it open.

I hear him gasp and I'm pretty sure he stops breathing. They just stare at each other, mouths agape, neither knowing what to say.

"Eva" he mutters in disbelief

"Calum" her breathing uneven as her eyes brim with tears.

Calum stumbles, catching himself on the doorframe.

Mila reaches out, taking his cheek in her hand. I can hear Calum's breaths quicken as he begins to cry. He pulls her to his chest, holding her tightly, both of them letting the tears flow.

I decide to give them their privacy and leave them to it. I exit through the back door.

I walk around the village saying hello to everyone. A lot of them asked me about Ashton but I brushed of their questions. I didn't want to have to explain everything to them right now.

In honesty I didn't really know what was going to happen between us. I couldn't leave the village and he definitely couldn't leave the castle. I want to stay with him but my responsibilities at the village will always come first.

Also I knew it could never truly work anyway. He said about the future queen but it must have been in the heat of the moment. He would never be able to marry a lowly peasant like me. The kingdom needed a true queen and I am definitely not that.

-

Calum and Eva eventually emerge from his cabin a few hours later. It was starting to get dark and I knew I would have to return to the castle soon. I knew he would only worry the longer I spent away from him.

I had no idea what I would do regarding my whole situation. I just knew that I needed to talk to Ashton.

I said goodbye to Calum, Eva and the rest of the village, saddled up and set off into the night with the promise I would be back soon.

I had only been riding for 10 minutes when I started to feel uneasy. It felt like I was being followed.

The trees were dense in this part of the forest so it would be easy for someone to conceal themselves. I started to look around. As I turned around I made out the silhouette of a man on a horse. He was riding quietly but made no effort to conceal himself.

Once he realised that I had seen him, he increased his pace. I slowly reached down to one of the pockets in my saddle, my fingers brushing over the knife I always kept there. It was unlikely that I could overpower this man but I knew it was better than nothing.

He pulled up alongside me and pushed his hood back revealing a familiar face. Michael smiled at me smugly.

I sigh. I really should have expected that Ashton would have sent a guard, despite me specifically telling him not to.

Michael chuckled as he saw the look on my face.

"Did you really think he would let you go unprotected?"

"I had hoped, but I guess I've got company for the ride back now." I shrug.

We rode in a comfortable silence towards the castle. The sounds of the nightlife and the soft pants of the horses were the only sounds we heard.

-

When I arrived I let Michael take care of the horses and went straight to find Ashton.

He was lying in his bed staring at the ceiling. I knocked lightly on the inside of the door to alert him to my presence. He shoots out of bed. A wide smile spreading over his face as he strides towards me.

He engulfs me in a big hug. Eventhough he was shirtless, he was warm and his scent was overwhelming.

He pulled away after a little while.

"How did it go?" he asks, leading me over to sit on the edge of his bed.

"Good, really good" I smile.

He smiles in return. He had such a beautiful smile.

"I need to talk to you" I say. I take his hands in mine and begin to play with his fingers.

"So do I" he smiles.

"You first" I say, whatever it was, he looked exited.

"I've been talking to my mother and the royal advisers and they are alright with it." he starts as if I knew what he was talking about.

"Not that I would listen if they weren't because I'm the King I can do whatever I want" he begins to ramble.

"What are you talking about?" I ask, my head tilting in confusion

"Marrying you" he smiles.

So he was serious about that.

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

He blushes in embarrassment, his eyes widening. "I'm sorry I just I love you so much and I know there is no one else that I would want to rule beside me. I would be truly honored if you would become my wife" his eyes never leave mine, his hands clutching mine tightly.

"I-" my mouth opens but know words come out.

How could I answer that? I wanted to, I knew I loved him and that I would be happy with him, but what about my family. I couldn't just leave the village and elope with Ashton. They needed me and I couldn't abandon them.

Ashton's face begins to fall as he loses hope in my answer. He thought I didn't love him and the look on his face was causing a pang in my chest. I knew I had to say something.

"I want to, I love you so much"

His face brightens, his smile reappearing.

"But, the village needs me. I can't stay here at the castle until I know they will be alright." I explain.

Ashton nods his head in understanding.

"I promise we'll come up with a plan to sort out the village together, but for now will you stay with me?" he asks.

I smile,squeezing his hand before crawling under the sheets. He quickly joins me, pulling me tight against his chest as we drift off to sleep.

I will sort out my life tomorrow, but today I would simply enjoy his company