The Reluctant Princess

She was greeted by a rather large dog, "Ruff." he grunted to her.

"Hello." She pet the dog. "Oberon? Are you in there? It's me Merliah."

She found him by the terrace doors, still looking out. "What is it Princess?" he didn't look at her. His tone was emotionless.

"I heard you fired that maid." She said coming closer. "And well I'd like to say thank you."

He knew Finnegan told her, he sighed "You're welcome." was all he said. At this point he didn't know what to say to him.

She took his hand with her arm that wasn't broken, "I'm sorry. I over reacted a bit."

"No...I was the foolish one." he sighed. "Forgive me."

She shook her head, "Will you please look at me?"

He looked at her, she could see the bags under his eyes.

"I'm sorry I have caused you so much stress."

He shook his head, "It's my fault that you hate me. I do not blame you. But if you'll allow me, I want to explain it."

She nodded, "Go a head."

He sat down on the bed. "I had known Kiina for a years before we every met. I was twenty when I first met her. SHe was a seventeen year old maid looking for a way to support her family. I had only been King for five years and being twenty, my hormones got the better of me."

She sighed, "I flirted with her at first, she was cute when she blushed at my comments. Over time, it became a bit more and she had been my favourite maid since then....well until now." he looked to her.

She nodded not saying anything

He sighed, "I know it doesn't excuse me and that I betrayed what little trust I had gained with you....but if you want. I will let you return home if you wish." he pinched the bridge of his nose.

She sighed, "You know I couldn't even if I wanted to."

He looked at her, "And why is that?" he questioned.

"Because I fell in love with you."

His eyes widened, "....What?" he was speechless."

She nodded, "I fell in love with you around Christmas time."

"You....love me? EVen after what I did?" he was stunned.

"Love isn't easy. Your a guy and you needed a sexual outlet. One that I can't provide till were married."

"I feel even worse now." he flopped back onto his bed.

She sighed, "Don't be. If it wasn't for you I'd still be out there in the cold. I'd probably be dead."

He looked up at her. He didn't tell her it was him that saved her, "How did you find out?"

She sighed, "One of the maids tending to me told me."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't sure what you would have said if I said I did. You were angry with me." she sighed looking up at the bed canopy.

"I probably wouldn't have believed you at first."

He looked at her standing at the bottom of his bed, "I knew you would not have." he sat up, "So...what now?"

She smiled a bit, "Do you still want to have that dinner?"

He smiled, "Tomorrow night. I need to sleep. AND get this damn paper work done."

She smiled back and nodded, "I do need to get back before the maids start freaking out. Thinking I'm passed out some where or possibly dead." She joked.

"Off you go then. I need some shut eye before I do anything else." he sighed.

(OOC: She sighed? )

She smiled, "Goodnight." She left.

The next day....

Oberon was feeling alot better after he spoke to Merliah the other day and he even got some decent sleep.

When he came to check on her she was still sleeping. The doctor had given her some medicine for the pain in her arm.

"How is she?" he asked the nurse on duty."

"She is doing better. No infection yet. She has been in pain for a while, the doctor gave her some medicine to help with numb it. It seems to put her to sleep."

"How long until she is fully recovered?" he asked.

"It'll be at least 2 months. That is if she doesn't get and infection."

He smiled, "She's strong. I have no doubt that she'll recover in no time."

"Would you like me to fetch you a chair Your Highness?

"Yes, thank you." he replied.

She came back with another nurse carrying a large lounge chair for him, "Here you go Your Highness." They set it down next to her bed.

Thank you." he said getting comfortable.

She didn't wake up for another two hours, but he enjoyed watching her sleep.

He smiled, looking at her pretty face.

She started to stir.

"Good morning." he said, his smile not wavering.

Her eyes opened. When they met Oberon's she smiled, "Good morning."