3rd Person POV

Another day in the kingdom of Lev. And oh my! What do you know? A 1 year time-skip has occurred (very smooth author-san...)

James' POV

I'm seven years old now! Still a basically a baby though so that sucks... Why can't time go faster?

During the last months my future husband Prince Albert has decided to finally go to the playdates with the four dukes and royal family... TOOK HIM LONG ENOUGH! But I can't stay mad at him.

Today we have another playdate scheduled. So, I need to look my best to make my lovely husband Gay!

3rd Person POV

As James got ready with Anne's help, he would drift off to daydream land and fantasize with his oh so "dreamy" future prince. Anne was having none of that though. "Young Lord! Could you please pay attention to where you are going?" Says Anne as she stares at James, annoyed by his actions since he had crashed with a wall and now laid on the floor like an idiot.

The day continues as such. Poor Anne having to take care of a dazed seven year old that she has no idea why he is acting so off. "If I may be so bold as to speak my lady." Says Anne as she bows to Lady Azuree while James takes his seat on the table to eat breakfast. "Hm? What is it Anne?" Says Isabelle curiously. "Please do not be alarmed my lady, but I think the young Lord may be ill." Whispers Anne calmly.

However, Isabelle hearing this abruptly stands up in a panic and rushes towards James. "Why did you not say so earlier??!!! What is the matter?! Is it a fever?! Allergies?! Nausea?! ARE YOU DYING??????!!!!!!" Asks Isabelle hysterically. Meanwhile James zones out his mother's hysterics, already being used to it by now.

"Please calm yourself my lady, it is nothing of the sort. I have already checked the young lord's temperature and that does not seem to be the case... I am only concerned as he is spacing out quite often today." Says Anne. "Oh... Well, why didn't you start with that?! It is fine Anne! James spaces out all of the time!" Says Isabelle, back to her cheerful self.

Isabelle then, having finished her breakfast, proceeds to prepare to leave for the playdate with James later. "Well, you see my lady, he seems to be doing so much more often than before, he has been crashing into walls as well." Says Anne worriedly while walking a step behind Lady Isabelle. "Oh my, now that is quite odd even for him... Oh! I know! Maybe he is love sick!" Says Isabelle excitedly.

"Lovesick?" Says Anne unbelieving. "Yes! And I bet I know who it is for as well. Little Viola! Those two have been like peas in a pod ever since they met. I would not be surprised if he has fallen for such a lovely doll such as her. And likewise, I bet the darling has fallen for my wonderful and dashing son! None could ever resist his charms after all!" Says Isabelle with stars in her eyes while Anne can only stare at her lady with a deadpan stare. "Ah yes! Young love~" Says Isabelle as she can already imagine the two children together.

Time Skip

In the Digne Manor, the children sat around a glass table while drinking tea and eating elegant pastries. James had found the manor quite over the top at first, but he couldn't very much say anything since his manor looked like a glass palace itself. When he first saw the mansion, he could've confused it for an extravagant fortress of sorts; the walls were painted silvery grey, white and black and had a very iron-like feel to it; the mansion itself also seemed to be reinforced and well-guarded no matter how ironic it may seem, seeing as the mansion resided on the seaside with docks and sea trading routes as it's main asset.

"So, how has everyone been?"

Says Viola calmly as she sets her teacup down on the table gently. "Well I-" Starts Raymond until he is abruptly cut off by the king of bitterness himself. "Why should I tell you anything?" Says Edmund as he eyes Viola with narrowed eyes and a scowl on his face. "My, my, Lord Edmund. You do seem to be quite bothered as of now." Says Viola as her friendly smile twitches upward ever so slightly. "Hmph, wouldn't you like to know." Responds Edmund in a slightly rude tone of voice.

"I still cannot believe how much your personality changes when it comes to Lady Viola, Lord Edmund." Says the crown prince as he sweat-drops at his friend's actions, all the while not losing his calm smile. "Honestly. Even your speech patterns change. Is it that you dislike me that much Lord Edmund?" Asks Viola slightly teasingly. Meanwhile Edmund can only look away and busy himself with his tea. "What's the matter Edmund? Cat got your tongue?" Says James, a small smirk on his face.

Everyone turns to James as he suddenly feels self conscious from all the attention. "On the other hand, seeing Lord James say more than three words at a time is refreshing." Says Albert as he gives James a small smile. "Hn, honestly I made him out to be a mouse for quite some time considering how quiet and jittery he was at the beginning." Says Edmund as Viola gives him a small smirk with a Look who's talking type of face. Meanwhile James glanced at Albert's small smile with a blush as the compliment sinks in. '... BE GAY FOR ME ALREADY ALBERT!' He thinks as he tries to hold his fanboy.

"The only person who seems to be quiet the most often in my opinion is Lord Raymond." Says Viola as everyone turns to look at the tall boy who had previously been sipping his tea in peace. Said boy shrinks at all the attention as he looks down at his teacup nervously. "Well, there's your mouse ay Edmund." Says James with a sympathetic smile directed at Raymond. "I would not particularly call him a mouse, considering his height advantage over us all." Says Albert keeping his unwavering kind smile. "Of course, if Lord Raymond is a mouse, then what does that make Lady Viola?" Says Edmund smugly as he draws attention to the shortest one in the room. "I am not that short! I'll have you know that we are both of the same height, Lord Edmund." Says Viola with a small frown on her face as she puffs her cheeks out in annoyance. This causes everyone to laugh at the display of the two. James then does something unexpected; he reaches his hand out and pats Viola's head, everything goes quiet as all attention is on James, everyone stares at him expectantly.

James looks at Viola in the eyes with a gentle expression and stunning face as Viola begins to blush slightly.

"You're shorter than me though~" Says James in a teasing tone.

" 'Sides it's not like being the same height as Edmund is any sort of accomplishment." He says smugly as he glances towards Edmund. Said boy takes a few seconds to process James' words. "... Hey!" He says along with Viola who is the main victim of James' teasing. Both children of the dukes of the North and South are left pouting at their predicament. "*Chuckle* Honestly Lord James, that was quite unexpected. I would've thought your intentions were different if not for your comment." Says Albert amusedly while James internally fanboys at the prince's laugh and the fact that he made him laugh. But then he snaps out of it as he processes the prince's words. "Hm? What d'ya mean?" Says James questioningly. "Well, I can see what his highness means." Says Raymond, finally speaking up from his small corner from the couch.

All attention returns to Raymond once more as he begins to regret his decision to speak. "W-well, there have been many times where Lord James and Lady Viola have been quite... Intimate... During our time socializing together that is." Says Raymond shyly with his head lowered. "Yes, I have seen you both quite close to each other... Very "intimate" I would say." Says Edmund nonchalantly as he drinks his tea. At this James feels quite a bit crestfallen at everyone's assumptions, however...

"I personally think both Lord James and Lady Viola make quite the lovely couple. I would not be surprised if you both ended up engaged. Maybe soon enough..." Says Albert with a bright smile as Raymond and Edmund agree with a small smile and a nod respectively.

Albert's comment was the final blow to James that took his soul right out of his body. 'Albert nooooo...' He thinks with a broken heart. "*Giggle* Our families have no such agreement as of now." Says Viola with a slightly wavering smile. 'AS OF NOW?!' Thinks James as he seems to be the more panicked one of the two. "Haha... Yeah... We're just friends ya know, it's nothing like that." Says James nervously. 'Albert how could you do this to me! I thought I was making progress...' Thinks James as he cries waterfalls internally.

Time Skip

The rest of the small playdate was spent chatting away. After the topic of James and Viola's suspicious intimacy with each other, the subject was dropped, much to James' relief, and the children continued to enjoy each other's company.

The children had begun to leave in the carriages back to their manors, some have only come with a trusted butler and maid from their manor such as prince Albert, the others had come with their mothers.

"It was a pleasure to be able to spend some time with you ladies once more." Says Lady Harriet Genie as she bids farewell to Lady Azuree, Lady Puissante, and Lady Digne. "Yes! It has been incredibly long since we have spent time together!" Says Lady Isabelle Azuree. "*Sigh* Lady Azuree, we have spent time together with you countless times while our children have come to play to each manor." Says Lady Victoria, slowly transitioning from her relaxed state to put up her perfect façade once more.

"Honestly Lady Isabelle, if I didn't know any better, I would ponder the suspicion of you wishing to spend time with us only for the sake of avoiding doing your work." Says Lady Beryl Digne as the other women giggle to themselves. "Ah! I am offended! I am no longer a young school girl you know. I am quite the responsible duchess if I do say so myself." Says Isabelle with mock outrage. "Yes, yes. And we praise your efforts little belle." Says Beryl as she pats Lady Isabelle's head while said lady pouts at the action. " *Giggle* I must take my leave now. Until next time ladies." Says Lady Genie.

"Well, I must do so as well. See you later Victoria! And until next time Harriet, Baryl." Says Lady Isabelle as she turns to walk to her carriage in search of her son only to find him talking to the young prince Albert Roi.

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"U-um, your highness!" Calls out James nervously as the other children migrate towards their parents in the entrance of the Digne Manor. Edmund and his mother bidding farewell to the guests as good hosts should and Viola glancing around subtly, taking in everyone's actions like the little hawk she was raised to be, while Victoria does the same but with more smooth elegance.

"Yes Lord James?" Says prince Albert.

"W-well... I... See you next time?" Says James nervously. 'W-Wha-? I sound so awkward!" Internally screamed James as he regrets his nervous behavior around his crush.

"... *Pfft*" Albert covers his mouth to suppress his small giggle fit. James visibly blushes more in embarrassment. "Apologies Lord James. Yes, I will see you next time." Says Albert as he quickly recovers and puts up his usual kind smile once more. "I-it's James... You can just call me James, your highness." Says James as he lowers his gaze with a blush still visible. The prince is slightly shocked at this but hides his surprise with a smile. "In that case... Call me Albert." He says with a genuine smile.

James looks up at him seeing the kind and genuine smile, his sparkling eyes that hold care and slight relief. The young prince then turns away and leaves to get in his carriage.

James only watches him go with a quickly beating heart and a bright smile as his blush only increases. 'He... Albert...' He thinks as a warm fuzzy feeling comes over him.

Meanwhile Viola has been staring at James and Albert for a bit longer than usual making it more obvious. Her mother catches this and discreetly reprimands her for it as the young girl turns away, however not before catching James' reaction to the conversation with the prince.

James and Isabelle walk happily and energetically to their carriage while Viola and Victoria walk elegantly to theirs. The two mothers on the same page, while the children in completely different books altogether. And it seems one of them is starting to notice this.

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