The Morning After

Emily woke to sunlight shining on her face. It was bright and obnoxious. This annoyed her.1

She sat up slowly, letting the white sheet fall down off of her exposed chest. It was a beautiful day outside. Songbirds were outside the windows chirping quietly.2

Allen. She thought back to him, wondering...3

Something brushed her side. Looking down she saw Allen, asleep next to her. Her heart skipped a beat and her face turned bright red. Suddenly, she remembered everything.4

Emily got out of bed carefully. She grabbed a robe off of the door handle and threw it on. She turned the knob, pulling the door open just as Edward was ready to knock on the door.5

"M'lady. Good morning."6

"Good...Morning." She replied in her slight daze.7

He smiled. "I have come with your afternoon tea. It is a black tea with ginger and honey. I am sure you will enjoy it."8

"Afternoon...?"9

"Why yes, m'lady. You and the young master slept all the morning away."10

Emily's face flushed. "You know he's here??"11

"Indeed. Infact, the entire household knows he's here."12

"...I will be down in a minute."13

She returned to her room, shutting the door gently behind her. She crawled up onto the bed. Allen was so adorable when he was sleeping. She planted a kiss on his cheek.14

"Allen. Allen, sweetie wake up..."15

His eyes fluttered open slowly. He looked up at her with a dazed smile. "Good morning, princess."16

"It is morning. I'm sure your father is worried about you. Maybe you should get dressed."17

Allen pouted. "But...I don't want to leave."18

She looked at him with confusion across her face.19

"I want to stay here with you."20

Emily laughed a bit and stroked his hair. "Don't be foolish...You wouldn't want to live like this. Besides, we only just met last night...Are you sure?"21

"More sure then I have ever been of anything my whole life, Emily."22

She blushed.23

"It may have only been a day...But after all the things we discussed...I really feel like I know enough to judge whether or not I may come to love someone."24

The two of them got dressed quickly. Afterwards, they walked down the stairs hand in hand into the dining hall. Emily knew that's where her father would be.25

The king looked up from a discussion with another man Emily did not recognize. "And here she is now."26

He was smiling. A very large smile. She knew something was up. 27

"Father. This is Allen. I...Would very much like him to be my King. If at all possible. I know he's not of royalty but--"28

"A fine lad you've raised, Authur. He looks strong and appears to have a good head."29

The man beside him gave a nod, adjusting his monocle. "He's a good boy. A very good boy."30

"Father, what's going on?"31

He stroked his beard a few times. "Authur and I were just discussing the wedding of you and young Allen. It is often customary for a princess to marry a prince but...The Henry family has been noble to ours for a long time. I think it would be just to allow such a thing."32

Emily's head spun. This was all too fast. Everything was happening far to quickly. She felt dizzy.33

And that's when she fell. Allen caught her just before she hit the ground. Both Authur and the King rose from their seats to run to her side.34

"My god, Emily! Are you alright? What happened?"35

Allen spoke up. "This all must be too much for her. Please allow me to take her away for a while to help her clear her mind. It is her decision after all."36

The king hesitated, then nodded.37

"That's a good lad, Allen. Always look out for the lady."38

Before she had time to respond, Allen scooped Emily up into his arms and began to walk. Normally, she would have fought against such a thing. But instead she rested her head on the crook of his neck. Something about Allen made everything...Perfect. 39