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Ezziee & Xander ♡♡™
Ian ate his share and then watched as Ella's lady's maid came in with a letter. He frowned slightly as he watched her demeanor change with every sentence read. He figured it had to be from her parents. He stood up and bowed. "Of course, but it's..." he didn't get the chance to finish before she walked out of the room. He sat down and frowned. They were back to Your Majesty. He groaned and set his head down on the table. Henry cleared his throat, when Ian didn't look up Henry spoke up. "Master Ian, are you wanting to sleep or is there something wrong?" Ian laughed despite himself. "Henry, I have a bed if I wanted to sleep, it was just last night. I didn't mean to fall asleep, honest." He lifted his head up and smiled at his friend. "And nothing is the matter, but I am not quite sure what to do with a young lady and I believe Miss Quaintance has a few issues with being here. Add on the fact that Michael is once again shirking from his responsibilities and Miss Quaintance knows it." He sighed again and laid his head down once more. Henry patted his back. "Would you like some advice from an outside perspective?" Ian nodded with his head still on the table, Henry smiled. "Young Miss Quaintance, seemed to be quite happy before the letter arrived. Perhaps you and her are quite similar in the fact that you don't like being told what to do. The only difference is, is that you stood up to your parents while she has not, and maybe never will." Ian lifted his head and looked up at Henry with raised eyebrows. "Huh. So what should I do?" Henry chuckled and rested a hand on the younger mans shoulder. "Be a friend."
It felt like she was crying for hours. She sighed and stood up, she went to the mirror and fixed herself up with Flare's help. And soon, she looked like she hadnt cried all day, the only thing that stood out was the facted that her eyes were red. "You should tell them, you dont wanna get married." Flare said as she sat down, the facted that she could talk to her princess in that way alone. Showed how close the two were. Ella glanced at her and shook her head before explained that she had a duty to her parents plus her kingdom. So she didnt have a choice. After the two talked somemore, Ella decided to go looking for Ian. She had to apolozie to him for walking out on him. "Ian.." She called out as she walked the castle.
After his talk with Henry, Ian decided to go outside and wait for Ella. But when he got outside the gardener and his family were outside. The gardener, Mr. Smith had two young children who loved playing with Ian. He always made time to play with the young children and to sneak some sweets from Vince to them when he could. He grinned as the children ran to him and jumped up on him. He chuckled. "Well, I see you guys have a ton of energy." He glanced at the castle behind him. "I think I can spare a few moments to play." He set the children down and began to run after them. He laughed and then began to jog when the children ran after him. They caught him and pulled him to the ground. He groaned when they sat atop his chest. Mr. Smith and his wife looked at the scene and smiled. They were glad that Ian would be taking rule over his brother. Michael was a good lad, just inattentive to anyone else but his own needs. While Ian, who might be stubborn was a kind, gentle soul who made time for kids and old men, and he made sure to know everyone's name in the castle. Everyone at the castle adored Ian.
Ella stayed walking around the castle looking for Ian. Until she heard kids laughing, she glanced out the large window in the hall. She smiled at the sight of Ian playing with children it was adorable. She watched from the window for a while before she decided to head outside. The bright sun made her frown but once her eyes got use to it. She smiled. "Hi." She said softly as she waved at the man and who she assumed to be his wife. She glanced down at Ian, who had be pinned down by children. She couldnt help but giggle at the sight.
Ian heard Ella's voice and looked up. The boy jumped on his chest and he groaned again. "Ow. Are you ready?" He asked Ella. The kids got off of Ian and he stood up holding his chest. "Miss Quaintance, this is Timmy and his sister Hannah." He said introducing her to the kids. Hannah looked at Ella and smiled. "Are you a princess?" she asked. "You are so pretty!" the girl said. The boy nodded. "Yeah. Are you and Ian together?" he asked nudging Ian with a smirk. Ian shook his head. "You have been spending time with the wrong crowd little man." He said laughing.
She smiled at the two, she blent down to their level, she ran her habd through her hair. "Yes.. I am and thank you. Your very pretty yourself." She said to the girl and glanced over at the boy, when he made his comment. She giggled and shook her head. "No, we are just friends." She said with a smile when she glanced up at Ian.
Ian smiled down at Ella. "Alright you two, we best get going. Don't give your mom and dad any trouble." He said bending down and hugging the kids. The kids hugged him and then jumped on his one last time making Ian once again fall to the ground. "Ouch." He said while the kids just laughed. He shook his head as he laid there on the ground. "Well, since you guys made me fall onto the ground can I get some help getting back up?" he asked. The kids shook their heads and ran off back to their parents. He chuckled and got up dusting the back of his pants off. "Sorry about that. I figured I'd play with them while I was waiting for you."
The sight was adoreble. She giggled when they jumped on him again. She glanced over at him when he spoke. She slightly frowned as she stood up straight once again. "There is no need for an apologize." She said. She waved goodbye to the family before she started walking off. She glanced around at the area. It was beautiful, with every sound and movement her eyes would wondered. She had almost forgot to apologize herself. She cleared her throat before she spoke. "I am sorry about earlier. When i walked out on you, shouldnt have done so." She said, she heard bells and her eyes wondered around to see where it was coming from.
Ian smiled as he walked beside her. "There's nothing to be sorry for. I understand. I'm guessing the letter was from your parents?" He asked. He bit his lip trying to recall what Henry had spoken to him about. He remembered that he should be a friend to her but he also had said that the two of them might be similar in the fact they didn't like being told what to do. "I have a question for you. And you can feel free to tell me to shove off if you don't want to answer it, but... did you want to be engaged right now? Or did your parents just decide this for you?"
She was gonna answer his first question but he came with another. One that she wasnt excepting, she started playing with her hair. Which was finally dry, she stares at her feet. She sighed before she spoke. "My parents decided for me... But i wouldnt mind being engaged, of knew the gug i was engaged to. You know?" She said as she glanced over at Ian. He probably didnt understand he was guy. So she just shook her head. "But whats done is done... I cant change it." She said softly kinda of under her breath.Ella walked by a farmer, who was selling apples. She grabbed one and one for Ian. "Here, you go sir." She didnt know, how much anything was. So she just handed the man some gold coins. He held his mouth open wide. He smiled and nodded as she walked off.
"Here, you go." She said once she was walking beside Ian again.
Ian nodded. "I understand." He bit the inside of his cheek, he did that when he was nervous of in deep thought. "When I was 18 my parents told me that I was engaged to a young lady in another kingdom. They told me that it would be beneficial for both kingdoms to be united in marriage." He rubbed the back of his neck. "When the lady came to visit, I knew right away that the marriage wouldn't work. No matter how much time went on. We were polar opposites of each other. When she left with her parents I confronted my father and I told him I would not marry her. I told them that if they felt that I should be removed as heir to the throne so be it. I could go work for the royal guard." He had actually talked to the royal guard beforehand to make sure he would be accepted and trained. He glanced over at Ella. "I'm not sure why I just told you that." He admitted.
Ella listened, she sighed. She felt bad again. Thinking he wouldnt understand. But he seemed to understand alot about her. "I am guessing since your next to the throne. They didnt remove you." She said, she couldnt picture herself ever saying that to her parents. They were different from everyone else. Or maybe it wasnt them, maybe she was just tried to say anything about. "And dont worry i wont tell... It will be our little sercet, i guess." She said, as she took a bit of her apple.
Ian nodded. "Thank you. They were going to remove me. But they felt that since I made such decisions like that, and I wasn't afraid of confrontation I would make a good king. So no, they didn't. But I did still train with the royal guard. That way if I ever needed to I could protect the ones I loved." He said with a small smile. They finally got to the town and he waved to the people walking around. They all bowed as they saw Ian. "Come, there is a place that I think you would love to see." He walked towards the edge of town and into the forest.
Ella listened and nodded as he spoke, he spoke like a great king. So it wasnt a doubt in her head that he wouldnt be one. Even if she only knew him for a day, he seemed sweet to everyone. They all loved him, she raised a eyebrow when he started going off the town trial. "Where are we going?" She asked, as she followed him unsure of what was going on.
Ian chuckled. "Don't worry, Miss Quaintance. If I wanted to kill I would have done it at the castle." He joked with her. He lead her to an outlook that looked down upon the kingdom, you could see as far out to the sea. "Whenever I feel stressed or just need to get away from the castle I come here. The view relaxes me and gives me peace of mind." He turned to Ella with a smile. "Miss Quain... Ella, if you ever just need to get away from the castle or even our kingdom, for any reason, just tell me. I will not tell your parents, just promise me that you'll come back before you need to leave for your own kingdom again." He wanted to let her know that she had an option to leave if she felt uneasy.
"I am sure that is what every killer says. Before they kill their victums." She says with a slight smile. She followed him to the top of the hill. She saw the kingdom below and the ocean, she smile at the beautiful view. "Its so beautiful." She said softly to herself, she glanced over when he spoke. She was shook at his offer but she couldnt think about leaving. Her kingdom needed her right? That was the whole point in the marriage right? "Umm.. Thank you but, i dont wanna run away... I am not like Michael." She said as she looked at her feet, she shock her head. "I dont wanna ran, soo im stick through it." She said glancing over with a smile.
Ian nodded and smiled. "I admire your integrity. It's something that I wish Michael had, and I am sorry he doesn't." He turned his gaze back to the scene in front of him. "You ready to see the village then? I must urge you to try one of Mrs. Potter's scones at the bakery. She makes them fresh every morning and they are utterly delicious." He said turning around and heading back down to the village.
"Of course." She said with a smile, she loved anything that came from a bakery. She walked beside him and smiled again before she spoke. "How about a face?" She glanced over at him. She didnt wait unitl he agreed before she ran down the forest trial.
Ian smiled. He then turned to her as she asked for a race. He didn't have a chance to respond before she ran down the trail. He laughed and ran after her, he caught up to her easily as he had grown up running these trails. He even had a few shortcuts that he could take. "You cheater." He said laughing. He stopped at the clearing leading into the village and ran a hand through his wind blown hair. He shook his head.
"Its not cheating. You grow up here so its only fair i get a little step ahead." She said, Ella stopped and glanced at the village. It was beautiful just like it was up on the hill. "But understand you dont wanna lose to a girl in your kingdom. I get it." She jocked with a giggle.
Ian laughed. "Hey, I didn't lose. I still won and I didn't even use the shortcuts that I know about." He said grinning. "You ready for some of the best tasting scones in the village?" He asked as he walked ahead and towards the village bakery. He saw Mrs. Potter and waved. "Mrs. Potter! I hope you still have some of your delicious scones." Mrs. Potter grinned and waved back to him. "Of course, I always have some for you, Your Majesty. And who is this young lady I see with you?"
Ella laughed and started following him, she saw the woman he waved to. Then she started looking at the stores, she glanced at the things there were selling. Before she noticed the womans question, she smiled at her. She did a perfected curtsey in front of the lady before she spoke. "I am Ella.. I am just visting.. Ian, told me you make the best scones in the village." She said with a smile.
Ian grinned. "Yeah she does. Mrs. Potter can I please take 2 dozen?" Mrs. Potter laughed. "You better be planning on sharing those 2 dozen, young man." She said getting a bag for him. Ian grinned. "Always. You know me." He said with a smile. He then held up two fingers. "And two more for me and Ella?" He asked with an innocent grin. Mrs. Potter grinned and handed them both a scone. Ian paid her more than what was owed but he always did. Mrs. Potter just shook her head, knowing that if she tried to give him back change he would just argue with her and force her to take it. Ian bit into his scone and moaned. "What do you think?" he asked Ella.
She looked over at him when he order 2 dozen. She didnt understand what he needed that many for. When she was in her own kingdom, she would buy her village food. When she was out in the village, which was everyday since she always wanted to get away from her parents and their village was so big and plus they didnt know the roads like she did. So they could never find her, even if they sent guards. But she would have probably still brought them food, she loved her village. She was kinda like Ian, when it came to her village she knew everyone by name and they all seemed to love her. But even thougb he cares for his village doesnt mean he would do the same. She shook her head when she noticed a scone was being headed to her. "Thank you." She said before she took a bite. It was good, she smiled and nodded. "It is pretty good." She said.
Ian grinned. "I'll see you later, Mrs. Potter." He said as he started heading down the street. "Before I show you more of the village I need to make a quick stop." He told her. They had an orphanage here in their village. They had built it when they found lost kids in another village that had been burned to the ground. His father and mother were going to just leave them to fend for themselves but Ian stepped up and he even cared for the children himself in the beginning until the children's home was made and people were hired. Ian walked up the steps and knocked on the door. A young woman answered the door with a smile. "Simon said you'd be by, either today or tomorrow with sweets." She let them in and Ian went to each room handing out scones to the children.
She nodded, she didnt have a problem with him handling his business. She followed him as she ate the scone. She was finished when they were in front of a building. The sign read Orphanage she glanced up at Ian and then at the girl that opened the door. She walked behind Ian with her hands behind her back. She looked around at the kids they seemed so happy to see Ian, she couldnt help but to smile at the sight. He was really caring and sweet. Why my parents cant find me someone like him she thought to herself, she watched him handing out scones but soon she was pulled into a room with three girls. "Play tea party with us." Said a little girl that was nothing over seven, Ella smiled and sat at the small pink table. "Of course." She said, she was handed a hat and a dress. She smiled at the little girls and she put on the dress but they all decided she was to big to put on the dress with a couple of laughs and then the party began.
Ian finished handing out the scones, he saved Simon for last. Simon was a five year old boy who was in a wheelchair, due to a wall falling on his legs at his old village. "Hey, buddy. Look what I got for ya!" He handed the boy the scone and his whole face lit up. "I knew you'd come!" Simon yelled and hugged Ian. "Yep, I even brought a friend this time." Ian glanced behind him and frowned when he saw that Ella was no longer behind him. "Or at least I did." He wheeled Simon out of his room looking for Ella. He grinned as he saw her in Rue's room. "Hey, Ella, ladies." He said to the little girls. He always called the girls in here ladies. "Is it okay if we crash your little tea party?"
"Thank you, i see this some great tea." Ella said as she acted like she drunk some, Ella heard Ian behind her. She glanced back and smiled. "I dont think we would mind." She said as she glanced at the girls, Rue climbed onto Ella's lap. "Yall can sit over there." She pointed the spot that was once hers. And leaned back on Ellas lap, resting her head onto her chest. "You should come here everyday, it would be fun." Said the girl who introduced herself as Taylor. Rue looked up at her with puppy dog eyes. "Aww, i will try." Ella said giving in. She hugged Rue and glanced over at Ian. Her cheeks turned lightly red but she didnt know why. Maya was the other girl in the room, she got a brush and started brushing Ella's hair. Which took her attention off Ian. Making her cheeks go back to normal.
Ian smiled and pushed Simon's chair to the little table and then proceeded to try and sit in the small chair. He could't fit so he just sat on the floor instead. "Perhaps I shouldn't have anymore tea or scones, my butt seems to big for the chair." He said chuckling softly. Simon smirked at him. "I'm Simon." The little boy introduced himself to Ella. Ian grinned at Simon and then turned his attention to the girls. He saw Ella's cheeks turn slightly red and he wondered if she was somewhat hot. Then her cheeks went back to normal and he shrugged. He picked up a tea cup and acted like he was taking a sip of tea, he even had his pinkie finger out.
Ella laughed at Ian's little jock. She sighed, they played with the kids. Until it was getting dark. Ella hugged the childs before she headed to the door. She waved by to the others. "I will see you tomorrow." She said, Rue came running to her. She picked her up and gave her a big, tight hug before she finally lefted the orphange.
Ian played with the girls for a little while and then when Simon kept yawning he put him down for a nap. He then went to play with the older boys outside. When it started getting dark he rounded up the boys back inside the house. He entered laughing with the boys. "Come on, no. That did not happen." The boy nodded. "I swear! I happened!" He laughed and shook his head. He saw Ella. "You ready?" He asked her. The boys groaned. "No! You're gonna come back tomorrow with her right?" They asked. Ian chuckled and glanced over at Ella with a small shrug. "It depends."
Rue smiled jumping up and down. "Ella said she would come back tomorrow." She said not letting Ella have anytime to speak. She ran her hand through her hair and nodded. "Yes, ill be back tomorrow like i promised." She said, Rue waved and ran back to her room. Ella waved bye to everyone else before she started walking off.
Ian chuckled at Rue. He waved to the kids and then followed after Ella. "That took a lot longer than I expected it to." He said. He looked up at the clock tower for the time. "Wow, it is late." He chuckled. "You're great with the kids." He said smiling. "I hope you really didn't mind stopping in there. I try to come here twice a week and I always bring something, whether it be some sort of sweets or toys." He told her with a slight shrug. "I'm sorry we didn't get to see the rest of the village."
"Yeah, it really did. But it is fine... And thanks, your great with tmen too." She said before she spoke again. "No, its fine. I love kids." She said as she placed a piece of hair behind her ear. As she walked. She didnt even realize that she hadnt seen the rest of the village. She sighed softly before she spoke once again. "Well, if your not busy tomorrow. We can finish up." She said. She glanced over at him, to see him reaction. To if he mind being around her for another day, or did he want to be alone.
Ian smiled softly. "I do have a meeting tomorrow in the morning with the King's advisers. But after that I will be free. It shouldn't be a long meeting, perhaps half an hour or so." He had wanted to address the western border skirmish with them. "Perhaps in the afternoon, when I've finished showing you around our quaint village, we can see if the children would like to come with us for a swim in the lake." He glanced over at her seeing if she would mind having the children come with them.
She nodded when he talked about having a meeting. He was next for the throne, so he had another things to do. And she understand that, she smiled and nodded. "Of course, i would love to spend time with the kids again." She said as she contiuned walking side by side with him.
Ian grinned as he walked beside her. His stomach rumbled loudly and he blushed as he grabbed his stomach. "Sorry." He said. "If you can't tell, I'm kind of hungry." As they walked up the steps to the castle Henry met them and gave him a few letters. "Master Ian, quite a few letters came for you." Ian looked at Henry's face and realized that they were important. "Thank you, Henry. Have the cook begin preparation for dinner, please." He turned to Ella. "I may be a while so please feel free to start eating dinner without me." With that he left for his office and read the letters. One was from the general at the western border, one from his parents, and one from his brother. He read the letter from the general first he was relieved to find the skirmish was resolved. Then came the letter from his parents. His parents had decided to prolong their trip and visit a few other kingdoms before they came back home. He had expected this from them, his parents didn't particularly enjoy seeing and listening to his brother whine, which he most likely would have, if he had been here that is. He then opened Michael's letter.Dear Brother,
I was hoping that per chance you could send me some more money. I am almost out and if I am to be away for some time I will need more. Whatever you can spare me will be enough.
Michael
Ian scoffed at the letter. Michael didn't even bother to send his salutation to his bride or ask how she is, just ask for more money. In his irritation Ian quickly wrote out a letter and sent to his brother.
Michael,
Your fiance is fine, thank you for asking about her. I am fine as well. As are our parents, who have decided to prolong their trip for a few more weeks.
As regards to your situation with the money, I will not send you more. You took more than enough money for your trip, if you need more than come home. You have a duty to keep, not only to our parents but to the young lady you are to marry.
Ian
He sent it off and then headed to the dining room. He sat down with a groan not even looking at Ella. He motioned to the servant. "Scotch, just bring the bottle." He said.
Ella nodded she watched him walk off, she felt kinda of sad but shook it off. She headed to her bedroom for a quick change Flare was in the room and decided to help. It was nothing fancy just some normal clothing. She ran her hand through her as she told Flare about the day she had, telling her eveything Ian did. Flare smiled as her princess spoke. Flare said the same thing that Ella was thinking, that he would make perfected king. After talking to Flare, Ella walked the hall heading to the dinnkng room. Thats when she remembered she was suppose to write prince Michael. She sighed and rolled her eyes at the thought and shook her head, thinking she would do it another day. She headed into the dinning room, Ian wasnt there yet but the food seemed to be ready. The bulter was about to hand her her food but, she shook her head. "I'll wait." She said, and she waited and waited until he came in to eat. But she noticed he seemed different, she wanted to ask what was wrong but thought that she probably would be crossing the line and decided to stay in her place and quiet at that.
The maid brought out a glass and the bottle of scotch. He took a sip and then saw that Ella didn't have food in front of her. He frowned and then sighed. "I told you, you didn't have to wait for me. I'm sorry. Jenna, please bring out our meal." He said the servant, Jenna nodded. "Of course, Your Majesty." He ran a hand over his face. "How long were you waiting?" he asked her timidly. He had hoped he hadn't kept her waiting long. He knew that she must be hungry as they did not have very much for lunch at the orphanage.
Ella saw the frowned and just decided not say anything to him, to night but he soon asked her a question she didnt even look up at him. "Not long." She answered, it wasnt her first to deal with a man annoyed she knew the signs and knew to stay quiet at least that was how she was when he father was annoyed. She glanced up when food was put in front of her. She smiled at the maid. "Thank you." She said softly almost a whisper. She started eating.
Ian looked at Ella and frowned again. He saw the signs of a girl who almost seemed to cower. He sighed. "Sorry. Please forgive me. I'm a bit upset, but not at you. You don't have to be quiet. Actually, you being quiet unnerves me." He gave her a small smile. "I'm guessing this is how you were supposed to act when you're father got upset?" He asked her and then realized it was a very intimate question. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry, and you don't have to answer the question if you don't want to."
When she heard him speak, she thought about not talking. If it was best not to talk but, she didnt like people ignoring her. So she wasnt going to do it to him. She waited a minute before she finally spoke. "Yeah, umm i found out its better to just stay to yourself when he was annoyed... He wouldnt be mad at us, it was just his work." She explained, she glanced up at Ian for a moment before she went back to looking down at her food.
Ian shook his head. "Please don't do that with me." He pleaded with her. He didn't like anyone to feel uncomfortable with him. "I don't really snap at anyone when I'm annoyed. I just drink and keep to myself a bit. But I don't snap at anyone. If I snap then I'm actually really mad, not annoyed." He explained to her. He hoped that she would never see him get mad. He didn't get mad often and normally when he was mad it was either at people who did wrong things and felt no remorse or at his brother.
She nodded even though she knew, she would do the same if it was to happen again. It was how she was, and it worked for her for this long. If it aint broke dont fix it was her why of thinking. "I will try not to... I guess." She said still talking slightly low but higher than before. She glanced up at him and then the bottle in front of him before she went back to her food. She was longer hungry, she got to her feet. She said her goodbyes and goodnights before she walked out. She headed straight to bed. Flare wasnt in the room this time but Ella was princess not a baby. She could do things by herself but she did forget to close the door as she got dress.
Ian sighed when she left. He had no appetite now. He poured himself a full glass of the scotch and then headed for his room. He would have to deal with everything a bit later. He was tired and he had to be up early for his meeting with the advisers. He retired to his room and began to get ready for bed. He set his drink down at his night stand before he began to change.
Once Ella was ready for bed, she grabbed her book and climbed onto bed as she started reading is when Flare appeared she said sorry more than was need. Ella shock her head, she didnt take her eyes off the book. Flare nodded and got herself ready for bed to and climbed in for the night.
Ian didn't have a very good night's sleep so early the next morning Ian got up and decided he wanted to get some exercise in and some excess energy out. He pulled on some shorts and a t-shirt and then headed out into the hall. He was going to go for a run in the forest and then come back here to shower and get ready for the advisers meeting. He walked quietly as he could by Ella's room so as not to wake her or her lady's maid Flare.
Ella woke up, she rubbed her eyes. She had a headache from laying all wrong last night since she wanted to read her book. She rubbed the back of her neck before she got to her feet, Flare was still a sleep which was odd for her to be asleep. But Ella decided to leave her alone, she probably was just tried. She went ahead and went to the bathroom to take a shower.
Ian finally got outside and he began to run. He ran into the village and then into the forest. He ran past his special spot and when he was out of breath he turned back and stopped at his spot for a short break. He looked out at the view and watched the sunrise. He smiled softly as he saw it. It was gorgeous. He waited till the sun was a bit higher and then ran all the way back to the castle to get ready for the meeting.
Ella,
My dear Toni as decided to get married tomorrow. So we will be at southeast kingdom for while, i hope everything was going while. And remember be prefected for Michael, sit up straight and dont speak about books or anything in that natrue. Men dont not want to hear about that. Just be our perfected princess. We will let you know when we are coming back.
Quaintance Kingdom.
She sighed to herself before handing the letter back to Flare, Flare had already read the letter and she felt sorry for Ella, her parents didnt see what she saw that she perfected the way she was. Ella stood up and curtsey. "I will meet you outside your majesty." She said before she walked out, Flare bowed and walked behind Ella. She walked up stairs claimly, like nothing was wrong. Soon she was in her room, Flare closed the door and walked to Ella once they sat down. Tears fall down Ella's cheek. She placed her head onto Flare's shoulder. As Flare stays quiet and rubs the princesses back.