2017, June 5th

The drive from the airport to the castle took Bart's breath away. True to its name, Sartis Est was exceptionally beautiful. He took in the hills, mountains, pebble roads, streams, old ruins and knew that coming had been the right choice.

"Father, allow me to introduce Lord Bartholomew Arden," said Ethan as they entered the drawing room.

The king and queen were just sitting down to tea.

"I never met a straighter arrow. I'm sure by the end of his stay you'll wish he was your son instead of me," said Ethan, chipper as ever.

Aria gave Bart a concerned look as she went to sit next to her mother, holding onto her shoulders as both women watched the situation unfold with bated breath.

Undeterred, Bart stuck his hand out to the king and said, "Thank you for having me, Your Majesty."

The king looked at Bart's hand, sizing him up from every angle as he walked circles around Bart, staring him down.

"Are you truly the son of a nobleman? You should know better than to offer a king your hand. Show some respect!" King Victor boomed sternly.

Bart shrugged.

"Born and bred to be a crown prince, I'm afraid the etiquette of bowing was never one I was raised to adopt. I have offered many kings a good old fashioned handshake though and it usually goes okay."

Duke Arden had been taking Bart with him to meet with kings and world leaders alike for the last five years. King Victor was not the first king to protest against his lack of decorum. It didn't bother Bart anymore. They eventually got over it.

But because this king was Ethan's father, Bart added, "Forgive me for having offended you, Your Majesty, but Ardens bow to no one."

Bart didn't flinch as he gave King Victor this frank response, even as the king's eyes continued to bore into his. The room went silent as Bart withdrew his hand.

"You bowed your head to me," Aria argued with shining eyes.

Only she would say that in the face of danger like it was nothing. Bart's gaze shifted to her.

"No, I bent my head briefly to kiss a beautiful woman's hand. It's hardly the same thing," Bart argued back.

Only he could flirt with a woman in front of her angry father and somehow make it seem noble.

The family exchanged mysterious glances as Bart went back to folding his arms. He took a seat like absolutely nothing had happened, the deadpan poker face perfectly in place.

"Alright, that's time!" Ethan exclaimed with a grin, sticking out his palm. "Cough it up! Five bucks each!"

Bart looked around the room as everyone burst into laughter and the atmosphere turned merry. King Victor and Ethan dropped on either side of Bart. Ethan grinned at his father.

"I told you he wouldn't budge. Now give it!" Ethan insisted, sticking his hand out under King Victor's nose.

"Alright, alright," King Victor conceded, slapping the fiver into Ethan's hand as he put an arm around Bart's shoulders. "Where did you get this kid? He's got nerves of steel!"

"Wait until you see him do literally anything else," said Ethan.

He jumped up and dropped next to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.

Queen Elaine smiled warmly at Bart, apologizing for her family as she handed her son a note. Bart allowed himself a smile of his own while he watched Ethan chase Aria around the room as she held out the note for him to claim.

Soon Bart found his attention soley taken up by Aria. Listening to the sound of her musical child-like laugh, watching her ponytail swish back and forth as she tried to outrun Ethan. Aria must have felt Bart's eyes on her because she looked at him and it was her undoing. Ethan soon caught up with her. She was so busy watching Bart watch her that she didn't even feel the money slip out of her hand. Yes, coming had definitely been the right choice.

"So how about it? Want to be a prince after all?" King Victor asked, squeezing Bart's shoulder as he looked between him and his daughter.

Bart was spared the pain of having to answer this very uncomfortable question by the appearance of a woman.

"Welcome home," she said cautiously.

The uneasy atmosphere returned to the room, this time without a hint of pretense. Ethan went to her and kissed her forehead, pasting a smile on his face. She tried to smile back, but it was a strained exchange.

"This is Princess Diane, Ethan's fiancee,"said Queen Elaine.

The queen's voice was as kind as when she'd apologized for her family's silliness, but it was troubled too. The king and queen were both somewhat uneasy, watching Aria's temper flare up. Before Bart or Diane could acknowledge each other, Aria snapped.

"Why is she still here?"

Bart had never heard Aria sound angry before. The hurt behind the anger however, was familiar.

"Aria, don't start," King Victor warned witb a sigh.

Aria brushed past the engaged couple and stomped right out the room.

"Ria!" Ethan called after her.

Diane looked at Ethan guiltily and pulled away. She curtsied to everyone in the room and tried to smile again. Ethan put a hand on her back and gave Bart an uneasy look.

"She's just having a bit of a hard time with the idea of me getting married, that's all," Ethan explained.

There was obviously more to the story. The woman next to Ethan looked uncomfortable, like she didn't want to be here any more than Aria wanted her here. Was it an arranged marriage? But that didn't explain Aria's lashing out like that at the sight of her.

"I'll go and get her," Bart offered, watching Aria's retreating back.

"Sure. Thanks Barry," Ethan said with a defeated nod, leading Diane towards his parents.

After excusing himself, Bart took off after Aria without much thought about where she might be leading him. When Bart finally caught up with Aria, he found himself in front of an indoor pool. She was floating in the middle of it, in nothing but the shirt she had been wearing and a pair of panties.

His eyes fell first on the little puddle that was her shorts, shoes and bra at his feet and then onto her hardened nipples imprinting on the shirt.

"Shit, I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, immediately looking away.

Aria smirked despite her concerns. Ethan was too trusting and her father couldn't see past this damn treaty. It made her blood boil. But there Bart stood, ever the gentleman. Somehow that fact made her feel better. She couldn't take her eyes off of his embarrassed face, now covered by his big hands. Cute was probably the wrong word for Bart, but she could think of no other word to describe him just then. She let her feet hit the surface of the pool.

"You can look now," she said.

He pulled his hands away from his face cautiously. Her playful eyes and curled up lips came into view.

"You really have to stop apologizing for things that are out of your control," she teased.

The water covered every inch of her except her head and yet he still felt like he was doing something wrong as he looked at her.

"Want to talk about it?" he asked, his question followed by a gulp as he tried to figure out where to look.

"Want to come in?" she countered, her flirtatious eyes daring him to refuse. "I could always come out if you prefer."

Saw that coming. Bart's brain flashed back to the state he'd found her in and he turned his back on her.

"Are you going to tell me about Diane if I do?"

A light giggle fell from Aria's lips. She couldn't see the man who kept turning away from her coming in after her unless he intended to do it fully clothed.

"Okay, but you have to strip down to your undies. No tricks," she said, calling his bluff.

His jacket hit the floor and it was her turn to gulp. He undid one button and then another until his shirt was on the floor too. Aria inhaled sharply. She knew he was completely ripped under his tailored suits, but damn if seeing it wasn't something else. Aria was not a stranger to shirtless men. She had sparred with her fair share of them. Bart didn't sparr without a shirt though, so this was all new to her.

When Bart stood before her in nothing but briefs, she found herself unconsciously taking a step back. He hadn't moved yet. He just looked at her with that arrogant, stern gaze. Aria found she was suddenly extremely hot. Wasn't the water ice cold a moment ago?

Bart dove into the pool head first and swam a lap before popping his head back up in front of her. She watched his perfect form as he glided through the water.

"That's just not fair," she muttered, watching the water he'd brought up with him pour down his burly body.

He grinned at her stunned face, enjoyed the fact that he'd finally one upped her.

"So? A deal's a deal."

She smiled back at him, reaching out to touch his chest. Aria wasn't thinking about Ethan or Diane or their messed up situation. All she wanted was to be wrapped around him.

"You should probably talk to him about it yourself."

Bart had been getting looks like that for years. He didn't know it of course, because he didn't usually get close enough to women to see it. He'd certainly never stripped down to his underwear for one. The more her hands explored his torso, the less he wanted to talk about Ethan and Diane. Aria had tied her hair up into a bun, presumably for the swim. Having last seen her hair down at his birthday ball, it suddenly seemed very important to him that she had it down and not up.

His hand went to her hair and he undid the bun, pulling the scrunchie onto his wrist as he brought her hair down.

"You should wear it down more," he whispered.

She looked up at him and found his deep blue eyes staring down into her amber eyes. Unguarded tenderness greeted her. Okay fine, so maybe he was the one making her all hot and bothered. So, so hot and so damn close.

"It looks better down," he added, running his fingers through her knotted hair carefully so as not to hurt her.

What was she thinking inviting him in? She was a total fake, a complete flirt and nothing more. Aria didn't do stuff like this. Why hadn't she been as on edge as he was when he got here? She might have been laughing then, but she certainly wasn't now.

"Diane doesn't love Ethan, certainly not like he loves her," she caved.

Aria wasn't sure why she was telling Bart their personal family drama, but it seemed to distract him enough that he didn't mind her arms going around his neck.

"Then why—"

"Remember the prince from the ball? The one who was dancing with your girlfriend?"

Having CC brought up stung. Suddenly Bart realized that he hadn't thought about CC since his arrival. It had been a whole day. Bart's thoughts had been all Aria and Ethan until now. And while the idea hurt, Bart knew that he would be thinking of CC even less in the future.

Seeing Bart frown, Aria pulled away. This Bart was surprised to find, stung too.

"Looks like you do. Well Princess Diane is his older sister. Ethan and Diane's engagement, it's purely political. A way to unite nations or whatever," Aria said with an eye roll, splashing at the water in frustration.

"I see," Bart answered, waiting for her to carry on.

"I just don't want Ethan to be unhappy. There are rumors about Diane having a thing with someone from her home country. That's probably why she freaks out every time Ethan goes near her. Stupid idiot fell for her the moment he laid eyes on her."

Bart was smiling at her again, resulting in her directly her frustrated splashes at him.

"I'd put those pearly whites away if I was you."

"Was I smiling?" Bart chuckled, mesmerized by her pouting lips.

"Yes, you've been doing that a lot lately," she answered, laughing too, splashing him again.

Bart needed to stop smiling at Aria so much, it was unfair. His body, his laugh. The way he'd already won over her entire family. Just a few seconds ago he was depressed again about the princess from Caines. His princess. Aria's heart couldn't take the back and forth. He made getting hurt look so good though.

Taking action for the first time since he'd come to stand before her, Bart slipped hos arms around her waist and lifted her up. She gasped as her legs naturally wrapped around his waist, her hands cupping his neck as her thighs tightened around his hard core. He'd made the move, but now his eyes seemed to be wavering.

"It's just cute how worried you are about your brother," Bart said, his gaze dropping to her lips. "But he's a grown ass man. He can take care of himself."

As their lips neared each other's, she let out a sigh. He wasn't going to kiss her. This just wasn't their moment.

"Guess I'm being a hypocrite. I'm always in the boat he's in with Diane, even now."

"Ria—"

When he started pulling away, she tightened her hold on him.

"Get me out of here, won't you handsome?"

Bart pressed his forehead against Aria's. She was beautiful, fun, smart and packed a mean punch. Bart had never smiled or laughed so much in his life. Why couldn't it just be enough that he wanted to kiss her? Why did he have to go thinking about bloody consequences?

She saw the internal conflict on his face and kissed his cheek.

"Just walk Barry."

As Aria clung to Bart, he laid his hands on her back, holding her in place as he crossed the pool. His feet and mind were at war, debating whether to get to the end quickly or drag it out. She laid her head down on his chest like she had the first time. His arms tightened around her as he endeavored not to say anything and just do what she asked.

December 4th, 2019

James: So she shut you down?

Zoey came up to James and wiped away a bit of cream off of the corner of his mouth and stuck her finger into her mouth. James grinned at her.

Aaron: Okay, that's really gross. Save the foreplay for the 23 hours of the day during which I'm not looking at your faces.

Aaron picked up his tablet as he started pacing again.

Aaron: And no, I shut me down. It just felt like she was one upping me or something.

Zoey: The cream's from the cake we just had. Get your mind out of the gutter.

The blush on her cheeks said otherwise. James looked at Zoey's red face and he took a deep breath, wrestling with the words he was about to say.

James: You talk to him. He's freaking out that his new play thing is owning his ass. I'm going to finish up with dinner.

James got up, kissed his wife on the cheek and left for the kitchen.

Aaron: Dinner? He cooks?

Zoey: He does. He's pretty good too.

Aaron: Naturally.

Zoey: Ron, do you like Aria?

Aaron's face scrunched up in denial.

Aaron: What? Of course not. This is all about getting CC and Bart hitched, period.

Zoey: I spoke to Bart last night and they're doing just fine. More than fine from the sounds of it.

An exasperated Aaron raised his hands up into the air.

Aaron: That's because they haven't been to the palace since Aria got here. CC's probably freaked out about seeing her again.

Zoey: She's not a porcelain doll, Aaron. She can handle an ex-girlfriend.

At that wording, Aaron stopped pacing.

Aaron: Bart told you that? He actually said that they were a thing?

Zoey: It's complicated.

Aaron: What the hell does that mean!

Zoey threw a look over her shoulder, pulling the tablet closer to her face as she bent forward.

Zoey: Do you know why I fell in love with you?

Aaron: Zo, you aren't changing your mind, are you? I mean it's a little late, but—

Zoey: Forget it. You're on your own.

Aaron: Okay, okay. Goodness, you and James are so touchy. I'm listening.

Zoey: The Aaron I met that first day wasn't trying to pull a fast one. He wasn't just trying to get into my pants.

Aaron: Speak for yourself.

In answer to Aaron's amused smirk, Zoey gave him a frustrated glare.

Zoey: If you want her to really like you, there can't be any tricks. You gotta give a little to get some.

Aaron snapped his fingers, a light bulb going off above his head.

Aaron: That's it! She has to like me! Like actual feelings and shit. Usually women just like me anyway, but she's going to need some work. That way even after I sleep with her she'll still have a reason to come back, leaving Bart and CC in the clear. Problem solved.

Zoey: That's not exactly—"

Aaron: Thanks Zo. Got to go. Love you guys.

Aaron ended the call.

Zoey:... what I said.

James chuckled, adoration coloring his facial features as he leaned against the door frame, watching Zoey sigh. He walked over and laid his head down in her lap. He looked up at her as she stroked his hair with a worried look on her face.

James: Dinner is ready.

Zoey: Maybe we should go home after all.

James shook the can of whipped cream in his hand up and down.

James: You worry too much. So he has a little crush. Big deal. You said it yourself. Bart and CC are fine. What's the worst that could happen?

Zoey: Now, they're fine now. I have a bad feeling about this. This woman is going to eat him alive.

James: Speaking of.

James filled her mouth up with cream before shoving his tongue into it, pulling her mouth down onto his as he kissed her hungrily.

James: I think we've indulged my brother enough. Phone call ban is back on.

Zoey: But Jamie—

She let out a little purr against his lips.

James: No buts, wifey. Do you have any idea how many things you are wearing right now? Takes too much time to get to you these days.

He sunk one knee into the sofa, brought his face back up to hers then let his other knee come down on the other side of her, straddling her. She pouted.

Zoey: But you made dinner and I dressed up and everything.

James: Oh I noticed, believe me I did.

He growled, pulling the spaghetti straps down her shoulders, his lips following his hands, leaving behind feather light kisses in their wake.

When the kisses, light little licks and nips at her neck and collarbone had gotten her all worked up, he got up and walked back out the way he'd come in.

He turned back around at the door, a smirk on his face as he watched her compose herself while staring daggers at him.

James: You coming? I made dinner, you know.

Meanwhile, back at the palace, Aaron was making dinner plans of his own. He didn't know if Aria would come, since he'd sent the invitation, yes a physical invitation, a bit late and it was already eight. Who was he kidding? He didn't know if she would come even if she did have advance notice.

Ten minutes after the appointed time, Aaron heard the clicking of heels. Aria wore a black dress with an off shoulder neckline, the same diamond necklace as yesterday around her neck. Her hair was styled into perfect elegant locks. The heels were blood red.

Her outfit was more conservative than the things she'd been wearing around him of late, but that just made him want to take it off more. He shook his head. He had to remember that there would be none of that, not until she begged for it.

Since the moment he laid eyes on her, they'd been ice cold. He endeavored to change that. Aaron had had dinner set up in the most underused place in the palace hoping for privacy. He'd had the rose maze garden lined with candles to light the way so that she could find him easily.

She had to give him credit. He certainly seemed to be trying. When the invitation arrived, she was in two minds about coming. The Aaron Condor she'd met over two and half years ago now didn't seem to remember her, leading her to believe that nothing had changed. That he would drop her like a hot potato when he was done with her. Normally that honestly might not have been such a big deal breaker, but she was a queen now with a bounty on her head. She needed a husband, not a fling.

I do hope you don't burn the garden down with the fire hazard you've created back there," she said with a smile.

Damn that was some smile he thought, as he pulled out her chair for her. She wasn't playing with him or trying to tempt him. At least he didn't think she was. This smile was soft, maybe even real. It reached all the way up to her amber eyes, making them sparkle.

She took her seat and went straight to eating.

"What do you want Aaron?" Aria asked bluntly.

"We're on a first name basis already? Straight for the jugular, I like it," Aaron said, pouring champagne into their glasses.

He could have sworn anger flashed in her eyes for a second, but it was gone before he could make sure.

He really didn't remember her. What an asshole. She told herself she wouldn't get emotional about it, but now as he used the same lines on her that he'd used back then she couldn't help it. She was furious.

"You have until I have finished consuming this delicious steak. Use your time wisely."

"You got all dolled up just to eat steak?"

"I'm a queen seeking a king consort. I can't exactly turn away suitors."

Aaron chuckled as he watched her make short work of her steak.

"Is that what I am then? A suitor? I'm flattered."

She shrugged.

"You're either a suitor or trying to prevent me from getting the attention of one. Either works for me."

Damn, she had him dead to rights.

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked anyway, in his signature I'm giving you all of my attention voice.

"Obviously you know Lord Bartholomew and I have a… past connection. If it's option A, I'm happy to smile and coo and show when you deem it appropriate. So long as you are aware of my interest in other potential suitors, we can have all the fun you want. If it's option B, well that's even better. Please, do stick around."

She was doing it again, knocking him on his ass. Past connection? What exactly did that mean! Aria already seemed to know where all the cards in the deck were, including the ones in his hand.

"He's engaged you know," Aaron said with an edge to his voice.

He wanted to take it back, swallow every single syllable, but it was too late. If she had been wondering what his agenda was, she certainly knew now. He'd played right into her hands.

To say it didn't hurt that it was option B would've been a lie. She dropped her eyes down to her plate for the second it would take her to mask her hurt and then looked back up at him, a cold smirk on her face.

"To your sister, I'm aware, but then she's been engaged before and so were you not so long ago, Your Highness. Is it still Your Highness?"

The claws were out now. She was pushing all the right buttons, getting him riled up.

Back at the fashion house, when Bart and CC woke up the latter was, as predicted, mortified. She didn't speak for several minutes, despite his knowing that she was awake from how fiercely she clung to him, hiding her embarrassment.

"Good morning Caroline," Bart said eventually, laughter in his voice.

They might not have consummated their love last night, but waking up to CC in his arms brought Bart a special sort of happiness. He couldn't believe he was going to stop himself from staying with her tonight.

"Hi," she said, looking up at him slowly.

He was beaming down at her reassuringly. But it wasn't okay. How could she fall asleep while they were doing THAT! She wanted to jump out of bed and run. Even if she tried though, it would cost him next to no energy to stop her.

He dove under the covers and tickled her. She burst into a fit of giggles, her rigid body spasming under his fingers.

"Better," he said, popping his head back up from under the covers.

It felt good to touch her naked body, to shamelessly stare at her naked chest, but he was getting ahead of himself and he could tell she was too. Giving in a little, he kissed her. He counted down from 10 in his head and then withdrew.

"We need to go. We're meeting with potential caterers in an hour," he said, getting up quickly.

She pulled the covers clean off, lying on her side as he pulled up his pants.

"An hour's a lot of time."

He inhaled sharply, wondering if they could move up the wedding. It was going to be a long two months.

Bart eventually persuaded CC to leave the fashion house. He had been present for every single step of the wedding planning. CC wanted to do it all, so they did. They planned every little detail down to the napkins. Sometimes planning the wedding had been the only thing that made her happy, so even though it took a ton of time and she insisted on ridiculous things like them taking dance classes he went along with all of it. Planning something had never been so rewarding.

CC and Bart had agreed that she should spend the night at the palace. Since tomorrow was her birthday, she wanted to wake up at home. She wanted to make everyone stop worrying so much about her. This was her first birthday without her mom. It was going to be tough, but she was tired of everyone pitying her. They met up again in the evening, having parted ways after their morning appointment.

They were holding hands, loitering about in the garden, suddenly having a really difficult time parting after spending the last three nights together.

It was completely by accident. They happened upon the candle breadcrumbs and CC's eyes lit up. She was dragging Bart through the maze before he could tell her that they really shouldn't be here, because this hadn't been his doing.

"CC, wait!" Bart called out desperately.

But CC didn't stop. Before long Aaron and Aria's first date was officially crashed.

"Ria? Why are you here with him?" Bart asked angrily.

Aaron and Bart were on friendlier terms these days, but after what happened between him and Zoey, Bart simply didn't trust Aaron with Aria.

Aria smiled at Bart. It was the smile from before. The one filled with warmth and sincerity. Aaron wanted to kiss it off of her face.

"I was just leaving actually," Aria said, setting her knife and fork down.

"No, you're not!" Aaron said, red flames in his ocean blue eyes as he grabbed Aria's wrist.

"Unhand her!" Bart screamed.

"What's it to you who she spends time with?! You have a fiancee!" Aaron yelled back, jumping out of his seat and pulling Aria out of hers.

CC remembered stopping the fist fight that would definitely have erupted between Bart and Aaron at Fortunae a year ago like it was nothing. She wasn't so sure she could stop this one as easily. Just who was this woman? Who was she to Bart?

Aria didn't need a man to rescue her, but she sure didn't mind the look in Bart's eyes. She'd missed his kind, tender eyes but the angry ones were doing it for her too.

Hearing voices while taking in the grounds, Caines' newest royal guest went to investigate.

"So this is where the party's at," he said charmingly.

Bart and Aaron, both looking poised to throw the first punch, whipped their heads in his direction and yelled, "Who are you!"

The newcomer bowed like a prince that hopped straight out of a fairytale.

"He's my guest. Surely you all remember him. He came to Caines about two and half years ago looking for a wife," Aria said, peeling Aaron's fingers off of her wrist.

Aria went out to her guest and offered him her hand. He kissed it before surprising everyone by letting go and presenting himself to CC.

Shock coalesced with guilt on CC's face as her eyes went to Bart.

"Troy," CC whispered.

"Hi CC," Troy said, smiling as he took her hand and kissed it. "It's been a while."

Aaron watched Bart's anger go from 10 to 100, his hands forming fists as realization came over his face. Bart was shaking with rage. It had been over two years ago, but it looked like Bart recognized the man. Prince Troy was the man Henry had almost married CC off to. This time Aaron stepped in front of Bart, not as his enemy but as his friend.

"Dude come on, you're going to scare her. Cool it."

Aaron and Bart's eyes met and Bart took a seat, not daring to look up. He didn't want her to see him like this, didn't want her to know what her engagement did to him back then.

"You, Romeo. Beat it," said Aaron, putting himself between CC and Troy.

CC froze. She let Aaron pull her behind him, watched Bart lose his shit and try really hard to regain control. She wasn't feeling brave, but she went to him anyway, like he'd gone to her in the last few months so, so many times.

Bart was in hell, remembering the moment she'd let another man kiss her. It wouldn't stop playing in his head and he really needed it to stop. For her. She put her arms around him, like she wished she could have that night. But he couldn't stay, not even for her. So he pulled her arms away. She caught a glimpse of the pain she didn't know still haunted him before he walked away.

"Bart, wait!" she called after him.

She wasn't just going to let him go, not this time. CC took off after him, but the maze was vast and complicated and Bart soon gave her the slip.

Aria laughed at herself, at how she was still very much in love with how in love Bart was with his fiancee.

"Are you crazy?! What the hell is he doing here?!" Aaron snapped, turning his anger on Aria.

"Was it something I said?" Prince Troy asked with an easy smile.

Aaron had had a really charged evening and was just about ready to punch someone and this smug asshole would do as well as anyone.

Aria stepped out in front of Prince Troy.

"He's my fiance," she announced.

"Thank you Aria,” Aaron said, pulling her out of the way, “for confirming that I definitely want to do this," he continued, suckerpunching the cocky prince.