Disclaimer: The story line is mine, the characters are not.

Madge Undersee sits tall on the throne, or at least as tall as she can with her breath being squeezed out of her. Her corset is too tight, as is the tiara one of her servants shoved on top of her head. She won't complain though. As if being the princess of a dying country isn't bad enough, she doesn't want to make those who work for her more annoyed with her than they already are.

Her father is in the midst of conversing with some noblemen about marriage. Suitors from other countries. Madge does her best to look thrilled. Pleased at the idea of being sold off to some man from another country that will help fix their money problems. It isn't going to be that bad, she reminds herself, forcing her smile to appear bright and shining.

As her father talks and talks about the benefits of this 'exchange' Madge lets her eyes wander. Over by the door stands Gale Hawthorne, one of her father's many body guards. He stands tall, not suffocating under a corset like she is. His eyes don't even meet hers. Never really have.

She's spoken to him once or twice, heard the story of how he got his job by quickly raising through the ranks. All of his pay goes back home to his family. He lives in the guard towers by himself. He hates everything about this country, everything about her. She can tell by the look in his eyes that he'd rather be off somewhere else, doing something else. Elsewhere. Away from here. He's respectable enough of course, he has to be if he's going to be the king's favorite knight, but Madge has always known that underneath it all he's fuming. Must be.

But he's just so dammed good looking, especially in that uniform. Instead of the usual iron chest plate he wears, Gale is in some sort of leather outfit. Something her father commanded him to wear, she's sure. He would never break uniform unless otherwise instructed. Madge chews on her lip, despite the fact she's been scolded by her tutors for doing so, and watches as his grey eyes drift over the noblemen. Judging all of them, most definitely. Buying a woman. She laughs to herself at the disgust he's most likely feeling.

Moments later her father is done speaking. The suitors are guided out of the room by a set of knights still in their armor, and the area falls quiet. The king waves Gale over who is clearly more attentive than Madge – considering she hadn't realized her father was done the conversation with the men – and points toward his daughter.

"You'll be taking Madge to our home in the country," King Undersee tells him. The instructions are so vague she's sure Gale has been briefed beforehand. "You will stay with her a fortnight and then bring her back. I don't want her to be here with all the treaties that will be in order. Too messy."

Oh no, mustn't have the princess in range of eavesdropping. Her curiosity would get the best of her.

"Of course, your majesty," the knight nods. Her father motions for her to stand and she does so gracefully.

"I trust you with my daughter," her father continues. "Keep her safe."

"With my life." Gale turns toward Madge and extends his arm. "Come, your carriage awaits."

Madge nods and accepts his arm, trying to walk as elegantly as she can in the shoes strapped around her feet. Madge waves over her shoulder to her father and then continues in silence with the man next to her.

At the carriage he's a proper gentleman, upholding the name of chivalry like all knights should. Gale pulls open the door for her and helps her up the step before cautiously joining. He takes the seat across from Madge and keeps his eyes out the window, not bothering to look at her. As usual.

As the wheels start turning, pulled by the horses up front led by the driver, Madge continues to study him. His jaw is locked and his eyes are stone cold. His olive skin looked nice against the color of his dark blue uniform. The kingdom's colors.

"Your name is Gale, correct?" she asks. Madge already knows the answer. She just wants to talk to him, make conversation. The ride will be very long if it is silent and Madge already spends enough of her time submerged in quiet. "Gale Hawthorne?"

"Yes, Princess," he nods. If he's shocked she knows his name it doesn't show. "At your service." His eyes continue to stare out the window. She chews on her lip again. "Something you needed?"

"No, just making conversation." Madge tilts her head at how bored he sounds. "You're one of my father's favorites, you know. He doesn't trust just anyone with me." And then suddenly, the knight snorts. Madge lifts her eyebrows, amused by the noise she so rarely hears from anyone. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing."

"I demand you answer my question," Madge says sternly in the most authoritative voice she can manage. She still isn't used to bossing people around like her father is.

Gale finally turns to meet her gaze, his eyes are light and his lips are tugging upward. "You won't be pleased with my answer, Princess. I'd rather spare you."

"Sir Hawthorne—"

"I was just thinking how humorous it is that you say your father doesn't trust just anyone with you, and is off bidding you to the highest seller. He barely knows those men. I'm sure you can't even remember half of their names. And you're going to be married to one in less than a month." Madge clenches her jaw and continues to stare at him. "I told you that you wouldn't like my answer."

"That's a different circumstance," Madge tells him. "All of my suitors are of high nobility. And our country needs their money."

"So you're willing to just wed whoever will give it? What if he's indecent? Or a drunk?" Madge's jaw drops at his blunt speech. Quickly he corrects himself. "Sorry, Princess. It's just that—"

"Please, call me Madge." Gale stares back at her, his eyes wide at her words. "If you're going to be with me for a fortnight I'd rather hear my name, not my title."

"Madge." He tests the name in his mouth and the princess ignores the strange feeling it gives her. "I thought your name was Margaret."

"Please, I'm not ancient." His smile brightens at her speech.

"Then I may ask you to call me Gale," he responds.

"As you wish, Gale."

He smirks and says, "Madge."

The princess fights off her smile and crosses her hands in her lap. "You were saying something about my poor life choices," she quips. "You may continue now."

Gale laughs, shaking his head. "My apologies, Princess, if you thought I was degrading you. I was merely stating the fact that you're going to be wasting your life away with some old crone who doesn't love you."

Madge shrugs off the fact that he called her Princess again. It's a hard habit to break, she supposes. "I can see why you're my father's favorite," Madge mumbles, a very un-lady like thing to do. "You have such strong opinions. He's always favored those with wit."

"You mistake wit for realism," he tells her. "Princ—er, Madge, I simply do not understand the concept of marrying someone you do not love."

"I have no choice," Madge responds, pleased that he corrected himself with her name. "As I said before, our country needs money. I shall do whatever I must to make sure we are out of our debt and that we are prosperous once more."

"But you do not love him," Gale stresses, using hand motions to do so.

"I could maybe one day," she hums. "The fact that he, whoever he turns out to be, is going to help our country is a very noble prospect. Don't you think?" Gale rolls his eyes and resumes glancing out the window. Madge chews her lip. "This is my duty," she tells him. "Just as it is your duty to be a knight. So your family will have money." His head snaps back so quickly to face her she's sure it could fall off his head. "It's as though I'm protecting my family, only on a much grander scale."

"It is not your duty to bind yourself to someone you do not wish to be with," he growls. "And please, Princess, leave my family out of this."

"I was merely making a comparison," she says lightly. "And yes, it is. One unhappy girl compared to the unhappiness of an entire country? A bit of suffering will be no trouble for me." Madge drums her fingers over her knee. "Isn't that how it is for you, Gale? You never wanted to be a knight."

"It's turned out must more enjoyable than originally thought," he mutters. "And I've changed my mind. Do not call me Gale."

"I'll do as I wish," Madge responds. "I think your name is lovely."

"I think you're crossing into dangerous territory," Gale bites back. "My family is mostly well tended to, as am I."

"When's the last time you saw them?" The muscle's in the man's cheek twitch as Madge holds her gaze. "It's been awhile then, I assume?"

"Please, Princess," he tries, but Madge is persistent.

"Do you have any siblings? Why does your father not head your household and you shoulder the weight?"

"He's dead," Gale thunders. "He died in the Great War many years ago, serving your father. I was but a boy. It took me many years to join the ranks but here I am." Gale gestures to the small space around them. "On a carriage on my way to a country house with you while my family back home, wherever they are now, shivers on the cold nights and sweats on the hot days." Gale shakes his head but keeps his eyes directly no her. "I've missed my youngest sister's first steps. Did not get to teach my brothers how to hunt. I'm sure they barely remember what I look like."

"I'm sorry," Madge whispers. "I hadn't known." She hadn't meant to get him angry, not at all. That wasn't the plan. She just wanted him to understand that sometimes it isn't about what someone wants, rather than what is needed. Madge throws her shoulders back in an attempt to make herself look more regal. "I hadn't meant to upset you," she says. "Curiosity, that's all."

"I find it hardly fair that you exercise your power over me, making me answer your questions, while if I were to inquire about your life I could be beheaded," he says plainly.

"How cruel do you think I am?" Madge gasps. "We're merely making conversation; there is no reason to consider punishment for a simple question. Ask whatever you wish and I shall answer."

"You're giving me permission to speak freely, then?" Madge narrows her eyes in his direction and watches him smirk. They had already been speaking freely. "And you shall answer all of my questions?" The princess tips her head into a nod. "Very well. Why are you so curious about my home life?"

"The way I live is an open book," Madge tells him. "I only think it proper I know more about my subjects." Madge straightens her posture and sighs, her corset is still much too tight. Suddenly she remembers that she doesn't have to be wearing the tiara anymore and pulls it from her head, resting it on the seat next to her.

"Why did you do that?" Gale murmurs, his eyes studying the hairpiece carefully.

"It was hurting me," she says simply. "Does that count as a question?"

"I was unaware we were counting." Gale straightens his spine as well. "But yes, I suppose that can count as a question." She crosses her legs and waits for another. "Are you not scared to marry?"

She hesitates. Madge has been raised knowing that it would happen one day. She would live in a foreign country with strange people. This is her duty. She isn't exactly scared, but she isn't looking forward to it either.

So she lies. "I am not scared," Madge says proudly. "I've known it would happen my entire life, there's no reason to fear marriage."

Gale purses his lips, clearly thinking about each question before asking them. It's not an everyday thing that a knight is allowed to ask questions such as these to the princess. "How old are you?" Her mouth hangs open as she processes what he's said. "You're to be wed. I'm just curious as to how old you are."

Again, she hesitates. "I'm 17."

"How noble of you to give yourself away to a man much older than you," he grits out. "All for the sake of your country."

"Why does my upcoming marriage fascinate you so?" she inquires.

He pauses. "It doesn't." Gale reaches up and scratches at the scruff on his jaw. "One of the few freedoms I have in this kingdom is the freedom to marry whomever I love. As the princess I had always assumed you had that privilege as well."

"Love is for children," she forces out.

Gale smirks. "I'm guessing you've never been in love, then."

Madge laughs, rolling her eyes. "And you have?"

"Once," he nods. The thought doesn't rest easy with Madge, making her stomach curl. Was she a peasant girl? A merchant? Has Madge ever met her? "She was a girl from my village," Gale continues when he sees the look on her face. "She fought in one of the many border wars. Her name was chosen from the manifest." Madge chews on her lip again, dread filling her. She must be dead, then. "One of the other boys from my village saved her life in it, or perhaps they saved each other. I always forget. They were married soon after. She loved him."

"Oh," Madge frowns. "I'm sorry."

"I had other things to do, however," Gale responds, lifting his shoulders. "It wasn't meant to be, that was something I had to accept." Madge reaches up to fiddle with the tips of her hair. "I'm happy for her. Finding true love in a place like this."

"A place like this," Madge echoes emptily. A poor country with starving people. Dry lands. Sickness. Though she doesn't say these things out loud her throat still constricts. "This is why I don't have time for such foolish things as love. A place like this." Madge shakes her head. "My people deserve better and I will shoulder the weight for them."

"Such confliction, isn't it?" Gale muses, glancing out the window again. "To be happy yourself or allow others to be."

"It isn't confliction at all," Madge insists sharply, clenching her hands together. "Why do you not understand that? There are no second thoughts to this, no hesitation. I will wed whoever my father selects and that's the end of it. Your thoughts and judgment about the situation will change not a thing."

"Have you ever kissed anyone?" the knight suddenly asks. Madge's cheeks flush and her fists loosen. "Not your father or mother, but a boy. A real kiss."

"I don't see how that has anything to do with—"

Gale cuts her off with a bright laugh, high and loud through the carriage. "You've never even been kissed and you're willing to bed with a total stranger. My, my, Princess," he shakes his head, a dangerous smile on his lips, "do you even know what you're getting yourself into?"

The rest of the ride is mostly quiet.

At the country home Gale resumes his quiet knight-like attitude. He asks no more questions. He barely looks her way other than the moment he has to help her down from the carriage. The driver bids his farewells and announces his return in two weeks' time. Gale carries her luggage from the carriage to the home and leaves it in her bedroom, excusing himself so he can go to his quarters and unpack.

The servants that reside fulltime in the country home unpack the princess's belongings while she changes into something less formfitting. The second the corset is untied she takes a deep breath, pleased to be able to breathe freely again. Quickly she is clothed into a flowing skirt and a fitted blouse. Something blue. It's always blue.

Madge departs from her servants and sneaks downstairs, away to the garden. It's rare she has a moment to herself that she enjoys. A moment of quiet to observe the beauty that still remains in her kingdom.

Madge sighs pleasantly as she lowers herself to the stone stool, allowing her eyes to drift back and forth over the flowers in the yard. A long time ago when her mother, the queen, was not bedridden, they had planted these flowers together. Tended to the garden's needs. Weeded and watered and plowed. But now neither the princess nor the queen has time for such acts and those who reside in the home take care of it for them.

"Lovely garden," a voice rings out high. Madge lifts her head and finds Sir Hawthorne leaning against the side of the house. He's changed too, into a loose fitting shirt with ties at the top and some brown pants. "I hear you planted it yourself."

"When I was young, yes," she nods. He takes a few steps over but doesn't take a seat with her. That would be impolite unless she were to invite him. And honestly, she doesn't feel like inviting him. She's still a bit sour from the ride. "Will you be stalking me for the next two weeks, then?"

"Stalking, no," Gale shakes his head. "Guarding, yes. This is my job and I'm getting paid extra for it."

"And if I were to excuse you…?"

"Your father's word is law, not yours. I'm with you for the fortnight. Sorry Princess," he grins. Madge rolls her eyes and readjusts how she sits. She can feel his gaze on her and it's unsettling. "Are you going to invite me to sit or will I be standing here the next few hours?"

She feigns a gasp, "Sir Hawthorne you are most blunt and very distasteful. I suggest you learn your manners when talking to a princess." Ignoring her words the knight crosses the yard and takes the seat next to her. "Remember that conversation we had earlier? You were scared you'd be punished for a question. I fear, Gale, that your actions are much more dangerous than your words."

"Then invite me to sit," he says quietly. "Unless you wish for my head to be ripped from my body."

Madge shudders at the thought. Beheadings make her queasy. "You may sit," she murmurs. Gale is obviously amused with her response and laughs. "You're the strangest knight I've ever met," she tells him.

"And why's that?"

"You seem to have formed your own rules and follow those, rather than the ones that are already enforced." Madge taps at her chin. "Must have something to do with your upbringing."

"Yes, that's it. I'm clearly filth of the earth due to my upbringing."

"You speak out of turn," Madge proclaims, blatantly ignoring what he's said. "You tease and taunt me. Pry. Act as though this is a game. Like you wouldn't mind being discharged from the royal guard. I know no other knight that would behave this way and they all happen to have been part of the nobility beforehand."

Gale smiles, one that isn't playful at all, but rather bright and cheerful. "Perhaps my upbringing does have something to do with it," he nods. "Or perhaps I'm trying to give you one last chance at happiness before you sell your soul to save your country."

Madge scoffs, standing up and pointing down at him. "Do not talk to me as if I am a floozy, Sir Hawthorne, because I assure you that I am not!" Women on the street do not even deserve to be talked to in such a belittling manner. "Nor am I a child and I will not be demeaned by someone like you! I am your princess! You will respect me!"

"Then do something about it," he smirks. "React. Report me. Tell your dear old father. If you send a message tonight it will be sure to arrive by tomorrow." She drops her finger from him and drops her jaw at the same time. "Go on. I'll call for some parchment if you'd like."

She scoffs again, or is it a gasp, before taking a step back. "You're infuriating," she announces. "I'm going to my chambers do not follow me."

Gale smirks. "As you wish."

A/N: This started out as a oneshot request and I ended up just writing and writing and writing and now I can't stop. There's a set plot and this won't be more than 10 chapters long. I'll be surprised if it's more than 8. I hope you enjoy it, even though it's a little strange! It's fun to toy with. Who doesn't love AU's? Will be updated every Monday and will not interfere with my other fics, considering I already have most of this written. x