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An awfully long week had passed since Noel had visited Celine's grave, and today was the day of Noel's flight to Greece. Her last time ... ever being Noel of France.

Well... it wasn't really her last time.

Noel of France was a clever girl. And a clever girl like Noel would make sure she wouldn't be marrying this Greek prince, no matter what the cost. She also knew that if she so happened to somehow "fall ill" on the way to Greece, her Royal escorts would have to aide in the French princess in a French hospital. When at the hospital, Noel will simply ask to use the restroom and done... escaped!

Oh well. It's such a shame Noel was no fool ... then maybe she would have shrugged at her so called fate and let herself be forced to marry a stranger.

Standing front of the palace, the princess with her family and her luggage in front of the large front doors of the palace. Just breathe, she kept telling herself. After all she wasn't actually going to marry that prince.

"Au revuior Catherine." whispered Noel, pretending to feel sorrowful as she kissed her Aunt's cheek.

"Wait!" Catherine croaked. "Marie, think about this. She just lost her sister... she is vulnerable still. Shouldn't we give it more time?"

Marie pursed her tight thin, plum lips together. "Catherine, don't make me cross. Noel is leaving today, she was no longer apart of this monarchy as soon as me and King Phillipos of Greece agreed to this marriage proposal."

Catherine let out a dry sob. "Noel is so young and innocent ... you haven't even prepared her for certain aspects of marriage my dearest sister."

"Do not mock my parental skills, Marie. Your husband did years ago and look where is now ... dead and forgotten!" Marie snapped.

"Mother that's enough!" Manon stated. "Noel, we wish you the best of luck in Greece. Que Dieu vous bénisse avec la santé et un amour sain!"

Manon planted a soft kiss on Noel's forehead. It seemed now that Manon had taken Celine's place in line to the throne and in general, she was more mature and less ... well Manon-like. She hadn't had a choice really, poor Manon, she had to become metaphorically Celine ... for her country after all

Catherine wiped her tears. "Que Dieu vous bénisse avec la santé et un amour sain, Noel."

The woman then strolled up the staircase, not wanting or being able to handle anymore of this sorrowful goodbye.

Noel stood in front of her mother.

"I hope I pleased you these past eighteen years, Maman."

Marie, looking elegant in her sliver gown, turned, and looked back at her youngest daughter.

"Not enough, as you can see."

Of course she would say that.

"Are you ready to leave now Your Highness?" asked Maurice, standing at the glass door.

"Yes, I am Maurice."

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Halfway to the Paris Charles De Galle Airport, Noel knocked on the glass pane behind the driver and front passenger's seat.

"Monsieur? Hello? I feel ... breathless." Noel gasped, now panting heavily for air.

"Your Royal Highness, Her Majesty specifically said to make sure we were on schedule no matter the circumstance."

Noel then gasped one more time, breathing in all the oxygen possible, then lazily fell, sprawled across the backseat of the limousine.

"Princess!" the escort in the passenger's seat yelped. "Princess, can you hear me?"

Noel did not make a sound.

"Edward," the escort said to the driver, "I believe the princess is unconscious."

Edward looked back to see the Princess at a red light. "She seems to be breathing well from what I can see ... but this is Her Royal Highness' health on the line after all. Inform Her Majesty on what we should do next about the Princess' current condition."

"Rapport! rapport! la princesse s'est évanouie ! Inform Her Majesty's private security team about this information as of right now!" spoke the guard on his earpiece.

Noel tried not to smile. They would probably take her to the palace or the nearest hospital ... and she would be able to escape with all her belongings and money.

"Edward, Her Majesty has informed her security team saying to continue on with the journey and Her Royal Highness can rest when she has arrived at Megaron Palace in Athens."

Noel's eyes shut wide open. Her plan had backfired! Her only plan to be frankly.... What was she going to do? She was going to have to marry this pig of a prince. There was now no scheme or plan in the world to get out of this marriage. It was just like being in the palace again... trapped, imprisoned... alone.

All over again. For the rest of her life.

💸🌬🌟💰

An five hour long airplane journey is tiring for anyone... but for someone who is about to meet their lifelong-spouse for the first time is might about feel like five minutes. After another 20 minute drive from the airport, Noel rolled down her window to find a Mediterranean-styled estate.

Now, Noel had lived in a palace all her life ... but this was no just a palace.

It was art.

The architecture of the windows, the balconies, the blue skyline in the background ... it was all to absolutely die for. There were at least ten fountains surrounding the estate, a glass greenhouse next to the estate, and a bright red helicopter parked in front. Gardeners, with a smile plastered on their faces, trimmed the gorgeous green leaves of the thousand year old trees. Everyone looked somewhat happy, appearing they had some sort of warmish feeling upon themselves. This was nothing like the palace back in France ... Greece was a very much different type beauty to France. That was certain.

Noel fidgeted with the lace hem of her straight mini lilac silk dress that had been paired with a lilac headband.

"It's time to enter the palace Your Royal Highness." said the driver, struggling to speak English.

Noel's breathing deepened, was she capable of doing this? She could barely talk to her own mother for Christ's sake, how in heavens was she suppose to be the wife to the soon-to-be King of Greece? Hell, how did she even want to be the wife to the King of Greece. She wanted a simple life, she did not want to be married into a monarchy she knew nothing of.

A Royal guard got out of the car to open the limousine door for Noel, who politely stated a simple thank you to the man and was greeted by the estates' Royal Head of Security, a man by the name of Theodore.

"I hope the trip wasn't too horrid of a plane ride." bowed Theodore, who seemed to have spoken in a posh Greek accent.

Noel forced a toothless smile. "No Theodore, it was just fine."

"Shall I escort you to His and Her Majesty? They will be very pleased to see you."

"Yes I suppose so." Noel nodded frantically, clutching her white shoulder purse. God why did she have to be so nervous? Her hands were almost shaking at this point.

Theodore led her to a large room made of mostly marble, Noel guessed it to be the family room, where a man and woman sat on the couch. Noel bowed as soon as she had made eye contact with the both of them.

"Princess Noel! My, what a lovely honor to meet you. You are just as ravishing as I've heard." King Philipos smiled kindly, nodding to the young princess. The man seemed to sound more of a old posh English mixed with a Greek accent.

"Oh Philipos, do not scare off the girl already!" chuckled Queen Alexia, kissing Noel's forehead. "He is so excited to meet you darling. As I have as well to be fair."

"Please ... the honor is all mine, Your Majesties. I can already tell I am so very blessed to be married into the Greek family." insisted Noel. "I was afraid to have horrid mother and father in laws, but thankfully that isn't the case."

Philipos laughed at Noel's joke made out of her nerves, then started to echo an deep cough through the palace.

"Relax,agápi mou. Your blood pressure will go mad if you get too excited." Queen Alexia told her husband, rubbing his back.

Noel watched as the king and queen looked at eachother so very lovingly. The Queen had tanned skin, long dark brown hair, and high cheekbones. The King had peachy skin, light brown hair, and brown eyes.

"So my dearest Noel," Queen Alexia said, "We have planned an surprise welcome ball for your arrival in Athens tonight at sundown. Your chamber maids have already been assembled to your chamber, though your stylist will not be here still after your marriage to Prince Aldo, of course."

"I'm sure Noel can pull something from her wardrobe." Philipos said, reassuring his wife with sarcasm. "Now where in Aphrodite is that boy Dimitri —"

Suddenly an loud male voice of laughter came from the stairs. All three of the Royals looked to see a handsome teenage boy, known as Dimitri, sliding down the stair's bannister, jumping off and running to them.

The boy looked no older than sixteen, but had a ... no better way to put it ... but the most beautiful face Noel had ever seen. His tan olive skinned face was so perfectly youthful with fuller cheeks, and his brown messy hair was perfectly in a mess.

Lord, if Dimitri was so very handsome ... what will his older brother be like.

"IM HEREEEEE PAPAAAAAAAAA —-" shouted Dimitri. "What's the problem?"

Alexia bit her lip annoyedly as Philipos sighed. "Dimitri, the lovely Princess Noel of France arrived. Your older brother's fiancée."

Dimitri turned to face Noel, zooming his eyes all over her. Making Noel feel slightly ... watched. He smirked as he looked up into Noel's aqua pupils, gracefully grabbing her hand and placing multiple kisses on it. After the kisses, he held onto Noel's hand swiftly.

"Prince Dimitri of Greece, Duke of Corinth too," the teenager said charmingly in his posh Greek-British accent, "And your heart of course my love."

Noel's pale ears turned red, not knowing how to reply. "How um...charming."

"Alright leave the poor girl alone Dimitri, she's getting married to your older brother for goodness sakes." Alexia scolded. "And your a baby, stop trying to be a man."

"I AM SIXTEEN MAMA!" Dimitri whispered-yelled to his mother, then licked his lips looking at Noel. "Good god ... our boy Aldo is one lucky man. He's never going to be bored that's for sure with those thick thighs —"

Phillipos slapped his son's head. "Alright that's enough. Will you be a gentleman and escort Noel to her room kindly?"

"Of course Papa! Come along darling!"

Noel nervously looked down at her pumps as she trailed behind Dimitri.

"Quite a nervous little thing aren't you?" Dimitri noted.

"Er...Its just a new place for me. That's all." Noel said softly.

"Well don't worry. I'm sure Aldo going to take care of you." Dimitri smiled kindly. "Once he arrives home from his little football (soccer) game with his friends. He's really good at it actually. Unfortunately, I'm not as talented at the game as he is."

"That's nice of him to have a hobby." Noel replied, trying to loosen up.

"Don't tell Mama though ... she forbids to play football. It gives him bad publicity or whatever that even means."

Noel smiled. "Secret sealed."

Dimitri dragged Noel another three cases of stairs to see just about the most exquisite bedroom she had ever seen. It had a feature wall with a beautiful portrait of the gardens, beautiful pastel shades all over ... it was like seeing a ethereal dream.

"Shall I ... help you get dressed Noel?" Dimitri whispered to a frozen Noel, who was still taking in her bedroom's beauty.

Noel rolled her eyes. "Get out you pervert."