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*
For years, Derek has hated the sight of her.
The reminder of a lack of freedom and inability to choose what, and who, he wants.
Odette could hit with her fists and leap from trees and play with the wooden training swords, just as well as Derek—but, Odette also fought dirty. She cried. She tattled to Queen Uberta. Derek saw her once trying to train a swan to aggressively nip at a poorly done sketch of himself.
What a pain…
Even now, when they're sixteen years into their lives, he hates her. Kinda. Just a little bit.
Bromley rolls his eyes, tired of watching Derek glare from the corridor's entrance while Odette speaks shyly with a guard. No, Odette's flirting and that's not right. What is she thinking? Aren't they supposed to be promised to each other? Didn't their parents want to marry them together?
Oh, no…
Derek scolds himself by thumping his hands against his cheeks, but unable to look away.
Odette's teeth expose when she prettily grins.
Her fingers unconsciously touch the golden heart-shaped locket on her neck. When one of the castle-guards points it out, Odette unfastens her necklace, cheerfully showing off. Unknown to her, Derek hardens his jaw, infuriated by the blushing.
He acts impulsively—oh, and Mother would be distraught by his behavior—
Derek hurries into a run, going by, snatching the locket out of Odette's fingers. And keeps running.
"Ugh—!" Odette shouts, her blush darkening. "Derek!"
She follows him laughing proud-stomached and running towards the inner courtyard.
Servants duck out of the way, narrowly avoiding collision.
Odette chases him all throughout the grounds.
Her dark purple shoes kick off.
Closely behind him, Derek hears those bare feet smacking loudly upon the marblestone.
She shouts his name again, right below, while they're mazing the stairs.
Her defiant, beautiful expression…
Derek becomes mesmerized by it, as always, but he feigns ignorance, smiling mischievously and dangling the locket right above Odette's head. Still out of her reach. Whatever clever words longing to manifest from Derek's lips—they stray. As soon as Odette's brilliantly violet eyes meet his.
They know.
They know it like a heartbeat… Odette, in soft, silken purple, reaching out eagerly… and Derek, wide-eyed, holding out what is hers…
A first memory of each other.
Derek's hand loosens.
"Ah!" Odette winces, the golden and swan-carved locket thumping onto her. She rubs her eye. "That hurt, Derek!"
His heart gives a sudden, panicked clench. It isn't imagining Queen Uberta's wrath—no, Derek hastens to Odette's side, clasping her arm. "I'm sorry—I'm so sorry, princess—" he mumbles, urging her to look at him. His other hand gently tilts Odette's face. "—oh—oh, Odette, I didn't—"
She rubs her eye again, smiling.
It's beautiful.
And… Derek can't hate it.
"Has it happened? Has the incomparable Prince Derek finally fallen in love?"
When there's a moment of silence, Odette laughs lightly.
Derek regains his composure, shutting his mouth hung open.
"You're a fool if you believe so," he says resentfully, letting her go.
Derek grumpily bats away the end of Odette's long, yellow side-braid she uses to tickle under Derek's nostrils.
"No more than you are," Odette replies, throwing her hair over her shoulder and primly stretching her neck. Like a swan.
Irritation burns through him.
"You are," he complains.
"You are."
"No, you are."
"No, you."
"No."
"No."
*