Matchbreakers, Chapter three : Beautiful leaves

'Get out here!' Thix shouted, caught up in her petty argument.
'I won't! It's wet!' Jaron replied playfully, sticking out his tongue.
Thix faked a gasp. 'Did you just show your tongue to the future queen?'
He rolled his eyes. 'Thix, you're fifteen. Hardly the future queen.'
Thix grinned and lunged for Jaron. He sidestepped her and caught her shoulder before she overbalanced.
'See, Thix? Now we're both inside, in your nice, warm, palace.'
Thix pouted unconvincingly. 'I only wanted to go see the autumn leaves!' She pointed past the wide doorway to the beautiful fiery trees in the near distance.
Jaron smiled and softened. 'But it's raining.'
Thix shook her head passionately. 'I know the leaves will fall tomorrow, I know it!'
Appealing to Jaron's love of nature, she continued.
'And the leaves are so beautiful, I'm sure you don't want to miss them!'
Jaron was visibly convinced as he gazed out at the flaming trees, framed by pouring rain. A contradiction so often unobserved.
'I'll get my coat.' he submitted.
'Oh no, you won't!' Thix exclaimed, grabbing Jaron's sleeve and pulling him out into the whirling mud and unkempt trees.
Jaron gave a relaxed and carefree grin as he followed along.

How beautiful was that smile. I'm so glad I'll get to see it again so shortly!

'Princess.'  I've been ignoring Annie again! She'll skin me alive!
I smiled gently. 'Sorry, Annie, I'm just excited to see Jaron.'
Annie gave me a stiff, reprimanding look. 'Again.'
I stifled a sigh. "Again" is the code word that means what I've said isn't proper. For a Princess.
I know now to just go with it. Over time I've learned how to compose 'correct' sentences.
'My apologies, Annie. I am looking forward to meeting once again with my childhood friend, Prince Jaron of Koronth.'
Annie nodded, apparently satisfied with my etiquette.
'But that still wasn't an appropriate apology.'
Annie will never be satisfied.
I nodded quickly, changing the subject. 'So, Annie, aren't you excited at coming with me to Koronth?'
Annie's expression turned to one of horror, as if I had flung dirt in her face.
'Princess, that grammar was... Atrocious.'
I allowed a glint of sadness to slip through my porcelain mask. 'My apologies.'
Annie saw my expression in the mirror and relented, clucking as she returned to braiding my hair in the proper style for a princess - tucked up and neat.
'I hope you are politer to the queen, when you take your leave of her this afternoon, princess.'
I knew what Annie meant. My mother is always going on about etiquette, even more than Annie.
It doesn't really matter though, as in the end, I spend almost no time in my mother's presence.
When Annie fusses over my belladonna drops, I know she is worried about my mother's fixation with correct appearances. 
It is rather painful to go against her, so I must always make sure to be as she wants.
'Take a breath, princess.' I exhale and brace for the tightening of my corset. It's not so painful now, as it used to be.
I know Annie thinks I should be grateful.
I'm not sure if I am.
I'm not exactly sure about the nature of this diplomatic trip either, but I hope Jaron will be the same as I remember him to be.
Annie's finished with me.
Deep breaths, Thix, deep breaths.