can we start like an hour from now?

ok, let’s start

Anastasia walked down the stairs, waiting for her date. She stopped at the bottom of the steps and grabbed her book and started reading.

Prince Ethan walked down the steps of the palace to see Anastasia, “Lady Anastasia,” he greeted her

Anastasia got butterflies in her stomach. he was so handsome, so kind. “Hello, Prince Ethan.” she said very modest, shutting her book as she said it.

“Please, just call me Ethan,” he smiled, as he lead her to the stables.

“Okay, Ethan,” she says, smiling. “What are we going to do?”

“We’re going horseback riding and then we’ll have- actually I’ll leave that to a surprise,” he grinned, helping her onto her horse.

“Oooohhh, a surprise. I love surprises...” she said, thanking him for helping her onto the horse. “She’s beautiful, Ethan,” she said, petting the horses mane. “Where are we going?”

“Just follow me,”he gestured as he took off on his horse. Ethan led Anastasia to a glimmering lake that was a couple miles away from the seashore.

“Wow, this is so beautiful,” she said, looking at Ethan. She was getting nervous, she’s never been on a date before, and the only boy she’s ever been this close to was her brother. Anastasia hopes she isn’t being weird.

“Just like you,” he commented as he lead her to a long bridge that has a picnic set upon it.

Anastasia blushed. only her brother had called her beautiful. “Thank you, and wow. A picnic? is this the surprise?”

“Maybe...maybe not,” Ethan laughed as he pulled out an assortment of soups and salads and desert from the basket.

“Ugh, nevermind. I hate surprises!” Anastasia smiled, “I’m joking, I really do like surprises.” she laughed. “Wow, What kind of soups and salads are these?”

“Caesar salad, tomato soup, chicken noodle soup, French onion soup, kale salad...I wasn’t sure what you liked,” He laughed.

“Haha, I love all of those things. This is so sweet, Ethan.” she said, smiling softly. Maybe Prince Ethan didn’t think she was weird after all...?

He smiled back at her, “So, tell me a bit about yourself,”

“Well, my parents abandoned us in Labrador. Then my brother and I moved to Kent when I was about 10 years old and he was 17. I love to read and I’m pretty good at volleyball and sports. I’m pretty boring to be honest.” 😂

“Oh, and I love to make art with pastels. I also play the piano, but I’m not fully committed to it.” she finished

“That’s cool. My sister, Clio, plays volleyball and my other sister, Dylan, loves art.” he said, “So is there anything you want to know about me?” he asked

“Sure, tell me about yourself.” Anastasia said, smiling.

“Okay, so I obviously have two sisters. I like horseback riding, archery, football, and I just like adventures and traveling in general. If I wasn’t a Prince, I would like to be a guitarist,” Ethan said, eating some soup

“I love to adventure and travel. My brother and I frequently travel all over the country, visiting new provinces,” Anastasia said taking a small bite of Caesar salad. “What are we doing after this? Or was this the end of our date...” Anastasia asked, quietly. She never wanted this date to end. it was magical.

“I have a few more surprises,” he smiled, launching fireworks up into the sky.

“Wow! This is amazing!” Anastasia exclaimed. “What other tricks does this handsome prince have up his sleeve...” she said, trailing off. The fireworks were magical

Ethan smirked, “You’ll just have to wait and see,”

“Oh you’re awful, you know.” Anastasia said, laughing. She took the princes arm and put her head on his shoulder. “What time is it?”

“Eight-thirty,” he said. “Alright, onto the next surprise,” he smiled leading her back to the horses

Anastasia followed him, holding his hand. It was sweaty and warm, but she didn’t mind. “What’s it like, always having to be the prom and proper prince?”

“Hard. It’s much harder than what people imagine. You always have work and if you make one mistake the media goes wild...” he sighed

“Would being a princess be hard? If I win the Selection, which probably won’t happen, then I’m going to be a princess, Ethan. I’m not ready to leave my brother.”

“Sadly Yes, It is hard work, but if you do win, your brother will stay at the cas

tle,” he said.

“Well, as long as I have him, I guess winning wouldn’t be too bad...” Anastasia said, looking up at the stars. “Are we almost to the next surprise?”

“Yes ma’am,” he laughed lightly leading her farther and farther away from the castle. “We’re going to the town’s carnival,”

“N-no WAY! I’ve always wanted to go, but I could never afford it!” she exclaimed. She looked into the princes eyes and they stood there, looking into each other’s eyes.

He smiled, “Well here’s your chance,” he said as they both got onto their horses and rode to town. “Hiw about we go to the carousel first?”

“Sounds amazing!!” she said. This was so exciting for her.

I meant Ferris wheel how did that auto correct?😂

Ethan pays for the tickets and pulls her in line for the Ferris wheel

“I’m so excited, Ethan. I’ve always wanted to do this as a child. It was my dream!” Anastasia laughed.

He took her hand as it was their time to get on the wheel. They could see the whole province from here. He smiled at her.

“This-this is amazing, Ethan. It’s so beautiful.”

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” he smiled

“I’m not enjoyed it. I’m, like, MORE than enjoying it right now!” Anastasia beamed. They were stuck at the top, and they over looked the entire province, and the sun was just passing the horizon.

Ethan laughed, “I’m glad. So this is the final surprise...”he said quietly.

“Oh, really?” She was excited but sad that it was over.

excited bc it was a surprise lol 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

Ethan takes Anastasia around the carnival. He then helps her onto her horse

as they start riding back to the castle

“What is the next surprise? Is it back by the castle?”

He thinks, “Well...there’s one last surprise and it’s back in the garden,” he said. He got off his horse and then headed to the garden with Anastasia

“Mysterious, I like it.” Anastasia said, laughing. She asked herself, What did he have in store?

Ethan gets his guitar and starts singing Perfect.

Anastasia sits there, awestruck. His voice is beautiful, and so soft. She was beaming, and her jaws hurt because she was smiling so much.

“And that concludes my night of surprises,” he laughed. “So I’ll see you soon?” he asked

“Of course, Ethan. this was magical!” she said, smiling.