C6 Perfect you pt 1

2017, June 5th

(Sartis Est)

The drive from the airport to the castle took Bart's breath away. True to its name, Sartis Est was exceptionally beautiful. He took in the hills, mountains, pebble roads, streams, old ruins and knew that coming had been the right choice.

"Father, allow me to introduce Lord Bartholomew Arden," said Ethan as they entered the drawing room.

The king and queen were just sitting down to tea.

"I never met a straighter arrow. I'm sure by the end of his stay you'll wish he was your son instead of me," said Ethan, chipper as ever.

Aria gave Bart a concerned look as she went to sit next to her mother, holding onto her shoulders as both women watched the situation unfold with bated breath.

Undeterred, Bart stuck his hand out to the king and said, "Thank you for having me, Your Majesty."

The king looked at Bart's hand, sizing him up from every angle as he walked circles around Bart, staring him down.

"Are you truly the son of a nobleman? You should know better than to offer a king your hand. Show some respect!" King Victor boomed sternly.

Bart shrugged.

"Born and bred to be a crown prince, I'm afraid the etiquette of bowing was never one I was raised to adopt. I have offered many kings a good old fashioned handshake though and it usually goes okay."

Duke Arden had been taking Bart with him to meet with kings and world leaders alike for the last five years. King Victor was not the first king to protest against his lack of decorum. It didn't bother Bart anymore. They eventually got over it.

But because this king was Ethan's father, Bart added, "Forgive me for having offended you, Your Majesty, but Ardens bow to no one."

Bart didn't flinch as he gave King Victor this frank response, even as the king's eyes continued to bore into his. The room went silent as Bart withdrew his hand.

"You bowed your head to me," Aria argued with shining eyes.

Only she would say that in the face of danger like it was nothing. Bart's gaze shifted to her.

"No, I bent my head briefly to kiss a beautiful woman's hand. It's hardly the same thing," Bart argued back.

Only he could flirt with a woman in front of her angry father and somehow make it seem noble.

The family exchanged mysterious glances as Bart went back to folding his arms. He took a seat like absolutely nothing had happened, the deadpan poker face perfectly in place.

"Alright, that's time!" Ethan exclaimed with a grin, sticking out his palm. "Cough it up! Five bucks each!"

Bart looked around the room as everyone burst into laughter and the atmosphere turned merry. King Victor and Ethan dropped on either side of Bart. Ethan grinned at his father.

"I told you he wouldn't budge. Now give it!" Ethan insisted, sticking his hand out under King Victor's nose.

"Alright, alright," King Victor conceded, slapping the fiver into Ethan's hand as he put an arm around Bart's shoulders. "Where did you get this kid? He's got nerves of steel!"

"Wait until you see him do literally anything else," said Ethan.

He jumped up and dropped next to his mother and kissed her on the cheek.

Queen Elaine smiled warmly at Bart, apologizing for her family as she handed her son a note. Bart allowed himself a smile of his own while he watched Ethan chase Aria around the room as she held out the note for him to claim.

Soon Bart found his attention soley taken up by Aria. Listening to the sound of her musical child-like laugh, watching her ponytail swish back and forth as she tried to outrun Ethan. Aria must have felt Bart's eyes on her because she looked at him and it was her undoing. Ethan soon caught up with her. She was so busy watching Bart watch her that she didn't even feel the money slip out of her hand. Yes, coming had definitely been the right choice.

"So how about it? Want to be a prince after all?" King Victor asked, squeezing Bart's shoulder as he looked between him and his daughter.

Bart was spared the pain of having to answer this very uncomfortable question by the appearance of a woman.

"Welcome home," she said cautiously.

The uneasy atmosphere returned to the room, this time without a hint of pretense. Ethan went to her and kissed her forehead, pasting a smile on his face. She tried to smile back, but it was a strained exchange.

"This is Princess Diane, Ethan's fiancee,"said Queen Elaine.

The queen's voice was as kind as when she'd apologized for her family's silliness, but it was troubled too. The king and queen were both somewhat uneasy, watching Aria's temper flare up. Before Bart or Diane could acknowledge each other, Aria snapped.

"Why is she still here?"

Bart had never heard Aria sound angry before. The hurt behind the anger however, was familiar.

"Aria, don't start," King Victor warned witb a sigh.

Aria brushed past the engaged couple and stomped right out the room.

"Ria!" Ethan called after her.

Diane looked at Ethan guiltily and pulled away. She curtsied to everyone in the room and tried to smile again. Ethan put a hand on her back and gave Bart an uneasy look.

"She's just having a bit of a hard time with the idea of me getting married, that's all," Ethan explained.

There was obviously more to the story. The woman next to Ethan looked uncomfortable, like she didn't want to be here any more than Aria wanted her here. Was it an arranged marriage? But that didn't explain Aria's lashing out like that at the sight of her.

"I'll go and get her," Bart offered, watching Aria's retreating back.

"Sure. Thanks Barry," Ethan said with a defeated nod, leading Diane towards his parents.

After excusing himself, Bart took off after Aria without much thought about where she might be leading him. When Bart finally caught up with Aria, he found himself in front of an indoor pool. She was floating in the middle of it, in nothing but the shirt she had been wearing and a pair of panties.

His eyes fell first on the little puddle that was her shorts, shoes and bra at his feet and then onto her hardened nipples imprinting on the shirt.

"Shit, I'm sorry!" he exclaimed, immediately looking away.

Aria smirked despite her concerns. Ethan was too trusting and her father couldn't see past this damn treaty. It made her blood boil. But there Bart stood, ever the gentleman. Somehow that fact made her feel better. She couldn't take her eyes off of his embarrassed face, now covered by his big hands. Cute was probably the wrong word for Bart, but she could think of no other word to describe him just then. She let her feet hit the surface of the pool.

"You can look now," she said.

He pulled his hands away from his face cautiously. Her playful eyes and curled up lips came into view.

"You really have to stop apologizing for things that are out of your control," she teased.