At least an hour had passed since Essie left Jasper behind on the mountain. Not once did sleep come for him, despite the fact that his eyes never opened. His find wandered far away, to a land no one else had ever been. It explored leaps and depth until it came to a discovery that was hard for Jasper to face. When his eyes opened, they were a warm red color.

He needed to see Essie again. He needed to talk to her. And though he had never done it before, he needed to apologize...Feelings, Emotions, romance... These were all things Jasper had little experience with. They were things that frightened him, and yet, they came crashing at his door, demanding that he let them in! How was he supposed to deal with that! Of all the lessons his Father had required him to take, none had prepared him for his current predicament.

As he rode back to the Castle, he tried to put together a script for what he would say when he saw Essie. How he would let her know how he felt about all this; About her. He was pretty sure that if he came to her genuinely, she would at least listen. When he arrived, He returned Shadow to his pin, and headed straight for his fiancee's room. But what he would find was more than surprising.

Essie was laying on her back, her abdomen wrapped in bloody bandages! What the hell happened since she left him on the mountain?! Solid red eyes were overtaken by a black shadow as he stood in the doorway, hands shaking. He was frozen in time for a moment, before making his way to her bed, shades of blue washing into his eyes as he came to the realization that she was awake, and seemed to be alright. Sweet relief... "What happened?" He asked. Everything he had planned to tell her went out the window. Right now the only thing that mattered was her condition. It was funny how things went full circle. "I shouldn't have let you come down alone..."

Jasper hated when she was like that. He could deal with when she was angry, and combative. He even rather enjoyed it! But when she was silent and reserved, it made him feel a pain in his chest that he couldn't explain. Her aura radiated of hurt. He didn't want to hurt her. Only to keep her at a distance. And then the words flowed from her lips...

"I am."

He couldn't stop himself from turning his head toward her any more than he could stop his reflective blue eyes from shifting to a dark, faded one. It wasn't fair! Why couldn't she just maintain things the way they had always been!? Jasper heard the sound of the bells. He heard Essie's call to return. He even heard her horse trot away, but he didn't move. Only lay on his back and close his eyes. It wasn't that he was sleepy though... It was his attempt to hide the dark grey that his eyes had taken. Though Essie was gone, he couldn't help but feel her staring into his eyes, reading everything that they portrayed... And though he never shared the meanings behind the colors his eyes took on, some were just obvious... He remained atop the mountain for hours, thinking about the rest of his life. He would have to come to terms with the fact that things were changing, and they would never return to the way they were...

What was he thinking?! Jasper knew Essie was attractive. He had known since they were kids! He loved being close to her! But she could never know that! It was better for her to go on hating him; To go on thinking he hated her! That was the only way to keep this thing going.

Jasper's eyes were unable to maintain a lie. In order for him to convince Essie that his disdain for her mirrored her own for him, he had to convince himself that it was true. He had done so for years, though he secretly admired her for her ability to so well mirror the expectations the Royals had of her. He saw strength in that. But he also found it annoying. So he focused on that, and teased her for being a goody goody. But on this day she proved him wrong. She proved she could roll with the big dogs, and come out on top! How could he continue his charade now?There was only one way...

::What did you expect from your husband?::

Those were the words he wanted to speak to her. In their entire lives, Jasper and Essie had not shared a moment of sincerity such as this one. He wanted it to continue, to know what she dreamed of for herself, and not just what was decided for her. But that wasn't an option.... "As if you could manage to pull off a husband of my caliber without being assigned! You should be grateful to your parents!" Jasper knew how to say it in a way that Essie would know he was just teasing, but he didn't. He was as conceited and abnoxious in his tone as he knew how to be. It was the only thing he could do at this point to protect himself.

The shades of yellow that filled Jasper's eyes upon their arrival were indicative of happiness, fun, and excitement. He was also in the midst of a fit of laughter as the woman told him of the capabilities of her "charm." When she batted her eyes at him in a clearly over-dramatized manner, he feigned a trance, walking toward her like a brainwashed junkie. "Can't... resist... eyelashes..." He said, teasing her for her act, but when he arrived directly in front of her, his smile faded. Shades of pink flooded into his irises, as if being poured in from a pitcher. For a moment, he truly fell into the trance he had faked. It was certain that he would kiss her in that moment.

He quickly snapped out of it, however, taking two quick steps away from her, and walking over to a clear spot, where he could sit down and overlook the mountains, with the Kingdom at the bottom. He patted the spot next to him as Essie thanked him for his assistance earlier. "It's nothing." He told her. It was best if she thought he just did it as a favor to his future wife, than that he had any feelings in the matter himself.

He laughed when Essie asked him if he knew the definition of the word "Renegade." But when his laughter stopped, a deep blue color spread from the center of his eyes, filling them completely. "It's funny. They came up with the same name for me in the Castle, because I have a tendency to disappear at important moments." He paused for just a second as another thought inturrupted his process. "Usually to go to the very place you just got me banned from. Maybe I'll buy the place so I can go back..." He shook his head and continued. "Anyway, I know I won't be able to live that way forever. But It's nice being able to get out. To be someone else, if only for a little while. Isn't that right, Adelaide?" He looked over to Essie with eyes hopeful that they would be met with understanding. At the end of the day, she was the only person in the world who could truly relate to him, after all...

Jasper didn't know why, but he got quite a bit of enjoyment from Essie's aggressive glare toward the red headed woman. It was protective, despite the disdain she had carried for him all their lives. It was fun to watch, as her eyes threatened the woman, as if she was marking her territory. It was hot actually! A cheeky grin played on his face and eyes overflowed with yellow and orange teased the woman. "You didn't have to be so mean!" He said with a laugh.

His turn to be protective would come soon though, as if Karma was having a laugh at his expense, a rather large man came, and literally lifted his fiancee out of her seat. Under her real name, the man could be put to death for such action... His fists tightened, but when Essie looked to him for help, he couldnt' help but to consider leaving her to squirm. He didn't like the guys familiarity with her though, as much as he hated to admit it. By the time Essie spoke to introduce the two, Jasper was already on his feet, his hand extended to greet the man with a far more powerful handshake than expected; One that actually caused the burly man quite a bit of pain, though he didn't show it.

The man then boldly turned back to Essie, as if the she hadn't just told him she was on a date. "Oh I can answer that one!" Jasper said. His voice was high and spirited like a child answering a question in class. "She's been at my house." His voice was no longer excited now. It was deep, and threatening. When the man looked back at him, he would see eyes of blood red, that dared him to bother the Princess again. Seeming to get the hint, he meandered off to a bar, grumbling something incoherent along the way.

Then Essie went off too. Off to gam ble? Jasper had to admit, he liked the side of her that he was seeing. He turned his back and leaned his elbow against the table to watch the game, keen eyes catching on to what was happening very early. Maybe marrying her wouldn't be as bad as he thought... Not that they would be able to do things like this after their wedding... Or even after the announcement! Everyone who knew them by their alias names would know their true identities on that day...

But then she got bold, and bet the horses! That kind of inconsideration was infuriating! But at the same time, the spontaneity was a turn on! Jasper was unsure what to think...but for the time being, he prepared to slip outside and grab the horses in case things didn't go well.

And boy didn't they... Jasper was preparing to knock the large man on his ass when all hell broke loose!In the frenzy, the two escaped to the horses, and out into the night! It wasn't like they needed her winnings anyway! This time, Jasper took the lead, Shadow carrying him up the mountain so quickly that the wind blew his hat off his head and back down the mountain. When they reached the peak, he stopped, and tied the horse to a tree, laughing aloud all the while. "You know we'll never be allowed back there again, right?"

She came here on the regular, and she had a "usual?" This was a lot for Jasper to process, but one thing was for sure. For all the years she had gotten on him about his "bad habits" hers sure seemed to be lining up with his all of a sudden... Eyes full of Orange, blue, and purple looked on at the woman as she made herself more comfortable, before trailing over in the direction the woman pointed. That red headed woman... Jasper knew her. She had made passes at him several times in the past, but he always figured it was because she assumed he had money. She didn't seem much like the "genuine" type. Not that Jasper was ever looking for anything serious anyway, but he never gave the woman the time of day.

"Not at all!" He said with a slight laugh. "You don't date men right? Why don't you give her a try!"  He laughed out loud this time. The thought of a Princess and such a woman as her together... It was simply laughable! His laughter was halted when Chuck returned with Three shots of Rum for Jasper, and a tall ale for Essie. His comment brought Jasper's laughter back to the surface. He looked at the woman's hair as he laughed. It had grown longer since the last time he saw her. "You're right Chuck! If she acts right, I just might marry her one day!" One day entirely too soon... It was a joke, and it made the Bar tender laugh, but both the man and the woman knew the reality of the situation. It was no laughing matter.

It was odd that Essie felt the need to explain herself, as if he hadn't watched her hair grow, only for her to cut it over and over again. He started to ask her why it mattered, when the red haired woman made her way over. When she addressed him, he couldn't help but laugh! "Hey there!" He said in amusement. That was probably more attention than he had ever given her, but this time, he would play along. He patted his leg and the woman sat across his lap. But he never looked at her. His eyes remained settled on Essie. "My date here just pointed you out." he said with a mischievous grin, hoping that Essie would catch his insinuation. "She was saying that she wanted to meet you. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself?"

That was it? She just wanted to get away? And she used an imaginary riding lesson as an excuse? It was a classic Jasper move. He couldn't help but smile when she spoke the words, swirls of light yellow filling his irises. "Sounds good to me." He said, taking off behind her. This would be a perfect time to run, to take off in his own direction but something compelled the Prince to follow her. He wanted to see where she was going.

After a swift and fast paced ride, Essie stopped at the most ironic of places; The Raven's Keep. It was a place Jasper actually frequented. He figured her Highness would be afraid of a place like this, but since she chose it, he figured she was feeling adventurous.  He tied Shadow to the wall, confident that he wouldn't let anyone else touch him. He held the door open for the woman, and walked in behind her, heading straight for the bar. "Well if it isn't The Renegade himself! Said the burly man behind the counter. He was the only one who knew Jasper's true identity. "And you brought a date with you? That's rare" He looked to examine the woman for only a second before his eyes widened. "Is that Adelaide?!" It was clear that he recognized the woman, though he called her an odd name that amused Jasper.

"Oh, so you and -Adelaide- know each other?" He asked, taking a seat at the bar." This was interesting.  She had come here on purpose! Multicolored eyes settled on the woman in amusement. She had been caught! It was common knowledge that Jasper did things like this on the regular, but the sweet and innocent Princess? This was a valuable bit of information. "The regular, Chuck" He said, with a soft beat on the bar. "And whatever the lady wants."

Jasper rose from the table with Essie, and bowed his head respectfully to his parents before retreating to his room and donning simple black and white riding attire. Essie was up to something, though he didn't know what. His theory was confirmed when he saw her, attempting to hide her identity with her attire. He wouldn't admit to anyone why it was so easy for him to identify her, but let's just say he knew.

"What are you up to?" He asked, as he entered the stables, walking immediately to the stall containing his favorite black hose. His official name was Francis, but Jasper called him "Shadow." (xD) He prepared the saddle and stirrups, and waited for Essie. Whatever the deal was, he was intrigued enough to play along.

Dammit... Her reaction was flawless... Not even a moment's hesitation. She was more formidable than Jasper had given her credit for. Either that, or she had actually grown up a bit... She even went as far as to defend him!

The King and Queen, who had watched Jasper and Essie grow up together, constantly bickering and fighting, couldn't help but feel a little confused about the sudden air of positivity between the two. However, they decided to take it as a  plus. Meanwhile, Jasper played his role as necessary. In her own way, Essie had forced him into the very truce that he had refused her the night before, even if it only lasted momentarily. "I look forward to it." He said in response to her question about the time they would spend together. It wasn't a lie. He did look forward to it, though not in the way that his parents may have expected. His eyes took on an interesting purple color as he spoke, but he was looking down into his plate, making it nearly invisible.

"When her hand fell on his, his fingers spread, causing hers to fall into the gaps between them. This was odd, but their performances were convincing. "I wouldn't miss it." He said, before his parents had the opportunity to answer. Their schedule wasn't terribly hectic that day, but starting the next day, preparation for the ball would begin. They would be expected to rehearse and perfect a dance together to showcase to all those who attended once the announcement was made. They would be fitted for clothes, and prepped for what to say... The upcoming days would be a pain.. Especially if they had to keep playing nice for the crowd...

The King and Queen's expressions both turned to smiles when Essie walked through the door. Once she was seated, she thanked them for allowing her to dine with them. "Not at all! Yo're family!" The Queen insisted. "Besides," The King chimed in. "It's the least we could do after Jasper acted so irresponsibly yesterday. Isn't that right, son?" On the inside, Jasper scoffed, but his expression was apologetic.  Dark green and orange clashed in his irises as he spoke to the Princess with the greatest of eloquence. "My humblest apologies for being inconsiderate of your time. I hope that you can find it within your heart to forgive me."

With his face toward Essie, and facing away from his parents, he shot the Princess a challenging glare. She couldn't shoot him down like she would if they were alone, but her pride wouldn't let her give him the satisfaction of winning either. Even in the face of his parents, he had won. It was then thatthe help brought out a large breakfast feast of (whatever midieval people ate for breakfast.)Jasper would then turn, and begin his meal with perfect etiqquete. Despite Essie's beliefs, he had learned plenty in their classes as a kid. He simply knew how to turn it on and off.