Queen for All

She was a Queen to all, but to him — one of the biggest annoyances, hindrances, curiosities and saviors — she was merely a girl.

He was a selfish tyrant to all, but to her — one of the biggest nuisances, hindrances, amusements and saviors — he was merely a boy.

The boy leaned back against the worn stone wall, a wistful smile playing on his lips as he regarded her with fondness. "Ours wouldn't be a romance which would go down in history books," he remarked with a playful tsk.

The girl laughed, the sound echoing off the cold stone walls of the hidden alcove. "What will they even write?" she teased. "Once upon a time — there was a kitchen slave who stole flowers as a side job."

"And then, a madwoman found her amusing and decided to make a queen out of her!" the boy added with a chuckle.

"Nobody would read it," the girl snorted, shaking her head. "I mean, she went to a magical school! She has no magic! And she lives to tell the tale?! Literally sounds like I made it up on the spot!"

The boy nodded in agreement, a nostalgic gleam in his eyes. "Oh, oh, remember the time Grace killed you?" he asked, a mischievous grin quirking his lips.

The girl shuddered at the memory, "Ugh, I still get shivers down my spine when I think about it."

"We used to fight so much. I think my favourite was when I was spying on you and you were spying on me but we were pretending to be in love?" the boy cackled.

"Oh the horror! I was in such a mess— and, well, I wouldn't call it fight; I'd rather call it banter," The girl countered with a smirk. "You were too egoistic and I couldn't stand you!"

The boy chuckled, a warm sound that filled the small alcove. "Pity, my kisses got you stuck with me for life now," he teased.

"What life," the girl snorted, rolling her eyes in mock exasperation. But beneath her playful facade, there was a hint of affection, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had formed, "We're already dead."

And that's how their first life segwayed into a second chance.

Will they achieve a happily-ever-after this time?