𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐄𝐒

16. 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗿

"Oh, I also got you something."

The princess perked at the mention, curiously watching Jay pull a small box from his pocket. Rilynn raised her brows at the object, flicking her eyes toward Jay. She watches Jay brush his hair behind his ear, revealing a nervous smile. His brows were softly pulled together, and worry lines covered his forehead.

It was a black velvety box. A deep red color that looked maroon. It's a small box.

Jay carefully cracked open the box, and Rilynn wasn't sure what she was expecting, but it wasn't this. There lay a beautiful golden necklace, a sun pendant intertwined with the chain. But it wasn't a regular sun; Rilynn recognized the sigil from her childhood.

Corona--her family's kingdom.

It was a small pendant with a rose-pink gem in the sun's middle. Rilynn admired how the jewelry glimmered with the sun shining, creating small reflections with a rainbow inside.

Rilynn stood frozen at the sight, her jaw parting slightly in surprise. Rilynn gasped in surprise. Her hand darts over her face as she stares at the necklace; memories of her childhood flood her head as she admires the pendant. Rilynn has never seen anything so beautiful, and it matches the ring her parents got her before she started attending Auradon Prep.

Of all the luxurious gifts and clothing Rilynn got as a princess, she's never been so excited to receive a gift like this. Especially when coming from Jay. Rilynn wouldn't care if he made her a paper ring; for crying out loud, she would cherish it. This would give her more meaning than the expensive items Rilynn was given.

A wave of nostalgia rushed over her as she thought about Corona. Rilynn missed Corona so much, her kingdom, and her family. Rilynn sniffled softly and suddenly moved to tears.

"I saw it when we visited Corona, and I know you miss it there, so I figured, 'why not?'. I wasn't--hey, are you crying?" Jay stopped and stared, immediately growing panicked.

Rilynn couldn't see past the tears clouding her vision. She felt silly for crying over a little necklace, but Rilynn didn't realize how much she missed her home. Now, here she is, crying to herself.

No doubt, Jay was looking a little worried. He must think Rilynn was upset or didn't like the necklace. It was the opposite.

Rilynn doesn't know how she never noticed him looking at necklaces in Corona when they visited her family. Rilynn felt terrible for Jay--he was terrified to meet her parents, and he was right. Rapunzel practically interrogated him.

"I can return it if you don't like it?" Jay pulled back. He looked like he wasn't sure what to do. "I'm sorry. I can just--"

She quickly shakes her head, smiling thoughtfully in hopes of reassuring Jay. "No, no. I--I love it," Rilynn meets Jay's eyes, noting how his shoulders lowered in relief. Rilynn tried to ignore the swooning sensation in her chest. "It's beautiful. Can you put it on for me?"

Jay nodded. He removed the necklace from the box and shoved it back into his pocket. Jay looked at Rilynn before she turned her back toward him, pulling her hair over her shoulder.

What Rilynn didn't know was that Jay was quietly sighing in relief. She had him worried for a minute.

Rilynn felt the cool metal touch her skin and the warmth of Jay's fingertips grazing her neck. She played it cool, though. Rilynn couldn't suppress the smile forming on her lips. She felt so overwhelmed with excitement that Rilynn felt like she could explode.

"There," Jay finally pulled away after what felt like minutes passed. He paused when Rilynn turned around with a broad smile plastered on her face, dimples and all. "It looks good on you."

Rilynn blushed deeply. "Stop," she looks away shyly, trying to ignore how Jay's laughter made her feel. It hit her in her chest. "It's beautiful, Jay. Out of all the gifts I've received, this is the best. Thank you."

"It's no biggie," Jay shrugs. Rilynn pulls Jay into a tight hug, her arms wrapped around his torso.

"No biggie?" Rilynn gasped, pulling away. "It's amazing! I wish I had known. I would've brought you something, too."

"That's the whole point of it being a surprise," Jay chuckles.

"What do you want? Oh, I know! How about I make you your favorite donuts? You know, the one with the creme filling? I can decorate it and everything!"

Jay hums with a soft smile, nodding appreciatively. That did sound nice.

"You got yourself a deal, Goldie."

"I knew I could win you over with my baking. Consider that your present," Rilynn beams up toward Jay, excitedly glowing. "But you have to act like it was a surprise."

"Anything for you, Goldie."

Rilynn met Jay's gaze, and for a split second, Rilynn had the urge to reach forward and do something crazy; it caught her by surprise. The princess felt her breath hitch in her throat, but she smiled through her perplexity.

The tension was rising, but Rilynn wasn't sure if Jay could feel it, too, but she hoped not. This was exciting and new, but it was also terrifying.

Before things could get awkward, Rilynn spotted the ice cream parlor.

Rilynn grinned mischievously like the Chesire Cat. "Last one to the pier and a rotten egg!" She giggled when she shoved Jay back before breaking out into a sprint.

Jay barely moved but gaped at the princess running across the beach. "You little--! You cheater!"

He eventually caught up with Rilynn, who tried slowing him down by holding him back. Rilynn put all her weight on him to pull him back, but Jay dragged the princess.

"Why are you so heavy!"

"It's called muscles, Goldie."

Jay turned around and lifted Rilynn by the waist, suddenly spinning her around with a playful roar. Rilynn squealed in surprise, grasping Jay's torso. She was upside down, draped over Jay's shoulder.

"Put me down, you ape," Rilynn said between her laughter.

"Not until you admit that you cheated," Jay continued to walk across the beach with Rilynn dangling over his shoulder, smiling at everyone watching them.

They merely shook their heads with smiles on their faces.

"I did no such thing. You're just slow."

"Then, no. I won't put you down," Jay readjusted Rilynn on her shoulder.

"You're being ridiculous. I'm clearly the faster runner," Rilynn egged on.

Jay continued walking until they reached the pier, finally letting Rilynn down. She beamed back at Jay, seemingly satisfied.

"Thanks for saving me the walk," Rilynn chuckles. "Let's get some ice cream!"

Rilynn didn't wait any longer. She sprinted down the pier with Jay behind, but he merely watched the princess rushing toward the little ice cream parlor.

She brings something out of Jay that he never thought ever existed.