I really didn't 'wake up' because I hadn't really slept. Maybe a few minutes here and there. The castle had warm bedding but cold rooms. I didn't have clean sleep pants so I had to wear shorts last night. I grabbed my huge zip up sweatshirt and my knee high socks and went wondering. It was just after 5:15 am and I just couldn't stand to lay there anymore. I needed to do something other than count sheep. After 137 you really get tired of them. I grabbed my phone and FaceTimed Michelle. I turned the lights on while I waited. The camera glitched then Michelle, Vanessa and Savannah came into view. They were sitting at a table.
"Autumn!" They smiled brightly.
"Hey guys. I'm so glad you're all together!" I smiled. I really missed them.
"So your flight got cancelled." Vanessa frowned. I nodded.
"Yeah."
"Did you find a new hotel?" I paused for a moment. I wasn't a good liar, especially to these three.
"I have somewhere to stay, yeah." I finally said.
"Why'd you say it like that?" Savannah asked. I swallowed. She leaned in closer. "Where are you?" Her voice was loud. I rubbed my forehead trying to avoid the question.
"Oh my god!" Vanessa yelled.
"You're in the castle!" Savannah answered her own question. I just stared at all of them. I sighed, giving in.
"Yeah." They smacked each other playfully.
"How did you manage that?!" Michelle pushed.
"Listen, all the hotels around were either booked or $325 or more a night. Hannah, Gina, Becky and Mariah all got a room and refused to help me out. I didn't know what else to do. I got in a cab and drove around for a little bit," that was a little white lie but they didn't need to know that. "I finally got so frustrated that I came here just to talk to Prince William since I couldn't vent to you guys. He insisted that I stayed here. I didn't want to but what else was I going to do?" I ran my fingers through my hair.
"You're going to spend Christmas with Prince William!" Michelle squealed.
"I know." I dreaded.
"Come on that exciting!" Savannah scolded me.
"Guy, I'm imposing on someone's holiday." They all nodded a little.
"Listen, Autumn I know you feel bad but Prince William offered to help and I'm sure he wants you there. You want to be there too and you know it. You're lucky to have some where to stay and at least you're not alone." The other two nodded in agreement with Michelle. "Or stuck in a hotel room with those other four." I laughed. That's true. I'd rather be here than with them. "I'm honestly glad you are there. I was worried about you, we all were."
"She's right." Vanessa joined in. "We're glad your safe and with someone trustworthy." I smiled at them. I'm glad they worried about me as much as I worried about them.
"And hey," Savannah pointed her finger at me. "No falling in love with the Prince." I rolled my eyes.
"Don't tell her she can't fall in love with the Prince!" Michelle smacked her. I shook my head.
"Guys. It's fine. We're friends, nothing is going to happen." Vanessa just shook her head.
"Ooo! Foods here, well talk to you later. Love you!" Michelle smiled. I waved and they hung up.

I decided to get out of bed and wonder the castle. The hallway was empty. I wrapped my sweatshirt tightly around me. The halls had Christmas sprinkled all around. I walked by and looked at each room. There were many empty bedrooms and conference rooms. Some rooms had desks, some had tables and some just had chairs in a circle. One was set up as a classroom. I couldn't help myself but go in. The wall was filled with 'graduation' pictures. They never went to public school and we're home schooled so all the students were young. I found Prince Williams at the bottom. It was from January 2008. He graduated quickly. I was surprised, but not really. Hayes was smart and if your home school I'm sure that's all the had for him to do. The picture above was of the King when he graduated. They looked very similar at that age but Hayes did have a few qualities of his mother. I liked these pictures and the memories they held. The room was tidy and clean. The books in the wall were all school books, things I hadn't ever learned. I'm sure their curriculum is different over here, especially for a royal. They had books ranging from calculus to foreign policy to literature. On another few shelves were the books they had read. To Kill A Mockingbird, Pride and Prejudice (I've read that a few times, I've read all of Jane Austen's books actually.), Romeo and Juliet, Of Mice And Men and so on.

I eventually found myself wondering down the quiet halls again.
"What are you wearing?" I jumped. "My apologies." Prince Hayes smiled with his hands behind his back.
"Good morning Hayes."
"Good morning Autumn." I ruffled my hair a little.
"I didn't realize anyone else was up. Emma wasn't outside my door yet when I went wondering."
"They don't start at their posts until 6:30." I nodded. "Is that what you're wearing to breakfast?" I looked down at my pajamas and sweatshirt.
"I have to go to breakfast?"
"You're in the castle, are you not?" I nodded. Heels clicked down the tile hall. Hayes eyes widened. "That's my mother."
"The Queen! What do I do?!" I freaked.
"Well she can't see you like that!" He grabbed my arm and threw me behind himself and Ben. They squished together and made a barrier.
"Good morning Hayes."
"Good morning mother." I never realized how nice the Prince smelled until I stood behind him. It was a clean smell, but still nice.
"Will Miss Leon be joining us this morning?"
"Of course, I was just about to fetch her."
"Brilliant. Ben." Ben bowed a little. Her heals started clicking down the hall again. Hayes turned around to me once the Queen was no longer in sight.
"We really must get you changed." I nodded.

My room wasn't far from where I had been discovered. I guess I spent more time in the classroom than I thought. Emma was at the door and seemed extremely surprised to see me.
"Miss Leon." Her eyes bulged.
"Good morning."
"Emma, no one must know about this." Hayes pointed between himself and I. I'm sure because I was in nothing 'suitable' for the Prince to see me in.
"Of course your majesty." She bowed. I grabbed Hayes arm and pulled him into my room with me. Ben stood outside with Emma.
"What do I wear?" I started grabbed clothing out of my suitcase. I pulled out different pairs of jeans and an array of tank tops.
"No." I looked back at him. "May I?" I nodded. He started to gently rummage through my clothing. "Why is your clothing still in your luggage?"
"Well where else would I put them?"
"The bureau." He handed me a lose blue top and my black yoga pants.
"I'm not moving in, just staying for a couple of days."
"As you wish." Hayes said dismissively. I looked at what he handed me.
"You understand these are yoga pants right?"
"Well the rest of your pants are jeans." I sighed. "Do you own any jewelry?"
"I'm wearing it all already." Hayes smiles weakly. I rolled my eyes and dropped my clothing on the bed. "Turn around."
"I bed your pardon." He looked shocked.
"I need to change, turn around."
"I can leave the room." He stuttered.
"Just turn around." I whined a little. He nodded and turned around. I quickly changed. "Okay."
"Okay what?"
"Okay, Im changed, you can turn around." He slowly faced me.
"You look nice." I patted myself down.
"Thanks." He checked his watch.
"We must hurry, we can't be late."
"What time is is?"
"7:42."
"When's breakfast?"
"Breakfast is at 8." I gave him a puzzled look. "If you are on time, you are late." I nodded. Hayes extended his arm to me. I just stared at him. "Are you coming or not?" I nodded and linked my arm in his.

We walking into the dinning room. It wasn't as big as I thought it would've been. The King and Queen were already drinking some time.
"Good morning William and Miss Leon." I curtsied. The King expressed tenderness between the two of us.
"Good morning your majesties."
"Good morning darling." The Queen smiled at me. Her smile was warm and inviting. Hayes pulled out my chair. I looked at him.
"I can pull out my own chair?" I said slowly.
"It's courtesy." I scrunched my nose.
"Right. Sorry. I'm still trying to get used to this royalty thing." He smiled at me. I sat down. Someone put down a pot off coffee in front of me. I looked back at Hayes.
"I know you don't like tea and that you drink coffee instead." I smiled at him. It was nice that he knew that about me. It almost felt like I was with the girls and not royalty.
"So Miss Leon," King William snapped me out of my day dream with Hayes. "I heard you're staying a few more days in Baltaver."
"Uh, yes. My flight got cancelled last night due to the storm."
"When are you here until?" I tucked a hair behind my ear.
"I'm not sure yet. Because everything was bought through work they unfortunately have to deal with it all. Luckily it's only 5 of us girls not the entire 14 girl troop." He smiled.
"And you're the luckiest one to say in the castle." I drew in a breath. I'm glad they found a little humor in all of this.
"Yes, and thank you. I really don't know what I would have done."
"It's no trouble, dear." Queen Rachel assured me. "I think we'd like to know you better." My eyes widened a little.
"Of, of course." I stuttered.
"Oh please. It's too early for interrogations." Hayes waved his hand. I took a sip of my coffee.
"Prince William, it is never too early or too late to be curious. Curiosity is how the world spins, you know." He smiled a little.
"Then I'm not saving you from the buckets of questions." I laughed.
"That's okay, I like questions, you always learn something from them."
"You're a very peculiar person." I shrugged my shoulders.
"If I was ordinary I wouldn't have walked into the cafe to ask for directions. I would have been able to read the map like a regular person." Hayes smiled.
"Well I'm glad you can't read a map then." I giggled briefly. I was suddenly very aware of the King and Queens presents.
"Miss Leon," The Queen started. I turned my attention to her. "Where are you from?"
"California, in the States." She nodded.
"Do you like it there?" The King asked. I shrugged my shoulders a little.
"It's okay. I mean it's all I've ever known so I guess."
"You don't seem convinced." I felt my face grow warm.
"I never realized how much I like snow until I got here." The Queen smiled at me.
"Baltaver will do that to you. It makes you fall in love." I smiled softly. That was true. I did love Baltaver.
"With more than just itself." The King added.
"What does that mean?" Hayes asked. Neither of them said a word. The just ate their breakfast. I took a drink of my coffee. No use in worrying over it I guess.
"What are you plan while your here, Autumn?" Queen Rachel asked.
"I'm not sure. I haven't actually thought about it. I'm still wrapping my head around what happened yesterday."
"Is there anything you'd like to see?"
"Everything but that's unrealistic." I smiled.
"I think you'll eventually have time for everything." She returned my smile.
"I'd like to believe that."
"Then do." I nodded a little. Maybe I will see all of Baltaver. If not, I'm sure I'll see more of it.

After breakfast Prince Hayes and I left the dinning room. Emma and Ben never left our general area.
"I hate to inform you, but I do have some business I need to handle."
"That's okay." I waved my hand in reassurance. "I have to get my flight stuff handled." Hayes smiled at me.
"Great. I'll find you for lunch." I nodded and smiled.
"Okay." Hayes turned towards the opposite end from me and walked. Ben caught up to his side and they started to discuss something. I held my own hand. "Alright Emma, can you remind me where my room is?" She nodded. We walked down the hall in silence for sometimes. The sound of our feet echoed. I wondered of all the people who walked this castle. Who's stayed here? Who's been in here? Would I know them or are they all foreign politicians? "How long have you worked for the Royal family?" My words seemed loud compared to the sounds of our feet.
"Almost 10 years." I nodded. "I started when I was 18." I looked at Emma. She didn't look much older than me but I guess she was about 5 years or so. I don't know why I seemed shocked by this, she said 10 years, she couldn't have started at like 14. But none the less I was surprised.
"Is it normal for business people or friends to stay at the castle?"
"No, it's not. I think they've only had a few guests in the past decade." The castle was so big to never be occupied by anyone other than the family. "It usually business partners that say here." She added. "I think you're the first friend that's stayed here, actually." I didn't know how I felt about that.
"They are nice people to say with." Emma laughed a little.
"Of course they are. The King and Queen have always been so generous and Prince William has been known for his heart. If you don't mind me saying though, I think they take special liking to you." I looked at her. Up close I close see the wrinkles around her eyes. She really was older than I thought. We got to my room.
"Right well, I'm going to be working so." I  nodded awkwardly.
"I'll be here if you need me. You might find a little father from the door than eyesight but I'll always be able to hear if you call."
"Thank you, Emma." She nodded plainly. I walked into my room but left the door open. Grabbing my phone, I checked it. I had gotten a text.
(Pam: Hey Autumn, I saw your flight got cancelled last night. They have changed it to leave Saturday afternoon at 2:45.)
I answered her back quickly.
(Me: Great! Thank you Pam!)
I was really glad for Pam. She was the man behind the curtain but she also always had it together. I strived to be like her one day.
(Pam: Also sweetie, are you sharing a room the the other girls?)
(Me: No. They booked a room together without me.)
(Pam: How much are you spending? We will reimburse you.)
(Pam: Also they will be talked to about this behavior. They knew you were also there.)
(Me: I'm not paying anything. Prince William is letting me stay at the Castle with him and his family.)
(Pam: You lucked out! I'm glad your safe and in good hands. Let me know if you need anything.)
(Me: Thank you Pam.)
(Pam: Anything for you darling.)
I laid back with my phone clutched in my hands. Oddly enough, some thing that was so different from normal from me, felt like home. I think the only thing to make this really feel like home would be my three partners in crime but that I'm sure would get us kicked out. Especially with Savannah.

A knock came at my door. I sat up. My vision was fuzzy for a moment. I might have fallen asleep. I guess two restless nights of sleep finally caught up to me.
"Come in." I tired to sound like I hadn't been asleep. Hayes walked in, I rubbed my face a little.
"Did I wake you?" I shook my head.
"No. I mean yeah but no. I need to get up anyways." I stumbled over my words. He looked almost amused by this. Hayes eyes just stuck on me. "So, what can I do for you?" I finally said.
"Right, would you like to get lunch?" My stomach rumbled almost on cue.
"Yes, please." I pushed myself out of bed and grabbed my jacket.
"Emma, we are going out to lunch. Ben will take us. We'll be back in about an hour or two." She nodded and removed herself for her post.
"How'd you know I was sleeping by the way?" Hayes gave a short laugh.
"Your hair is slightly disheveled and your face is pink." I nodded slowly. I was actually really warm, probably why my face was pink.
"How do you know I'm not blushing?" I retorted almost as a defense mechanism, I was quite embarrassed actually. Hayes chuckled.
"Well, I've never seen you blush." That's probably because I've been wearing makeup almost every time we've met. "And really what would you be blushing about?"
"Alright, you caught me, I was just sleeping". He laughed again. I enjoyed the sound of his laugh, it was comforting. A lot about Prince William was a comfort. It made being stuck here that much easier.
"Did you not sleep well last night?" I looked at him.
"I get restless in places that aren't my own. I didn't sleep well the night before because I was so worried about my flight and what I was going to do when and if it got cancelled. Then last night I just couldn't sleep. I guess it finally caught up to me."
"Is the room not suitable for you?" He asked as we made it to the front door.
"No, no, no." I grabbed his arm. "It's seriously wonderful, my nerves just get the best of me sometimes. I promise." I assured him. We got in the car. "I wouldn't lie to you." I spoke softly.
"You could though." He mimicked a conversation from earlier, in reverse. I smiled.
"I could, but I would never." Hayes smiled softly at me. It was easy being with him, for moment I'd forget he was royalty and just think of him as Hayes. Just Hayes.

I wonder how different it would be if he was just Hayes Winterhaven. I think about if the crown was set aside and we were in America. What would happen if he was just a 'regular' person? By regular I mean someone who doesn't have to run a country or be royalty. Almost like he abdicated. I wondered what it would be like if we both worked jobs and lived a normal 'peasant' life. I couldn't imagine it honestly. Hayes in a suit is something I could see but what company or place would take him. He has zero work experience. Being a prince isn't actually something that makes your resume pop. Most people would probably think he was joking or delusional. If it were me and I got a resume like that, I'd think he was nuts. But maybe I'm the delusional one. I'm sitting here, thinking about Hayes as a regular Joe, like he's the guy next door. But he's not. He's Prince William Hayes Winterhaven of Baltaver. Hayes would never abdicate and asking that of him is too selfish of anyone, even me. I was crazy to think it could be anything different, even if it was just for a New York minute.