The pub is full of people; the music is loud. Alex pulls me through the crowd to the bar and orders our drinks. People pass around us, the women, they all flutter their eyelashes and smile suggestively at him. Sorry ladies, this guy is betrothed to a probably dead princess. He is by my side for the entire night, we listen to the band playing, we try to talk over the loud music and we get incredibly drunk. His hand was on my back, on my exposed skin. The only time it left there was when he needed to use it and it soon returned. As the night passed it crept lower and lower eventually reaching the edge of the material on my waist. I don't know how this dress made it into the wardrobe, I am pretty sure Penny said that there was to be nothing above the knees, yet this dress barely makes it over my thighs.

We stagger out to the car, the driver patiently waiting to take us back to the manor house. I groan as the harsh street lights pass by, flicking at me.

"You alright there?" Alex asks from the other side of the back seat.

"Lights are too harsh."

He undoes my seat belt and pulls me over to him and onto his lap.

"Close your eyes." He whispers.

I put my head on his shoulder, snuggling into his neck, closing my eyes. His fingers playfully dance on my thigh, moving higher to the edge of my dress. They stop and his hand flattens on my leg moving under the soft material to the edge of my panties.

"Alex."

I can barely keep my eyes open, his hand moves under the lace of my panties and over my backside. I roll over, my head draping over his arm with the weight of sleepiness. I can feel his hand moving over my leg as he kisses and nips at my neck. His hand moves over the material that has been bunched up around my hips up to the thin strap on my shoulder, exposing my breast.

"Dirty boy." I whisper just before I fall asleep.

I wake on my bed, heavily panting from the strange dream. A shapeless figure moving through the dark, the thoughts that rattle through my mind not everything is what it seems. I look down at myself, still fully dressed, even my shoes, except the dress is bunched up around my armpits, my breasts exposed. Thankfully I am still wearing my panties. I look to the other side of the bed and there is Alex, laying on his stomach, he is still fully dressed too. Well that is just... interesting.

I don't remember anything past crawling onto his lap. I thought that I had heard him laugh at my dirty boy comment but I cannot be sure. To fall asleep in the arms of this man, I must feel relaxed around him, even after only knowing him for a few hours. Or you were super drunk. He sleeps peacefully, it really is nice to watch. Don't fall for him Stephanie, he is beyond you, he is betrothed to another.

The pale morning light barely shines through the windows, seeping in a dull yellow. The sun was struggling to warm the land; the morning is really cold. I shivered as I sat up, turning on the bed I pulled my dress down and hung my feet to the ground, removing my shoes. I feel like shit. I look around the room, having not had a proper chance to look at it last night. There is a desk beside the door for the wardrobe, a tiny laptop sits on it. On the other side of the desk is another door. En suite maybe? Beside the main door is a chaise lounge, ornate looking, red velvet material, it looks extremely enticing. I could imagine crawling into that with a good book. I walk over to the other door, feeling the plush cream carpet between my toes. Quietly opening the door, I see a small wet room. Yes! It is simple, a shower, toilet, basin. All that I need, in fact, I think I need it now. I close the door with one final look at sleeping beauty and strip down, in desperate need of a shower. The warm water is refreshing and helps ease my throbbing head.

As I dry myself I see a scratch on the underside of my breast in the mirror. I don't remember scratching myself, maybe I did it in my sleep. It has already sealed over; it no longer weeps blood. I suddenly realise that I didn't bring a change of clothes into the bathroom. Shit. I wrap the towel around me and hope that he is still asleep. I quietly open the door, he hasn't moved. Tiptoeing across the room, water from my wet hair tickles my skin as it slides down my body.

"Good morning Miss Collins."

Shit again. I look over at him, sitting on the bed, watching me with a smug look. The bastard doesn't even look like he is hung over.

"Uh good morning your highness."

I try to curtsy as best I can, seeing as I am completely naked below the tiny towel.

Alex laughs. "Well I have never seen that before." He gestures to the robe. "Please, dress before you catch a cold."

I scurry into the robe and rummage through the draws finding that they have bought underwear and hygiene products as well. How embarrassing.

"And Alex is fine Miss Collins, I do remember saying that last night."

"Stephanie."

I quickly put on the underwear, soft and lacy. I idly wonder how inappropriate it is for my employer to buy me underwear. As I pull out the matching bra I feel a shiver run up my spine, almost like a finger is pressed into it. Such a beautiful body my mind whispers to me. I spin around thinking that someone is in the robe but I am alone. I slink to the door and look out to see Alex on the bed, patiently waiting for me.

"Something wrong?"

"No."

I move back into the robe and begin to dry my hair with the towel. I hear a knock on my door and it opens.

"Oh your highness, please forgive my intrusion, I, uh wasn't expecting to find you here."

Penny.

"It's ok, I was just waiting for Stephanie."

"Of course."

The door closes, I could hear paper being rustled.

"I will be leaving with your father to the summer house soon, I was just bringing some things for Stephanie to go through and sign."

I quickly dress, knowing that she is waiting to see me. Hastily flicking through the skirts I pull out a dark grey pencil skirt which of course goes to my knees.

"We will be down for breakfast, perhaps we could go through them there?"

"Of course your highness."

As I pull out a cream silk shirt and slide it onto my body I hear the door open and close again. I pull my partially dried hair up into a neat pony tail, hopefully looking a little bit more respectful than my less than lady like sleeping habits. That is why I don't wear dresses to bed, they always end up around my armpits. I pick up a pair of shoes and put them on. What's wrong with that? I spin around thinking that I heard a voice, but there is nothing.

"Did you say something?" I poke my head around the corner again, finding him sitting on the lounge.

"No." He says with a grin.

"Ok."

I move back into the robe and grab my watch. Saying to myself over and over again as I walk back out to the bedroom, not hearing voices, not going crazy.

As we are walking up the corridor, Penny walks out of her office.

"Oh Stephanie, I should show you to your office before I leave."

"Of course."

"I will leave you to it, I will see you at the breakfast table."

"Certainly your highness."

Penelope curtsies once again, gesturing me with her head to do the same. As I curtsy him he grins at me. Cheeky bastard. I think I might just enjoy working for this guy. The room is similar to Penny's, tastefully decorated and a sense of warmth and comfort.

"This is your laptop, which you will need to take with you on business trips, you may have noticed one in your room as well."

"Uh, yes."

"That is your personal computer, please note two things. This laptop is for business affairs, the one in your room is for personal use. Do not mix the two, keep their uses separate. The other is that they are monitored. Please do not breach the rules of the agreement and you should be fine."

"What agreement?"

"Oh, that's right, we were doing that at breakfast. Confidentiality agreement." She stands from the desk.

"Come, you must be famished."

We enter a mid-sized room with a large table dominating the centre. The walls are lined with dark wood panels; large bay windows dominate one wall letting the sunshine through. Alex sits at a long table; the sun was beginning to glint off its highly polished surface. He flicks the paper he's reading as he turns the page, momentarily noticing that we've entered the room. Always with a smug smile. He's hard to look at, so cute. It's a struggle to not constantly ogle him. Maybe I should wear sunglasses, then he won't notice. The lanky man enters the room and starts setting the table. He pulls the chair out beside Alex for me to sit.

"Thank you."

He nods at me politely and continues around the table to Penny and does the same for her. The door opens and the king walks in. Penny immediately stands and looks at me as if to say hurry up. I stand, the chair scrapes along the wooden floor, making an awful noise.

"Your highness, I would like to introduce you to Miss Stephanie Collins."

He nods at me and smiles warmly.

"Good morning Miss Collins, I trust you slept well."

"Uh, yes..." I stutter. "Very well thank you, your highness."

He sits at the head of the table and the man continues to fuss around the table. I slowly sit back down, after waiting for Penny to do the same.

"Your highness?" The man says to the king.

"Yes, what would Miss Collins like for breakfast?"

I look up from my fingers knotting themselves on my lap, the king stares at me with a small smile on his face.

"I would kill for a steak actually, the bluer the better."

Alex looks at me folding the edge of the paper.

"Blue huh?"

I meekly nod. Yeah ok, I know, everyone says I'm weird.

"Make that two Gerald."

"Certainly your highness."

The king chuckles.

"Sounds like a wonderful breakfast. Put me down for one too, what about you Penny?"

"Tea will be fine, thank you."

The man nods and scurries out of the room.

"Steak for breakfast?" Alex says flicking the corner of the paper back up.

A tiny curl creeps into the corner of his mouth.

While we wait for the meals to be prepared Penny runs through the documents for me to sign. The confidentiality agreement, the list of my duties, my passport application.

"Now, Alex will help you to learn your duties while I am out of the country, please listen carefully."

"When will you be returning?"

"In a month's time most likely. We will be away on state business and visiting the princess and her family."

The man, Gerald I think the king called him, brings out the meals. I can smell the steaks as he places one in front of the king and then Alex. As he places mine in front of me a maid brings in a tray and places it on a buffet behind Penny. She watches me as I am about to reach for the cutlery and shakes her head. At the edge of the table, she holds up her hand. The king and Alex start to eat and then she smiles warmly at me, her hand gesturing that I may start. Jeez. The maid places a cup of tea in front of Penny and quietly leaves the room after Gerald. I look at the plate, the blood pooling around the eggs. Blech eggs. As I make my way through the steak Penny watches me. Her eyes dart around the table and then back to me. She points at the eggs, her hand still at the edge of the table, mouthing to me eat them. I feel like whining like a child I don't want to. That voice reappears in my head. Do as you are told; they are good for you. I look around the table. Penny sips her tea, her little pinkie finger sits out as she drinks her tea with elegance, the king eats his steak engrossed in the paper that Alex had discarded and Alex slowly eats his steak. I can see him looking at me from the corner of his eye, a smirk washes across his face.

Get out of my head I think. No it replies. Piss off.

Such fine language for such a beautiful young lady. Who are you? Your conscience. No you aren't, you have no right to be in here. Then there is silence. My heart sinks into my stomach, was that my conscience or was that someone in my head? Is that possible? No.

"Have you spoke to Lord Eliade recently?" Alex asks his father.

"Yes, this morning. The search continues but still fruitless."

Alex breathes out a long slow huff. He looks at me seeing that I am listening intently.

"Lord Eliade is the girl's uncle. He has had his people searching the land, through the houses, the orphanages."

How can this girl be missing for so long? I don't buy it. It all seems a bit strange to me.

"Oh." I frown.

Just oh? The voice again. Why was I hearing a definite voice in my head? Was it truly my conscience that decided to start talking to me?

"Miss Collins you look like you want to say something." The king says quietly.

"It's not my place your highness."

"Of course it is, speak freely without repercussion, for a fresh mind on the subject maybe what we need."

"Well I actually have questions."

He raises his eyebrows in anticipation.

"It was a car accident?"

"Yes."

"Who told you that?"

"Lord Eliade."

"This Lord Eliade, is he the only one looking for the girl?"

"Yes."

"And if the girl is found?"

"She will ascend to the throne taking her father's place."

"And if she is not found?"

"Then Lord Eliade will continue to govern in her stead."

"And if the girl and Alex do not marry then he gets your kingdom too?"

"Yes."

"If the girl is dead?"

"Then Lord Eliade will ascend to the throne as the next in line."

"But your kingdom?"

"The agreement for marriage would be void if a death was to occur."

"So he wouldn't get your kingdom?"

"No."

"Is your country of higher value by any chance?"

"Yes, we have excellent exports and a thriving economy. We have a large populace."

"But the girl's country is not as good?"

"They do have a healthy economy with a reasonable populace but their main issue is that they are land locked whereas we are not. We have access to the beaches, mountains, more user friendly than most kingdoms."

"Is your income based on your populace?"

"Uh, yes, taxes and what not."

"Do you share a border with this country?"

"Yes."

I think about these questions and answers. I don't know this guy, but even without knowing him, I don't trust him. This doesn't seem right.

"Do you see where my questions were leading?"

He looks at me perplexed.

"No."

"Ok..." I softly sigh. "Think pessimistically with this hypothetical situation and correct me if I am wrong."

I see their eyes dart around at each other.

"Of course, go ahead."

"You have this guy, who third in line to the throne, what stands between him and the throne is an older sibling and a child. Sure he could take them out, hopefully not getting caught doing it and ascend to the throne but what of the income? If he were to bide his time, wait for the agreement for marriage to be struck with a richer country, maybe even influencing the choice of country. An agreement is struck with said country, he takes out the brother and his wife ensuring his Lordship and the child is removed, not dead but still alive, so that the agreement would carry on. Then Alex comes of age, still no girl, you lose your kingdom, uncle gets both kingdoms and ascends to the throne when he has her declared dead. And since he has gained your kingdom, he would then have a larger populace and a larger income through the taxes."

They all look at each other, not saying anything. The king gets a strained look on his face as he looks at me.

"So Miss Collins what would you suggest happen if this were true?" His tone stern and gruff.

"If it were me, and I stood to lose my kingdom, I would be the one searching for this girl. How can you be certain he is actually looking? She has been missing for how long? And what has he come up with?"

"Nothing." Alex interrupts.

"You know, Miss Collins, I have known Lord Eliade for a long time. I had always thought the best of him and thought that he would want only the best for his kingdom."

I can feel the heat rise in my cheeks, he thinks I have insulted this Lord Eliade.

"I guess I have been blinded to the possibility that this is not true. I now believe that I have trusted him for far too long. Penny, cancel all of my engagements and have the jet readied."

"Yes your highness."

She gets up from the table and scurries out of the room. The king places his cutlery on his plate.

"Thank you for your invaluable insight and distrust in a complete stranger Miss Collins. Hopefully we will be able to resolve this issue before it's too late."

I blush again as he stands from the table.

"Your highness?"

"Yes Miss Collins."

"Don't stop at the border, keep going."

He cocks his head to one side.

"What do you mean?"

"If it is true and she was removed, there is no reason why they wouldn't have taken her to another country."

"Of course. Good day." He bows with a grin.

Alex chuckles after his father leaves the room.

"Why Miss Collins it is truly a delight to have you around."

"Gee thanks. So what's the plans for today?"

"Well that passport application needs to be sorted out so I thought we could get that out of the way first and then spend the afternoon learning things."

I put my cutlery on the plate and manage to cut my finger on the sharp knife, blood slowly seeps out of the tiny cut.

"Ow." I mutter.

Alex grabs my hand and wraps it in a serviette. His eyes darken, the pupils dilate, doubling in size. His nostrils flare as he takes in the scent of my blood.

"You should get the nurse to tend to that." He mutters and leaves the room quickly.

Yeah, maybe if I knew where she was.

I walked back to my room and sit by the bay window. The land has finally warmed, in the distance the trees sway with a gentle breeze. When the windows are open it lets in a beautiful cool breeze. A silver cat strolls by and meows at me.

"Hey there cute kitty."

I pat the window sill and he jumps up purring as he walks along the wooden sill. I scratch around his ears and under his chin as he holds it up in the air, enjoying the scratch.

"Where have you come from?"

I search for a collar, nothing. He is beautiful, thick silver fur and a long tail, he rubs against my arm, still purring.

"Well aren't you just the affectionate one?"

He sits on the sill, watching me. I scratch at his chest and he purrs heavier than before. I hear a noise outside my bedroom door and the cat jumps down to the path beside the house, just outside the window.

As he walks away I lean out the window.

"Bye kitty."

His tail was high in the air with a curl in it like a candy cane. His head turns back and I could swear that he winked at me. I pull myself into the room, sitting on the bench seat, my heart races. Did that cat just wink at me? Don't be ridiculous, it just blinked and you didn't see the other eye blink.

"Of course, how stupid of me."

There is a knock at the door, frightening the life out of me.

"Stephanie, are you ready to leave?"

I open the door and see Alex standing there, patiently waiting.

"Yep. Good to go."