Prince Jack Kelly of Central Press.

He just sounded fake to Katherine, like seriously... who has a name like Jack Kelly? It sounded to good to be true. Katherine feared his looks were going to be much like his name. Fake.

Boy was she wrong.

His striking blue eyes were the first thing she noticed as she laid eyes upon the man waiting at the top step. His sweeping black hair that seemed to refuse to lay flat went quite well with his sharp jaw line. Upon first glance he looked like future King should look like: strong, handsome, and determined. She instantly found herself straightening up her posture even more as she approached the guy and his aunt, the Queen.

"Joseph, Joseph, Joseph!" The Queen said happily as they came with in reach. She spread her arms wide giving Katherine a fantastic view of purple and gold. Her dress was made of the utmost quality and Katherine wondered how the woman didn't collapse under the weight of it all. The Queen had vibrant red hair that was curled into an elegant fashion on top her head.

"It's so good to see you again! I trust your journey was well?" She asked and Katherine detected an interesting accent coming from her.

"Yes in deed Madam Medda, may I introduce you to my daughter, Katherine Pulitzer." Pulitzer said putting a hand on Katherine's waist and guided her forward.

"Welcome Princess, you are just as beautiful as they say. May I introduce you to my Nephew Jack." She said gesturing to the guy. Jack gave her a genuine smile and softly kissed the top of her knuckles.

"Good to meet you Princess." He said bowing slightly to her. Out of respect she smiled back and curtsied back to him.

"I'm so glad both of you are so willing to be here! Now come you two, we shall take a stroll in the gardens and catch up, what do you say?" Medda asked her bubbly personality making Katherine feel slightly less uncertain.

"I would truly love to Miss Medda but I think I'll have to pass. You wouldn't mind taking Katherine along though? I promised my wife to write to her as soon as we arrived and I intend to keep that promise." Pulitzer said bowing his head slightly.

Medda laughed and patted Pulitzers arm affectionately. "Don't fret Joseph, Jack and I will take good care of her. Now don't think I don't expect you to be at supper, we have much to catch up on!" She said smiling happily.

"Of course my lady." He said bowing to her. "Jack, Katherine." He said doing the same to them. He then turned away and walked swiftly back down the steps. Katherine schooled her expression into a pleasant smile even though her insides were screaming for her father to stay, she may of have her ups and downs with the man but she sure didn't want him to leave her stranded with two complete strangers.

"Come on my dear, me and Jack will show you around." Medda said linking arms with Katherine like they were best friends.

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If Katherine had thought the front side of the castle was amazing then she surely hadn't seen the back. For three hundred acres grassy lands and flowery gardens stretched out in a vast mass of color and glorious scents. Happy workers chatted as they tended to the lawns and bushes and waved at Medda cheerfully as she passed. Medda too seemed more joyous than ever and made a point to keep the conversation flowing between them. Lucky for Katherine Medda had also linked arms with Jack and spared Katherine from having to touch him. She wasn't to sure she wanted to get friendly just yet, and judging by the way his shoulders had relaxed he felt the same.

"Isn't it such a lovely day? If you don't mind me asking Katherine, what are summers like over in New Times Square? I've heard there quite nice this time a year as well." Medda asked casually striking up a conversation.

"They are very beautiful indeed, not quite as warm I'd say considering we're quite a bit more north but other than that they are breathtaking." Katherine said feeling a drop of sweat roll down her spine as she felt the hot sun of mid June beat upon her head.

"That's wonderful, Jack here loves summertime. Isn't that right my boy?" Medda asked trying to reel him in to the conversation.

"Yes m'am." He said his eyes steady on the empty walk way in front of them. It bended around a corner and led to a fountain that gushed water into a small pond. Katherine also noticed the increase in flowers as they got closer to what must have been the heart of the lavish garden.

Medda breathed deeply her genuine smile wavering slightly as they drew nearer to the fountain.

"Well I'm quite a fan of summer myself, when I was a little girl my father used to bring me a daisy every night before I went to bed. He never missed a single summer night, it was always the highlight of my day."

They were reaching the fountain and Katherine listened politely like a good girl and failed to notice Meddas sudden grip on her arm.

"When I was about 13... or so he passed a way... right after my birthday..." The woman said her breath suddenly gone from her lungs.

The Prince reacted before Katherine could even register what was happening. Instantly he seated her on the fountains edge as she clutched her chest and sucked in deep breaths.

"Oh my goodness!" Katherine said covering her chest with her hand in shock.

"Oh... don't worry about me dear... it... will pass... it always does." Medda said waving her off as if she'd only leaned down to tie her shoe.

Jack keeled down in front of his aunt his face full of concern for the woman, he didn't look surprised so Katherine could guess this had happened before. Medda patted his hand reassuringly as she coughed into a white handkerchief. Katherine wasn't sure what to do so she she just waited awkwardly unsure of what to do or say.

"It must be these old flowers getting to me." Medda said coughing one last time and forcing a smile. She took out a small fan from a pocket in her dress and began fanning herself. "If you would forgive me Katherine, I seem to need to get my feet under me again." She apologized.

"No, no, no!" Katherine said reassuringly. "Don't worry about me, take your time!" She insisted.

Jack glanced swiftly up at her his eyes lingering on her left hand that rested against her chest in shock. His expression never changed but he looked swiftly away and Katherine wondered if she'd imagined it.

"Let's get you back to the castle." Jack said his voice full of concern for his aunt.

"Yes, maybe that would be best." Medda said smiling sadly. Jack helped her get shakily back to her feet, she held tightly to Jacks arm as he supported her weight.

"Can I help?" Katherine asked feeling useless.

"Oh don't worry about it honey, Jacks got me." Medda said trying hard to regain her happy self. Katherine pressed her lips together and silently followed as they headed back up to the castle. Many workers came up there faces concerned and offered there help but Medda assured them that she was fine and sent them back to work. Katherine knew she wasn't fine, her face had gone pale and it looked painful for her to breath. Katherine wondered what was wrong. Did she have really bad allergies? Or was she getting over a cold and had acted to quickly? What ever it was, it sure didn't look good.
They entered the castle doors and instantly Katherine was greeted by cool air, she sighed with relief as the coolness washed over her.

"This is good right here my boy." Medda said patting Jacks hand on her arm. "I can take it from here."

Jack let go but stood close just in case. Medda turned to Katherine her smiled genuine disputed the obvious pain she was in.

"Forgive me Katherine but I must go get changed for supper. So I'm gonna let Jack show you to your new room if that's alright." She said putting a hand on Katherine shoulder and guided her forward so she was now standing right next to the Prince. "Have fun you two, I'll see you at supper." And with that she hurried off down a large corridor leaving Katherine feeling awkward and a little scared.

To be honest Jack scared her a bit, she wasn't sure what to do. He was quite a bit taller than her and was quite intimidating with his strong muscles and deadly jaw line. It also didn't help that he was completely foreign to her, how would he react to her? To her surprise, he offered her his arm like a perfect gentleman.

"My lady." He said a corner of his mouth pulling up in a half smile, she wasn't sure if it was genuine or just customary. She couldn't quite tell with him, he seemed to harbor his emotions like a master. Katherine gave him a similar smile and carefully took his arm, her hope of not having to get to close to him to soon diminished as she felt his smooth skin under her finger tips.

He guided her to one of the two grand stair cases that at framed the main room. Katherine guessed the gigantic room was a place to hold special celebrations like a ball or a... wedding. Katherine swallowed hard as she thought about that factor in her future, suddenly the room around her didn't look so wonderful. Her stomach turned uneasily as the feeling of Jacks skin under her fingers seemed to turn to fire, of course it was all in her imagination but that didn't stop her from freaking out slightly. She took a deep breath frantically serching for something to take her mind off it. Then Meddas face popped into her mind and she got an idea.

"Will she be okay? The Queen I mean." Katherine said as casually as possible.

Jack didn't answer immediately but when he did it was slow and controlled. "Yes, must have just been her allergies."

Katherine couldn't tell if it was a lie, she crossed her fingers and hoped it was.

"Oh, that's good." She said lamely.

"I wouldn't worry to much, it happens quite a lot nowadays." He said as they reached the top stair on the stair case,

"What do you mean?" Katherine asked politely hoping her mother would never know she had second questioned a man.

"Nothing, I mean. It's fine, everything's fine." He said stuttering slightly and Katherine knew that was a lie.

"Secretes mean nothing. Tell me what is wrong."

Katherine hadn't even relized she had spoken until it was to late. She immediately bit down on her tounge not letting up until she could taste blood.

"You have quite a mouth Miss Pulitzer, I am surprised by your bravery." He said suppressing a smile.

Katherine covered her mouth with her free hand feeling like an idiot.

"I beg our forgiveness, I didn't mean to say anything. It's not my place to judge you." She said quickly hoping he wouldn't get angry.

His response actually surprised Katherine, he smiled... and this time Katherine knew for a certainty it was real. If she had said such a thing to anyone else of such high a state they would of had the right to throw her to the pigs. Normally women weren't allowed opinions unless they were of the utmost unimportance.

Jack led her down a hallway that was full of many beautiful pictures. He looked deep in thought as they came to a stop in front of a door that was framed with gold trimmings, the handle was etched with tiny pictures Katherine couldn't make out. She guessed this was her room for the time being.

"Don't worry about it. I won't tell anyone you insulted me." He said suddenly.

Katherine grimaced fearing the worst, she was about to turn around and go into her new room when he stopped her.

"You were right though," he said stepping closer to her. Katherine furrowed her eyebrows unsure what he was talking about. "I do have secretes... and here's mine..."

Katherine's heart had suddenly leaped into her throat as he came closer to her.

"I don't want to be King."

He'd said it so softly Katherine had almost missed it. Jack grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to the top of her knuckles never breaking eye contact with her. He dropped her hand and turned to walk back down the hallway. Katherine watched, open mouthed as he walked away his shoulders looking a little less tence than before.

He didn't want to be King? Why would he say something like that? He wasn't even allowed too! Then Katherine remembered she had spoken out of turn and done something she wasn't allowed to do either. She relized Jack had done her a favor, he'd made her feel a world a better with only six words.

With her heart still beating uncontrollably she turned around and went into her bran new room where she would get ready to eat supper with the Queen and this... Jack Kelly.

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Cast:

Jack Kelly: Jeremy Jordan
Katherine Pulitzer: Kara Lindsay
Medda: Julie Reiber
Joseph Pulitzer: John Dossett

Read and tell me what you think! Thank you!