Allura's POV:

In the library

After Pedro and I got heated we just stayed quiet for a few minutes the silence was dreadful and long. We finally start working after we both cool down "While looking at the kingdom's values and strong beliefs we should also be focusing on their problems." Pedro chips in.

"Well Dullex has issues with including members of the lower class in their decision making of the kingdom and that might cause problems in the trust and peace of the land. It's concerning that their values are unity when they do the opposite." I add in."Typical minority kingdom." I laugh at his remark its funny that's how my kingdom was way before I was born probably before Lilly too. "So how would you get the trust of your people if this was your kingdom?" I ask as I too think about possible effective solutions.

"Well a lot of them wish for better schooling for the young boys so we could build new schools. For the young girls we could build a gathering for them were they could explore skills of their choice like art or cooking. Also better housing could help, maybe if their royals are less greedy they could manage all this." He is actually very informed and well spoken I am surprised he has definitely changed since Prep. "I am quite impressed. We will definitely be given an outstanding achievement on this part of the project. I will write out the plan and I need you to present this part since you are passionate about it." I pack up my files from the desk.

"Allura I am sorry for yelling at you, I remember Miguel mentioning something about you being sensitive to yelling. I really don't want to be apologizing every other day." Miguel told him about that? Why? "No it's okay it really wasn't that horrible of a thing. I will take my leave now." I walk out and head to my chamber I really do hope Ruby is awake because I have to vent. "Allura!" I hear Lilly's voice echo from behind me and I stop to turn at my door. "Yes, sister." I answer, this is the first time since a while since we have last spoken.

"Shall we go inside first I wish to speak to you and not the whole academy." I can tell she is trying to joke but I turn around opening the door and we both walk in and she takes a seat on my bed. "So...your engagement is in the coming 5 weeks we must start preparing so Mama put me in charge of making sure you get your dress." So she isn't here to apologize what did I expect. "Is that the only reason you are here then?" I ask hinting that I need an apology.

"Yes sister. But also I apologize for saying all the horrible things I said to you. However I do not apologize for reminding you of your duties. You are of royal blood an heiress of Gatuk not a commoner remember that sister. Live by that." She just mixed an apology with a lecture. "I have never forgotten sister." She opens her arms for a hug and I accept. It has been forever since we have hugged. "Alright so we will go dress shopping tomorrow. I have to leave now." She leaves heading for the door. "Oh Princess Lilly its a pleasure seeing you here." Ruby teases her by curtsying. "Pleasure seeing you as well Ruby." Lilly leaves and Ruby immediately jumps on her bed and breaths heavily.

"What have you been up to that has you so drained?" I hit her head with a pillow and sits up after a couple of years of trying. "I was in the library working on the project with William you know it's the final days." I did not see her there. "I saw William coming back from sword practice on my way back from the library not so long ago." I wonder why she is lying. "I stayed behind after he left early for his practice."

I let it go but something in me is telling me she is lying. We have not been together all the time and I can feel that something is not okay. Maybe she is just worried about the project. "Well Pedro apologized for everything I guess." She starts laughing. "Pedro as in Prince grumpy apologized to you. Wow times are changing." We both laugh. "Are you sure he meant it, or at least he was not forced to do this?" I could care less honestly. "Even if it was forced, I got him to say sorry so I am happy regardless."

"Do you think there are still some feelings and longing still there for him?" I haven't thought about it like that. "I am to be engaged and I am sure he will be fixed with someone else as well. And so will every other prince so perhaps love is useless. So Ruby don't fall in love it has to be a curse." Her mood changes after that I wonder why Ruby hasn't ever expressed ever wanting love, so what has changed.

The next day

At the modiste

I got up early today to meet with Lilly at our royal modsite for the engagement gown. "Madam Els, I am sure my Mama has informed you about our visit, have you brought the samples for my sister's dress?" There are at least twenty dresses laid out. "Yes Princesses right this way." I head to the changing rooms and try the first dress and walk out after my waist is deprived of breath.

Lilly does not seem impressed. "Do you have gowns in green, that is her...fiancé's favorite color." Oh she remembers that. "Of course Princess right away." We go off to be squeezed into another dress. She looks amazed. "Princess you and your sister have the same size so if maybe we can try them on you also so that we do not spend all day trying on dress." Lilly agrees and we both try on some dresses. On the final dress she looks absolutely stunning green is definitely her color especially this one. It compliments her darkskin beautifully she looks angelic. She looks at the mirror and gets lost in thought.

"You look stunning sister. Green was made for you, perhaps you were to be the bride instead of me." She stands frozen in place but her face looks emotionless. "Allura not everyone will marry their interest. Look at you now, you are not married to Miguel are you?" What is she talking about? "When did I ever tell you I was in love with Miguel?" I ask confused. "Remember when you were younger sister all you would talk about was him and then you talked about Pedro not long after Papa got into your head."

Flashback

Age 9

Gatuk Palace

"Mama he taught me how to dance you, and now I am very good at it." My mama does my braids my hair and Lilly is playing the piano. "Do you fancy the prince sister?" Samba walks in with his ratchball and muddy boots. "They are like my little brothers." Samba adds. "They are only a year younger than you Samba and please take of those muddy boots off." Mama yells and he runs up to his room for a new pair of shoes.

"So sister do you like the prince?" Lilly sits next to me on the floor. "What prince are you talking about? And you sister can like people?" Papa walks in and sits on his chair. "Dear the girls are just playing around. And they are talking about one of the twin princes of the land Hailstings. You must know them?" Mama explains everything calmly I know Papa does not want any of his daughters liking anyone at a young age.

"The Hailstings miracle twins? I hope you are speaking about the older one Pedro it seems he will be king. And I will make sure that my daughters marry the ones in line to the throne. That is what they deserve. Right Amma?" Pedro I have only seen him about two times. Is that who Papa wants me to marry just like how he wants Lilliana and Aden will marry? He is so proud of her so maybe I should marry Pedro so he will love me like how he loves Lilly.

End of flashback

How did I forget all about that. I was a child back then so anything and everything I took to heart. "Do you regret ending the engagement?" As and she turns to look at me but stays silent for a while. "No I did what was best and his Majesty Aden knows it too. He will love another I am sure." She looks away I know she is lying. "He loves you. So you will have to love another just know he never stopped I would know I have seen it." She looks bothered.

"Allura please let us not discuss this please. You must simply accept that sometimes what you see is not always true just like Mama and Papa." She thinks I am naive. "What Mama choose is not our decision, it was cowardly she married because she was forced but you have choice don't be like mother." She raises her hand threatening to hit me. I stand in shook.

"Be quiet do you know what Mama has done for us all for me? I would know I have seen their relationship when it was hell starting up. I wouldn't be here alive if it weren't for Mama she fought for my breath against all of Gatuk." She cries in pain. What is she talking about I have never seen her so upset.

"Let us leave. Madam Els?" Els enters the room. "Yes Princess?" she bows. "She will take that dress we must leave now. Get us changed back to our gown so we might leave now." We change and we ride back. I am still confused about what she was talking about. What got her so heated? I didn't mean any harm at all. We arrive at the academy and Lilly gets out the carriage without saying anything. I run after her to apologize.

"Lilliana would you slow down I can not keep up." Out of breath I finally catch up to her. "I didn't mean to upset you sister. I was only speaking what my mind has been keeping hostage that is all. I apologize." I wish she would just admit to herself that she loves Aden so I can get out of this mess. "It is alright sister. You should keep in mind that you will be engaged to Crowned Prince Aden. I must leave sister. Best of luck with your project." She leaves to her room. I should go and make sure I am best prepared.

I must wear the best formal orange gown I have. I hope Pedro will dress his best too we must impress all the judges and the rulers of the kingdom. I walk to Crown hall and about half of the competition is done and of course Pedro is no where to be seen. After a couple of minutes he shows up in a grey and purple suit. "You are late." I say annoyed. "No one noticed. Have you been failed..no right. So breath a little" He hands me the papers he had for the night.

"Princess Allura of Gatuk and Prince Pedro of Hailstings." We both raise from the bench and walk towards the doors. "Oh and I think it would be best if you closed the presentation instead of me." Is he pulling my leg right now? "What are you on about, you mean to tell me that you didn't prepare an closing speech?" I yell under my breath as we walk in to the room. The heads and kings are all looking at us. I am sweating and struggling to catch my breath.

I force a smile though every bone in my body want to murder Pedro right now. We are going to mess up and I will disappoint Papa as usual. "Trust me we will not fail I know it."