Allura's POV:

The dinner was prolonged because father had some things to discuss with the Duke and Aden joined them to give his input. The ladies were left alone to discuss engagement details and the tension between the Duchess and Lilly was noticeable from how she would speak over Lilly or how she would avoid looking in her direction. "Allura dearest the Duchess asked you something?" Mother brings me out of thoughts.

"My apologies I was in my head a bit too much Your grace what was your question?" I ask politely she doesn't seem to be irritated. "I was just asking if you would be able to stay Gamming's Palace with Aden for some public appearances. For a short while." Stay? With Aden? "But I am to be attending the academy how would that work ?" I ask as calmly as possible. "You will still be attending of course our carriages can make a trip no problem. And Lilly can accompany you as a chaperone from your family so that it will not be seen in a bad light." Lilly tries to protest but Mama stops her.

"Yes that is no issue if it will do the engagement good." I agree seeing as that's what Mama is hinting at by stopping Lilly from objecting. "Splendid then we shall organize carriage for you both tomorrow and we will expect you in the Afternoon." I smile even though everything seems to be moving fast. I am not prepared I have never done anything with a man so how will I convince the public that this relationship is real.

The Next morning

I could not sleep at all last night. I did not find comfort on my bed and my eyes couldn't shut close for more than 5 minutes before opening again. I packed about 5 cases since I am not sure when the Grost's might change arrangement already made. "Shall I take your luggage down Your Highness?" I nod and the butler takes them away. I did not speak to Lilly last night after Aden's family left she went straight to bed. I knock on her door and she is getting her last bag taken by the butler.

"I thought we could go down for breakfast together." She closes her carboard and we walk out together. "I saw you cry last night why were you so upset?" I start conversation as the way to the dining area is quite a distance. "It was nothing I do not want to discuss it please." She never wants to share anything with me. "I do wish you would stop being so cold sister, you may be open with me about anything." She sighs and slightly rolls her eyes, she is so annoying. "As you wish." I pick up my pace and leave her behind since she clearly does not want to be in my presence.

"Morning." I greet everyone at the table. "Morning" Lilly walks in after me. "So sisters for how long will you be staying at Gamming's Palace for ?" Lilly doesn't answer. "Not for long mostly a week I guess." The fruit salad today is not as sweet as usual. "Actually you will be staying until the engagement." I cough after chocking on Father's statement. "Father that is a month long ? How can you expect that of me?" Lilly argues with her tone harsh but head low. "For this kingdom I will expect everything and anything from you Lilliana." Father raises his voice.

"Allura you should be more convincing on your relationship. You should be seen holding hands or at least being familiar with each other for this to work. Since you read so many books on romance you should be fine." Reading and doing are two completely different things. "Yes Papa." After breakfast we say our goodbyes as the carriages arrive. "I will help you with anything you have questions about on this trip whatever you may need." She is only saying this because Papa must have ordered her to.

The palace is beautiful the garden seems clean and well kept and the member of the help seem all to be kind and caring. We were welcomed by newspaper people gathered to report on anything that they may see or hear. Aden and his aunt where present at the doors of the palace. I feel so overwhelmed my heart is beating from my chest, my head starts feeling light and my breathing is abnormal. I walk up the stairs to the door and as I bend my knees to curtsy they feel like water I lose my balance and I remember nothing that happens next apart from hearing my name.

Later that day

After shamelessly passing out Aden carried me to the room and Duchess Simone asked that I rest for the rest of the day. I wonder what will be written in the paper. I will not hear the end of this. After freshening up I head downstairs for dinner with Lilliana closely by because she is paranoid after the incident.

"I hope you are feeling better dear?" Simone asks from besides me. "Yes. Your grace I am quite well now thank you." I answer embarrassed. "I am sure the newspapers will have quite a field day with the news they will make of the incident." Aden comes off a bit annoyed. "It is not as if my sister quite planned to pass out Your Majesty." Lilly comes to my aid. He drinks the last of his wine while trying to not glare at her. "I never said it to be her fault I was merely pointing out the obvious Princess Lilliana and you know that." I clear my throat for Lilly to hear that she should calm down she is never like this.

"Perhaps if his Majesty had a pleasing tone of voice that I would have known you meant well and were not being insulting." Oh goodness. "I see. Pardon me please." He leaves from the table marching off to who knows where. "Do not worry dear I am sure when Aden accompanies you tomorrow the news of today will be forgotten with some pleasant news." Simone reassures me. And all can think about is how I am bound to mess up. I need help from someone other than Lilly someone who has done this before.

The next day

At the Academy

We arrive at the academy with Lilliana in separate carriage than us. He helps me out of the carriage and we make sure to not let go of each other as Duchess Simone instructed us this morning so that there is signs of relationship with public. It is so uncomfortable and I can feel his cold hands through the fabric of my gloves and the way he hold my hand is nothing like how I had imagined in my head. The characters in my books have more chemistry than me as long as no one else can tell it should not matter.

He releases my hand and we bid each other goodbye and go our separate ways. "You two should really try to not seem as if you are smiling at gunpoint otherwise this shall not work." Lilly whispers before going of to her to Marble. "Lura" Miguel calls out from behind me. "Miguel I was about to look for you." He seems to be holding a container.

"This was packaged for you from my Mother as promised." He hands it to me and the smell is amazing. "I need to speak with you, let us head to the library no one should be there and we have no class at the moment." I grab his hand and he follows behind me without protest.

"Did you arrive with Grost this morning?" We walk in and go to the back of the room. "Yes I am staying at one of Prince Aden's Palace for about a month." We sit at the first table we see. "Under the same roof what for? Did you marry during the weekend?" He looks at me with concern. "No it is just for formalities and for the public eye." He relaxes in the chair.

"Oh those formalites I hated that time period in my life." I can already sympathies with him. "I actually need your advice on being successful." He looks at me in shock. "I do not seem to understand, how exactly can I help?" He puts his hands on the table exposing himself. "I need you to teach me about the ways I can make it seem believable to the public since you have done this before." I must seem crazy.

"You want me to teach you what exactly?" He moves his chair into the table more. "I mean to make everything look authentic and real how to look at each other with love or at least pretend." I explain in depth and he seems to be listening but is confused. "Do you think this is a good idea? What I mean to say is can your sister not help you with this?" He is so difficult.

"How do you suppose I practice romancing with my sister and how will I be comfortable enough her ask anything? Please Miguel you must help me you are the only one who I can be comfortable around I need your help please. Will you not help you bestest friend." I plead as best as I can. He sighs. "Say if I do help you there should be things that must not happen." He is agreeing to help I am so happy right now. "Yes of course...but what are they?"

"As much we are comfortable we must never be familiar with each other. It could cause problems." I wonder if he is talking from experience. "What problems are you speaking of ?" I feel so naive and in the dark about what he is trying to hint at. "I mean us being comfortable should not lead to any of us...you know falling in love." Oh surely that only happens in books right?

"That only takes place in books Miguel we should be fine what feelings can surface we have know each other for years without anyone feeling anything. We will be fine. So will you help me friend?" There is no way I could ever live a book ever. "How can I ever refuse a friend." We shake hands to seal the arrangement.