This was different than any unemotional kiss I shared with Caleb. This was something that revealed two hearts at the same time, both of us realising the others' feelings in the same moment. Until now we had both been on a one-sided journey, loving but never receiving. Now it was different, because now we knew the intense emotions we carried for one another but could never be spoken. Now we knew that there was hope for us.

It wasn't very long before Sarina pulled away in utter surprise, peering at me with the widest eyes she could muster. I looked up at her with eyes full of things I couldn't put into words and she seemed to realize that. I raised onto demi-pointe to try and equal our heights, bringing up my hands to the side of her neck. Realizing what I was doing, disbelief crossed over her before the most sincere face of utter admiration overtook her. She rounded her hands to the back of my neck, meeting my lips once more.

I breathed deeply when we kissed, wishing this moment to become eternity. I moved my lips softly and she equalled that motion, both of us feeling as if this was a dream.

But it wasn't.

I was really standing here on my tiptoes, kissing the girl who I had extensive feelings for, on the balcony of the royal palace. This wasn't just my fantasy anymore.

Almost desperate, Sarina clung onto my shoulders and kissed me harder and I was more than happy to oblige, following her lead. I took a step forward closer to her, bringing my hands around until I could tangle my fingers into her foreign, soft locks. She leaned down to me, her hands roaming over my back until they found a comfortable position.

If this wasn't heaven then I don't know what is.

Eventually I pulled away, a little dizzy from the lack of air. I clung onto her shoulders, my laboured breaths uneven with her own. Our eyes were connected and not one of us strayed our vision away. Eventually I mustered enough air to talk.

"Illegal?" I inquired in disbelief. She chuckled a little bit, still out of breath.

"Yeah, because you were a minor and I didn't date you when I was still a minor," I furrowed my brows at her.

"Bloody hell you have weird things running through your head," I said, shaking my head at her. She scoffed and pulled me closer into a tight hug, my head resting on her blossoming chest as I wrapped my arms around her.

"By the way..."

"Yeah?"

"I like you,"

"No shit,"

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

Needless to say, I couldn't sleep that night. Even after Sarina skipped out of the palace to return home and it was long past the point that I could see her violet hair in the courtyard, I still envisioned her. I was feeling so many emotions and at the same time, I felt numb. I felt disbelief, fearing that if I fell asleep and woke up then it wouldn't be real anymore. I feared that it was all just a fluke, or that she was going to regret it later.

I had an early breakfast the next day, my mind clouded throughout the entire meal. The twins gave me strange glances the entire time. That is, until, my mother reminded them of their piece for the Royal Variety Performance. Then their nerves began to take a hold of them and they sat quietly, whispering commentaries only between each other. I had completely forgotten about their own show they would have to perform.

And my performance was cancelled, and I will have to watch the dance I worked so hard for be replaced by Anna of all people.

I had completely forgotten all about her.

I wondered how she felt all about all this. I wondered if she broke up with Caleb or if she stayed with him for the publicity. Although, if there were any people on my side, then they'd surely not like her all that much. She was, after all, the girl who got the princess's boyfriend to cheat on her. But if I reflected back then I guess they really looked happy together. They had more in common than Caleb and I had, so I didn't really care so much about it anymore. It's been a month since the incident revolving him and everything died down.

Although I had no contact with them, and didn't particularly want to, I was still curious about what was going on with them.

Still, sometimes I missed the times with Caleb. He was maybe a terrible boyfriend, but he was a good friend.

I spend the majority of the day opening gifts sent from the public, and some of them were really touching. There were many pictures from small girls who wished to be princesses, and many motivational messages about me not allowing to be thrown around by Caleb. There were 'get well soon' cards and many soothing creams. There were other gifts like shoes and accessories, but I was glad that there wasn't anything over the top. I wasn't all that known yet but I appreciated the gifts I received.

But there was one gift that caught my eye right at the beginning but I opened it very last, and I was glad that I did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have contained myself. The box was wrapped in my favourite shade of violet, and that gave me the impression that I knew the sender.

The entire box was filled to the brim with roses, a box of rose-flavoured macaroons laid at the bottom, and that gave me the immediate realization that this was from someone who was familiar with me. The box also had a small book filled with sheet music for the harp, and I was momentarily stunned. When last had I played the harp? Who knew that I could play that instrument?

My thoughts immediately turned to Sarina and a smile brightened on my face. As I pulled the last thing from the box, a scrapbook designed to fit the theme of ballet. When I opened it, my jaw immediately fell and I realized immediately, this was not from Sarina.

The scrapbook was filled with photos from when I was younger, from about when I was twelve. There were photos of when I still had caramel hair originally, when I fed ducks at the pond and when I had my very first pointe shoes fitted. There were images of when I was at the salon to colour my hair for the very first time, behind the scenes of my first solo in a tutu and when I had milkshake moustaches. Then the most surprising was the pictures of when I did a photo shoot with fake piercings and a black tutu, the very same photos I had a fight with Caleb about. Here they were all raw except for the last one where the light of the sun made a nice effect, one he said looked unprofessional. It was slightly edited than the original, but looked natural. The caption beneath it read:

You were right all along. I was nominated because of this photo.

I felt my breath hitch in my throat and I to the end of the book, a few empty pages left blank. An envelope fell out when I went to the back, and I curiously opened it up. For such a big letter, there were only two words.

Happy birthday.

And I couldn't help but smile.

"Ian?" I called out, and sure enough he was near the common room.

"Your Highness?" he inquired.

"I would like to go out today," I announced, standing up from the pile of gifts.

"Where to?"

"I want to go see Caleb,"

♕♥ ♕♥ ♕

Being back at his house was the strangest thing in the world. Last time I was here, we both broke each other's most prized possessions. An entire month. It felt like an eternity. I no longer felt disdain towards him, and instead I was more curious than anything else. When I saw him last, he was an uncomfortable mess in the palace. I wondered if he would be up for a chat.

Well, if he did so much for my birthday, then I had to assume he would be.

I was in disguise, naturally, and we took a different car. His house didn't seem to be barricaded by paparazzi anymore and I was glad that he was finally left alone by the vultures of society. The newest topic for the public to eat up was my first public appearance, and the fact that my hair was a different colour than they remembered. They made references to my father's commentary all that long ago about how he felt about dyed hair and all that.

I waited patiently after I knocked on the door, not at all surprised when Caleb's father opened the door wearing his pyjamas. His eyes widened to the extreme when he saw me, his jaw slightly slacking.

"Melanie... uh, I mean-" I shook my head at him.

"Mister Adams. Sorry for dropping by so suddenly," he shook his head slowly.

"No... it's no problem at all," I smiled at his response.

"Is Caleb home?" he nodded and took a step to the side, allowing me to enter.

"He should be in his room," I nodded my head in thanks as I entered the house more. It was then that Caleb's mother spotted me from the kitchen, nearly dropping her pan.

"Y-your Highness! Hello!" she said in a heightened voice, stepping over to me quickly.

"Misses Adams, you look well," I commented, remembering her nerves from weeks ago.

"Oh! Thank you so much," she seemed a bit flustered. "You came to see Caleb?" I nodded my head at her question.

"I think it's been enough time for wounds to heal," she nodded her head in understanding.

"Are you staying for lunch?" I shrugged my shoulders.

"If all goes well," was all I said before I ascended up the stairs, heading through the house on autopilot. I heard music coming Caleb's open door, music I didn't particularly enjoy or understand until Sarina showed me some other genres. I wouldn't admit it really, but I was starting to get used to the idea of loud music and bright colours.

Caleb was sitting at his desk, typing away at his computer with his glasses on the brim of his nose. I had seen him so much with contact lenses that I nearly forgotten he wore glasses. He didn't see me enter, his back towards me. I headed into the room as quietly as I could muster, although I didn't know why. I was here to confront him, yet I didn't want him to see me. I guess I still possessed some shame.

I sat on his bed, the slight squeaking action having him whip around his head to look at me. His eyes widened immediately, his jaw slacking in surprise.

"Melanie! You're here!" he sounded bewildered, spinning around his chair to face me. I nodded, looking around his room until I found myself looking at the broken trophy.

"I'm sorry about that," he followed my vision and began shaking his head, dismissing with his head.

"It's... in the past. Why are you here?" I turned to him and suddenly the awkwardness of the situation came crashing down on me. I sighed.

"I wanted to thank you for the lovely gift. And... I wanted to apologize for everything I've put you through," he nodded his head only slightly, but his eyes revealed that he didn't want any apologises.

"Just... don't. I deserved it," we were off to a great start.

"They were beautiful pictures," I told him with a complementing nod. "I can't believe you had all those photos still,"

"I started that book when we were younger. I planned on giving it to you after it was completely full but..." I nodded, understanding.

"It is very thoughtful. Thank you," he nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "I especially loved being reminded about my hair had been chewed by a duck," he laughed, remembering the scene from years ago when my head was violated by a duck.

"Speaking of which..." I looked up at him in question. "You seem very unhappy," I was confused for a second before I realized the colour of my locks in front of my eyes. I nodded slightly, a grimace taking over my features.

"I hate it," I admitted to him. "I hate it so much," I took a few strands into my fingers, rubbing them together. They didn't feel as chalky anymore, but that didn't make me feel any better. Caleb only nodded, knowing that any commentary would be directed at my parents and he wasn't in the mood to insult royalty again.

"But you still look beautiful anyway," I only nodded at him, taking it as an unemotional comment. I didn't feel anything for the man who sat in front of me, but I couldn't go on knowing that I had an arch nemesis. It just didn't set well with me.

"Yeah... hey, are you and Anna still going out?" I asked curiously, trying not to appear distasteful because I wasn't. I was over it, and I wanted it to stay that way. It took so long to accept reality and move on. Caleb suddenly seemed uncomfortable.

"Uhm... no. She said she didn't want to be involved with someone like me," I bit my lip and looked down, nodding my head slightly. "She said that she'd want to apologize to you," I breathed deeply and nodded again. I rose my head quickly.

"It's not needed. It's been a month. I'm over it. I moved on," I told him honestly and something flashed over his eyes. It was disappointment.

"Oh... I see. It's the Prince isn't it?" he asked, as if he solved the world's greatest mystery.

"What about him?"

"You two are going out, right? I mean you seemed really comfortable in the broadcasts," I could only chuckle at this, shaking my head. Sarina, Matilda and now Caleb... why did everyone think I have a thing for Alejandro?

"No, definitely not. I wouldn't go out with him,"

"Why not?"

"He's... too Spanish my liking, quite frank," he laughed at my honest opinion.

"Ah, so you aren't going out with anyone?" I shrugged my head to the side, biting my lip.

"I never said that," Caleb's eyes widened.

"What, really? Who is it?" I could see that mystery swivelled in him, as if he wanted to know what this person had that he didn't. Well, a sense of morality for one.

"It's... you won't tell?" Caleb looked at me with a deadpan stare, as if I asked him the stupidest question in the world.

"The last thing I want to do is go spreading rumour about the Princess. I don't want to be in the spotlight again, gracious me, I'd be eaten alive," I laughed at his ridiculous words and shook my head.

"Sorry, but I don't think I'm going to tell you," he looked disappointed but nodded, understanding.

"That's fine. I don't even deserve to talk to you right now. I should feel honoured," I shrugged my shoulders.

"I came here to thank you and apologize, because I don't like having enemies,"

"I know right? Such a drag," I chuckled and suddenly, I remembered why I liked him in the first place.

"Like... I don't like you anymore. I don't love you. I don't think we'll be able to be friends again, I'm sorry. But I didn't want to go on knowing that each time I see you then I have to keep myself from talking to you. I want to be on a speaking basis," I revealed to him the reason I came. He nodded in understanding.

"Alright. Yeah. I appreciate it. And... I'm sorry, I really am," I nodded, knowing he was being honest. A knock came at the door and Misses Adams stood there with a smile.

"There's pancakes and strawberries," my eyes widened with excitement.

"Now that sounds like a wonderful idea!"