The castle was large. It made his own town seem smaller, the walls were worn but still intact and the architecture dated back to eleventh century. He'd heard things about the castle how it got passed down constantly from parent to child. Sean was impressed with how he could visit the castle. One thing his parent's didn't realize was that he could spend a whole month in the castle and not have to worry about going to the restaurant. Everyone at that place was nice, but for a second he had a terrible feeling that Mark didn't quite like him. On the way to the chambers, Sean couldn't help but question what Mark had been planning.

"What's the deal with Mark?" Sean asked.

"Mark is of royal bloodline, I don't know why he acts like that," Adam responded. "He has never done this to anybody," the two arrived at Sean's chambers. "Here we are. If you need anything sir," Adam nodded. "Let me know."

"Thank you, and please, call me Sean." He answered. "Is there anything else?"

"Her majesty wants to have dinner with you and Mark tonight," Adam said. "Best not be late. Dinner starts at half past seven."

Sean nodded and began to unpack as Adam left the room. While Sean was in the middle of unpacking, a firm knock came from the door. Confused, Sean turned only to come face to face with Mark Fischbach. The duke who seemed to have hated his guts. Sean smiled nervously trying to move away from him, but Mark got in his way.

"Ever hear of personal space?" Sean asked.

"Ever heard, no one cares?" Mark responded.

Sean's stomach dropped he knew that he would never get along with the Duke of Lancaster. He laughed and backed away, but Mark walked closer until Sean was against the wall. "I don't know your purpose here, but I sure as hell better hope it's not because of the princess."

"Look, I didn't do anything to you, and I don't know what I've done to upset you." Sean responded.

Mark rolled his eyes. "Listen Commoner," Mark warned grabbing Sean by the shirt. Sean flinched. "Stay away from Maeline or I will..."

"You'll do what?" a voice said from behind him. Sean glanced behind Mark and saw Maeline dressed in a silky blue dress, her hair tied into a beautiful long braid and wearing makeup fitted for the perfect princess.

"Maeline..." Mark said through clenched teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to check on Sean and discover you in his room, forcing an innocent man against the wall." She responded. "May I go on?"

Mark chuckled nervously, as he let go of Sean's shirt. Patting him down casually. "Oh, don't get your pants in a twist Maeline," Mark stated. "We were only having a man-to-man conversation." Mark fixed his suit and walked over to the door.

"Right well from my perspective, you were showing violence toward our guest," Maeline explained. "Now don't you have hunting to do?" Mark went silent carefully walking around Maeline as she was giving him the evil eye.

Mark stepped out of the room as Maeline closed the door behind him. It was clear to Mark that he wouldn't be able to impress the princess without Sean around, so he had to come up with something. Anything that could make Maeline hate Sean. After all, him and Maeline were meant to be together. With a commoner like Sean in the way it would make things harder for him to get through to the princess. Mark walked down a long corridor thinking all about ways to go up against Sean and kick him out of the castle. His arm behind his back, Mark walked past portraits of past kings and queens most of which couldn't have gotten their position unless they were born into the life, or they stole it through war.

"I guess, I'll have to find some other way to stop Sean." Mark said to himself before heading back to his room.

Maeline hated it when Mark tried to take control, it was amongst the things that she despised about him. The man always seemed so angry to a point that they would take it against anyone they saw. One of which was Sean.

"I'm so sorry about that Sean," Maeline said. "He's a bit.... Old school."

"What's his deal?" Sean asked. "I didn't do anything to him so why is he out to get me?"

"Mark won't bother you much, just finish unpacking and I'll see you at dinner." Maeline said.

Turning on her white high heels, Maeline walked out leaving Sean alone.

Sean waited till she'd been further down the hall before sighing and falling onto the bed. This was only his first day here, and he'd already made an enemy. He stared up at the canopy bed contemplating if he should remain in Lancaster, or if he should head back. But knowing that he'd be here until after the holidays, he had to deal with Mark and his attitude.

A couple hours later, Sean got dressed in his best clothes and made his way to the dining hall. However, it hadn't occurred to him until he was hopelessly lost that he didn't know where the dining hall was. Sean was close to giving up when he came across Adam who had been casually strolling down the hall. He ran over to Adam.

"Adam!" Sean exclaimed.

Adam glanced over and smiled as he bowed toward Sean. Sean, who felt uncomfortable smiled nervously.

"Yes sir?" He asked. "How can I be of service?"

"This castle is so big," Sean said. "I need your help, Maeline requested I joined her for dinner, but I don't know where the dining room is."

"Follow me sir," Adam ordered. "I'll show you where it's at."

The two walked down the hall and made a sharp left turn. Sean took the time to glance around the room impressed with all the paintings from past rulers. It made him wonder how many royals lived in the castle before Maeline. But he also wondered why he didn't see any portraits of Mark and his family. It'd been so strange, and something in Mark's eyes made Sean feel as if there had been something much darker in the works.

Maeline and Mark were in the dining room, the room was large with a long dining table fit for a royal family. The walls were still made out of the same old cobblestone and the chairs were made of solid oak with a velvety fabric sewn into it. Mark and Maeline were waiting on Sean, only problem, Sean had been taking a long time and Mark seemed to grow impatient as he shifted in his chair. He kept checking his watch wondering why Maeline's guest had been thirty minutes late.

"Where is he?" Mark demanded, annoyed. "I thought you said he was on his way."

"He is," Maeline responded, rolling her eyes. "Give him a break, he doesn't live in a castle."

Servants and maids entered and exited the dining room, the servants pouring Maeline and Mark cups of gin. One by one the waiters brought in food and placed them all along the mahogany table. "Well, this is why it's hard to accept a commoner into our world," Mark said. "We run in different circles."

"I don't see why different people can't run in the same circle," Maeline stated. "They're the same as us." Mark glanced at his ring, twisting it, the dining room light shined onto it giving it a sparkly look. When the waiter finished pouring the glass, Mark waved him off and picked the glass up, taking a sip.

"You know how I feel Maeline." Mark said.

"I swear if this is your way of asking me out again, I will tell you what I said weeks ago," Maeline answered. "We are NOT compatible, and you know this!" the wooden doors opened as Sean stepped inside. Mark looked over at the door and nearly choked on his water, shocked to see that the commoner had made it.

"Sorry I'm late," Sean said. "I got turned around, but Adam showed me where to go."

"That's perfectly fine, Sean," Maeline smiled. "Please be seated." Sean smiled and walked over to a chair taking a seat. Sean glanced up at Mark who was staring at him like he was a meal ready to kill. Not willing to make Mark angry, he stayed quiet as the servants poured him a drink and placed food in front of him.