Autumn's POV

The discussion in the royal dining has dimmed down to small talk and gossip by the time we get back in and sit down. Everyone's attenrion turns to us and an awkward silence hushes the room-even the waiters.

My father clears his throat and breaks the tension, "Well I think supper is about finished, nothing more to discuss. Let us finish up the party in the ballroom shall we?" Everyone nods and hurries out.

I sigh and stand up with Oliver. He politely and gently grabs my hand and leads me out to the ballroom floor. We slow dance for what feels like forever until dismissal is announced and we have to depart.

Oliver bows and holds out his hand, "Good evening mi'lady" I gently place my hand on his and he plants a sweet kiss on the back of it-long enough for the paparazzi to see. He then straightens up and pulls his other hand from behind his back, revealing a luscious white rose and holds it out to me.

I blush, "For me? Why thank you! So thoughtful!" I accept his rose and he returns a cheeky smile.

"Anything for you, Autumn; the fairest princess in the land."

I kiss his cheek quickly then run out the doors to my car and my parents and I leave back to our house.

As we go down the highway, I stare down at the hand Oliver kissed and how it holds the rose he gave to me. I smile at all the memories of tonight with him. Maybe an arranged marriage wouldn't be so bad if I'm already falling for him, right?

-2 hours later-

My parents have already gone to bed right when we got home but for some reason I can't sleep. Instead of sleeping, I sneak off to the art room we own. I peak into the unused-and rather dusty!-room. The door creaks open swiftly and I hurry in. Looking around the circular room, I notice how many memories it holds of my childhood. So many paintings all full of color and hope and innocence. So many ghosts of joy packed into a single space. I walk around in awe, admiring all the finger paintings and clay sculptures and paper maché. It makes me feel like it was just yesterday I was here, painting and doodling my heart out. But I haven't visited here for years.

The moonlight shines into the huge bay window and illuminates everything. I plop down onto the hard wood floor and fiddle around with a loose paintbrush. A sudden need to paint overwhelms me and I quickly grab a canvas and a set of paints. Starting with the base colors, I slowely stroke the canvas precisely with my brush. A smile creeps onto my face and I feel free again almost, like a child with no worries. My fingers weild the paintbrush gracefully across the canvas with joy. After awhile, I finally finish and look at my creation. I painted a necklace. A necklace resembling Luke and my friendship. He gave one to me years ago. It's a ruby locket that holds a picture of us as young children together. I lost it only a few years ago. I don't know why I painted that of all things, it just seemed to be the first thing that came to mind.