Mathew POV

I was knocking on Alana's door desperately. I was about to go insane.

Alana finally opened with a worried look on her face. "Is everything alright? What's the emergency?"

I looked around before hinting to her that we needed to speak privately. She let me into her room where I preceded to freak out some more.

"We have a serious problem," I ran my hands through my hair. "Clary has gone on a date."

Alana gasped. "A date?"

"Yes! And I have no idea who it is with but she seemed excited. This was definitely not what I had in mind when I told her to find someone that makes her happy," I groaned flopping face first on Alana's bed.

I thought maybe that would push Clary to be with me. From all the times I've made her laugh, and all the smiles I've put on her face, I thought maybe she was happy with me.

"Well she did seem jealous? Maybe she didn't want to feel that anymore? She seems like the type that does not let anyone bring her down," Alana offered. She was right, that did sound like Clary. "You know Mathew, maybe you should just talk to her. Tell her how you feel."

I tried to kiss her, twice, and both times even though it looked like she wanted me to kiss her she rejected me. I can not get another rejection. I need her to at least show me a sign.

"Are you crazy?" I gasped. I taped my finger to my chin in deep thought. "I got it! Let's go spy on her date! I have to find out what I'm up against."

Alana looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Mathew, that has to be the worst plan ever, if you would just--"

I put up my hand to silence her. "Just come with me okay?"

Before she could answer I was already leaving her room. I heard her sigh in defeat before her footsteps followed me. I internally smiled in triumph.

"I still think this is a bad idea," she mumbled but I took no heed to her words.

"Do you have any idea where they could have gone?" I asked looking around for ideas.

"We could ask if anyone has seen her?" The princess suggested.

"Brilliant!"

I went up to a worker that was scurrying by. "Excuse me, have you happened to see Lady Clarissa?"

"I have not, but I heard that she might be some where in the garden on some sort of... um... date?" He blushed looking embarrassed to hearing such gossip.

Date.

Again with that word!

I looked back at Alana trying to get her to hurry up. The gardens. Clary always did like the outdoors. Damn this man was good.

We finally made it outside, rushing towards the castle's massive gardens. Where on earth do we start? I looked at Alana for help. She knew her castle better than I did. Where would be the best place to have a date?

Alana rolled her eyes before calling a patrolling guard. "Sir, have you seen Lady Clarissa?"

"Oh yes," the guard's ears turned red. "I almost didn't recognize her--"

The guard noticed the look I was giving him which stopped him from finishing his sentence. I did not appreciate other men looking at Clary. I was hopeless. To be possessive over someone who was not mine.

"She's near the pink roses on the west end--"

I cut off the guard once more by walking to wards the west end. Time to see this mystery man.

***
Clarissa's POV

Sebastian was great.

He was the perfect gentleman. He pulled out my chair, and nodded and smiled at all the right moments, he knew how to keep a conversation going and occasionally cracked a joke. But there was something missing. There wasn't that touch of softness I saw in Mathew, or that curious twinkle in his eyes, there was no passion in his speech the way the prince spoke. I could not keep comparing him to Mathew. Mathew could not understand me as a guard as Sebastian could, but then again Sebastian could not understand the pressure and expectations that both the prince and I suffered from. Ugh!

I can't believe I was thinking about another man while I was on a date with a really good man. I'm sure there is a special place in hell for people like me.

I needed Mathew out of my head and I needed to focus on Sebastian now.

"Would you like a second glass?" Sebastian asked as I finished the last bit of my wine.

I was about to object when I heard a shuffling behind me. Instinctively I reached for the knife on the table and I saw that Sebastian noticed this. I drop the knife when I found the source of the sound.

Goddamnit.

"Mathew, you can't keep creeping up on me, one day I will really hurt you," I breathed angrily through my nose.

Mathew stood there with a guilty expression with Alana by his side looking really uncomfortable. His eyes then narrowed behind me. His initial reaction was pure surprise and for a slight moment he frowned before returning to a neutral expression.

"Oh, Clary, I did not know you would be here. Alana and I have been on a walk," he looked at Alana who was urging him with her eyes. Urging him to do what? His eyes set and the princess winced. "Why don't you join us?"

Was he trying to sabotage my first date? How would I be able to focus on Sebastian when the prince and Alana were giving each other googly eyes?

I looked at Sebastian hoping he would save us but like any knight he would not dare disappoint the royal family.

"Of course, we would be honoured," he answered. I think it was my turn to wince.

Sebastian came to stand next to me, he stuck out his arm for me again. For some reason I hesitated taking a look at Mathew. He was staring at his arm with a clenched jaw. I took a deep breath before linking my arm in Sebastian's. Mathew immediately turned his back and began walking with Alana struggling to keep up beside him.

Sebastian bent his head closer to my ear to whisper. "I noticed you grab that knife. You were so fast, it was amazing."

"Thank you," I blushed at the compliment.

Mathew was looking back with fire in his eyes. His hand then slipped around Alana's waist pulling her closer to him, which earning a surprised yelp from the princess.

I felt a jealous pang hit my chest.

I could be happy without Mathew. I don't need Mathew. I have a great man on my arm.

Mathew was still looking back at us. I unconsciously felt myself moving closer to Sebastian. I looked up at him and tried batting my lashes the way Alana did with the prince. "Tell me the story again of how you took down the general with a fork."

With a blush, Sebastian laughed before repeating his story. "Well, my team was awkwardly sitting in his camp, we were very tense since..."

I couldn't focus on him. I just felt a pair of eyes bearing into me. I just kept up a big smile and kept nodding my head.

When Sebastian finished talking I let out a small giggle. "That is amazing. I don't have a lot of cool stories to tell you. My father made sure I never really went on any big missions. This is my biggest one."

I pointed between myself and Mathew only to notice that the prince and Alana were in a heated whispered argument. I guess not everything was perfect with them as I previously thought.

Alana looked angrily at Mathew before turning to face me. "Mind if we switch partners?"

I looked confusedly between her and Mathew. I guess he really angered her. I should be happy they were not getting along but I actually liked Alana. I wouldn't want to wish her something bad.

I might as well create some peace. "Sure thing your highness."

I gave an apologetic look at Sebastian before going to join Mathew.

"Is everything okay?" I whispered to the prince.

He furrowed his eyebrows. "Why wouldn't it be okay?"

I shrugged. "Alana seemed pretty mad."

"Pft." Mathew swatted his hand. "Everything is great. Perfect in fact."

His tone was awfully high pitched.

"You--"

"How was your date?" He cut me off immediately.

Okay then...

"It was wonderful," I said trying to sound as upbeat as possible. Well until you showed up and ruined it. "Just how you would expect a first date to go. He is kind and has been a great gentleman."

Mathew mumbled something under his breath sounding something like, "I am a gentleman."

I tried to change the conversation. "You are growing your beard out?"

Mathew blushed unconsciously reaching up to his jaw and scratching it. "Yes... Just trying it out."

A small smile found itself to my lips. I liked Mathew in a beard, his was barely a scruff now.

We fell into an awkward silence. I could hear Alana and Sebastian behind us. I knew Mathew was lying, Alana really did seem upset.

"You should fix things with her, she is a great girl. Plus you wouldn't want to marry her while you are still mad at each other," I said. Before Mathew could reply, I had already turned to face the others. "Princess, your date wants you back. He has a few words he wishes to discuss with you. Maybe we shall leave you two alone?"

I heard a sharp intake of breath from beside me. "Alone? Clary what--"

I left the prince's whispers behind me before I went to join Sebastian who looked happy that I had returned to him. We waited for the two to leave who were quite hesitant at first. Now that we were alone, Sebastian walked to a bush before pulling a beautiful white flower and handing it to me. "Do not tell the gardener but it was too beautiful not to give to you."

I turned scarlet before I let Sebastian put it in my hair. His hand lingered there for a moment before his eyes shot down to my lips. It looked like he wanted to kiss me. I held my breath not knowing how to react to this. He then cleared his throat and took a step back. I let out the breath I was holding in what I could only explain as relief. Sebastian might have had my first date but I did not know if I was ready to give him my first kiss yet. At least, not the way I wanted Mathew to kiss me.

"Shall we head back?" he asked. I nodded my head in relief, this escape couldn't have come earlier. We made it back to one of the castle doors where Sebastian then grabbed my hand.

"Thank you for giving me a chance, I have really enjoyed today... maybe we could do this again?" he asked hopefully.

I looked down at my hand that was still in his. I needed to try and be happy. I needed to try. "Yes, that would be lovely."

Sebastian's face broke into a splendid smile before he pulled my hand to his lips and placed a light kiss on the top of my hand making my face turn scarlet. "Goodnight then Clarissa."

"Goodnight," I said, my face still burning.

I hurried to my room and slipped out the dress. The sun had set so I got ready for bed. I released my chestnut hair from it's braid letting it cascade down my back in waves and had slipped into a chemise that ended above my knees. I was about to hop into bed when the door burst open.

I almost let out a shriek when I noticed who it was.

"Dear god! Mathew! Don't you know how to knock!" I said angrily.

Mathew's jaw was open as he stared at my bare legs. Hasn't he already seen them? Why was he making a big deal out of it again?

I snapped my fingers trying to bring his attention to my face and not my legs. His cheeks were a dark red colour when he met my eyes. His guilty expression turned angry before he yelled. "Why didn't you lock your door? I could have been anyone! I could have been S-Sebastian--"

He let out a shiver at the mention of Sebastian.

"Sebastian would have knocked," I rolled my eyes.

The prince's face turned an even darker shade of red.

Why did he not like Sebastian? He was a good guy. Could he be... No impossible. There is no way the prince could be jealous of Sebastian.

"Why are you here Mathew?" I asked impatiently, crossing my arms in front of my chest.

The prince ran his hands through his hair like a mad man. "I just needed to know, did Sebastian do anything today..."

What was he insinuating?

"Like I said, Sebastian was a gentleman. We only linked arms and he kissed m--"

"HE KISSED YOU!" Mathew yelled in anger. "I SWEAR I AM GOING TO-"

"Whoa," I put my hands in front of me trying to calm him down. "He kissed my hand, that is all. Good god, what has gotten in to you? First sabotaging my date-- yes, I know it was intentional you have a very expressive face--, then shooting all those dark looks at Sebastian that were not friendly, and now with your overly protective reactions towards me--"

Oh god! He was! Mathew was jealous! Why? He had Alana, why would he be jealous? He was the one that told me to find someone. His advice was why I was doing this. He had no right to act like this.

I couldn't face him right now. I needed to make sense of everything. "Get out."

"What?" The prince looked confused.

"I said get out. Now." I ordered.

Mathew gave me a hurt look that had me regretting my words, but I stayed quiet. I need to start to learn how to ignore my heart. Especially when it came to the prince.

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I have just finished writing the whole story, I will be updating two chapters a week!

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