I was fuming. I knew something like this was going to happen, but I didn't really think they would go with a story as stupid as this.

Newfound Love?

Ever since Princess Charlotte arrived back home without her husband, Prince Ian from Lamia, people have been speculating about their marriage. Are they separating? Are they fighting?

Our answers were answered when Princess Charlotte looked cozy in the arms of another man, all while her husband was miles away.

The damn picture that the reporter took was a good one, but not for me. They had caught me smiling down at him, and him at me.

Are we expecting a royal divorce here in a couple weeks? Maybe months? Since their marriage over eight months ago, there have been no baby rumors; can this cause their divorce as well? (Flip the page for more information)

I didn't flip the damn page. I threw the newspaper in frustration, and huffed, running my fingers through my hair. The magazine on the stand next to me stood out now that I didn't have anything in my hands, and I took a deep breath.

The Real Reason Princess Charlotte Left

A picture of May walking through the front doors with a smug smile on her face was in the front page. The author of the news went on to more speculations, but I didn't even bother reading what it said. If Ian said that he didn't do anything, he didn't do anything.

Right? I thought to myself and groaned again.

The constant ping of my computer brought my head up, and I bit my lip when I saw the familiar face. With a gulp, I walked to the table and accepted the call, plopping my butt down at the same time his face appeared on the screen.

"What in the world is going on Charlotte?"

"Hi to you too Ian."

He chuckled softly, rubbing his face and smiled. "Hi Charlotte. How are you doing?"

I avoided his gaze and quickly looked down. "With what?" I sighed as I drew random shapes and patterns on the table with my index finger.

"You know what I'm talking about. Do you want to tell me your version of the story so I don't sound like a jealous husband when I talk to the press later on?"

My head snapped up, and my eyes widened at his words. "Huh?"

He grinned sheepishly at me and scratched his chin. "Nothing. Story?"

The smile on my face slowly got bigger, and I shook my head. I told him everything that happened, and he just nodded with every small pause I made. By the time I was finished, he was laughing and shaking his head.

"I swear. These people need a life. Since we aren't giving them anything, they make up shït so our lives can be ruined."

"So what is it about you and the press?"

He took a deep breath from his nose as he relaxed back and stretched out, his face disappearing for a second. "I'm going to try and explain everything. I started it off with Mays arrival, and in going to finish all of these rumors."

"You don't have to do that. I can talk myself."

He just shook his head and quickly winked at me. "Just call it a truce between us and our countries in the future."

We talked for hours after that, clearly ignoring everything we were supposed to be doing, and even went on tours. It was a pain in the ass carrying the tablet after starting the call there, and pointing it everywhere, just so he could see. I felt like a tourist, taking pictures of everything, but the ocasional chuckles from the device in my hands told me otherwise.

It was only when the tablet died in the middle of our conversation did I realize how long we had been at it, and I was starving. Clearly skipping lunch had not been a good idea with the way my stomach was crying.

"She finally shows up!" Cried my dad when I walked into the dining room. My nose had basically carried me all the way to the scent it had caught from the second floor.

I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment and sat down on my spot. "Sorry. I've been talking to Ian all day."

They both looked surprised when I said his name. "Ian? You're still talk to him?" This time, my mom spoke.

I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah... why is that surprising?"

"Well we thought you didn't want anything to do with him," she asked, her voice still holding the surprising tone. "You were set against being with him when we announced your engagement with him, and now you're friends?"

I gave them a half a smile and shrugged. "Like I said, we changed. We can stand each other now."

They both looked at each other, not even speaking a word as they nodded to one another. I just looked at them curiously, and blinked in surprise when she cracked a smile as he just laughed and shook his head. I wanted to question them, but I just bit my tongue and looked down at my hands, staring at the silver spoon in awe. When they didn't ask any more questions, I sighed in relief and continued eating, trying to ignore the lingering looks they gave me the rest of the day.

~

***A few months later***

"No... no fücking way," I gasped and ran down the stairs, not even bothering to slow down as I slammed into him, wrapping my arms around his figure. His familiar chuckle filled my ears, and I smiled as he hugged me back, swaying us back and forth.

"Surprise!"

I took a step back, and blinked rapidly, placing my hands over my mouth as I stared in disbelief.

He was here. He was actually here!

"Is that why I haven't talked to you in a whole week? You were planning this all along?"

He nodded, and pulled me back, crushing me into another hug. "I wasn't liking watching you from a small screen. I prefer talking to you in real life, instead through technology." I blushed and hid my face on his chest, feeling it tremble as he laughed again. "So are you going to leave me here standing in front of your door, or are you going to show me to my room?"

I gasped, and nodded once, grabbing his hand. "I'm sure the room you had when you were here is stocked and ready. My parents knew that you were coming didn't they?" They were out and about, doing their royal duties. I was surprised and shocked as well when they actually said I could stay and relax. It didn't make sense until now, with him standing right here in front of me.

I heard him sigh heavily, and squeeze the hand I was holding as we slowly walked up the stairs. "It's been a long time since I've been here. I'm ashamed on how I treated you when I was under your roof."

I gulped and looked down, glad that I didn't have to look up to know where I was going. Guests rooms were across the palace from the royal families room, but since Ian was technically a royal, he was staying in our wing.

When we came to a stop in front of his door, he squeezed my hand again, making me look up and he gave me a small smile. "I'm sorry. I wish I could make it up to you somehow."

A few seconds of thoughtful silence happened as I stared into his blue eyes. When an idea popped into my head, I gave him a small smile, which then morphed into a bigger one.

"Let's start all over again."

"What?" He asked completely confused.

I opened his door, and stepped inside, motioning for him to stay right where he was. "Remember the first time we met?" He nodded twice and rubbed his chin in curiosity. "Well, let's do that again. Just pretend this is my room for now for our sake of traveling."

He still looked confused when I closed the door on his face, and took a couple steps in. I twirled around, and waited for the knock. I waited... and waited... and waited some more, until it finally came.

"Come in!" This time, I paid attention and watched as he walked in with confidence. He had a small smile on his face as stopped a few short feet away from me, and bowed slightly. I rolled my eyes as I laughed, and curtsied myself, pretending I was wearing a dress.

"Hello Princess Charlotte. My name is Prince Ian, and I believe we are engaged."

I gasped dramatically, bringing my hands up to my mouth as I tried to stifle some more laughter. This was turning more into an acting thing than a real introduction. "You are my fiancé?"

"Yes ma'am,I am," he replied with a twang in a country accent, tipping his imaginary hat. I bursted out laughing, and rolled my eyes as I shook my head.

"No! You're doing it wrong!" I squealed in surprise when he wrapped his arms around my waist, and twirled me around. My head was thrown back in delight as I laughed, and when he finally set me down, I didn't realize we were so close until our noses bumped.

I stopped breathing as I felt his warm breath fan across my lips. I blinked once, looked up through my eyelashes, and saw him staring down at my mouth. My lips parted as I took in a ragged breath, and he seemed to inch closer.

My eyes slowly closed as I felt my head tilting with his. Just as our lips were going to meet, I found myself doing something before my brain even registered it:

I moved an inch to the side, making him kiss my cheek instead. His lips stayed press to my cheek for five long seconds before he pulled away, and I stepped back, looking down at the floor.

I bit my lip as I closed my eyes again for the shortest of seconds, before I looked back at him. "I'm sorry. I just... I just can't."

He nodded twice, and took his own step back. "I understand." He looked around, and scratched his head as he avoided my gaze. "I uh,... I want to shower. It was a long flight and I'm... umm..."

"Oh, yeah.... Yeah." I walked out without another word, and closed the door behind me. Once outside in the hallway, I leaned against the door and took many deep breaths. The air wasn't tinted with his scent out here...

"What just happened?" I whispered to myself and shook my head a few seconds later. A small chuckle escaped my lips as I straightened up, and I began to walk away.

Something had happened... but did I want it to happen?

As I reached the library, the place I had been before he had arrived, one word was ringing through my head, answering my unspoken question.

Yes.

I had wanted it to happen, but I had pulled away because I wasn't ready. Just thinking about it now made me look stupid, and I took my frustration out in the pillow of the couch I had sat down in.

Next time.... there would be no hesitations.

______________________

Holy cheese balls!! I haven't updated this book in FOREVERRRR.

If I am telling you the truth, I've had this chapter ready for over a month already. The reason I didn't post it... well... I learned that all of my work had been mirrored into another site, and that just completely broke me. I told myself I wasn't going to update anything, and that's what I did.

But why am I updating now?

Because of yall. Y'all have been asking me for updates nicely, and I just felt so bad leaving y'all behind like that. I know it sucks when you have to wait forever for the author to update, so I am sorry!

Another thing I am apologizing for are the time jumps. I don't want to drag this on anymore, as I am over the halfway point of this book. The year is almost over for their deal, so the book is almost over. Something HUGE will happen that will.... well you'll just see 😂😂

Of course, if you're confused about anything, don't hesitate to ask. I will answer any questions y'all have since it's been like 20 years since we've been here.

This chapter is dedicated to all of my readers who haven't given up on me. I'm sorry for everything, and if there's anything I can do to make it up, do tell :)

❤️Gris

Ps:
Pray for me guys. I'm in Texas, and the hurricane is just starting...