"Are you just going to stand there and be a spoiled brat or are you going to go down there and greet your guests?" he snapped as we stood there glaring at each other. My teeth snapped together and it took all my dignity to not jump over there and slap him across the face. My fists tightened even further as he sighed dramatically and stomped towards me. "I don't have all day. Let's just get this shit over with so I can go home and forget about it."

He grabbed my arms fiercely -certainly leaving a bruise- and yanked me to the door. I tripped over my heels and dress as I staggered over the few steps and I managed to yank my arm out and slap him across the face before he could even reach the door. "Don't you dare touch me like that again!"

I could see his jaw tightened as he slowly looked back at me and he took a deep breath, releasing it from his nose. "Don't you dare lay a hand on me again or else."

"Or else what? You're going to hit me? Better yet break this stupid engagement off? Might as well do it again," I snarled and raised my hand to do it. His blue eyes flashed with anger and before my hand could meet his cheek again, he grabbed it and held on to it tight, making me whimper.

"I may not like you, but I am not a jerk. I will never raise a hand on a lady, but you are certainly changing my mind right now."

I tried pulling my hand from his grasp, but all we ended up doing was playing tug-a-war with it. The soft knock on the door made him release it and I quickly pulled it towards me, rubbing it as the blood rushed back through the veins.

"Everything alright in here?" my dads voice echoed from behind the door. I gave the prick a glare before faking my voice.

"Yes father. We'll be out in just a second."

"Alright. Don't be too long. The guests are starting to get impatient." We heard his footsteps as he walked away and I scrunched up my nose as the silence overwhelmed us.

Ian ran a hand through his hair frustratingly and for a short second, I couldn't help but to notice how he looked even better with fucked up hair. His bronze colored hair made his blue eyes pop out and his sharp jawline made me want to cup his face to see if it was as sharp as it looked. But as his cold stone set eyes looked at me, I pushed all those thoughts away and focused on what was happening now.

"Look. I don't want to do this as much as you do, so why don't we put on a fake smile and go on with the show? Huh? Is that too hard for you to do?" he asked as he stalked over to me.

Asshole.

"Whatever. Just....don't touch me if you don't have to."

"Oh I know." I glared at him for the last time and rubbed my arm gently, wishing the redness would go away. When I looked at the mirror for a last time to check if anything was out of place, I walked towards the door and then waited.

"Well?" I asked as I cleared my throat.

"What? You want me to open the door for you?" he laughed and I rolled my eyes.

Yup. He was an asshole.

My hand reached for the doorknob at the same time as his, and I flinched away quickly, noticing he paused and looked up at me. I kept my eyes on the door and after he sighed, he slowly pulled it open and I glided out.

I stopped a few feet in front, waiting for the douchebag to step next to me and nodded at the guests who lingered in the hallway as they bowed or curtsied. I only curtsied back if they were royals, and thanked them when a few murmured, "Happy birthday Princess," or "Congratulations." Those made me flinch on the inside, but the smile pasted on my face said otherwise.

"Come on dear. Don't want to get the other guest even more impatient," Ian murmured so sweetly as he latched his hand through mine. I flinched slightly -as he had grabbed the one he had bruised earlier- but ignored the pain and glided down the hallways. If I hadn't seen his true colors, I would have thought he was the perfect gentleman with the way he spoke and acted with people around. But I knew better.

He escorted -if you even want to call it that- me down the two sets of steps, pausing ever so often to bow/curtsied to the few guests before stopping for a moment behind the big double doors so the announcement could be made.

"Now presenting Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte Penelope Mae and her fiancé-" we both shuddered at that word "-His Royal Highness Prince Ian Matthew Jackson." There was a second of silence and then the doors opened with a big "whoosh" revealing everyone.

They all made a path for us to go through, and as they bowed or curtsied, whispers were running around. One in particular made me blush and I heard Ian chuckle next to me before we made it to the stand where our parents were waiting. Once we got there, we turned around and then bowed down as a couple before coming back up as my fathers voice boomed through the room.

"Hello. Thank you all for coming on this wonderful day to celebrate my daughters 18 years of being on this earth." There was some applause and I blushed as I felt all eyes on me. "Not only are we celebrating her birthday, but today we are also celebrating her engagement to none other than Prince Ian of our wonderful neighboring country, Lamia." More applause and even a couple of people cheered. I waved slightly and dropped my hand as he continued. I was momentarily distracted as I felt Ian tighten his hold on me, and I gave him a fake smile as my eyes screamed, "What the heck?"

".....Now on with the party!" he finished and then the players slowly started to play. I felt someone touch my shoulder lightly and I turned to see my mother in a dark green, ruffled dress. I stiffen as she slowly touched the arm that was free and then gasped as I saw a smile forming on her face.

"You look so beautiful. And you two make a perfect couple." Great. She had to ruin it with that.

I could tell people were watching so I kept a tight smile and gritted out my words with enough negative enthusiasm. "Oh mother. You know we are only doing his for the show. Don't want anyone knowing this is all make believe, right?"

Her green eyes flashed and I felt Ian loosen his hold on me. I looked up at him with the same fake smile and he returned it. He patted my hand and then very gently murmured, "Let's go speak with the guests. Don't want to ruin the plan right?"

"Yes. Now if you will excuse us," I said sweetly, only looking at his parents as I spoke. I quickly curtsied, they nodded and then pulled him away as he grunted with the pressure.

"Where's the fire?" he chuckled so softly, only I heard it. I laughed with him and turned to face him so it could seem more real.

"It's in your face. Hope it burns off." His jaw tightened and I batted my eyelashes as I continued. "Want to dance so we don't have to talk to these people about our fake relationship?"

"Whatever," he mumbled and took a step back. We both bowed, and as the music stopped and started to a more peaceful ballad, the dance floor cleared and the talking ceased. "Shit."

I giggled at his word and he rolled his eyes before grabbing my hand with one of his and then placing the other one on my waist just as the music started. I looked anywhere but at his eyes as we twirled around, but ever so often, my eyes would fall on his face and I would see him looking at me. Always.

"So when did you learn of this bullshit?" I asked as people began to surround us so the could dance as well.

"Why do you care?"

"Just trying to make some conversation here. Need to keep up the act dumbass."

"Oh well this-" he said and squeezed me even tighter to him, making me gasp "-is how you keep up the act. Now lean your big head on my beautiful chiseled chest so they can get the slow ballad over with and we can separate. Your sweaty hands are starting to gross me out."

I slowly, but harshly slammed my so  called big head to his "beautiful chiseled" chest and he grunted at the impact. I bit my lip so I would laugh and he growled. "You'll pay for that."

"Oh I already have the fucking bruises on my arm. So we are even," I hissed through my lips and closed my eyes as the cameras continued to flash. I could feel that my eyes were sharper than usual, and that was because some moron was touching me. I felt him place his big head on top of mine, and I flinched as my neck began to take all the pressure. "Your fucking head is heavy. Your hurting my neck!"

"Good," he chuckled and I felt the tiara move. Not being able to take it anymore, I separated from him and quickly adjusted it before curtsying without saying a word. I walked away after forcing myself to not slap his hand away as he grabbed mine and kissed my knuckles.

Ugh I was so going to wash my hand as soon as I grabbed myself a drink.

Picture above is what the dress sorta looks like in the next chapter. There are a lot of modifications on it but I just wanted y'all to see what I was seeing. It will all make sense lol comment and vote!!