I woke up and immediately got showered and dressed. Having daily showers again is amazing. Back at the orphanage since there was so many of us the girls and boys alternated days of showering. The only exception was if you had a date then you can shower before hand.

I got dressed in a lovely strapless sweetheart neckline number. It was a pale green and had a yellow sash around the waist just under the bust. From the sash down peacock feathers trailed down. They weren’t real just printed but it was pretty. If they had been real I doubt I would have liked it as much. I grabbed some yellow ballet flats to match the sash and I was good for the day.

I went onto the site which they had dubbed The Royal Love Games. I guess they over heard us some how and made that the title. Either that or it’s a case of ‘great minds think alike.’ I first set my Love-O-Meter. I thought about it and set mine up to seven. It says on here that 15 would be acquaintances, 30 would be friends, 60 would be crushing, 80 would be falling, and 100 is in love. I guess they decided that I had to be 100% in love with him for it to win.

Next I went over to Edvard’s page. He had apparently set his up to 30 now. That boy is falling hard for me. How can he? I give him nothing to love about me, I blame him for my parents death, I do all the moves that would make a guy hate you, and yet he’s falling for me? Its not possible.

I couldn’t spend another moment on that page so I went to the ‘Who Am I?’ poll. Nothing much has changed. Number 1 was now the famous pop star Marisel Thorn, two is Gold Digger, three is Princess Annaliesia, four is Lowly Orphan, and five is a Nobody.

I looked at random stuff online for a little while longer before going downstairs to breakfast. I had been going later so as to avoid any of the Royal family. I walked downstairs and to the opposite side of the room from the painting of Edvard and his parents. When I got there I eagerly sat down.

“I figured you were coming later.” Said a feminine voice from somewhere to my left. I looked in that direction and saw a head of black hair poke up from a seat. I continued to watch as teenage girl formed from the head of hair.

“Where did you come from?”

“Oh I was hiding under the table. Effective for both finally seeing you in person and avoiding my lessons.”

“Oh well good to meet you. I’m glad you aren’t that bad. I was worried you might be one of the Royals.”

“Why do you hate the Royals?” She asked looking authentically curious.

“They sent a spy to kill everyone in the Palace of Malcodenia Massacre. My parents were the last ones killed, before the King an Queen I mean. They refused to leave their side so I was told. They were very loyal to the crown.”

“So it seems. Although the Royal family did not send a spy out to kill your parents. They were trying to stop the war and seal the alliance through marriage. My brother even broke up with that heartless bitch just to seal the deal.”

“What do you mean your-Oh no. Get away from me, Veronica. You tricked me.”

“You never asked who I was. Therefore I never tricked you.”

“I-You-It-Gah! Forget it. Technicalities. I’m leaving. I’ve lost my appetite.”

“I’m sorry. I just figured that if you didn’t know and I didn’t flat out lie I could get you to like me enough to stay and be my best friend at least if not Edvard’s bride.”

“You don’t have a best friend? I find that hard to believe. Even the Princess Annaliesia had a best friend. Me.”

“All my friends are the servants. The other nobility despise me for my non-traditional ways.”

“Yeah well. I was Annaliesia’s best friend because no one wanted to be near the breakable fragile porcelain beauty. Annaliesia hated it. She never thinks of herself as beautiful. All she ever wanted was to be normal. I guess what happened was a case of ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’.”

“I wish I could have met Annaliesia. She would have made a great bride for Edvard. Royal blood, the feud between countries ending, two beautiful people falling in love and having beautiful kids together. Sorry I’m a terribly hopeless romantic.”

“It’s okay. I was used to that with Annaliesia. I am still a bit of a romantic, just no longer as hopeless.”

“Oh good. And I guess I don’t need to wear this anymore.” She said pulling off her black hair to reveal the same blond hair of her brother.

“You wore a wig?”

“Yeah. The blond hair was to much of a give away.”

“Yeah it would have been.”

“So who are you really Victoria?”

“I guess you will have to wait with the rest of the world, Veronica. I’m even making Edvard wait for the answer from me.”

“Oh I like devilish moves like that!” she said running over to stand beside me. “Edvard is one of the most impatient people when it comes to trivial things.”

“Well I hope it is still as trivial when my identity is revealed.”

“Me too. I don’t want to end up hating you for not telling me.” I laughed at the pout she put on her face. It really looked like she would be mad if there was more than a laugh being spent over my identity. “You know what Victoria?”

“What?” I said eying her warily as she started pulling me out of the dining hall.

“I don’t care what you think, or what you want. You are my best friend and that is final. No if ands or buts about it young lady!” She said pointing a disapproving finger at me.

“Who am I to argue with a finger wagging psycho.”

“Hey! I do not wag my finger!”

“I call you psycho and all you get mad over is the fact that I said you wagged your finger?”

“Oh I’m not mad over the psycho because I already know I am. I’m mad because wagging your finger means you are old and in a position of authority!”

“Yup totally psycho. We will make great friends. Hi Psycho, my name is Crazy Ass Chica!” We both laughed and took turns chasing each other until we collapsed on the green grass in front of the rose garden.

“I never thought I would see the day when you would get along with my sister.” Edvard said no more than an hour later. We sat up from our grass angels, choking over our laughs.

“N-Neither did I! I was expecting you to be a bitch, no offense.”

“None taken. My public appearance is a bitch, but to close friends and family I am one of the sweetest people.”

“Nice cover.”

“Thanks!” She said brightly.

“I don’t want to know what kind of Voodoo pact you made Sister to get her to fall for your tricks, but I don’t want any part of it!”

“Oh, but if you just bow down and hail me queen of all the hamster vampires you get Victoria to fall in love with you!” She said in a evil voice, getting closer and closer to him until she was touching noses at the end, giving him a giant smirk. I decided to play along.

“Oh if only I had a man who worshiped the queen of hamster vampires my life would be complete!” I said feigning delicacy and a standing swoon type thing where I had my hand to my forehead in a dramatic way.

“Goodbye! Not falling for your tricks!” he said slowly walking away. We snuck up behind him and tackled him to the ground. He quickly pins down Veronica as I run away. I didn’t even try to outrun Edvard as he comes up behind me. He grabs my hand and forces me to spin around.

“You’ve captured me, so what are you going to do now Edvard?” He smirked at me and grabbed my face with his free hand, still holding tightly to my wrist. I looked down at my wrist, then to his hand against my cheek, and finally to his eyes.

“You keep giving me trouble, Victoria.”

“Its in my nature to do so.”

“Well if we are going to be friends then we need to be on friendly terms, don’t we?” his thumb trailed over to my lips that were half open, due to the fact that I was about to respond to his remark, and brushed over every surface of my lips.

I slowly closed my lips and continued staring at his eyes. They were focused on my lips and the movement of his thumb. Slight tingles followed his every movement and I regretted the way my body was reacting to him, yet I still haven’t moved. My body is probably frozen into shock by his sudden forwardness.

Edvard slowly leans in to my face as my eyes go wide. He is not going to kiss me again! He can’t! How have the last two times gone for him, huh? I turn my head away giving him the silent message that its not okay and he backs off.

Clearing his throat Edvard began to speak. “Well I guess we better go, my Father sent me out here to collect you. The press has figured out who you are and they want to reveal it in a press conference later this week.”

“O-oh they h-ave? I thought that would take a little longer.” I said my voice cracking from this new stress put on me. I thought they wouldn’t find out until later on who I am. If they’ve found out I don’t know what I’ll do.

“They were researching options before hand and one came up with all the evidence needed to find out who you are. Please tell me so I don’t find out in front of everyone.”

“No Edvard. If they guessed it wrong then I will say so. If they guessed it right then I will not deny it.”

“Just tell me this, will it change anything between us, your real identity I mean.” I gave him a stare that said ‘really that question’ and oh God anything, but that’ all in one. I glanced at his eyes again and saw they were going over the look in my eyes with the utmost scrutiny.

Okay Victoria, its time to put on your big girl panties and woman up. If you can’t get through this how are you going to get through the conference?

“Will the conference be played live fore everyone to see?”

“Yes. Now please answer my question.”

“Do the stars shine brighter at night then the day? Does the grass grow green? Do I, to my utter disbelief, actually like your sister? Did my parents get killed by a spy sent from your kingdom? Do I hate being here? Do you get the idea of these questions?” his stare turned sad as I spoke, but he never took his hand from my wrist.

I turned to leave wrenching my arm from his grasp as I went. “Yes Edvard, my identity will change everything.” I ran away leaving him standing dumb struck in the middle of the field.

I stood outside the King’s door waiting to be called in.I hadn’t met the King yet and was terrified. I didn’t have to wait much longer before Edvard came to stand beside me.

“You ran off so fast. I was meant to escort you here. I was searching in all of your usual places, but you weren’t there.”

“No I wasn’t. I asked a page boy if he knew and he guided me here. I forgot that you were a part of this meeting to.”

“No I’m not. My father wants to meet with you alone.”

“Oh great, quality time with the Devil’s advocate.” I said to myself. I looked and saw that Edvard was standing ram rod straight with a blank expression before I heard a cough come from behind me. I turned to see a man in his early fifties no doubt standing behind me.

“Who are you?”

“I’m the Devil’s Advocate, Miss Evans.” My eyes grew wide as my cheeks burned red. I was flustered and at a loss for words. “Don’t freak out, Miss Evans. I found it quite witty. Please come in.” Still at a loss for words I followed his orders.

“Please have a seat Miss Evans.” He said, closing the door to the rather large study. I choose a rather comfy looking leather chair to sit in and found my assumption to be correct.

“May I ask why you have called me here your Majesty?”

“Please call my Phillip. I detest the Royal formalities.”

“Yes Phillip. Please call me Victoria as well. I do so hate being called ‘Miss’.

“Of course, Victoria. Now an answer to your question pertaining to the cause of you being here. It is about your true identity.”

“Yes Edvard was telling me about it. They found my true identity. They wish to hold a press conference within the week. “

“All true. They wish for me to have you sign this document saying that you will answer every question they throw your way for half an hour. They will then have a showing of their evidence, promising to show nothing raunchy in return, if they have anything of the sort, for as long as it takes to prove their case. You will then give a straightforward and honest answer that tells the whole world who you really are.”

“If they guess it wrong?”

“Then they resume the search and the same thing will happen after the identity poll’s contract is fulfilled. When that happens the same thing will occur, questions and all. All they ask is your cooperation in this matter.”

“What if they guess correctly?”

“Life resumes, the poll will be taken down. You will be found out and we will see just how it affects the relationship between you and my son. Do you consent to this, my dear?”

“I don’t really see how I have a choice so I will at least give them my cooperation. I do ask that when my identity comes out, as I am sure it shall one day, that you have me pulled aside afterwords and we have a civil conversation about the whole affair. I owe my parents that much.”

“Granted. Sign here, and here. Initial here, and print here.” He pointed to random spots on the pages for where I needed to put my initials and all that stuff. Since I have been Victoria Evans for the past few years and right now I am still Victoria Evans that is who I wrote it as. When my identity is known then the contract has been fulfilled anyway.

“Why are you guys all so nice to me. I wrote mean things about each and everyone of you on my blog.”

“We have come to see how troubled your life has been. When you said that it was our fault your parents had died we realized then that your reasons for hating us came from a point that you saw was the only way to help get over your grief.”

“Wow. You guys aren’t as dumb as I made you out to be.”

“Well blond is only a hair color not an I.Q.”

“Yeah if that were true than you would all be screwed.”

“Yes we would.”

“How come Edvard isn’t the same way as you? He wanted revenge for my blog.”

“Well Edvard is hot tempered, but with a long fuse. When somebody refuses to do things his way for to long he blows. Your blog went on for quite a while and he was starting to get to the end of his fuse. Wait a second. I’m not blond. Are you saying I’m dumb anyway.”

“I’m not saying anything of the sort.” I said while nodding my head telling him yes I am. Phillip rolled my eyes at me, but didn’t say anything more on the subject.

“You know he all but admitted that he fell in love at first sight with me.”

“I wouldn’t doubt that. You are a very pretty woman, Victoria. I hope to one day see you as my own daughter.”

“Well if anything I could be by friendship. I have no intentions at this point to marry your son. I plan on winning this little competition of his.”

“Good luck. Edvard doesn’t give up easily.” Phillip said as I walked to the door.

“Neither do I.” I said opening the door and walking out. Edvard was nearby looking like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar. He closed the door behind me and stood there, staring at the ground.

“Eavesdropping doesn’t become you Mr. Prince.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, Victoria. I was waiting to hear your footsteps so I could open the door for you?”

“Nice finish there Edvard. Training for the lame-ies?”

“Shut up.”

“Oh I get it you’re training for the original comebacks contest. Okay.” We walked along the hallways in silence after that.

We made it back to my room in no time at all and he dropped me off. He would have come in, I think, but his father wanted to see him.

I got on my computer and saw my old friend, Nellie, was on video chat. She instantly sent a video request to me. I greedily accepted getting home sickness just by seeing her name.

“Hey Vicky! I’ve missed you! What’s up with Mr. Prince kidnapping you and making you his bride! I’ve been seeing a lot of crap on T.V. Is it all true? Is it true you really aren’t a girl named Vicky? Is it true that the press found out your identity…”

“Whoa! Calm down speedy. Too many questions!” I interrupted her.

“Well answer them and I’ll give you a new set.”

“Fine, um. Hey! Missed you too, um Mr. Prince found out I was Miss Royally Uncaring if you missed that so as punishment for ridiculing him he kidnapped me to be his bride. Most of it is true, but I haven’t seen much of it since they refuse to let me here. Not that I’d want to, but still. No my name is not really Victoria Evans, I made that up to protect my real identity. And yes it is true that the press thinks they have figured out my identity and they are holding a press conference later this week.”

“Damn. You’ve had a bad week. The paparazzi have been stalking the orphanage. They want to know all about you. The ‘Terror Twins’ keep wanting to give out fake dirty secrets to them, but I have stopped all their attempts to do so.”

“Thanks Nell. Although I do have to say I don’t entirely hate it here. The gardens are gorgeous and the Library is ten times bigger than the public one. And I actually made friends with Veronica.”

“What! How on Earth could you make friends with that bitch! She is evil!”

“Well first off she tricked me. Only later when she revealed that Edvard was her brother did I find out who she truly was. Truth is the bitchiness is just a facade to anger her parents.”

“Wow. I don’t think I want to know all the gory details…I’m already sick. Just please tell me you haven’t kissed him.”

“I have, but I didn’t consent to the kissing. I refused to kiss him back.”

“Oh. My. God. Gross, just plain gross. Excuse me while I go barf.”

“I agree, but hey, I had no choice and I didn’t respond to his kisses.”

“Good. I would’ve had to disown you as my friend if you had.”

“And I would resign before you had the chance.”

“That is why we’re friends.”

“Yup. The press Conference is going to be a big deal. I wish you could be here.”

“Why not ask the Prince if you could have your best friend there? I could possibly even move in with you if you’re nice enough to me!” she said giving me a face that I knew meant she was joking.

“What a great idea. We will have someone bring your stuff over and Victoria will be more receptive to living here.” The voice startled me and I turned around.

“Knock much?” Nellie and I both yelled at Edvard.

“Go away Mr. Prince. I am in the middle of talking to my best friend who you so rudely kidnapped from me.”

“Just go Edvard.”

“Oh you did not just use his name Victoria! Who are you?”

I rolled my eyes and put Nellie on mute. Looking at the screen I guess she wasn’t to happy about it since she gave me many rude gestures mostly involving a single finger.

“Leave Edvard. If you bring Nellie here she will go ballistic and most likely murder anyone she can to get out of here…and take me with her to boot.”

“I would find you again. The press would follow you.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. But seriously, leave Edvard.”

“Fine Fine. But I will have my people go bring Nellie here. If you don’t want the press to think that your friend is being kidnapped too, go with them and get her yourself.”

“Fine. I don’t want you anywhere near Nellie though got it? She will tear you to shreds while I sit there and enjoy the show. And the ‘Terror Twins’ of the orphanage have to be put on a ‘no speaking about me’ thingy.”

“Okay. As long as it will make you happier I will agree to it.” He came close to me pinning me on the chair against the desk. Poor Nell. She has to witness the whole thing. I put my hands against Edvard’s chest, keeping him from coming closer, and I gulped hard.

“Edvard. I know what you are doing. Back off Mr. Prince before you make my friend puke.” All Edvard did was move his head closer and shake his head. I gulped hard again. I could feel Edvard’s hard muscles tense under my hand as he moved closer to me.

All I could think was ‘I hate you Edvard, I hate you Edvard, I hate you Edvard’ over and over again. He leaned in and attacked my lips with his. I still refused to respond to his kiss. He may be pretty good at them, but reacting to it would mean I was falling. I am no where near falling.

He pulled back, the familiar look of disappointment across his face. I raised my eyebrow at him and he got the Que to leave. He turned around at the door and faced me. “The Press conference is going to be tomorrow at noon Vicky. Don’t be late.”

I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at him as he left. When he was gone I went back to my friend who was fake retching. I turned the sound back on and heard her uttering her usual profanities.

“Are you quite done yet Nell?”

“I never thought I would be forced to see that ever! God that was disgusting.”

“Be glad you aren’t on the receiving end of it Nell. He thinks that kissing me enough is going to make me like him more. If anything it just makes me more accustomed to the feeling of nausea. Although if I, god forbid, liked him. I would want those lips on mine all the time. But since I hate him it won’t happen.”

“Yeah well Miss Eldridge is calling us down for dinner. I will let her know you are coming by tomorrow to take me too the palace. Don’t let that evil prick Mr. Prince anywhere near me or I’ll gut him Victoria!”

“Don’t worry. If anything I will help you and we will become the new Bonnie and Clyde…just two woman not named Bonnie or Clyde though.”

“Oh my god. That place has drained you of your humor…you need me more than ever now.”

“Very true. I will be by sometime after lunch and the conference tomorrow. Be ready. I don’t want to be away from the palace for so long that I don’t want to go back.” I said sarcastically.

“Okay girl I get the hint. I won’t pack at all tonight and I will take my time tomorrow.”

“Thanks. Bye Nell!”

“Bye Vicky!”

“Oh God. Don’t call me that. He just did.”

“Fine. Bye Vic!”

“Bye Nell.”