"What? He said that to you?!" Lily gushed, squeezing her arm, when Rose had told her what happened at the dinner. Rose nodded, as she popped the straw into the milk box. She sipped the straw before putting the box down, on the bench, next to her.

           "Yes, he said that one day he'll divorce me. When everything is forgotten," Rose continued. Lily smacked her back, hard. "And you'll still marry him?" She sneered. "Wake up, sister! He said that he'll divorce you!" 

      "Well, do I have a choice, Lily?" Rose snapped, throwing her hands. "My family needs the money. Mr Jameson promised me that the bills and our debts will be settled," she explained, eyes looking down. Rose shook her head.

            "I really thought he was nice, Lil. But now I know that he's a prat," she said in hatred. The bus finally pulled in at the bus stop and they got into it. But there was something weird-everyone was staring at them; at Rose. She felt slightly awkward but slid into an empty seat.

         "Is it true, Rose?" A girl in a cheerleading uniform, who sat in front of her, turned herself facing them. "About Prince Seth and you?" She demanded. Rose gasped. How'd they know? She looked at Lily, asking for help before gulped.

            "What are you talking about?" She smirked, like she didn't know a single thing about it. The cheerleader smirked and then turned to the front. Rose thought she was victorious but the she turned back. This time, with an Ipad in her hands. She lifted it, showed them the shocking news.

                                                Prince Seth Larston Future Bride?

Last Friday, a teenage girl was spotted in the castle compound and had been invited to a dinner with the Royal Family of Andorra. There had been several reports saying that Prince Seth would be getting married. Could she be the Prince's future bride? The name of the girl was still unknown but...

           Rose mouth fell open and couldn't believe on what she just read. She pushed away the Ipad, not willing to continue reading it. The worst thing was that there was a picture of her even though it didn't state her name. The picture was obviously her – a girl in red dress and white cardigan climbed out from the limo. Rose covered her mouth with her hand and gasped.

          "No! How'd they got the picture!" She snarled. The cheerleader's eyes widened. "So, its really you?" She said sarcastically. "OH MY GOD!" Her mouth fell open and she stood up from her seat, motioned to the middle of the bus. "Rose Humphrey is the future bride of Prince Seth!" She announced and the whole bus went silent.

           Everyone was staring at her; and had their phone, Ipad or even laptop with them. "Screw you facebook!" Rose cursed under her breath. The bus finally reached her school-much to her relief and she stormed out from it.

          "Wait!" She heard a voice stop her, when she was about to go out of the bus. "Can I have your autograph?" The bus driver asked, with a pen and a piece of paper in his hand. Rose shrugged, ignored him and hurried down from the bus.

          In school, it was even worse. Everyone stared at her just like did something real evil. The only thing that Rose could do was look down, wimbled with her thumb and continued walking - ignoring all the stares. Two boys suddenly blocked her way.

              She looked up at them - two dark brown haired men were blocking her - Prince Seth's friends. Rose knew who they were; Luke Van Woodsen - son of the owner of a big shipping company. Next to him, Alan Brooke - future owner of the Mclaren Mercedes car company. 

           Rose shut her eyes, scared that they might hurt her to get vengeance for Seth. "Please, I need to go to class," she pleaded. Luke circled around her, chewing the bubble gum. "So, you're the lucky girl, huh?" He started and stopped circling.

             "Do you know what they're calling you?" He said, sarcasms hitting every word. "Cinderella!" He glared. Alan laughed and held his shoulder. "Seriously, dude? Cinderella?" He grinned, controlling his laugh. Luke nodded and smirked. Alan then turned his eyes to Rose. "You're not that ugly," he commented and winked. "Heard you're in ballet, isn't it?" He asked.

               Rose nodded hastily, praying hard that his future groom's friends won't do anything to her. "What are you doing?" A voice suddenly came from behind them. They turned their back and saw Seth - standing there with his arms crossed to his chest.

            Seth motioned toward them and frowned when he saw Rose. "What are you doing here?" He asked. Rose said nothing. He turned to his friend. "Guys?" He demanded. Luke tapped his back and started, "We just wanted to know Cinderella better Seth," he joked. Alan nodded. "Yeah. Luke and I bumped into her so we thought, why don't we say hi?" He chirped. 

            Seth sighed, disbelieving his friends. They would never change. "Ignore her. Lets get to class," He suggested and inched away from there. "We'll see you next time, Humphrey," Luke smirked before walking away from there.

             Alan, who was friendlier than his friends, smiled and winked at her. "Until next time, sister!" He chirped. Luke shrugged and pulled Alan's arm away from there. Rose watched the three boys leaving her behind and heading to the other side of the building. She sighed, remembering the way Seth looked at her. He loathed her - she knew it. 

            She shuffled to the cafe at lunch. There, she saw Cassidy and Lily, at the usual table. She motioned toward them and slipped into a chair. "Hey guys," she greeted and placed her backpack on the table. She opened the zip and took out her packed chicken sandwich.

           Then she realised that Cassidy was staring at her - sharply. She must know about the news rose thought. Rose said nothing and lost her appetite to eat. Cassidy clenched the fork in her hand. "How could you do this to me! I thought you were my friend!" Cassidy shouted at her.

           "Cass, I'm sorry," Rose said apologetically. "All this happened so fast. I-I'm really sorry," she took her hand. Cassidy shoved it away. "Why didn't you tell me? If it wasn't because of the news, maybe I wouldn’t have known about it until the day you got married!" She snapped. Rose tried again; she took her hand. "I'm sorry. I know that you're mad at me. I have to do this, Cassidy. You know how my family needs money," she cried. 

              "I'm not mad because of that, Rose! I'm mad because you didn't tell me about it!" She thundered. "You're supposed to tell me. I'm your best friend!" Rose looked down. "I don't want you to be sad... I know that you liked him... a lot," she drawled.

            Cassidy looked away. "Yes, I like Prince Seth but I do realise that nothing could happen between us, Rose. I'm just... I'm jealous of you..." she admitted.

            Rose looked at her, eyes widened. "Jealous? Of me?" Rose echoed. "Do you know how hard it is to be me? I'm not happy with this, Cassidy. I hate that all this happened to me! I have to get married at the age of 19! I have to dump all my dreams for this marriage! And you're saying that you're jealous?"

           "Oh, Rose," Lily said and wrapped her arm around Rose. "I'm sorry," she placed her head on her shoulder. Rose wiped her tears and looked down. "I hate this. I hate my life, guys. I don't want to get married but I have to," she croaked. Cassidy was silent.

             She felt guilty that she did not understand her friend's position. She should have known better. She got up to her feet and took a seat beside Rose. She hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know it was hard for you, Rose," she said. Rose let go of her and looked at her friends. "Thanks guys. I love you," she said, and all of them group hugged.

~~~

           "Welcome home, Prince Alexander," Mr Jameson welcomed the man who was the second in line to the throne. "King Edward, Queen Carla, Prince Seth and Princess Meredith would be delighted to see you here. Its been 14 years, sire," he continued, bowing down.

             Prince Alexander ran a hand through his blonde hair and motioned closer to him. "Thank you, Mr Jameson," he said warmly and held his shoulders. "But I don't want to see them yet. I want to make it a surprise," he winked. Mr Jameson crinkled his nose. "A surprise? What do you mean, Sire?" he asked in curiosity. 

            Alex slammed himself on the hotel room bed. He took off his shoes and threw it away. "Well, I heard that Seth is getting married, isn't he?" he asked, smiling. He couldn't believe that his cousin was getting married. He was just nineteen after all. Mr Jameson nodded. "Yes, Prince Alex. He is," he answered. Alex got up and sat on the bed. "When?" he asked.

              "The end of the month," Jameson said and rubbed his nose. "The people in the castle are busy preparing for the wedding," Alex nodded. "Do you know who the bride is?" he questioned. 

             Mr Jameson smiled. "Yes. Her name is Rose Humphrey and she's studying at the same school as Prince Seth's. A ballerina," he replied. Alex laughed. "A ballerina? Seth must be crazy!" He thought to himself. "Very well then," he said, and stopped laughing.

           "I'll meet Seth and his family when I'm ready," he decided. Mr Jameson puzzled. "Ready?" He repeated. Alex smiled. "Like I said, Mr Jameson. I want to make a surprise," he winked. "Don't tell anyone that I'm here," 

           "As you wish, Sire. Do you need anything else?" Mr Jameson asked and looked around the room. Alex shook his head and took off his jacket. "No, you may leave now. Thank you for everything, Mr Jameson. You're a good friend," he grinned.

             Mr Jameson smiled and bowed down before motioned to the exit door. Without turning back, he said, "You look just like your father, Prince Alexander," he praised and turned the doorknob, inched out from the bedroom. Alex smiled to himself and started to unpack his belongings. He couldn’t wait to see his cousin, and of course, his future bride.

~~

           Rose sighed. She never did stop sighing; not when hundreds of students were chasing her around the school. The cheerleaders mocked her, and told her that she didn't deserve him but Rose just didn't care. "You stink!" A brunette sneered her when she walked pass her.

            Rose ignored her and continued walking. "Do you think I'm happy? Do you think I wanted all this?" Her alternate ego spoke inside her. She pushed the doors and went out from the school building, heading to the bus stop; with her fans. "Miss Humphrey!" A man’s voice called her name, from behind.

             Rose turned herself and saw a familiar person, about a few meters from her. He was the lifeless bodyguard that brought her to the castle. "Oh, you," Rose said and pointed a finger at him. The man walked to her; he was wearing the same tuxedo and black shades.

          "Does he ever change his clothes?" Rose thought and shook her head. The man bowed down. "You must come with us. The Queen has instructed me to bring you to the castle. To learn some Royal Etiquette," he said. Rose gasped. What? Royal Etiquette? Things have just got better, haven’t they? 

            "But, I have class," she gave an excuse. "And I left my bag in the class so I gotta go and take it!" She inched backwards, trying to escape. The man smiled; for the first time. "We've got your bag. Its in the limo, waiting for you and your class teacher had been informed about this," he explained and stretched a hand.

            "Will you please get to the limo?" Rose hesitated but eventually decided to follow him into the limo.

           After about half an hour, the limo drew up and the door was opened again. Rose went out from it and she found herself in the castle, once more. A few men escorted her into the castle, only this time; she didn't go to the Banquet Hall.

          She was brought to another room, a living room, she thought. "Please have a seat," a maid invited her to sit on the big classy sofa. She smiled, "Thank you," she said, as she winced on it.

            She looked around; classical paintings were hung on the wall, gold stripped with white wallpapers covered the wall, and a Knight suit was displayed in there, a fireplace were placed next to the oak bookcase. Her legs were trembling and her hands were brought together.

           A maid then came in with tray on her hands. She poured a cup of tea for her and bowed down. "Madam Hartford will be here soon," she smiled. Rose bowed back before crinkling her nose. "Madam Hartford?" She repeated, bewildered.

           The maid smiled, "She's the one who is in charge to teach you the Royal Etiquette. She is the Head of the Royal Household in the castle," she explained. Rose nodded and took the cup into her hands. "Is there anything else I can do for you?" The maid asked. Rose sipped her tea and placed the cup back onto the table. "No, thank you."

         Rose waited for a few minutes before the doors cracked open. A young lady; wearing a black blazer, with a white shirt underneath it and black pants, came in. Rose got up to her feet, and the woman motioned toward her. She stretched a hand.

             "Hello, Miss Rose. I'm Madam Melody Hartford, the Head of the Royal Household. I'll be teaching you the Royal Etiquette," the woman introduced herself. Rose shook her hand; she had a soft palm. "Hi," Rose said softly, like a real lady. "Please have a sit," Melody offered and sat on the sofa opposite to her. Rose winced herself on the sofa.

            Melody cleared her throat. "Before your wedding, Queen Carla wanted me to brief you about the Royal Etiquette, and the protocol of the castle. The official lesson will be conducted right after the wedding," she started and poured a cup of tea for herself.

             "So, there are a lot of things you have to know, first before you live here, in the castle. First thing...." Melody started to brief her. Rose nodded every time she asked if she understood what she was trying to say; even though she barely did. She told her about how she had to speaks in manners, what she'll be eating, what she would have to wear and much more. 

              "Miss Rose..." Melody awakened her, awkwardly. Rose startled and woke up. Her eyes were barely open. "I'm sorry," she looked down and felt embarrassed. Melody shook her head and smiled a little. "Seen as though you're no longer interested in my speech, why don't we walk around the castle?" She suggested.

           Rose shook her head. "No, I didn't mean too..." she tried to apologize but Melody was already on her feet. "After you, Miss Rose," she grinned. Rose got up from the sofa and went out from the room.

~~

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