I climbed in his car and pulled on the seat belt. “Where have you been? Everyone is worried”

“I was with my mom.” I stared out the window. The car moved swiftly along the road.

“You could have called or something.”

I shrugged and yawned. “We need to talk.”

“Okay.” He drew out slowly.

“Let's end this. This secret relationship, let's stop. I can't do it anymore. Henry, I like you but I just need space and I am tired of keeping secrets and risking getting caught.”

“So a little 'it's not about you, it's about me' speech? Does this have to do with what happened at school?” He pulled to a stop in front of my house.

“You know about that? No. No,  it has nothing to do with Nolan. I just want to do something for myself instead for once. I want to be selfish.”

He scoffed. “And here I thought you were always selfish.”

“Excuse me?” My temper flared. “What do you mean I'm selfish?”

“It's always about you, you and you. Do you think I like this too? You should have been mine in the first place but no they put you up with that asshole. Each time I try to talk to you, it's always about you and your feelings.”

“You are not making any sense, Henry,” I yelled, “You know what, this is stupid and I've told you I want out. I don't want to be involved with you. I am not selfish either.” I unclasp the seatbelt and pulled the door handle.

Henry grabbed my arm pulling me to him. “It does not end unless I say so.”

“Let go of me.” I said as he forced himself on me, trying to kiss me. The driver's door opened suddenly and Henry was pulled out roughly. Nolan just happened to be the person. He punched Henry's face. Once. Twice.

I hurried out of the car towards them.“Stop. Stop it right now.” I pushed against Nolan with all my might.

Breathing heavily, he pointed a finger at bloodied Henry. “If I see your hands on my wife one more time, I'm going to make sure you loose them.” He dragged me in the house and to my room. “What were you thinking? Running off like that with him.”

“I didn't run off with him-”

“You came home together. I had guards running up and down the city only to find out you were with him? Why are you so foolish?” He yelled.

“Will you pipe down?” I yelled back. “Henry and I-”

“Yes of course, you and Henry. I know all about that but let this be the last time I see you with him. Whatever relationship is between you two ends now.” He fumed.

“Get out!” I pointed at the exit tearing up. “Leave. Now.”

His hardened glare softened a bit. “I'm sorry.”

“You keep yelling about Henry and I while you are still with Aubrey. I don't want to talk to you anymore. Leave.”

He put his hands in his pockets and left. I ran a hand through my hair and sighed​. I slipped​ my shoes off and take off my earrings. I heard​ the door open again and groan. What part of leave does he not understand? I turned on my heels and find Queen Gabrielle glaring at me. I could feel my heart in my throat as I gulped.

She ran her palm across my cheek. I staggered backward wincing at the sharp pain that followed. “How dare you break the rules? What were you thinking? That was irresponsible and foolish of you. Just when I thought you were going to make a great queen, you had to ruin it with your thoughtlessness. Let this be the last time this will happen, got it?”

Sobbing, I nod. I held my face in my hand and watched​ her leave. I thought I was only breaking the rules, I never realized I also broke her trust I never knew I'd gained.

The next few days were spent studying for the exam. The guards were doubled and followed me everywhere, even to the toilet. On the day of the exam, I prayed to Supreme being for help. The exam is said to be very difficult and I need all the help I can get. Five hours later, I came out of the exam hall glad to feel my muscles relaxed. Even my brain said, 'Phew! I'm exhausted'.

“Your Highness, there is a reporter here to interview you and Crown Prince Nolan. The room has been set up.” One of the new guard said.

“Oh.” Just when i thought I was going to rest, “okay.” I followed them stretching and massaging my shoulders. The reporter is a female in her 30s, brunette, of medium height and is always smiling. She introduced herself as Ashlyn something. Honestly, I threw her surname out the window.

“Recently, a picture of you with Miss Aubrey Lancaster has been circulating.  What do you say to that?” the reporter asked Nolan. I stiffened in my seat not letting my smile falter. She just had to ask that question. Nolan and I sat opposite the reporter with a pad and pen in hand and the cameramen of E! News. The cameras were live and a couple of students were peering in from the window.

Nolan cleared his throat and glanced at me. “That, what happened between Aubrey and I, shouldn't have happened. It was a honest mistake, Aubrey and I are just friends.”

“Do you have anything to say, your highness?” She asked me.

“Nothing. Like he said, it's a mistake.”

The reporter eyed me with displeasure. She really should stop trying. She isn't going to get much out of us.

“We received an anonymous tip that your highness and Aubrey were dating, is that true? And has that in anyway affected your marriage?” she asked with that her annoying smile.

Stop smiling, woman.

Nolan hesitated. “Yes, Aubrey and I did have a relationship but we broke it up. I will admit at first, I never really liked the idea of marrying someone I barely knew and treated Anna in a very bad way.”

I shifted my gaze to him hiding my surprise. What? When did they break up? How? Is he lying? Trying to make the audience mellow?

“I did not realize it sooner until much later that I'd begun to fall in love with Anna.” He had a wistful smile on his face as he gazed on me. He tuck my hair behind my ear, “I love my wife and there is nothing, not even a picture, that could change that fact.”

Outwardly, I grinned but inwardly I wanted to shout, what the FUCK? Dude, are you kidding me? Why are you guys buying this? Are you guys buying this?

“Ahem!” The reporter coughed. We shifted our attention to her. Yup, it has been decided. I hate this woman.

Her smile is a little wide now, “Aww. The ship is really sailing. You guys are cute. My final question for the two of you is this. There has been an argument that the two of you are not suitable for the throne. What do you have to say to this?”

“No leader is a perfect one.” I said, “Nolan and I have been viewed as immature and irresponsible. I can see some people having heart attacks when they see us become monarchs.” Everyone chuckled. “The thing is, while admitting we are still young, we are strong people raised in principles. We are still learning to be leaders, we always will be. A leader can't truly be a leader without his followers so we need our people, Lilarians, to support us and guide us as we grow.”

Nolan squeezed my palm giving me a warm smile. I tugged my hand a bit and focused on the camera.

“Wow. Thank you for your time, Your Highnesses.” she said to us and then to the camera, “This is live at New Heights High. Ashlyn Fox, E! News.”

“And off.” The cameramen turned off their cameras and put away the boom mic. I pulled my hand away from Nolan's grasp.

“You weren't supposed to ask that question. The one of Nolan and Aubrey. That wasn't in the script you told us you were going to ask.” I said.

“ I have to give the fans what they want.” Ashlyn said with a smile.

I bit back venomous words and exit the room.

“Anna.” Nolan held me back. “You did great back there.”

There is a lot I wanted to ask him but I kept quiet because of the curious schoolmates within hearshot. “I'm tired.”

“Let's go home.” he pulled me towards him and kissed my forehead. He really needs to stop the false PDA, it's beginning to annoy me.

Once we were in the limo, I pulled away from him. “You can stop acting now. We're alone.”

“Actually-” He caressed my hand but I pull away.

“Nolan, please I am tired. I want to sleep.” My head pounded, I yawned​ and closed​ my eyes.

Someone is shaking me awake. “What?” I moaned and opened my eyes.

“You have to wake up. It's time for dinner.” Mara said.

I roll on my bed. How did I get here? I was in the limo. “How?”

“His highness carried you in,” Mara explained. I swear she read minds. “Get up. You are having dinner with the Elders.”

“But why?” I kick my legs and pout. I sat up and heaved a yawn.

“Do I look like a mind reader?” she asked.

“Obviously.”

She rolled her eyes. “I already have a dress picked out for you. Go wash up.”

I cleaned up and pull the green dress over my head and on my body. Mara applied blush on my cheeks, mascara on my lashes and lip gloss on my lips. She nodded at her work on me apparently satisfied.

“His highness is waiting for you outside. Don't waste time.”

When I got downstairs, I was honestly shocked by how casual Nolan was dressed. He was wearing jeans and a sleeved top. What happened to his shirts and suits?

“You look good.” We both said.

I blink and stutter. “The dinner.”

“We are taking my car.” He unlocked the sleek black Lamborghini outside the house.

“You drive?” I asked​ bewildered. I've never seen him drive. Ever.

He smiled and opened the door for me. I got in and admired the dashboard and steering wheel. “You like it?”

“Nah. Mine is classier and more colourful.” I fold my arms across my chest.

He snorted and turned the ignition. We arrived at a pavilion where the King, Queen, Grandma Penelope, Genevieve and Henry were waiting. Lanterns lit the open area and the table was full with delicious meals. Maids stood ready to attend to the slight request. Guards kept watch, armed weapons in hand.

Nolan and I walked up to the rest of the family and greeted them.

“Children, welcome.” Grandma Penelope greeted standing up to give both of us a hug. “I'm so happy that I got to have you all in a place for dinner.”

“Hopefully this time it ends well.” Genevieve said blessing us with her thousand watts toothed smile.

“Before we begin to eat, I would like commend you two on that interview. Well done.” King Richard raised his glass of wine.

“Yes, well done.” Queen Gabrielle hardly sparing us a glance. I still kind of felt bad for breaking her trust.

Henry gave us all dry looks as though he couldn't wait to get out of here. For a brief minute, I caught him and Nolan having a staring contest.

We ate dinner in silence. It sort of reminded of home. Sure, there would be food but we would make noise, laugh, cheer and burp. I smiled remembering Nolan and Vic's burping contest.

We finished dinner and dispersed to our various homes without an argument between King Richard and Grandma Penelope or a glaring contest between Queen Gabrielle and Genevieve. The air was still very much tense between Nolan and Henry.

“I wasn't lying.” Nolan said just as I was about to open the door to my suite.

“What?” I asked.

“I wasn't lying at the interview earlier today. I meant everything I said. Every single word.”

I froze, one hand on the door handle and the other on my neck. No, no way. He couldn't possibly be saying that he loves me?

Me?

“But Aubrey?”

“Like I said, I broke up with her.” He cupped​ my face in his hands. He must have noticed my discomfort and disbelief because he said he was going to give me time. “Good night.” He kissed my forehead and left for his room.

As though under a spell, I staggered to my room. Nolan likes me. Nolan likes me. The words continued to ring in my ear.

“What's up with you? What happened to your face?” Mara said.

“He said he likes me. Nolan likes me.” I said.

She arched a brow, “Really? Can't believe it took him that long before he finally confessed.”

“What?”

“Go to bed. You got a busy day ahead tomorrow.” Mara made for the door.

“But Mara, you said something about Nolan.”  I follow her.

“I did? Good night, Anna.” She shuts the door in my face.

What the...

Please tap the star.