It's been six months since William proposed to me and I said yes. We see each other every day at work. He insisted that I shouldn't come and that he'll send me my cheque home to me. But I refused because work gave me an excuse to see him.

Today, my family and I are going for dinner at the palace. This is the first time that our families will meet. It's going to be quiet awkward, considering the history they share.

I go knock on mom's door. "Are you ready?"

The door opens and she steps out dressed in a red dress with a gray silk wrap around her shoulders. This is the first I've seen her dressed up since dad's death.

"Wow! You're looking really good."

A smile appears on her face and she flicks back her hair, saying. "Not too shabby yourself."

I laugh at her comment and then we head to the living room where she stands in front of the mirror and straightens her earrings.

All of a sudden she says. "You know what? Your father would've been proud of you."

"W...What?" That was an unexpected question.

"After all that has happened. You still put that aside and went ahead with your life."

I look down at my hands or more like the ring on my finger.

"Cassandra?"

I look up this time. "Yeah?"

"I'm proud of you." She says.

"Of course. Every mom would be if their daughter got engaged to the prince." It sounds even stranger said out loud.

"That's not the only reason why I'm proud." She turns away from the mirror to face me.

"Then what?"

"The same reason I mentioned your father, because you're brave. This isn't any ordinary type of bravery. Forgetting the past and doing what you want is one of the most difficult things to do."

She walks over to me and gives me a brief hug before pulling away and asking. "Ready to go your highness?"

"Mom!" I groan.

"Alright! Alright! I'll call you Cassandra." She starts to walk towards the front door and I follow.

As usual a car is waiting for us out front. We get in and drive towards the palace. The moment it comes into view, she clutches my hand tightly.

"I don't want to do this."

When the car finally stops, she takes a deep breath and turns to me. "I still say that I don't want to do this but now that we're here, let's do it!"

I don't know whether this little speech was meant for me or for her own satisfaction. My door is already open, so I step out and automatically say. "Thank you, Mr. James."

"You're welcome your highness." I hear mom snicker which only makes me groan. "Why does everyone keep calling me that?!"

Mom takes the lead and I follow her up the stairs. We walk in to find William and the king, who asked me to call him, Ronald, waiting for us.

"Hello ladies." It's the king who spoke. They're both dressed in suits. William catches my eye and winks making me shake my head in disbelief.

"Hello." Mom's reply is barely a mumble.

Yep! My worst fear has been confirmed. This is going to be really awkward.

I feel something clutch my leg. I look down to find Leo, trying to get my attention.

"Hey!" I crouch so that we're both on the same level. He gives me a hug and a kiss on the cheek before squealing. "This is the palace?"

I hear someone laugh behind me and turn to find William replying. "Yes. This is the palace."

As I stand back up, he bends down to take my place. "And you must be Leo?"

He nods his head vigorously. William ruffles his hair and straightens up, looking at someone behind me. "Hi! How are you?"

It's Henry.

"Good. Thank you." He replies. All of a sudden he frowns. "But aren't you Simon's brother?"

"I am. But my whole family's shunned him. He was a bad egg." 

"That's good." William extends his hand and Henry shakes it as if coming to an unspoken agreement.

"Should we adjourn to the dinning hall for dinner?" Ronald announces.

Everyone follows him to the room and I also start to walk but someone pulls me back.

"What?"

"Can't I have some quality time with my girl?" He asks.

I scoff. "You're unbelievable."

"I know." He says.

His face his so adorable. I pull him to me and kiss him. He wraps his arms around my waist and deepens the kiss. I pull away but he doesn't let me go far.

"You do realize that our families are practically next door." I remind him.

He groans and gives me one last kiss before letting go of me and taking my hand. Just before entering we let go. I sit between William and mom. The table's round so I can see everyone including Ella, who raises an eyebrow at me as if asking "What were you two up to?"

I roll my eyes and focus on the food in front of me. After a few minutes of making small conversation, Ronald says. "I have something to say to the two of you."

I'm so engrossed in the food that mom has to nudge me to make me realize that I'm the one spoken to.

I set my fork down and sit up. "Sorry."

"No worries!" He says with a wave of his hand. "As I was saying. I have something that you have to promise each other right now."

"Dad..." William starts to speak but his father stops him with his hand.

"This isn't something that will be in your vows at the wedding." After a pause he adds. "You have to promise that no matter what happens you have to be loyal to each other. Loyal in a sense that won't make you end up like your parents."

Ella drops her fork, mom chokes on her food, William holds his glass in mid air and I stare at the king.

Leo is the only one who continues eating.

"Dad are you saying that you doubt my decision?" William asks.

"No! I'm saying that if you to can't keep each other happy then don't start something that you'll have to end."

"Your high...Ronald, I know what you mean to say. And I assure you that if we knew this wouldn't work out then I wouldn't be wearing this ring." I hold up my hand.

"She's right." William adds.

Mom speaks up. "I agree with what the king said."

I start to speak but he beats me to it. "There's no reason to call me that. Call me Ronald."

"Why? We're not friends. Don't try to get frank with me." Mom's sassy voice always amazed me. I press my lips together to keep myself from laughing at the king's expression.

But William unfortunately is not trained for situations like these and bursts out laughing followed by Ella, Henry and then me.

Soon things settle down and everyone goes back to eating and talking. Under the table I find Will's hand and he gives it a little squeeze. I squeeze it back. Something unspoken hangs in the air between us.

No matter what happens, we'll never betray each other. We love each other.

 If any of you forgot. Henry is Ella's husband.

Also, this story reached #43 in ChickLit!!! I'm so thankful guys! :")

And thank you so much for 22K reads! :)

Though, none of you comment :"( Please do comment!

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