I'm not saying I regret what happened at the party, but it is a bit unnerving to be glared at so intensely by Lona for the entire carriage ride home. To make matters worse, my father didn't speak the entire time. Usually he is so giggly and annoying. I didn't know I would miss that until I was forced into this incredibly awkward situation.

After we got home, Lona decided to vent her anger while giving me a bath. I knew she was upset, but I didn't think she scrub me to death. Despite my pleas of innocence, she just scrubbed harder. Now I look like a lobster.

Oh well, I'm sure she will have calmed down by morning.

Except she didn't.

I was awakened to an intense banging near my ear. I quickly covered my ears and looked over to the cause of the noise. Lona gave me a glaring smile while holding two pans in her hand. She looked like a totally different person!

"Oh good, you're up."

I hopped out of bed noticing that she wasn't going to drag me out nicely today. As she got me ready she was more rough than usual.

"Ouch! Lona! Why are you so angry?"

"Are you really asking me that? What? Do you just think that you can misbehave and when you wake up the next day people would forget?"

"That's usually how it works." She pulled my hair, "Ouch!"

"Well thanks to you, I got screamed at and almost fired!"

"Fired?! Why?"

"Why?! Because even if what you said was true-"

"Which it was."

She glared at me, "IF it was, then that means I left you alone and allowed you to be attacked by a crazy child. You know how protective your father is. He was beyond mad."

That's putting it mildly.

I sighed, "You're right, Lona. I shouldn't have put you in that position. Don't worry, I will make it up to you."

She rolled her eyes, "I'm so sure."

"Don't doubt me Lona."

She turned around and left the room. I hurried after her. As soon as we got closer to the dining room, I could hear shouting. I paused. Perhaps it would be best not to enter this room right now. Lona grabbed me and forced me inside.

I saw both my mother and father in each other's faces arguing. When did she come out from hiding?

My mother turned to me with a vicious look, "Speak of the devil. Here she is now." She stormed up to me and grabbed my ear, "How can you be such an intolerable child?!"

My father slapped away her hands and shouted at her, "Watch your tongue!"

"How can you take her side after she brought this family so much trouble?! Do you really think we can go against a Duke?!"

"Why are you so concerned!? Queen Luna already sided with us. She trusts us."

"You should know that doesn't matter! They are sure to retaliate against us!"

"And I've already told you! I will solve it if they try something."

"Oh? You'll solve it? Wow. I should consider myself so lucky to be in the presence of a man who has that much power. Especially over a Duke."

"Would you just give it a rest woman? I'm tired of hearing you scream about this."

"If you're tired about it, then discipline your child! I've been telling you that she was going to cause trouble. Why are you allowing her to bring shame upon our family name?"

"Oh, she's the one bringing shame?"

I watched as they continued to argue without realizing I was still in their presence. I turned towards Lona, "Lona. I'm not so hungry. I think it would be good for my education if I went to school early."

She glanced at me, "You really think you can skip breakfast?"

"Yes. My appetite has been killed."

She nodded and we walked out. The two arguing never noticed our escape. I arrived to school more than an hour before it started. As Lona waved goodbye I groaned.

Now what am I going to do? I'm starving and bored. Usually William is waiting for me at the entrance like the vulture he is. However, it appears that he doesn't show up this early to wait for me. Perhaps I could take advantage of this.

I snuck in to the kitchen and hid from the cooks. They were already there prepping for the day. Making sure not to get caught, I grabbed some bread and snuck back out.

Snickering, I made my way outside and found a good tree to climb up on. I found the perfect spot that was far from where anyone else would be.

I stretched out on the limb and happily enjoyed my bread. Hehe. Today I've finally outsmarted William. Now I'm going to enjoy a nice long nap.

As I slept I could hear more noise build up as time passed. Everyone must be arriving now. Heh. I wish I could see Williams face when he realizes I'm not coming.

The noises eventually quieted down as classes started. Then when they picked back up, I could tell it was lunchtime. My hiding spot was close to the outdoor tables so I could hear the commotion.

Ugh, I wish they would quiet down. I'm trying to sleep over here.

I noticed the sound of footsteps approaching my tree and froze. I couldn't see who it was from my viewpoint.

"William! Please. Let me explain myself."

Oh f*ck. It's the idiot Prince and his dumba** fiance.

"Explain yourself? You lied to get Seri in trouble."

Ilene starting sniffling, "William. Why don't you trust me? She was bullying me. She really was. You know everyone agreed with me. Why do you doubt us?"

"Do you think I'm an idiot?"

I munched on my leftover bread. I certainly do.

He continued, "I know you're the one spreading rumors."

"I am not!"

"You are."

"How do you know? Is there any proof?"

"Go ask Dante. He has more than enough proof."

I heard her pause.

"Well, if he has proof then I was clearly framed."

I rolled my eyes. Yes. Clearly.

William scoffed, "And who would want to frame you?"

"Who else but Seri?"

"Seri? Why would she? She doesn't care about you enough to make a rumor."

I nodded in agreement. It's true.

"She would! Prince William. You are a noble and honest man, so I'm not surprised you didn't notice. But, she is in love with you."

I choked on my bread and started smacking my chest. William and Ilene stopped talking and looked in my direction. I forced myself to die quietly and they resumed their conversation.

"Seri doesn't love me. Why do you think that?"

"She wants to turn us against each other. That's why she started the rumors and lied at your birthday party. She wants you to hate me so that way you she can have you all to herself."

"Oh really? If what you say is true than I just need to investigate more."

She started fake crying, "Why don't you believe me William? I've been working so hard for you. Everything I do is because I love you. I'm your future fiance. Why do you treat me so coldly?"

"Perhaps because I don't want you as my future fiance."

"How can you be so cruel?!" She started to cry for real this time and quickly ran away.

I heard William growl, "I can't believe I have to marry her. I'd rather marry anyone but her." He sighed, "I hate being the Prince sometimes."

I tapped my finger in irritation. Why am I always caught in situations like this? It must be the luck of the novel. Honestly, these scenes are so cliche and predictable they make me gag. It's almost like a soap opera. I'm certain this doesn't happen in real life.

Hearing him b*tch about being stuck as her fiance pisses me off. After what I saw this morning, I will gladly advocate for willing marriages only. Why do these idiots think that they have to get married just because their parents decided it?

Maybe I'm just too comfortable with my world's version of marriage. Still. This pisses me off.

I wrapped my legs around the tree limb and twirled myself around. I hung upside down staring at Williams back.

"Oi."

He jumped several feet in the air. I giggled.

He turned and scowled at me, "Why are you in a tree?!"

"Because nature called for me and I answered it's call."

He glared, "Seriously."

I twirled down and landed on my feet. I smiled at him, "I was taking a nap and I was awakened by idiotic chatter."

He froze, "Wait. Did you hear us?"

"Clear as day. And I must say, you really piss me off."

"What?! Why?"

I sighed and patted his shoulder, "Listen. You need to give more thought to your future. It doesn't take a genius to know that you hate Ilene and don't want to marry her."

He looked away and mumbled, "I don't hate her. She's my fiance."

"That. That right there is what pisses me off. You don't love her and you never will."

"You don't know if I ever will. It's my duty to find a way to love her."

I scrunched my nose, "What a disgustingly hopeful sentiment. No. You won't. You see, after you graduate this school and move to the academy, you will find someone much more suited for you."

That's right. William will meet Mary, the main character from the novel, when she enters as a freshman. He will fall in love with her the moment he sees her. Even though she's a commoner and younger, it somehow works out. Ah, the beautiful allure of a romance novel.

He considered my words but shook his head, "It's no use even if I don't want to. My parents decided this so I have to."

I rolled my eyes, "Please. I can guarantee you that if you calmly and went to your mother and asked her, she would gladly cancel it. If you haven't noticed, you're a little Mama's boy."

He rubbed his head, "You make it sound so easy. Do you not realize that the Duke could cause a lot of trouble for my family if we were to do that? Legally, one needs a good reason to cancel a future marriage."

I grinned, "I could get you that reason."

He raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

I shrugged, "I have my ways."

"Well. If you got me a reason I would definitely consider it. But why would you do that for me?"

"Why? Because this is incredibly irritating to watch."

He grinned, "Perhaps you really do love me like she said."

I smacked him across the face. He held his cheek, "Ouch! What was that for?"

"For being an idiot."

He glared at me, "You know what I just remembered?"

"What?"

"You weren't in class today."

Oh sh*t.