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I got into the car, nervously glancing at Ashton as he drove off. The crushing silence dragged on as I nibbled yet another one of my nails. This was why I hated wearing nail polish.

"Are you going to say anything?" Ashton asked after a half hour of agonizing silence had passed.

"You're not going to turn into that again are you?"

"That?" he frowned. "What kind of question is that?"

"The kind of question someone asks when they just met the royal family and heard that you were the prince. A not so human prince!"

"Yeah, well you'll be seeing them a lot now, so you might want to face reality soon. And get over your little Origen phobia. I don't need you fainting on me again."

I stared at him, waiting for some more information, but his eyes were glued to the road and his lips were pressed in a thin line. I didn't even notice the ridiculous speed he was going at because of all the confusion.

I had so many questions. How was this possible? Why didn't my parents tell me about this before? If I was adopted, then how did I have so many pictures with them from before the accident? When did Ashton realize I was his 'betrothed'?

I settled on one.

"Why did you show me who you are?"

His grip on the steering wheel tightened. "I wish I didn't have to."

"But you did," I crossed my arms. "Why?"

He glanced at me and sighed. "I don't know how to explain this to you."

"Try me."

"Didn't the king already tell you what you need to know?" he scowled.

"Yes, but I want to hear this from you. You didn't have to take me to meet them, but you did."

"I accidentally brought you up one day," he frowned. "But apparently, the king already knew everything. He's always one damn step ahead of me."

"Who else knows about you?"

"That's none of your business," he spat.

"Isn't it?" I scoffed. "I'm really not a fan of arranged marriages, but look who's about to end up in one."

"I'll think of something."

"Prince Ashton," I pressed.

He was silent for a moment. "Don't call me that."

"Isn't that who you are?"

"If you get used to calling me that, then you might let it slip in public. Just call me what you always do."

"You won't like what I usually call you," I muttered.

He narrowed his eyes. "Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I'm just a jerk to you."

"I'm glad you know now," I huffed. "You're the most annoying prince I've ever met."

"I'm the only prince you've ever met."

That was true. I sighed and turned to him. "Can I really trust you to sort this out?"

He nodded slowly. "But I'm going to need you to play along."

I frowned. "With what?"

"The king isn't going to get off my back about this. I need you to pretend to be my girlfriend."

I stared at him. "You're joking right?"

"I wish I was," he frowned. "Just pretend when you're around them."

"I'm not doing that," I stated, crossing my arms.

He rolled his eyes. "Can't you just do that much?"

"You're horrible, Pri-" I caught myself, "Ashton. Just leave me out of this. I have no intention of going to the palace."

"You think you have a choice," he laughed drily. "Fine. I'm going to need that stupid bracelet of yours though."

"Why?" I frowned. "So you can throw it away?"

"I'm just going to get it investigated. If it's fake, then we won't have anything to do with each other again."

"Your dad said he was there that night. He has more proof than just the bracelet."

"It's still worth a shot."

"I doubt he would lie about that, Ashton," I admitted.

"Trust me, I wouldn't put it past him," he growled.

I could sense that there was some animosity between him and his father, but it really wasn't my place to ask about it.

"The bracelet," he reminded me.

"Wait... I'll give it to you," I said slowly. "But I need it right now."

He rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious," I insisted. "I need to talk to my parents about... about everything."

He glanced at me, but didn't say anything.

"I'm gonna need a little more information," I prodded. "About the whole betrothal thing."

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Why tomorrow?"

"Because you're home."

I glanced out the window as Ashton pulled up at my gate. He gave me a tired smile and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"This conversation isn't over."

"Yeah, yeah," he waved me off.

I sighed in frustration and got out of the car.

"Hey," he said slowly as I shut the door. "You can't tell anyone about this, okay?"

"No one would believe me even if I did."

"Whether they'll believe it or not, just keep your mouth shut. This is a secret between you and me. You do not want to make me angry."

I nodded, shivering in the crisp evening wind. I just wanted to go indoors. He nodded to himself, convinced that I wouldn't say anything and then sped off into the night.

I walked inside the house I'd grown so accustomed to for the last eleven years. Maybe the king was lying. It seemed unlikely, but just maybe...

As I stepped in, my mom greeted me with a smile. "Lizzy, thank goodness you're home. It's freezing outside, isn't it?"

I nodded with a slight smile as she smoothed my hair down. "Dinner's almost ready. I made your favorite."

"Yay," I said weakly.

Dad poked his head into the room. "Ah, Lizzy. You're home."

I nodded. "I'm really tired, so I'm gonna head upstairs."

Mom nodded and headed back into the kitchen. I paused on the staircase and turned back to them.

"Mom, dad?"

"Yeah?" they answered.

"I wanted to talk to you..."

"Sure. You can talk to us about anything you know."

I stared at the ground. There was no way they would lie to me. They were my world. My everything. I forced a smile and bounded up the stairs.

"Never mind. It's nothing."

I closed the door behind me and let my back slide against it as I sat down on the floor. I rested my chin on my knees and sighed.

I pulled the bracelet out of my bag and twisted it around between my fingers. If I gave this to Ashton, then I could find out everything. If this was the real bracelet that was handed down by the king's great grandfather, then I would have my answers.

But if I wasn't the daughter of Quinn and Francis Donaldson then who was I?

Who was I?

I dropped the bracelet beside me with a sigh. Maybe there was nothing to question. Or maybe I just didn't want the answer to the question.

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