Omg wattpad.

This would've been posted 2 days ago if Amazon didn't crash us.

Well....enjoy. :)

This Chapter is dedicated to Kelly, who helped get this story started :) Love you Kelly!!!!!

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Chapter 3

The next morning was crazy. I was following my aunt around as she prepared for the family to go to a fundraiser. I had skipped breakfast to take a shower, having accidentally slept in. I had my handy clipboard with my aunt’s checklist. She worked best when dealing with a list of some sort.

“Lana, go make sure Ian and Christine are ready. Also, tell Regina to bring Alexander down.”

“Yes ma’am.” I ran off to the rooms, knocking on Christine’s door, before creaking it open a little. “Christine?” I called.

“Is it time to go?” She came out, flattening her lilac summer dress and pulling her cardigan over her shoulders. “Ugh, I hate these clothes.”

“I know, but you look good in them.” I assured her. “Go ahead downstairs. Your mother’s waiting. I’m going to get Regina and Ian.”

“Good luck.” She chirped, heading out. I walked over to Alexander’s room and gave a short knock before opening it. Alexander was sitting on the ground pouting in his suit, while Regina looked tired as usual. “Alex…” I sang and he jumped up at the sound of my voice, a bright smile on his face.

“LANNIE!” He cried, leaping into my arms for a hug.

“My name’s Lana, Alex.” I corrected with a laugh.

“I know, I like Lannie better though.” He grinned, the missing teeth making it cuter.

“All right. Well, it’s time to head down. They’re almost ready to go, okay?” He sulked again and I pulled out my secret weapon, compliments of Aunt Patty. Chocolate bar. “You go, and behave, you get the chocolate bar.”

I wasn’t sure if I should feel bad that I was bribing him with sweets, but I wouldn’t fix what wasn’t broken. He looked at the chocolate for a moment, and then nodded. He grabbed Regina’s hand and pulled her out of the room. I tucked the chocolate bar back into my briefcase hitched on my shoulder. I shoved the clipboard back in as well, and knocked on Ian’s door.

No answer.

I knocked again, harder. “Ian?” I called.

Nothing.

I opened the door and gasped, heat rising on my cheeks. “Oh god. I’m sorry. I thought you were ready.” Ian stood there shirtless, his shirt on his bed. He looked back at me with an eyebrow cocked.

“Yes?” He asked, casually. My face flushed in anger.

“As if you didn’t hear me knocking! It’s time to go! And you’re not dressed yet?” I snapped. He pulled on his shirt and started buttoning it up.

“Calm down. I’m almost ready.” He started struggling with his tie and I sighed heavily. I dropped my briefcase and started tying it for him.

“You’re hopeless.” I muttered. I looked up and he was watching me curiously. “What?” I asked as I fixed his tie. He was making me nervous the way his eyes watched me, his chestnut colored hair falling over them.

“Nothing, you just have really pretty eyes, hazel and green. I’ve never noticed before behind your glasses. Why do you wear them?”

“So I can see?”

“No,” he sighed, but an amused expression crossed his face, his blue eyes narrowing at me. “I mean, most girls wear contacts. Why do you hide behind glasses?”

“I’m not hiding!” I snapped defensively. “For your information, I just don’t have the time for contacts.” He took my hands in his and lowered them from his tie.

“I think it’s tight enough, Lana.” He chuckled. “And, I didn’t mean to offend you. I just thought you shouldn’t hide such big beautiful eyes.” I blushed, and then scowled.

“Listen, I know enough about you to know you’re not just randomly sweet.”

“Oh, so I’m being sweet?” Ian smiled and I grunted.

“No, I-…ugh. Let’s go.” I pulled my hands from his and marched out of the room in a huff. I knew that Ian was known for his many, many girls he kept himself surrounded by. I refused to be swayed by his seduction techniques. He didn’t actually like me; he was just being his normal, flirtatious self. I had to make sure I was very careful around him. I didn’t even understand why he was trying.

First of all, I was in charge of keeping him out of trouble. Secondly, I wasn’t all that pretty. My eyes were huge and strangely colored. I had a darker complexion. Not like those pale goddesses he was always wooing. I also dressed completely different from those girls. I didn’t wear short skirts or tight clothing. I didn’t even wear those pretty dresses like Christine. I usually stuck to pencil skirts and a dressy blouse, or some type of office attire. Today I was sporting long black dress pants, black heels, and a white button down blouse with a black blazer. My hair was pulled up into a bun as usual (but with my hair being layered a lot fell down framing my face and into my eyes anyway…) I didn’t tend to wear a lot of makeup, just a little mascara and lipstick.

That stupid prince. He had me wondering about such stupid trivial things! I walked back up to my aunt and the queen who were fixing Alex’s jacket on him. They looked up at me as I approached.

“Ian’s on his way down.” I said.

“Correction, Ian is already here.” I heard the smooth voice from behind me. I turned and the queen smiled.

“Did you follow me all the way down?” I said, horrified. I hadn’t even noticed he was behind me.

“Yes. You’re so cute when you’re angry. You just about stomped the whole way down.” He chuckled. I made a low growling sound.

“Don’t you look dashing?” The queen commented, and then she looked confused. “How did you put on your tie so well? Usually I have to fix it for you.”

“Lana helped me.” Ian replied, smirking.

“Oh?” she asked, looking at me with interest.

“The poor boy’s hopeless.” I sighed walking over to my aunt, and heard Ian grumble behind me about not being hopeless. I took out my clipboard and looked down at my watch. “We should be heading out; we don’t have much time to waste.” I looked to my aunt and she nodded.

“Let’s go. Remember, we’re trying to pull some good publicity after that stunt last week Christine.” She explained, looking at the princess warningly.

“Listen, nobody can prove it was me.”

“You were dancing half dressed on a pool table. You weren’t exactly being discreet.” Ian snorted. I looked at Christine in shock.

“You did what?” I shrieked and she shrugged with an innocent smile on her face.

“I was just having some fun. I didn’t think…”

“Exactly, you weren’t thinking.” Cassandra interrupted, and turned to me as we walked over to the car. “You certainly have your work cut out for you. Anyway, the story is that Christine was not at that party at all. From now on she can only go to certain clubs and she has to be accompanied by you everywhere she goes.”

“Wh-what? Everywhere?”

“The same goes for Ian.” Ian let out a shriek.

“WHAT? I don’t need a babysitter! How many times do I have to say that?” Ian looked at me angrily. “I don’t need you to trail me everywhere.”

“Whether you want her to or not, it’s now her job. She doesn’t have much of a choice.” The queen continued and I was sure I looked pale.

“I think it will be fun!” Christine suggested. “Don’t worry Ian. It’s not like some older woman is trailing us, no offense Patricia.” My aunt raised an eyebrow.

“I’m not old…” she muttered and I had to hide my smile.

“Sorry, anyway, what I mean is Lana is our age. We can still have fun!”

“Well, that depends on the type of fun you’re talking about, but I suppose that we can have some fun. Otherwise there’s no real point in going out, right?” My voice was meek, but I was trying. It looked like I couldn’t weasel my way out of this one. The thought of partying scared me though. I had only gone out once, and it had ended very badly. I shuddered at the memory and shook it away.

We arrived at the fundraiser and the car door was opened. There were a lot of camera flashes and voices. I had prepared myself for this though. This was my job, I had to get used to this quickly. The queen, Ian, and Christine were the first to leave the car. I had Alex and helped him out before me. I saw a hand extend out to help me and I took it. I was pulled up, meeting Ian’s gaze. “Thank you.” I said, blushing.

“My pleasure, Lana.” I was breathless for a moment and he released my hand before turning, his ever-present smirk on his lips. I needed to keep my distance from him at risk of losing my cool. I felt a smaller hand grasp onto mine and I looked down, smiling at Alex.

“Come on Lannie!” He said, pulling me along. I giggled and walked beside my aunt, still holding onto Alex.

“So, as your first outing with the family, what do you think so far?” Aunt Patty whispered to me and I shrugged.

“Too early to tell. Okay so far.” I murmured and we walked into the hall. There was a luncheon with tea set up along with a silent auction. The benefits of the auction would go to a foundation funding the research toward a cure for cancer. This was being hosted by the royal family, in an attempt to remove the attention from Christine’s partying and onto their philanthropy. It was an old trick, but it usually worked. My job was mostly just to be sure she didn’t say anything wrong to any journalists and that they were seen in the best light. We moved over to where the tea was laid out and I saw with my aunt after we made sure Alex was seated with his family. I kept a close eye on them and every now and then caught Ian’s gaze. I turned back to my aunt and she was smirking.

“What?” I asked, taking a sip of tea.

“Why do you keep looking at Ian like that? You know that’s not a good way to start your career here.” She simpered.

“Oh please. I’m just keeping an eye on them. He’s an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk. He’s the last kind of guy you would see my falling over myself for.” I argued, waving the idea away with my hand.

“Methinks the lady doth protest too much…” Aunt Patty teased and I shook my head, but couldn’t hide my smile.

“So I think he’s attractive. Only a blind person would argue with that.” I admitted and my Aunt laughed.

“I’m just making sure everything’s all right, Lana.” I didn’t answer and continued sipping at my tea. I glanced over and caught Ian’s gaze again. He winked and I scowled turning back to my tea.

The press was invited to interview the royal family after tea and I stood behind them with my aunt. I wasn’t sure why I was there, seeing as my aunt would handle anything if it went wrong, but I suppose it was a learning experience. This was my first real event with the press involved, and it was nice not to be alone. A question startled me out of my dream state, as it was about me.

“So, who’s the pretty new assistant you have back there?” One of the journalists asked and I looked up at him. He was watching me, and I couldn’t look away from him. I couldn’t forget that face…

Oh no.

“This is my niece, Lana Reed.” Aunt Patty explained. “She is now part of our team as another advisor.”

“A bit risky, isn’t it? Bringing in such a pretty girl around the prince?” Another reporter commented and I blushed but frowned. I figured it had been meant as a joke, but that was still out of line.

“That is a preposterous statement.” The queen interjected. “My son is completely professional, especially when it comes to those that are part of our team.”

“I would consider Lana a friend and advisor, nothing more.” Ian reassured them, and though I knew it was the truth it still hurt to hear him say it.

Afterwards, I walked around the silent auction, checking out the bids and what was being auctioned. Some of the items I was unsure as to why they were even being sold. I suddenly stopped when I came to a beautiful Guarneri violin, in astonishing condition. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I spun to see Ian watching me with interest.

“You have an interest in violins?” he asked me and I nodded slowly, looking back to the masterpiece before me.

“Oh yes. I’ve never seen a Guarneri this close.”

“Do you play?” he asked and I shrugged.

“I used to. My mother talked me out of continuing though.” I explained, still marveled by the violin in front of me.

“Interesting, I’d like to hear you play sometime.” I looked back to him and he was genuinely smiling.

“I suppose, if you don’t mind your ears bleeding.” I looked back at the bids and winced. “Eek, someone really wants it.” I laughed. The highest bid was already in the millions.

“Well, such treasures usually have a high price.” I laughed.

“Yes, unfortunately.” I continued down the table and Ian followed beside me.

“Funny, most of these girls are fawning over the jewelry and knickknacks. But you manage to obsess over the most expensive thing here.” He held out his arm for me and I obliged, looping mine through his.

“I just have good taste. I never cease to amaze myself.” I said in a fake snobbish tone, and he laughed.

“Well, I won’t argue with the good taste. I think that violin is what will provide the most money here tonight.”

“I only hope it goes to someone who will take good care of it. Someone who would actually play it, not just stick it somewhere as décor.” I said with a shake of my head. “Violins are meant to be played, not stuck over your mantle.”

“You’re acting like the violin has feelings.”

“Who am I to rule that out? There are so many things in this world I haven’t completely figured out. Who’s to say it’s impossible?” I argued looking up at him and his expression was of pure amusement.

“You know, I’m glad your aunt brought you here. You’re very refreshing.” He commented.

“Refreshing? How so?”

“Well, all these other girls who try and fawn all over me. They can be so airheaded. I can actually have an entertaining conversation with you, even though it’s over anthropomorphic violins.”

“Well, what would you rather talk about?” I grumbled. “I think anthropomorphic anything makes great conversation.”

“How about tonight? What are you wearing?” He asked suggestively wagging his eyebrows and I smacked his arm. “What?” He gasped in fake innocence.

“Oh please. Here I was thinking that you were finally acting mature and charming and you go and be yourself again.”

“Oh, so now I’m charming?” he teased.

“Not anymore!” I pulled my arm from his and he started laughing.

“Aw, come on Lana. I was just messing with you.” He choked through his laughter.

“Mmhmm…” I grumbled before walking off to the refreshment table for some water.

“Lana, how interesting to see you here…” I turned and groaned.

Him again.

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I usually don't like putting cliffhangers for you guys, but seeing as Chapter 4 is almost done because I had to wait for wattpad to come back up, I don't feel as bad.

Please VOTE guys, and also check out Magical if you haven't yet. It's a Fantasy and its in the watty awards! It's full of action, adventure, and romance! WOOHOO!

Loving some of the comments I've been seeing too!