Okay, sooo, i'm not amazingly happy with this chapter. That's only because its a little boring. Its more of a filler than anything else, but I HAD to introduce our new awesome character before things can get interesting again, okie day?

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Chapter 6

I walked out from the kitchen after having a muffin and walked outside to the garden area. I saw Christine in the distance getting her archery lesson with her very sexy teacher. I didn’t notice I was staring until I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me.

“You shouldn’t be so obvious.” He chuckled and I spun around to see someone who made my jaw drop. He laughed at my reaction and I let out a breath. I knew that face, with his shaggy dirty-blonde hair and his light blue eyes. His smile was bright and I inhaled deeply before speaking.

“I thought you were going to be in Paris for the next month.” I commented, and he cocked an eyebrow, confused.

“Have we met before?” I shook my head.

“No, but I’m very good at my job. You’re Chad Clark?”

“Very good, what else can you tell me?” He prodded and I laughed.

“Twenty-four years old, partier, dating model Liana Fiello, supposedly spending time in France to spend time with Liana. I also know that you are a very close friend of Ian’s, and some kind of distant relative?”

“Distant enough to not be recognized.” He shrugged. “I guess you’ve done your research, and yes, I was supposed to be in Paris. I came back early though. Not many people know, but Liana dropped me for some actor she met. I didn’t feel like staying in Paris for much longer.” I started walking down the path and he walked with me.

“I’m very sorry. Are you all right?”

“Fine, actually. Happy to be home. I’m guessing you’re the Lana I’ve been reading so much about.”

“Reading?” I asked.

“I guess you haven’t read any tabloids this morning?” I inwardly groaned.

“Oh no. What was it about?” I asked, and he chuckled.

“Not anything juicy, don’t worry. Just some suspicions about bringing a very pretty and young advisor in to the castle with Prince Ian. Then they tried to dig a bit into your history, but all they seemed to find was that you graduated with honors and there’s no real dirt.” I smiled at that. My record was sparkling, there was nothing they could get on me.

“They shouldn’t find anything.” I muttered with a shrug. “But with you being back, I’m sure they’ll have a few stories in no time.” I said, flatly. Chad put his hand to his chest in mock hurt.

“You wound me! But yeah, I guess you’re right.” Chad laughed and I shook my head.

“It’s only a matter of time with you and Ian together again. I guess I have even more work than I thought I would.”

“Well, from what I’ve heard from Auntie Cass, you’re good at your job. I’m sure you can handle it.” Chad joked and I groaned.

“You’re going to put me through Hell, aren’t you?”

“Well, you’re cute. Maybe I’ll behave just for you.” He winked and I blushed looking away. “Listen, I was wondering…” He started and I held up my hand to stop him.

“Don’t ask me out.” I didn’t have to let him finish to know where this was going.

“Why not?” He whined and I couldn’t help but smile from his puppy dog pout.

“Because it could end very badly.”

“Listen, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll make sure both Ian and I behave if you go on one little measly date with me.” I gave him a look of shock and he kept pouting innocently.

“Stop looking cute.” I snapped and pursed my lips together, trying to keep from smiling. “All right! One date, but that’s it.” I sighed and he gave a triumphant smile. “This better be an amazing date though. The best date I’ve ever been on.” I demanded and he laughed.

“Yes ma’am. Tomorrow night at eight?”

“Fine. So, now that we’re done with that, are you staying at the palace?” He nodded, and smiled.

“Yes, the palace will have life once again!” He said dramatically and I shook my head. I had read a lot about Chad, but I didn’t think I would have to meet him for a while. He was very handsome, and I was having trouble looking away from his face. I felt a small flutter from the fact that he had just asked me out. However, I had to remember that my job was the first thing I had to think about and that nothing would get in its way.

“What’s going on here?” Ian was running up to us and Chad gave him a quick guy-hug before turning back to me.

“Why do guys always hug like that? Why can’t you hug normally?” I asked, but they ignored me. I rolled my eyes as they continued. I looked up at Ian with a questioning look. I still had no idea what he had meant by what he said earlier. I also wanted to know what I had done last night…

“I was just meeting Lana, and she agreed to go on a date with me.” Ian’s face contorted into an expression I couldn’t quite read, but it was tense.

“Really now?” He asked, tersely.

“Oh yes, I have the feeling that you and I are going to have some trouble though.” Chad said to me.

“What makes you say that?” I asked, sarcastically.

“Well, I think you need to loosen up some.” He slapped my butt which got him a quick slap across the cheek. Chad only smiled in response. “I like you.” I narrowed my eyes.

“You’re on my list.” Ian looked angry for a moment before he caught me watching him. “And I don’t need to loosen up. I’m just fine.” I added.

“Oh, she loosened up plenty last night.” Ian interjected, cracking his knuckles. “She got drunk and started a striptease on the bar.”

“I did not! I would never! Stop making up things!” I blurted, blushing.

“Really?” Chad seemed interested. “Then what?”

“She proposed to half the guys at the bar, including me! Of course when I refused, she started to beat me with her purse.” Ian continued, nonchalantly.

“Stop lying!” I shrieked, slapping his arm hard.

“And then she claimed her undying love for me. It was an interesting night for her. All in all though, I think we’re better off not letting it continue, no matter how much you want me Lana.” Ian finished and I felt my face heated not in anger, but irritation.

“I can do better anyway.” I muttered and Chad burst into laughter.

“Oh yes. I am definitely going to like you.” He put his arm around my shoulder and we walked off in the direction of the palace with Ian on my other side, his smirk now a frown.

I was sitting on the patio later in the afternoon, a cup of tea on the table at my side along with a stack of magazines and papers. I was just reading through another article on me. They were getting tiresome. They didn’t have any dirt, so they were creating possible dirt? Now they were just out of ideas…

There was one article that I was worried about. It had a photo of Ian basically carrying me out of the club last night. I really regretted getting that drunk. The headline basically accused me of not being the right person for the job. How could someone who could barely keep themselves under control, possibly monitor the partying prince and princess? I scowled at that article for a while before crumpling it up and throwing it on the ground. I took a sip of my tea and heard a voice behind me.

“Not a great read?” I heard Chad’s voice behind me and I turned with a smile.

“Absolute filth.” I commented, with a sly smile. “Not worth a second glance.” Chad smirked and stepped on it, grinding it onto the floor for good measure. I laughed and he sat next to me.

“Hard at work, I see?” I shrugged.

“I was looking to see if there was anything of interest, but nothing’s come up. Only that stupid one.” I gestured to the one crumpled on the ground.

“What did it say?” He asked, going to take my tea and I smacked his hand.

“Don’t touch me tea.” I snapped jokingly, and he laughed. “It was just about me getting drunk and not being fit for the job I have.” I grumbled, sipping on my tea. Chad shook his head.

“Don’t believe trash like that. They’re just out of stories so they’re making up new crap.”

“Well, thankfully there’s nothing new on Christine or Ian, so I’m safe for now. How’s your day been?” I looked over at him and he shrugged.

“More or less dull. Ian’s been busy today. His mother has been showing him a list of girls she’s going to introduce him to.”

“What?” I asked, shocked. I didn’t like that it bothered me.

“Well, he’s 23. They figure it’s time he starts looking for a respectable match.” He said, trying to imitate the king’s voice.

“Right, I suppose that makes sense.” I replied stiffly, and Chad elbowed me with a grin.

“Do I sense a bit of jealousy?” I frowned and elbowed him back.

“No, you don’t. I’m just upset nobody found it necessary to tell me.” I lied and let out a breath. I felt an arm go around my shoulders and I looked up to see his face close to mine. My eyes widened and I felt my cheeks heat up.

“It’s not like that. Maybe they planned on telling you later. Ian only just told me this morning. Don’t worry, everyone here loves you. I can tell that.”

“I haven’t been here that long.” I pointed out.

“But you’re likeable. It doesn’t take long to figure that out. Stop worrying so much.” He ruffled my hair, moving his hand from my shoulders and I giggled.

“Thank you. I feel better now.” I let out another breath, drinking my tea.

“Hey there, am I interrupting something?” I turned to see Christine leaning against the doorjamb watching us with interest.

“I wish…” Chad muttered and I smacked him.

“What’s up Christine?” I asked, looking back to her ignoring Chad’s laughter.

“I wanted to go shopping, and I can’t go anywhere without you.” She gave me a pout and I rolled my eyes.

“Okay. It’ll be nice to get out of the house anyway.” I stood and went to walk inside and heard Chad stand as well. I turned back to him. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“With you. You don’t expect me to sit around here, do you? I’m bored out of my mind.”

“Well, I’m going to go change. I’ll meet you out front in ten minutes.” I told Christine. “It’s up to you if you want to let trouble come with us.” I nodded at Chad and Christine giggled.

“Hey! I told you I’d be good!”

“We’ll see…” I sang before walking upstairs.

On my way up I ran into my Aunt Patty and I clenched my teeth and prepared for the lecture. I was certain she had seen the article with the drunk picture of me. She looked at me and cocked an eyebrow. There was a moment of silence while she watched me.

“Please say something Aunt Patty, you’re making me nervous.” She let out a sigh.

“There was no permanent damage. Both Ian and Christine didn’t have any trouble. Though I am not impressed by your behavior, I’m impressed that you were able to make them behave. I know you, and I told the queen that…”

“Oh no, the queen knows?” I groaned. She blinked before continuing. She really didn’t like to be interrupted.

“I told her that something really bad must’ve happened because that’s not usual behavior for you. Thankfully, Cassandra was mostly amused by the entire thing and also finds the way you kept both Ian and Christine out of trouble remarkable. You’re not in any trouble. We know you’ll be more careful next time.” I nodded and she walked away. I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding before heading into my room.

I couldn’t believe I was going on a date with Chad tomorrow…I still couldn’t believe I had agreed to it. He was cute though, and it wasn’t like he was unavailable to me. He wasn’t technically royalty like Ian. Wait, why was I even thinking about Ian?

I shook away those thoughts and headed out the door. Maybe while at the mall I’d pick up some clothes of my own. I wanted to look pretty for my date tomorrow night…

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