Hey everyone, I've been trying to write as fast as possible and it's really really hard!!! Without further ado, chapter 8! Please vote and comment :)

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Chapter 8

We were back in the castle and Chad decided to walk me all the way to my bedroom door. “Odd way to end the night.” I giggled. It was weird that his room was only a hallway away from mine. I felt his arm wrap around my waist and turn me to face him. I blushed and he tilted my face up to his.

“I think it’s a perfect way to end the night.” It was difficult to look away from intense gaze.

“I really enjoyed tonight. You lived up to the best date ever.” I mumbled, embarrassed and he chuckled.

“I’m glad you had fun. I hope you’ll rethink your only one date rule you gave me.” I laughed and nodded.

“Yes, I think you’ve earned yourself another.” Chad leaned closer and pressed his lips to mine. I was pushed against the door and I felt his arms wrap around my waist. I pulled back a little and smiled up at him. “Goodnight Chad.” I opened my door and moved into my room while he merely chuckled.

“Goodnight Lana.” He replied, turning to walk down the hall. I touched my lips and smiled, closing my door behind me.

It was insane to think that I had just gone out with Chad. The date really had been perfect. Chad and I connected well enough, and everything had been so wonderful. The dinner and dessert still had my stomach full. The concert had been a dream come true. We had even been able to meet with Joshua Bell afterwards and I had actually spoken to him. I shook my head at the memory of my stammering and embarrassing talk with him. Chad had found it all most amusing and didn’t hold back on the teasing on the way home.

I looked over at the clock and frowned. It was already after two in the morning. I had to wake up in four hours. My Aunt Patty had me going to a breakfast to meet some members of Parliament. I trudged over to my desk and opened my planner, hoping that I could at least go to sleep afterwards. No such luck. The Prime Minister’s meeting with the sovereign was to take place around noon, and then there was a small party Christine told me she was supposed to make an appearance at because it was hosted by Lady Fiore. I didn’t even want to get into that this late. Or early…ugh.

I changed into my nightshirt and fell onto my bed, groaning. I was not looking forward to tomorrow at all.

I heard my alarm buzzing at six AM sharp. I smacked it until it shut up and literally rolled out of bed onto the floor. I somehow pulled myself into the shower and tried to wake myself up. I wrapped my wet hair up into a tight bun and wiped the raccoon eyes off. After dressing into my gray skirt suit I looked at my reflection, cocking my head to the side. I suppose I looked presentable, but you could tell I was tired.

There was a knock on my door and I sighed, pulling my purse onto my shoulder I answered it, seeing my aunt on the other side. “Oh good, you’re ready.” She smiled and I let out a long breath. “What?” She asked, giving me a trying look.

“Nothing, just tired.” I sighed and she shrugged.

“Not my fault. I heard you went out with Chad last night. How did that go?” She pulled me out into the hall heading out to the car.

“It was actually, amazing.” I breathed.

“Then why do you not sound amazed?” She narrowed her eyes at me and I shrugged.

“I’m just tired.” I assured her. “The date was perfect. He took me for dinner and dessert. Then he took me to a violin concert.” I smiled at the memory. “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a better date.” Aunt Patty nodded and returned the smile.

“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. I do like Chad, he’s very sweet. He doesn’t deserve what that girl did to him.” I gave her a questioning look as we slid into the car. “Cassie told me.”

“That’s another thing I’ve been meaning to ask you. Why do you call her Cassie? And what should I call her?” Aunt Patty shrugged.

“Ask her yourself. I call her Cassie because we’ve known each other long enough to be friends. Of course, in public, I always call her your highness, or something along those lines.” I looked out the window as we left the palace.

“How do you do that? Excuse me, but what do I call you?”

“Exactly!”

“Ugh.” I grunted and she laughed at me.

“Remember Lana, you’re almost like part of the family now. You live in the palace, you spend every waking moment with those children. I’m sure she won’t mind a simple question like that. How is everything going by the way? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I guess everything’s going fine. It hasn’t been that long, but I do really like them so that makes the job easier.”

“Even Ian?” Aunt Patty gave a snort. “The boy has always been a handful for me, but I guess he is polite enough when necessary.”

“He has his moments.” I murmured and there was a moment of silence that had me turn to look at her. She had her eyes narrowed at me. “What?”

“Nothing.” She looked away but I was still pretty confused.

We made it to the café where we were meeting two other members of Parliament who were friends with my aunt.

“Henry, Alison, this is my niece Lana.” Aunt Patty introduced me to both Parliament members who smiled politely enough at me. I shook their hands and we sat.

“So Lana, I hear you’re the new face in the royal family’s team. How has that been going?” Alison asked.

“I suppose it’s been going well enough so far. They haven’t given me any trouble so far, and I really enjoy working with them.” I explained, sipping my tea and taking a bite of my pancakes and sausage.

“Well, from what I hear you had a fun night out with them.” Henry continued. I merely gave him a look of complete disbelief.

“I really have no idea what you’re talking about.” was all I replied. Aunt Patty quickly changed the subject and I was able to regain composure, but his statement had rattled me. Was everyone talking about me behind my back?

“How do you think the meeting is going to go today Patricia?” Alison asked my aunt and she merely shrugged.

“You know I’m not supposed to talk about that, Alison. I’m not even going to be in there during the meeting. I’m just joining them for tea afterwards. It’s always gone well though; I don’t see why this week would be any different.”

I didn’t speak much more during the conversation, wondering what kind of friends these really were to my aunt. I knew that in politics you made “friends” for connections, and those you couldn’t really trust with everything. I guessed these were those kind of friends, and that’s why my aunt didn’t give anything away to them.

“Learn something, Lana?” Aunt Patty asked as we walked down the street of the city.

“Don’t trust other politicians? I already knew that one.” I laughed and she joined in with me. We made it to the car and climbed in to head back to the palace.

“They’ll try to be your friends Lana. A lot of people will try to gain your trust to get information. You’re part of the royal family team now. That’s nothing to be taken lightly. You will know valuable information and people will try to get it out of you.”

“So, only trust my team.” I finished for her, nodding. When we got out of the car I stopped for a minute and looked up at the palace and let out a long sigh, shaking my head. I couldn’t believe I lived here. If someone had told me this would be my life when I was in college I would’ve smacked them and told them to stop teasing. This was all a dream. I was so afraid of when my alarm would go off and I would have to wake up.

My phone buzzed and I jumped, taking it out from my purse. I looked at it confused and answered the unknown number. “Hello?” I said, awkwardly. I always hated answering unknown numbers.

“Where are you?” Ian’s voice rang out on the other side.

“Good morning to you too, I’m doing great, thanks for asking.” I grumbled, walking up to entrance.

“Yeah, yeah. Where are you?” He repeated.

“I just got back from breakfast with some Parliament members. What’s the matter?” I asked. Why did he sound so angry?

“Oh, I have to meet this girl today and mother said you had to be present.” I felt a twinge of jealousy and quickly brushed it off.

“Right, where are you? I’m just getting inside.” I heard the doors close behind me and grunted when something hit me in the stomach. “Hi Alex.” I wheezed, putting my free arm around him.

“I’ll be down there in a second.” I heard him hung up and I shoved my phone back into my bag.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.” I kneeled to Alex’s level and he nodded.

“Mum said you’ve been busy and that’s why we haven’t played.” He pouted and I couldn’t help but smile.

“We will play, I promise Alex.” I assured him and he cocked his head to the side.

“When?” I let out a giggle.

“The second I can. Hopefully soon. How does tomorrow sound?” I tried to think in my head if there was anything big tomorrow, but nothing came to mind.

“Yay!” He jumped onto me and hugged me, making me laugh. Alex then ran off in the direction of Regina who was waiting down the hall to take him to his swimming lesson.

“He really loves you.” I jumped at Ian’s voice and looked up to see him coming down the stairs and I gulped. He was dressed rather casually. A white button up shirt with a few buttons open, and khakis. I blinked and bit my lip.

“He’s sweet, unlike another prince I know.” Ian smirked and walked over to me with a shrug.

“You know you love me just the way I am.” I rolled my eyes, backing a little away from him.

“Who exactly are we meeting? And where?” I asked him and it was his turn to roll his eyes.

“Lady Amelia Hardcastle. My mother thinks it will be the perfect match. I think it’s all a load of bollocks.” I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m sure she’s lovely. Where are we going?”

“Oh, she’s coming here. We’re having tea on the terrace.” He said in a snobbish voice making me laugh even more.

“Oh shut it. Come on, let’s go.” I followed him out onto the terrace and froze. Of course. Lady Amelia Hardcastle. I knew who she was.

“A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance Prince Ian.” She smiled pleasantly, flipping back her long dark brown hair, a flirtatious smile on her face. I’m sure my face looked quite shocked. Ian smiled and took his hand in hers giving it a light kiss.

“The pleasure is mine, Lady Amelia.” She turned to me and her eyes widened alone with her smile.

“Lana Reed?” She exclaimed and I grimaced as she pulled me into a tight hug. “How long has it been? Four years?” Amelia let out an airy giggle and looked at me and I tried my best to fake a smile.

Amelia had made my school life a living hell. We had gone to the same private high school, only a year apart. Thankfully she had graduated the year before me and my senior year had been somewhat more peaceful. Being of noble blood she had a rather pampered life, and with that came the popularity. I had been little Lana, the nobody that no one should be concerned with. Just the girl with the big glasses who spent all her time reading in the library. She had made it her job to have a new insult for me every day. I had no idea why she was suddenly being so nice. Maybe the years had taught her to be nicer? Though, I doubted it.

“Five actually. How have you been?” I replied, trying to sound upbeat, but I sounded more flat than anything. Ian looked between the two of us, confused.

“Amazing! After high school I took a trip to Paris and took some classes there. It was wonderful but then I was homesick so I came back here and have been spending more time with my family at the estate. What about you? Isn’t it funny how everyone tends to lose contact after graduation?”

“Yeah, funny…” I muttered. “I’ve been going to Cambridge, getting my degree in political science. I graduated this year and now I work here at the palace, as Ian’s advisor.” I cocked an eyebrow at the strained expression on her face.

“So, you spend a lot of time together then, hm?” she asked and I nodded, a pleasant smile now spreading across my lips.

“Almost all of our time actually. It’s my job to go anywhere and everywhere that Prince Ian does.” Now I was just teasing her, but it felt really good to slap it back in her face. Revenge is an ugly, ugly thing.

“Well, ladies, I’m sure we’d love to continue this reunion, but Lady Amelia and I have some lunch prepared here and we should get started before it gets too cold.” Ian interjected, looking nervous. He gave me a questioning look and I merely shrugged. I hadn’t done anything out of turn. She had asked a question, and I had answered. It wasn’t my fault she didn’t like what I had to say.

The lunch was awkward to say the least. I didn’t like having to “chaperone” their first meeting. I was supposed to be a ghost in the background, not making any interruptions but keeping an eye on them. I sat on the chaise by the wall, reading as I tried to block out their conversation, which proved to be far more difficult than I thought.

“I would love to do this again sometime soon.” Amelia said softly, I peeked over my book to see her smiling across the table, placing her hand in the perfect spot for him to take it.

“That sounds wonderful, Amelia. Perhaps we can arrange it soon.” Ian replied. I rolled my eyes, but Ian caught my gaze from his seat. We held each other’s eyes for a moment and I jumped when I heard a voice from behind me at the door.

“Lady Amelia, I’ve come to tell you the car is waiting for you. And here’s where you’ve been Lana.” Aunt Patty was at the door. We all stood at the same time and Ian turned to Amelia.

“It was a pleasure meeting you. Until next time, Amelia.” He kissed her hand again and she smiled with a nod.

“Of course, Prince Ian.” She followed my aunt back inside and I felt Ian’s gaze from behind me. I turned to look at him.

“What?” I asked.

“Why are you so angry all of a sudden?” He came closer and smirked. “Is somebody jealous?” He teased and I let out a snort.

“Please. I would never be jealous of her.” I growled and Ian cocked his head to the side.

“What do you have against Amelia? She seems nice to me.”

“Maybe she’s finally grown up since high school then.” I let out an exasperated breath. “It doesn’t matter anyway. You liked her? That’s good.” I said in a short tone. I went to turn back inside and I felt him grab my arm.

“Hey, really, what’s the matter?” He seemed genuinely concerned and I looked away from his piercing blue eyes.

“Nothing, I’m just stressed. I’m fine.” I tried to pull my arm away but he tightened his grip.

“You don’t sound fine.” He stepped closer to me and I gulped. “We’re going to be spending a lot of time together Lana. You’re part of this family now. The least you can do is trust me.”

“I do. It’s just my problems don’t need to be yours.” I muttered, trying to pull away again. His face was getting dangerously close.

“You don’t have to be worried about that. We all care about you now, Lana.” My eyes flitted from his eyes to his lips, which were so close and inviting.

“Am I interrupting something?” came a rough voice from the door. Ian released my hand instantly and I looked to the ground, my face flushed and hot.

“Of course not, father. I was just making sure Lana was okay. She hasn’t been feeling well from what I can tell.” I turned to see the king at the door, and he nodded.

“I hope we’re not overworking you.” He smiled and I shook my head, returning his smile.

“No, no. Everything’s fine. Ian’s just too worried for his own good.” I assured him. He gave another nod and continued outside past us and I looked over at Ian who was watching me. Without another word he walked inside and I was left outside, still flushed and confused.

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confusion, right? yay! okay, please click that little orange vote box in the left corner of your screen! :D

Until next time!!!!!