Hey guys! Happy 4th of July for those who live in the US!! I decided to be extra nice today and update a day early!! I love all you guys! Thank you so much for reading my story... blah blah blah... comment, vote, become a fan... I would really appreciate it!

Chapter 5

I could feel someone’s chest rising and falling underneath my head. I cracked my eyes open and found the sun just beginning to rise. I looked up towards the sleepers face and a smile played on my lips as I saw Alex. He was still asleep with his mouth parted slightly and his blonde locks tousled. I lay my head back down and listen to his rhythmic breathing. He took a rather deep breath and started to move. I looked up to see him squinting at me but his face soon took on a smile.

“Good morning love.”

“Good morning.” I sighed.

“We should probably get back inside before people wake up and realize we’re not in our bed chambers.” He chuckled starting to get up. He helped me to my feet and grabbed everything before grabbing my hand and leading us back to the castle.

We got up to the castle doors and thankfully the guards weren’t there at that particular moment and we got to sneak in unnoticed. Alex gave me a quick kiss on my cheek and we parted ways. I literally ran up to my room in a hurry afraid that Amelia may be already up there. Luckily, she wasn’t so I slipped off my dress and climbed back into bed.

A few minutes later Amelia walked into my room and shut the door. I looked up and she came and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Hello.” I said kind of nervously. What if she had found out about last night?

She gave a ‘seriously?’ look and then a huge grin took over her entire face.

“Where were you last night? Or for that matter, the whole day?!”

“Guess…” I said raising an eyebrow.

“With the Prince.” She whispered excitedly.

I must have blushed because she squealed excitedly. I buried my head in my bed sheets and Amelia squealed even more. I shot my head up and looked at her.

“Shhh!”

She giggled one last time.

“Get up then.” She got off of my bed and went over to the wardrobe. She pulled out a light green dress and turned around handing it to me. I grabbed it and went inside my bathing chamber and slipped it on over my undergarments. I walked back out and found Amelia had grabbed the chair. She motioned for me to sit so I did and I soon felt the relaxing sensation of my hair being brushed. I just sat quietly for Amelia to finish.

Thankfully, she finished quickly and I was able to go back downstairs. I made my way to the mess hall and was given a plate of eggs and toast with jam. I sat down in the same spot as I usually did in the mess hall and began eating. I began to notice that the mess hall’s residents were getting louder.

“Good day your highness!” I heard someone shout.

I looked up to see Alex looking around the mess hall. I waved at him and he caught my eye before making his way over to me.

“Why didn’t you wait for me in the corridor?” He asked me.

“I didn’t think that you were going to be able to accompany me today.” I answered taking a bite of now cold egg. He took my fork out of my mouth and set it down on the plate. He went around the table and grabbed my hand and I followed him out of the mess hall doors. I could still hear the whispers in the mess hall from the corridor. I knew where we were headed: His dining quarters.

“I’ll come for you every day.” He whispered to me. I felt the blood rushing up to my cheeks and I saw him crack a smile before we went into the royal dining quarters.

The King and Queen were joining us today so we socialized a great bit before Alex and I went up to his bed chambers so that he could get ready for training. Of course I stayed out in the hall as he changed and before I knew it I was down on the benches overlooking the practice court. It was a relatively hot day so I stepped down from the benches and sat underneath a nearby tree.

Some boys were watching the others fight while awaiting their turn. It seemed that Alex was currently the champion. A figure made its way over to me and I realized it as the young man from the other day.

“Why hello there pretty lady.” He smirked.

“Good day.” I replied and went back to watching the match. I saw him take a seat next to me out of the corner of my eye but tried to ignore him.

“You know who could make you happy for the rest of your life?” He leaned closer.

“Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” I retorted. I stood up and looked at him. “But it’s not you.” I walked back into the sweltering heat of the sun and started to walk back over to the benches but someone grabbed my wrist from behind. I swiveled around to see the man holding onto my wrist and smirking.

“Come on love.” He whispered.

Through clenched teeth I retorted, “Don’t. Touch. Me.” I jerked my hand away and continued walking but the man grabbed me from my waist and started to carry me back towards the castle. I started screaming and struggled to get out but I couldn’t.

“Alex!! Alex!!” I screamed.

“Hush up.” The man spat. Then all of a sudden I was dropped and I turned around to see the man on the ground holding the back of his head and Alex gripping his wooden practice sword.

“Don’t ever touch her!” Alex shouted at the man. “We are no longer friends Phillip.” He ended with a whisper menacingly. He dropped his sword and grabbed me by my waist.

“Are you alright?” He murmured to me.

“Yes, just a little shook up that’s all.” I sighed.

“Let’s go back inside.” He suggested. I agreed and he turned around to address the waiting people.

“Go back to training; all of you.” He told them. They went back inside the training area leaving Phillip still on the ground holding his head on the ground. I turned around and we walked back towards the castle. Alex kept his head down, muttering incoherent words to himself. Since he wasn’t paying attention, I had to guide him back to his room. A servant was waiting there as always and I gave them instructions to make sure that Alex got cleaned up.

“I’ll be right outside the door.” I reassured him.

“No!” He exclaimed. “What if another ghastly man tries to get a hold of you?” He calmed down a bit and walked to his bathing chamber door. Before he went in he instructed me, “Wait in here.”

I sat down on a chair and took in my surroundings. There was a nice, large, elaborated bed up against the center of the back wall across from the door. The royal seal was hanging just about it on the wall and an ornamented canopy was hanging over top of the four posts. The sheets looked to be made of gold, but I knew they weren’t. The walls were decorated with beautiful paintings of sunsets and forests. It was as if I had stepped into a dream. I moved over to a painting of a lovely woman who was decorated in fine jewels. I felt arms wrap around my torso and I could feel Alex’s breath hit the side of my face.

“That is my cousin.” He told me. “The duchess of Lyham: Lady Annabelle; but I just call her Anna. You’ll be able to meet her soon.” He said. I closed my eyes breathing in his sent.

“Feel better?” I asked.

“Much better.” He sighed.

“Good. Shall we go to lunch?”

“We shall.” He grabbed my hand and we ended up at the dining quarters for the second time that day. The king and queen would be joining us for lunch. We took our regular seats and waited for the king and queen to arrive. Once they did, we were served hot stew and bread from the kitchens. It was very delicious and we all finished fairly quickly.

Since Alex and I had not planned on doing anything after lunch, we stayed and chatted with the king and queen.

“So, Victoria, are you excited about the ball?” The queen asked me with a gleam in her eye.

“Um, I’m afraid not as excited as some of the other girls.” I responded.

“Oh, well don’t worry dear; you’ll have a splendid time.” She gave me a reassuring smile and I returned it happily. Alex gave my hand a squeeze under the table.

I then noticed that the king had not spoken at all during the whole entire lunch. Alex apparently noticed too because he gave his father a questioning look.

“Father, do you feel well?”

“Yes, I’m fine. There is something troubling me though.” He huffed.

“What is it?”

The king paused for a few moments before answering.

“That young man… Sir Edward-”

I cringed at the name.

“has apparently got together a little rebellion against the castle. We believe he wants you, Alex, because you are the one responsible for his removal from the castle grounds. He is quite angry.”

We all looked at him in astonishment. How could this be happening? The cruel man was insane!

Before I could utter a word Alex stood up leaning across the table to his father.

“Then a small army and I shall meet them before they reach the castle and settle everything out.”

I then shot out of my chair locking onto Alex’s arm.

“No! You could get hurt Alex! Please…” I begged.

He turned to me grasping my arms and looking me in the eyes.

“I will be fine love. I’m only doing this to ensure your safety. I will return as quickly as I can.”

My eyes had filled with tears but I simply nodded at him. He embraced me in his strong arms.

“I shall depart in the morning.” He informed to his father who grunted in return.

Alex lead me out the dining quarter’s doors drying my tears and murmuring “Shhh”’s the whole way. I didn’t quite know where we were headed but we ended up in a private living area and I lay down on a nearby couch while Alex sat next to me on the floor. I must have fallen asleep but the last thing I remember was Alex kissing my forehead and whispering, “Shh’ everything will be fine love. Shhh. I love you.”