The next day I woke up in my room and I knew I needed to start emerging myself in this life in order to find the way out. I found a light pink dress to wear and figured it would be a nice outfit to go to the gardens. I headed out into the kitchen where I found my mom busy making something at the stove and my father was sitting in his chair.

"Good morning darling."

"Good morning."

"What are you doing today?"

"Prince Philip asked me to meet him in the gardens today."

"That is wonderful news. I didn't know the prince and you had taken a liking to each other."

"I haven't but it does seem like Philip has had a change of heart since he left over a year ago."

I saw the smile on my mom's face even though she was looking down at the dough. She would be thrilled if everything worked out like they had hoped for years. This would also help my family with the court lifestyle. My father just coughed which brought my attention to him.

"Lily do not embarrass us. You must take the prince up on his offer. Many girls in this town would die to have an invite to be courted by the prince."

"I know father and I must be heading over there now."

I knew I still had some time to get ready before I really needed to leave but I didn't want to stay here and listen to my parents anymore. I put on my cloak and headed out the door. It wasn't a long walk to the castle and I did some thinking during that walk, I wasn't too sure if it was a good idea that because now many ideas and thoughts were floating around in my head. Once I reached the palace gates, the guards let me in without any problems. Inside the gates I made my way over to the garden.

"Lily!"

"Sorry I know I am early. I was trying to walk slow but I didn't want to stay at home and listen to my parents anyone about this situation."

"No don't apologize. You are welcomed here anytime you want and I know how much both our parents want this."

He smiled and I gave him a smile back. I know he was doing his best but I couldn't get over the feeling that he was going to trick me some how because this is how it has been for the last six years. I would think he had changed and then out of left field he would do some trick and we would be back to the beginning again.

"I am glad I caught you before you headed to the gardens because now we can walk together."

I nodded and he let me lead the way to the fountain. We made it to the garden and I hadn't said much during the walk; I didn't know what to say I was still sorting everything out in my head.

"Why did you bring me to the garden today?"

"I know you just found out about our parents coming up with the agreement and with me wanting to have the chance of marrying you and I should have told you before last night but that first night when I saw you with Adam I just froze and now Lily I am hoping you will give me the chance to show you how much I have changed. I would like you to move in here at the castle and join us here at court."

I was sure my eyes were out of my head and my mouth down to the ground. I was being asked to move into the castle to court the prince and now I finally understood why my mom was so happy. She saw this as the way of letting the rest of the world know that the Prince was committing to someone that could be their future queen.

"Philip I would love the honor of moving into the castle."

He was smiling and I was glad I made him happy and didn't disappoint him. I knew what the rest of my day was going to consist of I was going to pack all of my belongings to be able to be moved into the castle by tomorrow. None of this felt like real life and I wanted to pinch myself to make my mind believe.

"Lily I promise things are different now and you are going to love living here."

Everything was still spinning in my head I had said yes to moving into the castle to be courted by the prince. I knew Elizabeth was upset with me but I was hoping once she heard this that she would be happy and wouldn't be mad at me. Having a friend by my side through everything would be amazing because she would know what I would be going through and would understand me.

"That is why I know how in the end you will see where I am coming from."

I had missed the beginning of what Philip was saying because of being lost in my thoughts. At least that is one thing that hasn't change, I could still get lost in my own mind and drift off. When I finally caught the end of his sentence I just gave him a nod for him to believe that I had heard the whole thing.

"I should be heading home soon. I will need to pack all of my belongings."

"Don't worry about that because your mother has been packing for you since you left to come here."

"I should still help her. I would feel horrible if she did it all on her own, even though I know how much she must be enjoying this."

He nodded and stood up and turned to off his hand to me. I put my hand in his and let him help me from the bench. He didn't let go of my hand when we started to walk back towards the entrance to the court yard. When we got back to the court yard I let go of his hand and put some distance between us. Philip tried to move closer but I stopped him, I still wasn't ready for everyone to know what is happening here.

"I will see you tonight. "

I turned and left through the gates and started my twenty minute walk back to my house. I took a deep breath before entering my house I wasn't sure how this would go with my mom because she would be over the moon or at least I figured she would be.

"Hello, I am home."

"Sweetie I am in here."

I heard her voice from near my room and started making my way towards my room. I knew this was going to be tough for both of us. I have always been home and couldn't see myself any where else at least for a few years.

"I talked with Philip but seeing how you are putting my items in trunks you already know what the talk was about."

She just smiled at me and continued on her way putting the items in trunks. She was so sure that I would say yes. I just looked around my room and saw that most of my clothes were in the trucks and it was more of my personal items that were still around.

"How did you know I was going to say yes?"

"I knew that you might say no but I was hoping that you would see this out and give Philip a try. I know you believe he hasn't changed but I believe he has and if moving you into the castle is a way for the two of you to come together than I will do that."

She sniffled a little and I tried not to look her in the eyes. I knew if I saw her crying than I would end up crying. I walked over to my wardrobe and started to put the rest of my dresses on my bed. We finished putting those dresses into the trunk and My mom was through my books and other things to decide what I should bring and what should stay here. During this whole process I just kept telling myself it wasn't permanent I could always come back home if I wanted too.

Once we had everything I was going to bring with me in the trunks my dad and one of the servants put them in the carriage. It took a few minutes to get the five trunks all situated and for us to be ready to leave. We all got into the carriage and the driver started to drive away, I couldn't help but look out the window back at the place I have grown to call home. It didn't take to long to get back to the castle and I knew none of us would have to unload the carriage. The guards opened the gates as they saw us approaching and the carriage stopped in front of the pathway that led up to the steps. We didn't have to tell anyone that we were here because everyone was standing outside along the path as I was stepping out of the carriage. I stood at the one end of the path and watched as the royals came down the steps and walked half way down the path. I saw Elizabeth but she wasn't making eye contact with me and both her parents were standing there. I didn't see Philip though, I thought I just made him upset by leaving earlier today. My parents were standing next to me when I started to walk forward. I stopped when I saw Philip coming over from the side where he met me and I just smiled.

"Hello."

He bowed and I curtsied back to him. It was strange to have everyone looking at us, and I was trying to decide if I liked this or not.

"Hello."

"Don't worry about anyone else. I will show you to where you will be staying."

He looked at my parents as if asking permission to have me leave with him. My father nodded and then squeezed my arm letting me know it will be fine. Philip offered his hand and I accepted, I had to make sure I didn't do anything that would embarrass myself or my family. I now had to think about every move that I did as we started walking towards his parents, I began to get a little nervous because this was something different than all the conversations we had before.

"Lily don't worry. I will be by your side for everything."

I just smiled at him I didn't know if I had to words to say anything. We approached his parents and I curtsied. I wanted to know what everyone was thinking it would make it a little more easier for me.

"Mother, Father I am going to show Lily the room she will be staying in."

They both nodded and then we all bowed before leaving. I knew they would wait for my parents then they would continue on and talk with each other. We walked up the stairs and I could still feel all the eyes on me watching me and it felt like they were waiting for me to make a mistake. I knew that a few people would always have a problem with me and would never fully accept me but I was hoping I would never have to meet those people. Even though I had been here many times seeing everything now just felt new and scary and it was in a different setting now and I was still trying to find a comfort zone. Philip led me up the main stair case and turned left which was in the opposite direction that Elizabeth's room was in.

"No you won't be near my sister because the idea of you staying here is for me to show you how much I have changed. I had a feeling if you were near my sister than we would never spend time together. You are on my side of the castle. Our rooms are in the same wing but they are not that close to each other. If you want we can give you guards to stand by your door for your protection."

"Yes I would like that. I know it may sound wrong but I don't want anyone to even think that we could be doing anything. You may believe we are perfect for each other but I still have the memories for the last six years that prove otherwise."

"I know and if I could take it all back I would. I know how stupid I was and I know it doesn't make any difference right now but over time you will come to see I was right."

"You right? That has never happened in the last six years and I don't see it happening now."

He started laughing which caused me to laugh. Maybe he could be a little right, I could see how we would be good together. I was looking at him that I didn't know we were in front of the room that would now be my place.

"Lily this is your room and my room is down three more halls. I promise I kept you close but also gave you distance."

He opened the door and I stepped into the room and I could have sworn that this room was the size of my whole house. I could never imagine having this much space. I did notice that he had a few book shelves in there filled with books. I went over to those first looking at all the titles and couldn't believe that he had all of my favorites.

"How did you know what I would like?"

"Lily I do remember some things from the last six years. I may have been mean but I noticed the things you liked."

I blushed a little but kept my cool to hide it. I could see myself spending time with him for the rest of my life. I had to get my feelings in check because I wasn't here forever I was only here for a short time.