"I need you to keep this a secret."

Her jaw dropped after hearing the third favor. "Your highness, why?"

"Okay, I guess you're not ready to do me a favor," I joked, trying to make her at ease.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I don't understand everything and anything."

Deep breaths. You can do this.

"Alexandra..." I paused and looked at her first. "Ms. Karlsson, I need you to listen to my explanation. And after hearing it, I'll give you the chance to decide for yourself whether you want to keep my secret, okay?"

She nodded.

Although, I really hope you keep it a secret.

"You came from a wealthy family. Tell me is your father very protective of you?"

"Your highness, I think every parent is very protective of their children."

"Exactly, parents want their children to be safe at all times. Your family is rich. Do you think they're not going to use that to ensure that you are far from any harm?"

"Your highness, what do you mean use?" she asked politely.

I cringed at the way those words roll off her tongue. I am starting to really hate that title now.

"Ms. Karlsson, please stop addressing me like that," I said through gritted teeth before sighing. This conversation will not go anywhere if I don't control my emotions.

"When I say use, what I mean is hiring bodyguards."

"Your high..." she stopped herself when I gave her an I-said-stop-calling-me-that look. "I think rich men won't do that, hiring a bodyguard, I mean, just to keep an eye on their kids. My father only did that, however, is because my parents are members of the Swedish nobility."

I blinked at her a few times, trying to take in what I just discovered.

Huh. I guess this will be easier. You should have said so in the first place.

"So, in short, you have felt what it's like to have bodyguards following you."

"Yes."

I let out a breath. I approached her and held her hands. "Think about what it feels like when those bodyguards are partially controlling what you do. They check everything first before me. Sometimes, they will take a sip of my drink first before they let me drink it. I don't have any freedom at all. I understand my father's intentions on keeping me from danger but six bodyguards following me everywhere? That is far too much.

"Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike them. And as the next heir to the throne, I know my parents are ensuring that I will still reach the time where and when I will ascend to their positions."

I stopped, thinking that what I said is enough on an explanation. But the only response I got from her is silence. After saying what I said, she must have been expecting to hear more because it took a while before her face became serious, as if in a deep thought.

I guess I have to use a story, I thought.

"I was homeschooled," I began again, drawing her attention. "When I entered college, I merely made friends. The palace always makes background checks on the people I get acquainted with, which made me feel really bad. So I ended up not having to meet many people anymore.

"When I was a kid, the only playmates I have are my brothers and my bestfriend. And she moved to California before during middle school. Sure, we never lost contact but because of our constant communication, I felt like I'm missing the world. Like there's this part of me that wants to break free. I want to spread my wings and fly as high as possible. I want to see great things and not just the good one but also the bad. This may sound like some sort of lame excuse for my actions but how can I possibly serve the people and the world, for that matter, without knowing the good and the bad side?

"All I want is to experience a bit of freedom. I want to see things. I want to feel things. And explore new things. I want to do things differently. I want to break free from my normal pace and feel the things most people feel.

"Can you blame me? I was deprived of simplicity. Simple family. I just want, for once, for people to not scrutinize me for the things I did and want to do. I just want to be free even for just a moment."

I finished and stared at her eyes. What I said was the truth. What I said came from the bottom of my heart. What I said is what I really want.

I felt her hands getting out from my grasps as she puts her arms around me, pulling me in a tight embrace.

"I understand," she said simply. And that made me want to cry my heart out. I hugged her back and smiled. "Thank you."

When we pulled away, I asked, "So will you keep this a secret?"

"I will, Princess Laura," she paused. "I mean, Vanessa Carter."

"Thank you." I said in pure sincerity.

"And thank you." She said, eyes twinkling.

I gave her a confused look. "For what?"

She laughed softly. "For making me feel that I should be happy with what I have."

I laughed, finally feeling at ease as I was able to explain myself to someone.

"By the way, if I may ask, how did you know me?" she asked, curiosity showing in her eyes. "We are not of the same nation, and as far as I know, we were never really acquainted, so how did you know about me?"

I sighed. "I think I would explain is some other time. I may have had some people involved in my secret and that person is kind of connected to you. So, I want you to come over at my place for lunch tomorrow. I'll explain everything."

I finished recounting what happened last night. Of course, I left out the part on what happened between Nate and me. It wouldn't do any good anyway.

Jessica stared at me as she took in a heavy breath.

"So..." I started.

"Do you expect me to expose my secret as well?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes," I replied without breaking eye contact. She closed her eyes as if controlling herself not to lash out at me. "Look, if you're mad..."

"No. I'm not mad." She looked me in the eyes. "I know that it will come to this anyway, so don't worry. I just have a lot in my mind, lately. And it didn't help that Alexander Kinsley was at the charity event last night as well."

"He was?"

"I'll tell you about it later, but right now, I just want to soak myself in the tub and find tranquility. After all that pressure, I think I needed to take a few moments of peace, in the tub," she said standing up.

"Wait, you haven't told me what happened last night. Why weren't you home when I arrived?"

I was really worried when I didn't found her home last night when I arrived. I panicked and was about to call her when I received a text from Nate informing me that she'll be staying at Aaron's.

"Maybe some other time, Laura."

"Jess..." I warned. "Why didn't you text me about your whereabouts last night?"

"I'll just explain some other time. Right now, you have to focus on making sure that Karlsson will keep her word."

With that, Jessica left the room. I took my phone and texted Alexandra the address to our place.

"It's now or never."

*****

I was in the middle of "trying" to cook while watching a cooking recipe tutorial on Youtube when I heard Jessica finally coming out of the bath. Her "few moments" of peace in the tub turned out to be an hour and a half.

When she did not come out of the bathroom after an hour she went it, I decided to take on the kitchen. With the help of some videos I found on Youtube, I learned that I am very much capable of making a whole mess in the kitchen.

Kitchen utensils and some plates are all piled up in the sink. Flour, sauce, and every ingredient is splattered everywhere. The counters, the fridge as well as the stove were not spared from the monster cook that was me. Of course, I am also not spared from the mess I made.

On the bright side, I am positive that the food I made are delicious. They don't look like the ones you see on the advertisements, but they are pretty much edible. Thankfully, the food I made were spared from the whole mess in the kitchen.

Remembering that we will have a visitor, I went to work on cleaning the entire kitchen. Of course, picturing Jessica's outrage when she finds "her" kitchen in such a disgusting state is also a motivation.

In ten minutes, I managed to wash all the piled-up things on the sink. And it took fifteen minutes to finish cleaning the counters, stove, and fridge. I was about to get to mop the floor when my best friend finally made an appearance by the doorway with a look that could kill in a millisecond.

"What the fuck did you just do?"

I sweat dropped.

"You made a mess in the kitchen!?!"

"Give me a break!" I yelled back. "I just made lunch, okay? But I'm already almost done cleaning. I'll just mop the floor, and everything is prepared."

"And how the hell do you expect to be ready by the time Karlsson arrive?"

Didn't think of that.

She sighed before taking the mop from my hand.

"Go clean yourself up. I'll take care of this."

Hearing this, I dashed out of the kitchen and into the bathroom. I was beyond grateful that she didn't lash out, I didn't bother thanking her because that might worsen her mood.

After a quick shower, I fished out something appropriate to wear before walking back in the kitchen, that now looks clean and new, where I found Jessica making the food look presentable.

I heard the doorbell chimed, indicating that our guest has arrived.

"Invite her in. I'll finish this," she said.

Thank God, Jessica's back to normal.