MONDAY EVENING, I had finished my chores, and was just about to settle down into bed when I heard a knock at my door. I opened it. Bert was standing there, smiling ruefully. I smiled back confidently, and let him in. “Hello, Bert,” “Hello,” “What brings you to my room?” “I’m the prince,” he said simply. “No way! I know you’re not… are you?” He nodded. “Yes,” and handed me a golden ring with the initials VO on it. My jaw dropped. He looked at me as though expecting something I stared at the ring for a moment, knees dropping in a deep curtsy. “Your highness,” I said, guessing that was what he was expecting. He rolled his eyes. “Rise,” “What do you want with me, your majesty?” The prince’s eyes met mine. He smiled. “You can stop calling me that. And as for what I want… well, you wouldn’t give it to me.” I cocked my head. How had he pulled off this… smile? And this charming personality? It was well known that the prince was the most contemptable prince in Kemarian history. “Yes, your—” I blushed. “What should I call you?” His eyes were on my lips again. My blush turned deeper, and my heart fluttered. No. I thought, shaking my head out of the thought. He’s a prince for heaven’s sake. You’re just a commoner. You have nothing for him, just embarrassment. Plus, you have Peter. I stayed silent, my eyes staying on his, even though his weren’t directed to mine. It just made me look like I had no idea what he was doing. “What should I call you?” I repeated. His eyes snapped to mine. He smiled. “Louie.” “Where did you come up with Elbert?” “My cousin,” he said plainly, eyes drifting from mine and back onto my lips. I gasped, stomach knotting, heart fluttering. “What about Javernick?” I said, trying to ignor the feelings rising inside me, and the way his eyes looked at me. “Mmm… the World Languages Master.” “You know different languages?” Bert — Louie! — was silent. I looked down at his hands. They swung at his side, even though he wasn’t walking. My palms clammed. “Really this time, why did you leave the palace?” “For— um…” he looked into my eyes earnestly. I remembered I was in the presence of royalty, and remembered my manners. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer that,” He didn’t, stepping closer, opening his mouth to say something. The door slammed open, and a man stepped in. “Your time is up, Vigilius.” Louie’s jaw dropped as he was grabbed roughly by the ruff, and forced out the door. I sank on my bed, head swimming. How dare I betray Peter? Peter is at war! He’ll find some other diva whom he loves. “Why do I feel this way about Bert?” I said aloud, heart fluttering at the remembrance of his gaze resting on my lips, and the dream I had about him. I decided to talk to Zarola about it. I walked down the hall to her room and knocked on the door. She was rubbing her eyes as she opened it. “What do you want?” she said groggily. “I want to ask you a question. About Bert.” “Oh, I see,” she grinned. “Did he tell you yet?” “What did he tell me?” “I don’t think he’d want me to tell you then,” I rolled my eyes. “He’s the prince,” Zarola smirked. “I know.” “He told you?” “Yes, Braden is pretending to be him so— Well, you wouldn’t like to hear why.” “Yes, I do!” I protested. “Are you sure?” “Yes. Completely.” “Alright then, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I smiled. “Peter and Kieser turned him in, but Vigilius didn’t want to go quite yet, so he asked Braden to help.” Peter? Why would Peter have tutrned him in? What is it? First with leaving me alone, then turning my best friend in! Even if he is a prince! “And he agreed?” “You have to agree when your best friend is asking a favor of you and he’s royalty.” I nodded. She had a point… “Was that what you wanted to ask me, or was it something else?” “Something else.” “Alright, whiz.” “What does it feel like to be in love with someone?” “Why do you ask?” I shook my head. “It’s none of your business.” “Alright, whatever you say,” she said slyly. Her eyes misted as she continued to answer my question. “It feels… wonderful. Like your head is in the clouds, just with that special person, and your heart flutters whenever he makes an adorable remark, or his eyes land on you.”
Read ^ first! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- “What about when he is in love with you? How can you tell?” She shrugged. “When his eyes constantly move to your lips. If he doesn’t answer a question right away… um… If he always tries to grab your hand… I can’t think!...” I smiled. “It’s fine, Zarola. Just… get some rest.” Zarola nodded gratefully, slinking further into her room before collapsing on the bed. I left her room, shutting the door cautiously behind me, In my room, I tore off my uniform and slipped into the soft fabric of my nightgown. It had been Mother’s when she was my age, but she had quickly grown out of it. I was still small enough that I had been wearing it since I was fifteen, two years ago. My fingers tingled deliciously as I recalled the feel of his hand in mine as we walked back to the school just three days earlier. I thought of the dream I had. What if… what if he wants to do that? What if… I want him to do that? The thought circled my mind. Am I in love with him? I smiled as I curled up on my cot. The way his eyes gazed into mine. His hand holding mine. I was picking up the pieces. Now I know why they all paired me with him, I thought. He likes me more than just a friend would. The real question is whether I like him in that way. I fell asleep dreaming of my Louie. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LOTS OF THINGS IN THIS CHAPTER PEEPS. SOMEONE'S FALLING FOR MY LOUIE!!! HUZZAH! THIS IS THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! SHE KNOWS THE TRUTH! It surprised me how little she freaked out about it. Ahh, well. I needed get through this chapter. That last line just K*LLS ME! -OREO
