"Prince Nicholas, your," my assistant, Joel, stops to think for a moment. I know he's trying to think of a word for my 'slang', "girlfriend is here." He smiles at me triumphantly. His word would be 'partner.' He usually couldn't think of a word for my talking. I hated talking like a palace freak, no offence to the people who do talk so formally, like my parents.

"Really? She's finally here after she finally finished her shopping with, may I add, my allowance which I don't even give her permission to use! I wish she would just disappear. To hell with her." I had had my disagreements with everyone about this relationship. I was against this abomination forever and a day. Most of the others had forced me with this spoilt girl.

"Yes, but Princess Lissa is the only girl your parents approved of the most and, after all, she is already a princess. Easier for you and for her. You don't have to put up with that awful complaining and she doesn't have to put up with all that stress. And–" Joel can talk forever if we let him. His sister, Monique, is a lot like him. No, she's worse. She is also my little sister, Angel's, assistant.

"Yeah, whatever. I want to choose my own partner. I don't want to be with Wanna-Be for the rest of my life. Why can't Iggy be next in line and not me?"

"Because Prince James is younger than you." One of the shortest things he has ever said, I swear on it. Iggy is my brother who is only a couple minutes younger than me. We're twins. His real name is James, but most of the family only calls him his real name in public.

"So? I don't want to be a king. I don't want to make crucial decisions. I never wanted this life!" And it's true. I had not a clue what was on the other side of these tall walls that surrounded the palace. I wasn't allowed to even have a little peek over the walls. They said I shouldn't have to know what is there. That only the worthy people matter. Even if I'm to rule the kingdom one day, I apparently don't need to know until I'm crowned king.

I would much rather be a peasant than this supposedly stuck up prince that get's everything. Such a horrible title to hold.

I would rather my life go by unnoticed.

I would rather die or starve for weeks than this life that has been chosen for me. All planned out like a book.

I ditch the room, to hide from Lissa, and disappear within the walls of the palace. She couldn't find me for hours, and hopefully, being her, she'll give up very easily. Hopefully.

...

I found myself, surprisingly, standing at Iggy's door. "Iggy?" I say, forcing my words through the thick door. Iggy knows I'll open the door anyway.

I turn the knob and slowly push the door open without a single squeak coming from the old wood, held by only a few screws. And see such a horrible scene that I have to cover my eyes. "What are you doing?" I could still here the kissing sounds, loud and clear.

"Just kissing Angel's assistant. What does it look like?" Monique –who likes to be called Nudge – was kissing Iggy fiercely and him returning it back with just as much intensity. I slowly uncovered my eyes and revealed them to my eyes. They had thankfully stopped.

But this was the usual for them.

"You said no one would come in unless you told them to." Nudge frowned. "What if someone else came in? I wouldn't have a job, would I? You are unbelievable, Iggy! Why would you lie to me? You said you love me!" Nudge was almost screaming. I quickly closed the door so not as much sound would come out, and if anybody happened to overhear what Nudge was getting out of her mouth, the words would be muffled by the thick door. I locked it, just in case. She turns as she hears the lock. "You can't lock me in here. Don't you dare, Fang! You open the door this instant or I'll s–" Just so you know, my nickname is Fang, but only few people willingly call me that. My parents not one of those few.

I slapped a hand over her slobbery mouth. I scrunched my nose in disgust but didn't move my hand away. "I locked it so no one would come in. You should have thought of that before I came in," I whispered, just trying to settle her down. "And no one would come in unless Iggy said. No one but me. And I knew anyway because you are basically all Iggy can talk about when no one but me is around. He can barely hold his words in to keep it a secret." I whispered all these words slowly, feel Nudge smile against my hand and see her visibly relax and settle down. I move my hand and wipe it against my jeans, trying to get either Nudge or Iggy's saliva off quickly. Iggy so owes me for this one.

Nudge jumped into Iggy's outstretched arms and hugged him as tight as possible, murmuring the words, "I'm sorry I went all cranky at you," and hugged him even tighter if my eyes are correct.

But who knows what damage has been done to them after witnessing the horrible, slobbery kissing scene. An image I'll never be able to claw out of my brain.

Nudge pulls away and holds Iggy at arm's length. "I'm sorry." These were the rare moment when her mouth didn't spill whatever came to mind. Ah, and I will always treasure those moments, because they are the only time I don't feel like I'm going to go deaf.

But, really, I'm used to it by now.

"It's okay, Nudge. I'm sorry, too, for not locking the door." He looks over her shoulder when she pulls him in another embrace, and glares full on at me. Not that it works, since he sucks at glaring.

"You can leave now." Iggy is obviously anxious to get back to his precious kissing and I really don't want to witness another of these moments.

I am out the door straight away, and out to look for something more entertaining to do other than watch a couple kissing.

I decide to go see what Angel is doing