"Eadlyn, you need to continue your Selection. You can't just put it on hold." Uncle Aspen said.

"My mother is in a coma. They can wait." I snapped.

He shook his head. "Eadlyn, your father asked me to speak with you on this. You know how hard it is for him right now."

"And the Selected know how hard it is for my family."

Uncle Aspen sighed and began to walk away when he paused, "Just remember Eadlyn. . . this is their lives too. They don't deserve to be pushed aside whenever they're inconvenient. I remember your mother going through somethings during your parents Selection because of that reason. They have feelings Eadlyn. Respect them."

With that he walked away. He sounded like when he was General Leger and giving orders to the guards. He didn't sound like the big teddy bear I had grown up with as an uncle.

I relented. He was right. I did need to respect other people's feelings. Isn't that what had caused Arron to elope? My inability to look past my own desires to see how I effected the ones around me? I turned and started to walk to the Men's Parlor, saying to myself, the first boy I saw would be my next date—that way, they all had an even chance.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Sir Raoul. I had yet to have a date with him. I put on a smile and called out to him. "Sir Raoul."

He started. When he saw it was I who had called him he bowed deeply. "Your Majesty."

"Would you care to take a walk with me in the gardens? I adore the way the high sun makes the flowers bloom, but I fear I'm in need of a little company."

Raoul grinned. Something inside me flashed but I pushed it down in order to keep my calm appearance. "Fear not, My Lady. I will accompany you." He held out his arm and I took it. I couldn't help but notice the firmness of his arm under his suit jacket.

"So, Sir Raoul, tell me about your family. You are from Panama are you not?"

"Yes. My family has lived on our farm for generations, us having been Fours, but I honestly couldn't imagine doing anything other than taking over after my father. My brother, Juan, though, couldn't stand the thought of being a lowly farmer," there was a slight malice to his voice. "But, thanks to your father, has taken to studying Biomed and is currently the leading engineer at Panama University."

"Very impressive." And it was. "We should invite him to the palace sometime. My father would love to meet him. It's been hard on him, the ungratefulness of the country he's trying so hard to put back together. They just don't understand, sometimes you need to rebrake the bone in order to heal it properly. It would be good for him to see someone who has been positively effected by his edict."

I looked over and swear he almost looked angry. "Yes, well, I'm sure he's very busy."

Okay, back pedal Eadlyn. Touchy subject. "Of course," I say quickly. "We would have to wait until my mom got better anyway."

"Eadlyn, I've been meaning to tell you how sorry I am with what has happened to your mother. I haven't got the chance to see you until this afternoon but I just wanted to make sure you knew, I will be here for you." I was taken back by the informality and startled when he rubbed my bare arm.

Calm down, Eadlyn, he's just being nice.

He froze. "Your Majesty," he rushed to say. "I see now I've over stepped your bounds. I only thought that since I was the one you had sought out that you had felt this connection as well. I apologize."

That's when I realized what I had implied with this meeting. I haven't had a date since before my mom's heart attack. I hadn't been even attending meals. For the first time he's even heard of me for a week to be me asking him on a date. . . I could see that could be confusing.

"No, Sir Raoul, it is my fault. I should have known what this would have looked like to you. I apologize for any misconceptions that have come of this walk."

"It will be forgiven and forgotten, Your Highness, if I may but ask one small gift in return."

I arched my brow. Trying to figure out what he'd ask for.

"I ask you to call me Raoul, for it would be a great pleasure to here my name from your lips."

He was bold, I'd give him that. It was worth a second try, maybe not tomorrow, but this was pleasant enough. "Then until next time, Raoul."

I walked back up to my room. I would say that went good. He wasn't overly unpleasant and we were able to talk nicely. Yes, I would consider another date with him. My high he left clicked loudly on the marble staircase. It was actually beginning to annoy me so I peeked around, and, seeing no one, slipped them off and sprinted up the rest of the stairs. When I got to the top I rounded the corner and ran smack dab into a warm body.

We fell to the ground and for about nine seconds, I was completely mortified. That was until I heard a familiar laugh and a teasing voice say, "You know, you always have been a Royal pain in my ass, but the more I'm around you the more literal that saying gets."

I rolled my eyes, thankful it was only Kile. "Sir Woodwork, to what do I owe this pleasure."

Neither of us had bothered to get off the floor. "Oh the pleasures all mine, Your Highness. It's not everyday I get to see you so adventurous." He wiggled his eyebrows and lifted one of my shoes off the floor by the strap.

"Adventurous is my middle name."

"And Gentleman is mine." He brought the shoe to my left foot. "May I?"

I giggled and raised an eyebrow. "If Gentleman was truly your middle name you would have never stood in the presence of a lady with more garments than she."

"Technically we're sitting."

I dared him with a lifted chin. And had to fight to keep my straight face when he sighed and began to untie his fancy Italian shoes. They each came off with a clunk. "Happy?" He asked sarcastically.

I lifted my bare foot about a meter into the air and pointed my toes. Then looked down at his socks. He gave in and took those off as well. I beamed at him. Then leaned forward, closer to him.

"You know what else I'm not wearing? A tie."

His hands went up somewhat hesitantly be t undid the knot. When it was almost off I trapped the fabric, ripped it off his neck and took off down the corridor. I left my shoes and Kile sitting by the top of the third story stairs. I knew what I probably looked like but I didn't care. No one was allowed up here without special permission. No cameras. No Selected. Well, except Kile, who I could hear running after me. I recognized the sound of bare feet slapping getting closer.

Two arms wrapped around me. "I think you have something that belongs to me." Kile said in my ear and he spun me around. I let out a small squeak as we twirled. He set me back on the ground and turned me in his arms so that our fronts were no pressed together.

With one arm around my middle to keep me close, he grabbed my crown, causing several tendrils of hair to fall. "My crown!"

"My crown!" He mocked.

"I do not sound like that!" I hit him lightly on the chest.

He rolled his eyes.

"I'll give you your tie if you give me back my tiara," I put on my best puppy dog face.

"A crown for a tie? I do believe I'm getting slighted."

I hit him again playfully. "Give me my crown."

"Your crown? I think I might have to confiscate it. And, well, with possession being nine tenths of the law."

"I am the law." I retorted back.

He scoffed. "As if."

"Are too."

"Are not."

"Are too."

"Prove it." He quipped.

I sucked in a breath. "Kiss me," I whispered.

"Your wish is my command." Then his beautiful lips descended on mine. They were so soft. So perfect. My hands started to drag up his arms then buried themselves in his hair. Oh! His perfect hair that was so much fun to mess up. Ever since the Selection started he always had it styled and combed back. I missed the days of his wild bed-headness.

Just when he had started to pull me closer a cough came from behind me. Oh no.

"Eadlyn." My father said. I hoped and dreaded the amusement I heard in it. "Your mother just woke up. She's asking for you. When you're done here, please come see her."

I buried my face in his chest as I felt his silent chuckle.

"You can bring Kile as well." My father called over his shoulder.

"Wanna go see my mom?" I asked with false alacrity.

"With you? Anything."

So leave a review, follow, favorite:) I just really love Kile and he's not getting enough attention on FanFiction so I hope I can fulfill everyone's Kile obsession for a little while