AUTHOR'S NOTE: Bring out the tissues! We're back to the past! And someone finally returns from college ... ps LONG CHAPTER ! (REALLY LONG, REALLLLLLY LONG)

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I OWN NOTHING!

Charlotte entered the room next to the nursery hesitantly, she looked around then she saw a dark figure looking out the window.

"Greg, it's me" Charlotte whispered resting her hand on his shoulder, he flinched at her touched and didn't move an inch to turn around.

"Charlotte" He swallowed, she could see that Katherine's death had hit him the hard.

"I was told that you won't talk to anyone else but me"

"I'm going to take the baby and leave Pyrus" he said abruptly

"What?!" She said shocked. He turned instantly, tears stained his face and his eyes were red from crying

"You heard what I said"

"Why?" she said in horror

"Why?" he repeated with anger "You know why"

"Because of Katherine's death?" He looked down and turned around looking out the window again, remaining silent. "But why run? Her parents could help and support you and the baby"

"They may do that but they'll always be a reminder of her"

"But her family needs you … you promised to help them and be there for them" She said anger beginning to surge her. He didn't reply and she cried "Her father has a terminal disease and you're just going to leave them? When they can help you and you can help them". He turned around, masked with anger

"So? Do you think I can't support my baby without them?" He sneered

"No. But you can't just run! You're not the only person suffering from Kathy's death" she practically yelled, tears beginning to stream again, "You have to face that Katherine's died! Your wife, your child's mother … MY best friend and sister is died" Tears began to fall from his face

"If you care so much about her parents, you take care of them!" He shouted. Suddenly a nurse entered the room "Excuse me but you two better calm down, you two are disrupting the babies, or else I'll be forced to call security to escort you two out". Charlotte turned on her heels and walked up to the lady "I'm sorry, I was just going to leave" she walked up to the door and before she left the room she looked back at Gregory "If I must I will, Gregory. I said I would do anything for Katherine and I meant it"

Charlotte used a secret door to enter the downstairs area, she had cried all the way back to the palace and she was still crying. She was trying to hide her face when she passed people, embarrassed at her tears and trying to avoid the maids gossiping about her.

When she finally reached her suite she threw herself onto her bed, allowing herself to cry even more. She heard a quiet knock from her door but was too lost in her tears to lift her head, she heard the door open slightly and heard footsteps towards her. Suddenly she felt a warm and tender hand rub her back, she lifted her head it was Violet to her relief.

"Violet" she hiccupped, trying to blink the tears away only producing more

"Hi darling" She smiled tenderly, seeing that Charlotte was in such pain "What happened?" She asked

"M… my best friend, Kath… Katherine has … has … passed away in … child birth" she stuttered, Violet nodding sympathetically "and her husband plans to run with their child and … and left looking after her … ill father to … to me. I have to make … make a speech too for … for her funeral" She said breaking into more tears, she threw herself onto Violet, who hugged her back.

"Charlotte, you're going to make it through. It seems difficult now but I know that you are strong enough to make it", Violet then pulled slightly away from her to look at her, she smiled again Charlotte was so vulnerable at the moment and she needed support but then she remembered a thought. "But you might want to pull yourself together soon, Prince Pierre is returning home from college in 2 days and you might want to make a good impression on him"

"I'll … try to pull myself together. As for the Prince, impressing him is something I don't really care about doing right now"

In 2 days she masked a neutral look perfectly intending not to cause any more attention to herself. Violet was proud of her but she understood when she was silent in their daily dinners.

The day of Pierre returning was a small occasion, a dinner between him, his parents (Phillipe was still in college) and some well-respected old friends, even his welcome home was small.

"Welcome home, Pierre!" Clarisse hugged her son, she had missed him so, as well as Phillipe. She hadn't realized how much she missed her son until she was holding him.

"I'm glad to be home" He said pulling away from his mother, moving his hand to shake his hand father (he didn't like showing any physical contact), who smiled proudly at his son

"We're proud of you, son" Rupert said smiling. Then from the corner from Pierre's eye he saw someone very familiar 'Could it be?'. When Clarisse noticed that Pierre was very distracted she turned her head to see Charlotte who was in the corner trying not to disrupt the family moment

"Charlotte, did you need me?" Clarisse asked. Charlotte walked up to the three, not daring to make too much eye contact with Pierre.

"Charlotte?" Pierre said stunned, Charlotte smiled sweetly at him making skip a heartbeat. She curtseyed to him noticing there was something in his eyes when she smiled at him, as if something ignited in him, "Your Highness". She then curtseyed to the older couple staring at her "Your Majesties" she then turned and looked directly at Clarisse "Your Majesty two large piles of paperwork is going to be on your desk in a few minutes"

"Thank you, Charlotte"

Charlotte was walking through a hallway from her way from the Queen's study to go grab the second pile of paperwork, "Charlotte" she heard from behind her, turned around to see Pierre.

"Oh Your Highness, I didn't notice you there"

"Charlotte please, we're alone you can call me Pierre"

"Alright Pierre"

"When did you become my mother's personal assistant?" he asked abruptly moving closer to her

"6 months ago"

"Why didn't you tell me this was your dream?"

"It isn't but I had to do it, it was the closest thing to my dream"

"Why did you have to do it? How does becoming an assistant be close to your dream?"

"Pierre, I had to fulfil the promise" Charlotte said softly, there was a silence for a moment, Pierre had soon realized it was the promise she made to him that tore her from her dreams

"Why? Why didn't you just live somewhere you can achieve your dreams"

"And break my promise? Pierre, what would you've thought if you realized that I didn't keep my promise?" Pierre was speechless he didn't know what to reply. She let out a sigh "Pierre, you would've thought that the time we spent together was worthless to me and it wasn't, Pierre, you should know that. Now I've got to go back to work" She turned to walk off but he grabbed her arm before she could do so.

"Charlotte" he said holding onto her arm tightly

"Pierre, I've really got to go back to work"

"Wait" He said almost growling, fear suddenly surged over her, she had never feared him before.

"Pierre, please let go of me" she asked fear slightly colouring her voice. He was stunned at what she said and her tone 'let her go? … let her go?' he thought

"Charlotte" he repeated growling this time. She began to struggle in his grip, she saw something in his eyes, a fire.

"Your Highness, let go of me, please" she used his title, she couldn't see the Pierre she had known before. He wouldn't let go and his grip got tighter.

"PIERRE! LET HER GO" Clarisse shouted from the end of the hallway. The fire in his eyes soon died and he turned to his mother, letting go of Charlotte's arm, "mother, it isn't what it looks like" he said as Charlotte backed away from him.

"Oh really? I was expecting another large pile of papers 5 minutes ago, so I go search for Charlotte to find that my son is holding her against her will. It better not be what I think it is" Clarisse looked at Charlotte who was shaken "Are you alright?", Charlotte nodded "I'll get your paperwork, ma'am", she then turned around and rushed off.

Clarisse then turned to her son "Pierre, my study. Now!"

They both entered her study and once she closed the door behind her she started asking him questions he couldn't quite answer. He was horrified, at his own actions and her last words she said, they kept repeating in his head, '" let go of me, please … let go of me … let go of me". Has she gotten over me? And I'm just holding onto her even though she doesn't feel the same way. Where is the Charlotte I knew and … and loved?' he thought, the word "love" burning in his mind.

"What in the world was that! Pierre?" Clarisse asked, annoyance, disbelief and disappointment colouring her words. Pierre remained silent.

"You are the crown prince, Pierre! The palace staff respect you and I expect you to respect them as well" Pierre nodded looking at the ground, he couldn't argue with his mother, she was right to have such expectations.

She stared at Pierre for moment then shook her head and let out a sigh "Now Pierre, I know it may be hard but you must let go of Charlotte and your old feelings towards her. Though I don't know if she's gotten over you but I know it's a difficult time for her and love may not be on her mind". Pierre looked up in confusion and shock, "A difficult time?" he asked concerned for her.

"well, a few days ago she entered my study looking grief-stricken and heartbroken … she then told me that her best friend had died in child birth" Clarisse said sympathetically, she had made sure to be soft and kind to her even though she had masked a very good calm face but she could tell it still pained her through her silence. Pierre gasped 'No, Katherine? Oh poor Charlotte … maybe that's why she's not my Charlotte I know' he thought.

Clarisse took in a deep breath and put her hands on her hips "Now I expect that you will apologize to her" He nodded "And if this story reaches your father Charlotte does not get accused for anything" He nodded again, though he prayed that it wouldn't reach his father.

"I understand, Mama. I'll apologize to Charlotte soon but …" he looked at his wrist watch "I should be getting ready for the dinner soon" She nodded and he escorted himself out of the study, with an idea popping into his head on how to apologize.

Charlotte rushed out of sight and tried to calm herself 'I've never seen Pierre like that … moments ago I saw something mysterious and beautiful in his eyes ignite but I … I just saw it die and get replaced with … with anger. I told him to let me go and he turned into a different man … let me go?' she thought, then she stopped in her tracks and gasped 'no … what have I done? Could he have still loved me? And did I just … just brush him off? Oh Pierre I'm so sorry … but after Kathy nothing should matter more than fixing my problems, I can't focus on him right now … but by the time I can focus on him it would be too late' she let out a sad sigh 'time will tell'

Pierre's close friends began to fill the dinner room, some of them Charlotte recognized but the person Charlotte was surprised to see was Laura Evansworth, a friend of the royal family, she had gone to her high school as well but Charlotte had completely forgotten about her. The dinner went successfully, even though Charlotte had made it a point to be part of the background. As the night was about close to end the guests had drinks in the ballroom, Charlotte and Violet stood side by side each other watching over the guests from the background but then unexpectedly one of her former friends, Laura noticed her.

"Charlotte!?" Laura said from across the room, Charlotte panicked 'No! No! NO!' she thought. Laura moved towards Charlotte and Charlotte felt forced to walk towards her, seeing the surprised face Violet had from the corner of her eye.

"Laura!" Charlotte replied trying to sound excited but sounding very flat. She stopped walking when she had felt she was already close enough to the spotlight, which was still the corner of the room.

"Darling, I didn't know you were going to be here! Well you were close to Pierre before … very close"

"Laura" Charlotte interrupted not wanting Violet to hear too much, she already heard as much as Charlotte wanted to know.

"Sorry, dear. So how did you get an invite? I thought you were still at college"

"Well I left college many months ago, and I didn't get an invite" Laura gasped

"Did you sneak in?" she whispered

"No … I'm actually Her Majesty's Personal Assistant"

"The Queen's assistant?" she said sceptically and shocked

"Yeah" Charlotte said awkwardly looking at her feet, sensing Laura judging her

"Oh, well aren't you known as Lady Kutaway now?"

"No, not really. I really don't want to be named by that title"

"Why?!" She exclaimed, surprised "Is it because of Pierre?"

"Laura, I got the title when I was in college and it just didn't seem right, and as for Pierre it's been years since … the incident" Charlotte looked at her feet, uncomfortable recalling the kiss. Laura looked at Charlotte looking up and down her, Charlotte feeling shy 'gosh, I haven't felt like this since high school and now I think I know why' Charlotte thought wishing and praying someone would pull her from the conversation. Then she felt a soft tap on her shoulder, she was so grateful when she turned around to see Violet, "Charlotte, you're needed at the moment" Violet said unemotionally

"Oh alright" Charlotte said, then she turned to Laura "I've got to go and … assist" Charlotte looked at her feet then looked up and forced a smile and walked off with Violet, leaving Laura staring at her sceptically.

Once the night was over for Charlotte she reached the kitchen and began eating a small dinner alone, Violet had been assigned a large job and Charlotte knew she had plenty of questions for her and she didn't have enough energy to answer any more questions.

'Am I that low to Laura now?! I get a college education and a job and now I'm lower than her now?! All she needed to do was be the daughter of Lord Evansworth!' she thought, mumbling after every bite she took of her dinner.

"So" Charlotte heard behind her, she turned around to see Phoebe, the head of the gossip maids.

"Evening, Phoebe" She greeted flatly, still not in the mood for answering any questions

"What was up with you and the Prince?"

"Nothing, Phoebe"

"Oh come on Charlotte, I saw Prince Pierre follow her Majesty filled shame into her study and then I saw you breathlessly and heartbrokenly walk away from the same hallway"

"Nothing happened Phoebe"

"Please, I know something happened"

"Phoebe"

"Fine, if you won't say, I'll just check security" Charlotte stood up and glared at the maid

"In what way do you think you'll get through security?"

"I have my ways"

"And what ways are that?" Both women looked at the doorway to see Joseph who was looking at Phoebe sceptically

"Well I … I … I don't" Phoebe stuttered, then quickly nodded her head and rushed out of the room.

"Thank you Joseph" Charlotte said gratefully

"Your welcome Charlotte, those maids can be much too nosey even when they know everything"

"Yeah" Charlotte sat down again and looked down at her food depressed.

"Charlotte, as the head of security, I've witnessed many things on screen and I understand that you're going through a hard time"

"ah you've witnessed when I cried on my way to my suite" Joseph slowly nodded "and what happened between me and Pierre?" he nodded again "I know I can't ask you of this, but I would like to keep the dignity I have left so please don't spread any news about what happened"

"Charlotte, only the maids fancy gossiping in the palace." He then put his hand on her shoulder "And anyway in the palace you want more allies" Charlotte smiled appreciating his words, "Thank you".

She cleaned up and headed for her suite half awake, suddenly she bumped into a sturdy figure "I apologize" she whispered opening her eyes, it was Pierre. "Pierre!" she said in surprised. She took a step back, she didn't know what to think of him at the moment, 'Oh gosh, what is he going to do? But I really want to say sorry for pushing him away and I want to hug him as well … I've had such a bad day and maybe even … kiss him … NO!' she thought.

"Charlotte" Pierre said smiling but then he saw her unsureness "I'm not here to hurt you, I want to apologize for my horrid action before … and I wanted to give you this" he reached in his inner pocket in his jacket and pulled out a piece of paper and gave it to Charlotte. Charlotte was speechless she took the paper from him and stared at it for a moment, when she finally to speak "Pierre I…" he had disappeared, she let out a sigh. She walked in the shadows to her suite.

She sat on top of her bed and opened the piece of paper and suddenly she felt nostalgic

Dear Charlotte,

I am so, so sorry for my behaviour earlier today, I was not treating you like the lady you are and I am very sorry. I don't know what came over me when I grabbed your arm but to be honest I never know what goes over me when it comes to you … I hope one day I find out what it is.

Also Charlotte, I shouldn't have asked around but I know about the death of Katherine, your big sister and best friend, yes, I do remember her and how supportive she was of us even though we never told her about our secret rendezvous'. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on I'm here for you, we are still friends right? Either way I'm here to support you.

I hope you can forgive me.

Pierre

She fell back on her bed feeling so many mixed emotions, she loved the letter she had received but he now knew what she was going through and not to mention the horrible day she just had. Once she had the strength to sit up she heard a knock on the door. She left the letter on her bedside table and reached for the door, assuming it was Violet she prepared herself for a mountain of questions she couldn't climb but when she opened the door it was Pierre. "Pierre? What are you doing here? I thought you would have retired for the night" Charlotte said opening the door and motioning her hand to the couch, Pierre slowly enter her suite

"Charlotte, I know I should be asleep but after I left you with the letter I couldn't stop thinking about you because you seem so much more depressed than you were in the ballroom" She sat down and invited him to sit next to her

"Well I … I"

"Was it Laura? I saw you talk to her" she hesitated she couldn't think straight about the day and all she wanted to do was cry herself to sleep

"Maybe … n … no it wasn't … It's … It's everything in my life" she started to cry, her mascara started to run and fall into her hands as she looked at her hands. Pierre pulled her close to his heart and she placed her hands on his chest and started to weep in his chest.

"Oh Charlotte, it must be so hard. Know that I'm here to help and talk" Charlotte lifted her head and looked into his eyes and then snuggled in his embrace, she slipped off her shoes and lifted her feet onto the couch,

"Laura was only the tip of the iceberg … I got a call from Katherine's parents, I've got to find Katherine's daughter. They're trying to organize their will to include me"

"They can do that?"

"Yeah, apparently. And they want to give me their estate but I can't keep the estate"

"Why not?"

"Pierre, my job is now my life and the estate will rot under my care"

"what about any other family member?"

"They don't have any" she let out a sigh then she changed the subject "Thank you, for the letter … it made me feel nostalgic"

"It made me feel nostalgic writing it" Pierre smiled.

The rest of the night they talked proving that they were still friends. They mostly talked about Charlotte's troubles until Charlotte fell asleep in his embrace. When he noticed that she fallen asleep he smiled and gently scooped her up and placed on her bed, underneath the blankets. He kissed her forehead and whispered "I still love you" and left her suite.

It was a Sunday when Katherine's funeral was taken place. Charlotte had chosen to spend her Sunday morning at church since the funeral was in the afternoon. After the service she headed to her car but then she saw the park, she hesitated but she walked towards the park she hadn't dared to enter since Pierre and her had their first kiss. She started taking the path they use to take, 'nothing has changed' she thought staring at the scenery. She paused when she was insight of the river, there was a tall figure in front of the river. The figure turned around, it was Pierre "Charlotte, I didn't think you would have ever come here again". She walked towards him

"I saw the park and it baited me in" She stood next to him as they both stared at the river

"I fell for its bait too"

"It's a trap" they both let out a small laugh

"I suppose it is, thank you by the way for the letter"

"You carried me to bed and let me vent out on you … I needed a way to thank you. So I thought we could swap the positions"

"So how did it feel writing the letter?"

"Interesting … how did it feel reading the letter?"

"Different … I'm so, so sorry for grabbing your arm" Charlotte chuckled a bit

"You will never stop apologizing will you, for the one thousandth time I forgive you"

"It's just that I think I know what got over me"

"Hmmm and what would that be?"

"I thought you still cared about me … the way you did years ago" Charlotte turned to him

"I still do care for you, Pierre" She said instantly, then she realized what she said and began to blush "I mean that …you … your parents … your title … us … I … I don't know my real feelings towards you … I'm sorry I didn't make any sense" She stuttered.

He turned to her and moved closer, smiling, "I completely understand … I don't quite know my feelings yet" He whispered the last words, he leaned over and she closed her eyes and moved closer and when their lips were so close to touch Charlotte turned her head, "Pierre, we can't" She whispered, she looked up to him filled with sadness, confirming that she wanted to kiss him as much as he did. "The last time we did something like this the press caught us and your parents were disappointed and angry with you … this time I could lose my job and your parents will be more than furious, especially your mother … she would think you forced me to kiss you". He sighed and sat down, he patted the grass next to him and she sat next him. For the longest moment they stared out onto the scenery in silence, the sky was grey it was about to rain.

"I wish we can express our real feelings" Pierre said, Charlotte nodded

"I wish that too"

"I heard that your father became a lord from becoming the head of Genovia's largest pear producer. That means you are lady Kutaway right? And that means that …"

"Pierre … I declined the title"

"Why?!"

"I was in college when my father got the title and … if I ever wanted a title I probably would've gone through with my dream"

"You never did tell me what your dream was"

"Oh well … I wanted to be in Parliament"

"oh … I see. The men in Parliament are old grumps and they won't allow a woman in parliament unless"

"she's the queen"

"Now I see why the closest thing to your dream is working for my mother"

"Yeah … but I do enjoy my job, all the traveling, special events"

"You could have even more if you're with me"

"Pierre, if I could I would but your parents won't approve of me and the press would be all over that story – The Queen's assistant steals the Prince's heart … again!" he let out another sigh

"Charlotte … if I was allowed to tell you that I love you I would" Charlotte smiled at his manipulation of words

"If I was to replied to that I would say that I love you too"