I don't own shake it up for as many times as I have forgotten.

With Rocky

Rocky was crying again. Gunther was gone. Banished and it was all her fault.
'After all if I hadn't come here, he wouldn't have met me. And if he hadn't met me, he wouldn't have met my cousin. And if that had never happened, he wouldn't have got tricked into insulting his father and he would still be here. It's all my fault!' she thought.

"Rocky? Are you OK?" it was Curtis. He had been passing by her room and thought he had heard crying. And, like always, he was concerned for her. He hadn't told anyone this, but Rocky had become like a daughter to the butler and he definitely hated seeing her like this.

"It's my fault!" she sobbed turning around to face him. Even though he had heard her crying, Curtis was shocked to see her cheeks streaked with tears.

"Oh, Rocky!" he cried in anguish. "What wrong?"

"Gunther's gone and it's my fault!" Rocky whispered. Curtis felt his jaw drop open.

"What? Why is your fault?"

"Because if I hadn't come here, he wouldn't have met me. And if he hadn't met me, he wouldn't have met my cousin. And if that had never happened, he wouldn't have got tricked into insulting his father… I mean the king, and he would still be here. It's all my fault"
Curtis blinked.

"Can you repeat that, please?" he asked. Rocky shook her head in wonderment.

"I've been thinking that for days and now I've said it out loud, I realised how stupid it sounds" she told him. The butler smiled fondly and handed her a tissue, which she gratefully accepted.

"So, do you want to talk?" he asked her. She smiled and nodded.

"Right then tell me what's wrong." He said gently. Rocky took a deep breath and wiped so tears away with the tissue.

"Well ever since Gunther left I feel as if it's my fault. But now I realise my reasoning is pretty stupid."

"So, how do you feel now?" he asked her.

"I don't know. I guess I feel pretty foolish because I've been beating myself up over it and-"

"You've been doing what?" he interrupted sharply.

"Figure if speech" she assured him. Curtis sighed in relief.

"So, I've felt so bad and I do feel a bit better now but, well, even though I know he's coming back, I just feel as if as left forever because of me. And that means that I broke up the royal family. And I could get killed for doing that." She sighed.

"First of all, it's not your fault and I don't know why you think it is" Rocky opened her mouth to protest, but Curtis stopped her by holding up a hand.
"No, my dear, it isn't your fault. And even if it was, there would be no way His Majesty would allow you to be executed. And if he did then I most certainly wouldn't" Rocky smiled at that. Now tell me, why do you think it's your fault? And try and make it understandable this time, please" Rocky's smile turned into a grin.

"Well, in short, I just feel like Gunther was tricked into banishment by my cousin, and he was only here to check on me." She explained. Curtis nodded thoughtfully. There was no need to ask about her cousin, because she had told him in the interview after Gunther was arrested. Curtis nodded again.

"Well, Rocky, just know it wasn't your fault. Full stop." He added when she tried to protest again.

"And as for the execution thing, just tell me and I'll stop it no matter what. Even if it means replacing you myself" He declared proudly. And he meant it, he really would give his life to protect her. That was how much he loved as an adopted daughter.

"Um…What's the point of getting yourself killed?" Rocky asked. "If I was goanna be executed, surely all your death would accomplish was the postponement of mine" Curtis considered this.

"I suppose you have a point," He said reluctantly. Rocky smiled.

"But all the same, I appreciate you giving your life for mine. Even if it is in vain." She said gratefully. Curtis smiled back at her.

"No problem. Well anyway, if you get called to meet with His Majesty by His Majesty, come get me." He said.

"Why?"

"Because I've known Jeremy for a long time" He replied, surprising her with the use of the king's first name. "And if he wanted to talk to you about something serious, like your execution, he'll tell you himself, because he kind like that."

"How do you know that," Rocky asked curiously.

"Well, like I said, I've known him for a long time. We actually grew up together. You see, a long time ago, when Jeremy was twelve, there was a death threat to his parents. They make a decision to send their only son to a family living in the courtside where he would be safe. It just happens that the family he was sent to was my family. I was 10 at the time.
"I had two sisters, both older than me; Jane and Rosa. Jeremy and I were great friends. We had a lot in common. He stayed with us for ten years. Or more. I'm not sure because after those ten years, my father disowned me because I wanted to travel the world instead of fulfilling his dream of becoming a farmer so I could look after the farm we owned.
"A few years later, when I was in Canada, I was sent a letter from Jeremy inviting me to his wedding. Who he was getting married to, I didn't know. I also wondered how he had found me. After all, I was travelling to different almost every month. But I sent a letter back saying I would attend it. He was like a brother to me so I just had to.
"When I got home, I found out my father had died. I never knew what happened, but my mother was still there and she welcomed me home. It was only then that I found out it was my sister, Jane, that Jeremy was getting married to. I was happy for the both of them. It took a few more weeks for the last-minute details to be taken care of, but eventually it came. I was the best man, for Jeremy and the one giving Jane away as I was her only male relative left living.
"When we got to the speeches, the king showed up. I was confused as to why he was there and even more confused when Jeremy introduced him as his father. Until then, I had had no idea that Jeremy was a prince and for a while I was shocked. I mean, it's not every day you find out your best friend/brother-in-law is the king's son.
"But after I while, I got used it and was very happy that my sister was marrying into the royal family. And Jeremy and I picked up where we left off. Best friends." Curtis finished. Rocky was deep in thought.

"That's amazing, Curtis. I never knew." She said.

"No one really does. Only Jeremy." Curtis told her.

"So, does that mean, and I'm not saying it going to happen or anything, but does that mean if the king dies before Logan's eighteenth birthday, you'll be king until he's old enough?" she asked.

"Yes, I suppose it does." He agreed, "But like you said, it isn't going to happen. Jeremy is a great king and is in perfect condition. The only way he is going to leave us in the next few months, is if he had an accident, like falling down the stairs."

"But you'd never let that happen, would you?" she teased.

"I most certainly would not" He retorted indignantly. Then his face softened.

"Well, I should probably get going. Being head butler is hard enough without all the errands I have to run!" he grinned. Rocky nodded. "Look, I sense you're still blaming yourself about Gunther. But he could have defended himself and he chose not to. It was his fault primarily and don't forget that"

"Thanks Curtis" Rocky said.

"Anytime. And remember, if Jeremy comes to see you, tell me and we'll go through it together alright?"

"Cool, I see you round Curtis"

"You too Rocky, you too"

Sorry it's late. I was waiting to see whether I got any reviews telling me to continue. I didn't but...

Anyway, so this chapter was supposed to be longer, but I got lazy. Soz!

See you next week!