Chapter 14 – LOU

Never had dad struck me like this. I mean, yes, when I was a little girl, but it had been years since. Something was wrong, and I had no idea what it was. Oh well, I still had a Selection to do, and hot guys to date. Worrying about dad's job was not for me. At least not yet. As long as I was still the Princess, and not the Queen, I could do whatever I wanted. I'd worry about the people once I was Queen.

But maybe getting out of this Palace was a good idea, especially since mom and dad had returned. During the next few weeks I stayed as far away from my parents as possible. And before I knew it, it was October already. But the sun was still there, and I had to make the most of it. I headed to the men's Wing on the second floor and walked past the doors looking for his name. When I found it, I knocked, and waited.

"Your Royal Highness, what a pleasant surprise," Calder said, leaning on the door post.

"Yes, well, be ready in fifteen minutes in the Great Hall."

"What for?"

"We're getting the hell out of this Palace."

A sly grin appeared on his lips. "Where to?"

"I don't know yet. But far enough for the afternoon."

He chuckled and bowed. "Very well, Your Highness."

I turned around and walked away. "Oh, it's Lou, by the way!" I yelled back over my shoulder. Fifteen minutes later, I was in the Great Hall, a pair of jeans, a yellow t-shirt, a brown leather jacket and a pair of high heeled ankle boots as my outfit. When was the last time I had worn pants? Not in the past ten years. I wanted to go incognito.

There was a lot of noise in the Palace with all these people around, and I didn't hear Calder come down. I didn't hear him, but I did see him: he came down sliding the stairs railing, a smug on his face. There was a large marble sphere at the end do the railing, and I have to admit I gasped when I saw where he was heading, but he jumped off just before hitting it. And then he headed towards me.

"That is no way for a Selected to go about the Palace. Sliding on stair railings," I said half amused, half serious.

"Well, if I also may be so blunt, your outfit is not what a Princess should look like."

I stared at him, and chuckled. "Was that supposed to hurt me? Because yes if she wants to go unnoticed outside. Come on."

He followed in my steps and chuckled. "So you're seriously going out like this?"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Of course I am. And if you want to change, too, you have five minutes. I'll wait for you in the car."

"Yes please," he said running away. He would also go unnoticed if he wore something else than a suit. I walked outside and climbed into the waiting car – not a limo – and redid my makeup while waiting for him. Four minutes later, He was in the car with a pair of jeans, t-shirt, a light khaki vest, and a baseball cap.

"You look different," I said over my mirror.

He grinned. "I know. Then that makes two of us. Where are we going?"

"I still don't know. I guess we'll let the wind carry us." I turned to the driver. "Drive away, along the coast, south, and I'll tell you when to stop."

"Yes, m'lady."

I sat back in my seat. "Calder. What is it you do again?"

"I'm a writer." "Oh, yeah, right. I remember my mom recognizing your name when I selected you on the Report."

"Your mom? Like in the Queen?"

"Yeah. I don't think I have another mother. Although I wished I had."

"Wait, wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that the Queen knew my name? Did she read one of my books?"

"Yes. All of them. How many have you published?"

"Only two."

"Only two. That's much more than most people. Are you planning on writing a third one?"

"Yep. Just before the Selection I signed with my favorite publishing house, and they're waiting for a book." He looked outside the window.

"And?" I probed. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know, I just had some kind of writer's block, that all."

I chuckled. "I'm sure you'll find inspiration in this Selection."

Calder grinned slyly and look at me. "Well, you sure are an inspiration for an evil character." We both chuckled.

"I guess I could be viewed as such. But I'm a good person and-"

"Yeah I know. We just mustn't press the wrong buttons and be on your bad side."

"Exactly." We were silent for a moment.

"You know there are rumors."

I chuckled. "What kind?"

"That you planted that maid on purpose to frame Leo."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Who in the world would say something like that? That would make me the cruelest person."

"That's why I told you you were an inspiration for an evil character."

"Well, if you're going to make me the bad guy, make me the evilest you can." I giggled. "But make me save the cat at the end."

"Save the cat, huh?"

"Yes, to show that I'm not that evil."

"What's in it for me?"

"Well, I could promote your book. Or the Queen could. People just mustn't know it's really me behind it all. Only the people who know me best will know. Make it subtle."

He nodded slowly.

"Okay, you can stop here," I said to the driver. "We're far enough for today." The driver parked the car on a small cliff and stopped the engine. Calder and I both stepped out of the car.

"Is this where you push me off a cliff and kill me?"

I burst out laughing. "Of course not. Who would write that book, then?" I stepped to the edge of the cliff and stood there, hugging myself. "I haven't come here in a while."

"Why not?"

"We used to come here with my parents to get away from the Palace and just be a normal family, you know? But since the Rebel attack ten years ago, we haven't done something like this."

"Why not?"

"You ask a lot of questions, Mister Calder." He smiled and looked at his feet, and then back at me again.

"I just want to understand who you are truly."

"So this has nothing to do about your book?"

"No. I'm genuinely asking you, so I can understand you, that's all."

"Okay." I turned around, facing the Ocean and the pine trees that grew on the steep cliff.

"To answer your question, I think my parents are simply trying to protect us from the Rebels' wrath. But I feel there's more to it. I just can't see what. Why do you think I always have a battalion of guard with me when I go out? And I always have Silas trailing me in my shadow, even in the Palace."

"And still, you managed to escape from under his nose?"

"You could say that." I chuckled. "Anyway." I looked at the waves crashing at the foot of the cliff. "Have you ever jumped from a cliff into the water?"

"Yes. Many times. But not as high as here. We also have beaches and cliffs in Allens, but not as high as here."

"Let's jump," I said.

Calder grabbed my arm. "Are you crazy?" he said, pulling me back to him. "You could kill yourself here. If you really want to jump from a cliff, there are safe cliffs in Allens, and I can take you there one day if you want. But I'm not having you jump here. I don't want the Princess' blood on my hands."

"Fine. Then let's do something else. You seem to be quite the adventurous kind. What can you offer me right here, right now?"

"Beside a kiss?" he said, coming closer, and I playfully pushed him away.

"Yes, besides that." I looked behind him. "What about that tree, over there?"

He turned around to look at the said tree, and then looked back at me. "You've never climbed a tree?"

"A tree house, yes, but-"

"I'll be honest with you, Lou, you haven't truly lived until you've climbed a tree. It's like a rite of passage back in Allens!"

"Then show me."

He grinned slyly and took my hand in his, and we ran to the tree. "But you might want to do that barefoot, though. I doubt your high heels will help you in any way."

I looked at me shoes. "Right." I took them off, and looked at Calder. "Where do I start?"

"Climbing a tree only requires instincts and some leg and arm strength. I've heard you had that."

"Who told you that?"

"Nash."

"Oh." I looked at the tree trunk and the lowest branch, and I went for that. I climbed without any help. I climbed, and I climbed, until Calder called from below, and his voice seemed so far away.

"That's enough climbing, Lou. Wait for me." I looked down and – that was the stupidest mistake I had ever done – and I thought I was about to fall. I grabbed the nearest branch and clung to it as if my life depended on it. Because it did, to be honest. A few minutes later, Calder was by my side.

"Oh, my God, are you okay? You're as white as a ghost."

"Uuuuh, turns out I'm not that good with heights." My voice was a tiny bit shaky.

"Okay, well, we're gonna climb back down, okay? I'll go first, and I'll tell you which branches are safe and where to put your feet."

I nodded, not really sure anymore this was a good idea. Seriously? Climbing a tree? Calder went down a few branches. "Okay, now you can walk on the branches I walked on. Just follow me, okay?" I nodded again. It took me more time to come down than to go up.

Once I was on the lowest branch Calder extended his arms, and he caught me, gently putting me on firm ground.

"Whoo, that was something," I said, brushing away leaves from my clothes.

"You were very brave, up there," he said, coming closer. "Climbing down is always harder than climbing up."

I chuckled nervously. "You could have said that earlier."

He laughed softly and put a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "At least I know my evil character is afraid of heights. It might be interesting."

"Oh come on," I said swatting him on the shoulder.

"And she hits like a little girl." I raised an eyebrow.

"That's not true, I-"

"Yeah, I know. I was only messing with you." He gently grabbed my chin and placed a tiny kiss on my lips.

"You are quite the adventurous, aren't you?"

He chuckled as we walked back to the car, and we drove back home. He told me about some of his adventures back in Allens – because it turned out he had never left Allens – and about the new few ideas he had for his third book and his so-called evil character.

The next day, as soon as the meeting with the Queen, the King, Ben, me and the advisors was over, I fled. Ben tried to linger a little, but mom told him we were done. But it turned out they continued their meeting, without us. I wondered for how long this had been going on.

Anyways, I was in the Women's room, looking through the magazines and newspapers scattered on the coffee table, looking for something interesting to read, or for an idea for a next date far from the Palace. Outside. In town.

And I found just what I needed. I took the newspaper with me and went back to my room to read it thoroughly before the girls could claim the Women's Room – all the Selected were in the Ball Room for dancing lessons for the next Ball.

I knew just the one to invite to this event. I called Silas and told him of my plans, asking him to make a few calls for me, and in the afternoon, the matter was settled. Tomorrow night would be great.

I stayed out of everyone's way, during the rest of the day and the day after. Although I did bump into Ignacio. And he was wearing the most colorful – ahem, ridiculous, ahem – suit and we maybe did have a make out session in a small nook, hidden by the shadows. Boy, was he a good kisser. "Don't just kiss me, darling," he had whispered in my ear between kisses, "steal my very breath." I giggled, of course, and kissed him again. If I'd steal his breath, it would mean killing him, and I didn't want to do that. Just yet.

In the afternoon, after my encounter with Iggy, I walked straight to Hunter's room and knocked.

"Your Highness," he said bowing slightly. "What owes me the pleasure?"

"I know I've been rather stereotypical with you in the past, and I'm sorry if I offended you. Can I make it up to you?"

"Uh, sure. How?"

I showed him the article. And he laughed.

"Seriously? And that's not stereotypical?"

"Look. I think it would be good for the Royal Family's image that one of us goes there, and you seemed to be the perfect person to accompany me."

"So I'm actually helping with your image? After what you pulled off?"

I kept my chin high. "Yes." This was not how I had imagined this conversation. "Everything is already settled; the restaurant owner knows I'm coming with a Selected. But he doesn't know who. So, if you want me to change my date, then I will."

"No, no, no, it's fine. I'll come."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Be ready at five o'clock, in a good suit."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Lou," I corrected him before turning away to my own rooms. What was I going to wear? The opening of a new New Asian restaurant was important to the people, here in Angeles. I chose some white and black polka dot heels with a high-waist black low-high skirt and a white blouse. I pinned some fabric flowers in my hair with a few pearls and I was ready.

I waited for Hunter in the Great Hall, and I knew loads of photographers and Press would be here to see us off, before others would see us there. I hadn't told either mom or dad about this public date, but they couldn't tell me anything in front of the crowd. It would have to wait for when I came back later that night.

"Ah, Hunter, I was waiting for you."

He bowed slightly and offered me his arm.

"Do I have to tell you that this will be very public?" I said, apology in my tone of voice.

"No need, I figured. But I haven't eaten Chinese in a very long time, and I'm eager to."

"Good, then." I nodded to the guards to open the doors and we stepped out. I waved to the crowd and the Press. "Wave. But don't answer any questions you are asked."

He nodded and waved, too.

"Your Royal Highness," one of the people from the Press said. "Is it true that you framed that poor Selected on purpose?"

I glared at him and then tried to ignore all the next questions. I would only be safe once in the car.

"So you don't deny it?!" was the last thing I heard before Silas closed the Limo's door behind me.

The driver went off, and I looked outside.

"Why didn't you deny it, Lou?" Hunter asked.

"What's the use? Since everyone seems to believe I did it on purpose." I couldn't look him in the eye. "Dad was right," I mumbled through my teeth.

"And now you're trying to change the image the people have of you with this event." He chuckled. "Well, I have the perfect New Asian face for this event." We didn't say anything more until we were at the Restaurant. Once there, Silas opened the door, and a battalion of Royal guards made the way for us, pushing the Press away. We just smiled and waved, and then entered the Restaurant. There was all this New Asian ceremony, and Hunter and I cut the Ribbon with a huge pair of scissors. Then we were offered a whole array of New Asian dishes.

"Is this really raw fish?" I whispered to Hunter, and he laughed wholeheartedly.

"Yes, isn't it divine?"

"Surprisingly, yes." I turned to the Chef who was watching us eat. "This is the best thing I have ever eaten. How to you call it again?"

"Sushi, Your Royal Highness."

"Well, Sushi is now my official favorite dish."

I was struggling to use the chopsticks, and Hunter helped me with it, because he mastered it in no time. "It's in my blood," he said, sarcastically, and it made me giggle. Cameras were clicking away during the whole time. When the meal was over, they offered us warm cloths to clean our hands.

"It has been an honor to be part of the opening of your restaurant, Master Chef. You don't by any chance, offer food delivery, too?"

He chuckled and his cheeks and nose became pink. "Not yet, Princess. But if the demand comes from you, we might deliver sushi."

"Excellent. You'll hear from me soon, then."

I shook his hand again and he hand-kissed me. Hunter and I climbed back in the Limo and drove back to the Palace. Thank goodness, most of the Press was gone. He helped me out.

"Walk with me, Hunter," I said, offering him my hand. He took it and we followed a path on the side that led to the gardens. "Thank you. Thank you for coming with me. I know you hate stereotypes and all, but I-

"It's alright, Lou. I'm glad you asked me to come with you, because I had a good time."

"So did I." We walked silently, under the stars and the moon, and we arrived at the back entrance. "Well, thanks again, Hunter." I placed a kiss on his lips and quickly walked away. "Good night," I said before going inside.

There was an idiotic grin on his face, and I really liked it when people smiled because of me.

October was passing by, and I knew the next Ball was soon coming up soon. Ugh. It was always a big deal. Halloween. Oh, wait. No. Actually. it was dad's birthday. With so many people coming in. I wondered how everyone was able to find a new masquerade costume each year, but it was kind of getting tiresome. And I still didn't know how I would dress.

Anyway. There was the Halloween Amusement Park in Angeles that was in town every year for a week before October 31, and I had never gone there. Dad said it was inappropriate for a Princess to go there. But whatever. This year, I was going. With a Selected.

Again, I wore a pair of jeans and a black hoodie – borrowed from Ben – over a t-shirt and some sneakers. I pulled my hair in a messy bun and painted my nails red, just for the fun of it. When I was ready, I went to the Men's Wing, just after lunch, and knocked on my choice for the day.

"Well, Bella," he said in his slight Spanish accent, and his all-time flirty grin. "What brings you here? And dressed like that? Not that you're not pretty, you would look good in anything, of course, but-"

"Julio, we're going to the Halloween Amusement Park. Put some comfy clothes, and join me ASAP in the Great Hall."

"At your service," he said bowing low and taking my hand in his to kiss it. "Red suits you."

"Thanks, I guess." I turned around and walked back downstairs to wait for him. Five minutes later, he was by my side, in a tight pair of jeans, a tight t-shirt and a black leather jacket. He ran his finger in his hair, and that was how I understood why they were so puffy and stand-uppy.

"Okay, Bella, I'm ready when you are."

"I'd rather you called me Lou, to be honest. No, wait. When we're outside, call me Charlotte – it's my second name – because I don't want people to recognize me. And people won't look twice at a girl in jeans and a hoodie who's name is Charlotte."

"As you wish, beautiful Charlotte." He winked, and I playfully rolled my eyes at him. We stepped outside and took the unnoticeable car. Silas was already waiting for us inside.

"Seriously Silas? Do you have to come with us?"

"King's orders, Your Royal Highness-"

"Charlotte. Tonight, I'm Charlotte."

Silas lifted an eyebrow and muffled a laugh.

"What? It's my second name."

"I didn't say anything," he said with an amused grin. "You won't even see me, I'll be a few meters behind you guys, and I'll blend in. As you can see, I'm also a civil today."

I chuckled. "Fine." I liked Silas. He understood me, and he was kind to me. And he was handsome. How could he not be?

The drive was only a few minutes long, and when the car stopped and I looked outside, I was like a little girl on Christmas morning. I had never done this, and that night, I was no longer Princess Louise Charlotte de Lafayette-Schreave. I was just Charlotte, and it was awesome. I had only done this with Ben – or Charles – and now I was doing this with Julio. This was so exciting!

We entered the amusement park, after paying three tickets, and that's when the fun began. We went on spooky rides, we screamed in haunted houses, we tried shooting moving targets that were little zombies, and we ate candy, and popcorn, and caramelized apples. We laughed, and talked – goodness, Julio was the chattiest of us – and he even won a huge light brown teddy bear holding a red heart for me. He said the red heart would match my red nails. There was only Julio to notice something like this, of course.

The sun went down, and that's when the real fun began. Ghosts and zombies and other scary things lurked around every corner and made us jump. Thank goodness Julio was here… We ate corn on a stick, and pumpkin pies, and apple cider, and I thought my belly would explode. I would have to vomit once back home. I couldn't afford to have all that junk in me.

"Um, Charlotte," Silas said from behind us, "I think it's time we head back to the Palace."

"Why?" "I'm afraid I just received a message from your dad to come home immediately."

I frowned. "Right away? Why? What's wrong?"

"I don't know, but he says it's urgent. For your safety."

I let out a long sigh. "Must he always ruin everything?"

"Ah, my love," Julio said. "I think it would be wise to obey. We've been here for hours, and we had a great time." He smiled and kissed my hand. "I will never forget my time with Charlotte."

"Well, I guess if father orders us home, we must obey. Sucks to be a Princess sometimes. At least I had a huge teddy bear, thanks to you."

He chuckled, and we all headed back to the car. That's when we heard some explosions coming from the amusement park. We turned around and saw the biggest ride blow up in the air, with dozens of people on it, screaming, and most probably dying.

Silas and Julio both dragged me to the car. I was paralyzed. What did I just see? How was this possible? Was this why dad had us coming home? Who was responsible for this? Why now?

Hi guys! Hope you like this chapter. Thanks for the reviews on the last one^^

I know this chapter and the pevious one were not the best of all times: I've been sick like hell this past week, but I still wanted to write for you ;)

The Masquerade Ball is coming up very soon (next chapter)! THANKS to all of those who sent me the costume for their character ;) to the others I'm still waiting on... please do it in the next few days before Friday. If not, I will chose a costume myself for your character. :P

Anyways, thanks for your reviews and support! See you on FRIDAY for the Masquerade Ball ;)