A/N – Hello everyone! I know it has been a while since I have updated this story. I had sat down and tried a few times but just couldn't get back into writing it. This is one of my favorite stories that I have written and I didn't want to half ass any chapters so I needed to wait until I was ready to jump back into this.

Chapter 21

CLARKE'S P.O.V.

I woke up the next morning alone in bed; there was folded note laying on my phone. I reached over and grabbed it. 'You have no idea how hard it is to just leave when you look that beautiful but I of course had to get back to work.' I sighed, folded the note back up and shoved it in the draw of my night stand. I grabbed my phone and took a few selfies before deciding I had a decent one to send him.

'Sleep well.' I added a heart emoji, attached the photo and hit send.

I knew I wouldn't see him today. He would be here early the next day for the security meeting and Prince Aaron's arrival.

I wanted to do some work on Octavia's party today so I grabbed my laptop off my desk and started searching for a bakery.

Today was the day that Prince Aaron would be moving into the castle; also known as the day I had been dreading. I sat in my dad's conference room with both my parents, and a few members of security; including Bellamy. We were going over everything and it was actually making me a little nervous how cautious they were being. The prince wouldn't know where my bedroom was, his room would be in the opposite wing of the castle and he would have two members of our security team outside his bedroom at all times. We had scheduled 'dates' on Friday nights that would also include three to four security members depending on what the date was. And he of course would be dining with us every night.

As I sat and listened to all the precautions being taken I couldn't believe that my dad wanted me to marry someone we distrusted so much. Once the hour long meeting was over the last thing I wanted to do was get ready for the Prince's arrival but I had already been warned by my mother three times that I better be downstairs before he arrives so I quickly made my way upstairs to my room to get ready.

Just as I pulled the plain black dress over my head I heard my phone vibrating against my desk.

'Hey Princess, how are you doing? You looked a little overwhelmed after that meeting.'

I smiled but then a rush of sadness came over me. Here was this gorgeous, caring guy who I loved…who loved me…who protected me, who worried about me but because of some stupid outdated laws I wasn't allowed to be with him.

'All the precautions are a little intimidating. I was already scared of this guy…I think the meeting may have made it worse.'

'We are just being overly cautious. You will be safe. I promise. I am here all night tonight so if you need anything text me.'

'Are hugs and kisses including in the anything?'

I finished getting ready and was about to head downstairs when my phone vibrated again.

'Always.'

BELLAMY'S P.O.V.

I was in trouble. I thought as I smiled at Clarke's last message. I knew before we started…whatever this was that it was a bad idea and it would end badly but I of course couldn't stay away from her. After typing my reply to her I sighed and shoved my phone back into my pocket. Today was going to suck. I knew she was scared of this Prince that she would most likely end up being forced to marry and I hated to see her in any kind of pain. But it is also why I asked for a double shift today and two other days this week which was the max number of doubles I could take in a week; I wanted to keep an eye on this guy.

CLARKE'S P.O.V.

My mother and father were both sitting in the parlor sipping their drinks as security went over a few last minute details. I took a seat on the small loveseat across from them; my mother looked impressed when that I was dressed appropriately and downstairs a good ten minutes before the Prince was planned to arrive.

Bellamy and Mark, one of the other higher up members of security walked in a few seconds after I sat down. Bellamy and Mark hardly ever worked the same shift especially if John, the head of security at the castle was on which he was. It seemed like all the top members of security were on this morning and that did nothing to ease my anxiety, although Bellamy only being a few feet from me did help. It was becoming more and more difficult to fight the urge to run to Bellamy and fling my arms around him when we were in the same room, especially now when I was so anxious about the Prince's arrival.

Bellamy and Mark took their place on the other side of the room while John continued to go over some paper with my dad. I casually looked over at Bellamy and he gave me a very small reassuring smile. I looked down at my dress and slightly pulled it down over my legs.

"Clarke, would you please stop squirming around."

I sighed but didn't respond to my mother's comment instead I stood up and went over to the drink cart to grab a soda.

"Okay." John said a little louder than when he was just speaking to my dad. "So just to refresh, Clarke…When you and Prince Aaron are in a room together he is to be escorted to his room first and then you may go to your room. Same goes for all of you but that will probably only be an issue for the rest of you during meals." He paused and looked down at the paper he had been holding since I walked in. "Two of our guards will be outside his door at all times and Clarke your wing will be guarded but not as obvious since we don't want him to know where your room is." I nodded and walked back to my seat with my drink. "Blake? Andrews? Do you have anything to add?"

"Do we know how many members of security the Prince will be bringing?" Bellamy asked.

John looked down at his paper. "It looks like he is bringing two."

"And are those bedrooms also being guarded?"

"Yes." John assured everyone. "The three bedrooms are all in one hallway and the two guards will be in charge of that hallway. No one will be leaving the wing without prior permission."

"And what about weapons?" Bellamy asked. I loved that he was making sure everything was being done to keep us safe…it was why I always felt so safe when he was around.

"We have discussed with his team that they will be turning in their weapons when they enter the castle."

"They are pulling up now." A voice said through the walkie talkie on John's hip.

He pulled the walkie talkie off his belt and hit the button. "Thank you." He paused. "Okay so any other questions or concerns please ask either myself or Blake or Andrews. But I think this should go pretty smoothly." He said with a reassuring smile.

We all moved into the foyer to greet our new guests. John led the way followed my parents then me with Bellamy and Mark behind me. A few seconds later the doors opened a two more members of our security entered followed by the prince and his team of two.

"Prince Aaron." My dad said immediately. He took a few steps forward and held out his hand to shake the Prince's. "Welcome." He said as he shook his hand firmly. "This is my wife, Queen Abigail." My dad held his arm out gesturing my mother to step up beside him. "And our daughter, Princess Clarke." He turned and looked over at me which I assumed meant I should step up next to them so I did. I have the Prince a small smile and he smiled back before scanning my body up and down with his eyes. Less than three seconds here and he has already made me feel uncomfortable. "I'm sure you want to get settled so, Sarah…" He said gesturing to our maid. "…will show you to your rooms."

"Thank you." Prince Aaron said with a small nod.

Sarah along with two of members of our security team took our new guests to their wing of the castle.

The moment I was able to I went straight to my room pulled off my dress and changed back into my shorts and tank top. I grabbed my phone off my desk and already had a new message from Bellamy.

'Well I already hate him. Did you see the way he was looking at you?'

I smiled. Jealous Bellamy was adorable and actually made me forget about what was going on for a few seconds.

'Yeah, I saw…it was disgusting. I am just glad I won't be alone with him. And BTW thank you for double checking things with John before they got here. You have no idea how much safer I feel when you are here.'

For dinner I put my black dress back on but added a sweater, the last thing I wanted was for Prince Aaron to be staring at my cleavage all night. I made a mental note to buy some more sweaters. I walked down the hall and ran into Bellamy who was standing just down the hall from my room.

"Good evening Princess." He said with a small nod.

"Good evening, Mr. Blake." I said with a small smile. He winked at me and I continued on my way towards the dining room. I was upset that Bellamy wasn't going to be in the dining room tonight but glad he was one of the ones guarding my wing.

Dinner was awkward and uncomfortable. My mother was unusually quiet and my dad was extremely chatty. He was constantly trying to start up conversations between me and Aaron. Usually when my parents invited possible suitors over it was my mom that tried to push us together. Part of me wondered how my mother felt about this. She hasn't really said much about the situation…not like she really had much of a say in it. She was only royal by marriage.

When I finally was able to get away I was more than a little disappointed that I didn't run into Bellamy again but when I got back to my room I saw that I had four new messages from him which made a huge smile appear on my face.

'That fool better not be staring at you like he was earlier.'

I laughed out loud. Jealous Bellamy was seriously so cute. The next message was a selfie, he had on his fake annoyed face…one of my favorites.

'Octavia just texted me and told me to bring home Oreos and it made me think of you.'

'I didn't get a chance to tell you today…you looked gorgeous. Way too good for some loser prince.'

After reading all his messages I went back to the photo and saved it to my phone. I took my sweater off, layed on my bed and took a quick selfie so I could send to him. I tossed my phone on my nightstand and went to take a shower.

I loved scorching hot showers. They always relaxed me and helped me sleep better. After my hot shower I dried off and wrapped the towel around my body before walking back into my room. I grabbed my phone and saw another message from Bellamy.

'My god you are beautiful.'

I smiled at his message. He was seriously making it impossible to not run out of my room right now, find him and jump into his arms.

'I know it is probably a no with all the heightened security tonight but if you have an opportunity to come see me it doesn't matter what time, I don't care if you wake me up.'

'Tomorrow night would probably be better princess.'

Not really the answer I wanted but I understood.

'I will be looking forward to it.' I added a wink face emoji before sending it.

I pulled the towel from my body, tossed it on the floor and crawled under the blankets.

'So, Mr. Blake what do you usually sleep in?'

'I guess it depends. Underwear usually I guess. Why are you trying to picture me naked?'

'Just curious. I am sleeping naked tonight.'

'Liar'

I laughed. I fixed the sheet so it barely covered my chest…enough for him to see that I was naked but not to really show anything. I made a kiss face and took a photo.

'See.'

'My new favorite picture. We need more photos of the two of us together BTW.'

'We will work on that tomorrow.'

I have already began writing chapter 22 so it won't be long until it is up. I am hoping with the show starting soon it will help to get me moving on this story and finish it up so I can move on to another! I am thinking we will have another 7-8 chapters for this story! Please leave a review and let me know you are still reading!

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