"The Cordonian Ruby is a staple of the nation's economy, and a point of extreme national pride. The tart and juicy apple was specially cultivated in the orchards that now sit alongside the royal family's country manor, Applewood. The Cordonian Apple Blossom Festival is traditionally attended by the entire royal court, as well as many citizens and tourists who make the trip to the countryside for the week-long event." I was reading aloud from my travel guide as we neared Applewood.

"Well, yes," Bertrand said, unenthused. "That is all technically accurate. They could have described the apple a little better."

"How would you describe it?" I asked, looking up. He wore a smile, which was a rare, almost unsettling sight.

He answered immediately, with a practiced air, but still managed to sound sincere. "The Cordonian Ruby is a red varietal that's pleasantly crisp with an intense flavor that has notes of honeyed caramel."

"That's the most poetic thing I've ever heard you say."

"Some things call for a little poetry."

"Like...apples. Obviously." I glanced at Maxwell, but he was listening to headphones, eyes closed, head bobbing, so could provide me no sense of normalcy in my conversation to Bertrand.

"Precisely," Bertrand agreed with me, oblivious to my sarcasm. "Now, let us review your role this weekend in earnest..."

I put my book down as I settled in for my lecture. As Bertrand explained, the "game" had completely changed now that the King had announced his retirement. As I had known since the day of the Regatta, Liam's feelings about me were less important than ever. It was all about wowing the court and the citizens of Cordonia. The press would be in attendance at the festival, so my main priority was looking and sounding good in front of the cameras. Which meant, our first stop after arriving was the nearest high-end boutique.

I picked out a cute, country-chic dress that was white with a floral pattern on the skirt. I balked a little at the price tags, but bought it anyway. I was making just enough with writing to cover my credit card's monthly minimum payments, and racking up more and more debt each week. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do if I had to leave Cordonia a peasant at the end of this, but I figured I'd worry about it when the time came.

Later that day, Maxwell and Bertrand escorted me to the apple orchards, where a crowd of people were waiting eagerly to see the members of the court. All the ladies that were vying for Liam's hand stood in a loose semicircle under the shade of a large apple tree. I joined them, squeezing into the only open space, between Olivia and Madeleine.

"Shouldn't you be in the back somewhere with Drake and the other commoners?" Olivia sneered at me the instant I was within earshot.

"Shh," Madeleine hushed, "It's starting." She put on a perfect smile and pulled her shoulders back, ready for the cameras.

We all turned our attention to the King and Queen, who were standing in the center of our half-circle, proudly smiling. Near their feet were several wicker baskets, full of brilliant red apples. Just behind them was a throng of reporters and cameramen, rapt as they waited for the King to speak.

"Welcome to the annual Apple Blossom Festival!" King Constantine shouted, raising his arms to the crowd of reporters, and the citizens behind them.

"As is tradition," Queen Regina continued, "Myself and several ladies of the court will sample the apples of the first picking of the season!" She made a gesture to one of her guards or servants or whoever it was that trailed around her everywhere. They took a wicker basket and distributed an apple to each of the suitors. I looked at mine carefully. It was certainly beautiful; not as dark as a Red Delicious – more bright like, well like a ruby. Perfectly round. I wanted to sniff it, but thought that would look weird, so I resisted.

"It looks delicious," I said aloud, though I wasn't sure who I was talking to.

Olivia was the one who answered me. "Oh, it is. I can't wait for you to try it." She was smiling with her pointed incisors gleaming, which made me worry. But I tried to ignore her; she was always playing mind games, I couldn't afford to let her get in my head.

"You know," Madeleine said, sounding more sincere than usual. "I actually look forward to this every year."

"Ladies, if you will," announced the Queen. "Please try your apples."

At once, we all took a large bite from our apples. Keenly aware of the cameras pointed at me, I did my best not to make a mess, but as soon as I bit into the fruit, I realized I had other things to worry about.

It was so bitter! My eyes widened in shock, but I managed to quickly swallow my bite and fix a tight smile on my face. "Did you enjoy the apple, Lady Riley?" a reporter asked. I turned to look at them and widened my smile. "It certainly has character," I said.

"The first crop of the season always has a particular bite to it," Madeleine was saying to someone next to me. "I rather like the taste, personally."

"You would," Olivia scowled under her breath. I had to choke back a laugh at that, and Olivia raised her eyebrow at me.

Just then, the King cleared his throat, calling everyone to attention. "It looks like our ladies enjoyed their apples," he said happily. "I'd like to extend a special thanks to our apple growers and farmers for preserving our noble tradition."

"And with that," Queen Regina piped up, "Happy Apple Blossom Festival!"

The crowd cheered, and people started dispersing into the orchard to pick their own baskets of apples. I was about to join them, noticing Maxwell and Drake among that crowd, but the reporters rushed forward as soon as the King and Queen were out of the way, cornering me and all the suitors for interviews. I was trapped into posing with Olivia and Madeleine. We answered a few basic questions, and I had to say I was impressed with Madeleine's handling of the press. Jealous, but impressed. Even when I said something that had nothing to do with her, she managed to find a way to segue into a statement that showed her best side.

Finally, Donny Brine, one of the reporters I had seen at every occasion, asked the final question, directed at all three of us. "You've been at court enjoying all the events the social season has to offer, competing for the Prince's attention. At this stage, who do you think the Prince will choose?"

I jumped in with an answer first, which I won't lie, I was rather proud of. "The Prince will choose whoever will make the best queen," I said. "He is loyal and dedicated. He'll do what's best for his country and people."

"But you're still wishing it'll be you?" Asked Ana De Luca, the writer for Trend magazine.

"With all my heart," I said, knowing I was blushing. "But I know Prince Liam will do what's right, and I'm trying to be worthy of his choice."

"Very well-put, Lady Riley," Madeleine said, and I could tell she wasn't just saying it for the cameras; I had actually impressed her.

"Really?" I said, surprised.

"Yes. I know I find the Prince's devotion to cause and country inspiring."

"As do we all," Ana agreed. "That's it for questions."

"Thank you ladies," Donnie said with a nod. "Especially you, Lady Riley. Your answers were quite interesting."

The reporters all walked off, leaving me alone with Olivia and Madeleine. Olivia was glaring at me, but Madeleine looked like she was sizing me up. "That was...informative," she said at last. "Lady Riley, you answered with such grace and poise."

"Thank you," I said, probably a little too enthusiastically.

"It was rather enviable. I only hope you can keep it up without any mishaps." Her genuine smile grew snide. "Some women can't handle the pressure."

"I think I'll be okay," I said, sneering a little.

"As will I," Olivia chimed in, still scowling fiercely. "If either of you think you've won, you've got another thing coming."

"Oh Olivia, dear," Madeleine said. She put a hand patronizingly on Olivia's shoulder, but was promptly shoved away. "I think we all know where we stand. May the best woman win." With that, she sauntered off, not waiting for a response. Olivia shook her head and stalked off in the opposite direction. I looked around for a minute and found Bertrand standing nearby, as if waiting for me.

"You did well up there with the press," Bertrand said. "Madeleine didn't shake you."

I shook my head, "No, but I'm beginning to see how serious of a threat she is. She spun everything positively for herself."

"Still, this gives me hope."

"Oh!" I said, remembering the apple. "Thanks for not giving me a heads up on the apple!" I wanted to punch his shoulder, but thought he might have me arrested for treason or something. "You said it tasted like caramel!"

"I said it had an intense flavor. Besides, if you can't handle something as simple as a sour apple, I shudder to think how you'll crumble when presented with a real challenge."

I sighed and shook my head. There was no sense arguing with him. "So what's next?"

"Right now, I suggest you go down this path and enjoy a stroll through the royal gardens." I must have given him a skeptical look, because he went on to explain, "I have it on good authority that the Prince is there now. I'll catch up with you later."

I nodded, "Ah, okay." He pointed me in the right direction, and I wandered off to the gardens. Most of the people from court were milling about in pairs or small groups. I kept to myself, marveling at the beautiful flower beds and blossoming trees, while keeping an eye out for the only person I cared to pair off with. Where could he be? I wondered, not seeing him anywhere. Just then, I noticed a curtained off area with a sign saying "Gazebo Closed". I peeked behind it, because honestly, what else was I going to do? And to my surprise, Liam was there! He was staring at a still pond filled with golden Koi. I pushed all the way through the curtain, letting it fall behind me. "Liam?" I said quietly, not wanting to startle him.

He spun around. "Riley!"

His face was surprised to see me, but also sad. "Is something wrong?" I asked, frowning.

"No. It's just...it's nothing. Never mind."

I frowned harder, furrowing my eyebrows. "Liam. I can tell something's bothering you. You can tell me. You can talk to me about anything, I promise." I edged nearer to him, and we both turned to stare out at the pond.

"Riley, can I ask you something?" Liam said after a long pause.

"Of course."

"Do you...do you think you could handle being queen of Cordonia? Truly?"

I paused before answering, my lips a tight line. That wasn't what I was expecting. "Honestly? I've been thinking about that so much lately. When I first came here, I didn't really think I had a chance of being queen. It was more about having an adventure and getting to spend some more time with you. But...the more I got to know you, the more I wanted to be queen. Not, like, because I wanted to be Queen." I shook my head. The words weren't coming out right. "I've never been one to take on extra responsibility, especially when it means managing...or ruling...other people. But if that's part of the deal...part of being with you...I would be willing to do it. So I've been trying to figure out if I could. And...I think I can. It's a little scarier now that I won't have...that I'll be Queen immediately. But, as long as you're there to help me, I feel like I can handle anything."

"Thats...good," he said slowly. "You know, they say that those who seek power are the ones least fit to wield it. Maybe it's good that you've never cared about having power."

I nodded. "That's what I'm hoping." I paused, then added, "Is that what's been on your mind recently?" I hadn't seen Liam much since the day of the Regatta, and I wasn't sure if it was because of the King's announcement, or because of what had happened with us, or what he almost said to me at the waterfall. Or if it was just because he was busy getting ready for his coronation.

"That's part of it. But as for the rest...it's not something I can talk about. With anyone. But trust me, if I could, you'd be the one I want to tell."

I nodded and took his hand. We stared at the water for a minute, then he stepped away, pulling me with him and turning so we were facing each other. "Honestly," he said, his voice a little more chipper, "I'll be fine. Anyway, it's just boring royal business. Not worth troubling you about in any case."

I smiled up at him, and he smiled back. "Then why don't we take your mind off it with a stroll through the gardens?"

He nodded and led me out of the gazebo to the garden path. As we strolled, still hand-in-hand, I sighed contentedly. Liam looked at me with an eyebrow raised, but didn't say anything. "It's just so beautiful here," I said. "I've never seen so many apple blossoms."

"The festival is a special time of year for this garden. I could stay here all day. But..." he trailed off.

I prompted him. "But?"

"But I have plans to meet Drake."

"Oh?" That wasn't what I was expecting. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt guy time." I smiled.

"You're welcome to come with me," Liam said, grinning widely. "He'd probably be happy to see you. He sort of dreads this day every year."

"What's he got against apples?"

Liam laughed. "Nothing. It's just that, well, today is Drake's birthday."

"Really?" I squealed. Now we were talking. I was sure Liam had something fun planned for Drake. "What are we doing to celebrate?"

"Drake isn't really the type to celebrate."

I deflated a little. Of course not, I thought.

Liam continued, "He usually spends the day hiding out in his room. Sometimes I'm able to convince him to have a drink with me. But that's about as far as it goes." I shook my head in disappointment. As I did, Liam looked over my shoulder and nodded. "There he is now."

Drake, followed by Maxwell and Hana, walked towards Liam and me. "Drake!" I shouted.

He looked at me suspiciously. "Why do you seem so happy to see me?" I beamed at him, and his face turned to one of horror. "Oh, no." He looked at Liam. "God, no."

"Yep," I said. I had my hands behind my back and I was twirling a little, like a little girl acting cute to get out of punishment. "Happy Birthday."

"Liam," Drake sputtered, "You told her?" He didn't sound angry, exactly, but he definitely wasn't pleased.

"My apologies Drake," Liam said, sounding sincere. "I forgot that it was such a closely guarded secret."

Drake shook his head and waved his hand. "It's fine. It doesn't matter, because this is the last time we're ever going to speak of it ever again. Ever."

"You don't want to do something fun on your birthday?" Hana asked. "Even I was allowed petit fours and an hour playing with my father's cat each year."

"Man, Drake," Maxwell said, "Even Hana feels bad for you."

Drake scowled. "I don't need fun to enjoy myself. Besides, what could you jokers possibly want to do that would be fun for me?"

Maxwell rolled his eyes and turned to me. "Are all Americans as fussy about birthdays as Drake is?"

I gave a confused look. "Drake, you're American? I mean, that explains the accent, but-"

"Half," he corrected me. "On my mother's side."

"Hmm..." I said, pulling out my phone. "That gives me an idea." I did a quick search, and then shouted, "Aha!" They all looked at me expectantly. "There's an American-Western themed bar 5.7 miles from here." I looked up at Drake. "What do you say? Whiskey. Mechanical bull. Good-old-fashioned American fun?"

"I guess it doesn't sound horrible," he conceded, "But I can't ask you guys to sneak out for that."

"Nonsense," Liam said, smiling and patting Drake on the shoulder. "I'd love to."

"I'd also like to understand more of Riley's American culture," Hana added.

"And I'll take any excuse to drink and dance the night away!" Maxwell declared, moving his shoulders in a little dance for emphasis.

"Come on, Drake, that settles it," I said. "We're going out tonight!"

Everyone except Drake cheered. The birthday boy himself just shrugged. "Fine."

Later that night, we all arrived at the bar I had found. It was called "American Glory," and it was apparently run by an ex-pat from Texas. It really looked like we could be in San Antonio or somewhere; even the music was old-school country. I had borrowed a pair of brown cowboy boots from Hana and was wearing them with my white dress from earlier. She was in a red and white gingham dress and red cowboy boots. We got a couple of whistles from the bar as we walked in. I grinned and winked, but Hana just blushed. "Is it too much?" She asked me shyly.

"No way," I said, "You look amazing."

Behind us, Drake growled. "I can't believe you talked me into this."

"First order of business," I said, grabbing Drake's arm and leading him, "We've got to get you a birthday drink!"

"I'll buy the first round," Liam offered.

"On his birthday? Any bartender with a heart would give him a free drink to start the night off, don't you think?" I asked.

Drake scoffed as we reached the bar, and pulled my hand off his arm. "Free drinks are something that happens when you're a woman, Riley."

I frowned. "That's sexist."

He shrugged. "Even on my twenty-first birthday, I didn't get so much as a free drop from anyone."

"No? Well, let me see what I can do." I turned and waved to get the bartender's attention. He came over and asked me what I wanted. "My friend here is celebrating his birthday today!" I said with my best for-the-presses smile. "Can we get a drink for him, on the house?"

He looked at me for a minute, then at Drake, then back at me, and finally nodded. I giggled. "Thank you! Whiskey on the rocks, please." As the bartender got Drake's drink, I turned to him with a triumphant smile.

"It's like everything I know is wrong."

"Maybe you just have to be nice to people."

Drake snapped his fingers and his eyes lit up. "No, wait. I figured it out! He did it for you. No one says no to a hot girl."

I looked up at him like, Did I just hear you right? "Drake, did you just call me hot?"

He flushed. "I just meant...from his perspective."

"Uh-huh," I said, nodding but unconvinced. "Sure." Drake grabbed his drink and we headed to a booth.

"I'm surprised you didn't order me some frilly girly drink," he said as he took a sip of his whiskey.

"Well, it is your birthday," I said. "Everyone deserves at least one day out of the year where everyone is nice to them."

"A guy could get used to this," he said, leaning back in the booth. He kicked his feet up on the other side, next to where I was sitting. Just then, Hana, Maxwell, and Liam came up.

"There you two are," Hana said.

"Prince Liam just paid the guy operating the mechanical bull," Maxwell said. "He wants Drake to ride!"

Liam was grinning widely at Drake.

"Me?" Drake spat, "No way."

"I figured you wouldn't want to," Maxwell said, "But Liam says you're some kind of expert."

"Is that true?" I laughed.

"There's only one way you'd get to find out," Drake said sternly, "And I'm not drunk enough to make a fool of myself yet."

"Personally, I'd rather see Hana try," Maxwell said slyly.

Hana started as color crept into her cheeks. "Oh, I couldn't. I wouldn't even know where to begin!"

"Yeah," Maxwell said, jabbing an elbow into her side. "That's why it's be fun!" He turned to me. "Okay, tie-breaker vote, Riley. Hana or Drake?"

I thought about it for a minute. "Since it's Drake's birthday..." I said slowly, savoring the rising panic on Drake's face. "I suppose we should let him off the hook and make Hana try it." Drake relaxed and even broke out into a smile.

Hana's eyes grew wide. "But I wouldn't be any good at all!"

"Maybe that's exactly why you should try it," I told her. "It's okay to be terrible at something every now and then."

"In fact, it's kind of liberating," Maxwell agreed.

"Well...okay." Hana said, steeling her face. She marched up to the mechanical bull and gracefully pulled herself on, adjusting her skirt as she settled in. "Yee...haw?" She said, looking questioningly at me.

I laughed hard, and gave her a thumbs up. The bull began to buck and twist. "Remember, one hand up!" I shouted at Hana. She held one arm high, and gripped the saddle hard with the other.

"WOAH!" she yelled as she nearly got thrown off with the first buck. "Good bull! Nice bull!"

"You've got this, Hana!" Liam hollered.

After a few seconds, she was flung to the side by a massive buck. I ran over to help her up, worried that she might be hurt, but as I got there, she was laughing so hard she could hardly breath. She clung to me as we made our way back over to our booth. "Oh goodness," she said when she managed to stop laughing. "I don't think I've ever laughed so hard!"

"That was amazing!" I said to her, proudly. "Are you glad you did it?"

"Definitely." She smiled proudly as the guys congratulated her. "Riley, you should try it, too!"

I widened my eyes, but shrugged. "I guess I can't force you to do something if I'm not willing to do it, too."

I did my best to imitate Hana's graceful mount as I clambered onto the bull. I held one hand up and gripped the saddlehorn tightly with the other hand. I had done this once before, so I knew to tense my thighs and hang on tight. To my surprise, I managed to last the entire eight seconds. As the bull slowed to a stop, I dismounted, managing a wobbly curtsy as the bar applauded. I made my way back to the booth, where my friends were holding up score cards hastily made with coasters and a pen.

"Perfect 10's!" I said gleefully. "You're too kind."

"That was incredible!" Hana squealed. "How did you do that?"

I shrugged and blushed a little. It was the first time I was better than Hana at something, and I was trying not to let it go to my head.

Just then, the music picked up, and Maxwell decided it was time to dance. He dragged Drake as Hana followed gamely behind. Liam looked at me, and I shook my head. "After that, I don't think my legs can take any more exercise for a few minutes at least." He sat back down in the booth next to me. "You should go dance with them," I said, nudging him with my shoulder. "I'll be fine on my own."

He grabbed my hand under the booth. With his other hand he took a sip from his drink. "I get enough dancing at royal functions. I'd rather spend my time with you." I leaned my head on his shoulder and he moved to put an arm around me.

I looked up, still leaning against him, and he was looking down at me with a warm smile on his face. "Prince Liam, what on earth could you be thinking right now?"

He flushed slightly and cleared his throat before answering me. "Just how enjoyable it is to have you so close."

"That's funny," I said, "I was just thinking the same thing."

We sat in silence for the rest of the song, and then Maxwell dragged us both out to the dance floor to join the rest of our group. We spent the rest of the night alternately dancing and drinking, laughing and talking. Even Drake couldn't help but admit that he had a blast.

"We shut this place down!" Maxwell shouted as we finally packed up to leave. It was true, the bar was empty now except for us. Although, this wasn't New York. It was barely midnight. But considering we would all probably be up early the next day, we were definitely out past bedtime.

"What did you think, Hana?" I asked as we gathered our things. She was beaming.

"This was scary...but a fun kind of scary?"

I nodded and threw an arm around her shoulder.

"You'll learn to love going out. Just wait until next time," Maxwell said.

"Next time?" Hana asked, mouth agape.

"I hope there's a next time," Liam said as we piled into his limo. "As long as we can find another way to sneak out."

I gave his hand a little squeeze as I settled in next to him. "We'll make it happen," I promised.