A/N: This chapter starts Book 2. I haven't really figured out which path(s) I'm following yet, and there's a lot of differences between what I'm writing and the actual game - not in plot itself, just...changing up the scenes a little. Hopefully it works out, but let me know what you think!

It was the night of the Coronation Ball, and I was sitting alone in an empty terminal in the Cordonian International Airport. Well, alone except for a pair of surly palace guards who had been tasked with seeing me out of the country. Once the utterly humiliating photo of me and Tariq had hit the web, I had been led to my guest room, where I was told to pack my belongings, and then I was taken here, to the airport, and given a one-way ticket to New York. I hadn't been given a chance to say goodbye to my sponsors, my friends, and of course not Liam. Not that I was sure he'd want to hear from me anyway. After seeing the picture, I can only imagine how hurt he must have been. Although, his voice as he had proposed to Countess Madeleine did give me some idea of his feelings.

I sniffed and blew my nose noisily, not caring what I looked like. I had cried so much, I was dehydrated and out of tears. Now, I was just numb; dead to the world. Nothing else mattered, now that Liam was gone. A slight jolt of sadness hit me as my flight was announced, but I was already resigned to my fate. I didn't even have the wherewithal to imagine a rom-com-esque airport reunion scene, with Liam running up to the gate to stop me leaving at the last minute.

As it turned out, I did get something like that, though it wasn't Liam, and it wasn't really romantic. But as I gathered my bags, I was startled to hear a voice calling my name. "Wait! Riley!" I looked behind me and saw Maxwell and Bertrand sprinting through the terminal.

The guards blocked their way, pushing Maxwell back when he tried to reach me for a hug. Just seeing them, though, brought me back to life a little bit. I actually laughed when Bertrand went all...Bertrand on the guards, shouting at them, "You will keep your hands to yourself. I am the Duke of Ramsford!"

The title got their attention, and they politely bowed and let the guys through. "That's better," Bertrand said, straightening his suit jacket. "Now if you'll excuse us, we have business to conduct. Or will House Beaumont have to demand recompense for yet another slight?"

The guards looked startled and apologized profusely before walking away, leaving me alone with Bertrand and Maxwell.

"Riley!" Maxwell said, finally embracing me in that hug. I squeezed him tightly back.

"Maxwell, I'm so glad to see you! I thought I was going to have to leave Cordonia without even saying goodbye!"

"You're not going anywhere," Bertrand said matter-of-factly.

"I'm not?"

"No," Maxwell said, "We still believe in you, Riley!"

"Really? Both of you?" I looked questioningly at Bertrand.

Bertrand sighed and frowned. "Just tell me...is it true? That you've been carrying on a romantic relationship with Tariq?"

"Of course it's not true!" Maxwell shouted, but Bertrand shushed him and looked to me for my answer.

"Of course it's not true!" I repeated Maxwell's words with even more emphasis, and Bertrand smiled.

"Then you were set up. And I have no criticism over how you handled yourself. We're going to fight this. No one smears the name of House Beaumont."

"But..." I said, frowning and feeling a lump in my throat. "Does it even matter? Liam already chose Madeleine."

"Nothing is set in stone yet," Bertrand said, which I smiled at a little, imagining it was Bertrand-speak for Engaged Ain't Married. "But the more important matter is to resolve this nefarious plot against you. House Beaumont supports you unequivocally, and we will support you to the bitter end."

"And to the sweet end, too," Maxwell added quickly.

"Indeed," Bertrand agreed. "I am optimistic that we will prevail. Although we have our work cut out for us."

"What work is that?" I asked.

"We're going to have to prepare you for the engagement tour."

"I'm sorry, the what now?"

Bertrand cleared his throat, and when he spoke he sounded uncharacteristically apologetic. "The only unfortunate thing about clearing your name and figuring out what happened is that we have to follow the royal court around. And they will soon be gearing up for King Liam's and Countess Madeleine's royal engagement tour."

I gaped. They really wanted me to play the part of the proper noblewoman and support the engagement of the man I love to the woman I least liked in the world? And what, just hope that we can clear my name before their wedding, and hope that Liam forgives me and hope that he is willing to break off the engagement with Madeleine and marry me instead? I wasn't sure I had that much hope left in me. But, as I heard the final boarding call for my flight to New York, I realized that even staying in Cordonia with no hope at all was better than leaving. This was my home now – more than any place had ever felt like home to me. I couldn't give it up without a fight.

"Alright," I said quietly. "Let's do this."

"Wonderful," Bertrand said. "I assure you, Lady Riley, the perpetrators will get their comeuppance, or my name isn't Duke Bertrand Beaumont of Duchy Ramsford."

As we began the long journey back to Ramsford, Maxwell filled me in on what had happened to them after I was escorted from the ballroom.

"Palace security took us to a holding room," he was saying, his arm slung around my shoulder as we walked through the airport. "Bertrand really gave them the ol' what-for. He was all 'How dare you' and 'House Beaumont commands you to release us'. It was awesome."

"How did anyone survive the tongue-lashing?" I said with the first hint of a smile I had had all night.

"They didn't," Bertrand said proudly.

The next day, back at Ramsford, Bertrand was back to his old self and then some. He woke me up bright and early, dragging me to one of the house's smaller dining rooms, which he had set up like a command center with books piled on the table, notebooks and papers scattered around, and even, for some reason, a globe. I was surprised there wasn't a huge cork-board with pictures of suspects and lines drawn in yarn to connect the clues.

"Because of the plot against you," Bertrand said as he motioned for me to take a seat. "The press is currently having a field day smearing your name. I'll figure out how best to spin the media circus, but you will have to ensure your future behavior is impeccable." He picked up a stack of books, and I nodded, preparing myself for a long week of reading up on Cordonian history. Instead, Bertrand moved to put the books on my head.

"Seriously?" I groaned. "Is this Princess Diaries?"

He had no idea what I was talking about, of course, but explained that proper posture was step one in my education. "You're learning as much about courtly behavior as you can before the tour kicks off. This time, you'll be prepared for anything."

After that, the next few weeks were basically a movie montage of dance lessons, wine tasting courses, and name-that-noble pop quizzes. Maxwell even dragged me out running with him a few times, although I think that was just because he wanted the company. Looking back, I always imagine those few weeks passing by in a blur set to the soundtrack of "Eye of the Tiger," with the final notes ending as we approached Madeleine's estate in Fydelia.

I stared out the window of our limo and watched the beautiful, rustic stone mansion grow larger and larger as we neared it. While Maxwell and Bertrand had done their best to prepare me for this moment, I had also spent the weeks growing more and more unsure of myself. I hadn't heard a single word from anyone outside House Beaumont. Not Drake, not Hana...obviously not Liam. Today I would finally see Liam, and I wasn't sure I could handle watching him smile and greet guests with Madeleine on his arm. Especially without any of my friends there to help (other than Maxwell, of course, but he wasn't always the most sensitive about these sorts of things). I took a deep steadying breath as we pulled to a stop and got out of the limo.

"It was very gracious of Countess Madeleine to offer us a place to stay in her estate," Bertrand said as we were led to our rooms.

Or, she just wants to torture me and rub her victory in my face, I thought.

We didn't have much time to settle in, as the opening dinner of the engagement tour was about to begin. I quickly got dressed – I had had my outfit planned for over a week; I knew I had to look absolutely perfect if I was going to walk into that room with my head held high – and Maxwell escorted me to the ballroom.

As soon as we entered the room, I heard the gasps and whispers from all sides. I gripped Maxwell's arm tighter but kept a dignified smile on my face as we made our way through the crowd. Madeleine greeted us with an icy smile of her own. "Lady Riley, I'm so pleased that your recent fall from grace didn't keep you away. A lesser woman more well-versed in courtly politics might have gone into hiding. It's so brave of you to be here."

I narrowed my eyes, but widened my smile. Using my best unaffected tone, I waved my free hand dismissively. "You know what they say, Nolite te bastardes carborundorum."

I thought I saw the faintest hint of a real smile on Madeleine's lips, but she nodded and said, "Quite," just as icily as ever.

"Which of course," Maxwell jumped in, "Is latin for...congratulations on your engagement! We really appreciate you hosting House Beaumont."

"Of course, we wouldn't dream of keeping you away, would we Liam darling?" She looked behind me, where Liam was walking towards our group.

My heart beat fast and hard as Liam stepped around me and took his place next to Madeleine. I hadn't cried over Liam in almost a week - not since a teary phone call with my mother, where she gave me an oh-so-loving "I told you so" speech, and I had hung up in a fit a anger. But seeing Madeleine take Liam's arm, and then seeing him smile like nothing was wrong, I almost burst into tears all over again. I remembered the waterfall he had taken me to, and the legend that went with it. Pretty soon I was going to be just like that lady who lost her love, and disappear into a flood of tears. Except, my love was still alive and well, and complimenting me on my outfit.

"I've missed you," was the only thing I managed to say, and I was a little surprised when Liam frowned and returned the sentiment.

"I've missed you too," he said, "We need to-"

Madeleine cut him off. "We need to greet the rest of our guests, sweetheart." She turned her eyes on me as she uttered the last word, reveling in my tragedy. To top it off, she reached up and kissed Liam sweetly on the cheek.

"Of course, dear," he said, and bowed to me and Maxwell, then guided Madeleine away.

I let out a long, slow breath. Maxwell commended me for keeping a cool head, though I didn't feel like I had. "We need to be careful around Madeleine right now," he warned.

"But there's so much that Liam and I need to talk about."

"I know," he said with a pat on my hand. "But it'll have to wait. Maybe you'll get a chance to talk to him in private later. For now, I see Bertrand over by the tables. He must have found our seats."

We made our way to the back of the room, but were met halfway by Lady Penelope and Lady Kiara. Penelope greeted me with a warm smile, but Kiara quickly scowled her into submission. "We are a part of Madeleine's court, now," she reminded Penelope. "We shouldn't even be seen talking to Lady Riley."

"I thought we were becoming friends," I said sadly.

"Friendship has nothing to do with it," Kiara said coolly. "Madeleine has made us her ladies-in-waiting."

"It's a huge, huge honor," Penelope explained. "We're basically her closest confidantes!"

"But that also means we're beholden to be loyal to her," Kiara finished.

I thanked them for at least letting me know of the situation before they hurried off to sit with Madeleine at the head table. Maxwell and I continued to our table, in the very back of the room. "Back at the bad kids' table," I said as I plopped into my seat.

As we ate, Bertrand filled me in on his investigation, speaking in low, hushed tones over the soup bowls. "I spoke briefly with some of the reporters," he said. "They haven't been able to reach Tariq for comment."

"What about Drake?" I asked. "He's the one that rescued me, he could explain everything."

Bertrand shook his head. "There's no real proof that he was there that night. And, not to be indelicate, but your close relationship with him makes him seem like an untrustworthy witness."

"There's nothing inappropriate about my relationship with Drake," I hissed, a little too defensively. "And he wouldn't lie!"

"Even so, that may not be how the press sees things. According to Ms. De Luca, the best chance we have at clearing your name is to compel Tariq to make a statement with you explaining the misunderstanding."

"Except no one's seen him since Applewood," Maxwell said.

"Where do you think Tariq fits in to this conspiracy?" Bertrand asked me.

"He seemed confused; he thought I was in his room. I think he was set up just as much as I was."

"If he's being used as a pawn, it's likely that whoever set this up wanted him out of the way to prevent him from coming forward with the truth."

"Out of the way?" I asked with a grimace. "Like..." I ran my index finger across my throat and made a dying noise.

"Good Heavens, Lady Riley, don't be so dramatic!"

"Just checking!"

"I'm sure we'll be able to find Tariq," Maxwell assured me.

I looked at the head table, where Madeleine was feeding Liam a bite of lobster. "The sooner the better," I said.

After dinner, I went straight back to my room and flopped onto my bed. I grabbed a chocolate bar from the mini fridge and ate it in big bites as I hugged a pillow to my chest. I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through this engagement tour.

As I was finishing my pity chocolate, there was a knock at my door. I opened it to see a huge bouquet of red roses, hovering where Maxwell's head should be. He peered around the flowers and smiled. "Special delivery!"

He stepped into the room and set the flowers on an end table. "Did you get me flowers?" I asked with surprise.

"No," he scoffed. "Housekeeping must have sent them over. They were outside your door when I arrived. I just wanted to check and see how you're doing."

I strode to the table and buried my nose in the bouquet, sucking up the smell of the beautiful roses. As I did, I noticed there was a piece of paper wrapped around one of the stems. I unwrapped it and held it up. It was a note! I read it aloud. "I wouldn't blame you if you're furious with me, but please meet me so I can at least explain. I'll be on the balcony outside my room in twenty minutes."

I showed the note to Maxwell, who told me it was Liam's handwriting. I furrowed my brow, thinking deeply about what Liam had written. Half of me wanted to badly to go to him and talk this whole thing out, but the other half of me was scared of what he was going to say. "Should I go?" I asked Maxwell.

"Yes! But..." he frowned. "The hallway's crowded with staff and nobles. Madeleine basically put you in the corner of the estate farthest from Liam. He must not have known. It'd be impossible for you to go see him without someone noticing."

I looked around the room, noticing the large tree outside my window. "I could sneak out that way," I mused, "And meet him outside on his balcony. Very Romeo and Juliet." Whether from my nerves or just because I was already exhausted, I shook my head. "I'd better not. I hope he'll understand. I'm sure there will be another way for us to meet in private tomorrow."

"Yeah..." Maxwell said, trying to follow my train of thought. "Falling out of a tree is probably not what Bertrand would consider proper court etiquette. You'd better just get some rest for now. I'll see you in the morning...bright and early!"

I nodded and gave Maxwell a big hug goodbye. After he left, I quickly got into my pajamas and fell right asleep. I was woken up a few hours later, in the wee hours of the morning, by an unexpected and rapid knocking on my door. I climbed out of bed and opened the door just a crack to see who it was.

My jaw dropped when I saw Liam, but I quickly resolved my face into a frown as I saw the distraught expression on his face.

"I'm sorry for disturbing you," he started. "But once I realized where your room was, I knew that asking you to meet me was asking the impossible. But...I still need to talk with you."

I nodded and stepped back, letting him in and closing the door softly behind him. I stood, leaning with my back against the door, and watched as Liam paced my room anxiously. "What are you doing here, Liam?" I asked after a moment of silence. I wasn't angry, though my voice sure sounded like it. I was just confused, and sleepy, and frustrated by life.

"I had to see you." He stepped toward me and took my hand, but I pulled it back.

"You're engaged." I said flatly.

"That's true," he frowned. "But...Madeleine and I have an arrangement."

"What do you mean?"

"She knows I don't love her."

"She does?"

"Yes. And, she simply doesn't care. She's...umcompromisingly practical, and as cunning as she is calculating. This arrangement suits her actually. But that's not my point." He ran his hand through his hair, messing it up, which made me smile a small smile. He smiled a little back, and took my hand again. I let him, but didn't move from my perch at the door. "I can't stay long," he said quietly, "But I had to see you, to talk to you. To tell you how much I've missed you."

My heart was aching so badly; Liam was so close, but still felt so far away from me. "How could you just let me go like that?" I whispered, my voice shaky. "After those photos surfaced...we didn't even get a chance to talk."

"I know," he said, eyebrows drawn.

I looked down, not wanting to look in his eyes. "Are you going to ask me if it's true?"

He actually laughed, which made me whip my head up to meet his gaze. "You and Tariq?" he said. "I don't need to ask to know that it was either fake or a setup."

I laughed a little, happy that Liam knew and trusted me so well. But my eyes were watery. "If you know, then..."

"Why did I choose Madeleine?" he finished, when I couldn't get the words out. I nodded. He shook his head sadly. "Someone wanted to prevent you from becoming queen. Someone with considerable resources, access to the royal court, and the ruthlessness to put you in a compromising position. And if I had stood up there and chosen you, Riley...from then on, you'd be in danger. I'm so sorry that it happened as it did, but in that moment, the only way I could think of to keep you safe was to make them think they'd won."

I nodded along as he spoke. Everything he was saying made sense. It didn't stop the hurt in my heart, but at least my brain recognized that Liam had been looking out for my best interests. "I understand," I said, sniffing a little. "I just wish you'd reached out sooner."

"I wanted to, believe me. I can only imagine how difficult this entire ordeal must have been for you. But it was too dangerous to risk reaching out. Whoever set this up wanted to keep you from being queen. If I had proposed to you in spite of the pictures...I was scared they would resort to more drastic means of getting rid of you. And, in order for this to work, to keep you safe, it had to appear that I believed the photos and severed ties with you."

I laughed a single syllable, devoid of joy. "You did a good job with that."

I could see the pain that my words were causing him, but I didn't care. He frowned and cupped my face with one hand. "I got engaged to Madeleine to buy us time. Her hope is that nothing changes, and I simply end up marrying her. But if we're able to figure out who's plotting against you...then anything is possible. Until then, for your safety, it must still appear as though we're no longer involved." He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "At least in public."

I knew he wanted to kiss me then, but he didn't move. I let us stand that way for a long time, processing everything he had said. Then, I reached up and kissed him myself. I could feel his relief and love as he pulled me closer to him. His hands tangled in my hair, and I pushed him gently back until he walked us back to my bed. He sat on the bed, and I straddled his lap. I kissed his chin and jaw, and moved to nibble his ear lobe. He let out a low moan, and I whispered in his ear, "I missed you."

I pulled back to look into his eyes, and they glistened with tears. "I love you so much, Riley," he said. "I'm so sorry for everything I've put you through."

I put a finger on his lips and shushed him softly. "You can make it up to me right now." I pulled his jacket off in a hurry, and Liam pulled my pajama top off before picking me up and laying me down on the bed. He loosed a flurry of kisses along my neck and chest as I worked on his pants. With all our clothes discarded, Liam gave me one last long, loving look before I pulled him to me, my lips touching his ear. "Please," I moaned, and he did not keep me waiting.

After many long minutes of bliss, I lay wrapped in Liam's arms, listening to his heartbeat as our breathing slowed back to normal. "Does this mean I'm your mistress?" I said after a while. I was joking, but Liam sounded horrified.

"Of course not!"

I sat up to look at him. I gave him my best lop-sided smile, and he relaxed a little. "I don't mind. I can be your mistress. At least, for a little while."

Liam sat up and kissed me softly, then let his forehead rest against mine. "You are the love of my life, Riley." He sighed and pulled himself away from me. "It's so late. I should go."

I nodded, moving away so he could get out of bed and find his clothes. Once he was dressed, he kissed my forehead, then paused at the door before he left, looking at me like his eyes were magnets, and I was made of metal. "Take care of yourself, Riley," he said quietly, and then he was gone.

I lay back in bed, trying and failing to sift through all my emotions before the haze of sleepiness overtook me.

Before I knew it, it was morning. There was a knock on the door, and I jumped up, scrambling to find my discarded PJ's before answering it. I was expecting Maxwell.

"Oh my god," I squealed when I saw who was actually standing there. "Hana!"