Even though Toni and Trish said they were good with Anthony and Serenity being together, it still felt like they were judging her.

She could see the disappointment every time they look at her growing belly. She wasn't far along, it just looked like she was bloated.

Tonight was a special party at her aunt and uncle's house. Something about introducing Javier. Hazel had called to talk to Anthony about her fears about the party.

She didn't want to scare Javier away with the pressure they would be under. He wasn't use to all eyes on him.

Anthony had calmed her fears a bit. Promising her that they would help where they could.

"That dress looks great on you", Anthony said, looking Serenity over.

She smiled.

"Really?", she asked, her hands on her stomach.

He smiled and nodded.

"Absolutely beautiful", he replied.

After they spoke to his parents, they had decided that living together would be the best option.

Her dads gave them their house. It felt rushed to them at first, but after the first month, nerves disappeared and it was like they were themselves again.

"Ready babies?", he asked.

She giggled and nodded. He reached out and took her hand. Everyone was in the castle and ready to go.

Her dads dressed as guards as her uncle and aunt were dressed nicely, suit and fancy dress.

They looked so good together. Rao took Paisley's hand. This would also be Paisley's first big introduction to the royals as Rao's girlfriend.

"Do you really want to go to this party?", Serenity asked.

Anthony nodded. His moms had promised his title would not change, but he would be stuck as a prince. Never a king.

Which he was perfectly fine with.

"I don't, but since I still have a title, I have too. Since you are with me, you must go too. Besides, we promised Haze we would help Javier.", he said.

She nodded.

"You will be a princess after all, you know, once we get married", he winked at her.

She smiled.


Javier was pacing in his room. It felt like he couldn't breathe. He didn't know why he agreed to this. He stopped.

He could run now and no one could stop him. Hazel promised he wasn't locked down to her, but then he would disappoint her.

He couldn't take disappointing her.

He sat back on his bed and loosened his tie.

Run.


Santiago arrived to the party, since he was royal blood on his mom's side, he was allowed to attend without anyone saying anything.

He smirked as he walked through the halls. Some of the other royals whispered about him and who his dad was. He didn't care. He shut his feelings down along time ago.

Getting to the room, he spotted Rao and Paisley. Rao's smile slipped.

"What the fuck is he doing here?", Rao growled.

"He has just as much of a right, son. Just be the bigger person. Ignore him", Roman whispered.

Paisley wrapped an arm around Rao, calming him. He exhaled.

"Don't worry, I will be good", he whispered to her.

She smiled up at him.


Faith had invited Breanne, hoping that maybe she was ready introduce herself as her girlfriend.

Breanne made her way to Javier's room. Before she could knock, it opened and he jumped.

"Shit, you scared me", he sighed.

"Sorry, I just wanted to talk. There is something you need to know, and now", she said.

"Bre, I am sorry, but I have to go. Sorry", he said, before rushing downstairs.

He wasn't dressed up. She looked into his room and saw his suit thrown around. He was running.

"Javier wait", she shouted after him.

She couldn't let him leave. Santiago was here to worm his way into Hazel's life with lies.

She followed him.

"Where are you going? You can't just leave. Hazel is counting on you", she said.

Javier stopped and faced her.

"I can't do this. I love her, yes, but its too much", he said, shaking his head.

She exhaled before telling him Santiago's plan. The one her mom and his made up. Then she went back and told him of their plans from the moment they got accepted to the school.

"How could you do that to Faith? To all of them. They trust you", he said.

"I know, but…", he stopped her.

"Its not me you have to explain yourself to. Its them, but mostly Faith.", he replied, before walking away.

Getting halfway down the drive, he stopped. He couldn't do this to Hazel. Could he?


Hazel was told by a maid that Javier had left. That broke her heart. Yes it would have hurt if he told her he couldn't do this, but it was better than him running and not telling her a word.

"Need a dance partner?", she turned to see Santiago.

She rolled her eyes.

"Anyone but you", she replied.

"Why? Because your cousin tells you I'm a bad guy? He doesn't even know me", Santiago replied.

She looked at him.

"Did you forget, we were all there from the beginning. We could have all been friends, but you just couldn't stop pushing Rao's buttons", Hazel said.

"What about the buttons he pushed with me? Shouldn't he be made a bad guy too? But its not him, its who my mother is, right?", Santiago said.

He shook his head.

"It was stupid of me to come here, thinking I could try to fit in. You all had already made up your minds about me", he added.

He set his cup down and started to walk away. She sighed.

"Santiago", she called.

He stopped, smirking since she couldn't see his face.

"One dance", she said.

His smirk disappeared and he turned to face her.

"I don't know if that's a good idea. Don't want your family to whisper about you and all", he shrugged.

She shook her head.

"Who I dance with is my business", she replied.

He smiled and nodded, taking her hand and walking towards the dance floor. Her dad was going to walk over and pull them apart, but Leslie stopped him.

"Don't make a scene. Its what he wants", she whispered.

Roman nodded.

"We know this, its how he works. You pull him off her, he's going to look like the victim", Roman said.

Rao couldn't believe Santiago. Hazel was a good person, she wouldn't be able to say no to him. Javier ran in and then over to them.

He told them what Breanne had said to him. Faith couldn't believe it, but Javier wouldn't lie.

He looked at her.

"I'm sorry. I know how you feel about her", he said.

She didn't know what to say to that, so she just nodded. His eyes scanned the dance floor till he spotted Hazel with Santiago.

"Can I interrupt?", he asked.

"You can", Anthony replied.

Javier made his way over.

"May I cut in?", he asked, stopping them from dancing.

Hazel looked surprised to see him. Santiago took a step back and bowed to her.

"Thank you for your time, princess", he said, before walking away.

Hazel raised a brow at him.

"Can we talk? Please. Let me explain myself", he said.

It took her a minute before she nodded and took his hand. They walked towards the garden.

"I don't know what I'm doing, Haze. I panicked for a moment or two. I didn't get far", he said.

She rolled her eyes.

"But I do love you. I see that now. I see what your dad meant. I would walk through fire for you, Haze.", he added.

"You could have told me. You could have skipped today if it was too much. We have to be able to talk to each other", she said.

He nodded.

"I know that now", he said.

He took her hands in his.

"Give me a second chance?", he asked.

She smiled.

"I can't promise I won't mess up again, but I can promise to come talk to you when I'm feeling overwhelmed", he said.

"That's all I can ask for", she said.

He leaned down and kissed her gently.

"Now, I don't know how much you are going to like this next part", he said.

"What?", she asked.

He told her what Breanne said. She was angry. She played with her sister's feelings and that wasn't okay. Then Santiago trying to play the innocent man.

"We have to find Faith", she said.

Javier nodded.


Breanne was still outside, in the same spot she told Javier everything.

"Why?", she shut her eyes and faced Faith.

Both women had been crying.

"Why?", she asked again.