Yay I've got reviews! And it's only been like 24 hours... Thank you guys!! Sorry - reviews make me very happy...

And arientindomerel - Vaughn cheated on Sydney so in that sense, he's a bad guy... As for Noah, you'll see later on what role he plays...

Anyways, here's the next chapter - it's a bit short so I apologize. I promise the next one will be much longer. Enjoy!

Chapter Two

As soon as Sydney stepped off the plane, she became surrounded by security. "What's going on?"

The men didn't answer – instead, they quickly ushered her to yet another limo before slamming the door in her face. Startled and anxious, she took a quick sweep and noticed she wasn't alone – two men were seated across from her, an older gentleman about her father's age and a younger one who she guessed was her supposed husband-to-be.

"I apologize for the lack of a better welcome but unfortunately we are pressed for time. I am Alexander Khasinau, first advisor to his majesty and this of course is his majesty himself, Prince Julian."

"Um... Hi."

Sydney could not have been more nervous and Prince Julian wasn't helping matters. He looked as if he'd rather drink gasoline than get married – a feeling she shared unequivocally. Although she was expecting him to be handsome from the various pictures she had seen of him over the years, she had to admit to herself that the photos didn't do nearly enough justice. He looked good. Real good. Too bad he's acting like a complete prick though. He probably thinks he's god's gift to women and men everywhere. Thankfully, before she could feel even more uncomfortable and inadequate in "his royal highness'" presence, Khasinau spoke.

"I don't know how much Irina has told you but we re really grateful for your assistance in this sensitive matter. My prince's late father was a rather strict man and very set in his ways. He firmly believed that to rule and to have the respect of the people, one must be knowledgeable in many ways, including that of being in a marriage. His only stipulation for the throne was that the prince be engaged to be married within the year. My prince has looked for a wife but found none to be suitable and so I offered an alternative. I will personally be performing the ceremony – it will make it easier for us to fake it – and you will spend the next two weeks before the announcement of the engagement in training."

"Training?" Sydney asked quietly, her face slightly paling as the various scenarios of what the training might entail ran through her head.

"Yes. You must be fully prepared for the duties of a queen. Though Irina has assured me she has taught you well – she has informed me you are very fluent in quite a few languages and are well-versed in many forms of dancing and general etiquette - we cannot allow any room for error. These are delicate times and my prince's cousin will do everything in his power to discredit either yourself or my prince. And of course, the two weeks will be used to allow yourselves to become familiar with each other."

"I see. And where are we headed?"

"To a small estate of my prince's late mother."

The rest of the car ride was spent in awkward silence. Khasinau had decided to move up to the front to allow the "couple" to spend time together but Sydney couldn't figure out what to say to "his royal highness" that didn't make her sound completely nuts or stupid and Julian obviously wasn't exactly the talkative type.

Not at all too soon, they arrived at the estate and Sydney gasped when she laid eyes on the beauty around her. The beautiful mansion (for that is what it was) was surrounded by acres of field in all directions. Khasinau said this was small! If this is small, I wonder how big the palace is going to be... The driveway to the front of the house was outlined by tall trees and the centrepiece of it all was a beautiful statue of Aphrodite, completely made up of white marble. While she was busy admiring the surroundings, Julian stepped out of the car and without a word headed off into the house.

The nerve! I'm doing this just so he can become king and what do I get? A cold shoulder! Who does he think he is? Well, he is the king... but still!

Khasinau, seeing what just transpired, smiled apologetically at Sydney before following Julian into the house. Deciding that it would be easier to just forget about it and leave it be, she followed them.

"My prince, if I may have a word?"

At Julian's nod, he closed the door and lost the formalities. "Miss Bristow is doing us a great favour. You should not treat her as if she were beneath you. She is not only beautiful but also extremely well-tempered and intelligent. We are lucky that she has agreed to do this! Julian, she is to be your wife, even if it is only for show. You need to show her respect – otherwise, she'll leave and where would we be?"

"She is beneath me! I am trying my best to work in this impossible situation – if I appear to be a little short and rude, so be it but I am at the end of my patience."

"It is only for a year. You know her mother – she is a great woman and I have no doubts that her daughter takes after her. Treat her daughter well or else you will lose your throne!"

That night...

"Miss Bristow, may I have a minute?"

"Of course your highness." Although Sydney tried her best to sound sincere, she could still hear a bit of sarcasm in her tone. And so did he by the look he's giving me. I'm so glad looks can't kill.

Julian led them both to his office and to Sydney's surprise, he sat across from her on a couch instead of sitting behind the imposing desk.

"Let's get something straight. I am the future King and you are to treat me as such. I will not tolerate disrespect, especially not from a woman who isn't even fit to be within these walls let alone those of the palace. That being said, Alex believes you are perfect for this role. He has incredible respect for your mother, as do I – which is the only reason why you are still here. You will do as you're told, and your life will be made that much easier. Disobey me or embarrass me and you will see why they fear me. Don't even try to blackmail or threaten me – I can discredit you so fast it'll make me look like a hero for even putting up with you long enough for there to have been a marriage. You'll get all the details you need to know about me tomorrow morning from Alex. Memorize them. If it all works out well, we won't need to see each other until the day of our "wedding". That would certainly be a blessing. We're done. You may leave."

Sydney was so furious that she couldn't speak for a full minute. Julian didn't even acknowledge her – he was reading from a folder, completely ignoring her. She wanted to yell at him, tell him where he could shove it all – but then she remembered that not only did her mother known him, she also liked him. She must have seen something about him worth knowing. Besides, she did tell her mother she would see this through and she wasn't exactly the type to quit when the going got tough. Except I am more than willing to quit in this case. Clearing her throat, she waited until he looked up at her. Ignoring his look of annoyance, she spoke calmly, calling upon the training her mother had ingrained on her since even before she could speak properly.

"What about the details you need to know about me? After all, no one's going to believe that you are marrying me for "love" if you know nothing about me."

"I'll make them up," replied Julian, barely giving it a second thought as he focused back on his folder.

Sydney fumed at that – if there was one thing she hated the most, it was being ignored or disregarded as if she were inferior and useless. "I don't think so. Look. You may be the future King – which I don't give a rat's ass about by the way – but you don't own me. I am here, taking valuable time out of my busy life for you at my mother's request. Keep acting this way and I'll be out of here faster than you can blink. I don't care if you discredit me – those who are important already know the truth. It won't matter a thing to me what anyone else thinks – but you won't be the king. Which might be a good thing considering what an ass you are - the people are better off with your cousin as their leader. Don't disrespect me or treat me in this manner again."

With that, she stormed out of his office, fuming at the way she was being treated. If he doesn't change, I don't care what my mother wants – I'm out of here.

Julian was surprised. Still staring at the door that had been slammed in his presence – something that has never happened before – he began to chuckle. Talk about a temper. Irina really has taught her well. She might just do after all.