Chapter 11

When I woke up the next morning, my room was still pretty dark. There was a sliver of pale light entering through the curtains, but otherwise there was no light. I rubbed my eyes, and tried to find the red light of the alarm clock. My eyes focused on the little light and I read ' 5:27am' It's only 5:30! Dad wouldn't be awake yet, and I bet no one else either.

Well, I'm not tired anymore. Maybe I'll go have a look around the mansion.

I got changed and snuck past dad's bed. As I stepped carefully out into the hallway, I finished putting my coat on. Gee, I guess 5:45 is even early for servants too There were no other sounds echoing through the vast mansion...it was completely silent. As I walked, I passed David's room, then Eric's room, and then Tai's.

I pulled my coat tighter. The mansion was surprisingly cold. I don't think I ever expected Arabia to be freezing...EVER! As I went further down the hall it got darker, and darker. I think it was because there were barley any windows, and the windows that were there covered with heavy drapes. The only light I could see was the little orange glows from the glass night-lights. (A.N. Yes...glass night-lights. They're aristocrats! Nothing can be plastic anymore.)

The mansion looked so elegant and old in the dark. Everything looked so... antique. It was nice. I learned earlier, that the Winner mansion has four wings. All of the guests are staying in the east, and north parts of the North Wing. WE, for some reason, were staying in the south part of the North Wing. The Royal family sleeps in the West Wing. Everyone was told specifically that on one, unless for special circumstances, was allowed to enter the West Wing. Oooo, what a secret. For some reason I began looking at the carpet. It looked rather new... like no one's ever walked on it.

--ahem --- so anyway... It started to get really spooky because it was so quiet. I needed some sound! I thought about my favorite song, it was a song I heard on a commercial for a video game. The bottom of the screen said it was called 'Simple and Clean'. I love that song! I even went as far as to search the Internet for the words. So, since no one was around, and I wanted to break the eerie silence, I began humming it. (The website Ichigo's sheet music, under game music, has the Midi for it if you want to hear it )

"Uh-Oh," I mumbled when I got through humming. "I'm lost," I got so absorbed with the song and the background I was humming it in, I didn't notice where I was going. It was still for the most part dark, so I felt even more lost. I should have just stayed in bed I thought angrily. "Maybe if I keep going, I'll find a stair case to the first floor." I spoke to myself, trying to keep the silence from swallowing me.

I kept walking and walking... it felt like hours. My eyes had adjusted to darkness, but I still wished it was lighter. Just as I thought that, the bulb in the night light next to me burnt out. Great...just Great! I thought sarcastically.

Suddenly I heard a sound. I froze in place. I made them out to be footsteps, and to my horror, yet again, they were coming my way. What am I going to do?!?! I panicked. The steps sounded like they were right in front of me...I tried to move to the left but the person walking my way got there before me and we collided.

---Thump ---

I blinked my eyes, as my head hit the soft carpet. I laid there for a few seconds before I began to feel a wet sensation sinking into my jeans. Please tell me that's water

"Hello?" a tired male voice called, and I sat up as a lighter flickered on.

"Miss Yuy?" I froze. My eyes moved up and guess who was kneeled in front of me in his Pajamas. ... Bingo, you guessed it.

"P-prince Aden!" I exclaimed in bewilderment. "I'm so sorry!" I added noticing the empty cup next to his side and his wet hair and PJ shirt. He was holding the lighter closer to me now; as if he was trying to make 100 percent sure it was me who spilled his water.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, I could tell he was still pretty tired, like he only woke up to get cup of water.

"I-eh-erm- um, " was all I could sputter. He could tell I was pretty nervous and smiled.

"It's okay. Calm down." He scooted closer to me, and sat comfortably right in front of me, sitting cross-legged. Once he was settled,

"Lets do this again...Good morning Miss Yuy."

"Good morning Prince Aden. You can call me Cindi if you want," I offered, but I felt like dolt. He didn't seem to notice though.

"Ok Cindi...so let me ask again, what are you doing here?" I took a deep breath and relaxed my self.

"Well, I woke up early, decided to take a little walk and got lost." I said sheepishly but I felt more confident.

"Lost eh? Do you know what wing you in?"

"Not really..."

"You're in the West Wing. My room is just four doors down that way." He pointed past me and down the hall I came from.

"Oh, boy...Do you think I'll get in trouble?"

"Not if I don't tell anyone." He said playfully

"Will you?" I asked

"Hasn't occurred to me yet. " he grinned, "Say, are we still on for today?" he asked, and I drew a blank.

"Today?" I asked cautiously.

"The Archery date!" he exclaimed, and I nearly had a heart attack. He remembered, He remembered, He remembered, He remembered!!!!!!!

"Yeah, we're still on. What time?" I grinned stupidly.

"How about 9:00am?" he started to get up, and then he offered me hand up. He pulled me to my feet and our faces were only about a foot apart.

"Sounds great."

He walked me all the way back to the South part of the North Wing, and dropped me off at my door. He said he was going to get a few more hours of sleep then meet me at the front of the mansion.

This was going to be the greatest day of my life.

Sorry, I cut this chapter shorter than I wanted it to be, but I won't be able to write for while...school stuff (essays) so hope you enjoy this. Tell me what you think and I'll try to get in another chapter. Thanks!