Needless to say, that night, I spent a lot of time tossing and turning, trying to get to sleep. Eventually I must have drifted off, because I woke up to Angela opening my curtains.

"Rise and shine!"

"You are way too cheerful this morning," I put a pillow over my face to block the light.

"Come on, sleepy-head." Angela wrangled the pillow from me.

"These next couple of days are supposed to be my final days off before everything changes. Please let me sleep," I pleaded.

"Bella, do you really want to spend your last couple days of complete freedom here? Or would you rather spend them out there?" Angela gestured out my window.

"Ruthenia and Adarlan are having a joint kingdom festival for two days for the people, you know, to celebrate the uniting that's supposed to be happening this weekend. There's supposed to be games, rides, dancing, a petting zoo, the whole nine yards."

"Tempting. Do you want to come?" I asked, feeling much more inclined to start the day.

"Can't. Have to start preparation for the Ruthenian royal family's visit this weekend," Angela shot me an apologetic smile. "All hands on deck."

"Cover for me?"

"Always," she told me. "If anyone asks, you're studying the different types of flowers in the garden or something."

"Perfect."

I went over to my walk-in closet, full with designer dresses that were honestly way too fancy for my taste.

Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for everything I've been given in life. But sometimes, it was too much.

I walked over to the back of the closet where I kept my clothes that were deemed "unacceptable" for me to wear. This basically included anything comfortable. I picked out a blouse with a green tank top under and some corduroy pants. I rarely got to wear any kind of pants so I took every opportunity to do so.

I slipped on some sunglasses to keep my face hidden, at least for the time being, grabbed my bag and headed out.

Since my parents seemed to already know I'd been sneaking out, I just left out the back entrance, to avoid any press that always seemed to be lurking around the castle.

Once I was far enough away I was sure nobody would see me, I called a taxi to drive me to the festival, which was already in full swing.

Almost everyone from both kingdoms had to be here. Growing up as an only child, I never really got to be around people, which was fine because I was most definitely an introvert, but I loved to people-watch and this was one of the best places to do it.

I found a bench that seemed to be right in the middle of all of the celebration. Kids were running around, laughing, dragging their parents around. Couples were going on rides, playing games, being all lovey-dovey.

I smiled as I took in the scene but it was a sad smile. It was the realization that I would never have this. I would never get the chance to meet someone, to know them, and maybe fall in love. I would never get that because my future was already decided for me.

I pulled out the book I brought with me and opened it to the page I was on. Sure, it was just reading outside, but it was these little things that made me feel the most normal.

"Tag! You're it!" A little girl chasing after her friend barreled towards me. She managed to avoid the bench I was sitting on, only knocking my book out of my hands before continuing to run.

"Sorry!" She yelled as she continued to run.

I shook my head, laughing as I reached down for my book. But before I could grab it, another hand beat me to it.

"Romeo and Juliet?"

I looked up at the unfamiliar voice to be met with a pair of emerald green eyes. My heart skipped a beat looking at the boy in front of me. He couldn't have been more than a year older than me.

His eyes widened as our gazes met.

He stood up, and I was finally able to get a proper look at him. He was at least a head taller than me, maybe around 6'2? He had bronze hair that was attractively unruly, his jawline sharp and angular, his stature lean but muscular. He was definitely cute.

Hey, just because my parents already ordered for me didn't mean I couldn't look at the menu.

"Thanks. It's one of my favorites," I told him, grabbing my book from him. As our hands touched, I felt some sort of spark between us. I gasped, quickly taking the book, leaving us both standing awkwardly.

"I'm...Masen," he introduced himself, although he seemed uncertain.

"Bella," I gave him a smile.

"It's an interesting choice for a favorite book," he gestured to my book, still in my hand. "Although it wouldn't be at the top of my list."

"What do you mean? It's a beautiful tragedy."

"I just think it's unrealistic. I mean they're kids. How can they even know what love is?"

"I think that's sort of the point, isn't it? The beauty of young love. To be so consumed by someone else that you can't imagine life without them?"

Masen stared at me for a second. "Would you possibly like to continue this discussion over lunch? My treat."

I hesitated. I didn't want to get too close to someone, especially when I knew it could never go anywhere.

"I'm afraid I don't know too many people around here, It would be nice to know a couple of friends in the area," he added, probably sensing my hesitation.

Friends. Right. It's not like I had too many of those myself.

"Sure," I finally answered, giving him another smile.