AN: Anon- I have a few more chapters of Rising Flames but lost interest in posting as no one reviewed it! I might post some more though if you were reading it! I might do another story but I will think about it as I'm a teacher so I work 7am-10pm weekdays and often I work a lot at the weekends too so it's a little time dependent! I hope you enjoy this chapter...

The dress hung there, staring at me as my hair and make-up was done for the ball. It was staring me in the face and taunting me with its beauty, almost a warning that tonight couldn't be perfect. You couldn't have the perfect dress and have the perfect evening, could you? Things didn't work that way. The princess would leave at midnight. Her dress would turn to rags. She'd lose the guy. I looked at the royal blue strapless dress that reminded me of the film Anastasia, the one about the lost Russian princess that I'd watched a lot when I was little, willing that to be, willing for someone to come and adopt me and let me be a princess. My wish had come true of course, you had to be careful what you wished for. The blue dress was simple but elegant, a soft sweetheart shape with sparkling diamante around the sweetheart feature and delicate diamante around the waist before the skirt of the dress fell outwards and to the floor in a classic a-line.

'It's a beautiful dress, your highness.' The hairdresser told me with a smile as she pinned my curls into a loose updo, curls still falling to frame my face. I tried to feel positive, tried to remind myself that I'd had quite a nice day of sight-seeing in Paris with my brother, visiting the Eiffel Tower and other places around the city, whilst being heavily guarded and photographed of course. There was a knock at the door.

'Come in!' I called, deciding not to reply to the hairdresser incase I said something that I would regret.

In stepped the Queen and the staff curtsied or bowed as appropriate as she entered. I gave her a friendly smile as she walked in with a velvet box, looking the perfect Queen in a sparkly navy ballgown that made her figure look even slimmer. Her hair was pinned up as normal and her crown sat on her head and a diamond necklace around her neck. 'You look lovely.' She told me as my eyes flicked to my reflection. My make-up was en-pointe and made my eyes sparkle and my hair looked pretty nice up. But I was still in my pyjamas. 'I came to deliver this.' She walked over to me with the box, carefully opening it and pulling out my tiara. She placed it carefully on my head and smiled. 'That's better.'

'Can I just go in my pyjamas?' I asked, seriously, as I looked at the girl in the mirror that I found hard to recognise these days.

'That sounds like my kind of party.' Roseanna chuckled, softly. She looked over at my dress. 'Do you not like the dress? It's lovely.'

'Oh it is, it's perfect.'

'But something... someone is missing?' She tilted her head to the side as she looked back to me and I shifted, uncomfortably in my seat. 'Staff, you may leave.' She dismissed the staff and they bowed/curtsied again before leaving as my heart raced against my chest. She knew. 'You and Zed obviously care a lot for each other.' She whispered, her voice soft as it confirmed my thoughts. She'd known all along hadn't she? 'You don't need to be afraid Sky, I'm not going to tell your father... I know he's not... best pleased about the idea.'

'He doesn't want us anywhere near each other. He thinks Zed is trouble.' I whispered, my eyes tearing up.

'I thought that too, but then I saw how he looked at you last weekend, like you're his whole world.' She squeezed my hand. 'I don't remember the last time someone looked at me like that.'

'I'm sorry.' I whispered, looking away from her gaze.

'No I'm sorry things aren't different. You've had to sacrifice a lot being a princess, you shouldn't have to sacrifice your heart too.' She caught a tear as it fell, wiping it away gently with her thumb. A motherly gesture that warmed my heart. 'Come on, I'll help you with your dress.' I slipped on the dress carefully over my underwear and Roseanna pulled the ribbons of the corset back for me, fastening it securely in place. I wondered how on earth girls used to wear dresses like that on a daily basis. It took a lot of effort and you'd have to have help doing so. Then she passed me my white silk gloves and I slipped them on carefully. She stood back and smiled at me. 'You're definitely the best princess I've ever seen.'

I blushed, thinking of all of the times I'd seen her on the television and wondered if the niceness was an act. It wasn't. She was a lovely Queen. 'Thank you.'

She took my hand and squeezed it with a reassuring smile. 'Shall we go?'

The Opera Ballroom in the Paris Le Grand hotel was straight out of Beauty and the Beast. The room was circular with windows spread around it, a high golden ceiling with painted decor and a huge feature chandelier hanging in the middle of it. The floor was red with intricate patterns on it and the whole place was a grand masterpiece. It gave me goosebumps. As usual, we were announced on our way in as were the Royal families from Sweden, Norway, Spain and Monaco, who were in attendance. I looked around the room in awe and Phillip laughed, making me elbow him in the ribs.

'Hey! That wasn't very ladylike.' He complained, mockingly rubbing where I'd elbowed him. 'Don't let the dress fall you folks, she's wicked this one.' I frowned at him and his teasing face was replaced by a concerned one. 'What's wrong? You've not been right since we got here. Did mother say something to you when she came to your room?'

'No, your mother is lovely.' I told him with a small smile and I really meant it. She was everything a mother should be.

'Is father still giving you a hard time?' He looked sympathetic and I realised our father was watching us as he spoke a man and woman across the room. 'It'll get easier.' Phillip squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile.

'You know there are suitors here to see me apparently.' My eyes flickered around the room and I furrowed my brows together. 'I feel like I'm being sold off.'

'He'd never do that.' Phillip said. 'Although dear sis, you seem to be getting quite a lot of male attention.' He chuckled and I looked up, realising he was true. There were about three boys my age, two that must have been just a little older and the rest were either too young or too old to be looking at me. Ick. A beautiful dark haired girl with a golden tan wearing a pink ballgown and white gloves appeared by us. She curtsied as Phillip bowed. 'An honor to see you Isabella.' My brother said formally as he took her gloved hand and kissed it. 'I don't believe you've met my sister, Sky.'

'Lovely to meet you.' She shook my hand and I felt envious of the long eyelashes she had which I was sure were real. She was incredibly pretty and her accent confirmed she was the Spanish princess.

'And you.' I smiled back at her as the music started up.

'Isabella, would you do me the honor of sharing the first dance with me?' My brother said smoothly and I resisted rolling my eyes at him.

'Of course.' She smiled and he whisked her away to the dancefloor, leaving me alone.

'Your royal highness.' I turned to see a guy with brunette hair and a rather large nose stood bowing in front of me, medals on his suit suggesting he was probably a prince or someone equally important.

'Uhm hello...'

'Prince Sven of Sweden.' He held his hand out for me and when I gave it to him he kissed it. It took everything in me not to cringe. My father was still watching, the Queen at his side giving me a reassuring smile. 'May I have this dance?'

'Erm yes?' It came out more like a question than an answer, but he didn't take any time whisking me to the dancefloor and dancing quickly to the music. I bit my lip as I lost my footing but he continued to dance and I wondered if he was a secret ballroom dancer. His moves were agile and quick and he didn't need to stop for breath as he turned me around so many times that I felt dizzy by the end of the song. It was over and I politely curtsied as he bowed and then I excused myself for a drink.

'Well that was quite a show.' A girl about my age said from beside me, chuckling to herself. I spotted the tiara and went to curtsy but she tutted. 'Please, we're both of equal status and I'm sure you find it all as ridiculous as I do.'

I smiled at her, the first genuine smile of the night, and I held out my hand. 'Sky.'

'Lolly.' She shook my hand firmly and I raised an eyebrow at her name. 'My name's Laura but I hate it so my friends just call me Lolly. You're the new English princess right?'

'I guess so.' I sighed, watching as my brother twirled Isabella around the floor.

'Well I'm the old princess of Norway.' She chuckled in her accent, adjusting the tiara on her blonde head. 'I'm old news.'

'I think I'd rather be old news right now.' I replied as another suitor approached. This one, again, was older, and had very short hair and a receeding hair line.

'I'm sorry but Princess Sky is on a break at the moment.' Lolly said with a sweet smile and the guy bowed before walking off, back to his business.

'You're a life saver.' I told her. 'Thank you so much.'

She passed me a glass of wine. 'You're welcome. I guess it means you owe me now, though.'

'Oh?'

'Dance with my brother later, will you?' She signalled to the guy across the room with the blonde hair that had been pushed backwards into a kinda messy but classy hairstyle (AN: He looks like Austin Butler). His suit and sash with medals showed that he was a prince, but he seemed relaxed as he laughed at something the older gentleman he was talking to said. He glanced our way and smiled a friendly smile and I gave a small smile back.

'I don't know...' I trailed off, sipping at my wine.

'Please. I told him I'd get a girl to dance with him tonight and he said that if I find the most beautiful girl in the room and she says yes then I get his Xbox for the whole week!' She grinned.

'Well you're wrong there because I'm hardly the most beautiful girl in the room.' I glanced at perfect Isabella and my brother. Then there were some of the other girls my age, who were dancing with suitors or chatting away to other guests.

'We'll see what Seb says about that.' She chuckled, turning to face me. 'Please.' I hadn't even seen my father approaching until I saw Lolly's formal curtsy and heard her say. 'Your majesty.'

I glanced up at him nervously at curtsied too, something I was expected to do at public events. 'Are you enjoying the party, father?' I asked him politely and he smiled down at me, a smile that could have been genuine to any eyes but my own.

'Very much so. And you?'

'Yes.' I replied. 'This is Her Royal Highness Princess Laura of Norway.'

'It's lovely to see that you have made a friend so early on the evening.' He replied, smiling at Lolly. 'I hope you don't mind if I borrow my daughter your highness but there's a few people I'd like to introduce her to.'

'Actually your majesty, if you don't mind,' she glanced at me and then over my shoulder, 'I think my brother here was just about to ask Princess Sky to dance.'

My father stepped aside and was greeted by Seb, who bowed. 'Your majesty.' He said with his thick accent. Tina would die right there and then. She loved European eyes and his light blue eyes were a contrast to my deep blue. His face was perfectly proportionned and had a very slight tan to it, contrasting with his blonde hair. He was a good-looking prince, there was no doubt about it. Seb turned to face his sister and I and bowed again. 'Your majesty, may I please have the pleasure of dancing with your daughter?' He asked my father and I watched as my father's eyebrows shot up in surprise before a smile crept across his face.

'Prince Sebastien, of course.' He replied, nodding to show he approved. I knew what he was thinking; here's a suitor for you, someone I actually like.

'If that's okay with you of course your highness?' Seb turned to me, his hand outstretched and his lips pressed together in a small smile. I glanced over at Lolly and realised she was smiling at me, urging me to say yes so that she would get access to the Xbox for a week. If it would get me out of dancing with some other strange men...

'Of course.' I said softly and I let him lead me past my father and onto the dancefloor. He placed his hand on the small of my back and took my right hand in his left, leading us in a perfect waltz across the floor. I could do slower dancing and I felt relieved.

'Sky, right?' He smiled at me, a smile that would make Tina cry hysterically. If she was here right now...

'Sebastien, right?' My eyes flicked to his.

He chuckled. 'Please call me Seb. My parents only call me Sebastien when I'm in trouble.'

I raised my eyebrows. 'Is that often?'

'I don't know, ask Lolly.' He smiled before sighing. 'If only you weren't here, Sky, now I have to let my sister play on the Xbox for a week.'

It was a half-compliment I realised, but I wasn't going to fish for compliments by questionning it. 'Are you the crown prince?' I asked in a stupid attempt of making smalltalk. I apologised when I realised it made me sound dumb. 'Sorry, I've not really learnt about the other monarchies yet.'

'That's fine.' His eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. 'But yes, like your brother I am the crown prince.' I let out a deep breath and he laughed again, his laugh a melodious sound. 'What?'

'Rather you than me. It's tough enough being a princess.'

'It'll get easier, darling.' He twirled me around and then I was back facing him and my mind was questionning his use of darling. 'You just have to give it a little time. I think you're doing rather well, personally.'

'It's a shame not everyone thinks that.'

He looked sad for a moment; sad for me or himself I wasn't sure. 'If there's one thing I've learnt it's that you can't please everyone so don't try to. Just be true to yourself and then you are being the best you can be.'

The song ended soon after and Seb politely bowed to me as I curtsied, as tradition. He held his arm out for me and I took it, aware that several other male party guests were looking over, perhaps to see if I would dance with them next. The thought horrified me, so I decided I'd wait with Seb just a little bit longer. Lolly passed us, making a face, and I realised she was dancing with my first dance partner of the evening, trying to keep up. Seb chuckled as I giggled, watching her feet move quickly. She was possibly a worse dancer than me. Maybe.

'So tell me about yourself.' Seb said, grabbing two flutes of champagne from a passing waitor. He passed me one carefully and I took a sip. It tasted expensive.

'What would you like to know?' I asked. My hands felt clammy beneath my gloves and I wished I could take them off. What an irritating tradition. Gloves inside? Really?

'What are your interests?' He turned to face me and then frowned. 'I'm sorry, that sounds terribly formal.' He paused for a moment. 'If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be and why?' He smiled at his thought-provoking question and he watched me with a soft gaze as I thought of an answer.

'Audrey Hepburn.' I replied with a small smile after thinking for a moment.

'Oh?'

'For one, she was beautiful and classy but was humble about it. She also lived to help others. All that work for UNICEF was inspiring and she was a hard worker throughout her life. I'd love to be like her.'

'And are you interested in working with any charities or foundations?' He looked intrigued.

'I've been volunteering at a riding centre for children with disabilities near my school.' I explained. 'I've got a fundraising ball in a few weeks that I'm planning for it at the moment as they really need some more funding to keep open. I hope I can show people that it is a worthy cause.'

'I'm sure you will.' He said and it really was like he believed in me, only if he'd only known me for quarter of an hour.

'And what about you? Who would you have dinner with?' I asked, realising he'd done a lot of listening whilst I'd done a lot of talking. That was bad etiquette. Lady Clarence would slap my wrists for it.

'My grandfather.' He said, his eyes turning sad. 'He was my biggest influence, my hero. He ran a country despite having lots of children and he scrapped so many out-dated rules and allowed women to be in the line for the crown. Yet amongst all that, he still had time for family dinner every night without fail and he taught me to fish.'

'He sounds wonderful.' I told him, meaning it. I touched his arm gently, reassuringly.

'He was.' He said, proudly.

'Thanks for saving me like I saved you.' Lolly appeared back at our sight looking flushed and tired. 'How does he still have energy?'

'Redbull in his champagne?' I offered and Seb chuckled at my joke.

'This party is as dull as the rest of them.' She grabbed a flute of champagne and looked out onto the dancefloor. 'Where's the real music? The Killers or Ed Sheeran?' She turned to Seb and I. 'Please tell me you're disliking this as much as me.'

I shrugged. 'It's not so bad now I've not people to talk to.' I gave them a small smile. 'And the room likes the ballroom in Beauty and the Beast.'

'It was modelled on it, apparently.' Seb told me. 'You can see with the chandelier. Hold on.' He pulled an iPhone out of his pocket, typed something and then held up a picture of the ballroom in Beauty and the Beast. 'The flooring, the detailed ceiling, the lining of the windows.'

'Wow.' I smiled, appreciating the beauty of the room even more than I already had.

'Do you like Beauty and the Beast?' He cocked his head to the side.

'Disney is a guilty pleasure.' I said, holding up my free hand.

'Mine too, we're going to Disneyland tomorrow!' Lolly beamed, looking at her older brother excitedly. She looked more like an excited kid then a sixteen-year-old at this point.

'That's on my list of places to visit.' I replied, my mouth twitching at the comments as I watched her practically buzzing with excitement.

'You should come with us!' She grabbed my arm.

'I couldn't possibly. I've not school on Monday and I doubt my father would agree to it.' He wouldn't agree to much at all at that moment of time. I spotted him across the room at the same time as Lolly and Seb and they both smiled.

'Our parents are speaking to him.' Lolly said, grinning.

'A prime time to ask.' Seb replied, holding out his arm for me as I finished my champagne. 'Shall we?'

For whatever reason, my father had agreed to let me go to Disneyland and even had said he'd change the flight to Monday and he'd call the school to let them know I wouldn't be back until Monday afternoon. He'd said the day out would be good for me. Probably because Sebastien was the Norwegian heir to the throne, good husband material. He probably saw it as a date, even though Princess Laura would be with us.

I woke up in a good mood on Sunday, nonetheless. I showered quickly and pulled on some warm tights, my grey wool skirt with a bow at the back, a tank top and then a warm cream cashmere jumper over the top. I slipped on my black riding boots and looked in the mirror; it was preppy and warm, just what had probably gone through Nina's head when she'd packed for me. By now I guessed that Princess Sky's signature style was preppy. I didn't mind. I quite liked it but sometimes it was nice to shake things up a little. I ran a hand through my tousled girls and applied some subtle day make-up, finishing just as there was a knock at the door. I answered it and found Seb stood there in slim-fit jeans, a pale blue shirt and a grey cashmere jumper with a smart black coat over the top.

'Good morning.' He said politely, nodding his head to me.

'Good morning.' I replied, giving him a small smile. 'Let me just grab my coat.' I picked up my coat and I was surprised when Seb took it from me, opening it up so that I could slip my arms inside. 'Thank you.' I said and I pulled on my bag.

'Ready?' He asked, his eyes meeting mine as I turned around.

'Yes.'

The park was already busy when we arrived after having some of our security in the car in front and some in the car behind as Seb and Lolly's chaffeur drove us the forty-five minute drive to Disneyland. In total, we had five guards with us which seemed somewhat excessive, but then there were three members of Royalty going out for the day, as I reminded myself. Our security team wore suits and they were armed with stun guns I noticed. Two walked in front of us and three behind as we made our way in through the ticket barriers whilst tourists watched us, some probably recognising us but others probably just identifying us as important enough to have security following us around.

We reached Main Street and I gawped as I looked past the crowds, rushing around past Guest Services and the Shops, and up at Cinderella's Castle. Yes, Disney castles weren't classy and classic and it wasn't like the palace I lived in back home. I knew from Googling Lolly and Seb's home after the party that their palace in Oslo didn't look like a castle either. The castle stood tall and proud against the grey sky in its pink, blue and gold glory.

'Sven, please get a photo for us.' Lolly said, passing a security guard her camera phone.

'Of course your highness.' He replied. Lolly stood one side of me and Seb the other and the three of us smiled as he snapped a few pictures with the castle in the background. 'Please do not upload it yet your highness. We want to keep a low profile so you can upload the pictures when we are back in Paris.'

'I don't think we're keeping a particularly low profile currently.' Seb commented and he was right. Tourists weren't just taking photos of the castle. They took pictures of us too, stopping to watch us as we made our way up Main Street.

'What's another photo on the front page of the paper?' I said, wrinkling my nose and Seb chuckled.

'I'm not sure I've ever been in the English paper.' He said, tucking his hands into his pockets.

'I'll send you a picture when you are tomorrow.' I replied with a teasing smile and he smiled back at me. It was nice and laid back and for the first time in weeks, I actually felt relaxed. I was there to enjoy a day with two new friends. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if Zed had been there to join us.

'I'm going to sit this one out.' Lolly said that evening as she adjusted the Minnie Mouse ears that the two of us had bought to wear. I had realised that she wasn't one for heights or rides that were too fast and I wondered if she'd ever been on a rollercoaster or even up the Eiffel Tower like I had the day before.

'Really? I'll hold your hand.' I offered and she gave a small smile.

'I don't do the scary rides. I'll just look after the bags and take pictures as you pass by.'

I looked at the entrance for the Indiana Jones ride and then glanced over at Seb. 'Are you game?'

'Game?' He looked puzzled and I realised it was an unusual English expression that he'd probably never heard before.

'Will you come on the rollercoaster with me?' I asked.

He smiled, a teasing smile. 'Only if you hold my hand.'

I blushed at the thought and I thought of how it felt to hold Zed's hand. How it felt to have his skin touching mine, his lips touching mine... Seb was waiting at the start of the Fastpass line and I walked in with him, three members of security following us and two staying behind with Lolly. We followed the fastpass line, walking over bridges and along wooden decking.

'Are you having a nice day?' Seb asked as I tucked my hands into my pocket to keep them warm.

'Yes, thank you for inviting me.' I replied, shyly. I still kept thinking of the comment I'd made previously and I wondered if he thought I was leading him on. The thought made me feel guilty and nervous.

We were both quiet a moment as we walked and then he spoke again. 'This charity fundraiser you're holding... are tickets available to purchase?'

'Uhm, yes.' I nodded.

'Lolly and I would like to come.' He told me. 'If you just send one of us the details later then I'd like us each to purchase a ticket. It's a good excuse to visit London as we have not done so for a few years... and it's a good excuse to see you again.'

I swallowed, thinking of Zed and wishing it was simple enough just to say I had a boyfriend. But I couldn't do that because Zed and I were a secret. I looked around and realised we'd reached the boarding area, where tourists were busy getting onto the ride. Our automatic gate opened and we climbed into the carriage, sitting down beside each other. The restraints were pulled on tightly over our shoulders and I tensed as the adrenaline kicked in.

The carriage started moving along the track, through the fake ruins of the temple and then it moved upwards and I felt the familiar sensation where you knew there was going to be a drop coming up. I tensed my hand and then I felt a hand on mine as Seb gave me a nervous smile from beside me. I let him hold my hand, knowing that we were both scared of the drop. Friends could do that, right? Hadn't I offered to hold Lolly's hand? We reached the top and I tried to admire the view as we swivelled around and then we quickly dropped, the carriage moving along the rickety track. We shot back up in the air again and I had that feeling where you felt like you had lost your stomach before we shot down again and into the loop. I blinked as my feet were visible by the sky and then I sighed with relief when I could see the ground again.

I didn't realise I had been screaming until we were back off of the ride with the security team and Seb was chuckling to himself. 'I thought Lolly screamed loud on rides but I think you've just beat her.'

I blushed with embarassment. 'Sorry.'

'It's okay.' He nudged me playfully with his shoulder. 'Although I really want to see this picture.'

It made me cringe. Seb was laughing in the photo but I was sure why... my face was screwed up and I was clearly screaming as I clutched onto his hand. It was lucky it wasn't a date because I wouldn't have had a second one. 'Oh god.' I moaned.

'I'm going to buy it.'

I looked at him and realised he was serious. 'Please don't!'

'Why not?' He smirked and I looked at him, mortified.

'I'm not photogenic but that's just awful.'

'Actually I think you are quite photogenic.' He said, his face still completely serious. 'But you are right... that isn't your best photo.'

We met Lolly and grabbed some dinner in the quietest restaurant in the park, which also happened to be the most expensive. We shared stories about growing up and about school as we tucked into the expensive food and then we met a few more characters before getting ready for the fireworks. We found a good spot with a lovely view of the castle and I snapped some pictures at the glowing lit up castle as the music started and the spotlights shone into the air. Images of fairydust shone onto the castle and I felt excited like a small child again. I'd missed the magic of Disney as a kid because I'd spent a lot of time being passed around in foster homes. Luckily, I'd been introduced to the world when Sally and Simon had adopted me but that had been a long time after my friends had been and it took a while to catch up.

'The second star to the right

Shines in the night for you

To tell you that the dreams you plan

Really can come true.'

And in that moment, becoming a child again, I felt myself believe that perhaps really dreams did come true.

I didn't upload the pictures until the following morning, when I'd already been tagged in some on Facebook and Instagram by Lolly. My particular favourite was the two of us stood, one each side of Rapunzel and her caption had been:

Rapunzel, HRHPrincessSky and I... how many princesses can you see?

But then I'd also liked the picture Lolly and I had taken with Seb with the castle in the background and that had quickly become reposted by me on Instagram and it became my Facebook picture. I flicked through the photos again as I sat on the jet with Phillip, who was fast asleep, and Queen Roseanna, who was watching with a small smile.

'It sounds like you had a lovely time yesterday.' She said, looking pleased.

'I did.' I nodded.

'I'm glad. I know you were worried about this weekend. It's nice that you have made some new friends and your father is pleased too.'

I looked out of the window and saw the English land coming into view below us as the seatbelt light went on and our air hostess checked that ours were fastened. The plane started to tilt forwards at Phillip's eyes shot opened as he realised we were getting ready for landing.

'Nice snoring.' I told him with a playful look on my face and the Queen laughed softly at my teasing.

'I didn't snore... I never snore.' My brother said with a raised eyebrow.

'Really? Are you too princely?'

'Ha. Ha.' He rolled his eyes but I knew he didn't mind the teasing because he smiled after doing so. 'So what's all this about you and the Prince of Norway?' He held up a copy of the Daily Mail and my eyes widened in horror.

A royal day out

There was a picture someone had taken of Seb and I laughing together, Lolly out of shot. It looked like a date. Then there was a picture of me with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider that a tourist must have taken and sent to the press. I sighed. No privacy anymore. 'Can I have that?' I held out my hand for the paper and my brother passed it over so that I could read it.

The Royal family visited Paris for a Benefit this weekend and whilst they were there they had time for some sight-seeing. Cue picture of Phillip and I up the Eiffel Tower. Crown Prince of England, Phillip, and newly-discovered Princess Sky were spotted shopping and visiting the tourist landmarks of Paris on Saturday before attending the benefit. The Royal family scrubbed up well for the occasion and Princess Sky was spotted getting cosy with the heir to the Norwegian throne, Prince Sebastien. Cue picture of Seb and I dancing together and laughing. If that wasn't enough, the princess was also spotted at Disneyland Paris with Sebastien yesterday, posing for pictures with Disney characters like any tourist would and screaming on rollercoasters. It looks like these two might be a right royal pair.

I groaned as I sat up in my seat as the plane went into landing. Zed was going to be even less enthusiastic than I was. Great. I snapped a picture of the front page and sent it to Seb as promised.

Told you you'd make it into an English paper. Front page news! Sorry!- Sky x

The plane bounced on the runway and I realised my brother was watching me. 'What?'

'I just feel like you're hiding something.'

He had no idea.

Zed didn't come that night, even though I'd sent texts and telepathically told him I was back and I'd asked if he wanted to sneak out. I knew he'd seen the paper or online. It was hard to miss. The gossip sites were all talking about a possible royal romance. It was mortifying and by Seb's lack of text, I guessed he was embarrassed too. I'd not even heard from Lolly. I tossed and turned in my bed and then the light turned on.

'I know you said you didn't want to talk but please do before your rolling around drives me crazy.' Lucy said and I almost smiled at her moodiness. She got grumpy when she was tired.

'Sorry.' I sighed. 'Maybe I should go for a walk.'

'At this hour?' She squinted. 'Ugh, it's 2am. Don't be ridiculous.'

'Sorry.' I apologised again.

'I saw the papers... and the gossip sites.' She said, quietly. I knew she had. It had been in the way she'd looked at me. Almost with disappointment of some kind.

'Nothing happened, we're just friends.'

'I know you are because I know how much you like Zed.' She gave me a small smile. 'It just sucks that the papers have to put that kind of spin on it, huh?'

'You're telling me.' I sighed and my eyes started to tear up. 'Is Zed mad at me?'

'More mad at prince Sebastien I think.' She whispered. 'I bet your father is happy.'

'He probably is.' I frowned. 'Oh, Luce, how did I get in such a mess? There was Marcus who is acting like we're best friends with crazy texts.' Crazy daily texts. 'Then there's Seb, a crown prince who is a great friend to have I'm sure but my father would marry me off to him in a heartbeat.' No doubt about that. 'And then Zed Benedict, the guy I actually want to be with is frowned upon and not allowed to see me because I'm a princess. What is wrong with my life? I want to be Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and just flee, leaving all of my responsibilities behind.'

'I think I would too.' She said, quietly. 'I'm sorry Sky, I don't know what to say. It sucks.'

A tear rolled down my cheek as I looked up at the ceiling. 'It does.'

Zed managed to avoid me all day and after dinner, when homework had been completed, I couldn't help but feel sad. I missed him and I wanted to see him, but he was clearly annoyed with me. I hadn't even realised I'd recieved two text messages until I glanced at the phone longing for him to contact me as he seemed to be shutting me out of his head.

I've read a few of the articles... oops! Well at least the photos are nice!- Seb x

You know, you and my brother make a pretty cute couple. Gutted they cut me out of the pictures though. Should I be offended? We've ordered tickets for your charity benefit! We'll have to meet up when I'm in London! The hotel is booked for the week. Lolly xx

'Sky?' Lucy's voice caught my attention and I realised she'd stopped playing guitar and she was watching me.

'Mmmm?'

'Go and see him.'

'But he doesn't want to see me.' I said and I sighed sadly.

'So make him see you.' Her tone was sharp. 'He's being an idiot, he should know what the papers are like. They've twisted a good few stories about him over the last month. Go. Sneak out and I'll cover for you if your guards come looking.'

I bit my lip and glanced at my friend. She was right. If he wasn't going to come and talk to me then I was definitely going to go and talk to him. Despite wearing my school uniform still, I threw on my coat and black riding boots and I carefully opened the window, climbing out.

'Be careful.' Lucy whispered as I checked that the coast was clear. I crawled across the branch and grasped the trunk tightly before using the branches to help myself down as I'd done many times before. My feet hit the frosty ground and I suddenly remembered how cold it was. Maybe a scarf and gloves might have been a better idea. I tiptoed along in the shadows until I reached Zed's boarding house and I knocked carefully on the window of the room he shared with Nate.

'Sky?' Nate said, surprised, as he carefully opened the window of their room of the ground floor. 'He's not here.'

'Where is he?' I asked as my heart sank in my chest.

'I don't know.' Nate sighed. 'He could be anywhere. All I know is that he took his guitar.'

But where would he play the guitar? The music rooms were closed unless he'd broken in. And yes he'd admitted he'd written some songs in Morzine but that was a plane ride away. 'Okay, thanks.' I gave a small smile and he gave me a sympathetic look before closing the window. I turned, ready to go back to my dorm when I wondered...

It started to rain but I didn't care. I ran across the lit path and then into the darkness, down the grassy green slope towards the lake. I passed where I'd sat with my brother and had my first conversation with him and I hurried towards the wooded area where Zed and I had often hid out. Then I paused and just listened. You could hear the rain, hitting the leaves and the trees, the pitter patter as my hair became damp. Why hadn't I worn a raincoat? Then I heard the beautiful sound of a guitar, a guitar that was playing a song that I recognised.

'Lying here with you so close to me,' I sang as I walked towards the sound source, 'it's hard to fight these feelings when it feels so hard to breathe.' I saw Zed sat there and he turned in the direction of my voice, freezing.

'What are you doing here, Sky?' His voice was bitter and made my heart ache.

'I needed to see you.' I replied.

'Why?' He frowned.

'Because you're my boyfriend and I missed you.' I wanted to step towards him, to pull him into an embrace, but his body language was stiff and tense, off-putting.

'It looks like you had a great time.' He said as his hurt eyes flicked up to meet mine. 'Why would you need me when you can have a prince?'

'I don't want a prince.' I frowned. 'That's what my father wants but it isn't what I want.'

'And what do you want?' He put down his guitar in frustration.

'You.' My voice was sad and quiet and his eyes softened for a moment before he broke eye contact.

'I hated that those pictures of you dancing and at Disneyland together were everywhere. Everyone was talking about it at school yesterday, saying you were an item. I just wanted to tell them that you and Prince Sebastien weren't a couple because we were Sky. But I couldn't do that, could I?'

'I'm sorry.' It came out as a whisper as my breath caught in my throat and I felt aware of just how cold it was.

'I really wish things were easy Sky but this just seems so incredibly hard. All this sneaking around and what happens if we're caught?'

'I don't care.' I told him.

'But you should. He's your father, Sky. That counts for something.'

'I'm just another chess piece in his game.' I said, angrily and Zed's eyes met mine again, sadness filling them and filling my heart too. 'So I had to dance with some guys, some of which were really weird by the way, and yes I made some new friends, but I lost count of how many times I wished you were there with me and the whole time I was dancing I kept wishing I was in your arms.'

He moved without warning, standing and pulling me into him, kissing me with more passion than I'd ever been kissed before. His lips tingled against mine as they moved and his right hand tangled itself in my soaking wet hair as his left hand pressed against my back, pushing me against him. His tongue moved into my mouth against mine and my breathing quickened at the experience, something that had not happened between us before. Then he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he kissed me, pressing my back gently against a tree as the rain fell on us. Eventually, he pulled away and put me down, both of our breathing ragged and my body feeling hot despite being soaked from rainwater.

'We're both going to get sick out here in this.' He said, signalling to the rubbish weather. 'And your school uniform is pretty dirty.'

'I don't care.' I told him. 'It was worth it.' He gave a small smile and pressed his lips to my forehead.

'I'll care if you get ill. Come on, it's getting late.'