I didn't sleep well that night and it was evident in the morning when my handmaiden came into the room, drawing back the curtains and revealing the freshly fallen snow. She glanced at my face and her cheery smile turned into a frown. 'Did you not sleep well, your highness?' She asked in perfect English. Lavine, my assigned handmaiden for my stay, was middle-aged with white-blonde hair and grey eyes and her English was excellent. Her mannerisms were already reminding me of Sally, even though I'd only been at the Royal Palace in Oslo for two days.

'I'm afraid not.' I replied, pulling back my covers and getting up. Lavine moved to my bed, making it straight away and plumping up the cushions as I walked over to the mirror. Dark bags were visible under my eyes and I yawned. 'What's on today's intinery?'

'Nothing, miss.' She said, looking across the room at me. 'It's Prince Sebastien's day of freedom. The shops and attractions in the city are all closed for today and people are not going into work.'

'A bank holiday?' She looked at me puzzled. 'We have bank holidays in England when things aren't open and children don't have to go to school.'

'Then I suppose it is a bank holiday.' She said with a smile. 'There's going to be a parade and almost everyone has a day off work.' But she didn't. She was the almost everyone.

I looked out of the window at the snowy gardens, empty of tourists and visitors as it was winter time. I'd read that in the summer, when the family moved to their summer palace across the country, tourists were allowed to visit parts of the palace and enjoy the beautiful gardens. 'It's a shame we can't see the parade.'

'It will be visible from the library.' She said with a smile. 'Perhaps you can watch from up there? And then his majesty is having a palace for the ambassadors and nobles in the country this evening. You probably won't see him until the party because he's so busy pulling it together last minute. I don't think Prince Sebastien considered that when he called for a day of freedom.'

'So Norway goes all out for a day of freedom?'

'I suppose so, miss. It doesn't happen very often, but we do like a good celebration.' Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she opened up my wardrobe for me.

I felt guilty that people were enjoying a day off and she was here, preparing things for my day. 'Lavine, you are relieved for the rest of the day.' I said and her smile faded.

'I'm afraid that isn't possible, miss. I'll be needing to get you ready for the party this evening.'

'What time?'

'The party starts at eight miss.'

'Then you're dismissed until five.' I said with a smile and she looked at me in surprise.

She curtsied. 'You are too kind, your highness.'

'Please go and enjoy the parade.' I told her, tying my hair into a loose bun. 'And I'll see you later.'

'They were right.' She said with a smile. 'You are a great princess.' And then she was gone.

Phillip, Lolly, Seb and I had breakfast in the library that morning, by ourselves as the King and Queen were busy preparing for the party. The party was being kept press-free, because of my attendance, but it was still being taken very seriously and caterers and decorators hurried about the palace, trying to pull everything together on a tight timescale. A rack of dresses had turned up in Lolly's room for us to choose from and outside tourists were lining the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family on their day of freedom.

'So what would you like to do today?' Seb asked me as I finished breakfast. I looked across and him and Lolly, before turning to my brother.

'I have a few ideas.'

We ended up in the gardens, in the untouched snow, the snow which didn't have a single footprint in it until we were out there. I started the snowball fight by launching a snowball at my brother and then, quickly after, one at Seb.

'You can't attack the Crown Prince of Norway!' Seb said, mockingly and I launched another one, this time hitting his pretty face.

'Ooops!'

Lolly giggled and launched a snowball at my brother before ducking behind a statue for safety. My brother grabbed a handful of snow and ran after her, laughing, as snow ended up down my back. I squealed at Seb and grabbed him, tackling him to the ground.

'You're going to start a war between Norway and England.' He chuckled underneath me as I picked up some snow and slipped it down his jumper. 'Agh!' He cried out and the guards looked at us warily before continuing to watch the area.

'Sorry, your highness.' I smirked and he reached up to tuck a loose strand of hair inside my hand. I froze. The aura surrounding him had changed. Pink. I blushed and looked away, standing myself off and brushing my snow-covered outfit down. I realised Phillip was watching Seb and I and he didn't even see Lolly sneak up behind him, throwing snowballs at his head. He laughed and turned to face her again, ready to attack.

We ended up completely soaking and freezing cold by the time we'd had a snowball fight and made a family of snowmen by the maze. Seb and Lolly snapped photos of the snowmen on their phones, able to upload the pictures to Instagram, but we couldn't be tagged in them for security reasons. Only the guests at the party that evening, who were important in their own right, would know we were in Oslo for the time-being. After a warm shower and changing into dry clothes, we moved to the library for a late lunch, so that we could watch the parade too. It was due to set off by the fortress and then it would travel up to the palace, finishing just outside. Seb and Lolly were expected to make an appearance with the King and Queen on the balcony at the front of the palace, so they were dressed in smart winter fashion, whereas I'd opted for some leggings, warm ugg-style boots and a baggy jumper. Out of the window there was a sea Norwegian flags, in their red glory and there were a few banners too.

'You have a lot of fans, Prince Sebastien.' I teased as I looked out of the window at the Marry me and I am your princess signs that were in the thick crowds. Some were written in Norwegian too, but the heart about Seb's full name suggested they were along similar lines.

'I have my own fan club.' He replied and Lolly rolled her eyes.

'Sadly he's serious.' She said to me and Phillip smirked as I almost spilt my cup of tea. 'Some teenage girls started it. They post almost everyday about how handsome my brother is. God only knows why.'

Tina would be on the website in a flash, but I decided not to mention one of my best friends from home. The parade came into view and I spotted a Viking longboat painted in the colours of the Norwegian flag travelling through the crowds towards the palace. The people on it waved and some men and women in traditional clothing danced behind it. Then there were baton-twirlers in red and white, flags following them with the peace symbol on it. Then a group of vikings. The whole thing was tasteful and was similar to parades back home, every float linking to the Norwegian heritage or peace and freedom in some way. As the parade moved closer to us, Seb and Lolly stood up and made their way towards the balcony, where the King and Queen stood ready by the french-style doors. We stood next to the guards, out of sight, and then the family walked out onto the patio together, the roar of the crowd phenomenal, and then they started to sing their National Anthem. It was a patriotic moment and my brother wrapped his arm my shoulder in a brotherly fashion, smiling as we watched Norway greet their monarchy.

My hair and make-up was done for the party quickly and it seemed to highlight all of my best features whilst hiding the cut on my forehead thanks to a make-shift side-fringe. My hair was down and curled, a crown braid threaded through the top of my hair and flowers threaded through it. When I was ready, I relocated to Lolly's bedroom, promising that we'd choose a dress together. She looked lovely in her smokey-eyed make-up and her perfect side-braid, and she hugged me when I appeared in her room.

I looked at the rack of dresses; mermaid fit, showers of tulle, long-sleeved, strapless, black, blue, red. 'Woah.'

'I know.' She grinned, looking at them. 'However will we choose?'

'We could just wear each dress for ten minutes?' I suggested and she giggled as I pulled out a shiny dress that looked like a binliner with long sleeves. 'Not this one though.'

'Usually someone designs a dress.' She told me. 'Like when I came to your benefit. Someone worked on it for weeks, making it by hand.'

'Same here' I smiled. 'But I quite like being able to choose a dress. I can decide who I want to be for the evening.' I pulled out a blue dress with a tulle skirt. 'For example, I could be Cinderella.' I slipped it back and pulled out a red mermaid fit dress. 'Or Jessica Rabbit.'

She pulled out a black silk dress with capped sleeves and a drop-back. 'Or Angelina Jolie?'

'Exactly.'

'Bagsy!' Lolly pulled out a deep blue dress with tulle skirt and a tight bodice with off-the-shoulder straps which were decorated with diamante detailing. She held it against herself and smiled. 'This is perfect.'

'It's lovely.' I told her, before continuing to push past dresses, trying to find the perfect one. Then I saw it; a lilac strapless dress with tight bodice and a tulle skirt from the hips. Silver flowers were embroidered around the waist, flowing down to the hips and then spread out down the left side of the skirt to the floor. Tonight I was going to be Rapunzel. The dress fitted perfectly, hugging my small curves, and it worked well with the corset-back tightened, showing I had a young lady's figure. With a pair of strappy silver shoes, I felt ready for a ball.

Until I remembered that at the last ball, the last party I'd been to, I'd worn a beautiful dress but I'd had to dance with Ezra. And I'd had his slimy hands on me. And then he'd said he wanted me to be his wife. My stomach churned and I felt dizzy. I sank onto the floor, the netting of my skirt surrounding me.

'Sky, what is it?' Lolly said, sitting beside me in her ruffles. I didn't say anything and she reached for my hands, concerned. 'You don't have to go this evening. No one is forcing you.' I felt tired and dizzy and sick and my brow furrowed. I didn't say anything and when she tried to touch me I flinched. At some point after that, Lolly left and returning in her place was Seb, looking handsome and the perfect prince in his navy jacket with the gold tassles on the shoulder, medals on the left and a red and gold sash diagonally across his chest. I looked at him, acknowledging his prescence, but I continued to be seated on the floor, tears rolling down my cheeks.

'Sky?' He sat down opposite me, on his knees, and he reached out for me. He didn't ask what was the matter. He knew. His hand fell to my arm and he stroked his gently. 'He's not here Sky,' he whispered, 'you're safe. You're with me and you're safe here.' He reached for my cheek, gently wiping away the tears that had fallen.

'What if he comes back for me?' I whispered, my eyes flicking up to meet his.

'Then I am going to kill him.' His voice was even and I knew he was serious. He caught a tear as it fell and he held my face for a moment, looking into my eyes. 'Sky, I promise you that I will never let anyone hurt you or force you to do anything that you don't want to.' I nodded and he gave me a sad smile. 'Did you sleep well last night?' I shook my head. 'Me neither. Perhaps I need to sneak back into your room this evening or visa-versa.' He gave me a playful grin and my mouth twitched at the corners. 'I like it a lot better when you smile.' He told me and I smiled automatically, making him smile back. 'Much better.' His hand fell from my cheek, his fingers wrapping gently around mine. 'Now what do you say? A Netflix Marathon or a party? Because I think I'd prefer to take you to a party and show off England's beautiful princess to my countrymen.'

'I've ruined my make-up.' I laughed and he shook his head.

'Du er vakker for meg.'

I wrinkled my nose. 'What does that mean?'

'I guess you'll need to keep taking Norwegian lessons to find out.'

The ballroom in the palace was similar to ours at home. You had to make a grand entrance, walking down the grand stairs, which I did with Seb and Lolly did with Phillip. The ceiling was beautifully decorated, as were the walls, and a portrait of the Royal family hung against a wall. Waitors and Waitresses flitted about with flutes of champagne and orange juice, and guests mingled as a jazz band played. Seb led me over to the King and Queen and I curtsied for them.

'You look lovely Princess.' King Aleksander said with a friendly smile. 'An excellent choice of dress.'

'Thank you.' I said, suddenly feeling nervous. I'd spoken a few times to Seb's mother and father, but I still wasn't relaxed around them and I was sure it was because they were King and Queen of a country I knew very little about. Seb placed his hand on the small of my back and then left me to grab two flutes of champagne.

'How are you finding Norway so far?' Queen Elena asked, her blue eyes, which she had passed on to Seb, twinkling.

'Your country is very beautiful.' I replied and she smiled, proudly.

'We have many beautiful parts. Oslo is a lovely city but I feel you'd love the countryside even more.'

Seb returned with the glasses of champagne and passed me one. 'Thank you.'

'Ah yes, I've spoken of the fjords.' Seb said, joining in with the conversation. 'I think Sky and Prince Phillip would really like them.'

'I think so too.' The Queen agreed with a nod. She looked at her husband and he smiled.

'Well the tutor for Sky and Laura doesn't start for another week. Perhaps we could spend some time in Gamlehaugen.' The King smiled. 'I'll have Hans get everything organised for us and we could leave tomorrow as I have a free week.'

Seb beamed, excitedly from beside me as the King and Queen left and my brother and Lolly walked over to us. 'What's going on?' Lolly asked, warily.

'I've just somehow convinced father to let us go to Gamlehaugen for a week!' Seb smiled and Lolly squealed with excitement.

'What am I missing?' I asked, looking between the prince and princess of Norway.

'Gamlehaugen is our father's official residence in Bergen.' Seb replied and my brother nodded. 'It's in the fjords!'

I wanted to be excited, I really did, but I just couldn't help but wonder if travelling to a quieter part of the country, away from the palace, was the safest option for us.

The flight on the private jet took us an hour and we were greeted with a police escort at the airport once again. The journey to the house sent us through snow-covered hills and it felt a lot colder in the open, away from the buildings in Oslo. I felt nervous as the range rover drove up a dirt track and then it reached a gate and a fenced off area next to a partially-frozen lake. We were buzzed inside and staff, including security, stood by the door, ready to greet us. The house itself was breathtaking and looked like a castle. Gamlehaugen was a white building, three-stories high, with a large tower that reminded me of Rapunzel's. We entered round the back, where grand doors stood opposite a flowerbed and small fountain. Our tour showed us the house in its true beauty; wooden floors, carved wooden walls, old but cosy lit fireplaces, patterned wallpapers, chandeliers, vintage furniture and one of the most beautiful pianos I had ever seen. There was a library crammed with books, a reception room, a cinema-style room, a kitchen, two dining rooms and eight bedrooms. Mine and Phillip's rooms were alongside Seb and Lolly's and then the King and Queen had the tower to themselves. My room was golden and cosy, with a fireplace and a four-poster bed, and a beautiful view of the lake. My luggage was brought up by staff, despite my protests, and they immediately started unpacking for me, as I tried to be excited.

'Can you see why it's my favourite place?' Lolly asked, appearing in the doorway, slippers already on her feet.

'It's lovely.' I told her and it was. I just couldn't seem to get excited about it.

'What's wrong?' She asked, moving into the room and sitting on my bed beside me.

'It's a bit open isn't it?' It was true. The nearest building was two miles away. We were in the middle of nowhere and outside was deafeningly quiet.

'My mother and father wouldn't have brought us here if it wasn't safe.' She assured me. 'And you've seen how many guards are with us. There's four by the gate alone! Let alone the ten in this building! We've never had this many guards here with us before and we've always been fine.'

I sighed and looked down at my french-manicured nails, still perfect from the night before. 'Sorry for worrying.'

'I understand.' She said, giving my arm a squeeze. 'But next week we're going to have our tutor with us and believe me, he's hard work so let's just enjoy our last week of freedom, okay?'

'Okay.'

'The Northern Lights forecast is rubbish this evening.' Seb said at dinner with a wrinkled nose. He glanced at his phone again and the Queen tutted.

'Sebastien, put that thing away. No phones at the table, especially when we have guests.' She said.

'Sorry mother.' He slipped it back into his pocket, disappointment still clear.

'Son, why are you so bothered about the Aurora?' His father asked with a playful smile. 'You used to hate going out hunting for them.'

I cocked my head to the side as I looked at Seb. 'You hated looking for the Northern Lights? Are you crazy?'

'He preferred staying in and having some of my famous hot chocolate.' Queen Elena smiled.

'With the marshmallows and cream? Mmm I hope you're making some this evening.' Lolly licked her lips and smiled across the table at her mother.

'So why are you so interested in the lights now?' The King continued to probe and Seb frowned as his cheeks reddened.

'They're just nice to look at.'

'Plenty of nice things to look at here.'

Seb's blush deepened and he said something I didn't understand. 'Vær rolig far.' Whatever it was, it made Elena and Lolly laugh. I shot them a questionnable look and they gave me a smile. A secret smile.

I spent the evening in Lolly's room, curled up under a fur blanket and watching old Audrey Hepburn movies whilst the fire burnt in the corner. We nibbled on Norwegian chocolate as we watched and we sipped on the hot chocolate Queen Elena had made for us. Then we spoke about boys and crushes, and anything else that girls did. It was nice and it was like having a sister. I was sneaking back to my room in my new Disney pyjamas, thanks to Lavine, when I bumped into Seb.

'Sorry.' I whispered, hoping we weren't going to wake anyone up or draw attention to ourselves.

'It's okay.' He said with a cute smile, running a hand through his messy blonde hair. 'Did you and Lolly have fun?'

'We did.' I smiled.

'Audrey Hepburn again?'

'I love her!'

'Not another one!' He teased. 'Nice Pjs by the way.'

'Do you like them?' I laughed, giving a twirl. 'Lavine ordered them for me.'

'They're very you, although I had you more as a Rapunzel girl than Ariel.' It was a comment that made me think of Marcus dressed as Flynn Rider for me at the Halloween party. Everything had seemed so hard and complicated then, but I really had no idea. Now everything was complicated. I shivered as my mind reminded me that Ezra was still out there somewhere. 'Are you okay?' Seb asked, although his facial expression told me he already knew the answer.

'How safe are we here?' I asked him and his brows furrowed.

'Perfectly safe. Mother and father even think we're safe enough to go sightseeing.' I didn't say anything, just shifted uncomfortably. 'What some company again today?' I simply nodded and he gave a small smile. 'Shall we sleep in my room tonight? It's nice and cosy from where the fire has been on.'

I'd not been in a boy's bedroom before and I felt naughty doing so. I was surprised that everything inside the bedroom was modern, from the comfy-looking modern bed with grey and light blue duvet covers to the plush grey sofa and the flatscreen television above the updated fireplace. The embers still burnt, but the room was warm and cosy, despite it's large size, and I noticed it had a swanky looking ensuite. Not that my ensuite wasn't swanky. I'd brushed my teeth looking in a large antique mirror, but Seb's moderness of the room was somewhat refreshing and contrasted with the rest of the house. Lolly's room had been cool too, like something out of a fairytale, but this was just completely different. Seb pulled back the duvet covers and I climbed in beside him as he pulled off his t-shirt, revealing his chest. I suddenly felt silly wearing Little Mermaid pyjamas.

'You're probably getting fed up of seeing me all day and then all night too.' I whispered to Seb as he switched off the bedside lamp and looked across at me.

'Of course not.' He replied as he laid down facing me. 'I could never get bored of seeing you.'

I was woken up the next day by a phone ringing and I realised it was mine. I picked up the new iPhone, the one Phillip had got hold of for me, and I squinted at the number ringing me. I hadn't saved it in my phone book and only Sally, Simon, Lucy, Zoe, Tina, Lolly, Seb and the King and Queen had my number. I answered it and tiptoed out of Seb's room, thankfully not running into anyone. 'Hello?' I whispered as I walked up the corridor towards my room. My feet felt cold on the wooden floor and I winced.

'Sky?' Zed's voice made my heart skip a beat. Palpitations. I didn't say anything. I simply sucked in a breath as I reached my room and slid inside without being seen. 'How are you?' He asked as I sat myself on the four poster bed, putting my cold legs and feet under the warm duvet.

'I'm fine thank you. How are you?' I felt awkward and I wasn't sure whether to bring up the pictures of him and Savannah on his Facebook page. Or the newspaper articles, more of which had been added the previous day.

'Yeah I'm alright.' He paused for a moment and I wondered if he'd hung up, but he spoke again. 'I saw you on the television.'

'Oh?'

'You've got a cut on your forehead.' His voice sounded pained.

I automatically reached up to touch the scabbed cut. 'It needed a few stitches but it's healing. It doesn't hurt anymore. Still looks bad though, huh?'

'I'm worried about you, Sky, but Lucy said you weren't coming back to school for a while. What's going on?' He sounded distant and I felt guilty. We'd been together, hadn't we? Before all of this had happened?

'I'm in Norway.' I said, quietly.

'With him?' He sounded angry and it irritated me.

'Him? He has a name, Zed.'

'Prince Sebastien right? I knew this was going to happen. I told you that you were better with him than me and you just had to believe it didn't you? That's why you got kidnapped. Because you were out with him when the bombs went off.' I felt like I'd been slapped around the face by his bitter words. They stung and tears filled my eyes.

'So you're saying it's my fault I was kidnapped?' I blinked and a tear escaped.

'No, I'm saying it was his fault.'

'If Seb hadn't been with me I'm not sure I would have coped and I am pretty sure I would still be there.' I said, my voice cracking. 'But you don't care, do you? You were too busy cuddling up to Savannah and going out and getting pissed with random girls you don't know!'

'Because you were with him doing god only knows what.'

'Nothing has happened between Seb and I and if you think I'm like that then clearly you don't know me well at all.'

'I'm not sure I want to.' Another slap to the face.

I felt sick and wounded and I knew I couldn't take anymore. 'Goodbye Zed.' I hung up the phone and threw it down on the bed.

There was a knock at the door and I heard one of the maid's voices. 'Your highness, breakfast is ready.'

'I'm not hungry.' I replied, truthfully. 'I don't feel well.' And I locked the door, shutting out anyone who would come and find me.

I stayed in my room all day behind the locked door, sat in my pyjamas sobbing for what Zed and I had had and what we had lost. Was the whole soulfinder business lies? It certainly felt like it because I was sure that you wouldn't give up on your soulmate just like that. And then within hours of ending things with me, he'd publically released over facebook that he and Savannah were in a relationship. Lucy had called and text me. Tina was slagging him off on our group chat, even though she knew nothing of our relationship. And I just cried, ignoring the calls and ignoring the knocks on the door from staff, my brother and my friends.

In England...

Zed Benedict cursed as he looked at his phone, irritated and his blood positively boiling. Sky and he had been alright before she'd been kidnapped, hadn't they? Sneaking around like Romeo and Juliet had been difficult but in ways it had caused an adrenaline rush. The excitement of being caught. But then if her father had found out...

It didn't matter now though, did it? She'd met that stupid Norwegian prince at the Benefit in Paris, a suitor just like her father wanted. The two of them being together would be great for England and for Norway and they'd be an alliance between them for sure. Was it his fault? He'd suggested after the Ball that perhaps Sky should date the prince, that he was better for her. And he was, wasn't he? He wasn't in a boyband being told by his manager that he wasn't allowed a girlfriend. Nor was he a smoker and underage drinker, a bad boy who loved the female attention. And his parents probably weren't disappointed in him like Zed's were for a lot of the time and who could blame them? They'd spent a lot of time going into school, trying to take the blame for Zed's mistakes and trying to get him on any support system they could. But then he'd met Sky and suddenly giving up smoking and drinking and changing the image seemed almost worth it...

And then she was kidnapped. With her prince charming. Zed looked across the room at Savannah, who was chewing a pencil as she wrote a new song about him. She smiled seductively and he found himself smiling back. She was the perfect girl. Pretty, sexy, her voice was pretty good (although not as good as Sky's, he found himself thinking). And she looked hot. All the time. And he didn't need to hide and sneak around with her. He could make-out with her wherever she wanted and Savannah had been supportive when his lab partner Princess Sky had gone missing, offering to help him with his work and a few other things. His parents liked Savannah too, didn't they? Not that he cared what they thought of course...

He frowned and Savannah looked across at him, her eyes burning into his with desire. 'What's wrong, babe?' She asked.

'Nothing.' He shrugged, tense. Why did he care so much about Sky Bright or Princess Sky or whatever her name was? She was just a girl. And she wasn't his type at all. But for some reason, her staying in Norway with Prince Perfect bothered him.