Zed's words left me feeling bitter and swam around in my head the next few days so I opted for keeping myself busy. I was either studying in the library for exams, horse-riding or playing and writing music in the music rooms, keeping out of everyone's way. There were no more love letters. There were no more flowers. And it was oddly disappointing. On Saturday, as my hair and make-up was done, I realised on thing; I missed Zed and, whether I liked it or not, he was a part of my life. An important part too.

My dress was fastened at the back and I looked in the mirror at my appearance as my own unique tiara was placed on my head. I looked like a princess. But did I look like Sky? My ringlets were pulled back, pinned into a loose bun with a few strands falling and framing my face. I did look older, yes, but I didn't feel like me. A knock at the door startled me and Queen Roseanna walked in. The staff curtsied and she quickly dismissed them as I felt my bottom lip wobble. I wanted to cry.

'Sky, what's the matter?' She asked, pulling me into an embrace. She looked younger this evening, her hair tied up in a similar style to mine but she wore a jade green dress with lace cap sleeves, lace detailing on the side, at the waist and an embellished ribbon around the waist, white silk gloves covering her hands.

'I don't feel like me.' She told me and I bit my lip as she pulled back, gently touching my cheek with her glove-covered hand.

'What doesn't feel like you?' She asked. 'The dress is lovely.'

'I know.' I replied, quietly. 'I just feel like a princess and not Sky.' She looked at my hair and frowned, pulling out the pins. 'What are you doing?'

'Trying to get the wonderful Sky Bright back.' She gave a small smile as she continued pulling out the pins, my curls falling onto my back. 'Your hair is lovely, I don't know why they insisted on pinning it back.' Another curl fell and another. 'But I have a feeling it isn't just the hair. Is this about Zed?' I glanced at her in surprise and she smiled. 'I'm a mother, I know a few things, and you remind me of me when I was your age.'

'He's upset with me.' I said, my voice small, as she continued plucking at my hair.

'He is upset with you after the stunt he pulled?' She sounded a little amused. 'What could you have possibly done to upset him.'

'He's upset I'm going to Norway and he's upset that there might be suitors there.'

'Ah.' She paused for a moment as she ran her hands through my loose curlyy hair, making it neat. 'So he's jealous.'

'I don't know, maybe?'

She chuckled softly. 'There's no maybe about it. He's worried he will lose you to someone else and rightly so. It happened before.' I blushed and looked down as she concentrated on my hair for a moment. 'You know, you do have a say in who you end up dating, Sky. You don't have to please your father.'

'But he banned me from seeing Zed before and he was pretty angry.'

'Fathers aren't supposed to approve of who their daughters date.' She laughed. 'Besides, I think his opinion on Zed has changed a little... well at least it had before he decided to serenade you.' I blushed again and she smiled. 'Follow your heart, Sky. You're seventeen, you're young and beautiful and you deserve to be happy.'

There was a knock at the door and my father walked in, ready in his military uniform. He looked at his wife and smiled. 'I've been looking for you everywhere.'

'I was just helping Sky with her tiara.' She said and I gave her a grateful smile as I looked in the mirror. I looked more like myself with my hair down, my curls cascading over my shoulders.

'Well the guests are starting to arrive. Are you both ready?' I nodded and he smiled at me. 'Good. We might find you a nice young man yet, Sky. Don't make this one bored this time, though, will you?' I flinched and Roseanna squeezed my hand. Then I faked a smile and followed him out to greet the guests.

I didn't like this way of greeting people, I decided. We didn't walk down the stairs. We stood by the grand doors and every guest passed us, curtsying and bowing and the odd younger gentleman, who my father would have classed as a suitor, would pause and kiss my hand, which was thankfully gloved. I spent dinner sat between a Prince of Spain and a Prince of Monaco, both similar ages to me. They spoke to me in fluent English about school and my aspirations and I was polite back, even though I felt extremely uncomfortable. Deep in conversation, Phillip would glance my way every now and then and give me a reassuring smile, and I soon realised that his mother was doing the same. Other than nearly forgetting to remove my gloves to eat, I followed perfect etiquette and Lady Clarence almost looked happy as she watched from her place across the table, her husband on one side of her and Marcus on the other, practically burning holes into the princes sat beside me.

I was thankful when dinner was finished and we all retired to the ballroom, where music was playing. The music was classical and I was humming along to a tune I recognised from my music lessons at school when Marcus appeared beside me.

'Your highness.' He bowed, taking my glove-covered hand and kissing it as he had done on arrival.

I plastered a familiar fake smile onto my face. 'Lord Marcus, looking very dapper this evening.'

'Dapper?' He laughed. 'That's not one from my mother.'

'I think she would say well-groomed or debonair even.' I couldn't help but smile properly at that as he laughed. 'Are you looking forward to the dancing?'

'I am.' He smiled. 'But I am disappointed that you're not my dance partner.'

'You're not?' I blinked, scanning the room. 'So who is?'

'Prince Miguel I believe.'

I groaned. 'Really? Because he was ever so dull at dinner.'

'I hope you are confident with your Spanish.' His smile was playful and I frowned, quickly smiling as Prince Miguel approached. Marcus smirked as the Prince bowed, kissing my hand in greeting.

'Su Alteza.' Prince Miguel said with a smile and I curtsied to him. 'We shall dance, yes?'

The music changed to the song I'd rehearsed with Marcus to and I faked a smile as other young nobles and Royals took their places, ready for the old-fashionned waltz. He led me to the dancefloor and then we took our place in the two lines, facing opposite each other. We stepped towards each other, synchronised with the other dancers, and I curtsied as Miguel bowed, a smile on his face that kind of gave me the creeps. We stepped backwards and then the music changed. We held up our hands, circling each other as I'd done in dances many times before, our hands just a few centimetres apart. Then it was pause and go the other way. And then two hands as I tried not to meet Miguel's intense gaze. And then a turn and I we were waltzing around the floor. I stood up straight, keeping my posture en pointe as we passed Roseanna and my father. We stayed like that for some time and then we both moved outwards, still holding each other's arms before I was turned and then caught again by Miguel, his hand tight on my waist. We continued to waltz and then, thankfully, it was over. I curtsied as Miguel bowed again to me, his smile almost slimey.

'You are a wonderful dancer.' He said in his thick, Spanish accent.

'As are you.'

'Perhaps we dance again later?'

'Perhaps.' I held my dress and grabbed a glass of champagne, sipping at it as I walked out of the ballroom. When I could see that no one, other than a guard, was watching, I downed the flute and put it on an end table, placing my hands on my hips.

'Sir, it is strictly invite only. I'm not even sure how you got into the palace but you need to leave.' I heard Martin saying around the corner. 'This is a very serious public event.' Queen Roseanna appared beside me and glanced at the empty champagne glass, but she had nothing.

'Please Martin, you know me, I'm just here to see Sky.' Zed? My eyes widened. What was he doing here?

'What's all the commotion?' She tutted, walking straight past me and up the corridor. 'You know how I don't like a scene.' I hurried after her, holding up my dress so that I didn't trip over it. I had no idea how I'd just danced without falling over the tulle skirt. A guard walked out, stopping me from going any further.

'Your majesty.' I heard Zed say. 'I came to surprise Sky.'

'I think Her Royal Highness Princess Sky has had enough surprises this month, don't you?' Roseanna said, her voice etched with amusement. 'I do watch the news, Mr Benedict.'

'I'm sorry.' He apologised. 'I never meant to cause any embarassment to Sky or the Royal family.'

'It definitely livened up my week.' She said in response. I stepped forward but the guard stopped me and I frowned, folding my arms across my chest. 'Mr Benedict, this is a political event and I am afraid it is strictly invite only.'

'I understand that, your majesty, and I don't want to cause a scene but I don't know what else to do. She doesn't approve of me buying her flowers, she doesn't approve of me singing to her so I just thought... perhaps... perhaps I could surprise her. I even rented the tails especially, m'aam.' He paused for a moment as the Queen laughed softly and my mouth twitched into a smile. 'I know Prince Sebastien hurt Sky and I know I have before, but I can't live without her. I tried and I just couldn't. I've risked my life for her and I happily would again. I know I'm not a Prince or even a Lord, your majesty, and I can't afford to buy Sky diamonds or tiaras, but what I can do is make her happy and love her like no one else in the world would.'

'That's all we could ever ask.' Roseanna said and my heart fluttered in my chest. 'Sky? I know you're back there, come on out.'

I bit my lip as the guard stepped aside and I walked around the corner. Zed stood, surrounded by security guards, opposite Queen Roseanna. He was in a white tie outfit. And he'd even done his hair.

He smiled and bowed as I reached him. 'Your highness, you look breathtaking.' He whispered and I blushed. He turned to the Queen. 'Thank you for letting me see the Princess. I will go now.'

'Don't be ridiculous.' Roseanna tutted. 'You've rented tails and that's hardly cheap. You'll stay.'

'But the list, your majesty.' Martin said but Roseanna held up her hand.

'I think a personal invite from the Queen is more valuable then some silly list.' She said and she turned to face Zed. 'I hope you know your etiquette, Mr Benedict, this is a very important party.' And then she turned to me. 'I'll go and speak to your father, don't worry.' She gave a small smile and turned to walk away.

'Thank you.' I whispered and then she was gone. I turned back to Zed. 'You don't want to cause a scene? So you just turned up at some important state dinner?' He gave me a cheeky grin and I swatted his arm. 'Are you insane?! You're lucky it was Martin or you'd have had a bullet in your head!'

'I could add to the collection.' I swatted him again and his cheeky grin was wiped away and replaced with a shy one. 'I wanted to see you.'

'You're crazy.'

'About you, yes.' He grinned and Martin rolled his eyes behind him, making me smile. 'I don't think you realise how much you mean to me, Sky.'

I glanced down and sighed. 'Zed...'

'I know I've hurt you, but I'm not going to do that again, Sky. You mean too much to me and if you just give me a small chance, I will prove to you that I will be one of the best decisions you'll ever make.' He reached out and took my hands in his. 'Just give me some time to show you, please.'

My heart fluttered and I bit my lip, nervously, as my eyes met his. 'I suppose we'd better get back to the ballroom before Prince Miguel comes looking for me?'

He wrinkled his nose. 'Who?'

'Just give me your arm!' I said and he laughed.

'Of course your highness.' He held out his arm and I took it, leading him up the corridor. 'That doesn't sound like my kind of music.'

'It's a state dinner, were you expecting Ed Sheeran?' I teased and he smiled, glancing down at my dress and then back up at my eyes.

'I meant what I said, you know.'

'Which bit?'

'All of it.' He gave me a lopsided smile. 'You look breathtakingly beautiful, but then, I find quite often that you take my breath away.' He paused. 'Cause girl you're amazing.'

I covered his mouth with my gloved hand. 'No more singing, Zed, seriously.'

'But lots of people like my voice.' He pouted as we reached the entrance to the ballroom.

'Not the people in here, though. They prefer Mozart.' I squeezed his arm. 'Now just smile and don't talk unless spoken to. I'll do the talking. Oh good.' I faked a smile. 'Here's my father.'

'Wah?' I nudged Zed as I curtsied and he bowed beside me, looking more nervous then I'd ever seen him before. 'Your majesty.' Zed croaked out and I tried not to smile at his squirming as we both straightened up.

'Mr Benedict, you seem to like causing chaos.' My father commented and it was hard not to agree.

'Sorry, your majesty. I just really wanted to see Sky.'

He glanced at the Queen and then back at Zed. 'So I've heard. I hope you understand that I can't have you causing this family any bad publicity. We are the Royal family incase you weren't aware.'

'I know, your majesty, and I completely understand that, but I'm pretty sure I'm in love with your daughter and I would do anything for her.' I blinked as I glanced at Zed. Did he just say that he was in love with me?

'You can stay, but only because I don't want any drama.' My father said, faking a smile as Prince Miguel passed, his eyes watching me with a passion that freaked me out. I squirmed. 'But if you ever turn up at this palace unannounced again I will have you thrown out, do you understand?'

Zed flinched and so did I. 'Yes, your majesty.'

'Good. I'm glad we have that sorted.' He smiled a wicked smile and left, Roseanna on his arm.

'Your father scares the shit out of me.' Zed whispered and I hushed him, aware that people were looking our way. 'So,' he looked around. 'Are we allowed to dance at these things.'

I laughed as he held out his hand for me. 'Of course.'

'Marvellous.'

Lucy, Tina and Zoe could hardly believe me the following evening, when we sat in my dorm room snacking on chocolate as The Vampire Diaries played in the background. They couldn't believe that Zed had turned up at the palace unannounced and they couldn't believe that he'd been allowed to stay either.

'I've decided I like your stepmother.' Lucy concluded, lying on her bed. 'She's really quite lovely.'

'She is.' I agreed with a smile.

'So are you and Zed a couple then?' Zoe asked as she braided Tina's hair.

'I don't think so.' I replied. 'I'm not really ready for another relationship yet and he knows that.'

'But you're giving him a chance?'

'I guess.' I shrugged.

'So you're dating.' Lucy smiled. 'That's progress.'

'Don't say the D word. It's scary.' I bit my lip as I fiddled with the rose gold bracelet I'd decided to wear again.

'I've heard scarier D words.' Tina smirked and I threw a cushion at her.

'Hello! Princess present!'

'Please, you're still a seventeen-year-old girl.'

'Enough!' Lucy groaned, throwing another cushion at our friend.

'What? You still haven't filled us in about you and Nate.'

'We don't need to know about Lucy and Nate!' I yelled, covering my ears. 'Stop right there missy!'

'Spoilsports.' Tina stuck out her tongue and pulled her hair out of Zoe's grip. 'So what else are we talking about?'

'Damon Salvatore's chest?' I suggested as the character appeared on the screen topless.

'Now that's more like it.'

That week was the last week of exams and I was thankful when Friday rolled around. No more assignments for the year and no more exams made me feel a little more relaxed, even though the Norwegian dinner was coming up in just over two weeks and the thought of that still worried me. Nelson hurried over to our table and dinner, buzzing with excitement and I was sure it wasn't because of Lucy's most recent cover video, which had been of Ours by Taylor Swift.

'I've had the best idea!'

'You're getting a haircut?' Zed teased as he sat down across from me. He smiled, his eyes lighting up. Hi.

Hi yourself. I replied, returning the smile.

'Let's go out tonight!' Nelson said and I raised an eyebrow.

'You're forgetting that A) all of us apart from Yves are underage and B) we can't use fake ID because some of us are pretty well-known in this country.' I said and Nate nodded in agreement.

'I don't mean drinking. There's karaoke at the pub just up the road. Let's go there and celebrate.'

'Karaoke?' Lucy blinked. 'Are you serious?'

'You have your own Youtube channel and you're complaining about singing in a pub?' Nelson raised an eyebrow this time.

'Isn't this the place where you pull out an artist name and have to sing it? What if you get something crap like Cher?'

'Then it's a good laugh. I'd pay to see that.' Zed grinned.

'Especially if Nels put the wig on too.' Yves laughed.

'I'm not singing Cher.' Nelson frowned, getting irritated.

'Exactly my point.' Lucy replied.

'It could be fun though and it would be nice to do something.' I glanced over at my guards. 'We can't really sneak out with them around and I'm getting a bit fed up of climbing in and out of windows to break dorm rules.'

'Let's do it.' Tina piped up. 'Could be fun.'

'Agreed.' Zoe smiled.

'Okay.' Nelson smiled. 'Meet outside the girl's dorm in an hour?'

We changed quickly, not dressing up too much because we were only going to a pub, but Tina and Zoe put on Maxi dresses, Lucy put on shorts and a pretty kimono and I put on a turquoise maxi skirt and a white lace crop top with my gladiator sandals, leaving my hair loose and curly at my shoulders.

Breathtaking once again. Zed said as we appeared downstairs and I smiled as we walked out into the sun. It still felt warm and it was clearly getting hotter as the days passed. Zed was still in his usual skinny jeans, t-shirt and hoodie attire though, despite the warm weather. The pub wasn't far from the school and the landlord made it clear he wasn't serving us any alcohol when we arrived.

'It's alright, we're just here for the music, mate.' Nelson had told him and the man had frowned and then spotted me.

'Your... your highness.' He stuttered, bowing. 'First round is on me.'

'Thank you.' I smiled and my friends grinned back at me.

'If we went to a restaurant with you, would dinner be free?' Nelson asked and I swatted him in the arm playfully as Zed raised an eyebrow. 'Don't worry, Zed, she's mean, she's all yours.'

Karaoke started soon after we'd arrived as we sat drinking J2Os (wild night) at the back of the pub. Despite being a Friday, it was pretty much empty, apart from a few other pupils I recognised from our school and a few students from the local college, who still had their ID lanyards around their necks. I'd noticed the girls staring at Zed and Nate. More than once.

'I'll go first!' Nelson said, going over to the stage. He pulled out an artist and smiled. 'Aerosmith! Awesome!'

'That wasn't awesome.' Zed groaned from beside me when Nelson finished singing. 'I think my ears are bleeding.'

'He might say the same about you.' I teased and Zed rolled his eyes.

'Tina, Zoe, you're up!' Nelson said and my friends ended up singing Shake it Off by Taylor Swift, which was pretty good going. Then it was my turn. I sucked in a deep breath and walked over to the bucket, dipping my hand right to the bottom. I pulled it out and I raised my eyebrows as I read the paper.

Seven Minutes in Heaven.

'You have to be kidding.' I said.

'Who did you get?!' Lucy called out.

'You'll never guess.' My friends shrugged, looking at me puzzled and I shook my head. 'I believe I just pulled out Seven Minutes in Heaven.'

'No freakin' way!' Nelson called, running over to me.

'Get on with it!' Someone hollered from the back, impatiently.

Nelson looked at my paper and burst out laughing. 'She totally did! What are the chances?!' He laughed. I sighed and then I spotted the guitar that Nelson had tried to play along to his Aerosmith song, badly. It was in tune.

'Well I suppose if I'm doing this, I'd better do it right.' I said into the microphone and I picked up the guitar, hooking it over myself. 'Zed, Nate, I'd appreciate it if you closed your eyes and blocked off your ears.'

'Not a chance.' Nate grinned and I bit my lip.

I only knew the chords to one of their songs and it wasn't ideal. But oh well. I started to play and I closed my eyes as I sang the opening lyrics, not wanting to see anyone's reaction. 'Simmer down, simmer down

They say we're too young now to amount to anything else

But look around

We work too damn hard for this just to give it up now

If you don't swim, you'll drown

But don't move, honey

You look so perfect standing there

In your American Apparel underwear

And I know now, that I'm so down

My lipstick stain is a work of art

I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart

And I know now, that I'm so down.'

My friends cheered and whooped and I closed my eyes, catching Zed's intense stare as Lucy and Nate gave me the thumbs up. I blushed and somehow, with Zed watching me, I made it through the rest of the song (AN: See Against the Current's cover of this- it's how I imagine it). As I finished the song, my friends cheered and applauded, as did a few other pub members, some of which looked a little puzzled probably because they didn't know the song. I put down the guitar and got off the stage, retreating back to my seat as Lucy got up for her turn.

'Possibly better than our version.' Zed whispered as I ran a hand through my hair.

'Hardly.'

'It was.' He smiled as he moved closer, his breath tickling my ear. 'Your voice is incredible.' I bit my lip and then, in the middle of the pub, he kissed my cheek.

After an hour and a bit of fun, we returned to school, but not before Zed asked me to join him for a picnic tomorrow as the weather forecast was good.

'Not here.' He'd said, with a small smile. 'I want to show you somewhere my grandparents used to take me.'

So, the following day, despite Zed wanting to catch a train, a jeep drove us the hour and a half journey down South to a place I'd never been before; Arundel in West Sussex. The small town was a market town and that was clear from the shops and restaurants ascending the hillside, stretching up to the magnificent Cathedral. Then there was the best bit; the Norman castle. It stood high and proud, overlooking the beautiful town and I felt like it was smiling down at us in the sunshine as we parked.

'Your highness, make sure your sunglasses are on. It's quite busy.' Martin said from the front seat. I did as he asked and he nodded as he got out of the car. Zed slipped on his sunglasses beside me and I was surprised that he was in shorts. But then, it was a lot warmer. I climbed out carefully, brushing down my sundress as I reached the floor. My security guards, in their sunglasses, baseball caps and plain clothes made me smile. Unless you looked for their earpieces or the rucksacks that contained their guns and walkie talkies, they actually looked kind of normal. I glanced around at the busy car park as Dean paid for the parking ticket and no one batted an eyelid.

'Okay?' Zed asked with a smile as he looked down at me.

I nodded. 'This is nice.'

'It is, isn't it?' He agreed. 'Have you ever been to Arundel Martin?'

'No sir.' Martin replied, his face expressionless. He closed the car door as Dean returned and locked it, securely. 'I'm surprised your father allowed this, your highness.'

'As am I.' I replied, glad he had. I rubbed my shoulders, getting rid of the last bit of applied suncream aand I looked up at the sky. Beautifully clear and perfect. Zed shrugged on his rucksack containing our picnic and he reached out for my hand. And I took it.

Zed and I walked along the moat, hand-in-hand, with Martin and Robert leading the way and Dean and Mario walking behind us. They spoke to each other as they walked, but their quick glances at me or subtle glances around or pauses in conversation every now and again reminded me that they were on the job.

'So why Arundel?' I asked Zed, squeezing his hand. He brought my hand to his mouth and gently kissed it, sending electricity shooting through me.

'We used to come here when we were kids, all of us. Gran and Granddad lived not too far from here, about a fifteen minute drive and they liked bringing us all here for long walks and picnics especially in the summer.' He explained. 'We'd have ice creams by the river and sometimes we played minigolf.'

'Do I get an icecream later?' I asked and he smiled down at me.

'If you're well behaved.'

'I'm always behaved.'

'I beg to differ with your song choice last night.' He squeezed my waist and I blushed.

'I don't know the chords to any of your other songs.' I admitted.

'Then I guess I'll have to teach you.' We reached a bridge and he let me walk in front of him, single-file. My hand felt empty as he let go, but then his hand moved to the small of my back, guiding me. 'A left through the gate ahead, Martin.'

'Yes, sir.'

We turned left, through a large red gate and I found myself looking at a huge lake. Children ran around with their families, feeding the ducks, whilst others snacked on ice cream in the midday sun. There was a small lodge where a family sat eating cream cakes in the sunshine and, other than the noise of the birds and giggling children, it was so relaxing. And so very far away from London. I looked over to the glimmering lake which, despite being green, shined in the sunlight as rowing boats glided across the top of the water.

'What's your boating like?' Zed asked.

'No idea, never tried.' I admitted.

'What?' He looked surprised. 'Then I guess we'll have to change that. Come on.'

Needless to say that Martin and my other guards weren't happy but they spread out, some moving around to the other side of the lake, keeping a look out as Zed paid and helped me carefully into a boat. I squealed as it wobbled and he laughed as he sat down beside me, rowing us away from the shore. I sat very still, worried that the slightest movement would leave me in the water. I watched his arms flex, the muscles in them moving with each stroke, his t-shirt sleeve moving up enough to see the bullet-hole scar.

'What's on your mind?' He asked and I looked back to meet his eyes.

'This is just nice.' I smiled.

'Just nice?' He pretended to look offended. 'I take you to my favourite place and it's just nice?'

I laughed. 'It's beautiful.' I looked around at all of the greenery and the trees. 'I miss the countryside. It's so peaceful.'

'It is.' He agreed. 'And it's nice being out here without Martin listening to our conversation.'

'We could just talk telepathically.' I reminded him.

'It's not the same.' He gave a small smile. 'I like hearing your real voice.' He glanced to the shore and chuckled. 'I know they don't look so obvious today, but right now they look like some weird stalkers or something.'

'As long as no one calls the police and reports them for being suspicious.' I laughed and he stopped rowing. We had reached the middle of the boating part of the lake and we simply just floated, away from everyone else as a swan passed. 'This kind of reminds me of The Notebook.'

'But with less birds.' He smirked. 'And without the alligators.'

'What?' I raised an eyebrow.

'The lake they were in had alligators in it. It's lucky they didn't go after the birds or it would have turned into a horror film.'

I rolled my eyes. 'You had to go and ruin one of the most romantic films ever, didn't you?'

He smirked. 'It's not that romantic. You just like it because Gosling is in it.'

'I do like a bit of Ryan Gosling.' I replied and he mocked looking offended again. 'Now you're just fishing for compliments.'

'Maybe.' He gave me his cocky lopsided smile and then it vanished. 'By the way, you look really pretty today.'

'I wasn't fishing.'

'I know.' He smiled. 'And I was just being honest.'

As nice as it was being away from my security guards, I was thankful when we were back on land again and the risk of falling in the water had slipped away. Zed pulled me out of the boat and my legs wobbled as I hit the ground and he grabbed me, holding me up until I regained my balance. Then he thanked the guy and we were on our way again, walking hand-in hand next to the water. We paused briefly to feed the ducks some duck food we'd bought and I ducked, trying to avoid getting attacked by seagulls.

Then I realised a little girl was watching me, a sad look on her face. 'Would you like some duck food?' I asked, crouching down beside her.

'Really?' She looked surprised as she looked up at me from under a head of wild red curls.

'Really.' I smiled, holding it out for her. 'In fact, you can finish mine.'

She beamed and took the back from me. 'Thanks. You look like Princess Rapunzel.'

'Do I now?' I laughed.

'Are you Rapunzel?'

I looked down at my purple dress and smiled as Zed appeared beside me. 'She is.' He confirmed. 'The one and only.'

'Mummy! Mummy! Rapunzel gave me her duck food!' The little girl ran off to her mum, pointing at me. 'And look there's Flynn Rider.'

'Good job.' I said to him and he gave me a cocky grin.

'Thank you.' The woman said as we passed and I smiled as Zed took my hand and we carried on our way.

'Where are we going?' I asked Zed as he pulled me off the path and started pulling me up a hill. 'Blimey this is steep. Are you trying to kill me.' I held my hand over my stitches as I stopped. It had been past the six weeks of resting, sure, but I was still easing myself in and every now and again I felt paranoid.

'To a picnic spot.' He scooped me up into my arms and I squealed.

'What are you doing? Put me down! Martin!' I cried out.

'Are you going to arrest me Martin?' Zed asked my security man and he simply smiled.

'No sir, you go ahead.'

'Hey!' I frowned as Zed pulled me tighter into his chest. 'You can't just gang up on me. I could be in danger.'

'We don't want you hurting yourself, your highness.' Martin replied and I sighed as Zed continued carrying me up the hillside like I weighed nothing.

'You're too fit.' I told him.

'Thanks.' He grinned, smugly, and I rolled my eyes.

'I mean as in you can carry me up a steep hill.'

'I work out every day, you know that right?'

'Could've fooled me when you lunged towards Ezra.'

'Now that's not very nice.' He said, but a smile was on his face. He paused and put me down. 'That ought to do it.' I turned around and blinked. We were alone on the hillside, overlooking the lake below us. The view was incredible and really made me wish living in the countryside. Zed pulled out a black blanket, spreading it across the floor and then I sat down on it carefully, stretching my legs out in front of me. He sat down beside me, as my security guards sat down, giving us enough distance but still keeping an eye on me and our surroundings. Zed pulled out the lunch he'd prepared and I smiled as he pulled out sandwiches, sausage rolls and other goodies (including yummy cakes), as well as two bottles of water and some paper plates. He passed me a plate and I tucked into the food without hesitation.

'Sky?'

'Hmmm?' I was in my own little world as I looked out at the lake below us. I was so glad I'd come. Arundel was gorgeous. I turned to face him and realised he was looking at me, the corners of his mouth upwards in a smile, his dark eyes shining now that his sunglasses laid on the ground next to him. He reached up and removed my sunglasses, his eyes looking deep into mine.

'Much better.' He whispered. 'I like seeing your beautiful eyes.'

I bit my lip and looked down but his hand moved under my chin, tilting it up so that I was looking at him. I swallowed as his eyes moved to my lips and then back up to my blue pools. Our faces were so close together that I could feel his breath, tickling my lips. My heart fluttered in my chest and I swallowed as his eyes looked into mine and then his hand tucked a curl behind my hair and suddenly his lips were on mine. It was a gentle kiss, which surprised me. I'd remembered Zed's kisses being full of passion from before, firey. But this was so gentle that it made my lips tingle as his mouth moved against mine. It lasted a few seconds and then he moved backwards, but only enough to rest his forehead against mine. My breathing caught in my throat.

'Shall we go?' He asked and I let out a shaky breath, returning to reality. 'I'd love to just sit here and kiss you but I don't like that we're being watched. It's a little off-putting.'

Zed and I raced each other down the hill in a mixture of rolls and some jogging when we realised the grass-stains on our clothes were getting a little bit too much. We spent another half an hour walking around the lake at a leisurely pace as walkers and families passed by, completely oblivious to who we were. And then we found ourselves walking along the moat before heading to sit by the river, where Zed bought me an ice-cream. I didn't want to go back to school afterwards, but I knew he had a band meeting and rehearsal that evening as he was preparing for an upcoming music festival, so we headed back, talking and holding hands in the back of the car like it was the most natural thing in the world.

'Spill!' Lucy said as soon as I walked through the door. Tina and Zoe had gone home for the weekend, so she was sat by herself, studying in front of the plug-in fan I'd bought us that week to help us to cope with the rising heat.

'Hi Sky, how was your day? It was nice thanks, how was yours Luce?' I teased as I closed the door behind me, collapsing in front of the fan and tying my sticky hair straight up into a bun. The cool air kissed my neck and I sighed, content.

'How was your day?' She grinned as she picked up a book and started fanning herself. 'I'm personally experiencing hot flushes aged seventeen.'

'It was... nice.' I smiled.

'Just nice?' She raised an eyebrow. 'Where did you go?'

'Arundel?'

'Like in Frozen?' I laughed and pulled out my phone, showing her a picture I'd taken of the castle and then one of the lake. 'It looks nice and calm and pretty.' She said, grabbing my phone. She flicked to a selfie of Zed and I, his arm around my shoulders and she raised an eyebrow. 'So what did you do?'

'We went for a walk and a picnic and Zed hired us a boat but I let him row.'

'And?' I blushed and looked down. 'Oh my god, you guys totally kissed!'

'Maybe.' I bit my lip.

'Did you like make-out?'

'No, it was just one kiss.' I replied, trying to stop myself from smiling and failing. 'A really good kiss.'

'Then why just one?'

'Because I have security guards that follow me everywhere.' I wrinkled my nose. 'It makes things a little awkward.'

'I'll bet.' She sighed. 'So are you two, like, an item now?'

I picked up a nearby piece of paper, fanning myself with it. Our room was boiling and there was no use opening the window; the air outside was just as hot. 'I don't think I'm ready for that yet. It's going to take some time.' I definitely wasn't ready and I was scared of being hurt again, that much I knew.

I'm not going to hurt you, ever again. Zed's voice filled my head and I tried not to frown as Lucy would wonder what on earth I was doing.

Do you have to read my mind?

Maybe I was trying to see how you felt about our date. His voice sounded playful. Did I do okay?

I think you know you did okay.

'Sky?' Lucy waved her hand in front of my eyes and I blinked, returning to the real world.

'Hmmm?'

'Can we head to dinner? I'm starving.'

I decided to go to visit Sally and Simon the next day as I knew they had a day off and I felt as if I was neglecting them. Wilfred dropped me off outside their townhouse near the river and I thanked him before unlocking the door and heading inside. I loved their townhouse and it was a breath of freshair from the grand rooms in the palace. The rooms were decorated with cream and white walls, artwork hung up on them, and the furniture looked as if it came out of an Ikea catalogue. And I liked it.

'Sky!' Sally pulled me into a hug, kissing the top of my head. 'It's been a long time since you visited.'

'I know and I feel awful for it.' I replied as Simon appeared in the hallway too, looking surprised to see me. 'I'm sorry I've been neglecting you.'

'It's okay.' He gave a small smile. 'You've met your blood family, your real father. I completely understand.'

Even though he had a smile on his face, I knew he was sad and I felt sad for him too. 'Simon, no matter what, you'll always be my dad.' I told him as I hugged him. 'I know Edward is my father but you were both there when I needed you and you made me feel real and normal again.'

Simon ruffled my hair and I groaned, making him laugh. 'That means a lot, sweetheart. Now come on, I'll put the kettle on.'

'I think tea needs avoiding today unless it's iced.' Sally said with a wrinkled nose. 'I'll put the fan on and then we can sit in the living room.' I followed Sally to the living room, perching myself on the armchair in front of the fan, not caring that the escaped tendrils of my braid were blowing in my face. 'You've had a busy few weeks.'

'Yeah.' I replied as Simon came into the room with a jug of water filled with ice. He poured each of us a glass and sat down on the sofa.

'I see that Zed boy has been trying to win your affections.' Simon said and I blushed, although I was sure that it wasn't visible on my already-red face. 'Singing for you in front of all of your peers. Very brave.'

'He's used to it.' I shrugged. 'He is a musician, remember?'

'True.'

'Well don't rush into things, sweetheart.' Sally squeezed my knee with affection. 'You haven't been single for long.' And I knew she'd been disappointed when Seb and I had broken up. She'd liked him. He'd been the perfect gentleman, bringing over a bottle of wine when he'd come for dinner and he'd taken an interest in Sally and Simon's love for art, sharing his own experiences and own favourite artists with them.

'I'm not going to.' I told her. 'I don't want to get hurt again.'

'You're fragile, sweetheart, you always have been.' Simon said, squeezing the opposite knee to the one Sally had. I resisted a frown. Fragile? Weak? Clearly I needed to get rid of that persona and start looking after myself.