*Insert brunette girl eating... and eating... and eating... until she realizes she's under the spotlight*

Hey guys! So I just wanted to give a shout out to my new beta, creamtherabbit77. As I already did (a million times before), I want to thank her for taking time to check out my story :P Sorry for those who were excited about Natalie! Don't worry, she'll appear soon.


Amy's Playlist: LDN-Lily Allen

Alistair has left me for a while, since he has to attend some things downstairs. His presence makes the castle less intimidating. So now that he's gone, the height of the ceilings and the very expensive-looking decor makes me feel as if with one step, everything will come crumbling down.

I walk around the former Queen Olivia the XX's study room. I've come to the conclusion that she enjoys vintage very much. The wallpapers are vintage, the rugs are vintage, and so is the rest of the furniture.

Someone knocks on the door. A butler appears, and he slightly bows his head. "I'm just bringing in the tea."

"Oh, I'll take it," I say, carefully grabbing the tray.

"The Queen will soon be here," he announces before leaving the room.

I turn around, and careful not to bump into one of the small tables in the corner (which has a very expensive-looking vase on top), I set it on a shelf nearby. The center table is currently occupied by trinkets, and I don't want to be the one to push them away.

I spot a few family pictures near the Queen's desk. I smile at one, which has Prince Ian, grinning toothlessly, and Princess Natalie, waving.

"How can such a cute little kid turn into a mischievous guy like him," I say, inspecting the picture. It's pretty clear that I resent him for his stunt back in the car. I'm sure that the first thing he'll do when I walk into his study will be smirk and burst out into snobby laughter. I scrunch up my nose in displeasure and move to the next picture. This one's of the entire family in what looks like a motorboat. They were probably sailing the large Clearwater Lake down south.

I head over to the next exhibit, where many records are displayed. I smile, recognizing most. Frank Sinatra takes the spot for most records, though. I glance at the door. Next to it, there's the table holding the vase and the shelf holding the tray. I inspect the tray closer. It seems as if can tip over in any minute. I head over to it. Just as I'm about to move it, I hear a small commotion outside. See, I'm jumpy. Meeting the royal family while about to become their fake princess is quite nerve-wrecking. So I gasp, jumping toward the open door. There's no one. But my hip bumps into the table. I gasp even louder, and quickly move to keep it from falling.

"Oh, thank God," I sigh, feeling my fingers wrap around the cold porcelain. I slowly put it back in place and gaze up at the tray. "If I don't want it to break, better move it right now..." On my tiptoes, I manage to safely bring the tray down. I smile, relieved, and turn around-

Clash!

My mouth drops open, realizing I crashed into someone.

Queen Isabel.

I bow my head down, grimacing. "I'm so sorry, your Majesty."

There's a light-hearted laugh. I slowly look up. While Queen Isabel's face is distorted into a murderous glare, and her outfit is stained with tea, the former Queen Olivia is laughing.

"Oh, you'll surely be something," she announces.

She helps me to pick up the cups (which, thank God, didn't break), and convinces me that Queen Isabel's outfit wasn't so into style anymore, to which the present Queen replies with another glare.

Alistair appears into the room and hands me a consoling gaze before motioning me to sit on the cushions. Queen Isabel is sizing me down. Gladly, Queen Olivia is friendly.

"I hear you like art, dear?" she asks, sipping her tea.

I nod, not daring to look at any in their eyes. I'm still embarrassed by my previous ruckus. "Yes, your Highness."

"I also hear that it keeps you from getting better than mediocre grades," Queen Isabel quips.

I slightly slump my shoulders, feeling more than intimidated.

"Well, an artist doesn't need Chemistry or Math," Queen Olivia replies. She giggles at me, which garners a thankful smile.

"Oh, I'm sad that Princess Natalie can't be here today. She really appreciates art. I'm sure that when she comes back from England, you two will have wonderful conversations," Queen Olivia continues.

"Mother, Prince Ian also enjoys art," Queen Isabel mentions.

The former Queen's face brightens. "Oh, goodness, that's right! Isn't it so wonderful?"

"However, I'm not sure if he's too much into doodles," Queen Isabel remarks, briefly glancing at me reproachfully.

Yeah, she hates me.

The rest of the conversation goes by. Sadly to say, it feels like hours. Queen Isabel keeps belittling me, while Queen Olivia tries to raise my tattered dignity from the ground. And I just sit there, grimacing and wishing it's all over.

The next thing I know, Alistair is leading me to the Prince's study. I'm so enthralled into the failure of the meeting with Queen Isabel to feel nervous.

"She's like that with everyone new she meets," Alistair assures me. "I still remember when she first interviewed me..."

"You're slightly late, aren't you, my lovely fiancée?" a mocking voice behind us announces.

We both turn around, and my eyes darken at the sight of Prince Ian. He's gazing at his watch, shaking his head.

"If you want to be Princess Amy, then you should learn how to be a princess," he tells me. "First rule, never be late."

"I'm not even going to be your real fiancée," I reply, trying to add a friendly chuckle.

He shakes his head. "You shouldn't go around announcing that. Not everybody else knows, so keep your blabbering mouth shut, and everything will be fine."

My mouth parts open in surprise.

Alistair chuckles nervously. "What Prince Ian meant was-"

"No need for your analysis, she knows what I meant," Prince Ian cuts in, cockily walking toward us. "Could you please wait for us outside my study? I'd like to have a private chat with Miss Cahill here."

I look away. Sarcastic tone, cocky manners, and rude... yes, Aunt Beatrice, I see what a wonderful opportunity this is.

Alistair has no other choice than to comply. He bows, and remains by the door.

Ian smiles sickeningly at me, holding up his arm. "May I escort you to my lovely study, oh, my beautiful love?"

I glare up at him, remaining motionless. Alistair shakes his head warningly, motioning me to link arms with him. I press my lips together and do as told. Prince Ian seems pleased. He walks me into his study.

"Hopefully, you gave my parents quite a hard time," he tells me after I sit down. He's walking around, playing around with his trinkets. "I would've killed to see them struggle with your immature manners."

I remain silent.

"Cat got your tongue?" he asks. He chuckles. "Alright, I know I'm being slightly... how could you put it... hmm..."

"Annoying?" I mutter under my breath.

"What was that again?"

"Nothing," I reply vacantly.

"Well, whatever," he says, finally taking a seat in front of me. "I think it'll be fun to see you waddling around in elegant clothes, trying to act like a princess. It'll make Nottingsburgh less boring."

I try to avoid looking at him, so instead, I inspect the room. My eyes linger on the pictures of King Vikram and him. Just like magazines report, they get along pretty well.

"Don't get fooled by those. King Vikram," he begins, pronouncing his father's title mockingly. "Set them there. I can't bear him."

I look away. King Vikram seemed like a nice person.

"Are yours as unbearable?" he asks, chewing on some nuts.

I bite my lower lip. "While they were here, they were great parents."

For the first time, human flashes in Ian. I can see regret and pity in his eyes. He shakes it off with a smile. "Better; more freedom."

I let out a scoff. Unbelievable.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he comments.

"Yeah, I was just wondering if you could be less rude-"

"Sorry to interrupt," Jake calls out, peaking his head in.

"Jake!" Ian exclaims. He stands up and pats his shoulder. "See, Amy dear, he's one of the only normal people here, along with Queen Olivia, Alistair, and Mark."

Jake smiles, looking both thankful and uncomfortable by the comment.

"Amy, I just want to clear some things up," Ian begins. "I know they probably told you I stalked you around school. But besides the fact that a friend of yours did most of the work, I only did it to get to know you better. Alistair wasn't supposed to find out about my involvement, but... he did."

"Actually, I didn't know that," I primly reply, holding a triumphant giggle back.

For the first time, he's speechless."Well," Jake says, breaking the tense silence. "I was just dropping by to see if everything was okay?"

Prince Ian smiles, glancing at me. "Oh, it is. I think we'll get along just fine. It'll be fun to see her stuck in the palace just like me."