*insert brunette glaring at her internet provider*
Sorry, my internet has been failing lately! Well, this was the last pre-written chapter. I only have the main idea from the rest, so updates may not be daily anymore.
Amy's Playlist: You Could Be Happy-Snow Patrol
We finally reach the castle. However, this time, we're surrounded by herds of paparazzi. Even Ian seems surprised.
"What in the world?" he exclaims, sitting up.
I simply remain there, shocked.
Alistair quickly gets out of the car, and a group of security officers gather around the car. They open my door first, and begin to cover my face as much as possible. It all feels as if someone else is controlling me. I can't grasp the situation, and I'm just led to the inside of the castle. It isn't until I'm sitting down, drinking a cold glass of water, that I finally process what happened.
The entire palace is in chaos.
"How did the press find out?" Mark demands, glancing worriedly at me. "Did you make sure they didn't snap a picture of her?"
Alistair nods. "Yes, however-"
A palace official hands Mark a newspaper.
"-they know who she is."
Mark takes it and inspects the cover closely. "Unbelievable..."
"I-if I may ask... what's going on?" I inquire.
Mark and Alistair gaze at me worriedly.
"Let her see. She has a right to know," Ian orders, looking weary. He takes off his jacket and plops down next to me, exhaling.
Alistair hesitates, but he hands me the newspaper anyways.
As soon as I take it, I gasp. "No way... how... how did they get this?"
It's a picture of when I just started high school. I'm smiling at the camera, in my uniform, looking much, much younger than I do now. I don't care that I look goofy and immature with my pigtails. What bothers me is the fact that only my family owns this picture. But then again...
"I hear your aunt has a blog?" Mark asks me.
I nod. "That's right... I think this is the most recent picture of me she posted... but that post was nearly four years ago."
"Yes, we understand that," Mark tells me, sighing. He runs a hand through his hair. "What I don't understand is how in the world they knew it was you? Or... how did they even know your aunt owned a blog? They must've done a thorough investigation."
It's creepy. And worrying. And this is just the beginning. I can't imagine what's coming next.
"Notify security. From now on, she'll attend school with double protection, just like the Prince. If something this big happened today, then we can't imagine what will happen next," Mark says.
"What if she rides in the same car as I?" Ian suggests.
My head snaps to my right. I had understood that he was the one to ask for me to drive in a different car.
"That'll be more..." Ian seems to be looking for the right words to say.
I don't understand what his point is, but Mark seems to.
"Alright, we'll make arrangements for that," Mark says.
I sigh. School; it'll definitely be hard now.
After a few minutes, they take me to my room. I sit next to a desk near my bed, wondering what will happen next. What trouble have I gotten myself into?
Someone knocks on my door.
I turn to look behind me, and my face instantly brightens as I spot Jake. "Hey!"
"Hey," he replies with a smile. "May I come in?"
"Sure," I say. I stand up, smoothing down my clothes.
He walks in, gazing at my suitcases and the unpacked plush animals. He chuckles, and I turn red. Does he think I'm childish now?
"Those are... um..."
"No need to explain," he cuts in, grinning. "Don't tell anyone, but I still have a teddy bear from back when I was a baby. It's nice to have it nearby."
I smile, nodding.
"Well, I just came by to ask if you were okay. I understand you were sort of ambushed back in the entrance," he explains.
"Oh, I'm fine. Slightly uncomfortable, and worried," I reply, giggling nervously.
"Jake!" Ian exclaims, coming inside. "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to say hi to Amy," Jake explains, briefly glancing at me. He smiles. "I've got to go. See you two later?"
"Of course," Ian replies, gazing at me.
I cross my arms as Jake leaves.
As soon as the door closes, Ian bursts out laughing.
I frown. "What?"
"I'm just laughing at how obvious you are," Ian replies, smirking triumphantly. "You like Jake, right?"
I scoff. "There you go with your stupid assumptions."
"Alistair had also mentioned it-"
"He told you?" I exclaim, gasping. The old dude is not trustworthy.
Again, there are rounds of laughter. "No, but I guess he also noticed."
My eyes widen. He's tricked me.
"Look, it's okay if you have a crush on him. And even though Jake might know that you're not really my fiancée, I still think it would be proper if you didn't blush so much around him," Ian suggests. "Now, Alistair sent me to explain some of the palace rules. So pay close attention."
"Sinead... please come in."
Sinead makes her way to her mother's room. Once there, she smiles politely as she spots her uncle, Damien Vesper.
"Hello, Sinead," he greets, looking proud. "I heard from your mother that you did your job correctly. Everybody thinks that Ian wanted to escape with you, right?"
"That's right, Uncle," she replies, taking a seat next to her mother.
"I'm sure that the infidelity rumors will now seem more believable," Mrs. Starling comments. She turns to look at her daughter. "However, you'll have to work harder now. We need you to create opportunity for them to start."
Sinead nods. She tries to sound as a truly curious daughter when she asks, "Mother... why do we want to pin Prince Ian with infidelity rumors?"
Mrs. Starling smiles. She sets her tea down, gazing at Uncle Damien. "Should we tell her?"
"I think it's proper for her to know," Uncle Damien states.
Mrs. Starling turns to look at Sinead. "Dear, you might've heard that the previous plans to steal the royal crown had to be halted due to this engagement?"
Sinead nods.
"Well, we quickly came up with a new plan," Mrs. Starling continues. "It'll be easier to help the Rosenblooms snake their way to the throne if the future heir begins to disobey and act improperly. And what better way to do so than making the Prince a cheating jerk?"
"And that will fully work?" Sinead inquires.
"That's just the beginning. The plan is not yet developed completely, but Mark thinks that will be a good start: stain the Prince's name," Mrs. Starling explains. "Plus, from what Jake tells us, the Amy girl has a crush on him. That may come to our favor."
