I do not own Midnight Cinderella Ikémen Royal Romances.

Chapter 4: The Thought Of The Kingdom's Future Resting On A Commoner Like You Makes Me Sick

August 19th

Giles was just about to do as I had asked, when suddenly a cheery voice echoed from across the hall, shattering the awkward silence. Thank God,

"You called, Sir Giles?"

"Impeccable timing. This is Master Nico, your personal attendant."

"A pleasure to serve you, m'lady." Nico's luminous smile helped soften the knot of tension that had formed in my stomach. People like Nico were always a breath of fresh air. They at least seemed to have no secrets, and were honest, open, and kind people. At the words 'personal attendant', I had become a bit apprehensive, but the man's gleeful personality quickly soothed me.

Nico was closer to my height than the other men I'd met, which also meant he was less intimidating, not that the others did intimidate me. He had dark silver hair, almost gray, and amber eyes which seemed to light up when he smiled. He wore a green tie, with the usual white dress shirt under a gray overcoat and a black trench on top of that. Don't these people ever sweat?

"The pleasure is mine." I replied, smiling sweetly, attempting to reciprocate the gentle aura Nico created.

"If you would then, Master Nico, be so kind as to accompany Princess Ava on her palace rounds?"

"Yes, Giles."

"Rounds? What rounds?"

"Why, to the quarters of each palace bureaucrat so you can introduce yourself, of course." I crinkled my nose at the idea of meeting a large amount of snobby rich guys, I would rather have not met even one of them.

"What if I refuse?" First you practically force me to be the princess, now you're asking me to say hello to everyone in this God forsaken place?! "I still haven't actually agreed to this whole princess thing-" Before I could speak any further, Giles interjected.

"You're not asking me to believe you came to the palace, invitation in hand, only to turn down the princess' tiara?" I never intended to even try out for the damn thing! Still though, I couldn't let my student down, I still needed to find that flower which had caused me so much trouble. Once it was in my possession, I would take my leave.

Sighing, I ran my fingers through my hair and waited for Nico to lead me away. I quite liked the reaction I received from Giles every time I did just that.

"Come on, m'lady! It's time to go!" Bewildered by the situation, I was unable to protest as Nico grabbed my hand, and with a sidelong glance, whisked me along. "We'll have to hurry if we're going to make it around the entire castle," Nico's brisk pace kept us sweeping down the hallway. Suddenly he stopped in his tracks, almost as if something had dawned upon him. "How could I forget! If you're going to meet everyone as princess, then you've got to look the part!"

Nico brought me back to the same dressing room Giles had given me the dress in.

"What on Earth..." I assume he'd been referring to the various shattered objects scattered over the floor, and the gorgeous gowns strewn around the room. "Don't come in m'lady, you could step on some glass!" Nico carefully sidestepped the glass and plucked some jewelry from one of the desks.

Back at my side, he clasped a necklace around my neck. My eyes widened.

"Damn..." I mumbled, picking up the pendant for myself. It was no cheap thing. In fact, it was a golden chained choker necklace, with a particularly large, circular, blue diamond hanging from it.

"M'lady!"

"What?" I asked, only half listening to what he had to say.

"You really shouldn't use that kind of language!"

"Let's get this one thing straight Nico- I like you, and I think you might turn out to be my one real friend in this joint. So please, don't try to change me. I need to be myself as much as possible so I don't become volatile." Nico nodded, though he appeared a bit perplexed and nervous by my statement. "That includes giving me my space, and if I need to cuss, so be it."

"Anyways m'lady, you're as pretty as- well, a princess!" His happy demeanor had returned. I smiled as well.

"Thank you!"

"Now that's taken care of, your first official task awaits, m'lady." Spurred along by Nico, I made my way to the quarters of the first bureaucrat.

I'm exhausted. My first ordeal as 'princess' complete, I made my way to the fountain and sat down on it's marble edge. With Nico gone to fetch me a drink, I was finally alone. Come to think of it, it was this garden's flowers that brought me here in the first place. Limply perched on the fountain, my mind began to wander back through the events of the day.

I'd tried to escape Nico's watchful eyes several times throughout the day to try and return here, but he was more observant than I had previously thought.

"Hm." I sighed, bringing my legs up on the edge of the fountain and lying down, hands behind my head and acting as a pillow. The bright red and orange sky provided some comfort. I'd often done this same thing on the roof of my house when I couldn't sleep, which was often. The stars would be few tonight, as some clouds had started moving in.

I wonder if my student is waiting for me? I did miss her lesson. I wish I could tell her about all this nonsense that's happened.

Once again, I began to search for the flower, this time with my eyes only. I lied sideways on the edge of the fountain, balancing myself with one arm, voraciously looking through the flower beds.

After a moment, I spotted a man walking down one of the surrounding cloisters. He appeared to be carrying rolls of canvas, various brushes, and paints. Hm, maybe he's a court painter? But, I feel like I've seen him somewhere before. I traced through my memory, trying to place his face, but the man disappeared around a corner before I could solve the mystery.

Then, suddenly, as if to fill the absence just created- another man appeared from behind the same corner. Hey-

"...Louis?" I called softly. It somehow seemed wrong to disrupt the serene silence in the courtyard.

"You again?" Louis reoriented his stride in my direction upon noticing me. He was as striking as ever. It seemed all the men in the palace had something about them. For Giles, it was his natural authority and cold eyes hidden by a warm smile. For Alyn, it was his sharp red gaze and fireball personality. For Leo, it was the winks and playful smiles, mixed with his sense of fashion. Louis was strikingly elegant what with his icy blue eyes and baby blonde hair.

He frowned upon noticing the strange position I was in, lying down on the side of the fountain.

"Are you still looking for that flower?" Embarrassed to reveal the truth of my eventful day, I lie in silence, glancing away from the man and back toward the flowers. The silence was beginning to make me uncomfortable, so I sat up abruptly and quickly brushed through my thick hair with my fingers. As the silence pervaded, Louis extended his hand toward me. I turned to look at him, my eyes slightly widened and suspicious, but also curious.

"Stay still." Louis' fingertips ran softly through my hair, rearranging it so that it parted correctly. His face remained blank, while mine turned from one of confusion to one of childlike innocence and genuine surprise. Louis' hand lingered momentarily, then pulled away abruptly. Wha-? "There. That's better." I blinked.

"Um, thank you." Was my hair really that messed up? Nevermind that, it's always a mess. Louis returned my stammer with a gentle smile. He seemed so cold hearted when we first met, it's hard to believe it's the same person smiling at me.

Realizing I must look like a gawking fool, I forced my gaze downward. And then...

"What is that?"

"Hm?" My eyes snapped back up at Louis' sudden exclamation of disbelief. I was met with an expression caught between anger and surprise. What now? I traced his line of vision, arriving at my neck. Does he mean the necklace?

"What business do you have wearing that?" Louis seized me by the hand, dragging me to my feet, his harsh expression unchanged. Anger flashed in my eyes.

"Excuse me?" I was most definitely caught off guard.

"Follow me." With his hand firmly grasping mine, Louis began leading me out of the courtyard.

"Hey!" I tried pulling away, but his grip was steel. I looked regretfully back at the flowers. "Unhand me impudent fool!"

"Stop the pretty language, please, it's unbecoming." I snickered. It was always amusing when someone called me out on my unique acts of speech. Finally we arrived in an empty bedroom.

"I've been having just as much fun as you Louis, but now can you please tell me what this is about?" As the door shut behind us, Louis turned to me, placing both hands on my shoulders. What's going on?!

"Why are you the princess elect? Explain yourself." I remained silent. I peered into Louis' eyes, trying to comprehend his motives. The features of Louis' face were twisted, almost as though he were in pain. I disliked not knowing anything, and Louis' intentions were no different. I searched his face, his eyes followed mine. "That pendant is a royal heirloom, and is worn exclusively by the princesses who are next in line to the throne." So this was worn by the princesses before me. Talk about creepy. "I told you to leave the palace once you found your precious flower. Whatever possessed you to remain?" Louis' harsh words trailed off to a murmur. Trust me, I wish I was gone just as much as you do. Though his glare was stern, I easily found the courage to speak.

"It was Giles who made the decision, not me." His brow furrowed with mounting displeasure.

"You. The princess?" He retracted into silence, eyes affixed to the floor.

"Honestly can't believe it myself." I added, for good measure. His bright blue eyes narrowed, still not meeting my emerald ones. Louis removed his hands from my shoulders, his next words piercing and cold.

"I don't think you've got what it takes to be princess."

"What?" I could think of nothing but white, bubbling rage.

"I suggest you leave the palace- before it's too late." It was hard to believe that this was the same man who had fixed my hair just moments before.

Who the hell does this guy think he is?! The conceited moron, I'll show him just who can be a fucking princess! Fortunately for the man standing before me, those thoughts and my vocal chords hadn't gotten the chance to connect yet, which explained the quiet words which next escaped my lips.

"But... Why?"

"The thought of the kingdom's future resting on a commoner like you makes me sick." My mouth fell open as my fists tightened at my sides and I prepared to fire my own verbal assault.

"Princess Ava?" Louis' head snapped to the side upon hearing Nico's cheerful voice resounding from the hallway. Louis fired one last icy glare at me before vanishing through the door.

"Get back here you-"

"There you are!" Nico interrupted before I had the chance to finish. He immediately stopped in his tracks at the sight of me. I was breathing heavily, my emotions twisted in fury. In attempt to calm myself, I took both hands and ran them slowly along both sides of my head and through my hair. It didn't help.

"Please, give me a moment Nico." My tone was quiet, but scarily so. Nico nodded, gulped, and stepped out of the room. I made my way toward the large bed, plopping down on the side of it, and grabbed one of the goose feather filled pillows.

Finally, I screamed a colorful variety of obscenities into the plush item.

August 19th