The next afternoon, Gabriella and Troy were getting ready to go the art opening. Troy had offered to go with her. Gabriella's grandparents were going to entertain the others. Troy took Gabriella's hand as they walked out to the car.

"I promise some serious making out on the way home." Gabriella whispered into Troy's ear.

"If this that is what I get for going to an art opening, I can't wait to see what you open my birthday gift for you."

Gabriella rolled her eyes. Troy chuckled as he pulled her closer to him. He drew her lips up to his. After a few heated kisses, Gabriella pulled away gasping slightly.

"I said on the way home, Mr. Bolton." she teased quietly.

"I'm sorry, Princess." Troy whispered against her lips.

"You should be."

The car pulled up to the art museum. The driver got out and opened the door. Troy got out and then helped Gabriella out of the car. Several photographers began shouting for them to look in their direction.

"Where to?" Troy asked.

"Head over to that reporter over there." Gabriella told him nodding her head towards a TV reporter.

"Alright." Troy agreed as they walked to the reporter.

"I'm Elsie Lars and I'm here with Princess Gabriella and her mystery date. Am assuming correctly that this is the infamous Troy Bolton, the one who's made our beloved princess so happy?"

"Do you want to take that one?" Gabriella asked Troy.

"Troy Bolton, nice to meet you." he said.

"Well, it's finally nice to put the name to the face. How do you like our country?"

"It's very beautiful. I hope I can come many times."

"How do you feel about Genovia being chosen to display Monet's classical masterpieces?" Elsie asked Gabriella.

"I feel very honored and privileged that our little country was chosen to have these works of art permanently displayed in our art gallery." Gabriella answered.

"What can we expect from your birthday gala Friday night?"

"I don't even know what to expect." Gabriella answered giggling. "It's going to a surprise for me as well."

"Are you nervous about your proclamation in two weeks?"

"Who wouldn't be? But I'm lucky enough to have my family and friends being here to keep my nerves down."

"Not to mention a wonderful boyfriend."

"Yes, my wonderful boyfriend." Gabriella agreed smiling up at Troy.

"Thank you for talking to us, you're Highness. I hope to speak to you soon."

"Thank you."

Gabriella and Troy were led inside. They were then introduced to the museum curator. Troy kept his arm around Gabriella's waist the entire time. Throughout their tour, photographers were taking hundreds of pictures a minute of them.

"You're Highness; this is one of our biggest supporters, Henry Patterson."

"Hello, nice to meet you."

"It is an honor to meet my Princess." Mr. Patterson said kissing Gabriella's hand. "I have a son who is…"

"I'm sorry Mr. Patterson, but I'm afraid Troy and I must be going." Gabriella said pulling Troy with her.

As Mr. Patterson had been talking about his son, Gabriella had felt Troy tense up. She knew he was very protective of her and wouldn't let anyone come between them. The two of them got back into the car. Once the door was shut, Troy let his frustration out.

"Why do guys do this?"

"They're mainly interested in me because I'm going to be queen and it will raise their status in life. You, I know, love me more than anything in the world. And you would even if I was a bag lady on the street. And that's why I am with you and not them. You have nothing to worry about, Baby."

"Alright, but if I recall correctly, there was a certain promise of a make-out session."

"Yeah, I guess there was."

Troy then leaned over and began to kiss Gabriella. He ran his fingers through her hair. Gabriella moaned quietly as their tongues met in an age old dance. She and Troy mumbled words of devotion to each other each time they finished a kiss.

That evening, the king and queen were having dinner with the Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Ms. Montez, Coach and Mrs. Bolton, Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Mr. and Mrs. McKessie, Mr. and Mrs. Neilson, Mr. and Mrs. Baylor, and Mr. and Mrs. Cross had gone to the theater and out to dinner. Their children were in the palace's theater watching 'Phantom of the Opera'.

"We've brought a gift for Gabriella for her birthday." the king said.

"We brought her a young fawn whose mother abandoned her. We know how much Gabriella enjoys bringing in orphaned animals like these." the queen added.

"That's perfect, Australia gave her a baby koala earlier this week." Gerard explained. "Niles, will you please go down to the theater and have Troy and Gabriella come up here for a few minutes."

"Yes, you're highness." Gerard's assistant agreed bowing.

"And just to warn you, they're watching 'Phantom of the Opera'." Clarisse told him.

"Yes, Ma'am." Niles agreed slightly confused.

In the theater, as "Phantom of the Opera' was playing on the movie screen, three out of the four couple were having passionate make-out sessions. Kelsi, Jason, and Ryan were actually watching the movie. Troy was kissing Gabriella as she was moving to lay one her back. Gabriella was giggling in between their heated kisses. Just then they both heard the movie stop.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, but I need Mr. Bolton and her highness to follow me." Niles said.

Troy pulled Gabriella to her feet and led her out of the theater. They walked behind Niles as he led them to the king and queen's private quarters. Niles opened the double doors.

"Announcing Mr. Troy Bolton and Princess Gabriella."

Gabriella and Troy entered the parlor. The two royal couples stood up. Gabriella smiled and went to go hug Queen Elizabeth happily. The queen kissed her forehead gently. Gabriella then hugged Prince Philip.

"It's wonderful to see you both." Gabriella told them happily.

"You're looking as beautiful, as always." Prince Philip told her. "How's your schooling?"

"Very well, how are your grandsons?"

"Both are in the Army now."

"Taking after their grandfather."

"We've brought you your birthday gift."

Everyone walked into the Queen's sitting room. Gabriella noticed a young fawn shaking nervously at all the new people. She knelt down and held her hand out to it to let it smell her scent. The fawn slowly sniffed her hand as she allowed Gabriella to gently pet her. Gabriella helped it get to its feet. The deer nuzzled against Gabriella's leg.

"What will you call her?" Queen Elizabeth asked.

"Faline, after the deer in 'Bambi'." Gabriella answered. "Thank you, so much."

"Gabby, you and Troy may go back to the theater." Gerard told her.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

Gabriella picked up Faline and she and Troy walked out into the hallway. Gabriella giggled quietly as the fawn licked her face. Troy laughed as he held all the doors opened for her.

"Is this the birthday where you get all the animals?" he asked.

"No, I think this is it for the new pets." Gabriella answered giggling.