A/N: Here's chapter 3. Please, please review after you read it. I would really, really appreciate it.

Chapter 3:

"Who, me?" I said, pretending to be surprised, "Oh that's not possible. I don't know much people."

"I see," he said as he tried to take a peek while I blocked and turned. "You look very much like her."

Damn it! Why can't he just leave me alone?

"I'm sorry sir," I said sounding really annoyed, "I am not that person. Excuse me, I believe you're on my way."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," he said, finally stepping aside.

I turned and walk backwards as quickly as I could to prevent him from seeing my face. I didn't even care that I looked extremely stupid. I just wanted to get away from him as fast as I could.

I caught up with Vivian and Trudy. A short while later, he disappeared into the crowd. I let my guard down.

As the sun was setting, Vivian and Trudy finally decided that it was time to go home. They called for the carriage and Vivian told me to cram all the things they bought into it. I crammed everything inside accordingly. They had bought so many things that by the time I stuffed the last box into the carraige,there wasn't any room left.

"Walk back," Vivian ordered me as the coachman closed the door. "And walk quickly, I invited the Duke for dinner to give me some pointers about the prince. You need to help with the preparations."

I watched the carriage sped away. I sighed; the town is a long way from Dwight Manor. I wish Courage was here. At least, I would have company but Vivian detested him, I'm not sure his presence would have thrilled Vivian.

As if he heard my thoughts, the exact person I was avoiding suddenly popped in front of me on a brown mare.

I didn't mean this form of company. Where are those boxes when you need them?

He stopped and alighted.

"Hey," he said, "You're the one who locked me up. I knew it."

"All right, you win," I said as I trudged. "I did lock you up. I have returned everything I've borrowed. You may leave me alone already." I walked pass him.

He walked beside, pulling his horse by the reins as we walked through the deserted path within the forest.

"Aww… Come on," he said feigning hurt. "What did I do to make you detest me so much? First you lock me up, and now you snap at me." He pouted.

"I do not," I said hotly as walked faster. "And for you're information, you had no right calling me a thief. You took away my clothes; I was in a hurry to leave. You do realize that I can't go home with a nightgown on, do you? So I borrowed a dress. I said so in the note I left on the desk."

"Ok, ok," he chuckled. "I was just joking last time."

"Go away, leave me alone," I said. I could feel my blood pressure rapidly rising. I was getting annoyed.

"Say," he said, "Aren't you getting tired of walking? Why don't you hop on my horse and I'll give you a ride?"

"I don't ride with irritating strangers," I replied.

"Come on," he said. "Does this handsome face of mine look like a bad person?"

"Hmmmph," I muttered. "What makes you think you're handsome you arrogant dimwit?"

"Well," he said in a joking voice that annoyed me, "the fact that ladies swoon every time I give them the look. Like this," he said flashing me a bright smile.

He did look handsome, very handsome. Trudy would surely forget about the prince of she sees him. Too bad he's soooo conceited. But I didn't tell him those things of course. I made a face instead.

"You're humility makes me feel awkward," I said sarcastically.

"Why thank you," he said as he tried to keep up with my quick pacing. Obviously he doesn't know how to recognize sarcasm.

"So what do you say about the ride?" he offered again.

He really is stubborn.

"I won't ride that horse with you." I said.

"Ok," he said. "I'll walk and you can ride."

"All right," I finally agreed. He smiled as he helped me up. "This is where you put your feet," he instructed.

Does he think I've never ridden a horse?

"So my lady," he said as he jogged beside me, "what is your name?"

"It's none of your business," I retorted.

"Please," he pleaded.

"No," I replied.

"Pretty please," he asked again.

"Not ever," I said stubbornly.

"Pretty, pretty please," he pleaded as he clasped his hands as though in prayer.

"Oh, stop it," I said, "You sound like a six year old begging for candy."

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Shut up," I said sounding impatient.

"I'll shut up if you tell me your name," he said stubbornly.

"Shut up," I said, "I mean it. If you speak one more word, I'll gallop off with your horse."

"Nah." He smirked. "You won't dare."

He was really getting on my nerves. "Oh yeah?" I said. "Watch me." I gave his horse a kick and we were off.

"Hey," he shouted, shocked. "What are you doing? Stop. Stop. Wait for me."

I ignored him and went even faster. A few more minutes later, we reached Dwight Manor. I stopped in front of the gate. Seconds late, he appeared from the trees and caught up.

We had the same shocked expressions etched on our faces; I can't believe he caught up with me. That was a pretty long way to run, he couldn't have run all those miles at such high speed.

"I can't believe you did that," he said as he gasped for breath.

It was my turn to smirk.

He said nothing and noticed Dwight Manor through the gate.

"So, is that where you live?" he asked. "It looks great." Of coarse, everybody says so.

"Come on," he said as I descended from the horse. "I'll escort you in."

"No! No, no, no, no, no…" I said frantically. I hadn't expected this. "Y-you can't?"

He raised his right eyebrow and in a mocking voice, he said. "Tell me, why can't I?"

"I-I…" I stammered. Come on… come on. Ideas, ideas.

"I'd love to show you around but," I said quickly as an idea struck me, "my stepmother is sick and does not want to be disturbed."

"You're lying," he said.

"I am not," I denied. Well Vivian is sick, maybe not physically, but she is… mentally.

"Ok," he said as the corners of his mouth curved up into a smile. "Let's pretend that I actually believe you. I promise I'll really be quiet so that I won't disturb your sick stepmother. Hurry, I want to see what you're hiding."

"I am not hiding anything," I shouted after him. "Hey wait, don't."

He ignored me and continued making his way to the house.

Please, please, please. Let Vivian be very occupied. Don't let her see him. Don't let her see him. Don't let her see him…

As I entered the house seconds after him, I saw a man, who must be the duke, bowing to him.

What's going on?

"Your Highness, what brings you here?" The duke said kissing his hand.

Vivian and Trudy curtsied and said, "It's an honor having you here, Prince James."

He was the prince! I can't believe it. If Vivian finds out I made him run all the way to Dwight Manor, she's going to kill me. I even locked him up a few days ago. What will the king say if he finds out? Will he chop off my head? I worriedly touched my neck and gulped.

No wonder he was so arrogant. Why didn't that airhead tell me?

Suddenly, Vivian saw me standing speechless by the door. "Claire, what are you doing there? Curtsy."

I curtsied gracefully. I was still trying to recover from the shock when the prince approached me.

"There you are, Claire," he said. He smiled at me victoriously. I was still too shock to say anything. "Didn't you tell me you were going to give me a tour of your house?"

"I did what?" I asked in disbelief.

"Come on," he said and grabbed my hand. Trudy and Vivian looked as shock as I was.

I struggled to remove my hand from his clasp to no avail for he had a tight grip. He brought me to the garden and finally released me hand. I scowled at him then looked around. After making sure that there was no one around, I spoke to him in the calmest voice I could muster.

"What on earth were you thinking dragging me here?" I said. I wanted to shout at him but I didn't dare. "And why didn't you tell me you're the prince?"

He smirked. "You didn't ask for my name. Besides, why would I tell you who I am when you don't want to tell me who you are?"

"Geez…" I retorted. "You so annoying."

"I know, Claire," he said, "I know."

"Arrgh…" I mumbled as clutched my fist in front of me. I was trying very, very hard to resist the urge to punch the prince.

He just laughed.

"There you are, Claire," said Trudy. I saw her appear from nowhere. "You are needed in the kitchen."

I noticed her link her arm to his as I stormed away. She clung to him like a metal clings to a magnet. As much as he had annoyed moments ago, I cannot help but pity him in his current situation. Being ordered around rudely by Trudy is horrible, but being courted by her is beyond the power of word to describe.

I went to the kitchen to help. Faride was at her wit's end as she walked around the room, frantically giving instructions. Vivian was also there. She just told Faride that she wanted the dinner to be perfect because of the Prince's presence.

"I am not through with you yet," Vivian hissed as she brushed by me on her way out.

Great. Now I'm in trouble with Vivian because of him.

The room was buzzing with activity. Faride ordered me to make the drinks. I worked in silence. I was tempted to put lots and lots of salt into the prince's juice but I didn't dare do it in front of Vivian. Besides, the duke was there and he might tell the king, who in turn might chop off my head.

"Finished?" Faride asked as I carried a tray full of drinks.

"Yes," I replied.

"Go serve it," she said as she assisted Aida in chopping some vegetables.

I obeyed and entered the dining room. It was greatly transformed. There were decorations and candles everywhere. I wondered how Vivian managed to prepare this at such a short notice.

I approached each occupant of the massive table and served them their respective drinks. I first served the prince. Vivian specifically instructed us that she wants the guests to be served first. He winked at me as I handed him a glass. I scowled at him and prayed no one noticed.

I next served the duke. He was a thin old man with an extraordinarily pale complexion, dressed impeccably in expensive blue apparel. As I leaned forward to place a glass of wine beside his plate, I felt an uncanny feeling arise. I felt the hair behind my neck stand. I didn't know why but at that exact moment, I disliked the duke. For some unknown reason, I knew that he couldn't be trusted. Every part of my brain kept ringing bells of caution. I drew away from him as quickly as I could. He seemed to notice my peculiar actions and turned to look at me.

I hastily handed Vivian and Gasper their drinks. Then I served the last glass beside the plate of Trudy, who was sitting beside the prince. All those time, I could feel the duke's protruding, steel gray eyes observing me sinisterly, as if he was looking for something. I glanced at him and he instantaneously turned away to strike a conversation with Vivian about the weather.

I hastily turned and left the room then went to the kitchen to resume my work. Every part of the kitchen was still occupied by servants, all busy chopping, washing, cooking, garnishing, and so on. Greda handed me a bowl and told me to mix it. I brought the bowl to a corner to avoid being bumped by other servants passing by. I spent the next hours rushing around the kitchen, obeying orders and forgot about the duke and his suspicious air.

After several more hours of busy preparations and cooking, we finally finished and the prince and the duke soon prepared to leave. I saw Trudy reluctantly release the prince's arm as she said goodbye to an excited prince through the kitchen window. I stifled a laugh at the funny sight. This is even better than the comedy performances that I used to attend to as a child. Trudy attempted to kiss the prince on the cheek, but the prince ducked, and Trudy almost tripped. I giggled. I tried to drink in every detail of the event as I watched Trudy making a fool out of herself.

I was eating breakfast with Greda and some servants. The bells for Vivian's room suddenly rang; Cynthia stood up to attend to Vivian and the rest of the room resumed eating. It was still rather early. Vivian was usually still asleep at this time of the day. I wondered what she wanted.

Moments later Cynthia returned, "Madam wants you," she told me.

I left my half eaten toast and stood up. I walked to Vivian's room and remembered about last night. She's probably going to punish for last night.

Vivian's room was open but empty when I arrived. I tried the living room and the dining room but both were empty. Where could she be?

I passed by the library and heard voices. It must be Vivian.

I knocked and entered. Trudy and Vivian were inside. They sat across each other and were discussing something, but they stopped as soon as I entered.

"You asked for me, Madam?" I asked.

"Ah yes," Vivian said as she put down the book she was reading. "About last night. We have to talk about that,"

Here go my punishments…

"Why were you meeting my prince behind our backs?" Trudy started shrieking.

"Calm yourself dear," Vivian interrupted Trudy. She turned to me. "Why didn't you tell us that you were acquainted with the prince?"

"I-I didn't know," I said.

She laughed her fake, high-pitched laugh. "Do you actually think I would believe that? How long did you plan to keep this from me? If you think you could do things behind our backs and keep it a secret, you're wrong. How dare you seduce the prince when you perfectly know that Trudy has her eye on him."

S-seduce the prince? Does she really think that I actually like the prince? I most certainly do not like him and I don't want to seduce the prince… ever. And what makes her think that the fact that Trudy wants something should prevent me from getting it if I want it too. How dare she forbid me to like something that Trudy wants when Trudy took away everything I used to own?

I opened my mouth to defend myself but Trudy interrupted me. "How long have you known him?"

"I... uh, just yesterday," I replied.

"I forbid you to see him ever again," Trudy snapped.

"Did you hear that?" Vivian spoke, "From now on you are forbidden to speak or meet with the prince."

I nodded. I didn't care. I didn't really look forward to our next meeting anyway.

"No dinner today and no breakfast tomorrow," Vivian started dictating my punishments. "You will fill the entire shed with firewood." I started to protest, "But…" She gave me a threatening glare and I closed my mouth immediately.

"You will scrub the entire kitchen, including the walls and ceiling and the cellar- wait no," she stopped to reconsider. "No, you will scrub the attic and clean everything in it and I want them done by dinner tomorrow. Now go."

I quickly left less Vivian might change her mind and add some more punishments. Finishing all those tasks by tomorrow is superhuman enough and I really didn't feel like making them any harder than they already are.