Hello once again! An early chapter because I was very much looking forward to writing the scene on the stairs-you'll know the one when you read it. ;)

Thanks for the lovely reviews, they really make me want to keep reading! Thanks again, and I hope you all enjoy!

As the days went by, Kurt and Blaine became closer and closer. They really did work well together. Kurt loved that Blaine knew all about the most recent fashion trends, and enjoyed the same musicals. He was also a good source of information about Elsiva, as Blaine had lived there all his life. Blaine loved that Kurt could tell him all about the USA and its culture, as he'd never been. He also liked that they could easily converse in their shared favourite TV programs, like the Bachelor and other trashy shows. What both boys loved most, however, was that they were still very different. Blaine had grown up in a regal household, where manners and respect where of utmost importance; he was always very put together and self-aware, even when the two were just goofing off. And Kurt…well, he was raised by Burt. Blaine really did put Kurt's table manners to shame. But it didn't matter, because they both respected each other and enjoyed spending time together.

Blaine still felt Kurt was holding back, however. He knew the Hummel boy was wary of him and still did not believe that Blaine was being entirely truthful about his intentions, but Blaine enjoyed spending time with Kurt so much, that for now, he did not care. In fact, Blaine's feelings towards Kurt were getting stronger and stronger each day. And he felt, and hoped, that Kurt felt the same way.

One of the boys' favourite times of the week was sleepover night. Every Wednesday the pair would meet up in Kurt's suite, as it was bigger than Blaine's guest bedroom, and watch movies, eat junk food, and gossip about this, that, and the other. They chose Wednesday as it was royal-training day for Kurt, which he hated. But he got through it knowing he had the night with Blaine to look forward to.

These sleepovers were kind of like a poorly kept secret. They knew it wasn't proper for two males to share a room, especially in the palace; where traditional views were still in place. Of course, in progressive Elsiva, nobody cared that they were gay, but they were not married or betrothed, therefore sharing a room for the night was highly frowned upon. So the pair snuck around, feeling very badass with Blaine sneaking into his room once the staff had retired to their bed chambers for the night. However everyone in the castle knew of their escapades, but nobody said a word as they didn't want to displease the Prince of the young Lord.

The Queen, however, was not amused. Watching Kurt and Blaine grow closer and closer was really starting to worry her. She knew Blaine only wanted Kurt's title, and he was seducing Kurt to get it. And unfortunately for her, and for Kurt, the heir was falling for it. Honestly, Sophia didn't know how to stop it; she hadn't seen Kurt this happy for a long time. So for now, she let the sleepovers occur, knowing Kurt wouldn't step into something as foolish as a physical relationship with Blaine so soon, especially as they were not actually dating.

"Which movie shall it be tonight, m'lord?" Kurt asked Blaine, who was lounged out on Kurt's plus bed.

"Mmm…I think you should use my title more often, you majesty", Blaine said flirtatiously, causing Kurt to laugh brightly, making Blaine's heart soar. The pair often flirted easily like this, neither really thinking anything of it; conversation was just so easy between them.

"Well, we can either go for The Other Boleyn Girl, Princess Protection Programme, or The Prince and Me", Kurt offered.

"I'm sensing a theme here", Blaine joked, once again causing Kurt to smile.

"Well if you're not going to pick, I choose Disney", Kurt said, putting in the Princess Protection Programme. Blaine groaned;

"Eurgh, Kurt this movie is so cheesy", he said, rolling around on the bed to emphasise his point.

"Well you should have chosen quicker then, shouldn't you?" Kurt said back, feeling sassy.

The pair made themselves comfortable on Kurt's bed; Blaine was leaning on Kurt's pillows at the head of the bed, as was Kurt, their shoulders touching. They were sharing a large blanket that probably cost more than some people's house; everything felt perfect.

"Eurgh, Kurt…" Blaine said once the opening credits of the film begun.

"Yes Blaine? This better be good because I don't want to miss a second of this movie", Kurt warned.

"We don't have any popcorn".

"Do we need popcorn? Think of all the grease Blaine…plus we've already ordered pizza", Kurt replied.

"We absolutely need popcorn, Kurt", Blaine said, sounding very serious, "without popcorn, we cannot have the true cinema experience". The Lord sounded seriously affronted at the very mention of forgoing the cinema snack. Kurt sighed;

"Alright, let's go get popcorn", Kurt stopped when Blaine shouted 'YES!' at this statement, "but we'll have to be quiet; nobody can know about these slumber parties, yes?" Blaine nodded vigorously, already halfway out the door of the suite.

The two made their way quietly around the castle, emphasising their tip-toeing, thinking it would make them quieter. Eventually, they made their way down into the kitchen without making a sound. Kurt grabbed the bag of popcorn out of the cupboard, as he knew the room better than Blaine did, while the Anderson boy got the bowl. Luckily, little could be heard from the kitchen in the basement level, so they didn't have to worry about the microwave waking the whole castle up.

The pair were sitting patiently on the chairs of the work table when Kurt suddenly jolted up, his back rim-rod straight.

"What is it?" Blaine asked, looking scared; did Kurt see a ghost?

"The pizza…" was all Kurt said. Blaine was confused until he realised…they had called for pizza, knowing they would have to sneak out and collect it before the delivery guy reached the guards and alerted them of their sleepover. The pair had completely forgotten on their quest for popcorn; there was no way they were going to get to the gates in time.

At that exact moment, the fancy, modern intercom system the Queen had insisted on sounded throughout the castle.

"Your majesty, I hate to wake you, but I have a young gentleman here who insists that one Kurt Hummel ordered two pizzas. He will not leave until he is paid, ma'am". The guard said from outside through the speakers. The pair froze; everyone in the castle would have heard that. Kurt ran out of the room, hoping to do damage control. Blaine followed shortly after, but not before grabbing the bowl of popcorn first.

When they reached the entrance hall, Sophia was standing there, along with a small selection of staff. The pizza delivery boy was standing amongst them, looking completely out of his depth.

"Kurt, would you like to tell me why you have ordered two pizzas for yourself at ten pm, especially after you have had a very delicious, gourmet dinner?" the Queen asked, looking stern. Kurt decided to just tell the truth;

"Erm, me and Blaine were having a sleepover, so we decided to order pizza. Sorry, we didn't mean to wake you", he said, looking remorseful. Blaine stood behind them, still eating popcorn from the bowl. Sophia sighed;

"We all know about the sleepovers, Kurt, they are hardly a secret". Both Blaine and Kurt looked surprised at this;

"But we were so sneaky…" Blaine said, mostly to himself.

"No, you weren't, dear", Sophia said with a bit if a snap to her voice; she still didn't like Blaine all that much.

"Kurt, I trust you and Blaine are being responsible at these sleepovers?" She asked, causing Kurt to blush. I mean, this was his grandmother and all the staff were watching.

"Grandmother", Kurt said between clenched teeth, "me and Blaine are just friends".

"I trust you Kurt", was all she said. Kurt just nodded and ran up the stairs to his room, thoroughly embarrassed. Blaine followed, not wishing to be interrogated by the intimidating Queen Sophia.

After the sleepover debacle, the castle went back to normal, although Kurt made sure to make everyone aware that he and Blaine were just friends; they didn't walk as closely as they did before, and Kurt cut the flirting back a bit, at least in public. Blaine was upset. He had really thought he was getting closer to Kurt and gaining his trust, but now it seemed he was back to square one. Of course, if Kurt truly didn't want to be with him, he would be more than happy with friendship. But something inside him told Blaine that Kurt really did want more.

It happened the next week. Blaine had barely seen Kurt, as the boy had been pulling away even more, still embarrassed at what had occurred the previous week. This was why Blaine was so surprised to actually see Kurt in the flesh, walking past the top of the grand staircase in the main entrance. The whole room was deserted except for the two teenagers.

"Kurt!" Blaine shouted, causing the boy in question to look down the stairs. Seeing it was Blaine, Kurt's eyes widened and he waved quickly before attempting to walk off.

"Wait!" Blaine shouted again, jumping up the stairs two at a time to reach Kurt at the top. Kurt looked thoroughly flustered.

"Erm, hi Blaine", he said quietly.

"Why have you been avoiding me?" He asked.

"What? I haven't been…I-I haven't…" the Prince replied, looking even more flustered and embarrassed. Blaine's tone softened;

"Kurt, I hope I haven't done something to offend you", Kurt shook his head violently at this, lessening Blaine's worry; "I understand that the confrontation with your grandmother was embarrassing, but I really miss you Kurt. I hate that you're pulling away from me, especially when we were becoming so close". Kurt didn't reply, obviously at a loss for words;

"I mean, maybe it was just me, but I really thought we were becoming…more than friends?" Blaine asked with an inflection on the end, hoping Kurt would reply. He didn't. Blaine was stepping more and more into Kurt's personal space, who was now backed against the wall.

"I really like you, Kurt. And I hope you like me too. To tell you the truth, I'm crazy about you". Blaine confessed; glad to get it off his chest.

Kurt still looked as shocked as before. Deciding to take the plunge, Blaine slowly leaned in, giving Kurt time to push him away, and took Kurt's chin in his hand, bringing his face up to look at him. Ever so slowly, Blaine pressed his lips to Kurt's soft ones, the warm feeling of another pair of lips on his, especially Kurt's, making Blaine feel amazing. Fireworks went off in his head, and his stomach fluttered like crazy. He had never felt like this before. Their lips never moved, but eventually he felt Kurt respond to the kiss for a quick second, before pulling away suddenly, making Blaine's lips feel cold and empty.

"I-I'm sorry, I can't", Kurt sputtered out, obviously dishevelled and confused.

"Why Kurt?" Blaine practically begged; "you can't deny the way we feel for each other. You're amazing", Kurt blushed at this, not used to the attention.

"I just don't trust you yet", he said quietly, scared to hurt Blaine's feelings. They did hurt, but Blaine could understand the way the Prince felt.

"And if you knew for sure I wasn't trying to steal your throne, you would be with me?" Blaine asked hopefully.

"Yes, but honestly Blaine I just don't see that happening. I mean, your father-"

"Is not me", Blaine interrupted. The pair was silent for a few moments, just looking into each other's eyes.

"Well I guess I'm just going to have to change your mind then", was all Blaine said with a smile, before confidently walking away. If there was one thing Blaine knew for certain, it was that he was going to try his hardest to gain Kurt's trust.

Two days later, Blaine was still high off his new plan, while Kurt was depressed. He really liked Blaine, and that kiss was nothing short of amazing, but they just could never be together. Even if Blaine was being truthful, he couldn't allow the elder Anderson to be in any sort of royal position, and he would be if his son became King. And that was another thing, his grandmother kept trying to set him up on dates with possible husbands, but he kept knocking them down. None of them made him get butterflies in his stomach or make him dizzy with their affection…not like Blaine did.

Sophia could see how upset her grandson was. And, although she wasn't sure of the actual cause, she had guessed it had something to do with the Anderson boy. Nonetheless, she hated seeing Kurt like this, and so the Queen had pulled some strings and managed to get her heir a gift she knew he would love.

So when the doorbell rang throughout the castle during their royal lesson, she told Kurt to get it instead of the doorman, making him look very confused, especially as she never interrupted a lesson. But nonetheless, Kurt made his way downstairs and opened the grand door, looking back at his grandmother in confusion.

As soon as the doors were opened two figures threw themselves into Kurt's arms, causing him to step back in alarm. When he realised who the strangers were, he squealed in delight'

"Oh my god! Mercedes? Rachel? What are you two doing here? This is crazy!"

"We heard you were in a bit of a funk, so we thought we'd come and cheer you up!" Mercedes said with a smile on her face.

"Yeah, and who could miss the opportunity to stay in a real palace; I feel like a princess" Rachel added in, causing them all to laugh.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're here!" Kurt said, hugging them all again; "come on, you're going to die when you see my closet!"

The trio ran up the grand stairs to Kurt's room; the sound of the girl's oohs and ahhs at the castle could still be heard all the way to the Prince's chambers.

The Queen smiled; she was glad to see her grandson so happy again, and maybe the presence of his friends would put things into perspective, and his mind off Blaine.

Hope you liked it! See you next chapter!