Risley's phone began to ring as she rolled over and pulled her purse up onto the bed and took out her phone "Hello?"

"What are you doing?" Evelyn basically screamed into the phone

"Um, what are you talking about?"

"Risley wake up. You and Mark are plastered all over the papers and gossip channels."

"Wait for what? We didn't go anywhere where the press was. " She said as she sat up and pulled the covers up and Mark rolled over and moaned because Risley was being loud. Mark's phone began to ring and he placed his hand on his phone.

"Hello?" Mark said

"Evelyn let me call you back," Risley said and hung up and started a google search

"Mother, I did not take Risley in front of the press." He said and Risley's mouth dropped as she handed Mark her phone and showed him a gossip channel in which had pictures of Mark and her walking on the beach and at dinner. "Yes, mother. We will be there" He hung up his phone and handed Risley hers and he laid back down.

"Mark," Risley started to talk and Mark cut her off.

"Ris, there is nothing you can do about it now. It is out there and we have to go speak to my mother about this later this morning. So, come to lay down." Mark said and reached up to brush her fingers against her back. She laid down as she took her phone and started to read through some of the articles as she was not going to get any more sleep. She saw pictures and was a bit upset that the private moments that she thought she was just sharing with Mark was now plastered all over for the world to see. She finally could not lay down anymore and texted Evelyn telling her that she now has to speak to his mother about this. Risley got up out of bed and went to take a shower.

Mark laid in bed for a bit longer and then got up and went into the bathroom and joined Risley in the shower. He wrapped his arms around her and softly whispered "Your okay... I am right here" Risley turned around and laid her head on his chest. "I know," He said and Risley left a few tears out. She could not believe it while Mark used to this life. He knew what was going to happen. His mother will have to release a statement about the current relationship.

"I just did not think that something so private would be plastered all over," She said softly. Mark kissed her lips softly the shower water hitting both of them in the face and for the moment something so simple for both of them put them in a world that just left all the pain, problems, and drama behind. It was the moments that they both enjoyed and craved more of.

Mark grabbed a towel and dried off from the shower as he then wrapped it around his waist. He turned towards Risley and handed her towel and kissed her cheek. "Joe is most likely out there."

"Already?" She whispered and Mark handed her a robe and smiled at her before he walked into the bedroom.

"Good morning Sir. I see that yesterday events are news" Joe said and handed him a tray filled with papers and photos of themselves.

"Oh yes," He said and raised an eyebrow "Mother is not happy since she will have to release a statement."

"Mother might honestly be happy about this." Joe held up one of the papers who title read 'She pulls at our heart for Prince Mark' "She might use this to make the citizens back on the royals side since, after all, she wins over everyone she gets in touch with."

"Your right that would work out after all she has asked to come with me on engagements." He paused as Risley came into the room.

"Good Morning Joe," She said shyly said as she sat next to Mark and held onto his arm and laid her head on her shoulder.

"Good Morning Miss," Joe said and smiled as he tilted his head down to give privacy. "So, mother wants to see you both once you two are ready."

"Yes, just give us a few minutes to get dress and we will make our way."

"Yes Sir," Joe said and walked out of the room and then closed the doors behind him. Mark kisses Risley head and he could hear her take a deep breath.

"Come on let's get dress and get things on its way," He said as he got up and walked over and poured himself some coffee to drink while he got dressed. He wore khaki pants with a light blue collar shirt. Mark sat on the bed and enjoyed his coffee while Risley put on her dark blue sundress that had very scattered tan flowers on it. She wrote black heels and a natural makeup. She grabbed her purse and phone. She saw that Evelyn text her back wishing her luck. Risley put her phone in her bag and flopped down on the bed.

"Can I still says I am still not ready?"

"You're so funny... I am sure mother will not be that mad" He paused and pulled her up off of the bed. He hugged her and kissed her softly as he took her hand and headed out to Joe.

The three of them stood in the hallway as they waited for their turn with the queen. The door slowly opened and her announcer stood on the other side and left the three of them in as he announced them in. The queen stood in the middle of the room and the guys walked up to her and kissed her hand and Risley curtsy to her and they all stood there and stared at each other for a while.

"Marcus, you should know better than your antics last night" She scolded him and Risley took a seat on the couch as she tilted her legs to the side and placed her hands in her lap.

"There was no press invited. Those pictures are an invasion of privacy" He said and looked over at Joe and Risley looked at her hands.

"But here is the thing Marcus you are next in line for the thrown and you cannot be running around anymore you need to grow up and get your life to straighten out." She started to rip into him.

"Ma'am" Joe butted in and walked over to the papers "This event could be used for the better of the royal family." He paused and picked up a paper that said 'She pulls at our heart for Prince Mark' and the next tone 'Who is that woman' he placed them both down and continued to speak "We all know the royal family has not been shining bright and maybe allowing the press get in touch with this young woman, that you know as well as I do will win over them over will change that"

The queen stood there for a bit and walked over to the table filled with papers. "Joe, what does my son's schedule look like for the rest of this week?" Joe took out his book and began to read engagements and surprises that Mark had a plan for the two of them. Mark looked at Joe when it came to the night before Risley would be leaving and Risley noticed that Joe just marked it as Private. The room fell to silence once again and Risley was beginning to get uncomfortable as she was not sure what idea was happening. "Marcus, I am done with your antics here. I am telling you this and I am going to make myself as clear as a bell." She paused and walked over to him and Joe and spoke softly to the two so that Risley did not hear her.

"Yes Ma'am," Joe said and Mark bowed his head and Risley could tell her that he received a scolding or his last 'get out of jail free' pass. The queen turned towards Risley and walked toward her she stood and brushed her dress. Mark looked up at Risley and watched as Risley watched the queen's every move.

"Miss Johnson," The queen started "Since you seem to be an overnight celebrity... I want to know how long you plan to continue this relationship with my son?"

"I would like this relationship to last forever, Ma'am" She swallowed hard as this was the first time even with Mark that future was discussed. She looked over at Mark and could feel her cheeks become warm and she noticed she could not read his face as he watched the conversation. The queen stood in front of Risley still and did not say anything.

"If this relationship does not work for any reason. What would you do then?" She continued to clasp her hand in front of her and Risley was a bit unsure why she all of a sudden wanted to know this information while the lunch earlier this week had no discussion about the future.

"I would just continue on my life as it was prior to the relationship" She stood and looked at the queen.

"What am I am about to do and allow has never been done before in the history of this kingdom. The three of you will be responsible for any actions that this might have an outcome." The queen walked over to a buzzer and hit it and called in her corresponding secretary. Risley looked at Mark and Joe and neither one of them moved. The corresponding secretary came in and showed his loyalty to the queen and sat down.

"I am releasing this statement to the press. Her Royal Majesty wishes to inform the citizens and the general public that His Royal Highness Prince Marcus is currently in a relationship with Risley Johnson from the United States. During her time visiting His Royal Highness she will be accompanying him during his royal duties. At no time are inquiries going to be accepted in regarding this." Risley looked at Mark and he did not break a smile nor change his face. She looked at Joe for some type of response. "Please release that statement as soon as possible" The corresponding secretary nodded and gathered his things and left.

The queen walked back to her chair and took a seat. "Risley, you will not speak on behalf of the royal family nor will you answer questions in regards to my son and the relationship that you two are having. You will accompany Mark at any royal engagement that he had schedule while you are here. Joe will be with the both of you and make sure that the engagements go in the favor of the family."

"Yes Ma'am I understand," Risley said and queen rubbed her head and looked at Mark.

"Risley please give us a moment"

"Yes Ma'am" Risley curtsy and walked out of the room and sat outside in the hallway. She felt her head was spinning and was trying to figure out what was going to happen yet.

The queen rubbed her eyes "Marcus, I suggest before your engagement tonight you have a conversation

with Risley on what you expect out of this relationship. This will be the last favor that you will receive from me for a while my son. Joe, for the love of God, get my son on the track for the kingdom"

"Yes Ma'am," Joe said and she waved at the two to be dismissed. They kissed her hand and both left the room.

Mark reached out to Risley and she took his hand. He pulled her into him and kissed her cheek softly. "Well, looks like you will be coming with me to everything."

"That is a good thing," She said with a smile and Mark stopped walking and held both of Risley's hands and looked at her dead serious.

"I will never try to hurt you. I am not the best man in the world. I have faults and I have issues, but I will try my hardest never let you down" He said to her and was serious as he could ever be to her.

"You have my heart in your hands... and I don't want to be another notch in your belt I want to be your forever" She looked at him and he brushed his hands against her cheeks and smiled.

Risley wore a cream strapless dress that stopped at her knees with a lace edge. She paired it with a nude heel, cream clutch, and cream crochet cardigan to cover her arms a bit. She texted with Evelyn back and forth about what was going on. Risley pulled her hair up into a bun at the nape of her neck allowing a few pieces aside of her face. She sat on the couch and waited for Mark. Joe sat on the chair across from her and just watched her.

"Are you nervous?" He asked breaking the silence

"A little, but the universe only gives you what you can handle" She paused and turned off her phone placing it on her clutch.

"You have that much faith?"

"You need to have faith in something, why not the universe?" She looked at him so innocent and he could not say anything back. Mark walked into the room. He seems to be in the same khaki pants and a dark blue button down shirt along with a coat. Risley stood up and walked over too him "Do I look okay in this?"

"If you feel comfortable that is all that matters." He paused and she closed her eyes and smiled at him. He kissed her forehead. "Well, Joe lets get this show on the road... because you know as much as I do that we are going to starving by the food is given out."Joe laughed at the remark and Mark took Risley's hand and they made their way to the car.

Joe started to give the rundown on what he wanted to happen when they got to the event. Mark looked out the window and Risley rubbed his hand and he looked back at her and kissed her softly. "I got you no matter what" he whispered into her ear and she smiled. Risley looked at the crowd of people as she took a deep breath. The car stopped and Joe got out of the car first and stood at the side of the car. Mark got out of the car and that is when the camera started to go nuts. He reached his hand out for Risley's and she took it. She watched her self as she got out of the car. Mark smiled at Risley and kissed her cheek softly as his arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. The cameras continued to flash as people screamed over one another to get pictures. Mark then started to make his way into the venue taking Risley with him. The crowd continued to scream and call out to the two of them. Risley followed Mark inside and away from the cameras.

"It doesn't get any better even over time," He said and she looked up at him and then squeezed his hand.

"Good evening Sir" A man reaches out and shook Mark's hand as Risley stood right next to him "Good evening Miss," He said and shook her hand. "Come right this way," He said and lead them into another room. The big doors open up into a room filled with people and Risley could feel that all the eyes were on the two of them. She smiled and looked around the room and then looked at Mark. The servers made their way to them and handed them both champagne. Risley could not get the first glass down fast enough to get the nerves to stop. Mark and Risley quickly were pulled apart and was getting into different circles talking. Joe stayed close to Risley within earshot of her as the group of females continued to talk to her about the topic at hand which was mental health.

"So," The one female started and looked at Risley "Are you and Prince Mark serious?"

"What does that mean?" She asked and tilted her head "We are in a relationship, and that is serious" Joe smiled and took a sip of his drink and was very proud of her answer. The female was a bit upset about the response hoping for more of an answer.

Mark came over to Risley and wrapped his arm around her and kissed her cheek "May I steal Miss Johnson away, Ladies?"

"Yes, Sir," the ladies said as one and Mark smiled and removed Risley from them and they walked over to the table and the rest of the guest started to follow. The dinner started and Risley sat next to Mark as sat next to a large political figure. The meal went off without any issues and it was filled with laughter and Risley chatting up anyone at the table that would join the conversation. Mark smiled and looked at Joe. He was very proud of her and enjoyed that she was taking the occasion very well and making friends.

"Prince Mark, I have to tell you what a delight your girlfriend is" a man came up and said as he was leaving. Mark knew then that his mother had the right idea on what to do about the situation.