Chapter Three:
Something Unusual

"Nothing unusual, nothing strange
Close to nothing at all
The same old scenario, the same old rain
And there's no explosions here
Then something unusual, something strange
Comes from nothing at all"

Clarke awoke the next morning to the sound of conversation. Raven, still in last night's newly wrinkled dress —as was she— was standing at the open door talking to whom Clarke could only imagine was Finn.

She quickly jumped out of bed and smoothed down her dress and hair as the other girl turned at the sound.

"She lives!"

Clarke mumbled something about cheeky friends and joined Raven at the door.

"Hello, Mr. Collins."

The boy smiled at her and bowed his head slightly. "Good morning, Princess Griffin. Lady Reyes was just telling me of last night's encounter with the Prince."

Clarke made a most unladylike face, followed by a word her mother would have highly disapproved of.

Finn laughed. "I see she was not exaggerating."

Clarke pointed at the two of them. "Laugh all you will but one day you will both be obligated to love someone you despise."

She saw Raven glance at their male friend in the silence that followed her statement. It was gestures like this that made her wonder. Not that she would ever interfere, she knew that she could never be with Finn, and if her friends came out of this happy that was one reward.

She had changed into her mother's favorite dress, a pale pink number that unfortunately had the full skirts that Clarke had never understood the need for. She had done this because she knew the Queen would not be impressed by what she had to say. Currently, Clarke was sitting at a large table across from her mother in the dining room, the ornate surface was covered in few platters, making the varnished wood look even more spacious then it was.

Just as Clarke was about to eat a bite of the eggs on her plate, her mother asked the question she had been hoping to avoid for approximately the rest of her life.

"What do you think of him?"

She sighed and put her fork down before looking her mother in the eyes across the table and chewing as slowly as she could manage. "Honestly?"

"Of course, dear."

"I hate him."

Her mother gasped, "Clarke!"

"I'm sorry, mother but it's true! I never asked for any of this!" She stood up abruptly and pushed away from the table before pacing the room, "I understand the political benefits of this arrangement, I understand why it had to happen, but I certainly do not understand why I am expected to fall in love with him the moment we meet! And I don't understand why we've never met before! Maybe if I had known him from childhood like I have Fi—Mr. Collins I would be more inclined to this engagement!"

"Clarke, honey…"

"Do not look at me like that, mother, I know what you're going to say and I don't want to hear it."

The Queen seemed to be considering something as she eyed her daughter. "Perhaps you should spend less time with Mr. Collins now that you're older…"

"What?!"

"Clarke, it's for the best, you need to get over this silly little crush you have. You know it will never go anywhere —don't look so surprised, you think I haven't noticed?— spend more time with Prince Blake, talk to him, I'm sure you will see what a wonderful husband he will be."

Clarke couldn't believe what she was hearing, but she knew arguing would make it worse so she excused herself and left the room.

Clarke shivered as she walked towards the greenhouses, she should have gotten her coat but she had just wanted to leave. She breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped into the warm glass building. The Princess was in the smallest greenhouse, almost hidden from sight if you looked from the castle, but it was here she housed the rarer and more exotic plants.

She wished she had been in the state of mind to remember her sketch book, drawing was something Clarke had done since she could hold a pencil and it always calmed her nerves.

She gently touched the petal of a bright red flower, making a note to return later with the book and some colored ink, and sat on a bench. She almost broke the plant when she jumped at a voice from behind her.

"I thought I might find you here."

Clarke breathed a sigh of relief as she quickly recognized Finn's voice.

"I thought you were the Prince."

He made an offended face and mockingly placed a hand over his heart. "How could you confuse this handsome face?" His dark eyes mocked her as he playacted.

She knew she ought to laugh. Clarke sighed instead as he came to sit beside her. "What's wrong? I know something is wrong if you're not laughing at me."

She took a moment to study his concerned face. Not that she needed to, she had every line, every freckle, memorized. That's what happened when you stared at the same face for seventeen years.

"My mother thinks we should…spend less time with each other." She interrupted him as he opened his mouth to protest, "I don't want this any more than you do but there is nothing I can do about it, I'm sure she's changing your schedule as we speak…Raven will keep you company but I'd like to continue the combat lessons, mother hasn't found out yet so I imagine there won't be any problems."

"Clarke—" the older boy started, his forehead crinkled in concern.

"You must stop calling me that, Finn!" She ran her hands through her hair, "and I must stop calling you that as well."

This was such a mess. Her life was a mess, her heart was a mess.

She stood up suddenly, "I'm sorry, Mr. Collins but I think I need to be alone, please excuse me."

And with that, Clarke ran out of the greenhouse before he could reply.

After a few minutes of walking, Clarke found herself in the small grove of trees at the outskirts of the grounds she had once thought was a forest, until she had grown tall enough to see the other side.

She sat on the ground with no regard for her dress and leaned her head against a tree. She needed to think.

She knew she could not possibly get out of the engagement with Prince Blake, she just wished he made it easier to like him. Of course, some of it was her fault, she had always been a stubborn little girl. Except it wasn't her fault. She had never asked for this, everyone forced it onto her and expected her to behave the perfect lady. Clarke wasn't so sure she could do it this time...

She looked down and suddenly realized that the dress she had just soiled was not only her mother's favorite, but also her most expensive piece of clothing. She shut her eyes, explaining this would not be enjoyable in the least. Not that she was particularly bothered by this fact at the moment.

And of course, because Clarke was upset, because Clarke wanted to be alone, she turned her head and saw Bellamy Blake walk into the circle of trees.

He stopped when he noticed her sitting on the ground, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Princess." Was all he said by way of greeting.

This was the last thing she needed.

"I am sorry, Your Highness, but I am truly in the worst mood for company at the moment."

"You can stop referring to me so formally, Princess."

"Prince Blake—"

"Bellamy." He interrupted.

She narrowed her eyes, "Prince Blake."

He sighed, but smiled again, why was he always smiling at her? "If you wish."

There was an awkward moment where Clarke refused to speak so she tried staring him down instead. It clearly didn't work because he moved forwards and sat across from her, still smiling. "What brings you here today, in such an expensive dress no less?" He eyed the mud stains on her skirts.

Obviously, the man had no plans on going anywhere anytime soon. She may as well be civil. "I came here to be alone but seeing as I can never escape anyone anywhere at any hour of the day that's not going to be happening."

Clarke thought he looked a little hurt at her words, but she couldn't imagine why.

"Well, Princess if you want me to leave all you have to do is ask."

She opened her mouth to do just that, but suddenly Clarke wasn't so sure what she wanted anymore. She did want to be alone and she most certainly did not want to be with him, but this was an opportunity to get to know the Prince without prying eyes. Granted they were alone in the gardens the previous day but there were always people nearby. She had never been truly alone with him. The thought scared her, but once again, she found herself intrigued by the man sitting before her. With his scuffed shoes and rough hands. Even his clothing today was simple, not befitting to a Prince at all. Instead of being adorned with lavish silks and bright velvets he was wearing a simple black jacket and pants. He almost looked like a soldier.

Clarke didn't say anything.

Bellamy smiled.

Clarke waited.

"You never answered my question."

"What question?"

"Why are you out here in such a fancy dress?"

He was trying to bother her, she decided not to hold back the truth.

Clarke looked him straight in the eye and said, "It's my mother's favorite and I wore it to tell her I don't like you."

The Prince actually laughed. He did not chuckle, nor did he chortle, he most certainly did not giggle. The Prince tipped his head back and laughed. His shoulders shook and his dark hair bounced around his head as he choked out the sound.

Clarke didn't know what to do, so she just stared at him.

"You're a peculiar little thing, aren't you, Princess?"

"Excuse me?" She didn't know if she should be offended or not.

He sobered slightly. "You're just not what I expected, is all."

"Well, you are exactly what I expected."

But he wasn't. Not really. She was beginning to see things in him she had not previously noticed. His simple clothes, his unguarded conversation with her. Things she hadn't expected.

He stood up so suddenly that Clarke was startled out of her thoughts. He held a hand to her.

She stared at it, then looked away. She really needed to stop staring at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Saving your dress, or rather, you."

She huffed, but allowed him to pull her to her feet. "I do not need saving."

"Oh, I don't doubt that at all, Princess. But come back to the castle with me." She raised an eyebrow. Was he serious? "I took you horseback riding as a sign of good faith because I know you love it and you fell, one hundred percent my fault."

Clarke stared. Again.

Bellamy smiled. Again.

"Your mother will hardly be mad, she'll be so happy we're getting along."

She knew it wasn't really a big deal, but in a way it was. He was trying. Here he was standing before her, trying to make an effort. It was almost childish, getting her out of trouble from her mother. Something Finn would have done for her when they were little.

Maybe...maybe she should try a little harder too.

"Very well," she said, before turning and walking towards the castle.

She smiled with her back to him. "Prince Bellamy."

It took him a moment to start moving as he stared after the Princess, stained dress and all. Bellamy, she had said. Not Majesty, not Blake, Bellamy. Why did it sound so different coming from her lips?

He shook himself and quickly caught up to Clarke with his long strides.

"Tell me something, Princess."

Without missing a beat, she replied, "Men are six times more likely to be struck by lightning than women." And smirked as she saw him glance towards the sky suspiciously. The blue sky didn't warn of any incoming rain.

"As fascinating as that is, it's not exactly what I meant."

"Well then you should have been clearer in your meaning."

He smiled and nodded to himself. "Apologizes, Princess. What I meant to say is: may I ask you a question?"

"Of course you may, it doesn't mean you will be getting an answer."

She was still walking slightly ahead of him, so he darted in front of her to halt her stride.

"Why are you so different around your mother?"

Clarke was surprised, she didn't know what she had been expecting but it hadn't been this.

"I'm not sure I understand."

Bellamy eyed her. She knew what he meant, why didn't she want to answer?

"I think you do, Princess."

She glanced at the castle behind his shoulder. What could she say? I don't trust myself to be real with her? I don't even know who the real me is anymore? It's easier to be myself around you? She looked him in the eyes and decided on, "I don't want to disappoint her."

His eyes softened. He could not believe this girl before him. And she was just a girl, he reminded himself. Seventeen years old, afraid to be herself because she was not brought up in such ways.

"I don't think you could ever cause disappointment, Clarke."

Bellamy was surprised when she did not chastise him for using her name. Instead, she kept looking at him for a few moments, bit her lip gently, and continued her walk towards the castle. Once again leaving Bellamy to catch up behind her.

A/N: So this is by far the longest chapter I've written! Hopefully the size will stay like this or continue to grow because I don't like short chapters and I know you guys don't either. But sometimes it's unavoidable...

Also, I know I've been updating basically every day but that's only because I had these all pretty much ready from before, but this is the last one.So from now on it will be weekly updates.

The lyrics for this chapter are from Amie by Damien Rice.

Once again, a HUGE thank you to my beta Mandy for making this story 10x better than I could have done. She's an angel.
And thank you all for sticking with me and saying such lovely things, I truly appreciate it.

- Lauren