The dining hall was in the west wing of the palace, whereas my rooms were in the northern wing. It was a five minute walk, and I was glad for the quiet walk, where I could think. Why was everyone so intent on getting to know me all of a sudden? It seemed strange, and I didn't understand how Mikasa would want to be friends with my cold-hearted self.

Walking into the dining hall was like walking into a heaven. I loved food, and whenever no one was around I would always gorge myself with food until my parents showed up. The dining hall smelled of roasted turkeys and some of the best cakes I had ever eaten.

Walking to one of the chefs in the little entrance to the kitchen, I smiled. "Good morning, Mr. Springer," I said as he turned around.

The balding chef, or Connie as everyone called him, looked up at me and smiled. "Good morning, Lady Princess," he said, and he found a plate, putting some pancakes onto it. Passing it back to me, he asked, "Would you like anything else on top of your pancakes, my lady?"

I shook my head. "Thank you though, Connie," I said as I walked away. Taking a seat towards the entrance of the room, I began to eat my food eloquently until I heard someone else storm in.

"Lord King!" Connie shouted, and as I looked up I suppressed a groan. The King, otherwise known as Jean Kirstein, was the man to whom my hand in marriage was promised. He was supposed to be a prince, but since his father died he had become the ruler in place of his absent mother. To be honest, I hated his guts, but since it was an arranged marriage, there was nothing I could do about hating him or wanting nothing to do with him.

As I stood up to go, the King turned around and smiled as he noticed me. "Good morning, dear," he said. "How are you feeling this fine morning?"

"King Kirstein," I said as I put down my fork and curtsied. "How have you been?"

He smiled. "I can't complain about my life. Ruling a country is hard, but it's nothing I can't get used to. What do you have this afternoon?"

I shrugged. "I have to get ready for another gala tonight, and knowing my chambermaid that's going to take up the entire afternoon. But before that I'm going to read in the gardens."

He nodded. Everyone knew not to bother me when I was reading, because I could get very snippy. Perfect excuse to get king Horseface away from me.

"Well then, I should get going," he said, and I stood with him to give him a proper farewell. "I'll see you in a few hours, okay?" he asked, and I nodded.

"See you then," I said, and without warning I was swept into his arms and given a kiss on the cheek. Well, what was supposed to be a kiss. It was the most revolting thing ever. When I call him Horseface, I didn't imagine he would slobber all over my face like a freaking horse would.

He put me down and left. As soon as he was out of sight I shuddered and wiped the saliva away from my mouth. Still mentally cringing, I gave my plate of food back to the kitchen and walked out to the gardens, carrying a small book with me so I would be undisturbed.

I walked quietly to my reading nook, which was a gazebo on the far edge of the gardens. Sitting down and waiting for my friends, I opened the book and started to read.

I always envied the characters in my books, because they had several friends. Friends, which were the things I lacked in my life. Sometimes, I wish I could have led a normal life and have a few friends. But here I was, forced to marry Horseface and live without a single friend I could talk openly about.

Two minutes later I heard someone walking up the gazebo steps. Looking up briefly I saw that it was one of the maids, Krista.

"Lady Princess," she said, her blonde hair flowing in the wind as it blew mildly. "Sasha suggested that you return to your rooms to get ready for the gala tonight."

Sasha was my clothing and makeup artist, and it was essentially whatever she said, goes. Sighing, I nodded. "Alright, I'm going to my rooms."

Krista nodded. "I'll make sure to tell Eren and Mikasa about where you are."

I stopped and looked at her seriously. "How exactly did you find out about that?" I asked.

"I passed right by you guys as you made the plans," she said. "But don't worry; your secret is safe with me. Your parents won't know about it. Do try and make the plans in secret, not in the middle of the halls, however."

I nodded and said, "Thank you Krista. Why don't you go to the kitchen and get a hot chocolate from Connie? A treat from me, if you will."

Krista smiled brightly. "Thank you my lady!" she exclaimed, and she skipped off.

Sighing, I leaned against one of the pillars in the gazebo. Why the hell did Sasha want to get me ready for this earlier than usual? It wasn't even noon yet, and the gala would start at six.

I pushed myself upright and started walking to my rooms. Walking for ten minutes around the castle calmed me down and by the time I reached my rooms, Sasha was waiting for me outside the door.

"What took you so long, my lady?" she asked. Before I could answer, she dragged me into my rooms and the preparations began.