A/N: I'm Back! First of all, I am beyond sorry for the horribly long wait! You are all so amazing and don't deserve the wait I've put you all through. I feel terrible! The only excuse I have is that my life has been a whirlwind of crazy and busy lately and there is too much to list. I can tell you all that everything is finally normal again and you can start expecting regular updates again. Also, keep in mind that I will NEVER abandon this or any of my other stories! I am extremely thankful for your patience as well as your support, the reviews and alerts have been amazing and I appreciate each and every one of you more than you will ever know! Now, since I've made you all wait long enough, here is the next chapter. Please review and Enjoy!

Ch.15*A Distraction*

Kurt's POV

"Kurt please let me in.",Katherine's muffled voice came through Kurt's bedroom door.

Kurt had not been able to sleep at all the night before, thoughts of his family and friends faces flashing through his mind. He felt horrible. He had humiliated and shamed them all with his behavior the night before. He had no idea how he was going to face them, which is why he has not let anyone in, as much as he wants to. Santana and Rachel had given up a little while ago but Kat was still here. She had also been the first one to show up last night after she had chased after him when he left the ballroom.

"Kurt I know you are feeling horrible right now but that is why I am here. I am your sister Kurt. I will never judge or be ashamed of you. Please let me in! I am worried about you!",she valiantly tried again.

Deciding he was sick of trying to deny her, Kurt stood up and opened the door. He instantly felt worse when he took in his twins appearance. Her hair was ragged, dark circles were under her eyes, the glasz color of her eyes darkened with worry, and she was still in her ball gown. She smiled, although it came out as more of a grimace, and walked past him into the room. She sat on his bed, waiting for him to join her, before she began to speak.

"Are you alright Kurtie? I know last night was not what you, or any of us, were expecting but it was not as bad as you think.",she stated, serious.

Kurt's eyes began to well up again,"Yes it was Katie! I acted like a slut! Dancing with TWO men, neither of which are my husband, inappropriately. In front of all of Ohio's elite, our whole family, and the families of my suitors. One of those families may possibly be my in-laws someday and this is the impression I give them. What are they going to think of me, Kat? What is the kingdom supposed to think of me? What is ou...",his voice cut out before he swallowed and forced the words to come,"our family supposed to think? I have shamed and humiliated you all! Did you see father's face? He looked so disappointed in me and he should be, Katie. He should be! I knew the second Sebastian and Blaine mentioned a three way tango that it was a bad idea. Why didn't I stop them? Now damage control has to be done because of me! This is not going to just disappear no matter what anyone does. This was a scandal and the only way for it to really go away is for something equally or more scandalous to happen and I do not see that happening anytime soon. Most people are smart enough to prevent that, especially in public! I, obviously, am not! I feel so horrible, Kat."

It was a while before either said anything else until Katherine broke it.

"But someone is going to do something equally or more scandalous."

Kurt looked up at her confused and also intrigued,"Who would do that? What is going to happen? Katie what do you know?"

Katherine released a tired smile to him,"I am going to do that. I have decided that Noah and I are going to be married much sooner then was planned.",she sent him a pointed look,"Before the engagement time is over."

Kurt gasped,"Kat you can't do that! The church will not allow it! You know that you have to complete the full engagement time before you are married! It has been that way since the beginning of the kingdom when Grandfather Wilhelm and Grandmother Georgette were to be married but the kingdom believed Grandmother to be a witch. The church uses it as a test to protect the royal family from infidels and they will not accept anything less. If you and Noah marry before the time is over then there is a chance that the church and the people will hate you and believe that you are trying to change one of the most cherished traditions of the royal family. You know that everything we do affects the people and they will believe that you do not care about them if you do this. Kat, I understand that you are trying to help me, and I appreciate it greatly, but I can not allow you to do this. Have you even talked to Noah about this yet?"

Katherine shook her head,"No I have not, but you know that he will not mind. He loves to break the rules and do the unexpected. Besides he has been wanting to be married for so long and he hates the whole idea of the engagement time. He also wants to do whatever he can to help and protect our family and this will do that. He will have no problem with this. I have already decided to do this, Kurt, and neither you nor anyone else will change my mind. I do not want you to feel like this is your fault, because it is not. I have been thinking about this for a long time and I want to do this. I love Noah and I am sick of everyone else deciding my life for me. I want to get married when I want to get married, not when someone else wants me to. Noah is not an infidel so they can rest easy! I am tired of waiting to become Katherine Victoria Hummel-Puckerman Princess and Lady of Lima! So the priests can shove their engagement time up their overly-pompous ass'!"

Kurt gaped at her,"Katie! You can not speak that way about the priests! That is blasphemy!"

Katherine let out a sarcastic giggle,"I do not care Kurt! It is the truth and the way I feel. I refuse to be ashamed or to take back anything I have said and decided!"

"I really wish you would not do this! I am worried about the repercussions for you and Noah. So many bad things could happen and father will not be happy about this, Kat!",Kurt tried to scold but it came out more worrisome.

Katherine put a hand on his knee and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his cheek,"We will be alright, Kurt. Thank you for your concern, darling. But let's focus on you. What are you going to do?"

Kurt thought for a moment and sighed before answering,"I want to apologize to everyone for my rash behavior, first of all, and then I do not want to speak to Sebastian or Blaine for awhile. I am very upset with those two but I am also confused by my feelings for them both. I need some time to think and fix things before I let them back in."

Katherine nodded,"I understand and can not blame you. I would want some time away from them for awhile to. They really should not have tricked or forced you into doing that dance last night. They should have known better. Are you going to be alright?"

"It was not completely their fault, Katie. I could just as easily have said no despite being confused and a little terrified. I am also to blame. And yes, I will be fine. Just as soon as this entire mess is done and over with, then I will be alright."

"Good. Are you ready to face everyone? They are all down at breakfast. I will be right there with you and we can both say what we need to say. You can apologize and I can announce my new wedding date, after I quickly speak to Noah that is.",she said, encouragingly.

Kurt gulped, hard, as he thought everything out. He really should go with her to the dining hall and apologize to everyone. Not to mention that it would look better if he was not hiding away like a coward in his bedroom, but he was terrified and ashamed. Would Blaine and Sebastian be down there? What would his father say? Would he continue to look at him the way he had the night before? However, Katherine was going to be there with him and would announce her own shocking news to everyone.

With a curt nod he stood up and held his hand out to her,"Let us change our clothes and look presentable before we go to breakfast, shall we?"

Katherine took his hand, stood up, and embraced him,"Yes, of course. But Kurtie I want you to know that I am so proud of you for choosing to go down there. I know that this is terrifying and will be a little awkward, but you have chosen to take the high road. I love you, we all love you, and despite last night that will never change. They will all forgive you and get over this just like I have. It is going to be alright. I will go to my room, get ready, and speak to Noah because he does not like going to the dining hall without me, and then we will both come back here so the three of us can go to breakfast together. Alright?"

Kurt simply nodded and watched her walk out the door. He really hoped that she was right.

IN THE DINING HALL

Kurt's POV

The three of them walked into the, unusually, silent dining hall together and were met by every pair of eyes in the room. Kurt took a deep breath and tried to slow his suddenly racing heart. He felt Kat's hand close around his and give him a reassuring squeeze as they all went to their respective spots. He sat in his spot, between Blaine and Sebastian, and began to butter his croissant. No one said a word and hardly a sound was made. The silence was nearly unbearable. He looked up and met Katherine's supportive eyes and knew that it was time.

He stood up and all eyes were instantly on him again,"I have something I wish to say to you all in regards to my behavior at the ball last night. First of all, I deeply regret it and am eternally sorry for what I have put you all through. I wish I could go back and stop myself from doing such a ludicrous thing but, sadly, I can not. Secondly, I love you all and I assure you that it was not my intention to humiliate or shame you or the kingdom. I was simply caught up in the moment and my emotions and was not thinking clearly. I sincerely hope that you can all find it in your hearts to forgive me someday and that I will never behave in such an inappropriate and offensive way ever again."

He sat back down, picked up his spoon, and began to eat his pouched egg. The silence wore on as he ate, his cheeks turning a lovely shade of pink, and continued to feel eyes on him. Surprisingly, his father broke the silence first.

"I appreciate your apology and reassurance, Kurt, and I also forgive you. Last night was a mess, but we are all here right now as a loving and happy family and we will continue to do so no matter what. This will all go away someday and we will be alright."

There were murmurs of agreement from everyone and Kurt felt a little better. Sebastian and Blaine still hadn't said anything and Kurt really wasn't surprised by that.

Conversation seemed to flow a little easier after Kurt's apology, however, it stopped abruptly when Katherine spoke up.

"Noah and I have an announcement to make.",she clasped here fiancees hand and then looked back out to everyone,"We have decided to forgo the engagement time and be married in a month. We do not want to have to wait another 6 months before we can be married. We have already waited too long."

Everyone was silent as they stared at the two, who were looking lovingly and proudly at each other before looking back, seriously, at the others.

"I FORBID IT! YOU KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF YOU DID THIS! KATHERINE VICTORIA HUMMEL, YOU ARE SMARTER THAN THIS! YOU WERE RAISED BETTER THAN THIS! TO GO AGAINST THE CHURCH AND THE TRADITIONS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY IS INEXCUSEABLE! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS? THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WAITING ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO BE MARRIED!",Burt bellowed, rising to his feet, face purple with rage.

Katherine stood up as well, still holding Noah's hand,"Yes father, I do know what could happen. Noah and I both do, but we have discussed and decided that this is what we want to do. No one, not even you, are going to talk us out of this. I am sick of people controlling me just because I am a Princess. It is my life and I will make my own decisions. If it is a mistake then I will learn from it and suffer the consequences. But either way, we are doing this in a month father."

She and Noah stood up and began to walk out of the dining hall with Burt right on their heels, yelling the whole way. The double doors slammed with finality as they left, leaving the room in shocked silence. Within ten seconds of their departure, the room burst to life. Everyone talking over each other trying to find out if anyone knew about this. Kurt sat in silence, worried about his twin and future brother-in-law, and watched as everyone freaked out over the announcement. However, he wasn't the only one who was being a silent observer.

Carole's POV

"Well well well, what do we have here? It seems that Noah and Katherine are much more dense than I thought. Finn will be King after all if this is how it's going to be! I didn't even have to do anything! I love when fools make things so much easier! If Burt were considering them then I know that he isn't now! Hmm...if everyone here is freaking out this badly, then imagine the priests and the kingdom! Finn will have the church and many, if not all, of the former "Noah and Katherine" supporters throughout the kingdom on his side. Burt will have no choice but to make Finn King and Quinn Queen! This is exactly what I needed to make my plan work! Kurt messing up last night basically knocked him completely out of the race and now Katherine and Noah's decision to defy the engagement time has put them in jeopardy of not only losing the kingdom, but of also being denied their marriage. They may be excommunicated from the church or banned from the kingdom. All so that they can be rebels! It is simply laughable, the immense immaturity of some people! And then Burt, William, and the priests will have to go to the archives for the official book of Lima law. I can get that pensive for Sue now! Carole Anne you are going to win this after all!",she smirked as she watched the entire dining hall erupt in anxiety.

So what did you all think? Again I am so sorry for the long wait and it feels good to be back! Please drop me a review, I love hearing from you all!

Also, just in case this or any of my other stories get taken down you can find me over at Livejournal: struckbycolfer and tumblr: cassiegleek1 My stories are all over on these as well or if you just want to talk or something please feel free to add me on either one or both. I love meeting new people!