I'd avoided the Prince since his birthday and he didn't question it once. I took to my own training sessions, keeping up fitness by jogging around the palace grounds, jumping over fences and darting in and out of trees at the crack of dawn, before anyone else was awake. Zed was rarely at meal times, often on dates, and when he was I kept my eyes on my friends instead, not daring to glance his way. Letters from Ellen and my family came often now and the homesickness was unbearable at times so I kept myself busy at the orphanage with Amelie.

'You can't avoid him forever, you know.' She said to me that Wednesday morning as we painted the walls.

'I'm not,' I lied, turning my face slightly.

'Right,' she scoffed. 'Because ignoring his glances your way at dinner and skipping training sessions-'

I widened my eyes, 'What?' Panic seeped through me. How could she know about the training sessions we'd worked so hard to keep secret. No one else had been awake, had they?

'Sky, you can't lie to me. I know more than you think,' she said, simply, 'and I know that you're only avoiding the Prince because you're annoyed about his kiss with Lucie.'

I dropped my paintbrush and paint splattered on the velvet of my dress. 'This wasn't supposed to happen.'

She put down her own brush and turned to look at me, 'What do you mean?'

I glanced downwards, 'I'm not sure I can say.'

'Sky,' she sighed, 'what is going on in that head of yours? You give nothing away and one day you'll have kept so much in that you'll explode.'

'I'm not one to talk about feelings,' I said, 'it's safer that way.'

She frowned, 'And I'm not one to spread gossip. You can talk to me, Sky, and know that it will not end up in the press as it would with Lucie.'

'I wasn't supposed to have feelings for him,' I whispered, softly, 'I only wanted to have some money to start over, to help with my family.'

'But like the rest of us, you fell for his good looks and charm.' She murmured and I gave a small nod. 'We were all doomed from the beginning,' she said, 'the Royal family were created just for us to swoon over.' Amelie squeezed my hand, 'But I think the Prince is still finding his feet and that may take time so we need to allow him that.' I gave a small nod and we returned to painting.

Even though Amelie went for a date with Zed on the Thursday, I still returned to work.

When I arrived that morning, there was no sign of Maggie, Jacob or Lilian and the place was very quiet. Apart from the sound of laughter down the hallway. I warily walked along the freshly-painted corridor, holding the skirts of the simple blue velvet tunic I wore, following the child-like sound. I reached a doorway of a room we'd not been in and paused in the doorway. Two girls, who looked to be about seven or eight-years-old, were playing with an old, scruffy teddy bear together. Their room had not yet been decorated and it looked dark and dull. As if sensing my presence, both girls looked my way. One of them, the red-head, widened her eyes at me.

'You're Lady Sky.' She said in greeting and I smiled.

'I am,' I said, walking into the room as the girls stumbled to their feet to curtsy. 'You don't need to curtsy.'

'Maggie told us we always have to curtsy for ladies.' The girl replied.

'Then I should be curtsying to you,' I said, dropping into my best one.

The brunette girl, who was yet to speak, gave a small smile as her friend sighed, 'We are no ladies, Lady Sky.' She signalled to her tattered clothes and my heart ached for them. 'Just look at us.'

I crouched down in front of them, 'I was once very much like the two of you,' I said, 'and now look at me. The fates have a funny way of surprising you.'

'You were like us, really?' The brunette girl said in a small voice.

'My real mother abandoned me when I was young,' I told them, 'and I was lucky to be taken in by a couple from Whitebridge. They've raised me and now look, I'm living at the palace.'

'Is Prince Zed kind?' The red head asked me.

My heart flipped and my throat ached as I remembered what had happened a few days previously. 'Yes, he is.' I replied, because he was. He was just… lost. That was the only way I could put it.

'I'm Eliza,' the red-head held her hand out for me. 'And this is Katerina.'

I shook both of their hands and smiled, 'It is a pleasure to meet you.'

I often saw Eliza and Katerina over the next few days at the orphanage and on occasion they even helped Amelie and I paint. But looking at the small girls and remembering that my life could have ended up the same way theirs had was unbearable.

What was equally unbearable was the press. Newspapers every day were posting articles and photographs of Zed on dates with the other girls. Every girl but me. And that included photographs of him kissing Lucie as they stumbled drunkenly out of a club together on two nights that week. What happened after the photograph was taken, I didn't want to know, but their glazed-over eyes were enough to make my stomach churn, as were the winks she sent his way at mealtimes.

The day before my birthday there was another storm. I'd spent the day finishing the last bit of painting at the children's home with Amelie and then we'd retired home, vowing not to return until the Monday, giving ourselves a nice long weekend off. The eve of my birthday marked a month in the palace, a month since my life had completely changed, and my homesickness was evident when my birthday package was placed on my bed by Abby and Chloe. I kept the presents and cards set aside, but opened the envelope with my name written in Ellen's swirly calligraphy.

Sky,

I'm sorry to hear you're having a hard time. We all miss you too, especially Sally and Simon, but we're all so proud. We sat and watched you with pride last Friday night when they aired the episode. You've come such a long way in the last month and it's amazing to see other people realising just how brilliant you are.

Life is tough darling, but so are you. You're going to go through times like this when you're emotionally hurt. We all are. There are going to be things in our lives we don't understand and things that we wish were different. But remember that how you feel right now will change. Your wings will come and you'll fly higher than all of them. Don't get stuck on this one chapter of your life- the book isn't over yet and there are many more chapters to come.

Miss you,

Ellen

Ellen's words echoed in my mind. Life is tough darling, but so are you. I'd always said she could be a writer or even an agony aunt with her poetic, inspirational words. The windows shook as the thunder roared outside and I watched as the lightning forked down across the city skyline in the distance. Moping around was not going to win me the prince, was it? And despite the temptation to leave the competition now, now that we would get a family house in Goldlyn and my money for a University scholarship that the prince had promised, I couldn't go. Not when the thought of never seeing him again filled me with dread… never hearing him laugh, never feeling the sparks when we touched, never getting to be in his arms… What if no one ever made me feel like he did? I swallowed.

'Is the prince on a date?' I asked Abby. She stopped sewing and looked up.

'I don't think so. Tina came back about an hour ago, just when I went to fetch you some tea.'

Tina? He'd taken Tina out for a date? Again? She'd been out a lot with him recently… my stomach churned at the thought and I tried to shrug it off. Life is tough darling, but so are you. 'How long do we have until dinner?'

'Enough time to make a statement.' Chloe replied with a sly smile. 'What would you like to wear for dinner this evening?'

'Red.' I replied. 'I want bold, fearless and beautiful.'

My maids raised their eyebrows at each other and then their smiles crept along their faces. 'That we can do.'

Compared to the pastels I'd been wearing at the beginning of the competition, red was certainly a statement. The deep red dress was very tight across the bodice and my waist looked tiny thanks to my corset. The skirt fell down to the floor with whorls of gold embroidery and the same embroidery decorated the off-shoulder straps. Paired with very high black court shoes, smokey-eyed makeup, curled hair pinned to the side and tinged-pink lips and I definitely looked all-set to turn eighteen the following day. I walked into the dining room with perfect posture and my head held high. The Royal family hadn't yet arrived for dinner, nor had some of the girls, but I confidently took my seat and the other girls stopped talking.

'What are you doing?' Zoe asked me with a wary voice. Her eyes wondered over my outfit and she adjusted the cream lace, off-the-shoulder dress she was wearing.

'Kicking ass.' Amelie said with a smug smile from my side. 'Lady Sky, it's good to have you back.'

I smiled back at her as Lucie came in wearing a black maxi dress. Flowers were threaded through her hair and she looked unusually angelic. She made it to her seat with her posse just before the Royal family came in and we all stood in welcoming. King Saul and Queen Karla entered first with their sons, plus Phoenix and Diamond behind. They took their seats and this time I did not avoid eye contact with Zed. When he glanced our way, I met his eyes. For a moment surprise crossed his face but then a slow smile emerged. It wasn't a full one, but it was enough. His eyes scanned my outfit before reaching my face again and then we all sat down and I looked away. One quick glance was flirtatious enough, I decided, and then we tucked into our food.

I hadn't realised that my plan would work quite so quickly. After dinner that night, Zed came by whilst I was playing my guitar on my windowseat. I swung my legs around, sitting up straighter but not curtsying as the Prince walked into my room. Chloe and Abby excused themselves, curtsying as they passed Zed and closing the door behind them.

'Good evening,' Zed said as his eyes gave my outfit a once-over.

'Good evening,' I replied formally and he stumbled slightly. Actually stumbled. As if he were nervous.

'I have not seen you properly all week,' he said.

'You've been busy.' I signalled to the papers on my dresser and he shuddered.

'You are jealous.' A smirk did not reply like I had expected. Instead he looked uncomfortable, unsure of himself.

I didn't lie. 'Zed, you kissed me and then you kissed her. On multiple evenings. And you've been drinking again? What were you thinking?'

He flinched at my disapproving tone, 'I am trying to find a wife, a soul… mate.'

'By taking backwards steps?'

His eyes darkened as he looked down at me, 'you do not rule me Lady Sky.'

'I know. I'm just another girl in this game, aren't I?' I turned away from him to look out of the window. 'Why am I still here, Zed? I'm not noble, I'm not from a good province and I shy away from the cameras.' I leaned against the open French door, looking out at the darkening garden below.

'You are still here because you are my friend.' His voice softened as did his gaze.

My heart sank. Friend. That was all. 'I'm tired, Zed.' I told him but he only moved closer.

'You are my friend and I suppose I am keeping you here selfishly. Because I like your company and because you understand me. And it terrifies me.'

'What terrifies you?'

'The fact that I often think of you… the way I feel around you… I have never…' He tensed and ran a hand through his hair. 'Goodnight, Sky.' And he was gone, afraid, like I was, of the words he might speak in my presence.

I woke up the following morning to my maids singing me happy birthday before they placed a stack of pancakes, with a candle tucked into them, in front of me. I laughed and blushed as I sat up in bed and I blew out the blue candle. 'There's no need for that.' I told them but they both beamed back at me.

'Every need.' Abby replied. 'You're only eighteen once.'

Eighteen. I couldn't believe it. I didn't feel any different and I was sure I was still as petite as I had been the day before. I stretched as Chloe placed the pancakes on my bedside table. I noticed a large tray of breakfast, bigger than the breakfasts normally delivered to my room on a Saturday and I raised my eyebrow.

'Old enough to drive a carriage.' Chloe replied. 'And old enough to drink alcohol legally.'

'Old enough to get into the clubs and taverns in the city without an interrogation.' Abby added.

I scoffed. 'Hardly anything important.'

'Old enough for university?' Chloe offered and I smiled at that thought. How wonderful it would be to go to university…

'I'm going to shower.' I told the girls and they nodded.

'Your clothes are all in there for you.'

I thought about the possibility of university as I showered in my over-sized bathroom. Lecturers, a large campus, students not caring where I'd come from. And then Zed slipped into my mind and I reminded myself why I was in a waterfall shower. What would happen once I left here? We'd be in our nice, new house, sure, but how would my life change? Would paparazzi follow me as they did some of the other girls? Would I end up like Lena, one of the other contestants who was now engaged to a Duke?

A million thoughts filled my mind as I dressed in the deep blue bodice dress I'd been left and I plaited my damp hair carefully to the side. I was eighteen now. Officially an adult. Would that change anything? I opened the door and jumped back in response as 'Happy birthday' echoed through the room. Tina, Zoe, Amelie, Diamond and Phoenix were all sat around my coffee table, squished together on furniture, with a huge breakfast in front of them. Abby and Chloe grinned at us and I knew they'd been in on the whole surprise. My cheeks blushed as I was beckoned to my seat and I sat down.

'Just no one else singing me happy birthday.' I said and they all laughed. Presents were passed my way, a pile made at my feet and I gasped. 'None of you had to do this.'

'It was nothing.' Diamond smiled. 'You deserve it all and more.'

I started at the most elaborately wrapped present. The card stated that it was from Diamond and Phoenix. I laughed when I saw what was inside; a plastic crown with 'birthday princess' written on it. Ellen and I had always joked about giving each other one for a birthday but money had been too tight to afford tack. Diamond reached over and put it carefully on my head, adjusting it until she was satisfied. Then she handed me a little box in turquoise packaging I could only ever dream of. Tiffany's. I opened it and inside was a perfect pair of diamond earrings, well suited to the gift-giver. I hugged Diamond and then Phoenix, thanking them for the lovely gift.

Tina and Zoe had bought me some new shoes from an up and coming designer whose name I couldn't pronounce. Amelie had bought me a limited edition of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, which I loved. Then I moved onto my presents from home. Sally and Simon had bought me a large photoframe and they'd filled it with photographs of us and of me with Ellen. A piece of home to have with me, they'd said. I'd also found myself in tears as I explained the memories behind them to my friends. And then there was my gift from Ellen. Unable to afford much, she usually made me presents and this year was no exception. Inside the wrapping was a small friendship bracelet, much like the ones we'd made each other for our tenth birthdays, but this one had a small, single charm; a crown, reminding me she had every bit of faith in me. I slipped it onto my wrist and tightened it. Nobody was going to remove it from my wrist, even if it didn't match the 'look' the stylists wanted.

Breakfast with the girls was good fun and we played some games too, starting my birthday off on a high. I wasn't sure how much time passed but at some point that morning there was a knock on the door that caught us all off-guard. Prince Zed walked in wearing white trousers and a light blue tunic, the top few buttons of his undershirt undone. I'd never seen him in light colours and he still looked delicious. He looked surprised to see us all in there with balloons, confetti and the silly crown atop my head.

'Good morning ladies.' He murmured and his eyes scanned the room. His eyes met mine. 'And happy birthday, Lady Sky.'

The girls replied with their polite responses and I resisted the urge to laugh when Phoenix let go of a balloon and it spun around the room, deflating itself.

'Thank you.' I replied, feeling my cheeks blush. I was sat eating strawberries with a plastic crown on my head, surrounded by girls in party hats, my maids included. And Zed had decided that was the moment to walk into my bedroom?

'I'm sorry to interrupt your party,' he said with an amused smile, 'but I was hoping that perhaps I could take you out to celebrate your special day.'

The other girls looked at me, most of them with encouraging smiles as they nodded.

'Sure,' I replied, trying to keep casual in front of the other girls.

'Great,' he smiled but it didn't meet his eyes; he was feeling awkward too. He pulled out a box from behind his back and handed it over to me. 'I will come back in an hour?'

'Okay,' I nodded and then he was gone. Abby, Chloe, Diamond, Amelie and Phoenix all squealed, hurrying over to me, but I noticed Tina and Zoe holding back as I opened the package carefully. Inside was a white dress and I held it up inspected it; a white halterneck with gold embellishment around the neck and top of the bodice, as well as around the waist where there was a small cut out and each side to show some flesh . It was sexier than I was used to wearing and I wondered just where we were going that would require such a pretty, yet sexy, outfit. I grabbed the note card before anyone else could read it.

Plain sailing. Bring beachwear- Z

The excitement didn't hit me until the other girls had gone and I was ready. My dried hair was curly and Chloe braided back the front sections so that it was out of my face but curls still cascaded down my chest and back. Abby applied sexy makeup that wasn't over-the-top but highlighted my best features and then I dressed in the dress. It was the perfect fit but I was a little nervous about the cut-out waists showing my bare skin. Nonetheless, with strappy heels on (and flat shoes in my bag incase I needed relieving), I felt almost like a Greek goddess.

The knock on the door was right on time and Chloe opened it, stepping aside so that I could see Zed. He wore the same outfit as before, looking very princely, but now he had boots on his feet. And he looked ridiculously gorgeous as his eyes scanned my body. I blushed as his deep blue eyes moved to meet mine and he smiled, this time a proper smile. 'Ready to go?' He asked.

I grabbed my packed bag and Chloe winked at me as I passed her, 'let's go.'

Plain sailing had been a reference to a boat in a harbour a thirty-minute carriage ride away. Zed and I sat in the carriage together, accompanied by cameras as we made smalltalk in the uncomfortable situation. After we'd left the port, there would just be the onboard cameras spread around the boat, Zed had assured me. No large, obvious cameras falling our every move. The conversation between us on the journey was kept friendly and I tried my best to come across as relaxed despite being the opposite. The harbour was unlike anything I'd ever seen before and I felt somewhat relieved when I got out of the carriage.

The water was a deep turquoise colour in the burning sunshine and a breeze moved the sails of the ships, big and small, but all equally glamorous. We walked past the boats, hand-in-hand, and I couldn't help but look at them in awe. A few people on the ships, crew included, waved as we passed and Zed waved back as I admired the shiny, white boats. La Lune was the name of the Royal ship we were using. Two security guards stood at the bridge and both bowed in greeting to us as we reached it. They stepped aside as we walked onboard the boat and I tried not to wobble on my heels, afraid I would end up in the ocean. I looked around the boat in awe; the top deck that we'd walked onto had two cushioned areas set up with fluffy white towels rolled up on them. There was an area with white leather-looking seats and then a dining table with two chairs tucked underneath it. I turned to the left and spotted an iced bucket with champagne inside, waiting to be opened.

'Pulling out all the stops?' I teased and he smiled.

'Do you like it, my darling?'

'I would have liked the beach if we'd gone back there instead.' I replied, leaning against the railings and looking out to the ocean. 'I just love watching the ocean.'

He moved to stand beside me and squeezed my hand, 'would you like a tour?'

The camera was loitering so I nodded and let Zed show me around the ridiculously expensive boat. On the deck below, there was a living room with comfy sofas and glass windows overlooking the ocean and the nearby bays. There was a large screen in the corner, not that you'd want to watch it with that view to look at. I also spotted a chessboard in the corner and wondered if that was Prince Yves' doing. Through the double doors was another dining room, complete with bar, and then a corridor that led to an ensuite bedroom, three double bedrooms and a twin bedroom, as well as the fancy bathrooms. It was another part of the fairytale I'd somehow fallen into.

'We'll be leaving in ten, your Highness.' A member of the crew said as he placed a drink in each of our hands. We were sat at the front of the boat, facing the water. In the distance, you could just about make out some of the islands that dotted our ocean. Most contained villas or holiday homes for the rich and famous but some were still naturally beautiful, covered in greenery and lagoons with an abundance of wildlife.

'Thank you, Jack.' Zed said with a smile. I sipped my cocktail and stretched my legs out in front of me, careful not to let my slit in my dress reveal my underwear. 'Have I told you how beautiful you look today?' Despite the bright sunlight causing us to skint, I could see the sparkle in Zed's eyes, which matched the colour of the ocean perfectly.

I blushed and looked down at our intertwined hands, trying to ignore the camera facing us. 'Thank you, you don't look so bad yourself.' He smiled a warm smile and his thumb stroked the back of my hand.

The camera lowered and I knew it had stopped recording. A quick glance at the cameraman showed that he was annoyed he was being kicked off of the ship. But I was glad for that. I didn't want to spend the whole of my birthday feeling tense or with a date who was equally tense by the presence of a giant camera and a person behind it.

As the boat set sail across the ocean, I found myself transfixed with the view of the harbour as it got smaller and further away, and then the grand houses surrounding it, and holiday homes, as we sailed across the turquoise blue waters. We were silent, a comfortable silence, as the ship beat against the barely-there waves.

Zed broke the silence first as I watched seabirds flying overhead and then dipping down into the ocean, 'did I make a good choice?'

'Hmm?' I looked across at him, breaking my trail of thought.

He smiled, 'with the boat?'

'The boat is lovely.' I told him sincerely. 'And the view of the ocean and the horizon is breath-taking.' I ran my hand through my curly waves. 'Plus there's something nice about the smell of the sea air and the breeze blowing through my hair.'

His grin widened and his hand reached for mine. His fingers gently stroked the back of my hand, 'that is one of the many things I like about you.'

'What is?'

'You do not long for expensive things, you appreciate those small things.' I blushed and dipped my head but he squeezed my hand, 'it is a good thing… you find beauty in things that others do not.'

'It's a shame others do not see it.' I replied, standing up and walking over to the railings. Zed was at my side in an instant, one hand on the small of my back and sending electric shocks along my spine. 'Just look at the ocean. The beautiful shades of blue, the way the waves rock and dance-'

'What about sea creatures?' He asked. I turned my head to look at him and he laughed, pointing at the horizon. 'Over there, see those fins in the water?'

I squinted but then I spotted what he was looking at. I gasped, 'are those dolphins?'

'They are indeed.' He murmured and my mouth widened as I watched them edging closer towards the boat. They were there in moments, six of them swimming alongside the ship as if they were racing it. I watched as their silver, streamlined bodies swam in the game they were playing with us and I couldn't help but laugh as they jumped in and out of the water.

'They're incredible.' I whispered and Zed's body moved behind mine. He placed an arm each side of my body so that I was in his embrace and my body moulded perfectly with his as he held me there, my back against his chest, whilst we watched the creatures swimming below us. 'I didn't know we got dolphins down here.'

'Only in the summer season when the sea is just right.' He replied. 'We do not often see them when we take the boat out. They are fascinating, aren't they?'

'Beautiful.' I whispered. 'Just beautiful.'

We had lunch shortly after that; a light meal with lots of fruit and tasty canapes whilst we drank lemonade and kept an eye out for any more dolphins. Then we changed into our swimwear and perched on the daybeds whilst I resisted the urge to move mine closer to his.

'Tell me about where you've been in the world.' I said to him.

'A command, not a question,' he laughed, 'only you would command a Prince.' I blushed but he smiled and replied, 'Paris is a lovely city for architecture… exquisite food too like macarons.'

'And frog's legs?'

'Not as common a delicacy as you may think.' He grinned. 'Then there is Venice, where Diamond and her sister were living… very historic and beautiful… there is something quite serene and surreal about canals flooding a city every day.'

'Did you go on a gondola?'

'Absolutely,' he nodded, 'could not go to Venice and avoid being a tourist.'

'And have you been to Spain? Where your mother is from?'

'Perhaps not as much as I would like to… Madrid and Barcelona are fantastic cities but I prefer the mountainous regions… the villages are calm, quiet and welcoming and it is away from all the tourism.' He turned onto his side so that he was facing me. 'Tell me, where would you like to go if you could travel?'

'Anywhere where I could have an adventure.' I smiled.

He glanced across at me with an expression of curiosity. 'And what kind of adventure is that?'

'I'm not sure…' I paused for a moment. 'Our world is so big and wonderful. Most of us live our whole lives in the same corner we were born in and never get to see any of it… I just don't want that to be me. I want to learn languages, swim in waterfalls and oceans, hike across mountains…' I blushed and looked down. 'Sorry, it sounds ridiculous.'

He looked at me with softened eyes, 'it does not sound ridiculous at all. In fact, it sounds rather lovely.'

'Have you ever done any of those things?'

'Swam in oceans, yes, but not much more… our Royal visits are quite often restricted to cities and we barely get to explore the wilderness… an awful shame really as my father loves the great outdoors… he tries to make the most of it in winter when we venture out of the capital for a few months.' His eyes drifted along my body and my cheeks heated up as he glanced away quickly.

'What's it like? In Aldheim?' I asked about the territory he was leader of.

'Cold, snowy winters,' he said, 'but you do get to see the stars from up in the mountains.' He smiled. 'I think you would probably like it there.'

'It always looks beautiful in the photographs.'

'It is,' he nodded, 'I am lucky that Aldheim is my home, I suppose.' He ran a hand through his hair and glanced over at the captain. 'Captain, is it safe to put the anchor down here?' He called out.

'Yes, Your Highness, but only for a short while if we are to make it to the other port in time for dinner.' The Captain replied.

'A short while is fine.' There was a clunk as the machinery turned and dropped the anchor. Then Zed got to his feet and held out his hand.

'Where are we going?' I laughed.

'We are doing something adventurous.' He murmured, leading me to the side of the boat. He leaned over the railings, looking at the water below and then he stood in the gap. He turned from the water and signalled for me to join him on the edge of the boat. I swallowed and he intertwined our fingers. 'On three we will jump.' He said.

'What?' I spluttered and he grinned.

'1… 2… 3…' We both leapt from the side of the boat. Our bodies hit the water, which was cool but not freezing, and I let out a squeal as I went under. We both surfaced, our hands broken apart and Zed was laughing… a lot. The sound of his laughter was all you could hear and the sound made me feel warm as I recovered from the shock of throwing myself off of a boat. I pushed my soaking wet hair out of my face and prayed my make-up was stable as I checked my bikini was intact.

'Well?' Zed said with a grin.

'That was slightly insane.' I replied. 'Some warning next time would be much appreciated.'

'You wanted adventure so that was a start,' he moved closer to me and my breath caught in my throat. Before I could fall into his trance, I splashed him with sea water and he spluttered as he tried to move out of firing range. I swam as he tried to splash me back and he chased me as we swam alongside the boat, much as the dolphins had done before. But Zed had better stamina than me, especially as I'd not had many opportunities to swim over the years, and he caught up to me, splashing me back. We both erupted into laughter as we fought each other with water, only interrupted when the Captain told us that we needed to get going.

I dried my hair off in one of the bedrooms and redid my make-up before changing back into the Grecian dress that made me feel like a model. Unfortunately, my reflection reminded me that I wasn't quite tall enough to be a model and although I had a defined waist and a slightly hourglass figure, I was never going to be on a billboard. When I emerged from the bedroom and headed back to the top deck, Zed was sat at the front of the boat, strumming on a guitar. I paused and listened, not wanting to interrupt his playing or his singing.

'Then you smiled over your shoulder
For a minute, I was stone-cold sober
I pulled you closer to my chest
And you asked me to stay over
I said, I already told ya
I think that you should get some rest.'

'We're just coming into port, Your Highness.' The captain called and Zed stopped playing. I resisted the urge to glare at the captain for his interruption; Zed's voice when he sang was warm and velvety and had been enough to give me goosebumps across my arms. I rubbed them and walked to the front of the yacht where Zed had been sat.

'All okay, darling?' He asked as I reached him. My heart somersaulted at the pet name but I nodded, keeping my cool as he kissed me on the cheek. 'Would you like a drink?'

'Yes please.'

He took my hand and led me to the back of the ship where the bar was as the boat pulled into board, the engines roaring as the Captain parked it up in the harbour. Zed made me a lemonade in silence and then passed it my way with a smile that made his eyes sparkle. It made me think back to the beginning of the competition when I'd first seen Zed. He'd looked tired, stressed, uncomfortable. On the yacht he looked completely different; his olive skin was more sunkissed and his eyes were lighter, brighter, more relaxed. Part of me hoped that I was responsible for that but I couldn't be so sure.

'Your Highness, we've docked.' The captain called out.

'Thank you.' Zed replied as we sat down together on the comfy white sofa. 'I hope you do not mind but I invited some guests to join us for dinner.'

My heart thudded and I panicked. My curls were now wilder from the sea water and I hadn't brought any product onboard. I hardly looked prim and proper. Plus my dress was a sun dress. Although Zed was wearing trousers and a loose shirt…

My internal monologue was cut off as someone I did not expect to see appeared in front of me.