A man lunged towards me, a sword in his arm and he moved quickly, with a speed far quicker than humanly possible. The blade swung and stabbed my gut and I gasped, trembling as warm red liquid trickled out of the wound.

'Zed!' I cried out, looking around the castle. But no one could hear my screams. The man with the scarred face smiled down at me, a wicked smile, as I fell to my knees.

I woke up in my bed, drenched in sweat. I was shaking, trembling, and I automatically pulled back the silk sheets to check my stomach. Thankfully, there was no sign of blood and the only aching sound was my arm now that my medication was wearing off. I breathed quickly as I took the medicine on my bedside table and then laid back, staring at the white ceiling above me. Tears had stained my cheeks and I felt sick to my stomach. I'd had the same dream for the last two nights and I was sure that it wouldn't be the last time either.

'Residents in Whitebridge have become restless over the last few weeks. There has been a shortage of food in the area due to arsonists setting fire to Blackberry Farm, a large supplier for the area.'

I turned off the vision box and looked at the letter from Sally and Simon, who were thankfully doing fine. Then an idea hit me and I stood up abruptly, wincing at the ache in my arm but choosing to ignore it as I set off down the corridor.

Zed was in the gardens and seemed to be writing something. He looked anxious and his hair was scruffy; I could just about picture him running his hands through it nervously.

'Hello,' I said, pulling my cloak tighter around my sleeved dress to protect myself from the cooling air.

He abruptly tucked the paper and pen into his jacket pocket and stood up to greet me, 'hello, my love.' He bent his head and kissed me on the cheek before taking both of my hands in his. 'What a lovely surprise.'

'I tried the music room and gym and then figured you'd be out here,' I said and he smiled as he squeezed my hands.

'I think our favourite spots are the same.' He caught a loose strand of my white-blonde hair and tucked it behind my hair. 'Shall we go for a walk?' I nodded and he led me along the gravelly path, our hands intertwined between us.

The sky was covered by a thick blanket of cloud and the trees and shrubbery stood out against it like glowing orange, red and yellow embers.

'Autumn is such a beautiful season,' I whispered and he smiled down at me, glancing under his long, thick eyelashes. He raised my hand to his lips and kissed the cool skin softly.

'Which season is your favourite?'

'Almost impossible to choose,' I replied. 'Summer has the blue skies and the most wonderful sunsets, Spring is filled with new life and beautiful blossoming flowers, Autumn is for warm, bonfire scents and golden leaves and then there's winter with the twinkling of Christmas lights and the sparkling frost on the ground.'

'I like winter,' he said softly. 'Mainly for the snow and the meteor showers in Aldheim.'

'I've never been up North,' I said. 'But it does look beautiful in the pictures.'

'It is,' he smiled, 'and I think you would love all the mountains.'

We reached my lake and I was surprised to see a bench sat by it. 'Since when was this here?'

'I thought it would save you getting grass stains on your skirts,' he replied, pressing his lips to my forehead. The wooden bench had patterns carved into it and I gasped as I spotted them; ocean waves were carved into the surface, mixed with dolphins and flowers and then rain clouds and rain drops as well as mountains.

'Zed, it's wonderful.' I whispered as I inspected the carvings. The carvings which represented me. Us. My eyes threatened to burst with tears at the thought.

'I figured you would be spending a lot of time out here and that we needed our own place to sit.'

I swallowed the tears that were trying to make an appearance and I stood on my tiptoes, pressing my lips to his. He kissed me back eagerly, wrapping his arms around me until I reluctantly pulled back.

'Something is on your mind.' He murmured, his eyes searching mine.

'There are protests and fights breaking out in Whitebridge.' I replied and he gave a sad nod. 'I am worried about Sally and Simon.'

'I can understand that,' he whispered, 'perhaps we can get them moved into their home quicker.'

'Would you do that?'

'Sky, darling, I would do anything for you,' he purred with a sincere look. 'Leave it to me and I will get it sorted. I want your family safe just as much as you do.'

A week after the attack was marked by a church service and a two minute's silence all over the country. We all attended in black and the atmosphere remained glum the rest of the day as funeral arrangements were made for loved ones who had died. I'd spent the service sat there, fighting with my emotions as I wondered what else I could have done to save more lives and when we left the church, to all the press and public outside waiting to see us, I wished my ability was the ability to turn invisible. Tears stained my cheeks and my mouth felt dry.

'It's okay,' Amelie looped her arm through mine. 'We're all here together.'

I glanced across at Tina and Zoe, where they stood beside Lady Evelyn. She looked in pieces too and her blue eyes met mine as if she sensed I saw her looking. Usually, she would not have slipped her guard, but she had this time. She looked tired, strained and fragile.

'I should have saved more lives,' I said softly as I looked at the mourners, the families all dressed in black as they cried over their loved ones.

'It's worth remembering that more lives would have been lost without you,' Amelie said to me, softly, 'and you did far much more than the rest of us.'

'You are thinking about last week.' Zed said to me over dinner that evening. We were in the observatory again and the fire was lit now that the air was colder. I was trying to fight the tiredness threatening to overtake me. The nightmare had become a nightly occurrence and, as a result, I was losing sleep. I'd lie in bed, staring at the ceiling as the scarred face continued to haunt me.

'This time last week, we were most likely dancing together,' I said softly. 'And all of those people were still alive.'

'No one could have predicted that, my love.' He said, reaching for my hand across the table. 'Not even my mother saw it coming.'

I sipped at the white wine he had poured for us and walked over to the window, looking out at the city. It was darker this evening, fewer lights on and I wondered if it was in memory of those who had been lost.

'That service…' My breath caught in my throat. 'All of those people who lost their loved ones… I honestly do not know what I would do without Sally and Simon.'

Zed moved behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me against him as I looked out at the city. 'You miss them.' He whispered.

'Every day.'

He kissed my bare shoulder, just above the off-shoulder straps of my gown. 'Well I suppose it is just as well I have invited them to the palace.'

'What did you say?' I turned in his arms, making sure I had heard him right.

'They arrive tomorrow, as does Ellen and Ms Creedy.' He said, a mischievous look in his eyes. 'And obviously the families of the other girls too… And their house in Goldlyn should be ready to move into within a few weeks so they won't be too far away from the palace.'

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. 'Thank you, Zed.'

'You are most welcome.' He murmured before letting out a low chuckle. 'Are you into squeezing your prey?'

'Sorry.' I relaxed a little and he laughed again, letting one of his hands tangle in my hair.

'I do not mind.' He said softly as he played with my curls. I looked up at him and he moved his arm to my cheek, gently stroking it. 'I would do anything to make you happy.'

I blushed and looked down but his hand caught my chin and he tilted my head back upwards before he bent down and gently pressed his lips to mine in the softest, most tender kiss we had ever had. It was careful, gentle, and it made me weak at the knees. It had been a while since we had last kissed and Zed pulled me closer as he deepened the kiss, making up for lost time. He eventually broke away first, resting his forehead against mine as he looked down at me.

'What did I do to deserve you?' He said softly as his eyes searched mine.

'I could say the same thing,' I murmured. 'I did not come here looking for a prince.'

'No, you came for the food.' He laughed and pressed a kiss to my forehead. 'And a way out for your family.'

'The food is, as you would say, exquisite.'

'Some of the best chefs in the world.' He grinned, lifting me up and then planting another kiss on my lips.

I wore a new dress the following day, one with sleeves as the Autumn air was becoming cooler; a white dress with sleeves to the elbow and deep pink, purple and teal butterflies and flowers climbing up the skirt. I decided I wanted to look my best for my family's arrival at the palace and when I met the other girls in the hallway, next to the grand staircases and the front door, it was clear they had all thought the same. We all stood, practically bouncing on the balls of our feet in anticipation. The Royal family stood the side of us, Zed, Prince Xavier and Prince Trace watching us with amused looks, and then the doors opened and we all forgot our etiquette, as well as the cameras that were there to capture the arrival of our families. Amelie, Tina, Zoe and I moved in different directions and I hurried to Sally and Simon, embracing them before Lady Evelyn could scold me for my unladylike behaviour.

'Hello sweetheart.' Simon said as he kissed the top of my hair.

'How is your arm?' Sally asked, concern written all over her face.

'I finish my antibiotics tomorrow.' I told her. 'But it's healing fine, no infection.'

'Thank goodness.' She murmured, pulling me in for another hug. 'What on earth were you doing? You could have gotten yourself killed.'

'She was being the brave girl we all know and love.' Ellen said and I pulled her into a smothering hug, making her laugh. 'Miss me?'

'Of course!' I said and she laughed again as I released her and turned to Ms Creedy. I pulled her into a hug too. 'Ms Creedy, how are you?'

'Excited to be at the palace!' She beamed, pulling me closer and adding in a whisper, 'with a future princess. You're definitely his favourite.'

'So I've heard.' I whispered back and the old lady grinned as I released her. Her eyes scanned the entrance hallway and they fell on the royal family. She moved to curtsy as the royal family moved down the steps, and we all bowed or curtsied to the royals.

'Welcome, it is so lovely to have all of your families here with us!' King Saul said. 'We will be hosting a special welcome tea for you all later this afternoon but there is a historical tour of the palace shortly if you are interested. If not, then the maids will show you to your room.'

'Can I share with you?' Ellen asked me. 'I want to live like a princess, at least just for two days.'

'The guest rooms are hardly like staying in a dodgy tavern downtown.' I laughed.

'Please?'

'Of course.' I smiled and turned to Chloe and Abby. 'That okay with you?'

'Absolutely!' Chloe beamed. 'Someone else to dress and makeover.'

'Ellen, this is Chloe and Abby, my friends and my maids.' I said, introducing them as my parents and Ms Creedy moved over to greet the Royal family. I smiled as Zed hugged Sally like an old friend and patted Simon on the back after their handshake.

'Your maids.' Ellen laughed, rolling her eyes. 'If only we all had people to help us look fabulous every day.'

'Oh she's quite stubborn.' Abby said. 'Never wants too much make-up and likes keeping her curls natural.'

'I like that too.' Zed's voice said and I blushed as we turned to face him. Ellen grinned at me widely and I knew she would be commenting on that later, as would my maids. 'Ellen, how are you?' Zed said, bending down to give her a hug.

'I am well thank you, your highness.' She said with a smile.

'You look well.' He nodded. 'What trouble do you two have planned for the next couple of days?'

'Trouble? Us?' I gasped and he rolled his eyes.

'You always seem to find trouble, Lady Sky.' He told me with a playful smile.

'How about you take me on your own tour of the palace.' Ellen said. 'I've read enough history books to know what they are going to tell me on the way around.'

'Okay.' I nodded and we curtsied. 'Excuse us, your highness.'

'Do not forget to take Ellen to the observatory.' Zed said in a hushed tone. 'She will love the view from up there.'

'These gardens are more beautiful than the photographs.' Ellen said after the tour of the reception rooms, women's room, library and music room. We'd made our way outside and we walked with our arms interlinked through the mazes of shrubbery and autumnal plants. 'I can see why you spend so much time out here.'

'It's a good place to relax and think.' I told her and she nodded, understanding me completely. 'Plus the view of the stars at night is pretty wonderful.'

'I can imagine,' she smiled. 'There are quite a few good views around here though, aren't there?' She didn't mean the gardens nor the artwork that hung on the walls of the palace.

I could feel my cheeks heating up as I blushed, 'yes, Prince Zed is very nice to look at too.'

'Oh, so now he's Prince Zed?' She teased. 'Shame you forgot that in your interview last week.'

'Oh, don't remind me.' I cringed and she laughed.

'It showed that you two are close.' She smiled. 'Has he mentioned ending the selection any time soon?'

I spotted a camera panning the garden and I tensed, 'later.' I told her and she gave me an understanding nod as her eyes spotted the camera.

'So what's this observatory then?'

Ellen walked around the room in awe, just as I knew I had done when Zed had first taken me up to the observatory. She ran her fingers across the paintwork on the floor and then admired the telescope that looked out on the city. 'Is that a balcony?' I opened the door and she walked out onto the balcony. 'The city looks so small from up here.' She said as she leaned against the wall.

'It does.' I replied.

'So are you going to tell me how you ended up with a hole in your arm or do I have to guess?'

I told her the events of that night, minus Prince Yves shooting fire at people, and how I'd woken up two days later with Zed glued to my side. She sighed and looked out at the view when I was finished speaking and I raised an eyebrow, 'what?'

'That boy is so in love with you.' She said.

'I think he cares about me, yes, but love is a very strong word.'

'He wouldn't leave your side and was afraid of losing you.'

'He wanted to check I was okay.'

'You've always been useless when it comes to love,' she murmured. 'You always denied how the boys in the town would look at you, brushing it off and saying they were staring at me instead.'

'They were!' I insisted.

'Some were but some were only ever interested in you. And now Prince Zed is in love with you. When will he end the selection?'

'Whenever I'm ready.' I whispered.

Her eyes bulged and almost popped out of her head. 'Whenever you're ready? If he said that then why on earth is this still going on?!'

'Because I want us both to be certain. It's for forever, Ellen, not just a casual fling.'

'You'd be crazy to let him go, that's for sure.' She said, her eyes meeting mine. 'That boy is clearly crazy about you. He's stopped the partying and the drinking and the drug-taking and instead his energy is used up on you.'

'But it's not just saying yes to Zed, is it?' I said, pulling my curls over my shoulder. 'It's saying yes to a whole new life. Look around.' I signalled to the palace and then the city. 'With this comes expectations.'

'Which I have no doubt you will fulfil.' She squeezed my shoulder. 'Look how far you've come, Sky. You've changed since you came in here and not in a bad way… you're stronger and more confident than you ever were. You have brought the best out in the prince and he has done the same with you.'

'Sky, I'm sorry to interrupt but we have a tea party to get ready for.' Chloe's voice sounded from behind us and I nodded before following Chloe and Ellen back to my room.

'Your room is more wonderful than I imagined!' Ellen said once she was ready. She turned on the record player and danced around the room. She ran her fingers over the silk sheets and then moved to the windowseat, looking out of the view in awe. Ellen and her excited personality would have fitted right into the palace, I decided as I watched her. She had borrowed a floral dress I'd not worn since the beginning of the competition and with her hair pinstraight and around her shoulders, she looked glamorous enough to be a model.

Chloe pulled a few strands of hair out of my updo and let them frame my face before moving in front of me, checking that my hairstyle was symmetrical. 'She's just as mad as I assumed she would be.' She whispered and I smiled.

'She's tiring.' I admitted and Chloe smiled back as she pulled me to my feet and smoothed my dress down.

'How am I ever going to go home after staying here for two days?' Ellen sighed dramatically from the windowseat. She wiggled her freshly manicured toenails and I laughed.

'You should speak to Amelie's mum about an acting career.' I told her as I slipped my feet into the high court shoes. 'Come on, let's get going, we aren't allowed to be fashionably late today.'

The afternoon tea was served in the conservatory, a room I'd never really sat in before and I wondered why. There were flowers and plants against the walls and hanging from the ceiling and small, quaint tea tables with chairs were laid out. Each table had a cake stand filled with sandwiches, scones and cakes, as well as floral tea pots and teacups laid out for the occasion. It was very feminine but judging from the smile on Simon's face as we sat down, he did not seem to mind.

'This is all very quaint.' Ms Creedy said in approval. She had changed into a green dress decorated with white flowers and she looked healthier than I had ever seen her. Sally was dressed in a pretty gown too and Simon in a smart shirt, velvet tunic and trousers. I sat down beside Ms Creedy with Ellen on the other side and we were all surprised when Prince Trace and Diamond sat down with us. Ms Creedy's eyes even bulged as she looked at the future heir to the throne.

'Your highness, how lovely to meet you.' Ms Creedy said with a smile.

'You must be Ms Creedy,' Prince Trace smiled warmly. 'And Mr and Mrs Bright and Miss Jones.'

'Ellen is fine, your highness.' Ellen said as Prince Trace shook her hand.

'Of course, the famous Ellen.' Diamond smiled as she shook my friend's hand too. 'I have heard a lot about you.'

'You have?' Ellen looked at me, wondering why perhaps I hadn't told her I was so close to the future Queen of our country.

'All good, of course.' Diamond smiled before sipping her cup of tea. 'Now we'd love to hear all about you all.'

Afternoon tea was nice, as was dinner and then Ellen fell asleep during our Audrey Hepburn movie marathon, shortly after Roman Holiday had started. Chloe and Abby had gone off to bed and I found myself feeling wide awake, perhaps because I was afraid of what waited for me when I closed my eyes. I slipped on my dressing gown and slippers and crept out of my room, careful not to disturb my sleeping best friend.

'You should be in your room, Lady Sky.' Llewellyn, my guard, warned me as I passed him.

'I just need a little walk before bed.'

He picked up the pace behind me, knowing he would not win the argument and choosing to follow me instead. My feet carried me the way they always did. They walked down the stairs and to the left, along the empty corridor until I reached the music room. I opened the door and jumped when I saw Zed was sat on one of the sofas, a guitar on his lap.

'Cannot sleep?' He asked. I shook my head and he gave me a small smile. 'Me neither.' He moved over on the sofa and I sat down beside him. 'What is on your mind, my love?'

I wanted to tell him but I couldn't. 'It's been a busy day.' I replied.

He nodded, his eyes scanning my face, and part of me wondered if he had seen through the lie. If he did, he didn't comment. 'It has. Have your family and friends enjoyed it?'

'I think so.' I smiled. 'Ellen fell asleep watching Roman Holiday. I think she was pretty exhausted from the travelling.' I looked across at him, 'and why can't you sleep?'

'Your family are here,' he replied, running a hand through his already-messy hair. 'That makes me nervous.'

'I've been living here with your family for the last three months,' I reminded him, 'that's made me pretty nervous.'

'But you have won my family over.' Zed said softly, 'I am yet to do the same with yours.'

'Sally will be easier to crack than Simon.' I told him. 'Simon is more protective.'

'I can see that,' he nodded.

'What were you playing?' I asked, looking down at the guitar.

'I was only playing around with some covers,' he said, strumming the opening chords of Photograph by Ed Sheeran. 'Will you sing with me?'

'Uhm…' I blushed and looked down at my feet.

'Please, Sky, your voice is wonderful.' I gave him a small nod and he smiled as he strummed the opening chords again and then he started to sing. 'Loving can hurt, loving can hurt sometimes
But it's the only thing that I know.'

'When it gets hard, you know it can get hard sometimes.' I sang with him and he smiled across at me as our voices harmonised together.

'It is the only thing that makes us feel alive,' his voice covered my skin with goosebumps as the notes he sang touched me like his soft, butterfly kisses. 'We keep this love in a photograph, we made these memories for ourselves.'

Our eyes locked on each other as we sang and I felt like Zed was looking right into my soul as our voices danced together, 'Where our eyes are never closing
Hearts are never broken
And time's forever frozen still.'

I closed my eyes as he nudged my foot with his, signalling for me to take over, 'So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans

Holding me closer 'til our eyes meet
You won't ever be alone, wait for me to come home.'

And suddenly, all of the love songs were about him.

(AN: Boyce Avenue and Bea Miller's cover of this is perfect)

When the song ended and a tear rolled down my cheek, not of sadness but of joy, I started to realise something; I was falling in love with Zed and fast. I had never been in love before so I had nothing to compare it to but the warmth that filled my body, as well as the fear of losing him, made me realise that was it and I found myself thinking back to the Harvest Ball, when I was willing to risk getting injured or even killed to protect my Prince and his family. My heart thudded- my Prince. I liked the sound of that.

'Sky, my love, what is wrong?' Zed asked as he tilted my chin up so that I was looking at him.

'Nothing is wrong,' I replied, 'everything is wonderful.'

His deep blue eyes searched mine, 'a penny for your thoughts?'

'Zed, do you know why I wouldn't leave the ballroom that night?' I asked and he shook his head. 'I wasn't being stubborn, even though I'm pretty good at it.' He gave a small smile in agreement. 'I was afraid that if I left, I would lose you.'

'Darling, you would never lose me.'

'You could have died,' I told him.

'And so could have you.' His eyes were sad as they looked into mine.

'It was a sacrifice I was willing to take. I just wanted you to be safe.' I ran a hand through my curly hair, just as he did when he was nervous. 'I never wanted to fall in love and I never needed anyone. I was independent, looking after myself and looking after my family. Love was never on the cards. Back home it led to heartbreak or to children you couldn't afford to look after.' I bit my lip. 'I never wanted anything apart from my family to be happy and healthy. But then you appeared and I started wanting everything. I wanted a career, a future, romance and not just the kind you read about… real love where someone loves you just as much as you love them.' I looked at the ground, feeling embarrassed but Zed's guitar fell to his feet and he pulled me onto his lap, wrapping his arms around me and holding me against his chest. And my body relaxed into his embrace. I was home.

'Thank you.' He whispered softly as he placed a kiss to my forehead.

'Thank you?'

He smiled down at me, 'for opening up to me.' He tucked a curl behind my ear and planted the sweetest of kisses on my nose. 'You should get to bed before your guard thinks you have fallen into the piano.'

'Just a few more minutes.' I replied, snuggling into his embrace. He laughed softly and leaned back, clearly just as relaxed as I was.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt somewhat disorientated. I could feel arms wrapped around my waist and my aching back told me I was not in my comfy silk bed. I opened my eyes and found myself still in the music room, curled up next to Zed. He was sound asleep, his breathing slow and deep and I panicked slightly when I saw that the sun was up- what time was it? And had I slept through the night without a single nightmare?

'Zed,' I whispered, gently shaking him, 'Zed, wake up.'

His eyes opened slowly and sleepily and then they quickly widened when he realised I was beside him. He took in his surroundings. 'We fell asleep.'

'I have no idea what time it is,' I said as panic filled me, 'but we're going to be in trouble.'

'With who?' He smiled a teasing smile. 'With the King and Queen? Because I think they will probably pardon us.'

'Zed, it's not funny,' I groaned, trying to wriggle out of his grip but he held me still, 'what if we've missed breakfast? How do we explain that?'

'You are worried about your parents.' He murmured and then his eyes widened. 'Your father is going to kill me.' He sat upright. 'You leave here first and I will see you at breakfast.' He planted a quick kiss on my lips and I hurried from the room, my irritated-looking guard following close behind me.

'Where on earth have you been?' Ellen hissed as I barged through my bedroom door. 'Breakfast is in twenty minutes and I was about to send out a search party.'

'We were worried when we came and there was no guard on the door.' Abby replied. 'Ellen didn't take the wake-up call as well as you do.'

'I… went for a walk.'

'That early in the morning?' Ellen eyeballed me with suspicion. 'You've never been a morning person either.'

'We haven't got time for this!' Chloe cried out. 'We have twenty minutes to get you showered and ready for the day!' She pushed me towards the bathroom. 'Maybe tonight we'll restrain you to your bed!'

Zed made it to breakfast shortly after me and his hair was still damp from his shower. Thankfully my hair hadn't needed washing, so I had managed to get ready just in time. I tried to hide my blush as he walked past us, smelling as if he had just stepped out of the shower. Queen Karla raised an eyebrow at her son but kept her mouth closed, not questioning it in front of the guests.

'These croissants are incredible.' Sally murmured as she tucked into breakfast from her seat opposite me. 'Now I can see why you're always complimenting the food in this place.'

'I agree,' Simon replied and I smiled across the table at them- was this something my family could get used to? Never being afraid that there was not enough food on the table. Never worrying whether we would have to live without heating or electricity every month? I knew myself that I looked healthier than I had when I had moved into the palace. My face was no longer gaunt and my skin was sunkissed with a healthy glow. I had put a small bit of weight on, enough to look healthy but not enough to be criticised in the press. My white blonde hair had a gleam and shine to it and no longer looked drab and scruffy. I looked across the table at my parents, who were dressed in borrowed designer clothes with Sally's hair and make-up clearly done by someone working in the palace. They still looked pale and worn out, living in the palace would have done them some good too. But that wasn't a reason to be with Zed. I had done my bit but now the game had changed, a fork in the road pointing towards a new path; love and a happy ending. Sally had read me many fairytales as a child and she'd told me that despite being wonderful, they weren't real. At least not in the same way.

'Happily ever afters do exist, sweetheart.' Sally said as she pulled me into her lap and began to plait my wild curls. 'Of course they do. I found your father and then I found you and that's all I've ever needed for my happy ending. Not money or a palace, but family to love.'

'And what about princesses?' I asked as I looked up at her.

'Prince charmings are real, but the real ones aren't really princes. They're the boys that hold open the door for you or carry your shopping for you.'

'I don't need anyone to carry my shopping,' I huffed, 'I'm strong.'

'Right you are,' Sally said with a soft laugh. 'And I hope you never change.

I looked over at Zed, who was deep in a conversation with the Queen about something. They smiled at one another, a normal mother and son and I watched as she squeezed his hand with pride in her eyes. And when I looked back across the table at my adoptive mother, I realised she was looking at me in exactly the same way. My mind drifted a moment to my birth mother- where was she? What was she doing? Would I ever meet her, and if so, would she ever look at me that way? I shook my head to myself and looked at my parents. We weren't related by blood, but they'd still raised me and were still my birth parents. And I was incredibly lucky to have them.

'I'm glad you decided to come for a ride,' Diamond said to Ellen and I as we rode Royal horses alongside her. She was clearly a confident rider as she was sat up straight and with excellent jockey posture. Ellen and I, on the other hand, looked less confident as we rode beside her in similar embroidered tunics with leggings and boots, cloaks wrapped around our shoulders to keep us warm. I was sure that my facial expression looked somewhere between horrified and anxious as our horses trotted alongside the lake, not far from the stables but far enough.

'I think Sky is less so,' Ellen teased with a smirk. She wobbled slightly in her saddle and then adjusted herself again. 'Where did your parents say they were going?'

'A stroll in the garden,' I replied, 'but they seemed on edge about it, didn't they?'

'They probably feel out of their depth,' Ellen replied, 'just like I'm sure you did when you first arrived.'

'That's true,' I nodded.

'I remember,' Diamond smiled, 'the first time we met was by this lake, wasn't it?'

'Moon river,' I murmured and she smiled, 'I was homesick.'

'And feeling like you weren't good enough. I think you proved everybody wrong there.' Diamond laughed softly, a feminine sound.

'Always determined,' Ellen said from my side, 'you'll be riding horses with confidence in no time.'

'I'm not sure my clumsiness would agree,' I laughed, looking out across the gardens. I could just about see the fountain in the distance, amongst all of the evergreen hedges. And then I spotted two figures, 'is that Simon and Zed?'

Ellen and Diamond turned on their horses to face the direction I was and Ellen gave a nod of confirmation, 'looks like it.'

'What on earth are they talking about?'

Diamond smiled a sly smile and I knew she knew something, 'let's head towards the forest, it's one of my favourite parts of the grounds.' She said and her horse sped off as Ellen and I tried to keep up with her (and keep on our horses) as we hurried behind.

The following day, I said a reluctant goodbye to Sally, Simon, Ms Creedy and Ellen. I hugged each of them tightly, promising that it wouldn't be long until we next saw each other and I was sure of that; whatever happened, there were seven days left until Zed had to announce his decision to the public and the Selection would be over.

After dinner that evening, I found myself in the women's room with the other three girls. I sat and plaited Amelie's hair as she gushed about what she had been up to with her two sisters and parents over the last two days.

'Why do you think Prince Zed invited our parents so close to the end of the selection process?' Zoe asked as she painted her toenails a light pink colour that matched Tina's fingernails.

'To check that our parents aren't savages?' Tina joked.

'Out of politeness and kindness,' Amelie responded as I finished her dutch braid. 'The royal family have always been very welcoming of guests and…' Her voice trailed off and I knew she was thinking about the guests that had stayed at the palace just over a week ago, the guests who had lost their lives. 'My parents really enjoyed meeting the King and Queen.'

'My mum was completely starstruck, as was my stepdad,' Tina laughed. 'I've never seen her like that before!'

Zoe wriggled her drying toenails and closed the lid of the nail varnish, 'Prince Zed took my father for a walk.'

My heart sank as I realised that Simon hadn't been the only one, 'any ideas why?' I asked.

'Probably the same reason he took your father for a walk.' Zoe replied.

'He invited both of my parents for a cup of tea,' Amelie said, 'no idea what they discussed though. My parents wouldn't tell me.'

'Tina?' Zoe looked across at her.

'I have no idea, I was with my brother most of the time.' She replied with a shrug. 'Maybe he met up with them but maybe he didn't?'

'I think he was checking whose parents would be most suitable,' Zoe said, flicking her hair over her shoulder. 'We still have family back in Asia and we'd be able to build stronger relations between our two countries.'

'And Amelie's mother is good for publicity as she already has a fanbase,' Tina pointed out.

'Prince Zed will not be choosing anyone based on their family,' Amelie said as I fastened her hair. She checked it in the mirror and turned around to face all of us. 'He will be choosing based on love and the girl he feels the most for, surely you know that.'

'You're so certain it's going to be Sky,' Zoe said, standing up and placing her hands on her hips, 'but how can you say that when he's still been dating the rest of us? If he was sure of his choice then why did he kiss me the day before the ball?'

'What?' My voice came out in a whisper as the wind was knocked from my lungs.

Zoe smiled at me and I hurried out of the room before I could let anyone see my heartache. Perhaps he didn't care for me as much as I cared for him, after all.