However, it all turned well, as the Prince started to laugh; a hearty, cheery laugh that was magic to her ears.
"You know, I haven't even thought of it before you mentioned… a psychopath indeed!" he kept on laughing, but noticing Lizzy's confused expression, he added "No, I do notthink of you as a harassing lunatic…" calming down a bit, and now wit a more serious expression, though still smiling "I see you as a gift from destiny." Oh gosh, what am I supposed to answer to that?! I mean… either that man has completely lost it, or… let's just stick to the 'completely lost it' mode…
"Well, shall we start the tour then?" Lizzy asked, a bit uncomfortable with the situation. They spent hours and hours, walking around her school, her talking and him listening intently. More than once she made him laugh, and the two bonded faster then they have ever experienced with anyone. Soon the conversation left the school and its characteristics, and was more about personal likes and hates, funny anecdotes, secret dreams, etc. Soon they found themselves in the auditorium, and as Lizzy found the switches, William could see the stage in its full glory.
"Wow, this is nice! Though not as big as in professional theatres, it is quite admirable for a school!" William said, and unconsciously hurt Lizzy's pride, yet again.
"Well, I'll have you know, we have had professional performances here. Many groups are willing to pay quite a lot to rent this 'tiny', 'unprofessional' theatre." Who does he think he is? And why does he have to do this all the time? Just when I was about to be convinced he wasn't that big of a prick after all, and now he has to come and say something like that, so… so snob, so condescending! However, William didn't seem to notice this much. There followed another uncomfortable silence, where neither knew what to say… And Lizzy, again, came to their rescue.
"So, William, how long are we to enjoy your company in Peru?" by this time, the Prince insisted she was to call him by his Christian name.
"A couple of weeks… Until my dear mother says it is time to come home, I suppose."
"Are you going to be able to travel around? You must see the ruins in Machu Picchu, it is absolutely enchanting, that place! And of course, a stop in Cuzco while you are in the neighborhood… Oh! And you must visit Arequipa, it is a city not so far from Lima, only about 14 hours driving, but it is really worth it. It is also called 'The City in White' as it was made from a stone they found at the foot of the three volcanoes nearby, which is white and quite resistant… And if you are there, the Colca valley/canyon is absolutely beautiful at this time of the year! It beats the Grand Canyon a million times… It is so funny, you can see tiny wholes in the side of the canyon, that was where the Incas stored their food for bad times… no one has figured out yet how they managed to make them, and place the enormous amounts of food, they are quite unreachable from the ground or from the top…" Lizzy realized she has gotten carried away, and blushed. "I'm sorry, you're probably not interested in the storing abilities of ancient extinct cultures…"
"Quite the opposite, I was admiring your knowledge… and your passion as you talk about Peru."
"Well, though it might only be 'Third World' (though I do prefer the more modernized version of 'Economically Less Developed)… I really love my country, and the people… Last year, on my way back from the airport (we went to Germany to visit some family I have there) I was thinking… Perhaps it may not seem as beautiful as the way of the Berlin airport into the city… but to me, it is more beautiful; it feels like home… it is my home I suppose, but it's more… you see, it is really my people living in those houses, suffering because they don't have enough water, that they have to live in a tiny room, the whole family of 6 children… And yet, it is also them that can make Paradise out of a desert… It is them I walk past every morning, smiling at them and greeting them, having them, perfect strangers greet me back…" Lizzy blushed again. She isn't used to being so sentimental… but something in him drew her to honesty, sincerity in her feelings. She felt she could trust him, and so she did. "I'm sorry, it must seem like a load of dog pooh… Especially from someone of German and French roots!" she tried to laugh it off, but William remained quiet, serious, and with a half smile.
"You know, I never thought I could meet someone who shared my love for my country… Ironic, isn't it, that when living in a family that's sole purpose is to rule a nation, be the symbol of it and give back the love and devotion we receive from our people… that I should have to travel thousands of miles to find you!" He stepped closer to her, and she to him… And no doubt something utterly romantic and embarrassing would have happened, had Charlotte not interrupted them.
"Lizzy, there you are, I've been looking for you everywhere! My dad wants a few words with his majesty before he leaves… Make sure he has the right impression I suppose, knowing you it could go either way!" Charlotte teased.
"Charlie, how can you! Of course I wouldn't tell the Prince how unbelievably unfair it is to have swimming in winter without time to dry our hairs, or the fact that teachers end to give unreasonably large amounts of homework, or even tell the incident of a nervous breakdown that had to be medicated and treated in a hospital due to too much pressure imposed by the school!" the Prince laughed at the two friends' bickering, and decided to make his way up to the director's office. He was grateful for Charlotte's entrance; had she not disturbed them… Enough to say, he did not trust his impulses when in the presence of those fine pair of green eyes he was fortunate enough to meet today.
After the Prince left, the two friends stood there in silence, before Charlotte warned:
"Lizzy please be careful. You know who he is… Think about Ashley. He is here on vacation, so to speak… nothing is taken seriously on holidays, especially not for someone like him."
"I know Charlotte, trust me, I know what I am doing. Besides, there is nothing going on between us, and nothing ever will happen. Don't worry Charlie, I can take care of myself." Lizzy assured her with a weak smile.
"I'm just saying… it wasn't 'nothing' that I almost stepped in on today…"
"Just leave it! Spur of a moment, won't happen again." Charlotte still unconvinced, Lizzy tried to change the subject. "Hey, wanna go to Starbucks? I hear there's a new guy there… supposed to be bon with blue eyes!" she teased, and they both left the school laughing.
Later that day, Lizzy was arriving home, and she felt happy. She lived in a respectable house in a quiet neighborhood, where each house had at least a tiny garden with trees and flowers more beautiful and more soothing than Lizzy has ever seen. Everyone around here knew everything that happened to everyone. Sometimes, it bothered Lizzy so; she was a private person, liked to keep her personal dealings to herself, and only told Jane about them, or Charlotte. But in other times, she was very grateful for all the support they got, and knew that all in all, se has the best neighbors of the planet.
"But Mom!!! I want to go, everyone is going except me, I shall be so humiliated!!" Lizzy could hear Lydia's whining 3 houses away. She stepped into the house, and she was greeted by an avalanche of things Lydia threw down in her anger.
"It's great that you're finally here Lizzy, Lydia seems to be in a fit or something."
"Jane, what is this about? I thought Papa already allowed her to go discoing." It was, in Lizzy's opinion, too liberal the way Lydia was handled… However, she had to admit it to herself, the house was much calmer when Lydia got what she wanted.
"No, no, this is about a concert she and her friends decided to attend tonight."
"Concert? But the only concert I know of is the one with Leonard Schreiber and the symphonic orchestra of Peru…" Lizzy said, laughing even at the idea of Lydia there. However, looking at Jane's face, she stopped, dreading what was to come.
"Yes, Lizzy, that is exactly the one. You see, apparently, Lydia and a few friends received rumors that the Prince of Wales might attend the show as well, and they now wish to surprise him there…"
"No doubt to show how 'classy' they are, what a lie!"
"Now now, Lizzy, don't go offending your sister, I think it is excellent news! Just think of it, the Prince marrying my dear Lydia!" her mother came in. Mrs Bennet, apparently, had nothing else to do but to marry off each and every one of her daughters before they left school. "Besides, you wanted to go also, didn't you? Now you can enjoy the music with your sister! Is there any greater pleasure than that?"
Lizzy bit back a few remarks on how great a 'pleasure' she considered Lydia's whining to be during a concert, and finally decided to give in. At least something might stick on Lydia of the concert, not just the men… from the program, it appears to b an excellent selection, which Lydia will greatly enjoy, hopefully… who knows? She might find a secret and long-time repressed passion for classical music.
A few hours later, everyone seemed ready to go. To the original party, Jane and Lizzy, came an addition of Kitty and Lydia, whom were both inseparable and unswayable.
"Wow, Lizzy, you look absolutely gorgeous! Who is it for, I wonder?" asked Lydia, cheekily.
"Lydia, not everything is about trapping every man that comes into your way." Lizzy will never give up trying to teach her sister morals… and, from the looks of things, she will never succeed, either.
"You do look nice Lizzy." Said Jane honestly. They both shared a smile, and left their crying mother waving them goodbye.
Once there, Lydia and Kitty were determined to embarrass themselves in front of everyone. Shouting to each other from one end of the room to the other, they were clearly waiting for the Prince.
"Is here there yet?" asked Lydia
"no, I can't see him anywhere! Are you sure the Prince said he would come??" shouted back Kitty. Blushing at her sisters' behavior, the two elders just stood at a side hoping they could be invisible.
"Quite sure… though how she found out is still a mystery." Whispered a familiar voice behindLizzy and Jane.
"William! I-" I can't say I didn't know he was going to come, Lydia made it public she most certainly didknow! What can I say? She looked at Jane for help Oh, Jane! That's a great idea. "William, have you met my sister yet? Jane Bennet." And they were introduced. The Prince seemed quite at awe at her sister's beauty and elegancy, wearing a dark blue dress which showed just enough, and matched her eyes perfectly.
"I did not know I was going to have the pleasure of your company today… Tonight's prospects are getting nicer by the minute." However, he soon had to leave as people were busy trying to catch his attention, and being a Prince, attentive behavior is required in social gatherings.
The concert started, and the violinist was amazing. Kitty and Lydia sat next to their sisters, unfortunately for them too far from where the Prince sat in the first row.
"I can't see him, where is he?!" whispered Kitty.
"There, at the front! He has the most well-kept hair of all, don't you think? I can't imagine him ever becoming bald like Papa and so many other older men!" Lydia whispered back. That was enough for Lizzy:
"If you two won't shut up, I will have to try the task myself, and trust me, that is nothing something you want." Knowing their sister was perfectly serious, they went into talking in sign language.
As Lizzy was walking out, she felt her arm being grasped and pulled into a shadow near the entrance doors "Come with me! Trust me, it is for your own benefit" she heard a musical voice whisper, and she smiled and obeyed.
------- END OF FLASHBACK -------
AN: Thnx for the continuous support, I really hope you will like it!