I was dressed, preened, brushed and painted with makeup. It made me nervous as all hell- it had to be Prince Keith, if the maids were taking so much care, they'd even paused to wax bits of hair off my face and lip.

Then I was bundled into the wheelchair and wheeled into the garden. It was a beautiful day outside, the whisps of clouds drifting overhead, flowers fragrent, bees dancing around, butterflies spiralling around each other. The gardens around the Manse had to be hundreds of acres towards the back, paths upon paths going in all directions, great walls of hedges or stone creating smaller private area.

It was along one of these stone walls that my chair was wheeled, along a stone path, and into a private garden space that reminded me a little of the secret garden. Just a little better cared for. Large grassy area, a sheltered paved place, servants already waiting, food and tea... and a very familiar smile welcoming me as someone ran at me.

"Phia!"

Roberto pounced at me, arms grasping me, and before I could say 'Get off!" I was being lifted up out of the wheelchair and onto another. He hung onto me for a good ten seconds, arms tight, and although he was grinning, I swore I felt his body trembling.

"Um. Not a meeting with Prince Keith?"

"He can wait till tomorrow." Roberto slid down beside me. "You get me today till five. Why. Did you want him?" I swore I saw jealousy, his eyes narrowing. "Did you fall for him?"

"And scary." I added. "Nope. He's a bit too scary for me. I'm glad it's you." I meant it too and smiled, relaxing, though it was a little difficult to. We were in this amazing garden, surrounded by flowers, with a delicate tea set in front of us. Servants standing back pretending they were... I didn't know, hedges or something.

Roberto had been groomed and buffed until he glowed. He'd never looked so Princely... and otherworldly... than he had right now. No faded or dirty clothes. Really fancy designer clothing. Hair clearly trimmed. His eyes were glowing with energy as he poured me tea into a delicate flower shaped cup. He caught me staring and blinked, hesitating, the tea spout nearly going over the edge as he stared back.

"Hey, careful!" I quickly shoved it up.

"What were you staring at?"

"You look like a Prince." No point lying about it. I tried to relax.

"I am one. You don't have to treat me any different though." Roberto relaxed once again though, gesturing to Alberto, who moved forward and held out a platter of food. "You want something to eat?"

"Eat?" Oh. Right. That wonderful thing you did when you weren't hooked up to an IV. The nurse had unhooked me earlier on only I hadn't even thought about it. I stared at the tray. Oh my god. Food. I suddenly was ravenous. Cakes. Cookies. Croissants that were still warm and steaming. Melted cheese oozing out of pastries."Um."

"You've lost too much weight. Come on." Roberto prompted. He grasped a cake slice with his fingers and dropped it onto his plate. I was temped to do the same till I saw Alberto's eyebrow raise slightly, and noticed the tongs. Right. Food goes onto plate. Fork and stuff. So many forks!

I had no idea what I was supposed to eat with. This was nerve wracking. I was suddenly far too aware of everyone staring at us.

Roberto seemed to notice because he muttered something to Alberto. Alberto nodded and vanished, platter left on the table, the servants fading away into the background of the garden. Roberto relaxed back. "There. We're alone."

"How do you eat with an audience?"

"I don't usually unless it's a formal meal." Roberto admitted. He slid a croissant over to my plate and ate with fingers. "That's Prince Keith for you. We're the guests."

When I peered at the forks, Roberto's hand shot out, and he quickly snatched them all up. "No forks. Just eat with fingers. It's finger food! I don't know why Alberto thought we needed these things."

His wide smile began to relax me and I took a tentative bite.

It was a flavour and saliva explosion of joy. Oh my god. Melted cheese. Soft buttery pastry. I had to pause just to … just to experience the mouthful. How long had it been since I'd eaten anything even remotely fresh and amazing like this?

"Better?" Roberto probed gently, prodding my forehead with a finger, and when I nodded, he grinned. "Let's just eat it all. I haven't eaten all day."

After that we ate. We didn't even talk. I didn't ask why he hadn't eaten yet and he didn't explain. The tea was amazing too, of course, but I was so relieved to be putting rich wonderful flavours in my mouth from the pastries, cakes, and croissant, that I barely could think about tea. Roberto seemed to outdo me bite for bite. If I ate one thing he'd manage to eat two of them. It was like we were racing each other and … I didn't mind one bit.

"Holy cow." I exclaimed as I flopped back in the wheelchair, stomach a little rounder now, exhausted. "That food."

"I hate wasting food." Roberto agreed. He was pretty round bellied himself all of a sudden as he flopped backwards. He glanced at the grass nearby and then at me. "You want to lie in the grass and watch clouds? We have a bit of time before Alberto comes to take me away."

"Clouds?" I gazed up. Slightly grey clouds were dancing across the sky now. When I nodded he wheeled me across to the grass and helped me down. We flopped onto our backs onto the warm green carpet and I felt a hand slide into mine as Roberto relaxed just an inch away.

"It's so beautiful today." Roberto breathed out slowly. "It was raining almost all day yesterday."

"Was it?" I gazed up into the blue sky and the clouds, feeling his warm hand stay tight around mine, and when he squeezed I squeezed back automatically. Trees swayed overhead, dandelions and daisies filled the grass around us, with the distinct sweetness of honeysuckle somewhere nearby. It was amazing today. So beautiful. And yet all I could think about was the person beside me. Heart raced as he twisted onto his side and gazed down at me, our eyes locking into one another again, Roberto reaching down to brush hair out of my face.

"Were you scared?" He asked quietly.

"Huh?"

"When they made you get into the car. I saw the security camera."

"Oh. I … I don't know. Maybe a little." I admitted and he rested down, his arm suddenly across my stomach, Roberto using his other arm for a pillow. It was so natural to be close like this and yet it made every part of my body become hyper aware of anything and everything touching it. I had this urge to touch his face, my palm grazing his cheek before I could even think about it, Roberto leaning into my hand.

God. I really … I couldn't take my eyes off his lips. I did my best but they kept drawing me back, my own lips tingling, the urge to kiss him rising. This was not a normal reaction to a friend. I just … if I admitted what I was REALLY wanting, it'd be too much. I ignored it and gazed up to the clouds behind his head.

"What happened?" I tried to refocus. Friend. He was a friend. "I don't remember it. One moment I was in the back of a car and the next I was here."

"Claude saw you and rammed the car. Alberto helped him by wedging it there. We were just in time- it was just leaving as we were coming to visit." Roberto continued to lean against my hand, nuzzling into it, his arm winding around my waist as he curled up against me. His heart was racing as well, I could feel it as his chest brushed against my arm, his eyes fixed on me. "They found you in the car and … decided they may as well do the surgery."

"Because I was already out?"

"Mm."

Our bodies were getting closer, drawn together slowly, with only my arm between us. My cheeks flushed red as his hand slid up my arm.

"I'll have to thank Claude and Alberto. I guess they moved me here after."

"I tried to wait and do work but Al..." Roberto hesitated. "I guess I couldn't focus when you were like that."

"You didn't have to wait." I was glad he had. "I saw Harry Potter."

"Well. I thought you'd like it. In your dreams." Roberto leaned forward to press his forehead against my head, pulling me against him, leaning against me. "You were so sick. Can we just stay like this? I like this."

I nodded and breathed out slowly. I really liked it too. He smelt like cake and grass and was half over me, hugging me against his chest, but so careful of my leg... and we weren't cloud gazing. Not even a tiny bit. Snuggling on the grass was closer to it.

"What are they going to do? To help Prince Glenn?"

"Don't talk about other people." Roberto muttered against my neck, nuzzling against it, making me squirm. "I'm your friend. This is our time."

"Okay." I wasn't sure why friend bothered me so much right now. "Big puppy."

"Big kitty."

I grinned at that and sighed, relaxing, the last of the tension in my body fading. I reached up to pat his head and felt my fingers slip through his soft hair easily, stroking his scalp, full of affection all of a sudden. I could lie here for hours.

It was so safe here. Half buried in puppy Roberto. My breathing slowed until finally I dozed off, sensing his face pressing against my palm, his breath tickling the sensitive skin there.

"Roberto!"

A voice cut through our daze and Roberto sat up quickly, blinking stupidly into the sunlight, as a shadow appeared.

"I was scheduled to meet with Miss Sophia. What are you doing?" The peace of the garden was shattered. I swore I saw birds exploding from trees behind Prince Keith.

"Picnic." Roberto responded, his fingers entwining with mine as he tugged me up into a sitting position, grinning up at Prince Keith.

"Wait, I was supposed to talk with him?"

"Maybe." Roberto looked far too pleased with himself as he skidded closer to my side and wrapped an arm around my waist. "He didn't ask me first. This is my friend."

"Friend?" Keith's jaw dropped as he stared at the two of us. "Are you joking?"

"Roberto? Keith?" Someone else was approaching and we saw a silver haired man jogging lightly through the garden. Pretty man. I know him instantly. Prince Edward. He stopped and his gentle gaze fell down to us, a soft smile crossing his face, before he knelt and took my hand. "Miss Sophia. It is an honour to finally meet you."

"Prince Edward. You too." I flushed as he kissed my hand.

Roberto swatted his face away and muttered, "You too. This is my friend."

"Friend?" Why did Prince Edward and Prince Keith have to say it in that tone? It was like they didn't believe it. Prince Edward ignored Roberto's swatting and smiled up at me. "Such a lovely woman in the garden- I have not yet seen such a flower blooming in Prince Keith's company. Will you be joining us for dinner?

"Thanks..." What else did you say to this stuff? "I don't really … know."

The four of us went quiet a moment. A long awkward moment. It was as if they were waiting for someone to say something. Confess something? Roberto spoke up after a moment, "I'll take her to dinner."

That got a reaction. Prince Keith answered with a resounding, "No," and even Prince Edward seemed to shake his head.

"You're confined here for the time." Prince Keith responded. He shot me a reproaching look as he added, "And you were allowed outside of your room for a meeting with me."

"I didn't know that. I was taken here." I shot a look at Roberto who gave me his best 'innocent' face

"The maid may have been given the wrong directions." Roberto responded. He had shifted apart from me somewhat and I felt the cooling air swirl between us. Tension was building in the air as he and Prince Keith stared at one another. "You don't need to talk to her- I already told her what happened."

"And you spoke of your marriage." Prince Keith's voice grew cold as his eyes went over the two of us. "No? Your father is already waiting with your suitors and is eager for you to finish choosing one."

All good moods sunk at that point. Roberto froze as well, his smile fading, before he stood up. "Were you going to... that's not your business!"

"Isn't it?" Prince Keith opened his mouth to respond when... Alberto appeared, my wheelchair in front of him, like some kind of saviour, and Prince Keith's mouth shut fast.

Prince Edward knelt down suddenly and, ignoring Roberto and Prince Keith, took my hands and gently helped me up. "Please allow me, my lady."

No one spoke as I was helped into the wheelchair or was wheeled off.

I remembered Jenny when I was back in my room but my mood had sunk too low to ask someone who'd know. I had to assume she was all right- and asking would mean needing to ask someone other than the nurse, who hadn't seemed to know who Jenny even was.

I did know that I was depressed all of a sudden. The gap between myself and the others, which had been kind of nice when we'd been trying to get here, was now well and truly settling itself there. I shouldn't have felt like they were friends. Like Roberto was really going to be a friend.

Surgery done. Great. Prince Glenn was fine. Awesome! Half-brother ...not successful. Also great. Right? Had to boost my mood based off these things. It did bother me a little that my Father hadn't just known WHEN I'd arrived in Liberty but also... where I was, how to get me out, and basically nearly taken me back, but I wasn't ready to think about that yet. If I did I might feel a bit paranoid about being watched or something.

I stared blankly out the window, mood sour, without any sign that 'good things' were actually doing anything good. Just hours ago we'd been all cuddled up in the sunshine. Best friends. Or something like that.

They'd mentioned marriage on the yacht too. I supposed I'd decided to pretend as if I hadn't heard about it. Easier said than done now- apparently it was literally happening.

A cough from the door made me jump.

"Roberto?"

"Glenn."

I flushed at that, embarrassed, but I had expected ...well, I didn't know. We'd stopped talking on such a bad effing note that...

Prince Glenn frowned, leaning against the door, one arm still in a sling. "Is this not a good time?"

"Oh. Um. No. Come in." I tried to smile as he walked in. He didn't look much better than he had last time I'd seen him- pale, a little weak looking, and maybe a little hazy. I probably looked similar. "I'm glad to see you're up and walking, Prince Glenn."

"Just Glenn. We're alone." Glenn muttered as he slowly sunk down into a chair. "I am tired of lying around- I haven't even been able to go outside yet."

"Really?"

"Yu has been especially … watchful." Glenn breathed out slowly and then his eyes turned to me. "You also had surgery, yes?"

"Mm, but it's done now." I wheeled the chair over beside him and we sat there a while, quiet, gazing forward.

"Thank you." Glenn said quietly. His eyes raised to me as he continued, "It was helpful to have you there."

"All I did was get injured, lie around a lot, and... well, that's it, really." I shrugged and he shook his head.

"Then perhaps I should thank you for the help you will give." Glenn smiled faintly at that. "If you're still willing."

"Of course!"

"Naturally, we cannot allow you to leave here-" Glenn seemed almost apologetic at that. Maybe he'd had enough of being trapped in one place from his own wound, "-but I have made it clear that you'll be apart of the effort on this side of the ocean."

"I don't know how much I can help..."

"You've spent time with your Father. That's going to give you more insight than you know."

I nodded and sighed. My mood was still low. Mentioning my 'father' wasn't helping it. "Yeah. I know."

Another long pause between us before Glenn said suddenly, "I won't forget it. You're a cousin to us now. When this is over, you... you can remain."

"Thanks. Um." I hesitated and his warm brown eyes met mine. "Pr... I mean, Glenn. What's going to happen?"

He sighed and leaned back suddenly, his body slumping, a frustrated scowl crossing his face. The openness of his emotions seemed to lessen the awkward tension in the air suddenly, as if Glenn had let a barrier down, and he admitted, "I have absolutely no idea. When I ask I'm told it should be put out of my mind until I'm stronger. Truth be told- I hoped you'd know."

"Oh. That's why you came, huh." Finally I laughed softly and relaxed as well. "I hoped you'd know."

"As if being treated gently, for my age, isn't bad enough... now I cannot even know the plans for my own actions because of a wound! It was just an infection. I survived." Glenn groaned softly.

"Do you remember much about it?" I asked and when he glanced at me I admitted, "I lost touch with reality a bit towards the end."

"I cannot remember getting on the yacht. That doesn't mean I'm not fit to cope now."

"Of course not." He might have been complaining a little like a child but … somehow he was coming off as more mature than Prince Joshua had from time to time. I suggested, "You're still planning, I bet."

"When I am awake. Yes. I've been awake all day, in bed, thinking. I don't want this to be violent. Prince Keith may have the numbers to retake Oriens but-" Glenn frowned. "-I cannot condone the bloodshed of Oriens military. They believe they're fighting for me and such an action could unbalance the peace our six countries have had."

"No, I agree." I did too. It would be very bad. "Plus they're all flat out after the storm. Right?"

"Mmhmm." My words seemed to have sparked something in him. Glenn sat up straighter, gazing at me, a small smile returning. "They are all busy. Your Father has enacted their services for clean up, recovery, search and rescue. The protection around the pretend Royal Family... would be lower."

"Makes it easier to sneak in, doesn't it?" I suddenly saw what he was thinking. When his smile broadened I smiled as well. "I suppose I can't blame you for feeling restless then."

"What would your Father be doing?"

"I don't know. Depending on experts to tell him how to help. I can't see him really caring all that much at the moment- he's still in the middle of replacing you all." I hesitated and added, "You know. I have a TV. It works. If we wait a while we'll probably get some idea of what Oriens is doing for storm recovery."

Glenn's eyes lit up somewhat. I grasped for the remote and switched it onto the news channel.

It took a while. It'd been a few days since the full shock of the storm had passed and we had to wait through news, including to my increased bad mood, about Roberto's family. Not much. Something about how the women who'd stayed at the Villa had all been sent away.

I wasn't sure why there were women staying there to begin with. Roberto's private harem? It was like there were two sides to him- the side of him that was sweet, funny, and a little snugly... and the side of him that seemed to be always surrounded by women.

The new part of this, the real shock, was the discussion over the wedding. In a month's time. And why it hadn't been cancelled.

"He's getting married? Honestly?" I muttered, disbelief filling me, but it seemed so.

"Roberto doesn't have a choice." Glenn responded. He shot me a look. "We don't have a choice. At some point we'll have to marry someone suitable. The law of Alteria makes it clear- he marries by twenty six or he forfeits the throne. I doubt his father would cancel the wedding- he'll still have to marry one of those women."

It took a few minutes for that to sink in. I barely noticed Oriens on the TV as I tried to let that news sink into my mind. Was that it? Had he been trying to find a wife? Once again, I felt sick, and once again I was confused.

"What?"

Glenn's voice, risen sharply, caught my attention. I saw my own face on TV now with the words 'Kidnapped'.

"Earlier today authorities confirmed that Sophia, daughter of the respected Stanton Ledingham, had been removed as a suspect of terrorism as new footage came to light of her kidnapping. Stanton was earlier in a press conference pleading for his daughter's safety, as was her fiance-"

"What!"

"-His Highness, Prince Glenn himself."

Glenn and I both jumped, him to his feet, and me leaning up higher, as the fake Prince Glenn stood on TV.

"That's what he wanted me for? All this time?" I exclaimed, shocked and kind of angry, the body double of Prince Glenn putting out a plea for my life and for me to come home. "Father wanted me to … marry your fake?"

"Of course he did." Glenn stared at the double. "You're controllable."

"Thanks." I gawked openly at the TV.

"Please. If you're afraid, Sophia, don't be. No one will be angry with you. It wasn't your fault that you were taken away." My Father said. He was so good at pretending care and concern. I didn't buy it at all. "No one will harm you and the policeman that shot at you has been punished. There'll be no more violence- we just want you home."

As soon as I heard that I understood. Father didn't care how much of an involvement I'd had in their escape. He was offering me ...well, basically, offering me the position of Queen if I came back. Puppet Queen. No responsibility. Everything I ever wanted. He'd probably kill the double if I asked. It didn't tempt me... instead, I was angry, and scared, and sick.

There was footage suddenly from the hospital. I hadn't seen it before and I was shocked to see it, to see someone shoving me in a car, with their face clear.

"In a shocking twist, it seems that Mr. Ledingham's own eldest son, seen here in the footage of Sophia's kidnapping, has been proven to be a co-conspirator of the terrorists, was wanted until this afternoon for treason, kidnapping, and a host of other charges. Unfortunately his body was recovered by police, shot several times, presumably murdered by the terrorists..."

"Father's cut my brother loose." I breathed out slowly. I wasn't sure what I was more stunned by. "He must have been furious that he didn't get me out." He'd had my brother shot.

Shot. My brother. Father had someone shoot his eldest child.

The footage ended before the car crash, I assumed, I didn't see that.

It was making a very sick kind of sense. Father had wanted me to become the face of his … whatever it was. Marry the body double. Become the face of his decisions. He'd even cut off my half-brother. He wanted me back. My brother couldn't marry the fake Prince Glenn... and was useless.

"Sophia." Glenn muttered, wincing as he knelt down beside me, staring at me. "Are you all right?"

"He had my brother shot." I stared blankly at Glenn. "I … I was afraid of him, sure, but I never thought he'd go that far."

"He wants you back." Glenn hesitated and added, "You'd be closest..."

"I ..." I would be. I stared at Glenn, who stared back, mouth shutting. "I would be right in the inside, huh."

"I wonder if we can find someone who looks like you."

"You think he'd fall for a double when he's used to them?" I could see where his mind was going.

"How well does he know you?"

"I don't know. Not that well... but he's sharp. I know what you're thinking... I just … I'm not sure if he'd fall for it." I genuinely wasn't sure. Glenn nodded. It seemed to have sparked something in him though, his eyes alive with energy, and he stood up carefully.

"I better return to my room before Yu comes with my dinner." Glenn smiled down at me. "May I visit for breakfast with my brother? My brother has been eager to meet his new ...cousin. It's a miracle he hasn't already found you."

"Of course. Cousin." Weird. He nodded, ruffling my hair as if I was the younger one, and slowly headed out.