Chapter 5: Thinking of You

Gwen's eyes opened up just as the sun was peeking through her tiny window. She groaned as she remembered what happened the night before. Should she even bother? She would be thrown out of the palace for sure…or worse, thrown into prison.

She got up, took a quick shower, got dressed in her attire, and went out. Julie was already awake, dusting the furniture with a worried look on her face.

"Gwen, if anything happens, I'll try to convince him otherwise. He'll listen to me."

"Don't even bother Julie. If I'm not wanted, then I don't belong. I'll go to Omnitrix if something should happen. I'm sure they'll gladly take me after what happened with Max the other day," Gwen made a soft smile. She was hurting. She thought she had a chance…but that was her naïve voice telling her what to do.

With that, she strode down the halls, up the stairs, and around corners to Kevin's room. His door was shut, of course, but with no note on the door like she had instructed him to do. She slowly opened the door, ready to hear his snoring, but nothing was heard. She opened the door fully and saw no one there. His bed was already made and his room was spotless and clean. He was nowhere to be found.

He got up early? But he never, ever, does that…

She looked around the room some more, and something caught her eye. A note was laying on his pillow, directed to her.

Here it comes…

But as she read it, she was surprised.

Gwen,

Your not fired…nothing you could ever do would make me want to get rid of you that easily…so get to work. Did the room for you though…and made my bed.

Kevin

She couldn't help but smile. Why did he have to be so charming at times? Wasn't he known for being opposite of that? She examined the note once more…she realized that there was more on the back.

P.S. Didn't do my bathroom though…

She quickly looked into the bathroom and saw that it was filthy was usual. She groaned and took out a rag from her pocket. She could just imagine him laughing it up while writing the note to her. She shoved the note in her pocket and began to think.

She was harsh on him the night before. She couldn't keep acting like this in front of him. It was her job to be respectful towards him, and what she did was far from it. In his own way, the note was him apologizing to her. If he could do it, then she can…no matter how much it hurt her. Besides, it was her own fault for falling for him in the first place. It was her own fault that she thought everything was intended for her…it wasn't hers, and she should have known that.

She would apologize the moment she saw him. This was no way to act…she felt like an immature five year old or something.

She finished his bathroom and walked out to search for him. He had to be here somewhere…he lived here. After walking through the halls, she finally noticed that many servants and maids were frantically running around everywhere. They were cleaning, decorating, and reorganizing things…something that was completely out of the ordinary.

"H-hey, what's going on?" she asked them, trying to get someone to give her an answer. But they didn't; they kept running. Most of them didn't even look at her to give her recognition, and the ones that did gave her an incredulous look. She sighed; she wasn't going to find Kevin in this mess…she would go back to Julie and ask her what's going on.

She walked down to the main entrance, where she last saw her, and began searching. Sure enough, Julie was walking quickly to as many destinations as she could.

"Julie, hey!" Gwen called to her. She smiled when Julie turned around to meet her.

"You're still here?" Julie asked, half excited and half worried.

"Yeah, I'm still here…he didn't let me go."

"That's great!" squealed Julie, giving her a quick hug. "I knew he would never do that."

"Yeah, but besides that…what's going on around here? I've never seen it so…so…"

"Rambunctious? Yeah, my thoughts exactly…but remember? Princess Charmcaster is coming to visit," Julie replied. Now Gwen understood, and she couldn't help but feel a little depressed when she heard it. Of course! He said that she would be coming over…now she got it. She should have noticed when the servants began hanging purple streamers and curtains instead of Kevin's normal gray and black ones.

"Oh…" Gwen drifted from talking to Julie for a moment.

"Hey, don't let it get you down. You're still here, remember?" Julie gave a smile, and Gwen couldn't help but smile with her.

"Well do you know where Kevin would be at this time? He wasn't in his room this morning when I went."

"That's strange…Kevin usually gets up early when guests are arriving, but not that early. My guess would be the stables to get the horses prepared correctly. He's not gong to be in here while we are frantically running around like chickens with their heads cut off."

"Got it, thanks," Gwen smiled, and rushed over to the stables, where Kevin was supposed to be. She heard a few clanging noises, but just thought it was more of the servants preparing. She went to the back to find Kevin and his stallion…but he was not there. Only Eleven was there eating the hay he was given.

She decided to ask the servant who was making that annoying sound where Kevin went to, but as she turned the corner once more, she couldn't believe her eyes. It was Kevin, only this Kevin had his whole body made out of steel. It looked exactly like him, only he was completely made out of a material that was definitely not common for normal people to have. He was banging his fist against some swords that were hot with molten steel on them. He was making more swords for some apparent reason.

Gwen saw yesterday that he could absorb the metal with his hand, but she had no idea that he could do it to his whole body! Doesn't he know that people could walk in at any moment and see him? All she could do was stare; she had never seen such a thing like this before. Sure she had seen some great powers back in her day and when she was young, but she never encountered an absorber. She heard some footsteps behind her and hid in one of the open stables.

"Sire, are you decent?" one of his more known servants asked. Gwen looked at Kevin and the steel immediately rushed from his body…showing his prefect skin again.

"Yes Fred, I am," Kevin called back, examining the perfect sword he made in a matter of minutes.

"Your highness, I just got word that Princess Charmcaster will be arriving in 2 hours."

"Perfect, thanks Fred," Kevin replied. Gwen got it now. He told his servants to ask when to come in the stables while he was working. Gwen was cleaning his room when he must have told them. Fred left, finally making Gwen getting the courage to go up to him. It looked like he was going to absorb the steel again, but she made sure her footsteps were heard.

"Nice sword," she made sure she smiled, leaning casually. Kevin couldn't help but smile when he saw her.

"Did you get my note?"

"Yes I did, nice, but not as pleasing as I would have liked it. You're so messy."

"Hey, I'm a messy guy, it's just my nature," he chuckled. They stopped speaking for a while.

"Look, I wanted to apologize. It was not in my place for telling you all of those things last night and certainly not right as your servant to say such things. I'm sorry…it was my fault."

"It's not your fault," he said sternly.

"Then whose fault is it? Because I'm getting more confused by the second…"

"Well it's mine," he said simply, looking at his sword again.

"Yeah right."

"Seriously…my fault."

"But then…"

"Gwen, how about I say 'apology accepted' and you go back to the palace. I'm uh kind of busy here and I don't have much for you to do today," he said this uneasy, but Gwen took the hint fairly.

"You got it…Kevin," she smiled when she said his name as she took her leave. He sighed deeply when she spoke his name. It was the best thing he could ever hear. He absorbed the steel from the sword and began his work again. Gwen couldn't help but take a sneak peek at Kevin in his metal state once more.

She rushed back into the palace, seeing the same chaos that had been going on earlier, to find Julie and help her.

"Gwen, hey!" came a male voice from behind her. She was not expecting what she saw coming toward her as if they had been friends for years. Prince Ben was waving his hand at her, running toward her to greet her. "How's it going?"

"Uh, um, g-great. How about you?" she asked. Ben studied her; she had the same eyes as him, the same color hair as his aunt, and her face looked exactly like his grandpa's, except when he was younger.

"Awesome. I see you guys are cleaning up, mind if I help?"

She could not believe what she was hearing, as she watched his servants bring his bags in and up the stairs.

"Are you staying long?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm going to be staying longer here from now on, but don't worry, Kevin already knows."

"Oh, ok, um that's great to hear," she could not believe he was speaking to her like this. He just met her one time and yet she felt that she had known him forever.

"So can I help or what? I'm here and I've got nothing else to do," he said, rolling up his sleeves

"Uh sure, of course! I was just going to meet Julie and help with some stuff," Gwen replied, seeing Ben blush a little before speaking and clearing his throat.

"Sounds like a plan…" he joined her on the walk to find Julie. They found her in the garden where she was planting new flowers. Gwen regretted bringing Ben along; Julie looked a mess. Dirt smears were on her face, her clothes were sloppy, and there was also dirt in her hair, which made it look more rugged.

"Oh no…Gwen whispered to herself, as she looked from Ben to Julie.

"Gwen, is that you?" she asked, whipping her hands on her apron, and looking happy. Her eyes bulged out of her sockets when she looked at the person who was next to her. All Ben did was smile, looking perfect, in her opinion, as usual. "Ah P-prince Ben! What b-brings you here?" She tried her best to fix and straighten herself up, but she failed miserably. She looked at Gwen, who had a desperate apologetic look on her face, and then back at Ben.

"Hey Julie, we came to help," Ben smiled; admiring her even though she had dirt all over her…he didn't care.

"Y-you did?" she asked incredulously, looking at Gwen for support.

"Yeah, you look like you could use it," he chuckled, whipping away the dirt from her face, while cupping it in both of his hands. She immediately turned a wild red, as Gwen held her breath. Ben bent down, grabbed some dirt, and whipped some on his face as well. "There, now we match."

Gwen couldn't help but smile; this boy was nice, not to mention a complete gentleman.

"I think it's going to take a lot more for you to look like me, Prince Ben," she giggled.

"Well we better get started then," he smirked. "And please, just call me Ben."

It took forever, but they managed to get everything done. Especially after the dirt fights, the pansy toss, and just rolling in the dirt, all of them looked the same by the time they were finished.

"Who wants something to eat? I can have Kevin's chefs whip us up something pretty quickly," suggested Ben, trying to get the dirt off his face.

"Sure, I'm starving," replied Julie, as Ben nodded and walked off. Julie sighed. "He's amazing."

"I have got to admit, you picked a good one. He's so…so…"

"Thoughtful? Generous? Sympathetic? Need I continue?" Julie muttered, sitting down at one of the chairs.

"You should tell him how you feel," said Gwen, smirking a bit. Julie's face became worried once again.

"Gwen, you don't get it. I could never ever say something like that to him. It's just not right."

"What's not right about it? Ben seems nice."

"Gwen, no! You don't understand. Someone like me can never ask someone like him that! I'm too poor and way below his league. He wears gold around his cuffs everyday, and see gold every five years! He's way out of my league…" Julie sat there silent for a while. "It just can't happen."

"I guess your right…but to me, Ben seems different…I don't know, I thought there could be something."

"It always does at the beginning, doesn't it?"

"Hey guys, sorry but all of the chefs are booked for Charmcaster and Kevin's dinner tonight. Looks like we'll just have to scrounge for stuff in the refrigerator," Ben came rushing back. "Some of them thought I was someone from off the streets that got into the castle."

"Um no offense Ben, but we're not allowed to eat Kevin's food. It's just not right for us," Julie said quietly.

"Well then I'm going to have to steal some and bring it back. It's just going to be the three of us tonight…Kevin will be busy and I need some company while I'm here," he looked for Gwen to Julie. Julie didn't know what to say.

"Uh sounds like a plan then," said Gwen.

"What does?" a voice came from behind. All of them turned around to see Kevin in some of the nicest clothes that they have ever seen. Gwen couldn't help but be a little jealous. "And why do all of you look like…um that."

"Oh, I was helping them plant and we sort of got into a pansy fight," Ben chuckled, pounding fists with Kevin. "How's it going?"

"Nervous as ever, but I'll manage," said Kevin, looking at Ben while getting a few quick glances at Gwen. "Garden looks nice."

"Well it better, we've been slaving over here for an hour and a half now," said Gwen.

"Yeah because it looks like you have had an awful time," replied Kevin, looking at the dirt all over them

"It was a sacrifice, but we got through it."

"Yeah whatever, now why do I feel something is being stirred up around here?"

"The three of us are hanging out tonight, nothing big. Since you're with Charmcaster all the time, I've got some dates to go to myself," Ben smirked, pointing at the two girls. Julie began to blush heatedly. Kevin on the other hand couldn't help but frown a little, and none of them knew why, except for Ben.

"Well can the three of you freshen up again? She's coming in 30 minutes and I need everyone to look good when she arrives," Kevin said.

"Yes your highness," bowed Julie and Gwen, as both of them walked out and into the palace.

"You're throwing dirt at my servants?" Kevin raised an eyebrow, with a humorous smile on his face. He was trying his hardest not to laugh. Ben tried to defend himself quickly.

"Whoa man, we were just having some fun…"

"With my servants…"

"Yes, but-,"

"You were helping my servants work Ben.

"Yes I know, but-,"

"You were planting pansies with my servants."

"Will you shut up ant listen! I have nothing to do here Kevin, and while your busy playing with your new girl, I'm stuck here extremely bored."

"May I ask why you're here in the first place. You told me you're staying over for a while, but how long exactly?"

"Well that's the thing…I don't know how long."

"What do you mean you don't know? What are you doing here Ben?"

"Sorry Kevin, but it's a secret. It's only between grandpa and me. I've got my reasons."

"I let you stay at my palace and you don't even tell me why?"

"You just have to trust me…I need to figure something out."

Kevin stood looking at Ben for a long time, until Kevin finally sighed.

"Of course I trust you, but when this is all over, then will you tell me what's going on?"

"Oh definitely…you have my word."

"Alright, now get cleaned up, you look horrible."

GGGGG

Everyone and everything was in place. The palace looked more extravagant than ever. The servants stood in there places, as you could hear trumpets being sounded off in the city. She had arrived. Kevin sat at his throne and waited for her arrival, with Ben standing up next to him. Both of them were wearing their crowns on top of their heads, and both were looking their best.

The servants stood row by row, in their nicest clothes and not making a sound. Gwen and Julie stood the back, waiting anxiously for her arrival.

"Now Kevin usually likes us to call him by his royal name when his guests are over, so I would lay off the nick names, ok?" said Julie, as Gwen nodded. She couldn't help but feel jealous. When Charmcaster got here, she would be doing the exact same thing that Gwen did with Kevin yesterday.

But most of all, she couldn't believe that this was happening. So what if they want to join forces to become powerful nations? She was bad and everyone knew it…so why couldn't he? Plus, she was way older than him? What interest would he have for someone that is 4 years older than him? Powers, ha! She could probably kick her ass any day at any time….

"Now presenting, Princess Charmcaster!" roared a servant as the trumpets began sounding once more. A woman with long white hair and violet eyes came in riding on a white horse, her servants following her not far behind. She had a smug expression on her face, examining all of his servants, his palace, his belongings, and so on.

Gwen noticed her first thing. She had never seen her before, only heard about her. She wasn't going to deny it, she was beautiful. Her long silver white hair complimented her eyes, body, and face. She was tall, muscular, and slender. She was different, exotic, and power hungry. What Gwen noticed the most, though, was the ugliest bag that she had ever seen hanging over her shoulder. As beautiful looking as that, what was she doing with that? Gwen sighed; it was true, she had no chance against her.

When all eyes were on Charmcaster, her eyes were on Kevin. He looked pleased, but she had no idea what was going on inside his head. He had probably seen her before, of course he had. He probably was not surprised by her beauty. Yeah…there was no hope after this…

"King Kevin, so nice to see you again," she spoke. Great, and she had a seductive voice too…

"The feeling's mutual, Princess Charmcaster," Kevin turned on his charm, getting up from his throne and straightening his clothes. Charmcaster looked around at his servants, all of them trying their best to avoid eye contact with her. She sneered lightly.

"Kevin, send your servants away, they're freaking me out," she waved her hand lightly, not even caring what Kevin had prepared for her. Kevin nodded his head and his servants were dismissed.

"You're allowed to stay Gwen," Julie said, as she found her mother and walked back downstairs. Gwen gulped and stayed behind, watching Charmcaster fix her dress. Gwen looked at Ben, who was looking at her. He gave her a shrug; she could tell he didn't want to be there, but as a royal, he had too.

"Prince Ben, I wasn't expecting you to be here as well," Charmcaster said, her back going to Gwen. The tone of her voice seemed somewhat suspicious.

"Please, Charmcaster, I'm always here. I practically live here," Ben smiled, saying a good response. Kevin smiled as well.

"Yeah, we're practically brothers," added Kevin. Charmcaster let it go and looked around his palace once more. Her eyes landed on Gwen. Emerald met violet, and the tension became heated and tense immediately.

"Kevin, I think some of your servants are deaf. This one is still lingering around," she muttered, not taking her eyes off her. Gwen did her best not to give a scowl. Luckily, Kevin came to her rescue.

"Charmcaster, I'd like you to meet my personal, Gwen. She's new here and will be with us for a while," Kevin answered, as Charmcaster eyed her suspiciously.

"Why is she here?" Charmcaster said coldly, crossing her arms, as Gwen became very confused.

"I told you-,"

"No wait Kevin, I want her to answer me," Charmcaster lifted her finger to silence Kevin, not taking her eyes on Kevin. Gwen stared…there's was no way this woman was going to get to her. Gwen made sure she stared directly into her eyes.

"As King Kevin said, I was brought here to serve Kevin personally," Gwen spoke confidently. "My guess that I was brought here to also serve you as well, Princess." Gwen smiled respectively, as she watched Charmcaster blink a couple of times. She shrugged her shoulders and turned around as if she didn't care.

"Anyway, Kevin, I heard you had some plans ready for me?" she raised her eyebrows, as if suggesting something.

"Word travels fast around here," he replied, holding out his arm for her.

"You're too kind your highness," she whispered as they walked out of the palace, looking at each other the whole time. Gwen sighed; she would not be wanted as long as she was here. A frown crept on her face and she was left watching the man she loved falling for someone else. Ben finally coughed and got her attention. Gwen tried her best not to blush.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, wondering what was wrong with her.

"Uh um no, why would anything be wrong?" she stuttered, backing out of the room slowly and down the stairs, leaving Ben somewhat strange. Does she have a thing for Kevin?

Grandpa,

It's been a couple of days since I spent with Gwen, and I see nothing out of the ordinary. She's a nice girl, but there's no trace of powers anywhere; if it is her, then it's like she never even had them. Sure she's nice but…but I guess the real reason that I'm writing to you is that I don't think she's the person you're thinking of. It happened a long time ago, grandpa, and miracles don't happen like that around here. So I'll hang around as long as you want, but I'm done spying.

Ben

That was chapter 5! Ok, I know it's been a while, but I really wanted to finish a story that I started before this. So now I'm going to continue this one as fast as I can now.

Ok, so Charmcaster has arrived…mixed feelings are surrounding the entire palace. Ben is not so sure about Gwen anymore, but he does see some feelings towards Kevin…wonder if he'll question it some more. Charmcaster is staying for a few days…what's she going to do? How's Gwen going to cope with everything? Find out next time!

R&R

Wtncgirl09