Chapter 6~

I don't go searching for Armando, as much as I want to. I don't start packing either, at least not right away, for fear angry Rosie would still be in the guest suite talking to Ed. I wander through the palace gardens, instead, brushing up on my Italian and mulling over my thoughts until dinnertime when I know everyone would be in the Dining Hall. When I walk past, I hear all the laughter and conversations and catch a glimpse of all the happy royal family and staff enjoying their perfect life and for some reason, I miss Louisiana and Dad and a life where everything was simpler and my biggest concern was what to wear to school. Outside, the sun sinks below the sand, painting the sky in varying shades of pink and purple.

I climb the stairs to the guest suite slowly, part of me wishing I could go down to the Dining Hall and be part of this paradise one last time. It's so much easier not to worry about where Dad is and what next year's gonna be like when I'm eating filet mignon and drinking sparkling grape juice.

As I start putting clothes back from where I took them out less than twenty four hours ago, I wonder if I should get used to living out of a suitcase. I mean how many of these last minute missions does the PPP plan to send Rosie and me on this summer?

"So it's true, then." I don't have to turn around to know who that voice belongs to. "You're leaving us."

"I wish I wasn't," I admit. "I just got here. I'm not ready to leave."

Armando comes into the room and sits down on the bed. "Then don't."

"Rose needs me," I argue. "I can't just not go."

"Ah yes, royal birthday parties," Armando says. "Can't go alone."

"It's …complicated," I offer lamely, coming to sit down next to him on the bed.

All I want to do is beg Armando to come with me, but I can't. I can't even tell him the real reason I'm leaving and I hate it.

"Stay with me," he whispers.

"I can't," I whisper back. "It's only two days. I'll be back before you know it."

"I'll be counting the hours," he promises.

The desire to be with him burns in my fingertips as he takes my hand and I try not to calculate how many hours are in two days.

"I need to pack." I pull my hand from his.

"Let me help you," he offers.

"Okay." I stand up. "What if I hand you stuff and you fold?"

"Sounds like a plan," Armando agrees.

I pull open my t-shirt drawer and rifle through. Nothing screams "Top Secret Mission."

"What are you wearing to the ball?" Armando asks.

"Mr. Elegante made me this gorgeous dress." I run into the closet. When I come back out with the dress, Armando's eyes get huge. It really is an amazing dress. It's strapless and reaches all the way to the floor, starting out deep aqua on top and fading into a mint green. There's this slit in the skirt that shows off my legs, a funny edgy detail that really makes the dress feel more me, rather than Queen Rosie.

"You're gonna look great," Armando assures me.

"Thanks," I smile self-consciously as I zip the garment bag back up.

"Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?" he reaches up, locks his arms around my waist playfully and pulls me back down to the bed.

"Stop it!" I kick. "I need to pack."

"But this is more fun," he teases, tickling me.

I scream and try my best to pull away, but since he's holding onto me, I only succeed in pulling us both down, where we lay face to face for what feels like an eternity. I glance down at Armando's lips only to look up and see him staring at mine. His lips are gentle as they brush against mine and mine meet his eagerly in the sweet first kiss of all time. I close my eyes to block out the world as he kisses me again, longer this time, deeper too. This moment is perfect, perfetto.

Perfect, that is, until the bedroom door slams open.

Armando and I push back and sit up to see Rosie standing in doorway. There's a long angry silence.

"Get out." Rosie's gaze never leaves Armando. "Now."

"Mi dispiace," he whispers in my ear, then kisses my hand and runs out of the room, leaving me with a very angry Rosie.

I have trouble meeting her gaze. "It's not what it looked like."

"I want you out," Rose says slowly and evenly, trying her best to hold in the fury. "We're getting on a plane in two hours and when we get back, I want you to pack your bags and fly home."

"Rosie…" I'm shocked.

"When I was in Louisiana, I did everything I could to make sure I made you and your father proud because I knew my behavior reflected on your family," Rosie explains, her voice tight and tone clipped. "Here in Costa Luna, your actions reflect on me, Carter, and the royal family, and this new you is not someone I want to be represented by."

"Rosie!" I try again, but the hard look in her eyes tells me nothing I say at this point will change anything.

"See you in two hours," Rosie says. "If you're not there, we're leaving without you."

And just like that, she's gone.