Anthony

'Anthony?' My father's voice broke through my Amberly haze as we sped through London to the benefit.

'Sorry, what were you saying?' I asked trying to reorder my thoughts.

'What because I don't have blonde hair and blue eyes you don't pay me any attention. Would it help if I was mad at you? What if I batted my eyes like this?'

'Shut up, just tell me what you were talking about,' I ground out as my father batted his eyes at me like twelve year old.

'Couldn't get Amberly to come with you tonight?'

'You couldn't get mum,' I shoot back.

'Elliot's sick, nothing would get your mother away from his side. I'm not too keen on being here either.' He admitted, thinking about his youngest son, who had everyone wrapped around his little finger.

'It was a cough, I'm sure he'll be fine,' I replied flatly, my parents always overreacted whenever he was sick. I remembered when he was five and we were all outside playing football, Elliot got a mosquito bite and my mother thought it was a spot for chicken pox. The doctor was called immediately and Elliot was tucked up in bed being pampered before I even had a chance to have another kick. A cough had mother staying home from this benefit to make sure he would be all right.

'What about Amberly, why isn't she here?' My father prodded again.

'I may have angered her again,' I answered guiltily.

'How could it be again? That girl is perpetually angry with you,' my father chuckled straightening his tie as I thought about this afternoon when she was securely locked in my arms.

'Not, always,' I grumbled looking back out at the lights of London.

'No, but you're very good a pushing that girl's buttons,' he smiled as we pulled up to the front of the Grand hotel where the benefit was being held. It was part of the old section of London where it seemed like over the centuries time had simply stood still. Elegant mouldings and ancient architecture that looked nothing like the modern buildings of today.

'Is that a bad thing?' I asked nervously. He had been the one pushing for me to fight for her, if he was losing hope should I be as well?

'If you know her well enough to make her angry then you should understand her enough to know what will redeem yourself to her,' he answered cryptically before getting out of the car as a cacophony of bright lights filled the doorway. If I thought I knew her so well, why couldn't I win her over yet? Not only that but how did I not know how talented she was at drawing? How did my father always know what to say?

I quickly followed him out of the car and rushed up the stairs of the hotel as people stood behind the barriers calling out for me and my father. I flashed them a charming smile but didn't stop to talk to them, too focused on getting the answers from him.

When I finally caught up he was preoccupied with a little girl. I knew he and mum had always wanted a daughter and it was never more clear than when we came to one of these benefits and you saw the longing smile on both of my parents faces as they talked to the little girls. When I married Amberly, by extension they would finally get what they had always wanted. I just wasn't sure she would be the daughter they had always dreamed of.

I stood back and watched my father as he said goodbye to the young girl and then approached him as we finally entered the hotel lobby.

'Do you see Amberly as a daughter?' I asked and he turned to look at me with a serious face. Something which was rare to ever find lurking on my father's features.

'I've always seen her as my daughter. Her mother and I were and still are very close. America has always been like a sister to me. She went through some things which no one ever should back before she was married to Amberly's father. When Amberly came over that first time with her father and her brother and sister I fell in love with her. She was just as determined back then. Everything was her way or no way and your mother and I were more than willing to oblige her. She was spoiled rotten by us and by you.' He smiled at me as I tried to remember the six year old Amberly ruling over our castle.

'You followed her everywhere, like her own personal jester. Always making her laugh and doing everything for her.

'Sounds like I was quite the charmer,' I laughed as we entered the great room where the benefit was being held. It was a benefit for the orphans of London so the entire room was made to look as bright and playful as possible. All the tables had a different theme based on the children's book they had at their centre. There were smaller tables set up for the children who the benefit was helping and they had little beanbags for them all to sit on. From the ceiling an assortment of antique toys were hung and the stage was a giant cake where a massive candle was the microphone. It was as if a child's mind had roamed free across the room, transforming it into every child's fantasy.

'You were smitten,' my father laughed as we moved to our table. 'Not much has changed.'

'She doesn't find my tricks as entertaining, that's for sure,' I muttered.

'Oh she does, she just doesn't know if she can trust you yet.' He observed and I was left dumbfounded beside him. Why didn't she trust me? I was about to ask him when the announcer for the evening took the candle and began the proceedings.

The night was playful and fun with barely a dull moment between performers and comedians and a sweet song by the children where they were awfully off key but their cute little faces made up for any deficiencies in their singing abilities.

Finally, it came time for my father and I to take to the cake stage and it was time for me to get revenge for the crackers in my office.

I allowed my father to go on ahead and hung back with the children getting them ready for the big finale of the night. When my father was in position behind the microphone candle, I moved the troops into place.

He was halfway through his speech and of course he had them all eating out of the palm of his hand, when he noticed the movement of tiny bodies with me as their leader. I was holding the hands of two of the young girls who were a little frightened by the stunt. When everyone was in position I looked up at my father.

'This is payback,' I smiled as he stopped abruptly, halfway through a sentence. 'Fire soldiers!' I shouted and all the little bodies pulled out their water guns which I had filled with juice, to be extra sticky and they began shooting at my father, their king with the widest smiles on their faces. The two girls beside me at first cowered behind me at the sudden rush of noise and movement but eventually they were laughing too as my father was covered in grape juice, orange juice and any kind of juice I could get my hands on. I stood among the mini soldiers beaming as my father cowered behind the candle microphone trying to stop the shower of juice but it was no use. There was just too many of them.

'Drop your weapons soldiers,' I shouted when my father was soaked through, but I wasn't done with him yet. I nodded towards the six young boys and girls I had talked to earlier and their little eyes filled with mischief before they quickly turned and ran for the stage. Before my father even had a chance to register what was happening they were on him, pinning him to the ground with their little bodies. I heard his deep rumbling laughter as the two girls tickled him mercilessly. I walked quickly towards the stage and stood behind the candle microphone looking out at the crowd who didn't seem to be able to catch their breath as they watched their sovereign get beaten by six young children. The great king brought down by the tiny tickle monsters.

'Thank you everyone for coming tonight and donating to this wonderful cause. As you can see children mean a lot to us. Without them my plan tonight would have never come to fruition. Please put your hands together for my brave mischief soldiers,' I declared as the young faces looked out at their applauding fans. Some of them waved, whilst others smiled sheepishly at all the attention. I smiled down at them too, knowing at the end of the night they would still be orphans but for now they were fearless soldiers and the centre of attention. For one night they were free to be children, instead of orphans wondering why their parents gave them up or why they were taken away from them.

Amberly

'Grandfather,' I smiled when he finally picked up the phone.

'Do my ears deceive me or is that my favourite granddaughter?' He laughed.

'I've missed you,' I answered, regretting not calling him sooner but after what happened with Anthony today I needed to speak with someone who understood me. I didn't care how homesick his voice made me.

'Not as much as I've missed you. You were the only sane one around here. There are seven yellow birds flying around the palace thanks to your sister and your father isn't happy about it. However, they don't seem to be able to find her.'

'Marinda still being her troublesome self then I assume,' I laughed. I never thought I'd miss her tricks but I did miss her and Michael, Harmonia and of course Adam. He still hadn't accepted any of my calls. It was infuriating.

'How's Adam grandfather?' I asked eager to get some information on him.

'He's as lovesick as ever,' He answered.

'What's she like?' I asked curious about the girl who seemed to have stolen my younger brother's heart.

'I'm not sure, she only came out of her room today and from what I could gather at breakfast she didn't seem too enamoured by our Adam.' He chuckled and I just listened to his familiar laugh reverberate through the phone.

'What happened?' I asked, eager to know more about my family.

'She rejected the poor boy. I was just leaving when he offered to take her back to her room and she refused him. It was a sight. She's just this tiny little thing who is struggling to walk and she refused his help. I think he might have his work cut out for him.'

'What about the other girls? Has he shown any interest in them?' I asked, afraid this girl might break my brother's heart.

'He has spent a little time with them but I don't think he can get past the green eyed girl and her charms. The problem is she seems completely disinterested in him.' He answered, a little amused.

'Do you like her?' I question.

'I don't know her but from her display this morning, I think she might be growing on me.'

'Hmm…' I muttered deep in thought.

'What about you Amberly, tell me about prince Anthony,' he asked trying to change the subject.

'He's infuriating. He's smug all the time, always pulling pranks. Its like he doesn't have a serious bone in his body,' I ranted. I was never at a loss for words when it came to him and how annoying he could be. I continued to rant to my grandfather for a long time before the well ran dry and I was left breathless after naming all of Anthony's least redeeming qualities. Thankfully, tonight he had gone out with his father to some benefit so I didn't need to sit through dinner with him but I would need to face him tomorrow and who knew what he had in store.

'Well, I see he's been busy,' my grandfather chuckled and if it was anyone else I would have been angry with them, but it was him.

'He is insane,' I breathed tiredly. 'Where does he come up with all of this? Toads, paintball wars, faking his own death?'

'He is very inventive,' my grandfather admitted.

'He's a lunatic, so is his father. What if this is all I have to look forward to for the rest of my life?'

'Amberly, you're still there, you're still willing to marry him. Doesn't that tell you something?' My grandfather asked seriously.

'Yeah, I'm just as insane as he is,' I grumbled.

'Maybe it's because you like him more than you're willing to admit?' He reasoned and my mind immediately rebelled against the idea.

'No, I do not like him.' I answered adamantly.

'If that's what you think,' I could hear the superior, knowing smile in his voice and I let out a groan of frustration in response.

'This is lunacy. Can we just change the subject? I don't want to talk about him anymore,' I grumbled looking out my window as the moonlight broke through the clouds and illuminated the castle gardens.

'What do you want to talk about Amberly?' He asked with an amused tone, and I barely restrained another frustrated groan.

'Do you know why Adam won't answer my calls?'

'He's been busy, that boy wouldn't leave her side for days and then when she woke up he was moping around because she wouldn't allow him into her room.' He offered, but this wasn't enough of an excuse for him to ignore me.

'Do you think this girl is good for him grandfather?' I asked quietly, frustrated that I couldn't be there to help him sort them all out.

'I don't know Amberly,' he answered.

'Could you maybe, I don't know…' I trailed off afraid he would deny my ludicrous suggestion.

'Spy on her for you?' He offered, as if reading my mind.

'No,' I tried to feign outrage and then just gave in. 'Well, maybe. I just don't want him to be blind sighted. Adam's a little oblivious to everything related to girls.'

'That is true, those girls have been throwing themselves at him for days and he has been completely unresponsive.'

'She really has that strong of a hold on him?' I asked a little alarmed.

'I don't think she knows it, but yes I think she does.' He admitted obviously thinking about the girl.

'So will you watch her for me?' I asked nervously. I needed some peace of mind and there was no point asking Marinda, she was too excitable.

'How about I go and look for Adam now and ask him to call you?' He offered.

'Thank you grandfather,' I smiled.

'I love you Amberly,' I heard the loneliness in his voice and I wished he could come over and join me but I knew my parents wouldn't allow it. They had said as much in my last few calls.

'I love you too. I wish you were here,' I sighed.

'Me too, I miss your warm hugs.' He admitted and I knew in his eyes I was still that little girl who would run and leap into his arms with complete faith that he would always catch me.

'Maybe you can visit me soon?' I said hopefully.

'Maybe,' he replied without conviction and I knew it would probably never happen. For some reason my parents were standing firm on this one.

'I'll talk to you soon,' I offered.

'You better not take so long to call me next time,' He laughed and I agreed emphatically before ending the call. I hoped he convinced Adam to call me. I missed my younger brother too.

Aisling

I was putting the final touches on Adam's room after over two hours of work and I was so close to having it perfect. I tried to do it as quickly as possible because I didn't want him to come and find me in here.

Marinda had left over an hour ago when there had been shouts echoing around the palace about canaries being on the loose. She said something about needing to disappear for a while and then shot out the door before I could even say goodbye.

I was finally done. All I needed to do was sign my work and sneak out of here without anyone seeing me. I had a feeling it wasn't a good idea to be found inside the prince's room without him in it.

I was tiptoeing out of Adam's room keeping my eye's focused on the floor when I accidentally ran into a hard chest, sending me careening for the intricate rug on the floor of the hallway. I tried to catch myself on the man I had run into but I heard the unmistakable sound of tearing fabric and my mind flashed back from the present to a time in my past. I was immediately lost in the memory of a similar situation when I had accidentally ran into Malvolia in the halls of the Avery Manor and torn her dress. My heart began to race in a similar fashion and my body tensed in fear. She may not be here but the effect she still had on me was stronger than I wished to admit.

'I'm sorry,' I stuttered, trying to back away. 'I'm sorry.'

'Wait,' his deep voice called for me and I stopped and finally brought my eyes to his face. I realised I had made a bigger mistake than I had thought. I was met with the face of the greying man who had once ruled over Illea. I had heard stories about his reign and how many of the people lived in fear of his wrath. I felt myself begin to tremble as my feet remained glued to the floor.

'Hey,' he said softly leaning towards me, but all I could see was his raised hand and my eyes went wide in horror. Finally, my feet remembered how to move and I stumbled back against the wall sliding down until I could curl in on myself. I was no longer in the palace. I was back in the dark cellar and she was looming over me as I desperately tried to make myself as small as possible, wishing I could just disappear. I vaguely heard a man call out, 'father,' then there was an angry voice and I tightened my hold around myself. When will I be free?

Maxon

'Father?' I asked, slightly confused. What was lady Zander doing up here? None of the selected were allowed on the third floor. 'What's going on here?'

'Maxon, I-I…' He trailed off, looking between myself and Lady Zander. I realised she was cowering against the wall, her eyes filled with terror and her body trembling.

'What have you done?' I asked incredulously, striding towards him.

'I-I was looking for Adam, but then she came out of his room. She walked right into me and when she tried to catch herself she ripped my jacket. I don't know what happened but when she looked at me she started to tremble. I can't get her to listen to me.' He explained nervously and I eyed him warily afraid he had become what he was twenty years ago. It was a fear that sat in my heart everyday. Every time I let him close to my children I was afraid he would hurt them like he hurt me, but he never had. I may have forgiven him but my trust was harder to win, and he never had after all these years.

'Why would she do that? What did you do to her?' I demanded.

'Nothing, I promise. I tried to reach for her but she just kept mumbling she was sorry and something about a woman named Malvolia.' He answered, pleadingly.

'That doesn't make any sense,' I replied running my hand through my hair and bending down beside the terrified girl.

She was trembling viciously, tears falling rapidly down her sunken cheeks. What had happened to this girl to make her this way? I looked at her right arm and was horrified to see a half concealed burn mark where her cardigan had been hiked up.

'Lady Zander? I'm Maxon, Adam's father,' I said softly, resting my hand lightly on her shoulder but she recoiled from me, letting out a defenceless whimper.

I looked up at my father in alarm but he was equally afraid for this small girl. She was muttering something but I couldn't make out what it was and I was beginning to feel panic rise in my chest.

'Lady Zander, please you're safe, my dear,' I tried again without moving any closer to her. Thankfully, this time the glazed look in her eyes began to lift and she looked between my father and I, startled, as if she was surprised to find us there. Her face was covered in tears and her body still had tremors but it seemed that whatever she was experiencing in her mind had passed.

'Adam?' She asked looking up at me in confusion.

'No, I'm his father,' I explained, relieved she was talking. 'What happened lady Zander?'

'I-I thought…I'm sorry, I didn't mean to, it was an accident,' she stuttered looking pleadingly up at my father, who looked taken aback by the tiny, wounded girl. 'Please don't hurt me.' She begged, tugging on her cardigan sleeve, trying to cover her burns. I knew Adam had taken her from something horrific but I never thought someone was hurting her. What had Adam saved her from?

'Lady Zander, no ones going to hurt you.' I tried to sooth but her face remained etched with terror.

'I didn't mean it. It was an accident,' she repeated, looking down at her knees which she held firmly to her chest.

'Aisling, I know you didn't mean it. You're not in trouble, we just want to make sure you're all right.' I watched as my father knelt beside her and wondered when he had learnt her name. He had even less interest in the selection than Adam did.

'You're…you're not going to hurt me?' She asked, looking curiously up at my father.

'No, of course not. If anything it was my fault,' he smiled tenderly and Aisling finally started to uncoil herself, her body finally releasing some of it's crippling fear.

'How about you and I go and have a cup of tea or coffee? Then you can tell me why you were sneaking out of my grandson's room.'

'Well, that's a complicated story,' she smiled shaking the remaining fear from her eyes and looking up at my father with the familiar gleam in her eyes. One I often found in Marinda's eyes when she had a plan in play. If she was anything like Marinda, Adam was in for a lot of trouble.

'Luckily, I'm retired, so I have a lot of time on my hands.' My father whispered loudly, offering the girl his hand and helping her to her feet.

I watched the both of them walk down the corridor, the tall, proud man slouching slighting so the small girl could link her arm easily with his. All I could think of though was what had made her so terrified?

Taking one last look at Aisling and my father I then turned to go and find my son. We needed to talk.

Adam

'Nia, please stop pulling on my sleeve,' I begged, as my youngest sister continued to pull annoyingly on my jacket sleeve.

'Please Adam, I don't want to do it alone. Its dark and creepy,' she whined, as I rested my hand on the door to my room.

'Harmonia, if you don't want to go down the secret passageway then don't do it,' I sighed, annoyed by her pestering.

'Adam, I do want to do it. I just don't want to go alone,' she continued, tugging on my sleeve again.

'Nia, please, I really don't have time for one of your expeditions. Father has me doing twice the amount of work as usual and there are still thirty-five girls down there demanding my-,' I stopped dead when I finally opened my door to find my room completely mismatched and upside down. The bedsheets were curtains and the curtains were somehow now on my bed. The rug had been pinned to my ceiling and the lamps had been turned upside down beside my bed.

The chair to my dest was now on top of it and everything that used to be on it, wasn't anymore. All the photos on my walls had been replaced by images of pink horses with horns and fairies.

Harmoia came around beside me to see what had made me stop mid sentence and looked around my room with a blank expression.

'You know what? I think I'll just go and ask Justin if he wants to come with me. I can see you have your hands full here.' I didn't answer my sister as she left, instead I stepped hesitantly across the threshold of my room. I looked around at the damage someone had inflicted on my private space without emotion. I was passing my dresser when I heard something scurrying inside the top drawer.

Reluctantly, I pulled the top drawer open and then immediately slammed it shut when I saw the white bodies moving rapidly around the empty drawer. I looked accusingly at the rest of my drawers but was too afraid to open them to reveal what other horrors lay inside.

I backed away from them cautiously and then noticed an equally concerning sound coming from my wardrobe.

I placed my hand on the handle with trepidation, afraid of what I might find inside.

As soon as I opened the door I was hit with a flurry of white feathers and the sound of startled chickens as they rushed me. I fell back against my desk in my haste to get away and cringed as my chair fell and smashed through my window, falling to the ground bellow. Begrudgingly, I looked out the broken window and saw the chair had landed in a bed of flowers and a concerned gardener was looking up at my window confused why his garden bed now had a chair planted in it. I quickly stepped away from the window and realised too late that the door to my bedroom was still open and the six chickens quickly rushed out. I didn't even try to stop them because my attention had returned to my wardrobe where I realised all my clothes had been taken. In their place was a single tutu, pink of course. Who did this?

I crossed over to my bathroom and opened the door defeatedly. How much worse could it get?

Thankfully, when I opened the door this time no animals ran out at me but the sight was just as startling.

The bathtub in the centre of the room was filled with something green and slimy. Whilst the shower, was painted a neon pink colour, so bright it almost glowed. I walked over to it to inspect inside but the paint was still wet and when I pulled my hands back they were covered in the ghastly colour.

Groaning, I moved to the sink and grabbed the tap, but it came away in my hand and water started to spurt at me. I was in so much shock that I couldn't even move away. Instead I let the water fall over me until it had seeped through my clothes making them cling to me tightly. There was nothing worse than a wet suit. Stepping back from the stream of flowing water I noticed it had already begun to pool at my feet.

I went to throw the tap against the wall in frustration, however, instead of slamming against the wall like I expected it to, it remained securely in my hand.

Suddenly, I realised it was stuck, glued to my skin and it refused to budge. No matter how hard I pulled it or how far I tried to throw it, it remained securely fastened to my hand.

All of a sudden the realisation hit me. I knew who had done this. I stormed out of my bathroom, marching determinedly across my destroyed room preparing to kill my younger siblings when I noticed a messy scrawl spreading across the wall beside my door in black marker.

If you're looking for someone to blame for this exquisite mess then look no further than your one and only true love,

Aisling Zander X

I stood and stared at the wall for a long time, letting her words mock me. How could small, innocent Aisling have done all of this? She wasn't even meant to be up here and where did she get all the mice and chickens?

I realised at some point a small smile had spread across my face and was quickly consuming it as I thought about Aisling being in my room. She had gane through my things, been on my bed and in my shower. She had been everywhere and I knew I should have been hopping mad but instead I found myself just thinking about her. Her beautiful blonde hair, startling green eyes and small frame flitting around my room and completely destroying it. I needed to find her.

I was about to leave my room when my father appeared in my doorway. His eyes immediately went wide when he looked at me and then behind me at my chaotic room.

'What happened here?' He asked, not daring to take a step across the threshold. I was warning enough to stay on the other side of the door.

'Someone's trying to make me angry with them,' I replied cryptically, remembering how she asked if I was angry at her, earlier at breakfast. If this was how she was going to play it she could bring her worst and I may just like her even more for it. I didn't try to hide my smile from my father and he was looking at me as if I had lost my mind.

'What are you talking about? Was this Marinda? That girl is going to be the death of me.' He groaned, running his hand through his already dishevelled hair. 'I bet the canaries were a distraction so she could pull this off.'

'It wasn't Marinda,' I answered simply. 'Look, did you need me for something because I really need to go and find Aisling,' I asked impatiently.

'Actually Adam, that's why I came to see you. I've been looking everywhere for you. Something happened with Aisling,' my father said cautiously and I felt my blood run cold in fear.

'What? What's wrong? Is she hurt? Where is she?' I demanded trying to push past him but he quickly rested his hands firmly on my soggy shoulders.

'She's fine Adam, she's have tea with your grandfather.'

'What?' I asked confused. Why was she with grandfather?

'Look, she was up here before,' my father started to explain.

'I know, this is her handiwork,' I laughed motioning to my room with my tap hand and my father looked back at me with an amused smile.

'I knew that mischievous glint in her eye meant trouble. I've seen it too many times in Marinda's.'

'I know, but I can't seem to find it in me to be angry with her,' I admitted as another goofy smile captured my face. It seemed to come whenever I thought about her and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

'I'm not sure anyone can be angry with her, but someone has hurt her Adam,' my father said seriously and immediately my face fell. I couldn't think about the woman who had done this to her without my blood boiling.

'What did you take her from Adam?' He asked gravely and I let out a tired sigh.

'You know she was a maid in Avery Manor?' My father nodded and I continued. 'Well, she worked for her father but he never told her. His wife never wanted to keep her because she was a product of his previous love. She had died and he was the only person left to take care of Aisling. He managed to convince Malvolia to keep Aisling as long as she lived as one of the staff.' I took a breath and looked up to find an angry look on my father's face. It scared me to see him look that way. He always upheld a kind and caring demeanour but I knew there was something dark underneath, otherwise he would have never been such a great king.

'How did she get the burns?' He ground out through his clenched jaw.

'Malvolia, her father's wife, she hated her. She would punish her whenever she could for something Aisling never had control over. Simply breathing was a crime. I don't know how truly bad it was but when I went to go and get her Malvolia had beaten her so badly I thought I was going to lose her. She was barely breathing,' I whispered trying to keep my anger under control. 'That was when I found her burns and the jagged scar that ran from elbow to underarm.'

'What, how?' My father demanded with a rage I never knew he possessed. 'How could her father allow that to happen?'

'I'm not sure he ever knew the true extent of her abuse,' I spat, angry at the man who was meant to protect her.

'Does Aisling know he's her father?'

'No, he told me when I was taking her away. I'd already arrested his wife and Flora was gone. He lost everything that day.'

'He should be locked away,' my father growled.

'He's already living in a prison. He has to live in the house with the ghosts of both his daughter. The one who gave everything to save the one he ignored.' I finished softly and my father fell into deep thought, silence stretching between us.

'Adam, she's hurting, she might be for the rest of her life. It will take a strong man to give her the love and protection she deserves,' my father said quietly, breaking the silence. 'Are you sure you're willing to do that because if you aren't you need to let her go.'

'I can't let her go,' I whispered, I knew I would need her more than she would ever need me. The feeling in my heart reminded me of that every time I saw her. I looked my father in the eyes and I saw unmistakable pride shinning back at me.

'Then you better hurry up and find her because your grandfather looked pretty smitten by her when he was walking away with her on his arm.'

'She's out of his league,' I smiled.

'She's out of your league, have you seen you lately?' He laughed, motioning to my messy appearance.

'I guess I'll just have to remind her of whose heart she's here to win,' I said firmly, walking past my father towards my grandfather's room.

'She can't fight for something you've already given away Adam,' he chuckled from behind me.

Aisling

'Adam did what?' I asked around more gut wrenching laughter. I didn't even care that it hurt my side, his stories were too funny for him to stop. Adam's grandfather had been telling me all about Adam when he was a young boy and I had lapped up every minute of it.

'Harmonia was upset because America and Maxon were away with the other three and it was just him and her. She wouldn't sleep or eat. She was only four and she missed her parents fiercely, so her older brother set up a tea party to distract her from their parents absence. However, he forgot that the proper attire for attending a tea party required him to wear wings and a pink tutu,' his grandfather smiled, remembering his eldest grandson's dalliance in the magical world.

'Please tell me there are photo's,' I gasped setting my cup down on the table between us. Adam was going to love the tutu I left in his wardrobe then. I thought and it only made me laugh harder.

I was in Clarkson Schreave's room, having tea and the feeling couldn't have been any more surreal.

'Of course, I managed to get some of the two of them, however, Maxon is the keeper of all the photos so you'll need to ask him.

'I think I just might,' I continued to laugh.

I was still catching my breath when there came a demanding knock on the door. I looked up at Clarkson expectantly but he didn't seem to be expecting anyone either.

'Come in,' he called and the door opened to reveal a very wet prince with an annoyed look on his face. However, I could see the amusement in his eyes and I knew my trick hadn't had the desired effect.

'Grandfather,' he greeted with a nod before turning to me as I picked up my teacup for another sip.

'What happened to you Adam?' I had already filled Clarkson in on my plans so he wasn't too surprised by Adam's appearance. I could tell he was trying and failing at hiding his amused smile as he took in his grandson's new style.

'Why don't you ask lady Aisling?' Adam said, crossing over to me, his shoes squelching with every step he took. 'It was her signature on my wall.'

'I thought you should know who the culprit was so you could punish them accordingly,' I said calmly, not looking at the now smiling prince.

'Oh and what punishment should I give the evil genius who managed to do this to the crown prince of Illea?' He asked mockingly.

'You should ban them from the palace and if you're feeling particularly infuriated you should kick them out of Illea all together.' I answered casually, knowing neither of those two options would be happening.

'I have a very different punishment in mind,' he answered slyly bending so his face was level with mine.

'Nice tap,' I commented, putting my cup back down.

'I believe I have you to thank for that,' he smiled reaching for my hand. I tried to pull away but his paint flaked hand held firmly against my own calloused one.

'I'm spending some time with your grandfather,' I hissed, glaring up at the annoying prince.

'Don't worry lady Zander, I'm sure we're going to have plenty of time to get to know each other. It appears my grandson will not be letting you go anytime soon.' He smiled knowingly, looking between Adam and I.

'Traitor,' I mumbled at the greying man.

'Come on trouble maker, we have a room to clean,' Adam laughed pulling me to my feet.

'Why aren't you mad?' I demanded as he tugged me towards the door.

'Bye grandfather,' he called over his shoulder, ignoring my question.

'Have fun Adam,' I heard his grandfather's deep chuckle behind us as we disappeared into the hallway again.

'Adam,' I groaned tripping in my heels slightly.

'Yes, Aisling?' He replied sweetly, wrapping a strong arm around my waist to steady me.

'I don't understand, I thought you would be angry.'

'I was, and then I read your note,' he smiled continuing to walk down the hallway, with his arm wrapped securely around me.

'Why don't you want to kick me out?' I sighed, trying to wriggle out of his hold.

'You're too entertaining to get rid of Aisling.'

'I hate you,' I said weakly as we entered his room.

'Of course you do,' he muttered, but I could hear the amusement in his voice. He didn't believe me for a minute and I was struggling to find the truth in my words as well.

'How did you even get this up here? He asked looking up at the rug I had fastened to the ceiling of his room.

'I like to climb,' I shrugged, finally escaping his hold.

'The mice?'

'That was tricky, but Marinda is a wealth of knowledge.'

'I should keep the two of you as far away from each other as possible.'

'What happened to the chickens, there were seven of them?' I asked, looking over at the empty wardrobe.

'No there wasn't. I only counted six,' he said a little distressed, looking around the room a little frantically.

'Oh well, it must still be in here then. You better check everything, they're sneaky little birds,' I said trying to hide my amusement, as he attempted to check every place I could possibly hide a chicken.

'I bet it was the odd looking chicken. She looked especially mischievous.' I commented, as he tried all the drawers in his dresser. The last one contained some worms and his reaction was definitely worth touching those slimy creatures.

'What did it look like?' He asked, not hiding his disgust as he shut the drawer, his metal tap hand clunking loudly against the wooden drawer.

'Oh like any other chicken, white feathers, little black beak but she had the feet of a duck.'

'A duck?' he asked in disbelief.

'Yeah and it made the oddest noise,' I continued, seeing how far I could push him.

'What kind of sound?' He asked skeptically, walking towards me instead of looking for the odd chicken. I noticed his hair had started to curl up at the ends and I found myself thinking he looked kind of adorable.

'Kind of like a dog barking,' I replied trying but failing to hide my growing smile.

'There's no seventh chicken is there?' He asked flatly stopping inches from me.

'No, but the position's open if you'd like to fill it. I think you might have the right sized brain to play the role convincingly.' I laughed but I quickly fell silent when I found myself literally swept off my feet and crushed against his chest.

'Hey, put me down,' I demanded, outraged, trying to pull free of his iron hold.

'Oh no Aisling, we have a bathtub to clean.'

'You wouldn't,' I said in a low voice, my eyes wide.

'Where are my clothes Aisling?' He asked pushing open the door to the bathroom with me still draped across his arms.

'I washed them,' I admitted in a small voice.

'What do you mean, you washed them?' He asked dubiously, holding me over the green jelly, wobbling ominously in his bathtub, but no matter which way I twisted he held me tightly.

'They were looking a little dirty so I cleaned them for you,' I answered distractedly, my attention focused on the jelly bath he was holding me over.

'What did you do?' He asked in a low voice.

'Let's just say all of your clothes match now,' I said desperately trying to hide my giggles as I thought about his pink clothes.

'You're pure evil,' he breathed. 'Luckily, I have a bath filled with sweetness to straighten you out.' Suddenly, I was questioning who was the evil one out of the two us.

'No, please Adam, don't,' I begged as he lowered me to the rim of the bathtub.

'What are you Aisling? Chicken?' Then he dropped me into the green goo, until only my head was above the surface.

'I can't believe you did that,' I breathed, frozen in the wobbling, green mess.

'You glued a tap to my hand,' he laughed shaking his hand at me.

'You dropped me in jelly,' I answered outraged.

'Green is definitely your colour, matches your eyes,' he mocked.

'You know, I think you would look magnificent in green. Let's see shall we?' I said sweetly and I saw the fear flash through his eyes before a big clump of jelly landed square between his eyes, then slowly slid down his face.

He was looking at me in disbelief as I pulled myself out of the tub trying to get as much of the green, slimy mess off as possible. I continued to look up at the disbelieving prince innocently the entire time.

'You've got a little something right here,' I said smugly, taping my nose as if I wasn't covered in the green goop. 'You know what let me get that for you,' I offered, smiling mischievously but my shoes were slippery from the jelly and they quickly went out from under me as my heart flew out of my chest.

'Adam,' I gasped, my arms flailing wildly.

'Hey, I've got you,' he said pulling me close to his chest so I was squashed against it.

'Thanks,' I mumbled into his chest trying to calm my racing heart but for some reason being this close to him only made it increase its tempo. I looked up at him in confusion and saw a strange expression on his face.

It frightened me but I didn't move from his hold and he didn't seem to want to let me go. Slowly, he started to inch closer to me and I started to panic.

'Adam,' I whispered warningly.

'Aisling,' he smiled not stopping his descent.

'What are doing?' I asked nervously, my eyes darting from his eyes to his mouth.

'Why don't you wait and find out?' He murmured his eyes never leaving my lips. My panic finally reached breaking point and I twisted from his arms and he stumbled slightly at the lack of contact. I looked at him wide-eyed for a heart beat before turning from him and running out of the room. Thankfully, I didn't slip on the remaining goo on my shoes and I was almost out of his room.

'Aisling, wait,' he shouted from behind me but I didn't look back. I raced down the corridor, ignoring my screaming side, only slowing to take the stairs. I ran all the way back to my room which thankful I found on the first try. When I rushed in I startled my three maids who quickly stopped whatever they were doing to look at the crazed girl covered in green jelly. They were still curtseying when I ran into my bathroom and locked the door.

'Lady Zander?' Rose, I think, called cautiously through the locked door.

'Go away,' I shouted back, backing away from the door slowly.

'Miss, what's the matter?' Came Annette's quiet voice.

'Nothing, please can you just leave me alone,' I pleaded.

'All right miss,' Rose replied and I listened as the three women made their way slowly from my room probably wondering if I had lost my mind.

Moments later my door slammed open and I heard hurried footsteps moving around my room.

'Aisling, where are you?' He asked, exasperated. I kept my mouth shut and remained perfectly still hoping he didn't try to open the bathroom door.

Finally, I heard him sigh and leave my room letting the door fall closed behind him. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief and collapsed on the floor in the middle of my bathroom. What had just happened?

It's another epicly long chapter, I honestly didn't plan to make it this long, it just happened. I could have made it longer but I decided to stop, you can find out how Adam deals with Aisling next chapter, there will also be a sweet scene between Anthony and Amberly as well for all of those who love their story.

GfA thank you so much, you're amazing and I can't help but update quickly, I'm kind of addicted. I just have to tell the story and then I need to share it with all of you as quickly as possible. Even though every time I post something I have a mini freak out about whether you'll like it or not. So thank you for your kind words, they mean a lot :)

Thank you to everyone else who is reading and reviewing as well, I love updating (mostly) and getting your reviews (always). Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter :) Happy reading you magnificent people :)