Amberly

'Wait, Marinda slow down,' I cut across her after ten minutes of crazed ramblings. All I understood was something about a kiss and Aisling. I assumed Adam kissed her but I didn't know why Marinda was so worked up about it. 'Can you slow down and just start from the beginning please.'

'Fine,' she sighed. 'So I was looking for Michael after we had an argument and I found him fighting with Adam.' Michael must have been having a rough day. He never fights with anyone. He was always the calm one, never objecting to anything.

'What were they fighting about? What were they saying to one another?' What could my two brother's possibly have to fight about and why was Aisling involved?

'They weren't saying much, they were seeing who could cause the other the most physical damage,' Marinda replied.

'What do you mean?' I asked a little confused, there was no way my two brothers were fighting with their fists. Michael wouldn't do that.

'I mean there were several punches thrown and now Michael has two black eyes and he walks funny.'

'Why?' I asked in shock.

'Aisling,' Marinda answered simply.

'What? What did she do?' I asked accusingly. What had this girl done?

'She's a genius,' Marinda answered in awe. If Marinda thought this was good, I knew whatever Aisling had done must have been horrible.

'If you're in awe of her, she must have done something terrible,' I answered incredulously.

'She kissed Michael,' she paused for dramatic effect but all she got from me was stunned silence. 'And she knew Adam was going to find her.'

'She did this on purpose?' I asked in outrage.

'She's an inspiration,' Marinda almost swooned.

'She's a troublemaker. How could she do that to Adam? I hope he sent her away immediately.'

'I don't know, they were in dad's office a long time and then when I saw her come out she was in tears but she was angry, really angry. I don't think he let her leave,' she mused.

'You were spying on them?' I asked in alarm.

'Hey, I didn't listen in on their conversation,' she replied defensively.

'No, you just watched them after it was over.' I muttered.

'Hey, do you want to know what's going on or not?'

'Yes,' I breathed defeatedly. As much as I hated her sneaky behaviour I needed to know what was happening. 'Have you seen either of them today?'

'No, I don't know where Adam is, but he's not in his room and I'm not sure Aisling has come out yet either. Neither of them were at breakfast this morning. Harmonia said Adam was furious when she saw him yesterday. He was angry and when I ducked in his room this morning it was destroyed. I don't know what happened between the two but neither of them is happy.' She answered gravely.

'You need to find Adam, I need to speak to Adam.'

'Princess Amberly we need to start getting you ready for the ball,' someone announced from my door and I waved at them in acknowledgement but kept my attention focused on my conversation with Marinda.

'I don't think I want to, he was scary when he was attacking Michael yesterday,' she answered nervously.

'He won't hurt you Marinda, you need to figure out what's going on. Adam needs help,' I instructed looking over at the gathering maids who were shifting nervously, eager to start preparations.

'I don't know what to do Amberly. He needs you.' I needed him too. I needed all of my family, I missed them so much.

'I have to go, I need to get ready.' I said in a quiet voice.

'Right, you have that ball tonight,' Marinda said, jumping on the chance to change the topic from our brother.

'Yes, and I have to face all the nobles of England and some of the other royal families,' I answered nervously.

'Have fun, don't be nervous Amberly. Everybody's going to love you,' she replied earnestly and already my mind was flashing to all the people that would be there tonight for the ball.

'Okay,' I breathed, feeling my heart rate double and my palms begin to sweat. I wasn't even there and I could feel the crowds eyes pressing upon me.

'Bye Amberly,' I heard vaguely through my panic. I needed Adam.

I wasn't in my room anymore, I was in a ballroom filled with people who were running frantically. I needed to get out, I needed to find…someone. Through my haze I could hear people's panicked voices but it only made me more frightened. I was never going to find them.

'Amberly?' I heard Anthony's fearful voice break through my panic and I blinked my eyes several times to clear the image from my mind. 'What happened love?'

'The ball…so many people,' I answered in broken sentences.

'I don't understand, your not making any sense love.' I looked around him at all the eyes watching me and they only acted as an extension of my nightmare. Instantly, I began to lose myself to my fear again. Out of the corner of my eye I knew Anthony was watching me and the people I was staring at.

'Leave us,' he instructed and the people quickly left the room until it was only Anthony and I.

'Thank you,' I muttered as he turned his attention back to me when the door closed.

'Amberly, please tell me what's wrong,' he pleaded, looking up at me from where he crouched beside me holding my hands.

'I-I…can you just hold me for a second?' I asked in a quiet voice I was certain no one could even hear. However, he slowly got to his feet and pulled me to mine wrapping his arms securely around me. Immediately, I felt the relief and calm wash over me just like the last time at the hospital grand opening. Somehow his presence calmed me and I didn't care what the reasons were for it as long as I didn't have to feel the crippling fear settle on my chest anymore.

He ran his hand up and down my back soothingly and whispered sweet things into my hair as my breathing and heart rate finally returned to normal.

I clung to his pale blue dress shirt and I realised only half the buttons had been done and when I looked down I noticed he wasn't wearing any shoes or socks either.

'Anthony, why are you only half dressed?' I asked in confusion, looking back up at his worried expression.

'Someone came to get me and I was only halfway through getting ready for the ball,' he explained.

'Why did they come and get you?' I asked trying to sort through my confusing mind of incomplete thoughts.

'Amberly, you disappeared on them. It took me several attempts when I got here to get your attention. You looked so terrified and I didn't know how to fix it.' He answered pulling me closer until my head rested against his bare chest and I felt my cheeks flame. This was entirely inappropriate and yet I didn't want him to let me go.

'Amberly, why were you so frightened?' He asked quietly, returning to rubbing soothing circles over my back.

'I was talking to Marinda and then she got me thinking about the ball and all those people,' I shuddered feeling the image start to creep back into my vision.

'Hey, it's going to be fine. There aren't going to be that many people and I'm going to be there, right beside you the entire time,' he reassured me in a gentle voice as he clasped my shoulders and bent so his face was level with mine. I nodded in reply and felt an easiness settle over me. Why was I terrified when I knew he was going to be there?

'Come here,' he breathed and pulled me close to him again and all worries seemed to melt away. However, in my calmer state the doubts were able to creep in.

'Anthony?' I asked in a small voice.

'Yes love?' He asked, never loosened his hold as he rested his chin on my head, keeping me close.

'Do you think I'm weak?' I whispered, uncertain whether I was prepared for his answer or not.

'What?' he asked in alarm pushing back from me again. 'Why would I think that?'

'I'm a princess and I can't even handle crowds, it's pathetic,' I mumbled, not looking at him. I didn't want him to see my vulnerability.

'Amberly,' he said gently resting his hand under my chin, returning my reluctant eyes to him. 'I could never think you're weak but you don't always need to be the toughest person in the room. Everyone is afraid of something.'

'What are you afraid of?' I asked and suddenly he turned sheepish. He released my arms and rubbed the back of his neck like he always did when he got nervous. He didn't want to tell me his weakness, that was obvious.

'Anthony?' I prompted.

'I thought it was obvious what my weakness was,' he answered uncomfortably.

'What is it?' I urged. If he knew mine I wanted to know his.

'It's you Amberly. It always has been.' He answered on a single breath.

'Me?' I asked stepping back from him.

'Yes, ever since the first time I met you. If I ever lost you it would destroy me.' He said earnestly.

'I don't understand.'

'No, you haven't understood since the first day you arrived here three weeks ago. No matter what I do I can't seem to prove my affections to you.' He smiled wryly keeping his eyes focused on the ground.

'Do you love me?' I blurted out before my mind even processed the words.

'I don't think you're ready to hear the answer to that question yet Amberly,' he smiled and I nodded my head in agreement. He was right. My mind was too jumbled to throw love into the equation.

All of a sudden there was a knock at the door and one of the people who had left the room before opened it slightly.

'You highness, we need to start getting her ready otherwise she will be late for the ball.' She explained nervously and Anthony simply nodded his head before turning back to me.

'I guess I'll see you tonight then love,' he smiled reaching for me and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead but all I heard was love. Did he really love me? I knew he didn't say the words exactly, but he implied them. Was it possible that he truly loved me? Did I love him? No, I didn't but there was something there that I had never felt before. Maybe I was just too inexperienced in love to notice it before. I may not love him now but it felt like there was a possibility I could in the future. Was it possible that I was falling in love with Anthony? Was it possible I would finally get what I had always dreamed of?

I realised I was still smiling after Anthony left the room and the maids entered again. They eyed me warily, but I barely noticed their stares, my mind was too busy running through everything that had happened over the last three weeks. I was lost to my thoughts and floated through the preparations for the ball.

Before I knew it, I was ready. My hair, my make up and my dress were perfect. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, taking in my flowing pale blue ball gown, where the fireflies fluttered in the jewels at my waist and my pale skin seemed to glow, uninhibited by any straps on the gown. However, it wasn't what made me stare a little longer at my reflection. When I looked back at my eyes I noticed there was something different about them. They had a gleam to them that had never been there before and I felt fluttering in my stomach. Apparently, some of the fireflies at my waist had moved there and were causing all kinds of strange feelings to race through me. I had never been nervous to spend time with Anthony before. I had never been nervous of whether he would like the way I looked before, but tonight I was. Tonight, it seemed the entire world had shifted and my mind was still trying to catch up with my heart.

Anthony

I loved her, I had always known that but I knew she wasn't ready to hear it just yet. I couldn't tell her until I knew she was sure. I would frighten her and she might pull away from me. What we had was still tenuous. I knew this and yet I couldn't help the feeling of elation knowing I was the one that could calm her. She needed me. I wanted to tell her today. I wanted her to know how I felt but she was tricky.

I was still smiling at the memory of my beautiful princess when I heard the click of a woman's heels against the floor of the castle. She was coming.

I waited impatiently by the doors of the ball room for her to arrive, my heart rate gaining speed with every click of her heels. Then suddenly, there she was and I couldn't breathe. She had stolen all my breath from me, almost knocking me to the ground with her beauty. I didn't seem to be in control of anything as I watched her approached. She was all I could focus on and I didn't miss the small smile she wore as she watched my reaction to her. I must have looked like a fool. I might have even been drooling.

When she finally came to a stop before me it took me several moments to get control of myself. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on and I was going to appreciate it for just a few seconds longer before I needed to share her with the rest of our guests. If any man tried to steal her from me, even for a single dance I wasn't sure I would be able to control myself. I had never felt this feeling before and it scared me a little, but she was holding my heart and I knew I needed to keep her safe and more importantly, close to my side the entire night.

'You look very nice Anthony,' she said in a quiet voice, her eyes locked firmly on mine.

'I-I…you…' I thought I was constructing the perfect sentence but her laughter told me otherwise. What had I just said? I just hoped it was English.

'Are you ready?' She asked through her giggles and I nodded my head in a trance. I needed to get control of myself, this was insane. I was going to fall down the stairs if I didn't take my eyes off her.

I stiffly extended my arm for her to take and as soon as she did I was hit with the scent that was distinctly hers, sending my heart ricochetting around my chest. How was I going to survive the night?

Just knowing she was beside me, settled my nerves and I held her arm a little tighter without even realising. I nodded to the guards beside the doors and they opened them. Almost immediately, I felt her tense beside me.

'Come on love, I'll be there the entire time,' I reassured her and was rewarded with her body relaxing, only slightly, but it was better than nothing. I led us both through the doors until we were standing at the top of the stairs, all eyes on us. I pulled her closer again, trying to remind her that I wouldn't let her go and thankfully, she didn't pull away. Casting a quick glance over at her I could see she hadn't lost herself in a haze like she had earlier this afternoon and I breathed a little easier.
Reluctantly, I pulled my gaze from her and looked back at the crowd as they announced us. Everyone was dressed in their finest. Men in perfectly tailored suits and women dressed in magnificent ball gowns, but none were as beautiful as the woman standing beside me. I smiled easily, knowing I was with the only person I'd ever wanted to be beside.

When we arrived at the bottom of the stairs, I felt her let out a heavy breath. I knew the people in my country were still a little hostile to the prearranged marriage. They couldn't let the atrocities that had occurred in her country pass. Many of the people were old enough to know what had occurred under her grandfather's rule and the kings before him. I saw the apprehension in their eyes as I led her to the dance floor but I could tell she hadn't noticed. We were why this ball was being thrown so we needed to start off the ball with the first dance.

Once we were in the centre I quickly pulled her into my arms as the first notes of the song began to drift over the heads of the people. I knew she was still uncomfortable as her eyes darted around the room looking at some of the hostile glances from the people in the crowd but as soon as her eyes settled on mine she relaxed in my arms and we started to move gracefully around the dance floor.

The entire dance her eyes never left mine and I felt my heart swell to triple its normal size. I was surprised it was still able to fit inside my chest. I never wanted to let her go again and I barely realised as other couples began to join us on the dance floor.

I was enchanted by everything that was her. Her flowing golden curls and her beautiful piecing blue eyes. Everything was perfect.

I led her in dance after dance until finally my father caught my attention and I knew I needed to speak with him about the more formal parts of the evening, before I could spend the rest of my time with Amberly in my arms.

I lent forward so I could whisper in her ear,

'Love, I need to go and speak with my father for a moment. Do you want to join me or stay here and watch the dancing?'

However, she didn't answer me and when I pulled back I realised she was wearing a bright smile and looking at something over my shoulder, or more accurately, someone.

'Love?' I asked as she pulled away from me and I watched in confusion as she muttered something to me and almost ran to the person across the dance floor. What was happening?

Amberly

'Santo!' I cried before wrapping my arms around him.

'Amberly, how are you?' He asked in his thick Italian accent as he wrapped his strong, muscular arms around me to return my hug.

'Wonderful, how have you been? I haven't seen you in such a long time,' I smiled pulling back from him.

'I know, Nicolletta has been busy so we haven't been able to visit,' he explained, a warm smile gracing his striking features. He had always been a handsome boy but since I saw him last he had only gotten even handsomer.

'We've been busy as well.'

'Yes, you are engaged,' he said and if I wasn't mistaken there was disappointment in his voice.

'Yes, she is,' came Anthony's harsh voice from beside me as he wrapped an arm around my waist, tighter than necessary. I shot him a look but his attention was focused on Santo.

'You are Prince Anthony?' Santo asked, extending his hand to Anthony, who returned the gesture as he eyed Santo with hostility.

'Didn't you need to see your father?' I asked trying to keep the conversation moving. Or at least get Anthony away from Santo.

'What?' Anthony asked finally, turning away from Santo, who was wearing a smug smile.

'Your father?' I prompted.

'Oh, right. Let's go then. It was nice meeting you Santo,' Anthony answered in a clipped tone, trying to pulled me along beside him.

'I don't need to go, do I? You said I could stay, right?' I asked, watching as indecision crossed his face.

'Yes,' he breathed reluctantly. 'I'll be back as soon as I can,' he promised shooting Santo a look before placing a kiss on my cheek and walking away.

'I don't think your fiancé likes me very much,' Santo chuckled as I watched Anthony march away.

'Maybe he's stressed or something,' I mused, turning back to Santo when I couldn't see Anthony through the crowd of dancing people. He'd never acted that way before. In fact in all the time I had been here I had never seen him stressed about anything.

'Would you like to dance Amberly?' Santo asked offering his arm and I smiled at my old friend placing my arm in his. I had known Santo for a very long time. He was the same age as me and his parents were Orabella and Matthew. He was the next in line for the Italian throne because Nicoletta couldn't conceive.

When he was younger he would always tag along with queen Nicoletta whenever she came to visit. He loved to draw as well and we would always disappear to sketch whenever he was around.

'I would love to,' I smiled, putting all thoughts of Anthony's odd behaviour aside. This was a ball and I wasn't expected to stay by his side all night.
Santo smiled and took my arm and led me to the dance floor and I couldn't help but feel comfortable in his hold. It was one I have become used to over the years. It wasn't romantic and it didn't send butterflies around my stomach like being held by Anthony did but I couldn't help the easy smile that spread across my face.

Anthony

'Anthony, you need to pay attention,' my father's voice was a distant annoyance in my mind as I watched the Italian pretty boy lead Amberly around the dance floor. I tightened my clenched fists as he leant in and spoke in her ear. What did she think she was doing? She was my fiancé and she was letting him closer than she had ever allowed me all night. How could he give her such a radiant smile? I thought that was mine.

Anger was coursing through my body when I turned and saw the amusement on my father's face as he tried to get my attention again. His attitude only increased my fury. I returned my eyes to the two dancers and growled at my father,

'What?'

'I see Amberly is getting along fine without you,' he laughed.

'Can you just say what you need to say so I can go and handle this,' I answered impatiently as I noticed that Santo's hand was lower than appropriate and Amberly didn't seem to notice. She would have noticed if I did that. I thought bitterly.

'I don't think you way of handling this is going to endear you to your betrothed.' My father mused and I quickly cut him a harsh glare, tired of his advice. 'Fine, make your own mistakes, but remember I warned you.'

'Father, why did you need to speak with me?' I ground out, ignoring his patronising tone.

'If you had been listening you would-'

'I'm listening now, can you just hurry up,' I cut across him again.

'Jealously does not agree with you Anthony,' he chucked, infuriatingly, but I waited, silently fuming at him until he finally continued. 'You need to somehow wrestle your future wife from that Italian prince and make your announcement to your guests to thank them for coming.' He instructed never hiding his amused smile.

'Fine, are we done?' I demanded, looking over to see Amberly laughing enthusiastically with the Italian. How was it possible they looked even closer?

'Yes, we're finished,' he smiled. 'I'm so glad I listened to your mother for once and didn't plan anything for tonight. This is going to be far more entertaining than anything I could have come up with.' I didn't dignify his childish behaviour with a response. Sometimes, I wondered how my mother put up with him sometimes. There's no way I was exactly like him.

I walked determinedly away from my father and cut through the twirling people with my eyes solely focused on the girl in the blue dress in the arms of the arrogant Italian. How dare he ask my fiancé for a dance and act in such a manner.

'Amberly,' I said in a low voice, standing stoically in the middle of the dance floor as couples moved around me fluidly to the enchanting music. Amberly's eyes quickly found mine but she remained in the Italian's arms only infuriating me further.

'Anthony?' She asked curiously, as if she wasn't aware she was doing anything wrong.'What's the matter? Why do you sound so upset?'

'What's wrong?' I asked with a dark chuckle. 'You're engaged to me Amberly and here you are in another man's arms.'

'It's a ball Anthony, people are meant to dance and I've known Santo for a long time. What did you expect me to do, ignore him?' She demanded intimidatingly, stepping out of Santo's arms, but holding onto his hand. Looking up at him I saw he wore a smug expression, but I didn't have time to be angry because there was fire lighting Amberly's eyes and although I would never admit it, she terrified me when she was like this.

'Did you need to dance so close to him?' I gestured at the Italian's large form. There was no doubt in a fight he would win.

'Oh,' she breathed stepping back as if what I said physically blew her back. 'You're jealous?' She asked with a smile playing on her lips.

'What, no,' I scoffed. 'You're my fiancé Amberly. It's not right for you to be dancing with him so…intimately. It says the wrong thing.'

'And what does it say Anthony?' She asked in an eerily calm voice, stepping back towards Santo, causing my blood to boil.

'Amberly, this is inappropriate,' I ground out, realising a lot of the spinning couples had slowed to watch the scene.

'You know Anthony, I don't really care what others think,' she answered defiantly, placing her hand delicately on Santo's shoulder and he quickly wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her closer. I noticed she bristled a little but her resolve held.

'You know what Anthony? I'm going to have a little fun, be a little…reckless. Isn't that what you wanted me to be?' She answered and I felt my body begin to tremble with rage. This was not happening. Before I knew what I was doing I reached out and grabbed hold of Amberly's wrist and pulled her forcefully from Santo's grasp until she tumbled into my side. I glared at the Italian, keeping Amberly pressed firmly to my side and I knew everyone saw my outburst. I wasn't sure I had ever been so angry in my life and when I looked back down at Amberly I wasn't sure I'd ever been more frightened either.

Her initial shock quickly wore away until her entire face was consumed with murderous rage. I could feel myself wilting in front of her as if her gaze might actually kill me.

I hurriedly released her wrist and took a hasty step back from her but it only allowed Amberly to look at me more freely.

I knew I had a look of terror on my face, but my short, blonde fiancé looked as if she might kill me, not even caring there were over a hundred people witness to it.

'How dare you?' she growled, taking a measured step towards me and fear flooded my heart.

'I-I…' I was dead. Jared was going to have to learn how to rule the country because there was no way after she was done with me that I would be in any fit state to rule.

'No, you're done talking,' she hissed, grabbing my wrist firmly and dragging my terrified body from the ballroom, filled with gawking guests.

However, I wasn't paying them any attention, my sole focus was on Amberly and her angry muttering about all the gruesome ways she was going to tear me to pieces.

I had seen my mother get angry at my father many times but he somehow always managed to smooth it over in seconds. I wasn't going to be that lucky.

Frederick

'You know Frederick. I think she might actually kill our son,' my wife mused beside me, but I knew her concern was false. Despite everything, I knew she was finally coming around Amberly after all this time. She understood as well as I did that those two were meant to be together. One of them was stubbornly fighting it but it was only a matter of time before they were together.

'I know I always threaten to murder you but I've never had that look of murderous determination that Amberly has now.'

'She's America's daughter. She may not have the red hair, but the fires the same.' I smiled.

'Hmm…' she muttered before speaking again. 'I suppose. At least we still have Jarred and Elliot if she does kill him.'

'And if all else fails we can still make more,' I laughed, pulling her so my arms were wrapped around her lower back and her chest was flush against my own.

'Fine, but you get to have them this time. I've done my part.'

'Of course love,' I chuckled placing a warm kiss on my wife's familiar lips. Every time I held her I wondered how I was so lucky to find her in that pub all those years ago.

'Mummy,' Elliot said, hurriedly running up to Olivier's side and tugging on her green gown.

'Yes, sweetheart,' she smiled, stepping back from me and looking warmly down at our youngest son. That boy was far too adorable for his own good.

'Anthony's in big trouble,' he said gravely with all the seriousness of and eight year old boy.

'Yes, he is Elliot, but he has no one to blame but himself.' She answered.

'Should we save him mum?' He asked innocently and I loved my son for his bravery. I would never willingly face a woman as angry as Amberly was. My eldest son had been a fool and I was enjoying every second of it. Especially, watching his attempt to covert what he believed to be his. It was a gallant effort, unfortunately Amberly wasn't one to be told what to do, especially, from my son. Just like her mother Amberly was perfectly capable of holding her own and my son was getting first hand experience of that at this very moment.

'No son, he needs to learn his lesson,' I answered Elliot. 'Hopefully you wont make the same mistake as him.'

'I never want Amberly that mad at me,' he answered emphatically. 'She was scary.'

'Yes, she was,' I chuckled at my youngest and so far my wisest son.

'Rick, do you think we should play mediators?' Olivier asked, looking nervously at the doors Amberly had dragged Anthony through moments before.

'No, Anthony needs to learn his lesson,' I repeated for my wife. 'Somehow I think he might learn this one very quickly.' I smiled pulling her in for a quick kiss.

'If there's anything left of him,' Oliver muttered, resting her head on my shoulder. 'He's so much like you Rick.' I loved it when she called me that.

'Why do you sound upset about that?' I asked with an amused smile.

'You're a handful and so is he,' she said gravely.

'I know,' I said proudly. 'I trained him so well.'

'Poor Amberly wasn't prepared for our son.'

'Judging from how she stormed out of here, I'd say it was Anthony who wasn't prepared for her.' I answered watching the worry on Olivier's face.

'You're such a pest,' she scolded, slapping me lightly on the chest as she tried to pull away.

'Yes, and you love me for it,' I smiled broadly.

'Why did you have to teach our son your wicked ways?' She demanded barely keeping the anger in her tone. I knew her resolve was slipping. It always did.

'The legacy must continue. I've been training him for years to take my crown,' I announced proudly.

'Why is it I don't believe you're talking about his future as leaded of the country?' She deadpanned.

'His mischievous ways will always be my greatest achievement.'

'I don't know why I ever agreed to marry you.' She sighed.

'It was my charm,' I consoled. 'No one can resist it.'

'Then why was I the only one stupid enough to marry you?'

'Ah love,' I sighed, pulling her back into me closely. 'Your choice will always be a mystery, but it made me the luckiest man in the world. Everyday I'm glad you had a lapse in judgement the day I asked for your hand.'

'Daddy, I want a hug too,' Elliot begged, causing us both to laugh at our youngest son.

'He can't be mine,' I whispered to Olivier as I pulled him up to rest securely on my hip. 'He's far too sweet and innocent.' I tickled our littlest prince and revelled in his bell like laughter. He quickly extended both of his tiny arms and wrapped them securely around both mine and his mother's neck, pulling the three of us together.

Anthony

'…then I'm going to throw you under a bus and see how long it takes for you to be as flat as a pancake,' she seethed, no less angry than when we first came out here.

'Amberly, please. I don't know another way to apologise.' I begged for what seemed like the hundredth time. I didn't know how many ways she had listed to kill me but there were many and she didn't seem to be letting up anytime soon.

'Nothing you can say will make up for what you did. You will not lay another finger on me, ever again,' she emphasised, turning on her heel and heading for the hallway leading to her room.

'Amberly, where are you going?' I asked worriedly. This ball was in honour of our engagement, how was I going to explain her absence for the rest of the night?

'I am in no mood to celebrate anymore and apparently I am not allowed to dance. More importantly, I refuse to be in the same room as you, where your face will remind me of how horrid you have been to me.' She answered, not slowing her escape.

I watched in horror as she disappeared down the corridor but I knew I deserved every minute of embarrassment I was going to suffer by going back into that room alone. I should never have pulled her from his arms. She had every right to be furious with me, I just wished she could forgive me. I didn't want to face the room full of people alone or worse, my father.

Sighing, I turned back to the ballroom, knowing my father was going to love every second of my shame. Why did I have to react so irrationally whenever Amberly was around?

America

I knew where my son was but I didn't tell his father. I didn't care that he wasn't fulfilling his responsibilities. I couldn't talk to him right now though because he wasn't the problem. It was the girl, the one I knew he had rescued that night all those years ago. The one with the green eyes.

Standing before her door I felt nervous. I knew she was hurting, but I also knew she could make my son happy. Shakily, I knocked on her door and waited patiently for her reply or even for a maid to come and send me away, but there was nothing. I knew she had to be in there because she had never come out for dinner last night or breakfast this morning.

Cautiously, after several minutes of waiting I opened the door to her room to find her curled up on her bed and if I wasn't mistaken she was still wearing the same dress she wore to breakfast yesterday. Quickly glancing around her room I saw that none of her maids were here. What had happened between the two of them?

'Lady Zander?' I asked hesitantly. She started at my voice and spun to face me, her eyes rimmed red with tears and her once perfect curls rumpled and unkempt. I could see the fresh tracks of tears that had run down her face and I felt my heart ache for this girl. How much pain had she seen in her short life?

'Your majesty,' she muttered, shuffling off the bed before I could stop her curtsey. I couldn't help but notice even in her state she was still better than I ever was at the gesture.

'There's no need for that Lady Zander,' I smiled warmly trying to set the girl at ease.

'I'm not a lady, my name is Aisling,' she answered and I noticed her chin raised ever so slightly and I knew she was a fighter just like I was.

'Well, Aisling, its nice to finally meet you after all this time,' I gestured for her to sit on the bed and I sat down beside her. I needed to speak with her if Adam was to ever have the happiness he desperately desired to have with this girl.

'I wanted to speak with you Aisling,' I started slowly gauging her reaction to my words. 'About Adam.'

'I don't want to speak about him,' she answered in a low voice.

'I understand you two had a disagreement,' I didn't know the extent of the disagreement because Maxon refused to tell me but I was certain it was nothing I couldn't fix.

'I'm sorry your majesty, but I really don't want to talk about it,' she replied angrily and I looked down to find her fists clenched tightly in her lap. What had these two argued about, and if they were so angry why was she still here?

'Aisling, please call me America,' I said gently. She nodded but didn't look up from her hands.

'Wonderful, now seeing as you won't speak to me about my son how about I tell you something about you?' I announced, after all, this was why I had wanted to get her alone in the first place.

'I don't know anything about me, how could you possibly know anything about me?' She muttered and I watched as her shoulders slumped defeatedly.

'That's not true, I know several things about you because I have met you before,' I smiled and her eyes shot to mine in surprise.

'You can't have met me before,' she answered in disbelief.

'I have and so has Adam, you were both just too young to remember it,' I explained, keeping my eyes on hers.

'I don't understand,' she replied in confusion.

'Adam and I were both there the night your mother died. He took you from your mother's arms when we were being attack. He was the one to keep you safe during and after the attack.' I explained.

'Adam saved me?'

'He wouldn't let you go and when we had to give you over to your father he spoke of nothing but you for months,' I smiled remembering Adam's persistence.

'How did she die?' She asked in a quiet voice.

'She died protecting you and Adam. Without her my son would have died that night.'

'She saved him?'

'Yes, she did. Your mother was a wonderful woman, I had known her several years before that day. She helped me escape my room when Maxon was insistent that I not leave.' I smiled remembering running through the palace's secret passageways and disguising myself as a maid so I could speak with Princess Nicoletta.

'You knew my mother?' She asked hopefully, spinning a silver bracelet on her wrist.

'Yes, but only briefly,' I answered and watched as her shoulders slumped again. 'But, I have a very close friend who once worked with your mother everyday in the palace kitchens.'

'Really? Is she still there? Can I talk to her?' She asked eagerly.

'Of course, I've wanted to take you there since you arrived but you've been…busy.' I smiled as she ducked her head and her cheeks flamed.

'Adam, likes you a lot Aisling. Whatever he did I'm sure he was only trying to protect you,' I said earnestly, resting my hand on the girl's shoulder.

'I know, but I don't want to be protected. He lied to me,' she answered in a tired voice. How many people in her life had lied to her?

'Sometimes it's hard to tell the people we love the truth when we know it's going to hurt them. We want to protect them and shield them form the pain.'

'Adam doesn't love me,' she muttered bitterly. 'No one loves me. How could they when my own father couldn't?'

'Aisling, my son is very taken by you. He always has been. When your father came that day to take you away Adam begged me to let you stay. He promised he'd look after you as long as I didn't make him give you up to the man who was coming to collect you.'

'Why didn't you let him?' She asked, her eyes glazed over by her own thoughts.

'You were his child and I was powerless to keep him from you. I never wanted you to leave either,' I said in a soft voice.

'He never wanted me, he didn't even tell me who he was,' she answered sadly and I saw a single tear roll down her already tear stained face.

'I'm sorry Aisling,' I whispered. This girl had never known love. She'd never even had a real parent in her life and it made my heart ache. Her mother was dead and her father never acknowledged her as his daughter. I wanted to wrap her in my arms and promise her the world wasn't as dark as she had been led to believe. I understood why my son tried to protect her so desperately, I could feel the same emotions stirring in me but mine were of a mother, wanting to protect her child from the truths of the world. Why had no one shielded this beautiful girl?

'Can we go and see your friend now?' She asked, looking up at me expectantly and I saw despite it all she still had a bright glow hiding within her, untainted by the harsh realities of the world.

'Of course,' I smiled giving her shoulder one more squeeze. 'Why don't I call your maids and you can change before we go?'

'No, its fine. I can do it myself.' She said jumping from the bed and almost running to her bathroom. I found myself hoping that she and my son could sort this all out because I knew I wanted her as my daughter. I wanted to give her everything, but most of all I could already feel myself falling in love with her.

She changed quickly, into a simple blue dress, her hair pulled back in a polly tail. She eagerly left the room by my side and we walked down the corridors of the palace together. We walked past the music room and I heard my son's beautiful music drifting from within and I noticed it grabbed her attention for a moment but she didn't look within, instead keeping focus on her destination. When I looked in I was glad she hadn't tried to see who was inside. Not only was Adam in there but there was a girl by his side on the piano stool pressed against him as he played. I was afraid Aisling would see this as just one more betrayal so I rushed her down the corridor to the palace kitchens.

When we were inside she was nothing but a ball of nervous and excited energy, eagerly looking around the kitchen for a woman who she had never met before.

'America!' I smiled at her familiar voice and embraced her when she came running over to embrace me.

'Marlee,' I laughed as I held her tightly. She hadn't change after all these years and neither had our friendship.

'Aisling!' I heard my youngest child shout before she launched at a startled Aisling beside me.

'Hey Harmonia,' Aisling greeted as Justin trailed behind my daughter.

'Hello Justin,' I greeted, pulling Marlee's son into a tight hug. 'How have you been? Still helping your father out with the horses?

'Yes, any chance I can get,' he smiled sheepishly, a warm glow flushing his cheeks.

'I know, my Harmonia is always off playing with Nancy,' I winked and he only went a deeper shade of red, ducking his head.

Marlee and I both knew her son had a crush on Harmonia but we also knew that she had no idea. She would realise one day, but today wasn't that day. I watched as he looked over at Harmonia who was whispering urgently to Aisling who was shaking her head, much to Harmonia's disappointment.

'Molly?' Marlee asked in disbelief, stepping towards Aisling. 'Is that…it can't be?' Aisling quickly took a few steps back with startled eyes as my friend approached in a trancelike state.

'Malee, this is Aisling,' I informed her. 'She's part of Adam's selection.'

'Oh, I just thought…you look so much like her.' She answered shaking her head, bewildered by the likeness between Aisling and her mother.

'She's Molly's daughter,' I continued trying to help my friend catch up.

'Well you had to be didn't you. You looked too much like her to be anyone else,' she beamed standing before an alarmed Aisling.

'You…you knew my mother?' She asked in a breathless voice.

'Yes, she worked in the kitchen's with me.' Malee told her with a gentle smile. 'She was always so happy and bright all the time and when she had you, she rarely wiped the smile off her face.'

'Really?' Aisling asked.

'She loved you, more than anything. She would keep you in the kitchen with her, hidden away from the head cook and you were always so quiet. My son, Jacob used to take you from her when it got too hard to keep you in here. He was only six I think,' Marlee recalled her oldest son, thinking back to a time when he was small enough to be cuddled easily. 'He thought you were his little sister. He was so confused when you left.'

'When did my mother die?' Aisling asked quietly.

'You were only just over a month old. Some of the staff knew who your father was and they brought him in and he took you away. We didn't trust him, but your mother loved him very much. She always believed he would come back one day for both of you.' Marlee answered bitterly and I knew she hated the man who had stolen poor Molly's heart, without giving anything in return. Even if he did love Molly he was too weak to give her everything she deserved, everything her daughter deserved.

'What was she like?' Aisling asked, looking up at Marlee hopefully.

'Why don't we go sit down and have a cup of tea and I'll tell you everything?' Marlee smiled and Ailsing nodded her head eagerly following after Marlee who wrapped her arm around Aisling's shoulders and began to speak a mile a minute about Molly Zander. The woman I would always be grateful for. She had saved my son and she had given birth to the beautiful girl who was currently in possession of his heart. I think she had been since the day he first took her from her dying mother.

'Mom?' Harmonia said beside me.

'Yes Harmonia?' I smiled looking down at my own beautiful girl.

'Is Aisling still going to be my sister?' She asked innocently.

'I don't know. I think she and Adam still have a lot to sort out,' I mused looking at the girl who was eagerly asking questions about her long dead mother, she had never known.

'I like her,' Harmonia announced before turning to Justin and taking his hand. 'Let's go.'

'Where are you going?' I asked.

'Umm…just to the gardens,' she answered guiltily.

'And what will you be doing in the gardens?' I asked dubiously. Marinda may have been the trouble maker but Harmonia was the adventurer who didn't seem to know when a situation was too dangerous for her.

'Just going for a walk,' she answered quickly tugging on Justin's hand who looked uncomfortable.

'Justin?' I prompted the nervous boy who was looking between Harmonia and me uneasily.

'Well-'

'Justin,' Harmonia cut across him, shooting him a look. 'Mom, its fine. We're not doing anything dangerous.' She tried to reassure me.

'Fine, but I don't want to hear about my daughter getting lost in the forest again,' I warned remembering the last time the two went exploring and didn't come back for hours because they couldn't remember how to get back to the palace.

'That's not going to happen again,' Harmonia assured me as she and Justin made it to the door of the kitchens. 'We'll leave a trail this time.' She smiled sweetly before dragging Justin through and out of my sight.

I shook my head at the two explorers and returned my focus to Aisling and Marlee. I found myself thinking back to Harmonia's words about her wanting Aisling to be her sister. Although innocent, the words sat heavily in my heart. After only spending a short time with her I knew someday I would be happy to call her my daughter. I just hoped she and Adam could sort this out.

As promised an Antherly chapter, it did take me longer than usual because I didn't like anything about the chapter. When I edited it I almost rewrote the entire thing. Anyway, there it is.

To the wonderful guest who just wanted to let me know they really liked my story, I really liked that you let me know :) Thank you so much for reading :)

theoneforever, I'm sorry no Antherly kiss this chapter, they obviously have some issues to sort out before that can happen :) Hopefully, Adling will sort themselves out soon. It seems no matter what Adam does, something always goes against him. I'm glad to hear you like the story :)

GfA, you are hilarious. I read your first review and I was like, 'Oh, that's an interesting way to finish.' Then I read you second review and I was like, 'Oh she's done it again,' :) I'm so excited that you love so much about the story, I hope you liked the latest chapter.

Sam, wow, I'm so glad you like the story so much and I promise it won't be the last kiss Adling share, in fact there might be one sooner than you think ;)Thank you for giving me a name, I hate referring to you guys as guest, it sounds rude. I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter :)

K, I probably won't do a spin off because their so entangled in this story, sorry, but I hope you enjoyed the chapter that was more focused on them this time.

Thank you again to everyone who has been reading and reviewing the story you're all amazing :) As always happy reading story lovers.