Marinda

'Oh Mari,' he sung obnoxiously and I almost threw the box I was holding at him. Who was Mari anyway? 'I feel as if you have been avoiding me all day.' That's because I had been, not only had I been busy trying to postpone a wedding but staying as far away from David as possible was just an added obstacle.

'I've been busy,' I muttered, hoisting the box higher in my hold and continuing down the corridor. I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had riled me.

'But Mari, surely you could make time for me.' He crooned, falling into step beside me. Even his walk was arrogant.

'I'm sorry prince David but my brother is getting married today,' I answered calmly, turning down another corridor.

'I know,' he smirked. 'That's why I'm here. That, and one other thing.' I knew he was baiting me and this time I wasn't going to bite. I had a mission and that was to ensure this wedding was delayed long enough for Aisling to get here. Nothing this prince did was going to weaken my resolve.

'Well, I hope you enjoy the ceremony prince David,' I replied cooly, coming to a stop outside the gardens where the wedding was to be held.

Just looking at the extravagance I knew I was never going to get married. I'd seen Medea's dress and it would take a lot to get me in a dress that white, although the ruffles looked advantages. There were so many places to hide things in.

'Don't you think you should lay off the pranks today?' I answered him with silence as I assessed the scene. There were maids everywhere, setting up red flower arrangements and tying outrageous bows to white chairs.

Red lanterns hung from the trees and golden silk was moving gently in the breeze. If something were to startle the maids, there was no telling what they would do in their haste to get away. It would be a shame for those perfect rows of chairs to get muddled.

'You know I've really missed that smile,' I started at his words and when he placed a hand on my shoulder I felt the box drop from my hands and burst open. I jumped back from David as the mice escaped from the box and scurried down the hallway and out of sight.

'Mice?'

'Look what you did,' I growled over him.

'That's really the best you can come up with?' He chuckled. 'You have really dropped your game since I last saw you.'

'That was just phase one,' I answered defensively, annoyed he had already caused me to act this way, especially after what he said this morning.

'Where's your partner in crime?' He asked curiously as I huffed through the doors in the direction of the stables.

'We are having creative differences,' I grumbled, speeding up in the hopes to shake him.

'He dumped you didn't he?' and I could tell he was smirking without even turning back to see him.

'He wasn't bold enough for my visions.'

'Or, he finally grew a backbone and decided to stop taking your punishments.'

'Thats it,' I shouted, glad it was only us in the garden, now that we were away from the wedding area. 'He did not dump me and I don't need him. If he wants to be serious and boring then he can sit in his room all day pinning over a girl that is clearly in love with Adam.'

'Prince Michael loves the lady Medea?' He asked, surprise flitting across his features.

'No,' I scoffed. 'Adam doesn't even love that piece of cardboard.'

'I'm confused. Whose wedding is everyone here for?'

'Adam and Medea's,' I shrugged turning from him again and checking the time. I only had an hour until the wedding was scheduled to start and I knew from my phone call with Amberly that they were at least two to three hours from landing. I didn't have time for this arrogant Australian prince. He may have been my cover with my mother but I had no intentions of lowering myself to his level.

'You know, you're making less sense than usual.'

'Do you get TV down in that backwards country of yours?' I spat rounding on him again, annoyed he was still following me.

'Of course,' he smiled. 'Once a month, when the sun's positioned just right and the weather isn't too bad we get pretty good reception.'

'You're kidding?'

'Close your mouth princess, who taught you manners?' He scolded, never wiping the smile from his face.

'My mother,' I recovered.

'I guess you aren't a very good student.'

'Why are you still following me?' I deflected, jamming my hands on my hips in frustration. At that moment I heard the band begin their warm up and I felt a jolt of anxiety rush through me. 'I don't have time for this.'

'Where are you going?' He chuckled as I hurried towards the stables again.

'Shh,' I hissed, pressing myself against the stables listening for any sounds inside. Immediately, I heard Mr Woodwork's voice crooning to his horses, thankfully, he hadn't been disturbed by my unwanted accomplice.

'May I ask why you are pretending to be a spy?'

'Be quiet.'

'And what will you do if I don't?' He challenged and I felt fire rip through my body as I glared up at him.

'Don't think for a minute that I have forgotten what you said this morning,' I threatened, satisfied that he turned visibly pale as he absently touched his cheek where I had slapped him. 'You say one more thing and I will tell your parents.' We held each others stare in silence until there was a noise inside the stables. Breaking his stare, I stretched up to look through the high window to see what was going on. Nothing had changed but I felt the press of time again and started moving stealthily along the side of the building until I reached the end.

'Ahh,' I exclaimed as a body stumbled into mine and I turned back to glare at a sheepish David.

'Sorry Mari,' he whispered.

'Stop calling me that,' I ground out before looking back at my destination.

'What do you want inside there?' I didn't answer him and instead darted across the gap between the stable building and the gardener's shed.

'You know that dress really contradicts your sly actions right now,' he deadpanned, walking casually up beside me.

'Your advice is not required, now, or ever for that matter. Why don't you go and play with your pet kangaroo or something?'

'I don't have a pet kangaroo,' he scoffed as I started to fiddle with the lock on the door, glancing back over my shoulder to make sure no one was watching. I could still hear the band in the distance and was all too aware that the guests would begin to gather soon. 'I have a pet cockatoo.'

'Excuse me?' I recoiled, all my attention focused on the disgusting boy standing next to me.

'Her name is Callie,' he smirked as I gaped at him. Did he just say…?

'You…you named it?'

'It's a bird, Mari. A white cockatoo with a yellow crest.' He smirked as I tried to straighten my face out. 'What did you think I was talking about?'

'Nothing,' I answered quickly turning back to the lock, my face on fire. Suddenly, I felt uncomfortable and it was causing me to fumble with the lock.

'Move aside,' he sighed, gently pushing me out of the way and I was too embarrassed to object. I watched in awe as within seconds the lock was removed without it being damaged in the slightest.

'How did you-'

'I'm an only child,' he smirked, pushing the door open to reveal the dark shed filled with petrol fumes and mysterious gardening items in disarray. 'The only time I was allowed out was when I snuck away. Not to mention being the only heir to the Australian throne. Unless you count uncle Jamie, and between you and me no one does. Last time he stayed in the palace he somehow found his way out into the stables and spent the night with the alpacas.' And despite not knowing what an alpaca was I laughed at him, almost forgetting why I was there.

I shook my head at him as my laughter began to subside and I walked inside the musty shed, glancing around for the object I was looking for. After several seconds of silence, only hearing the constant hum of music in the background I couldn't help a curious thought from escaping.

'You're not who I remember, David,' I mused looking back to where he stood guard by the door. Slouching against it, I couldn't help but think he had changed a lot since I last saw him. When we visited them he had been a tall gangly teenager, who stuttered and fumbled through sentences. He was constantly walking into furniture and walls. Since then, he had filled out nicely and seemed to have lost the cloud of nervousness that had surrounded him before. If I didn't know him, I might have thought him handsome, with his sun-bleached blond hair and tanned skin. Not to mention the way his muscles made his suit stretch across his back.

'I had some poor advice last time I met you,' he answered and I shook myself hoping that he hadn't caught me looking, but when I glanced up at his blue eyes I knew he had seen me.

'Poor advice?' I asked distractedly, turning back to my search.

'Yes,' he chuckled, 'Not to mention how intimidating you were.'

'So you were afraid of me?' I asked, not even trying to hide the pleasure from my voice.

'I said intimidated not afraid,' he defended, glaring over at me as I turned away to smile fully. 'Can you just hurry up.'

'Got it,' I announced, stepping over a stack of fertiliser and bending to pick up the heavy machine.

'What do you need that for?' He asked accusingly, his eyes bulging as I stumbled back over to him.

'You'll see,' I smiled, struggling slightly under the weight.

'You've got to be kidding me,' he mumbled. He said something else as I brushed past him, although it was very soft, I could have sworn he said he missed the mice.

'You don't have to come with me you know?' I smirked, shifting the weight in my arms as I started to move back towards the wedding.

'Like I'm going to let you walk around with a chainsaw,' he grumbled, stomping after me as I checked the coast was clear before walking quickly past the stables. Then breaking out into an almost run to get back to the wedding. I only slowed when we were close to the altar and quickly ducked behind it and out of sight. Silently, I skirted around the ceremony area until I was hidden within the trees, all too aware of David right by my side.

'Marinda,' he hissed when I stopped behind a row of trees that were close to the ceremony area. Maids were still running around trying to get everything set up as the band continued to practice. 'What are you going to do?'

'Create a commotion. Adam can't marry this girl,' I answered firmly, resting the chainsaw on the ground as I tried to get it started.

'You can't be serious.'

'I'm not enjoying your judgemental commentary. Either help or go away.'

'Why are you so against this?'

'I want my brother to be happy… with Aisling.'

'Oh, that small blonde girl who tore your brother apart on the report?'

'Yes, look I can't really explain but I need the wedding to be held off as long as possible,' I huffed pushing my limp hair back behind my ears. Mom was going to be mad when she saw me. I think I may have spilt oil on my dress as well but I didn't have time to think about it now.

'She's coming isn't she?' He asked, as I watched more and more maids leaving the area after completing their tasks.

'Yes,' I answered without hesitation.

'And Adam doesn't know?'

'He doesn't want her to come back.'

'Move aside,' he instructed, taking the chainsaw from me and having more success in starting it.

'What are you doing?'

'I'm Australian, not heartless.' Anything else either of us were going to say was drowned out by the roar of the chainsaw. He looked at me expectantly and I gestured towards the tree I needed to be cut down. It only got louder as he began to cut it down and I smiled maniacally at him before looking out at the startled maids.

I saw one run into the palace, probably to get a guard, and I knew it was my cue to leave. When I looked back at David I knew he realised what I had already decided. I raised my hand mockingly before darting away from him. I almost thought he smiled as I turned but maybe it was just my imagination.

I didn't have time to stop and ponder the Australian prince as I ran flat out for the stables. I was almost at the doors when I felt the ground tremble.

'Princess Marinda, what's going on?' I heard Mr Woodwork ask and my head quickly snapped up to him as I tried to catch my breath.

'Oh, I don't know,' I answered vaguely, glancing back over my shoulder to see the dust begin to settle.

'What was that?'

'I think a tree fell,' I shrugged, beginning to walk calmly past him.

'A tree?' He gasped, looking over at the scene, wide eyed.

'Yeah, I guess you can't predict what nature's going to do. Maybe it's a sign.'

'Yes, yes a sign,' he answered dubiously. 'Princess?'

'Yes Mr Woodwork,' I answered sweetly. Mr Woodwork had always been wary of me. Harmonia was always his favourite. I think it has something to do with the time I painted his horse red. Or maybe the time I let them all free and we found one in mom and dad's bedroom. Or maybe-

'Can you tell my son I need him to come back to the stables?' He asked, interrupting my thoughts. 'I think he's with your sister. Such a good girl.'

'Yeah, she's a saint,' I mumbled.

'What was that your highness?'

'Of course I can get him for you,' I covered weakly. I think we both knew exactly what I said.

'Thank you,' he smiled, walking back inside the stables, leaving me to disappear inside the palace.

When I finally did find Justin, he wasn't with my sister at all.

'You foolish boy,' Medea screeched.

'I'm sorry Medea, I didn't mean it,' Justin stuttered, trying to dust the dirt from where he had somehow managed to dump it on Medea's robe. That boy was always dirty. Honestly, I didn't know how Harmonia ever stayed clean.

Looking back at the angry Medea I saw her hair was all done up for the wedding. It appeared as if there were two long sticks in her head. They must have been affecting her brain, because it was the only explanation for how she reacted next.

'How dare you speak to me so informally. I am a lady, soon to be your princess, one day your queen,' she sneered, pushing Jason and knocking him into the wall. 'You better learn some respect, quickly.' She glared at him for a moment as he struggled to find the words. I could already feel the anger rising within me as I step out from where I had been watching the two.

'Hey Justin,' I said louder than usual hoping to catch Medea off guard, but I was disappointed by her reaction. She didn't even flinch.

'Princess Marinda,' she curtseyed before she glared at the boy standing beside her. Justin had been spending time with our family our whole lives so he never had to greet us like everyone else. Apparently, Marinda was upset by this.

'Are you simple minded? She is a princess of Illea.'

'I just…' Justin had turned bright red now and I was certain I was close as well, only mine was fuelled by anger, not embarrassment. She had no right to treat Jason as if he were beneath her, as if he were nothing but an uncomfortable pebble lodge in her tiny shoes.

'Justin, don't bother,' I cut across him before I turned my attention to Medea.

'You may have my brother fooled, lady Medea,' I began sweetly. 'But, the rest of us, we know what you're really like.'

'And what's that?' She asked cooly, placing her hands on her hips defiantly. 'No one will believe you Marinda. You're too…unreliable, untamed. Trust is respect, dear princess. Grace can't be bought and you unfortunately were gifted with your mother's personality and we all know even your father couldn't always trust her.'

'Don't speak about my mother that way,' I hissed, feeling my cheeks flame. 'She is your queen.'

'She is a dirty little five, who fooled her way into the throne. Just because she dresses in finery doesn't mean she is anything more than what she was born as. It's about time this country saw a princess who was truly suited to the throne.'

'You will never see that crown,' I growled, moving towards her, making a swipe at her but before my hand could make contact a hand wrapped around my wrist and clasped both of them behind my back.

'Marinda, what do you think you are doing?' Michael said, in outrage.

'Michael, she's-'

'Don't even start, I know it was your idea to cut down the tree. I don't know how you convinced prince David to take the fall for you but you didn't fool me.'

'I had to,' I tried to explain but an unfamiliar look was on my brother's face and I sensed he was through listening to my excuses.

'When are you going to grow up?' He sighed, shaking his head in disapproval. 'I'm terribly sorry Lady Medea, for whatever my sister has done.'

'It's all right prince Michael,' she smiled sweetly causing my blood to boil.

'Please just Michael, we'll be family soon.'

'I can't wait,' she replied but even if my oblivious twin couldn't, I could see the threat looming in her eyes. Before I could say anything else she had curtseyed and floated down the corridor.

'Michael you have to believe me,' I pleaded as I watched her disappear, ripping my arms from his hold.

'Marinda, stop this.'

'Justin,' I said desperately. 'Tell him.'

'Michael, she's right-' Justin began weakly.

'Not you too Justin, don't buy into her lies. She doesn't need the encouragement.'

'I'm not lying,' I shouted, pushing hard against my brother's chest, Justin all but forgotten.

'You don't know how to tell the truth,' Michael scoffed.

'I am telling the truth and I'm not going to stop until the right person is marrying my brother. You might not care about Adam, but I do.' I spat.

'Don't assume because I am letting Adam make his own decision that I do not care what happens.'

'No,' I scoffed. 'You'll be glad if he doesn't marry Aisling. How long will it take you to move to Italy after Adam is no longer an option for her?'

'What?' Michael asked, his eyes widening in shock.

'Stop being so selfish,' I glared before spinning on my heel and storming down the corridor.

'Mari?' David cried out when I slammed into his chest. I stumbled back, almost losing my balance and tumbling to the ground but his arm shot out just in time. He pulled me flush against my chest and I immediately pushed back, trying to regain some space between us.

'Hey, what's wrong?'

'What are you doing here?' I asked, glaring at his chest as I crossed my arms tightly.

'I was looking for you actually,' he chuckled, but it didn't mask the infuriating concern I found on his face.

'Why are you looking at me like that?' I demanded, taking another measured step away from him.

'You seem distressed and generally I only see that look on a girl when there is a snake in the room.'

'The only snake in this palace will be wearing a white dress, after somehow slithering her way into the crown,' I muttered bitterly.

'When is the alternate bride arriving?' He joked and I felt my frown deepen.

'There is no alternate, Aisling should have always been the only choice.'

'Of course, so why were you running like there was a dingo on your tail?'

'What is a dingo?'

'Its sort of like a dog,' he smirked. 'But you would never catch me trying to pet it.'

'You're so weird,' I muttered, walking past him and down the corridor, already planning how I was going to get Aisling to Adam when she finally arrived.

'Mari, why are you fighting with your brother?' He asked, quickly catching me up.

'Which one?' I grumbled, picking up my pace in the hopes for escaping him.

'The one that shares a birthday with you.'

'Doesn't matter.'

'It matters to you,' he coaxed and I felt the irritation start to spread across my skin, like a thousand ants.

'Why do you care?' I demanded, rounding on him still fired up from my fight with Michael.

'Mari,' He smirked, only causing my tempter to rise.

'Why are you always annoying me?'

'I thought it was obvious. I may have been a little misguided the last time you visited but my intentions have always been the same.'

'Intentions?' I frowned as he took a step towards me, forcing me to take another step back.

'How are you missing this?' He chuckled, taking another step closer. When my back hit the wall of the hallway, I suddenly realised I had run out of space. He was so close now, I could almost feel the warmth from his body pressing on mine. It seemed as if he had taken over all my senses until all I could smell was the eucalyptus and warmth on his skin as if the sun was burning just beneath. I couldn't seem to string together a coherent thought. Instead, only finding a mix of words and images swirling through my mind all fighting to be heard over one another but not knowing what they wanted to say.

'Princess Marinda,' someone announced, causing me to jump in alarm, my eyes widening as my mind reshuffled its thoughts to understand where I was and who was with me.

'Yes,' I answered, hurriedly ducking around David who couldn't seem to wipe the smile from his face.

'There is a phone call for you, they are insisting that it is quite urgent,' the maid explained and I could tell from the way she was looking at prince David that she was uncertain of how much she should say.

'Thank you,' I dismissed, before I darted down the corridor but not before David got the final word in.

'We're not finished princess, we are by no means even after that stunt you pulled in the gardens.' He threatened and I chanced one last glance before I disappeared to see the promise in his smirk.

Aisling

'Quick,' Marinda hissed as she opened the servants door and pulled me inside. 'Where are the others?' She asked, looking out behind me expectantly.

'Prince Anthony and princess Amberly have to attend the wedding and Nicoletta and Tony are with them.'

'Of course, but I thought the Italian royals said they weren't coming, won't Adam be suspicious?'

'Hopefully I will have spoken to him by the time he reaches the ceremony area.' I answered nervously, feeling words begin to swell in my chest. I was terrified of seeing Adam, but the real problem was the overwhelming hope swirling through my body. I felt as if I might fly with the adrenaline of finally making a decision, for once in my life.

I was afraid if he rejected me I wouldn't be able to survive the fall. I had suffered a lot in my life, but hearing the boy I love reject me might just be the final bullet hole in my ironclad dreaming ways. It may be the hit that finally shatters all my defences.

'Doesn't matter now, we don't have much time,' she insisted, dragging me through the startled kitchen as some of the women started to realise who I was. The room was quickly alight with eager murmurs. Many stopped the tasks they were hurriedly attempting to complete to watch as the princess pulled me through. I caught a glimpse of Marlee and I couldn't miss the elated smile she had on her face as she halfheartedly tried to get the kitchen back to work.

'Mari, the guests are all seated. What took you so long?' Someone demanded as we burst into the hallway and I looked up to find a tall blond boy looking down at Marinda worriedly.

'Who's Mari?'

'Doesn't matter,' Marinda answered, pushing past him and walking determinedly down the corridor.

'Aren't you at least going to introduce me to this girl I've heard so much about?' I looked to Marinda but all she did was mutter something angrily under her breath as we turned down another corridor. Everything felt so familiar, the wide windows overlooking the gardens and the white walls adorned with deep green accents. Even my inability to figure out not only where we were heading but where we had been. I guess some things never change.

'I'm David, by the way.'

'Aisling,' I smiled, looking back at him quickly before being pulled down another corridor, only to be pushed back down the one we came moments later.

'Marinda,' I heard someone shout and my eyes immediately widened when I recognised who it was.

'What are you doing here Michael?' She answered nervously, ducking around the corner, leaving me out of sight with David.

'Who was that?' He demanded and I felt David stiffen beside me. Why were they acting so strange? It was Michael, I'm sure he would have helped me. I moved to walk forward to see Michael but David's hand quickly shot out pulling me back as I heard Michael's footsteps get closer.

'You need to go, you don't have much time,' David whispered hurriedly before he ducked around the corner to help Marinda. Curious, I looked around the corner and was shocked to find David holding Marinda close to his chest, but I wasn't nearly as shocked as Marinda was. Then suddenly David was kissing her and I fought hard not to let out a startled yelp. What had been going on here since I left? Who was this guy?

I watched for a second more before I saw David's eyes pop open and he eyed me poignantly. I cast one quick look at a startled Michael before I quickly moved back down the corridor I came. I guess I was on my own from here.

I didn't have much time and not being in the palace for over a month I had forgotten where everything was. I was racing down the corridors but I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere. I had to find him.

Stopping in yet another corridor I looked around helplessly until finally letting out a frustrated groan.

'Where are you?' I shouted at the empty halls and was surprised when I heard a reply.

'Lady Aisling?' I turned quickly and came face to face with someone I wasn't expecting.

'Justin?'

'What are you doing here? They said the Italian royals weren't able to make it.'

'It was a lie,' I answered quickly looking impatiently down the corridors.

'A lie?' He asked, his face crumpling in confusion.

'Look Justin, I need to find Adam,' I dismissed heading down the corridor I'm sure I had taken already.

'You won't find him on that side of the palace,' and I could hear the smirk in his voice as I turned back to face him. I paused for a moment when I saw his eyes were red rimmed.

'Justin, are you all right?'

'Of course,' he dismissed, absently running a hand under his eye.

'What's wrong? Did you and Harmonia have a fight?'

'No, no, it's nothing like that,' he sighed. 'Let's just say I'm really glad you're back. Adam needs you.'

'What do you mean?' I frowned.

'It doesn't matter. Do you have a plan to get him back?'

'Can you take me to him?' I asked, trying to gather my courage.

'Of course, this way,' he instructed moving quickly down another corridor, me close on his heels. I was finally going to see Adam and with every step my heart beat a little quicker and my breathing became a little shallower. Whether I was ready or not, after today I would know what it was like for a dream to be realised or how crushing rejection could be.

So, I have an update. I also come with an apology and a promise for another one tomorrow. I know it doesn't really make up for disappearing for as long as I have but I've been in the land of the Hobbits (More commonly known as Middle Earth or New Zealand) for all you Lord of the Rings fans out there :) Anyway, hope you enjoyed and there will be Adam and Aisling action next chapter. Just a few to go now :)

To the amazing guest who only just started reading this story, I hope you have made it this far and are still excited to read more :) Thank you for giving my story a chance.

Theoneforever, if you were crying in the last I should probably warn you that it is only going to get more emotional from here because I'm not through riding the emotional roller coaster just yet ;) Get the tissues ready :)

To the guest who just wants to press the next button, now you can :) and I promise to add something very soon so you can do it again. I'm tired of being such a lazy author.

SezusFromTheCult, goodness a whole five days! I'll forgive you but only because it's taken me months to get this next chapter out ;) Hope you enjoyed. I know it seems like a filler chapter but I don't like to rush things, I think forty-five chapters attests to that fact :) I shall be back soon, so keep your eyes peeled for the next chapter :)

selectioner1028, wow I feel terrible that I disappeared on you for so long, I hope you can forgive me, please...

To the beautiful guest who is enjoying all the different points of view, I am so glad to hear you are enjoying it and thank you so much for your support, you really are amazing :) I'm sorry I was away for so long but I promise we will be getting to the end soon, very soon.

Internet Person, thank you so much for your support and I hope to get it finished very soon :)

Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing this story, I love all of you guys. A special thanks to all you guys who are new to the story and have through some miracle made it this far into my piece, you're all amazing :) As always, happy reading story lovers :)