The Inside Story

Chapter Four

I walked through the gates of the castle with Prince Alexander.

"You're doing a really good job at not freaking out," Prince Alexander said. I shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm unique," I said. He laughed.

"Yeah you are," he said. We then walked into the castle. It was gorgeous. There were grand staircases, and large chandeliers.

"Alexander Philip Montgomery!" A voice yelled. We looked up to see an elderly woman walking down a set of stairs.

"Hey Grandma," he said slowly. Madame Louise walked down the stairs. I tried not to gasp. She was a role model. She gave money to local charities, and she was the best monarch that had been in Roquefort in the entire existence of Roquefort, but then her son became King and him and his wife ruined it.

"Alexander are you back?" A voice called. From the opposite side of the hall, Queen Margaret came out. She got over to where we were standing, and Madame Louise joined us.

"Who is she?" Queen Margaret asked. I held back an eye roll.

"This is Charlotte," Prince Alexander said.

"Is she a child from the orphanage?" Queen Margaret asked. I placed my hands behind my back and clenched my hands into the tightest fists I could.

"Please, dear, it's obvious she's his girlfriend!" Madame Louise shrieked. Queen Margaret looked at Prince Alexander and raised an eyebrow.

"Yep, we're dating!" Prince Alexander said. He wrapped an arm around me, and Queen Margaret slowly lowered her eyebrow."She's having a bit of problems at home, so she's staying here overnight or until she can get settled," Prince Alexander explained. I nodded.

"Okay then," Queen Margaret said. "Charlotte, we'll have to get more acquainted tomorrow, maybe over tea or something," she said. I was shocked, and nodded.

"Definitely," I said. She smiled.

"Alexander can show you up to one of the guest rooms by his room," Queen Margaret said. "I'll see you two in the morning. It was nice to meet you, Charlotte," she said. With that, she left.

Madame Louise came up to me.

"You're brave for dating him, dearie," she said, pulling me into a hug. She walked back up the stairs, and Prince Alexander and I were left alone in the large entry way.

"Let's go up to your room I guess," he said. He carried my bags up the stairs, and turned right. We went down a large hallway, and walked all the way to the end of the hall.

"That's my room," he pointed to the one straight ahead. "And this will be yours," he pointed to the one to the right. He opened the door and revealed the large room. Everything was white, gold or pink. There was a large canopy bed, and an armoire and dresser. I opened a door and found a massive bathroom, and opened the second to find a closet.

"This closet is huge," I muttered to myself.

"You haven't even seen it all yet," he laughed. He walked over to me, and we walked further into the closet to find stairs.

"It's two stories?"I asked. He nodded. I gasped. We walked back into the bedroom and he sat down on the bed.

"So about the whole couple thing..." Prince Alexander started. "Sorry."

"It's fine," I said. He shook his head.

"My mom has been on my back about getting a girlfriend for the longest time, and now I don't think she'll let you go to easy," Prince Alexander said.

"Well, I honestly just came up to Roquefort just to do it and have nothing to do, so if you need me to stay, I don't mind," I said, hoping he would take the bait.

"Seriously?" he asked.

"Yeah," I said, giving my biggest smile.

"Lottie, you are golden!" He exclaimed, giving me a hug. I jumped at the sudden hug, but patted him on the back.

"So, I guess I'll let you go to sleep now," Prince Alexander said.

"Thank you, Prince Alexander," I said, faking a curtsy.

"Please, call me Alex," he said with a laugh.

"No promises," I said. He smiled.

"Well I hope you like your room," Alexander said.

"Well pink isn't really my color," I said, staring around the room.

"Oh, tomorrow we can get it changed," Alexander said, pulling out a phone.

"Hey, I was joking," I said.

"Oh," he said as he put his phone back in his pocket. "Well, goodnight Lottie," he said.

"Goodnight," I said. He left my room and I flopped on the bed. I put on my pajamas, that matched the regal room so perfectly (black sweat pants and a crop top) and pulled out my phone.

"Oh! You're alive! I thought you fell off a mountain cliff or something!" Ari exclaimed through the phone.

"Oh, on the contrary,"I said.

"You don't mean," Ari said. "You're in?" she whispered.

"Not only am I in," I said. "I am helping Prince Alexander fool the Queen," I said.

"So jealous. How?" She asked.

"I am pretending to be his girlfriend," I said.

"Stella, there is only one problem with that," Ari said.

"What?" I asked.

"You do not look like a princess," she laughed.

"I can buy dresses or something," I said.

"Yeah, but if you are gonna be a princess, you can' t wear converse with them," Ari said.

"Whatever, Ari. I'll figure it out tomorrow, and call you when I do," I said.

"Okay, but when you do, don't do it at lunch time because I have a date," Ari said.

"Shut up! With who?" I asked.

"Holden!" She squealed.

"Double shut up! That's adorable!" I said. "When I call you about the answer to my princess dilemma, you have to tell me about your date with Holden!"

"Deal. Love you Stella," Ari said.

"Love you too, Ari," I said. She hung up, and I put my phone on the bedside table. I soon fell asleep, with dreams of dresses, heels, and crowns all night.