The Inside Story

Chapter Six

I woke up on December 22nd to the rain pounding on the roof. I heard a knock on the door, and I got up slowly and answered it.

"Cute pajamas," Alexander said. I stuck my tongue out at him, and let him into the room.

"What do we have to do today?" I asked, pulling my hair out of the ponytail.

"Nothing," he said with a smile.

"So what are we going to do today?" I asked. He grinned at me.

"I have an idea," he said.

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I put on the raincoat over my pajamas, and followed Alexander out into the rain. He grabbed my hand and dragged me into the forest. After we had been walking for several minutes, I was about to ask if he was planning to kill me, but then I saw the biggest tree house I'd ever seen.
Alexander led me to stairs that led up to the house, and I followed him up the curving stairs. When he got to the top he opened the door for me, and once I was inside he flipped the light switch.
There were bean bags on a rug, and a large bed with blankets and throw pillows covering it. There were stacks of books and photographs on tall bookcases to the side of the room. I took off my shoes and jacket and ran and jumped on the bed. He shook his head and came and joined me on the bed.
"So, let's talk. I feel like I don't really know you," Alexander said. I nodded.
"I feel like I just know you as Prince Alexander," I said.
"Please call me Alex," he said. I rolled my eyes.
"But anyways, lets take turns asking questions," I suggested. I knew that this was the way I could learn all about the Montgomery family, it was like a free interview where the interviewee couldn't get offended!
"Sure. I'll ask first, where are you from?" He asked.
"I live in New York, but I'm from Arkansas," I said. "What's your favorite thing about being prince?"

"I like being able to be connected to all the people in the country, since I grew up here, it makes it really special," he said. "What's your favorite color?"

"I don't have one, I just like the ones that look good on me," I said with a smile.

"Then I'll just say red because red looks good on you," He said.

"What would you want to be if you weren't a prince?" I asked, trying to not think about his comment.

"I would want to work at the orphanage with John and Marie, absolutely," he said. "When's your birthday?

"June 26th," I said. I then knew it was time to ask the main question. "Do you want to be king?"

"No," he said. I smiled to myself, I was finally getting my story to show the world the true side of the Montgomery family. I felt a strange feeling in my stomach, but ignored it. "I know that if I become King, I'll have to make hard choices. I won't be able to work at the orphanage any more. I'm not a leader, Henry is. He'd be a better king than me."

I stayed quiet. He asked me more questions, and I answered, and I asked him questions, and he answered. Eventually it was time for lunch, and we started to walk back to the castle.

"Thanks, Alex, I had fun," I said. He smiled.

"So, you're finally calling me Alex," he said. I laughed.

"Well if we're posing as boyfriend and girlfriend, I better be nice to you," I said. He nodded his head, and we continued to the castle. I went and got dressed, and then waited in the hall for Alex.

"Charlotte!" A voice called. I turned around to see Queen Margaret. "I was wondering if you would like to have lunch with me."

"Sure," I said. "Should I wait and tell Prince Alexander where I'm going?"

"No, he'll figure it out," Queen Margaret said. I nodded and followed the Queen down to the dining room. Once we were settled and had our meals, she began talking to me.

"So tell me about yourself, Charlotte," Queen Margaret said.

I told her about where I was from, my family, my friends, and what I enjoyed doing.

"Do you have a job?" She asked. I bit my lip.

"I work at an animal shelter," I said quickly. She nodded her head.

"I'm assuming you know about Alexander's work with the orphanage?" she asked. I nodded.

"That's actually where we met," I said. Queen Margaret shook her head.

"He'd rather work there than be king," she said. I stayed quiet. Could I seriously get two accounts in one day? "He says he's not a good enough leader, but he doesn't see what I see. Anyone who sees him with the children or helping John and Marie can see he's a leader, and he has a big heart. That's why my husband and I are forcing him to be king, he doesn't see that he would be a great king."

"He would," I said.

"I'm so glad he has you," Queen Margaret said. "He's a very private person, with a few friends, so the fact that he has you is wonderful to me."

I smiled at her. It made me sad that she cared this much about something that was fake. I realized she was waiting for me to say something.

"I'm glad I have him," I said. Just then Alexander ran into the room.

"I have been waiting for you in the hallway for forty minutes," he said. I laughed.

"Sorry, I was eating lunch," I said. He grabbed the rest of the sandwich on my plate, and shoved it in his mouth.

"Let's go to the orphanage!" He said. Queen Margaret laughed and shook her head, and waved goodbye to us.

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It was freezing outside, and I was wearing a long sleeve dress and leggings with the warmest boots I could find.

"Is it always this cold here? This is colder than New York!" I exclaimed. Alex laughed.

"It's super cold in the winter and super hot in the summer," he said.

"I don't like the cold," I said. Alex took off his coat and handed it to me. "Thank you!" I exclaimed. I put on the giant black coat and sighed.

"Better?" He asked.

"I'm warmer, but I might get a headache from the strength of this cologne," I said. He laughed and held the door open for me as we entered the orphanage.

"So what did you and my mom talk about?" Alex asked. I smiled up at him.

"It's a secret."