My Royal Story

Chapter 5

I walked out of my suite to find Luke waiting for me. "You know this is kind of creepy, right?"

He turned to look at me, "Listen, I'm sorry about what happened in the bathroom, I thought you were being attacked."

"What? Why would I be attacked?"

He paused, "Uh, no reason." He put his arm out, "C'mon, dinner's almost ready."

I pushed his arm back to him and began walking down the stairs. He followed. As we were walking he said, "You look a lot better now."

I turned at him, "Um, thanks." That was kind of creepy.

He noticed I was uncomfortable and stiffened back up, like he knew better than to talk to me.

We walked into the dining room and Luke pulled a chair back for me. I sat down and Luke walked away.

"Lily, you're looking much better," Dad said.

"Thanks," I replied coldly.

"Look, I know your mad at me, but you can't change what happened! Stop being a little brat and act your age!"

I stood up with tears forming in my eyes. I saw Ramona and Dominic with their mouths wide open, not sure how to respond. "Fine," I walked out of the dining room to the stairs. Luke came running after me. "Stop following me! I don't need your help!" I began running up the stairs.

Luke ran until he reached my side.

I stomped to my room and began opening my door. Luke grabbed my hand and shut it. "Listen, being here isn't going to be easy, but you don't have to be a bitch about it. And don't listen to the King, he just isn't used to you being here and I think he really missed you."

I turned to Luke to object, when he planted a soft kiss on my lips.

I pulled back in disgust and walked into my suite.

I plopped down onto the sofa, I hated it here, I want to go home. I just want to know what is going on in that guard's head. Why does he think he can just kiss me? What's sad is that it was my first kiss, and I really liked it.

I looked outside and saw the sun set. I went out to the balcony to watch it. I sat on the swing. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and-

I saw a shadow and the bushes rustling. I stood up in shock. Someone grabbed my shoulders.

I quickly turned around, oh it was just Ramona. "Hello dear."

I took a deep breath, "Hi."

"I'm sorry if I scared you, I just wanted to talk."

"No, you're fine," I said even though I could still feel my heart beating.

"Listen, I'm sorry that you have been through so much in one day. You just found out you have a stepmom and your father was yelling at you, that can be hard on a girl," she said as she rubbed my back.

"No really, I'm FINE!"

"C'mon, let's go get some cocoa and cookies!" Ramona put her arm around my shoulders and walked with me down to the first floor.

• • • • •

The kitchen was very sterile. It was also huge with many appliances. But it didn't have any windows. It wasn't as busy as it normally would be, because it was 9 o'clock at night, and there was nothing to prepare.

Ramona boiled some water and got some mugs. She put different powders into the hot water in the mugs. "How many marshmallows?" She asked.

"Um... three?"

She put three in one mug and four in another, "Four is my lucky number," she said.

We ate cookies from a jar and drank our cocoa. "So," I said, "How old are you?"

"A queen never reveals her age. How old are you?"

"I'm only sixteen, but I'm turning seventeen in November."

"Oh. That means you will start needing lessons."

"Lessons?" I asked as I munched on a cookie.

Ramona looked surprised, "Why proper lessons, of course! You were raised in the sixth caste for Pete's sake!"

I set down my mug and just looked at her. Everyone always made comments about the sixth caste. I hated it. It wasn't my fault and there was nothing I could do to change it. Because of what Ramona just said, I lost the little respect I had for her.

She noticed my expression, "Oh, I'm sorry, Lily. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm from the third caste, and, well, I don't know what it would be like to be poor."

That comment just made it all ten times worse. Then Dominic, my brother by blood, came in. "Geeez! I've been looking for you everywhere!"

What? Why would he be looking for me? Then Ramona looked like a deer in headlights. Dominic cocked his head at her then he understood, "Uh, Lily, Luke has been looking everywhere for you! Come on, I better take you back to your suite!"

Dominic took me out of the kitchen and we walked upstairs. It was very dim since there was no more light from the windows. It was awkward walking next to my brother. I should know him so well, yet I don't. I decided we should get to know each other. "So um, Dominic, how old are you?"

"I just turned eighteen last month, in June. How old are you?"

"I'm turning seventeen in November. Dominic, did you ever know I existed?"

"No, I didn't even know my- our parents were alive."

"That must have been terrible!"

"Yeah."

"Wait, Dominic, why didn't Luke just come get me himself?"

"Uh... because he had reports to file."

"Oh," we reached my suite. "Bye Dominic." I went for a hug, but he put his hand out instead. I shook his hand and went into my suite.

I went to bed and got the best sleep of my life. What I didn't notice was the stranger outside of my window.