Runaway Royal

Chapter 7

Kat stated into the fire. A memory of her mother ran through her mind.

"How were your lessons today sweetheart?" Her mother asked as she combed through Kat's hair. They sat in Kat's room on her bed.

"I hate them," Kat replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "Why do I have to take them? Can't you just teach me mommy?" she asked, softening her tone.

Her mother giggled at the innocent question, "No sweetheart. You must be taught by your teachers." Kat saddened, she hated her teachers with all her heart, "And I must help your father watch over the kingdom. It is what you must also do one day." she added. Beginning to change the topic.

"I'll get to help daddy watch the kingdom?" she asked excitedly.

"No honey," the Queen laughed, "But you will get to help Thomas."

"But mommy, Thomas is weird!" the young Princess exclaimed. Even as a child she didn't like Thomas.

"Now, now Kat. We do not speak that way about others," the Queen stopped brushing and began to braid Kat's hair. " Also, Thomas is not weird. He is just trying to be nice. You should try to be nice back." the Princess rolled her eyes, their conversation was over for her. " Don't be mad sweetheart." But she was. "I'll always be here for you, trust me."

And she did. She trusted her mother with everything, and she was always there for her, through everything. But Kat was not there for her mother now. She had abandoned her and now she had no one she could talk to, except Chance. But that wasn't the same. Her mother always knew what to do. Even now that Kat had found out that her parents had disowned her for something she couldn't help and not they were dead. All Kat wanted was to go home, but she couldn't find the strength to face everyone she had left.

"Are you alright Princess?" Chance asked, taking her out of her daze. He had no idea how to treat her, or how to act. It was easy to be himself with Kat, but Kat seemed gone. Now he faced Princess Katherine, he tried his hardest to act normal but it didn't feel right anymore.

"I'm fine," she responded, wiping away a tear that began to form. "And you don't have to act so formal. I'm still Kat."

"I wasn't sure," he replied sitting on the ground next to her. "I've never been around royalty."

"So what were you saying in there? About 'the girl I fell for'?" she asked. The curiosity was overwhelming and she was trying to distract herself.

"I said that?" he asked. He hadn't even noticed what he said, his head had been spinning so much he had become pretty oblivious to everything.

"Yes you did." she laughed "And now you have to tell me what you meant." she said, moving closer to him.

"Well, you are the princess so I don't think I have a choice." He began, causing Kat to smile. "I wanted to tell you a lot later but...I really like you Kat. I love hanging out with you, as much as possible. I know this sounds strange, especially since you're the Princess and...well...you are betrothed to Prince Thomas. I know I, an orphan raised on the street, don't deserve you but I really like you." Kat was stunned. She didn't think he would ever feel the same way she did.

The next moment felt backwards. Kat had always read stories where the girl confesses her love and the boy just smiles. Now Chance was blushing, looking down at the ground, awaiting her reply. She laughed.

"What?" Chance asked, believing she was laughing at him.

"Isn't it supposed to be that the girl confesses her feelings first?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" he was confused.

"I like you too. And Thomas and Katherine may be betrothed but I'm not her. I'm Kat, the girl whose parents disowned her, and she ended up falling for the boy they replaced her with." she smiled at him. He reached in the middle and took her hand. Their fingers intertwined and she moved even closer to him, closing the gap and resting her head on his shoulders. They sat in silence through the night, until she fell asleep.

Chance looked upon the princess, asleep on his shoulder. As he tried his hardest to find a time where his heart ever beat faster, his stomach ever felt more in nots, or he was ever happier. But as he continued to search through every memory he ever had, he found none. He was sure he more than liked her. He loved her.

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A. N. Thanks for reading. It means a lot to me and I'd love to know what you guys think!! What team are you on? Chance or Thomas?