LOST AND FOUND

SEVEN

I walk to the podium and I see the millions of people outside the castle. I try and see if I can spot Max.

Which was a silly idea, because from where I'm standing all these people look like dots in comparison.

"Greetings fellow people, I princess Laura Marie Coraline confirm my engagement to Edward Marcus Reynolds."

With that said I walk off the podium and into the castle, my mother holds my arm. "Is that all your going to say?" I nod and walk off.

She shouts, "Laura Marie Coraline! I demand that you come back here right this instant!" I hear Melissa say softly, "Let it go mother, she's doing this out of her own will."

My mother says sternly, "Mind your own business, Melissa."

-Next Day-

Ginger shakes me gently, "Laura, you need to get ready." I groan, "Really? Again?"

She sighs, "I'm afraid so, it's the garden tea today." I groan even louder, "Now I need to act as of I'm in love with Edward."

I get out of bed and freshen up. I then slip into my ankle length silk white dress. I allow my curls to cascade down my back.

I slip on my heels, tiara and engagement ring. It's the first time that I'm wearing it. I must admit, it is rather beautiful.

I make my way downstairs and I see Edward in his white suite. No suprise that mother purposefully colour co-ordinated us.

He grabs my hand and intertwined our fingers. I want to cringe as he inhaled my scent, before kissing my cheek.

"You ready my love?" I nod. We step into the garden and everyone stood up to honour us.

Edward and I walked down poisedly down the steps and to our seats. He even pushed his luck and stole a kiss from me.

As soon as we sat down and everything went back to normal I stepped on his foot. He groaned but quickly got over himself.

The tea was a drag, and my mind kept wandering off to Max. I'm longing to see him.

-After-

I decide to head back into my disguise and go over to Max.

I rush over to the wooden house. I begin climbing the wooden ladder.

When I step into the wooden house I stop dead in my tracks.

I see Max reach for his shirt and I watch his back muscles contract.

He turns around and jumps a bit. I awkwardly hesitate, "Sorry, I should've said something. Sorry, I'm sorry. I-oh gosh, I'm sorr-"

He cuts me off and laughs, "No it's all good. Don't stress about it. Uhm, how long have you been standing there."

I shake my head, "Not long." He nods.

I sit down on the comfortable bean bag. I remain silent, as I'm compensating whether or not to expose my identity now or later.

He sits next to me brushing against my shoulder, "Miss Laur, you alright?" I sigh and shake my head.

He stares at me, "What's wrong?"

I face my back towards him as I start removing my glasses and the cloak.

He remains silent, his patient.

I turn around and I see his facial features stiffen. In fact his entire body stiffens.

He says slowly, "Princess Laura Marie Coraline." I nod slowly.

He gets up to bow, and I bury my face in my hands. "You know, you don't need to bow."

He stares at me and says challengingly, "You know, you didn't need to lie." I sigh, "I know, and I'm sorry."

He chuckles, "Besides, your a bad liar." I furrow my eyebrows, "What?" He rolls his eyes and laughs, "Anyone who could stare at you for more than five seconds could distinguish that your a princess."

I laugh and run my hands through my hair. "So you've known this whole time." He nods, "Unfortunately." I smile.

He smirks, "So, tell me something interesting." I smile, "I'm a princess." He gasps, "No, you don't say."

I laugh, "Tell me something interesting." He smiles, "I have a princess in my house." I laugh.

"Max, would you ever leave this house?" He shrugs, "I mean, I guess so." I nod.

I watch as the sun changes his brunette hair into a lighter brown shade.

I reach out and touch the lighter brown shade. I hear him chuckle.

I remove my hand and look away shyly. I glance at my watch and realise it's almost time for me to leave.

I frown when I realise Edward is at the castle. Max chuckles, "You alright?" I sigh, "Yeah, fine."

Max smirks at me unconvinced by my statement. I sigh, "I realised that Edward is at the castle."

I see Max's jaw clench and I see a hint of jealousy flash across his features.

"Your engaged." I shake my head, "It's an arranged marriage. But I do not love him though."

Max shakes his head, "He looks old." I laugh, "His twenty-two." Max shakes his head, "Your marrying an old man."

I shake my head, "I'm assuming your younger then?" He nods, "I'm nineteen."

I nod, "So we're two years apart then." He smiles, "So your seventeen." I nod.

I glance at Max, "I promise that I'll get you out of here, somehow."

He smiles.