The Queen of England

Chapter 8 Kiss

I wake up and am instantly unfamiliar with my surroundings. I am no longer in my bedroom. I can tell because the light doesn't come through my window in the mornings.

There is something wrapped around my waist, and I can hear breathing behind me. Panicking, I turn over quickly and try to slip out of the mystery person's grasp. But it tightens.

"Britt?" Cody slurs, eyes fluttering.

I relax. It's just Cody. It's just Cody.

Holy shit.

"I-" I begin, but stop. What am I going to say?

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." He says.

"I-you didn't." I lie.

He looks at me with brown eyes and smiles. "You're a horrid liar, Britt." he says.

I can't help but laugh, shaking my head at him. "Sorry, I don't remember falling asleep in here last night. I thought you were some kidnapper. Or a rapist. Or both. Probably both." I say.

Cody rolls his head back and laughs. It's becoming my new favorite sound.

"Oh my, you have quite the dark sense of humor, my dear." He chuckles.

I blush. He touches my cheek. "Are you alright?" he asks. Would now be a good time to say I adore his British accent?

"I'm fine." I say.

"Good. Let's have some breakfast yeah?" he says.

I nod. Then I pause. "I'm still wearing the dress I wore yesterday! What are people going to think?!"

Cody laughs again. "Brittany, love, who cares? You're my fiancé. We no longer live in an abstinent world." He says.

This makes me blush again. "I guess not." I say.

He shakes his head at me. "I'll walk you to your room after we leave. Better?" he asks.

I nod. "Thanks." I say.

He grins. "Not a problem lass." He says.

***

After I am changed and have eaten breakfast, Cody pulls me by the hand to the garden.

"We never did make the walk in the garden that we were going to in Denmark." He says.

"No, I guess we didn't." I say nervously.

I hate the memory of falling into his arms and feeling rejected. Maybe now if the same thing happened he wouldn't reject me. I decide not to find out.

"Did you see the news last night?" I ask, changing the subject.

"No. I was visiting my mum. And then I was drunk." Cody says.

"Oh. Well we were on it." I say.

"Were we? Does that mean we got publicity?" he asks.

Suddenly I fear he's only being kind to me because he knew we would need publicity. All this; last night, this morning, this very moment we are in right now, could be just a sham.

"Ye-yes. But I still think we need more. I mean, they don't know who I am yet. And they don't know that we are planning to get married. They don't think or know-"

"If I were talking to Queen Laila, I would think you were ranting because you don't want to stop being on tv. But you're not your sister. What's the matter, Britt?" Cody asks.

I don't answer. He knows I'm not being practical. He knows I'm not being pigheaded. But he doesn't know that the thing I fear is him. Well, losing him.

Well, I guess I can't lose him. I'm his fiancé. But I don't like Prince Cody. I like Cody Landon, the sweet boy who is polite and kind at the same time.

"What the matter?" Cody repeats.

I sigh. "It's stupid." I say.

He grabs my hand and turns me to face him. I stare at the ground. He chuckles.

"Stubborn, yes?" he asks.

He puts a finger under my chin and pulls my gaze up to meet his.

"Tell me." he insists.

"I'mafraidthatyouareonlypretendingtolikemebecauseyouneedpublicity." I rush.

He looks stunned. "What?"

I sigh. "I'm afraid that you're only pretending to like me because you need publicity." I say.

Cody stares at me a long time. I expect him to be mad. Very mad. I don't trust him. I expect him to use me.

But he then begins to laugh my favorite laugh. "Brittany Corrine Berit, you silly girl." He laughs.

"What?" I ask.

"I am not pretending. I really do care for you. I do." He says.

"You do?" I ask incredulously.

"Of course love. How can I show you I am genuine?" he asks.

"I-I don't know." I stammer.

His eyes darken slightly, and he puts a hand on my hip. "I have an idea." He says.

I gulp and look up at him.

And then he kisses me.