One in a million (Prequel to 'Bad Blood')

Chapter 20: Honesty

Third person's POV

"Hey," Cassandra smiled politely at Louisa and Alden before sitting down at the table. "Thanks for having me."

Louisa nodded slowly while Alden wrapped his arm around Louisa, as if protecting her this way.

Cassandra sensed the tense atmosphere. She knew that she was still walking on very thin ice with them, and she hated it. She didn't want to lose her family because of this. She sighed before looking down. "I'm sorry," She shook her head. "I never wanted to hurt you two, that's why I informed you but I guess I shouldn't have bothered you with it."

"Cassandra," Alden said, gaining her attention. "We appreciate it that you want to inform us but we didn't like the way you told us, it almost seemed like you agreed with the Crown."

"Come on," I scooted closer to them. "You two know me," I reached for their hands and held them in mine. "I'm nothing like them. I don't care about the Northern-Southern conflict. I just want to enjoy my time with you two."

Louisa couldn't help but smile. "Me too," She couldn't hide the fact she actually missed her best friend. "You're right, it's stupid."

Cassandra smiled.

"So that investigation...?" Alden asked. As the born ruler, he always seemed that bit more protective about his kingdom.

Cassandra looked at Alden. "I started an investigation so it would be looked into who the perpetrators could be."

Alden slowly nodded.

"I told you so you'd be informed about it, in case someone comes by." Cassandra went on.

Louisa smiled more. She was suddenly convinced that Cassandra was indeed telling the truth, she knew so. And she knew she didn't want to fight anymore, she wanted Cassandra and her to be alright.

"Thank you for letting us know," Alden said as Louisa nodded. "We should've been more grateful."

"I'm just relieved we're finally ok again," Cassandra let out a breath. "I really thought I had lost you two."

"Lost us?" Louisa faked a gasp. "Never." She then smiled.

Then Carl and James entered and started serving the three royals. Carl served Louisa and Alden while James served Cassandra.

When James came up to Cassandra, he tensed up. He tried to act normally but felt Cassandra's eyes on him, it made him crazy.

When they were served, Carl and James went back to the kitchen for the next course.

Louisa waited for the door to close before looking at Cassandra. "Do you know what's wrong with James?"

Cassandra gulped before looking up at Louisa. "No," She shrugged. "Maybe he didn't sleep well." Maybe that's why he doesn't seem to like her anymore, she thought.

Louisa frowned before looking at Alden. "Maybe we should have a conversation with him, in case something's wrong."

Alden nodded. "Good idea."

Cassandra got worried. What if James talked about their little moment together? What if he said something by mistake? What if Louisa and Alden would fire him and throw her out because of it? "I'll talk to him instead," Cassandra suggested. It would be the only way to keep things secret. "He's my personal butler after all."

Louisa chuckled. "True, you can do the work."

Cassandra chuckled too as to not raise any suspicion.

During the remainder of breakfast, James wouldn't look at Cassandra. He tried to act as normally as possible but, of course, he failed.

When they were done with breakfast, Cassandra got up. "James," She said, gaining his attention. "Follow me." Without waiting for James, Cassandra started walking out of the room.

Carl nudged James forward and thus James followed Cassandra.

Cassandra walked upfront, very confidently and very elegantly, while James walked after her like a little puppy. Though a puppy who didn't want to follow, a puppy who had just been punished, a puppy who'd rather be anywhere else than here.

Cassandra opened the door to her room and motioned James to enter, which he hesitantly did. She then entered too and closed the door. She put a chair in front of the door to keep the door shut.

James gulped.

Cassandra sighed as she looked at the man she was crazy about. The man she had confessed her feelings to. The man who had returned those feelings and kisses.

Cassandra looked down. "I uhm," She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry."

When she had said that, James looked up. He expected a lot but not this. Why is she apologizing?

"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomfortable," She walked past James and went to sit down on her bed. "I expressed my feelings to you because I want to be honest to people," She then looked at James again. "I'm sorry."

James sighed. "Don't be," He said gaining Cassandra's attention. "I should be the one to apologize," He looked at Cassandra, finally making eye contact with her. "I meant what I said yesterday, I am crazy about you."

Cassandra smiled then.

"I'm just..." He sighed as he looked down. "Unsure, I guess."

Cassandra got up and stood in front of him. "Why?"

He shrugged.

She gently caressed his face. "Don't be unsure," She said softly before leaning in closer to him. "I meant what I said too, you're all I want. I'm crazy about you."

He looked at her and smiled a bit. "Really?"

Cassandra smiled too, somehow his insecurity made her like him even more. "Yes, really."

He looked down then, seemingly blushing. Even though he had heard this the day before, somehow it was hard for him to really realize that she, a queen, had feelings for him.

Cassandra pulled back a little. "Come." She then let go of him and went to lay down on the floor of her room. She patted the spot next to her to which James went to lay down next to her on the ground.

She looked at him. "Can you tell me why you are unsure?"

He looked at her before sighing. "I don't doubt your feelings as I know you're an honest woman," He then looked away, at the ceiling. "I just don't know how a beautiful queen like you can fall for a poor man like me," He then looked at Cassandra again. "You're so important while I'm a nobody."

"You're James," Cassandra scooted closer to him. "And that's perfect for me." She leaned in and pecked his lips.

James smiled a bit.

Cassandra smiled too though she wanted more. She felt brave today and she wasn't going to waste that opportunity. She gently crawled on top of James.

James already wanted to sit up but laid back down when Cassandra kissed him and guided him back down.