Twelve

Twelve - Danielle

The moment I woke up, the smell of roses and lilies filled the room and I was wondering is someone came in to clean my room or that someone came in with a very strong perfume just to check on me. I didn't have any kind of allergies before but with the strong smell enveloping my place I might just get one.

I walked out of the room and saw busy servants placing a bunch of bouquet around the room. They were so busy that they even failed to see me walking around.

"What's going on? Am I dead?" I rubbed my eyes and even pinch myself just to make sure that this are all real and happening. I must have done something great to receive this many bouquet.

"Good morning Lady Danielle" One of the servants greets me and they all bowed after seeing me. "This are all from Prince Luke my lady. Master Drey delivered them himself and ordered us to arrange them around your place" the servant explained and when I didn't say anything else they continued what they were doing.

"Wait..." I grabbed the servant that explained things to me and she faced me with worry in her feature "Did you just say Prince Luke? As in the crown prince, prince Luke?" I must have heard wrong since I literally just got off from bed and my ears might still be asleep. But when the servant nods slowly, all I could do was laugh in disbelief.

"Ahh you are awake Lady Danielle" A guy voice takes my attention away from the servant causing me to be even more surprise because he came in with boxes of gifts. To my surprise I almost forgot that I was only wearing my sleep ware. Realizing this, I covered myself up and he diverted his eyes when he realized the awkward situation we were both in. Though I wasn't wearing anything revealing and my top has its on pads, it was still inappropriate for a guy to see me like this. It was fine with the servants because they were all ladies but a guy seeing me in my sleep wear is something else. I went back to my room and immediately took out a jacket to cover myself up. After making sure that I was dress enough I went out again.

The guy earlier saw me and bowed his head in greeting.

"I apologize for intruding like I did earlier, I wasn't aware that you were awake that's why I wasn't able to knock" he explains then he smiles "My name is Drey Clarkson, I'm Prince Luke's personal assistant and best friend. Everyone calls me Master Drey but you can call me Drey or your man if you want" he moves towards me then stops right in front of my face. "Which ever you like is fine with me" he says this one in a whisper and it caused all hair in my body to stand.

"If that's the case could you please stand five steps away from me?" I ask nicely but I didn't miss seeing the shock look on every lady servants inside the room. "You're invading my personal space" I added and that's when he slowly showed me a deadly smirk to which I'm assuming every lady would like to see from him. He walks five steps back away from me but I didn't miss the ladies gasping seeing as this dude is backing away from me. He must be very popular among the ladies, I mean he certainly has the looks and he knows how to use them.

He coughs out his embarrassment looking like he wasn't used to being rejected but nevertheless he was still able to face me without any sort of awkwardness.

"His majesty, Prince Luke would like express his deepest apologies for insulting and causing you trouble, he hopes that you would accept his gifts and start a new form of relationship with him" Mr. Drey announces, then he goes to where he left some of the gifts he was carrying awhile ago. "This are all limited edition clothes from different known brands. His majesty would like you to have them and invites you to join him to dinner this evening" he finishes smiling. Like hell that would work on me. I was insulted, no material thing could ever replace what I felt that night.

"I reject" I straightly answered because there is no way in hell I'm simply going to accept this kind of apology. If he really wants me to believe that he is sincere and would really want to make up with me, he should come here himself tell me personally that he is sorry. Sincerity is not base by the amount of things you could give the person, its the action and effort you do to prove how sorry you are.

Drey laughs at first and the servants inside my room were all ears to what I just said. Drey kept smiling but eventually he realized that I wasn't kidding.

"You are seriously rejecting all this branded items and this bunch of flowers? the Prince even sent me here to oversee things myself. Why are you not satisfied? Is there something else you would want to have? Should I accompany you to whatever it is that you want?" Drey rants in still a slow manner but it was obvious that he wasn't ready for the rejection. They must have thought I'm this easy. I am never the materialistic kind of person, I was never brought up to be one either. Though if they bought me books instead of this stupid things, we might be talking differently now.

"I am seriously rejecting everything you just offered. That's the thing, he sent you instead of going here and talking to me himself. He refuses to stoop down and apologize for his own doing. I didn't need him to buy me stuff or to make this room a garden of eden. If he really was sincere, he should know that all this things mean nothing if he doesn't say sorry himself. So unless he says it himself, I'd rather you order this people to take all of this things and give it to someone who'd appreciate it even more than me" I sternly point out making a few heads to nod. Drey was obviously surprised by my statement, he was shaking his head in disbelief but I didn't miss the smile plastered on his face.

"You really are different" he states "I wasn't expecting you to decline this things, surely, a lot of ladies would die just to be in your place right now." I rolled my eyes while he said those things. Rude, yes. But he started it, of course he'll think like that, I mean who wouldn't at this situation.

Its true that its every ladies wish to have this kind of luxury and relationship with the Prince, but I was never part of those 'every' lady. I still have my pride with me and just because I'm living under their care doesn't mean i'll bend down just so he is satisfied. I honestly don't care who he is right now, I still see him as a plain human being who should learn how to accept their mistakes and own it.

"That should be great then. Give this things to those ladies you just mentioned. I honestly don't need this things. Tell his majesty that if he really wants to have a nice and civil interaction with me, he better come to me sincerely and not use some petty tricks to cover up his mistakes. I maybe a simple commoner but I too have some pride. He didn't just insult me, he insulted my late mother" I heard a few murmurs from the background and that made Drey look at them for a moment making them shut their mouths and slightly bow their heads.

Drey looks to me again then he raises his hand, making all the servants excuse themselves leaving the both of us alone inside the villa. He takes a step forward to me, just enough for the both of us to have an eye to eye contest.

I honestly feel my heart pumping hard not because I was attracted to Drey but because my confidence and bravery are slowly running out, I know that i've used up all my luck this past few days and I'm on my last straw.

"Young miss, as the crown prince's personal assistant, I am tasked not just to assist the prince but also to make sure that the prince's image remains intact. Meaning I can't allow you to speak ungrateful things about him in front of many people. They maybe servants but they have mouths and ears. Rumors spread fast inside the palace. I can't just let you add another smudge on the prince's name" He smiles bitterly while eyeing me with an obvious prejudice of my actions. I didn't say those things just so I can add dirt on the Prince's name, I was just being honest and the prince's name was already tainted even without me saying anything. He can pretty much ruin his own name on his own.

"I don't really care what you think of me but I'm not letting you sway me with materialistic things. All I'm asking is sincerity and not some petty excuses. Tell that to your prince because I just have enough and the day is just starting. If he decides to act like a normal human being, you both know where to find me." I master up the courage to raised both my hand and turn Drey around, facing the things he brought inside "For now, please clean up all this things before I get a serious allergy with this bunch of flowers" I seriously read from somewhere that one can develop an allergy if exposed from too much pollen, I don't want to develop that kind of allergy knowing full well that flowers are one of the best creations in this pathetic world. It would be a shame if I start having bad interaction with it.

"Fine then, I'll let the maids take it out but you have to atleast give him a chance, he wants to meet you during dinner maybe you two can come into an agreement, see things eye to eye" I honestly don't feel like we'll ever see things eye to eye, just judging by how the Prince is handling the situation we have, I don't feel like we'll work out.

Then again, every person deserves a second chance and who am i to derive the prince of this country that kind of chance. But I swear tonight is the last draw, if he messes things up again I can never be with him. I might end up killing him if that ever happens.

"I'll come to his arrangements" I stated which made Drey smile heavenly "But.."

"Of course there's a but..." Drey whines

"If he messes things up or do another one of his deviousness, I'm done." I clearly stated. I don't want to be a drag to anyones shoulder but prince Luke has to know that I'm not an idiot and it is my right to be respected. Even if I'm a loyal subject to the throne, still, what he said and done are not worthy of my respect. If he wants me to accept his apology then he has to show me that he is sincere and that he'll never do those things ever again.

After that Drey delivered my words to the Prince and not even a second went by when Drey texted me and told me that everything is clear with the Prince and that he'll be looking forward for our said dinner. Drey also told me that this dinner is going to take place outside the palace so he wanted me to dress up warm and presentable. Not that I'll be wearing something opposite to what he wanted me to wear. He also told me that its just going to be a normal evening, no formal event or anything of that sort so I can be as comfortable as I can be. He'll come and get me when its time then i'll be going with the prince Luke to wherever he chooses to go.

This is going t be the first time that I'll be out of the palace after being kept here for days. I know that I should be scared since I'm going with the Prince so someone might spot us and spread malicious rumors on the news then at some point my killer might find out and cause another event in my life or the prince might just decide that he can just get rid of me so that he doesn't have to deal with me anymore, even so, I was feeling happy. I've been dreading the says of my stay here, I mean I love the fact that i'm living the dream and by dream I meant being stuck inside my room, reading as much book as I want to and not worrying about anything. The Royals made me their guests so I'm pretty much treated as someone to be well taken care of. It all sounds so great but after awhile you'd get bored of it. I'm not complaining though, because I atleast know that they are just trying to help me get away from the crazy killer hunting for my head and I'm grateful because of that but i could use a different air. So going out excites me even if I'll be going with the Prince. Lets just hope that he doesn't get pissed off by me and dragged me to a place where no one could hear me then kill me himself. Maybe I should bring a whistle or something sharp, that could keep me safe, for a second anyways.

Maybe I should tell Lori about this, I mean its way better if someone close to me knows where i'm going and whom i'm going with so that if I mysteriously disappear at least theres one person who knows whose fault it was and what to do. I would call her but if you know Lori like i do, you wouldn't dare bother her during this hours, she might still be asleep and she will skin anyone who dares to destroy her peaceful hour. I texted her about the plans I have this evening and if by some miracle shes awake, she'll text me back.

For the mean time, I'll wait for the servants to take every single bouquet of flowers out of my place because I'm starting to feel little insects crawling inside me. Like not literally but I can imagine insects crawling out of the flowers and making its way towards me. Prince Luke did hate my guts, he could have have asked his servants to put some insects inside the flowers and make me suffer or scared to life. I don't exactly get along with insects, maybe its because a beetle attacked me when I was young, since then I never played nor came near to any kind of insects. Thought I may just be imagining things, all off this flowers are still making me uncomfortable.

"Miss?" A servant calls out for me and when I emerged from my room she bowed the moment that she saw me "We are the ones tasked by Master Drey to bring out the flowers" She explains. Then another three servants came in bowing their heads in respect. I waved my hand in front of them and smiled.

"You don't have to do that in front of me, especially when no one is really watching. I'm not someone whom you guys should be bowing to" I was getting tired of this servants treating me like royal, so maybe I should start telling them to stop treating me like one when we are alone. They can just treat me like I'm one of their normal peers. I once gave to the idea of straight out preventing them from bowing when I'm around, since I didn't want them to be scolded or anything , like what Christie told me but the whole bowing thing is starting to make me uncomfortable at staying here and doing nothing. I don't want them to start thinking that i'm becoming someone that I am not.

They look at one another, unsure of what to say and what to do.

"Don't be confused, I am genuinely asking you to be as comfortable as you can when your around me, I just don't feel comfortable with you all bowing and doing all those things you do with the royals. I'm just a simple, geeky girl who wants to have a peaceful life. So instead of treating me like i'm some noble lady, could you treat me just like any normal girl? Like a friend maybe?" I suggested hoping they'd agree. Its better that I atleast become friends with some people inside the palace, who knows? They might be helpful in times of need.

"I apologize for making you feel uncomfortable, we will surely take into consideration the thing that you said. We shall do our task now, please excuse us" The lady servant, which assumed leads the other ladies, told me ending any kind of conversation we may have. Clearly showing that she wouldn't do any of the things I asked her to do. She is still the senior head of the other ladies, so they'll eventually follow her instead of me. I can't impose them into doing what I want since they might take it as an order. For now I'll settle for them thinking about my offer.

True to his words, every bouquet brought inside my place was now gone and I was left with everything that is normal. I decided to prepare for the day and think about what to do for the rest of the day. I still have a few hours left and no one seems to be minding what I do as long as I actually stay inside this place. The King and Queen are obviously still not asking for my presence, ever since the incident, they haven't asked for me. Its not that I would go inside their villas intentionally but I would like to actually apologize to them in person but I have to be summoned first in order for that to happen.

I also haven't heard anything back from my step brother and my supposed to be father for quite some time now. Though Michael did tell me he would be visiting me soon, still, he hasn't called nor texted me. Not that I was getting any closer to him its just that I feel like I have to be aware of what's happening to them. Not knowing anything is worse than being targeted by someone.

The thought of being hunted is still making me uncomfortable, especially during the night when I'm all alone, but having no information and no clue of what's happening outside and who am i against, scares me the most. Knowing so much from the books I've read makes me a little bit of paranoid about the things I don't know anything about. I'm obviously the type that likes to be informed or at least knows something, otherwise, I can't and wont be able to function the way others want me to. I'll probably just mess things up following my instincts.

I eventually decided to take a break from all this negative thoughts and wash myself to start the day. After my not so long and refreshing bath, a lady servant informs me that my breakfast is already outside waiting for me. Of course I would have been excited if it wasn't for a fact that someone was also waiting for me outside, wanting to join me for breakfast. The lady servant didn't tell me who it is only that I have to prepare fast, so I did. I decided that I'd skipped the make-up and blow-dry, letting my damp hair fall on its natural wave behind me. Someone was waiting for me outside so I can't really make them wait more because I had to blow dry my hair, i brushed it instead. I wore an easy slip on strapped dress and some matching flats, thinking that I look presentable enough, I rushed outside my room and went to where the living room is.

A lady whose about taller than me stood and watched me as I approached her with my most awkward stature. I didn't really know who she is and why she's looking at me like I'm some annoying any. She looks like someone who was made and bred to become the lady of the court. She wore this elegant red dress that reaches just below her knee and she stands like an elite waiting to be worshipped by many. I don't think she's part of the royal family but she is at least someone equal to that title. So with this thoughts inside my hear, I lowered my head in respect and waited for her command or something, instead I hear the clicks of her heels walking towards me while she eyes me murderously.

"Great, you already know that you are below me and should bow in my presence. Why don't you be a dear and stay away from my guy?!" She stated with an angry tone "Or maybe that's impossible for you to do because your just too desperate for fame and money!" Of course hearing those words made me look at her in disbelief.

"Excuse me but I think you are mistaken here? I don't know who you are nor do I know who your guys is. You are pretty much insulting a different person. Not that I'm suggesting that you insult whoever it is that caused you distress because that is very wrong, so as you barging in here and insulting me without any foundation" I calmly pointed out because the last thing I want right now is another misunderstanding and a fight. She didn't show any kind of surprise reaction instead she smirks and looks at me from head to toe.

"I never bark on wrong trees. I know you are that desperate whore that wants to be wed with Prince Luke" she cusses out and of course that made me boil inside, this situation is yet again connected to that Prince. Is this going to be a natural occurring situation now? People close to him, admiring and worshipping him, coming in here just to insult me, tell me how worthless I am, cursing at me and make me feel like a useless person? I know that she's the first to maybe many more but, I'm getting really tired for being accused of something I'm not even doing.

"Look, I don't know what you heard, but I never planned nor thought of getting into any kind of relationship with the Prince" I raised my voice a little bit because I was obviously getting irritated and her eyes rolling at my statement, is really not helping the situation.

"You dare lie in my face, don't you know that by this very second you should be quivering from fear and begging me not to punish you or are you that stupid to even faced me head on?!" Maybe I was supposed to know her, or maybe, J do know her but I just don't remember because maybe she's that insignificant or because I just don't care that much about the people connected to the royal family, but even so, she doesn't have the right to insult me nor make me feel inferior. She just called me a whore and a liar, someone that is not me and someone that could never be me. I may lie but never in a situation like this and especially when the royal family was actually concerned.

"I honestly don't know you and you can't just expect me to know you right away because proper introductions and conversation doesn't work like how you did. You pretty much came in here, accused me of things then demand that I should fear you when I don't have the slightest idea of who you are. You can keep accusing and cursing at me but that won't change the fact that I don't know you" I may have slightly enunciated the last part a little bit slower that normal, hoping that it might get into her head that I don't really know her and that she spouting nonsense in my face. By her murderous look and by how hard she's clenching her fist, I was preparing myself to receive some kind of a punch or slap because that usually happens in fictional novel were some lady just gets mad for some unknown reason and decides to just randomly slap the other person involve and they'd feel satisfied while watching the others suffer, yep, I'm kind of getting that vibe from this lady in front of me. Judging with how she talked to me and how she easily used those vulgar words before, she is definitely one of those ladies inside of a book that would make someones' life miserable. But then again, I'm pretty much just judging her base on the things she's doing right now and from the book that I've read.

"You think your smart just because you have the Royal Regent fooled, but you don't fool me. You don't know me" She grins then takes another step leaning her caked faced in front of me "Then this is the best time to stick this in your mind. I am Lady Isabelle Genouviere, daughter of the prime minister and the only lady betrothed to Prince Luke" She stands tall, well having that kind of background could make anyone proud. I now understand why she's acting like the way she is, she's the prime ministers little girl, who would dare mess up with her.

Normally I might have quiver to fear, knowing that the most feared man's family member is right in front of me but I no longer possess that kind of fear. So even with this lady yapping her whole background in front of me, it doesn't change the way I look at her. In fact, it just made me want to turn my back and leave her behind.

"So now that you know who I am, you better watch out and stay away from my man. Leave now while you still can and while I'm being nice. You see, I don't like trash inside fancy places, I only like to see clean and sparkled things. You being in this place, makes everything that is good, disgusting." She sneers and she's honestly testing the last drop of my patience. If she doesn't stop I might just lose everything and snap at her.

"If you have nothing else to say, you can go now, you already made your point but you are not my Queen, you maybe betrothed to the Prince, but until you become his wedded wife, you are just a normal noble lady acting like a desperate lady abusing her power." Yes I'm being disrespectful and fearless but SHE DESERVES IT. I'm probably digging my own brave, but who cares!

She was obviously pissed by this so she raises her hand to showing that she'll smack me, so I immediately closed my eyes in reflex, instead of dodging, I waited for the sting on my face to happen but nothing happened. I slowly opened my eyes and saw that I was shielded by some man and that lady Isabelle's hand was still raised midair eyeing the man between us with disbelief. Of course I got curious who this person was so I walked beside them, seeing the on their sides now. Seeing who the person was, I covered my mouth in disbelief.

"I will never tolerate this abusive authority under my chin" when he said that, everyone that was once not inside my room are now here, bowing their heads in his presence including me. I didn't expect for him to come when earlier this morning he made it clear that he is a busy man that he would send his servants to me just to tell me he is sorry. Now he is here, eyeing lady Isabelle with disappointment. "Are you hurt lady Danielle?" He turns his attention to me then I stiffly shake my head. When he was satisfied that nothing was wrong with me he then faced Lady Isabelle who was embarrassed and angry that things are turning against her. "Escort lady Isabelle to my office, make sure that she stays there" he orders "I'll be expecting an explanation from you" he points his finger to Lady Isabelle.

As if without choice, everyone followed Prince Lukes command and left us both alone inside my place. It was awkward of course but I can't just shoo the prince away, he did step in between me and that lady so I atleast need to show a little appreciation.

"What did she want from you?" Prince Luke slowly asks me.

"The same thing you want" Well, I wasn't planning to sugarcoat things with him anyways. Its true that they both want me gone so there is nothing wrong if I speak of it openly. " She thought I was here to steal you away from her so she warned me and told me where my place is. I just gave her a piece of my mind and that's how you saw her almost slapping me because she didn't really like my response" I added knowing that he'll eventually ask me. "Just another person assuming things about me" I murmured that one but it didn't really miss Prince Lukes ears.

"Well, I would like to apologize for that" Was I hearing things or did he just say sorry? I literally pinched myself just to be sure that this was not a dream and that I am fully awake, facing the prince and hearing him say sorry. He must have seen me pinching myself then he smiled "Since I'm already here, I might as well apologize for what I did during dinner the other day and also Drey told me you were not pleased by my actions earlier so I would like to apologize for that and for the other things that occurred" I am too surprised that I didn't have the slightest idea of what to say or do. I was hoping he'd apologize to me, sincerely, but I wasn't sure that he would do so because of his personality. I mean I've heard tons of stories about him and being humble is not one of them. I was actually thinking that he'd just cover this up with some petty excuse and that the dinner he was inviting me was just to show the royal family that he'd changed. I didn't say it out front but it was in the back of my head.

Though this could also be just a show, a lie just to cover up what happened. But a part of me feels like he is being sincere. I didn't want to assume that he is changing when he could just be lying. After all, a man cannot change in a single day. This could all just be a show and nothing more to him. Words are not enough to prove that he is sincerely asking for forgiveness but I can't just turn my back to someone who is trying to learn how to be humble.

He must have noticed that I was having an internal battle inside my head whether he is being sincere or not because the next thing he did was to flick my head, taking back all my attention and making me look at him in disbelief.

"What was that for?" I asked while rubbing my semi sore forehead. Semi because the flick was not that hard so it didn't really hurt bad.

"You were obviously overthinking things and needed to go back at this moment. I am being sincere here. I know what I did was wrong thats why I wanted to do something nice for you. I thought giving your things would make you accept my apologies but Drey told me that that didn't settle well with you so the we hoped that the dinner plans would work. And this happened" he explained and I know from his voice that he was trying "I actually wanted you to see that I was being sincere and I didn't go earlier because I was thinking that you didn't really want to see me so early in the morning and that it might cause you to even hate me but it turns put that I should've really gone and met you instead. So for that I'm really sorry. I hope you could forgive me and I'm still hoping that what happened this hour wouldn't change our plans for the evening?" He tried acting cute but I was still debating inside my head.

Should I really trust him this time? Was he really being sincere with all of this? Or is he playing with me?