Two

"It's almost time. You are going to be late for school."

Dad was at it again. I know I was being late. I stuffed the rest of the pancake into my mouth and took off. My bicycle was near the garage wall. I climbed on and pedalled down the driveway. Since the bike lane was not so crowded, I managed to ride my bike fast enough and reached school just before the bell rang.

Suddenly I was in the class room. Our teacher was writing on the board with his back towards us. Surprisingly everyone was making noise and even some of the guys were fooling around. This was Mr. Shane's class. The one class where no one dared to even breath loudly. What happened to everyone? He's going to turn around any moment. But nothing happened and Mr. Shane kept writing on the board. I didn't want to get detention. So I started taking notes. To my wonder, Mr. Shane wrote on the board, 'Do you, take me as your husband?'

I was confused. What was he writing? Mr. Shane taught maths. When did he started teaching English? And what was he writing? Just then, as if he heard my thoughts, he turned. I gasped when I saw the face. It was not Mr. Shane. It was the prince.

The scene changed again and I was pinned to the wall with both my hands above my head. I looked up to see who dared to touch me. It was him again - the prince. Have I gone mad? What is happening? His eyes locked into mine. We were inside a room that I didn't recognise. It looked like we were in a hotel room.

His breath fell on my face. The Minty smell was intoxicating. He brought his lips towards mine. I tried to break free of his grip. It was all in wane. His lips pressed on to me and surprisingly they were really soft. No no. I had to escape from this. I don't want to. Stop.

I gasped and opened my eyes. I was lying down on a bed. So that was a dream. Why did I have to dream about that guy? And that too kissing him. This stupid mind of mine. I sat up slowly on the bed - My head felt a bit heavy - and looked around. The room seemed familiar. It was my room in the palace. I got out of the bed and dizziness washed over me. I held on to the bed post to steady myself. A stand with a finished bag of IV fluid hanging from it was near my bed. My arm had a Band-Aid where the needle must have been.

"You are finally awake?"

I turned towards the voice and found him standing at the door to my room. Hands crossed and still in his royal suit. Just then I realised that I was still wearing the wedding gown.

"What happened?"

"You fainted. That's what happened. The doctor said it was because of you being undernourished. What a joke. It ain't like you are being starved here. Well, the big news is that the wedding has been cancelled..."

He came towards me. His face had that smile again. This time it was a real one. A mocking smile.

"... and guess who ruined it all and made the royal family loose their face?"

I looked at him horrified. The wedding has been cancelled! And that too due to my fault?!! I'm done for. Seeing my face, he started to laugh. That brought me back to reality. I'm sick of this guy. It wasn't entirely my fault that I fainted. It may have been the shock of getting married to him that made me loose consciousness. So he was solely responsible for this mess.

"You look like you were hit by lightning. Actually I wanted to thank you. For cancelling this stupid show of a wedding. I never wanted to get married in the first place. And that too to you."

I hate the fact that he was enjoying this. My misery.

"What was your name again? I forgot. Madelyn?"

"Kaitlyn."

My sound may have startled him a bit. He didn't expect me to reply. But he managed to not show surprise. He looked at my face with that same mocking smile.

"Right... Kaitlyn. Your name's ugly. Too tough to pronounce."

I forgot the situation for a moment. This guy was really starting to get on my nerves. His smile, his attitude. Everything. Prince or not, I have had it with him. I lost my cool.

"At least my name is not as ugly as your face."

His smile disappeared suddenly. He was stunned. That felt good. It was my turn to smirk at him.

"What did you say?"

"Who do you think you are? Just because your dad is the King, doesn't mean you can be a brat. No one gives you the permission to behave like that."

The expression on his face was priceless. I should have taken a pic right then. He stood frozen for a moment but seemed to regain his composure quick enough. His movement was too sudden that before I could react, he pushed me and pinned me to the wall near the bed with my hands by my side. Pain shot up my body as my back slammed into the wall. A whimper escaped my mouth. He showed no reaction to it. Instead he leaned in and barked into my ears.

"Who am I? I am still your fiancé. I can talk to you how ever I want. I can do whatever I want to you. No one is going to stop me. No one. You wanna see it for yourself? I'll kiss you right now and no one is going to save you from me."

He pulled back from my ears and lowered his lips towards mine. The Minty breath fell on my face. The dream. It was becoming real. I don't want this guy to take away my first kiss!

Insulting me since the day we met and assaulting me? I already hate him so much. I stared into his eyes. His loud voice hurt my ears. And now he is also going to sexually assault me? That was the last straw. I spoke in a low voice.

"You're wrong. If it was another girl, she would wait hopelessly for someone to stop you and save her. But you chose the wrong girl to bully."

Saying this I stomped down on his feet hard and pushed him away from me. Screaming, he fell down on the bed, clutching his feet. That delighted me. It felt good to do that.

"I am not a pushover. If you touch me again without my permission, I will cripple you."

He stood up and pointed a finger at me.

"You... How dare you kick me."

"You want more? C'mon then. I held it all in because of my family. Not anymore. I won't let people like you take advantage of my patience. C'mon."

He hesitated a bit.

"I will let you be for now. After all I'm a prince. I should keep my dignity. Unlike you who's a low life."

I didn't want to argue with him anymore. Without replying I walked past him…

"What do you think you are..."

…out of the room into the long corridor.

...doing?!!"

I wanted to have a convo with my dad. Sooner the better. I saw a palace maid coming towards me. She stopped and bowed down.

"My lady, you're awake?"

That's another thing I hated. All this courtesy. I nodded at her.

"His majesty is seeking you presence. Please follow me."

Oh no! I'm done for. I may have dug my own death pit. But there was nothing I could do at the moment. I followed the maid down the corridor towards my awaiting misery...

The corridors seemed to wind up like a maze. The maid led me down some stairs and through another never ending corridor. at least it felt like that. Finally we reached a huge wooden double door. The maid stopped in front of it and announced my entry,

"You majesty, Lady Kaitlyn for you."

The wooden doors opened wide. And it lead to a grand room. I haven't been to this part of the palace. This must be the visitor's room. The room was decorated beautifully, with large sofas and a small table at the middle and some chairs and a shelf towards one side, decorated with many books making it a mini library. In a raised platform stood a few chairs with the look 'royal only' written all over them. I guess that's where the King and the Queen usually sat when receiving important guests. The huge windows had blue curtains drawn towards the side to let the light in. they were bigger than the windows in my room.

On the sofas sat the King and the queen along with my parents. They had worried look all over their face. I went towards the royal couple and curtsied. The King told me to sit down.

"Are you feeling better now Kate?"

Our fathers being friends for sometime now, the King and the Queen called me Kate just like my parents. The look on their face seemed concerned.

"Yes your majesty. I am."

Dad took my palms in his and asked me.

"What happened today? What made you faint suddenly?"

"I.... I don't know dad. I'm sorry your majesties."

"You should be. You ruined our wedding."

Everyone turned towards the doorway. And guess who? That's right, the prick who's intending on ruining my life. The prince. The King was the one to reply.

"Let's not point any fingers without knowing the reason Aaron. Let's hear her out first."

Suddenly all eyes were on me. And even in that cold climate, I felt drops of sweat forming on my forehead. This was my last chance. To pull away from this wedding.

"You majesties, mom, dad, I don't want to get married."

My remark was followed by a few gasps. Mom was the first to find her voice.

"But why Kate, give us a reason."

The reason was really simple: The prince was a pain in the neck. But I can't tell them that. Especially not to his parents. And I thought of the consequences if I were to call off the marriage. My parents, my sister. Life will become difficult for them. The only thing I could do was to extend the marriage date. Extend it so that I will be able to find a stable job after graduation to provide for my family. Then, I will break off the engagement with him. Time. That's it. I have to ask for time.

"I don't want to get married to him NOW. Because we barely know each other. It's just been a few months since we met. We don't know anything about each other. It takes time to get to know the other person. We'll get married afterwards when we feel it's the right time. Isn't it possible to extend the marriage date?"

The silence was so nerve-racking. Suddenly, surprising enough, the King laughed.

"The kids these days... I understand what you are saying Kate. You want to date him before marriage. Isn't it?"

"Yes your majesty. That's exactly what I'm saying. Can we get married when we feel the time is right?"

The King thought for a few moments.

"But he is a prince not a common folk. A prince should get married in his prime age as to produce a royal heir. So why don't you get married first and then date each other?"

C'mon... Royal heir? Over my dead body. I needed someone to support my words. I'm sure my parents won't since I just ruined the wedding. What to do?!!

"Father, I think she may have a point. Arranged marriages are really outdated. At least we need a chance to date and see if we match with each other."

The prince spoke out. Atleast he had the guts to do that. Even though I shouldn't, I felt a bit grateful towards him for taking my side. But it lasted just for a moment and my hatred towards him took over.

"And if you don't?"

"If we don't, then we'll just cancel the marriage."

The smile on the King's face faded and was replaced by anger. His sudden mood change send a chill over my spine.

"AARON! How dare you make a joke of this marriage. This marriage is fixed once and for all. It won't be cancelled for whatever reason. You WILL get married to Lady Kaitlyn."

I had to intervene for this idiot Prince. Time to payback his help earlier. I never like to owe people anything.

"Your majesty, please calm down. I'm sure he hasn't thought this through. We have just graduated from school. So why don't we get married after graduating college? That will give us enough time to get to know each other."

The Queen who had been silent the whole time, looked at the King and said,

"Dear, I think Kate has a point. We were rushing with their marriage if you ask me. Why not give the kids some time to get to know each other. That would be better."

The King was deep in thought. It took him a few minutes before answering.

"Ok. You kids can get married after graduating from college. But after that, there won't be anymore excuses. Love each other or not, Aaron..., you will get married to Kate."

The prince opened his mouth as to say something. But the Queen shook her head and he closed his mouth. He bend down his head and murmured,

"Yes father..."

"I can't hear you. Stand straight and speak. Act like a Royal, boy. Or else you know what the punishment is."

Punishment?!! I was confused. The prince stood straight and looked the King in the eye and spoke loudly.

"Yes, father!"

I don't know if I saw it right. But a flicker of something which I assumed was fear, passed through the prince's eyes. The prince was afraid of his father, the King. Anyways, I don't care whatsoever. I was happy to get more time. Now I have to work hard for a job and break the engagement off with him when I could.

The King had ordered for refreshments to be bought in. I excused myself and walked back to my room. Even after staying in the palace for such a long time, I haven't gotten used to it yet. I still get lost at times. As I was turning another corridor, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. I turned to see the prince coming my way. I sighed.

"Why are you following me again?"

He approached me and looked at me mocking a 'I'm really hurt' look.

"I am not following you. I'm just on my way to my room. Which happens to be on the same floor as yours."

I forgot that I lived opposite this idiot's room. Being the princess, I had to have my room near the prince's. I started walking again and he walked beside me.

"I wanted to thank you for stopping the marriage you know. I was thinking the same. Seems like we really do think alike for a couple who fights a lot."

"Haa haa.. very funny. Now do you mind getting lost?"

"Wow!! Lot of fierceness coming from there. It doesn't surprise me though. It's to be expected from a commoner."

We turned a corner and I was in front of my room. That was fast. I opened the door and before closing it, I told him,

"Atleast I'm better than you, who is a scaredy cat in front of your dad."

"Hey… who are you calling..."

The sentence was cut short when I shut the door to his face.