Days flew by one by one and almost every day the name of the new girl 'chosen' was announced.
My meetings with Damon continued and it felt as if every day I knew him a little more.
Every night he used to tell me about the girls he had met and the ones that were going to his Palace.

Soon it was the last day of the two week notice that Damon had given everyone and tomorrow would be the day this thing finally started. Or ended.

This, however, meant that today would be the last time Damon and I would go to our secret spot and speak to each other. Some part of me for some reason felt bad when realization struck however I pushed it to the side.

It was morning time and I had called Vivian over. I decided that it was about time I told him about my meets with Damon. He had a right to know and if I didn't tell this to him today, that would make me feel like I am taking advantage of the fact that he didn't know about it at all and that wasn't something I liked. 

"So, I'm guessing that this is something important since you called me so urgently," he said.

"Yes, it is and before I go about telling you everything I want you to know that whatever your choice is at the end, I'll accept it."

"Okay... ? Look, Amelia, if this is so hard for you to tell me then I suggest that you just get it done soon. The faster you finish it, the less stress it will give you. Like peeling off a band aid. Besides, your tone is kind of scaring me too," he laughed nervously.

"You're right," I sighed. "So here goes.
For the past two weeks I have been meeting Damon, secretively."

He raised his eyebrows, clearly shocked and was about to say something when I stopped him.

"And before you go about jumping to conclusions, no, there isn't anything going on between us."

He visibly relaxed but was still very confused.
So I told him. Everything. Right from our first meet outside the auditorium to the one we had yesterday night. I told him about the circumstances I had accepted his deal in and about what would be the repercussions of the answer I gave him.

"I didn't tell this to you before because I myself was not sure of what was going on and before I told you anything, I wanted to be sure myself. Two weeks, Vivian, and Damon has really been putting a lot of effort into this. I can tell with the difference in the way he spoke to me the first time to when we spoke last. I couldn't tell this to anyone prior because you know what happens once the people perceive the things going on in the wrong way. You remember last week's news about the two of us right? Besides, it is the 14th day today, the end of two weeks. I would be giving him an answer today and I wouldn't want to do that without you knowing."

After my little speech, Vivian just looked at me. Not necessarily angry but not necessarily pleased too.

"I don't know what to think Amelia," he said. "On one side I'm upset that you kept this from me for so long considering the fact that we are still paired. On the other, I feel a weird sense of happiness that you didn't go about saying 'yes' to him right when he asked you like the other girls did. It gives me hope for some reason, that I might still have a chance."

I sat there with my mouth open, shocked by the way he was taking this and naturally, he continued.

"I knew when that picture of the two of you came in the newspaper that there was something more to it. I could make it out with the expression on your face. But I waited. Waited for you to tell me yourself but when you did, I sure as hell wasn't expecting to hear what I did."

"I completely understand if you want to break this off Vivian. Whatever we have. I did lie to you so whatever you decide to do, I'll understand."

"See that's the point Amelia, you don't understand. I had made it very clear right from the start that I liked you and even after you have told me all of this, for some reason, that hasn't changed. So whatever your decision is Amelia, I'll always be here waiting for you. I know you have to go meet him today but to make things easier for all three of us I need to know what will you tell Prince Damon. Will you agree to go to the palace with him?"

That's when I told him my decision. My answer. Even before I told Damon himself.

***

"This is the last time we will be doing this," Damon said looking at me.

It was night time and we were sitting at our usual spot. Both of us aware that my decision today reflects on what's to come tomorrow.

"I know, and even though this may boost your already inflated ego, I'll miss this."

Damon smiled at me but this was different. I don't know how despite his eyes and entire body language literally oozing of sadness, he still managed to do it, but he did. It was a sad smile. If those exist.

"I told Vivian about us," I said.

He quirked an eyebrow and smirked. "Us?"
I rolled my eyes, of course he only caught on to that.

He then chuckled and asked, "Well what did pretty boy have to say then?"

I narrowed my eyes at the name he had given him but shrugged it off.
"He understood surprisingly and after I told him the answer I was going to give you today, he smiled."

I was still confused of the reaction he gave to the entire situation. I mean who would like it when the girl they like is willing to give another guy a chance to win her over.
Yeah, I'm going to tell Damon a yes. I thought he deserved it.

Vivian, though, could not stop surprising me for some reason. After I told him this, he smiled. Like seriously! What?!

I replayed the thing he said to me in my mind then.
"Amelia, you are an independent woman and are very beautiful at that.  Thus it isn't surprising to me that someone else would have their eyes on you too. After you told me whatever had happened between the two of you, I had already guessed what your answer would be. I know you are shocked because of me reacting to this in such a way but think of me as a accepting a really difficult challenge. I love those.
I will be completely honest with you though that the moment I see him, I don't think I could see Prince Damon as anyone else other than someone trying to take away the girl I like from me. So whatever happens once we go there, you can't blame me."

Seriously. What is going on? How can two ridiculously good looking people find anything interesting in me, I would never know.

Just then I heard something shift beside me that got me out of my thoughts. Damon.
He looked absolutely mortified. He got up and so did I.

"Damon, are you alri-"

"Just give me a chance."

What?
"What?"

"Give me a chance and come with me. Don't say 'no'. Please," Damon said, practically begging.

Oh dear. He thought my answer would be no considering Vivian's reaction. I tried to clear the misunderstanding but he didn't let me speak.

"No, Amelia, let me say this one thing and then you decide. Please."

Even though my answer was already made up in my mind I wanted to know what he wanted to say so I let him continue.

"Since the day I met you, I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. You are different. Not like the other girls. You don't waste hours of your day trying to make yourself look beautiful because you know true beauty lies within. You raise your voice for what's wrong and you would do anything for the people you love. You came and changed me for the better Amelia. Not only the people around me, but I myself can find traces of the old Damon in me again, the one that was completely different to what I have become recently. The funny thing is that you don't even know who he is and you are still getting him back. I feel like I know the people of my kingdom a lot more now because of your constant accounts of them. For this and for many other things you have done for me so far, I am in debt of you. And even though I know that this thing that I'm asking from you will just add to it but please give it a shot. Please give ME a shot. Amelia Grayson, here I stand, asking you for a favor. Not as a Prince but as a boy your age who is falling for you. Will you come with me to my Palace tomorrow?"

I was absolutely shocked. Those words were something I had never expected to hear from him. What was it with guys giving me long, emotional speeches?!
Seeing him so desperate broke my heart so I did the thing that would surely get him out of his misery.

"Yes, idiot. I will."

He had his head down and eyes shut waiting for his answer and as soon as he got it, he jerked his head up immediately.

Eyes wide and mouth open, it seemed like he couldn't believe what I just said. "W-What?" He stuttered.

"I said yes so I want you to shut your mouth before some fly goes in or before I change my answer-"

He ran up to me and embraced me in a hug. Relief causing his shoulders to relax.
At first I was surprised but soon put my hands around him too.

Somewhere, deep down, even if I had any traces of doubt left, they vanished too.
This isn't going to be so bad after all, I told myself.