"I hate them!" Katherine cried into her pillow.

"Shhhhh. . .. It'll be alright Miss. Pulitzer." Abigail said.

Katherine turned her mascara-stained face toward her.

"Please don't call me Pulitzer. You know how I hate that." She squeaked out softly.

"Sorry Kathy."

Katherine sniffed slightly and buried her head in the pillow, sobbing harder. Abigail leaned down to hear her through the loud cries.

"They don't even care about me. They-They just care about them se-e-elves.

After a bit more Katherine finally sat up and brushed the hair out of her eyes.  She slowly got off her bed and ducked down and grabbed something under it, a diary.

"Abigail.  If I ever ask you to help me do something, anything as a princess, it's this.  Help me get away." She whispered clutching the diary to her chest.

"I-"

"Help me to get away from all of this.  Where I'll run away and go find life as a commoner.  I'll find true love with someone who loves me for Katherine the girl and not Katherine the princess."

"Miss Pul-"

"Please." Katherine cried.

A bell rang in the distance signaling someone needed help in the house.  It was probably Adam his baby daughter.

"I'll be right back Miss." Abigail said.

Once the door was closed Katherine collapsed back on her bed.  A few more tears spilled out the sides of her dark brown eyes and she opened the journal and began flipping through.  In it were plans for running away one day.  For becoming a commoner.  Where she would go and how she would get there.  She choked back a sob on those pages.  She threw the journal aside and buried her face in her hands.  She wanted to go so badly.  Far away.  Where no one would ever find her.

***

Two days went by and Katherine stayed cooped up in her room, barely coming out to eat or say 'hi' to the family.  Today was the day they were going to pick up James from the dock.

"Now Miss Katherine." Abigail said tightening Katherine's corset, "You must look your very best."

Abigail had laid out a floral sundress, gloves and heels for Katherine to wear all sitting on her bed.  Katherine mumbled out protests between gasps as the corset continued being tightened.

"I don't see the. . . Point in all of this." She hissed through her teeth.

"You'll know one day." Abigail sighed.

Katherine slipped on her dress, gloves and shoes and waved goodbye to Abigail as she walked out the door.

***

Once at the carriage Katherine was greeted by the footman who graciously held the door open for her.  She thanked him for his help and stepped inside to, unfortunately, be greeted and seated right next to her family.

"So nice of you to finally join us." Pulitzer muttered not taking his eyes off the window.

Katherine sighed as the carriage started moving.  And off they went.

***

It was bright and sunny out so all of the ladies had brought umbrellas to the dock.  The ships were coming in and everyone was extremely excited.  Everyone that is, except Katherine.  She said drumming her fingers against the window until Lucille elbowed her and told her to quit it.  Katherine stuck her tongue out at her sister but was stared down by her mother who looked like she was ready to give her a good reprimanding later.

Once the carriage had stopped they all got out and made their way to the dock they would be meeting James at right as his ship was pulling in.

"Here he comes!" Squealed Lucille.

Katherine rolled her eyes.

"If you're that excited then why don't you take him." She muttered.

"Because I'm engaged to the Prince of Whales.  Duh!" Lucille practically yelled at Katherine and flipped her curled platinum blonde (and way overly dyed) hair over her shoulder.  Gosh she was annoying.

Just then a boy came walking down the platform from the ship.  He was tall and tan and had light brown hair swooped up with overly used hair gel.  He was donned in a white suit with a red rose in the pocket and brown suede shoes.

Please don't be him.  Please don't be him.  Please don't be-

"Hi, I'm Prince James Alender.  You must be King Pulitzer." He said shaking Pulitzer's hand.

Shoot.

"I am young man."

"Which one of these lovely ladies is your daughter?" James asked.

Mrs. Pulitzer chuckled, "Well it certainly isn't me."

"Oh but Mrs. Pulitzer you look as fresh as a rose." He said before pulling the rose from his pocket and giving it to her.  She blushed furiously.

James made his way over to Lucille.

"Ah Mrs. Lucille Pulitzer a pleasure to meet you." He said kissing her hand.

"H-How did you know my name?" She asked looking like she was ready to faint.

"Why you have been on every magazine cover of course! How can one not recognize such beauty?" He stroked her cheek.

Katherine was already gonna be sick.

"And Mrs. Katherine Pulitzer."

"I prefer Plumber."

He ignored the comment.

"It is an honor." He extended his hand but Katherine kept both of her's on her umbrella nervously.

Pulitzer grunted and she finally gave him her hand but quickly yanked it before he could kiss it.

"Well we all should head back to the palace now." Mrs. Pulitzer said cheerily, "Shall your things be on their way?"

"His things?" Adam asked.

"He's staying?!" Katherine asked.

Mrs. Pulitzer gave her one of the looks.

"G-Great." Katherine lied, "More time with you."

The group began to walk back, Katherine and James trailing behind.

"Sooooooooo. . ." Katherine trailed.

"How much do you think your family is worth?" James asked.

"Excuse me?" Katherine asked, shocked to say the least.

"I mean mine is worth at least 3 trillion.  I just wanted to see if I'm marrying right."

"We aren't married." Katherine muttered.

"We will be." James smirked putting am arm around her.

Katherine shrugged it off.

Did he just grab my butt? He did!

"Did you-"

"We must keep the carriage waiting!" Lucille called from up ahead.

Katherine was left standing in the dust completely bewildered before stomping her foot and continuing on.  This was going to be a long day.