Vanessa kept a huge smile on her face as she received a handful of fish food flakes from the court lady that stood beside her while the other court ladies stood at a distance with their heads lowered. Feeding her fishes every morning had become a hobby to her, a hobby she was very happy with. Anyone could see how happy it made her everytime she stood in front of the fish pond.

The air was good and the birds kept chirping in the skies, making the atmosphere even more perfect. The flowering dogwood tree at the far end of the pond made the view even better.

Vanessa drew a deep breath. It was indeed a beautiful morning.

"Your highness!" One of the court ladies announced. "Lady Vutron is here to-"

Vanessa felt a hand wrap itself around her waist, more like hands and it made her jump a little bit in surprise. Anne-Marie chuckled faintly as she held on tighter to her, hugging her tight too and making herself comfortable.

Vanessa smiled immediately. It was like she already knew who it was.

"I must be getting too old now, I didn't hear you coming." She laughed softly just as Anne-Marie took her hands away from Vanessa and walked to stand in front of her with a huge smile on her face.

"Good morning your highness."  She bowed a bit.

"Seeing that you're in a good mood today, I can almost tell that you're excited about your school's trip. You're happy to leave me behind for the past few days?" Vanessa pouted a bit, pretending to sad.

"Of course not your highness."  Anne-Marie didn't let her smile waver as her cheeks reddened the more. "You know I could never leave you behind, let alone be excited to, you know I love spending time with you your highness." Anne-Marie leaned closer to her and hugged her again. Vanessa rubbed her arms as she chuckled.

Anne-Marie couldn't explain it but she loved spending time with the Queen. All her life, she only watched her on television so just like everyone else in Breton, she used to be really scared of her but ever since she moved to the imperial city, ever since the wedding, there was this bond she felt between them everytime. The royal family were starting to rub off on her more than she had imagined.

"Oh." Anne-Marie let her go immediately . She remembered something. "I got you something your highness."

She watched how the smile on Vanessa's face had a glimpse of anxiety on it as Ivanka stepped forward with a wooden box in her hands. She bowed when she got to the Queen and then opened the box so Vanessa could see the little bar soaps, shaped in flower petals arranged neatly in the box. Anne-Marie turned back to her in excitement.

"We learnt how to make these in class last week your highness," Anne-Marie went on to explain. "My teacher thought I did really good so I thought I'd make one for you and mum. I had to research on a lot of amazing ingredients that would be perfect for your skin-"

One of the court ladies walked forward and took the box from Ivanka, she slowly turned with it to Vanessa who still had a shocked look on her face as she starred into the box.

"I'm sorry lady Vutron," Felicia started before the Queen could even say anything. "But the royal dermatologists provide the Queen's bathing and skin care items. The Queen has a very sensitive skin you see, so it is important that she only uses items tested and approved by the court's dermatologists."

Anne-Marie left a disappointed look on her face. She did guess that that was going to happen. She knew that the royal family had people for everything and her gift wasn't probably going to be received but she still wanted to try. Vanessa could see the look of disappointment on her face.

She scoffed and turned to face Felicia a little bit.

"It's just soap Felicia," she smiled. "Didn't you hear her say she used the best ingredients? I'm sure it won't cause any harm, besides, Paris made them for me. She's the future Queen after all. How could I ever reject them?"

Anne-Marie's face brightened a bit as Vanessa turned to face her too. She bent over a bit so she could have a better look at the soaps in the box. She drew a deep breath and let out a satisfying one. They smelt like roses. Her cheeks reddened as she raised her head to Anne-Marie again who just stood there anxious to see her reaction.

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness Paris, I'd be sure to make good use of them since you made them."

Anne-Marie let out a relief exhale just as the court lady turned with the box and walked away. Vanessa could notice Ivanka had another box with her.

"Is that for Prince Aiden?" She asked as she turned her gaze back to Anne-Marie. Anne chuckled nervously.

"I know he's not back yet. I just wanted to drop it off before we left for Eutherdore. I know the prince isn't going to be coming with us."

Felicia nodded at Ivanka. That was an approval to take it away.

"I'm sure Prince Aiden is going to love it." Vanessa assured her. "You made it after all."

Anne-Marie smiled in excitement. She was happy. For some reason, hearing and feeling how accepted she was to the Queen made her heart flutter.

"Should we have tea before you leave?" Vanessa asked her with a huge smile on her face.

Anne-Marie nodded. She'd love to. She wrapped her arm into Vanessa's just as Felicia led them away.

*************************************************
Aiden left his gaze on his tablet as he swiped over to the next page. It was a long ride back home and the silence that filled the jet was everything he needed.

"That's enough."

His secretary made sure to caution the hostess so she didn't fill his plate up with food.

"Add more vegetables instead." She went on. The lady in a suit bowed her head and did just as she was told. The table was filled with every food they could think of. If Aiden wasn't in such a hurry to be back in Breton, he'd have followed his secretary's advise when she asked him to eat back at the hotel. He wasn't that patient. He wanted to be home, he needed to be. He had to see her again.

It was really hard for him to think about anything else even at the conference. All he could think about was the kiss he shared with Anne-Marie at the engagement party. All he wanted was to be back home where he could see her again. He missed her. A lot more than he thought he did.

"I'm not hungry." He made sure to say before he reached for his cocktail glass and raised it to his lip.

"Y-your highness." She stammered in the most anxious tone ever. "You've not had anything all day. You should eat something to gain all your exhausted energy."

"Not right now Imelda." He made sure to say, keeping his eyes glued to his tablet. He was too excited to eat anything anyway. The lady exhaled. Why did he have to be so stubborn? She slowly turned back to the hostess who stood there waiting for a response. She nodded. That was a sign to take away the food. If Aiden wasn't eating, it automatically meant that neither her nor the guards could eat too.

"Your highness," she turned back to Aiden just as the air hostess started to clear the food. "Don't you think we might have rushed the entire process?"

"What do you mean?"

She held her breath for another second. She had to run the details of what she was about to say in her head just to ensure that she didn't cross any lines or offended him. Even though she was over ten years older than him, her age didn't matter when it came to any member of the royal family. Disrespecting a royal member could literally ruin her life. She squeezed her fingers.

"What I'm trying to say your highness is, we weren't scheduled to leave Berlin until tomorrow. I know the minister of war is competent but it would have been nice if you stayed back to meet with the other leaders as well. We still had enough time to meet with a few leaders and grant more of the press permission to cover interviews. You could have properly rested and eaten better back at the hotel if you didn't insist we left immediately-"

"I thought I already told you Imelda, I hate the weather in Berlin. Being in that hotel is even more sickening."

"But still your highness-"

Aiden exhaled and raised his head from his tablet. She was starting to talk too much and it exhausted him. He turned to her instead causing her to swallow the rest of his words.

"I'm sorry your highness." She pursed her lips. She knew better than to insist.

"What's next on my schedule after we land?" He went on to ask her. She quickly turned to her tablet and tapped the screen twice until the lights popped up.

"Well, we made sure to clear your entire schedule for today since we weren't supposed to be in Breton until tomorrow so you don't have much to do except to fill the King and Prime minister on the events that took place during the conference. The palace informed us that the King would be attending to matters of the kingdom the entire day. I think the prime minister would be better to discuss with while the King is away. I'm sure he would be honored to talk to the King once he's back. I would go ahead and set up a meeting with the Prime minister at the palace-"

"No." Aiden stretched his hand to stop her. She froze and turned to him immediately.

"Your highness?"

Aiden stared at her for a second and pulled his hand to his jacket. He tugged it and cleared his throat.

"He doesn't have to come to the palace. I have personal issues to discuss with him anyway." Aiden drew a deep breath. "We'd head to the Vutron mansion first."

Imelda chuckled nervously. She wasn't sure she understood what it was Aiden was trying to say.

"Is this because you want to see Lady Vutron?"

Aiden scoffed.

"Of course not."

She looked at him carefully like she was trying to read him. She didn't look convinced and it made Aiden really uncomfortable.

"What?"

She pursed her lip and drew a deep breath before she exhaled and nodded.

"That's a relief." She said. "I was scared you were going to waste your time because of that."

"Waste my time?"

"It's because Miss Vutron won't be home for the next three days your highness."

Aiden frowned.

"Her with the rest of her classmates are currently on their way to Eutherdore for class week."

"Oh, really?" The look of disappointment was evident in Aiden's face. "That's today?"

"Yes your highness." She went on. "She won't be available to see you or shoot the documentary for the next three days. The Queen already gave her consent and asked that you went on with the documentary without her since you never attend any of your class weeks."

"Oh."

"Your highness," they both turned when they heard footsteps approaching them. Aiden raised his head to have a quick look at one of the bodyguards that approached them, walking as briskly as he could. He bowed when he got in front of Aiden.

"You have a call from Breton your highness." He stretched Aiden's phone to him slowly. "It's Mr Coleman and Mr Fletcher requesting to speak with you."

Aiden sat even straighter and took the phone from the guard who took three steps back and left his head slightly bowed with his hands folded in front of him. Aiden turned to the phone immediately and forced a smile on his face.

"Hey guys."

"Your highness." He could see how Harry's face brightened immediately. "How did it go."

"Boring." Aiden admitted. "Exhausting too."

"Did you get it?" The look on Harry's face was hopeful. Aiden stared at him for a while, frowning a bit. It was scary. Now Harry was questioning his hopes. Aiden smiled.

"Yeah."

"Cool."

"You owe me one though. I went through a lot to get it."

"Of course."

"You'd be back home tomorrow wouldn't you your highness?" Asher had to ask.

"I'm on my way to Breton as we speak."

"Really?" Harry asked. "What's the hurry? Another emergency meeting?"

"Not really." Aiden said. "Just felt like it. There wasn't much to do in Berlin anyway."

Imelda held her breath. There wasn't much to do? There was a lot to do in Berlin. She rolled her eyes, keeping it subtle.

"I got a bit homesick too."

"Homesick or Paris sick." Harry sneered. Aiden scoffed.

"Cut it out Harry."

"It's her isn't it? I bet you couldn't wait to be back just so you could be with her again."

"Exactly what I thought." Imelda said beneath her breath. Aiden turned to her. He heard that. She pursed her lip and then looked away in embarrassment. She had no idea she was that loud. Aiden smirked and turned back to his phone's screen.

"Your highness, you're beginning to scare us a lot. With the way you acted towards Paris the past few years, I could have sworn it was almost impossible to get you both to even be in the same room. Who would have thought." Harry laughed a bit. Aiden couldn't help it. Harry's laugh was contagious.

"Cut it our Harry. You're exaggerating."

Was he? Aiden was well aware of the fact that his feelings for Paris had changed. Harry was right. Just a few months ago, he couldn't stand the sight of her or her family and now, he was preparing to stop by the Vutron mansion.

"What time do you get here your highness?" Asher cut in. He wanted to change the conversation intentionally. Hearing them talk about Aiden and Paris's relationship made him somewhat sad.

"In two hours." Aiden answered.

"Could we go horse riding right after?" Harry asked. "It's been a long time since we all hung out. Now's a good time especially since we'd be off classes for the next three days."

"Guys, about that-" Aiden had to cut Harry off. "Don't you think it'd be fun?"

"Horse riding?" Harry asked. "Of course it would be. It always is."

"No, I meant class week. The school trip."

"I mean, it might be." Asher added. "Everyone says it is but we wouldn't know since we've never been to one."

"We should- be in one. This one."

"What?!" Harry and Imelda cut Aiden off before he even completed his sentence. "You want us to go on the school trip? You want us to go to Eutherdore?"

"Mnn." Aiden nodded.

"The Eutherdore?"

"You don't think so?"

Harry scoffed. His countenance showed how surprised he was. Asher took his time to go over what he had just heard in his head.

"But your highness," Imelda started. "You've always hated class week. "You thought it was childish."

"It still is."

"Then why?"

"Why do you think?" Asher said from over the phone. Aiden laughed a bit.

"Your highness, are you sure? I mean I can understand why you'd want to go in the first place but a place like Eutherdore isn't somewhere befitting your standards."

"My standards?" Aiden scoffed. "I'm the prince of Breton. Of course it's exactly where I should be."

Harry shut his eyes.

"What I'm trying to say is half the class don't even want to be in Eutherdore. That's like down there. The only reason Eutherdore was chosen was so the other students could help with community service and it had to be made a compulsory part of their grades in order to make them all show up in school today. The King asked that this year's class week be focused on growing the community and should be a part of the school grades. It's all just for show. The rich kids of Breton, helping the poor communities. Do you know how much everyone would want a news like that? Its good promotion for the academy. I once heard the mosquitos there can literally make you go into a coma."

Aiden chuckled.

"It's that bad."

"Come on guys, it can't be that bad."

"What about your other appointments your highness?" Imelda asked as Aiden turned to her. "Are we just going to cancel them?"

"Exactly." He nodded. "Cancel them."

Imelda held her breath. She couldn't believe her ears. Aiden turned back to his phone.

"Didn't you two always want to know what it felt like being normal for a day? Doing the things the other kids did?"

"Yes, we did." Harry said. "But not in that context-"

"Alright then. I look forward to seeing photos from your horse riding on my way to Eutherdore."

"I'm in." Asher said.

"What?" Harry asked him. "You too?"

"I mean, I'm kind of curious about Eutherdore too. We went to Niyagra and it was cool. What could probably be worse than that?"

Harry exhaled and raised his hands to rub his temples. Now there was no way out. He definitely had to go too. Aiden knew there was no way he'd want to miss out of the fun either. He was automatically in.

Aiden turned back to his secretary who just stared at him, too out of words to even speak.

"Think of it as progress." He told her. "A good move for the documentary. Paris would be there too and the press could come as well. I'm sure everyone would be happy to see the prince of Breton and his fiancée taking out their time to serve the people of Eutherdore. Isn't that what the royal court wants? To portray the royal family in good light?

Imelda thought for a second. Aiden wasn't wrong. Being in Eutherdore could mean a lot for the documentary. It could be the content they all needed to portray the royal family in good light especially since the press were going to be there. It suddenly didn't seem like a bad idea after all.

"I'd just tell the Queen about the recent developments." She smiled. "I'm sure she'd be thrilled."
Now she was excited. Aiden watched her get up immediately and bowed. She walked away. He turned to the bodyguard who was still standing in front of him.

"You." He called him. He raised his head immediately.

"Your highness!"

"What was your name again?"

"Eugene, your majesty."

"Could you inform the pilot that I'd like to make a quick stop at the royal mall first?"

"Of course your highness." He bowed, "excuse me." Turned around and walked away. Aiden turned back to his phone's screen.

"Where were we?"