When Becky walked into the room, she was laughing. She set the toppings onto the table and took a bowl with some ice cream.
"What are you laughing about?" Ellis asked her.
"Oh, I saw baldy in the hallway," Becky snickered.
"She was totally bald?" Victor asked hopefully, then he looked at Ashton, a guilty look on his face.
"Don't worry, your dear cousins ratted you out," Ashton chuckled.
"Thanks a lot, guys," he huffed, "but she was bald?"
"I don't know, she had a scarf on," Becky said, "so disappointing."
"So, what happened?" Ellis asked.
"Oh, she was saying something about kicking the lot of us out of here, including Amy, when she gets married to Ashton. I informed her that Ashton would not marry her and that he would rather give up the throne."
"You didn't," Ashton frowned.
"I did, why?"
"Because, now she will tell my mother, and make my life even worse," Ashton frowned. "My parents might do something even more rash."
"Oh, sorry," Becky mumbled. "I just wanted to wipe that smug look off of her face."
"Yes, that is fine," Ashton said, "but did you think it might ruin my future?"
"Again, I am sorry," Becky said.
"So, the princess's brother will be here tomorrow," Jacque said, trying to ease the tension. "I wonder what he is like?"
"I should just tell him to stay home," Ashton said. "If my parents have the ball on Saturday, he could just come with his parents and the princess, and they can see what our Kingdom is like."
"Good thing you are changing it for the better, then, yes?" Ellis asked.
"Yes," Ashton said. "I just hope I'm not too late."
"All that matters is that you are changing," Becky pointed out.
Ashton then looked at Amelia. She was on the couch, her eyes closed.
"Amy?" he asked her in concern. He set down his ice cream and went to kneel by her. "Are you okay?" he asked her.
She opened her eyes. "Sorry, just really tired. I think I did too much today."
"I need to remember you are still injured," Ashton said. "Come on, let's get you to bed."
"Do I need to camp out in here tonight?" Becky teased.
Ashton shook his head at her. "Really?"
"Just asking," Becky said cheekily.
Ashton didn't respond, as he scooped Amelia into his arms, and carried her out the door.
The boys grinned cheesily as he left.
"I can't believe she didn't tell him who she was," Ellis whispered.
"I can't believe it either," Becky shrugged. "But she knows what she is doing. We just have to trust her."
"Yes, that we do," Jacque agreed.
Ashton carried Amelia into her bedroom and laid her onto her bed. "Sorry, Ashton," Amelia yawned.
"It's not a problem, Amy," he promised. He then pulled the covers over her. "Get some sleep; I will see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Will you?"
"I promise," he said, and kissing her softly, he went to the door and turned off the light. "Good night, love."
"Goodnight, Ashton," she whispered.
Ashton let himself out and sighed. What was he going to do? He knew, but what would his parents say? But he would do as Amy asked; he would wait until Saturday, meet the princess, and decide if he wanted to marry her. But he had already made up his mind. He would give up the throne to be with Amy, even if she didn't want him to.
Ashton then went back to his room, only to be confronted with Serena, who was waiting on his bed.
"Who said you can be in here without my permission?" he growled.
"I wanted to know something," she pouted. She was only in a robe, and Ashton could tell she didn't have anything on underneath, but it didn't even turn him on.
"What do you want, Serena," Ashton sighed heavily.
"Will you give up the throne?"
"Who told you that?"
"That horrible cousin of yours."
"Hmm, interesting."
"So, will you? In order not to marry me?"
"It did cross my mind," Ashton shrugged.
"But?"
"I haven't decided yet. You will know on Saturday with the rest of my family."
"So, there is a chance you will keep the throne and get married?"
"Again, that is a possibility," Ashton shrugged again.
"Oh, I am so happy," Serena said, jumping up and hugging him. "I want to celebrate," she said and dropped her robe.
Ashton frowned and turned away. Serena's naked body was not the one he wanted to see.
"Put it back on," Ashton said.
"But I thought you would want this," she purred, running her hands inside his shirt, as his back was turned to her.
"Not until my wedding night."
"That is so sweet," Serena purred. "Very well, I will wait."
Ashton could hear her put the robe back on, and he turned around. She hadn't tied it tight and was showing off pretty much everything. "Goodnight, Ashton," she said a smile on her face, then she left the room, swaying her hips as she went.
Ashton shuddered. "Maybe I should have stayed in Amy's room," he muttered as he got ready for bed and locked his door so Serena wouldn't walk into the room again.
In her room, Amelia pulled out her phone and called her parents.
"Mom," she said.
"Honey, how are you?"
"Good, and I have something to tell you."
"Oh?"
"I think I am in love," she whispered.
"Oh really, with who?"
"The prince."
"Interesting. Does he care for you?"
"He does, but he doesn't know who I am."
"Are you going to tell him?"
"I will at the Ball. His mother moved the Ball to Saturday, and I will tell you why." So Amelia told her mother everything.
"That poor boy," the Queen said. "I am surprised you haven't told him. Don't hold the poor boy in suspense."
"I must though, mother. If he finds out now, then we can't rub this in his mother's face."
The Queen chuckled. "This is true."
"So, I want you to come on Saturday. Keep Drew home until then, and he can come here with you."
"Okay, I suppose we could do that."
"Then I don't have to pretend not to know him, right?"
"Yes, this is true. So, what are your plans?"
"Well, I want to expose the Queen to let everyone know what a fraud she is, and that she is spending all the taxpayers' money, and I think I have a plan. There is an officer here that will help us out."
"I am proud of you, daughter, for taking this whole mess upon yourself, and if that boy is willing to give up his throne for you, then he is worth keeping."
"I know," Amelia smiled.
"We will see you Saturday. I will bring your ball gown and tiara."
"Thank you, mother."
"Until then, my daughter, and chin up, that royal couple won't know what hit them."
"I know," Amelia chuckled. "Goodnight mother."
"Goodnight my dear."
Amelia lay on her bed, a grin on her face. She just hoped her plan would work, and that she would have her happily ever after's also.