So as it turns out, there was a good bit of evidence pointed at me for Steeling the goblet. But not enough to prove me guilty. Kinda weird and complicating. I know.

After all this ended, they told me that I am temporarly suspended. Notice that I'm not disqualified, just suspended. But to take my place, for now, would be no other than Adriana. They brought the little stuff that I had and followed Max out the door. Not even a goodbye to Karina nor Zack.

The reporters took pictures as soon as we stepped outside. The security and policemen were gracious enough to shield us as soon as we drove off.

A few minutes on the road, until Max asked, "So what exactly happened? Would you like to tell me your story?"

I looked at him and slumped in my seat. "They told you everything. The only difference is that I didn't steal anything."

Max gave a short smile, "I believe you." He paused before added, "Mom kept calling me for several weeks trying to reach you."

"Oh? What she say?" I asked, sitting straighter.

"Oddly enough, I didn't pick up." He looked ashamed at his action. "So I'll drop you off there."

I sat up straighter, if that's possible. "What? No! You can't just leave me!"

"I'll come with you, except you'll have to explain the princess stuff to her."

"Max...this was your idea." I looked at my brother. Yep, he definitely aged a little. But maybe something else was bothering him. "Hey, is everything alright?"

He nodded, "Yes, of course."

The tone of his voice made me suspicious.

"Max, I've known you for almost 18 years, I know when there's something bothering you."

He sighed when we turned onto our street. "I'm just worried about you and Art."

"What about us?" I questioned.

"You two have been acting strange, and to top it off Ashley is not feeling well. Especially with the baby due soon."

"Ashley's sick?"

He nodded, "We're hoping it's just the cold. But then again, you don't vomit when you have a cold, right?" We parked in front of our house.

"Not usually. I think you should ask mom." I suggested.

He agreed as we got out of the car. A few reporters followed us and continued taking pictures. "That's gonna be in the newspaper." I remarked.

"Make that The news." Max added, opening the door for me.

It almost seemed like mom had been waiting for the both of us.

"Sit." She ordered. We both walked to the couch and sat down as told. Mom cleared her throat. "How long were you planning to hide this away from me?"

"Hide what?" Max said sheepishly.

Mom gave him a stern look, hushing him. "The contest. Lily, I thought you didn't want to do this!"

I looked into her blue eyes, "I didn't want you or dad to worry." I said quietly, "Plus it was more of a dare. I didn't expect to be picked."

"Dad and I would have been worried either way. But what truly made me worry is the big lie you two made. Max, you're supposed to be setting a good example." He hung his head, not saying a word. Mom continued, "Sure, maybe I don't watch the news, but I still found out through friends and the news paper." She purposely stopped, making the words sink in. Then added, "So why are you two back? Aren't you supposed to be at the palace or something?"

I felt fresh tears building up, luckily Max answered.

"A misunderstanding."

"What kind of a misunderstanding." She pressed on.

"Accused of Stealing the Queens Goblet."

Mom gasped, "Someone stole from the royal family?" Max nodded.

Hearing the conversation, and remembering the events of earlier today, I couldnt take it, so I stood up. "I'll be in my room." Mom nodded, a look of sympathy on her face as Max told her that I am temporarily suspended until they find more evidence.

I went upstairs and closed my door. I actually missed seeing a regular sized bedroom that all you had to do is walk a few feet to your closet or the bathroom. Seeing my books stacked neatly on my shelf, and the posters with pictures of Saelia, I broke down. I laid on my bed, my thoughts haunting my every move.

That's when I realized. Maybe I was also falling for Art Every day.

♔♔♔

"I called you like fifty thousand times!" Sam ranted on at The Pet Patch. It has been a week since the suspension, and my first day back at work, "Why didn't you pick up!" Her hazel eyes darted from me to pumpkin, even though I didn't know why pumpkins in trouble.

"I was busy, you know how it is...." I started saying, but she cut me off.

"Too busy for your best friend? Gee thanks! I read the article you said about me. Don't think I'll forget that!" A couple customers looked up, thankfully no one noticed I was the princess-in-training. Make that suspended princess.

There was an article about her? Since the contest, I couldn't get on any newspapers, partly because Karina said that most of it is made up and exaggerated, and if I got my head around that gibberish, I'd start believing in what people said about me. I only read a couple that Karina thought were safe.

"There was an article about you?"

She furiously nodded, "And to think that you're my best friend."

It's about time I put an end to this non-sense. Well, part of it anyway.

"Sam, I had nothing to do with the article."

"You didn't write it?" Her face turned into confusion.

I shook my head, "Not at all. I don't know who did, although I have a guess..." My thoughts drifted over to Adriana.

"Oh, in that case, why are you here?"

"Accused for Stealing." I mumbled. I hated saying the same thing over and over again.

Her eyes got wide. "For Stealing Art's heart?"

I looked at her and rolled my eyes.

She just smiled sadly, "Yeah, I heard. I'm sorry."

"It's alright." I shrugged, "There's nothing I can do until I'm proven innocent."

"Hey," Sam put her hand on my shoulder, "I know it'll be alright, who knows, maybe Art will text you or come looking for you."

"I doubt it, he got angry when I rejected his movie proposal."

"You what?!" She raised her voice, making more customers look our way.

"Keep it down." I shushed her.

"Lily! How could you! That could have been your chance!" She went on.

"I told you before, plus, now that I'm suspended, the whole town hates me." I felt a tug on my skirt. Looking down, it was a girl around the age of 13 or 14.

"Excuse me, but are you the princess?"

I looked up at Sam, who was grinning back at me. "I don't see any hate here." I nodded at the girl, she held out a piece of paper and a pencil.

"May I have your autograph?"

I smiled and took the paper from her hands. I wasn't about to tell her that I am suspended, "Of course, you may." While I wrote my name, the little girl kept talking.

"I am your biggest fan, I hope to be like you one day and marry a prince. You will marry Prince Artem, right?"

I laughed, "Being a princess is a very important job, you have to do your part in making people comfortable. About marrying the Prince, I...." I looked over at Sam, hoping for some help. She just nodded slowly, grinning from ear to ear. I sighed, and answered, "If he proposes..." She squealed before I finished. I quickly handed her the paper back.

Taking it, she said, "I hope you don't mind if I tell my dad."

"Who's your dad." I asked nervously.

"A reporter." She replied matter-of-factly.

"Um..." Since I wasn't the princess anymore, I slowly agreed, knowing if I didn't, she'll tell her father something far worse than that, and I already have enough on my plate.

After she left, Sam put her arm around me, "If he proposes? What's that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged, "It means if he proposes. Weren't you listening?"

Sam laughed, "Well then I better get front row seat!"

I sighed, looking around, trying to change the subject, "Is there any work I should do around here?"

Sam looked around as well, "Since you're back...you can clean the rabbits cage again."

I smiled in relief. Back at the palace, everything was mostly done for me. Food, Laundry, my whole schedule for the day. Being back to my normal life felt wonderful. Even if reporters followed me now and then and getting a few glares from passerby's. Not to mention the fact that mom grounded me for two days. Again.

I got out the hay from the storage and started cleaning the cage. Thumper, a gray rabbit's nose twitched, looking up at me with curiosity. Normally, I would talk softly with the animals so they'll know that I won't harm them, but as I worked, my thoughts drifted back to the first day at the palace. The day when I went to the first interview, Max and Art teased me. The moment when Art and I almost got caught for going into the woods. Art being a goofball after the talk show. The piano in the garden. I took a deep breath. Whatever will happen at the castle now, I better embrace it.

After my shift, I said goodbye to Sam and her father, who was slightly mad at me for not showing up at work for the past month. Luckily we got on the same page, and he forgave me. I had to promise him that next time I would have to leave, I'd have to tell him first.

Walking home, I ignored all the stares and whispers as I passed parents and children.

"Excuse me," a male's voice said.

I turned around and saw a man with a camera around his neck, a pencil in one hand and a notepad in the other hand. I silently groaned. These guys again?

When I opened my mouth to say something, someone put his hand firmly on my shoulder and said, "I'm sorry sir, but the princess can't be bothered right now." Without further ado, the guy quickly turned and left. I'd recognize that voice anywhere.

"Zack?" I exclaimed, turning around. "Why are you here? Where's Adriana?" I looked around him, trying to get a glimpse at the new princess-in-training.

Zack chuckled, "I mean't to come sooner, but I had to do a different errand which lasted for a week, after that, they told me to continue watching over you till they decide whether you're quilty or not."

It took self-control not to jump up for joy. Once the excitment settled, I couldn't help but ask, "Did anything change at the palace?"

Zack cleared his throat, "Well, if you really want to know..."

"I do! That's an order." I playfully pointed my finger at him.

He smiled, "Adriana is driving Karina insane. Karina want's you back."

"Am I really missed over there?" Zack laughed and nodded. People passing us gave us weird looks. "How's Art?" I heard myself say. He was silent for a moment.

Then he said, "He's alright.

I felt like he was hiding something, but I didn't want to ask anything extra, so choosing my words carefully, I asked, "Is he truly alright...?"

Zack replied, "Acting just like Karina. Adriana won't give him a break, constantly trying to be with him after her lessons." The nerve of that girl. No wonder everyone dislikes her. He must have noticed my worrisome expresstion, because Zack added, "Everything will be alright."

"If only I can believe that." I murmured. Zack didn't say anything, just a simple shrug. "Anyway," I said, "I must get going, mom will be looking for me. Are you gonna be here tomorrow?"

He nodded, "Yes, first thing."

He walked me to my house so any other reporters wouldn't bug me about their questions. And just like that, mom was outside watering the flowers. Like why. The forecast promised rain tonight anyways. She saw us approaching and her eyes grew wide when she saw Zacks tall muscular figure beside me. I quickly explained her why Zack is here and who he is. Giving a hesitant nod of agreement, I went inside while Zack and mom exchanged further words.

I fell on my bed, and sighed deeply. "God, I pray that they'll prove me innocent soon. You know that I didn't steal anything. Amen." I prayed out loud. I didn't think anyone heard me, since Jamie was most likely playing or taking a nap, and mom was still outside. Dad was somewhere on the road again. I said another small prayer so God will bless him on the road and prevent any accidents from happening.

I got a buzz from my phone. Expecting it to be Sam as always, I was surprised to see that it was Art's number.

Art: we need to talk asap. Meet me at the ice cream shop tomorrow at 7 am.

I think my heart just skipped a beat.