Mumbling fills my ears as I stand in line at the busy cafe, craving my morning caffeine high. It's not something I ever miss and here in Amaranthine it's a hidden gem. Ever since I started university here it's been my number one stop. The line eventually moves up and I feel the relief in my body, the closer to coffee, the better! I can already taste the sweet cream and my mouth drools at the thought.

The guy with a cap and shining silver hair orders in front of me, and before I know it, Marco, the shop owner, is refusing him a beverage.

"You okay Marco?" I ask him as I walk up to the counter.

"The gentlemen doesn't have his wallet on him and think we have a tab"

"Sir i could come back and pay later-" the silver haired man spoke, in an incredibly deep voice i was never expecting. It almost sent shivers down my spine.

"No! No pay later, pay now-" I interrupt Marco mid sentence.

"Marco, I'll pay for his drink"

You will?" They say in union, i laugh at the response

"It's no big deal, but add on my usual please will you?" I smile at Marco and he smiles enthusiastically, almost running to get my order in. Honestly, the quicker I get to coffee, the better. I'm losing function so the extra three Maras is worth it. Maras are our currency here.

"Thank you, you didn't have to do that" The silver-haired man speaks to me, and i have to tilt my head up to look at him.

"It's no bother really, and anyway, Marco wouldn't let you go without cash in his pocket" I smile.

Marco comes back to the counter with my large cream coffee, and a breakfast muffin. I hand him the cash to pay for mine and this random guy's drink, then bid farewell and leave.

I'm about to take my turn when the deep voice stops me in my path.

"May I walk with you?" he asks rather politely, which I wasn't expecting.

"Sure, you're going this way too?" he seems unsure but nods anyway

"I wanted to say thank you, for the coffee"

"It's cool, don't worry! I stop buy every weekday before university anyway"

"What is your major?" he takes a sip of his plain black coffee but keeping his eyes on me

"Last year of art, then just gotta figure it out from there" I take a sip of my coffee and take in the sweet flavour of cream. I feel my body relax at the hot liquid, it's probably an addiction at this point anyway.

"Are you on your way there now?"

"No, the museum, you?" I question him back

"The same"

That's odd, I'm sure my tutor said it was closed for our art finals today? The royal family are taking two in-house artists for the first time in 50 years, and want to do that by giving the opportunity to the new and rising artists in the realm.

"Are you in my class? I laugh as I raise my eyebrow.

"No, but.. I guess you could call me a helper today"

"Oh so like a server?" I ask before taking in a large amount of my coffee since the museum is coming closer into view. I practically inhale it.

"Yeah, you could say that" he smiles slightly, but not entirely.

We make it to the large steps that stand below the museum, the large wooden doors grandly sit open with a I.D clerk standing welcoming students and invited guests inside.

"I guess this is my stop, nice meeting you" I smile at him and turn to leave, but as i do he grabs my arm softly. His touch startles me and I look up to him in question.

"Sorry.. I never got your name.."

"Its Rose' but my friends call me Ross" I smile as i shoo his hand away from my arm. I might have bought you coffee sir but this arm? Mine. no touchy.

"Well, see you around"

"Yeah you too" i smile and turn away, throwing my cup into the nearest bin and walking up the museum stairs. I show my I.D to the clerk and walk in. I pick up a leaflet and walk around the gallery they've set up with mine and my classmates' work. We were assigned to do family portraits, which in my case I have none. So I was allowed to do myself.. Otherwise I'd be painting my cat mellow. As cute as the little devil is, we have no resemblance, hmm, maybe with a behead we do.

As I turn the corner I bump into someone's chest and drop my bag and leaflet in the process.

"Oh no, I'm so sorry! I apologise" before standing up and realising, the chest I smacked down was the crowned prince himself, Vincent Saber. My whole heart sinks to my ass, this isn't good. I pick up my things and before I open my mouth, the prince's bodyguard comes to his aid.

"Are you okay your highness, do you want me to kick her out?!" He sends me an evil glare like I just tripped up his grandmother.

"Calm down Simon, it was an accident" The prince told him flatly but not taking his eye from me.

"I'm so sorry, your highness" I bow my head, refusing to make eye contact, feeling my curled hair fall beside my ears tickling them.

"Raise your head" Prince Vincent speaks to me, his amethyst eyes sink into me as he stares at me rather intensely. How odd, he's rather.. Distant when I see him on TV. But then again, I didn't think he'd be this tall either, he's at least 6ft4. I push my hair back behind my ear on one side not really knowing what to do but he speaks again.

"Is your art on display here Miss Rose'?"

"Yes your highness it is, I hope your eyes find it pleasing" I smile to him politely

"It already is" my cheeks almost flush, has he already seen my piece? I guess that's how he knows my name, we have our photo and name on a silver plaque under the frame. A voice comes from behind his highness and whispers something into his ears before walking away.

"You should take your seat, we are starting. It was nice bumping into you"

"Again.. I'm sorry about that. I'll see you there" I bow my head a little again and make my way through the community halls to my seat. I look for the chair with my initials written on a piece of paper stuck to it and sit down. I take my coat off and fold it into my bag leaving my white knee cut flowing dress on show. Summer time in Amaranthine is killer but thankfully there's a slight breeze outside today. The presentation starts and it starts the same way it does every year, they talk about the units we have done, how we have improved our skill sets and eventually the speech about the future. My head mindlessly zones out until I hear the announcements of the King, Queen and their two sons. They walk onto the platform knowing their own stance by the telling of their walk and the Queen is first to speak into the microphone.

"Thank you all for coming today and letting us be witness to your fabulous talent. It took us a long time for a decision to be made. Myself and my husband took it upon ourselves to let our sons choose who our first in-house artists will be" she speaks with grace before The king takes his place to the mic.

"The last in-house artist that blessed our castle caused quite a commotion as I'm sure you are all aware. But in my last few years of reign before passing it over to my son Vincent, I would like to bring this old tradition back to life. We are greatly inspired by all of the work we've been shown, what an incredible decade of artists produced by this kingdom" we get indicated to clap before the queen and king take their stance at the side of the stage, and prince Vincent, with his brother Zane coming to the centre. The royal family really do have a strong bloodline, no matter who they marry, the Saber genetic is almost 99% there. Amethyst eyes and hair radiate like a bluebell flower, there's rumours that when a queen is pregnant they take blood from the king and inject her with it once a day to keep the colour strong and no impurities. Of course.. That's just rumours, plus they never look alike other than that. My thoughts get interrupted by the voice of Prince Zane.

"Both myself and my brother have different tastes in art, He's more of the old and traditional type and me, the new and modern. Maybe that's just the age gap" The seated guests laugh at his remark but his brother just raises his eyebrow slightly.

"So, it's the moment you've all been waiting for, please join us at the call of your name. Brother? Do you want to read the first one?" Zane looks to Vincent, and his brother nods.

"Mathew Spencer, congratulations" Prince Vincent calls with a spice of enthusiasm in his voice as he smiles and claps. I clap my hands along with the 60 other pairs in the room. Mathew, my classmate is great at what he does, incredibly quiet and wont talk unless spoken to. He has brown hair and chunky black glasses that fall under his fringe. He walks on stage and shakes the hands of many on the way up, eventually the royals too. He stands beside the brothers shyly cheesing.

"Our second in-house artist is the beautiful Rose' Taylor!" Prince Zane calls most excitedly.

What? Me? I feel overwhelming emotion all in one. I never for a second thought I'd be chosen, only for the fact I was the only one who never exactly did the given assignment.

"Rose'?"

Shit i haven't moved from my chair, I stand to smile and walk my way up to the stage. I shake the hands of the same Matthew did before coming in front of the king and queen.

"Congratulations Rose' it will be a pleasure to see you around the castle" the queen speaks and i smile at her in return and before the king can speak i'm practically dragged away by prince Zane. The room once again claps and between it prince Zane whispers into my ear.

"I meant what i said, you are beautiful"

I dont really give him a reaction, but as flattered as I am I don't feel like it's very appropriate. Prince Zane is known to be more of the rebel child, maybe because he has less responsibilities than his crowned brother. He is also the kingdom's womaniser, but I..don't feel womanised. Prince Zane and I are only a year apart, him still being a teen and my 21st birthday approaching he definitely worked on his reputation from a young age. As for Prince Vincent he isn't allowed to date, his arranged marriage will come soon enough i'm sure, He turns 25 this year which compared to his family is rather old to be wed.

I make my way behind the stage following Matthew and the royals, a server brings me my bag and I thank him before he scurries off again.

"It's nice to see you again" A deep voice speaks behind me, turning i see Prince Vincent

"Again? You know her brother?"

"We had quite the introduction this afternoon" Zane looks between his brother and myself, the flush tinting my cheeks from the embarrassment still held.

"Miss Taylor It will be interesting to have a young female around the castle grounds" Prince Zane speaks to me but my mouth just hangs slightly open.

"Brother don't be so perverted"

"What?" Prince zane laughs, and Prince Vincent begins to speak to Simon, his guard. Zane looks back at me.

"It's better than the old cooks"

"I'm sure it will be a pleasure, your highness" I smiled sweetly at him and tilted my head down.

Prince Zane doesn't seem to know what to do at this moment and eventually just smiles back before walking away to his Parents.

"I think thats the first time since he was a boy i've seen him unsure of himself" A security guard speaks to me from the doorway.

"I don't think Prince Zane is very.. Used to flattery not going his way" A questioning hits my voice.

"He wasn't always this way" he says before a voice comes from his security earpiece and he runs off. Apparently around the royal family, unless you're them, that's all you really do.

While I have a moment's peace and everyone around me busy in their own worlds, I grab my phone out of my bag. When my screen turns on a long line of missed calls and texts are missed by my best friend, I think the best option is to call her because there are literally over 100 texts there. I press call on my phone and call Immy, it takes only half a tone and before I know it her voice is on the other side.

"YOUR ON THE NEWS" she screams at me down the phone making me move the device away from my ear.

"What do you mean.. I'm on the news?" My voice comes out nervous, the thought of my face on tv? Terrible.

"They said you and some other guy are going to be living in the castle! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Immy I'm still with the royals" She goes silent for a second and then the line goes dead, immediately after two texts come through.

-Im SO sorry!! I will come over tonight to celebrate! So proud of you Rosie posie! But get your dancing heels on, we're going out!!x-

I let out a giggle at her message but in my disappointment I really just wanted to go home, put on some Pjs, order sushi and cuddle mellow.

"May you join me?" I lock my phone at the deep voice behind me and turn around

"Of course, where are we going?" I ask him, following his lead as he starts walking.

"You need to sign some papers"

Prince Vincent leads us into an office-like room in the back of the museum and pulls out a chair for me.

"Thank you but i can get my own chair"

"It's just courteously" he replies flatly. He sends Simon to guard the door outside and shuts it behind him, leaving it to be just the two of us. He takes a seat across from me and I put my bag on the floor and sit up as straight as I can in the chair. The rooms' bark wooden floors shine at my feet and the plainly papered walls surround us, with nothing more than the desk and these two chairs filling it. Prince Vincent pushes forward a small stack of papers and a pen towards me and I reach over to bring them onto my lap to read. I skim through the pages which i have already read before, we were given a draft in class a few weeks ago to know where our place would be. Rules, income, term, job role and holiday etc.. wait..

I look up to the prince.

"I have to move into the castle by this weekend? And give up my studio?"

"That would be the point of a inhouse artist, Miss Taylor" he stares at me, raising a brow as he does to me rather often.

"No, i understand but i thought i could still rent my studio"

"That's unnecessary, why rent a room for a few decades and not live there"

Ouch that was harsh, my little studio is great. Mr lived in a castle his whole life, Students generally aren't typically rich.

"Well, okay I guess but how will i get my things to the castle" I ask him picking up the pen

"Moving vans"

"Your highness, I don't mean to be rude saying this..but are you always this short?" His brow frowns at my question.

"Sorry, it's just please feel free to address me as my name and speak to me casually at any time you wish" I smile at him. I'm sure his social skills are a bit off considering his status and security precautions but these two liners are killing me.

"Your signature?" He points to the paper

"Oh.. right" I sign the dotted line, confirming anything I witness in the royal family's home and outing I will not put to the general public. Privacy basically. I slid the paper back to his highness.

"Is there anything else I need to be aware of before this weekend?" I ask the prince as politely as I can.

"A masquerade ball" he speaks, reading over the papers in his hands, licking his fingers as he goes.

"Your highness i don't think i have the attire for that" I go to Leonardos with Immy.. disco lights and drunk students don't involve a ball gown, just a black bodycon.

"I will arrange something" he says, rising to his feet and again, I follow. I grab my jacket from my bag sliding it back on before I leave the room. But like Deja vu' I smack right into his back as he pauses at the door. Okay now this time it was not my fault! But the smell of his aftershave potents my nose, slightly sweet, but very musky.

"I will see you this weekend, Rose'" I almost hear, almost a mockery in his flat voice and as he walks away I see Simon looking back to me every so often, a curious look in his eyes. I make my way out of the museum and begin my walk home to mellow, thankfully I have a few hours before Immy decides to drag my ass away from my comfy sofa and soaps.