"The amulet is gone, Luke. I can't find it." The prince panicked.
"This is not good. Have any idea where you think you might have lost it?"
Prince Edward shook his head. "I can't remember. I thought I had it with me all through."
"Do you think it might have fallen when you and Phoebe crashed into each other?"
Prince Edward thought but he wasn't sure. "I don't know, Luke."
Lucas could see he was panicking so he went and cajoled him. "We will search for it tomorrow but right now, we both need to get enough sleep. We have a lot to do tomorrow."
"How can I sleep when..."
"I told you we'll look for it tomorrow. I promise."
The Prince finally agreed to get some sleep and deal with the problem tomorrow. Although it took him a long time before he could go to bed.
Phoebe was in the room with Chad and Gwen. They placed her on a hot seat where she had to answer all their questions. She saw this coming and she was prepared to lie to them but she had to make sure she tells the guys about it tomorrow so they will be able to play along as well.
"I told you, I met them six months ago." She said for the twentieth time.
"Where did you meet them? Did you meet them as a group or was it that you met one first and the other introduced you to the other?"
Phoebe almost laughed at the question but she knew if she did, Chad would be mad at her.
"I have no issue that they are here or that you knew them but... Why would you keep such a thing from me? Do you know how long I've been waiting for handsome guys like that to just appear in front of me?"
"Well, I've made your imagination come true."
"Have you girls lost it?" Chad asked and the two girls kept quiet.
"She just said they are friends, let it be. Don't you think you are overreacting?" Gwen asked.
"I am overreacting?" Chad asked in disbelief. He turned to face Phoebe and said, "If I find out that this is nothing but a lie, just know it's over." He stood up and left them. Phoebe called him several times but he didn't turn back and went to bed.
Phoebe bowed her head in defeat. "I wasn't expecting this."
"Leave him alone. It is obvious he is jealous."
"Jealous of what?"
"You are too young to understand."
"I am eighteen."
"Does that mean you're old?"
"enough to understand, yes," Phoebe answered and they both laughed.
"Tell me how you met them the first time."
Phoebe coughed. She was just meeting them for the first time today, how was she going to make it sound and seem like she has known them for six months? She thought and she just had to sugar coat every word. "So I met Damian first, it was at the park. I was thinking of how my eighteen birthday would turn out when he came to me. He was nice to me and he promised to be present on my eighteenth birthday but he didn't show up."
"So what bout Erik?"
"Erik?" She was already detesting the guy so she tried to make it seem she and Erik weren't close to each other. "I met him one afternoon when I wanted to get things for mom. He was rude to me and honestly, I don't like him. I was shocked today when I found out he and Damian knew each other."
"I like Erik more though." She winked at Phoebe.
"What about Chad?" Phoebe asked but she didn't answer and went to bed. "Come on, you will choose Erik over Chad?"
"Yeah, if only Chad is ready to reciprocate the feelings. Goodnight! Remember we'll be helping them to get a house."
"You go, I am not going anywhere," Phoebe answered and went to bed too.
"We'll find out if you will go or not."
"I am not going, Gwen. You will do this on your own."
"We will just have to see."
Phoebe waited for Gwen to sleep before she brought out her amulet. She was still shocked at what happened earlier today when she touched it. She didn't want to go with them tomorrow because she wanted to ask Claudia some questions and she wanted to do that when no one is home. "I guess I will find out what you are." She wore it around her neck and went back to sleep.
~~~
Chloe was having an argument with Xenia based on who Lucas likes more. She even caught the attention of the guards and other maidens. "No matter what you do, Xenia, you'd never win his heart."
"I don't understand why you are pushing this matter too far, I mean, don't you believe you could win his heart?"
Chloe looked surprised at her answer.
"If you know you are capable of winning Lucas' heart, you won't be causing nuisance and ranting but obviously, you don't have what it takes and that's why you see me as a threat and a rival but the truth is that Lucas can never fall in love with you."
"What did you say?" Before Xenia knew what was up, a slap landed on her face. Without wasting much time, Xenia slapped her back.
"I warned you not to lay your hands on me. I don't throw myself around guys as you do. How many guys has it been, uh? Do you want me to say it?" Chloe didn't say anything but was rubbing her cheek which had turned red. "Next time you double cross me in this palace, believe me, Chloe, you'd wish you never met me." and she left.
Everyone looked at Chloe. Some laughed, others commented on who was more savage, and others talked about who was right or wrong.
"What are you all waiting for? Get lost!" Chloe pursued them all and this made them make fun of her.
"I think you'd never get married with this attitude of yours." one of the guards said but Chloe rolled her eyes at him and left. "I will make sure you pay for humiliating me, Xenia. The battle line has been drawn."
Author's Note
1. Who do you think Lucas would fall in love with?
Chloe, Xenia, Gwen, or Phoebe
2. Who do you want him to fall in love with?