"Look who's finally come back to her room which is where she should be sleeping in and not in a guy's room," Nessa said in a teasing tone.

"Nessa!" I hugged the bubbly girl. It seemed like I haven't been with her in a millennia.

"Ria!" I exclaimed and hugged her as well. She smiled and embraced me.

"You don't have cooties anywhere, do you?" She asked and I slapped her playfully on the shoulder.

"This came for you Clarissa. Go open it." Nessa gave me a hard bound yellow envelope.

I opened it eagerly and saw a red card. Written on it were familiar names and some not: Prince Levinnaeus, Prince Jarvis, Princess Ellaria, Princess Livana, Prince Keith Martolini, Prince Barthow Martolini, Vincent Bach.

"Wow, you've got a hell of teammates," Ria commented by my shoulder.

"Tell me about it. Who are they?" I asked, pointing at the unfamiliar names.

"Prince Keith and Prince Bart are twins from Turkey. They're buff and intimidate those who are in their way. I suggest you steer away from them."

I listened to this carefully. "Judging how that sounds, they might not even come when we meet up with everyone."

"That's true but they'll probably come on the last day, since they also want to win the competition and stuff," Nessa voiced her opinion.

I nodded grimly, she had a point.

"Who's Vincent Bach? His name sounds noble."

"I don't know, we also have a name unidentified in our card. It was Peter Ribbons," Nessa said.

Ria shrugged.

"Oh well we'll be seeing each other tomorrow anyway. I swear life's so busy here."

"But today's a weekend. We should totally have a girl's day. I have a lot to tell you guys!" Nessa suggested cheerfully.

I frowned. "I would love to Nessa, but I have somewhere important to go."

That early morning, Gavier tickled me almost to death, then after lots of coaxing, touching, and kissing, he suddenly looked at me solemnly.

"I decided I'll talk to her today. Come with me," he said and I nodded, understanding who's her immediately.

"Oh I see, that's sad. We'll do it next time."

"Definitely."

We said our goodbyes and I proceeded to get ready. I put on a blue summer dress and braided my hair. I decided looking like a lady once in a while wouldn't hurt.

I opened my door and was greeted by a sexy man named Gavier. He was wearing a blue polo shirt that accuanted his dark blue eyes.

"Look at us. We're matching," I teased.

He groaned. "If it's somebody else I' d be changing right now but I don't mind if it's you, only you," he said raspily and kissed my forehead.

"Of course you don't." I grinned at him cheekily and he pinched my cheek.

"Let's go now before I take you against your door."

I gasped, blushing. "You perve!" I hit him on his shoulder. He smiled as he took my hand in his and we walked to a limousine which had been waiting for us.

"You've prepared everything huh?"

"Of course. It's going to be a rough battle after all," he answered trying to lighten the mood but I could feel his uneasiness.

He's nervous.

A doorman opened the door for us and we went inside the dark car. He let go of my hand and I felt that he needed some comfort so I held it again.

"You can do this Gavier. I know you can," I said softly and cupped his cheek, making him look at me.

"I can do anything, only if you're with me," he countered, looking straight into my eyes.

This sweet Gavier will be the death of me.

He leaned forward and kissed me slowly and deeply. Before we know it the car had stopped and it was time to go.

He squeezed my hand hard as we entered his family's castle.

"It's been a while, your majesty." A manservant bowed to us respectfully.

"Yes it has Marco. I'm glad to see you well," Gavier told him and gave him a friendly pat on the back.

The man in his fifties glanced at me with a questioning look.

"She's with me," Gavier answered him.

"No matter how many times I blink my eyes, she doesn't seem to disappear." The old man looked baffled.

"Things happen."

I glared at Gavier at his reply and slapped him softly on his back.

"Don't make it sound like you knocked me up accidentally."

"Wouldn't that be more appealing?"

The old man chuckled. "Oh she's a keeper."

"Yes she is."

"Hello, I'm here and I feel left out."

Both men just laughed while I fumed.

Men. I rolled my eyes.

"The queen has been waiting for your arrival. Please proceed to the living room." The tone of the old man suddenly turned serious.

"Thanks Marco."

Gavier an I finally entered the living room. It was big, warm, and cozy. A red carpet was on the floor, a big chandelier on the ceiling, the walls covered with thick and floral wallpapers and paintings of fruits and portraits were everywhere. It was as if I had been transported in the middle ages.

Right there in the middle of the room sat queen Dianne, an uneasy smile plastered on her face.

She stood up. "Please sit down." She gestured with her hand.

A cast of darkness gloomed over Gavier's face and for the first time, I couldn't guess what's going on in his head. I squeezed his hand and led him to sit down.

"I'm glad you came as well Clarissa." She smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. He looked at Gavier with longing eyes. "Gavier." She sounded tired and wary.

Gavier diverted his gaze. "Just hurry up and say whatever you want to say. I'm busy."

"Of course," the queen agreed, a lone tear fell from her eye as she sniffled, "I can't believe you actually came. Thank you so much. I don't know how to start."

Gavier let go of my hand and glared at her while abruptly standing up. "Oh I know how to fucking start this. I'll never forgive you and I'll never treat you as my mother so stop trying. Nothing will change after this, I'll still hate you so much. You've done nothing but ruin our family," he raged on.

"Gavier!" I gasped at his hurtful words. I stood up before him. "Don't be so disrespectful, she's still a queen."

His eyes softened when his eyes landed on me. "Stay out of this Clarissa. Remember my shit is my fucking shit?"

"Remember your battles, my battles," I retorted and he closed his mouth.

"It's okay Clarissa, everything he's said about me was true." Queen Dianne held my arm. She blew her nose in a napkin before clearing her throat.

"I ruined our family and I'm damn trying to fix it now, and it would be fixed if you'll just stop giving me such a hard time Gavier!" Her tone snapped shocking me and Gavier.

She crossed her arms, glaring at her son. "Gavier, no matter how much you hate me, nothing will change the fact that you're still my fucking child and I'm still your fucking mother. We're flesh and blood which is why I can do this," she said fiercely then slapped Gavier hard who looked back at her, his mouth hanging open.

"You're being very disrespectful, this is not how the way I raised you. Did you think I wouldn't hear stories about you talking back to your professors? I had to beg them to give you another chance. And they told me that you were a troubled child and I dissed and fired them all because I know my son is not troubled. He is perfect. May be as stubborn as an ox but perfectly stubborn."

She huffed, looking sternly at Gavier. "And now you're saying you'll never forgive me? Just as I said, perfectly stubborn but guess what Gavier, I'm more stubborn than you! I'll keep asking for your forgiveness until my deathbed and even after that, I'll haunt you from hell. Do you fucking understand?!" Tears fell down from her face.

"When that incident happened, I was lost and depressed but then I realized I had already lost one, I don't want to lose another one."

Gavier's eyes were red, tears were at the edge of his eyes.

"I blamed myself and considered giving up my life but then thought about you and couldn't bring myself to do it for no child should live without a mother."

Tears fell down from Gavier's eyes and his mouth quivered.

"I'm sorry Gavier, I'm a terrible person. I'm sorry that I cannot be the mother that you wished for. I'm sorry I gave you a tormenting past. I'm so sorry that your sister had died and I'm sorry because it had been my fault. It's not your fault Gavier. It is not your burden to keep."

"And I'm mostly sorry right now because I'll be burdening you with another big problem. My life is in your hands. If you don't forgive me now, I'll end my life."

His eyes widened and I covered my mouth with my hand.

"But if you don't want that to happen then you must forgive this sinful mother of yours," she cried, sniffling, "and another request. . ." She looked at him with pleading eyes.

"Hug me."

Gavier strode forward and embraced her mother.

It was so beautiful I cried. I was bawling my eyes out when I felt eyes on me.

"What are you doing there? Come here crazy girl." The queen pulled me and I was engulfed in their warmth and love.

I don't think I'll ever forget this day. I saw Gavier cry for the first time and I saw his mother went from timid to full on aggressive.

I think I'm going to go crazy.