Chapter 1

"You can't leave Victoria, this is your home! Please let's talk about this." My father pleaded as I dragged my luggage down the stairs. He was completely chaotic about me leaving but my mom...my mom was indifferent. 

"Oh please Christian, let her go. She'll come right back as soon as she blows through her bank account. Feel free to take your leave Victoria, you always could run from every situation you find yourself in." She stood there with her perfectly tailored pantsuit and pearls and neatly packed hair. My family was the definition of prestigious and elite. We had been Danish nobles for centuries. So it's no surprise that my mom's a cold-hearted witch.

"Don't say that Isabella!" He said sternly to her and turned back to me. "Don't leave baby, we can talk about this. "

"I'm sorry Dad but I need to get away from everything ...and her," I said glaring at my mom.

"You're nothing like your sister! At least Freja knew when to listen to me because I knew what was best for her. But look at you, constantly running away from the truth. How many more countries do you have to exhaust before you realize that you'll always end up back here?!"

"Yes Mom, I'm nothing like Freja because I haven't let you control every part of my life! You constantly manipulated her and look at her now, unhappily married to that crazy man simply because you couldn't listen to her and truly understand what she wanted! You turned my sweet sister into someone different simply because she can't stand the reality anymore. I refuse to let you do that to me! You've made me a pawn in your political games and I'm choosing to end that right now. " I walked to the door and turned back to face her. "I may have done this before and returned but believe me when I say, this is the last time you're going to see me for a very long time. Bye, Dad."

"You'll come back. You always do." She said as she sipped her tea. I turned and walked towards the car. Leaving Denmark was hard for me, I loved this place but a fresh start is just what I need and I am going to get it.

I landed in England and went straight to my apartment. I always visited England but it was never permanent, although I had a permanent residence. Thanks to housekeeping, all I had to do was unpack. It took me a few hours to actually arrange everything in the right places but as soon as I got it done, I got into bed and gave my sister a call.

"Hey, Tori!" She squealed excitedly over the phone. 

"Hey, Freja. You seem oddly happy, what's going on?" I asked as I opened my laptop and waited for it to boot.

"Well, my "husband" just told me that he's leaving town for a few months! Isn't that amazing!" I laughed at the irony of her words.

"Other wives would be saddened by that fact but not you." 

"And other good kids don't just up and leave their home because of a small fight with mom but here we are." She said laughing.

"No fight with mom is ever a small fight, you know that. And I didn't up and leave, I simply moved out."

"Yeah, to another country!" She said exclaiming over the phone.

"Please, Mom has already given me the 'I'm so disappointed' speech. "

"I'm not disappointed, I'm impressed. You dared to stand up to Duchess Isabella, now you don't see that every day. How did I miss that?"

"Because you were busy, Countess Freja. "

"But how are you holding up? How are your finances looking?" I gave a tiring sigh.

"I'm holding up just fine and my finances are looking good. You have nothing to worry about and besides, if I ever need money, I could always call the sister who's married to a billionaire. " She let out a laugh.

"Of course. Well, I had to give you a call after Mom called and ranted for hours. I'm glad you're holding up ok and if you ever need anything and I mean anything, give big sis a call." 

"It's just a two-year gap but sure. Look, I have a lot to do tomorrow morning so I should probably get a little sleep in."

"Alright, night night."

"Love you." I smiled as she hung up. I could always talk to her about anything and she always knew the right thing to say. I gave my dad a quick video call to show him how everything was going and he was still sad that I had left but happy that I was settling in well. As for my mom, I really couldn't care less. 

I drifted to sleep while typing away on my laptop but I was rudely awakened by the sound of music blasting through the next-door walls. I tried to cover my ears using my pillow but it just got worse. I thought England was more civilized, this is something I've only experienced in the States! I tried to keep my cool but it only got worse each time. I got up and changed into black jeans and a simple top and marched over there. It was a full-blown party!!! At 12:03 in the morning!!!! The place was flooded with people. This would normally be my scene but not today, I'm way too tired. 

I made my way through the crowd until I got to the most sober-looking person in the room. I gave her a light tap on the shoulder and she turned to face me with this big smile.

"Hi! I'm Camille!" She yelled over the loud music. She gave me her hand and I took it.

"Hi! I'm Tori! I just moved in next door!"

"Huh! I'm guessing you came to make a noise complaint! Go down the hallway, when you enter the door at the bottom of the hall, you'll see your guy!"

"Thanks!" I left and started walking towards the room, trying my best to ignore the thousands of people making out against the walls. When I got to the room, I gave a light knock on the door and it opened. I stepped in slowly looking around for anyone. 

"Hello!" I said as I checked around the room for anyone. There was no reply but I was sure that someone else was in there with me. I stepped towards the balcony to check and the room door was suddenly shut. Somehow, I wasn't bothered. I slowly walked over to the door and then I felt someone standing behind me. I released the door knob and slowly turned to face this rock-fit-looking guy. The room was dark but I could still see all his features...well, most of it. He was fit and tall, maybe 6"1 and he had finely trimmed hair.

"I might be drunk but not drunk enough to forget a face and I don't know this face. So who are you? What are you doing in my house and what are you doing in my room?" He asked, arms folded and nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist.

"I'm your neighbour and I'm here because your party is interrupting my attempt to get a good night's rest," I said with a fake smile.

"Well, there are over 40 people at this party, you don't seriously expect me to ruin their night just so you could be happy."

"Do they live here?"

"No, but I do and you don't seriously expect me to ruin my night for someone I just met." He said with more annoyance in his voice. I put my face in my palms and cursed a few times under my breath before turning back to him.

"I could've called the cops."

"You could've, but you didn't and you won't. And let's say you do, you'll have a good time being a joke."

"That's no way to speak to a lady and you know that George." I turned to see the most handsome stranger standing behind me. He was looking between George and me intensely. 

"She started it," George said like a child.

"I don't care who started it, you don't talk to women like that. Now, apologize. "

"Fine. I'm sorry." I stared at these two men in shock. They looked like age mates and this stranger commanded him.

"I'm sorry miss, we'll turn the music down. " He said with a charming smile. I suddenly felt all my anger wash away and a smile appeared. A genuine one at that.

"Thank you. You're the second nicest person I've met since I entered this place, now I'm wondering how this rude one has two nice friends, and yet, he's so mean." I said overlooking the stranger and staring a hole through George. 

"Ignore him." The stranger said. "He's had a lot to drink tonight. But you came all the way here to complain about the music just so you can get a good night's rest, well you can go home and have that."

"Thank you. I'm Tori by the way." I said extending my hand for a shake. Instead, he took it and gave it a small kiss.

"I'm Arthur"