The Prince has a Secret Girlfriend (Part 7)

I don't know how long I stood there outside Henry's Study debating with myself on whether to knock or not. I don't even know if he is inside. I feel so nervous and worried. What if he gets mad at me because of that stint I did with my impromptu dance. I turn around and was about to go back to my own room when mr. Reniel put out his hand to knock on the door.

Knock! Knock! "Young master may I come in?" Mr. Reniel Spoke up with me just right behind him.

"Yes Reniel, you may come in."

Then I heard that familiar voice and as much as I hate to admit it but I know I have been missing lately the sound of his voice. As Mr. Reniel opened the door to Henry's study, there he was sitting by his desk busy with some paper works. He looks tired and stressed out, it looked like he didn't get any sleep for the past few days. His schedule with Lord Archer must be so hectic for him to look like this. But even if he looks tired he still looked regal and handsome. Are my eyes deceiving me or is it just that he really was this handsome before? While I was drooling over him in my thoughts he noticed me behind Mr. Reniel.

"Is there anything I can do for you Christie?"

He spoke to me without a hint of joy just plain business type of tone. He must still be angry with me. I wish he would just be straight forward with me then again I wish I could also be straight forward with him as well. This is a not so great start in this relationship, if it could be called a relationship.

I entered the room as Mr. Reniel was going out and he closed the door behind me and left Henry and I alone at his study.

"So what can I do for you?" He asks again

"I. . .I was just wondering if I could get your permission." I sheepishly speak to him

"Permission for?" He raises his right brow as he looks at me.

"I need to go outside of Graceland with Anthony and since your my guardian for now, I need your permission." I bravely spout.

"I see, so you need my permission to go out with Anthony on a date?" He mockingly states at me.

The irony of the situation of course did not escape me but I was trapped under the promise of honoring my word and if I broke my word then I would inevitably end up like grandpa. I wanted to explain that Antony insisted and that this was the only way to convince him that I was not interested in him. Although I don't think that Henry will believe me after that incident with the impromptu dance. I know I have made a mistake.

"I. . . I know what you think of me but . . ." I couldn't finish what I was supposed to say when Henry cut me off.

"It doesn't matter, I know now that you were never serious with me to begin with even after I had whole heartedly given you my truth, you chose to hurt me. I know that this relationship was for convenience's sake so that I don't ruin your reputation. You don't have to worry about everything. I am keeping my lips sealed about you. You can go and enjoy yourself and be with other men, who am I to stop you." He mockingly said.

This was the first time Henry and I talked since he left and now he is spouting such hurtful accusations, but I can't blame him it does look like it, like how he described. Maybe I should let him go even though I have begun to taste the first blossoms of love in my heart. I cannot undo what has been done but I can take responsibility.

He slips the pass on the table towards me and not breaking eye contact with me. I take it and looked at him as I try hard to reign in my tears.

"It was for convenience, you're right that was selfish of me. You should not be bound to me when nothing has happened and I trust that you will keep your word. Then there is nothing left to do but to break things off properly. I, Christienne Nicollete Lascelles-Miller set you free from our bounded agreement hence forth you are not bound to me anymore and are therefore you are free." A single solitary tear has fallen now from my eye but I turn around quickly to avoid his gaze. This is the right thing to do since rumor has it that he is about to be engaged with someone else. Then I cannot lay claim on him but I will be his even if its just one sided.

I heard him stand up from his desk but I was already out the door and already walking out to the hallway and I was walking out into the garden when he started to follow me but then Mr. Reniel stopped him by the door as he had something to discuss with the young master of the house who has been gone for quite some time. I look back at the two of them and smiled even though tears were bound to fall then I left to meet with Anthony.

I was dazed walking towards the studio to get the disguises Anthony borrowed for me. This is crazy, this was my first heart break. It's funny 'cause I was the one who broke things off. I must be crazy? Why do women in love do crazy things? Why did things have to be this messed up? Well all I can say is that maybe this was the right thing to do. If I only hurt him then I should just release him, I don't want to be selfish. I was supposed to go on this date to confess that I was bound to someone else but now I guess I don't know now but all I am certain is that I don't want to be anywhere near Henry or the Archer Manor right now. I

I found Anthony waiting for me by the studio door with a paper bag on his hand.

"Hi! Here are the costumes I promised. (He hands the paper bag to Christie) I also have the passes we needed. Did you get Henry's permission?" Anthony asks innocently.

"Uhmm. . . Yes I did."

"Okay, you can go put this on of you still need to?"

I take the paper bag and went into one of the changing rooms. Inside the paper bag was a long wavy blonde wig and a sun dress. I think I can make this work. I put on the blonde wig and the dress, it went well with the sneakers I was wearing. So I put my regular clothes inside the bag and left it inside one of the lockers. I take a look at myself in the standing mirror and I was surprised, I look good as a blonde. I kind of resemble Amelia, well except for the eye color we do look a little alike. I walk out to where Anthony was and he was even more surprised than me.

"Hey! You look good but I have to say, you kind of look like Amelia." He takes a turn around me.

"I think so too, huh! I wonder why I look like her and only realized it now."

"Well, we best get going. I have a full day planned for us today." Anthony beckons.

Graceland Academy is located in the outskirts of the capital city of Astoria, Cloches which in french means bells. The history of where the capital city got its name was from when my great great, great, great grandfather at that time Lord Fredrick used bells to help confuse the enemies of Astoria and he led his men to victory against the conquering nations thus they named him King of Astoria and his blood line has been the successors of the Kingdom of Astoria.

Anthony and I rode on a bus because the only way to come and go is either by a bus or by your own private vehicle and although Anthony was rich he did not want me to feel awkward and he also wanted to try and ride the bus. It was a fun bus ride him and me sitting side by side and our shoulders touching. I can tell that he was blushing when I looked at his reflection on the window of the bus though it was a short lived romantic moment for him because the ride only took 30 minutes and we were dropped of on the station. It was the first time since I came back to Astoria that I have had the pleasure of seeing the city. This was the country that my father's father and his father and so on had been given to rule. It was a marvelous city.

"Okay, I know you came from abroad and this might be the first time you are seeing Cloches the capital of Astoria, my little lady let me be your tour guide on this merry date." Anthony motioned as if to be a perfect gentleman.

"Well then good sir lead the way." I curtsey.

He took me to see the Astorian Aquarium which was near the station, the aquarium had the different species of marine life that could be seen on the coasts of Astoria. I was most fascinated with the sharks especially the Oceanic Whitetip Shark. The one in the Aquarium was still juvenile but this Shark was so memorable because it was in the coat of arms of my great grand father Lord Fredrick and of my father. It symbolized the reign of our family in Astoria.

After our tour of the Aquarium, Anthony brought me to a quaint family restaurant for lunch. Every now and then I would get people stopping and looking intently on us. Some would be whispering and then point at Anthony and me. I was beginning to get nervous because Nana had been so adamant in warning me that I was not safe outside of Gracceland. We took a cab and entered a mall where we were going to see a movie that was just about to be released today. I can't remember when was the last time I saw a proper movie, oh wait I haven't been into cinemas because it was a security hazard and Nana would not like it. Again while we were lining up for the movie there were people staring at me. I know no one recognizes me because I haven't been to Astoria until the day of the Opening Ceremony of Graceland Academy and when I arrived at the airport I was taken immediately to the school by the Academy's special transport. So why am I getting looks from random strangers. Hmmm.. beats me.

The movie went by but I didn't pay much attention, all I could think of was Henry. I really didn't want to part ways like that but what can I do? I don't want to tie him down to me when clearly he was for another person and yet something at the back of my head is saying that I shouldn't give up that easy. Where was the strong and bullheaded Christie now? Sigh! I am as conflicted as ever. But I already renounced our relationship, is there anything more I can do? The movie ended and I didn't even get to enjoy it but Anthony seemed to enjoy it. It was an RPG (Role Playing Game) inspired movie afterall and Anthony is a big gamer.

It was about to get dark and Anthony insisted that it would be the perfect ending to our pretend day if we watched the sunset by the famous Astorian view point. He also promised that we would be back in Graceland after the sunset and that he would even send for their family car to make sure that we make it back on time. So I agreed. But things did not go as he planned. As we were making our way to the view point we were followed by some men who were wearing ski masks and their eyes were the only thing visible to us. These men blocked our way.

"Hey little lady! Are you Amelia Reinhard?" The first man in a mask asked.

"Uhmm. . . No. I am Christie Miller." I nervously answer the masked man.

"Well do you denny that this is you?" The masked man continued.

He showed us a picture of Amelia in a dress and I did looked exactly like her. But what do they need from her? Anthony steps forward and protects me from them but he could not defeat four huge and well built men.

"You're coming with us girly." One of the masked men grabbed me and the others were dealing with Anthony. They pushed him hard to the ground and he fell hurting his right hand.