Chapter 51 - Princess Catherine (1/2)

Running away was my plan after coming to the capital. I thought it was the only way I could come close to living the kind of life I would have back in my world.

It backfired on me horribly. While running away I met the man that proposed to me and would be marrying in less than 24 hours.

Al was still waiting expectantly for me to answer. I couldn't bear to lift my head and look at him but I could at least try to be somewhat honest.

”I wanted to be normal. Get a job. Fall in love. Have a family. Being a princess was never part of the plan.”

”…would you have fallen in love with me if I wasn't a prince? Once we leave Annalaias, I won't be one anymore. We'll just be Al and Katie.”

My head snapped up then. His expression was unfathomable so I had no idea what he was really thinking.

If I hadn't come here…if I had met Al back home…would I have fallen in love with him? The idea was preposterous.

For one, he never would have noticed the plain Katie Pullman. Plus he was lazy, childish, and had more mood swings than a teenage girl. No, I wouldn't have fallen in love with him.

”Why are you asking me this?”

Al gazed into the fire, brooding.

”No particular reason. But I…I couldn't bear it if you hate me after all is said and done. You are the most important person to me, Katie. Nothing else matters as long as you're happy and by my side.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to say that I could never stay with him because he was meant for someone else but I couldn't do it.

I had nothing else to say so we both ended up staring at the fire for a long time in silence.

The heat from the fire burned my eyes after a while and I had a hard time keeping them open. All thoughts had drained out of my head and I was warm and sleepy.

Al noticed when I started nodding off. He gave me a soft half smile before he scooped up my blanket-burrito-self in his arms.

”What're you doi—” I couldn't even finish my slurred sentence because I let out a big yawn.

”Carrying you to bed so your feet don't get cold on the stone floor. Be good. Tomorrow will be a long day for both of us,” he said gently.

Al crossed the room and delicately set me on the bed and tucked the covers around me.

I wanted to say thanks but it got cut off by another yawn. I think he knew what I meant though.

He smiled at me tiredly. ”Good night, Katie. Sleep well.”