I dedicate this chapter to Prince George because it's his 2nd birthday today and he's also my favorite baby!

"How was your day?" I ask William as he sits down across from me for dinner.

"Same as always. Yours?" He asks. I shrug in reply.

"Did you try driving today?" He asks.

I nod. "Yeah. I did. I managed to drive for two minutes straight without having to brake." I have been practicing for one week now.

"That's a new record for you. Congratulations." He says, laughing.

The cooks bustle in and set down the various dishes and pots in front of us before bowing and leaving the way they had come in. The minute the door closes, his phone starts to ring. He holds up a hand in apology and he talks to whoevers calling.

In the meantime I help myself to food. I pile my plate with mashed potatoes and roasted chicken before starting to eat. I've eaten a whole chicken leg and two servings to potatoes when he sets down his phone on the table.

He seems lost in thought. So, I just leave him to it for a few minutes and continue eating, looking down at my plate. But when I look up again he's still staring at the same spot.

"Will?" I call him to attention.

His eyes move to me. "What?"

"Is everything okay?" I ask.

He sits up and starts putting things onto his plate. "Yeah. Why?"

"You just seemed so lost." I take a bite of my new chicken piece.

He sighs and says. "Sort of."

I think over a bite and then ask. "Can I help?"

He shrugs. "Remember the project that man asked me about at the conference?" I nod. "Well, it involves setting up good orphanages across Australia."

I stare at him and then ask softly. "You're setting up orphanages?"

"Yes, though dad was against it. He wanted me to expand the company but it's already so expanded. So, I decided to do something else." He replies.

I smile at him. "That's really wonderful of you."

"I believe that everyone deserves to be happy. Whether you have parents or not." He says to no one in particular.

"What are you worried about?" I ask him.

"It was Harrison on the phone and we'll be ready to open them in about three months. We're going to be holding this fundraising premiere in Sydney. It's quite a lot to think about."

I nod. "I'll just leave you to your thoughts then."

He shakes his head. "I just need time to sort this all out and I might not be here for a couple of days because I have to visit several sights across country."

"Oh!" I say as I finish eating.

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William left a couple of hours ago. Like he said he won't be back for three days. I'm eating breakfast when Mitchell rushes in and sets an envelope next to me on the table.

"What's this?" I ask her, picking it up and opening it.

"It came for you." She replies.

I open the envelope and pull out a fancy golden paper which looks like a pass or something. I read the first line.

Prince William would like your presence at a fundraising premiere for a cause which will be revealed upon your arrival. 

 I don't need to read anymore because I know what this means. It's my pass to that premiere William mentioned. I'm still holding the paper when my phone next to the plate starts to ring.

I check the caller ID. It's William. I press answer and hold it my ear.

"Hey!" I greet him.

"Hey! Did you get the pass?" He asks.

"Yeah, I did." I reply.

"Good. It's the pass to the premiere I mentioned." I was right! "And I won't be able to come back by that time."

"What? Why?" I ask.

"I have to stay in Sydney. There's some work that still needs to be taken care of. So, I'll see you when you get here." He tells me.

"That's fine. Take care of yourself, okay?"

"I will. Bye." He ends the call.

I put down the phone and look up to find Mitchell gone. I pour myself some more juice and have taken only one sip when she rushes back in, this time with loads of folders and papers in her arms.

"Woah! What's the hurry?" I ask her.

She sounds out of breath. "Harrison just called to tell me that you'll be attending a premiere and since it's going to be your first one, there is so much work to do!"

I sigh. "Mitchell, calm down. It's just a premiere."

"Just a premiere? Cassandra, it's not like you're going to the movies in sweatpants and a t-shirt. There will be celebrities and important people. You have to be prepared for all the cameras and press. You need to buy an appropriate dress. There's so much to do!"

I stare at her in disbelief. "Now that you put it that way, it does seem like a lot to do."

"Good!" She exclaims.

"What's first?" I ask her.

----------------------

"You have to be alert and ready to act at the moment."

It's evening and Mitchell and I are in her office talking about my public image. I'm perched on her table while she paces the room as if she's the one who has to deal with thousands of people in three days.

"And how do I say alert?" I ask her.

"By alert I do not mean that you should march around like a soldier but just that you should be awake at all times." She replies.

"Okay. But how do I know what awaits me?"

"Imagine that you're standing outside the cinema before Sir William have revealed what the premiere's being held for."

I close my tightly for a few seconds and then open again. "Done!"

"What is the premiere being held for?" Mitchell, asks pulling out a paper and a pen.

"Huh?" I ask, confused.

"I'm speaking as an interviewer." She replies still looking down.

"What am I supposed to say?"

"Since you're the prince's wife, you're expected to say what he said." She replies.

I groan. "None of this is making any sense to me!"

"Fine. Then let's talk about your appearance." She suggests.

"Appearance?"

"Your dress, make up, jewelry, shoes etc. etc. I suggest that we get you an appointment with some of the best dressers in the world and see what magic they can do with you." She says.

"Magic they can work on me?"

"You have the looks of a commoner, you need to look more like a royal and in my opinion act like one too. And if you ask me you should try dressing more like one too. You must be an utter embarrassment for the prince."

This makes me burst.

"Who do you think are to comment on my looks and the way I dress?! If my husband doesn't have a problem with me dressing like this then who are you to hate it?!"

I march over to the door and pull it open with such a force that it bangs against the wall, loudly. I storm out but turn around at the last minute.

"You know you would've been perfect as Thalia's assistant but I can't work with someone as shallow as you!"

I run to my room and lock the door.

Is what she said true? Does everyone think of me like she does? Did I ruin Will's reputation while I tried acting as myself?

A million thoughts rush through my head as tears pour down my face.

After five minutes, I'm seated on the bed's edge with my eyes all red and swollen from crying. Sniffing, I run a hand through my hair. At the exact moment my phone starts to ring.

"Hey!" I try to sound normal.

"Are you crying?" Despite my attempt at stopping my tears, I start crying again. I put the phone on speaker and stand up.

"No. I'm fine." I tell him.

William sighs. "You can tell me what's bothering you."

I shake my head and press my lips together. "It's nothing. I'm just being stupid."

"Hey! The Cassandra I know doesn't cry over nothing." He says.

I sit back down. "Do you think of me as an embarrassment?"

"What? Why would you think that?" He exclaims.

I sniff. "It's just something that someone told me. Is it true?"

"Cassy, listen to me. Thinking of you as an embarrassment would be the last thing I ever think of. In fact you're the best thing that has ever happened to me in my like. Just don't ever think that."

A weak smile appears on my face and relief fills me.

"By the way, who said that?" He asks.

"Will, it's not important." I start to say but he cuts in. "If someone thinks that they can say that to you and get away then they're sadly mistaken. Tell me who is it."

I sigh. "Mitchell."

"Bitch." I hear him mutter which only broadens my smile and a little laugh escapes my mouth. I wipe away the tears

"Can you do me a favor?" He asks.

I sit up. "Yes, anything."

"Tell Mitchell that she's fired and she can leave." He says. I stare at the phone for a few minutes and then stutter. "Wi...Will. What are you saying?"

"Like I said, no one is going to get away with that."

"But I have to be in Sydney in three days! And I have no idea what to do or how to." I tell him.

"Most of the important people in the palace can help you with that." He says.

"Can you be more specific?" I ask.

"Can you do me another favor?" He asks.

"Sure as long as it doesn't involve anyone looing their job." I reply.

"What do you think of Helen?" He asks me.

"She's a great woman." I reply, truthfully.

"Then tell her that she's your new assistant and you can appoint a new housemaid head after we get back from Sydney."

I've written the next four chapters.

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