I moved to Dan to whisper something to him. "What is this all about?" I asked. Dan seemed nervous when he looked at me. I thought for sure that he would shake his head and move away while not answering my question, but he didn't, which I was thankful for.

Dan leaned down and whispered lowly in my ears. "Nate and his parents...they don't get along well."

Don't get along? I guess that’s what all the awkward tension is about. But is it really that bad?

I wanted to ask Dan more but servants came and ushered us away to our rooms. I looked hesitant at Dan, but he nodded at me to go. "What about you guys?" I asked.

"We'll stay here and talk with them for a while." Ren gestured at Adan and Nate. They were probably gonna talk about something and they don't want me around to hear it. This must be their way of telling me without hurting my feelings - either way, I don't really mind.

With a nod, I followed the maid. She led me to the second floor where the guest room is. She ushered me inside one of the vacant rooms. As soon as I entered, I immediately doubted that it was a guest room. Inside the room, you can see a nice red carpet, little expensive-looking chandeliers, a queen-sized bed made of mahogany, a side table, a coffee table, and a dresser.
Yeah, the guest room my butt. I think this is a princess's room! Boy, they sure don't save their money beautifying their palace.

As I entered the room, several maids followed me. I nodded my thanks and told them to leave because I wanted to take a shower. One of the maids quickly handed me a clean dress to change. I thanked her as she placed it on the bed.

"Princess, I brought you some food." One of the maids said. In response, my stomach grumbled, remembering that we haven't eaten at all since morning.

I glance at them. "Have the others eaten?"

"They have." She confirmed.

I nodded and started looking at my food. Well, at least I won't feel guilty about eating without them. I started nibbling on my food, but once I started to eat, I hadn't realized that I was already wolfing it all down. I guess I was pretty hungry after all.

When I was done eating, one of the maids started to thug my dress off.

"What the?!" I gasped and moved away from her.

"Princess, allow us to assist you in cleaning up." Said one of the maids. Hey, isn't there just one maid a while back?

With my hands wrapped around me, I told her. "U-Um....I can handle myself just fine. Thank you. You can leave." I still feel uncomfortable with the maids in Thalia. I don't need the maids here to undress me too. They exchanged glances at each other as if hesitating before looking at me; still not leaving. I sighed.

"Seriously, I can handle myself. I'm an independent woman - err - princess. You can leave now. Thank you very much."

My words must have finally convinced them because they started to leave after that. Well finally!! Now that I was alone, I started to head towards the bathroom. Once I got there and started to look at the white and gold tiles, a large bathtub filled with rose petals, large mirrors, and the chandelier, I started to wonder again if this is, in fact, a guest room. Like seriously!?

Once I finished cleaning up, which took longer than I planned because the scent in the tub made me relax a bit, I started to change into the 'simple' white dress. Well, the upper part was plain with the strapless sweetheart tube. The bottom part was what made it..well, 'not simple' as I call it.

Starting from the hem of the dress, shiny diamond-like beads decorated the bottom part and went up until it almost faded at the top. Kind of like an ombre design. But despite the design of the dress, it was actually comfortable to wear. I started to lay down on the bed. Enjoying the feeling as I sunk into the mattress. I hugged one of the pillows and started to doze off. Getting back at the lack of sleep last night from sleeping out on the ground.

I awoke at the sound of knocking. I had a dreamless dream as if I haven't slept at all, but I knew that I slept because of the darkening sky outside. I got up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I looked around me to an unfamiliar setting until I remembered that I wasn't in Thalia anymore. I was in Vertez and their so-called 'guest room'.

"Come in," I said.

"Are you decent?" Nate's head poked in, his hands covering his eyes. It might have been a thoughtful gesture if it wasn't for the gap on his fingers as he peaked.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I'm in Vertez, Nate. Your home to be exact. You think I'm that careless?"

"Touché." He leaned against the wall and looked at me. "Fix your hair, love. We're about to have dinner with the king and queen, a.k.a my mom and dad. And you're very lucky, for I will escort you."

Hearing him say the king and queen, I suddenly remembered Dan telling me that Nate and his parents were not getting along. Feeling sad and nervous at what I'm going to say, I started to purse my lips, making Nate laugh. "What?" He said, completely oblivious to what I'm thinking. "Don't tell me you need help with your hair." I didn't move. Nate seemed to take that as a yes for an amused look flashed on his face as he made his way to me. He grabbed my hand and hauled me up, leading me to the dresser and making me sit.

"Here." He handed me a hairbrush and I took it. "Brush your hair."

"I thought you were gonna brush my hair?"

Nate chuckled. "You don't want me touching your hair, Rose. That I can promise you. Now hurry up. We don't want to keep them waiting." With a sigh, I brushed my hair as fast as I could. Detangling the ends and parting them at the side before patting them flat.

Nate nodded in approach and he offered me his arm and led the way out of the room and into the dining area.

The dining area was almost similar to Thalia, except that it was smaller and it had different designs. But they still have the usual long table but this time, the edges of the tables were curved.

I saw Ace, Ren, and Dan sitting together on one side. A man with red hair like Nate's sat at the father's seat. He doesn't look old. He looks about 30 or something, but I suspect that he's probably around 40 because of the way he acts and moves. Sitting beside the king is a woman with blonde hair. She's really pretty with her blonde hair, like Adam's, tied into a neat and tight bun showing off her perfect long neck. Her eyes were a pretty shade of blue so it was a shame that none of the siblings inherited it. Like the king, she looks about 30 but is probably older.

As we entered, Nate stopped just beside the queen as he introduced me. "Mom, Dad, I would like you to meet Princess Rosalie Amber Stan from the Kingdom of Thalia. Rose, meet King Rafael Denver and Queen Anya Denver, the rulers of Vertez."

"Nice to meet you." I greeted and curtsied.

I saw the King and Queen smiling at me and nodded. Anya, the queen, gestured for me to sit. "Nice meeting you too, dear."

I told her my thanks as Nate led me to a chair beside him. He was in between me and Adam, who sat beside the queen and I was more than happy at the distance.

"Nathaniel, what brings you here back in Vertez?" The king asked and for some reason, I started to feel nervous. It sounded like the king wasn't too happy about us being here. That or it was just Nate being here.

Whether Nate noticed it or not, he didn't react. "It's just for the night, father. Don't worry. We'll be leaving soon."

Okay, I have a feeling that this doesn't sound good. I looked up in front of me to see Ren. Beside him was Dan and then Ace. ‘Shhh. Don't say anything unless you are asked.’ Ren spoke in my mind.

"I heard that you'll be needing supplies for your trip?" Anya asked, not looking up from her plate as she continued to eat.

"Yes."

"Hmm." Well, this is getting awkward. With the tension in the air, it seems impossible to eat, but I still forced some food down my throat.

"Princess Rosalie, I presume?" Hearing Rafael, the king, say my name I tensed up but quickly regained myself.

"Yes, your highness." I gave her a small smile.

"Beautiful name. Is it true that you are a foreigner?"

"Yes, your highness." It seems like it was the only words that I could mutter.

"Smart girl you are. You already know how to address a king properly." Rafael complimented me.

"Indeed." Anya agreed. "Not to mention she's pretty too. Tell me, you don't have any....problems living in a kingdom with five princes now, don't you?" When she said 'problems' her eyes darted to Nate for a second. It left an uneasy feeling in my gut. When Dan said that Nate and his parents don't get along, I didn't expect that it would be to the extent that they would try to embarrass him like this.

But despite my anger, I didn't show it as I kept a straight face and said, "No, your grace." My hands were gripping my utensils tightly.

"Good." She said. The way she was talking to me was more motherly compared to the way she was talking to Nate. Actually, both the parents are and it made my blood boil. How could they just show their anger towards him like that? Especially when we are eating and especially with his friends?

The king then looked at Ace. "Prince Ace, it was been a while since you and your family came to visit." Said the king.

I give my compliments to Ace for keeping a straight and expressionless face as he spoke to the king. "It is, your highness."

"How is Tordis? Are Klaus and Sierra doing well? What of your siblings?"

"Tordis is doing great. Our shipments have increased since the last month or two. My mother and father are also doing well. Father got sick a while back but he's doing great thanks to my mother's healing abilities. Eltur, as the future king of Tordis, is already training and helping my father with his works. Darem, last time I heard, is training for hand-to-hand combat. As for Nora, she just started dancing lessons before I left."

"How would you know all of that?"

"I do paperwork back home and at Thalia. I also do some reading on papers regarding my kingdom when I have my free time."

"Very good. You're a smart boy, Prince Ace. You'll make a fine king someday." Said the king. "I hope our son could be more like you one day. And I don't mean Adam."

Okay, seriously that was pretty out of the line. I literally wanna punch the king. Who knew Nate has....unusual parents. No wonder he was acting all weird coming here.

Ace frowned. "Prince Nathaniel and I are two different individuals. Naturally, we have different ways of handling things."

"Still," continued Rafael. "It would have been nice to have another son who is as responsible and well mannered as you."

I saw how Nate's grip on his fork tightened. His eyebrows furrowed and his teeth clenched. Suddenly, he let out a dark laugh that surprised us all. "Well, father, if you want another son then why don't you bed mother?"

Oh boy.

"Nathaniel!!' Anya dropped her spoon and looked disapprovingly at Nate. He just shrugged and continued eating.

"Watch your mouth, Nathaniel. It only shows what kind of imbecile you are." Rafael narrowed his eyes at his younger son.

Suddenly, a dark and sinister smile played on the king's lips. "It's no wonder why Kascada left you."

"Father," Adam warned his father as he looked at his brother worriedly.

Nate's dark expression seemed to soften a bit at the mention of the name before a look of hurt and anger crossed his face. If looks could kill, the king would be dead on the spot at how Nate looked at his own father. He slapped his knife and fork loudly on the table as he stood up and knocked his chair out in the process. "Don't you dare bring Kascada in the conversation." He hissed.

The king seemed to enjoy the look on Nate's face because he continued to taunt him more. "Oh really now? Don't tell me you've forgotten her. Lady Kascada Starling." Nate clenched his fist so hard that they started to go white.

I started to reach out to hold his hand but Ren stopped me by nudging my foot.

The king carried on. "Beautiful young lady with long dark hair and pale skin. Daughter of Celeste and Frank Starling. I remember how you were infatuated by her beauty. The endless pursuit for her affection."

Nate was shaking. "Stop it." His voice laced with venom.

"I recall that you two were about to get married.....that is.....until rumors had spread that you cheated on her with Princess Camille."

"I didn't! And you know it." Nate's voice grew.

"So she left you and married another man far more suitable for her than you could have ever been."

"I SAID STOP IT!!" It happened so fast that my eyes couldn't follow what happened. All I remembered was Nate's face darkened as his fangs elongated before moving to charge his father at lightning speed but he didn't get to reach his father because Adam got up from his seat and stopped Nate from killing their father.

"Nate!!" Adam screamed at his brother, holding on to him tightly as he shook him. "It's not worth it! Come on!!" He tried bringing some sense back into him and luckily it seemed to work. "Just go upstairs and let it pass." Said his brother more calmly this time. Nate closed his eyes and let out a breath. Slowly, his fangs started to retract and went back to normal. When he opened his eyes, he fixed a glare at his father before saying, "Excuse me." He told us as he shrugged his brother off. "I'm done here." Then he started to walk away and left.

Automatically, I got up from my seat to run after him.

"My dear." I paused when the king called me. I didn't look at him. I focused on the spot where Nate had disappeared. "Haven't you heard that it's bad manners to leave when everyone is still eating?"

Hearing him say that made it sound so ironic that I have to laugh darkly. "Well," I started and faced the king with an indignant look. "After what just happened, I thought proper table etiquette doesn't matter anymore." I gave him and the queen a sweet sarcastic smile and mocked curtsy. "Excuse me." Then I ran and followed Nate.