Priscilla: The Garden Tea Party & Wonderful night

I tossed and turned I just couldn't sleep but without any sleep, tomorrow's gonna be hell. So I went downstairs to the kitchen to get a glass of milk. Soon, I got drowsy and drifted to sleep.

It was only 6 when I woke up. Although I had slept for quite a few hours, the jet lag has just gotten of me. Anyways, I went downstairs to the garden to take a stroll. The morning air was fresh and the scenery was beautiful. I did abit of my usual morning Taichi when grandma came out into the garden.

"What are you doing?" I heard her speak behind me.
"My morning exercise routine, grandma." I said as I continued doing.
"Strange movements." She said.
"It is to built stamina and patience." I said.
"Wanna try?" I said as I finished to the final position.
"Sure." She replied. Looks like I have a very challengeable grandmother. I demonstrated s few basic movements and the correct way of breathing and soon the both of us were doing Taichi in sync. That's way cool for a beginner.

"I can feel the energy travelling round my body." She said as we continued.
"That's the point." I said.
"Do that every morning and you can see the difference." I added.
"I love challenges." She said. I smiled. I clicked with my grandma, and I liked it.

After breakfast, we started to prepare for the day's event and went to the Palace in the late morning. To say the truth, it was rather a torture more than a tea party. First we had to wait for Her Majesty to arrive and I had to stand in the hot sun on heels(I totally hated heels) and had to curtsy when I was introduced and continued standing till she finished her walk down the line. Luckily, soon I was able to sit at the table and have a break.

The palace was beautiful. Unable to resist not sharing it with Qiu, I took out my mobile phone and started to take pictures. The architecture, the gardens...
Suddenly, I heard a voice behind me.
"Do you know that THIS is not allowed?" He said. I turned around. It was Prince Nicholas. I curtseyed.
"Prince Nicholas." I greeted.
"I'm so sorry about that," I said as I flipped down my phone and slipped it into my pocket.
"I don't know about it." I added.
"It's fine with me," he said as he winked at me.
"But you better don't let others see it." He smiled.
"Oh.. Alright.." I stammered. Okay.. okay.. I admit.. He's cute alright? And when he smiles, oh-mi-gosh.. you can never forget that. But when you view it from another perspective, one can never forget that he is a man of status, not someone whom you would want to play fire with. Anyways...

"Interested in a tour around the palace?" He offered his hand.
"Sure." I replied and I placed my hand on his. We toured around the castle and went to some really intrigue retreats and saw many breathtaking sceneries. It was really fun and exciting.
"Next stop, the attic." He said.
"So what's up there?" I asked.
"You'll see." He said as he led me up the steps.
Upon reaching the top, I see a long hallway with many portholes on either side.
"So, this is your attic.." I said.
"Yup." He said.
"I rather consider this a roof." I said sarcastically.
He grinned.

"There are no attics here though, so I treat this as one." He replied.
I could see the horizon from here, and a very clear view of the sceneries around.
"Wow.. This is beautiful.." I said, looking around.

"Can I take pictures here?" I asked.
"Wouldn't anyone?" He said as I took out my phone. He took it and say;
"Let's take it together." He said, and SNAP, the phone took a picture with me and him. We slowly walked back to the event area and the tea party was soon coming to an end.

"Thanks, Your Highness." I said.
"You are welcome." He said, and when he was about to return me the mobile;
"Here, this is my mobile number." He said as he punched the keys.
"And the name's Nicholas." He added. I smiled.
"Thanks for everything." I said, and I see dad walking towards my direction.
"Please excuse us, Your Highness. I need to introduce Priscilla to the others." He said.
"Sure. We will meet again." He said as he placed a kiss on my hand.
Dad led me towards the Parliament members and I was introduced to them, and mingled around the guests. Soon the party ended with the departure of the Queen and we also left for home.

In the car...

"When did you two meet up?" Dad asked.
"What?" I asked.
"You and Prince Nicholas." He said.
"At the party, obviously." I said.
"No," Dad replied.
"I mean.. Prince Nicholas never play host to girls,"
"No.. He never take notice of any girls any time." Mum interrupted.
"Many even wonder if he's gay." She added.
"Huh?" I got confused. Such a handsome guy, a gay? Oh no...
"I think he likes you." Mum said.
"What?" I got more confused.
"Mum, dad... Don't.. Don't do me any matchmaking.." I said.
"Oh no you don't..." I spied a look at mum as I knew what she wanted to do next.
"Mum, dad.. I'm going back tonight. I don't care whether Prince Nicholas is gay or not, anyway, I won't be seeing him for a VERY LONG time or maybe not again and even so, I couldn't be bothered. So back off okay?" I said.

Mum and Dad didn't say another word. I packed my suitcase upon reaching home to prepare to leave the country tonight.
Then my phone rang. It was Prince Nicholas. How did he get my number? I guess it was this afternoon's trick of inputting his number into my phone.

Anyway..
"Hello?" I picked up the phone.
"Priscilla?" I heard him say.
"Your Highness. What a pleasant surprise. Is that any reason you call?" I said.
"Yes, an invitation to dinner tonight." He said.
"Oh.. Thanks for the offer but I can't. I'm leaving the country tonight." I replied.
"Leaving?" He asked.
"Yes. I'm going back to.. erm.. to school." I said, as not wish to reveal where.
"Oh..." He said, sounding disappointment.
"How about two hours. Can you spare me two hours?" He asked. I hesitated. Then I checked my watch.
"Alright. Two hours only." I replied, trying not to disappoint him.
"I'll pick you up in half hour's time." He answered.
"Okay." I replied.
"See you later." He said.
"Bye." I replied, as I put down the call and finished my last piece of packing.

True enough, Prince Nicholas showed up at our doorsteps half an hour later and Mum and Dad were totally stumped as they see him entering the hall, and me walking down the stairs.
"I'm ready." I said, appearing in a blouse and jeans. Surprisingly, he also had on a shirt and jeans; no wonder mum and dad were stumped.
"Let's go." He said.
"I'll be back in two hours." I said to Mum and Dad, and went out the door.
Another surprise awaits me.

A motorbike.
"Is this yours?" I asked.
"Ya." He said. I smiled and he put on the helmet for me.
"So, where are we going, Your Highness?" I asked.
"It's a surprise, AND the name's Nicholas." He replied.
"Ok, NICHOLAS." I exaggerated. We took off and went around London. The city was beautiful.

We arrived in a small al-fresco diner and settle for a seat near to the river.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"My favourite place." He said.
"And a place for a good plate of pasta." He added.
"So, you come here often?" I asked.
"Yeah.. More than you know." He replied. Then the waiter came out with two plates of food and set it on the table.
"No matter what, you still have to eat." He said. I grinned.
"Alright, you win." I replied.

After dinner, Nicholas took me around the city for sight-seeing and even went up in the big Ben. Last stop was Thames and there was a very spectacular fire-works display.
"It's so beautiful!" I exclaimed.
"So are you." He murmured, but I didn't catch his words.
As agreed, after two hours, he sent me back to the house where a car was already prepared to fetch me to the airport as my things were loaded into the boot.
"When will I see you again?" He asked.
"When fate decides." I answered.
"Bye." I said.
"Bye." He said, as he came up and gave me a hug and a kiss. Whoa! What was that...

"Goodbye." I said again and also to Mum and Dad.
"Safe trip, honey." Mum hugged me. Dad nodded his head.
I stepped into the car and left for airport.

~~~~~~~********~~~~~~~~

Soon I was on the plane bound for home and now I wonder, what's happening on the other hand?