2019, February 4th "Carr, I'm stealing this chair. So comfortable!" said James, reclining in CC's office chair. "Not on your life," CC said, dropping onto the couch next to Aaron. "That chair was designed and built specifically for me." "Who cares about the dumb chair?!" Aaron yelled too loudly. CC frowned at him. "What's your problem?" "He's nervous about tomorrow night," said James, spinning himself in the office chair. "I am not!" Aaron said, his voice going up an octave. "You quit that!" CC said, giving James a warning look. "Why are you two troublemakers in my office in the middle of the day, anyway? What's tomorrow night?" James stopped spinning and leaned forward onto the desk. "Ronnie here is going to pop the question," James volunteered. "What?" said CC, surprise and horror on her face. "What's that face?!" Aaron yelled into CC's ear. "Aaron, inside voice," CC snapped. "I just think it's kind of fast, that's all." "Well, the coronation is in two months. We need ti

2019, March 9th-18th The Beaumont mansion had become something of a haunted house. After the press conference, CC and Bart were weathering the storm. Both of them were under house arrest, their every movement being watched, so phone calls from them were far and few in between. Natalie and Zoey's relationship was in need of great repair. In order to give Zoey some space, Cassandra and Natalie had decided that it was best, at least for the present, that Natalie stayed with Cassandra. While the mother and son were neighbours, it was still a good half hour drive to get from Cassandra's to the Beaumont mansion, effectively making them virtual strangers throughout the week. With all her other connections for the moment severed all Zoey, for the present, had was James. This fact made his persisting and intentional absence all the more noticeable. When she entered the breakfast room in the mornings, she was no longer surprised to find that no matter how much or how little he had consumed, h

2019, March 20th Zoey pondered the significance of James' demeanour as he put her in a car and told her to enjoy her time with her family. She had promised to be back tomorrow, in time for the Duchess' Welcome, but he only smiled and said not to worry about it, said to take her time. Those words were just too sad somehow. He looked troubled. She couldn't get the words and the look on his face out of her head. "Zoey!" Natalie yelled across their kitchen table. "What?!" Zoey snapped. "As I've been trying to tell you for the last five minutes, your grandfather had some important business come up. He won't be able to see us until tomorrow," Natalie informed her. "But tomorrow's the Duchess' Welcome. I promised James I'd be there." Natalie stared at her daughter worriedly. "You got it bad, don't you hon?" "It's not like that. He's done a lot for me. I wouldn't want to disappoint him, that's all," Zoey said defensively. It felt like saying the words was crushing her heart. Of course

2019, February 12th Lady Emily Maine was born the first child of Duke Johnathan Maine. Being the heiress to half of Maine Industries, one of the most influential empires in the world, and the daughter of Terres Somnia's wealthiest man meant that people threw themselves at her feet all the time. Make no mistake, Emily didn't have friends, she had minions. This fact didn't bother her though, as she considered most women beneath her in some form or another, be it beauty or riches or rank. Emily Maine was a goddess in her own right, who could make or break your social, financial and academic life with one phone call. That she was not a princess was a mere formality. Anyone worth knowing either wanted to be with her or be with her. No exceptions. Even the Condor brothers were not immune to this special charm. Aaron and James had gone the entire year that James spent studying abroad, not talking because of her. To this day, Emily had never heard the word no come out of a man's mouth. I

2019, March 21st (Location: Unknown) The scent of deception and betrayal blew in with the wind as the traitors took their seats at a long table in a rickety, old, unkempt cabin. Among the party were the Maine siblings and their father, Duke Maine, Duke Arden and his son Bart and CC. The boiling heat of the day seemed to visit particularly on the little cabin in the middle of nowhere, lending to the air in the place an ominous quality as they began their treasonous meeting. "Is there news of my cousin's whereabouts?" Duke Arden asked. "None," CC answered simply. "What news from your side Johnathan?" Duke Arden asked, continuing to lead the meeting. "Nothing good. The King's Guard has already concluded recruiting half of Caines' armies. The regent is moving fast. At this rate, his army will be assembled in a week, maybe less. No noble will turn away or go against a regent that is also the future king, especially with the current king's whereabouts unknown," Duke Johnathan answered.