Yards of creamy yellow silk and tulle tumbling over her desk greeted Dido as she walked in her classroom. Shocked, she dropped half the papers she was carrying and than flung down the rest in fury.

Dido had written the Prince to explain the proposal acceptance was a mixup. Still boxes of flowers and candy from the palace arrived at her apartment each day. Each morning, Dido had to drop them off at the hospital. Then a week ago, the packages of romance novels started to arrive. She donated those too. Except for the spicy ones.

Dido dreaded going home. Now a mountain of a dress was waiting at her job. It’s like no place was safe.

“It’s like no place is safe,” Prince Swenn said. “Am I right?”

Dido yelped. Sitting in the back of her seventh grade classroom, the Royal heir of Blakewyn waved at her. His guards were crammed in the chairs flanking him.

“Still making you scream, I see. Crowley, Beaker could you give us a minute?”

The guards gave him a a questioning look. Swenn answered them with a stare. They stood up and left. Crowley sneered at Dido but left quickly. Swenn walked towards her and began collecting her spilt papers.

“Listen your highness—“

“Swenn, if you’re going to break up out fake engagement, at least call me by my first name.”

“Wait you know I didn’t mean it. Why are you pursuing me? Why have you been making my life miserable. I’m not interested in marrying you.”

Staggering back, the prince pretended to be wounded. He laughed and Dido fought the urge to laugh in return.

“Listen, I know you’re not interested. That worked for me. I just need a few months of a fake fiancé, a distraction for my parents while I finish my book. You will be paid for your time. Name your price,” Swenn said carrying the papers to her desk.

Dido followed. Sighing she picked at the dress. It was ridiculously over the top but it had good bones.

“ I guessed at the size. The color reminded me of your apartment. Please wear it or return it and select another. Just come to the Queen’s season party. Try it. I promise not to fall wildly in love with you,” Swenn said.

The prince walked towards the classroom door.

“No HEA, no enemies to lovers love story, just a simple mutually beneficial contract. Think about it.”

Swenn stepped out. Dido carefully folded the ballgown before her middle schoolers barged in Maybe if she took off the bells and whistle she could make something out of it. A card felt from the tissue paper. Instead of instructions it was a handwritten note.

“Don’t believe a word he says” the card read. Dido shivered with curiosity.