"How do I look?"

"Like a princess, of course."

Caspia sat on her bed, admiring herself with a little golden handheld mirror. As we discussed before, her hair was in a crown braid, with glimmering, silver, leaf-like accessories added. Her blue and white dress matched her eyes quite well.

"Good," she huffed, setting her mirror down. "I need to look better than everyone. Not to sound self-absorbed, of course."

"Hm. Of course."

"But seriously. I need to be the most eye-catching woman in the room so that every man will be drawn to me, and that way I can just...pick out some random guy and hope for the best. Father told me recently that Charlie and I could be married as soon as next week. Next week. I might throw up just thinking about it-oh-but I can't. Not in this dress."

"I know you're scared. Caspia. But you need to remain optimistic. You can't always think negatively."

"I can't help it, Jessella. This engagement ball just feels...wrong. All of it feels wrong. I have a gut feeling that something will happen tonight. Something life-altering."

"Caspia-"

"Call me dramatic all you want," she said, suddenly standing up. "But I always trust my gut. And it's always right. Something will go wrong tonight."

"Or maybe you're just saying that because you have to marry some random prince instead of my brother."

"Well, in my defense, I'd much rather marry-"

"No."

"But-"

"No, Caspia. I know my brother well. Which means that I know that you two wouldn't have the best relationship. You prefer the finer things in life. And, like me, my brother has spent the majority of his life in a cave. A deep, dark cave at that. Forced to live by only the things a Fetcher can find from the surface world. And, by the way, Caspia, the things that we find are not some of the finer things you live by."

Caspia let out a sigh-one that sounded heavy. Maybe I was being too harsh on her.

"I'm sorry-"

"No. You're right. I've been spoiled my entire life. So has my brother. But the difference between me and him is that I took advantage of everything I was given. Instead of thinking about others, I just...thought more about myself. I've never stopped and thought to be humble."

She looked at herself in her mirror again.

"I should see things in a different light."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I want to change. I must change. For my sake and my future husband. And also for my people."

Within seconds, she began taking her hair down, undoing all the work I put into it.

"Caspia-"

"No, let me do this one thing."

"What are you even doing?"

"Trying to change."

She swiftly opened her desk drawer and took out a pair of scissors.

"Caspia!"

I tried to take them from her, but she had already done the damage before I could snatch them from her hand. She cut her hair. Her long, Rapunzel-like hair. It was an uneven cut, so I instantly knew that cutting her hair was never something she had done before. It was just so shocking to see that cutting her hair ever crossed her mind.

"Oh," she said, her voice beginning to get shaky. "I don't know what I'm doing."

"Caspia-"

"I-I just thought that if I cut my hair-"

"Are you okay?"

She stood in silence for a moment. I could see in her eyes that she wasn't.

"Not really, Jessella. I'm a self-absorbed mess who has no friends. I've spent so much time trying to please myself and my parents that I forgot how to be a decent human being. I feel so pathetic."

"You're not pathetic. At least you're wanting to become a better person. That takes strength. And it's okay not to have friends. I don't have any either."

"....Maybe we could be friends, then? Unless that's too much to ask-I mean, you are my lady-in-waiting and-"

"It's not too much to ask. Now, if I were to ask you to cut your hair, then that would be too much to ask."

I took the scissors from her hand before she could do even more damage.

"Please tell me there's some sort of...magic cave stuff that'll make my hair grow back instantly."

"There isn't."

"Oh. So it's stuck like this. Right before the ball too...oh what was I thinking, Jessella? Now, father is going to think that I've gone insane and-"

"Nobody is going to think that you're insane because I'm about to fix it. Here, sit down. I can at least make the cut look more even."

"You know how to cut hair well?"

"Oh yeah, especially since I'm a Fetcher. Sometimes we have to make changes to our appearance in order to um...well-"

"Steal? Deceive? Trick?"

"Well, don't put it like that. But your hair can be your disguise, yes. If you change it up, people are less likely to recognize you. So we often change up our hair so that we can get the job done. We have no reason to do that kind of thing now, though. You know, since we made that agreement with Charlie and all."

"Mhm."

"How do you feel about a shoulder-length cut? Or should I go lower than that?"

"Shoulder-length is fine. Thank you, Jessella. I know I haven't been the best to you."

"Eh."

"I'm serious," she said, letting out the smallest laugh. "Truth is...I haven't been the best to anyone."

"Well, it's better to work on self-improvement now than to decide never to work on it. You're doing what a lot of people are incapable of doing right now, Caspia."

I fixed her hair up, though she still looked a bit hesitant whenever she looked at herself in the mirror.

"You still look beautiful."

"Thank you. I just feel unrecognizable. I've had long hair all my life up until this point."

"Well, think of it this way. Like you said earlier, you're trying to change. This is your first step to saying goodbye to the old you. Besides, you look good with short hair. It's like you were Rapunzel earlier, but now you're like...Cinderella. Appearance-wise, anyway."

"Yes, and you're like my fairy godmother!"

"Oh, I don't know about-"

"Have you ever heard of the Cinderella effect, Jessella?"

"...Not really."

"Hm. Well, it's an effect created by a particular person towards a particular crowd. Imagine this. You'll be wearing your ball gown tonight, and you will be among the most beautiful ladies present. Everyone's eyes will be on you from the moment you walk in, including the prince's. His eyes will be so set on you and you alone that it'll seem like nothing can get in the way of the...the connection you two share. Does that make sense?"

"For one, that sounds terrifying."

"It's really a dream come true if you think about it."

"Eh...but also, the prince, at least in this case, is your brother."

"Oh yeah. Ew. You're so right. Could you imagine? You and Charlie?"

"Sounds like a nightmare. Just like you and Isaiah."

"...Mhm...don't push it. I do want what's best for him, you know."

"I know you do. And he wants the best for you, too. And in any other circumstance, I might be more supportive of you guys but...tonight's the engagement ball."

"Right."

"And you have expectations."

"Right. ...Right. But you know Isaiah really isn't that bad-"

"He's my brother. He's the worst. Besides, if you're going to be engaged to someone else, you can't be thinking about him. You'll probably find a prince that's much more handsome than my brother anyway."

"Oh, I doubt it."

"What was that?"

"Nothing! Uh-here. Let me help you fix your dress."

"It still feels weird to wear it."

She let out a small laugh, brushing it up and making sure it fit right.

"But it suits you. Don't forget that you are a princess."

"A different kind of princess, sure. I hope no prince tries to come toward me tonight."

"One might."

"I don't have time for romance. I'm busy enough as it is being your lady-in-waiting. And I can't leave my people."

"I understand that, but you never know what might happen. Things might work out for the better."

"Says the woman who was just saying how you think something bad might happen tonight."

"Oh something will. My gut is never wrong. But that still doesn't mean that things won't work out for the better."

"Nice logic."

"Thank you!"

She then stood to my side and linked her arm with mine.

"Let's walk in together."

"At the same time?"

"I don't see why not. We'll have double the Cinderella effect. And besides...I'm a little nervous. I need you right next to me. Please."

"I'll be right by your side."

"Thank you."

And so we walked out together, arm in arm. The rest of her family, including Charlie, were already in the ballroom. We could hear the volume of the music increase the more we walked, with it sounding so elegant that it felt like my ears were being blessed. The musicians knew what they were doing. Castle guards noticed us walking toward the main entrance, and they didn't hesitate to open the doors for us. The big reveal. I could see everything from the moment we walked in. Hundreds of people gathered, everyone with bright looks on their faces as they danced throughout. I couldn't find Charlie, but I did see the king and queen happily socializing with the rest of the royal families. I've never heard music so lively before in my life. And at the sides, there were tens of plates filled with the most delicious-looking dishes compliments of Chef Flame and the kitchen staff. I was in awe at the scene.

"Wait for it," Caspia whispered in my ear. "Wait until we reach the stairway."

"What?"

The Cinderella effect. Once we stopped at the top of the stairs, everything paused. Everybody turned. Some people even gasped-probably noticing that Caspia's hair was a lot shorter. Now I was the one who needed her at my side. I wasn't used to all this attention. When she let go of my arm, I almost begged her to come back.

"Princess Caspia Calista Chapman!"

She took a step, curtsied, and then looked toward me. Oh right. My turn. Just like Charlie had taught me.

"Um-Jessella Estelle F-Fetcher," I stuttered to the announcer. "I'm her-"

"Accompanied with Princess Jessella Estelle Fetcher!"

"Oh-okay-?"

I copied Caspia, taking a step, then curtsying the best I could. I guess I did alright. Caspia wasn't looking at me weird, so that had to be a good sign.

"I told him to call you princess," she grinned. "Because you are one."

"You're never going to let me forget that I'm a princess, are you?"

"Nope."

She took my arm again.

"I don't think I like the Cinderella effect, Caspia."

"Oh, come on."

"I'm serious. I don't like everyone looking at me. I'd rather be..."

"In the shadows?"

"Exactly."

"Well, it's a little too late to go back to the caves now."

"It's never too late."

"Princess Caspia!"

A prince. Caspia's first one of the night. He had eyes as dark as his curly hair, but they still shone bright with his friendliness. He had a nice smile, too. Perfectly white teeth with not a flaw in sight.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Prince Hunter Rosetti of Solia, a larger kingdom just East of this one. Must I say, I am impressed by the beauty."

"Oh! Yes, our kingdom is-"

"I wasn't talking about the kingdom, your majesty. Though it is quite beautiful, I was reffering to you."

"Oh-"

She looked at me. I gave her a nod of reassurance.

"Go have fun. I'll be right here."

"You better be."

She took his hand. They were off in an instant. I initally planned on staying back and watching them, but a few other princes happened to walk my way. Oh why did she have me be introduced as a princess?

"Princess...Jessella, is it? Of what kingdom?"

"Uh-"

"How large is it? What are your main resources?"

"How many kids are you interested in having?"

"Kids? I wasn't-"

"I have fourteen siblings. Maybe we can have around that number of children to keep the family name."

"Have you ever witnessed childbirth? Putting a woman through that many kids is absurd."

"Oh, you're rude."

"I'm not rude, I simply just-"

"There you are!"

I nearly let out a sigh of relief when I heard Charlie's voice. He appeared from behind the princes, his familar smile already making me feel better.

"I've been looking for you everywhere, Jessella."

"Funny...I've been looking for you two. It's been a pleasure, gentlemen."

Charlie took my arm and guided me toward the side tables.

"You look overwhelmed."

"I am. Caspia and I agreed that we would stick by each other, but obviously that isn't going to happen tonight. Not at this ball."

"Of course not. Every prince in the ballroom is going to want to dance with her."

"Ugh. Have you found anyone for yourself?"

Charlie looked in one direction, with princesses immediately starting to wave his way.

"No. I think I need some alcohol."

"Charlie!"

"Just a glass!"

"No," I laughed. "You look too good to be getting drunk."

He really did look good. His hair, as usual, was in a bun, but it looked neater than it normally was. He kept his facial hair the same as well, so that made what he wore the main thing that stood out. He had on a regal-appearing white suit etched with gold, including golden buttons and epaulettes. His dark brown shoes looked so flawless that I didn't notice a single crease, let alone any smudge. He cared about his appearance tonight.

"You look amazing as well. I can see that you're having no trouble getting princes to come to you."

"That's the thing. I don't want them to come to me. They need to leave me alone and go to your sister instead."

"Ah, speaking of her...she cut her hair."

"She did. Well-we both did. I just made it look better."

"She's never mentioned cutting her hair before."

"She wanted to try something different."

"Nothing wrong with that. And speaking of trying...let's try your skills."

"Huh?"

He reached his hand out.

"Oh-I'm not dancing. Caspia is."

"Well, yeah, I am aware that she is. But I have no interest in dancing with her tonight. We've danced plenty as children, so I think she'll survive fine without me this one time."

"Well...I can't dance out there. So ask someone else."

"Jessella, you danced perfectly fine when we were together earlier."

"Yeah, but that was without all these people here. Everyone's going to see us dancing together."

"So? Oh, wait, I get it. You're embarrassed by me."

"What?"

"It all makes sense now. You know, like when you ran away from me that one day. Barefoot, I might add."

"Okay, in my defense, I was fearing for my life."

"And that's it right there," he chuckled. "You can't live your life in fear. A fearful life isn't a life worth living, Jessella."

I frowned at him. He smiled at me.

"Come on. Just one dance and I'll leave you alone."

"How about you leave me alone now, and I'll be happy?"

"Hm...no. Won't happen."

"Ugh. I can't believe that you don't care about my happiness."

"I do care about your happiness, Jessella. That's why I'm doing this."

He dragged me along, leaving no choice but to follow him. We immediately became the center of attention. Everyone in the ballroom made a circle around us, giving us just enough room to dance as we wanted. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Even Caspia, whom I only saw for just a split second. The king and queen were also watching us, their faces showing confusion.

"Your parents are watching us."

"Ah, good. They can see how hard I've been working on my ballroom dancing skills."

"I'm being serious, Charlie."

"So am I. Just look at me. Don't worry about anyone else. Don't focus on anyone else. It's just me and you."

I let out a shaky breath as we began. It seemed as if the musicians were able to read our minds and play to the rhythm of our steps. I did things just as before. Right hand in left, left hand in right...and one step at a time. I kept my eyes on his, centering my attention on how blue his eyes were. They were inviting, almost. At that moment in time, I felt like I could stare into his eyes all day. It felt as if we became one person as were danced together. I recognized every move he planned on making, while he did the same for me. We even tried some things we didn't practice before-like him choosing to grab my waist and twirl me around, showcasing the shimmery flow of my dress. I remember the last thing he did was lift me up-high above his shoulders, causing excitement within the crowd among us. It almost startled me. But I found it even more incredible that he was able to. He couldn't stop laughing. And, after a few seconds, I couldn't stop laughing either.

"Never do that again!"

"Do what? Lift you up?"

"And make me the center of attention, yes!"

"Ah. Well, in my defense, that dress already makes you the center of attention. Miss Murphy did a wonderful job."

He began to look around, obviously disinterested in all the other princesses in the room.

"I'm going to step out."

I looked around, too, immediately noticing how other princes were beginning to walk toward me again.

"Hold on, I'm coming with you."

We went out a side entrance, doing our best to disappear from the crowd. I felt bad for leaving Caspia, but I knew she'd be alright for a little while. I wasn't planning on leaving her for long.

"Charlie, wait up. I can't walk very fast in this dress...I don't understand how your people can get used to wearing these clothes all night long. They're uncomfortable to move around in."

He stopped once we reached a random hallway, far away from the noise of the ballroom.

"Did you mean what you said back there, though? That my dress the reason for everyone staring at me?"

"It had to have been, Jessella. You and the dress are both..."

He seemed to have caught himself, pursing his lips before he finished his sentence.

"I need to be alone right now if you don't mind."

"Oh-"

"Well, actually, I don't know if I want to be alone."

"...Make up your mind, Charlie. Because I'm sure that right at this moment, Caspia's probably wondering where I am."

"I know. It's incredible how attached you are. She's-"

"She's my friend."

"Yeah. You've done a lot for her, you know. You've...done a lot for both of us. You and your brother."

"Well, so have you. It feels good to have somebody else-a land dweller-who knows and cares about our people."

"If only I were king," he sighed. "I'd be able to do so much more for you."

"Your coronation isn't too far away. You just need to find a wife, which is why you should get back in the ballroom and-"

"There's no way I can fall in love with any of those women in that ballroom."

"...I mean...you never know. You may end up falling in love with a woman eventually if you just have a little time to know her."

"Jessella."

"Yes?"

He gently rubbed my shoulders, his face appearing dimmer than before.

"When I first met you, I teased you about making you my wife. I wasn't serious at first. But-"

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"Jessella-"

"No. Okay? My answer is no. Not because I don't like you, because I do, but because, for the sake of this kingdom, you must marry someone else. And the same thing goes for Isaiah and Caspia...they can't be together. It just wouldn't work out."

"But I think it will if we try."

"No, Charlie."

"Jess."

"Don't start. Because we come from two very different worlds. At least in that ballroom, you'll be able to find someone who understands all of...this."

"I don't care about that. You know, the weird thing is, I became attracted to you when you ran away back to the caves and I fell through that hole."

"And embarrassed yourself?"

"Yes," he laughed. "Because I saw the lengths you would go to protect your people. You were willing to run away from an opportunity because you put them first-and that's the type of person I want to spend the rest of my life with. Someone who will easily choose their people over the materialistic things of the world-someone who truly has a connection to the land they call home. And I do believe that our joined forces will create an amazing future for both cave and land dwellers. But I mean-that isn't the only reason why I'm attracted to you, either. You're intelligent. A quick-thinker. You tell people things as it is-you don't like to sugarcoat. You're honest. And you're incredibly beautiful, especially in that dress."

My mouth felt dry. It was like I couldn't speak. Charlie practically confessed his love for me, and I stood in front of him like an idiot. I planned to gain the royal family's trust, yes, but not their love. What did I get myself into?

"I'd love to marry you, Jessella. I know that I am not the perfect man, but I will go through great lengths to make sure that all the people of Cambiot are treated with respect. Including the cave dwellers."

"But what would your parents think? Caspia? What about-"

He stepped closer to me, taking my hands in his.

"It doesn't matter what they think."

"But it does."

"It doesn't, I can assure you."

"...Well. Y-you need to let me go and think about it."

I let go and began to walk off, but he caught up to me quickly, grasping my hand and pulling me back toward him.

"I'm not letting you run away from me again."

That's when everything became blurry. A nice kind of blurry, that is. Because things escalated in a mere second when he decided to kiss me. It was a long kiss. One that practically expressed how we both felt without either of us saying a word. It was soft and gentle, but also full of this fiery passion that made me want to keep kissing him for as long as we remained in that hallway. And, weirdly enough, at that moment, all I could do was imagine a future with him. A future filled with hope, especially for my people. So I kissed him back. Again and again. It was like we couldn't stop. The only thing that took our attention away from each other was a small "clinking" noise on the ground. Charlie pulled away from me so that he could see what had made the sound.

"Ah," he eventually said, holding his grandmother's ring up. It's familiar gleam shone brightly in my direction, as if it were saying hello to me again.

"Jessella Estelle Fetcher, will you-"

"Yes."

I said that so quickly that I didn't comprehend what I had said until he slid the ring on my finger. It fit perfectly.

"That ring will symbolize a union," he began to say. "Not just between us. But within our entire kingdom. No more separation. Only kindness and understanding."

"Good," I smiled. "Now, what will you tell the other princesses who are probably looking for you as we speak?"

"Eh, they can keep looking. I already found who I want as my wife."

We kissed again. I couldn't get enough of his kisses. And as much as I wanted to stay with him, I knew I had to return to Caspia.

"We should head back now."

"Five more minutes?"

"No," I laughed. "We've kissed enough. I've left plenty of red lipstick around your face to wipe off, too."

"Ha! I'll fix it, then. You go on ahead."

I gave him one last kiss on the cheek before walking toward the ballroom again. I could feel his eyes on me as I did so, so I looked back to give him one more smile, then went on a search for Caspia Chapman. I spotted her immediately, surrounded by several princes while simultaneously looking overwhelmed. I instantly felt terrible.

"Caspia!"

Before she could turn her head, I locked my arm with hers and started to head toward a ballroom exit.

"Where have you been!?"

"Uh-"

"Your lipstick is smudged."

"Is it? I-"

She narrowed her eyes.

"You ditched me to go kiss some guy! I don't know if I should feel angry or proud right now."

"Well-"

"Who is he? And don't you lie to me, Jessella. We're friends. And we can't lie to each other."

"...Fine. You're right. I have something I must confess to you."

"...Do you...? Well, in that case, I...well, I have something to confess to you as well. I already know that you'll be angry once you hear about it."

"Not as angry as you're going to be."

"Oh goodness. Now I'm just concerned. Why don't we just confess at the same time?"

"...Sure. I doubt that'll make things any better, but whatever you prefer is what I prefer."

"Right, right. On three?"

"....One...two...three..."

"I kissed your brother," we both said in unison, shocking ourselves so much that we had to cover our mouths with our hands.

"You did WHAT!?"

"We're engaged now," I nervously laughed. "Funny how things turn out. But I thought that you and Isaiah were staying away from each other!"

"Well-I mean we were- but you disappeared, then we locked eyes, and then we...oh, who cares about that, hm? Let's talk about how you're engaged to my brother! Seriously! Out of all the men in that ballroom!?"

"It's for the greater good of the kingdom."

"Okay, sure, but this is my brother we're talking about here. You are aware of how annoying he is, correct?"

"Yes, but my brother is just as annoying-if not more. And you seem to overlook that."

"Well, because-"

"Because you love him. Don't you, Caspia?"

"...I do."

She sat down at a nearby bench, letting out an exasperated breath. I joined her.

"This is crazy," she began to say. "This wasn't supposed to happen. You were right all along, Jessella. Isaiah and I need to stay away from each other."

"No. I was wrong. The longer you two stay apart, the more you two want to be with each other. It was only a matter of time. And as for me and Charlie...well, he just grew on me, I guess. In more ways than I'd like to admit. But you know I'll treat him right."

"And I'll treat your brother right, too. You know what will happen if we go through with getting married, don't you?"

"What?"

"We'll be sisters. I've always wondered what it's like to have a sister."

"It's the same as having a brother," I laughed. "Just...a bit of a stronger connection. Since we're females, we have that bond that we don't have with our other male siblings. That sisterhood keeps us going. I've passed down some of my things to my sisters that they still keep to this day."

"Well. If I had to choose somebody to be my sister, it'd most definitely be you, Jessella. Even though we had a rough start."

"The best relationships always have the most interesting beginnings."

"I guess you're right about that one."

She glanced down at my ring-her grandmother's ring-and smiled.

"Yeah. It's perfect for you."

"It still feels so surreal."

"Oh, I bet. And you know, I never would've thought that-"

"There you are."

The king cut Caspia off as he stormed in-initially looking furious, but his expression calmed once he saw that I was sitting next to her.

"Jessella, excuse me. I need a word alone with my daughter."

"Jessella is staying."

She grasped my hand. I gave her a little squeeze-non, nonverbally letting her know that I had no intention of leaving her.

"Fine. You are a selfish young woman, Caspia. First, you decide to ruin your look by giving yourself the most necessary haircut-then you decide to hide away during the ball that I specifically planned for you and your brother to get engaged in."

"Call me selfish all you want, father. I will be marrying for love."

His face turned angry again. If looks could kill, Caspia would be dead.

"I've spent my whole life trying to maintain this perfect image. I've spent hours looking at myself-obsessing over myself-just so I could make you feel satisfied. But you never are. You always call me selfish for wanting to be myself. But when Charlie acts like himself-"

"Charlie is the prince and our future king," he spat. "You are the princess. And your job is to be seen with this certain image that represents our entire kingdom, not yourself. When will you understand that your opinion means nothing?"

Tears started to swell in her eyes. Oh, I wanted to kill him right then and there. But I restrained myself.

"Her opinion means everything."

Isaiah. He managed to find us, and once he did, he went straight for Caspia. The king noticed their eye contact right away, and just as I thought he couldn't get even angrier....

"You must be out of your mind," he mumbled. "You MUST be!"

"I love him."

"I don't-this man isn't even royalty! He's-what even is he!?"

"A man who loves me, respects me, and treats me as if I'm more than just a princess with a pretty ballgown."

Isaiah laid his arm across Caspia's shoulders, pulling her in closer. I could tell she was starting to feel better already.

"Could this night get any worse!? Huh!? I have a daughter who's gone mad, what next!? At least my son is-"

"Your son is engaged to the most beautiful woman in this entire castle," another voice chimed. Charlie. Perfect timing, too. He had a grin on his face as he walked toward me-looking the complete opposite mood as his father. "I've chosen Jessella Estelle Fetcher to be my wife, dad."

The king looked appalled once he noticed the engagement ring on my finger.

"...Alright," he eventually said after taking a minute. "Fine. I'm not sure if you all are just...tipsy or what...so I'll give you one chance to fix things now. Caspia, break things off with that man. Charlie, take that ring off her finger. Now. Do so, and things won't become ugly."

"As I have said before, I love him. I love Isaiah."

"And I love Jessella. I refuse to break things off with the woman who I believe will make this kingdom stronger."

"You know nothing about strength, son. Absolutely nothing. If you think that she will have the recipe for a thriving kingdom, then forget it. I tried to give you both a chance. Your mother and I arranged this ball so that both of you could choose wealthy suitors from all over but...that didn't seem to work. So now I'll have to do things my way. Now, my mother had this...soft spot for a man who wasn't my father. She thought she could keep her secrets for all these years but...I know. I know about the caves. I know about those jewels, and I know about those shipments you are wasting on those "people" who freeload on our land without paying a single coin in taxes. I tried to be respectful of these people for years, in respect to my mother who loved them so dearly. But enough is enough. If you don't pay taxes, this isn't your kingdom to call home. Each and every one of those pale-skinned cave idiots are criminals-whether they've stolen from my actual people or not. I'm done. I'm sick of it. GUARDS!"

Isaiah and I looked at each other-panic in both of our eyes. What was the king planning?

The guards came in an instant, grabbing all of us. The guard who held me was holding my arm so tightly that I thought he was going to rip it off.

"Take them all away. I'm done. Send them to the dungeon and don't let them see the light of day for the rest of their lives."

"FATHER!"

"You have lost the right to call me your father when you decided to go against me!"

We had no choice but to be dragged along. The queen was nowhere in sight-not that it mattered anyway. I was fearful at that moment. Not for myself-but for my people. Our people. Without me or Isaiah to warn them of what might come-what else would happen to them? Would they be killed? Imprisoned like us? I couldn't bear the thought. Mom. Dad. Matthew, Mark, Luke. Abigail and Olivia. Everyone I knew...they were all in trouble. And, for once in my life, there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I've never felt so defeated.