

## Mile Stone Trilogy

Books 1 & 2

By

### Debbie Civil

Copyright © 2020 by Debbie Civil

All rights reserved.

### Table of Contents

The Glorious Intallment

The Wondrous Deception

A Note from the Author

The Glorious Installment

By

### Debbie Civil

Copyright © 2017 By Debbie Civil

All rights reserved.

# Chapter One

"Lady Saint Claire, can I speak to you for a moment?" Lady Beatrice Cave shouts from the steps of the history building.

I wrongfully assumed that everyone was too preoccupied with gathering up their belongings and making dinner plans to bother speaking to me. My heart sinks at the determination that fills her gait. Lady Beatrice Cave is a noblewoman whose father is the Baron of Willington, the land where the academy lies. I'm luckless enough to find myself in this particular barony. Beatrice feels entitled to everything because of who her father is. If she wants my time, I should feel inclined to hand it over as if it were nothing but paper. But my time is very valuable. I can't spare a single minute getting sucked into a conversation with her. But she does have authority over me, which means that I can't ignore her.

"What do you need, Lady Cave?" I find it easier to accommodate her by meeting her halfway to the steps. My thick-soled boots make walking on the ice-covered sidewalk bearable, but even so, I find myself slipping a few times.

"You should RSVP for my party soon. Space is running out," she announces as she comes to a stop in front of me, putting her back to the history building. She's around my height, with chocolate-brown skin, short, curly hair, and large brown eyes. She wears the academy-issued uniform: a black sweater, and thick dress pants. But unlike me, she wears gold teardrop earrings and an obscenely large diamond necklace over her key-shaped pendant.

"Oh, I'll do that," I force out. I hadn't planned on attending her birthday party. It coincides with one of the times that I've set aside to spend with Jonah. But I can't tell her that. My brother's one of the forbidden topics that no one would dare discuss. And I hate that it has to be that way. But drawing attention to him could be dangerous.

"Good. I have three dresses for the event. I'm not going to show any of my guests. I want my dress choice to be a surprise. But I would make an exception for you, my lady." I try not to cringe at being called _my lady_. I have no noble blood. But that doesn't matter to Lady Cave. Beatrice looks hopeful, as if I would follow her to her living quarters and marvel over her grand ballgowns. I only have five minutes to make it to the meeting point. And she's holding me up.

Before I can explain that I have plans, a door opens behind the noblewoman and voices travel to us. I inwardly groan; now I have to be more cautious. Around this time, students are usually flocking to their rooms in search of a reprieve before dinner. I was hoping to be inconspicuous. But it would seem that fate had something else in mind.

"I have no idea," a familiar voice says. Lady Marigold Flay descends the steps of the history building, speaking to Sarah Brown, one of the noblewoman's closest confidants. I don't know much about Sarah. She's a commoner, poor, and has little social standing. Marigold is the daughter of the Baron of Trout, a minuscule parcel of land about five hours' drive from the academy.

Beatrice stiffens when she spots Lady Flay.

"My parents insisted that I invite Marigold. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered." After making that statement, Beatrice promptly walks over to Marigold and Sarah and herds them back into the history building. Good, the coast is clear.

The academy has an efficient layout. The plot of land is a perfect square. The academic buildings line the perimeter. Then the various dormitories fill in each quadrant. And in the center of it all lies the dining hall. My living quarters and the history building are both located near Dormitory 4. My goal is to travel over to Dormitory 1, which is on the other side of the campus.

By the time I make it across the campus, the sun has been eclipsed by a blanket of thick, gray clouds. The wind beats against my coat, and snow flurries begin adding to the mountain of snow already on the ground. One mercy is that the walkways in this quadrant are all plowed, which diminishes my likelihood of falling.

As soon as I arrive at the dormitory, I walk around the building and spot the slightly opened door. I enter, but get little relief from the cold. This is a long-forgotten stairwell, which means that it isn't properly heated or insulated. I stomp my feet on the threadbare rug that rests by the door and take in a deep breath and then climb the stairs.

When I arrive on the third floor, I breathe a sigh of relief. The closet door is slightly ajar. I enter and shut the door, which engulfs me in momentary darkness. A flashlight clicks on, and I see him.

Jonah leans against the cobweb-covered wall, his big, brown eyes smiling. His cheeks are hollow, and his clothes are torn in places. But he does have a thick black coat, and a pair of black worn boots. That's a mercy that his owner has afforded him. Owners don't bother giving illegitimates coats and boots, which results in people getting frostbite.

"Enly, how are you?" Jonah holds out one of his heavily scarred hands as he asks the question. He's eager for sustenance. I pull a bundle out of my pocket and hand it to him. It's fortunate that my coat has deep pockets. He unwraps a turkey and cheese sandwich and savagely bites into it. My heart breaks at seeing him so eager to eat something as basic as a sandwich; as if it were a commodity that would be stolen if it wasn't consumed. This was never supposed to happen.

"I also brought you an apple and crackers," I tell him. Jonah doesn't finish his sandwich. He slips it into his pocket and smiles, revealing yellowed teeth.

"How are you, Enly?" he asks again, making me sigh.

"Don't worry about me, Jonah. I'm fine," I assure him.

"Do you have any friends, aside from Kip?"

"No." There's honestly no reason to draw attention to myself. My aloofness has kept people from discovering my meetings with Jonah. The kitchen maid that smuggles Jonah into the academy was employed by my father until she married a factory worker and had to relocate to be closer to his job. She and Kip are the only allies that I need. Kip is my in with the nobility, while my friendship with Mary endears me to the staff.

"Enly, you need to talk to people. You can't shut them out. I want you to be happy," Jonah pleads.

"I'll be happy once you're a free man," I tell him. Jonah shakes his head.

"That could take a few years," he warns me.

"Then I guess it will take that long for me to be happy. Now, eat up," I demand as I hand him the rest of the food that I am able to hoard for him. Jonah slips the crackers into his pocket and eats the apple, which is strange. He can't put aside food for later. If his owner finds it, he would assume that Jonah went out scavenging in a few pantries.

"Thank you for the meal, Enly. Now, tell me about your classes."

"You didn't eat all of it. Are you sick?" I ask, worried.

Jonah sucks in a deep breath and then straightens.

"There's this new girl. I...um...I want to help her," Jonah confesses.

"That's too dangerous," I hiss. "She'll betray you." My heart races as panic threatens to give me a coronary. How could my brother be so foolish?

"Enly, she won't tell. I care about her, and she cares about me too. I..."

"Jonah, you are in no position to be in a relationship. They could kill you," I cry.

"It's worth the risk." He's so calm, as if being executed is no matter. I'm angry, afraid, and frustrated. After all I worked for, Jonah will throw it away for someone he barely knows. This can't happen.

"Jonah, don't be—"

"Enly, whatever you say, it isn't going to change anything. I love her, Enly. Don't you understand?" His dark eyes hold mine, but the joy filling his expression does not persuade me. This is a terrible idea.

"Just don't get caught," I plead.

"I won't. Lord Michaels barely watches us. He's too old. I promise I'll be careful," he assures me. Two quiet knocks from Mary announce that we've run out of time. I pull Jonah into a hug despite his stench. He holds me close. We tell each other that we love one another, and then he opens the door and leaves me in the dank closet.

I count to one hundred, and then I open the door. My bones are chilled. All I want is a nice hot bath. But my mind is overactive. If Jonah is caught having a relationship, he will be punished. If he impregnates the girl, he will be executed. Illegitimates have lost all rights, including the right to reproduce. The girl would live temporarily. Her baby would be automatically put up for adoption, then she would be executed. I can't fathom why he would risk it. In a few years, he could be free to date whoever he wishes. Why can't Jonah just wait? He's only fifteen. That's not proper courting age.

"Is everything well, my lady?" Mary asks as she tightens the strings on her blue apron. My inner turmoil has caused me to pause on the first landing. I force a smile, staring at the middle-aged, homely woman that I've known for all of my life.

"Yes," I softly say, not daring to explain what troubles me. Mary looks around then gives me a stern look.

"You need to keep it together, my lady. No one can suspect what's troubling you," she warns, and then Mary turns her back and walks up the stairs, brushing past me. I force thoughts of my brother from my mind and exit the building. I am amazed that the flurries have now turned into heavy snow.

# Chapter Two

I run my hand over the seam where the window meets the sill. A thin strip of metal rests in that spot, ensuring that the window stays closed after curfew. I'm unsure of how it works. My guess is that the metal retracts into the sill when a computer tells it to. Honestly, I have no interest in technology. It seems that technological advancement has been stunted since before the biological wars. The only technology that the government is interested in is the type that maintains order or cures the sick. I once read of a time where people could play games and listen to music on handheld devices. It's a pity that I don't have access to such a contraption. It might shut out what constantly runs through my head.

Jonah is risking his freedom. I may not marry Brandon Wilks, the future regent, in time. Jonah's budding romance may be the death of him. His optimism doesn't make any sense. But I guess he doesn't have much of a choice. Being afraid of consequences won't improve his situation. Taking a longing glance out of the window, I glare at my abysmal view. I notice a small brick building that's used as storage for the academy uniforms and decide that it isn't worth staring at. I turn around, only to yelp in surprise.

"Going somewhere?" Kip asks as she plops down on my full-size bed. Kip Mason has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. But the friendship isn't pure and effortless. It carries an undertone of convenience and necessity due to the fact that her mother is the queen's cousin. That's why I feel the need to keep secrets from her. She doesn't know that I'm in contact with an illegitimate citizen. She doesn't know that he trespasses on academy grounds so that I can sneak him food. Most importantly, she doesn't know that on occasion, I harbor my brother, when his owner has left the region to conduct a business deal. Illegitimates are unauthorized to travel to other parts of the country.

"No," I respond as I sit beside her. Kip is dressed in a long, thick, white academy-issued nightgown, while I'm still in my daywear.

"Why haven't you changed? Why hasn't Serena come in and helped you?" Every student in the academy is assigned an illegitimate to cater to their every need. Serena is my servant and will be a servant to students for the rest of her days. I have no idea why she has been given such a fate. But Jonah was the son of my father and stepmother, a radical who tried to have our king assassinated. My father and I barely survived the scandal, and after the woman was executed, the king demanded that Jonah be turned over to the labor union. At ten years old, he was forced to learn a trade and begin serving his country. When he's twenty-five, his sentence will be revoked, if he lives that long. He can go back to living with my father if he chooses. But I imagine that he wouldn't want to reside in the house where his mother once dwelled. Some of the servants may still have hard feelings.

"I don't need anyone to help me change. I dismissed her," I tell Kip, whose beautiful face turns down in disapproval. She doesn't understand my aversion to having a maid. But every time I look at the servant, it reminds me that Jonah is also paying for someone else's mistakes. At least my brother has an out, which was no doubt given to him because my father was able to bribe someone. What about Serena? How fair is it that she has to serve me when it hasn't been her choice? I guess it's easy for Kip to put all of that aside. She comes from a family that is closely linked to the royals. Good for her, but that isn't my lot in life.

"Holy plague, darling, it's your birthright. When you inherit your father's fortune and his manor, aren't you going to need someone to assist in its upkeep?" She knows that she has a point. Kip folds her hands in her lap, her silver bracelets jingling in the silence.

"I will hire my maids. I won't take in any illegitimates!"

My declaration causes concern to ripple across Kip's angelic face.

"Enly, you can't possibly hire people when illegitimates need a place to work. Think about it, if you don't hire one of them, a noble like Marigold will, and you know what will happen to them," she reasons.

"They will live a life of misery," I softly agree. We've had this discussion many times. It's comical, how predictable the dialogue is. But this is the only subject that Kip disagrees with me on. I'm hesitant to push too hard. I'd have to be foolish to think that Kip doesn't know about my half-brother, Jonah. Though his name was deleted from all of the records holding my family's genealogy, information has its way of landing into the hands of the rich.

"You're right," I tell Kip before letting out a yawn.

"And yet you argue with me every time," Kip notes before pressing the green button that rests above my headboard, summoning Serena. I want to argue with her, but there's no point.

The timid woman rushes in, her blue eyes scanning the room as if to figure out what service I could possibly need her to perform. In the six months that she's worked for me, I have only summoned her once. I eye the pendant that she wears around her neck. Like mine, it is shaped like a key, but unlike mine, it has a built-in buzzer that sounds every time I press the button.

"My lady?" she asks, her pale blonde brows arched. Cursed plague, if she calls me "my lady" one more time, I swear I'll throw something at her. Protocol dictates that you address all your betters formally. Since my family isn't titled, she's supposed to call me Miss Saint Claire. But I can't fault her when everyone else at this academy insists on referring to me as a lady. Instead of admonishing her, I sigh.

"I want to get ready for bed. Can you please bring me my nightly tea and draw my bath?"

The slave nods, curtsies, and rushes from the room.

"Ridiculous," I hiss. Kip rests a pale, delicate hand on my shoulder.

"If she weren't working for you, she would be stuck with someone else. And that mistress might not be so kind," Kip reasons. Sometimes I wonder if she says those things because it's what I want to hear, or because she really believes them. I study her face, her turquoise eyes, the set of her jaw, and I still can't determine what her views really are.

"You're right," I say for the second time, and I wince. I'm only so agreeable because I'm tired. That's what it is.

"Enly, I came here to tell you something." Kip fidgets with one of my plump, decorative pillows. I frown at her, not knowing where this conversation is heading.

"What?" My question comes out high-pitched and panicked. Is she going to ask me about Jonah?

"I'm betrothed!" She announces this as if she's telling me that money is raining down from the sky. I swallow, take a deep breath, and gather my thoughts. Kip is a year older than me. She's scheduled to finish her courses this spring. I've always dreaded her leaving. But I figured with Jonah coming by, it wouldn't be so horrible. But now an unknown suitor is added to the mix? How inconvenient.

"Who?" I choke out. This is the best news where Kip is concerned. Her goal is to settle down and raise children. That's why she didn't come to the academy with a specific area of study. Because I would be taking over the family business until Jonah becomes legitimate again, I focused my studies on trade, marketing, and negotiations. I will be on these hallowed grounds for another two years. And it terrifies me to think that Kip won't be around. I'll need to find a suitable replacement. It won't do for me to interact with groups of students to learn about the happenings in court. Once you surround yourself with nobles, then every event in your life becomes a topic of discussion.

"Who?" I choke out.

"Thomas Fields," Kip says. That is an amazing betrothal for Kip because Thomas Fields is going to be the next Regent of the Gulf Coast. The only position higher than regent is prince, who has to answer to the king. Kip will become a noble, just like she has always dreamed. I will be marrying Brandon Wilks, the future Regent of the Great Plains region. It works out fine, since I am from the Great Plains. I don't even have to uproot at all. In fact, Willington Academy is located an hour's ride from the regent's dwelling, which is in a barony called Parnell.

"Maybe our husbands will conduct business with one another!" I say hopefully.

Kip smiles. "Maybe. At least we know that we're probably going to see one another once a month."

Which is true. Each month, all of the lord and lady regents of the reformed union of Stanti convene in whatever region the king is living in. As a rule, the king doesn't have one castle. He is supposed to alternate between regions, never spending more than six months at a time in each one. Our sovereign hadn't stepped foot in the Great Plains region in eight years. That's why I don't have any qualms about defying him. My brother is more important than a fat man who does nothing but eat pastries all day. Dad practically sold me to the Wilks family when I was four. I guess Brandon's father, Jet, really wanted money. But I have my own agenda. Only a regent from the Great Plains region can reverse my brother's illegitimacy. If Jonah isn't free by the time I get married, then it will be done. I will demand it.

When Serena walks in carrying a tray, my stomach grumbles. Along with tea, she also brings in a pile of chocolate chip cookies. Kip frowns at the snack, but I don't bother explaining. When I'm scheduled to meet Jonah, I don't go down to the main dining hall for dinner. There is a social rule that if someone doesn't attend dinner, it means they don't want to be bothered. But Kip had to visit me to tell me the news. I guess it's a good thing that I didn't spent the night talking to Jonah or sneak him in. We would have been caught.

Kip stands, kisses me on the cheek, and rushes from the room. She probably has more friends to tell. Serena places the goodies on the desk and flips a switch on the door, activating the automatic lock.

"Let me draw your bath," Serena says before walking into my private bathroom.

I can't wait to luxuriate in the claw-footed bathtub. When Serena exits the bathroom, I take it as a sign to strip out of my uniform. I place each article of clothing on the bed, release my long, thick, black hair from the bun, and rush into the bathroom. Sitting in the tub, I bathe and wash my hair. I have some boundaries, and having someone bathe me is one of them. After finishing with my bath, I dry off and slide into the white nightgown that Serena left hanging on the towel rack. Then, I rush out into the room. My maid is standing by the desk, her eyes jumping around the room. I frown and decide that she's acting a little funny. I haven't known her for very long. My last maid, Lisa, was pardoned for her crimes and released from service. Before serving me, Serena worked in the kitchens. I have no idea if she viewed her reassignment as an improvement.

"Is something wrong, Serena?" I ask, and she jumps, her hand flailing. She accidentally knocks over a teacup, and it shatters into minuscule pieces. At least it hadn't yet been filled with tea. I look down at the mess and then stare at her shaking hands doubtfully. If she cleans up this mess, she will hurt herself. Being mindful to avoid the area where the glass is, I slowly approach the maid. The closer I get, the more she flinches. I place a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry, my lady," she says timidly.

"Serena, sit," I order, gesturing to my bed. She complies, and I retrieve a broom and a dustpan and clean. I sweep, dump the remains of the beautiful teacup down the trash chute, and close the compartment. After returning the cleaning supplies to their rightful place, I glance at the maid. She looks utterly shocked. I need her to snap out of whatever she's going through. I walk over to the desk, and thankfully, there are three more teacups. I lift the insulated teapot and pour her a cup and frown. I have no idea how she takes her tea.

"Sugar or no sugar?" I ask, but I don't get an answer. I peer at Serena to see that she has her head in her hands. "Serena, how do you take your tea?"

"I've never had tea before," she softly admits, and a pang of sorrow pierces my heart. How could she have never had something as wonderful as tea before? I decide on putting a cube of sugar in her tea and hand it to her. Her hands tremble, but she doesn't spill any tea on herself. She tentatively takes a sip, and pleasure spreads across her face. I sit on the desk chair and prepare my own tea. It's raspberry tea, my favorite. I take a sip and peer at the chocolate chip cookies. I won't eat all of them. I grab a small plate and put a few on it and place them beside Serena.

"These are delicious!" I assure her. A tear falls down her cheek, and that just makes me uncomfortable, so I eat my cookies, drink my tea, brush my teeth, and go to bed.

# Chapter Three

I wake up to the dreadful sound of the morning alarm, which is broadcasted over the PA system. Today it's the sound of wind chimes. I sit up in bed and see Serena going through my closet, trying to sort out today's outfit, which is odd because everyone is required to wear the uniform on weekdays. I'm about to tell her that any uniform will do, when she pulls out a pale blue gown. It's formal and the hem reaches my ankles. Last fall, Kip and I visited an exclusive dressmaker. She begged me to purchase the gown, saying that when the king's court traveled to the Great Plains Region, I'd have something extravagant to wear. That idea was laughable. The king hasn't set foot in this region for eight years. I shake my head and continue to stare at the dress. The material is heavy, and the long sleeves are practical for the winter weather. I frown as Serena places the gown beside me on the bed.

"It's time for you to get up, Lady Saint Claire," she tells me, stating the obvious.

"I'm supposed to wear that?" I ask, gesturing to the gown.

She smiles.

"Regent Wilks and his son are visiting."

Cursed plague, she can't be serious. My betrothed is visiting the academy, and I didn't received proper notice? I frown down at the dress, and a bubble of unease fills my stomach. I haven't yet met the famous Brandon Wilks, though his many exploits have been documented in the _Daily Notice_ , which is an update that everyone receives—whether they want to or not. The magazine follows politicians and the royals and often reports any scandals that occur. Thankfully, Brandon isn't the promiscuous type. Although all sexually transmitted diseases have been eradicated, people are still a bit squeamish about having random sexual partners. I share those qualms mainly because a genetically modified sexually transmitted disease was what wiped out three quarters of the population over four hundred years ago.

Brandon's most famous scandal was the time that he got into a brawl with a baron four months ago. He had to sign a grievance for his crime. I wince when I consider what could have happened to the nobleman. In this country, crime of any kind isn't tolerated. The justice system, in my opinion, is a bit warped. An undisclosed number of people are isolated from the population, living in an undisclosed location. They are forced to become jurors for the rest of their natural lives. Typically, unwanted babies are chosen to become jurors, because a baby can hardly hold biases about a certain group of people. Besides, being a juror is a much preferable fate than being an illegitimate, because a juror still has rights. They can own homes and raise families. They just have to reside on Justice Island.

If a citizen commits a crime, either the baron, regent, or a victim will file a grievance against them. The defendant will be blindfolded, brought to the jurors, and will be tried. Then the individual is drugged and returned to the region that they reside in. They are placed in a holding cell to await their fate, which is carried out by a minister of justice.

What's difficult for me is the fact that a punishment can extend to the criminal's blood offspring. It's done as a deterrent. People will be less likely to commit crimes if they know that their families will be penalized. But what's even worse is that a criminal could also be sent to the island of Serial. The island, located in the Pacific, is where the criminals dwell. I don't know what occurs on the island, and it isn't like there has been anyone that could tell me about it. No one escapes Serial.

"My betrothed is coming here? Why wasn't I given notice?" I inquire.

Serena cringes.

"Your betrothed is coming here with his father. The regent is presenting awards to some of the scholars. I was notified last night, but I was instructed not to tell you until this morning."

I am furious. Why was Serena ordered not to notify me that Brandon Wilks had finally decided to spend some time with me? Maybe the headmistress knows that I've been sneaking Jonah on campus? The headmistress probably withheld the information to spite me. If she does know, she can't punish me. I'm virtually untouchable in these walls. My father donated to this fine institution right before I enrolled. He promised the school board that he would do so again after I graduate.

Deciding that I need to hurry, I rush to the bathroom to wash my face and teeth. When I walk back into my room, Serena grabs a few bottles that are neatly organized on my dresser and deposits them on my desk. I know the drill. She spends fifteen minutes rubbing lotions and oils into my caramel-colored skin. Students aren't allowed to take baths in the morning, so everyone usually coats their skin with heavily scented perfumes and lotions. Because I don't want people to sneeze every time they walk past me, I use lily-scented lotions and don't bother with much perfume.

After she's cared for my skin, Serena helps me into the heavy gown. Thank goodness it isn't form-fitting. It fits comfortably and flares out at the bottom. After Serena zips me into the dress, I sit on the chair and let her tend to my thick black hair. She spends an exorbitant amount of time on an intricate twist that requires an obscene amount of pins. When Serena's finished, she rubs a solution in my skin that hides small blemishes that aren't all that noticeable. Then, she lightly powders my face and puts something on my lashes to make them appear thicker than they are.

After that's completed, the servant rushes to my closet and returns with my heels. They aren't that bad, only elevated an inch. I hate the shoes. I prefer slippers or my boots. Despite my protest, Serena slides the shoes on my feet and I stand, feeling like I'm wearing two hundred pounds' worth of fabric. To top it all off, she gives me an extremely thick cape to protect me from the cold. Since she's my maid, Serena wears a blue plain gown that ends at her ankles. The fabric isn't as thick as mine, and instead of wearing a cape, she wears a thick, long, black coat.

We walk into the wide hallway and can hear other students getting ready for the day. They are most likely as surprised by the regent's appearance as I am. My guess is that security needs to be up to par. If the whereabouts of the Lord Regent and his only heir were common knowledge, assassins would be on standby. The regent isn't beloved by his people. You can't really expect undying loyalty when you only come to their region twice a year. Regent Wilks spends all of his time at court attending lavish balls.

"You will be taking your meal in the private dining room," Serena tells me as we step outside. Despite my layers, the frigid temperature attacks my bones, and I shiver. It is a white campus. Seeing the light flurries falling makes me worry about Jonah. Did he find somewhere warm to sleep in his lord's spacious holding? Lord Michaels doesn't have designated sleeping quarters for the illegitimates that work for him. He's the kind of owner who forces them to outdo one another for his favor. He's also a diabolical monster who purchased Jonah just to spite my father after a business deal went wrong. Not that my father has even tried to have one of his friends help Jonah. He's too embarrassed to ask one of his partners for charity. That's the excuse that my father always gives me. When Father visits, I'll ask him to swallow his pride and beg one of his friends to purchase Jonah. I won't take no for an answer. My father has all but forgotten that Jonah exists, refusing to utter a word about his illegitimate son.

"Cold," I mutter as we go down the path. I have to hold up my gown so it doesn't trail on the ground. And that's unfavorable because, despite the well-insulated stockings, my legs are exposed to the aggressive, cold wind. Couldn't my betrothed have visited during spring?

The dining hall is in the center of campus. All of the buildings were built an equal distance from the domed building. It is a red building with white trim. When it's nice out, people do their schoolwork in the adjacent rose garden. Now, however, the lush garden is covered with snow. The building has two floors: the first consists of the kitchens, a store that sells treats, and a formal sitting room that students can reserve to hold meetings. After we ascend the spiral staircase, we enter the large dining room which has rows of cloth-covered tables that seat six people each. A stack of menus are resting in the center of each table. The room is mostly empty. Only a few well-dressed students are in attendance. My maid must have wanted me to arrive at the dining hall before the chaotic breakfast rush.

We reach the back of the room and stop. Five guards are blocking the door to the private dining hall. They all stand to attention when they spot me.

"Lady Saint Claire!" Tommy, a senior officer, greets me, his wide grin doing nothing to comfort me.

I nod and smile at him.

"Can I see your pendant?" he asks.

Everyone wears a pendant shaped like a key. And only the owner of the pendant can remove it. Reaching back, I press my thumb to the clasp, and a click sounds as the clasp is disengaged. I hand the pendant to Tommy. He inserts the pendant in the lock, and the door opens. If I didn't have clearance to go into the dining room, it wouldn't have. He hands me back my pendant, and I put it around my neck and walk in.

"Holy plague! Lady Saint Claire, is that you?" a young man asks. He seems shocked. I study him and freeze. Lord Brandon Wilks stands beside a table adorned with the academy's finest china. He wears a uniform that has gold buttons, thick black pants, and a matching cape, the ceremonial regent garb. My heart pounds. His father is pretty old. Did he retire? What does that mean for me? "My apologies, I skipped past the introductions. Lady Saint Claire, I'm Brandon Wilks, the soon-to-be Regent of the Great Plains." As I eye Brandon Wilks, all I can feel is anticipation. He is now in a position to offer me power that I can wield to protect my family. But none of my features display this emotion; instead, I offer him a slight smile.

"I'm Enly Saint Claire," I say, to cover all of my bases. I don't want to appear rude, since he took the trouble to introduce himself. "Congratulations, Regent," I say, giving him a curtsy. He smirks and pulls out a chair for me. I sit, and Serena leaves the room after Brandon shoos her away. That irks me. He has no right to dismiss my maid. But I don't press the issue.

"You are the first person of importance to see me in my uniform. The notice of my father's retirement has gone out this morning," Brandon announces as he sits across from me. He's handsome in a powerful way. His bones are chiseled, and his olive skin is overly smooth. His black hair is cropped short and neatly combed. I can't imagine myself being incredibly happy with him. But that's an unfair assessment, because I haven't had a conversation with him yet.

"I'm honored," I tell him as a male servant enters, pushing a cart that holds covered platters. He parks the cart and bows.

"Rise," Brandon sharply commands, and the servant does what he is told. The man pours orange juice into tall glasses and places all of the platters in the middle of the table. He uncovers them, and the smell of eggs, bacon, sliced potatoes, and sausage links waft in the air. My stomach growls, and it takes everything for me not to dig in. But Brandon hasn't blessed the food yet.

The servant rushes off, and the new regent doesn't waste time blessing the food. When he's finished, we both help ourselves. The food is delectable. It takes all of my control not to inhale it. But I don't want my future husband to think that I will embarrass him when he has influential diplomats over for dinner, so I daintily eat.

"This is delicious!" I exclaim after minutes of stretched silence.

Brandon nods.

"The cooks have prepared my favorites," he informs me before taking a bite of his eggs. "I like eggs not only because they taste good, but because there are so many ways to prepare eggs. They are easy to make as well. When my chef is short-handed at the public food kitchen, I will pop in from time to time to boil pots of eggs."

"What other foods do you enjoy?" This conversation is going better than I'd hoped. Brandon seems decent enough. But I suppose that it doesn't matter. I'd marry an old man if that means giving Jonah his freedom.

"I'm a fan of pork and beans. And I also indulge in some sauerkraut." His other favorites make me wince. He has just listed every food that I despise. I can't help but wrinkle my nose. Brandon chuckles. "You aren't a fan of any of those things?"

"No. I like lamb chops, chicken, and rice," I tell him. The regent pretends to pout for a moment, but then he shakes his head, as if associating like this isn't on his agenda. He straightens and places his silverware on the table.

"Enly, I'm not the type to beat around the bush. I want to be honest with you. I didn't come here to present people with pointless awards," he admits, which makes my stomach roll. These "pointless" awards are going to be given to students who have worked for their whole academic careers to become respectable scholars. But I don't dare tell him that.

"You can be honest with me, Regent," I assure in a coaxing tone. I hold his eyes, and he appears as though he wants to escape my gaze.

"I need a wife. A regent has to marry within ninety days of his or her appointment. But you aren't what I want. I have broken the betrothal with you. Papers will be delivered to your father by the end of the day."

Just like that, my hopes and dreams are obliterated.

# Chapter Four

I don't bother asking the regent why he has broken the engagement. I don't cry or plead for him to release Jonah, because he won't. Releasing an illegitimate whose mother tried to murder the king would be too much of a risk to take, especially when the act would only hinder someone's political career. When the servant enters again and brings tea, I don't bother drinking. What's the point? For years, I banked on being the lady regent in order to rescue my brother. With the backbreaking work he's doing, he may die from exhaustion, malnourishment, or from some hideous untreated disease. But now, I'm numb inside. I can't feel anything.

"Lady Saint Claire, are you all right?" the regent asks me, which is an insulting question. I'm smiling as an attempt to put on a brave face, but it must not look convincing. But does he have to comment on it? He has just ruined all of the plans that were in place. How does the lord regent expect me to be all right?

"I'm fine," I state, desperately wishing that I could be dismissed.

"I apologize for the inconvenience. I just don't think that you're well-suited to be a regent. You're only a child."

Liar. If I were only a child to him, his eyes wouldn't have been filled with desire when he first laid eyes on me. Brandon Wilks finds me attractive. The regent doesn't want to break this match. He probably found a more valuable bride.

"I see," I mutter, the bitterness making my stomach cramp. Brandon continues speaking.

"You have a few more years left at the academy. I would hate to interrupt your studies. So I'm drawing up a contract with Marigold Flay." So he's kicking me to the curb for a girl I could barely stand. She is a year ahead of me and hasn't focused on a specific area of study. She's graduating in the spring. Though I would imagine that when she becomes lady regent, she won't need to graduate with everyone else. The headmistress will deem her ready to go out into the world, and she will marry Brandon and make my life miserable. Marigold Flay always hated me for some unknown reason. I'm sure that my father's business will suffer for it; I have to warn him.

"When is the wedding?"

"In three weeks."

Father has three weeks to move to another region. Things will be difficult for him now.

"May I be excused, Lord Regent?" If my father heard what just came out of my mouth, his head would explode. Brandon is a regent, which means that my time was his until he excused me. But I can't be in the room anymore, not when the despair and bitterness are starting to eat at me. Brandon nods, and I stand and perform a fluid curtsy. I dash out of the room, hoping not to run into anyone.

Everyone stops speaking when I enter the main dining room. In the awkward silence, my heartbeat nearly deafens me. The students clearly want to know why I have dined with the regent. But I don't want to tell them. Instead, I walk to the exit, Serena following behind me. I have phone calls to make, and I don't relish my father's reaction.

***

"Cursed plague! He did what?" father shouts into the phone. I'm sitting at my desk with the phone clutched to my ear. I'm still in my gown, though I'm terrified of facing the public. I'm positive that by now everyone would have heard of how the regent has slighted me. All of the professors that have been kind to me will now treat me harshly for the satisfaction. All of the students that have left me alone will begin to slight me. No one at the academy wanted to cause trouble for the future lady regent. They wanted to be on my good side. All of that will end. This means that it will be more difficult to see Jonah.

"It gets worse," I warn him.

"Enly, how could it get worse than being jilted by the future regent?"

"Marigold Flay is his betrothed." I've often told father about her malice toward me. He's always responded with, "Don't worry. When you're lady regent, you will set her straight." Now she's lady regent, and I'm screwed.

"Why didn't the regent inform me before breaking off the betrothal?" my father asks.

"Because he's Lord Regent, Dad. He doesn't need to answer to anyone except the royal family."

"How dare he disrespect our family? We will go to the king," Dad tells me. "We will set this matter straight." My father's temper allows a thimble-sized amount of hope to take residence in my chest.

"Would that work?" I ask, hoping that my father can provide an argument that will convince me that something can be done about this. The law is on my side. Brandon's family did sign a binding contract with mine. He can't break a betrothal without compensating my family. Maybe Jonah being released will be the price we ask for. And if Brandon refuses, we could contest the betrothal between Marigold Flay and Brandon Wilks. If the king rules in our favor, Brandon would be required to marry me. After I become lady regent, I'll sign Jonah's freedom myself, since I'd be authorized to do so.

Maybe Brandon and Marigold are in love. For all I know, a relationship between the two of them has been going on for a while. So he'd probably want to placate my family.

"I'd have to request an audience with the king. That could take a couple of weeks, since he isn't in our region," Dad explains, his voice returning to its normal volume.

"Maybe we could let Brandon break the betrothal," I hesitantly suggest.

"What do you mean?" Dad sounds confused.

"Dad, we can ask for Jonah's freedom."

"Enly, we can't do that." My father's dismissal of the idea causes the desperation inside me to surge.

"Think about it, Dad. We can get everything we want. Brandon will release Jonah, and he can go to the academy and become your heir. Jonah can read and write already, so the workload shouldn't be too difficult for him," I argue.

"Enly, I can't sit around and allow Brandon to break this contract because he found someone else. It's the principle of the matter. I want you to be happy. But I also want to protect you. Do you know how hard it's going to be to arrange another marriage for you? Don't you know how difficult it is for an inexperienced person to run a large business? Brandon was well-suited to help you. After all, who would dare cheat a member of the Wilks family?" Dad asks.

"Dad, forget about the business for a second. Don't you want Jonah to come back home?" I nearly cry.

"He will, once you're lady regent," Dad tells me, and he disconnects the line without even saying goodbye.

I'm just about to call him back and continue the discussion when there is a knock on the door.

Since I sent Serena on her way before calling Dad, I open the door myself. In the doorway, wearing a wide smile, is Marigold Flay. I have no idea why she's come to see me, but it can't be good.

"Come in, my lady," I say before moving away from the door. Because she isn't lady regent yet, I don't bother to curtsy. Instead, I plop down on my bed and stare at her wearily. She's wearing a dark red dress, and her red hair is loosely hanging down her back. Her gray eyes are taking in the room as if she's trying to understand it. "You lost?" I ask after she doesn't do a thing.

She lets out a chuckle.

"You're upset that the regent has broken his betrothal with you," she observes. I don't reply. Instead, I sit up straight and stare ahead. "Enly, he feels terrible for the inconvenience. So he asked me to allow you to be an attendant."

"What?" My question is squeaked out. Attendant? No, this can't be happening.

"That's right. He thinks that you would be a good fit. Surely, he doesn't know you well." Despite the ridiculous idea, hope swells. If I were one of Marigold's attendants, I would be able to help Jonah. Maybe I could get him a lighter sentence. Brandon could present my case to the king.

"Lady Flay, I would be honored to serve," I tell her, conveying the emotion in my eyes. She begins laughing, and I know that I've made a terrible miscalculation.

"Of course you would want to serve me. But I don't want you to serve me. I will tell Brandon that you refused. I wonder what things for your father will be like once the regent hears that his lady has been refused? Oh, he will be furious with your father," the woman says.

"Why?" I ask. "Why do you hate me?"

She stops laughing, and her face grows serious.

"I don't hate you, dear lady. I hate Karen. You associate with her, which means that you're just as bad. Sometimes you must be careful about who you befriend," the lady explains. Karen Mason, also known as Kip, has been the bane of Marigold's existence for as long as I can remember. I don't understand the feud between the two girls, and Kip refuses to enlighten me. Now I'm suffering for it.

I don't usually press issues, but my friend is going to explain why I'm going to lose everything.

"I see," I force out.

"Maybe you should have been nicer to me, my lady," the redhead says before storming out. And for a few minutes, I'm frozen. There's nothing to do but sit on the bed and try to figure out how I'm helping Jonah. There has to be a way.

"My lady, do you need anything?" Serena asks sometime later. I've skipped the award presentation because it isn't required. Besides, there's no point in attending. I'm certainly the object of all the gossip. If I bother to go, no one would dare sit with me for fear of upsetting Marigold. All the professors will make my life difficult. I'm at the top of the class, so all my hard work will be in vain.

"A new life," I whine. Serena chuckles.

"I can't provide that, my lady. How about some dinner?" I'm not remotely hungry. But I know that it isn't healthy to skip meals.

"Can you please bring up something light?" I ask.

"Very well, my lady," she says, and then she's gone.

A few seconds after my maid leaves, Kip rushes in, tears streaming down her face. She isn't dressed in a gown. Instead, she wears the school uniform. Her blonde hair is loose and damp. Her face is drawn, and her green eyes are red and puffy. Before I can speak, she plops down on my bed with such force that some of my decorative pillows tumble to the ground. Kip's sobs make it difficult for her to form complete sentences.

"I... I... I'm... I'm... leaving... the... Academy..."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Headmistress... Burns... asked... The headmistress asked me to leave."

Oh, I wonder why... And so it begins. Kip is leaving, and I'm going to be isolated. My stomach drops. Kip, my only ally, will be gone for good.

"I'm sorry," I say, a tear rolling down my cheek. Kip continues to bawl, the grief causing her body to quake. I rush to the bathroom, grab a handful of tissues, and give them to my friend. She wipes at her face and tosses them down the trash chute. When she's done crying, Kip looks at me. It's now that she seems to realize that I'm still in my gown. "You haven't met with the headmistress?" she asks hopefully.

"No. But I did meet with our new regent," I say, wincing.

Kip frowns.

"Why did he break your betrothal?" she asks me.

"I'm not sure. He claims it's because I'm still a child," I scoff, disgusted that the Lord Regent can't be honest with me.

Kip laughs.

"You're going to be eighteen in a few months. You are hardly a child."

"He's just making excuses. I'm not sure why. My guess is that Marigold's father drew a hard bargain."

Serena rushes in, carrying a tray laden with lamb chops, mashed potatoes, squash, carrots, and a bowl of chocolate-covered fruit. So much for bringing me something light. She places the tray on my desk and curtsies to the both of us.

Serena rushes to explain. "My lady, I couldn't resist. They are serving lamb chops, and I know how much you love them. The dessert is chocolate-covered fruit, and you also love that. I didn't want you missing out." Her beautiful emerald eyes are full of hope.

I smile at her.

"Thank you so much, Serena. Can you please draw my bath?" Maybe after I bathe, I will be able to eat.

Kip sighs after Serena leaves the room.

"You don't ask your servant to do something, you demand it, Enly. How many times do I have to tell you that?" she playfully whispers before kissing my cheek. We tightly embrace, and I know that this is the last time that I will see her. "I'm leaving in twenty minutes," Kip tells me after we part.

"Kip, does this mean that you will be marrying Thomas?" I inquire.

"In three days," she responds, shivering.

"I wish that I could be there." I think of all the alliances that my father could have gained. That thought immediately fills me with guilt. Kip is my friend, the only student that I had bothered becoming close to. Although the friendship began as a political maneuver, the girl did grow on me.

"I wish that you could be there too," she says. "But the wedding has to be done quickly so that the public doesn't figure out that I've been thrown out of the academy."

I nod. She gives me one last kiss on the cheek and leaves my room. After Kip is gone, only Serena will have a pendant that will work on my lock. The thought makes me feel lonely.

# Chapter Five

My weary eyes open because of the hideous sound effect that's broadcasted over the loudspeakers. It could best be described as a tortured crow. I sit up and immediately notice Serena, who has just pulled my uniform out of the closet. The thought of going through another class is daunting, but I don't have any choice but to attend. If someone has an unexcused absence, the student will earn a demerit. If one receives forty demerits, they will be expelled from the academy. The student's name will automatically be placed on the black list, which means that no other academy will accept them. I can't afford to ruffle any feathers today. It's that knowledge that allows me to get out of bed. I stand on my wobbly legs and walk to my bathroom. After completing my morning routine, I don the uniform and coat and follow Serena into the hallway.

The first person that I run into is Lady Beatrice Cave. I'm walking to the cafeteria with my maid when she calls my name, but I don't recognize her voice at first because I've never heard her address me as anything other than "Lady Saint Claire." I grudgingly make my way toward her. She's standing by the doors to the building with her illegitimate, a short girl with dark skin and short, curly, black hair.

"Hi, Lady Cave," I say, forcing myself to smile.

"Unfortunately, you are no longer able to RSVP for my party. I've run out of room," she announces.

"I see," is all I can force out. What else is there to say?

"You should hurry inside now, it is freezing out here," Lady Cave says, waving me through the double doors.

I step inside the building and wait in line. The line moves up the winding staircase and into the dining room. I usually sit with a group of girls that Kip's friendly with. Serena walks me directly to their table. Tara Carter, another commoner, seems nervous when I approach. But she doesn't demand that I leave. The other girl, Olivia, who's also a commoner, shoots me a friendly grin.

"Enly, how are you?" Olivia inquires.

"I'm holding up," I tell her.

"What would you like to eat, my lady?" Serena inquires. The two girls stare at the maid as if she's a lunatic. It takes me a moment to deduce why they have reacted in such a manner. I'm not a lady. I must speak to Serena about how she addresses me when we return to my living quarters.

"A bowl of yogurt with granola and a glass of orange juice, please," I respond, the greasier options not holding much of an appeal after yesterday's meeting. Serena merely takes off for the kitchens, and for once, I wish that I could be in her shoes.

"So, what's the lord regent like?" Tara inquires before taking a bite of her toast. She has always been the vain one in the group. But she isn't as beautiful as Olivia. Tara is short, with mousy brown hair, tan skin, and eyes that are too wide. Olivia is tall, with golden-brown hair, pale skin, and a friendly smile.

"He's all right," I answer, staring down at the white linen tablecloth.

"Holy plague, he is handsome! Did he kiss you?" Tara's question makes Olivia throw down her fork.

"Tara, let's not talk about him," Olivia begs.

"Why not? It's all what anyone can talk about. The campus is buzzing," Tara argues.

"Tara, Olivia's right, we should talk about something else," I say, trying not to snap at Tara. These girls are only acquaintances, but I should be polite.

Tara concedes, and Olivia regales me of the assembly, including who received awards. All the recipients were people who only had five months left in the academy. I envied that they could escape.

Serena rushes back to the table bearing a tray with eggs and toast. She glances at me apologetically. The two girls at the table stare at the food, confused.

"My apologies, my lady. They ran out of yogurt." I can tell that Serena has omitted part of the truth. My guess is that she doesn't want to discuss the matter in front of Tara and Olivia. I'm thankful for that.

After breakfast, I make my way over to the philosophy building. I'm required to take a course titled Living Issues, which is about ethics. I trudge into the lecture hall and take a seat in the back row. Tara, who's also in this class, waves before choosing to sit in the front. I try not to be offended. I understand. If she associates with me, Marigold could find a way to punish her.

As soon as the last student enters, Mr. Williams walks up to the podium. He's a little round old man with a kind face.

"Today we will discuss the issue of allowing illegitimates to start families," he announces. That topic brings me right back to worrying about Jonah. Is he all right? Did his owner discover what he's been doing in secret? I have been so distracted by Brandon Wilks breaking the betrothal contract that Jonah's recklessness hasn't entered my mind of late. This issue is tearing at me.

"Of course illegitimates should not be allowed to have children," a boy near the front declares.

"Who will feed and clothe the children?" a blonde in front of me demands.

"I thought that the point of being illegitimate was to be punished for a crime. Because of past mistakes, the individuals forfeit the right to start a family," a girl argues, and I'm eager to toss my philosophy book at her head. Jonah did not make any mistakes. He was penalized because my stepmother decided to commit treason. He should have every right to have a family.

"All good points. But argue the point while using the teachings of some of the philosophers that we've been discussing in class," Mr. Williams encourages.

I don't participate in the debate. Instead, my mind wanders to Dad. If he convinces the king to force Brandon into marrying me, what would life be like? Would Brandon secretly resent me? Would he pine for Marigold for the rest of his life? Will he retaliate in some way? To be honest, his feelings don't factor in this equation. I'd marry the regent even if he is kicking and screaming. I'd do just about anything to free Jonah.

***

By lunchtime, I'm weary and exhausted. Each class is two hours long. After enduring Living Issues, I had to sit through Etiquette, another required course. We learned the psychology behind making agreements and how to draw them up in social situations. The professors didn't show any hatred toward me. But Olivia had been in that class. She smiled at me and then sat next to someone else. I was stuck next to a commoner who hadn't used any of his lotions or perfumes. He reeked of sweat and kept on gawking at me. I guess since I am no longer the regent's betrothed, I'm fair game for any man that's stupid enough to try to court me.

"Enly," a male calls as I'm nearing the dining hall doors. I may have thought it odd to be referred to as a lady, but being called my given name feels wrong. I supposed I took the respect that people readily offered me for granted. I turn around and see Simon Birdhouse, the Baron of Skyway. He's tall, with black hair and blue eyes. He's also a shameless flirt.

"Hi, my lord." I brace myself for the insult.

"When you have a chance, I'd like to speak to you."

"What about?" I ask, a bit more sharply than what is appropriate. We used to run in the same circles, before my stepmother, Sharon, was executed for treason. But we aren't friends.

He slides his hands in his pockets. "I'm interested in speaking to your father about a match between you and me." Simon's words catch me by surprise. Why would he risk upsetting Marigold?

"Our future lady regent hates me. That would be a mistake." And if my father hears of this, he won't protest this match. He lives in Skyway. One could only imagine the advantages that he would gain if I marry the baron.

"Her issue is with Kip. The more you distance yourself from her, the better," Simon reasons.

"She can't stand me," I protest.

"She's a politician. Enly, Lady Flay is going to make decisions based on what's best for her region. What's best for her region is for you to become a noble. Your family is the wealthiest in all of Stanti. Your father could choose to sell you off to another baron from another region if he sees fit. Lady Marigold wouldn't want that to happen. That would be a significant loss of jobs. And that would mean fewer taxes collected."

What he says makes sense, but there is still one more obstacle to this plan.

"My father's upset that the regent broke the contract without offering compensation," I tell him.

The only reason that I'm bothering to tell Simon is because he'd have to be present during the negotiations. Maybe if I explain what I want for compensation, he could back me. Simon and I used to play together as children. My father was good friends with his father, before his father died of a heart attack last year. Now Simon has the burden of running his land while being an academy student.

"Is your father looking for compensation, or is he hoping that the regent reconsiders?" he inquires, studying my face as if he could detect if I'm dishonest with him.

"He hopes for me to become lady regent. But it doesn't matter to me. I'm willing to negotiate," I confess, not wanting to play my card yet.

"Let's get out of the cold. We can discuss a plan over lunch," Simon tells me. He holds out his elbow, and I place my hand in the crook of his arm. We join the throng of students going to lunch. Lunch will run for two hours. That means that we have plenty of time to speak.

Simon directs me to a table away from the crowd. Serena and another illegitimate, a tall man with graying hair, survey us. Simon and I both request chicken and mashed potatoes. Like breakfast, I'm given another wrong order. Simon frowns at my plate.

"You didn't order that," he notes.

"Someone in the kitchen hates me," I explain. "That's what's been happening since the lord regent broke my betrothal. People are afraid of spiting Marigold, so they aren't being kind to me."

Simon frowns, considering.

"That still doesn't give them the right to treat you that way. Maybe things will change once we're betrothed," he suggests. I don't care if they change or not. Kip is my only friend and she's no longer at the academy. Before I can express this to Simon, he clears his throat and continues speaking. "What are you going to ask for as compensation?"

"Jonah's freedom," I say, studying his facial expression.

He doesn't seem surprised; he knows what happened to my brother. But he shakes his head, which causes his dark hair to shift on his forehead.

"Brandon wouldn't grant that. He'd have to be insane."

"Why not?" I sit up, my stomach twisting in naught.

"His mother tried to assassinate the king. She actually managed to kill one of the king's trusted and favored advisers. You think that Brandon Wilks, a regent who's already in hot water, will free Jonah? That isn't likely."

The baron's logic is sound, but I have to fight.

"Why would the king want me to be lady regent? He has to know that I'd try freeing him," I plead.

"It wouldn't work, Enly. The most you could do would be to hire him yourself and have him work in the regent's castle. Your husband would block you. There is too much hatred for your stepmother and her kin," the baron explains.

"You are so lucky that her blood does not run through your veins," Simon adds.

"So, you won't help me?" I ask.

"No, not if that's your price," Simon tells me.

"Then we have nothing to talk about," I say, standing and storming out of the dining hall.

# Chapter Six

"Who here can tell me who established Freeland's trade agreement with the isle of Mexico?" asks Professor Shore. He's a tall, skinny man with wavy brown hair. I'm sitting in the classroom at a table in the back. No one dared sit beside me, lest Marigold discover the fact. Everyone, including some of the people that have known me for years, are giving me wary looks. I don't bother raising my hand, even though I know the answer. There is too much on my mind. It has been two days since my lunch with the baron. I have attempted to phone my father on multiple occasions, but he has been unavailable. How far has he gotten? Has he had his audience with the king yet? I have no answers, and that's been eating me alive. It's a good thing that World Trade Procedures is my last class for the day. I took four classes for the first three years, wanting to get everything out of the way. When I could, I studied and tested out of others. All this hard work was to graduate so that I could be available to marry Lord Wilks. But it seems like I have just wasted my effort.

"Enly, do you have a response?" Professor Shore is the only professor who is showing his disdain for me. He addresses me as Enly to remind the students that I'm no longer above him. I may be wealthy, but I'm not a noble. He is, no doubt, one of Marigold's supporters.

"President Goldman," I answer without looking up from my notebook. I don't know why he even bothers. I know this textbook in and out. That's why I'm a year ahead.

"Correct," the man grudgingly states. He wanted to humiliate me.

Before he can go on, there is a knock on the door.

"Come in," the professor calls.

The soldier Andrew, the one that had guarded the private dining hall during my breakfast with the lord regent, enters with a weary expression on his face. He studies the students, as if looking for something. His eyes barely glance at me. Even he is beneath noticing me. This is ridiculous.

"Mr. Shore, can I make an announcement?" Andrew asks.

"Go ahead, officer," the professor says.

The guard stands beside Mr. Shore, the contrast between the men noticeable. The guard is handsome, muscular, and has darker features.

"Students, there have been acts of vandalism performed in some of the sleeping quarters. Some valuables have been stolen. I need all of you to go to your rooms to ensure that your belongings are intact."

Cursed plague! Vandals are the last thing that I want to deal with. I put on the coat that I slung over the back of my chair and follow the students out into the cold.

My room has not been vandalized, which is a relief. Serena is sitting at my desk when I enter. She's working on sketches for my wardrobe. I smile at her.

"Good afternoon, my lady," she greets. She stands, curtsies, then gets back to work. I like that she's a lot happier than she was the night she broke the teacup. That's what makes me hesitate to rebuke her for addressing me improperly.

"Good afternoon, Serena," I say warmly. Since there's nothing to report, I turn back around and am about to open the door, only to discover that it's locked. So, we aren't supposed to return to class? Fine by me. I don't have to deal with disapproving looks. The phone rings, and Serena answers it.

"Hello. Yes, this is Lady Saint Claire's maid. No, this room has not been vandalized. Do you want to speak to the lady? Hello?" Serena places the receiver back in the cradle and sighs. "The guard hung up on me."

"He didn't want to speak to me," I say, exhaustion creeping into my voice. "Everyone's avoiding me because the regent's betrothed hates my guts."

Serena curses but doesn't stop working. She must be inspired. I'm fortunate that my maid is able to draw sketches for dressmakers. She is very talented. That's why I decide not to distract her with my complaints. Because I have nothing else to do, I plop down on the bed. I feel restless, so I move my pillow. I'm lucky I bothered, because a folded note waits for me. I pick it up and open it.

Dear Enly,

I wish that I could have seen you again. But I can't. Today, Mr. Michael sold me to a coal-mining company. I'm leaving right away. I know that the work is dangerous. But I'm hopeful. I'm used to working hard. It will be difficult, but I'll manage. I don't want you to worry about me. You need to live your life. In ten years, I'll come home, Enly, I promise. It will be okay.

I never say things like this to you, but I'm blessed to have you for a sister. You are kind, giving, brave, fearless, and one of the most incredible people that I've ever met. Over the last five years, you have given me something to hope for.

I hate to do this. You have done so much for me. But I have to ask. After you get married, please look for illegitimate 943-2895. Her name is Bella Gore. She is a beautiful girl with dark brown eyes and short dark-brown hair. You were right, sister. She betrayed me. But not in the way you think. She had to choose between saving me and a five-year-old. Find her and employ her. Please do this for me. It will give me a peace of mind knowing that she is safe. I'll never forget her.

I know that I'm asking a lot. But do me one more favor. Be happy. Please. All I want is for you to be happy.

Your Brother,

Jonah

"Did you read this?" I ask Serena after I finish tearing the letter into minuscule pieces. It hurts destroying Jonah's words like this, but there isn't any choice. If the headmistress discovers this letter, Serena will be penalized.

"Yes, my lady, I did."

Any other time, I would be pissed. But now, I'm just beyond exhausted. It seems like everything is piling up. My betrothal has been broken, Kip has been expelled, and my brother has been reassigned. It's just too much to bear. And I can't help to think that this is no accident. Did his owner discover his relationship with the girl? Was making that choice Bella's punishment? Probably. I try to empathize with Bella Gore, but I can't help but blame her. Maybe I shouldn't be too quick to blame. Was Marigold up to this? Or maybe his owner wanted to get Jonah out of his hair.

This is too much. This entire week has been one blow after another. It's a good thing that today is Friday. Tomorrow, I don't have to face anyone. I can stay in my living quarters and indulge in viewing television or reading a novel. I lie on the bed and allow myself to shed a few tears. But then I sit up and glance at Serena. She looks genuinely worried about me, which is touching considering her position. Isn't she supposed to hate me? If I were illegitimate, I would despise my owner. But Serena serves diligently and rarely falls apart.

I think back to the night when she confessed to never having tea before.

"Serena," I call.

She stops drawing altogether and inclines her head.

"Why were you so sad, the other night?"

"I missed my parents," she answers, her voice growing distant.

So many questions fill my head. Who are her parents? What crime did they commit? Why does she have to be illegitimate for life? But I don't bother. She doesn't strike me as the sharing type.

"They went to Serial," the maid adds in a tone of finality.

I slip out of bed and begin pacing. This habit must get on Serena's nerves, because she opens one of my desk drawers and pulls out a copy of the _Daily Notice_ and hands it to me. Shockingly enough, the front page isn't a photo of Brandon and Marigold; it is of Prince Matthew with his arm wrapped around his younger sister, Princess Lexi. They are both dressed in fine robes and appear to be laughing. The caption reads, "The Royal Children Dress up like Scholars." I flip the pages and begin reading the article.

IS THIS MOCKERY?

Last night, Prince Matthew and his sister, Princess Lexi, snuck into the Academy of Spartan. They went into the supply closet and commandeered two robes that belonged to senior scholars. After donning the robes, the royal pair photographed themselves on the stage of the auditorium. A servant who was cleaning busted the pair. He immediately notified the police, and the pair was arrested. They didn't have proper identification and were incarcerated.

" _Neither of them resisted arrest," an officer reports. "They didn't reveal their identities to the arresting officer."_

When officials asked how the pair broke into the academy, sources report that they stole someone's pendant. An officer was found in a supply closet, duct-taped to a chair. The prince and princess visited the magistrate of justice to pay a steep grievance. It was then, when Prince Matthew stated his full name, that their identity was realized. The castle was called, and an aid went to the court to verify their identities. When all was settled, the prince still insisted on paying the fine. He had this to say:

" _What Lexi and I did was irresponsible. It was a prank gone wrong. We deeply apologize for inconveniencing anyone involved." Many people are only grateful that the pair wasn't sentenced to Serial. That would have been tragic for the country. Hopefully, the prince and princess have truly learned a valuable lesson._

I don't even give myself time to think about it. I turn to the next page and see a picture of Lord Regent Brandon Wilks standing beside his betrothed, Lady Marigold Flay. His arm is around her waist, and she looks up at him with admiration in her eyes. So the idiot fell for her seduction. That's how she won him. I brace myself and read the article.

Lord Regent Brandon Wilks comes to power with a new woman on his arm.

" _Lord Brandon Wilks has always been a loose cannon. Even if he signs a contract, he backs out. You never know what to expect from him. Let's hope that he finds his honor along the way," Queen Arabella said to reporters yesterday during a conference. Typically, a regent has to present a potential bride to the king and queen. They both must approve of the match. King George himself recommended the lord regent's match to Lady Enly Saint Claire fourteen years ago. He's outraged by the regent's unwillingness to marry the heiress._

" _Lord Regent Brandon Wilks is going against hundreds of years of traditions. He has no right to break a betrothal that has been approved by his king and queen. Even if he marries Lady Marigold Flay tomorrow, I will not recognize her as lady regent. She doesn't have the standing or grace for this office," the king told reporters. Enly Saint Claire of Skyway has yet to comment. But an anonymous source reported that Marigold was using her new position to bully others._

" _Lady Marigold has been acting shamefully. She believes that she can use what little power she has to harass who she perceives as her enemy."_

" _Lady Marigold barely has the level of education needed for her position. Becoming lady regent is a huge responsibility. Yes, there is prestige, but she will be responsible for the welfare of millions of people. I do not think that she has the capability of ruling with compassion," Princess Lexi said._

I stop reading, my head spinning. The king and queen want Brandon to honor the betrothal with me. If Marigold happens to marry the lord regent, she will not be elevated. If I married Brandon Wilks, I would be. If Marigold isn't going to be elevated, she will throw a tantrum. She'll cry and fight me or...

My bedroom door crashes open, and Serena lets out a surprised yelp. I bring my eyes up to the doorway and see a maid clutching a handgun. She'll shoot me. I don't have a doubt in my body. I toss myself from the bed and hit the ground hard as the first shot is fired.

# Chapter Seven

Serena! She'll die because of me. I know this and can't do a thing to stop it. Meeting no resistance, most likely because all of the guards aren't going to be fast enough to save me, the woman steps into the room and shuts the door.

"I have my orders. Kneel, Serena," the maid instructs, her dark eyes filled with malice.

Serena does what our attacker demands. The woman glares at the maid. "Don't interfere," the maid warns Serena.

"Don't kill her! She's a good person," Serena begs. The maid hits Serena in the face with the butt of her gun. Serena crumples to the floor. Her groan confirms that she isn't unconscious.

"No one move," the maid snaps as she points her gun at me. Message received. I will die if I make a move. The maid presses the button for lockdown, which means that we're trapped. I have no weapons, and Serena is curled up in a ball, her hands covering her head.

"Please, don't hurt us," Serena whimpers.

The maid ignores Serena's pleas. She stands over the crying girl and points the gun at her head.

"I promise, Serena, it will be quick," the killer assures in a soft tone.

"Please, Sammy, I don't want to die," my maid cries.

I have to do something. Once Serena's been killed, the maid will target me. I can't let that happen. I refuse to die, not while Jonah is working in the mines. The only weapon I have is the _Daily Notice_ , so I toss the magazine at her. It smacks the maid in the face, and she instinctively shoots at it. The bullet tears through the paper and ricochets off the wall.

"Serena, get on your knees," Sammy orders. My maid is shaking as if she were a sapling being attacked by a tornado.

"Please, Sammy, don't do this. Please!" Serena's begging strikes a chord with me. She's groveling for her life. I don't find it in me to beg. I'm hoping to distract the maid. Maybe then Serena could call for help.

I scan the room. Sammy takes aim at Serena. I spot the supply closet and get an idea. This is bold and stupid, but I don't have any other way. I stand and sprint toward the woman with all I've got. The gun goes off, and I feel a searing pain in my leg. But that doesn't matter, I need this woman to be disarmed. The weapon fires again, and it feels like a thousand needles have exploded in my left shoulder. When she fires a third time, I'm unsure of what she's hit, but it isn't me. By then, I'm plowing into her. Suddenly, I'm crashing onto the floor, my injured shoulder slamming against the wood. The scream that flies out of my body is so deafening that it pains my already-ringing ears. I'm on top of the woman, and the gun is between us.

"Serena, get to the supply closet," I yell. I can't help but yell, mainly because it's difficult to hear my own voice because of the ringing in my ears. I don't think that I will ever hear normally again.

The thin woman tries to move, but I'm much heavier than she is. Part of Marigold's stupidity for sending a maid is that she is incredibly undernourished. She doesn't have the muscle mass to contain me. Even though I'm injured, she can't get her left hand at an angle to pull the trigger. Good, I'll just crush her to death with my weight.

The inexperienced woman finally realizes that she has a left hand and begins punching me in the head. Her blows seem to do more damage to herself than to me. She must have a hand injury. I grunt when she clocks me in the jaw. Hand injury or not, that hurt. So, I make a fist and punch her in the nose. Her blood explodes from her nose and sprays me in the face. I wince as her blood gushes all over me.

"My lady," Serena calls. "What would you like me to do?"

"Grab tape or rope," I say, my energy fading. My maid curses, and then my attacker's struggles cease. I'm not sure what Serena has done, and it's difficult to care. I'm so exhausted and cold. My vision is blurry. But whatever she does, the maid stops struggling.

I'm so tired now. It's pointless to stay awake, knowing that Serena's safe. I'm more than confident that my attacker won't hurt us anymore. I close my eyes and drift off.

When my eyes flutter open again, I'm in a king-size bed in what looks like an opulent suite. The walls are painted a peach color, and the floors are marble. The rest of the furniture is made of maple wood. I attempt to sit up, but pain lances through my entire body. So, the maid attacking me wasn't a dream. I spot a rope hanging above my head and reach for it. It feels like I'm trying to touch clouds in the sky with my fingertips. But my hand, which is wrapped up in a bandage, does reach the chord. I pull it, and not a minute later, Serena rushes into the room.

She greets me with a warm smile.

"My lady, you're awake!" she squeaks. Her pale blue eyes are relieved and excited.

"I'm hungry," I croak out.

She nods.

"Doctor Bean told me that you would be hungry. But he doesn't recommend you eating until two hours after you wake up. There's no sense in you upsetting your stomach and vomiting," she says.

"Can I have something to drink?" I ask.

Serena nods. She scurries away and returns with a tray bearing a cup of water, a teapot, and some teacups. She places her burden on the table beside my bed and helps me sit up. Serena places pillows behind my back to help support my weight. I start with the water. Drinking it is like breathing fresh, clean air. I quickly gulp it down, and Serena waits fifteen minutes before giving me a steaming cup of raspberry tea. It's while I'm sipping my tea that I begin asking questions.

"Serena, what happened?" Knowing that this is going to be a long explanation, Serena sits in the chair beside my bed and gets comfortable. "You should take some tea for yourself," I insist. She shakes her head. "That's an order." Serena makes herself a cup of tea and returns to her seat.

"Well, the maid that attacked you is named Sammy. She's an illegitimate that has a life sentence. If she killed you, Marigold was going to reverse the maid's sentence. I guess when she found out that the king wanted you to be lady regent, she became angry. No one knows if Lord Regent Wilks was in on it. That's why he's on trial. Since Marigold and the headmistress were in on it, and there were documents linking them to the crime, they were both sent to Serial. Their trials were expedited. They were shipped out earlier today."

Despite the fact that the two women meant to harm me, my stomach roils. It's odd to think that two people who barely knew me were now being punished because they wanted me dead. Why did they take such a risk? Was assuring that I was no longer breathing worth the consequences?

"What happened to the maid?" I ask, fearing the worst.

"She will face royal justice. No one is sure when."

"What did you do to incapacitate her?"

"I knocked her out with a hammer," Serena bluntly responds, her voice icy. I shiver. "You were losing a lot of blood and I needed to get help quickly. After knocking her out, I called the captain, and he sent soldiers to help you."

"Thank you," I rasp, allowing my gratitude to show in my eyes.

Serena nods.

"My lady, you're a kind person. I didn't want to see your life end. You could do amazing things," Serena tells me.

"I sure hope so," I respond, causing the maid to chuckle.

"After the captain came, I explained everything, and he transported you to the medical ward. You have been unconscious for eight days," Serena says. "They didn't want you to suffer through the accelerating healing. They pumped you full of chemicals and used a device to repair your wounds. You were shot two times, Enly. It's a miracle that you're here." Serena's eyes get misty. She called me Enly, which makes me smile. I'm glad for it.

"Where's my father?" I ask. If my wounds were that serious, shouldn't he be here with me?

"He's at court. He's outraged over what happened to you. He's out for blood." Serena's response shatters my heart. Of course my father would seek vengeance instead of keeping vigil at my bedside. His wounded pride is much more important than soothing me.

"You're awake," a male voice says, causing Serena to stand, place her tea on the table, and curtsy. I stare at the stranger and instinctively attempt to get out of bed. He holds up an annoyed hand. It's weird seeing the face of someone I've only seen in weekly notices. His hair is the color of ash, and his handsome face is filled with disapproval. He's tall and thin and wears the dress uniform of a scholar, dark blue trousers, and white button-down shirt, and a black robe that reaches the floor. I'm staring at Lord Julian Gash, Prince Matthew's royal assistant.

"Leave us," he snaps at Serena, and she grabs her unfinished tea and rushes from the room. I glare at him for talking to Serena that way. But he doesn't take notice. "Your maid makes a habit of drinking your tea?" he hisses.

"I ordered her to," I answer, defiance sparking in my eyes.

He sighs and sits on my maid's vacated chair.

"Do you believe that Lord Regent Brandon Wilks wants to harm you?" he harshly asks.

"No. I—"

"Do you have any reason to believe that he ordered Marigold Flay to attack you?"

"No. But maybe I—"

He tosses another question at me before I can finish the last.

"Do you think that you provoked Marigold Flay?"

"No, she's always hated me." Finally, I can fully answer a question.

"Why did you refuse to be an attendant for Marigold Flay?" he asks.

"I didn't. Marigold purposefully lied to Lord Regent Wilks so that she could cause a rift between my family and his."

"And how do you know that?" Lord Gash demands.

"Because she told me that she would do so. She went to my room and asked me to be an attendant for her. When I accepted, she laughed in my face and told me that she would tell Brandon that I said no," I quickly say before he can interrupt me again.

"Why would she do that?" he asks.

"Because Marigold doesn't like me," I respond as if the answer is simple and the guy questioning me is dense.

His face turns to the picture of disgust.

"So, you mean a woman who was going to be elevated and celebrated threw all of this away because she hates you?" Lord Gash is obviously having difficulty believing that someone could commit a horrible crime just because she didn't like someone.

"Yes," I answer, feeling really tired. Lord Gash doesn't read people well, or maybe he doesn't care, because he asks question after question. When Lord Gash concludes interviewing me, misery appears on his face.

"Lord Brandon Wilks has to be replaced," the royal assistant announces with dread.

Despite his possible involvement in my attempted murder, my stomach plummets. The Wilks family have led this region for over two hundred and seventy-five years. I would hate for this legacy to be tarnished because of an overeager idiot.

"Who will replace him?" I ask.

"If you paid attention in history class, you should know that the royals choose the lord and lady regent. There will be a series of reviews conducted by Prince Matthew and Princess Lexi. When it's over, the most qualified will be either lord or lady regent of this dreaded region. This means that I have to extend my stay," Lord Gash complains.

"Lord Regent Wilks hasn't been found guilty yet," I argue, just wanting everything to go back to normal. It's a stupid thought. But if Kip comes back to the academy, Brandon and I are betrothed again, and I heal up well, I will be able to forget what happened to me.

Lord Gash's face turns sour.

"The idiot isn't fit to lead. He not only disobeyed King George and Queen Arabella, but harbored rebels. How else was that maid able to get the gun, Lady Enly?"

Rebels? Brandon Wilks was in communication with rebels? I can't believe it.

"How?" That's all I can manage.

"We found proof while searching his house. Apparently, he was a part of the uprising. Even if his betrothed hadn't shot you, he would be in trouble for that," Lord Gash says, and suddenly, it all makes sense to me. The kingdom will conduct the review to make a point. No one turns against the royals. But another thought rings through. I can still help Jonah. I sit up straighter though it pains me and shoot Lord Gash a determined look.

"I'm submitting an application for the review."

# Chapter Eight

It takes another eight days for me to be a hundred percent. Luckily, the review hasn't begun yet. Filling out the application was simple enough. The only questions had to do with my grades and health history. Serena keeps me company. She brings me daily notices, drinks tea with me, and sketches while I complete my course work. On the last day of my stay in the grand suite of the hospital, Serena comes in with a chicken dinner that I could never eat on my own, even if I hadn't eaten in weeks. She places the tray on the table.

"The cook didn't have any lamb, so I asked him to make your second favorite, my lady," Serena explains. She brought two plates, which is standard when serving such a large fare. I stare at the chicken, potatoes, and a bowl of fruit covered with chocolate sauce and come to a decision.

"Serena, I order you to partake in this meal with me."

Her eyes go wide. But what can she do? I ordered her to eat with me. She uncovers the platters, then she makes my plate and places the tray across my lap. She gives me a heaping plate of food and makes herself a plate. The hopeful expression on her face breaks my heart. What does she eat? Why hadn't I taken interest in that before? How can I expect Jonah's superiors to feed him if I don't feed my maid? I make a pact with myself. Serena won't go hungry if I can help it.

***

"This is wonderful, my lady!" Serena exclaims with delight after she takes a bite of the dessert. Though it looked appetizing, I really wanted Serena to have it. After she ate all of what was on her plate, and the leftovers, she didn't appear fully satisfied. I'm about to tell her that chocolate is amazing when Princess Lexi enters. She glances at me then Serena, and a huge smile stretches across her face. Serena is unaware of the royal's presence due to the treat that she's savoring. So, I stand and loudly clear my throat, because one can't speak in the company of a royal unless given permission. Serena peers around, sees Princess Lexi, stands and curtsies deeply, and I follow suit.

"I see your maid is enjoying the food," Lexi comments in an amused tone.

"She has never tried chocolate before, and I really wanted her to have some, Princess Lexi," I respond, hoping that she doesn't mind my informal speech. The beautiful princess, who has poker-straight, jet-black hair and eyes the color of moss, chuckles.

"Call me Lexi, Lady Enly. And don't bother curtsying to me in private. I hate pointless formalities," she insists. We are off to a great start. Maybe if she likes me, she won't scoff about me being a part of the review.

Before I can say something, Serena speaks.

"Princess Lexi, can I bring you anything?"

"Yes. I would like two bowls of that chocolate stuff and a pot of raspberry tea," she responds, winking at me. My maid collects all the dishes and piles them on the tray before she rushes from the room.

As soon as the door clicks shut behind Serena, Lexi turns serious.

"I'm sorry for what happened to you, Lady Enly," she softly says as she sits in Serena's vacated chair. I sit, facing her, on the bed.

"Please, call me Enly," I tell the princess, offering her the same kindness.

"Very well. I'm sorry for what happened to you, Enly."

"I'm just relieved that no one was killed. I'm lucky to be alive. I'm shocked that Marigold stooped to that level," I admit.

"I agree. So, you want to be reviewed?"

It's a sudden change of subject, and my heart pounds. For a moment, I can't take a breath. A brief flashback of Marigold goading me to ask for a position as her attendant enters my mind. But then, I remind myself that Lexi is nothing like Marigold, so I answer, trying to keep my chin up.

"Yes."

"It makes sense, fighting for the position that's rightfully yours. If I could, I would give it to you. But I'm afraid that things don't work that way. I'm expected to be fair. I'm just letting you know that I admire you, Enly. But my advisors and I will not elevate favorites. If there's someone that is fit to govern the Great Plains region, then I will choose that person over you, understood?"

"Yes," I choke out. It seems hopeless to win. But at least if I'm kind to all of the competitors, they will improve my brother's situation. I may have to settle for him being a servant instead of a noble.

"I'm glad that I got this off my chest. Cursed plague, it's so cold here!" Lexi shivers, despite the fact that the room is well heated. She wears a thick red gown and a thick black cape. I can't see her legs, but she's probably wearing thick stockings underneath.

"Are you required to wear gowns?" I ask.

Lexi frowns for a moment and considers her answer.

"Most of the time. I can wear pants around the castle."

"It's too bad that you can't wear the uniform that academy students are required to wear."

Lexi's frown deepens.

"What uniform?" she asks.

"Black pants, sweater, and thick, comfortable boots," I list, remembering that the princess most likely didn't attend one of the academies. She grins.

"You guys are so lucky. The review will be held at the Willington Academy. Only students can enter. You w—" She pauses and shakes her head. "I'm sorry Enly, I can't tell you. I'm afraid I can't say anymore."

"What's going to happen to Brandon?" I ask, worry lining my face. Marigold and Headmistress Burns are in Serial. There was no hope for either of the women. But what would happen to Brandon Wilks?

"He's likely to be exiled to Serial. Father has no desire to execute him, but Mother has different ideas. She's worried that if he isn't hung, then people will continue to help the rebels. Father's concerned that if he does hang Brandon, he'll be a martyr to the cause."

"What cause?" I ask, feeling ignorant. Word of a rebellion hasn't reached me.

"To get rid of the nobility. The rebels are backing certain leaders, hoping that a change in royals would benefit the country." That's all the princess will say about the matter. Since it really isn't any of my concern, I'm not in the mood to press her. Though I am relieved that Marigold and Mrs. Burns have been punished.

Serena enters with a tray with two bowls brimming with fruit and chocolate. She places the tray on an end table and curtsies to the princess.

Lexi grins.

"Thank you, Serena. Would you be so kind as to prepare Lady Enly's bedchambers at the academy? If she wants to be a part of the review, she'll have to return to the academy by midnight," Lexi tells her, and Serena speeds out of the room like a bullet.

"What? I—"

"That's the only favor that I'll do for you, Enly. Just to give you a fighting chance," Princess Lexi says, cutting me off.

***

At around ten thirty p.m., a car arrives at the hospital to bring me back to the academy. The hospital is twelve stories high and has various types of rooms. I was placed on the ninth floor because I wasn't in critical condition. My guess is that Serena is back at the academy, organizing my new living quarters. My father told the administration that I shouldn't be subjected to sleeping in the very room where I was nearly murdered.

Thinking of the attack as a murder attempt makes my gut twist. I'm about to get sick. I take deep meditative breaths, managing to keep my dinner in my stomach. A maid with bright red hair escorts me out of the massive doors, and a guard flashes me his badge before I'm helped into the back of the black SUV. It's freezing out, and my well-insulated uniform does little to keep me from shivering. As soon as the door to the car is shut, the driver mercifully cranks up the heater.

I'm three minutes away from the academy. Even so, the walk will be treacherous. Even illegitimates are provided with vehicles for the journey, though they are forced to squeeze into big trucks.

When I see the academy gates ahead, my heart pounds with anticipation. I'm not looking forward to competing against people that I've known for years. But I am hoping that Jonah is rescued. Hopefully, this competition will mean a happy ending for him. I don't care that I'll be stuck in a stuffy position for the rest of my life. I'll make do with that.

The driver parks in front of Dormitory 4, which is a building that has eight stories and no elevator to speak of. My guess is that they give the top floors to people who can't afford to give the academy a contribution. Technically, anyone could go to the academy. Depending on what you wanted to study, there were seven of them in each region. This school concentrates on government, law, commerce, and other paper-pushing professions. A career in trade or government isn't guaranteed. Finding employment in those fields will solely depend on what kind of connections an individual has. That's why common folk don't usually bother with Willington Academy. It is the smallest academy. Most of the schools have sprawling campuses. I remember being jealous of the beautiful infrastructure of the Science Academy. If I wasn't born a Saint Claire, I probably would have been a doctor.

"Welcome back, my lady," Serena greets as she opens the car door. I slide out, and we walk up the stairs and enter the front door. I go past the common room and the library, not wanting to socialize with anyone tonight. I'm thinking that we're going back to my room, which is on the first floor. I can't dismiss five years of ritualistic behavior. It takes my panicked mind a moment to remember that I'm never going to see that room again. My new room is on the third floor. I don't care that I have to climb the stairs. I'm just fortunate to be given a new room. I use my pendant to open the door, assuming that Lexi wanted my presence in the academy to be recorded. As soon as I enter my new room, which is a replica of my previous one, my maid closes the door and flips the switch.

"Lockdown is much later due to the prince's arrival," she tells me before I can ask.

I nod. I glance around the room and stare at the spot by my bed where she would be sleeping. Deciding that I am going to be a lot nicer to Serena, I open the linen closet and pull out a thick comforter and a sheet. I place them on my bed. She frowns. "Would you like me to fix your bed?"

"This is for you," I tell Serena. I hate that I had been unconscious for the majority of the hospital stay. She probably slept on the bare ground, which is customary. Why give an illegitimate a bed when they are lower than you? After taking the offered blankets and putting them in a corner, my maid draws my bath. After I soak and change into my nightgown, we have tea. She doesn't say much to me, which is all right. I am tired of reading daily notices, but it's good to know what's going on. Every dormitory has a television, but I usually don't have the time to watch it. The only time that it's worth watching is when one of the royals makes a speech. Parties are often filmed, but who wants to watch a bunch of people in luxurious ballgowns dance? In this region, people are more appreciative of a fire and a hot cup of tea. Even I'm not used to living a life of luxury, and my family has billions of dollars.

I slip underneath the warm blankets. Despite the fact that I've been sleeping for the better part of two weeks, it is easy to visit dreamland.

I dream of Jonah. When we were children, my father used to go to the other regions for business meetings. My stepmother, Sharon, was always off at a friend's house. She never spent any time with me or her son. One day, Jonah and I were running around the hallway of the manor house. I was an officer and he was a criminal. He had stolen the king's crown. Jonah ducked into doorways and used the back staircases to avoid me. The point of the game was to walk out of the front door without the officer catching up to you.

Jonah wasn't good at evading me. One time, I spotted him running down a staircase. Usually, he stopped and admitted defeat. But this time he chose to run. He made it down two flights of stairs before he slipped and fell. One of the servants had been mopping the staircase per Sharon's order. I never forgot how I screamed when Jonah slipped. He was six and so tiny. I should have known better than to play this game with him. But I hadn't, and he had gotten hurt because of me.

Sharon wasn't concerned about her son. She had one of the servants take him to the hospital and refused to let me visit him. When he got back, we played card games, and I always made sure to sneak him extra cookies. Sharon didn't want her son eating sweets. In her own way, she was preparing her son for a life as an illegitimate. I just didn't know it yet.

Something brings me into wakefulness. I slowly open my sluggish eyes and see a slither of light. My door opens. Immediately, I'm brought back to when the maid attacked me, and I let out an ear-splitting shriek.

"My lady!" Serena calls. Of course she's up. I hear her voice coming from the bathroom. She rushes out and frowns at the door.

"Miss Saint Claire," Lord Gash scolds, and my heartbeat returns to normal. He walks into the room and flips on the light switch. He has a clipboard and a pen, and the guy looks put out.

"Sorry. I thought that you were an intruder," I say, pressing my hand to my beating heart.

The jerk actually laughs.

"You scream just as I'm about to close the door. You would have been long dead if I were a real intruder."

His mockery makes me angry.

"What are you doing in my room, Lord Gash?" I demand.

He sighs.

"Don't worry, this is related to the review," he says in a bored tone before flipping off the light and leaving my room.

Serena flips the switch on the door, and it's automatically locked. She sits beside me on the bed and places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"My lady, how about some tea?" I nod, and she gets some from the teapot. She also serves me a few cookies. I slowly drink my tea and try not to tremble.

"I know that this probably won't help, but I'm a light sleeper. If an intruder were to come, I'd fight them off," Serena declares. And despite how fearful she acted when the maid came into the room, I believe her.

# Chapter Nine

The morning alarm is a rooster, and I hate it more than the barking dog. Yup, the rooster sound may be the single most terrible racket that I've ever experienced. I'm glad that I'm not cultivating a farm. I sit up and rub my eyes. After drinking the tea, my consciousness was lulled into a place of peace. It was like I didn't have a choice but to fall asleep and dream about pleasant things. Serena must put something in the tea or cookies.

"How did you sleep, my lady?" Serena inquires as she takes my uniform out of the closet.

"Peacefully," I respond before bounding into the bathroom. Today is a new beginning. I will do whatever it takes to save Jonah. With vigor, I wash my face and brush my teeth. When I return, Serena helps me into the school uniform and puts my hair up in a bun. After I lace up my black boots and don the academy-issued fur-lined coat, Serena and I walk to the main dining hall.

As soon as we walk through the double doors, we halt. We can't go any farther due to the line of students. I'm surprised by the crowd, considering the fact that we had arrived at the dining hall relatively early. She leaves me with my peers and joins the huddle of servants. I tap the shoulder of the boy in front of me. He turns around, his soft dark eyes smiling, even though his lips aren't. He looks as tense as everyone else.

"This is the first elimination," he begins. "You have to try to gain entry to the private dining hall with your pendant. If the door opens, you are still being reviewed." My mind races. People are already being eliminated? That can't be good. I think of last night and how Lord Gash had been in my room. He had said that he had been collecting data for the review. But what were we being judged on? I have no idea.

"Did someone come to your room last night?" I ask the boy.

He nods.

"It was so weird. I was up doing some homework when a castle guard barged in. He asked me if I had any illegitimates. When I said yes, he asked me where my servant was. Kent was in the bathroom. He waited until Kent got out of the bathroom and went to bed before leaving."

He's probably a commoner, like me, but not wealthy. Before attending the academy, father forced me to memorize all the names and faces of the titled and untitled wealthy students. My heart breaks at the hopelessness that briefly flashes in the boy's eyes. He obviously thinks that he'll be discounted because he isn't rich.

Before I can say anything, a resounding shriek fills the air. Everyone pauses, trying to figure out who's shrieking. I don't have a view of the private dining hall, but my hypothesis is that someone is angry about the review. "I can't believe this! My pendant doesn't work! Cursed plague! How could this happen? I will be talking to my father," Lady Cave cries. I'd recognize that voice anywhere. Someone must have shut her up somehow, because we don't hear anything else.

"She sounds like a typical noble. I bet she has twenty servants, and is nasty to all of them," the boy comments. Although illegitimates are divided equally into the population, servants are not. People can hire as many as they want. Though if you had hired servants, you were last in line for an illegitimate.

"I wonder why she wasn't chosen."

"She broke into hysterics when she didn't get her way. Maybe this is the true test. Maybe some pendants aren't going to work, and the royals are watching for how people react. A true leader can't lose their cool," I respond.

"My name is David Appleton, what's your name?"

"Enly Saint Claire," I tell him.

David smiles widely at me, and I feel my lips stretch in response. He is handsome, with chocolate-colored skin and beautiful dimples. David is tall and muscular. One can easily tell that he was a laborer before attending the academy.

"What is your area of study?" he asks me.

"Business. You?"

"History." It's obvious by the reverence in his voice that he enjoys the subject. He must want to be a teacher of some sort. Without warning, David turns back around and moves up in line. As we spoke, the line was moving.

By the time I make it through the dining room, people are staring at us. I study the faces of the people who are being served breakfast and notice that they either seem disappointed, aggravated, or enraged. It seems that the royals haven't discriminated. I see nobles, the wealthy, and laborers alike in the crowd. All of them are staring at us, trying to see if we pass. It seems that five people have been admitted into the dining room, and they are all wealthy people. That can't be a coincidence.

Suddenly it's David's turn, and I don't feel like watching. For some reason that I can't fathom, I'm actually nervous for him.

"I don't know why you're bothering, Appleton, make room for your betters," a fat guy with red hair taunts as he cuts the line. David looks about to give in, but I speak.

"Go on, David, give it a shot." David's muscles are tight, but he listens to me.

I smirk at the redhead when the door clicks. After David disappears through the door, the redhead pushes me aside and inserts his pendant. I'm upset when he also gains entry. My throat is tight, but I unclasp my pendant and stick it into the lock. When I hear a click, I thank God and stroll into the room.

The room looks much different than before. Twenty round tables are arranged in rows. At the front of the room is a raised dais that holds an oval table. Prince Matthew, Princess Lexi, and Lord and Lady Gash all sit in high-backed chairs. Princess Lexi, who's wearing a silver high-necked matronly gown, is flipping papers on a clipboard.

When I'm standing in front of the dais, I curtsy. David, who had been standing timidly by the door, joins me and attempts to curtsy, which makes Princess Lexi giggle.

"Bow," Lord Gash demands, a scowl on his handsome face. David looks flustered but executes a nice bow. Princess Lexi's moss-colored eyes follow him as if he's a rare commodity. I don't know what to think about that. Is that going to lessen his chances? Brothers are notorious for being overprotective.

"What is your name?" Princess Lexi asks, looking down at a clipboard.

"David Appleton," he pronounces. The princess nods and circles something.

"And you?" the princess asks me.

"Enly Saint Claire," I say, feeling grateful that I've at least made it this far.

"Okay, so this is how it works. You two grab a seat anywhere. You are the last to arrive, and we shall get started immediately," the princess instructs as the door opens. "Oh, I missed someone. Holy plague!" Lexi looks flustered. It's clear that she's distracted by David. I'm about to curtsy and leave, so I look up to the dais at the prince and stare. He's beautiful. Since his mother had died shortly after his birth, King George had to marry again. Lexi and Prince Matthew do not resemble each other much. Prince Matthew has skin the color of honey, and mahogany hair that curls into ringlets. His brown eyes are a shade darker than chocolate and may have flecks of gold in them. David, being the hypocrite that he is, nudges me. When I drag my eyes away from Prince Matthew, my new friend shoots me a disappointed glance. He thinks that my utter astonishment of the prince's beauty is shameful. I curtsy, he bows. We make our way to the only table with some empty seats. I sit beside David and the red-headed fat boy. Olivia is also at our table. We both exchange bright smiles.

"Appleton," the guy says, his eyes sparkling. He seems genuinely happy that David had made it, despite the talking-down the redhead handed him. David doesn't seem thrown off.

"Toad, it's nice to see that you have made it through," David responds. I try not to snort.

"Can I sit here?" a girl asks quietly, and I look and see a small slip of a girl with blonde hair and big blue eyes.

"Sure," I tell her. She sits, and the beautiful prince stands. The room is silent.

"I'm sure that all of you are wondering where the food is. No worries, it will be here shortly. In the meantime, I will enlighten you on how we conducted our first elimination." The room is so quiet that I could hear some conversations happening in the main dining room. Apparently, people are still trying to open the door. Someone even kicks it in frustration. I wince, feeling embarrassed for my peers.

"Well, let me start by saying that life is a test. So, there was no better way of conducting the first review than judging you by your character. I told all of my guards and assistants to go to each of your quarters when you were asleep. They were to evaluate your servant's living conditions. All of you showed your servants kindness.

"The most important skill that regents are supposed to possess is compassion. A regent has to be able to look after their subjects and be an advocate who informs the king of all issues that occur in the region." The prince pauses and surveys the crowd. "There are one hundred and eighty people in this room. My sister and I will keep on making cuts until we have four candidates. My father will throw a ball at Snowdrift Castle and will appoint a regent at that time."

After the prince's speech, the side door opens, and the food is wheeled in. I guess people feel comfortable talking now. Conversations start up in the room. I glance at David, who seems shell-shocked.

"Toad, you gave your servant a blanket? I didn't know that you had a heart," David teases. The redhead laughs.

"I wonder if we'll be judged by how we eat," the girl beside me wonders right after Toad takes a large bite of the strawberry tart that he had grabbed from the basket with his fingers. The filling drips onto his double chin. I avert my eyes, not wanting to see what Toad's chewed food looks like.

"What's your name?" I ask the girl next to me.

"Amy," she timidly responds.

I'm about to say something to Amy when Toad catches my attention again. He drops a piece of sausage onto the tablecloth and then snatches it up and pops it in his mouth.

After a rather large breakfast, we file out into the empty dining room. I'm assuming that we've been excused from our classes. When we exit the building, soldiers surround the group. The group is herded to the history building. After the royal party enters, the doors are locked, and we are forced to enter one at a time using our pendants. The students who have classes in the history building must have felt inconvenience. Usually, the doors to the academic buildings remain unlocked.

As soon as I enter the building, a guard directs me to the largest lecture hall on the first floor. I sit between Toad and Olivia. David takes a seat in the row behind me, along with Tara and Amy. The prince stands at the lectern, a determined expression on his face. My stomach flips when he makes eye contact with me.

"I'm going to get straight to the point. I need to narrow this group down to a hundred. The only way to do it is to test you," the prince announces. My stomach plummets. I may be great at commerce, business, and math, but I know next to nothing about English or science. The royal assistants enter the room, each of them pushing trollies loaded down with boxes. "Here is how this will work," the prince continues. "You will complete the standardized test. The top fifty boys and the top fifty girls will remain in this review. Tomorrow, if you gain access to the private dining hall, that means that your scores were high enough."

We all groan. That is too much anticipation. But the prince makes the rules, and we don't.

Thick test booklets, answer sheets, and pencils are handed out to us. None of us open the booklet until the prince instructs us to.

***

I'm the last one to finish my test. A headache has crashed into my skull. This has got to be the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me. But I don't wallow in shame and frustration for long. I answered questions as carefully as possible. The section that stumped me the most was chemistry. I've taken a class, but this academy doesn't offer it as an area of study, so the class didn't go in-depth. I stopped looking at the clock halfway through the geography section. Hours would go by, only for people to leave, one by one. Olivia was the last one to leave, and before she did so, she gave me a gentle pat on the back. My stomach is rumbling, and it takes everything not to rush up to the table and throw my booklet on top of the haphazard pile. Instead of running, I slowly descend the steps and walk over to the prince, who's staring at me with amusement.

"Enly Saint Claire," he greets, his eyes sparkling with an emotion that I can't understand.

"You're highness? You remember me?" I'm flustered that he's the one that waited until I finished my test. I'm also unsure of how to approach this situation. Do I thank him for proctoring the test, apologize for taking up so much of his time, or simply curtsy and exit? I can't afford to make a mistake. Jonah's fate does rest in his hands.

"Never in my twenty-one years of life has a man accidentally curtsied to me. You should have seen your face when..." He begins laughing, slapping the table. I chuckle as well, glad that he wasn't offended by David's blunder.

"It did throw me off," I softly admit. The prince gently plucks the booklet from my hand and adds it to a basket.

"Well, I'm off. I'm afraid that dinner is over." I peer at the clock, and my heart sinks even further. It's seven thirty. Maybe Serena can scrounge up something for me.

"I'm so sorry, Your Highness. I... I..." I can't believe that I've done something like this. Jonah will be stuck in the mines until he's twenty-five, or even worse, until he dies. The thought of something terrible happening to him causes a flash of pain to shoot through me.

"It's all right, Enly," the prince softly says before wiping a tear from my cheek. Now, I'm crying in front of the prince. What's wrong with me?

I dry my eyes and force a smile.

"I'm heading back to my room now. I'd hate to keep you." I curtsy and rush out into the painfully cold winter night.

"You're back, my lady," Serena exclaims when I open the door. The smell of lamb makes my stomach rumble. On the table is a well-insulated bowl.

"Food," I say with a happy sigh.

"Prince Matthew sent it by," she announces, her eyes wide and bright. I vaguely wonder if he did this before or after I cried. But I don't really care either way. The quicker I take my bath, the quicker I can eat the lamb. I strip out of my clothes and rush into the bathroom. It's like Serena can read my mind. The bath is well prepared. I jump in, causing water to slosh onto the tiled floor. Serena gently washes my hair and combs it as I bathe my body. She rubs hair products into my stubborn waves and they soften. Then she quickly braids my hair into two braids. I get out of the bath, dry myself off, and don the nightgown.

The food is heavenly. The lamb is tender, and the rice is spicy. The oatmeal pie is thick and creamy. I wash the meal down with a tall glass of milk and about four cups of water. I force Serena to dine with me. It just wouldn't have been right eating and having her staring. I think about how the prince thinks that compassion is a good quality in a leader. I also think about how I hadn't always been kind to Serena, and guilt haunts me. I didn't so much as speak to her when she was first assigned to me.

"The pie is quite good," Serena comments as I'm settling into bed. She didn't eat her dessert until I brushed my teeth. She nibbles on it now, as if she doesn't want to offend me by enjoying it too much.

"Yeah, it is delicious. It was nice of the prince to send me extra food. He must have known that I would split it with you," I say into my pillow.

"You are quite kind, my lady," Serena hesitantly says. I chuckle.

"That's why I passed the first elimination."

"What do you mean?" Serena asks. I snuggle even further into the comfortable mattress. It's strange, but my worries and fears no longer plague me. It's as if I'm too tired to worry if my pendant will or won't allow me entrance into the private dining room.

"Do you remember when Lord Gash went into my room last night?"

"Yes. You were frightened, my lady."

"He was checking to see if I gave you blankets. If the assigned illegitimate is treated well, the student is given points. The more comfortable the illegitimate is, the more points." I yawn. Serena gasps, as if I have just given her scandalous news. But I fall into an anxiety-free sleep before I can hear her reply.

# Chapter Ten

The sound of a crow cawing wakes me from my slumber. The academy officials must want to make sure that none of the students oversleep. I'm a bit embarrassed and nervous, which makes me move slower.

"My lady," Serena shouts. I slowly get out of bed, and as soon as my bare feet hit the rug, the pesky crow stops taunting me. I stand and stretch, as if that would prolong the inevitable. The fact is that I cried in front of the prince. What if that was viewed as weakness? What if he doesn't think that I'm cut out to be a regent? He has to narrow his options down for the royal review. So far, he has judged on character, knowledge, and compassion. I finished last and cried about it. I won't be surprised if my pendant doesn't give me access to the private dining hall.

"Do you want to dress up or wear your uniform?" Serena inquires. I guess the real question is how confident I really am. Do I wear one of my fine dresses and waltz into the dining room with my head held up high? That would make quite the statement. But if my pendant doesn't give me access to the dining hall, everyone would laugh at my arrogance.

"Uniform," I say before rushing to the bathroom.

It's like everyone on campus has decided to come to breakfast at exactly the same time. Hordes of students line the sidewalks, and it takes almost an hour to make it to the main building. A foot of snow is on the ground, but it has been shoveled nicely. All the streets are clear. They must have had the illegitimates working all night. That thought fills my stomach with acid. Poor Jonah's working in the mines somewhere. He's no longer working with Lord Michaels. I honestly preferred him working for the vengeful baron, who only purchased him to spite my father. I could keep an eye on him. No one would be looking out for him in the mines.

"I'm surely going to make it," a girl beside me boasts. "I was the first one to finish my test." I peer over at the redhead, who's wearing a cape and a very thick wool dress. I want to scratch my skin in sympathy. She's talking to a skinny blond guy with a red, dripping nose. He'll most likely be quarantined by breakfast. In fact, I'm surprised that his illegitimate didn't report him already. It takes everything for me not to shrink back and run in the other direction when the boy sneezes. I can't afford to be sick. My guess is that that would honestly ensure that I will not be a part of the review.

"I'm jealous," the boy whines before coughing. The boastful girl doesn't even bother turning away from him.

Eventually, the crowd pushes into the warm building, and we walk up the stairs and into the bustling dining room. Those of us who had taken the test line up against the wall as our classmates take their seats. Holy plague! This is going to be a show? As soon as the last person has taken her seat, the first candidate inserts his pendant in the door. When the candidate is denied entry, he punches the door so hard that he doubles over from the pain. The next five people don't succeed in opening the door, which makes my pulse pound. So many people are being rejected. The odds aren't high that I have succeeded. I want to stroll out of the line and sit at one of the tables. But doing so would only make me look foolish. The boy with the cold is granted access to the private dining hall. The door closes, and my eyes widen. I'm two people away from knowing my fate. What will happen if today's the end? Obviously, the king didn't force Brandon to marry me. What did my father accomplish by going to court? Was it worth not being there for me while I recovered from my injuries? Why hadn't he phoned me to assure that I was all right? Did he blame me for what occurred? Perhaps Father's pride was truly more important than me. So be it. I couldn't focus on our dysfunctional relationship at the moment. Jonah needs me, and I intend on helping him.

The oak door is right in front of me. My ears ring with the pressure that I'm under. I shakily press my thumb to the clasp and yank the pendant from my neck. I must take a deep breath and concentrate before I slip the pendant into the lock. For a moment I feel resistance and think that I have failed. But then I hear a soft click. I rip the pendant from the lock and open the door. I don't bother putting the pendant back on until the door closes behind me.

There are two long tables that seat twenty each. I'm momentarily floored. The royals were only supposed to narrow the candidates down to a hundred. Did more of the students fail the test than they expected? I glanced over at the royals, who sit at the dais, talking amongst themselves. I guess that the boy with the cold has already greeted them. A guard is ushering him toward the door. So it's my turn. I straighten my shoulders and approach the dais. I curtsy to the prince, princess, and the two royal assistants. The prince's chocolate-colored eyes focus on my face, and my veins fill with fire. I start to feel queasy, and my heart rate picks up. When he smiles, I grind my teeth, trying to keep from saying something inappropriate like _thanks for not kicking me out when I cried_.

"Miss Saint Claire," the prince says, my name sounding beautiful on his tongue.

"Hi...Hi, Your Highness," I rasp, my throat suddenly parched. He looks like he's about to say more, but I'm tongue-tied and uncomfortable. When Lord Gash waves me on, I rush to the two tables. David and Toad are sitting at the end of the second table, an empty seat between them. I plop down, and Serena immediately serves me a glass of water.

"You can start eating," she informs me, but Serena didn't have to. All around me, students are diving into their meals with gusto. Toad is so ravenous that bits of meat fly out of his mouth. I want to gag at the sight. But I instruct Serena to get me some fruit and an apple pastry and some raspberry tea. She curtsies and rushes to the kitchen to fetch what I requested.

"It is unfortunate to see you, Enly," Toad says. I glare at him.

"How sportsmanlike of you," I respond, my sarcasm making David laugh.

"It's true. I was hoping that the only person that would be in this room was me," Toad bluntly explains.

He does have a point. It would have been very convenient if my pendant had been the only one that worked.

Serena places my food in front of me, and Toad immediately reaches for one of my pastries. Considering that Serena brought me three of them, I'm not upset. I dig into my fruit, hoping that the next challenge will be easy.

As soon as the last person enters and curtsies to the royal party, the prince rings the summons bell. He apparently wants our undivided attention.

"Good morning. I have an announcement to make." Our future sovereign doesn't look happy. His eyes are thunderous and his face...well. Let's just say that his scowl could defeat an army of crazed, homicidal, vicious, killers. "There is a reason why people are missing. I decided to take it upon myself to get to know a few of the candidates. I will continue to make visits to people's chambers. But let me advise you. If you try to bribe me, seduce me, or force your fathers to pressure my father to choose you, you are automatically dismissed. I want to review the cream of the crop in ethics, humility, and brilliance in this region. I don't want a leader that's focused solely on advancement."

My heart pounds. I want advancement. Although Jonah was erased from my family records, I'm positive that the king remembers what my stepmother did to him. That's why him being so angered about Brandon trying to dissolve our betrothal doesn't make much sense. The king must know that I would free Jonah the first chance I got. Perhaps he's oblivious of my intentions because he doesn't understand why someone would risk alienation from the crown to save someone that they love. Well, that's unfortunate for the king.

"After breakfast, I will assign a grievance to each of you. You are to read the contract and fill out a reply. These are real grievances, so discretion is advised," the prince warns, and I cringe. This may sound short-sighted, but I haven't considered the chores that I would have to complete if I become Lady Regent. My only focus has been to save Jonah. I bite my lip, thinking of how I can perform well in this exercise.

"After you finish eating, you may come up here for an assignment. You have the whole day to draft a response. We will meet in this very room for dinner and for the presentations. I will narrow down my choices, and you will find out the results tomorrow."

I suddenly can't stomach my food anymore. Without saying a word to any of my companions, I rush up to the dais and curtsy. There is a neat stack of folders in front of each of the royals. I look in Prince Matthew's direction, trying to catch his eye.

"Miss Saint Claire, how are you?" he asks casually.

"Your Highness, thank you for your kindness. I'm quite well," I say with a genuine smile on my face.

"I'm glad to hear it," he responds before handing me a folder. I take it, and our hands touch. I'm so flustered that I nearly drop the file. But I manage to clutch it against my chest. After giving the wobbliest curtsy, I rush from the room, my heart racing until I exit the building.

The cold makes my teeth chatter. I'm thinking that maybe I need to wear a scarf next time I leave the dormitory. As I'm crossing the campus, someone calls my name. I pause and slowly turn around. Liz Math is peering up at me, her dark eyes weary. She is one of Marigold's followers. She hasn't been selected for review mainly because there isn't a kind bone in her body. I want to keep on walking, but I'm too curious to turn my back on her.

"My lady?" I ask. She's a noble.

"Did your father tell you?" Her words are filled with accusation, and I frown at her. Her family isn't in the trade business, so she isn't angry about a business deal gone wrong. What's going on?

"No."

"He planted the evidence," she says, her eyes narrowing on my face. I'm guessing that Lady Math is searching for a certain reaction. I clearly disappoint her, because she huffs in annoyance.

"Oh please, don't play dumb, Enly. I know exactly what your father did."

Now I'm cold, agitated, and still curious.

"Lady Math, I have no idea what you're talking about. So, can you please explain?" I can't order her to explain because she is of a higher rank.

"So you don't know?" Obviously not. It takes a lot of effort for me not to tap my foot.

"Your father planted the evidence in Brandon Wilks's house." Her accusation is so ridiculous that my mouth hangs open for a good minute. What? My father is a sneaky man. But what purpose would he have in planting the evidence when the king had ordered my marriage to Brandon Wilks? It would have benefited him more if my former betrothed had never been tied to the rebels.

"Surely you know that the king ordered Brandon Wilks to marry me."

Liz doesn't seem phased in the slightest.

"Most people don't know this, but Brandon and Marigold are married, Enly. The ceremony happened a week before he came to break things off with you. She's pregnant. I..." A tear trickles from Liz's eye, and for a moment I feel sick. Marigold has been prosecuted for her crimes against me. Lord Gash confirmed that she had been shipped off to Serial. I should be angry that she conspired with Brandon to break a contract with me. But all I can think about is this unknown, innocent child.

"Oh. I didn't know."

"But your father did. You see, he didn't trust Brandon, so he paid a few servants to spy on him. After he found out, he was furious. So, the evil man went about trying to frame Brandon and Marigold."

"Marigold tried to kill me. How do you explain that?" I can't mask the annoyance that I'm feeling. It leaks out in my tone.

Liz bites her lip, obviously contemplating something.

"Your father planned everything, Enly, even your attempted murder."

Her words ignite rage in me. I'm about to punch her in the face, which would be very satisfying, but I spot Toad walking toward us with his folder in hand. Seeing the guy sobers me a bit. I'm wasting precious time talking to Liz when I should be working on my response. I clutch the folder to my chest, spin around, and hurry away. The streets have black ice, despite the efforts of the cleaning crew, so I slip once. But I never hit the ground. Someone catches me. When I straighten and slowly turn around, I see David smiling down at me.

"Are you all right?" he asks.

I must look upset. But now isn't the right time to discuss drama. I shake my head at myself when I realize that my friend wants to know if I have sustained any injuries from my fall.

"I'm fine," I respond before going up the steps that lead to the dormitory.

"My lady! You're back so soon," Serena comments as she stands and curtsies. Her only duty is tending to me. So when I'm gone, the illegitimate is stuck in my room.

"Do you know how to read?" I ask.

"What?"

"Serena, do you know how to read?" My question only comes out more forcefully, because I can't spare another minute without reading the folder.

"Yes."

"I order you to pick out some romance novels from the library and some tea. I want you to read and..." I pause, considering. "Also bring up whatever food the cooks can spare. I'm going to be in here for a while." Serena nods, curtsies, and leaves to follow out my orders. I strip out of the coat and dump it on the bed. I don't have time to hang it. Sitting at my desk, I finally open the folder and groan. There have to be fifty pages of reading, and the case doesn't look overly exciting. Apparently, regents approve every grievance that is drafted in this region. The jury, a pool of men and women that have agreed to be sequestered from the public, have weighed in and have sent the regent their notes and have written reports on the matter. I stop my grumbling and begin reading.

# Chapter Eleven

DIRECTIONS

There are ten numbered cases in this folder. You are not permitted to review them out of order. After reviewing the information contained in each case, you will need to fill out the ballot. Make sure to choose a just punishment. Once submitted, your verdict is law.

Transcript one:

Lucy Pine

ADMISSION

I have wronged a citizen of the glorious country of Stanti. His name is Philip Match. On October 16 of the last year, I attended the engagement party of his daughter, Michelle, and her betrothed, Gill Early. My daughter, Kelly, had fancied Gill, but he made it perfectly clear that he wanted nothing to do with her. During the party, Philip Match offered us glasses of his brewed beer. We drank the horrid poison until the wee hours of the morning. Gill's mouth had been loosened by the drink, so he admitted that he found Michelle more beautiful than Kelly and Philip Match had the nerve to agree.

I pretended that I hadn't heard his words and continued drinking with the other guests. As I watched the happy couple, rage filled me. So, I decided to do something that Philip Match would never forget. I went to the kitchen and told an illegitimate that I needed a sharp knife. He refused me, so I backhanded him. After he understood who was superior, the dog gave me one of the sharpest knives that he could find. I hid the knife in my purse and told everyone that I had to go to the bathroom. Lucky for me, none of the guests paid any attention.

I went upstairs into Philip Match's chambers and began destroying his bed. I must have sliced at the mattress for a while, because by the time I stopped, sweat was pouring down my face. Then, I eyed the room with the antique mirrors and the expensive hardwood floors and decided that destroying his mattress and sheets weren't enough. I rushed back to the kitchen, placed the knife on the table, and then asked the illegitimate for a hammer. This time around, the dog didn't question me. He rushed out of the room and came back with a hammer. I didn't bother concealing it this time, and no one paid me any attention. I went up to Philip Match's bedroom and smashed all the mirrors. I made dents in the hardwood floor and even managed to dent a dresser. But I had to go to the bathroom. There was a picture of Gill and Michelle on the dresser. I placed it on the ground, stripped naked, and relieved myself on it. After I was done, I washed up in the bathroom. I finished dressing and began to smash the walls next. Finally, someone heard the noise, or maybe they were looking for me. I'm unsure. But Philip Match walked in and bellowed. He frightened me, so I struck him with the hammer. My blow caught him in the chin, and he crumpled to the ground. That's when I became frantic. If anyone were to discover what I had done, they would harm me. That's when I thought of the illegitimate. Maybe I could blame him. It was my luck. The illegitimate strolled in. I was about to order him to pick up the hammer, but Michelle Match came in behind the man and saw it all.

Transcript 2

Lucy Pine

REGRETS

I don't have any regrets about what I did. Philip Match insulted my daughter. Kelly is a beautiful young lady. The fact that he dared imply that Michelle was superior to her in beauty still enrages me. My only regret is that I didn't kill him the same way that I killed the illegitimate that begged me for food.

Transcript 3

Lucy Pine

WEALTH

I'm a wealthy woman. My husband, John, died three years ago. I would like to assure the jury that it was no fault of mine. He died in a boating accident while he was visiting his brother in the Gulf Coast Region. John left me the entirety of his estate. His parents are rich, which means that we didn't have to work a day in our lives. I miss him. John was happy and very calming. He could soothe all of my worries with one touch. My most prized possession is the cabin that I own in Parnell. It is large, cozy, and has nine rooms. An illegitimate woman lives there all year long. She keeps it clean for us.

Kelly is nineteen. She's a brilliant young woman, though she never went to the dreaded academy. Instead, I provided her a private education. She spends most of her days designing clothes, feeding the poor, and reading. She is unmarried, though I'm sure that she will be at some point. Kelly is a beauty.

My son, Justin, is useless. He's twenty-nine and lives in the New Inland Region in a barony called Washington. I'm unsure what possessed him to make such a move when he should have moved to a warmer climate. I'm not surprised that he isn't married yet. He spends his days teaching students at the Academy of Washington. I hope that he never comes back to the Great Plains.

My daughter, Bridget, is fat. She eats everything in sight. She's fourteen and very spoiled. Her hair is a disaster, and she always smells like ham. She spends most of her days eating junk food. I pretty much have no use for her.

I'm worth twenty-five million dollars. I don't spend a lot because my mother-in-law cut me off after John's death. Instead, I live in the quiet town of Bush. Of course, I don't sew for a living. Why would I? I'm rich.

Transcript number 4

Philip Match

IMPACT STATEMENT

I'm lucky to be speaking. Lucy Pine nearly destroyed my face. She also emotionally traumatized my daughter and the illegitimate that has been assigned to me. She also caused five hundred thousand dollars in damages. Let me be frank, I'm not a rich man. Everything I have I had to earn it. I have a million dollars in my bank account and need to be compensated for what she destroyed and for the private care I received. I know that if I used the public hospital it would have been free. But I didn't want any of those common doctors to put my face back together. I also went through unimaginable pain. I endured weeks of suffering and for a short while, lost the ability to eat.

Transcript number 5

Hunter Marie

CHARACTER WITNESS

Lucy is a shrew. I've lived next door to her for twenty years. She's done nothing but harass her neighbors. On one occasion, Lucy Pine poisoned my wife's flower garden because she doesn't like her. If I had proof, I would have filed a grievance against her. Lucy Pine also threatened to shoot my dogs if they wouldn't stop barking. Her children are even worse. Kelly has no respect for her elders. She kicked me after I asked her if she could quiet down. She was outside, yelling at one of her suitors, while my granddaughter was trying to sleep. Her son is bizarre. John never said much, and thank the cure, he doesn't visit at all. Bridget steals food. Last year, she stole apples from my orchard and threatened to punch me when I tried to stop her.

Proposed terms and VOTES

1. Lucy Pine will give Philip Match a quarter of her fortune. (Six in favor, nine opposed)

2. Lucy Pine will give Philip Match two quarters of her fortune. (Nine in favor, three opposed, three undecided)

3. Lucy Pine will give Philip match three quarters of her fortune. (Ten in favor, two opposed, three undecideds.)

4. Lucy Pine will give Philip Match all of her fortune. (One in favor, fourteen opposed.)

5. A biological child of Lucy Pine's choosing will become illegitimate for ten years. (Zero in favor, thirteen opposed, two undecided)

6. Lucy pine's son, John, will become illegitimate. (Two in favor, one undecided, and twelve opposed.)

7. Lucy Pine's daughter, Kelly, will become illegitimate for ten years. (Thirteen in favor, two opposed.)

8. Lucy pine's daughter, Bridget, will become illegitimate for ten years. (Zero in favor, fifteen opposed)

9. Lucy Pine's children, John and Kelly, will become illegitimate for ten years. (Ten in favor, one opposed, four undecideds.)

10. Lucy Pine's children, Kelly and Bridget, will become illegitimate for ten years. (Thirteen in favor, two opposed.)

11. Lucy Pine's children, John and Bridget, become illegitimate. (Zero in favor, fifteen opposed.)

12. Lucy Pine will be sentenced to death. (Two in favor, ten opposed, three undecided)

13. Lucy Pine will be sentenced to Serial. (Thirteen in favor, two opposed)

14. Lucy Pine will serve ten years as an illegitimate. (Fourteen in favor, one opposed)

COMMENTS

# Chapter Twelve

"How does the jury get someone to admit their crimes?" I absently ask the question, not expecting an answer.

"I don't know, my lady. I wasn't there when my father drafted his grievance," Serena responds, and I instantly feel nauseated. This is the worst task that I could have been given. It involves sentencing someone to Serial and forcing children to become slaves. I'm unsure of what to do. According to the character witness, Kelly is an inconsiderate, disrespectful brat. But can I believe this witness? Maybe he's best friends with Philip Match and wants to see Lucy Pine punished to the full extent of the law. I wish that I could ask Prince Matthew what to do. He would know how accurate a character witness is. I'm sure of it.

"Serena, what's for lunch?" Maybe after I eat some food, an answer will come to me. I hear her shift from the bed and pad over to the table. She must have lifted the lid, because the aroma of fried chicken fills the air. I salivate at the smell. I carefully place all of the pages in my folder. That was only case number one. There are nine more of those to review. I wince, thinking that if I become lady regent, I'll be reviewing these until I retire.

After slipping the folder in my desk drawer, Serena places a tray in front of me. She's given me fried chicken, a biscuit, broccoli, and a chocolate cake for dessert. Along with a tall glass of water is some raspberry tea, my favorite.

"I hope chicken is sufficient. The other option was baked clams." I gag at the thought of eating imported seafood. The seafood in the New England Region is fresh. Out here in the Great Plains, a lot of that meat from the sea is riddled with preservatives.

"You chose right," I tell her as there's a knock on the door. I stiffen when I remember what occurred the last time someone came knocking. A maid had tried to kill me. I still can't believe that Liz Math believes that my father masterminded what happened to me.

Serena slowly walks over to the door and opens it. My heart pounds with so much force that I wince from the pain.

"My Lord," Serena greets with a squeak. She backs into the room and curtsies. Lord Gash enters, and it's tempting to tell the royal to pester someone else. The self-righteous royal assistant stands there with his arms folded across his chest. Oh, right, I have to curtsy. I stand and move away from the chair and execute a fine curtsy.

He sighs as if becoming impatient with my incompetence.

"Enly, have you reviewed the first case?" This is strange. I want to ask him why he's inquiring about something that he's going to hear about in just a few hours. But I don't bother.

"Yes."

"Good. Prince Matthew feels that you are at a disadvantage. He's concerned that your experiences will shape your response." So he knows about Jonah. Well, of course he does. The king is aware of my relation to him.

"Oh, um..." I can't speak. What does someone say when being confronted about having a slave in the family?

"Enly, I don't like you. In fact, if it were up to me, I would eliminate you. You aren't very confident, you barely ever socialize with the prince, and your only friends are a disgraced lady regent, a farmer's son, and a fat boy who steals everyone's food." The fact that he thinks that Toad's my friend makes me want to protest. But I hold my tongue. "Aside from all of that, you are the reason why we're here in this cold wasteland. As far as I'm concerned, Brandon Wilks would never have sought a new betrothed if you were doing your duty. So, do us all a favor and perform well. Don't disappoint the prince and princess. They actually believe in you," the lord snaps before storming out of the room.

After my door closes, I face Serena, who's pale.

"You do not say a word of this to anyone," I hiss.

"My lady, I..."

"Serena, you can't tell anyone about this. Y—"

"Enly, I would never betray you in that way." I have no idea what's startling me more, the fact that Serena has used my real name, or her vehemence that she wouldn't gossip about me. I frown at her and for once, her blue eyes hold mine. "If you want to be lady regent, you will be, and I'll help you. Enly, you must lead us. You're the perfect candidate because you are smart, brave, and loyal."

I blink at the hope in her expression.

"Only call me 'my lady' when others are in earshot. I don't want you to get in trouble."

Serena nods.

"I can help you." She wrings her hands, as if agitated by something.

"How?"

"Tara is the reason why Kip got expelled. It wasn't because of Lady Marigold." Serena's posture straightens when she drops this bombshell. Her information stuns me for a moment. But then I snap out of it. There's no point in reacting until Serena provides all of the details.

"Explain."

"Kip was having a flirtation with Professor Shore. They wrote love letters to one another. During one of Tara's searches, she found them," Serena explains, and my gut turns. I am relieved that I burned the letter that Jonah wrote me. Tara is so kind, one would never think that she would report anyone for anything. It's not surprising that she had someone search Kip's room. How else could someone retrieve material to blackmail another student with?

"How do you know?" I softly ask, my blood beginning to roar in my ears.

"I have my sources." Fair enough, she doesn't want to divulge how she knows about this.

"That's why Professor Shore has been so horrible to me. He thinks that I reported Kip!"

"Probably. Tara is looking for dirt on you, too. She comes in here every time you're gone. That's why I read that letter that your maid smuggled in here. I had to know what it said in case Tara showed up. Don't worry, Enly, I'm always here when she comes. I pay attention to the areas that she looks through and make sure that you hide nothing there."

My stomach flips with nerves. I don't like being this exposed. What if Tara finds out about me hiding Jonah in my room? Serena wouldn't report me because she understands Jonah's struggle. I'm pretty sure that another illegitimate wouldn't have tattled. After all, if she knows all of this about Tara and Professor Shore, what do the other servants know about me? Serena must see the question in my eyes. "They know nothing about Jonah. I don't gossip." If I'm reading between the lines correctly, Serena is hinting that Tara's illegitimate has loose lips. I bow my head and silently thank God that I've been fortunate enough to be assigned someone like Serena.

After eating my delicious meal and drinking the tea, I consider my issue. I don't relish forcing anyone into servitude. But that woman is pure evil. She not only murdered an illegitimate for asking for food, she assaulted someone just because he didn't think that her daughter was prettier than someone else. Ten years of servitude was five years less than what Jonah was given, and he hadn't committed the crime. The thought enrages me. Our justice system was truly warped if someone who killed an illegitimate wouldn't be held accountable for the crime. In my opinion, ten years is too short of a sentence for Lucy Pine.

Since the husband had died, the department of inheritance would have taken three quarters of John Pine's fortune. They would have placed the money in bonds. John Pine's three children would receive the money on their wedding days. If Lucy Pine were stripped of her fortune, her children wouldn't be left penniless. But should the defendant be exiled to Serial? Thirteen jurors thought that the crime warranted that punishment. Or maybe they believed in sending her to Serial because she had no regard for human life. The defendant stated that she wished that she had killed Philip Match the same way that she had killed the illegitimate.

I wince when I remember how the defendant desecrated a picture of a happy couple. That act is disrespectful and quite malicious. But did it deserve a sentence in Serial? If I hadn't known that the woman had killed the illegitimate, I wouldn't consider punishing her so harshly. My head aches, and all I want to do is forget this case. My guess is that this case is minor in difficulty. Why is it so hard to decide? The woman intended on killing Philip Match and was willing to blame an illegitimate for it. That means she would have killed two people on that night. But people can't be tried based on what they could have done. My task was to punish the woman for what she did on that October night. That means that Lucy Pine killing an illegitimate can't factor into my verdict.

The warning that Lord Gash gave me enters my head. He told me not to disappoint the prince and princess. But how can I live with myself if that woman doesn't pay for what she did to the illegitimate? How can I live with myself if I'm dismissed from the review because I didn't answer appropriately? I won't give Lucy Pine a light sentence. But I won't send her to Serial either. I hope that compromise keeps me in the review.

***

"My lady, it's time to go," Serena announces a few hours later. I stand, and she gestures to the bed. Serena has laid out a cream-colored gown for me. I quickly disrobe without fussing, and she helps me into the dress. It takes less than fifteen minutes for her to spray perfumes on me and put my hair up in a bun. She has me wear silver heels, since it's too cold for my slippers. I grab the folder and clutch it tightly as I exit the room. I think that my decision is fair and just. In my gut, I know that it's the right one.

Toad catches up to me, his illegitimate trailing behind him, as I'm making my way to the cafeteria. He smiles at me, which causes me to pause.

"Hey, Enly." I want to rush away, but I'm wearing finery and it wouldn't look proper.

"Hi, Toad."

"You look beautiful." His words are a compliment, I know that. But it sends a lance of pain through my chest. Lord Gash is right. All of this mess is my fault. If Brandon Wilks were satisfied with me, then he wouldn't have searched elsewhere. I had been secure in my position. Maybe, if I had asked father to invite Brandon to our home for a visit, things would have been different. Or maybe I could have charmed him during our breakfast meeting. Whatever the case, I am to blame for what's happening. "Enly, you should dress up more often."

His constant chatter is annoying.

"Thanks," is all I can say as we near the dining hall. At least the show about whose pendant works isn't what I find when I enter the cafeteria with Toad beside me. Since classes often run late, the cafeteria is only a quarter full. A dark-haired boy named Cole enters, and it annoys me when he allows the door to shut in my face. Well, formalities are formalities even if you do know who's still a part of the review. I unclasp my pendant and slip it into the lock, and it opens. I put the pendant back on and rush into the room. I'm about to walk up to the dais, but it's empty. There are four oval tables with ten chairs surrounding each one. It is one royal member per table. I frown, not knowing who to curtsy to. I'm about to ask Toad when Lady Gash waves at me. I swallow and make my way over to her table. I curtsy, and she smiles wide.

"Enly, sit," she encourages.

I shyly take the seat beside her. Unfortunately, Toad is also in my group. I try not to wince when he plops down beside me. Cole is the third member, and I wave at him. We don't talk often, but he's nice enough. "We've all been assigned nine candidates. Four candidates were dismissed," Lady Gash explains. Thank goodness I wasn't assigned to Lord Gash. I instantly feel guilty for thinking that, mainly because his wife is so lovely. The woman is nothing like her husband. Her eyes are friendly, she radiates positivity, and she's classy. Even if she thinks that I'm the less competent candidate, she doesn't show it.

After our table is full, Lady Gash relaxes. David is the last one to join us, and I'm relieved that I'm not stuck dealing with Toad on my own. It amazes me that Lady Gash memorized all of our names. The prince did say that he intended on getting to know all of us, but he has yet to visit me. Part of me can't help but think that I'm at a disadvantage, but a voice tells me that staying far away from Prince Matthew is the best course of action to take. My eyes don't agree with the voice, because they seek him out constantly.

The tables are set parallel from one another. Lord Gash's table is next to ours. Lexi's table is behind Lord Gash's table and is parallel to Prince Matthew's. The prince stands by the door, looking for his fellow candidates. When he finds them, I'm quickly disappointed because I lose my visual of him.

"Can I have your attention?" Prince Matthew asks as soon as the last person is seated. The conversation, which had been a polite buzz, ceases. Since the prince's table is behind mine, I have to crane my neck to look at him. He's beautiful. I'm strangely relieved that he isn't angry, like he was this morning. I'm assuming that people stopped propositioning him. The thought that people tried to seduce him causes jealousy to burn like acid in my gut. Lord Gash is right. I'm not an enchantress. Even if the review was over and I wasn't chosen as lady regent, the prince still wouldn't choose me for a princess. The most that I'd ever get from him is a meaningless flirtation, if he even noticed me at all. So, I force myself not to stare at his lips or into his beautiful chocolate eyes.

"Each of you has hopefully reviewed the first case. You will be given the same booklet that the regents receive when reviewing a group of cases. You will fill out your solution to the case and hand the booklet to the leader of your table. Then dinner will be served. After dinner, we will review your choices with you. Lady Gash will be swapping groups with me and Lord Gash will be swapping groups with Princess Lexi. Since these are the groups that you will remain in, it will give us the opportunity to observe each of you." My pulse pounds when I realize that Prince Matthew will be hearing my explanation. He knows about Jonah. "So, choose your answers wisely, and remember that your choices will become law." As if this wasn't enough pressure already. I refrain from glaring at the very nice lady. Everyone else at the table seems weary. At least I'm not alone. On cue, the room quiets down, and everyone's handed what looks like a test booklet. I grab my booklet and open it to the first page. Without flipping through the booklet, I immediately know that every case that I've been assigned is in here. I stare at question number one for ten minutes.

1.What percentage of Lucy Pine's fortune does Lucy Pine have to give to Philip Match?

A. 0 percent

B. 25 percent

C. 50 percent

D. 75 percent

E. 100 percent

Logic tells me to vote with the majority. But I also need to take one thing into account: Philip Match brought this upon himself by breaking the law. He served untaxed alcohol to a bunch of people. I don't doubt that Lucy Pine is evil's ruler, but Philip Match shouldn't be greatly rewarded for what he's done. I circle my answer then move on to the more difficult questions. As soon as I mark the last answer, I close the booklet and suck in a relieved breath. This gruesome part is over. I know that tomorrow I'll have to fill out another solution, but that fact doesn't matter much anymore. I know for sure that I've filled everything out to the best of my ability. I just hope that the royals aren't going to be disappointed in me.

Surprisingly, Toad is the last to fill out his booklet. One would think that he would love the power of controlling someone's life. But I guess that he doesn't. As soon as he closes his booklet, his complexion has a green tinge. His hands are shaking and his eyes are weary. Toad's reaction immediately makes me respect him. At least he isn't acting like a spoiled rich kid.

"Everyone's done," Lord Gash announces. The pompous lord struts around the room and makes sure that his pronouncement is correct. Lady Gash and her compatriots collect the booklets, and my heart races when I remember that I'll be reviewing my answers with Prince Matthew. Will he know how I'm starting to feel about him? Do I know what I actually feel for him? Perhaps it's just a silly crush that all of the girls in this country have. After all, he is a handsome prince. Maybe it will pass once he leaves our region. Once I'm lady regent, I'll have to see him once a month. To be respected, I can't swoon over the prince. None of the regents would take me seriously.

"Where's the food?" Toad asks in the silence. It seems that his awkward question is what makes everyone realize that they can speak to one another. Chatter erupts, startling me. I guess I hadn't noticed how quiet it actually was.

"The food should be served momentarily," Lady Gash replies, a hint of amusement in her eyes. I guess she finds Toad funny. Wait until she sees him eat.

"Will we have to complete one solution per day?" David inquires.

Lady Gash shakes her head.

"Tomorrow you will spend the day completing them. We didn't want to overwhelm you with all ten in one day. In fact, you will take your booklets with you. All meals tomorrow are optional. You need to turn your booklets in by six o'clock."

"Did you ever have to fill out solutions?" a girl with ringlets asks Lady Gash.

"Yes. Before I was a royal assistant, I was a regent's daughter. My father thought that I would marry a regent and become lady regent. Instead, I married a baron," the lady replies.

I feel foolish for not being able to scrounge up an adequate question. Lady Gash shouldn't have the impression that I'm a know-it-all.

Thank goodness the question-and-answer period doesn't last long. The servants enter with our first course, a salad that has lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, onions, cheese, olives, and a tangy dressing. I don't say a word to anyone because I'm nervous of what's to come.

# Chapter Thirteen

No one mentioned that we would be presenting our cases in front of a royal plus the candidates in our groups. After dinner, three of the groups went to different rooms, but our group stayed in the dining hall. Maybe a walk would have done me some good. Prince Matthew lounges in the chair that Lady Gash occupied, smiling at all his nervous citizens. His eyes briefly land on me, and something in my expression tells him that I'm not willing to go first.

"David, what case did you have?" the prince inquires. My friend straightens, and although he has probably spent the entire day reviewing the case, he flips through the pages before speaking.

"Lacy Walker versus Mark Cook."

"What did you find?" the prince asks.

"Lacy Walker is guilty of her crime. She burned Mark Cook's house to the ground after Mark broke the betrothal," David responds confidently. Holy plains! David did not have a challenging case. By the expressions on everyone's faces, minus the prince, they agree with my assessment.

"What solution did you come to?" The prince opens a thick book and glances at something.

"Lacy Walker should forfeit a hundred percent of her fortune to Mark Cooke. She should also become an illegitimate for five years." David's answer makes the prince frown.

"What about sending her to Serial?" Prince Matthew asks.

"No one was killed. She burned down the house because a contract was broken," David reasons.

"So, you think that Mark Cook got what he deserved?" The prince doesn't show any outright emotions. But I can tell that he's offended by David's comments about the case.

"No. I'm just saying that no one was hurt, so I don't think that sending the defendant to Serial is the best option." The prince nods.

Everything goes without a hitch until the prince asks the clueless girl for her solution.

"I had a case about a commoner who complained about a noble assaulting him," she explains.

"Is the noble guilty?" the prince inquires.

"No." Her answer catches everyone off guard. For a moment, I want to shout at the prince for giving this spoiled princess an easy case. But then the prince consults his book.

"Are you sure?" Our future sovereign asks the question as if he's just about to lose his patience.

"Yes," the girl answers with conviction.

"Kay, the farmer was beaten within an inch of his life. The noble admitted to attacking him because his betrothed preferred the farmer."

"I asked Eric what happened. Jack Rich forced himself on his betrothed. He was defending her honor," Kay protests.

"You asked Eric?" the prince slowly inquires. "How is that possible? He's being sequestered until the sentencing."

"He's allowed one phone call a day. I called him and told him that I had his case. He'll be free and—"

Prince Matthew bangs on the tabletop.

"Everybody, out. Now! Leave your folders and booklets!" His temper tantrum has caught us all by surprise. His order was clear. We're all to leave. When Kay tries to leave, the prince shouts, "Not you." I have the sense that her pendant will not give her access to the private dining hall tomorrow. I stand, slip into my coat, and rush out after my peers without a backward glance.

It's well past sunset when I leave the dining hall. I shiver as the wind brushes my cheeks. David and Toad walk on either side of me. I feel naked without my booklet and folder. Maybe I'm just uncertain of how any of this will work in my favor. I'm the only one who hasn't gotten the chance to present a solution.

"It's unfortunate that the spoiled princess ruined everything for us," Toad says as we walk down the stairs.

"What part of confidential didn't she understand?" David asks.

"My guess is that she didn't think that she would be penalized. She's rich, after all," I say.

David is weary during the entire walk to Dormitory Four. I could judge that based on the slump of his shoulders.

"I'm already tired of being lord regent and I haven't even gotten the title yet," Toad admits. I'm not going to agree or disagree with him. Who knows? I don't want to hurt my chances.

"I could use a break from all of this," David adds.

"Maybe we can do something together this weekend." My offer is made only because I want to change the subject. But both boys stop in their tracks.

"So, the elusive Enly Saint Claire wants to hang out with us?" Toad's question comes out as if he's surprised by the concept.

"You two were complaining about needing a break. I thought that you could do something fun." I'm a bit irritated with the both of them.

"We would love to do something with you. Let's invite Tara, she's hot," Toad declares. I feel sick. She's the one that turned in Kip for having a relationship with Professor Shore. I want to say no, but I decide that acting natural is the better course.

"Sure. Toad, I don't mean to disappoint you, but Tara has a betrothed."

The guy groans, and David teases him, and thank goodness, the rest of the walk back to the dormitory is much lighter.

"How did it go?" Serena asks as soon as I enter the room. I bite my lip and glance around the room. She's already gone to the kitchen to get my nightly tea plus some brownies. Serena is sitting demurely on my bed, her hands folded in her lap.

"I'm not sure. Someone upset the prince, and he told all of us to leave."

My news causes Serena to sag in relief.

"I thought that he dismissed you."

I shake my head.

"I didn't even get to present my solution. Serena, can you please run my bath?" She smiles and rushes to the bathroom.

The bath is everything that I need. The hot water massages my skin and seeps into my cold bones. The fragrance of the soap relaxes me. I don't bother worrying overly much about what could happen tomorrow. If the prince eliminates me, then I know that I've tried my best. The most that I can do is be kind to the other candidates and hopefully make a trade with them. Toad calling me elusive worries me. I didn't realize that I'm not approachable and difficult to get to know. Before the review, I hadn't made an effort to converse with my peers. I assumed that they didn't flock to me because I desired it. But after speaking with Toad, I realized that maybe I was cold and uninviting. That quality had to change. I made a mental note to be friendly to the other candidates.

I get out of the bath and change into the nightgown and make my way into my bedroom, desperate for some tea before bed. I let out a squeak when I see who's sitting at my desk. Prince Matthew occupies my chair. His back faces the desk. The prince's arms are folded across his chest, and weariness fills his chocolate eyes.

"Where's your illegitimate?" he demands. I drop into a curtsy and am about to answer him, but he glares at me. "Can't you just answer me?"

"I don't know."

He sighs.

"It's your responsibility to keep track of the people that serve you." His reprimand pricks my temper.

"Your Highness, did you come here to criticize my relationship with my maid?"

"No, I came here to discuss your solution," he answers, his shoulders slumping. Cursed plague! It's so like the prince to catch me unawares.

"What was wrong with my solution?" I inquire.

"Something's bothering me."

"What?" I know that I'm not supposed to sound impatient when a royal's conversing with me, but I can't help it. I'm tired and could use some tea.

"Why didn't you send Lucy Pine to Serial? Surely you know that her being an illegitimate for ten years won't mean much. Anyone that is assigned to her won't overwork her. They will be afraid of retaliation when she's freed."

I didn't think of that.

"Send her to the mines." The prince won't know that I'm starting to doubt my answer. A ruler must always stand behind their decisions. He closes his eyes, as if the prospect is making him tired.

"My stepmother will be outraged, but you have a point. If she's sent to the mines, she can't seek vengeance against her superiors. Most likely, Lucy Pine won't survive ten years," the prince predicts. Hearing him talk so casually about the mines makes me sick. Jonah's working in the mines. Will he be able to survive?

"Killing her isn't my intention. I simply want her to know the value of hard work. And I think that it's fitting for her to be stripped of her status," I explain.

"Then maybe we can send her to the fields. She'll pick cotton for ten years. That will teach her," the prince suggests.

I frown at the prince.

"I don't think so. She doesn't strike me as a hard worker."

Prince Matthew shakes his head.

"If she doesn't move quickly enough, she'll be punished."

"How?" I ask, fidgeting with my nightgown.

"She might lose her rations for the day or get whipped. It depends on who's in charge," he responds.

"Have you visited the fields?" My question is a bit more forceful than it should be, but the good prince doesn't take offense.

"I have. We were living in the Southern Region when a few regents asked the king to make a few reforms to how people are treated in the fields. I toured them and saw..." Prince Matthew shakes his head and shrugs. I guess he can't divulge any information about what he saw.

"Oh. Then she goes to the mines," I decide.

Something about my tone makes the prince chuckle. The sound is as warm and delicious as raspberry tea.

"Why seventy-five percent?" Prince Matthew asks, after he finishes chuckling.

"Because if I awarded Philip Match a hundred percent of Lucy Pine's fortune, it would have said that I didn't care about the fact that he broke the alcohol laws." Prince Matthew nods.

"Why do you want Kelly to serve her ten years at one of the academies?" Because I knew that I had to force one of her children to be illegitimate because I didn't want the royal party thinking that I'm affected by Jonah's fate.

"That's a punishment for Lucy Pine. Kelly is her beautiful daughter."

"Did you love your betrothed?" The prince's question startles me. I consider his question and rage envelops me. Does the prince think that Brandon Wilks committing treason was my fault? He probably thinks that I wasn't enough to keep the former Lord Regent on the straight and narrow. How dare he assume that I wasn't enough?

"That's none of your business. The royals forfeited knowing anything about the Great Plains when they refused to hold court at the Snowdrift Castle." Where did that come from? I need to apologize. My fate is in the prince's hands.

He doesn't give me a chance. Prince Matthew stands, gives me a swift kiss on the cheek, and leaves me speechless.

~

The prince doesn't dismiss me for my disrespectful comment. I'm shocked when I enter the private dining hall. It turns out that over a dozen of the candidates don't have the same luck. There are only a little over twenty people that are still being reviewed. There are six square tables that fit four apiece. I instinctively search for Toad and David and see them at the table closest to the dais. After I curtsy to the royals, Lord Gash looks at me and says, "Only twenty-two people left, Lady Enly." So I'm right. I join my friends and give them a bright smile. David is distracted. He glances at the tabletop as if it's the most riveting piece of art. Toad doesn't notice his friend's distraction. He's eating a triple stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausage patties. I drape my coat over the back of my chair and sit.

I nearly let out a curse when Tara Long joins us. What am I supposed to say to her? She shoots me a wide grin.

"It's about time that you socialize, Enly. Toad told me that you wanted to do something this weekend!" Tara exclaims. She's friendly enough, but it's still difficult to act thrilled to be in her company.

"Yes. I figured that we should get to know one another better."

She nods.

"I agree. Now that the candidates are few, we should get to know one another. After all, one of us will be either lord or lady regent." Tara wants something; I know that deep in my bones. But I don't comment on the glint in her eye. Instead, I focus on Serena, who's come over to our table. She's been acting funny since the prince left my quarters last night. I guess that she's a bit unhappy that she wasn't there when the prince visited. Serena's been apologizing to me since she returned to the room. I guess another illegitimate told her what she missed.

"My lady, what would you like?" Serena asks after she curtsies. I haven't even glanced at the menu yet, so I open it.

"A cheese Danish and a bowl of fruit," I reply. "And some tea." Serena shakes her head, which surprises me at first. But then our eyes meet and the desperation that pours out of them is telling. She discretely looks over her shoulder. I crane my neck to see that she's staring at the back of Lady Charlotte River's head. The noble must be up to something, and it has to do with the tea.

"My lady, you told me to remind you to order orange juice." I told her no such thing because I despise orange juice. It's disgusting. But I laugh it off.

"Oh, yes. I forgot. Yes, bring me some orange juice." Serena curtsies and then rushes off. No one seems to find our exchange funny. That's a relief because if they had questioned it, I wouldn't have known how to respond.

Ten minutes later, it becomes clear why Serena warned me away from the tea. The sound of vomiting begins to fill the room. Most of the victims have the good graces to rush for the exits. But one girl actually vomits all over her neighbor. Thank goodness, no one at my table gets sick. I frown when I notice that some people who have hot chocolate are also retching. The royals clearly don't know what to do, and I don't blame them. This is just a messy situation.

Suddenly, Lord Gash rises and barks, "Go get the doctors. These people need to be quarantined." It's like the medical personnel were already on their way. After a minute, women in lab coats rush into the room, followed by five soldiers. At first, I wonder why the soldiers are needed. But in a few moments, it's clear. One of the sickly guys refuses to come with the doctor.

"I only threw up because I have a weak stomach. Let go of me," he yells. He actually tries to push the soldier. I'm worried that he'll be punished for his reaction, and I'm right. The soldier punches him in the jaw and then lifts him up and tosses him over his shoulder, as if the boy is a sack of grain.

"Don't struggle," Prince Matthew orders, but that's easy for him to say. If you're quarantined, you can't be reviewed. That means that you won't get another opportunity to be a regent. I feel bad for the sick ones. After the room empties of the sick, I count and realize that only ten remain. Prince Matthew stands, his eyes wide and shocked.

"I want each and every one of you and your servants to stay in your chambers. We have to figure out what happened," the prince says. I stand, slip my coat back on, and rush from the room, being mindful of the puddles of vomit.

# Chapter Fourteen

"And that's how you play double deck," Serena says before placing the deck of cards back in the box. We've been sequestered since the incident in the cafeteria which occurred on Friday. It's Sunday, and I'd rather be anywhere but here. It's not that Serena isn't good company. It's the fact that a masked figure has been depositing booklet after booklet of solutions for me to fill out. I've gone through three booklets. I have a sneaking suspicion that the prince is taking advantage of us in order to complete solutions that have been lying around since the lord regent's imprisonment.

When I'm not sentencing criminals, I'm playing games with Serena. I feel horrible for my maid. She has nothing to do, since she isn't permitted to retrieve my meals. Since she isn't the one serving them, the portions have been unsatisfactory. Even though they haven't been plentiful, I still insist that Serena eats some of my food instead of the green smoothie that she's required to drink. It's filled with nutrients and vitamins that people need to survive. Only for dinner do they receive a lump of stale bread and cheese. There isn't much else to their diet. I, for one, could never live like that. It makes me feel glad that I assigned Lucy Pine to the mines. Not only will she be hungry, she can think about all of the wrongs that she's forced upon her innocent servants.

"I lost, again," I yawn. Serena takes the collapsible game tray out of my lap and stores it back in the closet. I stand, stretch, and stare at the same white walls, yearning for a variation in my scenery. I glance longingly at the door, but my phone rings. Because I think that it's the headmaster, telling me that I'm no longer in quarantine, I lunge for the phone. I pick it up and quickly say, "Hello!"

"Enly, what's wrong?" Kip's voice makes me feel uneasy. Now that I possibly know why she's gotten expelled from the academy, I'm unsure of how to act around her.

"Kip. How are you?"

"Enly, what's wrong?" she repeats. She sounds worried, which irritates me. It's hypocritical, but I'm beginning to resent her for keeping her love affair with Professor Shore a secret.

"Nothing. It has been a slow, boring Sunday afternoon," I reply shakily.

"Oh. So, I'm at the Clinton Academy of Trade," she reports.

"Why?" I ask, bemused. Kip is supposed to be planning a coronation ceremony.

"To appease the people of this delicate region, I need to take a few classes. So, I'm finishing up my studies here. Do you want my new phone number?"

"Of course." She recites it, and I commit the number to memory.

"So, what's your new husband like?"

Silence! That's not the norm for Kip. She's usually bubbles and sunshine rolled into one.

"He's great!" she says finally, overenthusiastic.

"Kip, what's wrong?" I'm curious if she's going to mention Professor Shore.

"Enly, if you tell me what's wrong with you, I'll return the favor." Kip sounds aggravated, so I throw her a bone.

"I've recovered well from the attack. I don't even have any scars."

"That's expected. From what Thomas is telling me, you got the top care. I can't believe that Marigold did that to you. She is a monster." Do I tell her that I'm a part of the review? I haven't seen much about it in the daily notice, which means that no one is talking to reporters.

"Professor Shore is the new Headmaster." I give Kip this fact without considering that mentioning her former flame is the stupidest idea. I hate that we have so many secrets between us.

"Why?"

"Headmistress Burn conspired with Marigold to kill me."

Kip curses. "What!"

"Ouch!" I whine, but my friend pays me no mind.

"That evil woman has messed with the pair of us for the last time. I hope that she suffers in Serial."

Kip's comment rubs me the wrong way. I can't deal with her deception anymore.

"Listen, Kip, I have homework to do. I promise I'll call you," I rush out.

"I have homework too. Goodbye, Enly."

When Kip disconnects the call, I feel cold. I turn around to see Serena frowning at me.

"You didn't want to talk to her?" Serena inquires, clearly bemused.

"Why did you become illegitimate?" If Serena has a desire to have a conversation, we aren't going to talk about Kip.

She pats the bed, and I sit beside her.

"If I tell you, you won't say anything?" Serena asks.

"Of course not. I haven't mentioned anything that you found out to anyone," I remind her. Serena nods.

"If I tell you about myself, you have to talk about Jonah." Serena is quite the negotiator. Every instinct begs me not to say a word. Who cares how Serena became an illegitimate? Her story holds little value to me. It isn't like I can blackmail her to move ahead.

"Fine," I force out. She sighs.

"Enly, I hail from the New England Region, from the Barony of Kennedy. I grew up with six brothers and sisters."

I gape at her. In the Great Plains Region, no one has more than three kids. It isn't a law or anything. But the king doesn't visit this region, which means that most people don't have enough resources to feed many mouths.

"Six?" I inquire, shocked.

"Including me, my mother had seven kids. I am the youngest. We were a very religious family. We went to church every Sunday, prayed at night, and blessed our food at meals. Dad believed in the Glorious Installment. I had an older sister named Janice who wasn't so agreeable. She hates everything that Stanti stands for. She believes in the old justice system."

"Why? It was corrupt, and guilty people were often acquitted of crimes," I point out. Serena lets out a huge dramatic sigh.

"I know. That's what we all tried to tell her. But Janice reads a lot of the classics. She loves the idea of a democracy where everyone's voices are heard. I tried to tell her that the nobles do listen to us. We are able to file grievances against people and we never starve. But some people just want more. I don't understand why she isn't content to have all of her needs met." A tear trickles down Serena's face, and it momentarily makes me feel guilty. Obviously, her situation still brings her a lot of pain.

"Janice came up with an interesting theory. We were all sitting at Sunday night dinner when she asked us if we found the high number of pregnancies suspicious. Dad wasn't having it. He didn't want to hear about another one of her conspiracies. So Janice dropped the subject. A week later, she brought father the proof that he needed. A friend of hers helped her break into a lab. Apparently, the government had been running an experiment on the New England Region. They were filling vitamins that women are given during doctor appointments with a chemical that controlled women's menstrual cycles. Stanti needs more citizens. The population has taken a major hit, and we haven't recovered the way that the king wanted. Did you know that before the plague, five hundred million people lived in America? Now our population is only sixty million. The king is determined to grow the population. That's why he encourages people to get married. That's why there is a benefit to adopting. Dad was angered by the government's intrusion. Because my mother was so fertile, she gave birth to seven children, even though she would have done well to have two, maybe three at the max."

"If they didn't want to have a lot of children, why not abstain from sex?" I ask.

Serena is hesitant to answer.

"That's obvious," she bites out. "Enly, you've read the books from before the Glorious Installment. Haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Even in the ones that aren't banned, don't you notice that the girls are attracted to the guys? They kiss and daydream and even lust after the guys. But all of you at the academy are tame. The boys are only a hallway away, and yet you don't see many girls sneaking into the men's living quarters. Don't you find that suspicious?"

No, I don't consider the behavior of fictional characters. They are, after all, fiction.

"No."

"Enly, your hormones are being controlled. I..." She pauses and sighs. "If you go a day without your tea, you will grow ill and have terrible pains. I..."

"Why didn't that happen to you?" I ask, skeptical.

"I am forced to take an injection once a month. I guarantee that you will get very ill if you attempt to skip a day of drinking tea. That tea is why you aren't what they used to call 'boy- crazy.' Your hormones are being regulated. Why do you think that you're subjected to checkups every six months?"

"To monitor my menstrual cycle," I reason.

"Women before the Installment had their periods once a month. Don't you think that it's strange that the menstrual cycle changes once someone has graduated from the academy? Enly, think about it. Don't you wonder why all beverages at the academy are government-issued?"

I shake my head.

"I'm not sure what you mean. But I doubt that the government is tampering with my hormones." For one thing, they wouldn't have the resources to keep track of who consumed what. Serena's theory was just that, a theory with very little proof.

"Enly. I..."

"What happened after Janice showed your father this information?"

"Enly, you need to understand that my mother died because she had too many children. His hormones were played with. He couldn't resist being with her, and she was driven to feel the same. My father was angry. My father told Janice to go find everyone that was a part of the experiment. She produced a list of names. She named Daniel Warren as the head of operations. My father went to his house. He..." Serena shudders. I stiffen, guessing how this story ended. But it's never clever to make assumptions.

"What happened?"

"He killed Daniel Warren after a confrontation." My blood runs cold, and I grimace.

"What happened to your father?"

"He was exiled to Serial and his last unmarried child became illegitimate for life."

"Was Daniel Warren really the head of operations?"

Serena's face contorts with rage, which startles me.

"No. Apparently, Daniel and Janice were having an affair, and she wanted to punish him for choosing his wife over her."

"Adultery is punishable by death or Serial," I gasp out.

"I know. But now that Daniel is dead, our baron can't file a grievance against Janice."

"So, she really wanted the freedom to be with whoever she wanted?" I ask, now understanding her motive.

"She apparently hates being married and resents the government for making it easy for her to have children. Enly, every day I hate my sister for what she did. She lied and manipulated my father, and he's most likely dead because of it. He would never survive something like Serial. But Janice is living a happy life with a husband who has no knowledge of her infidelity. The only reason why I know is that Janice told me right before I got shipped off."

"My stepmother, Sharon, was in love with the king," I begin, feeling that I must keep my end of the bargain. Serena shifts on the bed, as if getting into a more comfortable position to hear the gossip. I don't blame her. If this didn't happen to my family, I would have been interested as well.

"She was?"

"Yes, but he wanted nothing to do with her. After the queen died, the king grieved for seven days. Then he realized that he needed a new wife. So, the man visited all of his castles over the span of two months. He threw elaborate balls and went to every celebration, in hopes of meeting her. He met Sharon during a ball that he threw at Snowdrift Castle. She fell in love with him there. He romanced her and talked about her being queen. They were going to have a ball, announcing their engagement, but then he was called away to the Southern Region. Two weeks later, he married Queen Arabella, slighting my stepmother. Sharon was depressed for a few years, but cheered up considerably when her father arranged a marriage between her and my father. They married and had Jonah, but that wasn't enough for Sharon. She was bitter and often complained about everything. And then, the king came back to Snowdrift. He finally had to visit the Great Plains region and he saw her again. They became lovers. My father had no idea. He was a favorite of the king's. Sharon and my father constantly went to court, providing the finest fabric for the royal party. I was raised by the servants. Jonah and I didn't mind. We spent all of our time together, playing games and getting into trouble." I stop speaking and wipe a tear from my eye. It's a poor attempt of stopping the moisture from gathering. Speaking of happiness that I will never have again is painful.

"What happened?" Serena is fascinated by my tragic story. I don't fault her for that. How many times does someone hear a love story about your king and a woman who tried to kill him?

"Well, I was twelve and Jonah was ten. We were having a picnic in the gardens when two police officers rushed over to us. We were startled. The men said nothing. They waltzed over to Jonah and demanded that he stand. After cuffing him, they attempted to drag him away. But I wasn't having it. I held on to one of the police officer's arms and screamed at him to let my brother go. I begged him. But one of them got tired of me and tranquilized me. I lay on top of the yellow roses, just waiting for someone to find me. Antonio, the driver, scooped me up and carried me inside. He was the one that told me the news about Jonah. I still couldn't move, so my tears dripped down my face, and he had to wipe them away for me."

Serena nods, as if she finally understands why I risk everything to save my brother.

We don't talk after that. More booklets are delivered to me. I spend Sunday night reading and filling out solutions. On Monday, Headmaster Shore announces that I'm fit to go to class.

I decide to wear my uniform to breakfast. I can't assume that I'm still a candidate for review. Serena agrees with the plan and brushes my hair and places it in a simple bun. We both inhale the crisp air and sigh. It feels so good to be outside.

# Chapter Fifteen

Toad gives me a bear hug after I enter the private dining room. He pats me on the back so hard that I wince. David's hug is a bit more reserved. Tara stands there beside David, looking uneasy. We embrace, but it's awkward at best. Afterward, we waltz over to the dais and greet the royals. My curtsy is full of enthusiasm. And after I straighten, my eyes immediately find the prince. His eyes are clear, and he seems well rested.

"Is it just us?" Toad inquires. I take in a breath and turn around. We are the only candidates present.

"You four are the only ones that were fortunate enough not to drink any of the drinks that required water. Apparently, someone poisoned the candidates," Lord Gash announces, scorn in his tone. We all look at one another in shock.

"Who?" Tara softly asks, as if afraid of showing any disrespect to Lord Gash.

"That's none of your concern. We found the culprits and will punish them," the grumpy royal assistant proclaims. Serena knew about this. She had warned me not to drink the raspberry tea. Between filling out the booklets and spilling my life story to her, I have forgotten that. I make a mental note to ask Serena how she knew that the raspberry tea was compromised.

David smiles at Lexi. "What's the assignment for today?"

"Lord Gash will give you four a lecture about traditions and holidays. As a regent, it is imperative that you know how to throw a good party," Lexi announces. She winks at me when she announces this. I don't want to sit through a lecture. But it's clear that's what I'm going to do.

"So, we are still being reviewed because we were lucky enough to drink orange juice?" David glances at me when he asks the question. That causes Lord Gash to glare at me.

"Enly, you didn't have raspberry tea that day? I find that curious. If you weren't a shut-in, I would have thought that you had something to do with this." Lord Gash's insult makes me want to punch him.

Prince Matthew stares at me, his interest piqued.

"Lady Enly, I haven't spent any time with you yet," the prince notes. My heart rate increases, and I have no idea how to respond. I bite my lip, hoping that the pain will focus me in some way.

"Oh. Um...I..." It's unfortunate that the words escape me.

"Maybe tonight, you and I can have dinner together," he suggests.

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

"Excellent idea! Everyone should have dinner here tonight," Lord Gash butts in.

"Very well," the prince responds.

"Miss Saint Claire," Lord Gash says, halting any other conversation between the prince and me. "Why did you not drink any raspberry tea on that day?" I snap out of it and straighten. Lord Gash isn't going to blame me for this catastrophe.

"I like variety," I say. Lord Gash doesn't look mollified in the slightest. I turn my back on the pompous royal assistant and walk over to the table. As soon as we're seated, Toad hisses, "Later." Apparently, he wants to talk about this incident. I have nothing to tell him, because I had nothing to do with it.

After a boring day of writing greeting cards, learning how to make a seating chart, knowing which foods gets served at which event, and marriage customs, we are free to leave. I head back to my room, intent on questioning Serena. The other candidates are involved in conversations with the royals, so they can't catch up to me. As soon as I enter my living quarters, Serena greets me with a smile.

"How did you know about the raspberry tea?" I ask her. Serena faces me and winks.

"I overheard an illegitimate talking about how her mistress wanted to poison the candidates. The orange juice isn't made at the academy, so I figured that it was safe to drink." I'm relieved by her explanation.

"Do you mind if I tell someone what you told me?"

Serena frowns.

"Since the culprits have been caught, I don't see why not. Why?" Serena inquires.

"My..." I don't have a chance to explain. The door is flung open, and Prince Matthew rushes in. Both of us curtsy, and Serena hurries from the room as soon as I dismiss her. When the door closes, he settles a glare on me.

"Did you have any part in what happened on Friday?"

"No. My maid overheard someone threatening to tamper with the water that the cooks use to mix drinks, so she warned me away from the tea."

Prince Matthew is clearly relieved.

"So, I'm right about you." Something about his words makes me feel warm inside.

"What do you think about me?" My words are shy and uneasy.

"Obviously I think highly of you if you're still being reviewed."

"I didn't love Brandon Wilks. I barely knew him." He needs to understand that I have no affiliation with my former betrothed and his rebels.

"Enly, I was—"

"Lord Gash suggested that I could have done something about Brandon. Maybe if I paid him enough attention, I could have kept him from being with Marigold. And maybe he's right. I'm not exactly charming. I—"

"Enly." His voice is soft and gentle when he says my name. It causes me to stop blubbering. The prince walks forward and gently cups my face in his gentle hands. When our eyes meet, my heart begins to race uncontrollably. "Lord Gash was wrong to say those things. It's a two-way street. You may not have gone out of your way to court him. But he never did the same for you. Don't blame yourself. Enly, when I look at you, I see a strong, intelligent, compassionate, beautiful, determined person. He was an idiot not to choose you. Trust me." There's a moment when his head comes closer to mine. Our breath mingles, and just before my lips touch his, the door opens.

The prince quickly releases his hold on my face and pats my back. Lord Gash is in the doorway, frowning at us.

"Your Highness, it's time for dinner," the royal assistant informs the prince. Prince Matthew nods and follows Lord Gash out of the room without saying goodbye. It's official, Serena's theory has just been proven wrong, because I am attracted to Prince Matthew and I want nothing more than to kiss him. But that's all I want. I know that a relationship between us would be pointless. The royals would never allow me to free Jonah. And besides, only a regent can rescue someone from servitude. A king or queen cannot interfere with illegitimates in any way. It prevents a king from declaring someone illegitimate because the commoner glanced at him in a disrespectful manner.

"My lady?" Serena asks. She must think I'm strange, because I'm in the same position I was when Prince Matthew grabbed my face. I blink and look at her.

"What would you like to wear for dinner?" she inquires.

"Whatever you think is best." I have no interest in fashion. Serena nods and then searches through my closet. She chooses a ruby-red gown. I nod, and she assists me with changing. After I put on my cape, we walk to the dining hall.

It's peculiar to see the crowd of students. Most are pointing at me. They know I'm being reviewed based on what I'm wearing. I'm not the only one dressed to impress. Lady Charlotte, who I had assumed was one of the culprits, stands by the doors leading to the private dining room. Her illegitimate, a matronly woman, stands beside her. Toad settles beside me, his face flushed. His illegitimate, a tall, thin man who looks around thirteen, stands behind him.

"What are they doing here?" Toad asks, gesturing to the other candidates in line. I'm wondering the same thing. David and Tara are last to join are group. I study Tara's maid, a short girl with fine-boned features and jet-black hair. She looks to be of Asian descent, though she may have some Hispanic blood. So, she's the person with the loose lips. She doesn't particularly like Tara. I can tell by the way she stares at her when she isn't looking. Is she an ally or enemy? Toad glances in Tara's maid's direction and scoffs.

"Pay Linda no mind. She isn't going to hurt you. Her mother is the one who killed Linda's betrothed," Toad loudly assures me. Everyone looks in his direction, and David sighs.

"Toad, can we talk about something else?" our friend pleads.

"Yeah, sure. I don't much care for Linda. I knew her before she became illegitimate, and found her annoying." Toad's response makes me slightly uncomfortable.

Tara shoots him a glare.

"She can hear you," I hiss at Toad, who isn't concerned in the least. He doesn't bother replying to me, because a guard gestures for the first person to step forward. It's Cole, who's trailed by his illegitimate, a man with dark skin and hair. Cole takes off his pendant and uses it in the lock. When the door swings open, Toad curses.

"So they weren't eliminated? Cursed plague. Here I thought that I was going to become a lord regent soon," Toad complains.

"It wouldn't be fair if someone is dismissed because someone poisoned them," David argues. It sounds selfish, but I agree with Toad. Now it means that we have to endure weeks of being reviewed. I was kind of hoping that the ball would happen and that I would be crowned. I have to win to save Jonah. David is the first one in our group to enter the dining room. I follow after Toad.

The room is arranged like it was the night we presented our solutions. I find my seat at Lady Gash's table, and she smiles at me. David sits beside me, and I'm comforted by his presence. Some of the groups have been reconfigured. Tara and Olivia end up in our group as well. Twenty-one people are left to be reviewed. We are so close to the ball. I'm excited and hopeful.

After the last person is seated, Prince Matthew stands. He's wearing a dark suit, and his hair is slicked back. His eyes are fierce. Before speaking, he attempts to make eye contact with everyone in the room. I try to make eye contact with him, but his eyes skip to someone else. Is he regretting acting so familiar with me back in my room? Is this going to lead to me being dismissed? The prince had said that he thought highly of me. Did something change that?

"I trust that everyone is well," Prince Matthew begins. "For those of you that were poisoned, I apologize. The culprit was Lady Cave. Lady Cave forced her illegitimate to poison the water supply. She worked with Sarah Hinds to accomplish the goal. They both had their reasons. They will be punished. One day, one of you will decide their fate. But I want you to know that none of you were penalized for being ill. I supposed that I could have eliminated all of you and held the ball. But I take this seriously. I want to make the best decision." Prince Matthew stops speaking and looks directly at me. My heart pounds. "And for those of you who were fortunate enough not to drink tea, thank you. You were patient and filled out so many solutions. I read through each of your responses myself. Each of you were fair and just. You have a slight advantage over the people that were quarantined. But I will still be fair when I eliminate."

Hope surges through me. I had made the correct decisions. I am still being considered for the position.

"Tonight, we are playing a trivia game. Each of you will be given a question to answer. If you get one wrong, you can go back to your quarters. The winner of these games earns a dinner with all of the royals," the prince announces. After his announcement, the prince sits with his group. The servants enter with the first course, which is a thick soup. I glance at my competitors. Toad is the only weak link in the group. I can tell based on his facial expression. He isn't an expert of any subject, well, except for food. He slurps his soup and then eats the rest of mine. Lady Gash isn't at all angered by Toad's manners. In fact, she hands him her bowl when he finishes with mine.

"This is divine," Toad declares.

"I'm glad that you enjoy this. We are having some of Lord Gash's favorites tonight," Lady Gash says. Of course, the soup, which is comprised of sixteen types of beans, is followed by pork chops, broccoli, and rice. I'm not big on pork, but I force myself to eat it. I need fuel for what's about to happen.

After the meal has been consumed, Lady Gash smiles warmly at us.

"Now, it's time for the competition," she announces with a wink.

"I will ask a list of questions until five of you are eliminated. May the best person win!" On cue, a servant enters carrying four boxes, and each of them are placed in front of a royal. Lady Gash pulls out the first question.

"David, what disease began the first plague war?" she asks.

"The measles," he answers.

"Correct." She tosses the question in the wastebasket beside her chair and pulls out another question. "Cole, who was the last president of the United States?"

"Gary Thatcher," he answers, and Lady Gash shakes her head.

"Incorrect," she says. Cole stands, bows, and then leaves the room.

"Tara, the question goes to you," Lady Gash warns.

"Gary Miller," she answers.

"Incorrect," Lady Gash responds.

"So I leave?" Tara asks, somewhat disappointed.

"Yes, Tara, those are the rules of the game," Lady Gash points out. Tara stands, curtsies, and then storms out of the private dining room.

"Toad, it's your turn," the lady tells him.

"The last president of the United States was Ruth Thatcher Miller," he answers, bored by the game. The lady nods and then tosses the notecard in the wastebasket.

"Olivia, what was the first state to have the measles epidemic?" Lady Gash asks. Olivia smiles.

"California." Olivia sits up straighter, as if answering that one question gives her all of the confidence that she needs.

"Enly, who discovered the cure for syphilis 2.0?" the lady inquires.

"Melvin Gomez," I answer confidently. As the questions get thrown our way, no one else from the group is eliminated. After what seems like a half an hour, the prince walks over to our table.

"Everyone in my group was eliminated," he reports, bemused.

"Really?" The lady is holding back a laugh. But it seems like the prince is disappointed.

"The same can be said for Lord Gash's and Princess Lexi's groups." His words cause everyone at our table to glance at one another. Lord Gash storms over to us, glaring at me.

"How is it that no one in my group knew the name of our first king? That's an important part of our history," he complains.

"Almond Gash," I answer, without thinking. Lord Gash nods.

"Well, I'm running out of questions, and the four of them are still in the competition. Shall we bring in the more advanced questions?" Lady Gash inquires.

"Fine by me," the prince responds, just as the door squeaks open. The princess is making a run for it. Lord and Lady Gash glance at the prince, looking longingly at the exit.

"Go ahead, I'll quiz them," the prince says.

As soon as Lord Gash and his wife leave, arm in arm, the prince sits in Lady Gash's vacated chair.

"China," Olivia says, an hour and a half later. Still, no one has been eliminated. The prince's eyes are growing weary. He's running out of energy. I myself am growing tired. If it wasn't for my determination to save Jonah, I would have answered a question incorrectly by now.

"Lord Gash assembled a terrible group. He placed everyone who received the highest marks on the exam together," the prince complains. I have a sinking suspicion that Lord Gash placed me in this group because he was hoping that I'd be eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

The prince pulls out another question, glances at it, and then shakes his head. "I declare the four of you the winners," he decides. Toad frowns, disappointed. But before he can say something, I shoot him a deadly look. I don't want to play this game anymore.

Prince Matthew smiles.

"Each of you can have dinner with a royal. One of the judges will meet you in your quarters tomorrow. Fill out a special order with the cooks to prepare specific dishes. You're excused."

I can't help but worry that Lord Gash will select me and glare at me the entire night.

Serena joins me as soon as I leave the dining room. She had been sitting with the other illegitimate servants. It pains me that she waited the entire time, but she had nothing else to do. Her only purpose is serving me. Serena doesn't ask me anything until we've finished trudging through the dark, arctic night.

"How did it go?" she inquires as we're climbing the stairs to the third floor. I'm grateful that the rest of my group live on the first two floors.

"I'll tell you when we get to the room," I tell her. As soon as I enter my quarters and lock the doors, I sigh and relay everything to my maid.

"The prince is fond of you," Serena informs me as she helps me out of my clothing. My heart rate increases.

"What do you mean?" I ask, remembering the kiss that he planted on my cheek.

"I overheard Lord Gash reprimanding Prince Matthew. He had requested to eat dinner with you. Lord Gash told him that he was playing favorites. The prince pulled rank, saying that he was the prince and he could dine with whomever he pleased. Then Lord Gash told him that if you were going to have dinner with the prince, then you would have to earn it," Serena explains.

"How did you overhear that?" I ask.

"They had the argument in the hallway. I happened to be passing by," Serena reports.

"So, what does this mean?" I ask as I sit in the bath.

"It means that you have to take advantage, Enly. The prince likes you. Get to know him. Be friendly. Make him think about you. Then he'll have no choice but to choose you," Serena advises.

"I can't manipulate the prince like that," I protest.

"Of course you can. You must save Jonah. I'm sure you would do anything to succeed."

# Chapter Sixteen

I wake up long before the alarm can pester me. Serena's suggestion from last night is still in my mind. Can I get close to the prince? Can I make him believe that I am infatuated with him? Well, I do find him attractive, and I do want him to kiss me. But what does that mean? I don't know much about him. The prince is kind, playful, and generous. Why does he think so highly of me? I have no idea.

As soon as I slip out of bed, I notice that the door is ajar. I walk to the hallway, nearly tripping over Serena, who's asleep on the floor. I peer out and see Prince Matthew standing there, dressed in the academy uniform. His eyes are red, and he's clutching a bottle of perfume.

"Good morning, Your Highness," I softly greet. I move from the doorway so that the prince can enter my chambers. He sits at my desk and places the bottle on the marred wood. Serena gets up and curtsies. I'm so tired that it never occurs for me to do so also until my maid shows respect. I curtsy as well, muffling a yawn.

"I'll go fetch some tea," the maid says as she rushes off. As soon as she's gone, I stare at him.

"Is everything all right, Your Highness?" I ask.

"Enly, you are one of the wealthiest people in this country. You have security and intelligence. Why do you want to be a lady regent?"

It's much too early to think of a response. I don't want to become a lady regent. I want to free Jonah. The prince can't catch wind of my plan.

"I want to make a difference," I tell him, which is half of the truth.

"But you can't," the prince replies. "A regent enforces the laws of the king. Will you be happy following my father's orders for the rest of your life?"

"Is this a test, Your Highness?" I ask, feeling as vulnerable as a butterfly that just left its cocoon.

The prince rubs at his eyes.

"No. I honestly want to know why you want to become a lady regent. You're not like the others," he explains. "They are ambitious. Everyone has sought an audience with me. Everyone except for you. Why is that?"

My heart sinks. It seems that everyone is being more proactive than I'd thought. I'm so naive.

"You made a speech not too long ago, saying that you didn't want to be bribed or seduced. That's why I didn't request an audience. If I had, I feared that my motives would have been misinterpreted." I don't add that I knew that Lord Gash would try to interfere in some way.

"I wish you would seek me out, Enly," he confesses, his dark, tired eyes holding mine. I suck in a breath at his intensity. Serena is right; he is rather fond of me. But why?

"I can't," I softly admit.

"Why?"

Because you'll warm me up and distract me from what I really want. Becoming a princess isn't going to save Jonah.

"Because you said that you want no one trying to seduce you," I bluntly state.

Wait? Do I want to seduce the prince? "Why would I try to get close to you if..." _If I can't have you,_ is what I was going to say. But that's all wrong. I don't want Prince Matthew. I can't want him. He isn't a part of the plan.

"You want to seduce me?" The prince's question makes me realize that he's gotten the wrong idea. The surprise in his eyes forces me to consider how to rectify the situation.

"I didn't want you to get that idea," I say quickly.

The prince chuckles.

"Rhetoric isn't your strong suit. You will have to work on that if you want to become a lady regent."

I stiffen, not liking that the prince has just pointed out what he perceived to be one of my flaws.

"I'll work on that," I snap through clenched teeth.

"Enly, I'm telling you this because I want you to succeed. I'm not trying to offend you," the prince gently assures me.

"I know... I..."

"Don't deny it. You were upset when I criticized you." The prince cuts me off, which is very well, because I had no idea what I was going to say.

"Thanks for the advice," I force myself to say.

The prince smirks.

"I'd do anything to help you, Enly. You're..."

I want to ask him to finish his statement, but Serena ambles in with a tray.

"You can leave us," the prince tells Serena when my maid attempts to pick up the teapot. She curtsies and leaves the room. The prince pours two cups and places one sugar cube in one of the cups and hands it to me.

"Thank you, my prince." The reverence in my voice takes me by surprise. I want to retract my words, maybe tell him that I misspoke. But the moment passes. He sits in my desk chair and gingerly sips his tea.

"This isn't so bad. I prefer coffee," the prince says after a moment.

"Coffee?" I ask, confused.

"It's a staple drink around the castle. I don't think that you'll care for it." The prince winces before taking another sip.

"You could add sugar," I suggest. He shakes his head.

"No way. I'm not a fan of sweets."

"I love pastries, fruit, and cakes. My favorite dessert is—"

"Strawberries with whipped cream on top."

How does he know so much about me? I close my eyes and consider something.

"You don't have a favorite dessert. You wince every time you're served one." After revealing that, I watch him just as much as he watches me. I take a sip of the tea. For a moment, all is quiet. It's the soothing kind that makes me believe that I can let down my guard. I remind myself that pursuing a relationship with the prince is as foolish as counting on a corpse to win a marathon. Even if I did win his heart and became a princess, I'd still be in the same situation, useless to Jonah. The king does not have absolute rule over the disciplining of citizens, not since King Edger the Third. That king had a habit of lengthening the sentences of illegitimates who wouldn't spy for him. When the senate of regents got wind of what he was doing, there was nothing that they could do. The king was the ruler in all things. His son, King Joseph, was the one who wrote the reform of 234, declaring that an illegitimate could only be freed by the regent of their region.

"I never want to hurt the cook's feelings. So I eat the desserts that he creates."

"That's kind of you." At my words, his weary eyes light up, and a massive grin stretches across his handsome face.

"That's the nicest thing that anyone has ever genuinely said to me," he confesses.

"Genuinely?" I ask in between sips.

"People flatter me all of the time, Enly. They tell me I'm intelligent, just, powerful, and worth following. But they all want something from me. Y..." He pauses, takes another sip of the tea, then to my surprise dumps a sugar cube in the cup. "You don't try to butter me up, just so that you can ask me for something. That's why I told the head cook to make your favorite meal, the day of the test."

"I thought I had failed. I thought that you giving me food was your apology for dismissing me."

The prince takes a hesitant sip of the tea and then spits it back into the cup.

"Enly, if I ever were to dismiss you, I would tell you to your face. I wouldn't simply disable your pendant. I couldn't do that to you."

"Why? You hardly know me," I argue.

He shrugs.

"There's something about you, Enly. I don't know what it is. But it intrigues me," the prince confesses. His words are made less intense by him attempting to drink the tea. His nose pinches and his lips scrunch together. I laugh at his reaction.

"Why are you drinking the tea if you hate it?" Those words are squeezed between torrents of laughter.

"I might as well. The tea's there. It's my special talent, eating and drinking things that I do not like."

"Like the review?" I ask, even though the process is neither food nor drink.

"Believe me, I'd rather be in the castle, painting. It's difficult to judge people's character. How do I know that people are showing me who they really are?" he admits.

"That's simple enough. Observe them when they aren't aware of it," I answer. "You know, those candidates whose pendants didn't work on the first day, I assumed that they were being tested. I thought that you wanted to see who would throw the biggest temper tantrum and who would keep it cool."

A thoughtful expression rests on his face.

"You give me way too much credit, Enly. I'm not that smart."

Before I can tell the prince that he is brilliant, he places the teacup back on the tray. He reaches out for my cup as well. I'm warmed by the fact that he's serving me. After the cups have been set aside, Prince Matthew snatches up the bottle of perfume. He hands it to me.

"What's this?" I ask.

"Something that I made for you. It isn't any good. One of the professors enjoys perfume making. I tried, but I'm afraid that I'm horrible at it."

I spray the concoction and wince. It smells strongly of strawberries. I sneeze.

"It's overwhelming." Those are the only kind words that I have. The prince laughs.

"I know. But I was dedicated to making you perfume as an apology for being unable to have dinner in your quarters last night. Lord Gash is doing everything in his power to keep me from you. He is not thrilled about my amendment to the rules."

So Serena was truthful. Lord Gash was the one who came up with the impromptu trivia activity, all to keep me from spending quality time with the prince.

"He dislikes me," I say mournfully.

"Who dislikes you?" the prince asks, distracted. His eyes are on the door, as if something behind it has caught his attention.

"Lord Gash," I answer. The prince nods in agreement.

"He doesn't like anyone," he responds, still distracted.

"You can go, if you want," I tell him.

The prince walks over to me and squats down in front of me. He grabs both of my hands and peers into my eyes, speaking quietly.

"I think that Lord Gash has followed me here. That wouldn't be good for your reputation. Get into bed." He releases me, and I slide under my blankets, suddenly fatigued. The prince ducks into my closet. The door opens, and heavy footsteps pound on my hardwood floor.

"Enly," Lord Gash calls. "Wake up." I sit up slowly and open my eyes. The royal assistant is flanked by two soldiers. He frowns at the sight of me.

"Hi," I greet through a yawn.

"Go back to bed. You have a long day ahead of you," Lord Gash orders before storming out. I watch the closet, waiting for the prince to exit. But he doesn't. Serena enters, grabs her comforter, and lies on the floor. I am suddenly really tired. I close my eyes, and the horrid smell of strawberries fills my nose. I reach out and caress the bottle. I hold it against my chest and wince at its coolness.

"Enly," he whispers. His warm breath collides with my sensitive ear. I want to open my eyes and reach for him, but the exhaustion serves as shackles, holding me in place. "Give me the bottle."

"Mine," I groan when I feel hands grabbing my treasure.

"I don't want the glass to break," the prince says. I suppose that the prince has a point. And besides, he is royalty; I have to obey him. I relinquish the bottle to him and roll over. I'm about to visit dreamland. I'm sure of it. Lips press against my forehead. "Good night, my sweet." His words of endearment are the last thing I hear before I'm carried away into a dreamless sleep.

~

It's odd sitting in the dining room, listening to the sound of pens scratching against papers. I glance around the room after finishing a booklet and observe my competitors. Olivia's eyes are focused on the page. When she's thinking, she taps her pen against the table. When Toad has no idea what to write, he's like a man possessed.

"My lady, do you want a drink?" Serena inquires. I frown at the empty spot in front of me. I'm the first one in my group to complete all three booklets. The cases in my booklets were relatively easy. All of them involved squabbling between the rich and privileged. No one had to become illegitimate or be sent to Serial. And to my surprise, the jurors were helpful, offering up facts that were not included in the testimonies.

"Raspberry tea," I tell her. Serena smiles at me before executing a perfect curtsy. Then she runs to get my beverage of choice.

As soon as Serena returns with the tea, plus a few sugar cookies, Toad finishes his solution. He places the booklet in the box and then walks back to his chair. His servant enters and takes his massive order, which includes finger sandwiches, cut-up fruit, and sugar cookies. The servant scurries away to fetch the food.

I sip my tea, feeling nervous about tonight. I am going to host Lord Gash instead of Prince Matthew. Lord Gash doesn't favor me in the least. He is standing in the way of my brother's freedom. What can I do to bring him to my side? I have no idea. But I'm pretty sure that Serena will be a wealth of knowledge in this situation. Whatever information she can provide about Lord Gash will factor in the strategy that I will utilize.

Since dinner is an hour away, there isn't much time to ponder the matter. It isn't the first time that I long to be a different girl, one with charm and liveliness. Maybe Lord Gash prefers women that have sparkling personalities. Lady Gash is charming, but has an air of sincerity about her. Can I be like Lady Gash? I'd have to be in order to win Lord Gash over. Maybe I can act as though he misunderstood me and that underneath I'm a nice girl who is an introvert due to the many pressures at the academy. That isn't a bald-faced lie; I'd never liked being around people. Even at my father's estate, I chose to sequester myself with a riveting book or play with Jonah. He had been the only company I craved, and when he was so callously taken away from me, my world dimmed.

"Do you want that?" Toad asks, bringing me back to the conversation. I peer at my barely consumed tea and untouched sugar cookies.

"Yes," I honestly tell him, taking a bite of the sugar cookie. "I do want them." Toad doesn't hesitate; he snatches up a cookie and then shoves the whole thing into his mouth.

"What was the point of asking her if you were going to take it anyway?" David asks Toad as he butters his toast.

"She isn't going to finish them," Toad says around a mouthful of cookie. "Enly never finishes anything on her plate." His pronouncement makes me squirm, because everyone at the table starts shooting me thoughtful glances.

"Not unless she's eating something she really likes," David interjects.

"It's quite wasteful. The time she didn't finish that steak, I wanted to snatch it up and feed the homeless," Cole scolds while taking a bite of his sandwich.

"Toad does finish everything that Enly doesn't eat," Olivia says. She is munching on raw carrots and dip.

"But what do you think she does with her food when she's in her living quarters?" Cole inquires.

"She probably feeds it to her maid," Olivia offers.

"Doubt it. I can't see Enly doing something like that," Tara says, almost laughing.

My stomach turns, and I feel like a bird trapped in a windowless attic. Toad is oblivious to my feelings. He continues to eat, as if the conversation is casual and friendly. David and Olivia look like they are about to do battle on my behalf.

"Enly would not let someone starve. It isn't in her nature. She's kind," Olivia argues.

"Kind? Oh please, if it wasn't for Kip, she wouldn't even bother with us, Olivia," Tara shoots back.

"If you hadn't gotten Kip kicked out, maybe I would still bother with you," I snap.

Tara's eyes widen in shock while Olivia's features freeze. Olivia looks at me, her delicate mouth hanging open.

"What are you talking about?" Tara squeaks, her face paling.

"You found something in Kip's room and gave it to the headmistress," I report, feeling guilty that I have just betrayed Serena's trust.

"H-H-H-How do you know that?" Tara asks.

"Because you and Olivia and I were the only ones who had access to Kip's room. Olivia and I would never betray her," I say.

David shoots me a warning look.

"Kip did something wrong," Tara yells. "She did something wrong and deserved to be expelled. Does that bother you? No, of course not. You rich brats never care about who you hurt. You only care about yourselves." She storms out of the dining hall, her illegitimate hurrying to catch up with her.

"One down, nineteen more to go," Toad declares.

"What are you talking about?" David asks in an annoyed tone.

"Leaving without being dismissed is an offense. Tara will be booted from the review," Toad notes.

What does this say about me? I don't even remotely feel sympathy that a moment of temper will cost Tara. This is exactly what she deserves for betraying Kip's trust.

Cole rolls his eyes at Toad.

"Of course, that's exactly what you want," Cole snaps, his dark eyes filled with judgment.

"Isn't that what _you_ want?" Toad challenges. "The review is a competition. We can't all win."

Cole doesn't respond to Toad. He continues to eat his sandwich as if it is the rarest of delicacies. I'm personally glad that Cole doesn't speak to us. One can only take so much scorn in a day.

"What are you serving for dinner, guys?" Toad asks us. I fidget while David looks very uncomfortable. Why did he bring this up?

But Toad doesn't seem offended. In fact, he appears as though we're explaining the process of solving a complicated equation in slow, agonizing detail. "Since I have Princess Lexi for a dinner guest, I thought that I should serve a vegetable-focused dinner," Toad says.

Toad's statement perks me up a bit.

"Why?" I find myself asking.

"The princess does not like meat. I've noticed that she only eats the vegetables and dessert. The prince gives her his portion on occasion," Toad explains.

"I'm serving Lady Gash steak," Olivia chimes in. Toad shakes his head.

"She is a bigger fan of prime rib. She didn't seem to enjoy the steak dinner we had the other night," Toad offers.

"I'm serving the prince chicken," David says.

"He's a bigger fan of steak," I offer, trying to be helpful. Toad, the food expert, nods in agreement.

"What are you serving Lord Gash, Enly?" Olivia inquires after she finishes her discussion with her illegitimate. Before I can answer, David waves his servant over and whispers something to him. I wait until he's done before responding.

"Lamb and rice with chocolate cake for dessert," I answer.

Toad smiles.

"You got it mostly right. Instead of rice, add boiled potatoes and cheesy carrots," he suggests. Like the others, I wave my maid over and tell her of my plans. She smiles widely at me.

"My lady, that is a great idea," she gushes before rushing off to do my bidding.

"You are dismissed," Headmaster Shore shouts over the quiet din of conversation sometime later. Cole is the first one out of the room. He's most likely gone to find Tara so that he can complain about us. But that doesn't concern me. I have a dinner to prepare for.

# Chapter Seventeen

I pace the room. The smell of the tantalizing food begins to make my stomach roar its hungry cry. Lord Gash has gone past fashionably late and descended into the rude category. I have been waiting for an hour. Serena sits on my bed, frowning at her scarred hands. She's supposed to sit on my floor, in the corner, but I refused to allow that. It's bad enough that she has to sleep on the floor. I wouldn't make her sit there as well. If I wasn't so squeamish about people touching me, I would have allowed my maid to sleep in my bed.

"Enly, is he going to show up?" Serena asks me. I stop pacing and glance at her, a horrified expression on my face.

"He has to. Doesn't he?" I'm unsure of anything.

"I can go to the kitchens and see what the other maids know," Serena offers.

"That would be helpful. Be careful," I tell Serena. She stands, curtsies, and then rushes off to do some investigating. I give up on standing and sit on the bed. Holy plains, I'm hungry. I should have had more of those sugar cookies, I know it.

After a few minutes, a furious Serena storms into the room, a hesitant guard behind her. Her green eyes are dark with so much anger that even I quake. She leans against the wall by my desk and folds her arms across her stomach. She wants answers, that is obvious. The soldier, a thin man with cherubic features, smiles uncertainly at me.

"Speak," I snap, hating the formalities.

"Miss Saint Claire, I... Lord... The prince sent me here to tell you that Lord Gash isn't coming. He's... the prince... I... um..."

"You're dismissed," I nearly shout, interrupting what would have been a frustratingly long speech. The soldier exits without giving me a proper bow. But that's okay. I'm not a noblewoman. I'm rich. For once, he's addressed me just as he should.

"I can't believe this! We've put so much effort into this dinner, and the lord won't even show up? What kind of man is he?" Serena nearly shrieks. "What kind of person does such a thing?"

"The kind of person that dislikes me. His intentions are clear, he meant to humiliate me," I tell Serena, whose eyes flash even more. I would try to calm her down, but I feel as angry as Serena. But I'm so used to holding in my anger that it's difficult to say a word. I glance at the portable table that is in the middle of my room, set for two. The kitchen staff will retrieve it soon, so we have to make good use of it. I had already insisted on Serena eating some of the food. The cook made me extra because I demanded it. I peer at the food, not knowing who to invite.

"Well, then, you should dine with someone that likes you," Serena tells me.

"Who?" I ask, making eye contact with her. Serena smiles.

"I have it on good authority that Baron Simon would like to marry you," she says and then winks.

"Did he put in an application to become lord regent?" I ask, feeling a bit uneasy.

"No. I think that he's content being a baron," Serena tells me. She walks over to our phone and dials. "Sage, it's so good to speak to you again. Is the baron in?" Serena pauses, her shoulders stiffening. "Lady Saint Claire would like company for dinner." She pauses again and then says, "Perfect." Then she hangs up the phone.

"Can he come?" I ask.

"No time," Serena says as she dives into my closet and pulls out a green gown. "Strip, quickly!"

I follow her directions. Serena quickly changes me into the gown and shoves me into one of the chairs at the table. She puts some powder on my face and pins in my hair. Serena slips white silk slippers on my feet when there is a knock on the door. She leaps toward it and pulls it open to reveal Prince Matthew. Serena curtsies then looks back at me.

"What happened to Lord Simon?" I ask, shocked and elated.

"He's at court. Were you expecting him?" the prince asks.

"I guess not," I say, when Serena shoots me a pleading gaze. She glances at the door then motions to herself. She wants me to dismiss her.

"You're dismissed, Serena," I say through a bone-dry mouth. She runs over to my desk, sprays that horrid perfume on me, and then rushes out of the room.

"Can I come in, Lady Enly?" the prince inquires, amusement filling his handsome face.

"Yes, my prince." There goes that uncomfortable endearing phrase. What has gotten into me? He smiles widely at me and then enters the room. Prince Matthew shuts the door, despite the fact that propriety requires it to be open. My reputation must not be at stake for the prince to make such a move. Lord Gash didn't find out about his visit.

The prince pulls out one of the chairs for me, and I sit. He sits across from me. After blessing the food, Prince Matthew reaches over and uncovers the first dish.

"I knew I smelled lamb." The prince rubs his stomach.

"You must be full," I comment.

"I had a hardy steak. But I have room for...cheesy carrots!" the prince exclaims when he removes the cover hiding the dish from view.

"I heard that Lord Gash loves cheesy carrots," I tell him.

"From whom?" the prince asks.

"Toad. He seems to know what all of you like to eat," I answer, figuring that being honest won't hurt anyone.

"Uh, he's to thank for all of my favorites being served?"

"I suppose so," I say.

The prince looks amused.

"Go on, Lady Enly, dig in. You must be starving." The prince scoops a portion of the cheesy carrots, baked potatoes, and lamb. He places the heaping plate in front of me and smiles.

"I can't eat in front of you," I protest. "Especially since you aren't eating." The prince laughs then helps himself to the cheesy carrots. He takes a bite, savoring the taste.

"I tried to make these once," he says as I reluctantly begin eating the hardy fare.

"The cheesy carrots?" I ask.

"Yes. I was touring the kitchen of Chef France Daub."

France Daub is a famous chef from the Southern Region. My father enjoys attending parties in that region because he would most likely be the one catering the fete. "Chef Daub's specialty is cheesy carrots. We all know that Lord Gash is a huge fan, so I made a batch. It wasn't half bad."

"Better than the perfume you made me?" I tease.

"Not even in the same league. The carrots were edible and people didn't wince when they smelled them," the prince responds, after taking a sip of water. His infectious grin causes my own lips to lift.

"What other things have you tried?" I question, eager for the answer.

"Bull riding," he answers. "I wasn't so good at that. I broke my left arm."

"You went bull riding?" I can't contain the surprise. Usually rich people sign illegitimates up to compete in extreme sports. Of course, the illegitimate doesn't receive any money from competing. But the owner does make a hefty sum.

"I wanted to try it. Dad was so upset, he confined me to my room for two months. I was fourteen then and was more of a thrill seeker."

"Did you ever do anything else dangerous?" I ask, before taking another bite of the baked potatoes.

"I infiltrated the royal guard."

"What happened?"

Prince Matthew winces.

"I got shot," he admits. "Unfortunately, a guard wasn't a good shot and I paid the price. After that, I decided not to go for the adrenalin rush," the prince tells me.

"At least you have a hobby. My life consists of going to the academy, reading, and studying," I admit.

The prince shoots me a piteous expression.

"Have you ever done something fun?" he inquires.

A jolt of pain goes through me. Images of my brother running through the fields, me chasing him, fill my mind. I did have fun. We used to play tag, monopoly, and dominos. In the spring, Jonah and I would go bobbing for apples. But that was so long ago. I can't bring any of this up. "Do you have any other hobbies?" I inquire, just to change the subject.

"You don't have any hobbies?"

"No, I don't think so. So I guess we'll just have to talk about you," I tease. "Do you do anything else?"

"Going to the theater."

I shoot the prince a skeptical look.

"No, really, I love watching plays. I've even tried writing one before."

I perk up, intending to ask the prince if I can read his play, but then the door opens. Serena rushes in, followed by an apologetic Lady Gash. I immediately stand and curtsy. The prince doesn't move. He inclines his head, as if to say, _Speak_.

"Your father wants to speak to you," she says without hesitation.

Prince Matthew stands and smiles widely at me.

"Well, Enly, it seems like we'll have to catch up some other time."

"Thanks for having dinner with me, my prince," I respond, the words spoken more reverently than I had intended.

The prince grins, salutes me, and then leaves the room, the lady following behind him.

# Chapter Eighteen

Frantic pounding is what wakes me up. It's Saturday, one of two days that I can sleep in. Apparently, someone doesn't care about that fact. I sit up and glance at Serena, who is already standing by the door.

"Enly, do you want me to send them away?" she softly asks me.

"No. This has to be important," I reply. I force myself out of bed and enter the bathroom. Serena enters moments later with my uniform in her grasp. She places the clothing on the towel rack and then leaves the room. I strip out of the thick nightgown and change into the uniform. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I rush out into the bedroom and blink in surprise. A servant is carrying in a collapsible table, while another worker is setting down two breakfast trays. I blink at Serena, who's as flabbergasted as I am.

"Molly, what's going on?" Serena asks one of the workers.

"Princess Lexi is going to have breakfast with Miss Saint Claire," a short, round woman responds.

When the male servant finishes setting up the table, he drags in two chairs. A third servant enters, pushing a food cart. Molly sets the table, and the two covered dishes are placed on top of the place mats. The three servants either curtsy or bow, depending on their gender, and then exit.

Moments later, Princess Lexi enters with a wide smile on her face.

"Enly, it's so nice to see you this morning," she says after I curtsy.

"How are you doing, Princess?" I ask, trying not to show my confusion.

"You're dismissed," the princess tells Serena.

She exits as if someone would have chopped off her head if she dallied.

Princess Lexi lets out a dramatic sigh. She doesn't make a move to sit at the table, which means that I'm left standing behind the chair. "Enly, I need you to do a favor for me."

My heart rate spikes at the thought of doing a favor for Princess Lexi. Will this help my chances in the competition?

"What do you need?" I hesitantly ask.

"For you to leave the room and hang out with Toad. He's David's shadow and needs to be distracted," Lexi tells me. I frown at her.

"What d—"

"There is no time for questions. I need to talk to David without my brother knowing. This is the best way."

"What if he asks me how breakfast with you went?" I ask.

"He won't think to ask you. My brother doesn't care about what you do in your free time," Lexi says, waving her hands dismissively.

Her words cause anger to come to the surface. It's irrational, I know that. Most likely, Prince Matthew hasn't told Princess Lexi about our encounters. But a petty side of me wants to brag about our conversations and the perfume that the prince has given me. I want to share that tender kiss that he gave me on the forehead. But I refrain from spilling the words. Instead, I smile.

"How long do you need the room?"

"An hour," Lexi responds, her shoulders sagging in relief.

"What about Serena?" I ask.

"My maid will keep her in the kitchen. Everything has been taken care of. All you have to do is distract Toad," Lexi says.

"All right," I respond, curtsying to Princess Lexi. Maybe this could be used as leverage of some kind. I have no idea. I slip on my shoes and exit the room. Toad lives a floor down from me. It's a good thing that I'm not required to go out in the cold.

I quickly descend the stairs and turn into the hallway, nearly smacking into Cole.

He scowls at me. "Watch where you're going, my lady." The mocking way that he calls me "my lady" grates on my nerves. I stand tall and raise my chin and scowl as harshly as I possibly can.

"What's your problem, Cole? Are you upset that you lost the contest?" My words anger him more. I glance around the area and see a couple of students loitering in the hallway.

"More than you know," he hisses before rushing down the stairs. It's as he's leaving when I notice his attire. Cole is dressed in a long-sleeved, black thermal shirt, the academy-issued pants, and thick worn boots. The boots aren't academy-issued. They appear to be work boots. Cole's wearing a worn backpack and has a book under each arm. Where is he going this early of an hour? I shake my head, deciding that Cole's extracurricular activities aren't any concern of mine. I make my way down the hall and pound on Toad's door. His illegitimate answers the door with a slightly surprised smile.

"Lady Enly, come in," he insists brightly. I follow him into Toad's room, which is clean. Toad is sitting at the table, eating breakfast. My stomach rumbles at the sight of pastries; without hesitation, I snag one and plop down on the bed.

Toad glances over his shoulder at me and scowls.

"I do not share food," he informs me, his eyes tracking me as I begin eating the pastry.

"You do the same to me on a daily basis," I tell him. "It's only fair that I do it to you."

Toad changes the subject, indicating that he has more urgent matters to discuss.

"Have you seen David?"

Lexi hadn't armed me with a lie to tell. I continue eating the pastry, hoping that I can come up with a suitable excuse. And then inspiration strikes.

"I asked him if you and I could spend some time together," I lie.

Toad stands and stretches. His plate is cleaned of all of his food.

"Why?" he asks.

"I wanted to hear how your dinner with Lady Gash went." I couldn't care less about this topic of discussion, but Toad lights up.

"Nice try, Enly. You want to know why Lord Gash didn't meet you for dinner last night," Toad teases.

"Actually, yeah, I do want to know why he didn't show up," I admit, my curiosity getting the better of me. I had originally thought that Lord Gash purposefully slighted me. But maybe there's a logical reason why he didn't bother coming for dinner.

"I didn't tell David. What makes you think that I'll tell you?"

"Because I'm not a favorite amongst the royals. I have no other friends."

Toad frowns and then rubs his forehead the way he always does when he's pondering something. I lick my fingers, savoring the taste of that delicious pastry.

"Fine. I'll tell you, since you aren't friendly with any of the royals."

"Great," I answer, feeling slightly guilty that I'm misleading him.

"Lord Gash had every intention of meeting you. But then he caught Tara in his room. Apparently, she was attempting to steal some top-secret document. He dragged her to Headmaster Shore's office, where she was expelled," Toad reports.

"What?" The shock doesn't allow me to say anything else.

"I know. The whole thing is a mess." Toad smirks.

"You seem happy," I say, surprised. I thought that he found Tara attractive.

"Of course I'm happy. Tara is gone, which means that she no longer can be reviewed. Don't get me wrong, she's a nice girl, but we didn't make a connection. If she was appointed lady regent, I doubt that her appointment would benefit me."

"Oh," I say. I bite my lip, considering how to proceed. "Toad, are we allies?"

"No," Toad answers, his face stern. My heart pounds and my stomach twists. What course of action do I take now?

"Oh," I say, eying the door. This requires some serious thought. I don't want to act in haste. After all, Jonah's life is in the balance.

"Enly, you and I will be betrothed," Toad announces, and my stomach drops.

"What?"

"You heard me. If I become lord regent, I need a wife, and the same goes for you." Toad does have a point. I would need to find a husband. The shallow side of me was hoping that maybe Simon would consider marrying me. But then again, Simon isn't in the review. So I guess the real question is, how much am I willing to sacrifice for Jonah? Because marrying Toad would be one of the biggest sacrifices of all. I know that I would never be happy with him. But my happiness isn't a factor in this situation. I need to play smart. Fixating on Prince Matthew isn't smart. However, building a relationship with Toad, who is one of the front runners, could be profitable.

"Okay," I softly respond, my heart breaking. This could work. This is my security if I don't become lady regent.

"Really?" Toad's flabbergasted.

"It makes sense. I'd need a husband if I became lady regent. Why wouldn't it be you?" I ask.

Toad claps his hands.

"Fabulous! I will have my father draw up a contract," he tells me.

Before I can say anything, David rushes through the door with a wide smile on his face. I quickly leave the room, wanting to collect myself. It feels weird to think it, but I'm now newly betrothed all over again, and this time, I'm going to ensure that my betrothed does not rescind his offer.

# Chapter Nineteen

The rest of the day is filled with a sense of dread, but the worst is already over. I have no more visitors. In fact, when I enter my room, it's back to its usual setup. Serena doesn't even question me about the princess. Instead, she takes measurements for the gown that I have to wear to the ball at Snowdrift Castle. I try telling her that she shouldn't be presumptuous, but she just shakes her head at me. Serena must be privy to some inside information.

"Enly, thank goodness," Olivia cries when she enters my room after dinner. I opted to eat a light meal in my room and hadn't expected to see anyone. Olivia's eyes are red rimmed, and she's as white as snow.

"What happened?" I ask, concerned.

Olivia sits beside me on my bed and pays Serena no mind when she answers.

"Tara got expelled from the academy. Do you know why?"

I don't hesitate.

"No."

Olivia wrings her hands.

"I know that you're upset at her for what she did to Kip. And believe me, I'm upset too, but I'm worried about her, Enly," Olivia confesses. "She's in trouble."

"What do you mean?" I'm unconcerned about the fate of someone who could barely be called a friend.

"Something's up. Ever since she's hung out with Cole, things have been different," Olivia confides.

"Like what?" Cole? Now I'm more curious than anything.

"Tara had been sneaking out after curfew. Sometimes she came back with scrapes and bruises. One time, Tara had a purse filled with money," Olivia explains, her hands shaking.

"She isn't a thief or vigilante, is she?" I ask, wanting to know where Olivia's head was.

"I don't think so. Tara's too straight-laced to be a thief and is too selfish to be a vigilante." After that statement, there isn't anything else to say. Olivia and I just stare at each other, the tapping of Serena's pen the only noise in this room. Then she stands, tells me her goodbyes, and leaves.

It's official, I'm emotionally exhausted. Just the thought of any more gossip makes me want to hurl. I bathe and slide into bed, even before the light fades from the sky.

~

"My lady!" Serena's cries jolt me awake.

I sit up, and my ears are assaulted by the fire alarm. It screeches so loudly that I can barely hear my own voice when I curse. A student must have knocked over a candle.

I slip out of bed and quickly change into my uniform. Realistically, I would freeze to death if I attempted to walk outside in my nightgown. Serena must know that, because my clothes are already in reach. It takes us twenty seconds to dress. She tosses her coat at me, and I slip into shoes and then we dash through the door.

The hallway is clear; the smoke hasn't yet reached the third floor. To avoid the stampede that's bound to happen, Serena takes me down the back stairs, which are primarily used by servants. I'm glad when we enter the stairwell when I hear the unmistakable sound of guns firing behind us. The gunshots, fire alarm, and the sounds of screaming make for a miserable soundtrack. We are running full out, and I hear pounding feet behind me.

As soon as we arrive at the second floor landing, the hallway door opens and a man dressed in a student's uniform rushes at us. He's holding a dagger. I shove Serena to the side and am about to strike him when he freezes.

He makes eye contact with me and shakes his head, as if trying to fight the urge not to kill me. Serena's pressed up against the wall, whimpering. I don't have anything resembling a weapon. I look around the virtually empty stairwell, and my assailant laughs.

"What's wrong, my lady? Are you looking for someone to save you?"

He's mocking me, and that causes rage to slam through me. My vision is reddening, and my temper is slipping. He isn't going to cut me down. He isn't going to hurt Serena. He lunges at me, but I kick the man in the family jewels.

He cries out and accidently drops his knife. I dive for it and manage to scoop it up. Without hesitating, I slice him in the cheek. I was aiming for the side of his neck, but my hands are shaking. He howls with rage and doesn't notice that Serena shoots out from behind me like a cannon and rushes down the stairs.

I follow her and groan when I hear an enraged shout. I know that my attacker is chasing me. He isn't as fast as we are, but I don't want him to catch up, either. The adrenalin is wearing off, and my side begins to ache from the exertion. We pound onto the first floor, and we don't stop when we enter the kitchen. I don't even get the chance to study the setup of the room, because Serena presses on. We enter a hallway, and I nearly plow over Serena when she stops dead. She's shorter than me, so I have an unobstructed view: two men dressed in academy-issued uniforms are closing in on someone trying to escape.

"Go on, Your Highness, face us like a man," one of the men laughs. "Demand we put down our weapons." They are taunting the Prince of Stanti. They are making fun of someone who has done nothing to them. He will die, leaving Lexi all alone. Cursed plague, where's Lexi?

"What have you done with Lexi?" the prince demands. "Please, leave her alone. She has done nothing to you. She's innocent," the prince pleads. So he isn't begging them to spare him. He's concerned about his sister.

"We don't answer to you," one of them says, before bashing the butt of his gun against the prince's forehead.

So they are going to toy with the royal first? I can't believe this. I have to do something. Shoving Serena aside, I slowly approach. The one with the gun is the perfect target. His friend has what looks like a pickax. Calmly, I stare at the man's big, meaty hand. I try not to look at Prince Matthew, who has his hands clenched. He looks more angry than afraid. My guess is that he probably showed caution to assure that his behavior wasn't going to affect his sister in any way. He studies the two men and says, "Do you think that I'm going to stand here and let you shoot me? If your intentions are to kill me, you better work much harder than that."

The prince punches the guy holding the gun. I leap out of the way as he falls unconscious. His companion roars and swings the pickax, which clips the prince on the shoulder. He groans. I frown as the man with the pickax sees me. He clearly didn't expect company. Before he can notice Serena, I grab the gun that's in the loose grip of the man on the ground, raise it, and point it.

"I'll shoot!" This is what makes the prince notice me. He shakes his head at me.

"Enly, hand it over," Prince Matthew coaxes. He sees my weapon and looks terrified. A shriek causes me to spin around. The man that I had sliced on the cheek has Serena by the neck.

"If you shoot, I'll snap her neck," he threatens. I swallow loudly. This can't be happening. What am I supposed to do? I see the fear in Serena's eyes and breathe in and out. I wasn't really going to shoot. In all of the films that I watched, the bad guys usually retreat when confronted by someone with a gun. But this is clearly out of my depth. I suddenly hate myself for not focusing. The sirens are still going on, which means that the fire is still raging. But the sound isn't as strong near the door. There must not be speakers over here. I close my eyes and think. I can't shoot because it means Serena's death. I let out a breath. There is only one thing to do in this situation. I hope that Jonah will forgive me for it.

"You don't want her," I say in a voice that's loud and steady. "You want me. If you let her go, I'll drop the gun. Just don't hurt her. Let her go."

No one says a word. Serena's eyes are wide with shock.

"Okay," the blooded man says finally. "Drop the gun, and I'll let her go."

After I drop the gun to the ground, I'm knocked to the side. I crash into the wall, and two deafening shots ring out. Serena's screams fill me with panic. I get to my feet and look around. The two men that had tried to kill the prince are on the ground, wounded, not dead. The third man has a knife protruding from his stomach. He clutches the hilt of the weapon, his eyes going wide. Serena is standing beside him, her face wide and terrified.

The prince slips the gun in the waistband of his pants, scoops me up, and runs out into the frigid night with Serena on his heels.

"Where to?" Prince Matthew frantically shouts.

I scan the area and frown. We are near the garage that houses all of the vehicles. None of us have clearance to get inside.

"The garage," Serena cries. I want to tell the prince that none of us have clearance for the building, but there's no need. A long, black car passes us on the way to the garage, and Serena waves her arms frantically. The car stops, the driver's door opens, and David Appleton exits.

"I can explain, I—"

"Hurry. We're under attack!" Serena cries.

David opens the back door, and the prince slides in without putting me down. After Serena gets in, she shuts the door, and David drives away from campus.

"Lexi?" Prince Matthew asks. A giggle from the front seat is the only answer the prince receives.

"Lexi's safe," I mumble into the prince's chest. He gently pats my hair.

"And you're safe as well, Enly. Are you feeling all right?"

"I'm tired," I say.

"What happened?" David asks.

"Besides the fact that you have been eliminated from the review? We were attacked. I'm not sure how many casualties there are," the prince says.

"Toad." David curses under his breath, and the car accelerates. "I can't leave without picking up Toad." I'm too tired to see where David's going. I'm suddenly too tired to do anything.

"Take me home to the house of Gerald Saint Claire," I tell them before I fall asleep.

# Chapter Twenty

It's warm and I'm comfortable. The smell of roses tickles my nostrils. The bed is soft, and someone's licking my face. My eyes slip open, and I hear the sound of Della's tail thumping against my bed. Della? I sit upright and see pale pink walls, wood floors, and a tapestry that Kip gave me last year for Christmas. Pictures of Jonah in a display case. The prince is sitting on the couch beside a very anxious illegitimate.

"Hi," I croak.

Both of them rush over to the bed, looks of relief on their faces.

"You've been asleep for hours," the prince says.

"I was really tired," I complain.

He chuckles.

"My lady, I—" Serena begins.

"Can you please get me some tea and draw my bath? And can you please find a change of clothes for the prince? My father should have some lounge clothing for him," I say, knowing that the maid needs to keep busy. Serena will fall apart if she dwells on our ordeal.

Serena rushes from the room. I carefully slide out of bed, my bare feet meeting the hardwood floor. I'm still in my black uniform, but my boots have been removed. Della, my golden retriever, followed Serena out of the room.

I trudge into the bathroom and brush my teeth. My mouth tastes like swamp water. After that's over with, I peer into the mirror. Despite my hours of rest, there are bags under my eyes. My hair is unbound and resembles a spider's web, and my clothes are wrinkled. I sigh and return to my bedroom. Prince Matthew is standing uncertainly at the door, as if he isn't sure of his welcome.

"I'm sorry, Enly," he hesitantly says.

I frown at him.

"For what?"

"For all of this. Before I graced your campus, you—"

"Were shot by a maid. Prince Matthew, please don't blame yourself for this attack. You weren't the one that ordered them to try to kill us. At least you saved our lives."

"No, Enly, you saved our lives. If you hadn't acted with bravery and dropped the weapons, Serena and I wouldn't have gotten to them in time."

"Who shot the men?" I ask, overwhelmed. It's apparent that my maid kept her promise. She did keep me safe after all.

"I did."

"You didn't aim to kill because you hoped that the men would be captured for questioning. Serena was desperate and stabbed to protect," I note.

Prince Matthew nods.

"I'm really sorry, Enly. I..."

This is breaking protocol, but I don't care. I rush over to the prince and embrace him. He not only protected me, he carried me out of the building when I couldn't move anymore. His arms are at first hesitant, but when they wrap around me, I want to sigh with happiness. It's weird, but I've never felt like this before. Safe. He rests his chin atop my head, and I breathe in his woodsy scent with a hint of lavender. When the door squeaks open and my father says, "Enly," we don't rush out of the embrace. The prince slowly releases me, kisses me on the forehead, and exits right after my father awkwardly bows.

"Dad," I cry, tossing myself into his thin arms.

He hugs me tightly and hisses, "No."

I try to wriggle free of his embrace, but he continues to whisper. "Drop out of the review. The crown has already taken one of my children. I won't let them take another. Enly, if you know what's best for you, drop out of the review. There is talk that the attack is aimed at nobles and the wealthy. The illegitimates grow restless. They are angry, Enly. And someone's backing them. It has to be a nobleman who wants to take over the kingdom. Please, drop out. We have enough money. We can move to Europe and live out our days by the sea."

"No," I hiss. "I'm not leaving Jonah." My father releases me and he looks haggard, like he hasn't slept in years. He's clean shaven, but his black hair is streaked with gray. I want to comfort him, but I can't. He wants me to give up on my brother, and I won't. I know that Dad's afraid. Part of the punishment is to watch as his only son becomes lower than dirt. But I won't allow this to happen. He can't be treated this way.

Before I can tell my father that, Serena hurries back into the room carrying a tray. My maid has gone above and beyond. Not only has she brought me tea, but also bread and an assortment of cheeses and olives. She even includes a few cookies. After placing the tray on the table, she rushes to start my bath.

"You need to change your mind, Enly," Dad says before leaving the room. I feel cold inside because I know that father's right. My only chance was Brandon Wilks, and he discarded me for someone else. The plan is hopeless. The grievance clearly states that the royal family cannot pardon Jonah. Only the regent of our region can. I guess the king's worried about not being weak. And besides, my guess is that the regent that pardons Jonah won't be popular with the king. That's the chance that I've always been willing to take, consequences be damned. Jonah is emaciated, hungry, and uneducated, while I'm warm, well fed, and knowledgeable of many subjects. How is that justice?

"My lady, your bath is ready," Serena says. I blink and focus on Serena. She's dressed in a dress and slippers. Her hair is tied up in a twist, and there is flour on her left cheek. I already know the answer, but I ask anyway.

"Serena, have you eaten?"

"Yes, my lady, I have." She seems lighter here. Angel, the head maid, must have been really kind to her.

"Relax, Serena. You've been through quite a scare," I say, forgetting to tell her that it's an order. She follows me into the bathroom and assists with my bath. I dress in a blue casual dress and sandals. My hair is dried and left loose. She even puts a bit of makeup on my cheeks. After all that is done, I'm allowed to eat what Serena calls a snack. Holy plains, this is enough food for four grown fat men.

I'm at the table sipping the tea when there's a knock at the door. Serena rushes to open it. It's Toad and David. I motion for them to join me. They sit on either side of me, and Toad helps himself to my food. David takes a cookie and bites into it.

"You rich people eat like that all of the time?" David asks, his eyes going wide.

"Pretty much," I say, feeling horrible that people like David don't eat like us.

"Your father's a nice man. He ordered some servants to buy us a week's worth of clothing. Apparently, we aren't going back to the academy," Toad reports.

"How many people are hurt?" I demand.

The two of them look at one another and sigh.

"No one died, but twelve people were injured. All of them are high-ranking officials' children," David carefully says.

Relief fills me. At least no one is dead.

"They were aiming for the royals," Toad blurts out. "I was attacked by a rebel, and that's the first question he asked. I punched him and ran." Toad shows me his bruised knuckles.

I sigh.

"How do you think Olivia is?"

Toad nods.

"Your father housed quite a few stranded students. We all have to share rooms," David reports. "Olivia is next door."

"Oh. Why do I have my own room?" I ask.

They look at me as if I'm an idiot.

"Because you didn't need to share. Besides, you—" David shakes his head and stops. An uncomfortable silence stretches on, and I break it by offering them tea. They both accept.

"Old women drink this," Toad groans after he takes a sip. "It's too fruity. Give me something stronger."

I'm about to pull the rope that hangs by the door when David holds up a hand.

"The servants have to deal with Dianne Winters. Don't make them do anything else," David pleads.

Toad reluctantly nods, and I curse. Dianne Winners is a noble whose father is deep in debt. Although she's practically homeless, she acts like she's above us all.

"We have to eat all of our meals in the dining room, since the prince and princess are here," Toad reports. "That's unfortunate."

The door opens at that precise moment, and Jeremy, the gray-haired steward, announces that lunch will be served. Thanks to Toad, the entire snack is gone. He's the last to stand. Despite the complaints about the tea, he drank three cups.

Walking down such familiar halls brings a smile to my face. My room, along with my father's and Jonah's, which stays locked at all times, is on the first floor. We leave the family wing and head toward the center of the house.

When I walk into the dining hall, my jaw drops. There are five long tables, each of them easily holding ten people. Students of all economic classes talk to one another. In the corner is a smaller table holding six seats. That's where the royals are supposed to sit. Olivia waves us over frantically. We join her, and she smiles wide. We are at the table farthest from the prince, and I'm honestly trying not to be bothered by that. But I keep on remembering the gentle kiss that he placed on my forehead. My heart flutters, and it takes everything to remind me that getting caught up in him isn't the plan. I'm betrothed to someone else. I need to become the lady regent of this region; I won't accept failure in this. That means that the prince can't distract me.

I smile widely at Olivia.

"So, how do you like my house?"

Her blue eyes go wide.

"I've never stayed somewhere this nice before. This is amazing!"

To me, this place is home. So the awe filling Olivia's voice makes me feel slightly uncomfortable.

"Well, father designed it himself. He loves it when our extended family visits. I..."

Everyone stands, and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. The prince, princess, and their royal assistants have entered. Everyone either bows or curtsies.

"You may sit," the prince declares, and we do.

"I wonder who those men were. You know, the ones that tried to kill us," Toad says with no tact. I try to kick him but end up banging my toes against the table leg. Cursed plague! That hurt.

"I'm not sure," Olivia says from her place beside Toad. "My guess is that they are illegitimate."

"An illegitimate wouldn't have money for guns," Prince Matthew says as he sits beside me. Everyone at our table stops speaking.

The prince looks embarrassed by the abrupt silence.

"Good point," Toad begins. "So maybe those people were specifically hired to kill the prince."

I nudge David and he carries on his conversation with Barry, a tall, bald, fair-skinned boy with a lisp. I turn to face the prince, who's smiling uncertainly at me.

"How are you feeling?" he gently asks. I can't help it. I look over at the table of honor and see that everyone is staring at the prince with confusion.

"Fine."

"I should have asked you to join us. But two nobles are joining us for lunch. They are running late." His words make me feel uneasy. How best to go about deterring a prince from wooing me?

"Aren't you betrothed?" That's right. I took a play out of Toad's playbook. Ask the most awkward question possible.

Prince Matthew shoots me a grin.

"Weren't you betrothed?"

"I was, until he tried to kill me," I say, deadpan. I don't mention my betrothal to Toad, mainly because it isn't official yet.

The prince merely chuckles.

"I guess that attempted murder is enough to break a betrothal. My betrothed ended up running off with my cousin," he confesses. "Father didn't want anyone to know, so he made it look as if I was the one who kindly dismissed her." So the prince has many layers. Great. I remind myself that I could be a regent and a princess. But that seems too presumptuous. Maybe he's just being nice.

"Oh," I say, not expecting his playfulness.

Servants enter, pulling carts. Plates are placed in front of each individual. Serena is the one that serves me and the prince. Then we are offered either water, red wine, or cranberry juice. The prince and I both choose water. The meal consists of rice, chicken, and cheesy bread. The royals obviously get more food than we do. But that doesn't even occur to the prince. He smiles wide and chats amiably with Toad.

"You must be loaded," the redhead says. "When someone becomes a regent, how much money do they get?"

Prince Matthew chuckles.

"A regent is allotted a million dollars annually. But that's just to buy clothing, pay for servants, and other miscellaneous things. It's not like you can buy whatever you want with the money. If you overindulge, you might not get what you really need," the prince replies.

"Are you loaded?" Toad asks.

Prince Matthew scrunches up his face as if debating the matter, and I hate myself for desiring to kiss his forehead. I have to get out of here. I begin eating as quickly as I can but pause when I remember the rules of etiquette. The royal family shall be the first to leave. So I make a mental note to eat dinner in my room. Maybe I'll tell Serena that I'm sick.

"Yes, I do have an abundance of wealth. But it isn't my own," Prince Matthew responds, sounding bitter. Oh yeah, royals weren't permitted to own businesses. It would make the royal subjects feel obligated to buy whatever the royals sold. And besides, the inspectors would be reluctant about reporting the royals for wrongdoing. I know that I would.

"Enly, you must be really hungry," Toad comments, bewilderment filling his expression. Now, this is embarrassing. Toad's comment has gotten David's attention. David stares at me and shakes his head as if guessing why I'm in a hurry to finish my meal. Prince Matthew, being his gentle self, actually reaches over and wipes my chin with his cloth napkin. That hurts my pride. He smiles at me and I glare.

"I can wipe my own face, Your Highness," I snap before rushing from the room, uncaring of how rude I'm being.

# Chapter Twenty-One

"My lady, are you coming down for dinner?" Serena asks as she enters the room. I've spent the entire afternoon reading a book. David and Toad haven't visited me, and I'm glad. Serena's presence throws me off. I guess that I was hoping that everyone had forgotten about me.

"I'm not feeling well," I lie, snuggling under the blanket. "Can you please ask Patty to make me some soup?" I try to sound sick, and it must work, because Serena is concerned. She exits, and I sigh.

A copy of the outdated law textbook that I had been reading is lying on my stomach. I don't bother resuming my exploration of the text. What's the point? Serena will most likely rush back in here in a few minutes and offer me some medicine that will make me as loopy as someone waking up after going through surgery.

"Enly," Dad calls as he fills the doorway.

Oh great, I wasn't counting on seeing my father. His eyes are wide and his hand trembles. A deep sadness rest in his eyes, and I'm not sure why. I bite my lip, studying his face, trying to gauge what is wrong with him. He can't be this bent out of shape because I have a headache.

"Dad?"

"Enly, can we talk?" He sounds tired and agitated, all at once.

I sit up and rub my temples.

"Sure," I softly answer.

Dad closes the door and locks it. His eyes dart around my room, and he clears his throat.

"That was disrespectful, what you did to the prince. He was trying to be nice to you."

Anger bubbles up inside of me and it takes everything for me not to shout.

"Rude? I wasn't being rude, Dad. He was—"

"Leaving the room before you're dismissed? Enly, I thought that I raised you better than that. Do you know how embarrassed I was? As soon as you ran off, everyone stared at me. You have to think before you act."

"I did think," I insist, feeling defensive. Who's this man to question my actions when five years ago, he allowed Jonah to be taken away? He's never done anything to rescue my brother. All Dad has done is maneuver me into a place of power to fix his mess. He knew what I would have done as Brandon's bride. I was going to become the enemy to the crown and be subjected to humiliation for the rest of my life. While he would sit in his plush chair and count numbers for the rest of his life. Now he's yelling at me for being distant with the prince? The prince either wants a liaison or something serious, and I can give him neither. My main focus is on the review, on becoming lady regent. I don't care about being nice to the prince, not when his father is the reason why Jonah's in the mines.

"Go on, Enly. Tell me what you gain by offending the prince," my father taunts in a condescending tone. He leans forward in his seat, as if preparing himself to hear my argument. That posture causes my patience to desert the way a criminal abandons a location after committing a crime.

"I have been doing enough thinking for the both of us. I've been worrying and confused and trying to find a way to save Jonah. While you have been building your empire, I've been feeding Jonah. I've been taking care of Jonah. I have been trying to find a way to save him. Everything that I'm doing has been for my brother. Dad, he just got sent to the mines—Jonah, who's frail and barely fed, was forced to become a coal miner. Unless I revoke his status, he'll die." I've about spilled all of my secrets, and Father goes pale.

"No," he hisses. "No. You weren't supposed to have any contact with him, Enly. How did you find him?"

His reaction causes a chill to run through me. Why hadn't my father wanted me to have contact with Jonah? Had that been a condition of the grievance? I can't be sure.

"Dad, he's my brother. Of course I would look for him." I'm not about to tattle on the servant that aided me in locating Jonah. Instead, I sit up even straighter, a determined expression on my face.

My father goes to the door. "It's a good thing that he went to the mines." And then he is gone, leaving me to drown in a river of shock.

Serena enters the room carrying a tray twenty minutes later. The aroma of tomato soup wafts in the air. I feel queasy and am most definitely not in the mood to eat. How could I be after that horrible confrontation? Dad _wants_ Jonah to work in the coal mines.

"Are you all right, my lady?" Serena asks, her voice quavering.

"No," I softly say, my voice cracking. This is a good time to be around a friend. Kip. How long has it been since I saw my friend? Sadness fills me when I think of how I haven't even bothered to reach out to Kip since our awkward conversation. I eye the phone on my desk, knowing that I need to make amends with my best friend, more than I need to eat.

"Thank you, Serena. Please eat something. And I would like you to rest as well. Can you please bring me some dessert in an hour or two?" She nods, curtsies, and leaves the room. Part of me suspects that Serena's upset with me. But I have no idea why.

"Enly!" Kip exclaims, making me wince. My head is starting to ache, mainly because of my argument with my father. Maybe I should have confided in Kip. But I had been held back because I kept a dangerous secret. Those who harbor trespassers would have the same fate. It's not like I didn't trust Kip, I just didn't want to take unnecessary chances.

"How is everything?"

Silence. This isn't a good thing. Is she unhappy with Lord Regent Fields? "How are you, Enly?" Her voice quivers, as if it's taking everything she has not to cry.

"Fine. I..."

"You were shot! How could anything be fine? I called your father twice a day for updates, and he didn't return my calls for a week. Can you believe that! I was worried about you! Then, my maid delivers a daily notice talking about the prince coming to the academy and the review. At the time, I was thrilled to see that you were in the competition. It's only fair since you've been ripped away from being a lady regent by a spiteful witch. Then I read another daily notice about the academy being attacked? Enly, what's happening?" Kip is hysterical. In a way I'm glad, mainly because this is easy for me to handle.

"Kip, I'm sorry. I should have called you sooner. I've just left the academy this morning. Things have been so crazy. The prince is staying at my house," I randomly blurt, just to stop Kip from losing it.

"The prince is at your house?" she asks slowly. Was I supposed to tell her? I have no idea. However, I also don't want journalists camping out on my lawn. I clear my throat.

"Kip, you can't tell anyone about this."

"Not even Thomas?" It's sad that I don't immediately recall that Kip now has a husband. That just shows how distracted I am whenever I think of the prince.

"Um, I don't know. Most likely not. It's probably best to keep it between us," I stammer out after an awkward pause.

"Thomas is such a dream. I'm having a ball in the spring. Do you think that you could attend?" she asks.

"I'm not sure," I answer, not knowing what will be on the agenda in the spring. It's difficult to commit to something when I don't know what my future holds, so I change the subject.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm relaxing at my new home. Every academy is closed for a week. All of the guards stationed at each academy are going over safety measures. It's nice to have a little vacation, though I'm sorry that it's at your expense."

I want to close the distance between Kip, so I force myself to confide in her.

"The prince saved your life?" Her question makes a ribbon of guilt tie itself around my heart.

"I helped," I snap defensively. But Kip sees through it.

"What did you do to him?" Her voice is tired and agitated. Before I can answer, there is a tentative knock on the door.

"Who is it?" I call, and there isn't an answer. Toad bursts in, his eyes searching the room. He's carrying a plate of cookies.

"Kip, I have to go. I have a visitor," I reluctantly tell her. I hang up the phone and snap at Toad. "What are you doing in here?"

Toad smiles despite my raised voice.

"Easy, Enly. I'm your only friend. And believe me, you're going to need a friend since David got himself kicked out of the review for sneaking off campus with the princess." I remember how Lexi had reacted when she first saw David, and feel sick. Because of curiosity and a few kisses, David has just thrown away a huge opportunity. Lexi should have known better. I lose a bit of respect for the princess.

"So he's out?" I ask, wishing that Prince Matthew would give David another chance.

"Holy plague, yes. Too bad for David. But..." Toad plops down on my bed and begins to eat the cookies. After he's inhaled half the plate, he offers it to me.

"No thanks," I say. Figuring that I might as well eat the soup, I walk over to the desk, sit down, and lift the lid of the insulated container. Steam slams into my face, and I use the miniature ladle to scoop some liquid into a dainty glass bowl. Serena also left me a cup of fruit.

"You know, we had pork chops for dinner. They were good," Toad begins as I slowly eat my food. "In fact, I had thirds."

The door flies open. I peer over my shoulder in time to see Serena carrying another tray. She places the dessert beside me and then curtsies. After straightening, her face lights up.

"My lady, you're well?" Her hopeful expression dims when I rub my temples. Maybe this will encourage Toad to leave my quarters. He's getting crumbs on my bed.

"I still have a headache. But I'll survive," I comment, when my performance doesn't have its desired effect. Toad is still sitting on my bed, munching away on his cookies.

"Toad, I thought that those treats were for my lady?" Serena asks, her face filling with confusion.

The redhead glares.

"Illegitimate, know your place. You do not question your betters." Before I can say anything, Serena storms out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

I hop out of my chair, walk over to the bed, and yank hard on Toad's hair.

He flinches.

"Y..." My voice comes out in a growl. "You do not talk to Serena that way, ever."

Toad sneers at me.

"Enly, remove your hand from me or else." His voice is low and even, and pinpricks of fear travel up and down my arms. But I'm too upset to heed Toad's warning. I yank harder.

"Apologize to Serena." I move closer, my face inches away from his.

His breath, which is a mixture of cookies and wine, brushes up against my cheek, and I want to... I don't finish the thought because Toad leans in and brushes his lips against mine. For an instant, I'm frozen. He takes advantage, coaxing my mouth open so that his tongue can collide with mine. Then I push myself away, releasing my grip on his hair, and slap him so hard that my hand stings. Toad just kissed me. He just stole my first kiss. This day can't get any worse. Why is all of this happening to me?

"Enly, wait, I'm sorry," my betrothed calls out. But I don't want to deal with anyone for the rest of the night. I want to isolate myself. I burst out into the hallway and bolt into the room across the hall.

# Chapter Twenty-Two

I realize as I close the door behind me that this door hasn't been unlocked in five years.

This can't be true. I blink several times and see the same thing. Jonah's room is...a servant is emptying out drawers. It's Jove, the middle-aged man that has been with us for ten years. He stands, holds up his hands in defense. "Enly. You scared me." Since Jove's practically family, he doesn't call me "my lady" or "Miss Saint Claire," which is a blessing.

I clear my throat.

"My father ordered you to do this?" I ask, gesturing to the three boxes that have been stacked up against the wall by the dresser.

He nods.

"I was given the order to clean out this room two days ago. You didn't know?" His words are gentle, which means that it wouldn't be fair to unleash a wave of anger against him.

"No," I say, staring at the bed. The sheets have been changed. The last time I saw this room, the sheets had been sky blue. Now they are mint green. At least it's the same bed with a black headboard that has the initials JS carved in its center. Jonah's mother had been furious when she saw the carving, but Dad merely shrugged and said, "Kids will be kids." The sight of those letters makes me want to weep. Dad intends on letting go of my brother. I could order the servant to leave, but he'd only come back and do the job after I left the room.

"Go," I order the servant. "I'll take care of this."

He nods and scurries away. My hands shake as I sit on the ground and start folding clothes. Sometimes I press the article of clothing to my nose just to realize that the garment doesn't smell like Jonah. None of these belongings are his anymore. I bet that he doesn't even think about the knitted sweaters that Grandmother Saint Claire sewed every year. I find about five of them in the middle drawer. I wonder where the smaller ones have been stashed. I don't bother searching for Jonah's baby clothes. What does it matter? All of this clothing will be thrown away. Dad no longer cares about my baby brother. But part of me can't help but look for something else. I stand and walk over to the nightstand. Tucked in under a book illustrating various models of cars is the handkerchief that I sewed for my brother. Well, it is a cloth handkerchief that I stitched edges on to. It's nothing special. But I pick it up and stare at the white cloth. I can still remember how I got that idea.

When I was five, my cousin, Mara, came to visit us. She was sixteen and betrothed to a baron in the New England Region. This intrigued me mainly because I wanted a husband as well. I remember running into her guest room and watching her flip through different sketches, trying to select a wedding gown. I sat on her large mattress. As soon as she closed the book, she looked up at me and smiled.

"Hi, Enly, what are you up to?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. Mara was the orphaned daughter of my mother's older sister. My mother, my aunt, and uncle had been driving to the coast to visit my grandmother when the engine failed and the car exploded. I had been unable to travel because I was barely six months old, and Mara had been on a tour of one of the academies.

"Bored," I declared. Back then, I had a weird habit of speaking in one-word sentences.

Mara sighed.

"Enly, you can't just say bored. How will I know if you were talking about being bored or a game board?"

I pondered the question, and didn't have much of an answer for her.

"Don't know."

"Enly, I won't speak to you until you say a complete sentence," Mara declared.

"What are you looking at?" I asked, staring at the thick book in her lap.

My cousin smiled.

"These are sketches of possible wedding dresses. Did your father tell you that I'm getting married?"

"Yes," I responded.

"Well, I need a dress to wear."

"Does your betrothed give you presents?" I asked.

Mara nodded.

"When someone asks someone to be their betrothed, he gives her a handkerchief like this one." My cousin, of course, was lying, but I hadn't known that at the time. Mara pulled a beautiful silk-embroidered handkerchief from the pocket of her house dress. And my five-year-old self decided on a game.

Since I wanted to go to a wedding, I had it in my mind that Jonah would marry Star, the youngest daughter of one of the maids. I harassed Mara into making me a handkerchief. I barely did a stitch. Then, I told my three-year-old brother to give the cloth to his two-year-old intended bride. He, of course, tossed it at her, not interested in the piece of cloth. And then, I instructed everyone to dress up, and we had a wedding.

I didn't know what had happened to the handkerchief. To be honest, I didn't care. My stepmother must have kept it. After stuffing the handkerchief in my pocket, I get back to work.

I fold clothing until I'm weary. Then I curl up under the sheets and drift off to sleep. This time, my sleep is haunted by guns. In my room, Toad is kissing me, then an unseen assassin shoots the both of us dead. Then a masked man swings an ax at my head as I'm walking to the main dining room of the academy.

I must be screaming, because I'm shaken awake. My eyes open, and I'm immediately blinded by sunlight. Serena's standing over me, her face twisted in fear.

"My lady, please wake up!" she repeats over and over again, even though my eyes are open.

"Hi." My voice is hoarse and it hurts to speak.

"You screamed," she tells me. The nightmare comes rushing back, and I shiver. Serena removes her hands from my shoulders and studies me.

"It is an hour before lunch. Are you coming down? Apparently your father had the cooks make some meat pastries for you. One of the maids says that that's your favorite."

"Can you please send for some tea? I want a bath and..." I sit up and look down at myself. I'm wearing the same clothing that I was wearing yesterday. I peer around the room and see that the fourth box lies beside the stack of three. I slide out of bed and wince when I realize that I'm barefoot. Let's just hope that no one runs into me. Serena rushes into the hallway, and I follow, inhaling the smell of spicy meat. When I enter my room, it is empty. What did I expect? Serena's off getting me tea. I look in the mirror and see that my hair is an absolute disaster.

"Enly?" David hesitantly calls. I spin around and stare at him. He's poked his head into my room, probably to see if I'm awake.

"David," I say, relieved. For some reason, I don't want to be alone.

He enters and shuts the door.

"What happened with Toad?" he slowly asks me.

Toad. Why is he asking about Toad? It takes me a few moments to remember what had happened between us. I shudder.

"He was rude to Serena. When I demanded that he apologize, he kissed me. But I slapped him." My words cause David's mouth to open as wide as the Indian Ocean. I don't expect him to say anything because of his kind nature. But when he lets out a curse, I blink.

"That animal! I can't believe that he did that to you. I'm so sorry, Enly. He shouldn't ha—"

"Relax, David," I say, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It was only a kiss. I'm not mad, really." I'm disgusted, agitated, and a little bit nauseated, but I'm not mad.

"Oh, well, I...are you going down to lunch?"

"I might. I'm really tired," I confess.

"Are you angry at Prince Matthew?"

The question catches me off guard. The prince has been the least of my worries.

"Oh...no, I'm not angry with Prince Matthew. I was agitated. To be honest, I overreacted."

Hopefully the prince buys that response. He needs to stay far away from me. But he also needs to like me enough to select me as the next regent of the Great Plains. No one from the royal family can grant Jonah Saint Claire freedom. I will not be so enamored with the prince that I'm distracted from my goal.

"Well, I'm off. I hope that you have a wonderful day," David says before running out of the room. I frown. David is hiding something from me. That's the feeling that I get. But I honestly can't think of what he would have to hide.

Serena enters with a tray of tea and cookies. After she prepares my bath, I'm eager to jump in. I'm suddenly desperate to apologize to the prince. Maybe he isn't interested in me. Maybe we could just be friends. I have no idea. I just know that I need a leg up in this competition.

After drying off, I slip into a blue dress with a heart-shaped neckline. The dress is a bit formal for lunch at home, but I don't protest when Serena suggests that I wear it. She knows a lot more than I do.

"You should drink your tea, my lady," Serena gently urges as I'm heading to the door. Tea. Right, I had forgotten that I sent for that. I sit at my desk and sip the tea. The more I drink, the calmer I feel. The weariness and the fear that have swum inside my gut are fading away. Thank goodness. I even chance eating a cookie. Once the treat doesn't make a second appearance, I eat another. As I eat, Serena carefully pulls my hair back into a bun. She pokes me a few times as she arranges pins. I wince. Serena just keeps on going, as if she has been given orders. I'm afraid to know what's going on.

After the dust settles, I stand and peek in the mirror. A beautiful fresh calla lily is in my hair, sticking out of the center of my bun. I'm intent on yanking the hideous flower from my hair, but Serena ushers me to the door. I exit and nearly run into my father.

"Good afternoon, Enly," he softly greets as he holds out an arm. He's dressed in a gray suit, his thinning black hair swept back. Dad looks ten years younger than his sixty-six. He married older because he had wanted to concentrate on the business. Part of me feels bitter. Men could wait until they were old and wrinkly to get married if they so pleased. But women have a biological clock, and after a certain age can't produce a child anymore.

"Father," I softly say, trying not to think of how he ordered Jove to discard my brother's things without warning me. How could he? Why hadn't he told me?

"Are you feeling all right?"

I want to take my hand from his arm, but Dad shoots me a warning glare. This is important, somehow. I just don't understand why.

"I'm fine. I heard that you had meat pastries made. Thank you."

Father hates the delicacy. He calls them a waste. He nods as we turn the corner and head into the dining room. Flashes blind me as cameramen photograph my father and me together. They must be doing this for the _Daily Notice_. I look around the room and see that everyone is in their best clothing. Toad even looks sharp with his shaved face, slicked-back hair, and unwrinkled, stain-free clothes. Even the poorer students are dressed well. Father must have prepped them for this. I blink in surprise as Prince Matthew steps forward, holding out an arm. I blink twice before releasing my grip on Dad, curtsy to the prince, and then accept his arm. The flashes continue as we make our way to the smallest table, reserved for the royals.

I'm settled right beside the prince. I'm at his right hand, the place of honor. I'm uncertain of where to look. Men and women holding cameras are pressed up against the back wall. Beside me, Lord Gash pats my shoulder before giving me a gentle smile. What a fraud! This man hates me. But I play along. Across from us are Lexi, Lady Gash, and last but not least, my father.

The prince raises a hand.

"To all of the news crew, this is a private luncheon. The servants of this home will direct you to a room so that you may be served refreshments."

The newspeople all either bow or curtsy and follow the servants out of the room.

As soon as the dining room door is closed, I turn to the prince.

"I'm sorry," I softly say. He can't hear me, so he leans in and I repeat myself. He leans in even farther and I say a little louder, "I'm sorry." He raises his head and laughs.

"You hear that, Lord Gash. I told you that Enly would apologize to me," he brags.

Lord Gash glares at me.

"I didn't think that she had any manners," the royal assistant mutters.

I go through varying emotions. Annoyed because they made a bet, embarrassed because I had brushed my lips up against the prince's ear. Finally, I feel relieved that the prince knew that I would apologize eventually.

"What do you win?" I ask Prince Matthew.

"The prince doesn't win anything. But you still have a place in the review," Lord Gash answers. I swallow and the prince places a gentle hand on my shoulder, which makes me shudder.

"It's all right, Enly. You still have a chance to become lady regent." His voice sounds tight, but he still has a smile on his face.

Lord Gash laughs.

"Like you have much of a chance."

My chin rises, and I shoot a glare at the pompous man before turning to Prince Matthew.

"So I passed the test? I filled out all of my solutions correctly?"

"With flying colors," he tells me. He seems focused on something else, and I can't quell my curiosity.

"What are you thinking about?" I softly ask him.

The prince shoots me a small smile.

"I'm thinking of ways to convince you that becoming lady regent is a terrible idea," he responds, his eyes filling with desire. My eyes find refuge by focusing on the embroidered tablecloth, unable to look the prince in the face.

"Oh, that's not going to happen," I weakly assure him.

The prince doesn't respond to me because servants begin to bring out the wonderful platters of food.

Father has really overdone himself with this feast. First they serve the meat-filled pastries that I enjoy. Despite the fact that eyes are on me, I scarf down three of them.

"You love those?" Lord Gash asks as if someone's holding a knife to his throat. It's apparent that he's only engaging me in conversation because is required to. Part of me recoils when the man speaks. But the part that knows that it's important to be friendly with him speaks up.

"Yes. Father thought meat pastries should be a delicacy that I should earn whenever I received high marks in lower school," I explain, trying to be as lovely as possible. "Do you enjoy them?"

The lord stares at me as if confused. No doubt he's wondering why I have become so chatty.

"Yes. I in fact do like them," he answers stiffly. Then Lord Gash turns his head with such exaggeration that it's clear that he wants me to know not to converse with him.

"He doesn't like you," the prince softly whispers. The shock of feeling his breath on my earlobe makes me shudder.

"Why?" I ask.

"He blames you for him being stuck in this region. If you had only married Brandon, he wouldn't be stuck in the cold. It isn't as cold where my father is holding court."

Traditionally, the king spends six months in each region at a time. But he's shunned The Great Plains Region for the past six years. This fact has angered the nobles from the Great Plains Region that entertain the king because they haven't been home in so long. Some of them have been at court for years.

"He hates the cold," I guess.

"Precisely."

"I don't mind it," I confess.

"Really?"

"Once you go through a bad winter, you realize that the next year's winter isn't as bad," I tell the prince.

He looks doubtful, but the rest of the meal is pleasant.

# Chapter Twenty-Three

After lunch, the prince rises and everyone except me follows suit. For a moment, I'm utterly confused. Do I exit with the royal party? Or do I remain there? But then the prince gently touches my shoulder. I look up at him, and when our eyes collide, my heart races.

"You might want to put on a smile. I will make an announcement for the nightly program. You'll be by my side." The way that he says it sounds more important than it actually is. "Well, your father will also be there. Since you two are members of the household, you are required to stand with me."

"Is there anything on my face?" I ask through growing fear.

The prince laughs.

"No. You look presentable."

I stand and follow the prince out of the dining room and into a madhouse. Cameras are everywhere along with anxious news reporters. The prince situates himself between my father and me. Lord Gash stands beside my father; the princess and Lady Gash aren't present. Prince Matthew squeezes my shoulder, and my heart gallops at an alarming speed.

"Your Highness, do you have any information regarding the attempt on your life?" a man with white hair and a trimmed beard asks.

"The men that attacked Willington Academy were paid assassins. Their main goal was to take my life. They were funded by Berry and Mary Wilks. The couple was trying to seek retribution for Brandon Wilks losing his title. The men involved have been detained." The prince pauses and the captive audience is silent for a moment. The prince is poised and sure of himself. Sometimes it surprises me that this prankster could be so serious. Holy plague, I'm so fascinated with the prince that I don't allow the information to seep in right away. The Wilks family hired men to kill the prince as retribution for Brandon losing his title?

"Are you going to allow the couple to negotiate the terms of their punishment?" a middle-aged woman with dark skin and long, thick braids inquires.

"No. The king and I have agreed that no settlement will be enough. Berry and Mary Wilks hired a mob to execute me. In doing so, the couple has endangered innocent bystanders. I can't excuse the fact that a dozen people were injured. The punishment will be swift and harsh. May the jurors be just." Prince Matthew's jaw is hard, his eyes filled with determination. He wants to stress to these people that these actions will not happen again.

"Why didn't you allow the twelve injured victims to sign a grievance? Most of them were illegitimate. They can't afford the medical care that they have been given. They will be in debt." This question is asked by a man with pale skin, gray hair, and watery gray eyes. The hall is so quiet that you could hear the snow tapping against the window panes. No one knows what to say. This reporter has openly challenged a royal. It wasn't like people haven't done so before, but there was a time and place to do so. I stare at Prince Matthew out of the corner of my eye. His expression hasn't changed. He's a natural at being in the spotlight.

"I assure you that the injured will have their medical needs met," the prince responds.

"What about shortened sentences for the illegitimates that were harmed?" the reporter argues. "These men and women were sentenced to servitude because the crown willed it. If it hadn't been for the king and his—"

"Enough," Lord Gash bellows. "Guards, usher this lunatic to his vehicle." Technically, the journalist isn't breaking a law. But everyone knows that his career is over. The secretary of media hires all journalists. None of them will ever chance working with that man. None of the academies will offer him a teaching position. That's the price one will have to pay when the individual disrespects royalty.

After the idiot is escorted out of my home, another reporter steps forward. It's a younger man with black hair and chocolate-brown skin. He, of course, is diplomatic, even adding on a line about being relieved Prince Matthew wasn't harmed.

After the questions are answered, I curtsy to Prince Matthew and rush to my room. The interview won't be aired until tomorrow night. Hopefully security will be tightened by then. If those monsters attack the prince at my father's home, I fear that they will be successful.

Without Serena's help, I change out of the gown and decide to wear the academy-issued uniform. I have a few pairs of the uniform in my closet, from when I came for visits. I feel more grounded in this uniform. I sit at my desk and really consider what happened today.

The cameras were allowed into my home. A seasoned reporter chose to insult the prince. He's probably heading toward retirement, but he'll no longer receive a check from the government if he is fired. As a rule, every working citizen receives compensation checks if they aren't terminated before retirement. So why would that journalist risk everything? I ponder his points. Yes, illegitimates were harmed. But they weren't the intended victims. But just because someone wasn't an intended victim, it doesn't mean that they weren't affected by the crime.

And what about the fact that Berry Wilks and his wife, Mary, won't have the opportunity to negotiate their punishment? That means two options, exile to Serial or execution. I wince because I can put a name to his face. Berry Wilks often did business with my father. He was the one that introduced Brandon's father and mine. The former lord regent must have found something about my father that he liked, because he betrothed us. At the time, Jonah was still legitimate. Everything was settled. I would marry the regent, and he would have a stake in my father's company. I, of course, would be tasked with providing my lord husband with an heir and help him lead. But I never considered what that would entail. Having people's lives in my hands is just too depressing to contemplate. That's the life that I'm condemning myself to if I'm appointed lady regent. I will be in charge of millions of people, but Jonah will be free.

For the first time, I ponder my decision to compete in the review. Clearly, Lord Gash doesn't believe that I have the attributes of a leader, but the prince and princess are willing to give me a chance. The prince would much rather date me than award me a title. But to what end? At nineteen years, the prince is too young to marry. Most men with his status don't bother to marry until they reach twenty-five. If I had an affair with the prince, what would happen to me in the future? Wandering women aren't respected or highly valued. Because of the biological sexual diseases war, people are hesitant about being intimate with people that they aren't married to. I wince when I recall the biological war.

Two hundred years ago, countries were fighting over renewable energy sources. I guess to limit the usage of the fuels, a militant group decided to lower America's population. So they hunkered down in their labs and developed a strain of syphilis with a one hundred percent mortality rate. The attack was strategic. There was a city called Las Vegas, nicknamed "The city of sin." Prostitution was legal there. Men slept with these women and men and infected them, and it spread from there. They made sure that prostitutes in every state caught the disease, one way or another. The fact that this strain also doubled as an aphrodisiac also aided the militant group's efforts. It spread like wildfire, and three quarters of America's population was wiped out. A turncoat for this organization told the president what was happening, and a cure was thankfully developed and dumped in the water supply. But by then, the nation was in ruins. I think that this episode led to the Glorious Installment, the installment of the values, law, and nobility that people had long before. America tried its hand at democracy and things didn't turn out well.

So, let's just say that there weren't too many women eager to sleep around. For one thing, once a woman was labeled a traveler, she wouldn't have suitors asking for her hand in marriage. Another thing was that there were rumors that this deadly strain of syphilis was still being contracted in some parts of the country. I shudder just thinking of the tragedy that led to the downfall of America.

"My lady?" Serena softly asks. I spin the chair around just in time to see her finish her curtsy.

"You don't have to do that every time you see me," I instruct her.

Serena frowns.

"Did I do it wrong?"

"No. Serena, I'm not a noble. You don't have to curtsy to me. I'm just someone who's fortunate enough to be born in a rich family."

"Can I get you something, my lady?" she asks hopefully.

"No. My head is killing me. I think that I want to nap," I tell her. She looks so disappointed, but all of that thinking has given me a headache.

"Can you please bring me some tea?" I ask, just to give her something to do. She lights up and rushes to do my bidding.

David enters the room after Serena exits.

"The illegitimate assigned to me isn't like her," he comments. "I practically have to tell him what to do. He's lazy. Though I don't mind it," David rambles. I rub my temples as he continues. "How are you, Enly?"

"How are you?" I ask, thinking that he must feel dejected that he was booted out of the review. Then again, he did dally with Lexi.

"I'm all right. Being a lord regent was never in the cards for me. I'm not obedient enough."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

David, who's also dressed in the academy uniform, shrugs.

"Enly, a lord regent's job is to enforce the laws of the crown. Yes, you do have some wiggle room. But someone in that position doesn't have much say in most things. If the king orders the regents to raise the taxes, the regent does so. If he tells the regents to draft soldiers, they do so," he says. "The only real power that lord regents have is over illegitimates."

I've never thought about it that way, but David's right. The monarch has very little to do with the justice system. If I upset the prince, he couldn't just demand that I should be an illegitimate. But if the regent and the prince were friends, he would punish me. But the royals have neglected this region for so long, that I doubt that anyone here even cares what our monarch thinks. That's probably why assassins were willing to kill the prince.

"That's true," I agree.

"Why bother, Enly? You'll be a paper pusher for the rest of your life."

"Because some of us need this position," I say as Serena enters with tea and a stack of cookies. David grumbles about how West never bothers with giving him more than what he asked for before sitting on the rocking chair by my desk.

"Serena, bring me tea and cookies," David orders, which causes me to raise a brow. I want to complain about her treatment, but Serena gives me a look and obeys David.

"You are more than welcome to have some too, Serena," I tell her after she gives me my tea. The cookies have to be for later, because I'm not hungry. I sip at the tea, and it does soothe my headache a bit. It also makes me realize that my limbs are really heavy. I can barely stay awake long enough to tell David that I'm taking a nap. After putting the empty teacup down on the desk, I slip into bed and fall asleep.

# Chapter Twenty-Four

"I can't believe that she's still asleep," Toad whines.

My eyes immediately pop open, and the sunlight streaming in through the windows makes me groan. The rays are blinding.

"See what you did," David hisses. I roll over and see the two boys by my desk. A bouquet of red roses and a plate of cookies rests on my nightstand. I sit up and yawn.

"What time is it?" I ask while stretching.

Toad, who is eying the cookies mournfully, says, "Two hours before lunch." His sense of time must revolve around when meals are served. I sigh.

"What are you two doing here?" I snap impatiently.

"David wanted to know if you wanted to join us for the snowball fight." Toad's statement causes me to bolt out of bed. Thank goodness, I'm already dressed in the uniform, though it's wrinkled. Then I remember how I had crashed a few hours after eating lunch and hadn't stirred.

"Hold on. I just need to get ready," I squeal. The boys take that as a cue to leave my room. I strip out of my outfit and change into a snowsuit and thick boots. Before putting on gloves, I head to the bathroom and relieve myself and brush my teeth. As soon as my knit hat is on my head, I jog out of my room to find David leaning against the wall.

"Toad's outside already," he tells me. He's dressed in his uniform and a thick coat that has seen better days. I hope that his attire keeps him warm. Nodding at my friend, we rush out the back door and are immediately assaulted with sounds of laughter, shrieking, and grunts.

I walk down the stairs, scoop up a clump of snow, and hit Toad right in the butt. That's what he gets for not waiting for me. Okay, he kissing me without being given permission is also a factor.

Toad squeals and attempts to spin around only to trip on a lump of snow and fall flat on his face. David snickers. I scan the yard for another target.

I see Olivia trying to gather snow in her hands and decide that she's the perfect one. I let the snowball fly and my mouth goes wide with horror as Lord Gash rounds the corner and is smacked in the face with a snowball.

Prince Matthew, who's right behind his assistant, howls with laughter. He stares at everyone tossing snow at one another and joins in by lobbing a snowball at me. I could have moved out of the way, but I think that getting hit might placate Lord Gash. Snow explodes on my shoulder and some of the flakes hit me on the cheek. I wince from the cold and scoop up more snow.

"You little hellion," Lord Gash roars as he too begins scooping up snow. I dash away and hear a curse as an errant snowball hits David. I run toward the trees to get a better vantage point. My classmates are so distracted with hitting one another that they don't notice me. I pause next to a barren spruce tree and grab a handful of snow. I glance around and see Lord Gash gunning it for me, a maniacal expression on his face. I'm so taken aback that I don't throw the snowball, and he tackles me and I fall in the snow. He rolls off me, sits up, and begins pelting me with snowballs. I screech and try to roll away from his assault, but the royal assistant is determined. I gather a fistful of snow and I think that I toss it in his general direction, but I can't tell because snow is running down my face and into my eyes.

"Oh no you don't," Prince Matthew says, and I hear a soft _thud_. I sit up, wipe my face, and have to blink to see what's going on. Lord Gash and the prince are having an epic snowball fight. All of the students are clustered around, cheering them on. A not-so-well-aimed snowball crashes against the branch right above my head. I get to my feet and think better of tossing snow at Lord Gash's backside. Instead, I stand next to Toad, whose face is animated as he bets with Olivia.

"Prince Matthew will fall first," Toad insists.

"No, I think that Prince Matthew has a better chance," she argues. Though my guess is that Olivia's betting on the prince because she's enamored by him.

"I think that it's going to be a draw," I cut in. Toad seems to consider my answer, but Olivia shakes her head at me.

"No. Prince Matthew is good at everything he does. He'll defeat Lord Gash in this," she declares right before the prince falls on his butt. I laugh outright, until my future monarch lobs a snowball at my head. It doesn't even come close to hitting me; instead, David's the victim. That only makes me laugh harder.

Lord Gash swaggers over to us, his eyes alive.

"Any of you immatures want to take me on?" He seems to be enjoying himself, which makes his company tolerable.

Toad puffs out his chest.

"There's no way that you'll be able to beat someone from our region." The pride in Toad's voice warms my heart. Ever since the king has forsaken the Great Plains Region, everyone has felt bitter. Why did all of the other regions get balls and parades? Why were we left out?

"I will defeat you," Lord Gash proclaims, the determination in his face making me chuckle. He treats this simple snow contest as if it's a battle to the death. Lord Gash stands a few feet from the spruce tree.

"You have a beautiful laugh," Prince Matthew observes.

"Thank you," I quickly say, afraid to meet his eyes.

"Do you play this game often?"

"No. The academy isn't exactly a place where people indulge in games. People are much too competitive to enjoy one another," I respond.

The prince frowns.

"I see. I enjoy the Great Plains Region. The food is wonderful and the view is..." He stops himself and finally notices that Sarah Mason is ogling him.

"Your Highness," she breathes before attempting to curtsy. She ends up falling on her face. The prince rushes to her aid, and a tear falls down Sarah's rosy cheek before she turns and rushes away. He frowns at her retreating back.

"I hate that," he comments.

"Hate what?" I ask.

"That people have to bow or curtsy to me. I'm just a man," he complains, which makes me respect him more.

"It's better that they revere you than hate you," I remind the prince, and he shudders.

"What do you do during spring?"

"Well, there are a lot of fairs and attractions. We have an event at the regent's house celebrating spring. Women dress up and wear different types of flowers in their hair and dance."

"Did you ever attend?" he asks.

"No. My father has kept me away from society. He's always said that if the regent had spent more time taking care of the unfortunate and less time drinking, things would be a lot better."

He frowns at me.

"I thought that your father and Jet Wilks were friends."

"No. They were associates. Dad's worried about me bec—I'm his only heir." I was going to say that Dad became worried about me after Jonah became illegitimate. But I stopped myself.

"Enly," the prince begins. "If you were lady regent, would you care for the unfortunate?"

"Your Highness, when you become king, will you care for the less fortunate?"

He smiles.

"Please, call me Matthew."

"I shouldn't," I say.

"I'd like to be your friend, Enly," he admits.

Matthew is dodging my question.

"Will you?" His answer is important. I need to know.

"Will I do what?" he asks, confused.

"Will you care for the unfortunate when you become king?"

"I already do," he reminds me with a wink. Of course. I'm an idiot. How did I forget about Prince Matthew and his lending hand?

"Why did you sneak into Academy of Spartan and steal the scholars' robes?" I bluntly ask.

Matthew laughs.

"It was a bet. I have this friend, Ryan. He's a cook that I talk to a lot. He and some of his friends play card games with Lexi and me. So during a hand, he dared me to sneak into the academy and photograph myself wearing a scholar's robe, if I lost. I agreed, and when I lost, Lexi came along for the ride. I couldn't believe that I was arrested for something so stupid. But trespassing is a serious crime," he says, frowning. "It was the reason why I got this duty instead of Lexi taking on the review herself. Father blamed it all on my sister."

"Because she's a woman?" I ask.

"Because my sister gets into her share of trouble," Matthew corrects, gesturing to David.

"He's a nice guy," I defend.

The prince places a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Lexi's betrothed. If Adam were to find out that she was having a relationship with David, he would..." Matthew stops himself and shakes his head. "I don't like the alliance. I never have."

"Adam Heart," I say, remembering the name of the second-wealthiest man in this country. He inherited his wealth after the death of his parents in a tragic boating accident ten years ago.

"Lexi loves Adam, sort of. David is a distraction. They won't be married until my sister's twenty-one."

"Why does Lexi have to wait until she's twenty-one to marry?"

Matthew sighs.

"Because she can't get married before I do. That would make me look weak."

"You can pretty much marry whoever you want," I reason.

Matthew chuckles.

"Enly, things aren't that simple. Getting married requires a bride that I can live with. Have you been to court?"

"No."

"How lucky. That means that you don't understand how ridiculous nobles can be. Everyone is trying to entice me to marry their daughter. I'm not saying that I need to be in love with the girl. I'm a practical man. Love is not in my future. I just want to be able to trust my bride."

I lock eyes with the handsome man beside me and will him to believe my next words.

"You should be in love with your bride. Don't settle, because you'll be stuck with her for the rest of your life." I don't want Prince Matthew's future to be as bleak as mine will be.

He smiles at me, in an awkward way. "I don't think that anyone's ever said that to me before.

I will. Ju—"

His words are abruptly cut off by a snowball hitting him in the stomach. I glance over at a grinning Toad. His grin seems more of the self-satisfied variety. And that gets under my skin because even he can see my distraction with Matthew.

"I have to go," I quickly tell Matthew.

"Is that guy your boyfriend, Enly?" I turn around and see the vulnerable look in Matthew's eyes, and know that I just don't have it in me to tell him the truth. In fact, I wish that I hadn't made that bargain with Toad.

"No. I'm not dating Toad."

He looks both relieved and confused.

"Why does Titus go by Toad?"

"I don't know," I say, surprised that Toad's real name is Titus. We both look at one another, not knowing what to say. Then, I remember that I can't fall in love with Matthew, so I pull my gaze away from his and run inside.

# Chapter Twenty-Five

"Enly, what's going on over there?"

I want to tell Kip, but I'm hesitant. She's been expecting me to spill all of my secrets, as if that's easy. I sit at my desk, feeling hollow and cold. It has been two days since the snowball fight, and my conversation with Matthew plays through my head constantly. He's not what I expected. He's soft and warm. We have to return to the academy in two days, which is disappointing. Being close to Jonah's things makes me feel like a part of him is with me. And it can't hurt that the royals seem more relaxed.

Finally, I answer Kip. "Things are fine. I had a snowball fight with the royals. We all did."

"Are you serious?" Kip's voice has gone up ten octaves. "No way. Who won?"

Talking about our games feels wrong somehow.

"No one. How is Clinton?"

"The shops are grand. Enly, you would love the fashion in the south. The gowns are lighter, the straw hats are just fabulous, and the shoes are—"

Someone is calling, so I tell Kip to hold on and answer the other call.

"Enly?" the female voice calls. It's unfamiliar, which gives me pause.

"Who is this?"

"I don't have much time. You need to follow my directions. If you don't, Jonah will pay the consequences."

"Who are you?" My words come out as a panicked shout.

"Be careful, my lady, I'm watching. If you attract anyone's attention, you're going to regret it."

"What do you want?"

"For you to go to the red brick house. You have directions," the woman assures. "Just check under your pillow."

"Why?"

"You aren't in a position to question me. But I'll make one concession, you may take along one male friend. You don't want to be in danger. Do you?"

"One?"

"One," the female voice parrots before hanging up. The phone automatically goes back to the line holding Kip and her mindless chatter.

"So, Enly, did you hear? The prince is hosting a ball at Snowdrift Castle. Many people speculate that he is going to announce the next Regent of the Great Plains. I've been invited," she squeals.

This is good news, and I'm supposed to be jumping for joy and clapping my hands.

"You never told me about Headmaster Shore."

Silence. She knows exactly what I'm talking about.

"What about Headmaster Shore?" Her question is slow, holding the hope that I'm going to ask something else entirely.

"You were in a relationship with him. Kip, why didn't you tell me?" I can barely conceal the hurt in my voice.

"Enly, I didn't tell you because it's none of your business. It isn't like I could have trusted you with something like that. How did you know? This wasn't supposed to be public knowledge. Did Tara tell you?"

"No."

"Who told you?" It's clear that Kip's going to confront whoever told me about her and Professor Shore. I don't answer her. Instead, I'm so hurt and embarrassed that I throw her words back at her.

"That's none of your business." I don't give Kip a chance to respond. I hang up the phone and immediately know that I've only brought up Professor Shore so that I could fight with Kip. That's easier than worrying about Jonah.

I make sure that my bedroom door is locked before walking over to my bed. I lift the pillow as if I'm uncovering a nuclear explosive. There is a white envelope with my name written on it in black, blocky letters. I snatch up the directions. It takes my fingers three tries to obey the order to open the flap. Inside is a page of neatly typed directions. They are simple enough. Judging by the amount of streets that I have to cross, it won't take too long to reach the red brick house. I shiver at the thought of navigating the streets right before sunset. The later in the day, the more brutal the winds. It's fortunate that I have my uniform on hand. It's well insulated to keep me warm. Now I have to ponder who would have the privilege of coming with me.

I sit on the bed, cradling the letter in my hands, contemplating the matter. What male would I trust well enough to drag into this? David? He's out. Ever since Lexi and he have been caught together, they've been inseparable. Toad? No. Definitely not him. After he kissed me, nothing has been the same between us. It feels like both of us are trying way too hard to pretend like the kiss didn't happen. Besides, Toad's impulse control is nonexistent. My father is much too old to be of any use. He isn't at his physical peak, and sometimes it feels like a gust could topple him over.

Matthew? If he weren't the prince, he would be the one that I brought along. He's loyal, smart, and very skilled in the art of fighting. But he's the crown prince. If something were to happen to him... I can't think about the possibility. But my mind does wander, and I picture Matthew and me traipsing around the Great Plains Region, shopping, sledding, and toasting marshmallows over a fire. But that reality is never going to stumble into my life. He's the prince and I'm still a candidate for the review, despite the fact that Lord Gash would have dismissed me on the first day. So using the prince as my bodyguard is out of the question. That leaves absolutely no one. I'm alone and regretting the fact that I don't have many friends.

At six o'clock, I slip into my coat and slowly unlock the door. Everyone's at dinner. No one will find it suspicious that I'm not attending. Walking down the wide hallway, I feel like every step is as loud as thunder. The hair at my nape rises and my heart pounds so loud that I can barely hear anything else. I take a deep breath and attempt to relax. This meeting needs to be successful. Jonah's life is on the line. _Enly, focus on the task. Try to get out of here as quietly as possible._

I turn the corner and collide with a linen cart. Agony shoots through my hip, and I curse. That had to be heard by someone. I don't wait for a servant to come running. I rush down the hallway toward the back staircase; I race down the steps, my boots pounding against the wood like a hammer. Stealth was never my strong suit. Nevertheless, the bustle of the kitchen staff covers up the noise. Holy Plains, the back door is propped open. The staff must be taking out the trash. Unlike the academy, my father doesn't have a trash chute in our house. Access to the city trash shoot is located in the garage.

The door lets out into the garden. I try not to look at the last spot where Jonah was apprehended. But my eyes are glued to the statue of the first king. A tear rolls down my cheek, but it's quickly dried by the wind. Deciding that walking out through the front is a much better option, as the back of the house leads into the woods, I slowly walk around the house. It's cold and slippery. I fall twice. But I get back up and stroll out of the gate.

The streets are dead. No one in their right mind would bother traversing the snow-packed streets. The streetlights will go out at ten, so I've stashed a flashlight in my coat pocket, just in case. The directions are simple enough. Turn right on Gold Street, then cross Apple Street, and River Street. Memorizing the directions comes in handy, because the occasional bystander would have found it suspicious if someone with a piece of paper was taking a stroll through the city after dark. Besides, what would I tell anyone that recognizes me?

It takes over an hour to reach the brick house. When I do, I frown. It's in an unassuming neighborhood in a quiet part of Skyway. Shovels and sleds are lying haphazardly around some of the lawns. Voices can be heard from people playing in the snow in backyards. But this house is different. The snow has been shoveled, and a red car sits in the driveway. Barely any light comes from the oval windows. Is this a trap? I don't have a choice but to find out. There's no turning back.

I walk up the drive and onto the front porch. Does someone knock in this situation? I have no idea. But the decision is taken out of my hands by someone that I didn't expect to see. Cole flings the door open, his eyes alert.

"Enly, come in," he urges. Because of my desperation to see Jonah, I enter.

When the door closes behind me, the lights flare on and I see Cole, Tara, and a stranger sitting around a scarred kitchen table. Mugs of tea are resting on three place settings. The house smells like a mixture of wood smoke and lemon. Yuck! I hate lemon tea. After Cole, Tara, and the stranger sit, I determine that I'm supposed to do the same.

"We would offer you tea, but we don't have raspberry on hand," the stranger says, amicably, as if I'm a guest.

"Where's Jonah?" No one says a word, which makes me uneasy. I want to walk out of this little house with peeling burgundy wallpaper and a floor marred by scuff marks. But I can't move, not until I get answers.

"Enly, how are you?" the man asks casually.

"Impatient." The word just flies out of my mouth.

Tara sighs.

"Mort, this isn't getting anywhere," she complains.

"Okay, Enly, Jonah was never in danger. Tara just figured that threatening him would be the way to get you to come here," Mort begins, and all of the tension leaves my muscles for a moment. But then I realize that I'm in an unknown house with people that could potentially hurt me, and I want to run.

"What do you want?" I force myself to ask. The answer is probably me dead in a body bag. Why else would they trick me into coming to this house?

"Enly, there are so many things that you don't know." This statement comes from Cole. Is he upset that he's no longer participating in the review? Has he been invited to the ball?

"Like what?" My question is asked with confidence. But I feel as though I will die from fear.

"Enly, the review is rigged," Mort announces, and my vision starts to tinge with red. No, this can't be happening. This was always the plan. I'm supposed to become lady regent and save my brother. I have to save him because he is all I have. If this review is rigged, then I don't have a shot at gaining the title. Oh please, I pray that these people are lying.

"What do you mean?" I ask, my voice cracking.

"It's rigged. A winner has already been selected," Mort gently tells me.

"You will become lady regent, Enly," Mort says. "The king has been wanting to get his hands on your fortune for years."

I'm filled with joy. This is great! I'm going to be able to free my brother. I don't have to try anymore. Toad will be ecstatic when I tell him.

"Oh," is all I say. How do I tell Tara and Cole I'm relieved that they had no shot to become regent?

"There's more," Tara slowly says, her eyes studying me.

"More?" I squeak.

"Tara, maybe we shouldn't tell her," Mort warns.

"I have to tell her. We have been friends for so long," Tara protests.

My temper takes away all rational thought.

"Tara, we are not friends. Your caller told me you had Jonah and tricked me into coming here. Why did you do that? If we were friends, you could have just given me a call," I taunt.

Cole glares at me.

"Why? So you can hand Tara over to the royal family? You do know they are looking for her. Don't you want to know why?"

Cole's question makes my blood turn to ice. I'm meeting with a bunch of fugitives? Suddenly, I glance around the room and realize how impulsive I was. I didn't so much as leave a note. There are the three of them and only one of me. I didn't have any training in martial arts. These fugitives could easily overwhelm me.

"What do you want with me?" I ask them, my voice strong. I cannot show fear. They would take advantage of it.

"I only want to tell you the truth," Tara pleads. "I don't want to hurt you. But you have to know about your father."

"What did my father do?" I ask carefully as I draw patterns on the chipped wood with my fingertips.

"Your father loves you, Enly, more than you will ever know." Mort says these words deliberately.

I'm unsure of how to react to that.

"What is it?" I plead. I'm afraid and suddenly wish that I had brought one of my friends along, just so they could be here for moral support. But I'm forced to face this all alone because of my own stupidity.

"Enly, your father was the one who hired that maid to shoot at you," Mort says.

# Chapter Twenty-Six

The room is quiet, and I'm unsure of how to react. According to Mort, a fugitive, my father tried to kill me. The thought is both hilarious and insulting at the same time. What kind of man would try to kill their daughter? My father has done everything to make me succeed. He has given me wisdom and has expressed his worry for me taking over the business. What would he gain in killing me? That would mean that he'd have no heir and that the company would be awarded to the highest bidder.

"You're lying," I decide. "I don't understand why you fugitives need to trick me."

No one seems surprised that I don't believe them. Mort sighs, stands, and fishes something out of the kitchen drawer. For a moment, I think that he's pulled out a weapon. But then he hands me an envelope. I take it skeptically and open the flap. Inside is a stack of pictures and a disk. Tara opens the refrigerator and pulls out an electronic disk player that has a small screen, and I pop the disk in and press Play. On the screen, I see my father dressed in a navy blue suit. He's sitting right across from the former headmistress in her office.

"Is Sammy going to go through with it?" my father inquires.

"She is willing," the headmistress informs him. "Do you have what we need?" The film abruptly stops and I frown, surprised.

"The memory on the camera ran out," Tara explains as she places the player back into the drawer. I'm shaken. When had my father visited the academy? Why was he meeting with the former headmistress? This has to be a trick. I flip through the pictures, which are all of my father with Sammy. They are in my old dorm room. I can tell only because the tapestry that Kip gave me for Christmas is in some of the shots. But still, I have a difficult time believing the fugitives. My father would have no reason to kill me. But then Cole slaps one of the solution booklets in front of me. It's opened to a case, and I read.

Natalie Powers

I was involved with the attempted murder of Emily Saint Claire. Her father, Walter Saint Claire, approached me before Brandon Wilks visited the academy. Walter Saint Claire was informed that Brandon Wilks fell in love with Marigold Flay. Walter Saint Claire needed to ensure that Brandon Wilks would be implicated in a crime. I stole firearms from my brother, and forced an illegitimate to plant the guns in Brandon's house along with false plans to rebel against the king. I then, with Mr. Saint Claire's help, paid off a couple of witnesses to testify that Brandon Wilks had approached them for guns. Then, after Brandon became betrothed to Marigold Flay, we ordered Sammy to attempt to kill Emily. The idea was to kill Serena and have Enly suffer a graze. But something went terribly wrong. I'm sorry to hear that it did. I always admired Emily Saint Claire and hoped that she would lead us someday.

As soon as I finish reading the testimony, Tara snatches the booklet from my hands. Her eyes are sad when she gazes at me. I'm shaking. Not only may my father have tried to kill me, an innocent woman was sent to Serial. Once someone gets dumped on the island, a rescue can be a process.

"When did this trial happen?" I croak.

"The day we played that horrible trivia game," Tara responds.

"Are they going to release Brandon and Marigold?" I ask, a tear trickling down my cheek.

"No. The king doesn't want to look like a fool, and he'd never charge your father. That's what he would have to do if he released them," Cole responds, disgust in his tone. "Your father is putting a quarter of your fortune in the treasury. And upon his death, he will award the king another quarter of the fortune. You becoming lady regent is good for the country," Mort adds.

"And Jonah?" I ask, confused.

"He never went to the mines. He's become a juror, Enly. You will never see him again," Cole snaps, as if angry that I would want to know my brother's fate.

"What! No! That wasn't the plan. I was supposed to free him. Oh no," I suddenly wail.

Tara sighs.

"That is never going to happen. The public hates him for what his mother did to the king's brother. And to be honest, some people hate you too. If you were to revoke Jonah's status, there will be riots," Tara explains.

So it was never possible to free my brother. Instead of being a slave to a monster, he is a slave to the justice system. He will be that way for the rest of his natural life. His children will be jurors and so on. I guess the community needed fresh blood, and who would have missed an illegitimate that is despised by the masses?

"After this mess, why would the king want me to become lady regent?" I ask.

No one has the chance to answer my question. We are surprised when the door flies open and two men dressed in black rush in, guns drawn.

"Norman, no," Mort shouts, but it's too late. The gun goes off, and I'm sent crashing to the ground, a hard weight on top of me. Another shot fires and glass shatters, spraying down on us. But none of it affects me due to my human shield.

"She can't live," a man shouts. "She's corrupt."

Now I believe them. Someone wants me dead because they are afraid that I'm going to be like my father. My father just made me a target. Another shot is fired, and a bullet strikes the floor by my right arm. I wish that I could see, but my face is pressed against the floor.

"Enly, on three, I want you to run," a familiar voice hisses in my ear. My heart pounds when I recognize the voice. It's Matthew, my prince. I want to flinch away, hating him for the deceit. He had to be aware of the situation.

But I don't want to distract him. It appears that the man is trying to save my life. I try to nod, but his hand is covering my head. "Three," he shouts, and the weight immediately leaves me. I jump to my feet, pick a direction, and run. I'm closing in on the back door. It's locked, so I waste precious moments flipping the lock. As soon as the door opens, I'm flying down the stairs and jumping into the snow-covered backyard.

The entire yard is submerged with two feet of snow. I force myself to continue walking, but it's difficult. My legs are beginning to cramp. I barely make headway when Matthew runs toward me from the side of the house. He looks at me, and I force myself to continue trudging through the mountain of snow. As soon as I'm in reach, the prince wraps his hands around my waist and lifts me into the air. He cradles me against his chest and speeds down the street.

"You can put me down," I tell him. Prince Matthew pauses, and on cue, a truck speeds around the corner. The passenger door swings open, and the prince places me on my feet and helps me into the truck. I scoot over and am practically sitting on Lord Gash's lap.

After the prince hops inside, the royal assistant hits the gas and we're flying down the quiet streets of Skyway.

"What were you thinking, Enly?" Lord Gash roars.

Although the jerk has every reason to yell at me, I automatically get defensive.

"I thought that Jonah was in danger. The woman on the phone told me that she was watching me. She said that if I sounded the alarm, she would kill him. How did you two find me?"

"How was Jonah in danger?" Matthew gently asks.

"She told me that if I didn't meet with her, Jonah would die. Now tell me, how did you find me?" None of the royals answer my question, and I'm suddenly furious. "Matthew, when were you going to tell me that I'm the next Lady Regent of Stanti?"

Matthew sighs.

"I wasn't going to tell you. I was going to go through with the review until the end," he admits.

"When were you going to tell me that my father tried to kill me?" I cry.

"You didn't know about the plot?" Lord Gash inquires, his voice filling with shock. I feel sick to my stomach and am on the verge of throwing up.

"I told you so," Matthew snaps at Lord Gash. "Enly would not have done that to Brandon."

"You never know with these women," the royal assistant grumbles.

I'm shaking and angry and do not have an outlet. I'm also shattered because it has been confirmed. My father has falsely sent two people to prison because of his quest for power. The king will do nothing to rectify the situation.

"What about Lord Wilks and Marigold? Oh no," I sob, feeling the guilt encompassing me.

"We'll figure something out," the prince softly assures me. But nothing can soothe me at this point. Everything has gone tragically wrong.

"Enly, you have to get a handle on yourself," Lord Gash scolds me

As he drives through the gate of my father's estate, I feel the adrenalin wearing off.

~

"Are you all set, my lady?" Serena asks as she tucks me into bed. As soon as I returned home, Serena was there. She rushed me to my room and forced me to take a bath. Then she rubbed ointment on my bruises. "They will be gone tomorrow," she insisted. After that, I was bundled into a comfortable nightgown, was coaxed into drinking two cups of tea, and guided to bed.

"Call me Enly," I complain.

Serena laughs.

"Not here, my lady," she reminds me. I sigh into the warmth of the blankets and am startled when my father storms into the room.

"Leave," he orders Serena, and she complies. I sit up straight and glare at my father. That traitor! He had the nerve to try to kill me. He had no problem framing a man just so I could be placed in a position of power. I'm not angry. I'm suddenly overwhelmed by sadness.

"You can't order around my servants like that," I sniffle.

"What were you thinking?" my father shouts. "Enly, why did you meet with those people?"

"To protect Jonah."

My father's shoulders sag, and I finally notice how dark the circles under his eyes are. He hasn't slept for days. When was the last time that he ate? I swear that he's lost a good thirty pounds.

"You did this to save Jonah?" His voice is gentle now, which relieves me. Getting yelled at makes me feel so despondent.

"Yes. I got a phone call. The woman told me that if I didn't go to the red brick house, Jonah would be killed."

My father sighs a tired breath.

"Enly, you would walk through fire to rescue your brother. You would do anything for him."

"Of course. He's my baby brother. You should relate, Father. After all, you nearly killed me to depose Lord Wilks."

"Enly, you need to understand something," my father begins. He looks like he is having second thoughts. But he continues. "You were never going to be able to save Jonah, none of us were." Normally, this news would make my heart pound with fear. I know this. But the sadness is what comes to me now.

"What do you mean?"

"Enly, I lied to you. In hindsight, it was better to tell you the truth. But your brother's sentence is for life. He will never be a part of this family. I'm sorry."

The grief is so heavy that I fall back to the mattress. The pain weighs me down, and I feel like I can't breathe. Jonah isn't going to be a free man. I can never save him. Dad always knew that but never told me the truth.

"Why did you lie to me?"

"So that you would be more enthusiastic about trying to become lady regent. I needed you to be protected, Enly. I had a feeling that you would have tried to escape Brandon Wilks, if you had known the truth. Then, when King George and I signed the contract, we both realized that the public wasn't just going to accept you as lady regent. We had to follow tradition. So we decided to hold a review. King George designed the tests just so that you would excel. You were never supposed to find out," he softly confesses.

"Why?" That seems to be the only word that I can say, because my throat is too tight.

"Enly, you need to understand that I did what was best for both of my children. Now, Jonah is safe, and you are one step closer to doing what you were born to do."

I have no idea what my father thinks I was born to do. And quite frankly, I don't care.

"You're a monster," I whisper.

Father doesn't say anything, and I stop acknowledging that he's in the room. Then, thankfully, I drift off to sleep.

~

"My lady, you have a visitor," Serena sings.

I open my eyes and am relieved to see the academy walls again. After I broke out of my home to meet the... I have no name for that group of people. Are they rebels? Maybe they work for a royal. In any case, I don't really know. It's Sunday night, and I've chosen to spend my time sleeping. The bruises have faded, but the grief still haunts me like a ghost. There's nothing that I can do for Jonah. My father lied to me.

"My lady?"

I know exactly who my visitor is. Well, I don't know the exact identity. I just know that it's a royal. Serena had been instructed to tell everyone that I was sleeping. She can't lie to them. I rub my eyes and sit up.

It isn't a royal. David stands in front of me, a basket of meat pastries in his grip. The smell fills up the entire room. I glance at Serena, who flees the room before I can yell at her.

"Want to talk about it?" he asks.

"Lexi's betrothed," I softly tell David. He places the basket on my desk and glances at me with pain-filled eyes.

"I know. Prince Matthew had a talk with me a day before you ran off. I just don't like thinking about it." His answer causes jets of tears to shoot from my eyes. He sits on the bed and wraps a comforting arm around me. His warmth makes me cry even harder. As if summoned by my sobs, Toad flies into the room flanked by Serena. She shuts and locks the door and crosses her arms.

"She has been like this for days. My lady can't go on like this. It isn't good for her," Serena pleads.

Toad doesn't even go for the pastries. He hops into bed on my other side. I'm sandwiched between two guys that really care about me. The overwhelming support makes my heart fill with gratitude.

"Come on, beautiful, why are you crying?" Toad asks.

"I'm going to become lady regent. The contest was rigged."

Toad lets out a curse.

"You guys can't say anything to anyone."

"Wait, I thought that you wanted to become lady regent," David says.

"I did. But..." There's no way of hiding this from my friends anymore. Besides, Serena already knows. So I tell them everything, including the bit about how Tara and her band of fugitives lured me to the red brick house. I even talk about how me nearly getting killed was a means to an end for my father. He wanted Lord Wilks and Marigold gone so that I could take on the vacant role.

After I'm done telling the story, David frowns and Toad curses.

"What if you drop out of the review?" Toad asks.

"What if the Wilks family decides to hurt you?" David adds.

I don't have an answer for either of my friends.

Serena speaks up. "I'm sure that the Wilks family will find some way of seeking vengeance against you. I'm just not sure how. After all, you are going to be the lady regent. And I'm sure that you will be loved by the people, my lady."

To my surprise, both Toad and David nod in agreement.

"It makes sense. The king had to cover this up and hold the review. The people here aren't too impressed with the royals," Toad says. "No offense," he quickly adds.

"None taken," I mutter.

"Let's look at the positive. You're going to become lady regent. You'll marry someone that you at least get along with. You can make a whole lot of difference as a regent. And Enly, haven't you thought about what you could do for illegitimates? One day when you gain supporters, you could reform the laws. Maybe you could even find a way to free Jonah from being a juror," David reasons.

"Serving as a juror isn't that bad, my lady. Especially, when you have someone kind to serve." Serena winks at me when she says that, and I'm warmed.

"But it isn't fair. I'm free and my baby brother is forced to serve. I..." I stop myself from saying any more. There's no reason to decapitate a dead soldier. Everyone gets the point. I need to save Jonah because I love him. He's my blood and deserves to be happy. I fear that I can never be happy unless I free him.

# Chapter Twenty-Seven

The morning is freezing, as usual. Everyone walks to the dining hall with excitement in their steps. A lot of gossip is flying around the air. It's rather unfortunate that my name seems to be in the center of it all.

"Lady Saint Claire," a girl says, grabbing my arm. I glance over and see a girl with beautiful chocolate-brown skin and glittering brown eyes. I have to stamp down the impulse to shove her arm away.

"Hi..."

"Lady Garret," she says. She is the fifth noble that has approached me today. My head starts to pound.

"Good morning, Lady Garret. Are you heading to the dining hall?"

Of course she is. But it is polite to ask the lady which direction she's heading in. She releases her death grip on my arm and seems to relax. The noble isn't a part of the review, so she has to wear the uniform. Serena couldn't persuade me into one of my many colorful dresses. I didn't see the point because I know where I stand. I'm going to be the next lady regent; my future has been bartered away by my father and the greedy king.

"My father's a baron," Lady Garret informs me as we walk down the path that leads to the dining hall.

"Oh really? How many citizens live in his holding?"

"About thirty thousand." There are probably ten million people stretched all over this region. She must have a large holding to have that many. Even the barony of Willington doesn't have that many residents.

I smile at her.

"I have to visit someday." I hate to think that I'll be required to visit all of the lands belonging to the nobles. After all, they want to be appeased by the royals and I'm supposed to do the job.

I walk up the stairs, the lady losing interest in me. She merely converses with me because she's hoping to hear gossip. Wait until she discovers that I'm the next lady regent. She'll be kicking herself for never getting her chance to get to know me.

"Are you ready for this?" Toad asks the three of us as we stand in front of the door. Olivia's shoulders are straight, her jaw set in a hard line. I'm thinking that she's determined to have a spot in the review. I, on the other hand, can't care less. I stand beside Toad, wishing that David was still being reviewed. He has to put his pendant in the lock and face the humiliation of being rejected.

Because David's brave, he's the first person in our group to attempt to place his pendant in the lock. It doesn't work. Toad attempts to slip his pendant in the lock, and his is also rejected. I feel agitated about Toad not gaining entrance in the dining hall. Are the royals seriously going to choose me already? I thought that I would have a chance to adjust. Students start conversing in excited voices when Olivia takes her chance. I haven't talked to the prince since that horrible day. Even though I know that my future is Toad, I still long for him. My heart stops when I realize that Olivia has realized that her pendent will not work on the door. Tears begin running down her face. For the first time, I consider that others wanted to become regent for their own reasons. It's a good thing that I didn't tell her that she never had a chance. That would have hurt her.

"Go on," Toad encourages me. I glare at the lock, and my hands begin to sweat. I already know the end result. But I don't want to face it. I want to run back to my dorm and cry some more. How can I be excited about this while knowing the path that my father carved for me to succeed? How can I ever look at my father, who had once been a kind man, in the eye? Not once did he say that he was sorry for what he did to Lord Wilks. In fact, it seems as though my father believes that Lord Wilks deserved his fate for breaking the agreement. At one point, I thought that I would do anything to free my brother. But I draw the line at falsely imprisoning two people.

"Enly, everyone's waiting," David softly tells me, and he's right. The room is quiet.

I unclasp my pendant and place it in the lock. I turn the knob and open the door. Everyone begins clapping, some people even pounding on the tabletop. The noise startles me, and I jerk my hand back from the lock. The door slams closed, and I open it again.

"Hail, Lady Regent!"

"Hail, Lady Regent!"

"Hail, Lady Regent!"

Everyone, including my three friends, shout, as if I deserve the praise. I didn't earn anything. I'm a fraud. I bite my lip and walk in. A long rectangular table has been decorated with fine china. The prince and princess along with their royal assistants are seated there. I bite my lip and take the chair beside Prince Matthew. I'm so shell-shocked that I forget to curtsy. I'm about to stand, but Matthew places a hand on my shoulder.

My heart races for a different reason. He's here, sitting beside me, his presence so real.

"Are you alright?" he softly asks me.

"No," I answer.

Matthew wraps his arm around me, and I feel safe for the first time in days.

Lord Gash glares at me.

"Let's get on with this," he orders.

"Julian," Lady Gash gently chastises.

"It's like a bandage, Celine," Lord Gash responds before taking a bite of one of the sausage links on his wife's plate. I've been so distracted that I have just noticed the platters of food in the middle of the table. There are scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, sausage links, and plump pastries. My stomach can't handle any of this. Prince Matthew hasn't quite gotten the memo, because he loads my plate with everything and places it in front of me. I sigh and poke a home fry and place it in my mouth. It's difficult to swallow, but I manage after taking a swig of water.

"We need to fix this," I softly beg.

Everyone glances at me with surprise.

"Enly, that's impossible. We've tried everything," Lord Gash points out.

"What if I get my father to confess? What if I..."

"Enly, my father would never allow you to humiliate him like that. He couldn't afford that. In fact, he'd eliminate you if you became a problem," Prince Matthew warns.

"Why?" My question causes the royals to groan.

"Because the king can't afford to look weak," Prince Matthew answers. "My father is just as desperate to change things as we are. But your father pushed him in a corner. If he kills him, the fortune is lost to the country. If my father imprisons your father, his fortune is lost. Enly, our country is in terrible debt due to my grandfather's exorbitant lifestyle. The only way to make a dent is through your father's fortune."

I'm stunned. I hadn't realized that Stanti was in debt.

"How much is the debt?" I inquire carefully.

"Seventy-six billion dollars is what we know of," Lord Gash reports.

"What do you mean by that, _you know of_?" I ask as I spear a sausage link with my fork.

"Every month or so, someone else comes forward with a contract that my grandfather signed with them. Enly, our country is in trouble. Hell, we owe New Canada over nine billion dollars, and the prime minister isn't happy. He might send a few soldiers our way to collect his money," the prince informs me.

"What!" I squeak.

"And let's not forget the barons that we owe," Lord Gash interjects.

"My father offered to pay off debts," I realize. "He's using a quarter of his fortune to pay off debts in exchange for me to become lady regent." I'm officially stressed out. In truth, I hadn't considered all that encompassed the position of regent. My only goal was to save Jonah. It's truly sobering to realize that I haven't saved my brother and now I have to protect my country.

"So what am I supposed to do to help?" I ask.

"You need to embrace your role. It's important that you accept that you are now lady regent. You need to marry Titus. He's a fine choice and his family is wealthy. His uncle is also one of the people that our family needs to pay back. Maybe we can work something out with him," Prince Matthew reluctantly explains.

I'm supposed to marry Toad? I want to kick myself for agreeing to that stupid deal. At the time, I hadn't thought that I was going to become lady regent. This is all one big disaster. Toad is a nice guy, but I don't think that we are romantically compatible. For one thing, his eating habits are a bit unconventional. He also has no tact and tends to say whatever he's thinking. But I can't ignore that Toad was there for me when I needed him. He would be a good support system, and that's what I need right now. I'm confident that we will make a strong team.

"Okay. What else do I need to do?" I inquire.

"You will be leaving for Snowdrift Castle this afternoon. The ball will be on Friday. You, David, Toad, and Olivia will participate in a parade," the prince informs me.

"I take it that everyone knows about this event?" I ask, a little miffed that my friends hadn't given me a heads-up.

"Yes. I tried to talk to you, but you were asleep. I didn't want to wake you," the prince explains.

"You should have," Lord Gash grumbles.

"So I need to pretend that I'm happy to be lady regent? What about Brandon and Marigold?" I ask, wanting to know what we were doing about them.

"They are most likely dead already. Leaders don't last long in Serial," Lord Gash coolly responds.

I have to stay strong. I can't be horrified. An entire country is counting on me. My father will be appeased and some of the debts will start getting paid off. I can do this for my country. I _need_ to do this for my country.

"When is my wedding?" I ask, figuring that the date is out of my control—like everything else.

"Friday afternoon," the prince answers in a flat tone. "The king really doesn't like this region. He figures that we could just get it all over with."

So in a matter of days I will be married. It's weird to think about it. I'm not even eighteen yet and I will be a bride and a regent. None of this is fair, but I don't protest. In a way, I am responsible for my fate. I was clouded with desperation and didn't notice that I was just a pawn in a bid to gain a title. It's a little too late, but I know better now.

"I see. Is there anything else I should know?" I ask, knowing that nothing could be worse than what they have already told me.

"Tara and Cole are both fugitives. They are wanted and will be hunted. We need to know who those people are," the prince insists. His voice catches, making me think that he's still angry about the attack that nearly took my life.

I look over at Princess Lexi, maybe to see her reaction, but her eyes are closed and her mouth is half open. The girl is falling asleep at the table. That could only mean one thing. She had yet another late night with David. He is only going to get his heart broken. I can't believe that she would be so callous.

Everyone else follows my gaze, and Lord Gash sighs.

"Maybe we should end the meeting. We've bombarded the lady with enough information for the day," he suggests. Everyone, except for the sleeping princess, nods. Lady Gash shakes Princess Lexi awake and we stand and leave the room. The main dining room is nearly empty. Our meeting went longer than I expected.

When I open the door to my room, Serena is waiting for me. She smiles wide and embraces me. I squeeze her as tightly as I can, needing her comfort. She has supported me from the beginning when she didn't have to.

She releases me and pats my shoulder.

"It has been a pleasure working with you, Lady Saint Claire," she says.

My stomach twists at the sad smile that appears on her face.

"What's going on, Serena?" I hesitantly ask.

"I work for the academy," she reminds me.

"I can purchase your contract," I argue fearfully. This is horrible. I need her with me.

Serena grins.

"Enly, I will be of more use to you here," she insists. "I'm a really good spy, and a lot of future barons will attend this school. I can help you."

"Serena, that's dangerous. I can't protect you if I leave," I plead.

She shakes her head.

"You don't need to protect me. I have a lot of friends here."

Before I can tell Serena that she's making a big mistake, my door opens and in walks the prince. Serena immediately curtsies and then leaves. The prince eyes me, his eyes so filled with fatigue that it makes me concerned for him.

"Enly, my father has sold me to Carolyn Drackel," he announces.

"Who's Carolyn Drackel?" I ask, confused.

"She's the richest heiress in Europe. That was the price that her father wanted him to pay," the prince announces.

"Is she pretty?" I ask, tamping down the surge of jealousy that fills my gut.

The prince doesn't answer my question. Instead, he walks over to me and cups my cheek.

"Enly, I want to kiss you right now," he warns me.

"I want that too," I confess. It's all I've been wanting since I met him.

He looks relieved. His face lowers, and my eyes close. When his lips touch mine, something inside me snaps. I wrap my arms around his neck and grip his hair. My lips dance against his, and when his tongue caresses my bottom lip, my lips part. His tongue enters my mouth and the experience is amazing. It's like our lips and tongues are trying to say something that our words can never say. In this moment, he releases my face and rests his hands on my waist. I'm on fire. It's like my clothes are trapping so much heat. I'm beginning to sweat.

He releases me, and we both breathe heavily.

"Enly, that was amazing!" the prince tells me, his eyes wide.

"But it can't happen again bec—"

He interrupts me by pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

"Enly, don't ruin this with talk of the future. Let's forget about them. Just—" The prince pauses and eyes my bed.

"What?" I ask, hesitating.

"Enly, I'm so tired of fighting my attraction to you. I'm so tired of forcing myself not to fall for you. For once, I want to surrender to how I feel about you," Matthew confesses.

"I can't do that, Matthew. If I allowed myself to truly feel for you, that would break me."

"I'm already broken," Matthew whispers. "I couldn't help but feel—"

I interrupt him this time with a gentle kiss on the lips. He smiles at me. Suddenly, an idea comes to mind.

"Come here," I tell him. I clutch his hand and lead him to my bed. I pull back the blanket and smile. "You are tired. Let's just lie here and hold each other."

The prince doesn't argue with me. We both take off our shoes and get into bed. We cover ourselves with the comforter and he holds me in his arms. It takes little effort to fall asleep.

# Chapter Twenty-Eight

"Rise and shine!" a voice sings. I don't want to wake up. I'm warm and comfortable. But something hits my nose. My eyes fly open and I'm staring into Toad's disapproving face. My gut twists. The prince sits up and rubs his eyes.

"What's going on?" Matthew asks, a bit confused.

"You were in bed with my betrothed, that's what," Toad responds, sounding agitated. Prince Matthew slips into his shoes and stands. His shirt is rumpled and his hair is a disaster.

"Nothing happened. We just fell asleep. I..."

"It's fine," Toad assures his prince. "It isn't like I expected Enly to be thrilled about being with me."

Toad's words make me feel guilty. I rub my eyes and stand.

"Prince Matthew, it's all right. You can go," I say, hoping that he'll take the hint.

Without a word the prince leaves, and I'm alone with Toad.

"That can't happen again, Enly," Toad tells me.

"I know," I softly agree.

"You're lucky I caught you two. What would have happened if David or Serena caught you?" he inquires.

"I don't know. I'm sorry," I say.

Toad sits on the chair and then the doorknob turns.

Lord Gash enters the room and stares at me. Toad is sitting on the chair reading the _Daily Notice_ and I am in the process of straightening my shirt.

"Your hair looks horrible, Enly. And Toad, you don't look much better." Lord Gash glances at the bed, his eyebrows rising.

"Toad woke me up from my nap," I quickly say, worried that the royal assistant would assume that Toad and I were using the bed. Lord Gash studies my friend's rumpled appearance again.

"If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that he joined you." His words are an accusation that I choose to ignore. He doesn't know anything.

"What can I do for you, Lord Gash?" I ask right after Toad bows and I curtsy.

"Toad, you are to meet with the tailor in an hour to ensure that your uniform fits. Enly, the prince wants you to join him for lunch," Lord Gash reports.

"Okay," I say as Serena flies into the room. Her eyes widen when she spots the bed.

"Figures, you took a nap," she curses after a curtsy. Serena fixes the bed and I cringe at having to sleep on the sheets that were a reminder of what happened with Prince Matthew. The memory of that brief happiness is going to turn me into a bitter woman, because I could never feel that way about Toad.

"Serena, ensure that Lady Saint Claire's hair is fixed. Her uniform will be appropriate for this occasion," Lord Gash orders before grabbing Toad by the arm and dragging him from the room.

~

The dining room is set for two, much in the same way that it was the day Brandon Wilks broke his betrothal with me. But this time, I'm utterly alone. Did Lord Gash tell the prince about his suspicions? What would happen if he did? Would the prince allow the royal assistant to think that Toad and I shared a bed? Will he confess all? How much does the prince tell Lord Gash?

Before I can even worry about that, the door opens. I spin around, half expecting guards, or Prince Matthew. But neither of them enter. Kip strolls in, dressed in the same uniform. Her blonde hair hangs loose, and there is a broad smile on her face. Before either of us can say a word, she curtsies to me. I can't insist that she should do any differently. Kip isn't Serena. She's one of the nobles at heart. As soon as she straightens, her eyes twinkle.

"Lady Regent Emily Saint Claire, that has a nice ring to it." She is, of course, excited because we will have plenty of opportunities to spend time together. Does Kip know about Jonah and how he can never be freed? Tara does. Will she use this information against me?

The door flies open and Lord Gash enters. He glares at Kip, but she doesn't move. She will only do so if I ask her to.

"Lord Gash, what are you doing here?" I ask. He sighs and rubs his eyes.

"I'm here to inform you that you are leaving for Snowdrift Castle shortly after lunch. Serena has already prepared your belongings," he says before storming out of the room.

"That royal assistant really hates me," Kip whines as we both take our seats.

"He hates everyone." My tone isn't friendly. Kip and I still have a disagreement hanging over us. But neither of us would ever dare to discuss it in the private dining hall, when at any minute, a servant could enter. Still, I want to yell at Kip for speaking to me in such a manner.

A blonde serving woman enters, carrying the first course, meat pastries. Kip's eyes widen, as do mine. The academy doesn't serve such decadent foods.

"My Lady, the prince sends his regards. He requested that I tell you to enjoy the food. He hopes that you have a good time with an old friend." After placing the platter on the table, the servant curtsies and leaves. Prince Matthew has done this to lift my spirits.

"Enly, you should bless the food," Kip says, ever cautious of the formalities. I want to call her a hypocrite. Wasn't she the one who had an affair with a professor? Wasn't she the one who had to be rushed away so that people wouldn't catch wind of the scandal? Why is she still pretending to be a perfect lady? Is she a fraud like me?

Maybe everyone's a fraud at heart.

"Tara was the one who told the headmistress about your affair," I said, to study Kip's expression. Maybe she could share a bit about Tara.

"You didn't say anything?"

"No."

Kip sighs in relief.

"It was rather stupid, now that I look back. But Thomas is my life, Enly. I love him."

Closing my eyes, I bless the food, and Kip happily begins eating. I take a pastry, just because it would look rude of me not to. The outer shell is flaky and delicious. The ground beef is spicy. It doesn't settle well in my stomach, because a tempest of guilt, shame, and confusion is raging within.

"What do you think of Prince Matthew?"

So Kip is going to make small talk with me now? Why does she care what I think of the prince? He isn't my betrothed. I want desperately to tell Kip that I feel deeply for him. But I don't trust her. I force a smile.

"He's nice."

Kip throws up her hands, as if she's had enough.

"What's really bothering you, Enly?"

"Kip, that's not fair. You want me to confide in you when you couldn't even trust me enough to explain about Headmaster Shore. In your famous words, it is none of your business."

The room is silent, and the atmosphere is stale. Kip's eyes water and her hand, which is holding a half-eaten pastry, quivers. She is hurt, angry, and probably a bit confused. But she knows that she is the one that put the wall between us. She could have told me about Headmaster Shore.

"Enly, I didn't tell you anything because I was trying to protect you."

Now, guilt that I never knew before surges into my stomach, because Kip is absolutely being honest. "I care about you. And I was worried that someone would question you about me. That's why I didn't say anything. If you're mad at me because I didn't tell you about him, then I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. You just didn't give me a chance to explain." A tear trickles down Kip's cheek and the door opens before I can say a word.

Toad walks over to us, winks, and snatches up a pastry without using the tongs. Kip nearly faints, but I only groan. Toad's eyes light up when they land on me. He has a smile on his face despite the fact that Lord Gash is suspicious.

"I missed lunch," he explains before snatching up another pastry. David enters, glaring at his friend.

"Lord Gash arranged it so that the three of us can leave the academy together. Isn't that great!" David seems excited that he'll be with his friends for the parade.

"What about Olivia?" I ask.

"She'll be riding with us. I'm not that excited about it," David says, which throws me off. What happened between the two of them?

"You're just bitter because she interrupted your time with Princess Lexi. You should have seen it. Olivia is her biggest fan," Toad chuckles before taking a slow, deliberate sip of my tea.

David punches Toad on the shoulder.

"I'm David Appleton, and this is my friend, Toad," David tells Kip before giving her a swift bow.

Kip is charmed by David.

"Why is our future regent going to refer to himself as Toad?" Kip was right, he had to go by Titus.

"It stands for Titus Owen Adrian Dolson," Toad responds, puffing up his chest.

Kip nods in understanding.

"I shall call you Titus," she insists. "You are not a toad."

Kip's behavior toward Toad surprises me. She always came off as shallow and vain. But maybe I don't know her much at all. The door opens again and Prince Matthew enters, his expression guarded. He carries a dozen red roses, which are resting in a vase that's shaped like a wine bottle. All of us either bow or curtsy to him. Because I'm so out of sorts, I nearly fall on my face. The prince smiles and hands me the roses.

"Enly, did you get to eat anything?" Matthew's eyes are worried.

"We're leaving?" I ask, unable to meet his beautiful chocolate eyes.

"Father is arriving early. You have to forgo lunch to prepare yourself for the parade." I bite my lip, badly wanting to find an excuse to get out of this.

"Well, that's too bad. I was enjoying your company," Kip tells me, her face pleasantly polite. She's always good at being natural. I should emulate her behavior. Leaving the flowers on the table, I curtsy and squeak out a timid "Thank you."

# Chapter Twenty-Nine

This is the moment that I will lay my eyes on the coward that's allowing this injustice. To be honest, I don't think that I can be friendly toward him. It's because of my father's bargain that Jonah will be a juror. I will be a slave to the king for the rest of my life. It makes sense, why these men tried to kill me. The review wasn't fair and didn't give the most superior the chance to rule. It was a means for the king to appear just and true. But he will declare that I'm the best for the position. My high scores, behavior, and kind nature will be spoken about. While all of the lies are being gobbled up by the public, I'm going to smile, because if I don't, there will be consequences.

"Are you all right?" David asks me. Olivia, Toad, David, and I cluster together. For show, six more students that participated in the review will ride in the other car.

"I'm fine," I tell him. He wraps an arm around me.

"Be happy, Enly," he begs. "Think of something funny or a happy moment. You look like you're going to a funeral."

I don't feel like pretending. I'd rather show everyone how I really feel. But David is right. The nation needs my wealth, so I'm invaluable. That should be something to smile about. This victory is bittersweet. I'm going to take on a life I've never wanted, and what about Matthew? We can never be together. His father has other plans for him. If I ruin them, the king would most likely kill me.

"You're right. I'm getting what I want, after all," I softly tell David.

Toad distracts Olivia by talking about different dishes he would like to try, so that she won't hear the conversation between David and me. Since Tara's departure from the academy, Olivia has been lost. I don't fault her for being that way. These two were inseparable until Cole sunk his teeth into Tara's heart. Then, Tara became one of Cole's followers. Toad, who is dressed in his wrinkled school uniform, receives a scolding from Olivia.

"You could have ironed your clothes." Olivia's uniform is pressed and her hair is in a simple twist.

"What are you wearing, Toad?" David asks.

"What's the point? I've already got the title," Toad comments.

I frown down at my boots, hating myself for making that impulsive bargain with Toad. I can't even be thrilled that Toad is going to be titled.

"What's wrong, Enly?" Olivia asks. She doesn't know the dark secret. How would she feel when someone told her? Eventually, the other nobles will catch wind of what my father did. They won't challenge me, or shun me from society. No, some of the ambitious nobles will most likely emulate my father's plan.

Headmaster Shore enters, a smile splitting his face.

"The four of you are ready?" he asks joyously. It's like he doesn't recall how he humiliated me a couple of weeks ago in his class. What a fake.

"I am a wee bit hungry, but other than that, I think that we are all ready to go," Toad responds.

Headmaster Shore's face tightens, as if he wants to give Toad a scowl, but can't because Toad is the next regent. If I were vindictive, I would replace Professor Shore as headmaster when the power to do so is thrust upon me, but I couldn't care less about who is in charge here.

"I'd hate for your appetite to be spoiled, Lord Dolson. Refreshments have been prepared at Snowdrift Castle," the headmaster assures my betrothed.

Olivia rolls her eyes at Toad. The rest of us are so used to his antics that we don't react. "Lords and ladies, follow me."

Two servants open the doors, and Headmaster Shore leads us out of the administration building. Instead of stairs, the building has a ramp. We walk down the ramp and cross the street. Because of security purposes, the students are being sequestered in their rooms until the royals leave. He leads us to a six-door, black, long car with four servants standing in front of each door.

David and I immediately walk toward the back of the car. A man with a gentle face opens my door for me. When I'm seated, he places a basket filled to the rim with candy on my lap. The same is done for my friends.

"Do you know what to do with the candy?" the headmaster asks me.

"No," I answer.

"Toss the candy into the crowd," the headmaster instructs, before my door is closed.

"I can't believe we have candy!" Toad cheers.

"It's for you to throw out of the window," Olivia says in a warning tone.

"No one will know if I take a couple of pieces," Toad argues. I glance at David, who is seated beside me.

"I bet most of his candy will be gone by the time we make it to Snowdrift," I tell him. He chuckles.

"Are you going to be all right?" David whispers.

"I'll be fine. It was just a shock, you know," I admit. I don't tell David about what happened in my room with the prince. No good would come of that. It will be our little secret. It only kills me that thinking about our passionate embrace doesn't elicit warm feelings. Instead, dread makes my stomach twist. Lord Gash looked so suspicious when he spotted Toad in my room. Would he report that to the king?

"Lexi broke it off with me last night. You were right." David's admission is tearing him up inside. I reach over and grasp his calloused hand.

"It will all be all right, David. I promise," I whisper.

"I don't understand. She said that she loved me one minute. And in the next, she tells me about Adam Heart and how she intends on marrying him. Why didn't she tell me this in the beginning?" David asks me.

"Because she's selfish," I answer truthfully. "All she cares about is herself. At the time, you seemed entertaining, so she toyed with you."

David winces at the brutal honesty that I've just flung at him.

"Do you think that she ever loved me?"

"I don't know," I answer. "You would have to ask her."

"She told me never to speak to her again," David reports.

"She doesn't want Adam to know about you."

"Adam Heart, what a joke. He doesn't know squat about Lexi. I bet he's one of these power-hungry types," David hisses. I frown at him. Never had I seen so much contempt in my friend.

"You don't know him." My words don't stop David from making more assumptions about the billionaire. I tune his words out, mainly because the car has started moving. In a few blocks, the driver will roll down the windows. It will be up to me to toss candy into the crowd and wave happily.

"Are you ready, lords and ladies?" the driver shouts.

"Yes," we all cry out in unison. I can do this. I can fake a smile and give everyone what they so badly crave, a happy contestant that is going to be elected lady regent. I just need to transport my mind elsewhere. What was my happiest memory? I know what the answer is, the snowball fight at my estate. I close my eyes and think about that day. I learned a lot about Prince Matthew on that day. His heart really showed itself to me. I chuckle while remembering how I had mistakenly tossed a snowball at Lord Gash. If only I could go back there, where I was still happy and clueless.

Those emotions fill me up and I open my eyes. Excited townspeople line the street on both sides. They wear their best winter attire. I spot mothers holding awestruck wiggling toddlers, teenagers clustered in groups, and old men smiling gratefully. As soon as the windows roll down, I toss out a handful of candy. People make a grab for it, a girl even slipping in the excitement. As the car travels at a crawl, following the precession, I just focus on smiling and tossing candy. The sounds of a joyous crowd reaches me. I listen to the voices, trying to pick out individual comments.

"Hail, King George!" "Hail, Prince Matthew!" "Hail, Lord Regent!" "Hail, Lady Regent!" "I love you, Prince Matthew!" "You're my hero, Princess Lexi!" "I love you, Lady Saint Claire."

That last comment comes from a teenage girl clutching a picture of me from when I was photographed for the _Daily Notice_. I make sure to toss a handful of candy in her direction.

The parade goes on for five miles. I haven't caught a glimpse of the car that the royal family is riding in. They are in the front of the procession. Maybe that's fortunate. At least now I can pretend that I'm not going to meet King George.

Eventually, the streets become more heavily populated. The crowd's voices are booming. I can barely pick out phrases anymore. People line the street right before Snowdrift Castle. The castle is the only structure on its street. It's a large stone building with turrets, a drawbridge, and walls that surround the land on every side. The crowd is not allowed to congregate in front of the castle gates.

When the gates are opened, the cars drive up the winding driveway. My mouth falls open at the expanse of the land. I think I spot a main house, and twenty cottages surrounding it.

"Wow!" David exclaims. I don't blame him. It's hard to fathom that one family would need something so large to live in. This brings excessive to a whole new level.

The cars all stop. Servants exit the house and start unloading the cars. People are escorted into the castle. When it's our turn, Serena is the one who opens my door. I smile widely at her. It takes everything not to wrap my arms around the servant. She curtsies to me and grins.

"Your chambers have been prepared, Lady Saint Claire," the maid informs me. "You have a lovely room overlooking the fields."

I couldn't care less about what kind of view I am given. I want to know about tonight. Will we be expected to dine with the king? I don't want to risk asking Serena while we're in full view of the other candidates. Instead, I follow her across the lowered drawbridge and into the foyer of the castle. King George, Queen Arabella, Prince Matthew and his betrothed, Lady Carolyn Drackle, Princess Lexi and her betrothed, Lord Adam Heart, are all there to greet me. I curtsy to all of them, trying not to wince when David enters behind me.

As soon as I stand, the king smiles broadly at me.

"Lady Saint Claire, it's so nice to meet you," King George says through his smile. He's nearly the exact replica of his son, Prince Matthew, except for the fact that the king has gray hair and is a bit pudgy in the middle.

"It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty," I force myself to say.

"I love the academy uniforms. My cousin, Grace Williams, designed them," Queen Arabella comments.

"Thank you. Your gown is lovely; I'm envious," I toss back, almost too eagerly.

Matthew stands rigid beside the heiress, who's beautiful, with olive skin, long, dark hair, and a thin figure. Her smile seems genuine, and part of me feels guilty for kissing her betrothed. She glances up at the prince constantly, as if she can't believe that he's real. Adam Heart, on the other hand, seems bored by Princess Lexi, like she's a chore. Kip would classify him as passable. His dirty blond hair is his best feature.

"The Great Plains is a lovely region. Maybe you can give Lexi and me a tour someday," Adam Heart tells me.

"That would be an honor," I respond, which causes David to shoot me a wounded look. Maybe he was hoping that I would find a way to decline. But I can't. It would be rude.

"You may be excused, Lady Enly and Mr. Appleton," the king tells us. We both follow our servants into a wide hallway containing portraits of past kings and queens.

"I was virtually ignored," David snaps. I hadn't realized it, but my friend is right. The king hadn't so much as spoken to him. "I guess that's how someone's treated when they have no purpose," he adds.

"David, I—"

"Don't, Enly. Or should I say, Lady Saint Claire. I understand how this is. Once you're in front of the royals, your association with me is underplayed," David accuses.

I straighten, my eyes narrowing on his face.

"This isn't really about me. This is about the fact that you're jealous of Lord Heart."

My words cause David to turn his back on me. I want to go after him, I really do, but what would happen? What would I say to make it better between the two of us? He's so bitter about Lexi that nothing I say will soothe him.

"My lady," a male servant bows and then smiles at me. He is a middle-aged man with graying hair threaded through his black mop of hair. He is nervous, as if he hadn't spoken to someone in years.

"Hello, sir," I greet, trying to be as polite as possible. It's difficult, considering the argument that I had with David.

"The prince would like to see you in an hour. He's in the gardens," he announces.

"Thank you," I say. I could do the wise thing and go up to my room and try to convince Serena that she should stay with me. But I need to see him. I'm lonely, confused, and frustrated with my circumstances. It may not be the best choice, but I follow the servant to the gardens to speak to my prince.

# Chapter Thirty

The gardens aren't beautiful at all. The plants have all withered. Most of the grounds are covered in snow. However, the concrete path has been shoveled. I sit on a stone bench and the servant leaves me. I close my eyes and drift off.

A sound startles me awake. I open my eyes and glance around. Matthew is standing near a snow-covered bench across from me.

"I hope that you aren't going to sit on that," I tease.

His back is to me, so he jumps and then turns around. Surprise is all over his face.

"Enly? What are you doing here?"

"You sent for me," I say uncertainly. "I've been waiting for you for a while." He shakes his head.

"I didn't send for you. But it's still great to see you," the prince admits. Perhaps the prince wants to be discreet, in case someone's eavesdropping on us.

"David's mad at me," I confess.

"What about?"

"Your father barely acknowledged him," I explain.

The prince nods in understanding.

"That's because Adam Heart learned of Lexi's relationship with David. Adam's threatened by David. My sister's virtue is being called into question. We need Adam to marry her."

"Oh. I see. Does David know any of this?" I ask.

"Probably not. If he did, I doubt that he would have had the guts to participate in the parade."

I disagree with Prince Matthew, but I refrain from telling him so.

"What a mess," I say, sticking my hands into the pockets of my coat. The day has grown chilly, and I long to go inside. But before I can suggest that, the two royal assistants rush over to us. They are confused when they spot me with the prince.

"What was the big emergency?" Lord Gash demands.

The prince and I both stare at him in surprise.

"What are you talking about?" Matthew slowly asks.

"You sent for me. You told that servant to tell me that it was urgent," Lord Gash snaps, clearly agitated.

"No, I didn't send for either of you," the prince protests.

I'm just about to tell them that the same thing happened to me, but then eight men converge on us. One of them grabs me around the waist and covers my mouth with his hand before I can scream. The others are subduing both Lord Gash and the prince. Lady Gash has flipped one of the men, who crashes into a frozen planter. She's glorious, the way that she delivers a roundhouse kick to the man's temple. At the same time, she screams. But then, loud bells start ringing, which is covering the racket.

"That's right. The festivities are about to commence, and none of you will be attending," the man holding the prince says. The man who Lady Gash is battling is joined by three more men. She's in the center of a tight circle. It is hopeless. I try to kick my attacker, but he wraps his arm tighter around me. One of the men who had attacked the prince has what looks like a tranquilizer gun. He shoots darts into the prince and Lord Gash. They drop to the ground when their captives release them, and I know that we aren't going to be able to escape them.

"You know, we only have three bags," the guy who shot the prince says. He pulls out a gun and shoots Lady Gash in the head. Tears stream down my face as I see her body crumple to the ground. The only thought I have before I'm tranquilized is that it's a good thing that Lord Gash didn't have to see his wife die.

Bodies are pressed on either side of me. My hands have been tied and they are resting on my stomach. I have a cramp in my foot, and I can't move it because my ankles are bound. All I see is darkness. All I smell is air freshener that's so sickly sweet that it makes my stomach burn in protest. We are being transported somewhere, I note, as the transport encounters some turbulence and jostles me.

"Are any of you awake?" Lord Gash whispers.

"Yes," I answer, my throat scratchy.

"Celine?" Lord Gash hisses.

Tears stream down my face, soaking the front of my shirt. My coat has been removed. I try to get a grip on my emotions, but it doesn't come. What do I do? Deep down inside, I know what I have to do. I need to tell Lord Gash what happened. If I don't, the knowledge could be used against him.

"They killed her," I tell him in a soft voice. "I'm so sorry."

He doesn't say a word. But then again, what is he supposed to say? We are trapped and helpless. I bet if he could, he would have tossed a glass at a wall or something.

"Matthew?" he tentatively asks.

"Right here," Matthew whispers from my left.

"What's the plan?" I ask, in an attempt to get Lord Gash's mind off his loss.

"Stay calm. We need to figure out what's going on," Prince Matthew instructs me.

But staying calm is impossible. I have just been kidnapped by an unknown group. Are we going to be held for ransom? Is a baron spiting the king by taking us? What's going on?

The door opens and light filters in. I close my eyes, unable to bear it. But then, when I think that I can handle it, I slowly open my eyes and sigh in relief. The man that entered turned on the light in the room and it isn't as bright. We are in some type of compartment filled with storage boxes. I have no idea what kind of place this is. My guess is that I'm in a boat.

"Good, you're awake," the man says. I peer at him again and gasp. The man standing in front of us is Brandon Wilks's father, Jet Wilks. He is a tall fellow with a paunch and a face lined with wrinkles. His hair is white and his eyes are filled with fatigue.

"Why did you take us?" Prince Matthew demands.

"Your father killed my son," Lord Wilks says. "It's time that the king of yours understands true pain."

"Revenge," I rasp out. "You did all of this for revenge? Why not punish the people that actually sentenced your son to Serial?" I ask, mainly because I want answers. He smiles widely.

"Oh, Enly, there is no point in killing two tired old men. That would just be doing them a favor. Believe me, I know. If I had a choice between dying and seeing my son suffer, I would die, any day."

"So you're going to kill us?" I squeak, which hurts like hell. My throat is still tender.

"No, Enly. I'm going to do to you what your father and the king have done to my son. You three are going to Serial."

The End

The Wondrous Deception

By

### Debbie Civil

Copyright © 2019 By Debbie Civil

All Rights Reserved.

# Chapter One

Enly

Horror is the only emotion I feel when two masked men wearing military uniforms storm into one of the storage rooms of the cargo ship. The bulkier soldier immediately begins cutting the ropes binding Lord Gash's hands and feet. Prince Matthew hasn't opened his eyes since Jet Wilks gave him a sedative. _Cursed plague._ Matthew's taunts had been getting to the man, which frightens me. A man ruled by fear oftentimes acts without reason.

It's difficult to watch a subdued Lord Gash being manhandled unnecessarily. I'm relieved that the prince isn't conscious to witness the way that his royal assistant is being treated. After being unbound, the man is forced to his feet. He wobbles for a bit before finding his footing. Stricken by grief, the royal assistant doesn't put up a fight when the smaller masked soldier shoves him so forcefully that he falls to the floor.

"Get up," the cruel man shouts. It takes a moment, but Lord Gash obeys.

In the state that the man is in, I can't figure out why he was bound to begin with. Even if Lord Gash managed to escape the storage room, where would he go? He couldn't very well take on an entire ship of men.

Since I have little combat experience, I was left untied and conscious. But I have to admit that if it were me, I would have taken the precaution and secured and separated all three of my prisoners.

"Walk in front of me," the man that had carelessly shoved Lord Gash orders. Lord Gash complies and doesn't have to be prompted to head to the exit. As soon as the pair disappears, the larger masked man approaches me.

"If you fight me, I'll kill him," the man threatens, which causes anxiety to consume my heart. My acquiescence might not make a difference. This radical could murder Matthew as soon as I vacate the room. Do I convince him to let me stay? Should I offer my cooperation if he vows not to hurt the prince?

"Don't hurt him," I plead. The course of action I choose will depend on how he reacts. I'll have to accept that my calculation will be a bit off because he is wearing a face covering. The man nods, sealing our precarious bargain.

I release Matthew's warm hand and get to my unsteady feet. My eyes hope that they will spot a tick, or a fluttering of his eyelashes, a sign that he isn't vulnerable. I gaze at him, forcing myself to mentally capture the image of what he looks like in rest. The image can force me to action in the unlikelihood that I run low on inspiration.

" _I will find you,"_ I mentally tell him. _"We will escape this. I'll lay low, make these monsters believe that they are in control. Then, I will strike."_ After making my silent proclamation, I carefully step in front of the soldier and leave the storage room.

The corridor reeks of oil, and has a draft that makes me grateful of the heavy gown and cape that I'm wearing. There is only one way to go, to the right, so the masked man doesn't need to offer any directions. I travel down the long corridor and up a winding ramp. By the time I reach the top, my stamina has evaporated. My muscles ache and dizziness is beginning to set in. Our destination appears to be a lift that has a bloody footprint in front of its metallic doors. Before that fact could become fully implanted in my brain, the soldier shoves me against the wall opposite the lift. The jarring impact causes me to cry out.

"Sorry, milady. I didn't mean that." He mocks my title and it grates on my nerves. I may not deserve the title of lady regent due to my father's treachery, but I also don't deserve to be a captive of Serial. As soon as I escape, Jet Wilks will pay.

The masked man pulls off his pendant and places it into the keyhole that rests beside a control panel. The lift squeals open, a loud _ding_ filling the air. The smell of oil mixed with various fragrances immediately bombards the hallway. Reluctantly, I enter the large lift, and the soldier joins me. He punches the button labeled Main, and the doors close and the lift shoots upwards. I'm relieved when the doors slide open, because it provides a relief from the stench.

"Follow me," the soldier orders.

We exit the lift and end up on deck. Twenty men mill about, securing packages on industrial-sized carts. Instantly, I'm brought back to my cargo shipping class. This cargo ship isn't up to scale. For one thing, goods that are consumed can't be shipped in a vessel that also contains shipments of household products such as kitchen appliances and cleaners. Each cargo ship is designated to ship products that fall under one category. As the guard shoves me forward, any thoughts of the condition of the products escapes my mind. Where is Lord Gash? Why haven't I spotted him yet? They must have secured him on another ship.

"Move," the masked man commands. I obey him, even when he pushes on my back when I traverse the deck too slowly. It isn't clear what our destination is, since all I can see are black shipping chests, carts, and sailors. "Stop," the man orders, yanking the back of my gown. We halt in front of a shipping chest that is six by six feet. It is set apart from the others, which is peculiar. What is so special about it? The container is roughly the same size as the other ones. But then, something catches my attention. My eyes land on the rapidly approaching shore. _Cursed plague!_ I'm going to be disguised as cargo? It is customary for the soldiers who pull guard duty to check the identity of the crew members of the ships passing through. However, inspectors are responsible for inspecting cargo. The ship's captain has most likely paid an inspector to turn a blind eye.

The masked man lifts the lid of the chest and gestures to me. "Get in," he impatiently demands. My eyes widen as panic claws at my heart. He can't be serious. The man wants me to sit in that chest? I want to protest, but the memory of how vulnerable Prince Matthew is makes my decision. The promise that I mentally made Matthew briefly enters my mind. These men will suffer for subjecting me to this cruelty. With the promise of vengeance in my heart, I glance at the masked man with a raised brow. I have to show some defiance, or he'll be suspicious.

"You'll have to assist me," I reason. After eying the gown that I'm wearing, the man must agree. He elevates me in the air by my waist and places me into the chest. I sink to the unforgiving bottom, and barely have enough time to stretch my legs before he closes the lid. "Enly, don't think about the fact that you are in the dark. Just relax," I whisper to myself. But it's no use. My heart is pounding, and if my eyes weren't already burning from fatigue, I would have been weeping. Now that I'm alone, the defiance vanishes, allowing me to yearn for the promising future that is in danger of being snatched away.

It's easy to blame my father for my predicament. After all, he gambled with the nobles with stakes that weren't his to raise, and lost. He forgot that having wealth didn't make him immune to retaliation. Enrolling at the Wilmington Academy taught me one lesson: a title equated allegiance and undying loyalty. The citizens of Stanti care deeply for their disgraced Lord Regent. It is evident by where I'm currently being held. Lord Wilks had ingratiated himself to people. Perhaps my father assumed that the elder Wilks would send assassins after him. His security team would be well-equipped to fight the assassins off. But did he consider my safety? Wasn't he fearful that Jet Wilks would harm me? Will the king be able to trace Brandon's father's activities? Somehow, I have to escape this ship with the prince and the royal assistant, which is daunting enough. Then, I have to find evidence that ties Jet Wilks to my kidnapping. But how would I go about completing these tasks on my own?

For one thing, I need allies. I'm positive that I can sway one of the crew members on this ship. I'm not the most charming individual, which was always one of my father's reservations about me. I still remember the conversation that I had with my father before attending Willington, Academy of Business, Government, Trade, and Service Studies.

~~~

My father desired for me to attend one of the overpopulated academies. Those educational institutions didn't usually draw nobles. But nothing he could say would convince me to enroll in the Academy of Sciences, although I had taken the entrance exam to humor my father. I had been adamant to attend Willington Academy, despite the fact that I had earned a higher score in the science entrance exam. When I broke the news to my father, he was frustrated.

After a few weeks of deliberating, my father concluded that I'd be much more use attending Willington Academy. If I had any knowledge of his nefarious plot, I wouldn't have been his pawn. I would have altered the plan to suit my needs. As terrible as it sounds, Marigold Flay would have met an untimely end, had I been the plot master. But my father always made decisions based on how he could benefit from the outcome.

" _Enly, shut the door," he ordered. I closed the heavy oak door and sat on one of his plush chairs. My father's desk was waist-high, and his chair was higher than the others. Sitting in front of his towering mahogany desk, wearing a plain dress while my father was wearing a suit, made me uncertain. I had no idea how to act. The thought that one day I'd be sitting behind that desk made my stomach twist. I felt so inadequate compared to the charismatic business mogul. "Are you all packed?"_

" _Anna told me that all of my things are being delivered as we speak," I said, feeling accomplished._

" _Good. Your textbooks?"_

" _All of the textbooks are in my quarters at the academy." I knew from past experience that father didn't care if any of these tasks had been seen to because he was a doting father. He just wanted to make sure that he didn't have to pay for a detail that I had overlooked. If I hadn't told Anna to order my uniforms, Father would have called the manufacturer and demanded an overnight shipment._

" _Good. Now, Enly, I spoke to my public relations advisor about our predicament," he announced. I had no idea what predicament he was referring to._

" _What did your advisor suggest?" I asked as I shifted in my seat._

" _Eve will be here momentarily to discuss her proposal with you," he informed me._

" _I'm not dressed for company," I protested. "Don't you think that I should change?"_

My father shook his head.

" _Eve wants to see how you behave in your natural habitat." Before I could argue the point with the business mogul, the study door opened and a short, thin woman wearing a long, black dress with matching shoes entered. Her gray hair had been put into a high ponytail that displayed the fact that her hair was thinning. She carried a folder under her arm._

From the first time that I laid eyes on Eve, I despised her. Though she dressed plainly, it was obvious by her hair that she held herself above everyone. Without making introductions, the woman sat on the chair beside mine and began speaking.

" _Enly, let me be honest. You're brilliant. Your father didn't have to bribe anyone for your acceptance to Willington. But I advised him against you enrolling. You aren't very likable. You'll be boarding with all of the future lords and ladies of this region. If you upset them, you'll only hurt the family business. Because you aren't skilled with making friends, I came up with a plan. Do you need me to give you a copy?" she asked._

" _No. I don't want anyone to find me with the plan," I rushed out. I was not naive. I knew that the servants gossiped about me._

" _Very well. Rule number one: you won't befriend anyone unless they are on this list." She handed me a slip of paper and I glanced at the list. Only one name is on it: Karen Mason. "Who's Karen Mason?" I asked, perplexed._

" _She's perfect for you. She is well-liked by most of the nobility. I say most because she does have a tiresome feud with Marigold Flay. From what people tell me, Marigold is a spoiled, hated lady with little chance to marry well. Rumor has it that she is a traveler." Judging by the twinkle in Eve's eyes, I suspected that she had started that damaging rumor. But I was afraid to ask the woman, lest she ruin my reputation._

" _How will having one friend help me?" I inquired._

" _Because it will make you unapproachable. People will strive to be in your good graces. They will flock to you to see why Karen is friends with you. They will be so blinded by the desire to associate with the next lady regent that they will excuse your dull personality," the public relations specialist explained._

~~~

The only reason that I take her advice is because I desperately want to save Jonah. I had been sheltered for most of my life. When people visit my home, I constantly have to maneuver when conversing. It is exhausting, trying to figure out what the proper response to a question is.

Now, I'm going to use Eve's strategy, because she has a point. I'm not outgoing or charming. Despite my years of instruction, I highly doubt that I can negotiate my release. Maybe if I seek out a vulnerable crew member and manipulate him to my side, I can survive this journey.

It terrifies me that the only piece of information that I know is that no one ever leaves the island. My hope is that I'm the exception. If I escape this place, I'll be able to seek revenge against Jet Wilks. My revenge will be so potent that people will be speaking about it thousands of years after I expire.

***

By the time the lid to the chest opens, I'm startled awake from a dreamless sleep. I peer up and my eyes scream in agony. After a few blinks, I realize that someone is shining a flashlight into the chest. After the light disappears, an impatient voice shouts, "Stand!" It takes me a minute to unfold myself. When I do, I groan as my stiff legs protest. Someone grips me by the armpits and yanks me out of the chest. When he places me on my feet, I lean against my former prison because I can't support my weight.

The scornful expressions from the sailors only builds my hostility toward them. But I don't dare express it. Revenge will come. I just need to act like a pathetic prisoner until they underestimate me.

"Benjamin, bring the hood," the sailor that lifted me out of the chest orders. Moments later, a thin, round man with chocolate-colored skin and a buzz cut scurries over to us, carrying a bundle in his arms.

"Tom, we need to change her clothes," Benjamin squeaks out.

"Not yet. Just put that on her," Tom orders, gesturing to the bundle in Benjamin's arms. Benjamin nods and then helps me into a robe that has a hood. He pulls the hood over my face and the darkness tightens my chest. But I remind myself that being in a box for a couple of hours was far worse. I can survive this. I have to.

After the hood is placed on my head, someone lifts me into their arms. By the sound of the grunt, the crew member thinks that I'm heavy. Well, good. I hope that the task of carrying me is burdensome. He starts moving and immediately the panting begins. The man is panting like a dog and the sound is agitating. What if the fool drops me?

"She's heavy. Benjamin, want a turn?" Benjamin. I want to protest, because that short man won't be able to carry me. That's for sure. But I hold my tongue. The last thing that I want to do is offend someone that could be a potential ally.

"Cursed plague, Tom, you need exercise. Carrying her will build your strength," Benjamin teases.

"I'm an accountant, not a sailor, Benjamin," the man complains.

"Pirates don't make that distinction. They will kill you all the same," Benjamin warns, before I'm handed off to someone else. Since the sailor isn't that tall, my head rolls to the side. I have no chest to rest it against. He steps forward, and my head begins to spin. I close my eyes, hoping that it will dispel the sudden nausea that's attacking me. The tactic works, and I focus on taking deep breaths.

"Slave or convict?" a female screeches.

"Jazz, settle down," Benjamin softly says.

"Answer me, Tom, slave or convict?" It seems that Jazz is persistent. Benjamin stops moving and gently places me on a soft surface. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if the soldier in charge of identification has already collected everyone's identification cards. What was the purpose for releasing me from my chest?

"Convict," Tom reluctantly answers.

"Did Lord Wilks leave the ship yet?" Jazz asks.

"Yes," Tom responds.

"Then kill her and get the money transfer. If this gets traced to us, the king will have our heads. He won't present our cases to the jury," Jazz points out.

"They are expecting her," Benjamin argues.

"Jazz, stand down," Tom orders. "If we cheat Jet Wilks, the outcome will be worse."

"Tom, what have you gotten us into?" Jazz cries. "We will be caught. Trust me. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Jazz, shut up. We won't be caught. I'm just about to deliver the girl to the informant. Once I do that, we'll be rid of her," Tom yells.

"What about the other two?" she demands. I listen closely, so I can hear the fate of Prince Matthew and Lord Gash.

"Jazz, we had them taken care of," Tom assures.

"Taken care of?" Jazz asks, confused.

"Jazz, please leave it alone," Benjamin pleads. "Everything will be all right." Right after his statement, the sound of a gunshot fills the air. It's clear that Benjamin spoke too soon.

# Chapter Two

Matthew

A pink rabbit is chasing my stepmother, Arabella, out of the church, during her and my father's wedding ceremony. As she's fleeing from the rodent, her long train somehow makes contact with a candle and suddenly her white wedding dress is ablaze. I, of course being quick-thinking, snatch up a goblet of holy water from the altar and pour it on the woman. The slap to the face comes as Queen Arabella is about to exit the church.

~~~

I sit up and nearly butt heads with a masked man. The man vaults away from me, and presses a hand over his heart. My hand, which was clasping Enly's, is empty. They have already come for her.

My gut aches at the thought of anything happening to the uncrowned Lady Regent of the Great Plains. I am not afraid to admit that I love her. In fact, I was about to tell my father to force Caroline Drackle to marry Toad, when those buzzards ambushed me. I took one look at Enly as she entered Snowdrift Palace, and I just knew that she would be its lady. But before I can marry the woman, I have to rescue her.

I am fatigued from what they injected me with, and my left forearm stings. I glance down at it, and see a needle sticking out of my vein. I pull it out, and frown at the specks of blood that splatter onto my bare arm. Wait! What? Why is my arm completely bare? I finally take notice and realize that I am naked, aside for my silk underwear. The masked man scoffs.

"If you're done admiring yourself, can you get dressed?" Julian asks as he tosses a uniform and a pendant at me. My eyes widen when I consider what we are about to do. We are going to impersonate soldiers. Well, I suppose it's much better than being a criminal on a mysterious prison island.

Since the antidote that Julian injected me with hasn't completely fought off the sedative yet, he's forced to help me into my itchy clothing. As soon as my boots are laced, he hands me the mask.

"How did you get these disguises?" I ask, hoping that no one's blood was spilled.

"Two recruits abandoned their posts. They had second thoughts about killing the future king. They donated their uniforms to me," Julian explains. I let out a relieved breath, glad that we don't have bodies to hide. My dear friend is trigger-happy, which isn't his fault. He is supposed to be that way. Not only is he my advisor, but he's also my closest bodyguard. That is one secret that my own father doesn't know. I came up with the idea when I was eleven and Julian was a scrawny fourteen-year-old. Since that day, he has taken it upon himself to learn every martial art that's still being taught. Learning self-defense is frowned upon, unless the knowledge is being used for the military. He, of course, sparred with me and taught me a few things. I'm not as helpless as my father is. Pretending to be a soldier won't be that difficult, since I've been observing them all my life.

"Try not to get shot," Julian instructs after I don my mask.

"I won't. But what are you going to say to the soldiers that are expecting us?" I ask.

"They had orders to kill us, and dump Lady Saint Claire in Serial," Julian reports, and worry fuels the recklessness that's deep inside me.

"How do we know they won't kill her, Julian? We have to save her!" My friend's only response is to slap me on the shoulder.

"My prince, let's get some food in you first. Then, you can attempt to get yourself killed."

"Julian, I'm serious. We aren't leaving without her," I stress. My royal assistant's only duty is to assure my well-being. He'd sacrifice Enly's life to save me in a heartbeat.

"I heard you the first time you said it, Prince. I get the message, you won't leave this forsaken ship without the lady. Fine."

"I want your word that you'll help me save her." To my surprise, Julian shoves me against the wall. He makes eye contact with me, and his dark eyes exude aggression.

"You listen, Matthew, Celine lost her life to save you. I went through all of this effort to steal these supplies. We are leaving this ship when we get the chance whether the lady is with us or not. You are the Prince of Stanti. Princess Lexi cannot be queen. You know how badly your country would suffer under her rule. So stop thinking about Enly, and start focusing on making it back alive." Julian backs away from me and takes a deep breath.

"Julian, I'm sorry about Celine," I begin, but my best friend shakes his head. He isn't ready to talk about Celine, and quite frankly, I don't feel like being the one that hashes it out with him. I may enjoy watching drama unfold on the stage, but I don't desire to be in the midst of it.

"Don't do anything impulsive," Julian says in an exhausted tone. I don't bother taking his plea into consideration. As far as I'm concerned, my future queen is in danger, and I'll do anything to save her. "It's time to go."

Julian isn't thrilled by this news. Unlike me, the royal assistant never took risks or adventures. Even his marriage to Celine Carter was arranged out of necessity. Celine's father, a wealthy merchant, paid off a tenth of his debt. In exchange, his daughter received a titled gentleman. My father already had someone in mind for me, so thankfully, I hadn't been able to marry Celine.

"Where to?" I ask.

"I don't know. Just do that obnoxious thing you do," Lord Gash orders.

Finally, my talents get some use. I feel especially thrilled that I'm using my secret weapon to rescue the woman that I love.

We leave the room and go down a dimly lit hallway that smells foul. Bile races up my throat and I spit it out on the ground. My friend makes a sound of disgust under his breath, but my gag reflexes are sensitive at the moment. What does he want me to do, throw up on the captain's boots? It takes effort, but we walk up the stairs and I pause when I see two government-issued weapons leaning against the wall, along with two paper sacks.

"Supplies," is all Lord Gash says. I frown at the two weapons, trying to determine which one is registered to the soldier that I'm impersonating. The level of organization bothers me. As if a soldier will make sure that they are shooting with the correct weapon if the ship was attacked? But my royal assistant is concerned with the details. He pulls a scrap of paper from the pocket of the stolen uniform and grabs a gun. After reading the serial number, he hands it to me. He snatches up the other weapon and slips it into his holster.

"What's my name supposed to be?" I whisper, as I hear the distant sound of footsteps. My friend doesn't have the opportunity to answer. The doors to the lift in front of us slide open and a man with graying hair rushes out. He eyes us and smiles in relief.

"You must be the new recruits." Something about the smug smile on his face makes me nervous. I eye Lord Gash, who is too busy searching through the sacks to make eye contact.

"Yes sir!" I respond, trying not to shift from foot to foot. I peer at the insignia on his chest and realize that he's a squad leader. It's fortunate that he isn't the captain of this ship. From past experience, I know that captains are difficult to fool.

"Did you do what Benjamin told you to do?" he demands.

"Yes, sir," I respond. My friend has now straightened, and is studying the man, as if trying to determine if he's seen him before.

"Where are the bodies?" he orders, his porcelain skin growing pale.

"In the closet," I respond, because where else would someone hide a body? The squad leader's shoulders slump.

"When we arrive at the coast of the New England Region, we will deliver our cargo. Then, you'll throw the bodies overboard," he explains. I'm shocked, my mind going back to what Jet Wilks told us. _"You will suffer as my son did."_ Brandon Wilks was sent to Serial, not killed then tossed overboard. What changed?

"What about a proper burial?" I ask, to see how the crooked squad leader would respond. "What do you suppose we do, send the prince's body back to his father?" the squad leader demands, his eyes narrowing.

"Cursed plague! Don't you know how much chaos it will cause if the king never finds a body? Imposters everywhere will claim that they are the prince, or the prince's love child or... Sir, you catch my drift. Stanti cannot suffer another war," I reason. The gray-haired squad leader frowns, and then breathes out a sigh.

"If you can package up the parts to fit in a shipping chest, we will send the remains to Oceanside palace. The last thing I need is for every cargo ship to go through a checkpoint. And oh, when you wrap up the bodies, provide a note to make it seem like the rebels are to blame," the squad leader decides.

"Clever," I say, ideas reeling in my head. On the other hand, the royal assistant standing beside me appears as though he will have a stroke. Luckily, the squad leader assumes that Julian is afraid of dismembering the prince's body.

"Don't worry," the squad leader tells him. "No one will know that you had anything to do with this." The squad leader uses his pendant to open the lift and takes his exit. Lord Gash breathes out a panicked breath.

"We have a problem, Prince," Lord Gash chokes out.

"Aside from the fact that you need to break the habit of calling me Prince? What's the problem?"

"We don't have a body."

"Technically, we don't have two bodies. But we'll figure it out. I'm hungry. Let's eat. and then we'll get to work," I assure him.

The royal assistant must be famished, because he snatches up both paper sacks and leads me back to the room where we were detained. "This is disgusting!" Lord Gash complains as he bites into a dry, crusty piece of aged bread. My teeth ache when I take my first bite, so I open the canteen of water and pour a bit on the bread to soften the loaf. Cursed plague, the trick works, but the bread tastes disgusting. I eat it anyway, figuring that I need to build my strength. Along with the bread, Julian stole a bruised apple, and a chunk of thick meat. Where he found the food is beyond me, but I'm still grateful for his efforts. He saved us from a gruesome death.

"Well, it isn't one of France Daub's culinary masterpieces, but it will do," Julian comments after taking the last bite of food.

A bitter pang hits my chest because I remember telling Enly about how France Daub had taught me how to make cheesy carrots, which is one of his specialty dishes. I force her face from my thoughts because I need to concentrate on the next task at hand. I need two bodies, because I'm unwilling to offer up my own.

"Where did you get the food?" I ask.

"In the pantry," Lord Gash cautiously replies. He knows that I'm coming up with a plan that he might not want to be a part of. Let's just say Lord Gash has many talents, but subterfuge isn't something that he has been blessed with.

"Good. Show me where it is," I order. My friend gathers up the trash from our meal and tosses it down the hole reserved for waste. I eye the makeshift toilet and Lord Gash nods in understanding and gestures to the room across the hall. After I finish relieving myself, I meet the royal assistant in the hallway.

I ignore the exhaustion in his eyes and the hunch of his shoulders. Of course he's miserable. He lost Celine. The fact she's no longer breathing causes a deep ache to fill my gut. But I force the pain down. If I allow myself to feel, we will never survive. "Let's see what we can work with," I tell him. Julian nods and leads me down two hallways that have mold sticking to the yellowed walls. Then we pass a few crew members who instantly give us a wide birth. From what I can tell, we have entered the area that holds living quarters. I pause in front of an open door, so I can eavesdrop.

"I'm telling you, Frank, the captain gone mad!" one man squeaks.

"No purse is worth this. Damned be the sewage filter. What if the sovereign discovers this plot?!" another man cries.

"He won't if the two of you shut it," a third man snaps. "Besides, we have nothing to do with this. We will just deliver the packages." The third man must be the leader, or the one that is most feared. After he speaks, the two frightened men don't say a word. That is unfortunate, because now we have to stealthily walk past them. As soon as I'm past the door, someone grabs me by the back of the shirt, halting my progress.

"Unhand me!" Julian shouts, which makes me want to wince. We are supposed to me soldiers, not proper royals. This man needs to watch a play once in a while. Then, he'd be able to speak like a sailor.

"Hey, Frank," the scary-sounding guy that had reprimanded the two complaining men says. "Unhand him." His words are not an order. He's mocking Lord Gash. I'm positive that he'll pay for that. But I also know that my friend won't fight unless I'm out of range. Cursed plague, I wonder how I'm going to get out of this precarious situation.

# Chapter Three

Lexi

"Milady, would you like more tea?" my maid, Sabot, inquires.

"No," I snap. "Now take your leave." The pretty dark-skinned middle-aged woman that has served me all of my life curtsies and leaves the room. Good, now I can think without hearing the false condolences of a stupid senate that didn't work hard enough to prevent this mess. My father is a foolish king. He assumes that wearing a crown ensures that his subjects will accept his judgement without a fuss. How did he not see that the bitter, displaced regent was behind Celine's attack? He probably has made the connection. But my father probably does not want to admit to the senate that Brandon Wilks is an innocent man. The king of Stanti believes that he should stand behind every ruling, even if it's a mistake.

In frustration, I pick up an expensive diamond-encrusted vase that rests on the vanity table in my quarters. I shout as I toss the stupid gift that Adam Heart gave me last year against the wall. I'm satisfied when the glass shatters. I peer around my room for something else breakable, when I feel a hand on my shoulder. It's delicate, so it must be one of my maids. I'm about to rebuke her for interrupting my tantrum, when the intruder speaks.

"Lexi, I know that you are upset, but this is no way to act," my mother lectures.

"Celine is brain-dead and Father won't punish her attacker," I say, tears beginning to fill my eyes. "How do you expect me to act?"

"Lexi, there is so much that you don't understand," my mother replies in an exhausted tone. I spin to face her, the hideous black mourning dress that all of the female royals and nobility are forced to don billowing.

"Really? Well, then explain it to me. Explain why my honorable brother ran off to hide. And what makes even less sense is that Lord Gash left Celine behind, while she was still breathing."

"So, Lexi, what do you think happened?" the queen asks, her dark brows arched. She probably figures that any explanation that I give her will be ridiculous. That's the tactic she uses when she wants to lie. It's one of the queen's many manipulation tactics. First, shoot down any viable theory, then impart a logical one of your own. Cursed plague, that tactic isn't going to work on me.

"I have no idea. But you do," I challenge, studying the queen's expression. I'm disappointed when her expression doesn't falter. The Queen of Stanti has been trained to lie to her people, so she has eliminated any tells that she had years ago. But as foolish as it sounds, I continue to monitor her features.

"Lexi, here is what I know. Lord Gash took your brother and a few guards to the Gulf Coast Region because it isn't safe here. Matthew wouldn't go without Enly Saint Claire. Lord Gash had a guard fetch her and they departed right away."

"That makes no sense. Mother, why would he drag along a contestant for the review?" I ask, thinking that if he would have requested anyone's company, it would have been mine.

"From what spies have been reporting, your brother took a liking to her." The queen's words make my mouth hang open, which makes her frown in disapproval.

"What? That's not true," I begin to argue. I think about how disappointed my brother was about my brief romance with David Appleton, a contestant of the review. In fact, Matthew had eliminated him on the spot after discovering us together.

"Yes it is," the queen assures me. "He fell for her so much so that he'd sneak into her room in the middle of the night. Of course, Lord Gash waited in the hallway, and her door was open, so I don't believe that Miss Saint Claire is a traveler. But she did fancy him as well. When Mr. Dolson attempted to kiss her, she threw a fit and locked herself in the guest bedroom of her father's estate," she reported, which made me nod. David had told me about the situation during one of our nightly talks. And to be quite honest, I would have done more than lock myself in a spare bedroom had Mr. Dolson kissed me. So I hadn't found Enly's reaction the least bit suspicious.

"Cursed plague, Mother, I doubt that anyone would want to kiss that man. He's so repulsive," I argue, rolling my eyes. My mother's cool expression doesn't falter, but I know that she doesn't appreciate my harsh opinion of the future Lord Regent.

"What if someone heard you say that, Lexi?"

"So? The lord knows that I don't favor him," I respond with a careless shrug.

"Lexi, I have told you countless times, you never know when you'll need an ally. Be kind to everyone. Look at your brother! The senate has adored him from day one," she says. "Granted, that's not because your brother is fit to be king, he is just well-liked." For some bizarre reason, my brother has never picked up on the contempt that my mother has for him. He adores her and calls her "Mother." But she will never express her real feelings to him. She may need him as an ally when he is king. I don't know if Matthew will make a good king or not. He is kind, compassionate, and brilliant. But my favorite quality about him is that he loves adventures. I don't know if that is a good quality or not.

"There you go again with the 'Matthew won't make a proper king' theory. He'll be fine," I tell my mother, to rankle her.

"Lexi, you need to start making friends with Lord Dolson."

"Why?" I ask, confused. "I will never be queen. Why will I need his support?" My mother takes a deep breath and looks as though she wants to tell me something. But then, there is a tentative knock on the door, and my heart rate spikes.

I know who is at the door. I just don't understand why he thinks that he has the right to enter my private chambers. Does he think that I'm alone? No, that logic doesn't fit. My mother always travels with her royal assistant, an obnoxious woman named Delia Simon. I suspect that her assistant is there as entertainment, not for a voice of reason. Why has he approached? My mother glares at the door, then snaps, "Handle him." My heart sinks. I grumble as the door opens and a concerned David is revealed, his eyes hesitant. He bows to my mother and she barely acknowledges his show of deference. The queen chooses to shove him aside so that she can exit.

When the door closes, David rushes over to me and wraps me in a strong hug, which I briefly return. His embrace is warm, safe, and kind of addicting. I have let our dalliance go on for too long. When he releases me, I glance up at him, forcing myself not to feel for him.

"Lexi, I..."

"It's Princess Lexi to you," I hiss, and a frown mars his face.

"Did I do something wrong?" David asks, confused.

"Did I ask you a question? You know the rules, David. You are not supposed to speak to a royal unless you are granted permission," I snap, and thank goodness, he doesn't say a word. "So, why are you here?"

"To check on you. I haven't seen you for the last two days. I know how close you are to your brother. I came in case you needed to talk. Lexi. I... Princess, I just wanted to make sure that you were all right. Oh, and I wanted to know if you have heard anything from Enly." I don't hesitate. I open the door and yell, "Gatrick." My personal bodyguard appears without hesitation and my stomach drops.

I have to do this. The queen ordered me to take care of David. If I disobey her, she will harm him, and I can't live with that. "Arrest this trespasser and throw him into the dungeon," I order. I step back and Gatrick presses a button on his pendant and enters after me. He begins searching David, who already has his hands up, and pulls a tranquilizer gun from his jacket pocket. Cursed plague. I can't rescind my order. The horror in David's face is what I remember when they take him away. It is a crime for civilians to be armed while a royal is in the room.

# Chapter Four

Enly

Without hesitation, I take off the robe. I blink a few times so that my eyes can adjust to the light. It takes moments for me to get my bearing. Benjamin had deposited me on one of the chairs on deck. The shot came from a gun fired by a scraggly sailor with greasy dark hair and wild eyes. He shot Tom right in the back. Benjamin and Jazz both look horrified. The other sailors stop working and begin running for cover. I have no idea what I'm going to do. The man fires another shot, this time at Jazz. The short, plump woman manages to toss herself on the floor in time to avoid the bullet.

I force myself to my feet, hike up my dress, and run to the lift.

The doors are propped open by a cart. After pushing the cart into the lift, I hurry in and press the button for the second level. As soon as the lift opens again, I rush into the hallway, which has bright fluorescent lights. Any number of these rooms will do. I need to wait until the wild-eyed man eliminates my captors. Maybe then I'll be able to vanish. I duck into the first room that I see, an office. I close and lock the door.

The office is the size of my bathroom back at the academy. There are chairs that will make an acceptable barricade. I lay a chair on its side, then lay another on top of it. I continue the process one more time, and then plop down in the cushy chair behind the battle-scarred desk. As I sit back in the chair, my body's needs make themselves known to me. I groan, and stand, feeling fortunate that this room has a half bath hidden in an obscure corner of the room.

After using the facilities, I plop back on the desk and shiver when I hear another gunshot. I have no idea what kind of situation this is. Jet Wilks had kidnapped me, and then delivered me into the custody of immoral sailors. I was separated from Prince Matthew and Lord Gash. Before he died, Tom hadn't told anyone where the other two prisoners were. I guess that I have to do some exploring. What other choice do I have? Maybe the accountant had written plans in the office. I eye the desk and spot a thick folder with a sticky note marked "Volt." I snatch up the file and open it to find a stack of letters. I settle on the chair and begin to read.

January 5

Dear Tom,

My trusted friend, I need you to do me a favor. I know that we haven't spoken to one another in quite some time. But I hope that you can still find it in your heart to care about me. It appears that I made a mistake by wedding Lord Abington. Becoming a lady isn't worth the misery that I suffer every day. I know if we were speaking, you would say "I told you so!" But it would be well-deserved. I suppose that it's my fault. I should have been satisfied with being a captain's wife. But you need to disregard my lack of judgement and help me. I need to disappear, or my lord husband will kill me. If you can aid me, please write the name "Travis Adams" on the envelopes, so my lord husband won't be suspicious.

Margo

Dear Margo,

I don't have the time to deal with a noble's complaints. If your "lord husband" didn't buy you the curtains that you wanted, it isn't my problem.

Tom

Dear Tom,

I figured that you wouldn't see the severity of my predicament. Hopefully, if I give you the embarrassing details, you will aid me. Let me begin my tale by saying that it was difficult to leave you. The reason why I chose him was because he could provide my family a home. My father's restaurant had just been destroyed by the flood, and we were destitute. My husband had offered to hire my father as a chef. I love you, Tom. I always will. If you had been a wealthy man, I would have chosen you.

Now that the confession has been written, let me attempt to visit my wedding night. We were married on a gloomy day. The fat drops banged against the window. I was overwhelmed by the storm. I was also disappointed because the reception was supposed to take place on the terrace. Luckily, the lord made alternate accommodations for his guests. We dined under the massive chandelier in his grand ballroom. Then, we danced the whole night through. I felt suffocated by my choice. My heart wept for you, Tom. But there was nothing that I could do. The lord picked up on my need for solitude, so he directed me to sit in one of the sitting rooms. I sat there and pondered my situation. After a few minutes, I realized that I should accept my fate. After all, you weren't coming back. So I straightened up and went to the ballroom.

My lord wasn't anywhere to be found, which relieved me. But then I heard a boisterous lord say, "Lord Abington is satiating his hunger with the traveler before he lies with the rigid lady." I ran from the hall, humiliated. On my wedding night, my husband was lying with another woman? I wanted to confront him.

I find that illegitimates aren't very loyal to their masters. After promising the tired man that I'd increase his food rations, he told me where to find the lord. He was in our bedroom.

I stormed in and saw him kissing the traveler. The lord quieted me by grabbing his belt, forcing me to my knees. He beat me for a good five minutes. Even now, I can remember the agony of the leather colliding with my back. Then, he forced me to watch him make love to the traveler. For a week, he repeated this torture. It was on the eight day of our marriage that he forcefully took me. I hope you understand why I desire to run away. Please! My old friend, help me.

Margo

Dear Margo,

Why didn't you report your husband's behavior to a magistrate? Surely you can file a salvus against him. I don't understand why you want my services. Just film him mistreating you, and he'll lose his title.

Tom

Dear Tom,

It has gotten worse. The doctor just discovered that I am barren. I have begged him to keep the news from my husband. The lord will harm me if he discovers why I haven't given him an heir. Please. Help me, my old friend.

Margo

Dear Margo,

Okay. You've got your wish. I'll help you escape. But I need you to mail back the letters that I send you. I don't trust you to destroy them properly. Lord Abington is a dangerous man to cross due to his close friendship with Lord Regent Wilks. Suggest a vacation to the coast.

Tom

Dear Tom,

How did you know that I wouldn't have the heart to destroy the letters from you? I cherish the time that we had together, Tom. Perhaps we can be together again? I could never offer you any sons, but we'd still be happy. I'm sure of it. We are visiting Baron Waverly in the southern region. Will that do?

Your Love,

Margo

Dear Tom

You haven't sent any supplies our way for weeks. Why is that? Did the titles catch you? Cursed plague, I haven't had a woman in ages. Maybe I can double your pay. Will that make you eager to aid me?

John

Dear John,

I have the perfect candidate. But I don't want you to get rid of her. She's barren. That makes her perfect stock. Maybe you can give her a position or something.

Tom

Dear Margo,

That location will do nicely. I have a delivery to make to that barony. But I can't give you an exact date. Just keep a bag with the necessities on you at all times. I will probably rescue you on your second day with the baron.

Tom

Dear Margo,

Do me a favor and leave a note telling your baron that you've deserted him for another. That way, no one will look for you. I can't afford for him to find you. It will ruin everything.

Tom

Dear Tom,

As I pack for our trip to the coast, anticipation fills me. I long to be in your arms again. I had a wondrous dream last night. You and I were married. I had a plain band that I cherished dearly. You had been out at sea for quite a while. I had received notice that you were coming back to me. I was so excited that I cooked honeyed bread sugar cookies, and a thick beef stew, all of your favorites. When you arrived, I was waiting for you in the rocking chair. It was me, and our daughter, who had your dark hair and my blue eyes. We both ran to you and gave you hugs and kisses. I know that I could never give you children. I know that I could never offer my hand to you.

I do desire to be yours forever. I love you. When I read your letters, they seem cold and businesslike. What happened to the man that used to recite poetry to me? What happened to the person that carved animal trinkets for me? Where have you gone? Have I turned you cold or did something happen to you? I need to know. Just tell me what's going on. Hopefully, we can be happy again. I'd like to try.

Forever yours,

Margo

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your shipment. It was very pleasant and useful. Unfortunately, my supply has been depleted. Ship me another, Tom, and I'll handsomely reward you.

John

Dear John,

I don't have another candidate yet. But I'll let you know. I admit, I'm quite saddened by the fact that she only lasted five years. I was hoping that she was your permanent solution. What happened to her?

Tom

Dear Tom,

From what my men told me, she contracted syphilis. We had to dispose of her. I enclosed a letter that she wrote you. I promised her that I would send it to you.

John

Dear Tom,

I can't believe that you have betrayed me. I hate you. Every day, when I'm forced to lie with a man, I resent you for it. Every time I'm abused, anger fills me. You are evil, and I hope that one day, someone makes you pay for your sins.

Margo

After closing the folder, my stomach twists. I'm in grave danger. What if Tom sells me to John? I shake my head when I remember that Tom is dead. So now what? I know that I'm not going to be smuggled on Serial as a convict. And what about Lord Gash and Prince Matthew? A thump outside my door causes my heart to race. I'm confident that whoever is trying to murder the crew won't care about this room just yet. In that distraction, I need to escape the ship and get help. Maybe there is a raft somewhere that I can float on. If I'm careful, I can steal food and basic supplies. Would running for help aid or hinder Matthew and Lord Gash? Maybe I should attempt to locate the prisoners.

Another thud outside the door tells me that I do not have enough time to decide.

"You won't get away with this, Matheus," a man roars. And then I hear another gunshot. Footsteps pound the wooden floor of the hallway. I can't exit the room during a gun battle. There has to be a way out. Tom was a criminal who had no qualms about cheating nobles. I'm positive that he had a weapon on board to protect himself.

I stand on fatigued limbs and squat down. I'm so weary that I end up smacking my bottom on the floor. I pull open the desk drawer and discover a drawer filled with money. Feeling like some of it can come in handy, I snatch up a pouch, and begin cramming in as many bills as I can. I'm not above bribing a criminal for safe passage.

I shove the stash of money in the secret pocket on the inside of my dress. Serena always made sure that I had secret compartments for one thing or another. Now, I'm eternally grateful for her insight.

I stick my hand in the mountain of money, trying to find a false bottom. I'm disappointed when I don't discover one. I close the drawer and scan the cramped room. All it has is a desk, a couple of chairs, and a bathroom.

I enter the half bath and search through the drawer on the vanity. Cursed plague! I discover a government-issued pistol along with ammunition. What kind of man keeps weapons in his bathroom?

Another shot is fired and a female screams. It sounds like the scream is coming from the hallway. Are the attackers trying to get into the office? Is a disgruntled crew member trying to seek vengeance? I take a deep breath, and clutch the gun in my hands. I've never been one for hunting. In fact, during the attack on Willington Academy, I hadn't attempted to shoot my attacker. I feared that I would miss my target and kill one of my loved ones. But I suppose that I can't get pinned down in this office.

After another gunshot fills the air, my pulse pounds wildly. Taking deep breaths doesn't calm my nerves. _Enly, there is a fate crueler than dying. You will be sold to a criminal as a sex slave if you don't escape._

"Where do you think you're going?" a man shouts. Then, I hear the sound of footsteps running away. "I'm coming for you." I run over to the door and remove the makeshift barricade. Now that I have a good idea of my fate, I need to get out of this room. When I hear only silence, I rip the door open and run into the hallway.

# Chapter Five

Matthew

The sailor tightens his grip on my uniform. I rack my brain, trying to figure out why he's bothering to attack me. I should be dead right now. Unless he has figured out my true identity. Cursed plague, I sure hope not. I'm average at hand-to-hand due to my lack of experience.

"I assure you, it's unnecessary to kill us," Lord Gash says in a stony tone. One of the three men begins chuckling.

"I assure you that it's very necessary to kill you," the raspy-sounding leader tells Julian. I have to get us out of here, considering that it's my fault that we had to cut through the sailors' quarters to begin with.

"Cursed plague, you three. The captain sent us here to help with the packaging of the body," I lie. Immediately, the grip on my shirt loosens and uncertain laughter fills the room. I spin around and am relieved to discover that Lord Gash isn't injured. In fact, Lord Gash is leaning against the dingy wall, his fists clenched.

"Where's our package?" the leader demands. I have to stall him, so I lean against the wall and shoot the three haggard sailors a wide grin. The shipping law of 2195 demands that each shipping company provides uniforms that have identifying labels. The government-issued black trousers and a green shirt include the company's name, "Melgrove Shipping," along with a serial number, 0238456. There are twenty-five shipping companies that operate in this country. A student that studies trade and negotiations would have knowledge of what kind of reputation this company had. Enly would know. I bet that she would have even memorized their dossier.

Enly had no knowledge of this, because no one ever tells the prospective candidates anything. But she had been nominated to study at Oceanside Academy. It was an exclusive academy with only eight hundred students. The students are assigned an area of study and would study to become a scholar. She was most likely going to become a scholar in trade and would have served the country well. But her father had interfered, desiring for Enly to become a noble instead. Part of me resented Walter Saint Claire for treating his only daughter as a game piece. But I couldn't fault the man. If he hadn't made that bargain with the king, his son, Jonah, would have died an illegitimate. Brandon Wilks would have never pardoned the young man. Enly's father attempted to bribe Jet Wilks into pardoning Jonah, to no avail.

"So, what are your names?" I inquire, trying to appear social. The man with large muscles and white-blond cropped hair sizes me up.

"I'm Frank," he announces as he flexes his muscles. So, he's the brawns of the group. The redhead, the guy that had been gripping my shirt, steps up beside Frank and grins.

"I'm Laurence," he says. The leader, a man with black hair and a cruel sneer, stands on the other side of Laurence.

"I'm Kelly." I try not to snort. A man that evil should have a name like "Lucifer" or "Devil." _Kelly? Really?_ I cough to prevent myself from chuckling.

"It must be the salty air getting into my lungs," I rasp out between coughs. I honestly have no idea what I'm saying. But judging by the understanding expressions on the sailors' faces, they have heard this excuse before.

"What's your name?" Kelly demands.

"Grunge," I respond, because it's the first name that comes to mind.

"What about you?" Kelly asks, pointing at Lord Gash.

"Tommy," he blurts out. Tommy? Thomas is Julian's middle name, and his father, for some bizarre reason, took to calling him "Tommy."

"What kind of name is Grunge?" Kelly asks, skeptical. Good question. I immediately drew inspiration from the week that I decided to live with a few of the servants that live in cottages surrounding Oceanside Palace.

"Well. Because when I was five, I ran away from home. I was dirty when my mother found me. So, she nicknamed me 'Grunge.'"

"What's your real name?" Laurence asks.

"Why do you need it, so that you can invite me for tea?" I challenge. Just like I thought, Laurence quivers before apologizing to me for his rudeness.

"So, what do you guns need our help for?" Kelly demands. Good question. Why do we need these three? The ruse is up if we don't come up with a good lie.

"We need cleaning supplies and materials to chop up the cargo," Lord Gash explains. Brilliant thinking! But he needs to lose his noble air if he wants people to believe that he's a foot soldier.

"Oh. Well, Laurence will show you where everything is," Kelly decides.

"I'd be honored to help you," Laurence eagerly responds.

"But he will have nothing to do with the cargo. If you want your hands dirty, that's your problem. But we won't be a part of this," Kelly warns.

"Of course. We just want to know where the equipment is," Lord Gash assures. Laurence nods and starts to lead us back where we came.

I wait until Kelly and Frank enter their rooms before I speak.

"What are they going to do with the girl?" I ask as Laurence leads us down the hallway.

"Oh. Um. They will dump her on Serial. Tom can only sneak in one person at a time," Laurence explains.

"And Lord Wilks knew that?" I ask.

"No. But Tom has a system. Since the rich lords and ladies won't be able to check, he kills the males, and brings the females to Serial, so that the lonely guards can have fun. You have no idea what the going rate for someone as beautiful as Lady Enly is." My stomach twists when I think about all of the women who have fallen victim to the sex trade. My hatred for the former lord has grown. I fully understand that he is unaware of the fact that he has just been cheated. But if he hadn't sought revenge, none of this would have happened. I need to find Enly and get out of here.

"Where are they keeping the girl?" I inquire, a twinkle in my eye.

"Why?" Laurence squeaks.

"I want to have some fun before I ship out." My answer causes Laurence to let out an uncomfortable chuckle. I'm walking behind him, so I can't observe his facial expression. Has he already taken liberties with Enly? Do I need to punish him?

"Sure. After I show you where the chests and cutting supplies are, I'll take you to the girl. But your time won't be very long. She's being transferred to another ship," Laurence reports. Just the terrible news that I need. If Enly and I are separated, then it will be more difficult to find her.

"Well, I guess we should hurry up. I want to have my fun," I say. Laurence's stride increases, and I breathe a sigh of relief.

We climb a flight of stairs then enter a kitchen. A woman with graying hair is stirring a large pot of what smells like beef stew. Laurence gestures to the knife block. Apparently, that's what we're supposed to dismember the bodies with. Really? Lord Gash rolls his eyes. It looks like he's about to point out that those dull knives couldn't even slice through butter, let alone human skin. But he doesn't get the chance because Laurence leaves the room. The sailor returns moments later pulling a trolley loaded down with two chests.

"You'll put them in here," he tells us. "So get to work." As soon as Laurence leaves, the cook spins around and glares at us.

"Why are you in my kitchen?" she demands. "You are supposed to be dead." Great. She's figured out our identities. I'm officially finished. What gave it away? We're masked. I hoped that constantly being at sea would isolate these sailors. They wouldn't have access to television or the _Daily Notice_. I thought that they wouldn't recognize our voices. It appears that I have been mistaken.

"Captain James told us that you are not to see any of the ship," she scolds.

"Well, we need equipment to dismember the bodies," Lord Gash snaps. The cook's gray, beady eyes widen. My guess is that she's never heard someone speak of dismemberment so freely. She sighs and gestures to the knives that rest on the knife block.

"Go on. I'd hate to disturb you," she insists. Lord Gash and I glance at the knives. They are all rusty and dull.

"We need better knives," I complain.

"Do I look like I'm the maid?" the older woman snaps.

"You just told me that Captain Tom doesn't want us wandering the ship," I argue.

"You stir this. I'll be back with sharper knives," she orders. She hands the spoon to Lord Gash, and he reluctantly begins stirring.

I drag the trolley over to the freezer and slide it open. Without preamble, I begin filling both chests with some of the meat. I only aim for the turkeys, hams, and pork chops because they are all tucked in the back of the freezer. It's obvious by their quantity that the fish, beef, and chicken are cooked frequently. Hopefully, the cook won't blame us for the missing food. After packing the chests, I breathe heavily.

"Come on. Now we need fake blood," I insist.

"Why?" Lord Gash asks, startled.

"We have just dismembered a body; wouldn't that require our clothes to be stained?" I inquire. Lord Gash raises a brow.

"And where will we get a large quantity of blood?" he challenges. I rack my brain. Our only option is cutting ourselves, which would be foolish. A minor wound could get infected without proper treatment.

I look to the royal assistant, who's still stirring the large pot. Lord Gash is an expert in strategic planning. I'm positive that he can think of something. Before we can discuss a solution, the weathered cook returns with two sharp daggers.

We each take one and I quickly shove the cart out of the room. I curse when I see that Laurence is walking down the hallway. How am I going to get rid of him? The good captain ordered that we needed an escort at all times. "Sir, where to?" Laurence asks. Thankfully, Lord Gash takes the lead.

"Take us to the room where the prisoners were held," he offers. Laurence nods and we follow him down a hallway and down a ramp. We are heading toward where the cargo is kept. The area is musty and warm. Sweat pours down my face as the temperature increases. I wish that I could remove the stupid mask.

We pass two men who are sorting boxes. Then, we enter the large, windowless room where I was held. As soon as the door shuts, a man springs at us from the corner.

"Wait!" Laurence squeaks. But it's too late. The man barrels into me and I crash to the ground. I release my grip on the knife, fearful that I will cut off my fingers.

"Sorry, boys, you have outlived your usefulness," another man announces. His voice is familiar. It takes me a moment to realize that it's Kelly. His words suddenly clarify something. The two soldiers dived into the water to escape the ship. Instead of locating a raft, we foolishly lingered, thinking that we could save Enly. The men probably figured that we disposed of the bodies already. The raucous laughter filling the room is proof that these men have no qualms about killing Julian and me. I need to figure out a way to survive. Before my scheming brain can come up with a workable plan, I hear a gun go off.

My stomach sinks. Was Lord Gash killed? _No! It can't be._ My denial increases when I hear another shot and the sounds of people—shouting men.

"Shoot again, and I'll kill him," Kelly threatens.

"Now!" Lord Gash shouts. Knowing that my trusted friend is free causes a boost of confidence to fill me. I can get out of here, find Enly, and escape on the raft. This is doable. I press my palms to the wooden floor and buck upwards. The sailor struggles to stay on top of me, but eventually I'm able to dislodge him. I sit up, and Frank the sailor earns himself a bullet in the shoulder.

Kelly and Laurence are the only two men standing. Lord Gash is leaning against the wall, with a grin on his face. He has two guns lying at his feet. Two sailors lay unconscious by the door. Another man is clutching his stomach. Frank isn't moving, which makes me believe that he's dead.

"There's more than one way to kill someone," Kelly warns before lunging for me, the blade of the knife reflecting my horrified expression. I snatch the blade that I had dropped just as Kelly straddles me. Lord Gash won't risk firing, because he's too close to me.

"Go on, Kelly. Put down the gun down, or I'll gut him." I clutch the dagger in my grip. Maybe I can hack at him. Lord Gash shakes his head. He must conclude that I'd lose in a knife fight. I don't doubt his judgement. I, on the other hand, have only gutted a fish once in my life.

"Why are you ordered to kill us?" Lord Gash demands. "We've been helping you."

"Captain James told us that you two were a defiant lot. You were filled with honor and weren't easy to capture. He believes that you'll turn on us," Kelly explains.

"You also refused to cooperate. It's a good thing Benjamin had us tie up the third guy," Laurence laughs. He finds his confidence because Kelly is around. Lord Gash sighs in defeat and fires a shot. Kelly groans, and I easily escape his hold. I toss my dagger at Laurence, who cries out when the weapon lodges itself into his upper arm.

I stand on trembling legs, quickly making my way over to the door. Lord Gash fires then leads me out of the room.

"Where's the cart?" I ask when we shut the door.

"Two men took it while we were fighting for our lives," Lord Gash explains.

"We need to find Enly and the third soldier. We should split up," I insist.

"No," Lord Gash snaps. "I will not let you out of my sight. Forget Laurence. He's most likely too frightened to report us."

"I don't think so. We need to find Laurence," I say, having a feeling that the rat had to be found. But before we can even think to follow the blood trail that Laurence left for us, the sounds of gunshots fill our ears.

# Chapter Six

Enly

I try to remain unaffected when I spot the body lying twenty feet from me. Focusing on a mental image of Prince Matthew, I continue walking away from the sounds of battle. This particular cargo ship is large. It has three levels and a 1,500 capacity. That means that if the captain desired, he could file for permission to offer safe passage to up to 1,500 people. Judging by the fact that I haven't run into a civilian yet, he has not filed those forms.

I take a right, because the sounds of shouting men travel from the hallway to the left. I attempt to be as stealthy as possible. If pirates have decided to raid the ship, I don't want them to target me. The goal is to find an adequate hiding spot, so that I can avoid the battle.

I travel down a flight of stairs, deducing that most of the action is occurring on the higher levels. This level is filled with dust, walls that have peeling paint, and the smell of mold. People haven't inhabited this level in quite some time.

I open the first door, which is a bedroom. The mattress is bare, and bloodstained, and the chest of drawers is mostly intact. There are a couple of bullet holes in some of the walls. The tan carpet is marred with patches of blood. But what makes me conclude that this is a terrible hiding spot is the fact that the door locks from the outside. I shudder after speculating the fate of whoever was held captive in this room.

After stepping out into the hallway, I inspect each doorknob and notice that they all have locks. Could any of them be holding my prince? I have to check.

There are six doors on either side of this hallway. It should take me two minutes at the most to check each room. I twist the knob of the door next to the room with the bloodstained mattress. When it opens, I'm greeted with empty crates and dust motes clinging to the ceiling. The next three rooms provide me with nothing but empty crates, boxes, and on one occasion, discarded tools. It isn't until I reach the sixth room that I discover something.

This door is locked. My pulse races as adrenalin and hope flood my system. This could be it. I might have found my prince. I eye the door and contemplate my options. If there is a guard inside the room, he may attack if I open the door. I dash down to the room with abandoned tools and open the door. Right as I'm about to search through the drawers, footsteps travel down the hallway. I quickly turn off the light and leave the door ajar. Perhaps someone has come to ensure that the prisoners are secure. Does that mean that the pirates haven't overwhelmed the crew? Fear spikes in my gut. Matthew is so close. How much am I willing to risk to save him? Everything! I'm sure of it.

Since my room is diagonal from the one containing Matthew, I watch as the sailor hurriedly unlocks the door. He's not too big. He has red hair, and his arm is wrapped with white cloth that is stained with blood. Should I shoot him in the back? He's alone, and even if he wasn't, a battle is raging. People would just assume that a pirate gunned him down. The door opens, and the light turns on.

"Let me out of here," a familiar voice screams. My stomach twists because I recognize the voice. It's the one of Jet Wilks. There is only one more door to search. Will Matthew be in that one? I have no idea.

"I have my orders, sir. I will execute you so that the pirates won't discover you on board," the thin man reasons. "I'll throw your corpse overboard."

"I don't understand! I paid your captain handsomely. Why are you holding me?" the former noble shouts.

"We can't afford for you to tell others about our actions. How do we know that you won't feel guilt and confess all to a priest?" the sailor challenges.

"The king wrongfully sent my only son to Serial. He deserves the same fate," Jet Wilks insists.

"I don't care. I will kill you," the sailor decides. What am I supposed to do? Should I rescue Jet Wilks or allow him to die? Cursed plague! What should I do?

"And I hope you know that the girl will go to Serial. She'll be a traveler for the rest of her days," the sailor laughs, and rage fills my core. I rush out of the room and jog for the last door. The sailor's back is turned, so he doesn't notice my presence. I run to the door, pull it open and quickly turn on the light. The sight that greets me has changed every objective for me.

I blink twice before registering that two guys are in the room. One of them is sitting against the wall with his head in his hands. The other is lying asleep under a blanket. The first man, dressed in a soldier's uniform, slowly stands when he spots me. He silently reaches out a hand for my weapon, but I'm frozen. The boy that is slowly blinking his beautiful dark eyes open is my brother, Jonah.

"Enly?" he asks, horrified.

I spin around and see the thin sailor standing behind me.

"Don't shoot!" he cries. What an incompetent sailor. Who walks around a ship that's being raided by pirates without a weapon?

"My lady, allow me," the soldier insists. The sailor lets out a squeak then makes a run for it.

"I'm not giving you my weapon," I announce as I face the soldier.

"I was captured too. I was on patrol around a snowdrift. They took me and my companions. They ordered us to kill Lord Gash and the prince. When we refused, they locked me up and told my friends that they would kill me if they didn't comply. I told them to find a way to escape. I hope they listened," he says, his dark eyes filled with sadness.

"Jonah, is he telling the truth?" I demand.

"Yes. We were both captured," he says. I reluctantly relinquish the gun to the soldier. He escorts me into the room before closing the door.

"Milady, do you know where the prince is?" the guard demands.

"No. I was looking for him," I respond, before wrapping my arms around Jonah. He's wearing a large black T-shirt, blue work pants, and black, thick work boots. He is dressed like a laborer. I release him, and study his angelic face. He grins at me, his innocence still in his eyes.

"Enly, I'm not happy that you have also been captured. But it's still nice to see you," Jonah comments.

"Milady, I need a report," the soldier insists. After sitting on Jonah's pallet and filling in the soldier on everything, as soon as I finish my narrative, the soldier dashes from the room.

"What's his name?" I ask my shell-shocked brother.

"Dustin. We were placed in here to wait. The guard forgot to lock the door," Jonah explains. "Dustin went to check things out, and then he told me that pirates are attacking. He figured that it was best to hide here, until his friends could find him."

"I see. How were you captured?" I ask.

"Two men came for me, after my... After she reported me. They told me that I was going to the fields. I thought something was strange when we drove to a warehouse, two hours away from your academy. But I wasn't questioning them. The men gave me food and didn't beat me. The men told me to wait in the car. I couldn't run because I had no shoes. It was cold outside. So I waited, and then three sailors ordered me to get into their car. I think they gave me something, because when I woke up, I was on this cargo ship. Laurence, the guy that ran away after you pointed the gun at him, put me to work. He told me that Captain James had purchased me and 1 was to work on the ship. I didn't know that they intended to kill me until they locked me up with Dustin, weeks later."

I wrapped my arm around him, feeling pleased that he was close to me.

"Jonah, while I was at the academy, my main goal was to save you. Did you know that your sentence was for life?" I ask.

Jonah shakes his head.

"I would have told you," he insists.

"Father bribed the king to allow you to be brought to Justice Island," I report.

"Me? I can't become a juror! I'm illegitimate." Until he finished his sentence, I thought that Jonah would argue that he didn't want to be away from me for the rest of his life. But it seems that Jonah doesn't think that he's worthy enough to become a juror. I want to cry and scream at the same time. He is worthy, but our flawed justice system lowered his self-worth.

"Jonah, we'll escape," I tell him.

"And do what, Enly? I'm illegitimate. If I come back with you, then they will sell me to someone else." Jonah is right about that.

"So, what do you want to do?" I ask.

"I don't know, Enly. I'll think of something," my brother tells me right before the door swings open.

Dustin forces Jet Wilks to enter the room. He has a gun pressed to the man's back. Jet Wilks is terrified. He's dressed in a soldier's uniform, but there are splotches of blood on his shirt. His nose is swollen and there is a bruise on his cheek. He limps over to the far corner and Dustin makes eye contact with Jonah. Jonah closes the door and Lord Wilks eyes my brother.

"It looks like we meet again, Lady Saint Claire," Lord Wilks says, his face set in defiance.

"Why is he in here?" I ask, confused.

"Because I have a few questions for him. Where are my friends?" Dustin asks.

The former lord laughs.

"I told you. After they dismembered the prince's body, they were killed. You see, one of your friends had a brilliant idea. He figured that we could write a note, blaming the rebels for the vicious killings. Then, the king wouldn't even consider that one of the trading companies had committed treason. Last I heard, the remains of both bodies were delivered this afternoon. I wanted them to go to Serial, but the captain had other plans. I'm surprised that you're still alive, Lady Enly."

For a moment I sit there, trying to digest what we've been told. The two soldiers butchered the prince and his royal assistant to save their friend. The two bodies are being shipped back to the king with a letter. The letter will reveal that the rebels butchered the crown prince and his royal assistant.

"The king won't look in my direction, because he knows that I'm not involved with rebels." The self-satisfied tone is what pulls me over the edge.

Memories flash through my mind. The prince smiling at me when I first met him in the private dining hall. How surprised I felt after discovering that the prince had my favorite meal delivered. How I felt when we finally kissed. We were heading towards forbidden territory for a lady, but I told him that I couldn't. I told him that if we made love, it would break me. But it feels ten times worse that I never experienced closeness with him. It causes sorrow in my soul when I acknowledge that we never had a chance at a happy ending. I also hated myself for not asking Matthew for forever because of the political issues that Stanti was having. I felt like it was my duty to marry Toad, so that his father would pay off some of the debt. The matter of the debt felt trivial now.

I let out an anguished cry. It was all too difficult to hold in anymore.

"Enly, everything will be all right," Jonah says as he rubs my back.

"So pathetic. You are facing certain death, but yet you're crying because your prince has died. This is so pathetic!" His words ignite rage in me. I stand, dive for Dustin, and snatch the gun out of his hands. The distraught soldier had been lost in his own grief. I aim my weapon at the despicable former Lord Regent of Stanti.

"This is all your fault! If you hadn't made that deal with Captain James, my prince never would had died. I loved him, and you took him away from me. I loved him. I loved him, and I never even realized how much. I hate you! I hate you! You deserve to pay. You deserve to pay!"

# Chapter Seven

Matthew

"Maybe we should follow the blood trail," Lord Gash suggests after we discover another empty room. This cargo ship could probably hold over a thousand people, yet most of the space lies empty. I gather that Captain James didn't want anyone discovering his exploits.

I sigh in defeat. "Probably. Finding Enly and the third guard will have to wait," I respond, feeling frustrated. Of course, when we have the perfect distraction to slip away on the rafts, we can't find Enly. I'm worried that if I don't find her soon, Lord Gash will knock me out and carry me to safety. Even though I'm a couple of inches taller than him, the royal assistant is packed with muscle. And he has carried me out of danger before.

During one of my father's balls, an assassin attempted to kill me while I hung out in the balcony. A guard heard the commotion and rushed in with Lord Gash on his heels. I was terrified. Who expects that the girl that you're betrothed to would try to kill you? The story about her marrying a distant cousin and living on a secluded island wasn't the truth. It was a tale that my father spun. In truth, Casey had to relinquish her two-billion-dollar fortune in order for her mistake to be swept under the rug. After questioning her, my father discovered that she hadn't wanted to marry me. Her father had pressured her to agree to the betrothal. Had Casey been honest about her situation, I would have broken off the engagement. Who wanted to be tied to an unhappy spouse?

"Maybe Laurence went to execute the guard," Lord Gash suggests.

"Maybe. It can't hurt to check. Do you remember where we last spotted him?" I ask.

The royal assistant nods.

"Of course, Grunge, follow me," Lord Gash says. Lord Gash had called me Grunge only because we heard a door open and shut in the distance.

Lord Gash starts jogging, and my tired body follows him.

We travel down two vacant hallways before we encounter anyone. The pirate is wearing all black and has his face painted red. He's holding a black bag filled with goods. Lord Gash pulls out his gun, but I yell, "No! You know what they say, Tommy. When you see a pirate out in the open, one more is waiting to stab you in the back." I spin around to see a girl wearing the same outfit, but her face isn't painted. She's clutching a gun in her white-knuckled grip.

"We were kidnapped by Captain James. We're just looking for our friends. Then, we are getting out of here," I tell the girl. She nods.

"We freed two prisoners already. Pirates don't take much with holding people captive. They were two underfed women," the girl explains.

"You saved their lives. They typically sell the girls to a man named John. I don't know much about him. Here..." I stop speaking when I spot a sailor creeping up on the girl. As he nears, he points his gun at me. Before I can think about it, I shove the female to the ground and I hear a deafening sound that causes my ears to ring. When I roll off the girl, the sailor is lying dead on the ground.

I stand and offer my hand to the girl. She clutches my hand as she gets to her feet. "Thank you," she says, a tear trickling down her face.

"You're too... Pirates can be female? Where did your friend go?" Lord Gash is clearly astonished. The blonde blushes.

"No. I snuck onto the ship to find my father. My mother is in labor. I need to find my father! And the pirate isn't my friend. I'm not surprised that he left." Her innocent blue eyes confuse me. I shouldn't be so hard on her, but come on! Her father is a pirate? I always expected that children of pirates were lethal. What if that pirate really didn't leave? I glanced around the hall and couldn't spot him.

"Who's your father?" I ask, a plan forming in my mind.

"I can't tell you," she says, her frantic eyes bouncing from the man that Lord Gash dispatched to the gun in his hands. I can tell that the pirate's daughter wants us to assist her. In truth, I want to be rid of her, just so I can go rescue Enly. Lord Gash knows where the rafts are. As long as we quietly float away, the sailors won't give chase. Besides, they are too busy trying to fight off the pirates.

"Look, uh... What's your name?" Lord Gash inquires.

"Charity," she answers.

"Charity. Maybe you should leave this ship. It's dangerous," Lord Gash pleads. I can sense by his posture that he wants to be rid of the girl. I don't blame him. The longer we spend speaking to Charity, the less time we have to find Enly.

"I can't. My mother begged me to find my father. She needs him," Charity pleads.

"Fine. No one's doubting that. But what do you want us to do about that?" Lord Gash snaps. The pirate's daughter's eyes fill with tears. Lord Gash groans.

"Charity. I know that your mother is afraid. But we have to find someone that has been kidnapped. But we can't just leave you here. You will make an easy target. Why don't you come with us?" I ask. The blonde nods.

"Fine, I'll stick with you two. But you have to help me find my father," Charity replies.

"Agreed," Lord Gash says, his eyes on the blood trail that Laurence made.

"Really!" Charity squeaks.

"Anything to get you out of danger," Lord Gash responds. Lord Gash has some sort of plan, judging by the way that he's studying her. But what is it? And now that I think of it, why does she look so familiar? Who does she look like? Julian knows because he's eying the young girl with a thoughtful expression. Charity follows us down the hallway.

Laurence's trail leads up a flight of stairs. We travel through a hallway riddled with the bodies of sailors. I wish that I could cover Charity's eyes when I hear her cry out in horror. The girl can't be more than fourteen years old. I can't imagine what mental traumas she's going to develop by the end of the day. At the end of the hallway, we pause.

It's difficult to determine which way to go, because both hallways are spattered with blood. "Any ideas?" I ask Lord Gash.

"We need to check both of them out," he says, the agitation showing in his voice.

"Cursed plague, let's just capture Laurence so that I can question him. I'm sure it's a faster way of finding Enly," I decide. Charity gasps.

"No! You're going to torture someone?" Charity cries. I sigh.

"Charity, I don't want to torture anyone. But I need answers," I slowly explain.

"I think that you should reconsider. I don't want to see anyone get hurt," she pleads.

"Then don't watch," Lord Gash snaps before going down the hallway to the left. We both know that it would be ideal to come across a stranger. Out of bitterness, Laurence wouldn't dare give us any information. I don't have the half an hour that it would take to break him.

"I'm going right," I announce.

"I'm sticking with the guy with a gun," Charity decides before following Lord Gash.

I cautiously walk down the hallway, not seeing anything but blood. Since I don't see any bodies, I speculate that whoever was shot either tucked themselves away in an obscure corner or went to chase down another opponent. Either way, nothing of consequence is in the hallway, just a series of locked doors.

I try each knob and none of the doors open. Feeling eager to reunite with Enly, my heart soars when I find an unlocked door. I push it open and have to leap back when a sailor comes flying at me. I should have been more cautious. Now I have to face off with an angry brute. I eye the sailor and wince when he flexes his bulging muscles. He isn't armed, which should be a relief. But his fighter's stance tells me that he doesn't need a gun to kill someone.

I take a deep breath and attempt to use diplomacy. "Sorry. I didn't mean to surprise you," I say, forcing myself to relax.

"Where's Kelly?" he demands.

"Dead," I answer, before considering how the man would react. His blue eyes widen in shock. Then, he steps forward and slams my back against the wall. He's my height, so it's easy for him to bring his face close to mine. His breath, which is laced with alcohol, is all I can smell. My heart is pounding, and I'm sure that I'm in danger of relieving myself.

"Who killed him?" the bulky man demands.

"I don't know," I lie.

"How do you know he's dead?"

"He got shot. I ran," I rush out.

"You shouldn't have. The captain's orders were clear. You are never supposed to leave this ship alive." As soon as he makes the statement, he releases me. With a quick motion, he pulls a knife from his pocket, and attempts to slash my throat. But I duck and thrust my elbow into his gut. He is unprepared and grunts. But unfortunately, he quickly recovers, and attempts to cut me again. But this time, I smash my booted foot into the side of his knee. He groans in pain and instinctively grabs his knee with both hands. The man's weapon plops to the ground. I pull out the dagger that the elderly cook had given me and charge him. The sailor leaps out of the way before my blade can make contact. His eyes narrow when he spots my weapon.

"Where did you get that?" he demands.

"Your cook gave it to me so that I could butcher the prince," I hiss as I eye the man. He studies me, trying to figure out how to strike.

"Put down your blade," he orders.

"Cursed plague, do you think that I'm foolish? The moment I drop my weapon, you'll gut me."

"Die with dignity. You'll be killed regardless. The pirates won't let guns survive," the man reasons. Well, I guess it's a good thing that I'm not a soldier.

"Why aren't you fighting the pirates?" I ask. The brute's evil grin unsettles me.

"I _have_ been fighting them. Unlike my other comrades, I am waiting for them to come to me." Great. I should have found it suspicious that the door was unlocked. It had been a trap.

"Well, I..." I hear a pop and his body jerks. I leap out of way as the sailor falls flat on his face. I stare at Laurence, whose eyes are wide with panic. He hadn't meant to shoot the brute. I glance at his bandaged arm and figure that it's the reason why his aim was off.

"I... I..." Laurence doesn't expect me to dive for him. But he reacts so predictably. He darts into the open door and tries to close it. But I force my weight into it and shove with all of my strength. I hear a thud, and the door slams against the wall. I stumble into the room and flick on the light. The brute had two pirates bound and gagged. Without hesitation I slice the binding off the two men. The one with long blond braids immediately rips out his gag.

"Thanks, soldier," he says, before running out of the room, his friend close behind him. When I turn around, Laurence is leaning against the wall.

"Don't worry, Laurence, I won't kill you. I need you alive," I assure him. Laurence breathes out a sigh of relief.

"Really?" he tentatively asks.

"Yes. I need you to answer a few questions," I assure him.

"What kind of questions?" he inquires.

"Where is Lady Saint Claire?" I demand.

"She was already delivered to Serial," Laurence lies. I can tell by the way his jaw tightens, and the way his eyes can't meet mine.

"Are you sure?" I softly inquire.

"Yes," Laurence squeaks. "I'm sorry, Grunge, you're too late."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I tell him.

"Me too. It's too bad that you couldn't save her," Laurence says. I stalk over to him and stick out my hand. He grips mine and I squeeze hard.

"It's too bad that you lied to me. Now, I have to punish you," I tell him, before slicing a thin line on his arm. His eyes widen. "That's right, Laurence, we'll keep on slicing you. Until you tell the truth."

Laurence laughs.

"Kelly has done far worse to me," he accuses. Judging by the scars on his arms, I don't doubt that.

"I've broken assassins," I boast.

"Please," he laughs. Until I slowly slice open his pinky. He shrieks, and for a moment, guilt makes it difficult to breathe. Torturing people for information isn't anything that I relish doing. But I have no choice. It would take me longer to search the massive cargo ship for Enly. Before Laurence passes out, he explains where she is. After I wrap his injured pinky, I clean the blood from my hands and go in search of Lord Gash.

Lord Gash is at our meeting place, comforting a hysterical Charity.

"What happened?" I ask.

"A sailor almost killed her," Lord Gash explains, his jaw clenched.

"We need to get Charity somewhere safe," I decide.

"We need to take her with us," Lord Gash fires back.

"Fine," I agree, unhappy that we are still stuck with the girl.

# Chapter Eight

Lexi

It's hard to get up in the morning. But it's more difficult to care when your life is filled with people who don't have the potential of telling you something interesting. Deciding to change my scenery, I wander into my brother's apartment. His living quarters is connected to mine by a door in my living room.

I open the door and am immediately hit with the smell of cleaning products. His living room is sparse, lacking tapestries, vases filled with flowers, or mementos. His curtains are drawn, and a suit jacket rests on the chair by the fireplace. It's a bit chilly in this room, so I adjust the thermostat. When the chill is vanquished by the warm air, I decide to commence with finding answers. When I peer into the bathroom, I see a toothbrush on the vanity, along with a shaving kit. Lord Gash and Matthew would hardly leave those things behind if they were going on a vacation. That fact troubles my heart. My parents aren't telling me the truth. But what is it?

I leave the bathroom and briefly enter Lord Gash's room. The royal assistant's luggage is still resting by the bed along with Celine's bags. Upon seeing them, tears briefly burn in my eyes.

"Do you always snoop? I myself wouldn't bother. I unusually hire someone to do the dirty work," he comments. I spin around to see Adam Heart standing in front of me. He's dressed in a black suit and tie, to match the mourning gowns that the ladies have to don for a dreadful week. He's handsome, I suppose. His green eyes always seem to be taking in information by the way they bounce from place to place.

"If you hire someone to snoop for you, you might miss something," I breathily reply. This is a game that the two of us always play. While Adam is at court, we carry on with a flirtation that is both entertaining and intense. But as soon as he leaves, both of us find others to keep us occupied. But it feels strange thinking of David as merely company. He was so much more. He was...

Cursed plague, I can't ever start this up again. For all of the previous day, I have been torn between asking Gatrick or Sabot if they knew of David's fate. Since he is a friend to the future lord and lady regent, I predict that his punishment will be light. But I still want to know what happened. I imagine that the punishment will be amusing. "From this day forward, David Appleton will be banned from court for the next ten years." That's the outcome that I'm hoping for, because David doesn't know how to play the game. He is emotional and good.

"What are you doing in here, Lexi?" Adam inquires, interest making him grin. His eyes gaze upon my figure, and desire fills his gaze. I dismiss any thoughts of the commoner. Instead, my breathing picks up. The possibilities of what could happen is making this day interesting for me. Finally, I have something to anticipate, aside from the solemn dinners and speculations on my brother's whereabouts. His prompt exit wouldn't have been so undignified if it wasn't for the fact that Miss Saint Claire accompanied the prince without a companion of her own. From what Sabot tells me, Enly is good friends with Thomas Field's wife, Kip. Why hadn't that couple been invited along for this vacation?

"If I'm being honest, it's hard to believe that my brother abandoned his country," I bluntly state, trying to see if Adam's expression changes. He seems more introspective than guilty, so I know that he isn't hiding anything from me.

"Lexi, Matthew isn't like you," Adam says. He reaches out and traces my lips, which makes my entire being strain to release the desire that's burning me from the inside out. This isn't the time nor the place for that kind of activity. It's too early in our ritual for me to start taking off my dress.

"Of course he's nothing like me. Why don't you answer my question?" I challenge. Adam grins before pulling a small round case from his pocket. The wooden case has a carving of a star on its lid.

"Lexi, you are a treasure," Adam says, the sincerity taking me back a step. This isn't our ritual. At this juncture of our visit, I'm supposed to play hard to get. What does he mean when he says that he thinks that I'm a treasure?

"What do you mean?" I ask, hating that I sound a bit suspicious.

"I mean that you are one of the most beautiful women in this kingdom. And it bothers me that you don't think so."

"How do you know that I don't think so?" I snap, put off by his kind words. "I can tell that you think that you believe that my words are not genuine." I need to excuse myself. This game isn't worth playing if he isn't worth playing. He plants a gentle kiss on my lips. In the back of my mind, I know that this is a risk. A princess's betrothal is never certain. Where is Gatrick when I need him? Later, he will be reprimanded for allowing Adam Heart to enter my presence without being announced. But now I'm too busy kissing him to care. A thud announces that Adam has released the grip on what is obviously a gift for me. His arms wrap around me, and for a moment, panic fills me. Uneasiness swims in my mind and turns my gut because I'm not dictating the pace of our tryst. But then, Adam's tongue presses my lips and I respond to him.

"This should be all yours," Adam declares an hour later. I'm lying in Matthew's large bed, with Adam by my side. We are both mostly clothed. But as our lips met, Adam tore the neckline of my black dress, claiming that it didn't expose any of my treasures. I am fortunate to have my room connected to my brother's. No one will see the state of my hair and clothes.

"Well, it doesn't," I say bitterly.

"Lexi, I think that you have a promising career. All you need to do is gain allies and..." I burst out of bed and abandon my black shoes, knowing that I am fashionably late for an important engagement. "Lexi, where are you going?"

"Cursed plague, I can't believe that I forgot," I complain.

I jog out of the room and make a beeline for the door that connects my living room to my brother's. My appearance is quite unseemly. I may have to take a quick bath and have Sabot place my curls into a proper updo. She will, of course, be upset that the gown that she sewed was destroyed. But she won't air any grievances with me. To be sure that Sabot won't make a comment, I'll order her to be silent.

I reach for the handle and discover that it's locked. Traveling through the foyer that the prince and I both share is the only way of exiting Matthew's apartment.

I quickly open the door and frown when Caroline Drackle, the future Princess of Stanti, stands there in her black gown, hand raised, obviously about to knock.

"Princess Lexi, your mother told me to fetch you. Dinner is starting in two minutes. The editor of the _Daily Notice_ will be in attendance," she warns, her perfect blue eyes filled with worry. Adam Heart was obviously wrong when he declared that I was the most beautiful woman in all of Stanti, and it makes me angry. I want to have the intense beauty that makes it difficult for someone's eyes to part my face. I want to have that innocent air about me, like I'm harmless. But instead, I have to settle for being second best to a brother who can't bother showing up for these painful dinner parties. Her hopeful eyes are what make my decision.

"Sorry, I was... Well, I was searching under Matthew's bed when my dress tore," I lie. Cursed plague, this foolish debutante actually buys what I'm telling her.

"Really? What were you searching for?"

"You promise not to tell anyone, right?" I ask, my face filling with fear.

"Of course," Caroline squeaks.

"Thanks. So, you won't mind buying me some time?" I ask sweetly.

"Of course not, Princess. Just let me know if I can help you." Sabot, who isn't as stupid as Caroline, glances at me with suspicion. But I don't give her anything. Instead, I order her to fix my hair and fetch me a gown. After spraying a cloud of perfume over me, I'm escorted down to the private dining room in my mother's wing by Adam Heart.

As soon as we enter, I frown at my mother's cruel stare. She's up to something, I decide when I note that my father isn't sitting at the head of the table. Where is he? I take in the black tablecloth, the sparkling china, and the low lighting, Rick Nash, and see the editor of the _Daily Notice_ sitting on my mother's left. She smiles at me and I sit to her right. Unfortunately for Adam, there isn't a place setting for him, so he bows, kisses my hand, and leaves.

As soon as I sit beside my mother, she whispers, "Stay away from that man." And when she says this, something inside me unlocks, the defiance that I unleash whenever mother becomes too demanding spilling into my veins. I have already given up David, why should I give up Adam? That is what I am dying to know the answer to. Most importantly, why doesn't my mother want me involved with Adam? He's rich, well-liked, and can hold my attention. If I'm being honest, we could be comfortable together.

"Princess Lexi, have you heard from your brother?" the gray-haired man asks, his brown eyes focused on my face, the way that I've scrutinized my mother every day of my life. I note that he asks the question as I take a sip of ice water. But I don't choke, just like he most likely would have wanted. But I don't get to craft a charming answer, either.

"My poor son felt that he was in danger, so he's hidden in a remote location. Since Lord Gash has been attacked, he fears that he's a target. I cannot tell you how regretful he is for not being here," she lies. I can see how the queen has publicly blamed Prince Matthew for not being at Celine's side to ruin his credibility. But for what? Does she have someone else in mind for the throne? Lord Gash, perhaps? I have no idea, but I know one thing: I'd better start trying to unravel this mystery. Maybe I can rope Adam into helping me. That would surely upset my mother. It is sick and ridiculous, but upsetting her is filling the hole in my chest from my brother abandoning me without a thought.

# Chapter Nine

Enly

"Enly, put the gun down," Jonah begs. But his plea doesn't reach me. All I see in front of me is the man that started this mess. He needs to pay. My hand is sturdy as I caress the trigger. The sorry excuse for a human being studies me.

"You loved Prince Matthew?" he inquires, his shock covering his fear.

"Yes. I loved him, and you took him away from me!"

"You didn't tell your father to frame my son?" His words only build my resolve.

"No. I'm not a horrible person, unlike you," I snap. Jet Wilks shakes his head, which catches me off guard. I pause and for a moment cool logic replaces the rage I'm feeling. Jet Wilks attempted to punish my father by kidnapping Jonah and I and shoving us onto this ship. He was hoping that Captain Tom would force us to go to Serial. No one would believe me if I protested and said that I'm Lady Enly. I'd be stuck in that prison, but eventually, someone would recognize me. What would have happened to Jet Wilks, once I told the King and my Father what happened?

"This doesn't make any sense," I say. "Why would you force us to go to Serial? Eventually, someone would realize that we don't belong."

Jet Wilks sighs.

"The entire nation believed that my son was guilty. People that have served me for thirty years turned their backs on me. Townspeople tossed rotten tomatoes and other foul-smelling fruit at me. They called me names and proclaimed that they were finally rid of a stupid drunk. I was utterly humiliated. Why? Because my son chose to marry who he loved."

"Your son had an obligation to my sister," Jonah argues as he stands beside me. "He humiliated her when he tossed her aside." Jonah's voice somewhat calms me. It reminds me that I'm not truly alone. I have him for now.

"Marigold was a better candidate," Lord Wilks shouts. "Not once did your sister show an interest in Brandon."

"He never called on her. He never..."

"Son, you don't know the truth of it," Jet Wilks argues. "Brandon did call on Enly. He said that she wasn't interested."

"He never called on me. He used that an excuse to see Marigold," I snap.

"Are you stupid?" Jet Wilks rubs his tired eyes.

"No matter what, we are all trapped on this ship until someone rescues us," he says.

"You don't deserve to be rescued. I hope that one of the sailors makes you suffer a painful death," I hiss.

"Wait, Enly, something doesn't make sense," Jonah protests.

"I don't care," I say, my brief moment of logic abandoning me.

"Lord Wilks, Enly would have escaped Serial. You had to know that. I mean, Captain James knew. That's why he conned you in the first place. And if the king discovered your crimes, he would have beheaded you. I don't understand. How did you plan on hiding from the king?" The moment after my brother speaks, Jet Wilks grins.

"I never expected you to die, Enly. My goal was to keep you distracted in Serial. You would be too busy trying to escape to wonder about your region. I contacted the President of Quebec. I told him that King George can't pay his debt. You see, Quebec's economy is suffering. The other ten territories of Canada have banded together. As we speak, the Canadian territories are planning an attack. But they won't be prepared. They will be too busy mourning the death of their uncrowned lady regent. By the time you return, you'll be facing failure. It will be a mark against your name. People won't care that you were kidnapped by pirates. You'll be the spoiled lady regent who did nothing to protect them." Jet Wilks's self-satisfied expression makes my anger return in full. I'm the one who has the power to end his life, yet he boasts like he's that impenetrable force that can't be defeated.

"Your duty as Lord Regent was to protect The Great Plains." My brother's shock makes me realize how naive he is. Because he hadn't attended an academy that reeked of the nobility's selfishness, he wasn't aware that most of the nobles put their needs first. My heart aches at how my brother is clueless. In truth, my brother had only one master when he became illegitimate. His master wanted him to compete with others, and he deprived Jonah of food and water. But the man hadn't killed any of his servants. He hadn't forced any of his illegitimates to commit crimes. Jonah had been punished only after he had obeyed his master.

"You are a monster," I cry.

The former lord smiles at me. "Your father is a monster, Enly. He framed Brandon, and now he's most likely dead." Jet's tone darkens when he speaks about his son. I want to sympathize with him, but I've lost the ability. His actions killed the love of my life. He invited war to my region. I'm trapped on this stupid ship and am unable to protect my people.

There are a few hard truths that I have to face. Number one, I didn't care about the populace of the Great Plains Region while I was being reviewed. My only goal was to save my brother. But now that I'm responsible for their safety, I feel compelled to protect them. My number one priority should be to get myself to safety. I know where Tom hid his treasure. If I could pay the pirates off, they would be able to offer me safe passage home. Since I no longer have to save Matthew, my only other objective is to punish Jet Wilks.

I eye the soldier who now holds the gun. I close my eyes and recall some of the more obscure laws that Stanti has. One law will serve me. I eye the pathetic man hunched in the corner. Placing him in Serial seems too soft of a punishment. After all, he committed treason, no doubt about it. There's only one punishment for treason; it's the same price that my stepmother had to pay.

"Soldier, on orders of Enly Saint Claire, the uncrowned Regent of the Great Plains, I order you to protect Jet Wilks," I tell him.

Dustin doesn't seem thrilled by his assignment. But he bows to me and says, "Yes. Of course, my lady."

"What are you going to do with him?" Jonah asks me.

"Don't worry, he'll pay for what he did," I assure my brother.

Jet Wilks laughs.

"And pray tell, Enly, what will you do to make me pay? The pirates that are currently storming the ship want you dead," he reminds us.

"I have a plan," I announce, before eying Dustin. "The plan doesn't include him. Secure our prisoner."

Dustin exits the room, and enters moments later with a chair and a coil of rope. "Stand, or I'll shoot you," Dustin warns.

Jet Wilks laughs.

"Better you shoot me than the sailors. At least you'll make my death quick," Jet Wilks says. Dustin, obviously agitated, drops the materials and pulls out his gun, and bashes the weapon over Jet Wilks's head. He then ties our prisoner to the chair.

"Enly, what's the plan?" Jonah asks, his eyes wide.

"My plan does not involve risking your life," I tell my brother. "You are staying put."

"With him?" Jonah's voice quivers when he speaks. "Enly, I'm an illegitimate. If I get caught with a bound Lord... I may... They will execute me," he protests.

"Jonah, if you want, I can tie you up," Dustin offers.

Jonah vigorously shakes his head. "No. If the pirates come in here, I won't be able to run away," my brother protests.

Dustin groans.

"Jonah, you'll be fine here," I assure.

My brother plops down in the corner and hangs his head. I don't let his dejected state affect me. I have to make it back to the Great Plains Region before the New Canadian army attacks. When I hurry to the door, the soldier follows with no question. As soon as we exit the room, we nearly collide with two soldiers.

I shriek, my heart pounding with fear, until I recognize one of them. It's Lord Julian Gash, clutching his weapon in one hand and a sack in another. Both men remove their masks and my eyes can't believe what they have seen. My eyes go from him to the beautiful man that I'd thought that I'd never see again. Before I can say a word, the prince throws his arms around me. He holds on tight and rests his chin on top of my head. When the prince releases me, he eyes Dustin, who's leaning against the wall.

"Where are Chuck and Daniel?" Dustin demands.

"They escaped. The prince and I commandeered their uniforms," Lord Gash explains.

"How did they escape?" I ask, my voice full of hope.

"There are a couple of rafts in storage. My bet is that they escaped so that they could alert the guard," Lord Gash speculates.

"Chuck is very resourceful. I'm positive that he's done that. Your Highness, have they harmed you?" Dustin inquires.

Prince Matthew shakes his head.

"No. They didn't get the chance," Matthew assures the concerned soldier.

"We need to continue with the plan. Matthew, why don't you and Lord Gash keep our prisoner company? I need intel. Lord Gash, have you been trained in the art of interrogation?" I ask, staring at the royal assistant.

"Who's our prisoner?" the royal assistants demands.

"Jet Wilks. He never meant for you two to die. His plan was to keep the country occupied so that no one will be prepared for the New Canadian army. They are going to march on the Great Plain's region. While Dustin and I figure a way to appease the pirates, you two need to find out what that monster knows," I plead.

"War? He brought war to The Great Plains? Cursed plague. Why?" Prince Matthew exclaims.

"To punish his people for turning on his family," Lord Gash responds, and I nod in confirmation. Matthew surprises everyone when he leans in and brushes his lips against mine. The kiss is chaste, and all I want to do is wrap my arms around him and revel in the fact that he isn't dead. But our desperate situation won't allow that.

"Come on, Dustin," I encourage after kissing the prince on the cheek.

"Where are you going?" Matthew asks.

"Don't worry, Matthew. No one is in this area," I assure him.

"Dustin, keep your eyes open for some sort of sack along the way. We'll need a way to carry everything."

"Dustin, why don't you protect Prince Matthew? I'll go instead," Lord Gash insists.

I'm about to protest, but Dustin bows to the Royal Assistant and Lord Gash follows me down the corridor. I hold up a hand when we reach a dead end. Ahead of us are two sailors. Lord Gash doesn't even hesitate. He pulls out his weapon as we stealthily get closer. I notice that the two men are standing over someone. Lord Gash steps in front of me and levels his gun and takes two quick shots. The two sailors drop dead. He hit them in the head. The sudden death that I witness makes a cold chill fill my body. I try to see them as obstacles that are keeping me from protecting my region. But it's difficult.

Moments later, a man that I'd never thought that I'd see again stands. His dark hair has grown out, his face is swollen, and he has lost a bit of weight. But I'd recognize Cole Winters anywhere. And judging by the way Lord Gash clutches his weapon, he recognizes Cole as well.

"Enly Saint Claire, what are you doing here?" Cole demands.

"I was kidnapped by Captain James. So was Lord Gash and the prince," I explain. Cole nods in understanding.

"Captain James was going to sell you to John," Cole says, disgust in his features.

"Are you in league with Jet Wilks?" Lord Gash demands.

"You mean the father of the man that your king wrongfully imprisoned?" Cole snaps.

"We don't have time for this! I need to get back to the Great Plains Region. The New Canadian army will march on us. Lord Wilks has set this all up to get revenge on the king, my father, and his people," I quickly inform Cole.

Cole shakes his head.

"You're a liar! He'd never do something like that to our region. He loves those people."

"See for yourself," Lord Gash says as he gestures down the hallway. "Prince Matthew is interrogating him." I don't understand the look of horror that fills Cole's face.

"What's going on?" I ask, confused.

"Your prince is a monster," Cole cries as he lunges for Lord Gash. But he doesn't make it. A tall man with blond hair restrains him. My eyes widen when I make eye contact with him. It's Mort.

"So, the pirates are rebels?" I ask, my heart sinking.

"Enly, we had to take drastic measures. We had hoped that you would leave the competition once you found out it was rigged. Cole swore up and down that killing you wasn't the right thing to do. So, we trusted that you had morals. Instead, you decided to become lady regent," Mort says.

"You don't understand," I begin. "Our country is in trouble. I _had_ to become lady regent. I..."

Lord Gash places a hand on my shoulder. He had made his way over to me once Mort had restrained Cole.

"You can't tell them, Enly. They'll just use it against you," Lord Gash warns.

"Why did you need to become lady regent?" Cole asks, amused.

"Because my father gave the king a quarter of his fortune. Once he dies, that amount will double. We are in debt, Cole, and the loan sharks are gathering to collect. That's why titles are being sold to the highest bidder."

Lord Gash glares at me.

"That's not true. Jet would have told us," Cole protests.

"No, he wouldn't have. Because he needed a reason for you to protest my placement," I point out. "He's using you."

# Chapter Ten

Matthew

I eye the pathetic man huddled in the corner. His face is streaked with blood and his hands and feet are bound. Enly's brother, Jonah, is leaning against the wall, with his eyes staring at the ground.

"I had to tie him up. He was trying to harm himself," Jonah explains. I nod. Jet eyes me and his eyes widen when he recognizes me.

"No," he whispers.

"You thought that I would be dead by now? Well, I'm not," I boast.

"Where did you get that uniform?" Jet Wilks demands, his confused expression bringing a smile to my face.

"I'd tell you, but then I'd have to feed you to the sharks. I wouldn't want you to alert your rebels with your screams," I reason. The former Lord Regent glares at me.

"You are a fool, Matthew. Your efforts aren't going to do any good."

"I know. Because the pirates are really your forces. Very clever. What were they? Your insurance policy in case Captain James proved to be untrustworthy? What lies did you have to tell them this time?"

"I never lied to my people," Jet snaps. "I told them that we had to take Enly Saint Claire down. We have to show the Monarchy that we won't tolerate titles being sold," Jet Wilks snaps.

"Why? I thought our biggest problem was forcing people to become illegitimate? Why not fight that?" I ask.

Jet Wilks laughs.

"And destroy our economy? Illegitimates are what keep our country running," Jet Wilks argues.

"I'm glad that you feel that way. After you're prosecuted, I'll request that you become an illegitimate, so that you can help keep the country running," I decide.

"Matthew, you aren't going to get out of here alive. If you kill me, my people will execute you. When I'm freed, I will order your execution. I'll deliver your head to your father on a spike," he threatens.

I sigh.

"What excuse will they have to kill me?" I ask.

"To punish the king."

"Why? Because he took a bribe that benefited the country? Did you explain the massive debt that our country has? Him paying the Duke of Arcville stopped a civil war," I remind Jet Wilks.

"My son was sacrificed because he didn't want to marry that spoiled heiress. How dare the king! How dare–" The door flies open, and I spin to face Cole. He's holding Enly at gunpoint.

Anger surges through my veins.

"Let her go," I order.

Cole snickers.

"Or what? Your precious royal assistant is surrounded. You are out of options. If you even lay a hand on our leader, I'll slit her throat," Cole hisses. I look into Enly's eyes and see the fear in them. We had been so close to escaping this cargo ship. I want to drive my dagger into Cole's throat. I shake with the desire to gut Jet Wilks. These gullible rebels don't realize that Jet is using them for his own gain.

"So, you will hold us here, when you know that an army is marching on your home?" I challenge. Cole laughs.

"You've been here for days. How would you know that?"

"Jet told us. He tricked you guys into taking out Enly. He wants to punish the Great Plains Region for turning against him," Jonah responds.

Cole rolls his eyes.

"Oh, please. Like I'd believe anything that an illegitimate has to say," he mocks. Jonah slumps and his dark eyes focus on his shoes. He doesn't have the confidence to argue with Cole.

"Let her go," I say.

"Only if you comply," Cole responds in a mocking tone.

"No, Cole. He won't comply if you release Enly. You'll have to scare him. You'll need to make an example out of someone. Execute the royal assistant. The prince would never defy us after that," Jet Wilks orders.

I curse myself for telling Dustin to escape. But I needed him to warn the country, in case something like this happened. My gut aches at the thought of losing my best friend.

"That isn't necessary," I argue.

"You know that I wouldn't do anything to risk Enly's life."

Cole ignores me.

"Okay, Mr. Wilks. Do you want the execution to be public, or private?" he asks.

"Bind the prince to a chair, so that he's powerless to protect his friend. Then, slit Julian's throat, and feed him to the sharks." A flash of amusement slips across Jet's battered face. "I think that Prince Matthew would enjoy that."

Cole glances at me for a brief moment. It's clear that he's uncomfortable with this request. But I can tell by the determination in his eyes that he will oblige his leader.

"Cole, don't do it. You'll regret it. I'm sure of it," Enly pleads. Cole drags the knife across Enly's throat, causing blood to soak the front of her blue gown. I clench my fists, wanting to charge Cole and end him for what he's done to her. But the problem is that Enly's still in the way.

"Oh, and keep them separated. You don't want our prisoners plotting an escape," the rebel leader orders. Cole nods and drags a tearful Enly out of the room. I grip my knife and eye Jonah, who's shivering. "If you make a move, the illegitimate will be the next to go. Then, I'll kill Enly," Jet taunts.

"Why don't you just kill me now?" I demand.

"Because I want you to suffer first. I want you to experience what my son did. I want you to question your longevity. I want you to believe that every day will be your last. Because I can't drop you off on Serial, I'll have to punish you myself," Jet Wilks responds.

"You will pay. I don't know how. But I hope that I'm alive to see it," I say as Mort and another one of the rebels yank Jonah to his feet and drag him out of the room. Jet chuckles at my expression.

"I believe that I'll clean up and get a good meal before Julian Gash's execution. You know, Prince, don't fear, it will be quick and painless," Jet assures. But then he shakes his head. "No, it will be long and horrible. By the end, Lord Gash will be begging for death." Before I can kill the leader, two guards enter and make a beeline for me.

I willingly hand my dagger, hilt first, to the bony guy. He takes it, and the other places restraints around my wrists. Then, she shoves me forward. Jet chuckles when I lose my balance from the force.

"Dane, be sure to give our prince the dirtiest room," Jet laughs. "Oh, and beat Jonah for assaulting me. That illegitimate needs to know his place."

Dane does indeed place me in a filthy room. It is dim, smelly, with a mattress that has yellow stains. The wooden floors are stained and chipped, and the air reeks of unwashed bodies. What makes this experience worse is that this room doesn't have a toilet. Dane shoves me into the room, and then locks the door from the outside.

I eye the room, trying to find a clean corner to sit in. But I'm not so lucky. All of the surfaces are coated with dust. I begin coughing from the exposure. I have always had bad allergies. The royal physician gave me medication to take when the weather neared spring or fall. I wonder how he would react if he saw what kind of place I was living in.

I sit on the ground closest to the door, and lean my back against the filthy wall. I close my eyes, and immediately an image of Enly's frightened face comes into view. Jet Wilks has played his game well. He's a cunning man who has strong alliances and resources at his disposal. He desires to make me suffer, the way that Brandon has. It's odd to me how much Jet Wilks is willing to avenge a son that he had a volatile relationship with. The two of them argued all of the time. They only agreed on one thing: Marigold Flay.

I knew of my father's plan to uphold the betrothal between Enly and Brandon. Walter Saint Claire is very wealthy and would surely buy a tittle for his daughter. I was sad for my friend. I knew that he wanted to break his betrothal to Enly. His father had as well. They didn't want to tie themselves to a family that was surrounded by scandal. I remembered the last time I spoke to Brandon.

***

Brandon Wilks had visited the New England Region for my sister Lexi's birthday. I had desired a break from the festivities. Oceanside Palace was my favorite royal dwelling. The palace had a movie theater. It was a luxury that many nobles couldn't afford. I had access to tons of old and new films. So, I escaped into the dark room. I turned on the projector and selected a movie at random on my tablet and it appeared on the screen. I settled in, feeling relaxed and relieved. Halfway through the movie, Brandon entered the room.

I grabbed my tablet and paused the picture, figuring that Brandon wanted to talk to me about something. My suspicions were confirmed when he turned on the lights. He plopped down beside me and groaned.

" _Walter Saint Claire is going to seek an audience with the king," he announced._

" _Why?" I asked._

" _Because I don't want to marry his daughter," Brandon responded._

" _You've met her?" I asked, surprised by his sullen mood. Brandon had been neglecting his duty of courting Enly for quite some time._

" _No," Brandon responded._

" _Then why do you want to break the betrothal?" I asked, confused._

" _Matthew, I know that she isn't the one for me. I mean, come on, she's Walter Saint Claire's daughter."_

" _That's precisely why you shouldn't fight this. I know for a fact that my father is going to force Walter Saint Claire to pay a fee so that his daughter can marry you. Our country is in trouble, Brandon," I warned._

" _I understand that. But why can't I just pay a fee to the king? I don't want to be with her," Brandon protested._

" _Why?"_

" _Because she's uptight. I want a wife that's able to laugh, not one that's serious. Cursed plague, Matthew, you've seen her picture before. Her eyes are so cold," Brandon complained. I had seen Enly's photograph before, and I disagreed with my friend's assessment. I had thought that Enly Saint Claire appeared awkward, as though she wasn't quite sure how to smile. If I had placed money on it, I would have thought that she was shy._

" _She seems shy," I responded. Brandon chuckled._

" _Well, that's more of a reason to dismiss her. What kind of lady regent will she be if she's shy?"_

" _Brandon, my parents want you to marry her. Things will go badly if you don't," I warned._

" _Why? Why do I have to be stuck with her, Matthew? You know me. A timid little mouse won't do."_

I did know Brandon. If he hadn't been of royal blood, I would have called him a traveler. In our customs, one didn't take another woman to his bed once he was betrothed to another. But he didn't care about traditions. Brandon had a healthy appetite for women. At least he was discreet.

" _Brandon, why don't you meet with her? I have a feeling that she'll charm you."_

" _Charm me?"_

" _Sure. You'll like her," I said. I was confident of that. She was well-read and very intelligent. Master Scholar Murphy was furious when he couldn't offer her a letter of distinction, inviting her to study at Oceanside Academy. But my father was hungry for money and figured that he had plenty advisors already._

" _Matthew, I don't want to court her. She's a child. What would we possibly have in common?" Brandon asked._

I was stunned, because I hadn't met the girl, so I didn't know what her interests were. But a secret part of me wanted to find out. Maybe I could meet Enly and see what the fuss was. She was a beautiful scholar who charmed her professors. She was also someone that my friend desperately tried not to wed. Perhaps Lord Gash and I would make a visit to the Great Plains Region. I had never been there before. My stepmother despised the region.

" _Brandon, you are like a brother to me, so I'll be honest with you. It doesn't matter what you have in common. Court her. Get her to relax around you. As soon as she's eighteen, set a wedding date. Marry her and bear children. I don't think that you should have a mistress. But if you want one, be discreet. But please, don't go against my father. He desires this alliance and will make you pay dearly if you marry another." I assumed that my words had penetrated Brandon's stubborn heart, so I relaxed. We spent the rest of that night watching movies. I had no inkling that I would never see Brandon again._

"Get up," a voice barks, pulling me from my bittersweet memories. I glance up to see Cole, grinning from ear to ear.

"What's happening?" I ask, worried.

"It's time for your friend to die," he responds with glee. He apparently desires to see Lord Gash pay. I have no idea why.

"Why don't you just kill me?" I ask.

In response to my suggestion, Cole grins. "Mort," he shouts, and I hear a shriek that chills my blood. "You hear that? Every time you fight me, Enly will suffer. Now get to your feet," Cole orders. As I get to my feet, anger and anticipation claw at my chest. I'm angry about the way that Enly's being mistreated. But I'm also anticipating the day that Cole realizes that this rebellion is a farce. Jet Wilks is preying on his vulnerabilities in order to further his own agendas. When he realizes this, he will regret harming Enly. I am sure of it.

"If you try anything, Mort will harm Enly. Do you understand me, Matthew?"

"Yes," I rasp out.

"Now follow me out of the room," Cole orders, and I do.

# Chapter Eleven

Enly

I must have passed out. When I open my eyes, I'm slumped on a chair that my legs are bound to. My hands are tied with rope. The pinky of my left hand is swollen and twisted at an unnatural angle. I hadn't been prepared when Mort wrenched my pinky out of place. Though how could anyone prepare for something that horrible?

"Enly, I'm glad that you could join us," Jet Wilks taunts. He's standing in the middle of the deck, dressed in a sailor's uniform. He's cleaned up, and the gash in his forehead has been bandaged. Matthew is bound to the chair across from mine. Lord Gash is sitting on the ground, his eyes focused on the gun that is trained on Matthew. The royal assistant wouldn't do anything to risk the prince's life, and Jet Wilks knows that.

"Cole, please, do the honors," Jet Wilks orders. He is lying on a chaise lounge, off to my right. Cole steps forward, a knife clutched in his hands. I close my eyes, not wanting to see this massacre. "Open your eyes, Enly, or the prince will die," Jet Wilks demands. It's apparent that I won't have a choice. The former lord is determined to punish me for my father's crimes. "That's right, Enly, you will suffer for your choice. All you had to do was refuse to become lady regent, but you didn't." Jet Wilks smiles at Cole, who is eying Lord Gash's face as if it were an animal he was about to skin. I have the sick feeling that this isn't going to be a quick death for Lord Gash. I glance at Prince Matthew, whose jaw is clenched. It's probably taken all of his self-control not to strain against his bonds. I wish that I had the energy to fight. The pain of my finger is so intense that I feel nauseous.

"Mr. Wilks, when d—" Cole's interrupted when an alarm sounds. The racket is so obnoxiously loud that it causes my ears to ring. Cole instinctively drops his knife to the floor of the deck and eyes the pirates. He gestures to one of his cohorts, and gestures to the lift leading to the interior of the ship. That is obviously an order to determine what's amiss. Jet Wilks is unconcerned by the development. In fact, he's signaling Cole to continue with the execution. But he doesn't have a chance.

A blonde woman runs onto the deck, a knife clutched in her grip. I recognize the blonde hair, blue eyes, and the slight figure. But she's out of place. I'm more bewildered by the woman who follows behind her. She is a bit shorter, but looks like the spitting image of the first young woman that entered. I keep staring at the first woman that entered, Serena. And I'm officially lost. What is she doing here? She isn't on Jet Wilks's side, judging by the gun that she's leveling at him. A few of his men aim to shoot, but men start vaulting themselves onto the deck. To my surprise, they surround the leader of this false rebellion. The pirates seem frightened by the appearance of these men, all dressed in blue, a white-colored shirt, and black boots. They are all holding guns. When the alarm ceases to sound, the deck is silent for an instant. That is, until Jet Wilks shouts, "Kill them all! What are you waiting for?"

"Don't shoot fellas, or it will be the last thing you do," Serena warns. "We are a part of the RBI." The RBI was modeled after the ancient FBI organization. These men and women are an elite group of agents that are trained in espionage, combat, and detective work. They are the people that hunt down drug cartels and alcohol trades.

"No! I..."

Cole sighs, which interrupts Jet Wilks's babble. Then he smiles at Serena.

"Seriously, Serena, you took forever to get here. I was worried about Lord Gash's head," Cole complains. Mort, the guy who had called the meeting, steps forward and frowns at Cole.

"You betrayed us," he accuses.

Cole shrugs.

"I was ordered three years ago to keep an eye on Enly Saint Claire. She's one of the crown's most valuable assets," Cole admits.

"If you had never kidnapped her, the RBI wouldn't have gotten involved with you."

"Kill him. He's nothing but a royal sympathizer," Jet Wilks cries. A scruffy man with a death wish actually points a gun at Cole. He is killed by another agent before his hand can make contact with the trigger.

"Don't fight us. Just relax, and none of you will be hurt. The king offers clemency to anyone that's willing to cooperate," Serena announces.

"We won't work with the king's puppet," a woman with raven-colored hair shouts. Figures. People are going to fight for Jet Wilks until the end. The former lord will incite them to save his own skin.

"Well, then, the rest of you are under—"

The boat shudders, and the lights flicker for a moment before going out.

"Cursed plague. I don't think that Ram was able to stop the ship's trajectory in time," Serena says.

"What does that mean?" Jet Wilks demands. I already have a good idea of what is about to occur. Deep sadness fills me at the thought. Cole and Serena risked everything to save me and now they are both in danger. I hope it ends well for them. I imagine that the soldiers in Serial will be kind to RBI agents. They wouldn't want to face the king's wrath.

"The sea patrol has spotted us. My guess is that Captain Tom had to send out some type of flair so that he could pass the island safely," I explain, after everyone grows silent. I'm surprised that I'm able to project my voice.

"What do you mean?" Prince Matthew asks.

"I learned about this in my trade routes class. In order for someone to sail their cargo ship near the island, they have to prove that they have permission. If not, the ship will be destroyed, and the crew will become temporary captives of Serial. They'll release us, only if the magistrate overseeing Serial agrees," I force myself to explain. "Don't do anything to upset the sea patrol."

"She's lying," Jet Wilks declares. "This is some trick to scare us. When the lights go back on, kill them."

"The young lady is telling the truth," an unfamiliar male voice explains. "We are wearing night-vision goggles. We can see everyone. No one move." A moment later, a flashlight clicks on. A woman with brown skin, long, wavy black hair, and a gentle smile squats down in front of me. She's wearing a white lab coat and scrubs.

"I'm Doctor Lacy. Are you hurt, milady?" she softly asks.

"My pinky," I rasp out. She carefully inspects my bound hands and her brow rises.

"My lady, why are you tied up?" she asks me.

"Jet Wilks set the whole thing up. He kidnapped the Prince, Lord Gash, and I to distract the country. He's colluding with the New Canadian army. They will march on the Great Plains Region soon. I don't know when."

Some men curse while Jet Wilks shouts, "She's lying! I never kidnapped her. These pirates kidnapped all of us!"

"Then why aren't you tied up?" a man asks him.

"Because I wouldn't fight back," Jet pleads.

"He's lying. I'm special agent Cole Winters. I've been undercover with Jet Wilks's false rebellion for quite some time," Cole informs the sea patrol. "I don't have any information about New Canada, but he did arrange for the lady regent and her friends to be captured."

"I'll place you all in cells. I'll need to interview each of you so that I can determine who is telling the truth," Doctor Lacy insists. She returns to me, holding a dagger. "I need to cut your bindings, Lady Saint Claire."

"Okay," I whisper. Doctor Lacy hands the flashlight to one of her squad mates. Then, she gets to work on my leg ties. As soon as my legs are free, I sigh in relief. Then, she works on my hands. When they are finally free, and blood can circulate again, the pain in my pinky increases. I groan out in pain.

"I apologize, milady. I will give you something for the pain," Doctor Lacy insists, before opening the black bag that rests beside her foot. She pulls out a pill bottle and then slips a pair of gloves on her hands. She smiles wide at me. "Since you don't have any major injuries, I hesitate to sedate you. Instead, I will give you something for the pain. When we reach the clinic, I'll have to set your finger and place your hand in the mender."

"Okay," I say. The doctor shakes a circular tablet from the bottle and instructs me to open my mouth. Then, she places the sweet-tasting pill on my tongue and tells me to suck on it.

"Are there any other people on deck with broken bones?" Doctor Lacy demands.

"I think I have a broken nose," Jet Wilks complains. Thankfully, the good doctor ignores him. She snatches the flashlight from her assistant and hands it to me.

"Do you have anything on this ship you want saved before I torch it?"

"Yes," I say eagerly.

"Found treasure?" the doctor inquires. I don't reply, lest she lets the money go to waste. I have a feeling that the information in Captain Tom's office is useful. "Well, okay," she tells me. "We'll have one of my men give you a stack of bags," she offers, before moving over to Lord Gash. As the drug enters my system, the pain eases. I'm relieved that in a matter of days, I'll have full function of my hand again.

"All of those who are not injured, follow me," a new voice shouts. The agents and the men and women with good sense follow the sea patrol soldiers off the ship. The only people that remain are the prince, Lord Gash, Jonah, Cole, and Jet Wilks. My brother rushes over to me, his relieved eyes making confusion fill me. We aren't out of the woods yet. Before I can give him the warning, Jonah touches my cheek.

"Enly, I thought that they were going to kill you," he informs me.

"They probably would have. I'm glad that Lord Gash didn't get executed," I rasp out. My brother shudders.

"Hopefully, Dad can get you out of this," he says.

"Only me?" I ask.

"Enly, I'm illegitimate. What's Dad going to be able to do for me? My sentence is permanent," he reasons.

"There has to be a way to change that," I say, sadness filling my heart. I don't know what Serial entails. But what if Doctor Lacy and her staff decide to keep my brother on the island because of his status? Nothing I could do would free him. I'm not crowned yet, and it will take years to overturn my brother's sentence. "Jonah, I..."

"It's okay, Enly. I'm at peace with it. I'm okay. You don't need to sacrifice for me anymore. All I want is for you to be happy."

"I'll only be happy when you're free," I fire back, anger filling my gut. How can Jonah accept his fate? Why does he expect me to?

"Enly, I see the way that you look at Prince Matthew. You love him just as I loved Bella. Please, don't make my mistake. Fight for him. He can make you happy."

"Jonah, I'll never stop fighting for you. I promise," I tell my brother. "I love you. How do you expect me to be happy, when you don't have the same opportunities and privileges that I have?"

"You shouldn't fight for me, Enly," Jonah shouts, his eyes blazing. "You should fight for every single illegitimate out there. What makes me more special?"

"You're my brother," I argue. "I don't know them, I know you." Seriously, who does Jonah think I am, a revolutionary? I never set out to change the system, though I think that it's foolish. My only goal has always been to protect my brother. Sure, if there is a motion to end the practice of making innocent people illegitimate, I'll vote for it. But that bill would have to be supported by a senior member of the House of Nobles. If I suggest it, my peers will think that I'm being biased. I want to explain it to my ungrateful brother. Yes, he is ungrateful. I have made many sacrifices so that I'd be in the position to secure his freedom. If he only knew the days that filled me with panic and the nightmares that I had about him being worked to death. If only he knew why I couldn't pursue Prince Matthew.

"Enly..." Jonah is interrupted by Matthew's alarmed shout. He spins around, and must see something that I don't, because my brother shoves me to the deck. The jarring impact causes the pill to fly from my open mouth. I land on my left arm, where my injured pinky is attached. I shriek from the pain of impact, and am immediately lifted onto a gurney.

"Was she hit?" Doctor Lacy shouts. Hit? What is she talking about?

"Enly?" Matthew shouts frantically, but the dimming view of my surroundings doesn't allow me to make anything out. I try to force myself to stay awake, so I can ask someone what happened, but I pass out before the words can form on my tongue.

# Chapter Twelve

Matthew

Lord Gash clutches my arm, preventing me from stepping forward. He had dispatched the pirates that had tossed the knife at Enly. Luckily, Jonah had been quick enough to move Enly from its trajectory. But the illegitimate caught the blade in the shoulder. I had to watch as both siblings were loaded on gurneys and were wheeled onto the gangplank.

"He's still alive," Doctor Lacy announces as she crouches down beside the man who had a bullet hole to the back. Lord Gash had been standing beside the confiscated weapons. He was able to snatch up a rifle to fire the shot.

"Thank you," I tell Julian. "You saved them."

"If I hadn't, you would have done something stupid," my royal assistant says, which effectively dispels my gratitude.

"I have to go to her," I say, eying the brick building that Enly had been wheeled to.

"No. We have a job to do," the lord insists, eying the stacks of crates. "We need to search Tom's office." I want to tell the royal assistant to riffle through the foolish dead captain's belongings on his own. But then I realize that Captain John may have something useful in there. "Okay. We need help," I agree, eying Cole, who hadn't bothered blowing his cover until the RBI agents boarded the ship.

"You want to bring him?" Lord Gash inquires, the disappointment in his eyes clear. He probably wants this to be a two-man mission. But we need at least five extra hands. I will take every piece of evidence and then sort through it all after I ensure that Enly is all right.

Cole marches over to us and bows, which makes me grit my teeth.

"We need to clean out Captain Tom's office," I announce. "He may have valuable information there."

"Fine. Serena will be helpful," Cole decides, gesturing to Enly's former illegitimate, who was about to step foot on the pier. A sea patrol guard spots Cole's waving arm and taps her on the shoulder. Serena spins around and immediately joins us, a weary expression on her face.

"What's going on?" she demands, her hands going on her hips.

"You could have defended Enly when that assassin was trying to kill her," I blurt out, my anger building. "Cursed plague, you could have gotten her killed."

"Had I acted in that manner, my cover would have been blown. I had already taken a risk by spilling the tea that someone had poisoned. I'm sorry for letting Enly come to harm. I love her like a sister. I assure you that I won't let it happen again under my watch," Serena proclaims, before her expression fills with determination. "Now what's going on?"

Since the lift is unusable, we enter the observation tower. There is a secret hatch that deposits someone to the captain's office. Cole had discovered the hatch, because a sailor had attempted to use it to escape. After a member of Doctor Lacy's crew provides everyone in our party a flashlight, we each throw a sack over our shoulders and follow Cole into the observation tower.

Cole shoves the door aside and we step into the hallway littered with bodies. I guess this is where the bulk of the action took place. Though the captain's crew had planned to kill me, I couldn't help pitying them. They gambled with a powerful lord and paid dearly.

By the time we travel five feet, the soles of my boots are saturated with blood. My shoes make a sticky squeaky sound whenever my feet make contact with the tile.

"It's in here," Cole says as he opens the door of a broom closet that is beside the captain's quarters. Cole enters, and Serena follows. Lord Gash and I wait a couple of seconds before we follow Cole into the empty closet. The hatch is in the middle of the floor. One of the RBI agents holds up their flashlight from below. I sigh and grimace before I slip my flashlight in the pocket of my shirt and sit down. I scoot to the edge and gingerly lower myself down, and am relieved when my feet touch a wooden surface. I release the sides of the hole with my hands and pull my flashlight out. I register that I am standing on an oak desk. I hop to the ground and rush into the corner.

"Don't jump, Julian. Lower yourself down. The hatch opens up under the captain's desk!" Lord Gash follows my instructions and he joins us in the dim room.

"Most captains would just have quarters in the observation tower. Why the hell did that idiot have rooms down here?" Lord Gash asks.

"So he can hide if his men have to fight off pirates," Cole reasons. "While people were looking in the tower, he could sneak down here, take the lift, and jump overboard."

"I don't blame him. Captain John had a lot of enemies. If it hadn't been Lord Wilks and his misguided rebels, someone would have gotten to him," Serena comments. "Now let's look around. Prince Matthew, are we just grabbing important documents?"

"Use your judgement. But I want any ledgers that you find," I decide, hoping that I can find other lords in cahoots with the expired captain. Even if I don't agree with the practice, my father will need to sell more titles if he wants to pay back some of the debt that Stanti owes.

I immediately start opening the desk drawers. The top drawer holds nothing but a pack of cigarettes—which are illegal to smoke—a watch, and a few pencils. The second drawer has stacks of envelopes that have to be ten inches thick. Without glancing at them, I quickly shove them in the large sack, and by the time I finish, a quarter of the sack is filled. The bottom drawer is filled to the rim with money. As I scoop money into the pack, I tune into the sounds around me.

"Cursed plague, I think I found a ledger," Cole shouts from the bathroom.

"I found clothes and shoes," Serena says from the closet.

"I think I have letters," Lord Gash offers, from the corner that holds the filing cabinet. "I don't think all of them will fit in my sack."

"I have letters and money," I report as I continue to shove armfuls of dollar bills into the sack.

"Do you think that we'll need that?" Serena asks as she crouches down beside me.

"Who knows? We might have to bribe someone to charter a boat," I figure.

"It all won't fit," Serena warns.

"I know. Can I use some room in your pack, after Lord Gash does?" I inquire as Serena gets to her feet.

"Sure." When my entire sack is full, I stand and stretch my arms, pleased that only a few bills are left. Before I can ask Cole what the plan is, someone plops down on the desk, hard. "Guys, we have a visitor," I shout frantically as Laurence joins us. His eyes go wide when his flashlight illuminates our presence. When he sees my face, he blanches.

"Grudge? It's you. I thought that they killed you," he cries. "I was too scared to leave the room after you cut me. And then they turned off the light. I thought that I could get money and run away. But y... Please don't hurt me! Please."

I sigh.

"We need you alive, Laurence," I say in an exhausted tone. This is the last thing I need. Laurence leaps off of the desk and seconds later, a female effortlessly drops to the desk. She grips her flashlight in one hand, and a knife in the other.

"Grunge, drop the money," the dark-haired woman orders. I drop the sack of money. "Laurence, pick up the sack and give it to me. Hurry up! I don't know where the pirates will dock us, but I'm sure that I can find some place to stay."

"What... What... What about me?" Laurence whines.

"You're of no use to me, you're injured," she snaps.

"So you'll leave me behind, Jazz?" Laurence squeaks.

"Why would I take you? You'll just get in the way," Jazz shoots back. "Now give me the money."

"But I'm your brother," Laurence complains.

"You would really leave me behind?"

"Yes. I would," Jazz says before she falls, her body hanging half off the desk.

"What happened?" Lord Gash, who is hefting his bag, wants to know.

Charity slithers her way into the room and steps on Jazz's back.

"Serena, I used it," she brags, holding up a tranquilizer gun which has a black handle and a square-shaped box for its point.

"Charity, what in the hell were you thinking? That tranquilizer is a prototype. Why didn't you pack something else?" Serena scolds.

"I chose the wrong one. Hi Grunge, hi Tommy, I bet you're really glad you stuck with me now, huh? You're going to go back to your unit in no time. And just to let you know, Dustin got to a raft and reunited with his two friends," Charity rambles.

"You tricked us," Lord Gash accuses in disbelief. "I thought that your father was a pirate and your mother was going into labor."

"No. My father is the head of the RBI, and my sister and I are new hires. So, want to get out of here?" she asks.

"Charity, those aren't soldiers. They are Prince Matthew and Lord Gash," Cole announces.

"I know. I just didn't want to break the ruse, in case Laurence didn't know," Charity explains, glaring at the terrified sailor.

"You survived? What did we ship back to the king?" Laurence squeaks.

"Food from your freezer," Lord Gash answers.

"Clever. Now let's get out of here. Lacy will burn this ship in fifteen minutes," Charity insists.

"But the lift is broken," Laurence protests. "I tried it."

"We'll have to climb back up," Cole says as he places his sack on the ground. He steps up on the desk, reaches up with both hands, and pulls himself out of the room.

"Prince Matthew, start handing up the sacks," Cole shouts. I stand on the desk and Lord Gash hands me the sacks. I pass them up to Cole. When all of the sacks have been removed, I eye Laurence, Jazz, and Charity. "Serena, come up here, I'll give you a boost," I offer. The agent climbs up on the desk, right on top of Jazz. I lift her in the air and raise my arm until she grips the sides, then I watch as she pulls herself out of the hatch. I repeat the same thing with Charity and Laurence. When Lord Gash and I are the only ones that remain in the office, we both eye Jazz.

"Is she valuable?" Lord Gash wants to know.

"Probably. But I don't think that she knows anything about Lord Wilks's plot. And I don't think that I could leave her here, knowing that the ship is going to explode," I reason. Lord Gash nods, and I lift Jazz into the air and yell, "Cole, pull Jazz up." I hold Jazz's body under the opening, and immediately feel someone pulling her upwards, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I eye Lord Gash and smile.

"You first, Prince. I want to make sure that you don't do something stupid." I hold on to the sides of the hatch and, muscles straining, jump into the hole and begin pulling myself up. I feel Lord Gash's hands at my feet, pushing upwards, to give me less to have to push up on my own. Cole puts his hands under my armpits and pulls until half of my body is on the floor, and the other half is still dangling in the opening. I drag myself further into the broom closet and get on my knees and peered down.

"Come on, Julian, your turn," I say. Julian nimbly pulls himself out of the opening, and I quickly back up to avoid a collision with him. He doesn't need any assistance. I am envious of his physical strength for an instant, and then I remember how he lost Celine, and then my envy turns into admiration because if I ever lost Enly, I won't be strong enough to protect anyone.

As soon as I get to my feet, Cole heads out to the hallway where the girls are waiting. Jazz is on the ground by Charity's feet. "I left the tranquilizer. I need to go back for it," Charity cries.

"No, you don't," Julian says, and I move out of his way so that he can hand Charity her weapon. "Let's get out of here before this ship explodes."

# Chapter Thirteen

Lexi

So, it's official, Mother will host some kind of gathering every time the opportunity provides itself. We are in the private ballroom. It's a misleading name, since the room can hold 250 people. I'm enduring a gathering for the senate. Like the last four events that I attended, Adam has not been included on the guest list. Mother has paired me with every eligible—or, in my opinion—terrifyingly old noble. Thank goodness she doesn't pair me with Lord Dolson, who's been in the corner eating food while talking to Matthew's betrothed. Caroline Drackle is shy and very naive, which makes her perfect for my family. At least she won't be in my way.

I finish dancing with a minor lord that smells like flowers, and consider pretending that I'm exhausted so he doesn't ask me for another dance.

"So, Lexi," the blond begins, his eyes narrowing on my face.

"What do you think about your mother's budget plan?"

I stiffen, because no one calls me by my Christian name, unless they are granted permission.

"Excuse me Lord... Lord... Uh, Lord..." I have no idea what this fool's name is, and he thinks that it's amusing.

"Figures. Unlike your brother, you are clueless." He releases his grip on my waist and exits the dance floor without giving me a curtsy. I try not to show my anger, but the scowl appears on my face. And it's unfortunate for me that the photographer captures the expression, and disappears in the crowd before I can run after him. I take in a deep breath and calm down. After realizing that I'm standing there in the middle of the packed ballroom without a partner, I decide to make my exit. Luckily, no one speaks to me as I make a beeline for the exit. I step into the hallway, feeling fortunate that the obnoxious music is drowned out by the heavy door that a couple of soldiers pulled close behind me.

***

Cursed plague, the palace is rather dull, and maybe Matthew has the right of it. The Prince of Stanti has always been a sly individual, always figuring out how he could escape duty to learn and explore. My brother better not be hiding out at one of the academies. For once, I hope that he takes advantage of his title and ends up on an island with white sand. It's weird how I've gone from resenting Matthew to being jealous. He isn't trapped in this zoo. But where is he? Well, there is only one place where I can investigate.

It's rather easy to get to my father's office. The room is situated on the top floor of the palace, so that he isn't disturbed. The best part of this floor is that it's currently unguarded because the king isn't in his quarters. Everyone knows that no sensitive government information is kept at the palace. The king and queen have quarters in the administration building to store such information. That building is guarded by armed soldiers, twenty-four hours a day.

The door is ajar, which is a slight victory for me. Ronin, a guard on my father's detail, vowed that he'd keep the door unlocked for me. He, of course, didn't ask me why I needed to enter the king's quarters, which is fortunate for me.

"Lexi?" Adam asks as soon as I step into the luxurious office. My mouth pops open when the stench of rotting meat slams into my nose. Adam is pale, his eyes wide with shock as he holds a piece of paper in his hands.

"Cursed plague, that stinks!" I complain, before snatching the damp paper from my former betrothed's fingers.

King George,

_This is Lord Julian Gash. The prince, Lady Saint Claire, and I have been captured by the crew of the_ McClain _. The ship's captain worked with the rebels and Jet Wilks to kidnap and kill the prince. They were supposed to send his body parts in this shipment, but after I infiltrated their ranks, I resorted to misinformation. I told them that I had already executed the prince. Then, the prince and I snuck into the kitchen, stole some meat, and packed it up. I told them that this was the prince's body, and they shipped it to you. I've killed the man on navigation. That means that the ship is heading towards Serial. I believe that we will be arriving there shortly. Please do not tell anyone of the prince's true whereabouts. I'm afraid that the rebels will execute him._

Julian Gash

"My mother lied," is all I can croak out. All of this time, I've oscillated between hating Matthew, resenting Matthew, and hoping that I could join him. Since he has been gone, Mother has been having me meet with influential people, who think that the cowardly prince has abandoned the country to have a love affair. And the worst thing is that I've done nothing to mend his tarnished reputation. Cursed plague, when he returns, what does Mother plan to do? It is obvious that she desires me to rule, which baffles me.

"I guess she had to," Adam says, his shocked face telling me that he had no idea of what truly happened to my brother. His ignorance makes me feel like I can trust him with what I am intending to do.

"I wanted to escape, and join my brother. Being at the palace is dreadful. I thought that I could disrupt whatever adventure he was on. But he isn't on a vacation. He's currently trapped on a ship heading towards Serial," I squeak out. "My brother is in danger."

"I know, Lexi. But by the sound of that note, Lord Gash has properly disguised him. He will be returning safely," he assures me.

"After going through something as terrible as a kidnapping and assassination attempt, to return and realize that your country has been mocking you for your cowardice. My mother has done Matthew a disservice. If he returns and claims that he was

captured, the people will be divided."

"Lexi, you can't leave the palace. It's not safe," he protests.

"I don't get it. Why hasn't anyone tried to kill me?" I ask, confused.

"Maybe it's because Matthew isn't dead yet."

"Why not try to kill the king? He is the one that's actually ruling," I reason, my forehead crinkling. I abhor solving puzzles.

"Lexi, I don't know. But I can make some inquiries," he offers.

"Do you think that I can meet with some of your informants?" I do see Adam as an ally, but I'd be foolish to take his word like gospel. He may filter out certain facts to prevent me from doing something reckless. If anything happens to me, he'll have to answer for it.

"I can try to invite one of my informants to the palace. Security has been strict for certain people."

"Certain people?" I ask, curious.

"Yes. Since the queen no longer wishes me to attend her private gatherings, I have been given certain restrictions," he informs me.

"I'll think about this tonight, and give you an answer in the morning," I tell him.

"Or you can speak to your mother about giving me less restrictions. Lexi, I'm your intended. Shouldn't that give me clout?" Adam asks, his face going hard. "And to not tell me that the prince was kidnapped? I spent the entire time here filled with disappointment. Caroline Drackle is a nice, lost girl that has to deal with the humiliation of everyone thinking that she was left behind so that the prince could be with his lover. The poor girl has been sitting in her room crying from loneliness."

"How do you know that?" I'm jealous. Adam can probably tell this by my tone. Adam can't take an interest in Caroline Drackle when I still have my sights on him. My mother has already taken David from me; she won't force me into a loveless marriage to a man who will only tolerate me because he was ordered to do so. I deserve so much better than Julian Gash.

"I know because I visit her from time to time. She is really scared," Adam says, genuine worry on his face.

"Oh? And are you so concerned about Lord Dolson?" I challenge. Adam tugs on his tie, the way he always does when he wants to raise his voice to me. But he can't because that type of familiarity is granted to my family and my husband.

"Yes," Adam spits out. "I am concerned about Lord Dolson. From time to time I visit him, and we play cards or take meals together," he reports, which makes me feel an ounce of worry. How does that look to Lord Dolson, the future Lord Regent of the Great Plains, that I haven't bothered speaking to him? If this region is ever going to revere the royal family, the royals need to ingratiate themselves to the nobles. That means I need to have a chat with Lord Dolson.

"Oh," is all I can honestly say.

"Lexi," Adam gently begins. "You know that I have no interest in Caroline Drackle, don't you?" His eyes focus on my face, as if I have a tell that he has memorized. The idea that he knows me so well causes excitement to fill my stomach. I always dreamed of being with a man that understood me. The way that Adam glances at me makes me realize that I haven't kissed him in a few days. Ignoring the horrid smell of foul meat, I purposely saunter closer to him, and his eyes darken.

"Lexi, are you jealous?" Adam rasps out.

"A princess doesn't need to be jealous," I scold. "Not when she already owns you." Without warning, I grip the back of his head and press my lips to his. The kiss is so demanding that for two seconds, I worry that I may have bruised my lips. But when his hungry kisses begin to rain down on my neck, I know that I need to figure out how I can keep him. I pull him close, our tongues meeting as aggressively as our lips. Then Adam pulls away. It is obvious by the longing on his face that he doesn't want to.

"I can't wait for the day that you're mine," Adam whispers in my ear. Good. Now he is longing for me. That will keep him from even thinking about Caroline Drackle and her stunning face. What is she doing, going near what everyone knows belongs to me? Did my mother order her to distract him so that he wouldn't catch wind of my mother's plans? I need to find a way to make Caroline dislike my mother. If that were to happen, she won't do her bidding. I also need to figure out how to make her less confident. My brother's annoying betrothed can't detect my malice. By the time I'm done with her, she'll think that we are friends. That means that I'm going to have to make nice with her and Lord Dolson. It is time to call on Sabot for a detailed report.

# Chapter Fourteen

Enly

"You know, Enly, you are so lucky," my roommate says. "You could have gotten your head chopped off." Apparently in Serial, one is never alone. Even in the holding rooms, you have a companion. I sit up on my twin-size bed, relieved that the pain in my hand has vanished. My cellmate, Andrea, is actually a criminal, though she doesn't look like one. She is about 4 foot 10 with long golden blonde hair, an angelic wide smile, and blue eyes.

"I guess that's one way of looking at it," I say as I gently touch the orange jumpsuit that Doctor Lacy has forced me to don.

"I mean, think about it. That idiot who tried to knife you could have stabbed you right in the jugular! You're lucky that your brother was quick enough to save you," she says.

"I wish that I had a sibling that loved me that much."

"Are you an only child?" I inquire. We have been here for two days and the inactivity is starting to trouble me immensely. So why not engage my overly chatty neighbor in conversation? There is nothing else to occupy myself with.

"No. I'm one of seven, but my siblings hate me," she declares.

"Why?" I ask, even though most of my mind is on Matthew and how he's faring. I had wanted him to be in a room with me, but the prisoners are separated by gender.

"Because I killed my parents. Why else do you think I'm in here?" Andrea snaps, her eyes flitting between angelic and annoyed. Chills run down my spine and I want to escape this room. This woman is mad.

"I mean, do you remember the ancient rhythm that the old American civilization used to sing?"

"No," I say, hoping that my terse answer will discourage her from speaking.

"You don't know? Well, you must not be from the New England region then. Okay, so it goes..."

"The details aren't necessary," I insist.

"Well, I stopped at twenty whacks," she announces.

"I got tired. Then my mother walked in on me and I chopped her head off."

"Y—" Anger fills me at this seemingly nice person's lack of remorse for what she did. For goodness's sake, she killed her own parents! What is wrong with her?

"Oh, relax. I killed them after they killed the illegitimate that I fell in love with. Though I was going to kill them anyway, so that I could get a hand on their fortune." After Andrea speaks, the door opens and Doctor Lacy enters. She must have heard what Andrea said, because she rolls her eyes.

"Andrea is one of the girls who was rescued from the ship. She isn't a criminal. And Andrea, you are speaking to Lady Saint Claire. Be mindful of what you say," Doctor Lacy warns.

Andrea breaks out into hysterical laughter for a moment before speaking. "Sorry, milady, but you looked so...horrified when I told my story. By the time I talked about the... Oh, I'm sorry, I... Jazz put me through a lot, I needed some laughter," she explains.

I don't know what to make of Andrea, so I refrain from commenting on her behavior. Instead, I smile up at Doctor Lacy.

"Did you contact the king?"

Lacy smiles.

"He isn't replying to our communications. But I'll try again," she assures me.

"How is my brother?" I want to know.

"He's already in his temporary home. We sorted all of the men first," she informs me.

"What about the prince?" I ask, my heart rate picking up. What do they mean when they say that they have sorted all of the men? What have they been sorting them for?

"He has also been sorted. Don't worry, my lady, we have come up with a solution to this problem," Doctor Lacy assures as she eyes Andrea.

"Andrea, I have decided that you will be well-suited to work in the clothing factory, until the royal ship comes for your group," Doctor Lacy decides.

"Lady Enly, you can work in the kitchens. We'll have you washing dishes with Serena and Charity."

"Can't Andrea stay with us?" I ask, after seeing the fear in the girl's eyes.

Doctor Lacy sighs. "We are unable to confirm Andrea's identity. She's claiming that she's a lady's child. I highly doubt that. She isn't registered," Doctor Lacy informs me.

I eye Andrea and frown, trying to figure out which lady she has a likeness to.

"And as you can see, she likes making up stories."

"Andrea, who are you really?" I demand.

A frown fills her face for a moment, before she smiles. "Your lost sister. Don't you see the resemblance?" she teases.

"Keep her with us. I'll figure out who she really is eventually," I decide. To be honest, if we have to steal a raft to sail away from this island, I don't want to leave Andrea behind. She may know something about Captain Thomas or Jet Wilks that will help us figure out when the Canadians will attack.

"If we work here, can we change out of these hideous outfits?" Andrea wants to know.

"No. That's a part of the plan that me and my staff have devised. You will pretend to be prisoners. No one can know who you are. Enly, in your case, I'm sure there are people that your prince has placed on this island. So don't call him by his title. And you will go by Emily, since Enly is not a common name," Doctor Lacy orders.

"Well, hello, what do I go by?" Andrea asks. "I'm a lady, after all. I could be recognized."

Doctor Lacy rolls her eyes before motioning for us to follow her.

The moment we exit the holding center, I'm shocked. I expected Serial to be an island that was littered with huts and tents. I was under the assumption that people had to live off the land and were often killed off by barbarians. No. That's not the world that I escape into. Serial is nothing more than tall buildings, some of them emitting smoke and other gases, causing fog to fill the sky. The weather is warm, which is a shock to me. I'm used to the intense winters of the Great Plains Region.

"Where are the huts, naked people, and snakes? I remember my mother always telling me that Serial contained black mambas," Andrea comments.

"I'm afraid serial has been built up to be something else," Lacy says.

"There are two parts to Serial, based on what kind of criminal you are. This industrial section is filled with factories that prisoners are required to work in. This is reserved for the people who were sentenced here because they drank, stole, or destroyed someone's property. Most of these prisoners don't want any trouble. They behave because they are afraid of moving to the other sections."

"What happens to the murderers?" Andrea asks as she gawks at a row of prisoners exiting a factory.

"They don't begin here. They are imprisoned for twenty years before being integrated into this population. People who want a shorter sentence can go through the long walk, and a ship will be waiting for them. Only ten people have been successful," Doctor Lacy says. I shudder at the thought of going through such a trial.

"All the murderer has to do is some stupid walk?" Andrea demands.

"No, Andrea. The walk is dangerous. Each quadrant has a ruthless killer guarding it. This is typically a serial killer that cannot be rehabilitated because antisocial personality disorder has not been fully eradicated like the population believes. Each killer cannot enter the domain of another. It's a very frightening experience," Doctor Lacy warns.

"What if a murderer did survive, could they go on the ship?" Andrea inquires.

"No. A guard would be there to escort them back. A caretaker cleans up the path, collects the bodies, and fills the supplies," she explains.

"What about citizens that commit treason?" I ask, afraid for Brandon Wilks.

"They come here," Doctor Lacy responds, and I let out a sigh of relief. "Now come on, girls. I need to show you where you'll be living."

As we walk through the streets of this prison colony, I barely see anyone. The occasional guard will salute Doctor Lacy, and completely disregard us. They must not know who I am. We walk for what has to be a mile before we see a change in scenery. A scorched field separates the factories from our living quarters. The only difference between the two sections is that the buildings don't emit pollution into the air. The stench of burning rubber still lingers in the air.

We walk through the field, and as soon as I reach the sidewalk again, Doctor Lacy pulls two key-shaped pendants from her pocket. Seeing those pendants makes me nostalgic for the time when Prince Matthew and I were going through the farce of a review that I was always destined to win.

"What's that?" Andrea wants to know.

"It's what you need to enter both your room and the dining hall. Don't lose it," the doctor warns Andrea before showing her how to clasp and unclasp the pendant.

I place my pendant on and then mount the stairs of the building. The chain to the pendant is not restrictive. All I have to do is yank on it and place the key in the hole. When the lock clicks, I open the door and enter, closing it behind me. I have the feeling that the guards want to keep track of the prisoners' whereabouts.

When Andrea enters the building with a huff, I turn to face her. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"You could have held the door open for me. Does anyone have manners anymore or did that concept disappear before the plague?" Andrea complains.

"Everyone has to use their pendants so that they can keep track of us," I explain, shooting her an apologetic look. It's clear that she has never attended an academy and is unfamiliar with the protocol.

"Oh. Well, fine. We're in room nine fifteen," Andrea announces.

We head toward the bank of elevators in the hallway, then Andrea calls the elevator. One of them opens and we enter, and we wait as the car takes us upwards.

Andrea unlocks the door to our room then quickly closes it behind her. I stand out in the hallway that smells of sweat and sewage and curse myself for explaining the concept to her. The lock had given me a bit of trouble.

"Oh, thank goodness you guys are here," Charity says as soon as I open the door to our room. Charity is dressed in an identical orange jumpsuit and wears a smile on her face. Her blonde hair is gathered in a ponytail and the excitement in her eyes stuns me. We have to act like prisoners, for goodness's sake. What is a prisoner supposed to be happy about?

"Hi Charity," I say with a smile. She moves so I can enter, and I get my view of the room. There are four twin-size beds, each of them separated by a set of drawers. Charity sits on the bed at the end, so I take the second-to-last bed.

"The orange jumpsuits and our underwear are packed in the drawers already," Charity reports, her face pinching up in a frown.

"Come on, we really need someone to choose beds for us?" Andrea complains.

"It's prison, Andrea. We can't go to the bathroom without using our pendant," Serena says, gesturing to the door in the corner. I assume that the door leads to a bathroom. Before I can ask my roommates if they know the agenda for today, there is a knock on the door. Hoping that it's Matthew, I leap from the bed and run over to the door and unlock it. When I pull it open, I see a dark-haired young woman scowling at me.

"Who are you?" she asks.

"Emily," I hesitantly respond.

"Emily, welcome to Serial. I'm Jenna, the queen of this island. You either do what I say, or you'll be sorry," she hisses. "Now, who in your group wears a size five?"

"No one," I lie. "Why?"

Jenna sighs as if she's regretful about something. Then she pulls out a knife and attempts to stab me. But I'm quick, due to my time on the cargo ship. I leap backwards, throwing myself to the ground. Then my pendant begins to vibrate against my chest, which makes me let out a squeak. Is this stupid thing malfunctioning? I have very little time to worry about it, because someone pulls Jenna backwards from behind.

"Would you quit bothering the new recruits?" the girl yells. I get to my feet and slowly back into the room. I had been saved by the dark-haired girl who appeared to be in her late teens. Her face is hard as she restrains the much smaller girl.

"Mar, you should just keep on being nosy. Why don't you just worry about yourself?" Gina hisses.

"You will pay for this. As soon as Porsha comes, you will pay!" At that, fear flashes in the woman's eyes. When I see that expression, a memory touches my consciousness, so briefly that I can barely figure out where I remember her from. But I'm pretty sure that I've seen the girl before.

"Just leave her alone," the girl says, determination in her tone. "Or I'll tell about Betsy."

"No one will believe you," Jenna shouts as footsteps pound down the hallway. I have to do something, but what? Mar releases Gina, who then spins around and attempts to slice her. I lunge for Gia's arm, preventing Mar from being gutted. But then someone hits me in the back of the head, and I'm engulfed in darkness.

# Chapter Fifteen

Matthew

The first thing about prison that I hate is the monotony of the whole thing. I'm sitting on the first floor of an office building that's dedicated to mailing flyers. I'm not kidding. Public relations representatives send whatever they need copied to an overseer. The overseer sends the forms to the printer, and the prisoners are forced to stuff envelopes all day long. Julian sits beside me, working on his own stack.

"I can't believe that Lady Jemison is inviting five hundred people to her stupid ball," I comment as I send an invitation to myself. She either hasn't been reading the daily notice, or this list had been sent before I was kidnapped.

"Is it a ball to celebrate her husband's birthday?" Lord Gash asks in a dry tone. Since it is my invitation, I peak, and sure enough it is for her lord husband's fiftieth birthday. I briefly wonder if I can fake an ailment to avoid attending, when someone clears his throat. I peer up at another prisoner. He wears the hideous jumpsuit but has a bandaged arm and a black eye. He sits at the table beside me, in front of a stack of advertisements thicker than my head.

"We can't read the invitations. You'll be beaten, or worse," he softly warns me. I shoot the familiar man a wide grin.

"What if it's addressed to me?" I challenge.

"That happened to me once. This distant cousin of mine was having a wedding and..." He stopped speaking when Cole and Laurence sit down at the long table in front of their designated stacks. I study Brandon, trying to determine when he will recognize me. I had harassed Doctor Lacy until she changed his post. Brandon is thin, exhausted, and injured from working in the forge. He awkwardly slips the first advertisement into the envelopes and stamps one of the printed addresses on it.

"Do you know that back in the day, they used to print these addresses from printers?" I ask Lord Gash.

"They still do in some cases. But they have the prisoners do this by hand as a reminder of what they will never have," Julian explains.

"You gentlemen speak as if you aren't prisoners," Brandon says, before cursing. He slips a bloody finger into his mouth and sucks.

"Brandon, you don't recognize me?" I ask, making eye contact with him.

"Matthew?" he asks in disbelief.

"Yes," I say, my voice low and hesitant. With the trouble that my father caused him, I worry that he will lash out at me.

"I thought that you were a look-alike. Some of the rich get physical augmentations to look like you. What are you doing here?" he inquires, shocked. Before I can answer, Doctor Lacy enters and shuts the door behind her. Her eyes are tired, but a faint smile crosses her face.

"Prince Matthew, your stepmother is on the line," she announces. I stand, my shoulders slumping in relief. I'm halfway there to my ultimate goal of making Enly Saint Claire my princess. Once she is mine, we won't have to hold back or be concerned with obligations. She knows that she can't free Jonah, so I don't have to worry about her wanting to remain lady regent.

"Lead the way," I tell Lacy, and we desert the stupid mail room and enter the elevator. As we stand side by side, the doctor eyes me, as if she's considering something. "Tell me," I encourage her. A lot of people always assume that if they speak freely, I'll behead or punish them.

"Enly is in the infirmary. She was struck in the head by a pipe. She's healing b—" Panic fills my chest, and instead of talking to my stepmother, I want to run to Enly.

"Are the guards with her?" I demand.

"Yes, the lady regent is well-guarded. Serena and Charity are seeing to her safety, and Andrea has insisted on sitting with Gina," she says.

"Gina?" I ask, confused.

"One of the girls that hurt the lady regent. Serena killed the one that struck Enly on the head. I'm concerned about that. Porsha was a part of the trio that run the female prison. I'm unsure of what Gina and Mist will do to retaliate," Doctor Lacy fears.

"Dump them on the path. That will teach them."

"Prince, that isn't the punishment for an assault. They will be placed in solitary confinement for twenty-four hours. Since she isn't going to be here much longer, I don't think that killing Porsha and Gina is the answer. And besides, the other officers don't know the lady regent's identity," the doctor says before the door opens. We exit the elevator and enter an office. She gestures for me to take a seat at the pine desk. I glare at the white roses that are resting in the vase in the center of the desk. I hate the obnoxious smell of white roses. I block out the smell and lift the receiver that is lying atop a pile of documents.

"Hello?" I say, hoping that my stepmother didn't grow impatient and hang up.

"Matt, is that you?" Arabella asks hopefully. I wince at being called Matt. For some reason, I never liked that nickname.

"Mom," I say, relieved. I'd never disrespect her by calling her by her given name. But in my mind, she will always be my stepmother, no matter how much love and affection she bestows upon me.

"How did you end up on Serial?" she asks, sounding frightened. I quickly explain how Enly, Lord Gash, and I were kidnapped and smuggled onto the ship, and all of the other consecutive events. I detail New Canada's planned attack on the Great Plain Region, and she gasps.

"A new regent hasn't been crowned yet. If New Canada invades the Great Plains, our people will be in danger. What do I do?" she wants to know. Arabella doesn't bother consulting my father. He's more interested in playing poker with drunken nobles. I close my eyes and hope that Enly will forgive me for this.

"Declare Titus the winner of the review and order him to marry Caroline. Then, tell them that Enly is my betrothed. That should satisfy Walter, and tell Walter that the title change will cost him," I decide.

"Caroline's father just wants his daughter to have a title. He doesn't care about which one," Arabella agrees.

"Good. I'll ask Enly for her hand as soon as I see her," I decide.

"She doesn't have a choice, Matt. Enly is not yet eighteen. Her father will sign the contract, I'm positive. What of Jonah? What will happen to him? You can't possibly bring him to the palace. People barely like her, but they hate him," she warns.

"I know. I'll figure it out. So, when can you send a ship for us?" I inquire.

"Already done. You'll have to be smuggled on a cargo ship," she announces.

"Cursed plague. Yes, Mother. Like my experience was so lovely the first time," I respond sarcastically.

"You and the princess will be fine. What of Jet Wilks?" she demands.

"Leave him here. He isn't going back on the same ship as me," I declare.

"Makes sense. He could probably bribe one of the crew members to hurt you," she responds. "What about Brandon? Are you going to free him?"

"Depends on what he wants," I say as worry for Enly starts to intrude in this conversation with my stepmother.

"Mom, I have to go. Hopefully, I'll see you soon," I say before hanging up the phone.

Doctor Lacy stares at me, her eyes filled with compassion. "You want to see Enly?" she asks knowingly.

"Yes. Can you bring me to her?"

"Sure, follow me. The medical wing is in this building," she informs me before we step back on the elevator.

***

When I enter Enly's room, Serena, Jonah, and Charity are all sitting on plastic chairs resting against the wall. Enly is on the bed, sleeping peacefully. I sit on the chair next to the bed and caress her warm face. I stare at her and I feel it in my heart that she will be my wife. It's the rightness I feel whenever I touch her. She will make a strong and fierce queen. She will use knowledge and logic to rule when it's time for us to ascend to the throne.

***

"Matthew, wake up," a voice pleads.

I open my eyes to see Enly in front of me. She yawns and stretches. I fell asleep knowing that Julian, who is stationed outside of the door, won't let anything happen to me.

I stand and stretch. According to the digital clock mounted to the wall, it's two o'clock a.m., which means more sleeping for me. Even injured, the people here always have to wear the orange jumpsuits. Her wound must have already been mended close, which is a relief. It means that she'll be less likely to get an infection. But they will still want to keep her in the infirmary for observation.

"How long have you been awake?" I ask as I gently caress her cheek. She closes her eyes for a moment, and her face turns peaceful.

"Matthew, I'm marrying Toad. Even though I'm..." I place a kiss on her moving lips, and she kisses me back. Good, because I don't want to talk to my betrothed, I want to ravish her. She gently pulls away and smiles at me. "But you don't care?"

"No. Because it isn't the case. The people are restless, because the coronation didn't occur. We had to do something," I begin. "Toad and Caroline will marry. Then, my father will announce my betrothal to you."

Enly frowns. "Princess? I... Oh... I... Matthew, th—" Enly, the woman who was probably subjected to rhetoric classes, is fumbling with her words. I'm hoping that she can't speak. She's surprised.

"You do want to marry me, right?" I ask, my heart nearly stopping when she doesn't immediately respond to my question.

"Yes. But this is all a shock. I go from becoming lady regent to becoming a princess? What do princesses even do? What are they required—" I stop her rambling by kissing her again. This time she pulls apart from me and gives me a scolding look.

"Matthew, this is serious! I need to know what I'll be expected to do," she pleads.

"Vote on dictates. Your vote equals the equivalent of six dukes' votes. Remember, only dukes, duchesses, lord and lady regents, and the royal family are in the senate," I explain. Enly sighs.

"When I was becoming lady regent, I didn't even consider that I'd help make laws and policies. All I cared about was saving Jonah," she confesses.

"I know. And you're brave. I can't believe that you were going to defy my father," I comment, and that makes me think of how comparable Brandon and Enly really are.

"I love Jonah. I'd do anything for him," she responds.

"One day, I hope that you feel the same way about me," I tell her.

She chuckles.

"I nearly killed Lord Wilks when he said that you were dead. That would have sent me to Serial. Matthew, I would do anything to keep you safe. I thought that you knew that," she tells me, and then she frowns.

"I feel the same way, Enly. And I promise once we get out of this, I'll spend time trying to woo you. I feel like we're always trying to get out of something." My comments make her smile. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispers, a tear falling from her cheek. "So much." Then, she furiously wipes at her eyes in disgust.

"You always make me cry," Enly whines. And hearing that I affect her cold exterior like that makes pride soar through me. Then, I yawn.

"Go to bed, Matthew. You must be tired," Enly says as she grips my hand and leads me to the bed. I slip out of my work boots and stretch out on the bed, and she lies beside me, her head leaning on my chest. Had we been back at Enly's dorm or in the palace, I'm positive that we'd be lost in one another. But right now is fine because I know that she's mine. With that knowledge, I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

***

"Matthew, wake up," I hear someone shout. My eyes open and Lord Gash is standing over us, his face filled with confusion.

"Stop yelling, Julian. You'll wake Enly," I complain. I peer over at the future Princess of Stanti and see that she's still sleeping.

"Why are you in bed with her?" he wants to know. That's when I remember that he hasn't heard the news.

"Oh, Enly's my betrothed. Caroline's going to marry Toad," I quickly explain. Lord Gash's eyes widen and without warning, he remove's Enly's head from my chest and then yanks me out of bed. I grumble, but manage to catch my balance.

"Cursed plague, Matthew. Do you know what would have happened if one of the RBI agents caught you like that?" Lord Gash hisses. "They'd think that Enly was a traveler."

"They'd know soon enough that she's mine, Julian," I say as I pat him on the back.

"Now, come on. You need to go to the dining room for breakfast. As they say around here, breakfast waits for no one."

"What about Enly?" I ask, confused.

"She'll be fed by the attending nurse. Well, that's if she wakes up for a meal," Julian comments with a frown. "Why isn't she awake? I made quite a racket."

"I don't know. She was awake at two this morning," I respond, smiling at the words she told me. _"Matthew, I'd do anything for you. Don't you know that?"_ She loves me. Enly Saint Claire, the distant heiress that no one could get close to, has opened her arms to me. Why me? How did I penetrate her heart?

"Matthew, we have to go. We have one more forsaken day in this place, and then we'll leave," he says, relieved.

"Can we still move Enly if she's asleep?" I wonder.

"Don't worry, Matthew, we aren't leaving without the princess. I promise you," my friend says. I lean down, kiss Enly's forehead, and follow the royal assistant to breakfast, hating that I have to part with her.

# Chapter Sixteen

Enly

"Did you know that I met the king?" Andrea asks as she drops herself onto the chair by my bed. I'm well, aside for a bit of exhaustion, but Doctor Lacy wants to be cautious, so she's keeping me for observation. I have been awake for an hour, and it has gone sluggishly. The anticipation of seeing my betrothed is filling me.

"Really?" I ask, because anything that Andrea says is an outright lie.

"Don't sound so shocked, Lady Saint Claire. I did meet the king once," Andrea insists.

"When?" I challenge.

"Nineteen years ago," she answers. "My mother came to court when she was pregnant with me, and met the king. The king blessed me and everything. Though it didn't turn out right, because look at where I am. I think that it's sort of like a reverse blessing. Do you think that you can bless someone, in hopes that they end up cursed?" she asks me.

"First of all, a monarch can't bless people. But a pastor or rabbi can. Pregnant ladies are not allowed at court. It's too risky. They are mostly required to stay off their feet," I argue.

"Well, my mother didn't care. She really wanted to meet the king," Andrea snaps, her eyes hard and her posture stiff. "You think that I'm making all of this up." _Be diplomatic, Enly. Don't outright call the lunatic a liar._

"Not necessarily. I'm just debating some of the illogical details of your story," I say, a yawn causing me to cover my mouth.

"Good. Because Lord Gash thinks that I'm nothing but a liar. Can you believe that? Cursed plague, don't get me started on Charity. She's hanging off him like a tie. It's really annoying! Cursed plague, the guy is grieving! It's disgusting how Charity plays the helpless victim, when she's a part of the RBI. 'Oh, Lord Gash, I'm afraid. Oh, Lord Gash, can you escort me to the weapons depo? Oh, Lord Gash, can you lie with me? I'm such a traveler but hide it well,'" Andrea mocks. "It's obvious that she's a title hunter."

"At least she's not a liar," Cole snaps as he enters the room.

"Oh look, the RBI agent that loves Serena, but can't have her," Andrea taunts in a fake sympathetic tone.

"Andrea, please stop. You can't call people a traveler when you don't have proof," I scold. "Cole, don't call her a liar." I add the second part because I don't want to offend Andrea. Perhaps she'll provide some clues of who she is in the stories she tells.

"Milady, I apologize," Cole says, his expression growing somber.

"No, what he's really trying to say is that he is sorry that he accused me of lying in front of you. But cursed plague, what does it matter? You aren't a deity, you are just fortunate enough not to be poor," Andrea rambles. If she is a lady, she lacks proper sense.

"What are you doing here?" Cole demands.

"You see, I'm supposed to be in the kitchen, but I snuck away when the warden wasn't paying attention. I would rather be in the company of a lady than those peasants," Andrea sniffs.

"So, there is no way of getting rid of you? What a pity," Cole comments.

"If you told me that the royal ship was arriving tomorrow, I'd be thrilled!" Andrea exclaims, her fists pumping in the air. "Is it?"

"No. Andrea, do you mind leaving the room? I need to talk to Lady Saint Claire about something," Cole lies.

"No, you don't. You are bothered by my brashness. And besides, I was visiting with the lady first. A proper gentlemen wouldn't have opened the door, but waited outside until the ladies were done with their conversation," Andrea lectures.

"We all know that Cole Winters is no gentleman," Mort says when he strolls into the room. Andrea's face goes pale when she spots him.

"You can't be in here!" Andrea squeaks. I eye Mort, trying to determine if he is of any danger to me. He doesn't have any weapons that I can see. Cole, who's still near the door, stiffens, his eyes trained on the misguided rebel.

"I _can_ be here," Mort announces as he smirks. "In fact, Doctor Lacy gave me permission to visit the lady." Mort says the word _lady_ as If he's saying the word _traveler_.

"Doctor Lacy knows that Lord Gash and Cole are supposed to approve visitors," I say, my heart racing. I know that something is off. Four rebel soldiers enter the room, and immediately begin pouncing on Cole. Andrea gets to her feet and speeds toward the bathroom. I'm about to follow when Doctor Lacy enters the room. I'm filled with relief because she's going to stop the madness that's occurring.

"They are attacking Cole," I yell over the grunting.

Doctor Lacy dodges a wild blow that Cole, who has gotten himself free, tosses. She smiles as if everything is all right. Then she gently detaches my IV port, which makes me realize that she's giving me a chance to run. I sit up, about to hop out of bed, when a voice yells, "Take Cole Winters to the interrogation room. I need to know what he told the king," Jet Wilks orders. I look in his direction and see that Cole is lying unmoving at the feet of a triumphant rebel. Three of the rebels lift Cole and exit the room. Mort and another rebel with long red hair stand on either side of Jet Wilks. I eye Doctor Lacy, who still appears calm.

"They are going to kill Cole," I protest. "Shouldn't you call the guards?"

"No, Lady Enly. That's not what's going to happen. I'm sorry," she says. "But Lord Wilks just had a better reward than you did."

"What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

"She means that I was able to buy her. You are out of luck, Enly. In a way, your anonymity is your curse. Because the guards don't know who you are, they won't complain when we dispose of you," Jet Wilks announces.

"Dispose?" I croak, my blood chilling and my heart nearly stopping.

"Yes," he says. Doctor Lacy pulls a tranquilizer gun from her coat and attempts to use it on me. I shove her, but she doesn't expect it. The doctor crumples to the floor, her device smacking against the wooden floor. I dive for it, and I stand. Mort looks as though he wants to advance, but Jet Wilks holds up a hand.

"If you fight us, we'll slit Jonah's throat. Jonah is currently with one of our soldiers. One shout, and your brother is dead," the former lord warns.

"You'll kill him anyway," I snarl, pointing the device.

"J—" Before Jet Wilks can finish his sentence, I fire the device into his chest. Mort frowns and attempts to rush me, but my desperation boosts my speed. He crumples to the ground and I leap over Jet Wilks's body and fire at the only rebel standing before exiting the room.

The hallway is empty. I have to figure out which room holds my brother. Once I do, I can attack the stupid rebel who has him hostage. I twist the first knob, and the door flies open and reveals the three guards and a still unconscious Cole. They placed him on an exam table. The guards are standing with backs against the wall. With three quick shots I render them unconscious. On impulse, I run to the guards and eye their pockets for a bulge. I find one on the second guard. I steel his tranquilizer and place it on Cole's chest, so that he'll have access to a weapon.

I exit the room and cautiously approach the third door. I hear voices. "You know, Jonah, you were stupid to think that the rebels would give up," a female voice tells him. "I mean think about it, killing your sister here is easy. And we can pin it on the unruly prisoners."

"Jet Wilks doesn't care about any of you. He lied to you to get you to follow him. I heard him. Because of him, the New Canadian army is going to invade the Great Plains Region."

"And who told you that? Your sister?" the girl challenges.

"No. Jet Wilks told me. This rebellion isn't one at all. He's using you to get revenge on the king and the Great Plains," Jonah pleads.

"Jonah, I like you. You are a good kid, despite being an illegitimate. You have no rights like your sister. Do you think that it's fair?"

"I don't know," my brother says, and the pain of it nearly shatters my heart. But before I can enter Jonah's room, I hear a male groaning in pain from a few rooms down. I am running out of time. Bolstered by my love for my brother, who seems apathetic about his survival, I burst into the room, and immediately pull the trigger. The woman with raven hair that had tried to fight after the RBI had surrounded the rebels stands in front of Jonah, who is sitting on an exam table. Because of his obedience to authority, the young woman didn't even have to tie him up. My bolt misses and slams harmlessly into a cabinet with a glass front that displays rows of medical paraphernalia. She spins to face me, and I fire two more times before she crumples to the floor.

Jonah leaps off of the table and follows me out into the hallway, where I find Andrea waiting for us. She is armed with a tranquilizer of her own. Judging by the way she's holding it, she doesn't seem eager to fire it.

"Andrea, lead the way. We'll use your pendant, since no one knows that you're with us," I decide. The confused beauty nods, and the three of us bolt out of the medical building and into a downpour.

The socks that had been placed on my feet collect water quickly. I shiver as the cool drops begin pelting my skin. Because I can barely see, I don't know where I'm going. But far away from the rebels and Doctor Lacy is the wisest plan my head can generate. All we have to do is hunker down until the cargo ship arrives. Hopefully Matthew isn't going to insist that we take the rebels back with us.

As I cross into the part of town containing factories, I see a commotion up ahead. A group of people are being herded somewhere. That's my only chance. We have to blend in with them. No, two of us need to blend in with the group while one of us alerts the prince. I turn to face my brother.

"Enly, what is it?" a fearful Andrea asks.

"We need to follow those people. Someone needs to tell the prince what's going on. Do any of you know where he is?" I ask.

"Yes. We share living quarters," Jonah announces.

I eye my brother with intensity.

"Jonah, go to your living quarters and hide. If you can, enter when someone else scans their pendant. Tell him that Andrea and I are hiding from the rebels," I order. "Make sure no one hears you when you relay the information."

"Okay, Enly. I'll do it," Jonah says, before turning his back on me and dashing away. It troubles me how he obeys my commands without question, but what more can I expect? He has been told for years that he is inferior. But my thoughts are immediately swept away when Andrea frantically tugs on my arm. I wince because it's the arm that used to be connected to the IV, so it has a few bruises.

"We need to go before those rebels wake up," she cries. We both rush through the rain and mud, catching up to the group in moments. It isn't until the rain dies down to a drizzle that my vision improves enough for me to assess the group. They are all bruised and battered, which is why the group is moving at a slow pace. The man in front of me has a bandage wrapped around his ankle. At least none of the prisoners wear cloaks to prevent their clothes from getting soaked, so we resemble them. We are among hundreds of cold and weary people who, despite their wounds, keep on walking.

My feet ache from making contact with the uneven concrete. In fact, I am positive that I have a few blisters. But like my silent companions, I refuse to cry out in agony. We are near the back, so I can't see which officers are leading us. But a mechanical sound does tell me where we are heading. A transport of some kind is up ahead, and judging by the tracks I see, we are probably going to board a tram. The trains were destroyed hundreds of years ago during the plague world wars. Most of the infrastructure supporting such a way of travel was obliterated. But in a few places, automatic trams are utilized, mainly to transport large amounts of people or cargo for short distances.

It takes ten minutes of slowly walking along the track to finally get a view of the light-gray tram. In another minute I see the boarding area. The silent prisoners slowly board the tram, each of them using their pendants to enter the tram. As soon as someone climbs the steps, the door slides shut.

"What do you want to do?" Andrea asks, scanning around the area.

"I suppose we scan the pendants. After the tram drops the prisoners off to their destination, we will circle back," I whisper, my feet protesting the idea with a jolt of pain.

"Enly, what if they track our pendants?" she cries.

"Even if they did, we are far from the medical building, and Serial doesn't have cars. It will take them some time to catch up to us. And that's if they are actually tracking me with my pendant. If my calculations are right, Doctor Lacy is still unconscious. She won't wake up for hours. And the rest of the traitors won't know to watch my pendant," I reason, hoping that I'm right.

"Maybe. B... I... At least hide our weapons," she reasons. We both slide our tranquilizers into our pockets and wait to board the tram.

# Chapter Seventeen

Matthew

Breakfast went longer than usual because ten prisoners had a brawl. If it hadn't occurred ten feet away from me, I would have marveled at the weapons that the men used on one another. This one guy attempted to stab the other with a toothpick. I don't know why the fight occurred. My guess is that these men always hated each other and thought that today would be the day to do battle. In any case, fifteen soldiers had to restrain the men and escort them away. Then, those of us who were in a more civilized mood had to wait close to an hour to eat oatmeal and burnt toast. Julian, accustomed to fine cuisine, only ate the oatmeal, and gave up his bread to a desperate inmate. So, as I walk through the drizzle, all I can think about is seeing my princess and kissing her plump, soft lips. Lord Gash walks beside me, his eyes scanning the area.

"One more day and I can finally breathe," he mutters as two beefy men run past us.

"Me and you both, Julian. I don't think that I can adjust to prison life. I mean, look, I've forgotten my pendant again," I complain.

"Well, I guess that we have to make a stop before you see the lady," he insists as he passes the building. "You know, we're lucky that no one noticed me letting you into the dining hall. I believe the punishment for that is a flogging for both parties."

"Do you think that Doctor Lacy would let them flog us?" I ask.

"She'd do anything to protect her prince from discovery. So yes, she would have flogged us to keep up pretenses," Lord Gash reasons as we arrive at the black building that holds our living quarters. "Hang on, let me run in and get your dreaded pendant."

As soon as Lord Gash enters the building, I hear heavy footsteps. I spin around and see a figure running toward me. It takes me a second to realize that it's Charity. Her hair is damp, and her cheeks are red. It's obvious her heart harbors affections for my newly widowed friend. Disgust followed by discomfort fills me at that thought.

"Where is Julian?" she asks, panting. I tamp down my aggravation with her. I would have been with my princess sooner, but she had to show Lord Gash where a garden was. Charity figured that the isolated garden could be our rendezvous point, since the cargo ship will be arriving in the middle of the night. We are sleeping under the stars, so that we don't have to sneak out of our living quarters after curfew. And of course, since Lord Gash is supposed to be my guard, I had to go with them to inspect that garden.

"He went to get my pendant," I respond, an edge of hostility in my tone. Charity's eyes flash.

"You know that I'm not really fourteen, right? I look young. I'm actually nineteen," she defends. "And I'm not a scared kid, either. I was only trying to conceal your identity."

"I know."

"Lord Gash's hand in marriage will be sold to the highest bidder."

"Of course. It's my father's way," I say dryly. Charity pushes a lock of her hair out of her face and her expression grows cold.

"My family has a lot of money. But that's not all. One of the lords who wants to be paid by the crown owes my father greatly. That could disappear if I marry Lord Gash," Charity offers.

"Do you like him, or his title?" I challenge.

"Since you are protecting the interests of your royal assistant, I will forgive the insult," Charity tells me. So she does love my friend. But Julian isn't ready to commit to someone new. He is still torn up about Celine.

"My apologies, Agent. I will be sure not to insult you again," I assure, as a throat clears behind us. I turn to face Julian, who's frowning.

"What did you say to insult Charity?" he asks distractedly.

"I accused her of being a title hunter. What's wrong?" I ask, worried.

"Jonah is waiting for us," Lord Gash says as he tosses me the pendant. "We have to perform an interrogation."

"Who?" Charity demands.

"Doctor Lacy. She lied about her intentions. Apparently, she sold us out to the rebels," Lord Gash warns us, and my heart sinks. I know that by us, he means Enly.

Charity, who is very astute, pales and clutches her chest.

"Lady Saint Claire," she whispers. "We have to save her. What would you like me to do?"

Lord Gash walks over to the door to the building and uses his pendant to open and gestures for Charity to enter. "Go to room two seventeen, and protect Jonah, until it's time to meet up in the garden. Charity, he's your number-one priority. Keep him safe," Julian urges. Charity nods before rushing into the building.

"What happened to Enly?"" I ask as we head over to the medical building, which is only a block away from my living quarters.

"Nothing. She apparently escaped and blended in with a group of prisoners. We need to find an officer that has access to a pendant-tracking machine," Lord Gash says as his pace slows. In front of us, a doctor is heading up the walkway that leads to the medical building.

"So, when Jonah saw her, she wasn't injured?" I ask, the hope in my voice causing Julian's eyes to narrow.

"She somehow outsmarted the rebels. But that's not our biggest problem. What are they going to do to you?" Lord Gash snaps as the doctor enters the building. "Now, use your pendant. I can't use mine because I scanned Charity into the building."

I jog to the door, and quickly place my key into the lock, sighing in relief when it clicks. Good, Doctor Lacy hasn't gotten around to denying me access to the building. Lord Gash and I enter the building and we rush down the corridor and take a left. Before we can enter Enly's room, Serena holds up a frantic hand, her eyes filled with tears.

"It's okay," I whisper as I hug her. "She escaped."

"Okay. But Doctor Lacy was also attacked," she whispers back.

"Doctor Lacy is not with us. The rebels bribed her into helping them." I release Serena, and Lord Gash shoves me out of the way and enters Enly's room. Serena slips past me and follows him in. Cursed plague, why do those two always insist on protecting me from everything? I follow them in and see that Mort, Doctor Lacy, and Jet Wilks are all unconscious on the floor. Quickly, we search their pockets and don't find any weapons. Enly must have taken them.

"Too bad we can't take Doctor Lacy's pendant off. Then, I could just go to the security office and see where Enly is," I say as I plop down on the bed beside Serena.

Lord Gash glares at me. "Matthew, it's time to focus. Enly is safe. We, on the other hand, are not. For all we know, we have to face off with one of Jet Wilks's rebels, and we have no weapons." My concern for Enly is turning into annoyance toward Lord Gash. I'm growing tired of him constantly telling me that Enly isn't a priority. "Now, if you would stop focusing on your lady, can we talk about something that's actually important?"

"Enly _is_ important," I shout, my temper exploding. Lord Gash, who is leaning against the wall by Jet Wilks's head, stiffens. "I'm not like you. I can't discard one lady for another." As soon as I say those words, I regret them. Julian's eyes darken with anger.

"You rotten man. You have no idea how things have been for me. For years I've been putting you first. Not me, not Celine, but you! Even though you don't grasp the concept of self-preservation, I protect you. Celine protected you. We put off having children because it didn't suit your current needs. Then, when she became with child, she chose your life over her child's life. She's gone, Matthew. And I don't even get a chance to mourn her because I'm too busy protecting someone who's so ungrateful that it's astonishing," Lord Gash coolly responds, his breathing growing heavy. If I had been another man, I think that he would have struck me.

"You know, Julian, I never asked you to give up everything for me," I say, the guilt of Celine's death overwhelming me.

Serena has tears streaming down her face. She quickly wipes them away and then stands.

"I'm going to find weapons," she announces before exiting the room.

Me and my best friend do not speak to one another. I'm too busy thinking about what would have happened if Celine hadn't fought the rebels. Would Jet Wilks have taken her? Would she now be here, fighting to stay alive with us? Would her baby have survived the attack? Julian, a father? I have never considered him wanting anything else but to be with me. It's naive, but I always assumed that if Lord Gash wanted to leave the position, he would have a long time ago. Was Celine happy with being Lexi's assistant? I will never know because she's dead. It pains me that I will never know her child, because its soul was snuffed out by Jet Wilks. Why did Jet Wilks target us? Well, he was angry that his son lost his title. Why did his son lose his title? Well, because he refused to marry Enly. It's irrational, but I can see now why Lord Gash doesn't hold affection for my princess. If it wasn't for her father, Celine would still be alive. But I can't bring myself to hate Enly. All she ever wanted was to free her brother. If I'm placing blame on anyone, it's all Brandon's fault. I'm confident that had he courted Enly properly, he would have fallen madly in love with her. There is just something about her that draws men. I say men, because it's impossible that I'm the only one who feels that way about her. Surely, others notice how strong, dedicated, determined, and passionate she is.

"Prince Matthew, are you all right?" Cole asks as he enters the room, followed by Serena. Cole is clutching a gun in one hand and a tranquilizer in the other. He tosses Lord Gash the gun, and Julian catches it. Cole hands me the tranquilizer, and I gladly take it. It's better than nothing.

When Serena closes the door, we hear a moan. Unluckily for Mort, he is the one that opens his confused blue eyes. Lord Gash levels his gun on him, but I have another idea. "Cole, can y—"

Before any of us can speak, Mort springs to his feet and pulls a knife from his boot. I shoot at him, and he falls to the floor and lands with a noisy _thud_. Lord Gash takes the knife out of the rebel's hand.

"At least he gave us an instrument of torture. I wonder who's going to wake up next?" Cole comments, the chill in his voice making me pity the individual that wakes up next. We all back away from our potential torture victims. When Jet Wilks sits up, his eyes land on us, and he groans.

"Where's Lady Enly?" he asks, a smirk on his face.

"Someplace safe," Cole taunts, and disappointment flashes in the former lord's eyes.

"Enly is like that fly that never goes away, no matter how many times you swat it," Jet Wilks complains. For once, I envy Lord Gash's marksmanship. If I could shoot a gun well, I would have shot Jet Wilks in the head for comparing Enly to a pesky insect.

"We both know how this is going to work," Serena says, her scowl making Jet Wilks wince.

"You are going to torture, then kill me? Cursed plague, Agent Spenser, do you think I'm stupid? I came up with a contingency plan. You see, Jonah has been taken to a secure location. If you harm me, he will be executed," the lord smugly announces.

"We don't care. He's only an illegitimate," Lord Gash says, before pulling the trigger and shooting Jet Wilks in the foot. The former lord's eyes go wide when he realizes that his life is in peril.

"There is no need to shoot me again. I'll talk," he cries as he grabs his injured foot, the blood beginning to leak out of his boot.

"He'll talk if he can stay conscious," Cole mutters as Jet Wilks slumps over.

"When is New Canada attacking us?" I ask, my voice filled with ice. When Jet Wilks sits up and sees my knife, he swallows.

"Ten days," he hisses. "They will target the academies, killing or ransoming people, depending on how rich they are. They are going to kill all of the nobles' children. They hope to eliminate the next generation of nobles," Jet Wilks croaks out. "There is nothing you can do, Prince. Even if you leave the island, you'll never be able to mobilize our troops quickly enough. They are coming with their allies," he warns.

"Cursed plague!" I shout. "Which ones?"

"Trivia and Iceway," he names as his hands begin to shake. That's what I need, a torture subject going into shock.

"What are the rebels supposed to do? Are they aiding in the attack?" I demand.

"No. They will die like everyone else," he responds before the door opens. A haggard Brandon, his wife, Marigold, and one of Jet Wilk's female rebels soldiers enter the room. The girl with raven-colored hair begins to cry.

"You lied to us? Jonah was telling the truth," she shouts. Jet Wilks peers up at her, his eyes filled with disgust.

"Trena, you served a purpose. Now you will be hung for treason, for aiding me in attempting to kill the Lady Regent of the Great Plains," he announces.

"You monster! My brother died for your stupid cause. You told us that the king was planning to sentence more people into becoming illegitimate to strengthen the workforce. You told us that..."

"Trena, do you think that the king will care that I deceived you when he hears that you tried to cause an uprising in his country?" Jet Wilks taunts. I'm about to cut out Jet Wilks's tongue so that he will stop berating this misguided girl when I hear a wail. We all turn toward the sound, which is coming from the doorway.

"Serena!" Charity cries. "Serena, help!" All of us, except for Cole, Jet Wilks, and the unconscious, run into the hallway, where Jonah and a distraught Charity are standing, a terrified doctor between them. "We found Enly. We had Doctor Stephens look her up."

"Where's Enly?" Lord Gash demands, not bothering to call her "lady" or "princess."

"She's on the path. She's going to walk the path to freedom." When I hear those words, I know one truth. I will never see my princess again.

# Chapter Eighteen

Lexi

"Princess Lexi, how are you?" the future princess asks when I stroll into her quarters, unannounced of course. Sabot trails me, a few dresses flung over her arm.

"I'm doing well, Caroline," I respond, ignoring that this woman has just broken protocol. Typically, no one speaks to a royal unless they are given permission. But I don't rebuke her because it will interfere with my plans.

"Do you want to stay for some tea?" Caroline inquires. I study my competition. She is incredibly stunning, even though her eyes are red and her skin is free of any makeup. Cursed plague, why did father select a bride that is more stunning than me? Doesn't he know that the princess should always have the appearance of being the fairest in the land, even if that perception is so false? When pictures of Caroline and I are distributed in the _Daily Notice_ , the illusion of my unchallenged beauty among the women of Stanti will be shattered.

"Mother had gowns made for you," I announce with a grin. "I just want to confirm, you are a size eight, right?"

"Yes," Caroline responds with a blush. In her country, it isn't polite to openly speak of someone else's clothing size. In her part of the world, most of the citizens have grown fat from eating biologically engineered meat and vegetables. To assure that citizens aren't gluttons, the prime minister often cuts taxes for people under a certain weight.

"Sabot, please help Caroline into one of the gowns," I order as I sit on the couch. Sabot shoots me a weary expression over her shoulder as she follows the future Princess of Stanti into her bedroom. I return her look with a smug smile.

***

"Is all well?" I ask a half an hour later. Caroline's eyes are puffy, and she enters with slumped shoulders. Sabot follows Caroline into the sitting room, the gowns slung over her arms.

"The... I... Princess, the dresses did not fit," Caroline states, her tone husky. She delicately seats herself in the one-seater across from me, as if she is afraid that the chair will break.

"Oh. Sabot, did mother accidentally send her the wrong size?" I demand.

"No. The gowns are a size eight," the maid responds, which only further upsets the heiress.

"Princess, may I ask you a question?" Caroline hesitantly inquires.

"Sure. Speak freely."

"Will your brother complain about my weight?" she asks.

Matthew? What would he think about the way that his betrothed is being treated? Cursed plague. This isn't the time for me to have a conscience. I need her capitulation so that meeting with the informant will be possible.

"Of course not. My brother is kind. I'd be surprised if he notices that you went up a size. But my mother..." I pause, giving the girl a worried expression. "She had this expensive wardrobe made for you. She'd be disappointed if she discovers that your gowns do not fit." Fear briefly flashes in the other woman's eyes, and it surprises me. What did Caroline go through that made her react so strongly? "However, I can help you."

"Really?" Caroline asks hopefully.

"Of course. But you must not tell the queen."

"Will you get into trouble?" Caroline asks, her worry for me making me feel a bit guilty. When the image of Adam sitting on the very couch that I'm currently occupying with Caroline on his lap fills my brain, the guilt vanishes.

"I won't tell the queen that those dresses didn't fit you. I will simply say that I desire these dresses. Then, I will have gowns made for you," I offer, which makes the woman's blue eyes go wide with excitement.

"Thank you, Princess!" she exclaims. "How can I repay you?"

"Well, my good friend has a cousin who's seeking employment. Her husband left her with three children to feed. Can you find her a kitchen job? Her name is Abigail Fulton," I report. There will be no way that this rebel will be under my employ. If mother finds out, I could be beheaded. It's better that Caroline loses hers.

"Janet, please set up an interview for me," Caroline orders the maid after she presses a button to call her. I don't stick around for the details. Instead, I stand and exit the room, a wide grin on my face.

"Do you need anything from me, Princess?" Sabot asks as she follows me.

"No. Drop those gowns off in my quarters, then wait there for me. I have a meeting with my mother," I announce as I head towards her quarters. What should happen next? Should the king and queen be called on their deception? Should my father be notified that my mother is attempting to put me on the throne? How will he feel about that?

***

"Lexi," my mother greets when I enter her private dining room. The table is set for four, which makes me suspicious. My father is in attendance.

"Mother, Father," I greet with a grin. "Have any of you heard from Matthew?" The sadness that briefly fills my father's eyes tells me that he's worried about his favorite child. Mother, on the other hand, is stony. She isn't sorry about his fate, which makes me angry. That boy has done nothing but be faithful and dedicated to the woman. And all she has done since he's been trapped at sea is plot against him.

"We aren't having this meal to speak about your brother," my father announces in a bored tone.

"Then why are we meeting?" I ask, confused. But before I can answer, Adam Heart enters, wearing a suit, his wide smile doing nothing to comfort me. This is going to be a cursed wreck. I have a bad feeling.

Adam sits in the chair beside mine, and I yearn to tell him to leave this room. "Adam, it's a pleasure to see you," my mother states, instead of asking him how he is doing. Unless the king or queen will the guests to speak freely, they can't. Adam must understand the slight, because his jaw tightens. Before I can give Adam permission to speak, servants enter with varying dishes. That, of course, is another way of saying that my parents aren't interested in spending much time in Adam's company.

"You may eat," the king snaps, obviously annoyed with the fact that he has to be in this dining room.

"Adam, why are you here?" I ask, keeping the anger and impatience from my voice.

"I've come to meet with your parents to discuss the date of our wedding," he announces. "Since the prince is set to choose his princess soon, I thought that we could begin preparations for our ceremony."

What is Adam doing? I have been so distracted with trying to figure out who was hurting my brother, that I haven't had a chance to ask my mother why I couldn't marry him. Of course, he has no idea that my mother is going to break the betrothal contract.

"Adam, have you spoken to your father?" my father asks, amusement in his eyes.

"My king, he has been difficult to reach," Adam says, concern filling his face.

My mother rolls her eyes.

"I told my daughter to have a talk with you," my mother begins, but my father shakes his head.

"Arabella, I will handle this. Adam, your father is penniless. I've agreed to house you, since your accounting skills may be useful to me. But the rest of your family is poor."

"What?" Adam squeaks, his eyes going wide.

"Your father lost a poker game to me. He wagered to win my crown. I'm a skilled poker player," he boasts. My mouth pops open at this announcement. Mother, who's usually calm, seems speechless by this news, which means that father has just revealed this information.

"You see, Adam, our country has debts to pay, and I will find a way to pay them."

"What about our businesses? What about..."

"Don't worry. He only wagered his actual fortune. His companies are still making a profit. But your family is homeless, until they can earn enough money for a place to stay," my father reports. My heart is broken because marrying him is no longer an option. Mom can't suggest that I marry Lord Gash until Celine passes away. Cursed plague, this is quite the dilemma.

"Has this news been made public knowledge?" Adam demands.

"No. You watch your tone, Adam. You are in the presence of royalty," my mother snaps.

"Sorry, my queen," my love says, the defeat on his face making plans whirl in my mind. There are so many things that I have to do. One of which is to ensure that my brother isn't harmed by the rebels. But Lord Gash... Well, if Julian has an accident, I won't have to marry him. I have to meet with the informant. She'll know the date of my brother's return and what they plan to do with him. Maybe I can broker a deal with them so that they leave the prince alone.

"As entertaining as this all is, I am sick of it," I burst out. Good. Mother is appropriately horrified. "Shouldn't I decide who I get to marry? Neither of you discussed this with me." There, Adam will feel as though I'm expressing outrage because I love him.

"Lexi, he's poor. And to tell you the truth, our people really don't like him. They seem to adore Lord Gash," my father explains.

"Fine. But I'm not marrying Lord Gash. How about we discuss a proper husband for me later?" I suggest. I stand and rush from the room.

***

It takes two days, but Abigail Fulton is able to meet with me. She is stationed in the kitchens, which means that she is in charge of delivering meals. Sabot is currently working with a seamstress on a gown for me, which means that we won't be interrupted.

The maid pushes the cart into my room. When the door to my quarters closes, I eye her. She has brown hair, pale, blotchy skin, and wide hips. The woman, who has to be around thirty, has obviously let herself go. No wonder why her husband decided to work for a cargo ship.

"Are you hungry?" I ask the woman.

"Yes, Your Highness," she responds.

"Stop with that 'Your Highness' garbage. You obviously wouldn't be a rebel if you didn't hate me," I challenge.

"I don't hate you," she says, her eyes wide. "We aren't happy with Prince Matthew."

"Why?" I challenge.

"Because despite how Enly Saint Claire has clearly used her funds to pass the review, he still courts her. She cannot be our queen."

"So, you are trying to kill him?" I ask, my eyes hardening.

"Yes."

"What would make you stop trying to kill my brother?"

"If you and Adam became our next king and queen," she responds.

"Why Adam?" I ask, confused. Is that man a rebel?

"Because Lord Wilks is confident that Adam will reinstate his title," she responds.

"Why?" I challenge.

"Because as soon as Miss Saint Claire tampered with justice, Adam begged your parents to right their wrong. That's why your father challenged his father to that false poker game."

"So, he isn't a rebel?" I ask, unsure.

"No. Brandon and Adam are best friends. He's grief-stricken by his friend's fate," she responds. "Oh, and Adam has to join us."

"You want me to try and recruit him for you?" I ask, speechless.

"And marry him. Or else your brother will be killed. We don't want to harm the prince. We just know that he will be your stepmother's puppet when he is king," she explains.

"What about Titus and Caroline?" I wonder. Sadness briefly fills the informant's eyes. "Once you are queen, you'll have to decide what to do with them," the woman states.

Well great, I have quite a quandary. Either I side with my mother and allow my brother, the only man that's ever cared about me, to die, or I betray my mother.

# Chapter Nineteen

Enly

I sit up and study my surroundings. I see an expansive landscape that has a paved road that separates the grassy plains from the trees. It's cold, and goosebumps have formed on my skin. I stand, and notice something odd. My pendant is no longer around my neck. Where are the people? My heart sinks at the thought of being alone.

"Behind you," a familiar voice tells me. I turn around to see a horrified Laurence and an annoyed Andrea standing in front of me. Andrea is too busy glaring at a fly that keeps on buzzing by her ear.

"If those idiots were going to drop us off somewhere, it had to be this fly-infested place?" she complains.

"What idiots?" I ask, straining to remember what happened after boarding the tram. But I don't remember a thing. All I can recall is feeling claustrophobic, being surrounded by the foul-smelling crowd. And then I woke up here.

"Laurence, how did you end up here?" I ask, confused.

"He was dumped here by the brigands," Andrea answers confidently.

"No. I thought that you guys were escaping the island without me, so I followed you. When I got on that tram, I blacked out," Laurence responds, his eyes staring at his boots.

"Do any of you know where the tram led?" I ask as I search my pockets and find a folded-up sheet of paper and my tranquilizer. I choose to keep my tranquilizer concealed, because Laurence isn't favorable company. He was affiliated with the sailors who tried to sell me to John. I unfold the piece of paper and read the note.

Dear Emily Claire,

This is your chance at reform. You will walk the path, and will encounter many challenges. You will go through trials and will need to use your street smarts to survive. In the likelihood that you fail, we will ship your remains to your family. We place people in teams when they attempt the walk. We chose Laurence and Andrea because they arrived with you.

Good Luck,

Officer Adams.

I fold the piece of paper up and shove it back in my pocket. As gruesome as it is, that piece of paper is the only thing a coroner will have to confirm my identity. If I were to perish on the path, I want them to send my body back to my loved ones.

"What is it?" Laurence squeaks. I wince when I realize that I'm going to be burdened with the coward.

"We are on the path," I say, my voice stern.

"What's that?" Laurence asks as Andrea's mouth falls open.

"No way! We got onto a tram that lead here?" she asks in disbelief.

"I'm so sorry, Andrea. We shouldn't have boarded the tram. It's my fault," I reply, acknowledging the truth. Andrea had trusted that I would lead her to safety, but my poor judgement led her astray.

"Doctor Lacy and the crazy rebels were going to kill us. We couldn't stay. At least now, we have a chance of escaping this hell hole. I mean, this reminds me of a story my mother told me. Once when I was five, I broke my leg, jumping out of a window. I had no choice. My house was on fire. I was scared when the doctor worked on my leg. She told me, better you break a leg than your neck. Andrea, you were going to break something, so it might as well be your leg. Enly, we're probably going to die. It's better that Jet Wilks doesn't kill us. That would mean that he won," Andrea lectures. Since she hadn't told me a wild story, maybe it is the truth. Then again, Andrea is a pathological liar, and Laurence is a coward. I have to work with them to survive.

"You're right, Andrea. Jet Wilks isn't going to win. He isn't going to win because we are going to survive," I decide as I spin around and begin walking, with Laurence on my left and Andrea on my right.

As we walk down the path, I'm grateful that boots were placed on my feet. Judging by the lack of pain in my feet, they treated them as well. After walking a mile, we come across a building with a sign on the door that reads "Supplies." I eye the one-story building with distrust, but Laurence and Andrea both appear relieved.

"Maybe it has some water," Laurence figures.

"Maybe. But we should..." The door flies open and a tall man with black hair and brown skin comes out, carrying a heavy backpack. He glares at us.

"Oh, how cute, a rat and travelers walking the path," he sneers. Andrea's eyes narrow, and I'm worried that she'll give the man a lecture about how to treat a proper lady. I squeeze her arm.

"We don't want trouble. We just want supplies," I softly tell him, trying to appear meek.

"No," he snaps.

"No?" I ask, puzzled. "This building belongs to you?" My question is one asked out of curiosity, not in a sarcastic manner.

"Oh, no, this building doesn't belong to me. I'm just claiming it. The government thinks that I'm going to play their game, and I'm not. I refuse to walk the path. I could live right here for months. Everything that I need is right here," he says as he pulls a piece of bread out of the pocket of his jumpsuit and takes a bite. I'm hungry, but I don't realize it until he pulls out food. Laurence and Andrea are shifting uncomfortably, and I don't blame them. The prisoner holds the bread with one hand, and his other hand is in his pocket.

"Look, we aren't trying to cause trouble. We just want supplies," Laurence says in a whiny voice. "I w—"

"Hey kid, you want supplies? Well, then, here," the man says, tossing a knife at Laurence. I act quickly, shoving Laurence down, pulling out my tranquilizer gun and tranquilizing the monster. Cursed plague, that was close. The knife ends up on the ground, and after Laurence gets to his feet, he pockets it. Andrea walks over to the mountain of a man and Laurence and I race over to her.

"What are you doing?" Laurence shouts.

"Trying to steal his backpack. No sense on us going into that building when he did the work for us," Andrea reasons. I reluctantly nod in agreement and help my companion turn the man over so that we can steal his pack. Once Laurence has it on his back, I tranquilize the man again, and we continue walking down the path. We pass two more supply stations, not wanting to take chances at any of them. We stop when our bodies begin aching from thirst and hunger. I plop down on the grass and my teammates join me.

Laurence opens the backpack and unearths three large bottles of water, a roll of bread, a block of cheese, and meat wrapped in brown paper. I slice up the blocks of cheese and bread and meat with the spare knife. Then, I separate the bread into three halves, giving Laurence the biggest half. We end up using the brown paper as plates. I eat the food provided for me, and don't bother saving a morsel. I know that it will go bad. Besides, there will be more supply buildings on the way. Hopefully, we'll run into more people to steal from so that we never have to venture into one of those buildings.

"What else is in the backpack?" I ask.

Laurence fishes around and shakes his head.

"Nothing. I think that he was counting on going to the building for more supplies," Laurence figures.

"Well, I guess we'll have to stop at the next supply hut," I say, unhappy with the news. We stand, and Laurence hefts the backpack on his back and begins walking.

***

"So," Andrea begins, a few minutes into our journey.

"What?" I ask, curious.

"Where are all those people we saw?" she wonders.

"Maybe they scatter people throughout the trail," I suggest.

"What do you think that man did with his partners? Did he kill them, or were they hiding in the supply building? Are they going to go after us?" Andrea frets.

"No. He probably killed them," I respond in a tone that lacks empathy. I can't afford to think of the lives that will be taken on this stupid trail. If I do, it will distract me, and I won't be able to return to my prince. I _need_ to return to him. I hope that Matthew doesn't think that I deserted him. He has to know how much he is a part of me now.

"Probably. That's what Kelly or Frank would have done," Laurence tells me.

"Who are Kelly and Frank?" Andrea wants to know.

"Two of my friends that the prince and Lord Gash killed while they were pretending to be soldiers," Laurence responds, a shadow of sorrow filling his face. My Matthew killed someone? It couldn't have been done callously, because my prince has a heart of gold.

"Why would the prince and the royal assistant kill your friends?" Andrea inquires.

"Because my friends were too stupid. I tried to stop them from attacking, but they did anyway. Captain John's idea was to lie to Jet Wilks and kill the prince and the royal assistant. He also planned to kill Jet Wilks when he got around to it. Captain John killed anyone he didn't trust," Laurence admits.

"So, after the soldiers dismembered the bodies, your friends were to kill them?" I ask, when Laurence's emotions prevent him from speaking for a while.

"Yes. Kelly and Frank were all I had. They were like brothers," Laurence pleads. "They weren't nobles or nothing. But they were still good guys. It's just that... I... We didn't have a choice but to obey the captain or we would have gotten thrown overboard," Laurence admits.

"Lady Enly, the people that kidnaped you were those stupid rebels. They sneaked you onto the cargo ship. The sailors, well the ones still alive, ain't got nothing to do with it. Black sewage, we didn't even know what our cargo was until it was too late," Laurence says.

"Did any of the sailors survive Jet Wilks's attack?" I inquire.

"A few escaped on rafts, but Jazz and I are the only ones on Serial," Laurence confirms. Sadness fills me at the thought that Jet Wilks wiped out nearly an entire crew just to destroy us.

"What do you think that is?" Andrea asks, after a few minutes of silence. After peering in the distance, I can make out a structure on the horizon. That is fortunate because hunger is starting to creep in on me.

"Maybe it's another supply building," I speculate.

"I hope so. I'm low on water," Andrea announces as she takes another hardy swig of her bottle. Laurence and I have been very stingy with the water supply, so our bottles are still a quarter full.

"So, we're going to attempt to go into the next supply building?" Laurence asks, his tone telling us that he isn't looking forward to the endeavor.

By the time we arrive at the structure, we see three things that hadn't shown themselves on the trail. The first is a group of restless people, standing at the second marvel, a white mansion. The third thing that makes its appearance is a large truck that's parked in front of the house.

"Maybe we can use it to drive out of the path," Laurence softly whispers as we linger on the path.

"I don't think so," I say, eying the vehicle skeptically. "We'd have to fight all of those people for that truck."

"You have a tranquilizer. Just fire the thing into the crowd and then we can escape with the car," Andrea insists.

"Or we can stand here and see how this plays out," I suggest as I cautiously walk closer to the house, so I can eavesdrop. My companions follow, though they eye the truck with eagerness. I am suspicious of a treasure that is out in the open like that.

"So, we should have a lottery," a man at the front of the crowd suggests.

"Or I can just take the truck," a tall man with dark hair says as he steps forward.

"Hey, that's not fair," a girl with a scar that covers half of her face shouts.

"Not fair, huh?" the man who wants the truck for himself asks. Before anyone can make another suggestion, he pulls a knife and slits the throat of the man that suggested the lottery. When his body falls limp, silence fills the air. "Anyone else want to argue with me?" No one bothers to say a word. Instead, they let the armed man waltz toward the truck, which makes Laurence and Andrea shift, as if they are about to charge him.

He hops into the driver's seat, and I assume that the keys are in the car, because it starts up right away. Then, without warning, the truck explodes, causing a shockwave that knocks me off my feet.

# Chapter Twenty

Matthew

By dawn, the _Carrot Drop_ comes for us. Brandon, Marigold, Jonah, Cole, Serena, Charity, Lord Gash, and I are permitted to leave. Lord Gash and I decide to take the stash of money and letters to sort through them on the way home. I need to provide a detailed report for my father when I return home without my princess. What I really want is to take a tram to the path and go rescue her. But as Charity said, she is most likely already dead. But most likely isn't certain, and it doesn't feel right to wait until her body is mailed home to her father. If it hadn't been for the stupid war that we are bound to have with the Canadians, Licoria, Travania, and Iceway, I would have insisted on staying. But since Doctor Lacy is a traitor, I am unable to use her phone to relay any more information to my parents. I have to leave my love to ensure my country's survival.

As I stand on the pier, the shattered remains of my heart float away to find Enly, and I desire to follow the broken pieces. But instead, I step onto the _Carrot Drop_ , knowing that Enly's survival is all her own. But I hope that she is able to overcome the odds. No. I know that she _will_ overcome the odds. That's the reason why I admire her. She is smart, strong, and resourceful. All I need is to come home and force my father to replace Doctor Lacy. Then, I will be able to retrieve her from the path.

As a gray-haired sailor named Captain Moore bows and offers to show me to my quarters, I think that had I been happy to leave, I would have joked about how he didn't come soon enough. But I don't bother charming the captain. There isn't any joy or strength left in my life.

We are all herded into the lift, which is cramped. And because some of us haven't bathed, the air is mixed with unwashed bodies, sweat, and seawater. When the doors open, the captain quickly exits, and we trail him.

"We don't have enough rooms for all of you, so you'll have to share," he warns. But I don't care about something as trivial as lodging with Jonah or Lord Gash. Inside, I'm dead. After I solve the conflict of the war, nothing else will sustain me until my princess comes home.

"That will be satisfactory," Lord Gash answers after moments of awkward silence. Judging by his raised eyebrow, I was supposed to respond to the elderly captain.

"Okay, well, the men can sleep here," the captain says, gesturing to the door in front of us. The men in our group aside for Brandon step into the room, and Lord Gash curses.

"It isn't so bad," Jonah says as he eyes the two rows of bunk beds. "When I was with Lord Michael, I had to sleep on the floor."

"You're right," Lord Gash amends. "We could still be on that dreaded prison island."

"I wish we still were," I tell everyone, before selecting a bunk bed in the corner. After stripping off my boots, I slip into bed and sleep.

The trip to the mid-Atlantic Region takes a few days. I spend the time wandering the ship, not really taking in my surroundings. None of my companions bother making small talk with me. It's odd how I've shut down, but Enly's brother has had the opposite reaction. He plays card games with the others and manages to laugh at a few jokes that Cole tells. My stepmother, Arabella, would have found the jokes tactless, since they were mostly about travelers catching diseases. But I don't care enough to tell Cole to stop corrupting Enly's brother.

The food on the ship is bland and tasteless. Sleeping is my favorite pastime. It serves as my escape from this bleak reality.

"Prince Matthew, it's an honor to meet you," a tall, thin soldier who's wearing the insignia of a captain tells me after I've stepped onto the pier of an inconsequential town. The sailor's uniform that has been provided for me is barely enough to protect my skin from the icy chill. Though it isn't snowing or below twenty, the winters in the mid-Atlantic region are still chilly. Goosebumps form on my exposed arms, which distract me from making nice with the captain. Lord Gash, who has been my advocate for the last couple of days, speaks up.

"I apologize, Captain Daniels. Our prince is terribly fatigued. Can we convene to the convoy?" Julian always knows how to maneuver social situations so that I don't appear rude or disrespectful. But I'm not in the frame of mind to be concerned with niceties.

The convoy stretches for a dozen black, sleek vehicles. The captain directs me to be seated in the middle car and Serena, who has been sullen for the entire journey, decides to accompany me. My features display disgust when I see Charity and Lord Gash sitting in the car in front of mine. Of course he'd rather be with Charity than me.

As soon as the cars begin to move, Serena sighs.

"This is all stupid," I finally tell Serena. "We should be waiting for Enly at the dock."

"I know. But we have a war to prepare for," Serena answers as she places a hand on my shoulder. "Prince Matthew, she will make it back. She is resourceful. Besides, Laurence and Andrea are with her. Laurence knows how to survive," she reasons.

"He is a coward," I protest, wishing that Cole Winters had been the one that fled with her.

"From what Charity found out, there are a series of tests. Enly is good at tests," she points out. I hope that Enly will make it. But fear and dread are the only things that fill my gut. I need to escape, or else the long drive will drive me mad.

It turns out that self-reflection has only made me uneasy.

"When we stop, I need Brandon and Marigold to join this car," I insist.

"No. We don't know how much resentment Brandon and Marigold harbor toward you. Since you haven't really spoken to Brandon, I don't think that it's wise to leave him alone with you," Serena lectures. For a moment, impatience clouds my judgement. Cursed plague, would they really try assassinate me while I am in this stupid convoy? But then I remember that Jet Wilks had been able to order men to attack me while I was at a snowdrift, and I didn't share my opinions about Brandon and Marigold to Serena. It's obvious that she won't listen to me because her job isn't to obey me, it's to protect the interests of this country. People seem to believe that Lexi ascending to the throne would throw Stanti into utter turmoil. But I'm not heavily concerned about Brandon assassinating me because if it comes down to it, I know that I could dispatch him. He's weak, tired, and was grossly underfed for months. I don't tell Serena any of this.

"Can I have the letters?" I ask her, and she willingly hands them to me. If only we could find the letters that indicate a plan change, then we could hang Jet Wilks without filing a Salvus against him.

"Prince Matthew, what are you doing?" Lord Gash asks as I march over to Brandon, who's standing beside Marigold at one of the cars. They are sharing a bottle of water and are smiling at one another. We are in a recharging station, where the cars are parked at different stations, where the drivers can plug a cable into a wall to recharge them. This will take a few hours, which is fortunate because each recharging center has a plethora of shops, restaurants, and hotels for lodging. This lot has about two hundred charging stations, but we are the only group standing out in the cold. We had traveled for twelve hours, and it appears to be around sunset. Brandon wearily glances at me and his wife attempts to smile, but I know that she blames me for her misfortune.

"Did you know that your father would try to kill my betrothed?" I ask as Lord Gash steps up beside me, a brow arched.

"No," Brandon responds, his eyes filled with compassion.

"Your father is a monster. He is an evil, stupid monster. And you know what? I don't think that he's started this war to get back at my father for imprisoning you. I think he saw an opportunity, and seized it," I accuse. Cole and Lord Gash drag me away from Brandon before an argument can escalate.

"What are you doing?" Cole demands as we stop fifty feet away from Brandon.

"Letting Brandon know that his father's rebellion was fueled by greed, not revenge," I flatly explain.

"So you told a man who just escaped from prison that his father wanted the crown, not his freedom?" Cole asks, stunned. The disbelief in Cole's voice doesn't even move him. Suddenly, the anger coils around my reason, and smothers it.

"Oh, I'm supposed to care about Brandon's feelings, when he destroyed our country by marrying that traveler? He didn't even try to court Enly. He made her feel inadequate. She thought that it was her fault that he broke the engagement. He had no consideration for anyone. All Brandon thought about was himself. And because of him, our country is going to be attacked by three countries at once. All he had to do was marry Enly, and our people would be in peace," I shout. I am acting like a hysterical lady, but I can't help it. Now the grief over loosing Enly is about to crush me. I need an outlet, a way to escape the oppressive feelings. I need to strangle Jet Wilks with my bare hands, but we left him back in Serial, because we didn't have enough room to transport him. Besides, taking a leader of a false rebellion along could be hazardous to us in the long run. We hadn't wanted for Jet Wilks's pirates to raid the _Carrot Drop_.

"I don't think that announcing that our country is going to be attacked is wise, Prince," Cole says as he eyes the shocked soldiers in our group.

"It might not happen, Prince Matthew," Jonah says as he walks over to me. Enly's smiling little brother causes the anger to fade, because he speaks a truth. If I can prevent it, the citizens of my country will be safe.

# Chapter Twenty-One

Enly

My head aches from making contact with the concrete. And there are two more explosions that make it impossible for me to attempt to stand. Before I can say a word, I'm yanked up into someone's arms, and am carried off. My head is spinning, and my eyes are shut tight. When I'm placed on the soft grass, I slowly open my eyes and stare up into Laurence's terrified face.

"Stay here," he whispers before running away. I sit up and curse myself for losing my grip on my knife. I pat my pocket and am relieved when my stash of money and the tranquilizer are still there. I shift and my back protests, making me conclude that I probably have a few bruises. I gently feel the back of my head. Aside from a small bump, all is well.

"She's still out," Laurence says as he lies Andrea in the grass. Laurence gently lifts her head and prods her skull. His fingers are coated with blood when he removes them. Laurence shrugs when my eyes widen.

"It isn't something that I can't stitch up," the former sailor proclaims as he takes off the backpack and pulls out a first aid kit. He opens it and fetches a bottle of disinfectant and a strip of instant stitches. "I'll need to shave the area." He pulls out his knife and begins slicing off a bit of Andrea's hair. Then, he pours the liquid into her wound, then he carefully dabs her wound with the instant stitch solution. The substance hardens, sealing her skin together. Laurence places the kit back into his bag, and then pours some of the disinfectant on his hands.

In the distance, we hear screams, moans of pain, and shouts. Sympathy is swishing around in my stomach for all of the lives lost. I knew that I couldn't warn them, due to the hostility of some of the prisoners. But cursed plague, I wish that I could have. I guess on this stupid path it's every team for themselves. We wait until Andrea wakes up before speaking.

"Andrea, how are you?" Laurence demands, his voice quivering.

"Cursed plague, my head hurts," she whines.

"Are you dizzy?" Laurence inquires.

"No. My head just hurts," she complains. "But I'll be fine."

"What's the plan?" I ask as footsteps head in our direction. Laurence gets to his feet and helps Andrea. I stand, and our team reluctantly walks back to the lawn of the house. The once green lawn is scorched. Prisoners are either clutching their heads, pushing down on injured limbs, or lying still. The truck has exploded, the wreckage spewed all over the lawn. Some of the shrapnel sticks out of the skin of some of the prisoners. The front door to the house opens, and a tall, thin man dressed in a white short-sleeved dress shirt, black pants, and dress shoes exits. His light brown hair is styled, and his eyes take in the state of the truck.

"Cursed plague, that was booby-trapped to make sure that no one steals from me. I can't believe that someone actually tried to drive that thing." I freeze when he steps onto the scorched lawn, his shoes becoming filthy from the blood and debris. He walks toward an injured young girl who's clutching her leg. He tears off a strip from his shirt and wraps it around her leg. "I have a mender. Everyone come in," he orders. At the word "mender," people stand and hobble over to the man. I'm immediately suspicious, but Laurence and Andrea follow the injured crowd into the house. I need to stick with my team. If it weren't for my foolish mistake, they wouldn't be on the path. I reluctantly follow them.

We enter a large foyer, and the smell of cooking meat makes my stomach scream with hunger. People are tracking blood and dirt onto the marble floors, but the man doesn't seem to notice or care. The foyer leads into a living room which is carpeted and filled with plush white furniture. After leaving the living room, we enter a dining room that has rows of tables that can easily accommodate this crowd. Baskets filled with bread, cheese, and grapes are in the center of the tables. The uninjured sit down at the tables and immediately help themselves, uncaring of the filth coating their hands. I eye the bread and cheese and frown at the food. These are the most vicious killers, who they don't always show who they target. Hopefully, he enjoys charming and killing old fat men.

Laurence snatches a bowl of cheese, the only thing that dirty hands have not touched, and takes a handful and begins eating. The seemingly altruistic man hasn't provided any plates or utensils. Andrea and I grab handfuls of cheese and eat the same way that Laurence does. A tall man plops down in front of me, and with a hand covered in boils, grabs the cheese without thought. Vomit nearly comes out of my mouth at the sight.

After eating our meal of blocks of cheese, we eye the people who are continuing to stream into the ballroom. I eye Laurence's backpack and can't help but think that we need more supplies. Laurence looks thoughtfully at the young pretty woman servants who are refilling the filthy bowls. Then my male teammate stares at Andrea.

"Are you all right?" Laurence asks Andrea.

"Just hungry," she confesses as people continue to eat. It's weird how this man doesn't offer any water. I'm officially uneasy, and when Laurence stands, Andrea and I eagerly follow. Everyone is too preoccupied to pay any attention to us. We exit the room, and Laurence leads us back into the living room. We hunker down behind a couch and wait. Laurence doesn't explain his plan, and I'm afraid to talk.

Laurence springs out from behind the couch when the last server, a man carrying a tray filled with grapes, appears. The man doesn't even have a chance to escape. Andrea springs out from behind the couch and tranquilizes him. Laurence grabs the tray before any of the food can spill. I eye the sedated man and hope that he's unconscious for hours. Laurence sneaks back behind the couch, followed by Andrea. He takes a handful of grapes and begins eating.

"I was aiming for the meat, but this will do," he comments. We eat our fill of grapes. Laurence opens the backpack and pours the rest of them in.

"What about the man?" I ask.

"We don't need to do anything. He's asleep and uninjured. And when people are tranquilized, they usually don't remember what happened moments before," Laurence informs me.

After an hour of hiding behind the couch, we choose to find out where the food supply is. After a brightly dressed girl carries in another platter of rolls, we wait for her to return. We follow her into the hallway and watch as she goes through a black door. After waiting two minutes, we follow her through the door which leads into a narrow hallway. There are no doors on either side. There aren't any places to hide. I gently pat my pocket, feeling relieved that I still have my tranquilizer gun.

At the end of a hallway, there is a large door. We open it, and the smell of cooking food hits our noses. We slowly creep in and see a large marble kitchen with platters of food on each work table. We eye the steak, chicken, slabs of beef, chopped potatoes, broccoli, and a large cake for dessert. Laurence and Andrea use the large sinks to wash up. I quickly open the cabinets until I find storage containers. I grab the dish and quickly begin scooping all of the food into it. Laurence, seeing what I am up to, pours the grapes that he stole into the trash to make room for the containers. Andrea steals a few utensils, and Laurence grabs a piece of steak and begins eating it.

Andrea opens the industrial-sized fridge and pulls out a gallon of water and smiles in relief. Laurence runs to the pantry and produces three bottles, and Andrea fills them up. When I'm finished filling the food containers, Laurence packs them away. I open the cabinets above the sink and steal three cups and say, "Let's drink our fill now."

After drinking the water, Laurence grabs a knife and cuts a slice of chocolate cake for each of us. Without hesitation, we eat the decadent dessert. We leave the kitchen and nearly run into the tall, thin man. He eyes us, his face turning down in suspicion.

"What are you three doing back here?" he demands. His eyes narrow on Laurence, who has a bit of chocolate on his shirt.

"We got lost," Laurence squeaks. The tall, thin man scowls.

"You got lost? Really? And why were you out of the dining room in the first place?" he challenges.

"Because we were thirsty. You didn't give us any water," Andrea snaps.

"And what's in the backpack?" the man asks. What is his trigger? Does he just murder anyone that makes him upset? My pulse races, and I think, trying to figure out what the man's angle is. "What are your names?" he wants to know, which makes me shift from foot to foot.

"Mary, Lucy, and Donald," Andrea names, her speech quickening.

"Mary, do you go into people's homes and steal?" he wants to know. Andrea reaches into her pocket, but Laurence stops her.

"Yes. My father was a thief, and he once told me that he got his manners from wolves," Andrea brags. The man raises a brow, unsure of what to make of our creative friend. "Do you know that one day, my father actually..."

The tip of a blade appears in the man's chest, and he falls forward when the sword leaves his back.

"Zack, you have disappointed me," a woman with gray hair says as he falls to the floor, bathing the white floors red. Some of his blood splashes on our boots. The woman shoots me a predatory smile. "Get back into the dining room, or you'll suffer Zack's fate. I thought that I could employ him, but he failed to keep you out," she hisses.

"No," Laurence squeaks. "You just killed someone!"

"Of course I did. It's what I do. I kill my servants. In fact, I think that I need new servants. The old ones are wearing out their welcome." She points the sword at me as she inspects my face. "You look familiar," she tells me.

"I do?" I ask coolly.

"Yeah, Enly. I'm glad that I'll be fortunate enough to kill you," she says with a grin. She lunges over the dead body and attempts to stab me. Laurence yanks the back of my jumpsuit to get me out of the way. Andrea turns tail and runs back into the kitchen. Laurence shoves me to the side and faces the dagger-wielding old lady.

"Run," Laurence squeaks out. But it's when he blocks me that I pull out my device. After shoving Laurence to the side, I fire on her. I cringe as the woman falls to the ground, banging her head on the tiled floor. Laurence quickly snatches up her sword and beheads her. I want to vomit up all of the food that I had consumed in the kitchen. Laurence tosses the sword aside and faces me, tears streaming down his face. He hadn't wanted to kill the old woman. I eye the body of the male prisoner, who had just wanted to survive. I shiver when I recall that the woman has a house full of people that she wanted to serve her. I bite my lip.

"It's dark out," I tell Laurence. "We need to figure out where to sleep."

"I killed an old lady," Laurence whimpers. Andrea runs out of the kitchen and wraps her arms around the crying guy. My heart warms up to the sailor when I realize that he actually has a conscience.

We exit the kitchen and immediately hear a chorus of shouts and screams. It comes from the dining room. The three of us quickly jump over the bodies of the serial killer and her puppet and run toward the dining room. We pause when we realize that the door is locked with an old- fashioned key. I had no idea that they made those still.

"Andrea, can you see if the old woman has a key?" I ask as people begin desperately banging on the door. Andrea runs in the direction where she came from. Heavy footsteps cause me to spin around. I spin around to see one of the old woman's well-dressed maids glaring at me. She is clutching a dagger that she obviously doesn't mind using on me. Without hesitation I tranquilize her. Since the dagger has no one's blood on it, I steal it. I stand protectively in front of Laurence as we wait for Andrea. Andrea rushes back a moment later and quickly places the key in the lock and turns it.

"When I open this, run," Andrea hisses. She pushes open the door and we sprint into the room, leaping over the body of the maid in the process.

"Take Lady Saint Claire outside," he orders. After Andrea slips on Laurence's backpack, she drags me to the exit. By the time we enter the foyer, a stampede sounds behind us.

# Chapter Twenty-Two

Matthew

The rest of the voyage to Snowdrift Palace is regretfully uneventful. The first night, we stay in a hotel at the charging center. The rooms have comfortable beds and bathrooms, where we can wash off the remaining grime that clings to our skin. Lord Gash, Cole, and Jonah share lodgings with me, and as they sleep, I lie awake and think of her. That's fortuitous, because during the second day of travel, I sleep in the car, and I make a poor companion for Cole, but I doubt that we would have spoken had I been awake. By the time the caravan rolls into the mile-long driveway of the palace, it's after sunset, and the soul-stabbing cold leaks through the heated car, nearly turning my bones to frost.

"Cursed plague, we have to get out in that?" I say to Cole, who seems amused by my distaste for the cold.

"Welcome to the Great Plains Region, where the chill can kill you," Cole responds with a grin. "It's home to me."

The doors to the palace open, and my father and stepmother walk out. They are both bundled up in cloaks that cover all but their shiny dress shoes. My heart sinks when my sister, Princess Lexi, rushes out and stands apart from my parents. What has she done to earn their displeasure? I don't know, but it's vital that I get to them. Without Cole's prompting, I open my door and rush out of the transport, being careful not to slip on the black ice.

I quickly mount the porch stairs, my father and I embrace, followed by me and my stepmother, and then Lexi runs to me and wraps her arms around me.

"You lost weight, Brother," Lexi comments, her brows pinching. Unlike my family, I do not have a cloak, so I shiver.

"Let's get inside, I need to update the three of you on some information," I quickly tell my parents.

"Where is the princess?" my father demands.

"That's one of the things that I have to tell you," I urge. Soldiers quickly open the door for us and we hurry into the grand foyer. It's when the warm heat starts soothing the cold that I look back and see Jonah hovering by the door, obviously looking for direction.

"Jonah, you are officially my manservant. Go to the kitchens and get yourself something to eat," I order. Jonah bows and scurries away. It warms my heart that he'll at least be treated with respect. Lord Gash, Charity, Cole and Serena follow my father into a lavish sitting room.

"Do you need supper?" the queen asks us after we sit on the couches. I'm seated between Lexi and Lord Gash, and Celine's loss hits me again.

"No, my queen. The news is of vital importance. Eating can wait," I quickly respond, shooting my stepmother a tight grin.

"So, where's the princess?" Lexi demands. It's too painful for me to recount, so I eye Charity, who's sitting beside her sister in the two-seater, but it's Cole who reports in a solemn tone.

"We need to retrieve her and execute Doctor Lacy for her treason," my stepmother orders. My father, as usual, seems mildly affected, but doesn't have an opinion. "Do you know where the dock for the path is?"

"We can find out, my queen," Serena insists.

"Good. Agent Spenser, go now and speak to a magistrate. Your assignment is to retrieve Lady Saint Claire," the queen orders, and Enly's former lady's maid curtsies and rushes off to complete the assignment.

"What if she isn't alive?" Lexi asks.

"She will be," Charity insists. "Her education and reason will save her. Besides, she has Laurence with her. He's a coward, someone who is good at hiding." But I don't believe that anyone could overcome such barbaric conditions. If she does, what would happen to her mind and spirit? Could someone really be the same after going through something like walking the path? Would encountering savages dull the compassion that Enly possesses? I don't have the answers. But I know that I'd take her no matter what she is shaped into.

"We announced your betrothal in the _Daily Notice_ two days ago. In exchange for the upgrade, Walter Saint Claire will relinquish two trillion dollars on your wedding night. That could pay off many of the smaller debts that my father acquired," the king announces. "Serena has to find her."

"What's public opinion?" I ask nervously.

"After we explained how she, along with Lord Gash, kept you alive after the rebels kidnapped the three of you, the country is satisfied. After we find her, we can explain how she survived the path," my father insists.

"No," my mother and I shout, because we know that once we reveal how Serial works, there will be an increase in crime.

"Some people will think that they can beat the system," I protest.

"Hardly. If they somehow get their freedom after the path, they will be given a serum that affects memory and will be put to work on Justice Island. Do you seriously think that I can afford to let criminals back into my country?" my father laughs. "It's the perfect system. They are punished for their crimes, and help keep our country running."

"What if Enly's trapped on Justice Island?" Princess Lexi cries.

"She won't be. Serena will have contacts there. And if she is, we'll extract her. But her companions will have to stay there," my father decides. "We can't afford them selling the location of Serial Island to criminals." I silently pray that Serena can intercept the group before Andrea and Laurence are condemned to becoming jurors for the rest of their natural lives. Enly would never be able to live with that kind of guilt.

"We have other news," I tell my father.

"What is it? Did you lose someone else?" my father asks, agitated. He must want to return to his quarters to either drink, read, or play a game of chess.

"Licoria, Travania, and Iceway are joining New Canada in the fight," I announce, and Queen Arabella immediately gets to her feet.

"We can't fight all of those countries at once! That means that we either need to negotiate with them, or destroy them." She leaves the room, and everyone stares at one another, trying to determine what she means by "destroy them."

"Son, aren't you going to go after her, to ensure that she doesn't wipe those countries out with the weapons that the military has developed?" my father asks. My mouth falls open because according to Stanti law, weapons of mass destruction are illegal. "Your mother is very paranoid and loves her country. She doesn't care for the environment."

"She'd... But... All of those people," Lexi protests. At least she can say something, because my insides have gone cold. I'm obviously in shock that someone as loving as Arabella would obliterate three countries in that manner. If we perform such an act, other nations in the Anti-Nuclear Coalition could shut off trade with us, join forces to attack us, or execute the royals. But my assumption is that they will do all three.

"How much debt do we owe New Canada?" my sister asks.

"We only owe Quebec. The rest of the territories are joining forces," I respond.

"Eighteen trillion dollars. But we only owe Iceway one trillion. If we pay them, will they go away?" my father wants to know.

"And how do we do that?" I demand.

"We tell Walter Saint Claire that he needs to provide one trillion dollars up front, if he wants his son to live," my father snaps.

"Dad, no. Don't hurt Jonah," I protest. My eyes go wide when my father stands and ignores me.

"Arthur," my father shouts. His gray-haired royal assistant enters the room and bows.

"Your Majesty?"

"Send Jonah to the dungeons," he orders.

Once the man leaves, I eye my father. "Why does he need to be in a dungeon? Enly is never going to forgive you for this," I warn.

"Matthew, you stay out of this. If you become king, you will run your country however you wish," my father rebukes.

"What do you mean, if I'm king?" I demand.

"I mean just that. Arabella is my wife. Because of my past indiscretions, I'd do anything to please her. She's thinking that with training, Lexi would be a fit queen," he announces, then, cursed plague, my father runs away. I turn to face Lexi, who shakes her head.

"You want to become queen?" I ask, confused.

"Who doesn't want to be queen, Matthew? Think about it, I'll have everyone advising me. It's hardly work. And Enly would make a great addition to my advisory board. And you'll be around to charm dignitaries. Mom and Dad are still thinking about it. If I marry Adam, it will be a given. With all of his experience, he'll be a worthy king," Lexi boasts.

"Princess Lexi, anyone that marries you will be a prince consort. By law, no one would be able to have a title that's superior to yours," Lord Gash informs her.

"Whatever, Julian. All I'm trying to say is that becoming a queen may have advantages for me," Lexi says. "And besides, you're too emotional to become a king," Lexi decides. She has the nerve to kiss me on the cheek before leaving the room.

I eye Cole, who rolls his eyes.

"Wouldn't the senate have to approve a change like that?" Cole asks me.

"They wouldn't bother going against my mother. It would mean higher taxes for their territory," I say, feeling the pressure squeezing my chest like a vise. If I'm thinking like a selfish man who wants a reprieve from politics, I would be relieved. Lexi doesn't have the capability of putting someone before herself. I'll have to fight for my throne because I love Stanti.

"What will you do?" Lord Gash asks, his frown making me uneasy.

"I don't know. Maybe I can force her to shadow me so that she can see how taxing the work is? If there is one thing Lexi hates, it's work," I note.

"That won't work. She said it herself. She wants you and Enly to help her run things. The only thing that the princess is interested in is throwing lavish parties that will bring us further into debt," Cole figures.

"With the right royal assistant, I'm positive that she won't be so terrible at ruling," Lord Gash offers.

"My sister hates direction. She'll shut down any royal assistant that forces her to be responsible. Don't forget how Lexi was always at odds with Celine," I comment. Both Lord Gash and Cole are looking at the floor because neither of them want to talk about what Lord Gash lost. If I'm being honest with myself, I'm not ready for the discussion, either.

"Want some food?" Lord Gash asks me.

"I've lost my appetite," Cole snaps, though the question was not directed at him.

"I'm going to retire to my room and think about this quandary," I tell my friends.

I leave the royal sitting room, and both Cole and Lord Gash follow me down the expansive hallway and to the elevator.

We enter, and Lord Gash hits the button for the private floor that I split with Lexi. We shoot up to the second floor and the door opens and I enter the foyer that has two doors on either side. My usual ritual would be to go to the right, enter Lexi's living quarters and talk to her a bit about a couple of our friends. But after I discovered her intentions toward the throne that's supposed to be mine, I turn left. I'm about to turn the knob when the door flies open, and guns begin firing into me. Lord Gash shouts, but I can't do much of anything. I'm on the floor, my body temperature cooling the more I bleed. I hear a grunt, as the door across from mine opens.

"Matthew!" Lexi screams. I want to tell her to run for safety, but it's no use. "Guards!" Why is Lexi still shouting? Does she want attention to be placed on her? A hand brushes my cheek, and the warmth of it is almost too much. It's like putting my face too close to a fireplace. "Matthew, hang in there. The assassin is dead. Charity got him." The voice is familiar. It's Lexi's.

"Lord Gash?" I whisper.

"He is chasing down the other two," Lexi says as she moves my head into her lap. "Stay alive, Matthew. Please!"

"Why?" I whisper. "You'll be queen."

"Don't be stupid, Matthew! I want your title, not for you to die," she hisses as she brushes my hair back from my face.

"This is what happens to..." I can't finish my sentence because my world is beginning to dim.

"Matthew, please, don't go. This country needs you. I need you. I need you. Please. I don't want you to go. Please!" Lexi cries.

"Try not to," I lie. In truth, I feel too cold to do much of anything.

"Princess, we will care for him," a professional voice assures. Then, I feel a sharp pain, and I begin feeling even colder. It's weird how Lexi never moves as gloved hands prod the bullet wounds that don't seem to hurt. Maybe I'm going into shock.

"Matthew, they are helping you. Stay awake," Lexi orders as she yanks on my hair. "Talk to me!"

"About what?" I say as an IV is inserted in another arm.

"Princess Lexi, he won't be awake for long," a male says. "But he will be all right. Cole alerted us just in time." My sister doesn't say a word to the royal doctor that wants to attend me. But I have so many questions, like who are the assassins? How did they breach a secure location surrounded by many soldiers? Was Lexi involved? That last question popping into my mind seems like an act of betrayal. But I can't help it. One moment she expresses interest in taking my throne, the next I'm gunned down in front of my living quarters? My mind is no longer sharp, so I can't generate any more questions. I allow my lids to close and for a drug-induced sleep to take me under.

# Chapter Twenty-Three

Enly

By the time we make it outside, the moon is high in the sky. Andrea and I stand on the grass that borders the path, and anxiously wait for Laurence. The first person to practically fly out of the house is a short blonde who carries a bowl that's stained with blood. Five minutes later, a guy limps out of the house.

"How did they clean up the mess from the car so quickly?" Andrea asks me. I eye the scorched land that doesn't hold an ounce of shrapnel, blood, or body parts from the explosion.

"That's what that old lady had servants for," I point out.

"So that was her MO? She would feed people, trap them in that dining room, then kill them?" Andrea asks, disgusted.

"I guess so," I say as three men exit the house and eye us. One of them looks like he will say something, but he shakes his head and they walk the path. After a dozen people exit, Laurence, who wears one backpack and carries another, heads over to us.

"You stole more food?" Andrea asks, surprised.

"I found a place for us to sleep," Laurence tells us.

"Come on. You don't want to sleep out here. With all of our supplies, we'll be easy pickings." Laurence leads us back into the quiet house and we pass through the living room. We go through the door across from the deserted dining room and discover that it leads to a staircase. Laurence bounds up the stairs and we follow him. On the second level, Laurence quickly opens the door that leads to a bedroom painted light pink. It has a king-size bed and a private bathroom. He gestures to the closet.

"We need to get all of the blood off of us." Andrea opens the closet and I see nothing but dresses and the occasional pair of trousers and blouses. Without blinking, Laurence grabs trousers and a gray dress. The clothes probably belong to the old woman that Laurence killed. But I have no qualms of taking them.

I grab a dress that is most likely too long for me and run into the private bath. After stripping down, I wash my underwear in the sink and then place it on the heating vent. Then I step into the bath and fill the tub. I sit down, even before the tub is half full, and begin scrubbing the grime from my body. After I'm finished, I step out of the tub and discover that my underwear is still a bit damp, so I pass the time by fetching the cleaning supplies from under the sink and begin cleaning the filth that sticks to the tub from my bath. Then, I change into my underclothes and the oversized dress and rush out into the bedroom to see Andrea and Laurence leaning against the wall by the bathroom.

"You took forever in there," Laurence complains.

"I was cleaning the tub to buy time. It took forever for my underwear to dry," I inform them.

"How did you wash it?" Laurence asks, curious.

"In the sink with bath soap," I explain.

"Her granny panties are good enough for me," Andrea says, holding up a pair of white underwear.

"Not me. I'll use my own," Laurence squeaks. Andrea heads into the bathroom, and my aches and pains causes me to pull down the blankets and lie down.

"So, you're getting the bed?" Laurence complains.

"No," I yawn. "We can all share. Just sleep on the far end beside Andrea." I slip into bed, close my eyes, and fall asleep.

***

"Lady Saint Claire, wake up," Laurence whispers. My aching eyes flash open and I see that Laurence is standing by my bed, clad in the top of the green dress, and the large linen pants. He sliced off a bit of the dress to create a belt that he uses to keep the pants on.

"I burned our clothing, in case the old lady's servants send mutts after us. Let's go. It's dawn," Laurence says.

I sit up and shake Andrea awake. She shrieks, and I cover her mouth to muffle the banshee-like sound. She pries my hand from her mouth and glances around, her tired eyes landing on us.

"I'm still tired," she complains.

"You didn't have to clean the tub before using it," Laurence snaps.

"Ladies don't clean," Andrea says in a huff. "They also don't bother with getting up before dawn."

"Andrea, we'll die if we stay here," I quietly tell her. She bolts up and quickly jumps out of bed. Laurence hands me my boots, which are clean, and I slip into them.

"I cleaned the blood as much as I could," Laurence tells me. He is smart enough to consider something like dogs.

We each put on a heavy backpack and descend the stairs. After cutting through the living room, Laurence, Andrea and I enter the empty foyer. Without preamble, we exit the open door and descend the concrete steps and cross the lawn. I don't start talking until fifteen minutes after our escape.

"Why was the door wide open?" I wonder.

"Maybe some servants left the door open, after those people ran out," Andrea reasons.

"I don't think so. We need to be cautious," I say as we continue walking under the sun. After an hour of traveling, screams start filtering toward us. I reach for my tranquilizer, but then remember that I'm no longer wearing the orange jumpsuit. I take off my backpack and extract the dagger that I stole, along with my tranquilizer. "I forgot mine," Andrea complains.

"Cursed plague! You just gave those people another weapon to use on us," Laurence cries.

Andrea shrugs.

"There is nothing that we can do about it," she says, and I can't argue with that logic. But I do have sympathy for the next batch of prisoners that enter that house. They won't have a chance.

It takes ten minutes before the scene unravels before us. People are running from a large canine who's chasing them without hesitation. A bark causes me to spin around, and I see an animal with dark hair and brown eyes glaring at me. Dogs don't exist in the Great Plains Region. They almost became extinct due to the fact that they contracted an animal form of the syphilis mutation. It lopes toward me and sniffs. The dog shoves past me and I spin around to see both animals pursuing a group of prisoners. Without hesitation I tranquilize both dogs, and they collapse to the concrete, allowing the group to vanish in the distance. I don't think that the group has even noticed that the dogs aren't hunting them anymore.

"Great, now when the dogs don't return, a servant will go looking for them," Laurence squeaks, his face paling.

"So? We'll be long gone by then," Andrea says. My back aches, but I ignore the pain and slip my arms through the straps of the backpack and continue walking. The tranquilizer is clutched in my hand. It takes two miles to see the carnage that the bloodhounds left behind. Discarded knives, shoes, scraps of clothing, and blood spatter litters the ground. At one point we have to walk on the grass to avoid all of the evidence of people fleeing. I'm grateful that we don't find any remains. Either the dogs chased off the people, or ate them.

"We should stop and eat something," I say while the sun is practically burning off my skin. The oppressive heat makes me feel lightheaded. I'm nearly out of water and we haven't seen any supply stations. Due to the urgency that we felt, neither of us wanted to stop for breakfast.

"I don't think that there are any people around here," Laurence observes.

"Good, let's stop," Andrea says as she plops down on the grass. I join her, and Laurence opens up his pack and reveals the containers filled to the rim with food.

"All of your packs have the same thing. I went back," he explains as he begins eating some cold meats. I fish out my equally filled container. When I take a bite, Andrea decides to eat. I aim for the steak because it's appealing. Eating this cold but delicious fare, I know that it won't last long. If we were in cooler temperatures, the food would probably keep. But in this hot climate, we'll attract flies or ants if we have to sleep outdoors. I know we can't possibly eat all of this by myself, but I stuff my stomach, knowing that I'll need the strength to continue walking.

By sunset, we see another home on the horizon. There isn't a truck outside, or even a crowd, so we're unsure of what to do. "We need more water," Laurence says as he runs his tongue over his cracked lips. My throat is parched and my head throbs. Laurence is correct. We'll have to sneak into the two-story red house in order to get some water. Before I can suggest that to Laurence, I'm shoved from behind. I land on my face, my cheek banging against the concrete. I quickly roll onto my back, careful to hide my tranquilizer.

Laurence is surrounded by five burly men. Andrea is on the ground, blood on her hands. She must have caught her weight with her hands. My lips have to be split, judging by the discomfort I feel every time I move my mouth. Blood drips from a cut on my face and begins soaking the front of my dress.

"Take his bag," a man orders. I slowly rise to my feet but hesitate. Then, I take off my pack, which is filled with the food that I don't want to eat anymore. I drop it to the ground. I eye Andrea, who's crying.

"Run," I hiss. But she doesn't move. I guess that she's afraid and instead of acting, she's paralyzed.

"Look, I have food," Laurence squeaks.

"I'm surprised you survived this long, kid," the guy in front of me laughs.

"I can join you. You can have the girls, and I'll work for you," Laurence says, and my eyes widen. He'd really betray us like this? Andrea's quiet tears turn into loud sobs, and I know that I'm doomed to die. _Enly, focus, you can't leave Matthew. He needs you and you love him._ Remembering the kisses that we shared in the infirmary, I act. I raise my hand and fire my tranquilizer and the man falls forward. The other four guys are easy to dispatch, but it's the sixth one that catches me by surprise when he tosses a knife in my firing arm. I don't move quickly enough, and the blade slices my skin. Agony shoots through me, and I feel like crying out as he then charges for me. My arm is throbbing so hard that I can't focus my aim.

"What do you got there, little girl?" he asks, as his black eyes focus on me. My heart pounds and fear nearly makes me urinate. But I can't be afraid, I have to survive and make it home for Matthew and my country.

"Now that the idiots are gone, I was hoping that we could talk," I say, keeping my hands steady.

"About what?" he asks, a black brow arching.

"Are you a servant or serial killer?" I want to know.

"Servant. Melondo hates women, especially young ones," he informs me. "So, you being a servant is highly unlikely, but toy is more like it."

***

My eyes open, and the first thing I notice is that my throat burns, it is so parched. The second thing that occurs to me is that I am lying in a bed, each limb tied to a post. My wound, which is bandaged, aches. I'm in a brown bedroom, and I'm completely nude. Goodness, have I been taken advantage of? I don't think so, knowing that I'd be sore in a few choice places had it happened. Since this place is primitive, they tied me up with twine rope. I have to escape. But how? I don't even have any clothes to my name.

The warm air causes sweat to form on my skin. Unfortunately for me, a clock hangs from a wall beside the closed door, the only thing that I have to watch. For minutes, the pressure of my full bladder begins to cause my lower stomach to ache. It's improbable that the serial killer will allow me to utilize the facilities before he kills me. So, I must force myself to ignore the indignity and relieve myself. But before I can do so, the door opens and a man with dark skin, long braids, and nearly black eyes enters, carrying my tranquilizing device. He smirks when the door slams closed. I swallow, the effort nearly bringing tears to my eyes.

"I'm going to untie you," he tells me before producing a dagger and slicing my bonds away. As soon as I'm free, I rub feeling back into my limbs as the man leans against the wall, crossing his arms, a smirk on his face. He knows that I have no chance of hurting him. "Are you done?" he asks as he eyes my stretches. "Because if you are, I'd like to get started."

Is he asking a rhetorical question? I have no idea. "Yes," I rasp, in case he punishes me if I don't reply to him.

"So, who did you seduce to get this weapon?" he demands, his eyes filling with hate.

"No one. I stole it from a guard who was trying to kill me," I respond.

"Liar," the man screams, and then without warning, he points the device at me and everything goes dark.

When my eyes open, I'm lying on a dirty floor, the smell of urine, blood, and mold tightening my already aching stomach. I have not relieved my bladder in what feels like years. The light is generous, so I'm able to observe my surroundings. I'm lying on a metal table and the brown walls are empty. The floors are made out of cement, and in places there are cracks in several places revealing the soil beneath. I sit up, my entire body aching from the effects of the wounds, and f... Well, I can't remember what else, but I feel as though one of the king's caravans of famous luxury open cars ran me over.

It takes a few minutes, but I get to my feet and walk over to the corner closest to the door and relieve myself. After I'm finished, I ignore the stench of human waste and force myself to disregard my dizziness and lethargy and peer under the table. I only see a useless nail, but decide to pick it up, because who knows if I can try to bypass the locking mechanism. The door opens once again, and the man enters, carrying my tranquilizer. I recall him undoing the bindings, but I don't know what occurred after that. I can deduce that he probably found a way to render me unconscious and then carried me down to the basement level.

"Are you going to continue lying to me?" he demands. "All women lie."

"I don't know what you are talking about," I rasp as I curl my fists.

"Oh, does this thing erase memories to?" he asks as he pulls my tranquilizer out of his pocket.

"You tranquilized me?" I ask, my voice breaking.

"Yes."

"No one that's tranquilized remembers what happened moments before," I force my voice to explain.

"Of course you'd tell me something like that," the man says before punching me in the stomach with the hand not clutching the weapon. I bend over, trying to draw a painful breath, having the terrible feeling that my abuse has just begun. He waits until I straighten up before attempting to punch me in the nose, but I step away.

"Do you think that you can run, girl?" he yells. I focus on him, trying to figure out how to take the device from him. He laughs and throws the device at the door and it lands with a _thump_. "GIVE up, girl. Lie down and take your punishment."

He expects me to fight. I should, because I have the terrible feeling that he will use my body before killing me. I want to tell him that he's a monster and he deserves to die in a pit of misery. Cursed plague, I would like to tear him apart for all he did to other women. But I don't, because at that moment, when I'm sure that I'm about to die, I remember Matthew and my determination to beat this. He lifts me up and lays me on the table. Then, he climbs up and places his cold face close to mine.

"You are trash. Do you hear that, girl? You are nothing but trash!" As his bitter breath touches my skin, and my eyes meet his, I shudder because he really means that I'm trash. "Girls always have an alternative agenda. They are evil," he screams, right before I quickly open my right hand and plunge the nail into his carotid artery. He instinctively jerks back as he makes a choking sound. I pull myself off the table, my head spinning, and snatch up my device. This may be overkill, but one can never be too cautious. I scoop up the device and fire one shot into the dying serial killer.

# Chapter Twenty-Four

Titus

"Titus Owen Adrian Dolson, I declare you Lord Regent of the Great Plains Region and husband of Caroline Marie Dolson," were the words that bound me to an insane woman.

We are at Snowdrift Palace, in the regent's wing, when she storms into our private dining room. I'm sitting at the table laden with all of my favorite dishes, and I've just placed a piece of sausage in my mouth when my wife screeches. "Titus, you cannot eat that!" Caroline shouts. "It's greasy, and you are a messy eater." She runs over to me and tucks a cloth napkin into my shirt. Then she glares at my generous portions of food.

"How can you eat such smelly food before you are to meet with your fellow lords?" she asks as she sits across from me and places a grapefruit on her plate, after putting a napkin on her lap, of course.

"Caroline, we are going to be in session for hours. What do you expect?" I ask. She frowns, her blue eyes holding speculation. I stop eating for a moment and consider my fortune. Caroline Dolson is one of the most breath-taking women I have ever seen, and I know that I only have her because of the money in my pocket. Hell, I only have this position because of how much money my father made in the past. And to be honest, I'm satisfied with that because it could be worse. I could be David Appleton, who's still chasing after a self-obsessed princess who only cares about meeting her own agenda. Poor David hasn't realized the princess has already moved on.

"Maybe I should have a piece of toast. What do you think, Titus?" she asks, her British accent making me smile.

"If you want one," I respond, before shoving a forkful of eggs in my mouth.

"Queen Arabella gifted me a gown and it didn't fit. She swore that she received the measurements that Lilly provided her. And I even checked with her. I should probably cut back," she figures. She is very thin, with generous bosoms, and golden-brown long hair that I enjoy caressing at night. She could stand to gain a few pounds, but I'm not brave enough to tell her so.

"The queen probably gave you a smaller size to make you feel bad," I tell Caroline, who actually appears surprised.

"She wouldn't do something like that, Titus. We have come to be good friends," she protests.

"Really?" I ask skeptically. I have to remind myself that Caroline's parents homeschooled her and isolated her from society.

"Well, you have to keep this secret," she says, her eyes lighting up. "She promised me not to tell. But she—" The lady regent shakes her head as Cole Winters enters the room, his eyes filled with anger and exhaustion. He bows to my wife and I, and I raise a brow.

"The competition is over," I snap. Cursed plague, after kidnaping my former fiancée, he has the nerve to show his face here, without being announced no less. I don't concern myself with the protocols, but because Cole Winters broke them, I'll be sure to call someone to escort him down to the dungeon. He pulls a badge out of his jacket pocket and hands it to me. I take it with a grease-covered finger and Caroline winces. But she won't complain about my messy habits in front of anyone, she's much too refined to do something like that.

"So, what's going on, Agent Winters?" I ask, fear causing my apatite to vanish. What is he interviewing me for? Is Caroline some kind of plant, hired to kill me? Perhaps her innocence is an act.

"How can I help you, Agent Winters?" I ask after clearing my throat. Caroline shifts in her chair and puts her fork down.

"Do you need me to leave, Agent?" she inquires. "Because I will, if I must."

"No, Lady Regent. It isn't necessary," Cole responds, reminding Caroline of her station. She frowns.

"What happened?" I ask, because I need to be assured that my wife isn't a traitor to the crown, because I refuse to end up like Brandon Wilks.

"I need the two of you to take a walk with me," Cole says as he picks up an empty plate in the center of the table and fills it with food. "Can you grab water? Maybe each of you can bring a cup." We both fill glasses with water, and Caroline picks up spare utensils and Cole places the plate on the edge of the table and presses a button behind my wife's chair and the wall parts, revealing a black metal door. Cole wrangles it open and a breeze immediately smacks us in the face. He picks up the plate and enters the dim hallway. I enter behind him and Caroline follows us. It's quite chilly in the hallway, and the temperature only drops the closer we get to the stairwell.

We descend the stairs, and by the fifth flight, I'm tempted to take a sip of the glass of water. But I have the feeling that the RBI agent needs the cup for something, so I'm unwilling to affect his plans. Now I know where his allegiance lies, I know that he never meant to hurt Enly. When she returns from her vacation, I need to have a few words with her. She abandoned me and couldn't even say a simple goodbye before running off with the love of her life. And how dare Lord Gash leave before saying goodbye to Celine Gash? I mean, I get it, she isn't technically dead, just extremely brain dead. She's a husk that's being kept alive until his heir is born. Celine's mother, Brenda, has been seething this entire time, and Caroline has visited with her every day. The women apparently have much in common, but Caroline never told me what.

"Here it is," Cole Winters announces when we arrive at the bottom step. It feels like I'm going to get frostbite; the fingers curled around the cup are stiff. But I follow him into a hallway which reveals a row of cells on each side.

"Why are we here?" I ask, confused. As far as I was told, no prisoners were in these cells. I glance into the first one and see a boy sitting on a thin cot. He's covered by a blanket and has nothing but a bucket for company. He probably uses this bucket for waste.

"Who is he?" Caroline asks, her eyes beginning to water.

"Jonah Saint Claire. As soon as Walter Saint Claire pays a ransom, the king will kill him. But Lord Saint Claire doesn't know that. He thinks that Jonah will be smuggled to Justice Island," he informs me.

"Enly has allowed this?" I inquire, confused.

"Enly is currently stranded on Serial, so she doesn't know," Cole explains.

"Liar!" I curse, not wanting to believe that my friend is on a prison island.

"No, I'm telling the truth. The king and queen have been lying to their people," Cole begins. And then he tells us everything. By the time he explains how Prince Matthew was nearly killed by an assassination attempt, his anger has nearly consumed me. King George has known the fates of my friend and prince and hasn't given me any details? Why would he hide these details from me?

"Because you are loyal to Enly. He wants Princess Lexi to ascend the throne. If Matthew and Enly appear to be careless lovers during a time when their country needs them, then the public will accept her," Cole explains as he gestures to the cell. Without hesitation, I hand Cole the glass of water and I take off my pendant and open the cell. Jonah's eyes widen when we enter carrying food and water.

"Did they find my sister?" he asks us after taking a sip of water.

"Serena has been ordered to retrieve her," Cole explains, before gesturing at the food.

"Do you think that she can find her?" Jonah wants to know, and that makes me respect the illegitimate. He is unconcerned of his own fate.

"Eat, Jonah. You will need your strength," Cole orders. Jonah obeys, and as he eats, my lady and I interrogate Cole Winters.

"If Jet Wilks brought on a war, why not let all of the world know that he's a traitor?" Caroline inquires.

"That's for the senate to decide. And besides, Jet Wilks is the least of our worries. If Princess Lexi takes the throne, it will throw the country in turmoil," Cole warns. "She isn't what's best for the country. And if Enly discovers that the king had her brother killed, she'll be so angry that she'd flee from the region. The only reason why she ever attempted to play the political game was to save him," Cole says. "We need to steal him away and hide him."

I shake my head, knowing that someone would find Jonah and dispatch him. In fact, an RBI agent would be forced to go on the hunt for him. If it is discovered that we stole him away, then we'd be hung for treason.

"I have an idea," I tell Cole. "We need to work fast to save our country." Caroline and I decide to change our clothing before meeting the king, queen, and princess in the senate. As we dress, we don't speak. What is about to happen will change the course of the country.

"Good evening, Lord Dolson," Kip, Enly's best friend, says as soon as we enter the assembly hall. The room is a small, opulent chamber with twenty theater-styled seats on either side. Due to security reasons, all of the lords and ladies from Stanti are never present at once, in case of an attack. Since Caroline and I are the attending regents in house, we sit at the large rectangular table which is placed on the stage. We take our seats, concerned about timing. The two thrones located on each side of the table are empty, which makes me breathe easier. I have changed the time of the meeting, knowing that the king will never bother entertaining his lords so early. I'm frightened, knowing that I have to do what's right, what's best to protect Caroline and the country.

As soon as the last lord enters, the door closes, and I'm relieved. Caroline grabs my hand under the table and I eye the group. "My name is Titus Owen Adrian Dolson, and I call this meeting to order," I tell the lords and ladies.

"I second," Kip calls, and I'm warmed that I have an ally. I pity her because she has been concerned about Enly, fearing for her safety. She has dropped a few pounds and could use to eat a few sausages.

"My lords and ladies, we are in crisis," I announce. "I have consulted agents from the RBI, and they revealed the following findings. Jet Wilks kidnapped Prince Matthew, Enly Saint Claire, and Lord Gash, and his intention was to strand them on Serial. He hired Captain Mo from the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company to house them. He also recruited rebels to attack our prince and future princess, and Lady Gash was wounded seriously in the process. But Jet Wilks realized that the shipping company might talk. So he forced his rebels to pose as pirates and they raided the cargo ship. Unfortunately for the prince and his lady, the boat was captured by Serial's soldiers and destroyed. Prince Matthew contacted the queen and she secured passage on a cruise ship. He returned to Snowdrift and an attempt was made on his life. He's currently in a secure hospital. Lady Enly, however, is going to be extracted by an agent that was sent to rescue her. Also, the king plans to have Princess Lexi ascend the throne. And I wish that Princess Lexi was our biggest problem. Unfortunately, the King's inability to manage foreign affairs has placed us in a war with the entirety of the Canadian Region, Licoria, Travania, and Iceway."

When I draw breath, shouts begin filling the room. Anger fills most of my audience's faces, and they begin speaking among themselves. Kip is the first person to press the button on her armrest, which silences everyone.

"So the king and queen have misinformed us? Our princess is in danger?" Kip asks me.

"Yes. But an agent has been sent to retrieve her," I respond.

"And meanwhile, Jet Wilks has rebels, and he has tossed the country into war? Where will they attack?" Kip demands.

"Snowdrift. We have five days to develop a plan."

"My Uncle is the Prime Minister of Travania. I can call him. I can't imagine that he would really want to fight our country. He must feel like he has to because he's allied with many regions of New Canada," Kip responds, and I'm relieved. That's two countries down. We just need the other two to desert Canada, and we would then have a fighting chance.

Another lord rings a bell. It is Lord Flay, an old man with gray hair.

Kip sits, and the frail lord stands. "Senate, we need to assure that Princess Lexi never ascends the throne."

# Chapter Twenty-Five

Matthew

"Prince Matthew, would you like something else to eat?" Lord Gash asks when he enters my extravagant hospital room. Agent Cole Winters leans against the wall, a permanent scowl on his face. Charity, on the other hand, is practicing her sewing. She smiles at Lord Gash when he enters, but he barely acknowledges her, which makes me believe that whatever he felt for Charity faded as soon as we returned to Snowdrift Palace.

"No," I respond, shifting in the bed. I was unconscious for three days as they repaired the holes in my body. It's very fortunate that my body did not reject the synthetic blood. Enly had, which made it difficult for the doctors to treat her when she was stabbed. "How is my mother dealing with Iceway?" I demand. "How is Jonah?"

"I don't know," Lord Gash says, his eyes dark. "Aside from making sure that we figure out who ordered your assassination, and assuring that no one finishes the job, I haven't had a chance to talk to her," Lord Gash explains.

"Why hasn't my family come to see me?" I ask, trying not to be wounded by that fact.

"Because they only have two days to stop a brutal war. I imagine that they were so stressed out that they have no time to breathe, let alone see you," Cole argues.

"That doesn't sound like them," I comment, eying Lord Gash, who nods.

"You would be surprised by what fear can do to someone," Cole says.

Before I can point out that it would be amazing if a burning building made my father work more than five hours on something, the door flies opens and Brandon and Marigold rush in and quickly close the door. Brandon, who is clean-shaved, wearing a simple black shirt and trousers, and his wife, who is dressed in a black gown and has a cape over her shoulders, smile at me despite my harsh words towards them. Half of the country is about to suffer because of their decision, but I had no right to speak to the them in that way.

"Prince Matthew, we need to speak to you," Brandon says, his eyes wide with fright.

"About what?" I ask, my voice filling with worry.

Brandon shifts, his blue eyes darkening. "About the Salvus that I'm filing against Walter Saint Claire," Brandon says, his jaw tightening. "Because of him, I lost everything." I groan, knowing how Enly will feel if her father goes on trial. How will she feel? Will she find me responsible?

"Why bother? You made it out, be happy with what you have," Lord Gash comments. "If you file a salvus against Walter Saint Claire, Enly will pardon him," Lord Gash argues. "For once, Brandon, just lay low and be happy that you're free."

"Be happy that I'm free? For goodness's sakes, the man framed me and the jurors sentenced me and my wife to Serial. The harsh work caused her to lose her baby," Brandon yells.

"Your father was going to kill you. If you think about it, Mr. Saint Claire did you a favor. You would have either ended up dead or in Serial," Lord Gash argues hotly.

"Your father has also caused a war," Cole argues. "So in comparison, what Walter Saint Claire did wasn't as bad."

"I lost my baby," Marigold cries. "Do any of you know what that's like?"

"Yes, I do, because Celine was pregnant when Jet Wilks had her murdered," Lord Gash says coolly.

"How are you going to even file a salvus? You're technically fugitives," Charity argues, agitated.

"The king pardoned us a couple of days ago. He's thinking of returning me to power to settle the rebels," Brandon says.

"What about Lord and Lady Dolson?" I ask, my stomach sinking.

"They are going to have an accident. Besides, they were only props anyway. Toad is not a war general," Brandon snaps.

"So you are okay with people dying so that you can become Lord Regent again?" I ask, disbelieving.

"No, but if it has to be done," Brandon responds, his face filling with weariness.

"I don't think that becoming lady regent is a good idea. My father wants to pass his title to us. We should take that instead," Marigold offers, her face filling with hope. "I just want to go home."

Brandon places a hand on her shoulder. "I know, honey. But don't you want vengeance?"

"I want to not be in Snowdrift right now because even though we've been pardoned, all of the lords and ladies hate me. They see me as the other woman. They all love her," she whines, which catches me by surprise.

"They love Princess Enly?" Lord Gash asks, putting an emphasis on Enly's new title.

"Yes. Of course. I don't know why, since her brother is illegitimate. It seems that everyone is discarding that her mother killed the king," she sniffs.

"I thought that the public liked her because of the ordeal that she's gone through," I comment, feeling confused.

"Nope. The public was told that Prince Matthew and Enly were on some romantic vacation. I think that your father is trying to ruin your reputation," Marigold announces.

It rankles how after everything, Marigold still thinks ill of my princess. But I have no energy to care. Fatigue is starting to run through me, and I'm about to fall asleep when someone else gets past my guard and runs into the room.

"Matthew," Lexi cries, her eyes filled with concern. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine. How are you, Lexi?"

"Stop it, Matthew. I've been so worried about you. We have been busy trying to make sure that the country is safe so—"

I sit up, tired of her act. "Why didn't you tell me that Dad made it seem to our country that I abandoned them? Why did you let Father lie to me?"

"Matthew, you know how things are. He couldn't exactly tell the country that you were missing. Though that meat package was brilliant. If they knew that you were missing, it would have given assassins an opportunity to find and execute you," Lexi tells me.

"Why haven't you visited me for three days?" I ask.

"We were trying to get Iceway to take our calls. They wouldn't at first, but when Walter Saint Claire paid the ransom, we paid off the debt. So now Iceway is out of the war!"

I frown and rub my forehead. My sister's brown eyes are filled with affection for me. I remember how she cried when the assassins got a hold of me. I believe that my little sister loves me. Or maybe I'm hoping that she does. Can I trust her? "Lexi, what are they doing about the war? Are they mobilizing troops?" I ask, feeling worried for the sake of my country.

"Sorry, Matthew, Father told me not to repeat anything decided at the meetings. But what I can tell you is that we are meeting with the senate today. Now that we have a concrete plan, we will tell them what's going on," she tells me.

I glance at Cole and Lord Gash, who shrug. "My father hasn't called an emergency meeting with the senate? What is he thinking?" I protest.

"It isn't your place to question our king, Matthew. You are to serve and assist," Lexi chides. "When I'm queen, will you question my rule?"

"Lexi, you can't be queen. You'll hate it," I plead. "You like shopping, courting men, and—"

"I like power and autonomy, Matthew. You, on the other hand, are emotional. If I had seen Brandon and Marigold in Serial, I would have left them behind. But now that they are here, we are forced to figure out what to do with them. The same goes for Jonah, the stupid, dead illegitimate. You brought him back here, only so he can have a short life," she taunts.

My face fills with anger at the thought of my father killing Enly's brother. She will not recover from such a loss, and I fear that she'll blame me.

"And if you really wanted to be king, why didn't you choose a wife already? Why wait for Enly? We have Walter Saint Claire's money. All we have to do is kill him," Lexi decides.

"Lexi, you aren't this cold-hearted. You're my sister," I plead, my mouth hanging open. How have I been so blind?

"No, Matthew. I'm not cold-hearted, I'm just practical," she says as the door bursts open and soldiers start spilling into the room, followed by a doctor. Two burly men dressed in the royal uniform place my sister in restraints.

"Princess Lexi of Stanti, you are under arrest for treason. Come peacefully, or judgement will be swift," a man, who has to be a captain, says.

"Matthew, please help me. Please, Matthew, don't let them take me. Please," she cries.

"Why are you arresting her?" I shout, my heart pounding.

"Prince Matthew, we were ordered to arrest Princess Lexi we have not been supplied with a reason. Now, your presence is also required. But you are not under arrest. Doctor Lowe will assist us in transporting you safely," the captain informs me.

In the end, since I'm still recovering, I'm wheeled out of the room in my hospital bed. When Lord Gash, Cole Winters, Charity, Doctor Lowe—a tan woman with black hair streaked with gray—and three soldiers enter the large elevator and the door closes, I speak again. "Will I be executed?" I ask. A gentle hand brushes my forehead. I peer up to see Charity standing beside my bed.

"No, my prince, you will not be executed," she softly tells me. "You are a witness." Hope spikes in my heart as I think of the possibilities. Perhaps Jet Wilks is being prosecuted.

"Thank you, Agent Charity," I tell her, and decide to close my eyes and fall asleep.

"Prince Matthew, is that you?" a shocked voice proclaims.

"What has happened to our prince?" another woman cries.

I open my eyes and blink up at the ceiling of the senate stateroom. My bed has been placed in front of the space that's designated for the lord and lady of the house. Doctor Lowe presses a button and my bed rises, so that I'm in a sitting position. My father is on his throne, his eyes wide and angry. Why would he look angry? Didn't he summon me to speak about Jet Wilks?

I glance at the other throne and see my stepmother in a similar state. Lord and Lady Dolson are seated at the table, satisfaction in their faces. The obnoxious bell rings, and out of the corner of my eye, Lord Gash stands.

"My king, why didn't you inform the assembly that Prince Matthew was nearly assassinated?" he demands, which causes shock and fear to coil in my stomach.

"Lord Gash, I'm sorry for your loss. I really am. But if you were not so blinded by grief, you would be focused on the war that we have with Iceway," the king snaps.

The buzzer rings again and Lord Gash sits and another person stands. This individual is too far back, so I don't have a good view. "You mean the war that you only informed us of today? We've been briefed and had already negotiated with Travania and Licoria," the strong male voice booms. "Those countries have agreed to leave the war because we offered them something that they want more than money: an alliance with our allies."

I'm speechless. The senate has prevented a war between us and the three countries that Canada has recruited. I can breathe a little easier.

"I don't understand. The war was..."

"You didn't want to tell us about this debacle because you knew that we would blame you for it. You were already on probation and you had the feeling that you would be deposed," the lord says. My father is on probation. I glance at my stepmother and she nods at me, as if confirming what that senator said.

"That's preposterous. I was merely trying to mitigate the problems with the war and..."

"Silence," Queen Arabella snaps. "I told you to call the lords, and you said that if you did so, you'd look like a fool. Then you ordered me to assassinate Lord Dolson and his wife so that you could place Brandon Wilks and Marigold as regents. You also sent those assassins to kill Matthew," Arabella accuses.

"My father did not try to kill me," I shout, uncaring that I'm out of line. "If anyone did, it was you, Stepmother. You're the one who wanted Lexi to be your queen."

"Why not, Matthew? Don't get me wrong, I love you. But Lexi is my child. She has what it takes to make hard decisions," the queen argues.

A bell rings again, and a new voice speaks. "Lexi is not fit to be queen. She has not the education or ambition to rule. And besides, she's too reckless. And she's been imprisoned, so she is unqualified," a female says.

Since I don't have a button to press, I speak up. "Why is my sister being arrested?" I ask, confused.

"For breach of contract," Lord Gash replies after pressing that stupid button. "It would appear that she married Adam Heart without consulting the crown."

"Who is Adam Heart?" the king demands.

"A guy undeserving of the fate of being married to your daughter," Lord Dolson snaps, his eyes filling with disgust. Maybe the lord regent was just sick of the king pretending not to know who people are whenever he was upset.

"That is no way for you to speak to your king, Lord Dolson," Queen Arabella snaps.

"You just told me that he was planning on killing me," Lord Dolson snaps back.

My stepmother glances at the ground, her face filled with disappointment. "I just wanted her to be queen so bad."

"Enough with the melodrama, we have a war to win," I hiss, my anger rising. "Lord Dolson, has a plan been drafted?"

"My prince, we need to discuss some of the terms of the agreement with Travania," Lord Dolson says.

"What is it?" I ask, hoping to get back to business. "Well, in exchange for a reduction on the cost of goods, they requested for a representative to be married to a lord or lady," Lord Dolson confesses.

"And Licoria?" I ask.

"They hate Queen Arabella. Apparently, she sanctioned an experiment that cost thousands of lives," he informs. "They will forgive our debt if we release her to be tried for her crimes."

"No! I can't possibly be taken! No," she cries. "Tell them no! Tell them that..."

"Arabella, what have you done?" the king cries.

My head is aching at this point, but at least three countries aren't going to attack us. "Are you going to meet their demands?" I ask when my stepmother doesn't respond.

"Yes," Lord Dolson snaps. "It's either her or all of us. The region of Canada is a formidable group all on their own," he warns.

Because I want the problem to be solved, I straighten and force myself to ignore my battered body. "Lord Dolson, we need to intercept them," I suggest. "I'd rather have a battle on their land. We can't afford damage to our infrastructure," I argue.

Lord Dolson nods. "King George, we need you to draft an order to attack," Lord Dolson tells my stunned father.

"We can still negotiate with Quebec. Maybe we can send a delegation to negotiate with them," my father pleads. "We can't afford a war."

Before anyone can tell my father that we don't have any choice, the door flings open, and a gunshot sounds, causing my ears to ring and my heart to stop. Without warning my bed is wheeled in the crevice between my stepmother's throne and the stage, and my view grows dark and all I can hear is the screaming and shouting around me.

# Chapter Twenty-Six

Enly

After abandoning the dead man in the basement, I leave the torture room and enter a hall with two doors on either side. I unlock and open the door across from me and am relieved to find a girl who's fully clothed, sitting on the tabletop, anger in her eyes. She's being guarded by a guard who's clutching a butcher's knife. I knock him out, and make eye contact with the brunette.

"I killed the serial killer. You should probably get out of here befo—"

She doesn't even give me a chance to say anything. She wraps her arms around me, even though I'm nude. She shudders and then releases me. "I'm Trish," she tells me.

"Hi, Trish," I say. "Let's go free the others."

"Go find some clothes, I'll do it. The rest of the girls here are my teammates," she tells me.

Without wasting time, I push myself to climb the rickety steps that spill onto the first floor. I continue to climb up to the second floor then, which is nothing more than a large bedroom with a trundle bed. I make a beeline for the closet and pull it open. All I see are shelves filled with weapons, hair clips, undergarments, bloodstained clothing, and the dagger that I had when the servant apprehended me. It takes a while to understand that he actually has trophies. My stomach rolls, but I still grab my dagger anyway.

After closing the door, I spin around and see a tall man in the doorway. Without hesitation I fire, and he collapses to the ground. I have to be quick about my search.

I open the other door and realize that it is a small bathroom. The third room is filled with the men's clothing. Wrinkling my nose, because I know that I have to go commando, I pull on a pressed work shirt that comes to my knees and a pair of short pants that reach mid-thigh. They are too large, so I slice off a bit of the hem of my shirt and tie it around my waist the same way that Laurence had. That action makes my wound ache, so I rush into the bathroom and look under the sink and find a first aid kit. Good, I can tend to it later.

Finding a stroke of inspiration, I go back to the trophy closet and find a backpack and take it. It's empty, so I shove the first aid kit in it and then I search for boots, and find a pair that looks to be my size. After searching around, I find the man's drawers. I find socks and slip them on along with the shoes. I shoot the man that had entered one more time with the tranquilizer then I rush down the stairs to the first level.

The stairs lead to a bedroom, but the smell of baking bread tells me that the kitchen is near. I step into the kitchen and see three men doing meal prep. They glance up, and one of them tosses a knife at me. But even with my injured arm, I'm quick to tranquilize the three of them. I rush over to the refrigerator and open it, and I find a bowl filled with food. I open my backpack and stuff in five of the containers. I place the bulging pack on the kitchen table then search the cupboards before I find water canteens. I take three and quickly fill them with water.

When I'm finished, I heft the bag onto my aching shoulders and my legs feel like they will buckle. I grab the device that I placed beside the bag and my dagger and exit the kitchen and the house. Judging by the position of the sun, it's probably midday, and the heat nearly ends me. But I have to put some distance between me and the servants before I can sip water or eat food. I gingerly step onto the path, and my head spins, but I force myself to keep on going.

"Lady Saint Claire," Laurence says a few moments later. I glance to the right and see a battered Andrea lying on the grass beside him.

"You got her out?" I ask, surprised.

Laurence sighs. "I couldn't find you. Figured that I could wait for a few days," Laurence says, a pack by his feet.

"What happened to her?" I demand.

"A few bruises, but the serial killer was more interested in you because you made him mad, somehow," he says as he leads us over to the grass beside Andrea. He relieves me of my pack, and when I sit, I want to just go to sleep. But Laurence fishes through my pack and whistles at the amount of food and water I was able to find.

"Are you sure being so close to the manor is a good idea, Enly?" a voice demands as a boy that I love and care about strolls out of the woods.

"Jonah?" I ask, surprised. He smiles sadly at me as he rushes over to me. He squats down beside me and gently touches what has to be my swollen face. He looks on the verge of tears.

"Serena was trying to figure out a way in," he says. "But we saw you walking here." I peer up and see my former lady's maid smiling down at me in relief. She wears the same jumpsuit that I wore when I first started this journey.

"Enly got supplies," Laurence says, excited. I take another greedy sip of water.

Serena runs over to the pack and opens the backpack and whistles. She pulls out a bowl and opens it. Grabbing one of the forks that I packed, she sits in front of me and knocks away my shaking hand, stabs a strip of chicken from the fork, and holds it up to me, feeding it to me. I quickly eat the meat, my stomach aching to be filled. I take another sip of water to wash down the meat. Then she opens another bowl and discovers a bowl filled with broccoli.

"I think that he's the type to separate all of his food," Serena reports.

"I killed him, Serena," I confess, because I'm still shocked that I'm free.

"How?" Laurence wants to know.

"I shoved a rusty nail into his carotid artery, then I shot him with the tranquilizer," I say, fingering the device on my lap.

"Good. Laurence, go back to the house and fill your pack with supplies. And see if you can find a few ice packs," Serena orders. Laurence quickly rushes off, and Serena feeds me a piece of broccoli. By the time Laurence approaches, I'm about to fall asleep. He runs over to us with two packs, his eyes filled with triumph.

"I found dry food," he announces, and tosses another pack to Jonah.

"The path is almost finished for you," Serena announces. "You got lucky, and someone dropped you three off toward the middle. They tend to do that for people that commit petty crimes. Someone who commits a more serious crime, on the other hand, has to start the path at the beginning," Serena explains.

"One more domain, and we are out of here," Laurence adds as he helps a silent Andrea to her feet. Serena used the first aid kit to treat our wounds. She even gave me ointment to help heal my bruises. Even though I had been in the hands of the serial killer longer, Andrea is more injured than me. Her left arm is broken, and the best that Serena can do is give her pain medication, and wrap it in a thick material that prevents motion.

Jonah, Andrea, and Laurence walk in front of me, and I have Jonah to the left and Serena on the right. As we walk at a slow pace, do to my exhaustion, I ask everyone questions. "Laurence, what happened after the man took me?" I ask.

"They took Andrea, and I had two choices: join them or leave. This particular serial killer doesn't harm men. I chose to join them. So I was in charge of cutting food because I'm not strong enough to abduct the women. The monster saw you first, I think. I was still in the kitchen. But then he went and beat Andrea, and smashed her arm with a hammer. From what one of the servants told me, the killer never loses his mind like that," Laurence explains.

"I told him that I was a lady, that he couldn't defile me. He hated me telling him what to do," Andrea adds.

"I was sent in to guard her, but lied and said that she had died. Since Gevus was too busy interrogating the new shipment of girls, I was able to sneak her out. I didn't want to leave Andrea, so I stayed out here and hoped that you would save yourself, and I was right," Laurence explains.

I'm slightly annoyed with him for abandoning me, but what can I expect? He's a coward. "What about you, Serena?" I ask as I stop to rub my aching sides.

"The king and queen ordered me to get you," she says, but doesn't elaborate.

"How did you find her?" Andrea quietly asks.

"The tranquilizer device. Before coming, Doctor Lacy allowed me to view the logs that record how often they are fired. I retrieved the one that Andrea used. It was in the hands of a killer who was tranquilizing people, then killing them when they fell unconscious," Serena explains, her voice terse.

"Jonah, why are you here?" I ask my brother, but he shakes his head. He must not be able to speak about it in front of Laurence.

We take breaks periodically, so that Andrea and I can rest. At one point, Serena allows Andrea and I to take a nap on the grass. By sunset, we still don't see a shelter, and we realize that we have to sleep in the trees. Serena creates a bed of leaves for me on the ground, and I lie down, my body protesting. We have finished the food that I stole, and are left with dried food. I'm too tired to eat, so I close my eyes, ignore the insects that crawl on me, and fall into a deep sleep.

"Enly, wake up," Jonah orders.

I open my eyes and sit up, and immediately begin swatting insects away from my skin. He helps me up and out of the trees. We cut across the paved path and end up joining our companions on the grass. We sit down, and Serena immediately places a cool canteen into my hands. I take a small sip of water. Jonah hands me a sleeve of crackers, and I take one and begin chewing. It would appear that everyone was bitten by insects the way that I was. Andrea, who's still quiet, is given pain medication and begins eating her crackers immediately.

"So, what do you guys think that the last serial killer will be like?" Laurence asks, his face filled with fright.

"Don't know," Serena says as she tosses the wrappers from her crackers back into the bag.

Laurence raises a brow. "You don't want to leave clues for others."

We all put our trash in a backpack then stand and begin walking yet again. It takes about an hour before we notice a discarded bulging backpack. I move to walk past it, but Laurence halts and eyes it. "Wow! It's a backpack of stuff," he says, eager.

"We should just keep on moving. Don't trust it," I say, my eyes narrowing. But Laurence doesn't listen to me and he opens the bag and jerks backward when his face pales. "It's... It's an animal skull," he says, his eyes wide. Without warning Laurence begins to sprint, and we all follow him, more because we want to stay together. Andrea starts to lag behind, and to my surprise, Serena kneels down in front of Andrea and instructs her to climb onto her back. Without effort, the agent steadily runs behind me, and by the time we catch up with Laurence, a deafening explosion rings in the air, which nearly knocks me to the ground.

"What was that?" Andrea cries.

"The backpack," Laurence cries. "A servant told me once that Gevus found one in his territory, and it upset him. I guess a servant from another domain placed it there to taunt Gevus."

"What is this Serial killer's MO?" I demand, my eyes landing on yet another backpack.

"I don't know," Jonah says.

"We need to keep on moving," I say, because I know that if this serial killer or a servant is near, we will he captured.

The group nods and we rush ahead, my very being calling for me to rest, but the fact that I'm so close forces me to continue. By the time we see the third backpack, my heart falls. This one had been opened, and remains stretch across the path. The smoke and burned plastic makes my stomach turn, and the stench is about to make me deposit my breakfast on the asphalt. But despite it all, I continue until I see a half-burned person lying on the grass ahead.

Before I can determine if it's safe to approach the person, Jonah rushes over, kneels down, and feels for a pulse. "She's still breathing," he reports to us.

Laurence shakes his head. "Jonah, we can't take her. She's too injured," Laurence protests. But my brother doesn't listen to Laurence, the coward. Instead, he helps the crying girl to a sitting position, her brown hair caked with blood. Her hands and arms are severely burned, and pieces of the skull must have stabbed her, because she has a wound on her stomach.

"Laurence, give me the first aid kit," Jonah orders. Laurence sighs and opens his bag and tosses him the kit. Jonah quickly finds the salves for burns and applies them to the girl's skin. Then, he gives her something for the pain. He cleans her wounds, and uses instant stitches to close them. By the time the last of her wounds have been dealt with, the girl has passed out. Jonah hefts her into his arms and orders Laurence to get the kit. But as soon as Laurence takes a step, I spot something. Pounding footsteps alert me that someone's about to exit the woods.

"Jonah, let's go," I hiss, and my brother, seeing my panic, steps onto the path. That's the only reason why, when the burly man leaps out and attempts to attack my brother with a machete, he's able to hop out of his way. The man has sunburnt pale skin, long, red, dirty hair, and empty green eyes. He smiles as he eyes the girl in Jonah's arms.

"They fall for it every time. Injure someone, and a good Samaritan stops eventually," he taunts before lunging at Jonah again with the weapon.

# Chapter Twenty-Seven

Matthew

As the fighting rages in the room, I'm officially irritated. For goodness's sakes, I'm strapped to the bed, IV stuck in me, which means that all anyone has to do is cut through Lord Gash and the other soldiers guarding me, and I'm finished. And besides, I tire of Lord Gash risking his life for me. Something has to give.

I start by yanking my IV from the IV port, and then I decide to leave the port in, because I wouldn't be able to remove it without injuring myself. Then, I work on detaching the straps that keep me secure to the bed. After lowering the railings that cocoon me, I'm ready to escape this hell. I gingerly slide out of bed, and groan as I stand. My stomach and chest feel like they are on fire, but I continue with my course of action.

It's easy to slip out of the alcove because there is a hole in my defense. Cole has been hit, and he lies unconscious, blood dripping from his stomach. I'm hoping for his sake that he makes it. But since he's on the ground, I grab the tranquilizer by Cole's fist and pick it up, ignoring the blood coating it, and stand. I aim at a guy who has his back turned to me, and he goes down, revealing Charity, who was about to get shot in the back. Then I dart to the soldier and pick up his gun and without thought, shoot him in the head. My anger and bloodlust to destroy these rebels makes me calm. I know that these aren't the might of the Canadian territory's arms, but our own people. Jet Wilks probably ordered them to attack as a distraction.

I eye the area around the throne and see my father being guarded by soldiers. My mother isn't on her throne. I frantically search for her, but don't see her anywhere. All around us, the lords and their retainers are fighting the rebels. As I'm scanning the room, I see that Lord Flay is run through by a blade. I'm too far to shoot, and so when the man falls lifeless, I feel nothing but pure rage.

I aim at a rebel that's chasing a hysterical lady who's running for the safety of the king's line. And when he's close enough, I shoot a bullet into his neck, my aim spot-on. The lady continues to run to us, and she steps over Doctor Lowe's body to stop in front of us. It's a terrified Kip, whose eyes are filled with hope when she sees the soldiers surrounding the throne. It strikes me as odd how the soldiers are all guarding my father, instead of sneaking him through a secret passageway.

I search the crowd and see Titus and his wife being protected by six soldiers. Again, they aren't being escorted away, just guarded. In fact, most of the rebels don't even seem interested in shooting me, even though I'm wide open. It seems that their aim is to injure Lord Gash, who's easily dispatched every challenger. Two rebels charge him at once, and I tranquilize one of them and Lord Gash kills the other with a blade that he keeps on him at all times. I rush over to him and hand him the gun, knowing that he's a wonderful shot. Lord Gash nods and then shoots down two rebels that are charging us.

I eye the room, and see that most of the lords and ladies are utilizing the tranquilizers that they have hidden in their clothing. It's something that I ordered them to do after the attack on Enly, in case they were ever attacked. Most of the old ones argued, saying that their guards were sufficient. But look at them now, wielding their tranquilizers without mercy. Aside for Lord Flay, I notice five well-dressed bodies littering the floor. Deciding that I need to end this madness, I do something Enly wouldn't appreciate. I charge up the blood-soaked aisle and begin picking off the remaining rebels with my tranquilizer.

I notice that although some of the ladies do hold tranquilizers, they aim with uncertainty, and oftentimes strike empty space instead of a target. I grit my teeth when one of the ladies decides that sitting in the corner of the room and crying is a better use of her time. I run over to her, and pick off all of the rebels that approach her.

As the last remaining rebels are killed, I marvel at the state of the senate's room. The walls, paintings, and statues are covered with blood, seats have knife marks, and the carpet is littered with remains, bodies, and discarded weapons. I eye a few downed rebels suspiciously, and shoot them with my tranquilizer again. Then, when all is quiet, force myself to run to my father. Something is wrong with this picture. Protocol has not been followed. I understand that the Snowdrift soldiers haven't really seen much violence and lack practice, since the royals never visited this region after my uncle was killed by Jonah's mother. But they have the same handbook that each soldier working in a palace is given. Why are they just standing around, not gathering the bodies of the rebels for imprisoning?

I walk over to the closest soldier, who doesn't even salute me. "Sir, why aren't you men placing the rebels into cells?" I order.

He shrugs. "I have to keep an eye on the king," he tells me.

I stare at him, and a bloodied Lord Gash joins me.

"Soldier, your prince is speaking to you. You should gather men and start collecting the rebels," Lord Gash says, and the soldier sighs, as if this entire day has been nothing but tireless work for him.

"Rosco, Phillip, Morison, start collecting the rebels," he orders.

Three men break away from my father, and he's more visible. I'm somewhat relieved that he is unharmed. Perhaps the soldiers were content that they would subdue the rebels. But something just doesn't make sense to me.

I walk over to my father, and touch his shoulder. "Father, how many soldiers are stationed here?" I whispered.

"Six hundred," he softly responds, his eyes as weary as mine.

"Why didn't any of them assist these soldiers?" I ask, staring at the eleven soldiers still standing, feeling confused.

"Most likely, the soldiers are preoccupied with something else," my father figures as the door opens and Charity, Adam Heart, and Brandon Wilks rush in, each of them clutching weapons. The three of them rush down the aisle, not seeming to mind the blood that is soaking through the hems of their stolen magistrate robes.

They walk over to me, and Adam raises a brow. "What happened here, Prince Matthew?" he wonders. Adam, my brother-in-law, eyes the destruction, shock playing on his face.

Charity eyes the injuries Lord Gash acquired and worry rests on her expression. "Lord Gash, are you all right?" she cries.

Lord Gash nods. "I've suffered far worse than this, Agent Spenser," he assures her.

She sighs.

"Look at the mess. After an attack such as this, there is always a cleanup, I suppose," she complains. "Morrison, it's time." As soon as she makes that pronouncement, I hear a gun cock. I spin around to see a soldier pointing a gun at me. Without hesitation I shoot him with the tranquilizing gun, and steal his gun as he falls. I turn to my father, whose guards are all aiming at him. Before I can say a word, they all fire. But I still get off a few shots with my gun, blowing off the head of the guy closest to me.

"One royal down, another to go, boys," Charity shouts. I eye Adam, who's standing there, not a wound in sight, and something clicks.

"You married Lexi in a plot to become king," I shout, aiming at Charity and firing one shot, but she leaps out of the way. Cursed plague, she's pulling out a gun, which means that I'm about to die. I have no shot facing off in a firefight with a trained agent. I feel a tug on the back of my shirt and I am pulled backwards as a figure darts in front of me and begins firing on Charity and Adam. My eyes widen when I recognize that it's Cole Winters. No, I can't let him try to protect me. I hate when people die for me.

"Let's go, Prince," Lord Gash hisses as the doors slam open and our actual soldiers flood the room. I eye Charity, her shirt filled with blood from the shots that Cole fired off. I quickly raise my gun and fire once, blowing off Brandon Wilk's head, and I'm horrified when Cole and Brandon fall at the same time. Adam is quickly apprehended by the soldiers and he's led away, while Charity is taken out from behind by a tranquilizer and is carried off.

I run to my father, and Lord Gash releases me. I sit beside him and touch his face. His body is riddled with wounds, and I know that even a mender can't save him. I lean down and kiss his forehead, his eyes focusing on me.

"I never tried to kill you, Son," he faintly whispers.

"I know, Dad. It was Jet Wilks," I whisper.

"Didn't want you to end up like me. Lexi, like Arabella," he explains, and now I understand. My father lost my mother, the love of his life, and was forced to marry again, but the senate didn't approve of his second love, so he married Arabella. Then, his second love tried to kill him. The life of betrayal and loneliness would wear a guy like me down. But Lexi never made close relationships aside for Adam Heart, the traitor.

"I love you, Father," I say, and his eyes lose focus.

"Love you, Matthew," he says, and his life ends. Tears immediately fall down my face, the drops probably landing on my father's face, but I don't care. I'm filled with grief that hurts so terribly, that I can't bear it. My father is gone. He is never coming back, and I can't do a thing about any of it. I was betrayed by who was supposed to be a trusted agent, my best friend, and my brother-in-law.

"Prince Matthew," a female voice calls. And then I'm held in soft arms and someone is whispering that everything will be okay. It takes me a second to realize that Caroline Drackle is the one who tossed propriety to the wind to comfort me. I hold her tightly, the pain nearly tearing me from the inside out. She gently pats my back and continues to whisper, but her words do nothing. He's gone, and no amount of my skill could save him. Now, I'm a man who has virtually lost everything: my mother, father, stepmother, friend, and the love of my life. I can delude myself all I want, but I know that Enly is never coming back. How am I supposed to make it?

"Prince Matthew, you need to get up," Lord Dolson says. Without warning, Caroline releases me and I'm lifted and am placed in the hospital bed and strapped back in. I look up at Lord Dolson, whose face is red with rage, and whose hands are shaking.

"Prince Matthew, what would you like to be done," Caroline softly asks me as she places a comforting hand on my cheek. I glance at her and see that her lavender dress is blood-soaked and that she has a nasty bruise on her face. She's afraid, which smothers my utter devastation for a moment, making anger fuel me.

"Have Franks draft a statement about the king's death and the queen's arrest. Find my sister Lexi, and send her to me," I order.

"She's in the dungeon. We had our men take her," she assures me, and I'm glad that my sister has been arrested, because she didn't have to see my father die the way he did. "What should we do with the prisoners?" she wonders.

"I want her moved to the New England Region. Place her in that palace, because those guards are loyal to my family," I say, my heart tight.

"Adam?" Caroline asks.

"Place him in the Gulf Coast Region's dungeon. I want those two separated, so that they don't stage another coup," I order.

"What of Marigold Wilks?" she wonders.

"Question her. I want to know if she had something to do with these heinous attacks," I order.

"Yes, my prince, all of this will be done," she says.

"Where's Lord Gash?" I ask, fearing the worst.

"He's all right. He has been transferred to a secure medical facility," Caroline assures me.

"Good, now please get Lexi. I need to see her," I tell the lady regent before a medic wheels my bed out of the assembly hall.

# Chapter Twenty-Eight

Enly

Jonah dives to the ground, the girl landing on his chest. I fire my tranquilizer at the man, but he's too quick. He darts to the side and the beam harmlessly beats against a tree. Laurence has decided that he isn't going to fight the hunter. He runs down the path, his boots pounding the pavement, his eyes not even glancing back to see how we're faring. The hunter glares at Laurence's back and darts into the woods, then reappears with a bow and arrows.

I aim and attempt to fire a shot into his shoulder, but someone knocks me off my feet from behind, and I crash to the ground, the device hurtling toward the woods. Cursing, I force my aching body to my feet and spin to face my attacker. It's a girl with long dark hair and brown, wild eyes. She charges me, a blade glinting as it aims for my heart. I punch her in the face and spin to the side, so that the blade doesn't hit me.

The woman falls to the ground before I can do a thing, and I smile at Serena, who now clutches my tranquilizer, smirking as she pivots and fires at the serial killer who's now perched in a tree. At the same time, he fires a shot, the arrow flying toward my friend. I shove her aside and end up with an arrow in the shoulder for my troubles.

I scream out in pain. My eyes water and my stomach turns. But I keep my breakfast down, not wanting to take the time to puke. Instead, I grab Serena and we run.

"Ingrid, wake up, they are getting away," the man calls desperately. "Our quarry is getting away." But it seems that this Ingrid that he's speaking to doesn't wake up, because he continues shouting. "You will pay. You will pay for what you did to her!"

We step over bodies riddled with arrows as we run. Flies are getting too close, and I have to wave a few away as I leap over the corpses. As we travel down the road, my injuries begin to trouble me. But I have to continue fighting. "Where's Andrea?" I call to Serena.

"Laurence doubled back for her," she shouts. I'm sensing a theme. It appears that Laurence has no issue rescuing Andrea, but won't show me the same favor. That thought is quickly dismissed when the serial killer rams into me from the side, causing me to fall painfully on the arm that he shot with his arrow. I shriek in pain as the monster kicks me in the ribs.

"I hate getting people in close range," he complains. He then spins around and quickly steps to the side. Serena must have tried to fire the device again, to no avail.

"Stop trying to shoot me!" he shouts.

I quickly get to my feet, the blood from my wound mingling with the dirt and sweat that I have accumulated. The hunter pulls out a blade and lunges for Serena, who narrowly avoids it. She delivers a swift kick to his kneecap, but the hunter doesn't falter, though he emits a groan.

I have to do something, but what? I eye the landscape, trying to determine if anything is of use. Before running into the woods, I peek back at Serena, who is still avoiding the hunter's blows. The bulge in her pocket lets me know that she has tucked the tranquilizer away so that she'll have her hands free. I slip into the woods, and it doesn't take me long to find a rock, because in my frantic searching, I trip over it. I fall on my face again, but luckily, don't suffer any more scrapes or bruises. I stand and pick up the rock that weighs roughly like a cantaloupe. It's heavy, and gripping it is painful due to the abrasions on my hand. But there isn't much of a choice. I need to finish off the hunter. Before I can, fortune deserts Serena and he's able to injure her.

Taking in a deep breath, I step onto the path and see that the hunter's knife is stuck in Serena's shoulder, and he's attempting to get it loose, but she continues to assault him with her other hand.

"Dammit, I want my prey conscious. It's more exciting that way," he taunts when my friend punches him in the side of the face. The hunter is distracted, which is fortunate for me.

I raise my arms and with all of the strength still in my battered body, I slam the rock into his head. The hunter staggers, and then spins around. He snatches the heavy rock from my grip, and his wild eyes convey the madness that he feels. He isn't thinking with logic. The need for gratification possesses him. For a moment, while he pulls another blade out of the pocket of his too-long trench coat, I pity him. I pity him because he thinks that he has autonomy over his life, but he doesn't. He is a tool that the government uses to punish their most wicked criminals.

When he lunges for me, I quickly step back. He lifts the rock, his obvious plan to throw it, but then his face goes slack and he falls to the ground. Serena, gripping the tranquilizer, is pale, but aside for the wound, she is all right.

"How long will he be out?" I ask as Serena slices off a strip of her jumpsuit with her knife and attempts to wrap it around her shoulder. I step over the hunter and quickly tie off the wound for her.

"Probably a day or two. You had your setting on the maximum," Serena tells me.

"Let's go find the others. Jonah must be worried," I tell my friend, and without hesitation, we both run away from the hunter. It is a difficult task to run when battered and bruised. But the overwhelming desire to escape the nightmare would keep anyone moving.

It feels like days until we catch up to our group. But I'm pretty sure that the estimate is a gross exaggeration. It just feels that way. The group is sitting on the grass, Jonah caring for the wounded girl, who is still unconscious.

"The hunter is taken care of, let's move," Serena orders, despite the fact that her wound is still bleeding. Jonah eyes the wound and frowns.

"We have to close the wound, Agent Spenser," Jonah insists.

"No. We haven't got the time," Serena says as she begins walking down the path. The remainder of our group scrambles to their feet, not wanting to be left behind. Laurence hefts Andrea over his shoulder and he steps up beside Serena, and they both begin walking. Jonah lifts the girl into his arms and stands beside me.

"What's her name?" I softly ask Jonah.

"Maura. She's afraid," Jonah tells me, a frown on his face.

"That's natural. We are on the path," I remind him, wishing that I could break Jonah of the bad habit to be over-concerned of others. For goodness's sake he has no training whatsoever, and he still came to retrieve me. I'll have to talk to Serena about why she chose to involve him. She surely knows how much effort I made to keep him alive while I was at the Willington Academy. She would know that my brother is the person I consider most important, aside for Matthew. Why would she risk him like this? As much as Jonah loves me, it is improbable that he would fight if someone told him that he couldn't infiltrate Serial to rescue me.

I want to ask Jonah why he has come, but know that he won't tell me. Serena has most likely told him not to, and unfortunately for me, he is a very obedient illegitimate. How did his master ensure his cooperation? I don't have the answer to that, but at least I'll have the chance to find out.

"Hopefully, once you are queen, you can change all of this," Jonah hopes. "Enly, I believe that you can make this world a better place for everyone," my brother says.

"Jonah, how about I get crowned princess first? And besides, once I eventually become queen, I won't have absolute power. I'm only one person. I'd still have to convince the senate," I reason.

Jonah sighs.

"I don't know how you'll do it. I just know that you're going to free me," Jonah responds confidently. And that's the end of our conversation because there is nothing for me to say. My brother is naive and thinks that everything is black or white. He also apparently doesn't hold a grudge. If I had been illegitimate for years, I'd dislike every free person. If my master or mistress harmed me, best believe that I'd have a little accident befall them. Then, I'd most likely escape and spend my time running, which isn't intelligent but it would be much better than being someone's servant. Besides, if I'm really being truthful, had I escaped from my master, Dad would have taken me in.

We don't even stop for lunch because after a few hours, a pier becomes visible. The smell of saltwater clinging to the air tells me that we are close. My heart skips, and as I walk, the path seems like it has stretched in size. But I push myself to keep on moving, because soon, I'll be with my Matthew.

"You have completed the path," says a man with blonde hair, wearing an uniform complete with a visor.

Serena, who is walking as if quicksand is dragging her down, stands in front of the man. "Captain Howard, this is Agent Spenser," she greets.

The captain touches her shoulder and whistles. "The _Venison_ will arrive in about two minutes," he tells her, and she nods.

"As for the rest of you, you have a choice to make," Agent Spenser tells my group. Jonah gently places the injured girl onto the pier and braces himself.

"What choice?" Laurence asks as he places Andrea beside the injured girl.

"Well, you can either come with us and board the _Venison_. That will take you back to Snowdrift Palace. Or you can board the _Wallflower_ , and be deposited on Justice Island. Since you guys aren't true citizens of Serial, you won't be forced to take an elixir that will cleanse you of your recent memories," she says.

As soon as the words come out of Serena's mouth, Laurence speaks. "If I go back to Snowdrift, I will be prosecuted. If I go to Justice Island, I'll be safer," Laurence decides.

"I'm a lady," Andrea softly says. "I belong with the royals."

"I will go with Laurence," Jonah softly says, and my world shatters.

"Jonah, you can't. If you go to Justice Island, you'll never see me again," I plead, my heart aching. Jonah faces me, sadness in his tone.

"Enly, I can't go with you," he tells me. "It isn't safe for me."

"Why isn't it safe for you?" I ask, my brow raised.

"You can live with Matthew and I. We can protect you."

"Enly, you cannot," Jonah tells me. "The king put me in a dungeon to force Dad to pay him more money. He was going to kill me. But then your friend, Lord Dolson, and his wife, Caroline, saved me. We figured that the only way to protect me was to have me go along with Serena. Enly, this was the plan all along," he says.

"King George tried to have you killed?" I ask in disbelief.

"Yes, Enly. This is the only way," he responds, his eyes welling up.

"You know that I can never see you again, right? This is it, Jonah. I'll never have reason to go to Justice Island."

"I know, Enly. But at least there, I can have a life. I'll be able to grow old, get married, and have children. Enly, I will miss you. But we were always bound to separate sooner than later," he says, before opening his arms. Despite the blood staining his shirt, I rush into them. We hug, and my tears soak his shirt. He rubs my back, and as I stand with him, I feel as though I'm losing my cause, the reason for fighting. Going to Willington Academy and becoming lady regent was all to free him. My main goal was to have Jonah take over my father's company. But instead, he is going to follow his own path, one that will take him further from me, if he heads to the mines.

"I love you, Enly," my brother tells me when we part. "I will always love you. I will never forget you."

"Jonah, I just want you to be happy. Please, just live your life to the fullest," I cry. Jonah nods and then turns his back on me and boards the _Wallflower_.

Laurence steps up to me, his face split into a smile.

"Good luck, Lady Saint Claire. Stay safe and save the country," he says, then he salutes, lifts up the unconscious female prisoner, and walks onto the boat. Andrea gets to her feet, wiping the tears that have fallen from her face.

"Enly, I'm sorry for your loss," she softly says as the captain salutes me and walks onto the boat.

"Me too," I answer as the crew detaches the ships' ropes and they prepare to sail away. I believe that I am strong of mind and spirit, but I can't watch my brother being taken away, not again. So as the ship departs, leaving the pier behind, I turn my back on it and my shoulders shake as the grief spills over. At least I have one consolation: as soon as I make it back to Matthew, my heart will be able to piece itself back together.

# Chapter Twenty-Nine

Matthew

It takes a few hours for Lexi to be escorted into my room. She is confused and agitated, which tells me that she has no idea what has just transpired. Without hesitation she takes the seat by my bed, and frowns.

"Where are Lord Gash, Cole, and Charity?" she wants to know. I don't really have an answer for her. Well, that's inaccurate, the dilemma is that I have too many answers for her and the problem is that I don't know where to start.

"The guards haven't told you anything?" I ask.

Lexi shakes her head.

"They aren't really forthcoming with prisoners, even if they are royal," she says, eying the six men that line the walls. They won't leave my sister alone with me because they are worried about her harming me. I want to tell them that their worries are unfounded, that she loves me, but I don't bother. For all I know, she could kill me at any time. Cole Winters trusted Charity Spenser and he ended up dead because of it. My friend trusted his guard, and all we got in return for his faith was bullets through his body.

"Lexi, there is a lot that you don't know. I'll do my best to catch you up," I tell her.

Lexi sighs. "Catch me up on what? Politics? Now that I've been arrested for breaking the law, my play for the throne will be ignored. Adam and I were hoping to announce our wedding after my coronation. Father hoped that I could marry Lord Gash. He feared that Adam Heart wasn't the best option for me," she admits, and a chill goes down my spine.

"What? So you can marry the one you love but I can't?" she asks.

I suppose that I should begin with the biggest betrayal.

"Lexi, Adam Heart, Brandon Wilks, and Charity Spenser were all working together to bring down the monarchy. I don't know what else they were planning. But rebels attacked us while the senate was in session. When it appeared that the rebels were subdued, we let our guard down. The soldiers guarding our father opened fire on him. He's gone," I say, my voice cracking.

"Mother is on her way to Travania to be tried. That was the only way that Travania would forgive our debt and back out of the war. Apparently, Mother authorized the testing of explosives that killed thousands of their citizens," I add, and I hear nothing but silence at first.

"Adam has no part in this. He's innocent," she cries.

"No. He tried to kill Lord Gash and I," I respond. "If it wasn't for the quick thinking of a soldier, he would have succeeded."

"What about Cole Winters? Where is he?" Lexi demands. "He can get to the bottom of this."

"Dead," I respond, my heart aching for the losses of this day.

"Brandon Wilks?" she challenges.

"Dead," I answer.

Lexi immediately stands, her posture stiff.

"Take me to my father. I don't believe him," she orders. I know that she's in shock, and I can't blame her. If I hadn't seen my father being mowed down, I wouldn't have been able to grasp the situation.

"Take her to him," I order the guards when they don't move. Four of them escort Lexi out of the room, while two of them decide to stay with me. Lexi doesn't come back, and I'm not shocked. Knowing her, she will have difficulty grasping a world where both of her parents are not around anymore. I, on the other hand, know that neither of them are coming back. If it's up to the senate, I will be crowned king, which is highly unfortunate for someone like me, who has dealt with so much loss. I'm no longer naive and now feel cold. As I drift off to sleep, I wonder if I'll ever feel the warmth in my chest I felt when Enly was in my arms.

When I wake up, something's different. There is a warm body beside me, and Lord Gash is sitting on the chair. Serena walks into the room, her eyes swollen with tears, and her face pale. She has a bandage wrapped around her left arm, but other than that, she seems healthy. I stare at the wonder beside me, her eyes closed, her breathing low. I gently reach out and touch her cheek, some of the warmth returning to me when I confirm that it is her. "You brought her back," I tell Serena, who laughs.

"In truth, she didn't even need me, Prince Matthew. Your princess is a fierce warrior. She actually killed a serial killer by shoving a nail into his carotid artery," she tells me, respect filling her face.

"Laurence, Andrea, Jonah?" I ask.

"Laurence chose to stay on Serial Island, to avoid prosecution, of course," Serena sneers. "Andrea is being treated. She suffered a lot on Serial. She is still saying that she's a lady. We have no idea why."

"She must be heartbroken about Jonah," I note, my heart aching for her. When Enly awakes, I will beg for my forgiveness. Tell her that I had no other choice. At the time, I had believed that sending him to Justice Island was the only way to keep him safe. Now I'm not so sure. But At least while being a citizen, Jonah will have a life. We could offer him nothing here but servitude.

"Jonah will be happier on Justice Island," I say, and Serena nods.

"What's next on the agenda, my king?" she asks, her eyes lighting up for a moment.

"I have another assignment for you, Agent Spenser. We have a country to defeat."

The End

# A Note From The Author

Thank you for reading "The Wondrous Deception."

I would like to thank God, my family, and friends for their support. I would also like to thank Claudette Cruz for editing this book, Rita Toews for the book cover, and Lucinda Campbell for formatting this book. The last book in the Milestone trilogy is called "The Taxing Conclusion." Please visit my Facebook page for updates.

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