Dear Landon,

I can't really find the words... again? That came out as a question. Well, it's actually a statement. I don't know what to say to you in person, so I'm writing down what I would say if I ever could face your annoying ass face. I still hate you... miss you... and love you all in one.

I just want to talk to you again... see that goofy smile that lit up the entire room and made my insides fill with joy. I haven't seen it in a year. I still want to feel your arms around me, caging me, warming me, holding me tight under the stars. Do you remember that one night? The one where it was our first year anniversary, we were 3rd years at the time because we started dating in 1st. You made a candle-lit picnic under the stars, the full moon so bright above us. It was so beautiful, you put so much effort into it just for me.

Just you, me, that bottle of bubbly and the stars. Wow... those stars were beautiful that night. But the one thing I specifically remember was your eyes. It was as if your eyes were the stars. The way you looked at me made me feel like I was the only girl you could and would ever love. You told me that too, once. It was at your house. "Hazalen," you said," I vow-" But then at the picnic it started to rain... and that's how I've felt these past five months.

Gloomy. Depressed. I caught a drinking habit because of you. Just thought that should be known. And you held me under that huge oak tree, as we watched the rain tumble down the hill, laughing. Laughing. I bet you would laugh in my face if you read this about you. Or even knew about it.

I just wish I knew what went wrong. Was all of it just a lie to you? A silly game? That's the thing- I don't even know. You won't talk to me. So not only did you just throw me away, all our memories, but you're leaving me in the benefit of doubt.

But you don't know how that feels... do you? To not know things. Not having the "upper hand."

Because you know I still love you.

Fuck you, Landon Apa.

NOT sincerely,

Hazalen Grace Star

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

"Hazalen, you have to tell me what mask she's wearing, I need to know." I shook her shoulder. Her hazel eyes cut to me, narrowed in a small glare. I gave the best puppy dog look I could muster, it worked on Annalise every time.

"I'm not telling you squat, you don't need to know one thing about what she's wearing. I still don't know why you want to know this, but I have a pretty good feeling it's toward a bad cause." She rolled her eyes and started to turn away.

"Fine... your going to make me play this card." She stopped mid-way turning. "Hazalen, you are hereby banned from the ball. You may not-"

"Oh shut up Damien- this so much bull crap! You won't banish me, because then she wouldn't come." She flicked me away. I rose both of my arms up in frustration and slapped them back down on my legs.

I have to find out what she's wearing. I wanted to win this bet so bad it was eating my insides out. This was one bet I was especially not going to lose.

A) it involves Annalise Woods.

B) I would get to kiss Annalise Woods.

C) ... I would get to kiss Annalise Woods. Simple as that.

This was an opportunity I simply couldn't pass up. So I'm going to do anything and everything to accomplish my goal. That means finding out what her outfit is, hairstyle, anything that can give me a clue of what she looks like.

I was used to bending the rules, for now not being able to cut corners was making my job harder then it already is. If I could find her dress, I could easily win the bet.

"Damien, this isn't fair, trying to find out her outfit. The point of the deal is to catch her."

"You can always look at the menu, but not have to order. There were no rules saying I can't be curious."

"Who made up that rule, would Annalise agree?" She questions.

"Me-I can make any rule I want." I gave her my panty-dropping smile, very easy on the eyes.

"And who says you make up the rules?"

"Me-yet again. Quite literally too, any rule I want. Like you being banned from the ball, it's still an option you know." I click my tongue. Her glare was fierce with frustration.

She was a tough one to crack: my wink, my smile, what else does she want! "Oh come on Hazzy, I can give you anything you desire! Anything." I pinch her shoulder.

"Don't call me that." Her tone flipped to serious in an instant.

"What?" I was taken off topic by her change in tone.

"Hazzy, you can't call me that." She walked away, and I willingly let her.

What was all that about?

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

"Annalise, it better not be like this at the ball." I look down at her red, suede shoes. She stepped on my left foot, yet again.

Females were informed to practice with the heels they are going to for the ball. and I could tell these were more challenging. I was thankful my gender's style didn't require heels, or else this would be a problem for me as well.

"I'm sorry, these are just so much higher than anything I've worn in my entire life," she looks down at her feet, apologizing. I wanted to grab her chin and make her pay attention to me instead. I wouldn't let myself become jealous of heels.

"Even with those, you are only at my nose," I smirk down at her, twirling her to the left.

"Hush, your literally a giant."

"Have you even seen a giant before?" I ask in all seriousness. Her knowledge on Deltora was slim to none, and it amused me to ask such silly questions.

"No," She was still blushing,"Have you?"

I laugh in response,"Sweetheart, giants are not real."

She scoffed,"Well how am I supposed to know? Your the one that's taken Fragit classes."

"Your forgetting something, honey." I leaned down to her ear, pulling her into my chest as we danced. She fit against me perfectly, a missing piece to a puzzle I've been trying to find for a while.

"I'm the Prince of Deltora, therefore I know everything," My breath fanned across her ear and she neck craned to its touch, leaning on me a bit. I felt as if I had to hold her up more as we danced, and I knew I had her right where I want her.

Then she was out of her trance.

"Not everything," Her eyes were fierce.

Where did this fire come from?

"Where did I used to live, Damien?" She caught me completely off guard,"Where was I born, Damien?" She continued to question me, relishing in her victory.

"Annalise-"

"You don't know everything, Damien." She smirked up at me. I glared at her- the hot smirk on her face was doing no good. I wanted to push her against a wall and keep her there. I loved it when she challenged me and pushed my buttons, it made me hot all over.

"About that, Annalise, being a Prince means I need to know everything. So can you kindly tell me? I don't even have a record of you." I smiled at her innocently as I watched her smirk drop.

"No, because that defeats the purpose. This way you don't know everything." She purposefully steps on my foot and digs in the heel this time. I felt no pain, and gave her a pointed look.

"I'll find out when you tell me. I'm not going to push you to talk about subjects your not comfortable about discussing." I wanted to place the stray hair in her face behind her ear, for it was blocking my view of her eyes.

I wanted many things from her, especially a kiss.

"So red, that's the color of your dress? Your making this too easy for me, Woods."

"You don't know what the color of my dress is!Though I have red heels doesn't mean my dress is red," she looked to the left, not wanting to meet my eyes.

"Shortcake, just because I'm not a girl doesn't mean I don't know these things. You have to coordinate your colors most of the time. That's a pretty deep red to go with anything else besides a red dress." I couldn't wait to see it.

"That doesn't mean anything," She tried to persuade me, though I could see right through her. I've picked up little habits that Annalise Woods portrayed. When she lied, she'll look you in the eyes, look left, then to the ground. It was a whole sequence,"I mean Veronica is wearing a red dress, that doesn't mean anything."

"Why are you bringing Veronica into this, shortcake?"

"Why do you keep calling me desserts, Damien?"

"Because I want you for dessert." I winked at her. It was truer then she could even know.

Her cheeks flushed a light pink as she narrowed her eyes at me," Well I'm not a five-course meal you can buy your way into, or get for free."

"Oh trust me sweetheart, I know and I've tried," I remark with a smile,"I can't wait to find you tomorrow. This will be so easy."

"You wish, Damien. You will be so oblivious, you won't even realize I'm right in front of you."

"That hurts my feelings, Woods. You doubt me, but your red dress will be so easy to spot. Along with your long, brown hair." I finally moved the stray piece behind her ear. It felt like silk, and I wanted it sprawled across my chest again.

"Plus your eyes... I know you will be looking right at me already. You will find me right before I find you-that's why you will try to avoid me-but I will catch on to your patterns. Then I'll lead you out of the room, and we can talk for a bit." I spun her back out, and she seemed to grasp the hang of her new heels.

She didn't say anything, but stared at me with her big, green eyes.

______

"Mother, lay off! You already have my measurements, I don't understand why you need them again," I huffed out, my mother trying to place the tool across my body.

"I just want everything to be perfect! This is a big deal for us. I can showcase a dress for my business, and you can find yourself a suitor. People in Deltora marry earlier than in Gregerson."

"I'm not exactly ready to marry yet, mother. I'm only seventeen and I don't even know what to do when I graduate." You only needed to graduate at eighteen to be able to choose your career, yet some scholars choose to continue their study into Fragit years. Only a select few chose to do so, though it was not necessary in any means.

"Well, at least a man for right now? Just to experiment with for a bit," she wiggled her ginger eyebrows at me.

"I'm talking to this guy a little bit," the corners of my lips lift up a little bit at the thought of Damien. I missed our playful banters; we were separated in music due to our laughter.

She dabbled on,"I need details right now. Is he cute, well of corse he is, only a handsome guy with even think about trying to hit on you-"

"Mother, I don't want to get your hopes up, so I will only tell you a few things about him. He's very sweet and so annoying at times. Only because he's so cunning and good at everything that it's concerning. He cares a lot about me, and would do anything to please me. He likes to start up banters because he knows he will win them, though he appreciates that I challenge him, because I am the one person whom can win him over. I'm the only person who he lets win. I'm the only person he even lets in." I scrunch up my face in thought.

"But one question... is he wealthy?"

"I mean, he's alright."

"I'll take that." She smiles deeply at me, dimples showing through. She walks out the door with my "new measurements" with a bright look on her face.

I didn't even know if he truly liked me yet. Even if he did, would he ever pursue me? We both know he had to find a suitor as well, one best fit for Deltora. Royalty only married royalty, and Deltora wouldn't just ally with any land.

This is the most prosperous Kingdom for the god's sake.

Princesses are born and raised to know how to guide their King in rule, and I have never been taught such a thing. So much responsibility packed into two people to watch over a whole nation.

I could never do that.

I have to decided to digress- I know I harbor feelings for Damien but he doesn't have to be forever. Who knows where liking Damien could take me? It's not like we are destined to be together. Things are never set in fate, I could meet another man any other day.

Even thought I've never seen anybody quite ravishing as Damien of Deltora...

There are defiantly many more fish in the sea.

But not ones with his jawbone, veiny hands, and deliciously strong arms.

But other men with big hearts and open minds! Beauty is only a great side reward.

Not a man with a sense of humor like Damien's and who knows exactly what they want. His goal and the exact plan, precautions, and output to achieve it. He was always one step ahead.

But other men... just stop, Annalise.

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

"Annalise, do I need to make you stand from your desk or can you do your work?" Mr. Orville glares at me from his desk. I snap up, give an innocent smile back, and continue my work. That was the third time this morning I have fallen asleep in his class.

"Hey, can you even hear me?" An annoyed whisper sounded behind me. I look over my shoulder to the left. "Other side." The familiar, distasteful voice spoke again. I look over my shoulder and set my gaze on a smirking Isabelle Daniels.

If you squint enough you could see her freckles poking through her expensive makeup. Her long red-blonde hair was straight as a ruler, and her eyes were big and blue.

I understand why Damien "dated" her, she truly is beautiful.

"Yes, Isabelle?" I smile at her.

"I told you to stay away from him." Her hazel eyes were daggers," I've played nice before, warning you, and not even spreading your stupid rumors but this time- this time you've crossed the line. This little 'bet' you have is not going to last."

"How did you hear about that?" I was intrigued. There was no way she could've known about that!

"I mean how long do you think this is going to last? Damien gets bored easily. When he gets what he wants, he doesn't want it anymore." She tries to reason with me.

I snap,"Well then that's probably why he's moved on from you. He's not a trophy or a prize, and stop trying to act like I am one to him as well. Your thoughts on the matter do not concern me." I snapped back, furrowing my eyebrows. It took a lot to get me mad, and I was tired of her interjections in my relationship with Damien.

All she did was smile, an unnatural, uncomfortable feeling smile. The whole thing was fake. Her face was fake. Isabelle didn't utter another peep, but continued staring at me. I shifted in my seat, waiting for a response.

Yet none came.

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

The dress was on, makeup and hair was done, heels as well... what was I missing? Mask! I was missing the mask. Hazalen and Veronica were already by the door, trying to hurry me.

"Come on Annalise, we are already late!" Veronica exclaimed with annoyance. The entire night she's been snappy, making small remarks here and there that caused Hazalen to continuously roll her eyes.

"Wait..." Hazalen stares at me.

"What?" Veronica snaps. Hazalen licks her thumb and carefully wipes off a mark of mascara on my eyelid.

"There, don't you like it? I spent so much time on my beautiful art," she looks at me like a grand trophy. I didn't think it was that big of a deal, but she stated that our masks would cover most of our face.

We enter the carriage,"Yeah, it looks great, but we have to get there in time. They won't let us in if we are too late."

"We will make it, don't worry Veronica." Hazalen smiles bright, excited for the ball.

"I've never been to a ball before." I look out the carriage window, viewing the large castle ahead. It was shining bright, as if it was ready to welcome us in.

"I love the music and the food. The orchestra there is exquisite, the players come from all over the lands. And the food, oh my gods." Hazalen groaned out.

"Well... we are here ladies."

////////////

I really hope you guys like this book. I know the updates are a little slow but I'm in high school and it's so hard to keep up with grades, my social schedule, extracurricular activities, and a job.

I really hope this book gets popular one day so any and makes me so happy! I would love to talk to you guys in the comment section.

Let me know what you think of what's going on, I know whenever I read I always talk with the people in the comment section and just laugh at the comments.

I love you guys. Thanks for going on this journey with me and picking up this book♥️