As Annalise pulled me through the window, I realized how small the cabin was. Through the windows, beams of light shone through; every part of the cabin was scattered with dust. I left the window open to clear the stuffy air, coughing as Annalise laughed.

"What is so special about this cabin? I feel like I'm trapped in here." I hit my head on the ceiling, looking towards the miniature chairs. She simply grabbed my hand softly, leading me to the wall.

"Is this familiar to you," She asked, gazing up at me curiously. Annalise placed my hand on the wall, and I noticed how much the paint had faded due to the sunlight. I traced my hand across the wall, wiping the dust as I began to see the painting clearer.

The strokes of sunflowers were far too familiar. The way the stem coiled around the other flowers, the petals' unique shape, and the depth of all the flowers together looked similar to paintings in the palace.

The palace... my mother's artwork.

"How did you find this place?" I asked, turning away from the wall. She was kneeling on the ground and took out a key from the basket.

"I stumbled upon Snow, and she led me here." She opened up the trunk in the middle of the room, popping the top off.

"Why did you want to bring me here?" I asked her, sitting down in a tiny chair. I grabbed her hand softly. The way she gazed up at me held so much innocence, which made me desire her as a lover more.

"I thought you deserved to see this." She handed me a painting.

"Holy-"

"Hush now, Darius." She scolded me, her once innocent eyes now holding a fire.

The painting portrayed my parents as teens in this very room. They were laughing with King Demotis and Queen Lillian, sitting in the the chairs surrounding us.

My mother obviously painted this too.

They all looked so happy and youthful; I hadn't seen a smile on my father's face in a very long time. He was staring at my mother whom was laughing, a joyful look was apparent in his eyes.

He seemed to only smile when my mother was near.

"You look just like him." Annalise smiled,"Your father was quite a catch back then, wasn't he?"

I taunted her, a smirk forming on my face,"You know, your basically saying I'm very attractive. A catch-"

She blushed and rolled her eyes,"Yes, your a catch. Yet now you've been caught, so don't even think about looking at other girls."

"Yes ma'am," I kissed her red forehead, loving the way I could easily get her riled up. I had never seen the jealous side of Annalise, but it definitely turned me on. I didn't even think she was possible of feeling envy, yet I seemed I brought out sides of her that she never knew she had.

"Look at these books," Annalise shook away her jealousy, reading the ancient covers. "The Rules of The Core."

I took the book from her hands, flipping to the first page. The book smelt old and the pages had turned yellow. In scraggly handwriting, three rules were written.

All of their signatures were written below it, promising to uphold these rules; I came to believe they called themselves "the core".

I gave a small laugh,"They broke every rule to their group. I bet Demotis asked Lillian out first."

"Actually, it was your father." She smiled at the signatures.

"How do you know that?" I curiously gaze at her.

Annalise looks away,"Queen Katherine got married first, it just makes more sense." She bites her lip, picking up a tiny wooden box. It was locked and the key she used for the trunk was far too big. She shook it around, but not a sound was made.

"I wonder what could be in here, it feels weightless."

"We could take it back to the castle." I offered.

"I wouldn't want the King to see it, he might start asking questions." She brushed her hands through her hair, something she did whenever she got nervous.

"I'll keep it hidden, sweet cheeks. Who knows what secrets lie in this box. I wouldn't want my father to take it away before we find out." I stood up placing it in the basket,"Now it's time to eat."

"Eat what?" She leans forward on her knees below me.

By the Gods-

I quickly close my eyes in frustration,"Stop that, sweetheart."

She innocently looks up at me, a little hurt,"Did I do something wrong?" Her cleavage was easily seen.

"Just don't- gods! Let's just eat." I quickly sat back down, placing a pillow over my shorts and pulling out the quilt from the basket.

While Annalise flipped through their "rule book", I was setting up quite the romantic scene: fruits and cheese paired with xamba grape juice and turkey. The quilt was fuzzy-how Annalise liked it- and a candle sat in the middle of the feast. The finishing touch:

Chocolate.

As I lit up the match, she looked up from the book, gazing as I ignited the candles flame. "This is so thoughtful, Damien. You didn't have to do all this," she motioned her hands to the food. Annalise's smile brightened as she saw the dessert, and that was all the satisfaction I needed for my hard work.

"I've realized the way to spoil you isn't riches, it's to your heart." I poured the juice into our glasses, noticing how she watched my every move.

She didn't say a word, blushing as she took a sip of her xamba. She reached for a chocolate first, but I swatted her hand away. She glared at me profoundly, knowing I wanted her to eat the meal first.

We both ate the meal in silence, just being in her presence was comforting. There was something about Annalise's aura that reminded me of my mother's, gentle and serene.

"Are you excited for the Annual Targle event?" I asked, noticing many chocolates had somehow disappeared.

"I'm surprised you aren't mad." She giggled, finishing her xamba. It was obvious she was a little tipsy.

"I could never get mad at you for doing what makes you happy, Annalise. I'm only worried for your safety. Some kingdoms don't care how dirty they play, and they won't mind to help you break a few bones on the field."

"I can handle myself, Damien."

"I know you can, and I trust you around other men, but I don't trust them with your well-being." I stated, wiping my mouth with a napkin.

She smiled at me,"You will watch me the whole time, so if anything happens I know you will be there."

"I will watch from the box with my father, far away from the field." I rebuttal.

She grabs my hand, smoothing it over with her thumb,"Damien, I know you like the back of my hand. If something goes wrong, you will find a way to be by my side no matter what." Her words reassured me, elated that she trusted me with her safety.

Or could she?

She kissed the back of my hand, grabbing a chocolate, saying something. I gazed at her, fascinated by her mannerisms and beautiful looks. Her eyebrows were slightly arched, and she always faintly smelled like roses. Her long, brunette hair flowed down her back like waves, curling around her face. Her eyes held the sea in them, green and blue hues mixed together with specks of gold. Now that she would never break eye contact with me, I could gaze into them for as long as I wanted.

Beautiful.

"Darius of Deltora!" She snapped in front of my face, laughing,"The event is in two days!" I only grabbed her hand and kissed it, still looking into her eyes. They softened immediately. Annalise gazed back, tilting her head to one side with a small, dreamy smile. It seemed as if nothing mattered in that very moment, only us.

How can one change the atmosphere so quickly?

"What are you thinking about?" Her hand was still in mine.

"Nothing in particular." She playfully let go of my hand, taking another sip of her xamba.

"Are you sure about that?" I leaned closer, a smirk on my face.

"Yes," she blushed, turning her eyes away.

So innocent.

She cut them back quickly with a slight glare,"You know, was actually thinking about this morning."

But then where does this fire come from?

I leaned back with a sigh. Realizing the mood was over, I said," I didn't mean to, sweet cheeks. I only-"

"It's alright Damien, I'm not worried about that anymore. I'm just worried about if the maids go around saying you crept into my bath."

"Sweet cheeks, listen closely to me. Fall in love with loving yourself, not the idea of other people loving you. Their opinions are unnecessary." I wink at her, and she gazes back with a slight frown.

"I just don't want to be another rumor," she took another sip of her xamba.

"What do you mean by that?" I take another bite of cheese.

"How many other girls have you been with?"

She catches me off guard, and I cough from my food,"What?"

"You heard me. How many other girls have you been with?"

shit.

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