I took a deep breath, grasping my bag as if it would give me strength. I didn't comprehend that coming back to my old home would be so terrifying, but I felt completely immobilized. Henry and Hazalen stood behind me, understanding I needed time to prepare myself.

Despite my fear, I didn't think twice about opening the door, facing the challenge head on. A book my mother had just started reading before the Targle Event sat on a desk. Just like that, I was already reminded of her absence.

I shook my head, walking up the stairs to my room. Henry and Hazalen stayed behind, giving me space to do what was needed.

The smell of my signature perfume filled my nose as I walked in my room. There were paintings all over my walls of people: my mother, princesses, mermaids, kings, knights, and my friends. I forgot how personal my room was compared to my suite in the castle.

I started stuffing all my paintings into my bag, wanting to show Damien. I grabbed the painting I made of King Demotis under my bed, trying to find the main object I was looking for.

The diary.

I couldn't help but feel drawn to it ever since the discovery of my heritage. I was very intrigued before, but finding out the dairy was meant for me was astonishing. It felt like fate, that there was a sign or clue I needed to find.

I wanted to read the book inside and out to see what my father was like. I wanted to understand his past self and if there was anything that could've turned him into a monster. Selfishly, I wanted to see if he ever had a good heart.

Cole said it was all my fault.

I couldn't blame myself for my father's madness. The fact that I had to be taken away from him for my own safety worried me, but also reassured me that I wasn't in the wrong.

Where was it?

Nobody could find out about my true heritage. I had to burry the secret to my grave. I was thinking of telling them the truth, but it all boiled down to one problem. If my father found out of my living, he would take me back to Deltora, ready to find me a suitor to wed. My father is insane, and would marry me off to a barbaric prince or dark kingdom.

Dark kingdoms were hidden villages of people who practiced the dark arts. They live deep in the woods, usually hidden from society and worships the witch gods. These small "kingdoms" are evil, and wish the worst for the the system of living we had in society.

I don't want to bear a child in the Descuvian line, not when the kingdom was in ruins. I would never want my child to be killed by others kingdoms targeting the Descuvi's lineage. I would be killed immediately after giving a son, they would have no more use for me anymore.

Most of all...

Damien and I could never be together. Even with our situation in the present, with princess "dark haired- big boobs" and other suitors, I could be by his side. He has rescued me, nurtured my soul, and changed me for the better. I just couldn't leave him.

I couldn't leave my new family.

I came to the conclusion that the dairy wasn't here. I didn't want to share my search for it, due to the fact that it is the diary of the king. I wanted to keep any suspicious at bay.

I shoved the painting back under the bed, hearing padding up the stairs. Hazalen stood at my doorway, holding a letter with the seal of the prince.

"This must be urgent," she handed it to me with worry. I quickly skimmed over the letter, overthinking the worst.

"The dance hall?"

"How long ago did you send the letter?" I whispered to Landon. We took long strides walking through the palace hallway, late to the 'dance class'. The sound of our leather dance shoes echoed through the halls in clacks.

"They should be on their way back now." Landon exclaimed, trying to keep up with me. I dragged him into the class as well, wanting to set him up with Hazalen.

This way they had to look at each other.

If the Princess of Tarzla wanted a damn dance class, I was going to give her one. I wanted the whole crew to be there in protection of her pursuits. I wanted the princess to see Annalise and I dancing, holding each other like it was second nature.

I have never felt joy dancing before, but Annalise's laughs and our connection on the floor felt insane. We moved as one, not fighting for dominance. We were equals on the floor, and in our relationship.

"Adequate," I replied, walking in the dance hall. Immediately I noticed the Tarzlian princess' outfit, a bright red with sequins showing plenty of skin. She decided to change for the class, though it was not necessary.

She bowed her head," I enjoyed my tea alone, but I am glad I have the chance to dance with you."

I politely bowed back,"I hope our tea was to your liking."

"The sight I saw before my tea was more appealing, but it sufficed," she spoke lowly, trying not to let others hear nearby. A princess should keep her image of virtue, and she knew such comments would cause an impact.

I wanted to roll my eyes, but decided to refrain," I am glad you have liked your visit so far."

"May we dance?" She asked me, tapping her foot in an anxious manner. Her cleavage was distracting in an annoying way, because her attempts to seduce me became too obvious.

I will never be yours.

I acted as if I was looking back at Landon, but I was truly searching for Annalise. I wanted to dance with her instead, and I knew the sight of the princess and I would worry her. I didn't explain the full details in the letter.

"Yes, we shall." I bowed for her hand, and she placed it in mine. We walked to the floor, her grasp on my hand tighter than I appreciated.

The music kicked up, but it was nothing like I had ever heard before. Immediately, I didn't know what to do for this style of dance. The music was slow yet curt, with many beats. It sounded seductive in a way, yet alluring to the point where you could get drawn into it.

"This is music from Tarzla, a new style of dance where the woman takes the lead." The princess started shimming down my body, taking her time with her hands. They trailed down the sides of my chest to my waist, then she abruptly spun around and grabbed my hands from behind.

Everything was going on so fast that I couldn't comprehend the next movements, I only had to follow her lead. It almost felt intrusive, the style of dance required a lot of contact between the dancers. I didn't enjoy the way she touched me at all, yet the music drew me in and alluded me to continue.

"We are here!" Henry cheerfully shouted from the corner of the room. All of our friends arrived, even Jack. I turned my head over, trying to pause our dance to welcome my friends, but the princess pulled me right back in.

I looked back at Annalise again, wanting to see her reaction. She gave me a stern look back, crossing her arms and not blinking. I continued the dance with the Princess of Tarzla, not wanting to be rude and finish the dance early. If anybody had made a comment to my father of stopping the dance with her to dance with Annalise, I would never hear the end of it.

The princess continued her brutal leading, the song was drawn out and long. I noticed she kept glancing at Annalise, perhaps recognizing her from the Blackberry Ball. I recall walking with Annalise to the buffet until her father stopped and introduced me to her.

"Why did they join?" She whispered in my ear, lingering there for a while. I slightly pushed her away, showing that I needed my personal space. I looked over her shoulder to find Annalise and Jack dancing, laughing as she spun him.

Oh hell no.

"What are you doing?" The princess's voice held anxiety, gripping onto me harder. I started leading us toward Annalise and Jack.

"I am supposed to take the lead!" She exclaimed, holding me closer.

"Well not in this dance!" I grinded my teeth as I looked down at her, feeling my face turning red. The princess had done nothing but distract me, thoughts of her and the banquet made me pessimistic as hell. I had spent the whole day worrying about if she was going to pop out at any corner, and I had enough.

"No," she replied, never leaving my eyes. I couldn't help but look into her alluring gaze as she guided me away, sweeping me off my feet. I felt as if I was in a trance, and I couldn't get out.

My movements were not my own as she guided me across the floor, it was as if I knew the dance by heart. Her eyes stayed trained on mine and I couldn't force myself to look away.

Though I saw her smirk through the corner of my eye, I couldn't process the meaning behind it. I felt like a puppet with strings putting on a show.

"Annalise!"

Annalise.

"Your doing it all wrong!" Henry laughed from across the room. I tore my gaze away from the princess, stopping our dance. I shook my head, feeling a slight pressure on the front of my mind.

"Are you alright?" She grabbed my arms, caressing my muscles. I glared at her, shaking her off and walked out of the dance hall.

What the hell was that?

The dinner was running smoothly, and I noticed the princess had changed again. She stole glances at me all throughout the dinner, but I didn't dare look into her eyes.

After the dance class, I hadn't had time to talk to Annalise. I wanted to let her know that the dance with the princess meant nothing to me, and I could only hope she would believe me.

Our fathers discussed Kingdom gossip and seemed to get along quite well. This was not an advantage for me, and I couldn't help but wish my father resented the King of Tarzla, even if it meant war.

"We found two Descuvi living together, selling dragonfruit and aloe in our market. How disgusting their produce must've been," the King of Tarzla, Jabbo laughed.

King Jabbo was a burly, dark-skinned man, with a full black beard and sultry hat. He was always seen wearing purple and gold, covered in expensive rings and jewelry. I understood why he had such a large physique after seeing him eat.

"Well, you can't expect any less from their kind. I was thrilled to find out the Bendlar Clan was nearly a group of thugs, if the Descuvi were involved we would have a problem on our hands." My father replied, taking a sip of his wine.

"When are you thinking about it?" King Jabbo finally put down his fork.

"About what?" My father glanced back.

"Declaring war against Descuvi. All the Kingdoms know you are thinking about it," as he leaned in, crumbs fell from his dark beard,"I could help you defeat Demotis." He glanced back at his daughter, the seductive princess.

My father and King Jabbo had a standoff, looking at eachother in a battle. My father tore away, waving his hand.

"We shall have no talk of an official alliance right now, my friend. I would rather get to know more about you and your culture."

By "alliance" he meant marriage.

"Daruis and I attended a dance class today, but instead we danced the Groshini." The princess looked at her father for approval. He didn't pause the attack on his food in front of him, yet still managed to smirk at her.

"That's wonderful, Daruis. I'm glad you have made our guests feel comfortable at the castle." My father glanced at me with a proud smile.

I completely ignored him, digging into my food like Jabbo does. I wanted to show my defiance in this situation without being rash or too disrespectful. I glanced up to find disappointment in my father's eyes, and I couldn't help but feel slightly guilty.

It's not my fault I love someone else.

"King Eggar, I am feeling under the weather. May I be excused?" I placed my napkin on the table, showing I would leave no matter his response.

He gave me a distasteful glance back," Yes, you may." I readjusted the crown on my head, pushing in my seat with a bow and walking out the doors.

I sat by Damien's fireplace, trying to read a book. I wanted to refrain myself from thinking about earlier today. Visiting my home and watching him dance with the princess made my day excruciating. I just wanted it to be over already.

I was aggravated with Damien, demanding me to come to a dance class with no information. I felt blindsided as I walked in to find the Princess of Tarzla touching him where I had, places that only I should be able to.

It boiled my blood.

I shivered at the thought of the way they gazed into each others eyes, as if they were enamored with one another. I hated having thoughts of Damien feeling for another, and I despised even more that I was placed in this situation.

As the door opened, I didn't look up. I acted as if I was entranced with the book as the princess was with Damien.

"What did you eat for supper tonight?" He sat beside me, trying to gain my attention.

"Wouldn't you like to know."

"All I wanted was an answer." He propped up his legs on the table in front of us, crossing his arms in a childish manner.

"Well then now you know how I feel," I put my book down, anger rising like bubbles in alcohol,"I was trying to visit my old home, but then I got a letter from you demanding to come to the dance hall. Obviously I thought something was wrong and you needed my help, yet instead I found the princess and you in a heated dance."

"I was afraid of this happening, that's why I invited you. Ceandra and I-"

"Oh, so you're on first name basis now with dark haired-big boobs?" I waved my hands in anger.

"Dark haired... what?" He was at a loss.

"The main point is, I was completely blind-sided by your letter. I would've understood if you wrote to me, saying that you wanted me to attend class because the princess was there, but instead I felt incredibly unprepared for that sight."

"Why would you need to prepare so much? You knew the princess-"

"That's not the point Damien! You were looking into each others eyes like you loved her or something. Is there something going on that I don't know about?"

"No, not at all!" He yelled, grabbing his hair, frustrated. "I've been trying to avoid her all day. All damn day- I was working out and she showed up, inviting me to tea."

"Yet instead you wanted to be physical with her." I huffed out, rolling my eyes.

"No," he grabbed my hand, causing me to look at him,"I used that as an excuse, but she insisted on coming. I only want you, Annalise. You know this."

I sighed deeply, looking into his shining, genuine eyes. "It's just so hard sometimes, Damien. Will I ever be able to have you all to myself? It's not fair: you can have me whenever you want, but I have to share you with all of Deltora. Will I ever be able to completely call you mine?" I squeezed his hand back.

He followed my actions, also sighing deeply,"I don't know. I really don't know, sweetheart."

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