Ana was still crying when the guards finally set her down in a limousine just outside the college dorm. She had stopped fighting once they left the elevator, not wanting to draw more attention that she already was.

She had tried to stop crying as well, but every time she thought of Mason and the way he had looked at her as they were carrying her out - so desperate, but so warm - the tears would fall again.

"Let go of me," she lifted her tearful gaze to glare at the guard, tugging at her arm that he still had a hold of.

He (shockingly) obeyed and removed his hand before shutting the car's door.

Finally alone, Ana lifted her hands to wipe her face of any remaining liquid, sighing with frustration as she was forced to blink back even more tears.

"Anastasia." She froze at the sound of her name, turning her head slightly only to be met with the sight of her parents.

She hadn't spoken to the king and queen that much - if at all - ever since their argument with Jeremy. And ever since she had admitted her feelings for Mason. But now-.

Now she just wanted to be with Mason, no matter what she had to do or who she had to argue with, including her parents.

All she could manage was a scowl and more sobs.

"Compose yourself Anastasia," the queen demanded with a stern expression. "You're a princess for goodness' sake; what would our people say if they saw you like this?"

Ana didn't hold back her eye roll, even as she hiccupped on her cries. "Says the queen who just kidnapped her daughter."

"Anastasia," her father interjected, his tone controlled despite the clear anger decorating his features.

"I just don't get it father," she sobbed out. "Why can't you let me be happy?"

"This has nothing to do with happiness, Anastasia!" The king sighed, reaching up to rub his temples before using one hand to knock on the glass partition three times. Ana's eyes widened with horror at the realization.

They were leaving.

"Wait- no," she blurted. "I want to be with Mason," she choked out, "Why can't I be with Mason?"

"That man has nothing to do with you," the queen began, "And he never should have in the first place. He doesn't even really love you, Anastasia; he doesn't even know who you are."

Ana bit her bottom lip, debating over her next words as her father spoke. "This has only ever been about your safety, my dear one. And he has been a danger to you since the beginning," he gave her a pointed look. "Besides, your mother is right; boys your age only want one thing, Anastasia, and it isn't love."

She wanted to laugh at the thought that Mason - wonderful, perfect Mason - didn't want love. Mason; the same man that carried her home because she was crying; the same man who had given her his shirt in the middle of winter simply because she'd asked; the same man that tried confessing to her with a piece of paper because he was worried that Ana wouldn't love him back.

As if that was even possible.

She drew in a deep breath, "But he does know who I am," she finally admitted.

Her mother immediately shook her head, "But he doesn't really, dear. You might think he does but knowing your favorite food or your least favorite sport is nothing compared to your title."

Ana hesitated for only a brief second, "No, mother. He knows." It was deathly silent; frighteningly quiet.

"You better not be telling us what I think you're telling us right now, Anastasia."

Ana broke eye contact with the king, mentally steeling herself for the oncoming reprimand before turning to face him once more. "If you're thinking that Mason knows who I really am, then that would be what I'm telling you."

The princess suddenly heard the slap before she felt it, a resounding crack that seemed to echo in the luxurious car. She gasped in shock, her hand instinctively reaching up to touch the now throbbing skin just below her eye.

She gingerly pressed her fingers on the tender surface, hissing at the burn that accompanied the contact.

Her eyes watered, tears spilling over as she forced herself to look at the queen. The woman in question was clearly appalled by her own actions, her hand pressed over her mouth and eyes wide as she shook her head.

Ana pressed more firmly on the injury, pain spreading from her cheek to the rest of her face and making her eyes burn.

"Anastasia-," her mother seemed to be completely speechless.

She glared, anger heating her skin and searing her face red as she leaned back against the seat and calmly crossed her arms over her chest.

She purposefully made eye contact with the queen, mouth twisting in disgust when she realized that she was crying.

And Ana never once looked away as she said, "Fuck you."

~~~

She realized too late that her phone was still on the closet floor in UPenn.

Meaning that Mason had no way of contacting her until she arrived at the castle, meaning that Ana had no way of contacting Mason until she could find some sort of phone.

That wasn't exactly easy to find on a plane.

So she suffered the entire time, alternating between begging her father (and ignoring her mother) and sketching everything she could remember about Mason.

Once she had found the small notebook tucked into the compartment of the seat in front of her - obviously forgotten and misplaced - she had decided that if she couldn't see or speak to him, then she could at least draw him.

A photo would have been better to look at, but all of those were on her phone.

But just as she was finishing the mole beneath his left eye on her fourth drawing she remembered the note they had found on the door earlier that day.

It had to have been from Charleigh, she was the only person that made sense; who else would threaten Ana for Mason?

But - more importantly - how had she figured out Ana's real identity?

Granted, it wasn't as though the princess was hiding it very well (she hadn't even bothered to change her hair or eye color) but their kingdom was so small that hardly anyone outside of her country knew about it.

No matter how long Ana tried to think it over, and no matter how many new conspiracies she came up with, nothing clicked.

~~~

When they finally arrived at the castle, Ana had practically sprinted from the car but her mission was abruptly put to a halt as both of her siblings stepped in front of her.

She bit her lip, fidgeting with her hands and scanning the area around them for anything that she could use to call Mason with as Jeremy spoke. "Anastasia," his eyebrows furrowed with evident confusion. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Aren't you supposed to be in school right now?" The older princess glanced at Lili, who was staring at her with a concerned expression.

It was very likely that her sister already knew that someone was wrong as Ana had been rambling with excitement about getting to see Mason for days before she left. It was probably - undoubtedly - very strange to see her so soon after.

"I'll explain everything," she told them just as she spotted a maid using a cellphone. "After I call Mason."

"Ana-," said girl walked away before Lili could say anything more.

"Millie," she greeted and watched the woman's eyes widen. "Would I be able to use your phone for a quick call? I lost mine," she offered as an explanation.

Lost, stuck in a closet that was in an entirely different country; basically the same thing.

The maid bowed, visibly relaxing at the princess' words. "Of course, your highness."

Ana was giddy with relief, typing in her boyfriend's number and holding the phone up to her ear with a smile.

All she wanted was to hear his voice; that was all she needed.

The phone rang once, twice, three times, and once more before the call was directed to voicemail. She frowned and was just about to try calling again when the phone was suddenly ripped from her grasp.

She turned to look at her younger sister with a glare, reaching for the device as her eyes started misting over.

It had been a long day, and she hadn't slept in what was probably over twenty-four hours now. Mason could make her feel better; Mason could help her fall asleep; Mason could keep her from crying every other minute.

"Please give me the phone," she whispered pleadingly.

Lili seemed hesitant at first, before she finally dropped it into Ana's hand with a muttered, "Okay."

She called Mason's number again, praying with every bone in her body that he would pick up.

It only rang once.

It was declined.

~~~