I looked down and realized three things.

My father and sister were staring at me in absolute shock.

Caspian was looking at me as if he would take me here in front of everyone to show them what's his as if I am a trophy to win. I held back a scoff.

"All hail Prince Silas Viggo", everyone below us said and bowed with a deep curtsy. I remember the first thing my father taught me was to bow in front of royalty.

Although I bowed with the rest of the kingdom's people facing the prince, I had no true respect for the Prince.

"Rise", said the Prince looking at me.

Everyone stood up and started to depart the ballroom.

I turned away from the Prince and started to walk away as well when he grabbed my arm.

"Where do you think you're going?" he said confused.

"What do you mean? You asked me to pretend to be your mate. I pretended. Now I'm going home." I answered.

He looked at me for a second studying my face, as if I was joking. Then, he burst into laughter.

"You really think pretending to be my mate was just that easy? Your new home is the castle until I find my true mate." He said wiping his eyes from the tears of laughter.

"Are you serious?" I said my eyes doubling in size. "What about my sister?"

"She will be able to visit you in the castle whenever she would like." He said finally calming down. "Don't worry, your life here will be much better than it was at your home."

"Thank you for deciding that for me. So typical, you know I can make my own choices and have my own opinion as a woman. I don't need a man to decide it for me." I rolled my eyes and walked away into the castle.

I had no idea where I was going, I was also sure I was going to get lost. I ripped my mask off my face and started to run. Tears were welling in my eyes, I didn't want to be a princess and I have no plan on becoming one. I haven't even said bye to my sister and Father will just wed her off the next man he sees.

I opened a random door blindly and shut it quickly, I slid down the door and crouched.

'In and out' I told myself deep breaths. I looked up and saw a beautiful piano.

The room was lit up from the stars outside shining down on the piano. It looked like magic and I was so drawn to it. I haven't played the piano since my mother's death.

She was the one who taught me how to play. I was a very outgoing and hyper child, I could never sit still. She taught me how to channel that to the piano. Ever since that day, I spent hours sitting at the fortepiano to play everything I could get my hands on.

I stand down on the stool and closed my eyes and I just knew the exact piece I was going to play. My mom used to play me this waltz when I was upset because of little things. I think back now and wish I didn't waste my tears on them now.

I placed my hands gently over the keys and let the music take over me. It wasn't until I was done playing that I realized I was crying.

Silas had just said that she was his mate in front of the whole kingdom, I wanted to punch him in his princely face right then and there. And Aloia, where was she?

I saw the argument they had after everyone had left. The prince rushed after her but obviously, he had lost sight of her.

Aloia... she was beautiful. I had seen her in the forest training before but I had never managed to actually talk to her as I was on duty. She would fall down but, she wouldn't cry about it like most women. She wouldn't stomp her feet or groan, she would simply just get back up and try again. Over and over until she finally got it.

And tonight, she looked like a goddess. Even with her mask on, I would recognize her anywhere. She was of course wearing red of all the colors she could choose from. I chuckled, that woman.

But of course, she can't stand me. I can't control myself around her, it's like I have to constantly protect her and show that she is mine even though she isn't.

What's going on with me? I have had plenty of girlfriends before, but I have never been this way towards any of them.

I turned that corner and heard a piano playing.

Who in their right mind was up this late playing piano?

I got ready to yell at the person who was playing, I opened the door and realized it was Aloia, and thankfully she didn't hear me come in.

She looked so peaceful, but tears rolled down her closed eyes. I have never heard someone play this beautiful. Thousands of musicians and artists came to the castle every week to show off their talents but, their musical sounds don't come close to hers.

It was so soulful and calm but, so sad at the same time. I got lost in her music, I couldn't stop staring at her. The moonlight on her shoulders, the darkness around but she was a beam of light.

Then I remembered she was the prince's now. But no way in hell am I going down without a fight. What's the point of living life if you don't have an amazing girl with badass fighting skills to live with you.

'Wow, maybe Aloia is right. I might be a sadist. ' I thought to myself and chuckled.

"What are you doing here?" I said softly. Caspian snapped his head towards me.

"So, I hear you're mated with the Prince but I am curious as to how that happened? You remember what I told you before, right? You are mine, not the princes. Make sure to let him know" he said moving closer to me.

Was he so oblivious as to not realize that it was all fake? And who was he to say I was his. I am my own person.

"Just shut your possessive sadist mouth! I am no ones, do you understand?" I screamed while grabbing my hair. "The only reason I got into this mess was for my sister. Are you so thickheaded to see that the prince and I don't actually have a mating bond!? God!"

Tears started to stream down my face and I sobbed quietly. Caspian rushed to my side and pulled me into his chest.

"Shh" he whispered into my ear while stroking my hair "It's okay. It's all going to be okay."

I buried my head into his neck. I know I was supposed to hate him, I know I shouldn't be in his arms when I was mated to another but it felt like home. I closed my eyes and slowed my breathing trying to calm down.

I felt so tired after everything that had happened tonight. I didn't remember anything after that

I had no clue as to why I rushed to her. It was like my body moved on its own and before I could stop it. She was crying in my arms, and her head buried into my neck. And what surprised me the most was the fact that she didn't push me away.

After a while, I looked down at her and she was asleep. I smiled to myself and I knew that if she was awake right now she would try to stab me. She looked so peaceful as if all the problems she was crying about no longer existed. One of her hands was clutching my shirt like a little child. I chuckled. She always tried to put up a fight when sometimes she just needed someone to hold her and comfort her.

I picked her up bridal-style and started to walk her towards my bed-chamber. As I got up she snuggled closer to my chest. My heart fluttered and my stomach was filled with butterflies.

I carefully opened the door and walked to the right-wing of the castle. My bed chambers were big enough for no one to find her and I am sure she currently didn't want to be found.

I opened my bedroom door and placed her gently on the bed. I took off her corset, and thankfully she had worn an under-gown beneath her dress but I pulled one of my shirts on her carefully. I was getting ready to sleep in the parlor room when she grabbed the bottom of my shirt and whispered "Stay". I am sure she was half asleep and didn't realize it was me who carried her but I couldn't find myself able to leave.

I took my shirt off and climbed into bed in trousers. Aloia moved closer to me and laid her head on my chest, as I stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. Then and there I realized I couldn't and wouldn't let her go.