"One more time" Jin asked for what felt like that hundredth time. I huffed, looking down at the paper that had my speech on it.

"Jin, I'm not being funny but I've read it so many times now that I honestly feel like I'm a machine that's being overworked and is about to explode" I slumped down onto the sofa, next to Jimin and Holly who had offered to sit and listen, but even they looked bored to death.

"Alright, but practice infront of a mirror, you want to be as confident as you can be." Jin smiled, trying to look confident in me, but I could see right through it.

"I'll be okay, I'll just pretend that I'm talking to Taehyung or something" I tried to reason, although I knew that I was just saying anything to stop. He simply sighed and smiled reassuringly, before exciting the room.

I lay across the sofa, looking anything other than someone about to become Queen. A lot more guards had been hired to roam the castle inside and out, it was strange. I feel like it would seem very lonely if it wasn't for the fact that all the boys seemed to have conveniently moved in. Not that I minded, they were like family to me anyway and I was used to them being around at all time.

"How are you doing, Alexa?" Jimin asked, with an arm wrapped around Holly. They both smiled at me as they looked over at my tired and lazy self.

"I feel like I should be a lot more stressed than I am" I admitted, sitting myself up to look at them, not being able to help but wonder where Namjoon and Tae were.

"I think it's because it's so short notice, and you've had a lot of people help you out" Holly spoke softly, smiling at me. I smiled back and found myself looking around the room like I always found myself doing.

"I can't help but feel useless. I've always been used to doing things myself to a certain degree, but now, it's everyone else" I sighed, pulling my hair up into a pony tail and standing up to stretch.

"It will be alright, everything will come together, I just know it. Especially if we get up and do something" Jimin laughs, looking at him and Holly. I smiled at them, enjoying how cute they looked before realising I should probably leave and walk off.

I still wasn't completely sure about the layout of the castle. I knew it well enough to get to the places I needed to but I hadn't had the chance to roam around by myself. I guess roaming around a large castle that had been neglected for a long time and had various things stolen probably wasn't the smartest or safest idea, but when had I done anything particularly safe or smart? I needed to figure it out soon enough anyway.

I wondered around the castle, feeling as though I was going circles. I realised that only one part of the castle had been focused on for now as I wondered. A lot of people had been hired to organise the castle for me to be crowned Queen, many from the other campus' that had formed allegiance with Crescent Moon and overall Full Moon. I could hear workers ahead, trying not to draw any attention to me, I crept closer to the large door they were hanging around.

There was still 5 days until I would officially be Queen Alexa, and my eyes would be constantly bright purple. 5 days until I would have to seem the serious and responsible Queen that everyone wanted and expected, although I knew deep down that I would still act like my usual self inside the castle.

I notice the workers moving away, allowing me to have the chance of sneaking in. I didn't look in the room until I was inside, only to see a long aisle with seats moving down either side like a church. At the top was two thrones, one noticeably bigger than the other. I assume it was for the King or Queen since it was so large, although the one next to it was still large, but just not as much as the first one.

I looked back to make sure no one was coming in before I made my way onto the bigger throne, sitting onto the purple padding on the chair, that sat comfortably under me and behind my back. The rest of it felt cold from the broken glass effect that it had on it, to threaten anyone approaching someone on the throne. The one beside it almost looked identical, just a bit smaller with the cushioning being black instead of purple.

I huffed out a long breath as I sat on it, wondering how it wasn't cutting me as I laid my hands on it. It wasn't like I was trying to cut myself on it, but I should be able to. Though, something stopped me from getting cut, I don't know what it was, but it was working well enough.

I could hear the workers moving and sounding closer, I knew I wasn't meant to be in here, not yet anyway. Not until they had fully decorated everything a long with the rest of the castle. I panicked as I looked around, knowing that I'd be caught it I laid under a chair infront. I looked behind and noticed a little door in the floor like a trapped door, or one that led into a basement.

I looked between the large door, where I heard the voices becoming louder and the hidden door in the floor, trying to see if my senses would tell me that this wasn't a good idea, which of course they did. I ignored them anyway, quickly making my way to the door, and putting all my strength in it to open it, and quickly climbing down the dark ladder.

I found myself in a large opened space, with nothing really in it apart from a small desk in the corner and a rocking crib. I walked over to the crib, and pushed it lightly to see it rock. I smiled as it rocked, it seemed like a new crib even though I new it was definitely not, especially with all the dust that had fallen onto it.

The desk beside looked untouched. As if those that raided the castle didn't go near the desk. Maybe they didn't even know about this room. I mean, it didn't seem to be the most obvious room considering it was hidden underneath the castle, and the door to it was in the floor.

I noticed a letter laid on the table, with ink pot next to it and a feathered pen that was laid out on the paper. The feathered pen had left a large splatter of ink at the bottom of the paper, showing that whoever wrote it was in a rush, and did not have time to pick it up, or return to it later.

As I walked over to the letter, I recognised the handwriting only, it was a lot more rushed than before. I pulled the chair up that had clearly fallen on the floor in the rush of getting away. I gently brushed the dust off of the chair as I sat it back up, checking to see if it was stable enough to hold my weight before sitting on it. As I looked over the writing, the first thing I noticed at the top was that the letter was addressed to me.

"Dear Alexa,

If you are reading this, then you are either in the castle or someone has found this and given it to you. I know I already wrote you a letter for when you are 180, but I couldn't help but think that I haven't given you any advice if you decide you do want to become Queen. I'm sure you won't need any advice, but I thought I'd give you a couple of tips just in case.

First thing is first, don't make your whole life about being Queen. Think of it as a job. You have your Queen persona for those that need to see it when you're doing your duties, but when you go back home, you don't have to be Queen Alexa anymore, just Alexa. It's easy to slip in and out of your role as Queen, but being Alexa is who you truly are.

Next thing, the throne. I don't know whether you have had the chance to sit on it yet, but if you haven't this may help. It won't hurt you, but only you. The throne allows those with the Royal blood to sit on it and touch it without any harm. But if anyone else does, you may need to be prepared with the blood that will come from touching the shards of glass.

No matter how hard it may get, you are good enough and you are the best you can be. Don't let things get to you even when it feels like the world is collapsing on you.

Remember, when things are getting hard, look up into the night sky at the stars, and I'll be looking down at you along with your father. I will be proud of you no matter what, because I know you'll be the best you can be. Do what you think is right, and follow your heart always.

All the love in the world,

Your mother.

Xxx"

I read the letter over and over, before folding it over and tucking it into my back pocket, realising I'd been in this room for much longer. I couldn't help but smile after reading the letter, giving me a lot more confidence in myself to do my best, even if it wasn't the best to others.

I climbed up the ladder, listening out for anyone. It seemed as though no one was in the room above, but the door was shut. Not shut like you can open it again, I mean shut as in there is no way of getting out without a key. I knew that the key wasn't going to be in here.

I climbed back down and had a moment to breathe deeply, trying to move the thought of being trapped in a basement out of my head. I could feel a slight breeze hitting my skin, but I couldn't see where it was coming from.

I huffed and sat back down chair at the desk, realising I hadn't even brought my phone to message anyone. The breeze was still coming in, and I knew it couldn't have been from the door above.

Flash.

A loud sound of thunder broke, before a bolt of lightning flashed through the gap of a door. As the light flashed through, I jumped up instantly, moving towards where the flash came through.

It didn't look like a door, atleast from the outside it didn't. The light had merely come through the small gap in the floor, but it was enough to grab my attention. I looked for any thing that resembled a door handle, but I got nothing.

I could see that it was able to open up, but I couldn't see how. Not until I noticed the key hole, making me groan at and sit on the floor, already knowing it wasn't here. It probably was the same as the one that opened the door above me.

I laid down onto the cold floor, accepting that I'd be down here for a long time, until someone came to find me, or they find the trap door. I didn't like being down here, something about it seemed so creepy and not as welcoming as I wanted it to be.

The frustration took over me, making me kick against the door multiple times. I knew it would cause a loud noise, but in a way I wanted that. So that someone might hear me, I mean, those workers might still be out there.

I kicked and kicked, until I started to hear the door creak and break. It was starting to give way, letting more of the moonlight break through. At this point I didn't particularly care about the thunder, lightning or rain I was going to encounter, just getting out of this room was all the mattered.

The door slammed open, welcoming the bright moon that shone at the end of the tunnel leading out. I sighed in relief as I got up, brushing the dirt off my clothes, not that it matter anyway.

As I started to slowly walk down the tunnel, I noticed the webs above me with spiders looking down at me with beady eyes. The dead leaves that had been blown in, only to die even more if that is even possible.

It was weird, I should have felt shivers down my spine as I walked through. But I didn't. Nor did I feel uncomfortable or weary, but instead a sense of familiarity. I have no idea why it felt familiar, and I don't think I ever would, but for some reason it made me thankful. It was a much better feeling than what it could have been.

Another flash, and another deep crackle broke through the clouds, making me more alert. I wouldn't have minded, but I was about to walk into a forest, full of trees. Death wasn't exactly what I wanted now.

I could have waited until the storm passed, but by that point people would know I'm missing for sure. Probably assuming Quarter Moon took me, again. I didn't want war to start again, I had my own plans of how to deal with them in my own time.

I edged nearer to the end of the tunnel, waiting for the next bolt of lightning, timing and watching for where it landed so I could atleast try to figure out where not to go and how much time I'd have between the flashes. Once the next bolt hit in the distance, I ran. I tried to run in the opposite direction of the lightning, making my way around the castle.

It was at moments like this that I was beyond grateful for being a vampire. The castle was big, and being as fast as I was, it made me a lot easier to get around. Multiple bolts of lightning hit the floor close by behind me, lighting up the sky before I managed to make my way to the front door.

I stood in the pouring rain, banging as hard as I could on the door. Waiting for someone to hear it and think about opening it. At this point I was absolutely drenched in water.

"Where the fuck have you be- nevermind, just get inside" Tae looked as though he was about to give me a lecture, but his eyes softened when he saw the state I was in.

"Don't let me loose around the castle by myself" I walked inside, not moving passed the door mat, not wanting to get the floor wet.

"Namjoon, she's safe. Just drenched and in need of a towel" Tae practically screams in hope of Namjoon hearing, rolling his eyes at me before walking away at the sounds of footsteps coming closer.

"I love you too, Tae" I called back at him, hearing a chuckle come from him as he walked away.

The footsteps got louder, I could already tell it was Namjoon. He came around the corner with a large fluffy towel in his arms. His eyes were soft and filled with relief as he threw the towel around me, pulling me close.

"Please stop scaring me, I can't handle it" he laughed softly, making me feel warm inside, since I was nothing but ice on the outside.

"I didn't mean to" I couldn't help but feel guilty, I should and need to use my head first.

"I know... Where were you anyway?" he pulled away slightly, looking down at me, making me feel small and safe.

"I got trapped in a basement and broke a door down and ran around the castle in the storm" I blurted, with an amused expression. He instantly laughed, showing his deep dimples, making me break out into a smile.

"I should be more surprised than I am" he chuckled, pulling an arm around me and guiding me back to our room so I could change.

It was moments like this that made my non existant heart beat race, with the fire and the butterflies exploding in my stomach. The way he didn't judge me or care about my stupidity, only about my safety. Being held in his arms when I lost him before and felt lost myself. I felt safe with him, something I grew up my whole like not feeling; always paranoid that someone would find out about me and use me.

I wouldn't be able to live without him, really. I wouldn't. I also didn't know how I would be able to be Queen and rule over so many without him being there for me and beside me.

A sudden thought came into my head, which previous me would have thought it was stupid and irrational. Maybe it was, it wasn't all that necessary, but for some reason it was what I wanted. No matter the answer, I wasn't going to loose anything asking.

As we walked into the room, I stopped, closing the door and looked at him. I looked ridiculous, drenched from the storm with a white fluffy towel wrapped around me and my wet clothes. He looked back at me, looking somewhat confused by what I was about to do, and what I was thinking.

"Alexa?" he asked with his eyebrows furrowed together.

"Marry me."

"What did you just s-" his eyes widened, like he heard me wrong.

"Marry me." I said again, looking at him and smiling, not knowing what his response would be. He looked in shock, not being able to say a word.

"I know it seems random, and maybe stupid. I love you, and you love me and that's all we need and I know a marriage contract and a ring isn't going to change that. But, if I'm going to be Queen, I want you to be the King by my side, because I don't think I can do it alone and I want you to do it with me." I spoke fast, but I meant everything I said. He still looked in shock, and I didn't know whether that was a good thing or not.

"Also, I'll look pretty badass in a wedding dress" I laughed, in an attempt to break the tension.

He laughed, smiling at me brightly with dimples on show and teeth on display, running his fingers through his blonde hair.

"I know it's random and rash bu-"

"Shut up"

And with that he pushed his lips against mine, setting off the fire and butterflies again. Picking me up off of the floor, making me drop the towel. The kiss was deep, but it was soft and loving. I couldn't help but smile.

"Yes" he broke away from the kiss, looking at me in the eyes with his smokey ones.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I will marry you." he smiled brightly, laughing soft before lightly connecting his lips with mine again, wrapping an arm tightly around me.

"I love you"

"And I love you"

*****************************
(A/N: WE HIT 5K!!! I'm not going to lie, I'm shocked. I don't know why so many are reading this, but I appreciate it and love each and everyone of you that have. Every time I get a new message, or comment it literally makes me day so much, so thank you for all the love and support!

We have two more chapters to go, and I'm pretty sad about it, but it needs to happen and I'll try and write them relatively soon. Although I have acrylic nails at the minute so I can't type to save me life.

So, I was wondering at the end, do you want me to do a Q&A thing about the book, me, anything in general? Because I don't mind doing it at all.)