"Kneel!" One of the hunters barked in my face.

I had been dragged the whole way through, chains wrapped around my neck and torso, also binding my arms and legs together. I had tried kicking, punching, yelling all the old curses I know, and even tried pissing on them. Only problem was that I didn't have to go, so it was no use trying even if my attempt was evident.

You know, I might as well just let them all drag me as two of the guards, the redhead and a blonde boy held two ends of the chains holding me. This was definitely going to leave imprints on me.

I slid on my knees as the two guards dragged me inside the court of the palace. Yes, I said palace. A palace in a city where such things were ridiculed only fifty years ago. There were chandeliers on the top, with candles casting a faint glow on the long hall of ornate pillars from the side forming balconies on the top.

Being so pensive did not work in my favour at all. What the hell was I thinking? Oh yeah, about how screwed up my life was! Now that it actually is, I'm so miserable that... Nah.

I won't be much longer, though. Jovik won't be happy to see me, in fact he'll kill me. I've heard rumours of his vicious ways and I highly doubt that he would spare me when he didn't spare his own father. Yes, this was not a typo and I don't really feel like lying.

King Dimitri was Jovik's father, and hated my guts. Something about politics and shit, but I was much too used to it. And as much as I hate to admit it, I may have partially been one of the reasons in his murder.

Believe me, King Dimitri was bad, but Jovik was worse. Through our time together, he would drone on and on about how pressuring his family was-

Sorry, the previous sentence ran off. I had the inconvenience of being slapped across the cheek mid-thought. Don't worry, I'm safe now but I came really close to meeting the Maker back there. None other than Zarias, I believe my captor's name to be, had slapped me across the face again. I might as well just break my own jaw at this point.

"The human known as Quinn, is being tried for the following accusation: Treason against the royal family, theft, and murder."

I looked a bit closer at the owner of the one who announced my name at the podium beside the empty throne. No it can't be. I swear he looked like one of my best friends from high school. With those baby blue eyes and blonde hair, he seemed like a sweet boy. Not that I didn't know this person, he was Grail Steeles. Can one find a more ridiculous name than that?

Zarias, the name brings back the memory a certain quirky little red headed bastard who had a crush on me. Well, that is definitely not the case with this Zarias.

Was I the only one on pause for these years? So much has changed, but nothing seems different. I wonder where all my friends are at and where-

Ow. Son of a whore just kicked me on the face, sending my whole upper body to the side. I opened and closed my clicking jaw in a weird motion. I may get lockjaw, although it won't be much of a problem since I don't think me opening my mouth to say anything in my defense would help my case.

To give a bit of detail, a predecessor's kin hiding out for three years is sort of a crime for treason. Maybe it wouldn't be such a biggie if I wasn't the prince-turned-king's bride when I disappeared. I had a good reason though, maybe not.

"Lower your head!" Zarias barked again. Did I mention he had already said that, I don't know, three hundred fucking times?

"Captain!" I heard a feminine voice call out. Unlike any others, this one was a bit more clearer and older. "That is enough!"

"Your Majesty, I advise you to proceed with caution. This human can be contaminated for all we know."

I couldn't help but give a deep rumbling chuckle. It had been so long since I heard my voice interacting with another being and had the ability to judge it. It sounded deep, but on the verge of cracking into a pathetic pubescent tone.

A towering shadow covered me, but I kept my head down. I felt a finger under my chin lifting my face up. A kind gesture it was, unless it was meant to give a better angle for another punch on my face.

Oh by the way, have you been reading this as a tutorial on how to survive the world I live in? Hard luck, and I wish that me wishing good fortune could ever work.

My eyes met a familiar face, finally. Maybe luck was in my favour after all. Furious red curls around her pale pristine face, kind sky blue eyes that seemed inhuman and sympathetic. I guess anyone would be, I was ugly enough for even the most greatest of beings to take pity on. Jovik however, must have forgotten my abnormalities so I didn't expect much warmth from him anyway.

I remember I had to crane my neck far up because damn, she was tall. She seemed a bit repulsed, well, anyone would if they saw me. I was undoubtedly strange in anyone's eyes with my warm skin tone and matching hair and eyes and scar.

"Lady Crane," I began to say but lost my words, so I remained silent in hopes it would sound like acknowledgement rather than seeming starstruck.

"Pardon, child. I do not know you." She replied. Oh yeah, the stupid unspoken code of conduct that it was rude to address a stranger as your own.

"Yet I know you."

"Perhaps you mean that you know of me," She attempted to correct. I had to fight the urge to raise a marred eyebrow and make a snarky remark on the terribly awkward miscommunication we were having. It was pretty awkward for me, though.

The royal family weren't what one would call humans. They lived longer, probably till like a thousand years and were taller than you or I would be. You must be wondering why the candles, the royals are all sorta allergic to artificial light and the sun, leaving fire to be their only source of light. Something about the rays and stuff. I remember Jovik being able to lift me on his shoulder and hold me like I weighed nothing but starting to burn when we went inside. I wondered where he was, but snapped back into the moment.

I clicked my tongue to disagree, a colloquial gesture. "I do know you, my name is..." Just say your real name, bitch. Please, don't let this go stupid. My name is really important, but I didn't really mean to forget mentioning it before.

I finally said with half a mind, as this situation didn't require anything. "I'm the daughter of former President Hood, last President of the New World."