Michael

I have changed so much I can barely recognize myself in the mirror. Especially with all of the bruises and cuts. The same old Michael isn't staring back at me anymore. I do not know who this strange man is, looking back at me.

But I have a real job now. One that is stable and pays me. It might not be much, but it is sure as hell easier than trying to make ends meet by selling jewelry no one has nearly enough money for. And I get fed here too, something I didn't receive much of back home in the village.

Another plus would be the fact that I no longer have to suffer the physical, mental, and emotional abuse my mother put me through every night back in the village. I have a shelter every night instead of being forced to sleep outside most nights.

It is comforting having a bed to call my very own and knowing virtually no one can take it away from me for a stupid reason makes it very satisfying.

I have made friends here. Friends who immediately accepted me as their own. I feel as if, for once in my life, I actually belong somewhere. I like the feeling of belonging to something. It is calming and reassuring to me.

I work at the castle. The place I always wanted to experience and to grow up inside. I couldn't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for the princess to grow up here. To live and become queen here.

Raeanne. My sweet, sweet Raeanne. Oh how I love her so much. I have fallen hard in love. There is no way back up from this.

Yet I lost her within days of meeting her. The woman I love is not able to be captured by me. She is forever taken by her King. But I will always be in a constant state of trying to gain her back.

The man who claims her heart is heartless himself. He beat me. For no reason other than he found out of our affair. It is not like we were together while they were married. No, it was before they even met. How could he be mad at me for that?

I have to show my beaten and bruised face around the castle as I work. People will judge me. Yet I can not tell them the truth. If I were to tell them the king did this to me, if they even believed such an accusation, they would never be able to do anything to stop him or bring him to justice. It is a pitiful circle of injustices.

Yet, as I stand here looking in the mirror at my mutilated face, all I can think about is Raeanne.

I am worried that the King may be treating Rae the way he treated me. I can hear her silent screams for help as he beats her senseless behind their chamber doors. I can imagine it vividly in my mind.

I have to do something to get her out of that situation. I can not let this go on. I must save my queen from destruction.

I have to kill the King of Spain.

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