{Y/N's POV}

Kaylee walked me down to the dining room and had me sit down in the same seat as before. She asked me if she could get me something to drink, and I asked for some water. Kaylee nodded, and told me Zane would be back soon. Just as she left the room, I heard someone enter the dining room.

???: Zane, I need to-

The person stopped beside me. It was a man. He seemed familiar, but I didn't know where I knew him from. He just stopped and stared at me. Then he knelt down and bowed to me.

???: M'lady, I'm sorry for intruding.

Y/N: It's alright. And... Who might you be?

???: Ah, that's right. I was cloaked last time we met. My name is Jeffory, one of Zane's personal guards and loyal member of the Jury of 9.

Y/N: Jeffory... You're the one who kidnapped me in the woods earlier in the week!

Jeffory: Unfortunately, yes. But it was not my own decision, it was an order of Zane's. I greatly apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you.

Y/N: It's alright, and you don't have to be so formal and polite. It's only me.

Jeffory: But you're master Zane's wife. It's only fair that I address you as such.

Y/N: Jeffory, Zane and I aren't married yet. You don't have to behave this way around me.

Jeffory: 'Yet' is the key word, here. Since you will be marrying Master Zane, it's only fair that I address you in this manner.

Y/N: Alright, if you insist. Jeffory, you had mentioned earlier something about a jury?

Jeffory: Yes, The Jury of 9. Master Zane hasn't told you about us?

Y/N: Afraid not.

???: The Jury of 9 are my personal slaves.

I turn around and see Zane at the entrance, Kaylee trying her hardest not to break out in laughter behind him.

Jeffory: Ah, Master Zane.

Zane: Jeffory, what are you doing with her? Your business with Y/N is done.

Jeffory: I came here looking for you and found her instead. Then she asked me about the Jury and I was only wanting to inform her. Besides, you know my heart belongs to Katelyn.

Zane: I see. Well, whatever you have to tell me, can it wait until tomorrow? I'd like to spend the rest of the evening with Y/N.

Jeffory: But sir... Never mind. Tomorrow it is. It was a pleasure seeing you again, M'lady Y/N.

Y/N: You too!

Jeffory winked at me and walked out of the dining room. Zane walked over to me and pulled me out of my chair.

Zane: What do you say we take a walk in the garden?

Y/N: Sure, I guess...

Zane: That dress looks beautiful on you.

Y/N: Thank you, Kaylee-

I saw Kaylee start freaking out behind Zane's back, signaling to me like crazy to not tell him she made the dress.

Y/N: -helped me pick it out.

Zane: Well, she was right as always. Thank you, Kaylee. You may have the night off, now.

Kaylee: For ma- I mean... Picking out the right dress?

Zane: Of course not. You've just been doing a great job taking care of Y/N lately so go ahead, pamper yourself.

Kaylee: Thank you, Mr. Ro'Meave!

Kaylee then walked giddily out of the room, giggling. Zane and I laughed subtly and then he turned to me, holding his arm out to me.

Zane: Shall we?

I began to blush but shook it off as I rested my hand on his arm. Zane then led me out of the dining hall and through a large pair of glass doors. The moon was just rising as we walked out to the garden I see every morning outside my bedroom window. It was more beautiful up close. I let go of Zane's arm and began walking into the garden. I hadn't noticed, in my moment of awe, that Zane had stepped away back towards the castle. I was snapped out of my daze when I heard music behind me. I turned around and saw two violins, a viola, a cello and a bass (a full chamber group) playing a piece that anyone would know. Moonlight Sonata in D Minor, but it was different in a way I could not comprehend. (It's called a remix, sweetheart)

Zane was standing next to the chamber group, and waved me over to where he was standing. I walked over and he grabbed my hand and put his other arm around my waist. Then we started to dance, I followed his lead.

After our dance, he led me far into the garden where a hedge maze stood miles into the horizon. He guided me down a path which led us to a beautiful fountain flowing with water as clear as diamonds located in a large area surrounded by nothing but the hedge and the night sky. Surrounding the fountain were more flowers than the garden I had visited prior to Zane and I's dance. It was beautifully arranged into a circle around the fountain, their colors alternating in rainbow order. Each flower, weather it be large or small, gave off a soft glow that seemed to emit from each petal.

Zane: Do you like it?

Y/N: Zane... It's... It's gorgeous...

Zane: Thank you. I had it arranged especially for you.

Y/N: For me?

Zane: Yes. I really wanted to make tonight special for just the two of us.

Y/N: B-But... Why? What's so special about tonight?

Through his mask, I could see him become a bit flustered as he looked down at the ground.

Zane: Y-Y/N... I'm sorry you were forced to marry me. It was my fault and... Well... Now there's no turning back.

Y/N: ...

The news startled me and made me dread, his last few words echoing through my mind; Now there's no turning back... I began to panic as tears filled my eyes. Zane noticed this and tried to comfort me.

Zane: Y/N... Don't cry... The reason I did all this for us... The reason I did all of this for you... I didn't want you to remember the day we get married as the day you lost your freedom of choice. I wanted to give you the chance to learn to love me for who I am.

A tear streaked down my face and he wiped it away with his thumb.

Zane: You're a beautiful woman, Y/N. I've seen the way you are out in public. I've seen the way you handle different situations. I've learned so much about you that now, I can't help but love you.

Y/N: But...

Zane: But... What...?

Y/N: But... I can't love you...

Zane: I understand if you can't return my feelings. I would react the same way if-

Y/N: No... Zane... You don't understand...

Zane: Then help me understand. Tell me why you can't love me. Whatever it is I will fix it, I promise.

Y/N: ... I can't...

Zane: Y/N, I need you to trust me. I want you to be happy...

Y/N: Neither you nor I can change the fact that I can't love you. It's inevitable...

Zane: That may be so, but I can at least try... Here.

Zane reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black box about the size of a golf ball. On top was a tiny, silver bow. He handed it to me and told me to open it. Reluctantly, I did as he requested. I opened the box which revealed a silver ring, topped with a small circle of diamonds. In the center of the diamonds lay a single white opal, it's iridescent flecks shimmering in the pale moonlight as I moved it around.

Zane: I was hoping that making our marriage official would help out, so tonight I was planning on proposing to you. I figured it would make this whole thing less stressful.

Y/N: Zane, I-

Zane: Y/N, please... Let me help you.

Y/N: ... Zane... I appreciate all of this but... Considering the fact that you don't know who I am, I just can't bring myself to love you expressively. The reason I'm here... The reason I'm not back at home... With my family... The reason you first found me with your brother...

Zane: I see... You love him, don't you?

Y/N: No! I don't love him. He was just helping me, that's all. He was saving me.

Zane: S-Saving you?! From who?!

Y/N: ...

Zane: Y/N, if you're in danger I need to know. I want to help you.

Y/N: I am in danger, Zane. I'm in danger when I'm here, in O'Khasis. I'm in danger when I'm in the castle. I'm in danger when I'm with your family. I'm in danger when I'm with you...

Zane: I-I don't... I don't understand...

Y/N: And I don't expect you to... Nor do I want you to. For me to tell you my story... It's basically a death wish.

Zane: ...

Y/N: Zane, if I'm to be honest with myself for a moment, I do love you. I just... Can't.

Zane: Why not?!

He was beginning to sound angry.

Y/N: I just can't, Zane. Not with what you've done to me, what I've done to you...

Zane: What you've done to me? You've made me feel something I've never felt before, Y/N! For the first time in my life, I actually feel... Happy! And what have I done to you?

Y/N: Do you not hear yourself right now, Zane?!

Zane: Y/N, you're talking in riddles and it's not like you.

Y/N: (Sighs) Then put the pieces together and come find me when you've solved the puzzle.

Zane: ...

Y/N: And don't forget your sword...

And with that, I stormed back into the castle, not daring to speak to anybody the rest of the night.

Wowowowowowow! Things really are heating up in here. Thought I'd actually make a happy ending for this chappy? Nah, I promised y'all some drama so y'all gonna get some drama. Sorry I haven't posted a chapter in here in a millennium, things have been pretty hectic. Ya know, trying to sell a house, just barely getting by with grades, recovering from a fractured foot... All that crap. Also, I found out my mom (my REAL mom, not you Gis) reads my stories!

Hi mom!

Yeah, I just called you out.

Anywho, that's enough writing to last me a while but I'm not giving up this book yet, nor do I plan to. I still have good ideas I wanna get out there, and by good ideas I mean dramamama mwahaha. But yeah, enough weirdness I need sleep. G'Nite peeps!

~Bread🍞

NOT REALLY, I FOUND THIS NEWISH YOUTUBER WHO IS AN AMAZING ARTIST. GO CHECK OUT HotaruTron ON YOUTUBE AND SUBSCRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIBE!!!! They do these cute "animations" from different Aphmau/Einmau moments to anime favorites! They're only 3 months into YouTube and they already have over 5K subs! (Btw, if you are wondering why I keep referring to Hotaru as "they" it's because HotaruTron is a trans and okay with either title as a girl or boy so I'm being respectful here stop getting on my case) Okay, now that's it. Loaf ya guys!

~Bread🍞 (For real)