It had been 6 days since the incident. I have well over healed from that night, and was given a 2 week break of my duties because of it.

To be honest, I enjoy this free feeling. I'm glad I never have to associate with that scary prince again, my father told me he is to be crowned soon, so I'm pretty sure he has a wife in the making.

None of my concern though. I just want to be here living with all my best friends. Speaking of which I think I see Lea with the other maids over there.

I smile as I approach the group. They were whispering some stuff and I could only understand 2 of the words they were saying. 'Prince' and 'Marriage'. Maybe someone wellknown is about to be wed aswell.

"Hey girls!" I say.

Almost at the same moment, all of the girls stop talking. Then all but Lea scatter away and back to their duties; and Lea stared straight at me with a fake smile.

"Princess! Come I would like to discuss something with you in private!" Lea exclaimed as she quickly walks up to me and drags me into a nearby room, locking the door. "Amori, someone wants to marry you."

I widen my eyes, "Max-"

"No! Not Max, in fact I haven't seen Max all morning since this rumor went around. Its a Prince Amori! I think his name was Percy."

Now I'm confused, I don't recall ever meeting a Prince named 'Percy' at the ball, and I am 100% sure have of the prince's were in love with townspeople or gay so.... wait a second.

"What does this Percy guy look like?" I ask.

"Really handsome, I assume he had  black hair, I couldn't really recall. Yet he did visit the castle earlier, so if you ask you father I'm sure-"

"No." A stern voice speaks. Lea and I turn to the door to see Max with a furious expression. "That damn Prince will not take you away Amori. You belong in this castle."

Lea gives him a fearful smile. "Yes, I agree, but I also heard this Prince rules over a kingdom notorious on making wars with other kingdoms."

"To hell with that. If they think Amori was kidnapped or killed there won't be a war. We could live all live in one of the abandoned kingdoms nearby. Create our own kingdom, like a secret society!"

"NO!" I shout, "I can't leave my father after what my mother did.."

Max and Lea look at eachother for a moment, then Max walks over to me and puts a hand on my shoulder. "Your mom and my dad were assholes. They left cause they couldn't face their responsibilities. I am sure if you told your dad why we are leaving he will understand."

Max is not wrong, I don't wanna be in a loveless marriage and I also don't wanna leave father alone. Maybe there is a way to do both.

"Alright. I'll tell father at dinner, BUT we have to visit the kingdom from time to time." I state.

Max smiles at me with joyful eyes, and so did Lea.

"So, when should we head out?" Lea asks.

"We leave in 2 days at dawn. Meet at the stable so we can get on the horses faster."

With that, both Lea and Max leave the room. I don't know if these rumors are true, but if that Prince is also being forced to marry there shouldn't be that big of a deal on me leaving.

I walk out of the room and head to the dining room, yet to my surprise a raven haired woman with a scowl was waiting out side of it.

Walking closer, she notices me and quickly changes her expression so a fake smile. "You must be Princess Amori, my my, you are as beautiful as he said you were."

A bit puzzled, I give her a small smile and a bow. "You are very pretty yourself ma'am. Its a pleasure to meet you."

Looking back up, we locked eyes. At this moment I feel my heart drop to my stomach and my adrenaline pick up. This woman has the same eyes as Max... yet Max's mother went missing after he was born. Not only that, but she has black hair, and I wouldn't ever imagine his mother feeling this.. evil.

"Mother, I'm sorry I'm late." A strange voice speaks.

I muster the courage to turn around, and I become paralyzed. This man... no this Prince was the one I saved from the ball.
Why in the world is he back?