The breakfast went fast. Despite everyone being in the ballroom for a buffet styled breakfast, I couldn't feel farther from Davis. All of the royal guards from each sector sat at individual tables. Sectors had separated themselves from the others, including Thomas, king Pierce, and myself. 

Staying quiet was my best option considering I was sitting next to Thomas and across from the king. To my knowledge, Thomas still hadn't spoken with him about not getting married and I was grateful for that. I didn't need another even just before everyone was going to leave.

Davis continued to glance my way between bites. Thomas reached out and slowly rested his hand on my leg as he ate. Maybe it was for his dad's view. Deep down, I only hoped Thomas would give me some space but I figured it wouldn't happen.

As breakfast came to an end, I watched as Kings approached King Pierce to say their goodbyes. Either a shake of the hand of a small hug was the outcome. Guards hung behind the two royals making it feel like we were facing an army. 

Derek Valencia approached following behind his dad. His eyes held a strong glare against me. As much as I wanted to shrink back, I stayed tall in my seat, glaring at him back. He was the one who attacked me and hurt me. Why would I ever forget about that? I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I turned to King Pierce right now and told him what had happened. Would he hold Derek accountable or wave it off because he was a royal?

Thomas shook Derek's hand and Derek turned to me. His hand extended out towards me. Confusion written all over my face, I slowly stood up and shook it. He pulled me closer, whispering ever so slightly in my ear.

"Watch your back, kid." 

I pulled back immediately and stayed standing. So badly I wanted to put him in his place. To knock him down a notch and maybe mess up his perfect slickjob of hair. 

He smirked slightly before turning and walking behind his father, soon after the room and our palace. 

"Something wrong, Charlotte?" King Pierce asked sitting back down. 

I shook my head out of the daze and sat down, giving him a quick 'no' response. 

How could he have the nerve to threaten me knowing royals were right next to me? 

Davis stayed locked on me, probably seeing the interaction with Derek. I could see the worry in his eyes but I couldn't help but look away. I was more frustrated right now to focus on him. 

Gradually, all the remaining Kings left, leaving Astor's as the last to approach. All of us stood knowing this was it. No more relaxing until everyone was done eating. We would be free of every royal visiting and could finally take a breath of air. Yet here I was, wanting to gasp out as I knew he was leaving too. 

Davis gave Thomas a small hug, chatting before turning to me. I could feel a couple tears building up but wasn't about to let them fall in front of King Pierce. 

"You'll be okay. Remember the plan." He whispered, giving me a hug. I wrapped my arms tightly around him. I didn't want to let go. He couldn't leave. It wasn't fair. 

"I won't…" I whispered back. 

He pulled back and looked at me.

"Yes you will. You're strong remember." He smiled, nudging my chin with his hand before turning to King Pierce. 

I watched as they shook hands, spoke a couple words, and walked out of the room. It took everything in me to not run after him. Thomas took my hand slowly. 

My eyes darted over to watch him. He shown sorrow and somehow I knew he knew it was because Davis was leaving. It was Thomas's kind gesture towards me, knowing  Davis was truly my only friend.  

He guided me over to the door and we stood outside, watching the black suburbans drive away with last Davis in his own car speeding behind them. It was weird seeing the front of the palace empty of cars and people. Having seen royals and guards hanging out everyday in front; now it was foreign sight. 

"You can go home if you want. I know you're tired… and like to explore the woods lately." Thomas words tore threw me. 

I could feel myself wanting to curl up and surrender. He knew. He had to have known. Why else would he bring up the forest?

"What?" My voice cracked as I turned to face him. His face was serious and made me want to flinch away. It reminded me of his father. My thoughts couldn't help but inch closer to Damien.

"Don't play stupid, Charlotte. I know you've been in the forest almost every night this week…" I didn't move. I didn't breathe. I stayed still, staring directly up at his eyes as he faced me. "Look, I'm not going to try to act like I know what you're doing out there. For all I know, you were screwing Davis. At this point I don't really care. You've made it clear you've chosen him over me. So why don't you just go home?"

"I didn't screw Davis!" I shouted at him. "How dare you even accuse me of that!" 

I was furious. Sure, I had been disappearing every night but that didn't mean he could accuse me of things with Davis. 

He stood tall, taking a step forward and looking down at me. As much as I should have backed down, I stood as tall as I could too. Just because he decided to be all high mighty, and jealous, didn't mean I should shrink beneath him. 

"What happened to you?" He shouted. "You used to be this--"

"What? Some 'do as your told' naive girl?" I interrupted him. "Look at yourself, Thomas! You've been acting like a completely different person. Least I am changing the way I am because I'm learning about myself. You… you have been given everything your whole life. Look at me, Thomas! I don't have parents! I don't have friends! Hell, I don't even get a say in my own life and have to marry you without any opinion on the matter. So yeah I've changed but I'll take that over what you've become."

His face was red with anger and his eyes flickered back and forth to gold. Had I overdone it again?

"You think I have this easy life and you have no idea. I'm going to be king one day. That means making those hard choices that you act like don't exist. When I have a long and hard day, I don't think it's too much to ask that you be there, yet here you were disappearing and running around with Davis. How am I supposed to think when you come back with him saying you were venting? He's another royal for God's sake!"

"You're supposed to trust me! Maybe give me the benefit of the doubt… but you never even did that! The first time I met him, I had no idea he was royal and he was fine with what happened. But you… you acted like I had just stabbed him or something. You're supposed to defend me too, Thomas, and you never do."

"You assaulted another royal--"

"Jesus, Thomas!" I screamed, grabbing at my hair and wanting to pull it out. No matter what I said, it always went back to the throne. I guess it really was too much to ask him to not think of ruling for once in his life. He was raised on it. "It's not always about the throne!" 

He was quiet, watching me intently. 

"Look, you're not wrong. The more you pushed me back, the more I found Davis as someone to talk to. I won't deny I like him, but he's just a friend. But it all leads back to you pushing me away. Since the day the royals came, you treated me like shit. You acted like I was garbage, even denied our sort of relationship in front of all of them as if it was going to make you cooler for being an ass hole. I'm a person, Thomas. I'm not just some pawn in your dad's plan. Maybe if you treated me like one without knowing you'd get something out of it, maybe then you and I would work out. Until then, I can't do this anymore." 

Thomas didn't bother to speak. He didn't try to fight anything I'd just said. Did he finally get it? I couldn't help but shake my head and turn away from him. I knew he wouldn't try to follow me. He'd let me have my space, especially if what I just said hit a nerve. One could only hope.