Christmas was approaching and the Elite were to return to their homes to celebrate it. When we come back, there's a ball that's waiting for us that Claire arranged.

I leave later at the afternoon. It was hard for the other girls to leave since we became attached to the palace. But I lived close by, I can come to the palace whenever I miss it.

I was looking through my closet to figure out what to bring to my house. I settled on bringing a few coats that fit inside my backpack.

"How long are you leaving for again?" Georgia asked.

"Until Christmas Eve. I'm coming back in the afternoon of Christmas." I informed.

"I'm going to miss you!" Hannah exclaimed and ran to to hug me.

I giggled and wrapped my arms around her, "I'll miss you too."

"I hope we can come with you," Vivianne said with a pout.

"I live close by!" I exclaimed, "You can come visit me when you want to."

"We can?" Hannah said with joy in her eyes.

I nodded, "Of course."

"I doubt they'll let us," Georgia stated.

Hannah pouted, "Why wouldn't they?"

Georgia shrugged, "They've increased security."

Rebels, I thought.

Vivianne groaned, "I wish we could go outside."

I smiled sadly, "I'm sure it's for your safety."

Georgia nodded, "I know. Now, off you go to lunch. We'll take care of it here."

I smiled, "Thank you."

They smiled at me before I left to the dining hall. Christine and Bloom already left last night since they were the farthest from here. Julianne, Claire and Harriet left this morning being in Carolina, Clermont, and Bonita.

Only Diana, Louise, Mary, and I were left. The four of us, being the closest, leave this afternoon.

I greet the royals that I pass by on my way to my seat. I was quite lonely since my friends left but I was glad for Mary's company.

Mom and Tony weren't here. They've been locked inside the office for days. It's not that I missed himㅡmaybe I didㅡbut I knew that they were gone because of the rebels. I was amazed that the news hasn't been spread yet.

None of the Elite had a date with him after Louise. They thought it was simply him doing his princely duties. They never would have thought it was a big problem.

I haven't heard any updates about the rebels and I don't know what they're doing. Were they killing people? Were they destroying buildings?

"Haidee," Mary called.

I turned to her, "Yes?"

"I'm going to miss you," She said with a smile.

I returned the smile, "I'm going to miss you too."

"I can't believe I'm going away for a week," She stated, "I can't even believe we stayed here for 4 months."

"I can't believe it too," I said. "You live in Sonage, right?"

She nodded, "Yup."

I smiled, "Sonage is really close to Angeles. Maybe we can meet up?"

She beamed, "You're right! Let's write letters to each other, okay? My address is,"

I memorized her address and I told her mine. I was glad that the extended families of the royals were here, it felt less lonely. Their chats with each other remind me of the other selected.

When I finished eating, I excused myself and went to my room. I wore a cozy shirt and some jeans. I put on some shoes and tied my hair into a ponytail.

I look normal.

I looked at the contents of my bag and saw some day dresses and coats. I didn't see the picture frame I brought with me inside the bag. I looked for it in my froom and saw it on the table beside my bed.

I smiled at the picture of my family. I'm coming home.

"You're really leaving?"

I jumped a little at the voice, but I sighed in relief as I recognized the owner.

"You scared me," I told him.

He smiledㅡit was fake thoughㅡand approached me. He saw the frame in my hands and grabbed it from me, "Your brothers gave me quite the scare."

My eyebrows rose in surprise, "What?"

He smiled, "It was the day before your birthday. Your eldest brother was a nightmare."

I laughed, "What did he do?"

He shrugged, "He threatened me. When I came to your house to tell them about the private party, he glared at me and asked where you were. He thought something bad happened to you."

I smiled, "Austin's my favorite brother. He's kind and overly protective. He also threatened Laurence when I introduced him as my friend."

"Your other brother, Atlas was it? He was scary. I haven't seen him smile, ever." Tony stated.

I laughed, even in the family picture, Atlas wasn't smiling. "He's like that."

"But Vince is like his opposite," He told me and I nodded in agreement, "He was so cheerful when I met him."

"He's cute," I commented, "And really thoughtful."

"Xavier is a mix of Austin and Vince." He said.

"By the way," I said, "You told them to call you Zeke?"

He smiled and nodded, "I didn't want them thinking that I loved my title. If I could, I want to live a normal life. This life is stressful."

I got the frame from him and put it in my bag, "I'm sure they know that. That is if you were humble."

"I am humble!" He countered.

I laughed, "Right."

"Can't you stay until after dinner?" He asked.

I turned to look at him and his previous smile was gone. He looked stressed and problematic. I closed my backpack and asked him, "What's wrong?"

He sighed, "It's the rebels. They've been sending us these videos."

"What kind of videos?" I asked softly.

"Murder."

I gasped and took his hands, "Are you okay?"

He shook his head, "I'm not. Please stay."

I pursed my lips. I promised my parents that I'm coming home today, but Tony looked so vulnerable right now. He looks broken. I saw that he was holding back tears.

"Please," He muttered.

"I," can't.

"Please," He said.

My legs turned to jelly, my heart softened, "I," promised to them. I can't, "I'll stay."

He hugged me tightly, "Thank you."

I hugged him back and patted his back, "Anytime." I felt something hot. I placed my hand on his forehead, "You have a fever!"

He put his hand on his head to check his temperature, "Guess I do."

"Just because I'm leaving, you have a fever?" I joked.

He smiled, "Maybe."

I rolled my eyes, "Now, you need some rest."

He nodded, "Let's go to my room."

"Why not the infirmary?" I asked.

"Mom would know and she'd be worried." He replied.

I didn't argue and I walked with him to his room. The guards saw us make our way to his room and I ignored their stares. I think I knew what they were thinking.

"Go lay down on your bed," I ordered.

"Yes, mother." He said and obliged.

I rolled my eyes and made my way to his closet. I looked for a face towel and went to the bathroom to check if there was a basin there. There was none.

I went outside to look for a maid and asked for a basin. She returned a few minutes later with what I asked. I thanked her and went back into the room.

Tony was sleeping soundly. There were bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess. I was mad at the rebels. They made him like this. He was nothing like this before.

I poured water on the basin and put the towel inside to make it wet. I brought it with me beside Tony's bed. I squeezed the towel to remove the excess water.

I gently took his arm and started wiping it. Thankfully, he didn't wake up. He needed the rest. I wiped his other arm when I moved to the other side. I wiped his face.

I couldn't stop staring at his lovely face. He might have bags under his eyes from stress but he still looked amazing. He was undeniably handsome. I shook the thoughts off and continued what I was doing.

When I finished wiping him with the towel, I put it in the basin and squeezed it again. I folded it two times and placed it on his forehead. I hope this would lower his temperature.

I went out of the room and asked a maid for some medicine. She came back with some pills and a cup of water. I thanked her again before coming back inside the room.

I placed it on his table and gently shook him awake. His eyes fluttered open.

I smiled at him, "Here's your medicine. Take another one after four hours."

I gave him a pill and the cup. He eyes the medicine first before swallowing it. He looked at me after, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Go to sleep, you should rest."

He smiled before closing his eyes. Should I stay here or should I leave? I had the sudden urge to brush my fingers on his haor like what I do to Vince when he's sick.

The next thing I know, Tony's eyes were open and my hand was on his hair. I removed it there, "Sorry."

He didn't speak a word but he took my hand again and placed it on his head. I was shocked, really. He closed his eyes again. I could only guess that he likes it, so I continued doing it again.

How long was I going to do this?

What if one day, I'd still be doing this to him but only one thing changes, and that is marriage? Would we be like this someday soon? Or maybe some other girl would be doing what I'm doing?

My heart clenched at the thought. What if he picks another girl?

I kept running my fingers through his hair as he slept. I got the towel and put it in the basin again and squeezed it. I placed it on his forehead again. I repeated this sequence until the door opened.

"Zeke?" Mom called.

I rose from my seat, "He's asleep."

She entered the room and looked at him, "What happened?"

"He has a fever," I replied, "He didn't want to worry you so he didn't go to the infirmary."

She quickly put her hand on his neck to check his temperature, "His temperature has gone down. Did you take care of him?"

I nodded, "I was the one who discovered he had a fever so I took care of him."

She smiled at me, "Thank you, Haidee."

"Not a problem, mom." I said.

"But you're supposed to go home now, right?" She asked.

I nodded, "But I had to take care of him."

"Are you okay? He gets really bossy and mad when he has a fever."

My mouth went agape, "He does?"

She nodded, "One time he threw a vase on the floor. His temperature was really high."

"But he didn'tㅡHe really becomes that way?" I asked incredulously.

She looked at me with confusion, "Yes. Didn't he tell you to do something?"

"No. In fact, I ordered him around." I said.

"Well that's interesting," She said. "I don't know what you did but that was a miracle."

"Not really," I replied with a smile. "What else does he do when he's sick?"

"He doesn't like medicine." She said.

"What?" I asked her, "Then how does he get better?"

"We make him sleep and inject the medicine." She replied, "He never likes visitors when he's sick. He wants to do his work when he's sick."

"He's weird," I replied.

She laughed, "Yes he is. When he's sick, only I can touch him because he doesn't like people touching him when he's sick."

"He doesn't?" My eyes were wide open.

She shook her head, "He hates it. You can go now, I'll take care of him. Thank you."

I nodded and left the room. He hets abnormal when he's sick. I need to have a reminder to never make him sick. He should always be healthy.

There was only an hour until dinner starts. I didn't care that I was wearing pants and a t-shirt, these royals felt like family. They're extremely nice and they wouldn't judge me for what I wear.

I spent the rest of the minutes left in my room. When it was dinner time, I headed to the dining hall and sat down.

"Haidee! What are you still doing here?" Aino asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be at home?" Celestiana asked.

I put my hand to my heart, "And here I thought you'd like to see me."

"Of course we do!" Grace said, "It's just surprising."

I laughed, "Well, it's a long story but I'm leaving after dinner."

"Can I come with you?" Abigail asked.

"Why?" I asked as I lift the spoon to my mouth.

"I'm sick of it here," Abigail replied.

"Really?" I asked in surprise, "I never thought anyone would say that."

She shrugged, "So, can I?"

"You can, if you have permission." I told her.

She pouted, "Aunt Eadlyn will never let me go."

I smiled, "It's for your safety."

She sighed and continued eating. The girls were eating silently, but the boys, especially Earl, were noisy.

"So I made my character punch the guy and kick him a lot of times then I won!" Earl exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes at him and so did the other girls.

"Tell me the story if you do it in real life. I doubt it will happen," Nicholas said with a snicker.

"Why aren't you moping about the absence of the love of your life?" Abraham asked Earl.

Earl looked at him with confusion, "Love of my life? I have no such thing."

Twain smirked with Abraham. Nicholas and William saw this and understanding showed in their eyes. Aimo couldn't care less. Beall looked like he didn't have a clue.

"Oh really? Then what do you call Lady Julianne Evans?" Abraham asked.

I held back a laugh at Earl's expression. His cheeks were red but his eyes were glaring at the boys who were laughing. The blush could've meant he was fuming with anger but it also could've meant he was discovered of his undying love for my best friend.

"She is the antagonist of my life," Earl said.

I smirked, "So is this the story where the protagonist ends up with the antagonist?"

Earl glared at me while Abraham gave me a high five. The table roared in laughter. Oh, how fun it is to make fun of Earl.

"I'll have revenge, Eudora. Remember that." Earl said and gave me dark look, but I laughed at it.

"Sure, I'll wait for it." I told him.

Dinner ended and I made my way back to my room and got my backpack. I found myself saying goodbye to my room despite how ridiculous it sounds.

This was it, I was really going home.

I walked away from my room and towards the stairs. At the end of it were Celestiana, Aino, Adalene, Grace, and Abigail.

I looked at them in surprise, "What are you guys doing here? Shouldn't you be preparing for bed?"

"We came to say goodbye," Ada replied.

I smiled, "You do know that I'm just a ten minute drive away, right?"

They nodded at that. They were acting like I'm never going back.

Celestiana came to hug me, "I'll miss you, Haidee. It would be weird not having you around."

I hugged her back, "It would be weird without you too."

Grace, Abigail, Aino, and Adalene also came to hug me. It was so dramatic. They all said their goodbyes before I made my way to the limousine which would take me back home.

I waved my final goodbye before the car drove off.