"WHAT IS THIS?" I screeched apprehensively standing abruptly. The dining hall fell silent and Elvi's movements paused. My mom's eyes narrowed into slits and one of her perfect  eyebrows arched upwards in question.

"Isn't this too fast?" Kellyn grumbled from the other side of the table and all attention drew to her. "I feel like too much emphasis is placed on Kira and it's beginning to annoy me. Hello, we're twins!" She chided and a gaping hole grew in my chest.

Was this the reason she seemed so distant lately?

"Well when I'm ready to get married, I'd do it with someone I love" I said and Elvi stood straight glowering at me.

"I thought this was a welcome party of sorts" Raekav butted in and Calvin subtly agreed with her.

"And who is it that you love dear daughter?" My mom said looking at me. A fake smile covered her lips and she had a scary look in her eyes.

Taking into consideration what Corey said to me earlier, I chose my next words carefully, careful not to spare a glance at Corey.

"My only concern right now is the war." I replied and watched as some seconds passed in silence. The tension was unbearable.

"Of course, of course. Then this union shall hold immediately after the...issues on ground are resolved" She smiled at me and Elvi walked out of the dining hall.

The food was served shortly after and everyone ate in silence. I ate very little because of my obvious inability to correctly use fork and knives. My palms were clammy and I fumbled with the cutleries. It was painful that even Raekav was pretty good at using those. A blind girl!

"What a shame" Yasmin whispered into my ear and I snarled at her. Calvin gave a glare for startling him and I shyly looked at my food again.

"I  wish to retire to my chambers now" my voice came out stronger than expected and I gave myself a mental pat on the back.

"You do realize you need to add on a bit more flesh don't you? You look sickly thin" My mother hinted and  anger flared up within me.

Chirrietta went out of control and a gust of wind blew past her. It ruffled her neatly arranged hair and I had to stop myself from laughing out. Kellyn however didn't and her cackles filled the hall.

"You may leave now" my mother said softly before excusing herself.

"Escort her back to her chambers Liv" Sie hinted

"Yes mother" Cal replied standing up and walking over to where I stood.

I should've suspected they were probably related in some way although they shared nothing in common. Weird.

The walk back to the room was quiet and boring. Just before I got to the door of my room room, Cal held the handle and opened it respectfully. I mentally applauded his perfect bow and  expensive suit. Everyone seemed so uptight here.

"Corey sent a message to you. He said to tell you you look exquisite tonight" Cal whispered and I couldn't help the violent blush that painted my cheeks.

"Well isn't that cute" Yasmin said in a sweet voice. I almost forgot she was still perched on my shoulder.

"W-will she tell anyone of this?" He stuttered.

"Yas has sworn her loyalty to me as you did to Corey. All is well." I assured him. "Please do tell Corey he didn't look bad either" I watched at Cal nodded, walking off and I entered my room immediately.

"Really? Of all things to tell a guy you chose that? Did nobody teach you how to compliment?" Yasmin attacked me as soon as we stepped into the room and I rolled my eyes at her.

"I just want to have a nice rest now." I took off my shoes before jumping on the plush sized bed and drifting off to sleep. The soft thud of Yasmin's body on the bed indicated she would be sleeping with me from now on.

••••
Is there an academy where being taught how to properly wake a person up was the purpose of its existence?

If no,then I strongly suggest this should be added to highschool courses.

A cold wave of water slapped my face hard, and some of it trickled into my nostrils successfully choking me. I stood up faster than Barry allen ever could and glared at the beast who did this to me.

Sie.

I thought we were meant to be treated like princesses because you know, we're royalties right?

"Still not a morning person I see" she smiled at me and I shook my head angrily at her. "Why would you go to bed in your dinner clothes and make up still on. I raised you better"

Here comes the lecture.

"I was so exhausted. Things are happening too fast." I sighed

"My child, you need to make peace with your sister. You need each other"

"I don't know how to do that! I didn't know she felt that way. What do I say?"

"Spend more time with her and make sure she realises that nothing can change the relationship you share with her. Not even the words of the people around. Kells has always been your pillar and she deserves more than what she's getting"

"Okay I'll do that. I hope she allows"

"By the goddess, looking at you makes my head ache. You're a complete eyesore right now and-" she leaned closer to me "you stink too. Out with you! You need a thorough shower now"

I yelped and jumped off the bed, hurriedly heading for the washroom. Yasmin shook in her  sleep but didn't wake. She must be a deep sleeper then.

I jumped into the bathtub as soon as the water was warm enough and began to scrub myself.

"I have to admit, you do look small when you're out of your clothes" Yasmin's voice startled me and I had to stop myself from smacking her. Hard.

"You keep appearing suddenly and isn't it rude to stare at people when they're not dressed" I gritted

"Oh shut up. You should be happy" she said before jumping into the water too.

I was happy Yasmin wasn't so quiet and obedient. She was like a breath of fresh air in this big boring castle. Cal, Calvin and Corey seemed so rigid and and vigilant here whereas I expected the opposite. They were brought up here! Maybe I was missing something.

By the time I got back to the room, Sie had left but the still visible dip in the bed told me it wasn't long  she left.

What a relief! It would be such an embarrassment having to dress in front of Sie and having her inspect my skin. Knowing her, she could do it.

As soon as I was dressed in my leather pants, black vest and ankle boots, I stepped out of the room. Yasmin had gone a while ago saying something about getting some new dresses.

"Hey there!" Calvin's voice shook me out of my thoughts and I looked towards him. His bright green eyes filled me with a sense of warmth.

"Alvy" I greeted and he gave me a wide smile.

"C'mon the locks are to be removed soon. I'm to take you to the sacred grounds now"

"Oh right! What of Kellyn?" I asked hopefully

"She just left with Cal. I think he spent the night at her's"

Something in me twitched and I looked down.  I was kind of hoping we would have a conversation this morning and why did nobody care about she and Cal being together but Corey and I being together seemed like an abomination. It's like now we're in my mother's castle, nobody wants to see me with Corey or even around him.

He told me he had to be careful when we were in Alxae because mother had some spies watching our moves but now we were in her territory, she wouldn't  suspect a thing and we wouldn't give her a reason to.

Two questions were bugging me now; who was this spy?
What did Corey do exactly ot better put, what is mother trying to avoid?

She may try to manipulate my memories today.

"These clothes aren't fit for royalty such as yourself" A voice piercedmy thoughts reminding me of his first thoughts on my dress sense all those months ago.

My head whipped up so fast and I was met with the familiar frown of Corey. The frown was a mask, of course.

Cal stepped aside and Corey drew closer to me.

"You do realize that after the lock has been removed, your powers will return fully and you may not remember any of our conversations. At least not the real ones" he said looking down. He reached for my dainty fingers and brought them to his lips.

"I won't forget you. I promise " I said with determination. A small smile played on his lips as he shook his head from side to side.

"Foolish human" he muttered "I'll miss you. I'm trusting the blood bond to bring everything to your remembrance again."

"Wait! Please wait" I wailed as he turned back to leave. "Give me something to remember" I whispered.

He then removed the silver chain that hung on his neck and dug it into my pockets. I blinked for a second and when I opened my eyes, he was gone.

"Shall we?" Calvin asked and I trudged sorrowfully behind him.

I really would forget everything about him.

Or maybe I wouldn't.