I'm with Ivan and his sisters an entire week before I have time to myself. Someone was always with me, making sure I behave, or in Katyusha's case, keeping me company.

Finally being alone, I calm myself and walk over to the mirror that stands behind my dresser, wiping away some of the grime until I can clearly see my reflection. I look slightly thinner, not being fed enough, and I'm even a ghostly pale, which is understandable. I haven't been allowed outside once since I've arrived, and it's putting some serious stress on my body. Not to mention, there are still visible marks on my face and neck from Ivan's angry episodes.

Thankfully, I've been saving up my magic and have enough for a spell. Placing my palm over the middle of the mirror, I murmur an old incantation. The surface ripples like water when I pull my hand away, and I eventually see the image of Alfred, sitting in my chambers in his kingdom.

He doesn't look good to say the least. He looks like he hasn't slept for days, bags under his eyes, thick stubble covering his face, and darkened skin from lack of bathing. Has he missed me that much?

He's holding one of my shirts, and even from here I can see the tear stains that mark it.

"Alfred," I whisper, trying to be as quiet as possible. I definitely don't want Ivan to catch me. He's already beaten me three times since that first incident. I don't think my ribs can take much more.

He pauses, and it's then that I realize he had been sniffling.

"Alfred," I repeat, slightly louder this time.

This time his head snaps towards the mirror, widening in shock at the sight of me.

"Arthur," he whispers, stumbling over to the mirror in my room. Has he even been eating? He looks so exhausted. His hand comes to the surface of the mirror, and he touches it.

Feeling heartbroken and fighting off tears, I place my hand over his. "Alfred," I whisper back, feeling tears start to fall despite my best efforts. "I miss you so much, love."

"Is this really you, Arthur?" he asks, tears freely falling from his eyes. "I'm not insane am I?"

"No, love," I return, smiling at him. "I'm using magic to contact you."

Suddenly his eyes harden, sending worry through me. "Arthur," he says tightly, lips pursed. "Who did that to your face?"

I shake my head. "Ivan, but that doesn't matter," I murmur.

"I'll kill him!" Alfred proclaims. "I'll tear him apart myself." His eyes hold deep amounts of rage, and it's kind of flattering.

"Alfred..." I murmur, feeling my eyes soften at the sound of his protective side. "I love you." I place my other hand on the mirror as well, as if I could crawl through it and into his arms.

His eyes soften immensely. "I love you, too, Arthur," he whispers, placing his forehead on the glass. "I love you so much, and I'm going to get you out of there," he tells me, conviction in his voice so strong that I honestly believe that he will.

"Be careful, love," I warn, running my thumb against the glass gently.

"I think it is you who should be careful, Arthur," Ivan says, and I spin around, noticing him with a furious gaze as he stands in the doorway.

But instead of a pipe, he holds a sword, long and freshly sharpened.

My heart plummets, and all I want is for Alfred to not have to see this.

He seems faster this time, grabbing me by the throat before I can blink. As he squeezes and I wheeze desperately for air, I can hear the cries that Alfred makes in anger.

"If I cannot have you," Ivan tells me, face inches from my own. "Neither can anyone else."

With that, he plunges the sword deep into my abdomen, twisting it before pull the blade out of me. It doesn't feel real at first, the blood flowing out of me. I don't even feel any pain, but as my legs give out, causing me to collapse against the dresser behind me, and my body begins to feel cold, I know that this is all too real.

"ARTHUR!" I hear Alfred scream, desperately grasping at the glass in front of him. "ARTHUR, NO!"

A chained Katyusha, who sports a freshly bruised eye, comes running in, bandages piled up in her arms. "Prince Alfred," she cries, accent becoming thick with grief. "Please come save Arthur quickly!" She begins to apply pressure to my wound, but it's all seeming so distant now. "I don't think he will last much longer."

The last thing I hear is Katyusha and Alfred screaming my name before a blinding golden light takes over everything I see and feel.

But I fall unconscious before I can see the pair of bright green eyes that belong to the person who saves my life.

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Heylo, my lovely little nuggets! I hope y'all enjoyed this chapter! Don't forget to leave any comments or suggestions if you have them. They always make my day :) Oh, I also might not be updating as often as I have been in the last week or so because I got a job. Yay for me :) Anyway, I'll see y'all nuggety readers in the next update! Until then, have an absolutely fantastic and fabulous day! Bai!!! >:3

-IggyScones