When we finally arrived at our destination, I realized it was another castle. Different though than the Moonacre one. Much bigger and fancier. As we entered, a narrow staircase loomed before us. Jack struggled to climb them, still getting used to his robotic limbs. He stopped and glanced up then at the rest of the stairs that wound their way upward.

"Please don't say we're going to the top," Jack groaned.

"One step at a time." Jane coaxed him, gesturing for me to help him.

Hesitantly, I grabbed onto his metal arm and he hoisted himself up with his real one. We went on like that until we reached the door at the top of the stairs. After that, we made our way through the large castle. Jane was insistent I keep a hold on Jack so he wouldn't fall. I huffed but obliged, my hand catching Jack's flesh one. His skin was warm and soft in my own but I shrugged it off.

He obviously didn't want a relationship with me anymore since the accident. I really should just forget about it. But I couldn't erase the taste of his lips from my memory just yet. Or ignore the butterflies that still formed in my stomach when I was just simply around him. Suddenly, we came upon a large staircase and a group of people who were waiting at the top of it. They didn't look that interesting.

But the woman in the middle stood out to me. She wore a long purple-and-white gown and her blonde curly hair was piled up in braids on her head. Her face was covered by a golden mask but her blue eyes were still visible. And those eyes were focused on Jack. She smiled flirtatiously down at him and I felt my blood boil.

"Jack, this is Lady Ev, Princess Langwidere," Jane introduced her.

Jack glanced up at her cautiously and I had a feeling they'd already met before now.

"'Course you are," he said politely.

"Thank you, Jane. That will be all," Princess Langwidere spoke, her eyes still glued to Jack.

Jane nodded once and turned to leave.

"That will be all what?" he asked suddenly.

"I must leave, Jack," she told him.

"I'm not...staying here, am I?" he asked in confusion.

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," she admitted, shocking us both, "But Dawn does,"

I shook my head vehemently.

"No," I said firmly, not daring to meet Jack's eyes as I spoke, "I'm not leaving him again,"

I felt those silver-gray eyes on me then.

"In case you weren't aware," the pompous princess said with a sickeningly sweet fake smile aimed towards Jack, "You are walking and talking at the expense of our kingdom. The least you can do is offer your gratitude,"

She said what now? I thought to myself, eyebrows raised.

"Was that the deal?" Jack asked Jane, "Build me then sell me?"

"No! I'd rather hoped you'd want to stay in my care,"

"Then why are you leaving?"

"The princess met you...she liked you..." Jane started.

Jack's eyes went to the princess's then and I felt tears pricking my eyes again while anger swelled in my chest. So he did know her...and she'd already formed a crush on him.

"Now she owns you..." Jane finished in a whisper.

"Owns him?! Wha-" I started but she ran off then.

We turned back to the princess and she smiled down at Jack. I squeezed his flesh hand in mine. Jack was mad, yes, and to be honest, I don't know what our relationship was, is, or will be. But I knew one thing. I still had feelings for Jack and I would fight for him. Even if it meant fighting someone who wielded so much more power and authority than myself.