IN THE END I DIDN'T WENT STRAIGHT TO MY ROOM.

I knock on Cait's door. No response. I shove open the door to find it empty.

I slump my shoulders before closing the door and going straight to my room.

My maids brought me dinner and prepared me for bed afterwards. I laid in bed, gazing at my glow in the dark stars over my canopy. When Cait and I were children, we begged the staff to put up the stars since we were always so fascinated by them. Mine was pastel purple and Cait's was pink.

I hear a knock at my door, "Cora?"

I jumped at the knock. "Who is it?" I asked not wanting to get up and deal with anybody else.

"It's me—" I wait a moment, "Cait... Let me in."

I sighed in relief, I got up and pulled the door open. "Where were you?" I demanded once she was inside.

"The stables," she grinned, "I was hiding from mother." I rolled my eyes, remembering our mother's horse allergy, "What are you doing?"

"Avoiding Clarkson!" I crossed my arms over my chest, I crawled up in a ball on my bed. "He's such a bully!" I tried not to cry or show how upset I was.

Caitlyn tilted her head, "Yeah, I know, he's always been one though, what happened?"

"I think he's screwing my maid?" I confessed, choking on a sob. "What should I do? No one will believe us."

Caitlyn gasped, her face going pale, "That pig!"

Caitlyn slept around a bit herself but she would never do something like this, she would never sleep with my best friend.

"Exactly!"

"Have you asked her about it?"

I shook my head. "She is afraid to tell me but I know without a doubt once Clarkson asks me about her whereabouts." I shook off the argument back in the studio. "I yelled at him, that's why father banished me to my room."

That's part of the reason why I didn't show up to dinner.

Caitlyn sighed, pushing her hair back making me notice strands of hay stuck to it. "You weren't kidding when you said you went to the stables?" I chuckle lightly. "Let's hear your problems next!"

Caitlyn giggled, her face brightening at the mention of the stables, "I found a solution for our problems! The stables, tomorrow during my date with Mikhail," she faked a gag, "I'm going there, you should come to."

I duck my head, feeling bad for not joining her. "I can't, I'm seeing Fredrik tomorrow," I explained. "But maybe afterwards if the date miraculously ends early."

She frowned, "Why couldn't I be marrying Fredrik," Cait muttered, "At least he's tolerable."

"I'm not marrying him, Cait!" I cover my face with my hands. "He is just a friend. I think? I'm sorry you are stuck with a pervert."

During Cait's interview with Angie, it took all of my strength not to gag every time Mikhail spoke. It was creepy enough he's 23 but making my sister to bear children? That's just disgusting!

"I know, I know, I wasn't saying you were marrying him," she laughed, Caitlyn is so strong for being able to laugh even though everything that's happened today. "I'm just saying I wouldn't of hated this all so much if I was arranged with someone like Fredrik. Someone nice and funny... Not a perv like Mikhail."

"Fredrik is okay for a guy," I look out my window, refusing to get into more details. "Just keep up whatever you are doing to scare him off? I wouldn't want to be shackled with someone like Mikhail either."

If my suitor was anywhere near Mikhail, I would've died. I don't even know if I could've handled it the way my sister is. Cait was always stronger and bolder than I am. I'm on the softer side while Cait puts edges around her heart.

Caitlyn nodded before laying on my bed, yarning. I lay down next to her, "Can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure!" I rest my head on her shoulder. "I don't want you to leave," tears pricked from my vision.

Caitlyn sighed, closing her eyes, "Trust me, I would rather die than leave with a man like Mikhail," her voice is serious and deadly.

I smiled through my tears. That's my sister! Determined to find her own path. "Yeah! If only I was strong enough to do that."

"Don't worry, I'm strong enough for the both of us," Caitlyn kissed my forehead, "I'm tired, let's go to sleep."

"I love you, Cait," I closed my eyes, wrapping my arms around hers. I miss the old days when we would camp out in my room after getting in trouble with Mother. Sometimes Cindy would join us but I like it when it's just me and my twin. I feel safe and not alone with Cait by my side.

✧˖*°࿐

The next day, I meet Fredrik outside of the doors that lead to the gardens. I opted for riding clothes since I'll be outdoors for most of the day, and I didn't want to dirty any of my dresses.

I spot Fredrik, he's in a nicely dressed suit, clearly not dressed for the occasion.

"You know you can change into something more comfortable?" I joke, shaking my head at his attire. "It may get hot and sweaty outside."

Fredrik grinned awkwardly, "I didn't pack for the occasion."

"Of course, you didn't," I rolled my eyes as I walked into the direction of the forest. "Want to check out the forest? There is this lake that Caitlyn and I've been going to since we were kids."

I smiled at the memory of visiting the lake. Cait and I found it, during one of our many adventures as kids. It was Cait's idea to escape from our parents and tutors, so she took my hand and dragged me towards the forest until we found a lake. We have never stopped going ever since, even now I still want to see it as much as I can before I go.

"That sounds enchanting!" His eyes sparkle with curiosity, "Lead the way."

I nodded, so happy that he agreed.

It took a while to walk through the forest, it's been a couple of months since I last went. Hopefully, I won't get lost.

As I push past the tree branches to get a better view of the lake. I was so happy that I was able to find it again. I turned to Fredrik, smiling from ear to ear. "Tada!"

Fredrik stared in bewilderment at the lake, I smiled proudly. "Wow—"

Suddenly water comes splashing down onto us. I wiped the water out of my eyes and looked for the corporate, there I found a younger girl with long black hair and pale skin giggling and splashing a girl around my age with bold red hair.

I walk over in their direction with Fredrik right behind me. The younger girl spots us, her eyes widening the same way they always do when a person sees me or one of my siblings. "Your Highnesses, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to water you."

The older girl rolled her eyes, "Don't apologize Seylah."

I lock eyes with the redhead. She's rather sharp for a young woman. It reminds me of my sister when she's upset.

I put up a hand to show that I mean no harm. "It's alright, no need to apologize. It's just water." I chuckle.

The redhead nodded, her eyes fierce.

Fredrik and I sat down in the grass. We unpack the blankets and lay down the food that is in the basket. Fredrik told me that we could have a picnic outside, I don't regret showing him the lake. But some tiny part of me wish I was on a date with that pretty redhead. It's like my heart is telling me to ditch Fredrik and get out of the wedding scam for the girl that I just saw. Fredrik grabbed a biscuit and took a bite, "I—" He paused, he's just as uncomfortable with this as I am.

I sighed. "Sorry this is all awkward," I cover my face with my hands. I couldn't help but stare at the redhead again.

He shook his head, "It's not your fault Cordelia."

I know what he was about to say. "It's not your fault either." I'm not angry with him. It wasn't even his idea why I was in this mess. "Cora." I said. My sisters and friends always refer to me as Cora and not my full name.

"Sorry, Cora— You know..." Fredrik started, "Most people call me Fred."

"Fred." I smiled at his nickname.

"It sounds silly though, not like a Prince or a future King, so that's why I let people call me Fredrik," he shrugged, "It's up to you what you want to call me."

"It's not silly!" I giggled. "But I get what you mean, my parents disapprove of my nickname. It's not proper to be called Cora." I look away bitter towards my own parents. I love them, I do. They're my family. But what did they do...?

"Royal names, royal nicknames, what does it matter? A name doesn't change a ruler, don't you agree?"

I nodded. "Yeah." As my gaze went over to the redhead, Fred's gaze followed mine.

"She's pretty."

I blushed fiercely, feeling embarrassed. "Uh— what makes you say that?" I wasn't totally trying to be crushing on a girl.

"Go and say hi, what's the worst that will happen?"

I shook my head, already feeling shy about approaching her.

Suddenly the girl looks at me, her brown eyes staring at me, I feel the butterflies I felt when I saw Xoie for the first time return. The girl gets up, wrapping a towel around herself, "She's leaving, at least get her name."

I don't know how to approach her so I didn't. I allow the girl to escape from my grasp. I feel like a coward for not getting her name. I don't want to make the same mistake that I did with Xoie. I don't want to put myself through another heartbreak.

"I can't," I whispered. "She already left and it's for the best that I don't mess up her life like I did with my previous relationship." Memories of Xoie entered my mind.

Fred nodded, "Okay, I'm sorry if I pushed too hard, I could just see that you liked her."

I pushed my hair back. "What makes you think that?" I frown. "I-I don't." That's a lie and we all know that.

"Oh— I must have misread something," he said, dropping the subject, disappointment evident in his voice.

I'm so grateful that he dropped it. I don't want to discuss my problems with him. It's already so complicated and confusing to think about. I eventually stood up, wanting to head back before my father thought I had run away. "I need to go back before my father calls the guards on us."

He got up and we walked back to the Palace in silence, the only thought on my mind being the pretty redhead from the lake.

✧˖*°࿐

I nodded at my guard when I reached my room after my date with Fredrik.

My guard, Dan, return the gesture. "How was your date, princess?"

I smiled as my thumb brushed the door handle. "It was fine."

He nodded before standing up straight again. I look away, turning the knob to go inside.

As I opened my door, I found Mei crying by the windowsill. I close the door rushing over towards her. "Mei! Mei! What's wrong?" I asked examining her face. I found bruises over her arms and legs. "Who did this to you?" I demanded gobsmack from what I found.

Mei looked up to see me looking over the bruises, she flinched from my touch. "He will punish you if I tell you!" She insisted.

I grabbed her by the shoulders. "Who did this, Mei!? Answer me!"

She didn't meet my gaze. "I can't tell you!" Mei sobs. "I'm so sorry, Cora, I don't want him to take it out on you because of me."

My stomach winches as thoughts of my brother or my parents doing this to her. It's no secret that they could be the only ones who abuse the servants. And my blood boils that they could possibly have done this to Mei! To my best friend.

"Mei," I brush her messy hair out of her face. "Was it my mother? Did she hit you?"

Mei still didn't answer my question. She was already frightened to the point that she wouldn't even talk to me.

"Was it Clarkson?" I asked once again. Clarkson must be the top contender. I fume silently remembering him asking about Mei.

I back away, sitting on the windowsill, as it hits me. It's my fault that she was punished for my reckless actions. Since Clarkson couldn't hit me, he took it out on somebody else. And I was so mad that the person turned out to be Mei.

"I'll make him pay for this!" I muttered, wrapping my arms around Mei and pulled her in a hug.

"Please! Don't Cora! He'll surely punish you." Mei insisted as she rested her head on my shoulder.

"He won't, he's smart enough not to hit us," I wish that was true. But she does have a point, Clarkson will hit her again if I said anything to him. And I can't go to my father, he'll never believe us.

After a while, I called for my other maids and a nurse to treat Mei's wounds. They came to treat her. After they left, I kept her inside my room, resting in my bed. I'll make sure Clarkson won't find her so I lock the door and order Dan to keep him out.

✧˖*°࿐
2319 words
written by cat && storiez0