Lucas looks at Ace bored meanwhile I am still trying to comprehend the news of the two being brothers. Of course, they are, they have the same crisp jawline, the same defined cheekbones, same hair, and same distinct eye color, and both are tall. After a few minutes of the deafening silence, I finally muster enough courage to say something.

"Brothers?" I repeat trying not to sound shocked but my voice betrays me. Ace looks up at me apologetic and slightly shocked meanwhile Lucas couldn't be bothered. 

"Yes, Eleonora. This is my charming brother Ace." Lucas says sarcastically with a fake grin. 

"I believe we have already been acquainted." Ace says with a straight face. I look up at him in disbelief, how is he lying so easily. I nod my head but my heart continues to beat faster. I slept with my possible future husband's brother. 

"Now that you have met the princess, you can leave us alone," Lucas says, his voice is colder than usual. 

"She isn't your property." Ace spits. It makes me feel warm that he's defending me. Even though I can defend myself. But why would I want to fight against a vampire? When he could so easily kill me.

"What do you care? You don't even know her." Ace says rolling his eyes. I cringe at the awkwardness of the situation. 

"I think I'm going to my room now," I mumble. 

"I'll walk you," Lucas says meanwhile putting his hand on my back, I briefly see Ace's face change but he reverts back to normal instantly. I don't fight against him. We walk in silence until he pushed me against a wall with all his strength. I feel all the air being sucked at me as he holds me against the wall. "You know him. How?" He demands, his icy eyes are emotionless and his voice is stone cold. He grips his hands around my neck.

"I... have no... idea what you're... talking...about." I manage to say in between desperate attempts at breathing. He eventually lets me go and I fall against the wall.

"Don't lie to me I heard your heartbeat." He snaps and runs one hand through his hair.

"What does it matter to you?" I snap back. "One-second you're cold and the next you're hot. You don't even like me so get off my back. At this rate my best option is Ashton! Ashton!" I yell, instantly regretting it. I take a deep breath and sigh. He looks at me with an expression I don't recognize. I fear that he's going to try and hurt me again.

"Stay away from him. He can't be trusted." He takes a step back from me. 

"Because you're so trustworthy?" I ask laughing wryly. "I am your princess! How dare you treat me like that." I say looking at him in disgust.

"You've been here two weeks, get over yourself." He says dismissively. 

"You still have no right putting your hands on me or anyone for that matter." I snap. My throat hurts but I ignore it. He gives me a death glare before storming off. I lean against the wall trying to understand what just happened. I put my hands on my face and try hard not to cry. What a charming family. I walk back to my room in a daze. I know sleeping with Ace was wrong by every standard ever. And I wouldn't ever do that... not under any normal conditions. But we had a connection, a spark. Hard to ignore.

I throw myself onto my bed and sigh, what a wicked way to start a morning. What cruel god up there would want to punish me like this? After what seemed like hours it was finally time for Ilyas daily classes. Queen etiquette. He barges into my room without knocking. 

"Privacy." I scoff rolling my eyes.

"Are you the ruler of a kingdom?" Ilya asks obnoxiously. 

"No-" 

"Then get off your high horse." He says throwing a few books onto the desk cutting me off. I climb off of the bed and sit by the white desk. "Today we are going to learn about the royal families crests and their histories." He beams proudly as he drags my ottoman towards the desk. 

"Ilya can I ask you a question?" I ask flipping through the pages of the thick royal blue book.

"Didn't you already?" He remarks as he plops down beside me. I roll my eyes and debate whether or not I should tell him what happened last night. "Oh, all right ask away." He finally caves.

"Must the queen be a virgin? I mean it was kind of a big deal back in the human world when they had royal families a few centuries ago." I say reluctantly. What if it is?

"No, not at all. Especially since your case is completely different." He laughs as if its the funniest thing he's heard. "And I'm assuming you've only fraternized with your chosen three bachelors." He continues as he flips the book to the fifth chapter. 

"Of course," I say as my heart drops.  "But say the princess in waiting were to do something like that with someone other than the three bachelors?" I ask pressing my luck. Ilya raises an eyebrow before laughing awkwardly.

"Oh... Oh, Eleonora, you didn't!" He says his mouth falling wide open. I look at the floor and feel myself turning a deep shade of red. "Eleonora, you don't understand no one must know. Please tell me it wasn't some servant." his voice changes and for once since I have met him he doesn't sound like he's mocking me, but like he's worried.

"No. A councilman." I say softly. Ilya's face looks shocked. For a while, there's an awkward silence and we're just staring at each other. "Ilya say something." I plead. Even a crude comment would be better than this. 

"A councilman." Ilya's voice is filled with disappointment and in a way it makes me feel bad. "Eleonora. Oh, sweet naive Eleonora." He says putting both his hands over his eyes. "Councilmen are the snake pit of the hierarchy. Their entire job is to exploit and destroy the rulers." He says his voice slightly quivering. 

"But he was so sweet, he sent me flowers, a whole bouquet of flowers, and the way he talked to me Ilya," I say. I know it sounds stupid coming out of my mouth in this moment but I really thought we had something special. My thoughts travel back to Lucas and his anger.

"That is his game. He makes you feel special, and whatever but he's trying to find your weak points. The Council, not the royal council but the council of the vampires have been trying to overthrow the Royals for centuries." He says waving his hand in the air. 'My boyfriend told me I should have taught you that first. He was right." He says pushing the book to the side. "You broke one of the first rules I've told you." He sighs. 

"I'm sorry," I say fidgeting with my fingers, the only good thing that had happened to me was just a curse in disguise. "You have a boyfriend?" I ask intrigued that anyone would willingly spend time with Ilya.

"Of course, his name is Alec and we've been together for 3 centries and a bit." He says counting his fingers. "Never mind my love life, who was the councilmen? Maybe I can make this go away." He says. I debate whether or not I should tell him as he mocks everything I do but ultimately he's just trying to help me.

"Councilmen Ace," I mutter hoping we can salvage this.

"Oh anyone but him!" Ilya sighs.

As always please don't forget the vote and comment <3