People ogled over us, whispering and staring at the newcomers despite our adherence to wearing the outfits that were supposed to help us blend in. We stopped by the seamstress' shop, a small boutique with dresses in the same style I currently wore, but ranging from casual to extravagant. I rolled my eyes at the giggles that Jin and Jimin bit back as they made me stand on a pedestal, taking my measurements and showing me various fabrics to have dresses made from.

We strolled down the street, pausing to observe the work of a blacksmith and taste hand-churned ice cream a woman made using goat's milk. Gideon offered for the guys to have their hair cut at the shop on the corner and asked if I would be interested in having my hair lightened, but it all felt superficial. Sure, I trimmed their hair a few times at the prison when it started to grow over their eyes, but everything about Carolus felt like a novelty, like a deluded community so far from reality that I didn't want to be pulled in.

Jin was taken by the small piece of land that held a few goats and chickens, Namjoon entranced with the university library that was still intact. Jimin was the perfect guest, accepting every offer so that he looked even sweeter with his quaffed hair and a shirt even frillier than the one he wore. Yoongi was just the opposite, his shoulders filled with tension and scowling at everything in sight.

"Would you join us for dinner tonight?" Gideon asked once we'd finished the tour, keeping his arm bent for Shelby to hold on to.

The silence that fell between us lasted too long, Jimin picking up on the offense in Gideon's eye and replying with one of the only words he pretended to be confident expressing in English. "Dinner? Yes."

Gideon's expression quickly changed so that he wore that charming smile, clapping his hands together once. "Perfect, I'll have someone fetch you in a few hours." He responded, Emmanuel reappearing as if he'd been there the entire time. I looked over to find him just as he'd been when we started our morning, armed and secure at Jin's side.

"So this is where you're staying. Let me check it out." I observed, looking up at the former fraternity house, the outlines of Greek letters that'd been removed still pressed into the paint.

Shelby was by my side then, taking hold of my hand. "We only have a few hours to get ready. I really wanted your help to pick out a dress for dinner." She batted her eyelashes at me. I honestly couldn't care less about what dress she wore to dinner.

"It's okay, it's just a bunch of rooms with bunk beds. We'll see you at dinner." Namjoon gave my other hand a reassuring squeeze, nodding toward Gideon and Shelby before leading the others back into their new home.

I paid special attention to the route from where they were staying to the royal quarters. Gideon parted from us at the front door to handle other business, Shelby leading us upstairs to their bedroom again.

"I'm thinking I might go for something kind of simple but then do my hair in a half-up, half-down thing." Shelby moved immediately to pull open her closet, bursting with fabrics.

I took a seat on the bench at the foot of their bed, my mouth pressed into a hard line. "Why does it feel like you don't want me alone with them?" The irritation in my voice was evident and Shelby turned around, honest confusion in her expression.

"That's not it, Lena." She sat next to me with her own question. "Do you not trust me?"

"I do, I just haven't had a moment alone with them since we got here. That worries me. This place is very different from how things are outside of here, and while I have you to make me more comfortable, they don't have that." I explained. I hadn't been able to make sure they were really okay.

She could see the concern in my eyes. "I'm sorry, I guess I've been greedy with you since it's been so long. I'll make sure you get to visit them tomorrow afternoon." She nodded confidently.

"Okay." I replied calmly, part of me still unsure it would actually happen.

"Good, now back to the dresses!" She was on her feet, whirring into the closet again. I put on a fake smile while she turned back and forth to show me a multitude of dress options. For a moment it took me back to our college days, putting together outfits for special events, first dates, and weekend brunch.

She decided on a satin purple dress and I pinned her hair into a style she would like, letting myself enjoy the moment that felt like a small piece of what we had before. While I helped her get ready she told me about some of the people in the community, shocked when she revealed that their nearly two-hundred person town had been without incident for months.

After she was ready a few dresses were delivered from the boutique to me, Shelby insisting that I change into a plain but pretty jade gown for dinner.

Gideon returned at the mark of six o'clock, having slipped a blazer over his shirt and offering an arm to Shelby again for our walk to the dinner hall. I kept a pace behind them, in the same position as Emmanuel next to me.

The four of them were already there, in a near empty room with a long dining table arranged in the center. They stood as we entered, nodding toward Gideon and Shelby in the same way the other residents had. I gleaned the satisfied smirk on Gideon's face at the gesture as he pulled out a tall chair at one end of the table for Shelby to take her seat. To my surprise Emmanuel pulled out one for me on the other side of her before leaving us.

An entire hog was roasted in the middle of the table, a carving knife at the center that I saw Yoongi eyeing. I covered his hand with mine, urging him to relax as Gideon took control of the room.

"Perhaps I'll begin with a toast, a more official welcome of our newest additions to Carolus." He stood, grabbing the goblet in front of his empty plate. "I'm looking forward to your roles as an integral part of our community." He lifted his drink into the air, the rest of us taking our already full glasses to participate in his toast. I wasn't sure why but I was hesitant to take a drink, pretending to sip the wine before placing my glass back in its place.

A few staff members joined us, standing around the table to carve pieces of meat and fill our plates with sides of potatoes and other vegetables. The food was undeniably good, the best meal I'd eaten since before the prison.

Yoongi wasted no time, jumping into questioning as soon as our plates were empty and we were done reaching for refills. "When will we get our weapons back?"

"You won't," Gideon answered after taking a final gulp of his drink, holding up a hand to the staff member who instantly appeared to top off the glass, "at least not yet. Only my men carry weapons within the community. Of course you seem very skilled so I imagine you'll work your way into the guard after some time."

Namjoon jumped in before Yoongi could react. "Is that how your society works, by working your way up?" He asked, his inquiry coated with more curiosity than ire.

Gideon nodded, wiping at his mouth with a cloth. "It is, for example, we'll likely start you off helping with our plans to build a wall around the perimeter of town, but we'll eventually be looking to set up solar paneling and other means of sustainability. I understand you may want to be a part of the guard, Yoongi, but we have to establish a sense of trust first because protecting Carolus is the most important task of them all." He detailed.

"And Alena?" Yoongi interjected. I darted a disapproving look his way.

"Alena will act as Shelby's right-hand, just as Emmanuel does for me." Gideon eyed Yoongi with his answer.

Yoongi wouldn't back down, scoffing. "So she'll carry a rifle like Emmanuel?"

Gideon chuckled, amusement in his tone though I was sure he would become annoyed with the continuous challenging stream of questions. "Of course not. Alena will assist Shelby with daily tasks and decisions." He nodded toward the opposite end of the table where Shelby sat with a plastic smile.

"Like picking out dresses, what a waste." Yoongi muttered lowly.

The small change in Gideon's expression told me that he heard the retort, though he pretended otherwise, clearing his throat. "I have other business to attend to, but you should head back before curfew. Thank you for joining us this evening. I'll be checking in on you all over the next few days as you begin work and will see you again at the ball in five days." He stood, walking swiftly to the end of the table and cupping Shelby's face before making his way through the door that opened at the approach of his footsteps.

"Ball?" I leaned over the edge of the table to Shelby, a hint of apology for Gideon's sudden departure in her grin.

Her eyes lit with excitement. "Yes, we always host a ball before Gideon and some of his men leave the community to hunt and gather more resources. I don't have to tell you about how dangerous it can be out there, so we hold a gathering beforehand for the community to thank them for their sacrifice and service. Everyone will be there!" She clapped giddily, speaking to the entire table so that we were all in the know.

The door reopened a moment later, three men stepping inside to escort us back to our bedrooms. As we approached Shelby and Gideon's home I turned around, giving each of the guys a tight hug and letting them know I'd see them the following day, crossing my fingers that we'd be granted a much needed moment to talk alone.