Dawn woke up to the sound of her shrill alarm ringing.

 "Damn it. Why is it on?" she muttered, trying to find the clock. She turned it off and lay in bed for a long time before remembering that training began at 7am. She shot up and looked at the clock. 6.40, it read. She only had 20 minutes to get ready and eat! Changing into her usual training gear - shirt, pant and jacket, she grabbed a bottle of water and rushed out the door. 

Halfway across the corridor, she realised something - I don't have my wig on! Dawn dashed towards her door just in time, as another servant walked past her door. She slumped against the back of her door and sighed, grabbing her wig and putting it on. She was getting more and more careless because she started to feel at home in the castle already. It was only her second day there! Day was enjoying herself nevertheless.

She left again double checking she had everything she needed. Pleased with herself, she asked someone where she could find the dining hall and jogged to it. Inside, she found Eli, Robbie, Seb and unfortunately, even Nick sitting at a table together. 

"Where's Chris?" she asked, joining them. 

"The prince's life is none of your business!" Nick sneered. Eli rolled his eyes. 

"Don't mind him. He's always grouchy. Anyways, the prince always eats breakfast with the royal family." he said kindly. Day nodded. Only then did she get a good look around. The dining hall was gigantic. Filled with two hundred people at least - ranging from servants, to knights, to even passing merchants and visitors, all divided by different tables. One for each group.

After having a small breakfast of porridge and sliced fruits, Day and the others left for the training ground. The Prince was waiting for them inside. He gave them each tasks of pulling out matts and placing them in rings and then cleaning and arranging the weapons in a neat row. 

After that was done, they started with a round of exercises. 3 sets of: 30 push ups, 50 squats, 50 sit ups and 2 laps around the field. By the end of the work out, it was 9 am and they were all sweating generously. Chris called for a break and Day grabbed a drink. 

I've never felt so fit in my entire life! she groaned silently. The dresses her mother had wanted to wear would have easily fit her now! But this was one thing she didn't miss when she trained alone. Especially when others looked at her as she did it - it didn't matter because they were all as tired as she was by the end.

"Okay. Get up losers. We're going to do that one more time." Chris said. 

"Chris!" Day yelled, "I swear I will skin you alive with my bare hands if you make us do even 1 more!" 

Chris grinned, "30 push ups, 50 squats, 50 sit ups..." Day and Eli tackled him to the ground.

"Christopher!" a soft but loud voice called from behind. Day turned to see a beautiful 16 year old girl in a casual white dress. It was Princess Evelyne. 

"Get off me." Chris told Day and Eli. 

"It's your fault. Nobody told you to get on our bad side, Chris." Day said, narrowing her eyes. 

"Chris?" Princess Evelyne asked, curious about the nickname.

"Day calls me that. It's a nickname he has for me." Chris said, dusting himself off. 

"Princess Evelyne, good morning. What brings you here today?" Day said bowing. 

"Oh, nothing. But the nickname intrigues me." the princess said. 

"So your friends usually call you Evelyne?" Day asked. 

Evelyne nodded, "You can too. But I would really like a nickname. Will you give me one?" she asked. Day nodded. 

"On one condition," she said, "I'm the only one allowed to call you that. Others can come up with a better nickname if they want but the one I give you is mine, and only mine to use unless I allow." Evelyne grinned but agreed. 

"Okay. Let's restart." Day said. She took a step back and bowed. 

"Good Morning Evie." she said. Evie laughed. 

"It's perfect!" she cried in delight. 

"But are you really the only one who can use it?" she asked, pouting. 

"For now, yes." Day replied, smiling.

"I can call you Eve." Chris interjected. 

"Bah. That's nowhere near as good as Evie." Evie said. Day grinned and Chris muttered, "Unfair..."

"I've got to go! Day, see you at lunch!" Evie said walking out of the training grounds. Day waved goodbye. He's so much nicer compared to the other boys... Evie thought to herself, and he looks good too... She didn't even think once about what she had planned to do - scout the knights. All her attention was fixed on Day. Evie smiled, excited for Lunch.

---

"What!?! The princess visited! I didn't even get to see her!" Sebastian protested when he hear about Evie's visit. 

"Oh yeah, she had eyes only for Day..." Eli nudged Day. 

She scowled, "Whatever... I was just being nice." 

"Guys! She's my sister! Can you talk about her when I'm not in the room!" Chris complained.

A few minutes later, he called everyone together and told them they were expecting a late arrival in their group. A blonde boy walked in. 

"Jus-" Day started and ended up coughing loudly. 

"Day, are you okay?" Chris asked. She nodded. "Okay, everyone, welcome our newest member..." Chris said turning to the blonde boy who then introduced himself. No... It couldn't be... she whispered in disbelief.

"Hi everyone, I'm Justin. Justin Lake. Nice to meet all of you." Justin said. The same blonde hair and forest green eyes that had dazzled her the night of the ball. He's going to recognise me for sure! she started panicking. 

"Okay, Justin, you're up first. Why don't you go against Day?" Chris said. Day's eyes went wide. She suddenly grabbed her stomach and moaned. Chris rushed to her side. 

"Are you okay?" he asked for a second time. 

Day shook her head. She limped over to a bench and put her head on her knees. 

"Okay, never-mind. Justin, I'll go against you. Nick, you and Eli please." Chris ordered. He looked at Day one more time. 

"If it hurts too much, you can rest for the day." he said. Day shook her head, she really wanted to see Freya. "I'll be fine by Lunch" she replied. Chris nodded and jogged over to Justin, ready for their fight.

Thank god! They believed it! she thought to herself, glad that she was able to improvise fast. She turned to watch Eli and Nick fight. It looked like Eli was going to win - Nick looked exhausted while Eli was up on his feet and looked like he could fight for another hour. Another ten minutes passed and Nick was on the ground panting, Eli on top of him. Day clapped, glad that Eli won and not Nick. Eli joined her and together they watched Justin and Chris fight.

Justin said he was good but not as good as the prince, I wonder how he would do against me, Day thought as she saw him block another hit by Chris. Justin responded by hitting Chris's head. Chris brought his arm to his temple, wincing in pain and then bent down, kicking Justin's legs. Chris stood up fast and punched Justin. 

Justin immediately fell to the ground and then Chris was on top of him. Justin struggled to get up and then Chris used the exact same pressure points he did on Eli on Justin. Justin stiffened and Chris called Robbie and Seb to carry him off the field onto the bench.

Seeing them bring Justin over to the bench, Day hustled away and stood at a distance. Chris walked up to her. 

"What's with you? It's like you're allergic to Justin." he commented. Day faked a few coughs and Chris back away. 

"Okay, get some rest. Really." he said. 

"I'll just go and grab some medicine. I'll meet you here and we can walk to Lunch together." Day said. Chris nodded, looking at the time - 11 am already. Day said goodbye and left.

Where am I going to find formal clothes? she asked herself. She didn't have to worry because when she reached her room, she discovered a neatly ironed tuxedo on her bed. 

The maids must have put it there, she thought to herself. She jumped in the shower and then changed into the tuxedo, fixing her hair underneath the wig. 

She was getting more and more used to this lifestyle - where she was free to do what she wanted, but her friends wouldn't know the truth about her.

Sadly, she realised this life was a lie. Eventually they will find out. She knew it, but didn't want to think of it anymore. Shunning the thought from her brain, she took off her necklace, cleaned it and then slipped it back underneath the multiple layers of clothes she wore. For now, her secret was safe - as long as she stayed as far away from Justin as possible. 

That would prove to be harder than she thought.

--+--

Yup. Another chapter done. I kind off rushed this, so sorry it doesn't flow properly! And sorry about the - kind off - cliffhanger. Please vote and comment if you liked it! And any constructive feedback on how I could improve is welcomed! Thank you so much for reading Dawn to Day! Have a great day!