I sat in my bed, staring out of the glass doors at the balcony and into the night sky. I was looking for any constellations I could see, but I could only spot a few. It was cold in the night, but the room felt stuffy to me. The only pajamas they gave me were silk nightgowns. So, I wore one to bed. It was really soft, and they all reached my feet which made me feel better. The straps were thin noodle straps but they held the dress up. 

   ' The night sky is very beautiful tonight. The stars are so bright tonight. '

I heard a knock on my door, and it slowly opened. Quinn poked his head through the doors, and he entered the bedroom.

   " You're not aslepp yet? " He asked.

   " I'm not. I couldn't sleep. Why are you still up? "

   " I just finished up a lot of paperwork and I thought I would come to check on you before going to bed. How are you feeling? "

   " The best I can right now. "

   " That's not really reassuring. "

   " Would you feel good seeing your best friends killed in front of you and the man you loved being forced to his knees to die? It's been a week and a half but it's not something I wanted to see or have happen, so thanks. "

   " My star. . ."

Quinn walked further into the room and shut the door behind him, but he didn't lock it. Quinn walked to the bed and sat down on the other side. I heard his shoes hit the floor and he came further onto the bed. I heard the sheets moving and he sat beside me. 

   " Are you cold? Your nightgown isn't really warm. "

   " I'm fine. It's a little chilly but it's mostly stuffy in here. " 

   " Well, open the balcony doors. You can let some fresh air in. "

   " Have you not read any books? It's a cliche scene where the balcony doors are open and someone comes inside and kills them. "

   " I'll stay with you, then. So, you can feel safe. And I won't do anything to you, I promise. "

   ' Why would I feel safe with a psychopath? '

   " No, I'll be fine. Go to bed in your own room. "

   " No, I'll stay with you so you can be safe and comfortable, my star. "

Quinn wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and he stood up from the bed. He walked to the balcony and opened the doors. The cool night air blew through the doors and filled the room. In a few seconds, the room didn't feel stuffy anymore. It was cold but the air felt fresh.

   " Thank you. "

   " Anything for you princess. Now get under the covers and get warm. "

I listened to him and put the blanket at the edge of the bed and laid down, pulling the bed covers and duvet over me. Quinn got on the other side of the bed and climbed underneath the sheets and duvet. I was facing away from him and holding the blankets up to my chin. The cool air blew through the balcony door and it felt nice. 

   " Are you warm? "

   " Yeah. "

   " Good, I'll be here if you need anything. But I do have one question. "

I turned around in the bed and faced Quinn. I placed my hands under the pillow and nodded at Quinn to ask.

   " Have you ever had feelings for me? "

   " No. I haven't. "

   " If that's true, then why have you not taken the ring off? " Quinn asked grabbing my left hand and displaying the ring on my finger.

   " I don't know. I just forget or I don't really care to take it off. "

   " Are you sure it's not feelings? "

   " Pretty sure. "

   ' After all, he's done. . .I can't love him. '

( Flashback )

  " Let me help you. "

   ' What? '

The prince reached for the mop but you moved it away from him. You held the mop tightly in your grip. The prince looked back up at you and raised his eyebrow. He had a look of content on his face, like usual.

   " Prince Quinn I can't have you clean. This is my job as a maid. You shouldn't be cleaning. This is why I was hired, so you wouldn't have to clean. "

   " But I want to help you. "

-------------------------------

     " So, where have you been most of the night? I haven't been able to find you when I look around the ballroom. "

   " Well, I helped the kitchen staff, and then I went out to stargaze. I've been outside most of the night. "

   " Stargazing? I assume you like looking at the stars? "

   " It's what I study. My father was an astrologist and he loved the stars. He would teach me about the stars and show me where the constellations were. I found a love for stars after the first time he showed me the constellations, that he knew by memory. "

   " He sounds like a wonderful man. "

   " He was. "

   ' Was? What happened? ' Quinn asked in his mind.

   " Well, I can agree with you that the stars are fascinating. I find myself looking at them a little every night. I stargaze a little every night before retiring to my bed. "

   " Really? What's your favorite constellation? "

   " I would say that it would be Scorpius. I can always find that constellation when I look out of my window. "

   " Scorpus is a very good constellation. The Ursa Major and Minor are pretty good too. "

   " It's nice to talk with someone who is intellectual. The princesses around tonight have only talked with me about their money and power. Along with how they are so desired in their kingdom. "

   " Found the queen yet? "

Quinn thought for a moment and gazed into your eyes. The thought of you standing beside him in a royal portrait with a crown on your head brought a smile to his face.

   " I think I have. "

-------------------------

   " Let me help, I'm sure we can find him together. Plus he needs a good talking to, you don't abandon a lady on a date. "

   " Oh, no it's your night of fun and peace. Don't let my troubles pull you out of it. "

   " Oh, please."

He grabbed my hand gently and kissed the back of it. He smiled at me as he held my hand softly, but I didn't feel any reaction out of it. I didn't blush nor felt shy.

   " It's always peaceful with you around, now let's go look for him. "

----------------------

The sword started coming down to say hello to you and you closed your eyes. Silently you said your prayers and waited for the sword to touch you, but it never did. You heard metal hit metal and when you opened your eyes, Quinn stood in front of you with his sword raised and blocking his father's. You continued scooting backward, trying to get away from the both of them. Quinn, however, was glaring at his father with his blood boiling.

   " Get out of my way boy! "

   " No! I won't let you hurt her! "

( Flashback Over )

   ' I'm sure, I don't. '