Xic stood off to the side while Charlotte and Prince Christopher spoke in hushed voices. He rolled his eyes at them and turned away, uninterested. He had faith that the king would tell Winter who she was and why she'd been brought here. It was all preordained. His highness knew what he was doing and anyone foolish enough to question him should no doubt be punished for their wrongdoings. That, however, was just Xic's opinion. The king was much more forgiving than Xic and very rarely found insult in the doubt of others. He prided himself on listening to the people's voice before he made his decisions. A... risky way to rule, though one that had never resulted in failure. The king had won many wars with his wisdom and that was why his people trusted him so well. He was a worthy king.

When Charlotte gasped at something Prince Christopher said, Xic sighed. "Do not whisper like demons with foul tongues can't hear you, Prince," he said, still watching the door. "Lest you be tattled on and lay insult to his highness' judgment."

Christopher turned to Xic with a deep frown. "Does the princess remember nothing of her time here?" he asked, looking fearful.

Xic looked at him cooly. "Realize for yourself. She has no memory of her kingdom or of her father." Then he smirked, taunting the prince. "Do you fear her rejection? It would be such a shame, wouldn't it?"

Christopher clenched his fists, but Charlotte beat him to the punch, scolding Xic harshly for his disrespect. "Do not speak to the prince in such a manner or I shall have the maids flog you for your insolence," she said, waving her finger at him. 

Xic rolled his eyes, uneffected. "It is no fault of mine if she truly doesn't remember. I was only warning the dear prince that he shouldn't be surprised should she refuse his marrage proposal."

At that, Charlotte gasped and looked to Christopher uneasily. "You don't think she would, do you?" she asked. "Surely not."

Christopher just gave Xic a cold look, his gaze unwavering. Xic smirked and turned back to the door, leaning against one of the pillars, pleased with himself for having stirred the prince into a silent fury. Winter would undoubtly object to this arrangement and demand to be taken home at once, Xic was sure of this fact. Though he'd known her for only a short time, he knew she would not sit idly while her future was decided for her. The fire In her heart was too great for any one man to control. His only worry was what the king would do when he learned of her confidence. The kindgom needed her, but his highness had a kind heart and Xic feared he may just listen to her; where would their kingdom be without it's princess?

*******

"The heir?" I asked, astonished, yet disbelieving. I was the heir to this man's kingdom? I looked out the window again, looking out at everything he was saying was my home. It was so big, so much to take in... and he was saying it was mine? My future? There was just no way that was possible. Of all the crazy things I'd seen and heard in my time here, this was the most absurd. I didn't even know this man, or his kingdom. I couldn't possible be put in charge. I wasn't meant for such responsibility. I shook my head, stepping away from the window and backing up. "No... I'm sorry, but I can't be the heir. I'm just a farm girl, I live with my aunt and uncle on pig farm," I said, refusing to accept this. "I'm... not an heir."

The king shook his head, trying to calm me by putting his hands on my shoulders. "You are the heir. This is your kingdom and you will be a wonderful queen," he told me. "I can see it in you."

"No..." I said, more pleading. This couldn't be happening to me, I thought. Then I stopped, looking up at him. "Wait... If I'm meant to be the heir to the kingdom, and your the king, then that makes me..."

"My daughter, the princess," he said smiling, cupping my face in his hands. "And you have grown up so beautifully, more so than I could've ever imagined. Oh, how I missed you."

I couldn't stay here. These people were insane. I had to get home to Auntie and Uncle now. I pushed his hands away and hurried down the steps of the throne. "I'm not a princess. I'm not an heir to any kingdom," I said, shaking my head.

"Yes, you are," he replied, attempting to follow me. "Please, let's at least talk about this-"

"No!" I shouted, throwing the doors open. "I am not your heir!"

Xic, Christopher, and Charlotte looked up when I stormed out of the room and looked surprised to see me in such a state as I ran through the halls, trying to find the doors. Christopher asked where I was going and tried to follow me, but when I found I couldn't possibly pull the front doors open by myself, I whipped around and ran up the stairs. I just wanted to get away, wanted to be alone. I couldn't take any more of this. I gathered my skirts up in my arms and ran, pulling on whatever door was closest. They were all locked, where could I go? Then I saw the room I'd been given before and ran for it, stumbling inside and slamming the door behind me with a bang.

For a moment, I just stood there, breathing hard from my panic and almost in tears at the silence settled around me. What was I going to do? That was my father? How? I never knew my parents or who I'd been before I was with my aunt and uncle and now suddenly, this man claimed to be the very thing I thought I would never have; and on top of it, he wanted me to stay here and rule, like I could even do that! I didn't know how to rule a country, or be royal. I was raised feeding animals on a farm, for crying out loud. I knew what amount of horse feed to give a newborn versus a grown mare not how to make decisions for an entire town of people. There was no way I could be a princess, much less a queen. I had to get home. I had already been away for too long already and the longer I stayed here, the less likely I would be able to find my way back. If I didn't leave tonight, I would probably be trapped here for the rest of my life and that was something I was absolutely not going to let happen. 

I tore off the fancy dress and the jewelry and threw them on the bed, throwing the closet doors open in search of anything that I could wear that would allow me to run. My old clothes had been taken away so I made do by rummaging around until I found a pair of boy's trousers and a button up blouse. Not perfect, but it was going to have to work. I pulled the clothes on and then went into the bathroom to scrub off the horrendous makeup, rubbing until my cheeks were pink and clean and I was back to being the same girl I had been before. The girl I needed to be. The girl I would always be, no matter what any king said about my heritage. I was not a princess and I never would be. I was the village farm girl and proud to be. That would never change, I told myself. Then I went back into the bedroom to wait for nightfall.

*******

Hey everyone! So, big things coming, important things. Can't really say what, but I hope you will like it and will continue to read this book! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! AS ALWAYS, VOTE, COMMENT, FOLLOW, AND STAY AWESOME!

-Nekoco