"Quod cito pit citoperit"

I gave up.

I didn't know how to act. My brain was full of information and I didn't know how to think. So I gave up.

I sat on my favourite place in the room, rug next to my bed, placing a head on the bed.

I never thought queen could do something like this. She was nothing but nice. I didn't have reason to hate her. But now. When the prince told me everything. I could hate her. I could give up on that place next to her, but I listened to him.

I needed to be careful. Think before you act. I need to stop before I do something. So much I need that I almost forgot that I actually don't have some rights. As prince never let me forget I was just a prisoner.

But in this light, I didn't feel like a prisoner.

I felt like someone next to Prince. As he said we shared too much common DNA.

I didn't know does that make us somehow relatives, but I didn't want that. Emotions I felt for him were too serious to be for the brother or someone else.

Like every game he played, he made me fall in love with him.

I exhaled. That was the first time I thought something like that. But guess my heart felt this too long, just my brain needed time to process it. As always I didn't show that because after that night I betrayed him.

Travis after all blackmailed me. I needed to give him that information or my parents would die, and I'm not ready for that.

I wanted them alive and well. Now when he is next to them I didn't believe him at all. He is just a murder and someone who thought that has some power.

But spending time with people in castle, you hear so many gossips. You see people having lovers, before meeting with their wives and kissing their children. Some people went that far they wanted me to be their liver. Oh, what would I give for a chance to go somewhere else.

Runing sounded too good. Foreign cities, unfamiliar names, persons I didn't know. Someone who could help me, save me.

But I was trapped in here in a shell of good behaviour, with love filled to my tormentor.

Again in the morning, I was with the Queen. I felt like I'm betraying everything I have but I had to do that. So I took a deep breath and opened doors.

She already waited for me. Some women measured something and other would write that. She smiled and I had to do the same.

Friendship. I had to remind myself.

"Come come. We need to measure you." Queen said and looked at women.

I nodded and getting inside.

"How are you today?" She asked looking at me again.

"Okay," I said simply.

A few minutes of silence pass and I had to hit myself again.

"Yours?" I asked and looked at her.

Her eyebrows narrowed for a second but she smiled then.

"Oh okay. But I don't want to stand anymore." She made an exhausted face and look at me.

I smiled.

That was the only thing I could do.

I had nothing else to add, so I listened to the sound of a meter.

"You have nothing to ask?" She said raising an eyebrow.

I had actually, but now, I was scared to ask.

I nodded, and she smiled.

"Ask then." I got a step closer and looked at her.

"That is not a problem?"

"No. Don't worry." She smiled again and I said.

"Why is that happening, anyway?" I asked and sat in the chair.

I'm still waiting for my turn.

"Something about rebellion." She waved her hand and women looked up.

"Sorry," Queen added and smiled.

She looked like a child with that movement and I wondered if she acting all of that or she just wanted to forget her past.

I decided on a second one but I was still careful.

"Also people come from all different ways of the country. They all want to see that. Thay want to know what is happening. The castle will be full of people in the next few days." She looked down and women nodded.

"Here. Your turn." She stepped from the little-raised place and I stepped in.

Women instantly measured.

"Okay, but what is with others? Where they will stay?" I asked worried about my people.

Not this fake faces but my real people. People I love respect and know. In here everyone is something else.

"Oh. In here. Everyone is welcomed." She said and sat on her throne.

"So the thing I wonder the most is what they will think when they see you."

I looked up. Her face changed for a second and I had to remind myself that is just a question. Or maybe she is sick of that role.

I looked down again.

"I don't know," I said quietly. I really don't know. I'm a prisoner but I will walk with the Queen in fancy dress.

Women were measuring my waist. Another one was writing something.

I looked at Queen. She looked at me with some weird face. She is thinking. I don't know what is hiding behind those dark eyes.

"Okay. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Next question?" She asked, and I said.

"Where are we going to sit?"

"There is a terrace. You can see everyone and listen to everything but they can't easily look at you. Some kind of protection, I guess."

"Next?" She smiled but now that smile looked a little weird. Like she is making them unreal. Acting.

"Okay done. Just hands and that is it." Women said, and I nodded.

She did her thing and disappeared through some doors.

We were alone now. I sat next to her and looked at her.

She was beautiful. Dark hair, deep blue dress and beautiful face. I wondered is she hiding her real face. Like she is playing with me the whole time. Like she wanted all of this just to have some entertainment.

Weird. But prince opened my eyes. So I apologised and disappeared through the doors.

The dress was over the next day. I found it on my doors in a big black bag and it was beautiful.

The long deep red silk dress with half-length sleeves and over the same lace. It looked like a second skin. It was tight and after my knees were widder.

Beautiful. Fitted like a glove and reminded me on blood. Taking it off I felt a choking feeling in my chest so I tried to take a few deep breaths

I couldn't be in. My room didn't seem safe anymore. There were maids, especially Maurecia who could whisper Travis needed me and I would have to listen to him. This was safer. No one could find me.

That is something I didn't dare to do. I'm too scared but right now I wanted some time alone.

I need to think about everything, and most important I need to plan my runaway.

Even if I loved prince he will never know that. Like he said he wanted power and not love.

I will run somehow, disappeared and forget everything. I will be free.

Leave castle, prince, queen, horrible stories and every gossip.

I will just forget everything. No need to look back.

My feet carried me to the west wing. Prince's cabinet, and meeting rooms.

I didn't even realise that. I wondered why soldiers didn't stop me.

I turned. I saw no one. I was all alone in that hallway.

Completely. Not a single living soul.

I turned again and my boots made a little sound on the wooden floor. I was getting closer to the prince's cabinet.

I decided just to peek inside. See if the prince is inside and to ask him where is everyone. I'm in the castle for three months and I didn't know too much. I don't know why is so much of guards why is this place empty and why on earth King is disappearing like the ghost.

He didn't show up at dinners. That was a gossip. I didn't get on dinners too.

That was a place where people could watch me and gossip. I didn't want that. Talk behind my back but not I'm my face.

I had dinner in my room. Usually, I would look through the window and scrub food. My appetite didn't come back.

Like this dress showed I get thinner. My waist was around 60 centimetres. Too little.

"I need to go." I heard a fast voice, and I stopped.

That is a prince. Why are doors opened?

I looked at his cabinet. Doors were slightly open and I could hear the conversation.

"You can't. The conference starts tonight and I don't want to risk losing my son." I heard King saying.

Where is he going? What are we happening?

"You don't understand. I NEED to go." He said that word extra loud, and I jumped from another side.

"No, you don't. General will take care of that."

I heard deep breathing.

"He can't deal with that. They don't want to stop. They want to see me. They asked that."

"Since when we fulfil wishes from rebellions?" I heard King's cold voice and chills run down my spine.

Rebellions.

"Since they started killing people," Prince said in the same voice.

Killing?

I came closer to the doors and hear.

"I will kill them if necessary. I need to deal with that." I heard his voice, and I strengthened my back.

He sounded so cold. Like that is just mission.

"I don't know what to tell you. You don't want to give up, but I have to warn you. They are not peaceful. I dealt with them before."

"Before?" Prince asked a question I made in my head.

"Yes. This lasts since the previous king. They are just getting stronger."

"Why you did not cut that in root?" He asked worriedly.

"Like I did not try. I killed a person but as it seems not the real one. I had one period of peacefulness and I thought everything will be good." I heard exhaling and then something moving.

"I will visit you before you go. But I warn you your need to come back before midnight." I heard King's voice so close that I jumped.

Oh no. He will be out in the second. He will find me.

I turned around. I need to hide.

I looked at some doors and fast I opened them.

The doors were quiet and in the last second, I closed them.

I didn't hear Prince's answer, but I heard the door closing.

I exhaled. I could feel my heart under my thong and it beat 100 per mile.

God this was close.

I closed eyes leaning on the doors. Slowly I slide down them.

What is happening? Why is prince leaving? I never saw or heard anything about killing. I thought that people are just protesting. Maybe destroying something. But not killing.

That can't be true. And where is he going, anyway?

Where is that place? Why he needs to go now. Few hours before the conference? To kill them, to show them, to do what?

Frustrated I hit doors with my head. I instantly regret because a) it hurt like hell and b) that sound spread through the room.

I hope the prince didn't hear me.

I exhaled and closed my eyes. God, I'm so tired.

I can't stand this double life. I can't stand anything. I hate people I hate weather I hate things that are happening I hate thing I can't do anything I hate I'm too weak for anything.

"Does your head hurt?" I turned my head and looked at Prince.

Here is he. Standing maybe two feet from me in this huge room looking smoking hot in a deep blue suit with crossed arms. His strong muscles were visible from here.

"Yes, a little," I said and smiled sadly.

God, how he knows.

"I wonder because I heard it all the way to my cabinet." He said and he got next to me.

He sat on the floor too and put his hands on knees.

"What is happening?" I asked quietly when he exhaled.

"I need to go." I knew that, but I asked.

"Why?"

"And you know why. Don't play innocent. I could hear you." He said.

I blushed instantly. I didn't want for him to found out that. It's rude and not my thing.

"It's rude." He added.

"And I'm like a lady?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"I curse, sneak, listen, gossip, seduce. I'm no lady." I added and looked at him.

He exhaled.

"I know." A smile appeared on his face.

"And one of many facts why are you still alive."

"And again. You are serious about that. I thought we crossed that faze." I said.

Now I'm certain. That kiss meant nothing to him. He is ready to kill me.

"We never passed. We are moving into place." He said and then stood up.

He gave me a hand, and I stood up too.

"I need to go, but you will not curse. I should get back till midnight." He rolled eyes and turned.

"And please no more eye dropping."

He opened doors and showed me to get out.

I lowered my head and passed.

I was in the hallway.

He closed doors and followed me.

"What are you doing? I thought you need to go." I asked confused.

"I do. But if you forgot my room is next to yours." He said and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, okay." I nodded and continued moving.

Thay was the short walk from one wing to another. You couldn't get lost because it was too short but at the same time too long.

My nerves were on edge. I just waited for the moment when he would touch me, foolish I know, but I couldn't focus on anything else and I looked at the floor the whole time.

We were in front of my room when he stopped.

I stopped too.

I didn't look at him just somewhere else.

I tried to get inside, but he stopped me.

He put a hand on doors and then I felt his warm breath.

"Don't look sad. I will leave your parents alive."

Second, later I heard the door slamming.

****

I felt tears falling down my cheeks and I fell to the floor.

I couldn't move. I tried to catch my breath but I couldn't.

One thing was in my brain.

He is going to my town. To kill my people. To kill rebellion. I can't believe this is happening.

I hit doors with my head and exhaled.

This can't be happening. I must run somehow.

We get close but he is still acting like a monster. Like he is not a living being with emotions. Like he is just a lion he wears on the uniform. Made to kill and survive.

But at the same time, I built some cell that is protecting me. I hide behind him not showing myself. I walked on the edge and just acted nice. I built a cage that is protecting me from getting hurt, but not from gossips. You need to be a fool not to hear them.

I'm a horrible person judging by them. And actually, they don't even know me.

So that is why I hide behind him. Even though he is hurting me constantly. I keep in that shadow because that is what he is giving me. Protecting together with getting hurt. And I keep doing that. Hiding in a lion's cage just to keep myself feeling good.

But not anymore. I will run somehow. I need to break free from all of this and to be myself again.

I erased tears and somehow stood up.

Second, I sat on the bed I heard doors opening and I looked up.

I didn't know why I expected a prince. Guess to tell him something. To scream at him or to stop him. To demand him something. To let me go. Something. But it wasn't him.

That were just girls.

"Miss we need to get you ready," Olivia said and looked at me.

I nodded, but I didn't move.

"Now," Alicia added, and I nodded again.

Come on Dianna, you need to move.

I lifted my body and moved toward the bathroom.

Another tool for preparing is getting started.

I exhaled and then inhaled. This will be a long night.

After spending an entire day preparing I was ready to get out. It was middle of the night and the castle was live.

Too much people run in the hallways. Laughter, messing around, cheating was in the air and I hated it. Hated everything I couldn't have.

Every smile, word, everything that had been denied to me I hated.

I wanted to feel free again but I couldn't.

I walked up and down my room struggling with my dress. It was beautiful but hard to walk. I could get out.

Girls told that is best to stay until beginning. Prince will come for me and we will get in the room.

So I waited. Again. Waited for the prince. To come back and to tell me what is happening. Waited for the whole thing just to see who will show up. Is Travis coming? Amelia? Someone else.

I didn't know. I looked out the window and saw too much light. Again party outside.

After my God know which circle, I started to feel sick. Can I take this? This person. Things, acting, everything. After all, I couldn't stop thinking about what happening at the last party. I wanted to bail everything and just to hide under the blanket.

You will survive this, Dianna. I cheered myself and somehow made myself on a deep breath.

I heard door knocking.

I exhaled. This is it. How I will found out everything.

I opened doors expecting prince, but it wasn't him. That was some guard standing in deep red uniform looking at me.

"Yes?" I asked and raised an eyebrow.

"Queen sent me to take you to the conference."

I nodded.

"Where is the prince?" My voice was so cold that I get scared a little.

"He is not back yet." He answered and then added.

"Shal we?"

I nodded and get out.

My dress was bright red lace and silk and looked amazing. I couldn't imagine a better dress but it was hard to walk. Little tight.

I struggled for a few minutes when I finally managed to walk in it.

Guard did nothing. He just stood there looking at the floor.

I exhaled and waved.

"So. Lead." I showed in some direction and he nodded.

Quickly we get to the third floor. From there he lead me to some hallways I didn't see. Not even with two tours.

We walked and somehow went to the north wing. It was a little weird I never been here, but I realised hallway is in nice deep red tones with wood and rustically atmosphere.

It reminded me of my home.

At some doors, he stopped. Okay. This is it.

He opened doors, and I exhaled.

Big round eclipse table was in front of me. There was no one. I looked around the room and everything was empty.

"This way." He showed at some stairs I didn't see and I nodded.

Terrace right.

In a few steps, I was on the big terrace which looked at the table. I could see every seat.

That big wooden table with the same chairs looked magnificent. Two thrones were on opposite sides and that must be a King's and Prince's spot.

They both sit on thrones.

I looked around. In the room was a little furniture. Little showcase and some details and that is it.

I looked at the guard and he showed at some spot. There was one big throne and next to it a small one. Like a little hiding spot.

I sat on it and turned to ask him something but he disappeared.

Weird.

I sat here uncertain for a few minutes when I heard doors opening.

The King was leading Queen. She smiled at something he said and they made their way.

I stood up when they get up.

"Dianna. Sorry, we did not see you." Queen said and smiled. I smiled too, but I was a little nervous.

"King." I bowed.

"Queen." Also.

"Miss. Dianna." King greeted me and helped Queen to sit on the throne.

"You can sit," Queen said, and I nodded.

"Everything starts soon," King said and kissed the queen.

She smiled and looked away.

He smiled too and get down.

Slowly the room was getting full.

I could see everyone getting in, inclining and sitting in someplace.

Like there is some order. And for the first time, I saw priests.

A few of them get inside together and sat on the chairs next to the Kings right side.

Okay, there is some way.

The last one entered the lower class. My people. They were a little different. Everyone was in the best suit and that showed up and dressed they looked like normal people.

I could hear some deep breath and I looked at Queen.

"What is happening?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing. It will start soon." She said showing at the big watch on the wall.

Everything will start in five minutes.

But Prince wasn't here.

King was very specific when he said that he needs to come back before midnight.

I lifted my head when I heard a door slamming because I thought he came but, no.

That was Travis and Amelia.

For a second I froze. She was the only women for that table.

They looked like they already rule the world. And distantly I knew something is happening. They planned something. As I knew prince was in my town, fighting with rebellion. And still, they are here.

No one said anything while Travis helped Amelia to sit. Actually, they looked matching and powerful.

She was in a dark dress and he was in the black suit. They looked dark and dangerous. Also, I knew that there will be problems.

"She is a woman." Someone said and like in manic I looked at the table.

One Rich one in a dark blue suit with a fancy tie said that.

"I'm mostly aware of that," Travis answered and smiled.

His mean smile was a dangerous one. He is really preparing something.

I somehow need to find out what.

The doors opened again, and I looked down. No. Just another priest.

I exhaled and looked at the wall.

It's midnight. This circus needs to start.

King saw that too and I could see him exhaling. His son didn't show up. Why?

Also, there wasn't any letter, so that has to be a good thing? He is still alive.

I felt someone's hand on my shoulder and I looked at the Queen.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Icarus can does this." She smiled.

Is she convincing herself in that or me?

After a few minutes, King stood up.

Everyone had to do the same.

"Gentlemen," he looked at every man in the room and stopped at Amelia, "and lady." He nodded and looked at the doors again.

"We can begin." He showed at everyone and sat again.

Instantly the room was filled up with voices. I couldn't focus on one single conversation. There was too much of them. No one wanted to be quiet. They just wanted to be heard. Everyone.

"Don't worry. Everything will be okay." Queen said, and I smiled.

I looked at her. Her face was blank, you couldn't read anything. I looked at her hands. They are hiding things. They were shaking. She is nervous. Something isn't right.

"Is everything okay?" I asked completely focus on her.

"Oh yes. Don't worry."

I nodded because she refused to answer me and I looked around.

There weren't guards. This whole room was empty. I saw no one. Is there someone out? Why is this room empty? What are they trying?

I mean this is the most precious room. King and the Queen are inside. This room needs to be kept.

I looked down. Travis and Amelia sat at the bottom next to the prince's throne and they just smiled. Like they are letting this go by itself. They are just listeners. They already know that.

"We need to talk one by one." One priest said, and I focused.

I don't know why is he important.

"Enough. I will hear one by one or no one." King said, and I looked at that priest again.

Why is he so important?

"First thing first. Talking like classes. Preister, nobility and regular people." He looked at Travis and he smiled.

"King there is something happening. We know that. You can't keep us blind." One Rich one said, and I looked down. Idiot. That rich idiot with a fancy tie.

"Why, Racious you would go into the fight. Would you send your sons in the war? That you want. If that so I will say what is happening." King answered quickly and cold.

There was just silence. No one said anything.

"As I thought." He said and turned to the presters.

"What is happening in the church?" King asked.

"Nothing good." Answered one priest.

"Explain." King did nothing else. Just explain.

"One church in the west is destroyed. Everything. Graffiti, on the walls destroying that relic. We couldn't believe when we saw. Horrible."

"We all know who is guilty." Some voice said, and I rolled my eyes.

Yes. My people.

"If we are guilty why are you then talking?" Travis answered before anyone else.

"Why are you talking then?" Tie guy raised an eyebrow and looked at Travis.

This won't end up well.

"Because you are insulting my people," Travis said.

"Let's face things. You and you're," he showed around, "little company is guilty. Case closed." He kicked the table and looked at the King.

"Now I'm suspicious. Why are you judging? You are no one." Travis answered coldly.

He looked at him.

"Looked at this friend. I'm not anyone. I'm the closest princes counsel and you are nothing." He said.

"We are not friends," Travis answered quickly. "And I don't see Prince. Where he is anyway?" Travis turned to the king and looked.

The whole room was in silence.

"Not your business," King answered.

"Sure my King." Travis lowered his head and smiled.

That is his fault.

"Continue, please," King said again and turned to the priest.

"Thank you, your Majesty. As I was saying things are not good. I also heard with my colleague in the Wint. One person just showed up and killed another person. In church."

"That must be hard to clean." I exhaled.

He didn't say that.

"Wait for your turn," King warned.

"No." Travis stood up.

"Let's face with things. Every class is satisfied except us. The Nobility, have everything. Priest, little destroying and they are still alive. But what is with us? What is with every lower class in town? They are used. People constantly dying in mines, plantations, everywhere. You don't care for anything as long you have everything. You don't look at us and that is what is wrong. Everything else. Does someone has more or less money is irrelevant? Try living like us. On one cheese weeks and then you will love that money. You won't make a suit for every occasion. That is King, what is wrong with this country. Too much money and someone doesn't have enough. And that is why I will change something."

The loud shot echoed the room.

"Quod cito pit citoperit" What comes quickly goes fast.

Helloo..
Soo long chapter? What do you think???

What did Travis do?

Where is the Prince?

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Love yaaa...