"Ut ameris, ama!"

I knew this will happen. One part of my mind must be prepared. It must be ready for that. But the other part refused to accept that.

I looked around my room and took a deep breath. This is it. The day when everything settles down. The moment when they finally go into the battle.

I inhaled and look around.

I wish Prince is here.

I'm stupid. I constantly remind myself of him. I don't leave without him. I look and look around just to finish with him.

Here is always one circle I follow just to keep myself safe. I don't think about that but somehow I end at the same path.

I know that will happen. They prepared for this. Rebellions attacked every army. They wanted to leave country unprotected. They wanted to break the first line of defence.

This is all my mistake.

I listened to Amelia that day. I believed her that Damien liked me. I went with her to the Main house. She settled all that. I was just an actress.

I froze.

Did she plan all of this?

No. That can't be true.

She wouldn't do that.

But what if she did?

My mind remembered all different situations with her. From that day she is the one who controlled my life. She is the one who told me what to do.

That day we were together because she convinced me to visit Damien. She told me he liked me.

Is that all act? Is he with them? Is he planning something?

Oh my God, I can't believe anyone. I'm in an endless loop, I can't get out.

I'm always in this, everyone controlled my life. They look at me. They told me what to do.

No. That can't be true. Can she do all of that? I need answers.

I get out of the room trying to find Maurecia. She went to the kitchen to get my breakfast. Right now I'm not in the mood for eating.

I looked around.

This is all so abandoned. Most of the time there was Prince, Queen and me in this castle. Or at least it should be. Unless Prince hides his army in some dark baseman. He gave that rule. Everyone is leaving the castle.

No.

I calmed myself and looked around.

I followed a few steps down to the first floor and looked around.

All of this when I came was full of life. Maids run the hallways, soldiers fought in front if the labyrinth, guards kept every exit. I didn't believe those people but, they were persons. Humans with you could communicate if nothing.

I turned left trying to get to the kitchen and found Maurecia when I hit at something.

Lovely.

"I'm sorry," I said without looking. That is some more solidier trying to find a way. He needs to talk with the prince for sure.

"Oh, finally." I recognized that voice and deep in myself, I screamed. I just needed him. I'm not enough with him on my mind and soul, but I have to see him every moment.

I looked up only to find him in deep red uniform. He is ready as it seems.

I searched him from head to the toe. He's always too long hair, white eyes, completely white, his full lips, now in a thin line, strong body covered with the uniform. I could see his muscles. Still, so hot.

"Happy?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at me.

"Very."

It's stronger than me.

That deep part of my heart that is in love with him, conquered my mind.

All flashes seeing his perfect skin with tattoos, his tattooing, him laying in the bed a few days ago. That was a moment when I saw one of his tattoos. He was perfect.

And his spirit is too lost. Too close, too known.

His spent his life trying, practising, showing his power, trying to prove something. Trying to persuade people that he is someone, someone more powerful than them.

As it seems it is.

He is controlling time and every person in it.

I smiled sadly. He is not controlling me.

I looked at the floor and exhaled. Why am I under these emotions? Why do I feel all of this?

I shook my head completely shooting him off. Again, lost in my own world.

In some weird way, he thought me something.

Never trust one who can shut you down.

"Do you trust me?" I blurted suddenly.

His eyes narrowed for a second.

"Why sudden question?" He asked still looking down at me.

"I need to know," I added and looked at him.

"Well, love, I don't want to tell you." He said, and a smile decorated his face.

He should smile more.

"Great." I rolled my eyes and tried to get off his way. I guess he doesn't want me right now.

"Sorry, but I need to find my maid," I said trying to get past him.

"You mean, that dark girl? She carried something." He added after a short look at me.

"Am afraid, my love, she went in the room." He turned to me and took me from an elbow.

"Let's have breakfast." He said and turned in the dinner hall direction.

"And I can choose," I added quietly and followed him.

"You can't." I heard a smile in that statement and looked up.

His eyes were so tightened that he almost didn't look.

"Are you sure? If you have to work, I will leave you." I added and looked.

He let my hand.

"This is the condition. My father had a day," he looked at the ceiling for a second, "I think it was a Thursday when he would spread it with my mother. That day he wouldn't look at the problems. He would enjoy time with her. That was a reason why they loved each other that much."

He let my hand.

Mechanically, I massaged my elbow.

I asked myself did he loved him? I know he told me what queen did but I couldn't think that she would hate her child. He must be a time when she loved him. But his father always looked so nice to him.

"Come one, lost child. I don't have a whole day. Someone needs to go to war." He opened doors and got inside.

I was in this room a few times. Once I was here when I talked with Amelia and a second was one when I had a dinner.

Most beautiful and awkward event in my life.

But now it looked abandoned. It was all empty. Empty tables were in the middle of the room, just the main one had two plates on them and breakfast. Everything. Fruits, vegetables, juices, milk, meat so much everything I didn't know what to look.

"Come one." He left me at the entrance and he came to the table. He sat at the big King's throne, and I had to remind myself. He is a king. He can sit in that chair.

"Come on, love." I heard his voice and slowly I made my way to the table.

I didn't know where to sit. I mean there was a throne for the Queen and his.

"You can sit there." He showed at Queen's throne.

"Is it okay? Will Queen be angry?"

"You know there is one tradition. When a person became a King previous person is not. In that way, his wife is not the Queen anymore. So she asks nothing."

He turned and took a grape.

Still, I sat on his left.

I was the small one, and I put my feet under myself. That I used to sit in my house. Sometimes, I would get stuck and my father had to carry me.

Good times. I smiled and looked down.

"What do you want?" I said looking at my fingers.

"Nothing. You just keep me company, but that does not mean you don't have to eat. Come one."

Now he is a little weird.

"Is everything okay?" I asked and looked up.

He never acted like this. He was that serious person always commanding and leading. Now he is like a child.

"No, it's not. I'm going to the war, love." He said looking cold.

"I know that. But you have the power." I said.

"Yes. But using power at the people in the run is something I avoid. It takes too much energy. I will let them have a battle." He said and looked at me.

"Or you are weak," I said provoking him.

"As always, love, you don't have the right."

He exhaled, and I said.

"Why suddenly, love? You never called me that way." I asked really intrigued.

"Truth, love. But the war. I may die." He said.

"No, you will not," I added after him, fast. Too fast as it seems.

His lips curved into the smile and looked at me.

"Well thank you. But after this, I will give you the throne."

"No!"

He cannot start with that again.

"No," I repeated and stood up. I lost my appetite.

"Yes. It's your right." He stood up too.

"No. I don't want it. You can have it," I need to go.

I tried to get out, but he caught me.

"Wait."

"No. You keep insisting on that. And that is not true." Why on earth I'm crying? I felt tears falling down my face.

"It is. You have to admit it. Once when you accept that and discovered your power you will see. It will call you." His eyes shone green and I stepped away.

That is not true. It can't be.

"No. That is not true." I touched my temples.

God my head hurts.

"It is. You will see." He got a step closer.

"You may try to hide the truth, but if I have to do something, I will. Power is a good thing."

"No, it's not," I said.

"We will see once you taste it." He kissed me on the forehead and let me go.

I must find Amelia.

I never thought I will enjoy at that moment. The moment when he kissed me. Even on the forehead, I felt his scent. His beautiful scent of mystery and mint and it poisoned me. I couldn't think.

I sat for a second and just enjoyed in that feeling. I know I won't feel it ever again because I will run.

What if he dies? Maybe someone catches him. He will be wounded and they will leave him to die. I won't see him ever again.

If it's true what he says. If I really have a power, I can't risk discovering it. I must run. I must hide and let him lead the country. That is just how it has to be.

When I open my doors Maurecia waited for me.

"Oh, miss. I brought you a breakfast." She said pointing at the table.

"Nice, but I already ate." I looked away.

Took a deep breath.

"I need you to find Amelia," I said and turned to confront her.

She was ironing something. The second I said those words she stopped. Iron froze in the air and her hand shook

What is happening? Why is she acting like that?

"Is everything okay?" I asked suspiciously.

He shook her head.

"Oh, yes. I just," she looked away. "I don't think I can't do that."

"Why?" I asked and stepped closer.

"That never represented a problem. You call them, somehow."

She still didn't want to look at me.

"Yes, I know. But you know," she narrowed her eyes, moved from step to step.

"Know what?" I asked raising an eyebrow.

"You know, fight."

She exhaled.

What just happened?

"What fight?"

"The battle. They want to attack the prince." She blurted and then turned.

"What?"

That cannot be happening. I know he told me don't want to attack them. He will defend if someone attacks him, but he would never attack his people.

But this, attack? It looks like I never realised how this rebellion is serious. I thought that is just a few people disappointed, but this. This sounds like a war. Like someone is trying to kill him.

No.

I turned.

Where is she?

Did she disappear? She wasn't in the room anymore. Weird.

Maybe she will found them. I need to talk to Amelia. I need to put every puzzle in its place.

I need to be done with that part. I need to know if she really responsible for that first action. Did she really plan that? From the first moment, a moment when she tried to persuade me that Damien is into me, is that all acting? Is Damien a puppet or is he with them? As she said they are everywhere.

I exhaled. This can't be good.

I don't know what to do.

I came to my bed and lie on it.

This is all so weird. Why I had to be born with this? Can I just be a normal person, without that not freezing thing? I would never be in the castle. I could live in this city, unknown and happy.

But would I be really happy? Can I just somehow rip this? If that is true. If I'm really descendent from original king why I have that power? And why the prince has it too? Why can I refuse to his powers?

Am I really a danger, like some temping bomb or this is just a show? No one important.

I exhaled and looked at the window.

I hate this snow.

Wait, a second? What is this?

I lifted myself and looked at my sleeping table. There is some book on it.

I took that thin material and looked at it.

The Gardener.

No.

I hid that book. I hoped no one would find it.

Who found it? Prince, Travis, Amelia, who?

No no.

Calm down, Dianna. I tried to find a reasonable explanation.

Maybe maids found it. They are cleaning this room after all.

No.

I opened the book and looked down at it.

38.

My love,

Once upon a time, your poet launched a great epic in his mind.

Alas, I was not careful, and it struck your ringing anklets and came to grief.

It broke up into scraps of songs and lay scattered at your feet.

All my cargo of the stories of old wars was tossed by the laughing waves and soaked in tears and sank.

You must make this loss good to me, my love.

If my claims to immortal fame after death are shattered, make me immortal while I live.

And I will not mourn for my loss nor blame you.

This song is beautiful.

Sharp door slamming bring me back into the world.

I looked up, half scared, half surprised only to find Amelia at the doors.

"What is so urgent that couldn't wait?" She said and exhaled.

She is angry.

I put the book on the bed and looked at her.

She is in a white shirt and the black pants. She didn't look like she is going into the fight. She looked like the works in the castle.

What?

"I need to talk with you," I said calmly even though my mind screamed.

I wanted to say, you bitch. You did all of that. You made me go to that house. You told me that Damien is into me.

I stayed still. Somehow.

"I can see that." She sat on the chair while I looked at her.

I took a deep breath. Here we come.

"Did you planned all of this from the beginning?" I wanted to sound strong, but my voice cracked at the last world.

I couldn't believe I said that. Until now that was just in my mind, my crazy theories and sentences. Now, I said them out loud.

She narrowedbher eyes.

"What are you talking about?" She said coolly. Too cool. She knew. I could read her.

Her face is a blank page but under that layer is a face full of emotions and maybe betrayal. Like everything here, she is the same.

"Don't play. Did you plan all of this? Did you tell me those words just to found out? Did you say to Damien to pretend? Does he have a little part in this rebellion? In all of this craziness?!"

Last words I almost screamed. Now everything comes at the surface. Now is a time for the truth.

"No." She intoned.

She is lying.

"Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth. No more layers, no more secrets, tell me the truth." I said and inhaled.

My head is blurry. I can't look at anything else. This is it. All this playing just for this moment. For this place, time, second, just to find out this. To find out is my friend a friend, or is she a monster? Does she have a heart?

"Yes."

From one way I expected this word. This simple answer, but it hurt. It hurt like I'm ripping my heart. My friend, my girl, the person I spent my whole childhood, a person I believed when she told me that Damien is into me.

"No." I stepped back, trying to catch for something.

"What did you expect, Dianna? To say you yes but for some greater case? This is our world. Turn around. It's falling apart, and finally, everything is slipping into his place."

She stood up and I get to step back.

"Look around yourself. Everything is changing. You can have all power but you just decline. Preister is scared, Rich ones terrified. They don't know what to expect. The only person in here is a Prince who is getting into the fight. And he is letting you rule."

"No," I whispered staring at the rug. This is all set up. They all planned this. They don't want to do something. They want one thing. One object. A throne.

"Yes, Dianna. Figure up. You are the real leader. You have the power. It's in your veins and your system. You can have it."

"No. How you know all of that?" I asked terrified.

"The same way Prince knows." She smiled like everything is okay.

"The first time Prince noticed you. He felt something different. So he checked something. His spies. He is not blind. And we saw too. So we just waited. You had to be alive. We did that card on Damien. I had to hope you will protect him, and you did. Then everything was in the right place. You met a King, a Queen. They love you. They don't think you are dangerous. But it's a shame. You are most dangerous from all of them."

She stepped closer.

"No! Don't get close to me." I closed my eyes trying to stop her.

"You wanted a truth. What is a problem? You can't deal with it?" I opened my eyes.

They were teary.

"You have to." She took my hand and, frozen, I couldn't move. I looked at her. She planned something.

"But for a plan to come true you have to get your power. That is one thing that did not come true."

I tried to say something but someone put a gauze ever in my mouth. I inhaled, reflexively, and passed out.

"Ut ameris, ama!" To be loved, love! 

When I started this book I set myself two goals. One is 100 000 words and the second one is 50 chapters. I had to make sure I won't give up. And I didn't. I'm so proud of myself. Maybe someone doesn't like this book. But I will love it since it's my first book on this language. English is not my born language. But I did something. I wrote a book. Maybe it's not perfect but with time I can correct anything, and right now I will enjoy. Enjoy these moments. In my life. In Dianna's life. Her path is far from over. She is just getting stronger...

Love youu alll... and give that vote and commm..

Hearts heartsss...