~Elizabeth Warner~

Late the next afternoon I woke up to a bang. Since Louis had taken me to the room where I had recovered after the night of the ball, I knew my way down. The door wasn't locked this time, so I got a clear way to the stairs.

There were only a few steps left when a flash passed by and made me stop.

"HELLO!" Louis shouted from behind me, and in my surprise I stumbled and began to fall down. However, before I could meet the floor, I was held by two strong arms.

"Tomlinson, what do you think of yourself?!" An Irish accent scolded him. Upon recognition, I immediately tried to regain my balance as quickly as possible.

When I managed to get to my feet, I gave a strange look at the grinning Louis and headed for the kitchen. Dazzling scents flew through the air. When I got to the kitchen, I saw Harry baking waffles - with a pink apron around his neck that read "I'm as sweet as sugar in your morning coffee."

I didn't expect this... I thought shocked. The green-eyed boy probably sensed my presence because he turned around and smiled at me, which I vaguely reciprocated. I took a seat at the circular table where the other boys slowly arrived.

While I was alone, I thought. Harry doesn't prepare a personal dinner, which means that guys prefer regular food over human blood. This is the one advantage I have, although I know that they still need what is once a month to survive.

If a vampire does not drink blood for more than a month, it becomes weak and loses its immortality. It will be vulnerable, thereby being hunted by those of higher rank. Of course, they are vulnerable by default, but without the right tools, not much can be achieved.

There are also dark magics that can be used to gain one's powers, but they are also dangerous for the executor, so they are not common. Bottom line, I hope the boys have been hunting for the last three weeks because the end of the month is approaching. Since I'm the closest — and only — person, by the way, I can start to worry about that.

I was knocked out of my thoughts by Harry as he told Niall to let someone else take the plate. I quote: "You already ate eight while I was doing it. Leave some for someone else, too."

Biting my lower lip, I let out a smile and Liam looked at me with a slight smirk. He knew they weren't acting like regular kidnappers. In fact, I still have my doubts, but I realized that they were the last ones who would harm me.

Know. That sounds like I've been brainwashed, but no. They're just teenage boys, at least by the looks of themselves, wanting their lives back. That is what they have been forced to do, and now they have to deal with it. 

I fell victim to my father's fault. I would be the last person to be angry with them for that. If this ends well, at least they can live the life they deserve. My fate is not important anyway. As soon as I get back, I enter into a marriage of convenience and my duties return.

No one deserves a life where they are ignored and commanded - when in theory they themselves are in command. That is why I am on the boys' side in this matter. Anyone can say anything, that's right.

Dinner was interrupted by the bell, the sound of which filled the whole house. Liam stood up grumbling and then walked to the door. He came back with his face turned to death and pushed us into the living room.

Liam sat on the beanbag while I found comfort in the armchair and the others on the couch. I felt that we were not gathered to celebrate. When I noticed what he was clutching in his hand, all the blood ran out of my face. 

The envelope showed a pattern of the royal seal imprinted in red wax. When my father uses it in red, he really means it. And it never means good...

Liam carefully tore it open and then unfolded it. His eyes ran through the lines, and then he too turned pale, which made an even worse combination with his whitish face from the base.

"Payno, it's not funny," Louis said, he knew exactly the gravity of the situation. "Read it aloud!"

"Dear vampires!
I appreciate trying, but you didn't achieve much.
If you had asked for money for my daughter, I wouldn't have given it either, but it was an even bigger joke.
I had fun, thank you very much.
The law remains as it was made.
End of the story.
You get 3 days to bring back my daughter, whose place is at the royal wedding. If the princess did not make it to the ceremony, you would be found to die a prolonged death in the dungeon.
I guarantee that. I recommend appearing as soon as possible to see if you find me in a good mood and let you go unharmed, with a simple little exile.
Next time I want to meet her in front of the altar.
I hope you make the right choice.
Sincerely, Your King"

~~~

~Harry Styles~

When Leeyum finished reading, it was quiet all day. Unspoken facts kept flying around us, broken only by Beth's sniffling. We all got our gaze in her direction before she just covered her face more.

"Princess," Lou said, and she flinched. "Everything is fine. We are in control. We'll be alright."

-No! Nothing is fine!" She looked at us with her turquoise eyes full of tears. "It's not okay! You really don't understand, do you?! My father threatens you with death, which he will deliver. It really doesn't matter to him when you take me back! It wouldn't bother me if I had purple spots everywhere except my face, because all that matters to him is that fucking wedding. Don't think he cares about me" she laughed hysterically. "All I need is to get married, have offspring, and carry on his power with a stranger whose name I can't even remember. We danced at the ball, but to be honest, I didn't pay attention to his brushing because I was a world away in my mind" she shouted at us, then waved her palm towards the blonde, but didn't look at her, she continued:

"I accepted Niall's dance invitation only because he didn't look like he was interested in my money. But here I am, so I actually regret it now" she continued, but by the last sentence her indignation had already turned into a mumble.

We continued to ponder her words while she sat in the armchair, broken, now without tears. Her bun came apart, so the golden curls hung in her face, which didn't seem to bother her one bit. I stood up and told him to follow me. Beth was quietly following me, and we were about to turn the stairs when I saw Liam rushing to the kitchen.

~~~~~

Only I think that she's got Stockholm syndrome?

Funfact:

Stockholm syndrome is the result of a 1973 hostage drama. It happened in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, when 2 criminals decided to attack a bank. 4 employees were taken hostage and held there for 5 and a half days (131 hours). The relatively prolonged confinement had a particular effect on the hostages. They liked their captors so much that after their release, they organized a collection for the costs of legal protection of the robbers.
Its essence: the prisoned victim falls in love with the captor.

Lima syndrome: the opposite of Stockholm syndrome.
Its essence: the captor falls in love with the captive victim.