Magnolia could hear the faint whispers of men and women as she gained strength to open her eyes. She was lying on a very comfortable bed, almost too comfortable. She smelled roses, and felt the soft, silky fabric around herself. Someone had washed her and changed her into a new dress. She was wearing a white nightgown that fell inches above the knees. Her smooth hair released down her back and shoulders. Magnolia slowly sat up carefully, examining her surroundings.

It was all so familiar. The white walls, white wardrobe, white bed sheets. It was her old room. She focused on the three people in front of her, sucking in a breath at the sight of her father. His furious eyes narrowed on her, and he looked as if he were hiding something.

"Leave us." He commanded to the woman and man standing next to him. They did as they were told, shutting the door behind them as they went. Magnolia winced at the fact that she was confined alone in a room with her father.

King Lexort had dark brown hair with a few strands of gray mixed in. His blue eyes were stormed with a tint of gray, his clothing all black. He stood tall and muscular, but even Magnolia noticed his slight limp as he made his way over to the bedside.

Magnolia widened her eyes at him as he got closer to her, and she held her breath. They stared at each other for a long silence before the King raised his large hand and slapped it across her face. Magnolia's head flew right, her cheekbone stinging red. She swallowed, not turning back towards him, too afraid of what he'd do next.

The King gripped her face, forcing her to look his way. Her eyes clouded with fear as his did with fury.

"How dare you run away like a reckless child for five years! Five years!" He shouted, his voice hard and steady. Magnolia couldn't answer, she just closed her eyes and wished it all away.

"LOOK AT ME, CHILD!" His voice boomed, and she flinched, reopening her eyes.

"You irresponsible girl." He spat in her face, letting his grip loosen as he walked to the window that overlooked the entire kingdom.

"You shall never do anything like that again, you hear me?" He scolded. Magnolia couldn't bring herself to speak so she just nodded.

"YOU HEAR ME?"

"Yes, Father." Magnolia croaked out.

The King spun on his heel to face her, "You will do as I say, when I say, with full obedience. If you dare go against me again, I will make your little friends suffer your consequences."

Magnolia gulped, sudden fear overwhelming her, "No."

"Yes. I know who they are, and if you decide ever to disobey me..." He nodded at her, knowing she already knew what would happen.

"JAMESON!" He roared as a man ran through the door, "Yes, my King?"

King Lexort waved his hand carelessly, "Take her away."

Magnolia narrowed her sad eyes at her father, who wouldn't look her way as he stormed out of the white room. Jameson strolled up to her expressionless, taking her arm and pulling her out the door.

"Where are you taking me?" She asked, yanking her arm out of his hand. He didn't answer, just gripped her tighter, nodding to another guard who grabbed her other arm. Together, they dragged her out of the hallway.

"Let me go!" Magnolia pleaded, struggling to release her arms as her legs gave out and they pulled her into the Dark Cells, which were behind the castle, separated from everything else. They had to walk down the large twirling staircase to reach the small bridge that led them to the cells. The two guards practically threw her in one, locking the door behind her. Jameson stood guard outside the cell, his back to her.

"I'm the Princess! Please! You can't do this!" Magnolia cried. Jameson shook his head, not saying a word. Magnolia searched her surroundings and found a woman standing in the cell next to hers. She was pacing back and forth, murmuring to herself. Her hair was gray and a mess. Her eyes are what made her look clearly insane, the way they went up and down, back and forth.

Magnolia forced herself to look away, and find a dark young man staring at her deviously. He licked his bottom lip, his black eyes scanning her. His black shirt was ripped and torn and revealed his dark stomach and abs. His black hair was cropped low, his hands tied behind his back. She assumed he was a murderer, or worse.

She sighed sadly, resting her head against the stone wall behind her. She remembered Archer, who never left her thoughts, and wished he was right beside her. She always seemed comfortable and relaxed next to him. She looked back at the frightening man, who hadn't stopped staring at her. She began staring back, having nothing else to do. He smirked at the eye contact, and she bit her lip.

"What's your name?" She managed to say, regretting it immediately as he smiled.

"Chase. What about you, Princess?" His voice was rough and he had a slight British accent. It sounded like he hadn't had water for days, haven't talked in a long time. Magnolia winced when he called her Princess, memories of Dakota flooding in. She started to wonder what he was doing at the moment, but then remembered Chase had asked a question.

"Magnolia." She answered. Chase smiled again, shaking his head.

"Doesn't seem like they're treating you much like a princess, huh." He chuckled, which turned into a coughing fit.

"Shut it, both of you." Jameson snapped. Magnolia shook her head, closing her tired eyes.

Chase sighed, "You got us locked up, and now you won't allow us to speak. Wonderful." Magnolia could hear the sarcasm through the accent in his voice.

Magnolia opened her eyes, jumping at the loud sound of the Dark Cells door opening. A small woman with short blonde hair came rushing in, carrying a dress and a golden box. She went right to Magnolia's cell, causing Magnolia to stand up in anxiety. The woman nodded at Jameson, who opened the door for her with his key.

The woman came rushing up to her, setting her gold box down and smiling sympathetically at Magnolia.

"My name is Sovie, dear. I am here to help you get ready for tonight." She explained, tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her ear.

"For tonight?" Magnolia sputtered, confused.

Sovie nodded, "Yes, tonight. For the ball. Your Father planned a party for the returning of you, my dear, the long lost daughter of the King."

Magnolia's jaw dropped in shock and disgust, "The King locked me up in here as a prisoner and now I'm going to a ball?" She laughed nervously, "No. I'm not going."

"Oh, come on, dear. You don't mean that. Now take off that nightgown immediately, we only have a few minutes to get you ready." Sovie smiled again. She nodded at Magnolia as if to tell her to take the dress off or it would be forced off of her. Unwillingly, Magnolia slowly slid the white dress off her, hiding herself behind Sovie. She looked over Sovie's shoulder, seeing Chase's smirk. She forced herself to focus on stepping into the royal blue and gold dress, that tightened around her torso and waist and flowed out at her feet. The sleeves were loose around her arms and she pulled the dress upon her shoulders. Sovie helped her zip it up before hanging a gold necklace around her bare collarbone.

Magnolia knelt down, allowing Sovie to pull the sides of her hair back into a perfect bun, letting the bottom half of her wavy hair flow freely. "Your hair is very beautiful, but very lengthy, don't you agree?" Sovie asked, applying light makeup to Magnolia's face. Magnolia shrugged, standing back up. The maid gently handed the Princess her crown. Magnolia took it into her hands, running her thumb across the smooth gold. She hadn't held it since she ran away, when she thought she had left all of this life behind. Magnolia shakily placed the crown atop her hair, gulping.

She made eye contact with Chase, whose eyes widened at her appearance. Sovie pulled out two pairs of shoes, asking Magnolia which ones she wanted to wear for tonight. Magnolia picked the lowest ones, pulling on a shiny gold heel.

Sovie rushed Magnolia out of the cell, taking her by the wrist. Magnolia had to keep telling herself that this is what was best. This was what she has to do in order for her friends to be safe.

A little unsteady walking in heels, she stepped into a lighter hallway. The King was awaiting her there, tapping his foot impatiently. He scanned the dress once, not acknowledging it as he nodded at Sovie to leave. He gripped his daughter's arm tightly, looking into her big wide eyes. "As far as everyone knows, you were kidnapped and held hostage against your will for five years. You managed to escape yesterday, running home. You are glad to be home, and you are happy as ever."

Magnolia shuddered at the amount of lies, "But-"

"Don't question me! I am doing what is best for you and your kingdom!" Magnolia's father shouted, and she knew that really it was just what was best for him. He continued, "You do as I say. If not for yourself, then for your stupid friends!"

She picked up the bottom of her dress, careful not to trip, and followed the King down the hallway and into the ballroom. Hundreds of beautifully dressed men and women all turned as the King and the lost Princess came strolling in.

Many widened their eyes at the sight of Magnolia, watching her every move as she made her way to the side of the ballroom, hoping no one would ask her what happened the last five years. She got a drink from the table, sipping it self consciously. The music began playing, but Magnolia's thoughts drowned it out.

A hand rested on her shoulder and she jumped, almost spilling her drink.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." A man's voice whispered in her ear and she turned, finding a familiar face.

"Chase?" Magnolia's jaw dropped.

"Shh." Chase rested his elbows against the table, smiling. He looked at her, running a hand over his short hair self consciously. He was wearing Jameson's clothes, and the thought of how he escaped made Magnolia shudder. Nodding to himself, Chase opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by a couple walking towards them.

The woman began speaking, "We're so happy to hear you managed your escape against the kidnappers. You have to be so relieved to be home."

Magnolia started choking on her drink, swallowing hard. "Oh, yes. Very glad to be home."

She glanced at Chase, who began slowly smirking, noticing the lie. She slowly elbowed him, and he got the message immediately.

"Would you care to accompany me for a dance?" He lent out his arm, and Magnolia took it. She got a sudden burst of excitement for getting to dance, but instead Chase tugged her into the closets without anyone noticing.

"How-" Magnolia started, but he placed his hand up.

"My execution was tomorrow, and they thought it was a nice idea to serve me a dinner on my last night. Well, as soon as they opened the doors to let the dinner tray in, it didn't turn out too nice for them." He gestured to Jameson's clothes, smirking.

He continued, "I have a promise to keep and I'm getting out of here. I was thinking you would want to join me."

Magnolia was about to accept, when she remembered the runaways and how much danger she would be putting them in if she left. She shook her head sadly, "I can't."

He furrowed his thick eyebrows, "Sure you can-"

Magnolia stopped him, swallowing regret, "I can't."

"Okay." Chase looked into her eyes before turning away and smacking his lips together. He didn't quite understand, but if that's what she wanted, that's what would happen.

"You should probably go back out there before anyone notices-"

"MAGNOLIA!" The King's voice roared as he stepped into the closets. Magnolia drowned in fear, but before she could tell Chase to run, he put his hands on the sides of her face, pulling her lips into his. She gasped in surprise, but Chase continued to kiss her, taking one of her hands and placing it behind his neck.

"MAGNOL-" The King's voice stuttered in shock, as he noticed his daughter with another man. He stood there, watching as Magnolia stepped back, swallowing. Chase turned, facing the rack of clothes, running a hand through his hair, hiding his smile and outlawed face.

Magnolia didn't know what to say. "Father, I-"

The King's voice softened at the sight of another man, "No need to explain, I was just... looking for you."

The King grabbed his daughter's hand, "Come on then."

Magnolia glanced back, and Chase nodded a smile at her. His plan worked, and Magnolia was grateful for it.