As I caught up to Gen and the castle, I noticed her glance behind a couple times, then run even further. I'm not sure if this is how a 12 year old is supposed to act, because there were only 13 year old children, or older, in my village.

You see, when a couple is married and wishes to have a family, the male must compete in a tournament, for the blessing of the king. Only 1 couple may have the blessing, but it means, if the child is of opposite gender of the kings child, they must marry.

But, our king and queen, were quiet generous, and everyone who wished to have a family could have a family, but all male children must compete for the next female royals hand, but if the next royal were a male, he would be betrothed to one of the royal lady's from other kingdoms.

As I reached the castle doors, I was hesitant to open them, as the King -who resides on the other side- would demand to know why a peasant entered his 'fare castle'.

I slowly opened the giant doors, only to see none other than Genevieve, sitting in the large red velvet thrown, with a thick brown book. As I neared closer, she looked at me with a warm smile, and gestured for me to join her. When I did, she showed me the book.

It was a journal of some sorts. "It's our record book..." I looked at her, and returned my gaze to the book. "Whenever a royal spends time with someone, everything is recorded through a cursed book--"

"Cursed!?" She laughed to herself. "It may be a curse Peyton...but it's more of a miracle....it captures pictures of us together, as well as what we did...and." She froze and stared at the page.

"How...I felt....!? This must be new....i-it never did that before..." I raised a brow and looked at the pages while at the corner of my eye, see Gen slightly shaking her head. She flipped to earlier pages and pointed to a picture, of a memory that was long forgotten.

We were on a carriage ride...my father was the coachmen, we only had the back half...due to all the hay for our new horse.(picture at the top)

I remember asking my father if we could stop by the river, and he responded by lecturing me about the royal lines, and after a while, we jumped off, and went to the river anyways...and...that night we talked like there was no tomorrow, no forever, no time left to be friends. But of course, when she went home, her father had over millions of males in the castle, all waiting to meet her, and hope that they will be betrothed to the young, future queen.

When he noticed I was there with her, I was forbidden to see Genevieve again... I guess that rule didn't apply to us. We kept meeting up when we could, just never around the castle.

"Remember the day after this Peyton?" I nodded, but pushed the memory back. I turned to Gen, she looked almost at the brink of tears.

"What's wrong?" She shut her emerald eyes tight.

"I remember." I cringed, and hoped she didn't bring it up. "And I know how much it hurt you to watch...so, I won't bring it up." I stood up from the chair, and began to walk out of the castle.

"Peyton!" I turned around to see Genevieve tightly holding the book in her arms. "The village is a while down hill, you would make it there by nightfall... Stay at the castle...alright?"

I sighed and walked over to her. Giving her a hug, and walked out of the castle. "Bye Gen."

"Oh um- Bye Peyton..."

I closed the castle doors, and let out a breath of air, glad that I got out of that. And I started walking down the hill. When the village finally came into view, the sun had already set, and the moon was now rising.

As the temperature dropped, I put my hands in my pockets, only to remember that stone. I took it out, but couldn't see its details, due to the lack of light. But as i stroked its surface with my thumb, a bright light erupted from it.

I shielded his eyes, and the light only got brighter and brighter, until it engulfed my whole being.

(...)

When I finally uncovered my eyes, I was unable to open them, before I was pushed to the ground. I opened my eyes, and on top of me was another girl, a proximity near my age.

She was unconscious or...sleeping? A blush covered my face as I attempted to get her off gently. If anyone knew this happened I would be considered 'tainted', no one would let me marry, and I would be a disgrace to my family.

When I finally got her onto the ground, and not on me -I had to forcefully push her off- her black gunmetal hair, that was in a ponytail, had undone, and her eyes opened. I looked at her as she sat up. Her electrifying blue eyes, met my dark hazel.

"Why did you do that?" I was at a loss for words as she took my hand and stood me up with her.

"I--" She dead panned. "That was a metaphorical question, Peyton. I understand why you did it."

I waited for her to let my hand go, but she just tightened her grip- wait, how does she know my name?!

"How do you-" "My name is Odette, and it is a pleasure to meet you again." She interrupted.

"Again?" I asked. "Yes Peyton, again...now...you must come with me to the forest."

Okay this girl randomly landed on me, she knows my name, she acts like we've met, and she tells me to come with her. What are the odds of me actually going? 0/100

I ripped my hand out of hers, and she turned to me fiercely. "What are you doing Peyton?" I gave out a laugh without humour.

"Really? Why is everyone expecting me to go somewhere, when I'm obviously upset about my best friend, and SISTER being murdered in front of my very eyes!! As if she didn't have it hard enough before, but she KNEW she was going to die!! And for some reason no one remembers her!" Odette tensed.

"No one remembers her?" I nodded my head, and she backed away. "I'm sorry, I will retrieve you in the morning."

"No- Odette!!" I couldn't call her as my vision darkened with black spots, and I became light headed.

The last thing I felt, was what felt like lips, silently whispering something close to my ear,my hair moved from my forehead, and heat radiating off of something beside me...

(...)

"Father, I am just going to see if he made it home okay--" He looked at his small daughter with stern old eyes.

"Genevieve Windlock! I am the King to this kingdom, and as long as you live here you will do as I say!!"

She was prepared to run out of this castle into the freezing cold rain, and never come back, but she tried her best to keep that want locked up. No, that NEED locked up.

"What if I don't want to do as you say!! What if I left here and never came back!! What if--"

"ENOUGH!!" The King yelled, his old voice gruff and scratchy. "GET HER TO HER BED CHAMBER AND MAKE SURE SHE STAYS THERE!!!"

Some guards came from their posts, and, we're headed towards Genevieve. "No Father!!! I need to make sure he's okay!!!"

"NO." He slammed his fist on the arm of his thrown, catching Genevieve off her defence. "YOU DO NOT NEED TO SEE HIM!! YOU WANT TO. GRAB HER IMMEDIATELY!!!" Gen turned around, to see 2 guards behind her.

They grabbed her arms, lifted her from the ground, and brought her up the stairs.

When they reached her chamber, they threw her in gently, and locked the door. One guard stayed outside her bed chamber door, while the other returned to his post.

Genevieve took in a cold shaky breath. Her throughout scratchy and sour from screaming at her father. The sound of rain made its way to her ears, and from where she sat on the ground, she looked to her window, walked over to it, and moved its curtains to the side.

It looked as if she could get outside through her window. She opened it further, and carefully climbed out. Terrified that she'd fall, she hurried across the brown tiled roof, to a tree that was just in her reach. If she jumped that is.

She gave a heavy gulp, walked backwards a bit, ran for it...and when she reached the end of the roof...she jumped. Luckily she made it, but not as quietly as she would've hoped, but quiet enough for no guards to hear over the pounding rain.

She grabbed hold of the trunk, now realizing how thin the branch she stood on was, and attempted to find a new one. When she did, she started to relax, until the sound of thunder echoed the area. Her breathing quickened as she jumped from the high branch, landing silently in a pile of thick mud.

She slowly crawled her way out, and stood straight. Her beautiful violet dress, now ruined by the dreaded mud. She pulled the hood of the black cape she had on, over her head, and started to look for Peyton.

Her golden hair, was now soaked within minutes of walking in the rain. She appeared to be gaining relief that finding him still outside, would be 10/100 the other 90 percent was, that he was safely inside his house, with his mother and father.

Her bright green eyes widened when she noticed the limp body of her dearest friend.

She ran over to him, and put her ear to his chest. She gave a sigh of relief as she heard the normal beating of his heart. She pulled off the cape she had on, and sat down beside Peyton.

She pulled it on him like a blanket. She felt bad for leaving him here alone.

Knowing the consequences of sickness or death, she lid down beside him, and pulled the large cape over her as well.

"Please be okay..." She whispered, moving his brown soaked hair from his forehead. "Please..." She then closed her eyes, and let sleep take her away. Cuddling up in the softness, of her raincoat like, cape.