Edited

I sit on that darn bench for hours. Literally. You can just see the faintest streaks of pink in the sky when I finally crawl back into the room. Then I lie awake, pretending to be asleep until Gai wakes me up.

"It's a big day today! From now on I'm calling you Eadu, so you're used to it come tonight!" He greets me cheerfully. Obviously the angst from last night has worn off. I groan and turn over. But he rips the blanket off me and forces me to get up.

Soon the room is back in order with no indication that sheets were nailed to the roof, or that Gai was the only one sleeping in the bed last night.

"Eadu!" Gai calls. I turn my head before the whole name is out of his mouth. Too fast. I need to have a slower reaction time so people don't get suspicious. Half of the people in this room don't know my real identity and I'd prefer to keep it that way. At least until tonight. Gai looks at me, strangely.

"You're really on the ball today." He says slowly. I smile (falsely) look right back at him.

"I was just going to ask you where I should put the sheet when you said her name." I respond sweetly, doing my best to be unsuspicious. Gai still looks wary so I roll my eyes.

"Relax already! What-do you think I'm lying to you or something?" I question him, trying to remain light. His face relaxes and he chuckles.

"You're just a street girl-you couldn't lie to me!" He smirks. I huff and turn away, hiding my smile. Oh the irony. If he only knew...

Derrin brings up the breakfast. I don't look at him when he hands me my plate. The tension between us is so thick you could cut it with a carving knife. I quickly take my plate from his hand. Our fingers brush for a second before I sharply pull them back. I want to sit down and sulk-to nurse my broken heart. But instead, I calmly walk away with my head held high. If he doesn't want to be my friend, thats his problem. Not mine.

The breakfast-to put it plainly, sucks. Maybe its the shrivelled old blueberry's and the mouldy cheese, or the rock hard clump of bread I received that is practically inedible. What a delicious meal. Fit to feed a queen right? Gai turns up his nose at everything, while I scrape the mould of the cheese and chow down. I haven't really eaten in two days, so I'll eat almost anything.

"Mufar! Go find me some real food." Gai scoffs. Mufar leaves the room. Gai harrumph's and leaves the room.

There's a awkward silence between the rest of us. Kaone is still mad at me, Briss is too shy to break the silence, and obviously Derrin isn't talking to me. Frankly I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone either. Gai pokes his head back into the room.

"Get her cleaned up. I want her looking like a princess when I get back." He growls. Then the door slams again. All six eyes turn to me. I narrow my eyes, and toss my hair out of my face.

"I don't need your help." I say. Kaone and Briss exchange a eye roll. I feel defensive.

"Seriously! I know how to put on a dress!" I argue, annoyed. Briss laughs while Kaone scoffs.

"Putting on a dress isn't the only thing you need. If you cooperate no one gets hurt. It will be over soon." Kaone looking amused for the first time since yesterday.

I roll my eyes, as Kaone and Briss; armed with hairbrushes, dresses, and makeup galore descend on me.
Once I'm only in my undergarments, Briss brings over a large basin of water. Kaone pushes me into a chair with a tub underneath me. I realize what they're about to do the second before they're about to do it.

"Oh c'mon guys. Don't!" I plead with them, trying to get out of the chair. But the freezing water is already splashing onto me.

Shivering and cold, I start to protest as they soap up my hair, and toss another bucket of water on me. Kaone laughs at me while I scowl.

"Watch your back." I mutter menacingly. Kaone just laughs harder. It's so nice to know that she takes pleasure in my pain. True friendship goals right here folks.
I have to admit though, once I'm prepared, I do look like a princess. I'm wearing a deep red dress with grey trimming. The sleeves fall to the floor. I have a braided head band made of my hair, with the remainder falling loose in curls down my back. My nails are painted red, and I have on some make up type stuff that makes my blue eyes shine. I look at a proud Briss, and a sulking Kaone. I'm about to say something, but the door flys open.
Gai marches in, with Mufar trailing behind him, looking absolutely miserable.

"The food is in the hall. Everybody leave. I need to talk to Lynx in private." He says shortly. After giving me a look, Briss leaves, followed by Kaone and Derrin, leaving me alone.
Nice.
Gai pushes me into a chair, and directs Mufar to tie me there. He loosely ties my hands and feet, trying not to hurt me. But he makes the gag tight. Mufar stands back and whispers in Gai's ear. I can't hear what he says, but whatever he say's, Gai doesn't like it. Gai pushes Mufar away, and turns to face me. Then Gai winds up and sinks his fist in my stomach. My eyes widen and I yell in pain. Gai leans to crouch next to me.

"You may think that you are all high and mighty now but you still answer to me. Your just a orphan. Remember that." He hisses in my ear, his hot breath against my cheek, making me shudder.

"First thing you'll do when you become Queen is replace that me with daft fool O'Connell as your Head Seatador. Then from there on, you'll listen to me. Remember I can expose your whole secret at anytime. Then you, and if you have a family, will all be tried and hung for treason. Make sure to stay on my good side." He snarls. I just glare at him. My ribs are burning. He narrows his eyes, then slaps me in the face so hard I fall out of the chair. Gai kicks me once more for good measure then leaves the room. Mufar immediately helps me back onto the chair.

"Hold on a minute. I'll be right back." He whispers. I just groan in response. Them he exits the room as well. I get to work on the knots on my wrists. The rope has just dropped to the floor when I hear the door open again. I freeze, thinking it's Gai. But it's not.

It's Derrin.

He crouches beside me, and silently unties the ropes at my feet, and removes the gag from my mouth. Then he holds some ice up to my face, where a bruise is already forming on my cheekbone. I swat the ice away, and it smashes to the floor.

"I don't need your help." I growl, glaring at him. Derrin sighs in exasperation and picks up the ice.

"Look. I'm sorry. I overreacted. I thought about it after our conversation last night, and you were right. You were only trying to protect me." He mutters flatly. I look away. Derrin sighs again, and continues to work quietly. Eventually, he helps me to my feet. I take a couple of quick steps, testing out my balance. I find myself looking at into his eyes. Derrin gently touches the bruise on my face.

"I'm sorry." He whispers. Then he leans down and kisses me. Straight on the lips. No warning or nothing. One moment I was angry.....and now I'm kissing.
His lips skim over mine lightly, and I feel like I'm on fire. Sure-I've kisses boys before, but that was just to annoy my father. But this...this is nice. This is different.

When we break apart, my face is flushed, and I can't meet his eyes. As the blush rises in my cheeks, I smirk slightly.

"I guess I can forgive you just this once." I quip at him. Derrin smiles brilliantly at me and I know now that he'll support me in whatever comes next. And somehow, that's all that matters anyways.