I feel my body ache and I don't want to move. I feel dead.
 Am I? 

I slowly start opening my eyes. The blank, light blue ceiling stares back at me. 

I sit up and feel pain shooting up to my head. My surroundings...
I'm having a deja vu.

This has happened before, except last time I was scared waking up in here, questions flooding my head, and now... nothing. I feel nothing. 

Samantha sleeps on the couch with her sword right next to her. I get out of bed and limp towards her small body and take the sword away from her, then cover her with some blankets. She's too nice...

I look outside the window, and as always, it's snowing. It's cold. The walls appear dark blue and a sigh leaves my mouth. 

Sitting on my bed, I examine my wounds. Just to get here I had to go through so much. In the mirror on the wall in front of me, all I can see is a hopeless, fatigued girl and all she wants is revenge. 

I look thinner, and although I'd always wanted to lose some weight, the glow on my face has left my body. 

I look at the dressing table against the wall and a pang of pain hits me, in the heart. 

Mari would've screamed if she saw the number of different coloured lipsticks there are. She would've enjoyed them, I think.

But she can't. Not here, not there. And that is why I will make sure no one else can.

Samantha starts getting up, so I quickly get myself under the blankets, but don't bother pretending to sleep.

"Oh my gosh, you're awake again! Thank goodness!" She runs to me and takes my hands in hers.

With a smile, I say, "I won't die so easily, Samantha. Did you miss me?"

"Not the tiniest bit! Oh, you look so weak. Let me get you some food."

I'm not weak, I'm stronger

She leaves the room and I stare at my hands. This girl is so nice, and yet, she has to work here.

The door suddenly jerks open and I flinch.

"Analia! Are you alright?"
Prince Drake runs to me, his expression full of concern. Does he really care about me?

He is about to take my hands in his but then thinks the better of it.
Luckily I don't have to deal with the pain of him holding my hands.

I try to smile, but all I can see when I look at him is... hatred. Did I really once feel something for him? This-This bastard?

No, I have to do this, for Mari.

With a mask that shows a smiling, innocent girl, I say, "I am alright. Thankfully, Prince Andrew came in time to save me, and brought me here. Thank you for taking care of me."

He furrows his eyebrows and looks me in the eyes, "What happened?"

It is time to bring my plan into action.
I close my eyes and take in a deep breath.

"After I went back, my mom and dad were very worried about me, but they were both together, and I could see the love in their eyes for me. Then- then I found out my best friend Mari had been killed while I was here. She was like my sister."

"Mari?" He says with confusion, as if he has never heard of her.
What a great actor.

"I was- I felt lost, heartbroken. I'd lost my soul mate, my sister, my best friend.

"But my mom and dad stayed by my side, supported me. Until a few days later, my dad's wife left him and because of that, he started drinking.

"He was never strong with alcohol, but it took him just 4 days before he started venting out his anger... on me. Mom was gone to a rehab clinic and I didn't want to worry her. I thought dad would stop, but he didn't.

"Yesterday, he came home in the morning, reeking of alcohol, and smelling as if he just came out of a dumpster.

"And then he started beating me. Yes, I know you taught me how to sword fight but I just didn't have it in me to hit my father back. I love him.
"Luckily, Andrew came just in time to save me. And here I am."

I shrug and wince at the pain. This story is a bit... well unbelievable, but it should work. After all, why would a naìve girl like me lie to him?

I see him clench his fist and I try to control my smile.
This is the exact reaction I wanted to see.

"I will make sure your dad pays for it. How could he do this to you? He will regret every single second of torture he has done to you!"

Oh no, this is not what was supposed to happen.

"No! I mean, Dad's in rehab now. Let him be. He will be fine and won't do anything to me for a long time. Plus, I need to go back now."

I make an effort to get up but Prince Drake grabs my wrist and pulls me back so I am sitting down again.

"No, I am not going to let you go back again until you are fully healed and I know it is safe for you to go back. You are going to stay here."

"But what about Princess-"
"Don't worry about her. I will take care of that take some rest."

He is so... loving. Anyone would fall for him. But I know the real him.

"Thank you. Prince Andrew told me you asked him to make sure I was okay."

I smile and look outside the window. It's snowing really hard. The prince must be having many emotions going through him.

He tucks some hair behind my ears and flinch at his warm touch. So cold yet so warm? Get rid of this feeling Analia!

"You will be fine," and with that he leaves the room.
Finally.

You have really turned me and my world upside down Prince Drake, and now it is time to make them both upright again.

I am going to make you pay for your deeds. All I need to do is make you fall in love with me, and then break you and your happy world... just like you broke mine.

The world can be so cruel, you and your kingdom being half the reason for it.

I clench my jaw and close my eyes, by head against the headboard.

But it is time to show you how 'cruel' cruel can be when it comes to you.
Even if it is called 'The kingdom of Bad Souls', I won't let this kingdom have a king who is a murderer.

Murderer of my best friend, Mari.