A small hand grasped my shoulder, it's warmth spread comfort through out my body. The hand gently shook me while another pulled at my arm gently."Mistress Emerald, please get up! The royal family is awaiting in the dining room with guests and Master Cassius has begun an argument with your friend!" A voice whispered urgently.

My entire body ached, the person shaking me gently helped me to sit up and I found myself staring at Diane. She gave me a nervous smile and gently lifted me from the bed, I wobbled on my feet but she was quick to steady me. I didn't understand why I felt so low, I had a very vivid memory of being with Savon and then feeling some kind of pain on my neck before everything went dark.

Diane was quick to help me change into a new dress, she tied the back of my corset with ease and only gave my hair a light fluff before escorting me out of the room. She set off down the hall with my wrist in her tight grasp, but I struggled behind her. My body felt sluggish and I found it hard to even walk, I furiously rubbed at my tired eyes in hopes of keeping myself awake.

As we rounded the corner, Cassius skidded across the tile floor. His back his the nearby wall and a growl left his lips as he stood, he dusted himself off before marching back into the dining hall."Your gonna pay for that you traitor!!" He shouted.

A small hand was placed upon my back and I was carefully guided into the dining hall, I was expecting to see the usual sight of the three royals, but I got something more. Cassius and Savon both had each other by their shirts, Raphael sat at the table sipping on a steaming cup and next to him sat my mother.

Her once dark hair was lightened and had a few streaks of grey running through it, she glared at Lorik with a mask of anger on her features."I promised you my daughter and you promised me her safety in return, I expected her to be married to your son not for me to show up and find some other man claiming he loves her!" She seethed.

Lorik leaned back in his chair, he drummed his fingers against the table."We had some complications in the beginning and I figured we could sort them out, but things went down hill. More so the fact that your daughter has taken control of my kingdom and threatened to kill my son!" He growled out.

Letting go of Diane, I stood in the middle of all the chaos and frowned. I was angry with both my mother and Lorik, they spoke of me as though I were a borrowed cup instead of a person. "Enough!" I bellowed.

"How dare you sit here and speak about me like this, I am not a trophy item! I'm a person who never wanted this marriage, but I tried to do the right thing and I endured Cassius's abuse. I think I've dealt with enough though and now I'm standing up for myself, I am sick of being pushed around."

My mother got up from her chair and walked over to me, she gently took my hands into hers and frowned."Honey I love you, your my only daughter but we agreed that you would marry Cassius. I don't know who this other man is but you cannot be with him, for now there may a temporary pause in the marriage but as soon as I fix things you'll marry him." She said, her tone filled with determination.

A loud grunt came from the side and Cassius was tossed to the floor, Savon sucked in a deep breath as he ran his hand through his dark hair."No..no, she's not marrying him. She's not staying in this wretched place anymore, Emerald is coming with me." He declared.

Annoyance flashed across my mother's features, I slid my hands from her grasp and looked over at my father. Amusement sparkled in his eyes, but from the sad smile on his face I could tell he had sympathy for me. 

I turned my attention to Savon, he looked at me and I could tell he was on edge. He hated Cassius and the way my mother spoke so fondly of him bothered him to no end. Yet, I felt angry towards him. He acted just like the rest, standing there arguing over me as if I were his possession. Something clicked, I widened my eyes in shock as my hand flew to the side of the neck."What did you do?" I questioned in a low whisper.

He shifted uneasily on his feet, he lowered his gaze to the ground and frowned."The other night, everything you said was true. I could never be alright with another man touching you or kissing you, especially not Cassius. Never in my life have I loved someone, but you make me crazy Emerald and I don't want anyone else to have you." He took a deep breath and shut his eyes." So I marked you." 

A round of gasps went through the dining hall, I repeatedly ran my fingers over my neck as tears came to my eyes. He had done it out of an act of passion yes, but he also did it because he couldn't bare the thought of me belonging to another. It was the exact same attitude everyone else had about me, I was just some deal, a lousy bargaining chip.

Hot tears leaked their way down my cheeks and I slowly backed away from those I called friends."None of you actually care do you? I'm no daughter, no friend, not even a lover to any of you. No matter what I say or do, all of you see me as some kind pawn. Basically a silly chess piece all of you switch around on a board, hoping you can score a check mate. No one's asked what I want or how I feel, frankly I suppose no one cares. Maybe, just maybe its best that I'm not around anymore...that I simply vanish." I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

I turned my back to them all and rushed out of the room, I picked up the fabric of my dress and ran down the hall. My bare feet slapped against the tile floor, my heart raced and my tears flowed freely.

I had fought for so long, now I finally felt broken.