"Rise and shine, m'lady, you have a very busy day ahead of you." Serene sings as she enters the room - food platter in hand. Taking off the lid, a whole tray full of fruits is laid before me.

"Busy? When are my days ever busy?" I scoff and she gives me a sheepish smile before perching on the chair in the corner of the room. I am glad that she is becoming more comfortable with speaking freely with me. However, she still refuses to call me Nova.

"You will be training with Sire this morning but do not ask me why because he was on strict rules and was not at liberty to share the information with me," Serene furrows her brows but I know exactly what the training is for.

"Sounds riveting," I huff and dig into the fruit. I have never had such flavoursome fruits in my entire life.

"They're picked especially from the royal garden - only fit for a Queen," Serene smiles and all I can think about is who planted and grew these fruits. They are simply decadent.

"I've never loved fruit so much," I say as I take another bite. However, Serene rushes me along and tells me that Darian is waiting. Let the guy wait, if he really wants me to hurry he can come up here and fetch me himself.

After eating breakfast, Serene hands me my clothing for the training session and I must say they are very unladylike. But, I'll make do. I can't say that training in a gown would be suitable so this is the best option I have.

"I shall escort you to the court gardens," Serene says when I am finally ready. I'm glad that we are growing closer, all I've needed this whole time is a friend to rely on and I can more than rely on Serene.

"Thank you," I say genuinely. I cannot thank her enough for her work and what she does for this court. Serene, despite her station, is such a valued person in this court and everyone knows it.

Serene leads me to the gardens and round to a gazebo where Darian stands wrapping his hands.

"Took your time, Nova," Darian deadpans and I know that this is going to be one tuff training session if Darian is acting like this. No emotion resides in his features and I know that he is beyond pissed at me.

"Wasn't in much of a hurry," I retort and I see him clench his jaw. Oh, how I love it when I agitate him - it is one of my favourite past times.

"Thank you, Serene," Darian nods in her direction and she bows her head before walking back to the palace to attend to her several other errands. "Are you going to give me a hard time today?" he asks and I scoff.

"I think I should be asking you that. With you in a mood and all," I walk towards him and he stares me down like a predator watching its prey.

"I'm in a mood? You obviously are not aware of your own actions," Darian spits and I see that he has been planning this argument for the better part of eternity. I bet he was only rushing me because he had been reciting every word he wanted to say to get a rise out of me.

"C'mon Darian. When you're in a mood the whole world knows about it... there's no need to deny it," I goad him and see that it's working when he gives me a smile that I know means he's ready to fight.

I continue walking closer to him until we are within reaching distance of each other. "Quit deflecting, Nova, it's not a good look on you," Darian's posture remains calm and collected.

"Then what is a good look on me?" I shrug and I see his tongue poking against the inside of his cheek and I know that I've got him surrounded. "Go on... tell me what you think looks good on me."

"I think it looks good when you shut that pretty little mouth of yours," Darian says although his voice lacks any conviction or spite. I should be angry at what he has said but I can't find it in me to hold onto the anger. It slips through my fingertips.

However, I still keep the deep scowl etched into my face and remain with my guard up. "It's a good thing that I listen to your desires then, isn't it?" I smirk and his eyes flicker to my lips.

"Training... we're doing training," Darian for once in his life stumbles on his words and I have to suppress a laugh. Who knew I could reduce a King to finding it hard to form a sentence.

"We could do other forms of training?" I say suggestively but act as though I didn't mean it that way. "But, I get it... you have a plan set in place," I shrug and can't help the smile that tugs at my lips.

"Do not tempt me, Nova," Darian's voice is low and I have to refrain from showing the effect that it has on me. "We are here to train and we will every day leading up to the... event."

"But, I don't want to train. I don't need to," I couldn't think of anything worse than using up every morning training when I could be in bed sleeping. I think we can see which option is better in this situation.

"You need to learn how to wield your powers... you are so much more powerful than you know," Darian explains. "Wielding them and using them to their full potential could make you one of the most powerful people to ever exist."

"I highly doubt I am as powerful as you say I am. It's probably just a ruse so that I will accept training with you," I cross my arms in defiance and he takes a step towards me ultimately causing me to step back.

"If only you knew the power you contain. We would take over the world together," Darian says and I take another step back.

"Is that all you think I want? To take over the world?" I scoff and he steps towards me again. "You think I am really as low to only think about myself and taking this kingdom for my own benefit?" Darian looks at me as though I had just slapped him.

"It is not being selfish nor is it about want. We have powers that will go down in history, I don't think you understand how important you are," Darian continues and I wish we would just talk about something else.

"I'm not important. I don't think you understand. I'll go down as the girl who couldn't run her own court, that got them all killed, that got her home ripped to shreds. I'll go down as someone who lost everything she had to live for," my voice raises and I hate how I am laying myself bare here.

"You will not, Nova. You will go down as the greatest Queen to have ever lived, your court will worship at your feet - I will make sure of it," Darian retorts and I feel a fire burning in my chest.

"You do not give a damn about my court and you know it," I spit and he runs his hand over his face in what I am sure is frustration.

I'm not like him - taking over the world is not what I live for. I couldn't care less about being the ruler of this world or even my court. I do it because that is what I was born to do, not to be selfish and take everything that I want without regard. It's wrong to act in such a manner.

"You seem to not know anything about what I care about," Darian's eyes meet mine and I finally snap.

"I am going back to my chambers and I do not expect to hear from you other than when the thing happens," I leave it there before I explode and turn on my heel to walk away.

"If all you can do is walk away from fights then well... your court is going under," he calls after me and I have to stop tears from welling in my eyes. I can't do this and I have always known that I cannot do this but for him to throw it in my face.

I may be called a Queen but I most certainly am not a Queen.

Stalking my way back to my chambers, I use everything in me to push out Darian's words from my mind. I was so lost in my thoughts that I hadn't even realised that I had walked straight past my chambers.

Although, I find myself far too occupied by a small window seat. The view has to be the best in the whole Kingdom. You can see the waves gently washing against the shore and the tiniest silhouette of sunlight as far as the eye can see. I am truly mesmerised by the sight.

Taking a seat on the chair, I let the view take away all of my thoughts and pains. I let the view grant peace in my mind and let it take me away to a place far away.

I sit by the window for a while - much longer than I had anticipated. The feeling of having a free mind is like ecstasy. I've never loved something more in my life.

It's when those thoughts begin crowding my mind again that I have to stand and find something else to occupy myself with. Yes, the palace is huge but... it's boring. I have nothing to do all day other than eat, read, and sleep.

My only source of entertainment recently has been Killian but there's no way that I can pursue that because I know the consequences. I just... I forget about everything when I am with him.

I walk around the whole palace, finding rooms I have never seen before and trying to find something to do with myself. This mission couldn't come any sooner because I will finally have something that will cure my boredom.

"Manin!" I sing when I see him and he bows his head. "Please tell me that you have an errand I can join you on," I beg and he furrows his brows.

"I'm not sure that Sire would approve if I took you with me," Manin explains and I groan. Gods, since when does Darian decide my whole life? Oh wait, he doesn't so it doesn't matter what he does and doesn't approve of.

"Well, I'll be joining you either way. You'll have to drag me back to my quarters if you do not want me to come so badly," I shrug and Manin huffs. "C'mon we'll have fun," I try to persuade him and he looks at me like I am crazy.

"Fine, but don't distract me. I have important things to do," Manin says and begins walking away. I can't help the smug grin that resides on my face as I follow him down the corridor.

"So... Manin what is first on the agenda?" I ask and hear him sigh.