The Prince hasn't terrorized me for a week now, and I've spent my time so far adjusting to my new life. As far as being a fiancee goes I haven't really spent any time with Kace other than helping him work, the poor guy has his duties piling up on him.

Fortunately for me I've had all the time in the world to practice music. I've been practicing piano all morning, making my own compositions and finding some from the castles library. I wouldn't have been able to do this at house Dahlia, my parents would insist I do other things too so I would only be able to play around three hours per week.

My fingers dance across the piano while I follow the sheet I put out before me. I make a stumble but move on anyways. At the end of the piece I hear clapping.

"You're really good Riselle."

I don't know how long Kace has been standing there, but I don't mind. I'm used to performing in front of large crowds, I just focus on my music and pretend I'm by myself. "Thanks."

"I know you've been practicing here a lot lately, I just haven't had the time to come hear you play."

"I know, it's fine Kace."

I play a few more songs for him. Some new pieces, a favorite, something flashy. "I hope you're enjoying your private performance, fiance."

He goes red. "I am."

I turn away from the piano to face him fully. "I just remembered something from last week. Rowan told me about you being his half brother. It's ok if you don't want to talk about it, but Adria told me I should hear the story from you."

He takes a seat beside me, the chair is small so our legs brush against each other.

"Rowan and I were born on the same year. When I was six, my mom brought me to the castle and disappeared. The king easily knew whose kid I was, he seemed to have some sort of relationship with my mom he valued enough to let me stay. Rowan didn't have a problem with me, but his mom could never accept that the king had an affair. She became addicted to silvershrooms and died six years ago when we were thirteen.

Rowan changed, became angry and blamed it on me. He was also angry at his mother for leaving him. She had eyes just like yours, and you smile the same way. I think that's why Rowan treats you the way he does. Instead of accepting help, he just pushed everyone away and isolated himself."

"Oh... I kind of feel bad for him."

"You don't have to. His actions are still his own, no one else can be accountable for what he does other than himself."

"That's true. Kace you're very emotionally intelligent. I think that's attractive." I did not mean to say that last part out loud.

"I'm glad you think so." He covers half his face with one hand again. "I think you're a wonderful person Riselle, you're always helping out and finding ways to be optimistic. I'm glad the person I'm currently engaged to is you, even if it isn't the way things usually go."

"And then they kissed."

"Adria!?" The two of us turned our head simultaneously to she the brunette peeking her head at the door.

"Hey besties! So I was thinking, since technically you two are engaged, you should get engagement rings! There's this really popular traveling merchant in town right now selling gorgeous jewelry."

And so we were dragged into town by Adria who then left us. Which makes this a date kind of?

There was a crowd of people surrounding this one stall. The merchant had a scarf over her face, her stall looked very mystic. "You there! I know you have a lot of money to spend." She points at us, her voice rich and deep. Her nails were long and sharp, a deep purple color. The crowd makes way for the two of us.

She brings out a box full of rings, my eyes quickly fall onto the one an earthy green that at the same time looked like an ocean.

"I see you're drawn to the green apatite. The gem of abundance and healing, it's often associated to deep connections and the heart." The merchant explains.

"That would be perfect for you." Kace picks it up and puts it through my ring finger. I examine it like a child seeing a marble under the sun for the first time.

"It's very pretty." I say.

"I'll have a matching one with a different band."

I get distracted with looking at the ring. It was strange, a ring on my ring finger. It feels like I'm actually going to be someone's bride. I don't even notice them talking about money behind me.

"That'll be 500,000 gold."

My mouth hangs open and I turn to Kace, who is writing a cheque.

"Kace that's way too much!" I tell him in a low voice.

"It looks too pretty on you to walk away from it. I'm not short on money either."

"Aww" the crowd reacts.

Alright mister romantic! We leave the stall with my hand in his to avoid getting swept in the sea of people. We went to eat at a nearby cafe after and then quickly returned to the castle, I felt too shy to say anything to Kace after that.

Once we got back I flopped onto my bed and stared at the ring for ages. My heart is pounding and I'm starting to feel dizzy.

"Boo!"

"Eve!? Where were you?" I quickly put my hand down.

"In the shadows as usual. I see you've been having a good time. Now, I may have another tiny favor hehe."

"Go onnn."

"I need you to make Rowan and Kace fall in love with you."

"Hello!? That is not a tiny favor! And why would you even need me to do that!?" is she serious. Kace is maybe doable if I want to overestimate myself a little. But the prince!? "Even if you can use your magic and make them magically fall in love with me I do not want that."

"I will not be using any magic, I can't risk Rowan's mage getting suspicious."

"I won't be doing you that favor, it's impossible."

"Pwease."

"No."

She continues giving me that puckered bottom lip puppy face. "If you say no I can send you back to the dungeon and wipe everyone's memory but yours of this past week." She says with the innocence of a child. This witch... is nuts. Shady and nuts!

"That is blackmail!"

"Mhm!" She smiles brightly, her bright green eyes turning violet. "So are you going to do it for me or not?"

The idea of Adria, Kace, Luca, all forgetting this past week... It's only been a week but I have really been enjoying their company. I look at the ring Kace got me and frown.

"Look, Rowan is not as difficult as you think he is."

"Eve just what are you gaining from this?"

She frowns. "It's not for you to know, just do as I say."

I may be royally screwed.

"And don't even think about telling the mage about me." She continues. "Bye Riselle! Mwah!"

I am royally screwed.