The party after that went downhill. The cake was not the flavor I had wished for -instead it was my mothers wishes- and they made me dance with him. The entire time the smile was on my face, I was crying on the inside and an actual tear slipped from my eyes from holding it in too much. People got the wrong assumption and awwed. I had to take a deep breath so I wouldn't correct them and then puke my dinner out.

The worst part was that a couple of couples cornered me and Douche and basically asked us to kiss. They wanted to "see young people in love" again. Ian didn't say anything -he just stood there, pale faced and gaping at them with an open mouth. I just rolled my eyes and actually put my foot down on that request. "That's private," I snapped. "Why would you even ask us to do that?"

They quickly apologized and left us alone. I was done with all of this; my day and mood gone sour so I just left him standing there and took off my heels, not giving a damn what my mother would say. With my heels on one hand and part of my dress with the other hand, I went up to my room and slumped down in the couch.

I closed my eyes, dropped the heels next to me and groaned. Couldn't this day had gone any better? It was suppose to be one of the best days of my life: my birthday. My 18 birthday to be exact. I was now legally old enough for the throne if I really wanted it or if my parents wanted to retire early, but nooo. It was the worst day of my life: I was now freaking engaged to the most irritable man in the planet. And I knew there was nothing I could do to stop it from happening.

But that didn't mean I wouldn't stop fighting for my freedom.

I got up with a groan and stripped as I walked to my closet, leaving the dress in a pile at the door. I quickly wrapped my robe around me and got a fresh pair of undergarments with my light blue silk pajamas and hopped into the shower. My hair was stiff as I washed it and my arm ached a little as I moved it. Stupid Ian. He had to bruise my arm....

After changing, I brushed both my hair and teeth and climbed into bed, not even caring to say goodnight to my parents. It was a little over one in the morning, I was tired, cranky and ready to forget this day. A soft knock and my door opening a few minutes later made me groan and I slammed the heavy sheets away from my face.

"What?" I growled but no one answered. I sat up and almost immediately felt bad at the person standing by the door with her head down.

Margaret. My personal maid. I had told her a couple days after she started to work here that all she needed to do was knock and if the door was open, she could come in. So it wasn't her fault if I was cranky because I didn't invite her in.

"Oh. Hey Margaret. Sorry, I thought you were someone else."

"I'm sorry princess. I thought you were asleep already. I came to tidy your room but I can come back tomorrow. Good-"

"No no. That's ok. Can I talk to you while you pick up?"

"Of course," she murmured as she slowly closed the door and turned on one of the lamps on the stand next to it. I saw her immediately go to the dress on the floor and I just sighed.

"Do you think this is fair?"

"What's fair princess?"

"What have I told you?" I argued and she smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry. What's fair Charlie?"

I rolled my eyes at her choice of nickname but continued. "My forced marriage with Ian. Do you think it's fair?"

"The truth?" She asked after a moment of silence. She held both of my heels in her hands and I nodded before patting the bed so she would come closer. She sat on the edge and then sighed. "Well I think it's not fair. No one should be forced to marry someone they don't love. What's the whole point of going through the ceremony that binds two people for life?" I bit my lip and chewed on it as she spoke. I hugged myself and I saw her eyes widen as she probably caught the bruises in the dim light. "Who did that to you?"

"Who do you think?" I murmured as she grabbed my hand. She gently turned it and then slowly placed her hand on top of the bruises, showing exactly a handprint. Her small hand didn't cover the entire thing, but I still flinched and she frowned.

"We need to get this checked out. It doesn't look good."

"I'll do it in the morning. I'm too tired."

She nodded and stood up. After watching her move around the room a couple of more times, she turned off the light and opened the door, letting the light from outside bathe part of my room. "That's another reason why you shouldn't marry him. You don't deserve an abuser. Goodnight Charlie."

"Goodnight Margaret. And thank you for listening." She just nodded, curtsied and closed the door. I sighed, plopped back down and stared at my ceiling.

At least someone understood.

*
*
*

When I had finally managed to go to sleep, it was a little over three in the morning. But what felt like five minutes later, Arlene barged in and yanked the covers off my body.

"What the heck?" I growled as I sat up.

"Why did you wrinkle my dress?!" She shrieked. Once she got a good look at me, she laughed and rolled her eyes. "You look like shit."

"Ya think?" I yawned and stretched. When I had finally managed to open my eyes, I saw her standing at the foot of my bed with her usual ensemble -this time, pink- eyeing my arm.

Oh yeah. The bruise.

"Did you injure yourself again?"

"Actually no. Ian did this." Her eyes widened and I slowly stood up. I walked to her, grabbed her hand and slowly did the same thing Margaret had done last night. I heard her small gasp and she quickly removed her hand.

"Well I guess it looks like a long sleeve dress for you today," she murmured and I groaned.

"No. Please don't. It's like forty thousand degrees outside and you're going to put me in a long sleeve? I don't even have plans to go outside or anywhere today. I'm going to be stuck in the castle all day."

"Fine. Since it was your birthday yesterday and I know it went like shit. But I still won't forgive you about the dress."

"Sorry," I mumbled sheepishly and she rolled her eyes. I went to the bathroom, did my business and brushed my hair. After pulling it up with a big clip -since the little ones couldn't even hold two of my hairs- I ate my breakfast, changed and brushed my teeth.

After checking my outfit in the floor length mirror -high waisted black shorts, and a ruffled pearl shirt with white flats- I made my way to Joys office so she could check out the bruise.

"Good morning guys!" I yelled as I skipped down the hallways.

I heard a chorus of, "Good morning Princess," and a bunch of nods. I just continued my way down the many hallways and then once I actually reached her door, I knocked and stepped inside.

"Good morning Princess. How can I help you?" Joy murmured as she stood up from behind her desk. I just silently held up my arm and she gasped before rushing to me. "What happened? Did you get injured in another stunt?"

I sighed and rolled my eyes. Not her too. "No. I have actually stayed away from the stunts for the past week. I'm proud of myself!" I laughed quickly as she softly touched it and I flinched. Gah that hurt!!

"Why does it look like a handprint?" she gasped.

"That's because it is. And guess who did it." She raised an eyebrow and I rolled my eyes again. "Prince Douchebag."

"Who?"

"Ian." She gasped and her eyes widened. I just nodded and motioned down with my head without looking at the nasty bruise. "Can you do anything about it?"

"I'll see what I can do. It would have been better if you would have come when it was first made, but I've dealt with worse. Sit."

I sat in the uncomfortable green chair for about half an hour before she finished and all I heard were the unsnapping of her gloves. I groaned in delight when I stood up and as she told me what to do to keep it from getting worse, I just nodded like I was paying attention. Whatever she was saying just went from one ear out to the other one in the same second.

She seemed to notice it because she just rolled her eyes and pushed me out of her office with a chuckle. I yelled a thanks to her and began to run to the theatre room, already tasting the buttery popcorn in my tongue. As I rounded the corner, I slammed into someone and I went down with a huff as I landed on my butt.

"What the heck! Watch where you are-" I stopped dead short of the last words when I saw him standing there with a murderous glare. I just gulped, got up and stared into his darkening eyes as he growled out his words.