Norman's face drained colour as he was about to stumble on his own feet. "What did you say?"

He hung to the wall for support as his knees shook.

"Clarissa overheard Imogen and the vizier talking to some men. They said they were selling the eliminated girls to either be wed or um... mistresses. They were bidding them off, the girls that were part of the top ten were to be sold at the highest price. They said they were putting us on display at the ball. They were doing it for money and also as a bribe for votes when they gather the court for a vote against the queen and in the viziers honor. Do you think it's true? Do you think that's what's going on?" I asked.

Norman swore under his breath as he slid down the wall. He put his head between his hands. I sat on my knees in front of him rubbing my hand soothingly along his arm. "My Harriet, oh my god."

He was trembling as I heard a sniffle coming from him. My god, he was crying. "I wasn't there to protect her. I wasn't there for her. My god! What am I going to do?"

"Shhh, there now. It's not your fault Norm," I tried soothing him, but I myself was crying. Poor Harriet. My poor friend, what has happened to her? "We-- we need to do something about it."

Norman stayed like this for a few moments trying to get himself together. I kept wiping my tears that didn't want to stop falling. I wasn't going to sit here like a helpless person and do nothing. I wasn't just a pretty face anymore. I will give it my all to protect those who need me.

Norman looked at me with determination. "The whole thing seemed off from the start. No one was supposed to talk about the competition around the castle, especially not around the queen. We thought she was just good at acting casual but I suspect she has no clue what is being conspired behind her back. We need to tell her."

I nodded my head. If anyone could stop this, it was her. She was still in power now. "We also need to warn the girls. We need to get out of here until everything settles down."

Norman agreed. "Yes, we also need to protect the princess. She is the next in line, if anything were to happen to the queen we need her to run our country. Over my years here, she is more than capable and pure."

I couldn't agree more. "Norman, we can't trust no one. Do you hear me?"

Norman looked conflicted. "But what about--"

"No one," I repeated sternly. We didn't know who else was bought by power and wealth.

He looked defeated. Letting out a long sigh, he agreed. "Fine. I will go warn the queen and find out the location of Harriet, you go warn the rest of the girls and take Adeline to the train, I will meet you there."

"Wait-- who will drive such a thing?" I asked baffled.

"I will of course," he winked before running off. I looked outside and saw that it was sunrise already. I couldn't believe I had waited that long for Norman.

Changing into a simple dress that wouldn't catch as much attention, I ran into Adeline's room. Her bed was made. I ran to her closet and her bathroom to find them both empty. Dear god, they couldn't have gotten her already? There is one other person who I could trust with Adeline and knowing everything about her, Mathew. I needed to find him. Before I went to find him I decided to warn all the girls. I went into each room one by one explaining things to them. Some of them believed me and went on to warn the rest of the girls and others were skeptic thinking I was doing this to have a better chance at winning the competition. I did my best before going to the library. I barged in looking for Mathew. I found Ronnie near a bookshelf.

"Ronnie!" I called out to my tutor. He turned around with a smile knowing it was me.

"Oh Liana, you look horrible, what is wrong?" He asked furrowing his eyebrows upon seeing my frantic state.

"I need to find Mathew," I said breathlessly.

He nodded and pointed towards the back part of the library. I almost ran there hearing a low murmur followed by a giggle. Could it be?

I found both Mathew and Adeline reading the same page in a book laughing about something. Oh thank god. They both looked up before their expression turned to worry.

"Dear god, what's wrong Liana?" Adeline stood up walking towards me.

"Adeline, you need to leave the castle, now," I said urgently.

A look of fear ran across her face. "What is going on? Where is my grandmother?"

I shook my head. "It's a lie, the competition is fake. They're selling the girls to lords and officials in order to get a vote against your grandmother. They've taken Harriet, we need to make sure you're safe."

Colour drained from her face. "I'm not leaving without my grandmother. She is the only family I have left."

"Norman is informing her of what's happened, please we have to go now," I said again. Mathew grabbed Adeline by the shoulders forcing her to look at him.

"Please Adeline, please let's just go with her. The queen is a strong woman and right now she would probably be thinking of your wellbeing. Please, I can't see anything bad happen to you." The desperateness in Mathew's voice was enough to make anyone with a heart listen to him.

"Okay, fine, but only for my kingdom," she whispered. I felt a weight being lifted off my shoulders before a sound of an alarm went off. It was loud and terrifying. I looked frantically at Mathew and Adeline. What did this mean?

Suddenly Ronnie came running towards where we were. "You three need to leave immediately. There are guards looking for you under the vizier's orders. It's an order to kill."

A shiver ran down my spine. Dear God. I couldn't believe Dorian would want me dead. We had no other option. The only thing we could do was run really fast.

We got out the library and began running towards an exit. A few guards came through the exit and pointed us out. We began running again until a guard stood right in front of us. It was Stanley. He was so nice to me, why is he doing this?

"Please--"

"You need to follow me, it's not safe in the halls," he said. What? I looked at my friends wondering if we could trust him.

"We have no choice," whispered Adeline. She was right. We followed him as he kept checking if the coast was clear until he lead us to a room. There were uniforms lined up against the walls.

"Get dressed, you need to blend in," Stanley ordered. He really was helping us. I couldn't believe I doubted him.

"Why are you helping us?" I asked him as we got dressed. The men were kind enough to turn around while Adeline and I got dressed.

"I became a guard to help and protect others, as did many guards here. We are all still loyal to the royal family and know who to take orders from. There are some good people in this castle," he explained. A part of me still hoped Dorian had some good in him.

Stanley handed us hats so we may tuck our hair in. I couldn't help but let out a small giggle upon seeing Adeline dressed like a man, she laughed at my sight in return. Suddenly a sound of static caught our attention.

A screen in the corner flickered on. Was that a television? The queen appeared on the screen.

"It's live," said a voice on screen that sounded a lot like Ronnie's.

"Attention people of Fariane, I apologize for being unaware of the conspiracies going on behind my back. Your daughters were not brought to the castle for a competition in hopes of becoming the next queen. No, they are being sold for money and power by some powerful officials I had once trusted in this castle. They are trying to take my throne but I will not allow it because my line lives on. Adeline, my beautiful granddaughter, wherever you are right now, know that I love you very much. Adeline my dear, I hear by name you queen. You are strong, intelligent and beautiful. You will be one of the greatest queens to have the honor of ruling this wonderful kingdom--"

"Your highness--" sounds of clashing and yelling erupted before a sword went through the queens chest. Blood trickled from her lips before the screen went dark. A gurgling scream came from Adeline as she fell to her knees sobbing from all her heart. Both Mathew and I threw our arms around her trying to consolidate her.

"I know this is not the time, but you need to leave now your highness," said Stanley. Adeline took a few moments before wiping her tears with the back of her hands and putting on a strong front.

"Princess-- I mean, your majesty, are you really alright?" Mathew asked worriedly.

"I will do anything to save my kingdom and my people," she said boldly. The respect I had for her increased. I knew what her grandmother meant, she is to be one of the greatest queens our kingdom is to have. If I had to give my life to her then so be it if it meant protecting our kingdom.

Stanley bowed his head in respect before going to check if the cost is clear. We kept our heads down and kept out of sight as guards ran back and forth through the castle. God I wished Norman was alright. What if they had killed him along with the queen? No, no, I couldn't think like that. We made it outside and began running towards the train. As we were approaching we saw a few guards getting off it and running towards the castle. Dear god, reinforcements? What hope did we have? They were going to catch us for sure. I looked at Stanley for some sort of indication as what to do next but he just stood his ground. A few guards had begun to notice us. They surrounded us, they're swords held in our direction. They all looked towards the door of the train as if waiting for someone. Suddenly the last person came into view at the door of the train.

Dorian.

I couldn't believe this. I felt so hurt and betrayed. He was supposed to protect the queen. Protect Adeline. Protect us all.

His eyes narrowed on us, analyzing us one by one. Will he see through the disguise? Will he know? Will he kill us as well? His eyes lingered on me for a few moments longer. Oh no, he knows, he knows!

"Stand down, they are with me," said the captain. My heart seized only to rise again. Was he going to kill us himself?

Then men cautiously lowered their swords. They opened a path for us to reach the train. We all looked at Stanley who nodded for us to continue. We climbed the steps into the train where Dorian stood on the side letting us through. Adeline went in first, followed by Mathew, followed by myself. I turned around to find Stanley still outside.

"What are you doing?" I whisper-yelled.

"I have to stay here and win back the castle for the queen," he said like a true knight. I nodded my head understanding him. He was a good person. May the lord protect him and those fighting in honor.

Dorian still stood on the side of the door eyeing us. He opened his mouth, probably to question us, but I beat him to it. Deepening my voice to sound like a man, I spoke, "we were sent as an... Elite squad in... Securing the-- uh-- prisons?"

Oh god, that was horrible. If he didn't know we were fake before, he knew now.

I saw Dorian bite the inside of his cheeks as if biting back something. "Is that all?"

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no. "Yes."

Something twinkled in his eyes. "Very well, you two soldiers may stay in this car." He nodded in Adeline and Mathew's direction. They looked relieved and defeated at the same time. "And you... Sir may follow me." He was looking at me now. Oh no! He caught me!

I cautiously followed him as approached something that looked like a radio. "You may start the train."

No! Norman wasn't here yet! This was the end! I couldn't believe it.

We lost.

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