•Elsa's POV•

     A few days later, I am getting ready for the Report. Maddox helps me while Leah and Leuh are finishing the last touches on the dress.

Maddox finishes putting the pins in my hair to keep any strands from falling. I look in the mirror. I look...elegant. Poised. Maybe even a little like a queen.

  Maddox clears her throat to begin a conversation.

"While I was down in the workroom, the other maids were talking about Prince Jack's favorites. They all think it's you, although some think it's Rapunzal. She's never even had a date with him, but her maids say she's so sweet. But you are sweet, too."

  I shake my head. Why would any of the maids think I was the prince's favorite? We just got through having a little argument today.

"I'm not the prince's favorite. We had an argument today, and he even admitted he has feelings for the other girls!"

"But Lady Elsa-"

"Maddox." The tone of my voice gets her to stop.

"You are considerate, my lady. You stand up for what is right and you don't care about the consequences for yourself. You protect others. And you don't even realize how much he adores you."

"Maddox, I said stop!" I slam my fists on the table.

"You would make a fine princess. That's all I'm saying."

She stops fixing my hair and quickly walks out. "Maddox, I didn't mean-"

  But she is gone. Leah comes in later and helps me get ready. I wanted to write a letter of apology to Maddox, but I felt like I should tell her myself.

  But I never get a chance to, because the alarm for the rebels goes off. Leah swears under her breath.

"I'll lead you to the safe room, miss. Then I'll find Maddox and Leuh."

"No. I'll help. I need to apologize to Maddox before any of us..." I trail off.

I can't bear to say it could happen to any of us. To me. Instead, I grab her arm and run as fast as we can to the maids' safe room. We see Leuh, but we don't see Maddox.

"Where is Maddox?" I ask Leuh desperately.

"She went looking for you before the alarm went off. She said she needed to apologize."

I take off to my floor, not taking any warning of my maids. I see her in my room, in the corner. Crouched down and terrified, looking at a shadow in the corner of my eye. I feel a negative energy. I shouldn't be here-but I can't leave without Maddox.

  That's when I see the man wearing red aim his gun at me. A rebel. A Southern rebel.

   He shoots me in the leg. I fall to the ground, not able to get up, not able to see. It's all a blur. The pain in my leg is blinding.

    I touch my hands to my leg, hoping to make the pain stop. I feel something wet and metallic on my fingers. Blood.

    The pain gets worse. I am almost out of consciousness when I see the man toe up Maddox. I sit there silently, not able to do anything.

That's when the world goes black.

"Elsa! No!"