2 hours.

That's how long I had been sitting inside my room. Each time I opened the door the guard was still there and he would practically beg me to go back inside the room.

Absolutely bored out of my mind, I ended up making the bed, organising my shower things and flipping through my clothes for the millionth time.

Once there was nothing left to do I sat on the floor next to the glass coffee table , staring at the ticking clock.

So two hours and 30 minutes into my lock down inside my room the door opened and I wanted to scream with relief but when I saw who had walked in I wanted to scream with annoyance.

Shay wore his Minders uniform, black, leather, and a gun making him look ten times more severe and scary than he already was.

"Come with me." He said emotionlessly.

I stood up and and he glanced at me once before turning sharply on his heel and striding out the door.

He paid no mind to my clothes, or almost lack there of and just walked briskly down the hall not saying anything.

When we reached the Kings room I knew I was in trouble.

I braced myself for the worst as Shay opened the door and I reluctantly followed, crossing my arms in silent protest.

King Blakesley was walking into the foyer from the hall as we entered.

His expression was elated. His eyes glimmered and a smirk graced his face.

"El." He raised his arm in greeting. "I know things are confusing right now but we had a slight complication and I couldn't have you leave your room but you will resume your duties at this time."

"Complication?" I tilted my head to the side.

"Nothing to worry about, just an scheduling issue." He waved me away.

I have a swift nod and said nothing as the King left the room followed by two minders.

Shay moved past me into the large living room and took a sheet of paper from the coffee table. He handed it to me, his expression still cross.

"I will be escorting you to dinner since you apparently can't make it there yourself. If you get lost," He took a black square out of his pocket, "I want you to hit the blue button." He showed it to me. "If there's an emergency press the red one. These will tell me your location in the castle when you press them to I can get to you."

He pressed it into my hands and I examined it. The black square was small and could easily fit inside a pocket (too bad I didn't have any currently) and had two rows of three buttons, each different colours.

"When you are done with your duties I want you to press the green button and I will come to escort you to your room or wherever you need be." He explained, his irked expression still not changing. "Got it?"

I nodded yes. Honestly I didn't want to say anything to provoke Shay but I was also scared that if I didn't say anything he would get angry as well.

Shay looked like he wanted to say something further but instead turned around and walked right out the door, not looking back.

That had gone better than I thought. In my mind King Blakesley was going to threaten me with what would happen if I did not start doing as I was told and I thought Shay was going to chastise me about not showing up to dinner, but neither of those things happened.

Maybe they were giving me a break? I hadn't been here a week yet and they expected me to be on point.

I hugged as I looked at my list for today.

Water flowers, see Zara. Two things? Well that was easy.

The same as yesterday I went out to the terrace and watered the roses. That took no time at all and now I was ready for my second task. See Zara.

Maybe Charlie would know.

I left the Kings Chambers and headed over to the kitchen.

Charlie was frosting a cake when I arrived and smiled when he saw me.

"Ah good morning miss El, how are you?" He greeted me.

"I'm fine Charlie, how are you?" I smiled softly as I sat next to him on a tall wooden stool.

"Very well. So what do I owe the pleasure? Are you still hungry after your midnight snack?" He winked innocently and my eyes widened.

"I became extremely curious when I noticed my carrot supply was diminishing but when I found an empty chicken container in the trash I took a wild guess."

I bit my lip.

"And by your guilty manner I assume I was right." He chuckled.

"Sorry, I didn't have dinner last night." I apologised.

"It's all fine with me, consider this your kitchen as well." He smiled as he began to fill a triangular bag with pink frosting.

"So I actually came to ask if you knew who Zara was and where I could find her." I said as I picked up a spatula, ogling the pink fluffy cream on the end.

"She is the Royal Stylist. Her studio is downstairs, act as if you're going to the gym then take one more flight of stairs down, it's at the end of the hall." He nodded as he gave me directions.

"Hmmm. Alright." I swiped my fingertip through the frosting and brought it to my tongue. It tasted of sugar and vanilla and I smiled immediately.

"Why do you need to see her?" Charlie quicker as he twisted the bag and began to make a circle on the White frosted cake in front of him.

"It's on my list of duties for today." I shrugged.

I watched as he started in the centre of the circle and then extended outward, his hand quickly making the circular motions until he pulled away. A pink rose now looked delicately placed on the side of the cake.

"That's so pretty."

"Thank you." He beamed.

"I better get going but thank you for your help." I smiled and took another swipe of icing.

"Of course my dear anytime. Will I see you for lunch today?" He looked up.

"Of course." I laughed lightly and waved goodbye before heading out.

As I opened the door someone tried to walk in. I looked up to say excuse me but gasped when I was met with Michaels fiery hair and murderous gaze.

I looked down and rushed past him. Just being in the same room as him had me nervous for my life.

I made it to the hall and walked past the long glass wall and when I dared to peek inside I saw Michael handing a list to Charlie, a annoyed look on Michaels face.

Before I could get caught again I power walked down the hall and to the stairs, trotting down them.

When I reached the staircase that led to Zara's floor I slowed down.

The lights in this hallway were extremely dim. The carpet was now a brown colour and the walls were tan. Doors lined the hall on each side and unlike the others in the castle these were brown and had no name tags on them.

I could see where the hallway ended and one door was on that wall, I assumed that must be Zara.

I continued to walk slowly until a door opened on my right and before I could move and arm reached out and yanked me inside.

My first instinct was to scream but my abductor knew that too and clamped a hand over my mouth.

"Shh El it's me, it's okay." The person whisper yelled and my body relaxed.

I moved away from them and took a step back.

We were in some type of closet. I could make out the shapes of shelves behind Shay and on the wall next to us.

"Shay what the hell!" I shouted in a hushed tone. I placed both of my hands on his chest and pushed him back.

"I only have about 2 minutes until they check the cameras." He said but it seemed like he was talking to himself.

"What?" I was so confused it was almost funny.

"Listen to me. Tonight the King has planned a private dinner just for you an him. I will be escorting you. He is giving you one last chance to prove your loyalty. You have to behave or he will kill you. Do you understand me?" He rushed to get his words out.

My eyes widened.

"How do you know this?" I felt my heart begin to beat faster.

"He told me."

"And why should I believe you?" My voice came out more hurt than I waned to show. His gaze immediately softened.

"Eleanor I wasn't lying to you when I said I didn't agree with all the King does. But I have no say. It is my job and to do what he says. I'm telling you this to protect you. You have to behave." He said with all sincerity.

I sighed and turned my head to the right.

"Alright." I finally answered.

Shay sighed out of relief.

"I promise you El, I'm on your side." He said once before pushing me out the door.

I stumbled a few times before regaining my composure.

Now I had a challenge. Be nice to King Blakesley.