Searing hot pain filled my body as I lay on the floor.

This was how I was going to die.

There was so much blood all I could see was red and from the loss of it I was becoming dizzy and my eyes began to flutter closed.

My heart was beating fast in my chest it felt like and a sudden wave of pain over took me and I cried out.

"Eleanor?" I heard someone call out and it sounded like I had cotton in my ears.

"Help me." I tried to say but it came out in a whisper.

"Oh my God...oh my God." I heard the voice of King Blakesley say and I had never been happier to have him there.

"Eleanor!" He rushed over to me and I could see his face through my hooded eyes, he looked terrified.

"I'm going get you help okay?! You're going to be okay!" He said and scrambled to his desk before grabbing something and coming back down to me, holding a black box to his mouth.

"Code red! Code red! Eleanor has been stabbed! I need medics to my office immediately and all officers!" He shouted into the box before tossing it to the side and placing his hands on my stomach, applying pressure to my wounds causing me to scream.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I know it hurts but I have to apply pressure to stop the bleeding. You're going to be okay." He tried to calm me down.

Tears raked down my face as I cried.

"Hey I need you to breathe. Can you breathe for me?" He asked me and I sucked in a staggered breath.

"There you go. Just like that. Keep breathing." He encouraged me and I felt my body get extremely heavy and the room started to spin.

"Don't close your eyes! Stay with me El!" He shouted at me.

I was trying, I really was but I could feel myself losing consciousness.

There was a loud commotion at the door and a massive group of people burst through the already open doors.

"Holy shit!" I heard none other than Shay yell and soon he was hovering over my face.

"Ellie?! Ellie?!" His warms hands went on either side of my face and he leaned in close.

My body was heaving as I tried to breathe and he rubbed his hand across my cheek.

"Stay with me El. I need you to keep your eyes on me. Look at me, look at me." He said and shook me lightly to get my attention.

"Who did this to you?" King Blakesley asked me and right now I didn't care, and I threw caution to the wind.

"Michael." I managed to get out and I saw the look of pure shock wash over his face.

"Your Highness we need you to move." A medic said and King Blakeley moved aside and I could see my blood on his hands while several medics came to tend to me.

I cried out as one of them touched my side where Michael had kicked me.

"She has a broken rib." He said and I closed my eyes at the pain.

"I WANT EVERY FREE GUARD SEARCHING THIS PALACE FOR MICHAEL AND I WANT HIM IN A CELL NOW!" Shay screamed at the top of his lungs before he went back to open my eyes again.

"Hey baby girl I need you to listen to me. Everything is going to be okay. We are gonna catch Michael and you are going to be just fine." He said to me and I figured at the moment he didn't care if anyone found out about us.

"Am I going to die?" I asked him as I sucked in several harsh breath that sent waves of pain through my body every time I breathed.

"No you're not going to die. You're going to be okay. I promise you." He said to me and I closed my eyes as more tears escaped them.

"We need to get her on the stretcher." A medic said and suddenly I felt my body being lifted and the pain was too much for me and I passed out.

--

The first thing I heard was beeping.

It was high pitched and constant.

Then I felt the cold.

It began to seep into my body and took over me, and I began to shiver.

Then I felt the light weight of another blanket being placed over me and I dragged my eyelids up to be met with the last person I expected to see standing over me: Princess Reed.

Her eyes met mine and she gave me a little smile.

"Hi." She said. "I'll go get my brother and Shay."

I watched as her blonde curly hair moved away and then I focused on the throbbing in my stomach.

Looking to my right I saw a needle in my arm and to my left there was a little black box clipped to my finger.

I heard a noise and looked back to my right to see Shay and King Blakesley walking in, Reed trailing behind them.

"Hey." Shay said and came right up next to my bed, taking my face in his hands and I noticed King Blakesley come up next to him, eyeing Shay as he did this.

"Are you in pain? How are you feeling?" Shay asked me and I cleared my throat before speaking.

"It doesn't hurt but it feels like there's pressure."

"Well you're on a lot of pain medicine." He explained and I nodded.

"How bad was it?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"You lost a lot of blood, the knife punctured your kidney and appendix, so they did surgery to fix them but they had to remove your appendix, and they had to fix your broken rib." He explained.

"How long have I been asleep?"

"A few days. They had you on so much morphine they said it should knock you out for a while."

"Did you find him?"

He knew I was asking if they had found Michael and he glanced at King Blakesley.

"We haven't found him yet, but we're still looking and we have guards stationed all around you to make sure nothing happens." King Blakesley informed me.

"What do you mean you haven't found him?" I asked, my voice cracking out of fear.

"He just disappeared. There's no trace of him." The King said and panic took over me.

"Don't freak out, we're gonna find him." Shay said and I nodded.

The door to the clinic opened and Theo walked in.

"Your Highness, one of the guards found something in the vents above the ball room." He said and King Blakesley backed away to follow him.

"Can I get you anything? Some water or another blanket?" Princess Reed asked me sweetly.

"Oh, I'm fine." I said nervously. I had never really spoken to her before and honestly she had always kind of frightened me.

"Let me know if you need anything." She smiled at me and then left the room as well, leaving Shay and I alone.

"So he knows?" I asked Shay and he nodded.

"I should've been more careful but I was just too panicked and forgot."

"Is he mad?"

"Yeah I got an ear full and my ass chewed out, but I think he might be okay with it, just as long as we keep our places and I don't blow off my job."

I nodded and then whimpered as I moved and pain shot through my side.

"Yeah that broken rib is going to be a real bitch." He said and I snorted out a laugh.

"You look tired." I placed my hand on his cheek that was close to mine.

"Well, I've been a little busy worrying about you and trying to catch the prick who stabbed you."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I should've been more careful."

"You didn't do anything wrong Ellie, this isn't your fault."

I nodded and closed my eyes before I felt Shays lips at my forehead and I opened my eyes again.

"I don't think I've ever been so fucking scared in my life." He murmured against my skin, his hands resting in my hair.

"You and me both." I said and he let out a little laugh before moving his face away a few inches before connecting our lips in a very sweet kiss.

This was nothing like the times we had kissed before. It was slow, tender, and gentle.

His mouth moved against mine and I felt myself relax.

The sound of someone clearing their throat had us pulling away and I blushed when I saw King Blakesley back in the room.

Shay stood up straight and awkwardly scratched the back of his neck.

"El do you feel like you can tell us what happened?" The King asked me and I nodded.

Martin and Theo entered the room at that point and I wished I could sit up but I was stuck flat on my back with only my head propped up.

"Do you mind if I listen in?" Princess Reed walked in as well and came to stand around my bed.

"Okay tell us what happened." The King said and I nodded.

"Um, I was walking around the office and suddenly I was yanked backwards and that's when I felt the first stab. He threw me to the ground and stabbed me two more times and then kicked me and left." I said and I saw Shays body tense up.

"Did he say anything to you?" Theo asked.

"Yeah before he stabbed me the last time he said 'you'll pay for what you did bitch'."

"Can you tell us anything about him, maybe something he was wearing or how he was moving?" Martin asked next.

I thought until I remembered something.

"He had on black gloves." I said and they nodded.

"Okay, well we should let her rest." King Blakesley said and began to lead everyone from the room.

"Shay." I reached out for his hand before he could leave like the rest. "Please stay."

"I think I've already pushed it enough for today." He said, glancing back at The King.

"Please I'm scared, I don't wanna be alone." I asked him and he looked behind him again before nodding, and he pulled a chair from the corner over so he could sit next to me, my body feeling more safe as I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.

The next time I woke up I was shaking so hard it hurt.

"Ngh." I whimpered and creaked my eyes open to see the room was dark.

Turning my head to the side the chair that Shay had been sitting in was empty.

I could see the silouhettes of two guards outside the glass doors and I tried to call out to them but I couldn't.

"Cold?"

My body froze as icy fear ran through my entire body.

I whipped my head to the side to see none other than Michael in a shadowy corner of the room.

My breath became laboured.

"Scream and I'll kill you." He stepped out from the shadows and I could see the glint of a silver pistol in his hand.

How had he gotten in here? How was that possible?

"N-n-n-n-no." I stammered, my teeth chattering.

"You are quite the persistent girl. No matter what I do you seem to find a way to cling to life." He moved closer until he was beside my bed.

Michael had me trapped. I couldn't run, I couldn't even get out of the bed.

"I guess I will just have to up my game. Get a little more creative with the ways I could end your pathetic excuse of a life." He began to trail the barrel of the gun along my side, my breath hitching in my throat.

"What did I ever do to you?" I whispered.

Michael opened his mouth to speak but the sound of the door opening stopped him and my head snapped to the left to see none other than King Blakesley walking in.

When I went to look back at Michael he was gone.

"He was here! He was just here!" I shouted and King Blakesley furrowed his eyebrows.

"Michael was here?" He asked, suddenly panicked.

"He had a gun." I gulped.

King Blakesley turned and grabbed a phone that was on the wall.

"I need all guards to the medical wing." He said and then hung up the phone.

"Do you know where he went?"

"No. You opened the door and he just disappeared." I said and then I watched as The King began to walk about the room.

The sounds of heavy footsteps skidded to a stop outside my door and I looked up to see Shay there, a wild look in his eyes.

The moment I saw him I burst into tears.

"Ellie." Shay said and came towards me.

"Michael was here." King Blakesley said and pressed on the wall, watching as it slid over to reveal a hidden passage.

"You left me." I sobbed as Shay reached my bed.

"Ellie I'm sorry, I was gone for ten minutes." Shay said but that didn't comfort me.

"You left." I cried and Shay looked at me like he didn't know what to do.

"Your Majesty, Theo can take over head position on this case for a bit. I want Miss Belle transferred back to her room immediately where I will be overseeing her security."

"I agree." King Blakesley nodded.

I wiped at my tears and Shay then called for nurses who began to prepare me to leave.

Guards swarmed the room, looking at the passageway while the nurses began to wheel me out of the room.

Once in the hallway I was surrounded by guards who all had their guns drawn as they escorted me back, Shay walking next to me.

I still couldn't believe he had left me alone, didn't he know Michael would take the opportunity.

Once we reached my room the guards entered and swept the entire space with their guns out still, looking for any passageways, making sure my window was locked and closing the curtains.

Lux entered and flipped back my blanket while Shay and another nurse carefully lifted me into the bed.

Shay moved the blankets back over me and had the guards station themselves outside of my room while the nurses attended to me.

Martin appeared and began to discuss something with Shay as they watched me.

The fact that Shay hadn't wanted to be there to protect me broke my heart, and I hope he knew that.

Once the nurses had gotten me settled, medicated, and changed the bandage on my stomach, all left but one and then Shay made his way to my bed.

"How are you feeling?" He asked me, his hand resting on the mattress next to my arm.

"Fine." I gave him a monotone answer and he sighed.

"Ellie I really am sorry. I didn't think he would strike then...there were so many guards." Shay apologised, sincerity in his voice.

I nodded and turned my head away from him, closing my eyes.

"Please, Ellie, look at me." Shay pleaded and I turned my head back.

His brown eyes softly gazed into mine and his hand crept up to caress my face.

"I am so sorry baby." He said and I nodded at him, not speaking. "I won't leave you alone again."

He leaned in closer and began to brush his warm lips across the skin of my face, and I felt tears leave my eyes at the sweetness of his actions.

When he reached my lips with his own he kissed me and then pulled away to look at me.

"Do you want anything?" He asked me.

"I'm starving." I said and he chuckled.

"Surprise surprise."

"I'm assuming I can't go see Charlie?"

"No baby, but maybe I can make an exception and see if he can come deliver it to you."

"Okay." I nodded and he kissed me once more before standing up straight and pulling out his device with all of the buttons.

I noticed Martin watching Shay and I and I blushed.

Shay opened the door to my room and spoke to a guard who left.

"King Blakesley will be joining us in a couple hours with Theo and we will be having a meeting to discuss your safety and security.

"Why are you doing this for me? I'm just a servant." I said and Shays expression hardened.

"You're not just a servant El, you never have been." Shay said and I looked up at him confused.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The King will explain as he wishes to do so, I can't say anything more. But it's not just you, our entire castle and countries security has been breached, this is bigger than we know."

I didn't understand.

"Why don't you get some sleep." Shay suggested and I nodded silently again.

"You should get some rest as well Captain Shay, I can take over guard duty for an hour or two." Martin suggested and Shay nodded.

I watched as he walked to the end of my bed and crawled up the wall side to lay next to me.

"Relax, I'm here. Go to sleep." Shay whispered to me and I turned my head to face him as I felt his arm stretch out over my stomach.

Shay moved his head so it was closer to mine and I took several deep breaths before falling asleep next to him.

The brick walls of the room made it feel warm and comfortable as I walked around the room.  The white shelf hooked to the wall had beautiful blue vases with yellow flowers in them, and on the mantle of the fireplace were photographs.

I stepped closer to them to see them of myself and Shay. There was a photo of me in a white wedding dress and him in a tuxedo, one of us in front of the fireplace, and one of he and I holding a baby.

There was a noise behind me and I turned to see Shay walking in through a door, holding a little girl in his arms.

She was maybe three, her hair dark brown and touching her shoulders where it curled, her olive skin pairing well with her dark brown eyes.

"There they are!" I gasped and went to greet them, kissing them both on the cheek.

"How were the gardens?" I asked Shay.

"Fun." He smiled. "We chased butterflies and picked some flowers."

"Aw. Well it's nap time now."

"No." My child whimpered in her fathers arms.

"Come on Eliza." I smiled and led them both to a little room where Eliza's pink white and pink bed was centred on a wall.

Shay laid her down beneath the blankets before kissing her forehead.

"Sweet dreams Liza, I love you." He smiled at her.

"Daddy." The little girl giggled.

"Sleep good my love." I moved in to kiss her next.

"Love you Mommy." She smiled at me.

Shay and I left the room and suddenly I was looking up into his eyes, him smiling down on me.

"I love you." He beamed down at me radiantly.

"I love you too."

I was awoken by the smell of food and my eyes fluttered open to be met with the sight of Shays chin resting on my nose.

The dream I had awoken from rushed into my head and I blushed.

I tilted my head up and pressed my lips to his, kissing his lips a few times until he opened his eyes.

"Hi." He said, a smirk coming onto his mouth.

"Hi." I smiled.

"What has you so romantic right now?" He chuckled.

"Food is here." I said and he burst into laughter.

"Now I know where your heart truly lies."

"It still lies with you." I said and he smiled.

"Ellie I-" Shay began but the sound of a knock at the door had our heads raising up.

Shay quickly slid off the bed and adjusted his clothing as King Blakesley and Theo walked through the door.

I made to sit up but remembered my injuries as a stabbing pain shot through my abdomen. I gasped and Shay turned around to quickly lay me back down, adjusting my pillows.

"El, how are we feeling?" King Blakesley asked as he approached.

"Like I've been stabbed by a psychopath three times." I said and Shay rolled his eyes at me.

"Yeah, it's time for you to eat. Either that or my grouchiness is rubbing off on you." Shay said and went to get the food cart, bringing it over to us.

He helped me sit back up slowly, putting pillows behind me to keep me comfortable. He set the tray in my lap and I took a bite of the roll on my plate.

"So El, due to everything that has been happening, we are making our security measures for our royal family more secure and tight." King Blakesley said and then looked to Theo.

"Concerns have been expressed about His Majesties safety as well, and we have decided it would be best to keep you all in one place so it is easier to protect you." Theo said.

"You're talking about me as if I'm a Royal." I laughed at them but slowly stopped as I noticed them looking at me with dead serious faces.

My blood ran cold when King Blakesley spoke. "That is, Miss Belle, because you are."