Rey's POV

Leaving the garden I felt very flustered.

Just as I was about to make a sharp corner I tripped on my dress of cream color.

To my surprise someone had caught me before a ugly fall.

I looked up and was about to thank them when the Prince's face appeared.

"Prince Gerald." I was speechless and only could say his name.

His face was way to close for comfort.

In a flash I was a few feet away from him fixing my hair and trying to stay calm through all my flustering about.

I was quite over heated from such embarrassment.

And to boot I was also feeling quite uncomfortable around this young man.

"I saw you at my celebration feast yesterday. I was quite envious of that man who stole you away. Oh I wished I could have taken you in my arms and seized that moment to dance with you."

I wanted to vomit at his words.

"Excuse me your highness but aren't your other ladies needing you? I think I heard one of them not to long ago call for you."

"Really where?"

"Somewhere across from the gardens."

I pointed and he went about his way.

I can't believe I had to lie.

But it was better to get rid of that skunk while I could.

I could barley even talk to that prince.

Once my stomach stopped having knots I moved on to where breakfast was being served.

Cordelia waved for me to come over.

"So, how was your talk with him?" She whispered as I said not a word.

I began to drink water from a brass cup once they served the food.

"Rey, I'm speaking to you. How was your talk-"

"I don't wish to speak upon the matter. And I don't want you attempting to be the matchmaker." I interrupted her speaking and it was my first time doing that to her out of anger.

"Do not strike that tone with me young lady. You can't run away from love Rey. The freedom your looking for isn't in what you think, it's in what you don't see."

"You said to follow my heart." She was tossing me into a loop of confusion with her words.

"And you are not doing so, follow your heart correctly without using this so much." She pointed to my mind again like last time.

"However, if you wish for me not to meddle I will no longer do so. Just don't be so strict on yourself alright. He's a good man." She spoke once more as I couldn't contain how upset I was becoming.

"How do you know? He's only been here for not even a full day!" I started to raise my voice but all it took was a strict look from Cordelia for me to calm my rage.

I was still upset at her.

"He's true to what he says and he sees something in you. He's the first gentleman that's even looked at you as if you mattered. Can't you see."

"As if I mattered?"

"You know that's not what I meant Rey. Don't misinterpret what I'm trying to tell you."

"I will not just blindly fall in love with a man I just met alright mother. These things take time and time is what I don't have. I want to leave this place as soon as possible. The longer I stay the longer I feel I don't belong. And I don't want falling in love with a man to tie me down here for good."

I started to eat and with much difficulty I finally managed to finish.

Just when I was about to get up Prince Gerald came in to eat breakfast and motioned me to stay seated.

"Why leave so soon I just arrived."

I grumbled. Today was turning out terrible.

Now I had to deal with a prince who thought himself worthy of anything and everything.

Honestly. What did these ladies see in him? He's a short man that's rich. On top of that he's pig-headed, full of ego and demands attention he does not even deserve.

As I twiddling my fingers restless to leave the prince spoke out my name.

"Miss-"

My mother spoke for me knowing I was not going to say a word to him about my name.

"Her name is Rey."

"Um yes, thank you Countess Cordelia. Lady Rey will you join me with the rest of the ladies? You seem to be the odd one out."

"I politely decline your majesty. I do not feel well."

"But I want you to sit next to me. It would make my day."

Did he really think I was that pathetic to sit next to him.

I'd rather be burn to a stake then sit next to him.

"I said no thank you. I do not wish to sit next to you neither will I ever want to."

"Excuse me? Who do you think your talking to? Whatever I want I get! And I want you to join me for breakfast."

"And I do not want to your majesty." I firmly spoke as he seemed to be surprised.

I continued.

"Again, I tell you I do not feel well. Now if you'll excuse me I'll be on my way."

I then got up and left.

Suddenly I had to stop. Because the oh-so-nice-prince shouted my name like I was his dog.

"Lady Rey! You will have to make up your time for me. I'll shall await you after this morning."

At that I shuddered both in disgust and anger as giggles from the girls around him, no older than sixteen were heard.

Just as I was about to attempt to leave once more Ben appeared in front of me.

"Is he bothering you Rey?" He mouthed towards me as his broad structure somehow calmed my spirits away from being so agitated.

Was I really feeling something for him.

"Yes. Quite so. But you don't need to-"

"I made a promise to you haven't I? I shall not go back on my word." Was all he said before coming before Gerald.

"Now my majesty, is that a way to treat this fair lady? You must of heard the news and if not I must say this is quite embarrassing for you."

"What?" The prince seemed annoyed and while he was distracted by Ben, I escaped and disappeared from their sight and stayed hidden.

"She does not fancy nor take a liking to you. she has someone else."

"Lady Rey? Ha! Than that man will have to step aside! I get what I want and all is mine as I wish it!"

"I'm afraid...you can not do such a thing."

"And why can't I do such a thing? Hmm. Tell me." The prince started to laugh and mock Ben's words.

I was standing in the background, feeling quite edgy to what Ben might say next, what he planned to make up to defend me.

I was genuinely thankful for him protecting me but I did not need him to make such a ridiculous story about me.

The prince started up once more.

"What idiot fell in love with the worthless Lady Rey? Tell me, I wish to make a laugh and to have his head severed right in front of me! All this girl is is a mere pawn in this castle! My castle! So that means she belongs to me alone!"

I flinched once Ben slammed his fist to the table right at the prince.

"Do not speak of her in such horrid fashion! You may wish what ever you want, have what ever you want but you will never have her as your pawn!"

His voice was laced with venom, ready to strike if Gerald had said another foul-mouthed thing about me.

Did Ben really care for me that much to put his own life at risk like this?

"Why? Do you perhaps take a poor fancy to her Kylo? Or may I remind you that she is a mere servant, an orphan adopted by Countess Cordelia. She is dirt and in my opinion Countess Cordelia should have just left her as a poor maid and never should have taken such pity from how much disobedience she brings."

That seemed to be that last straw for Ben's patience for the prince before he slapped him across the face.

Gerald squabbled like a little lass.

"If you do not watch your tongue I will have both your head and tongue severed myself, young prince. And do not dare mock me! My feelings are true for her and if you ever as dare lay a finger on her I swear to strangle you with my own bare hands."

There.

I see...he was not just a personal guard to the prince nor just a captain of the royal guard but in his past...he had killed many, possibly even innocent people.

I could feel it in my very being as goosebumps arose on my skin.

For a mere moment I was truly afraid of him.

Afraid he was more than he led on, more dangerous then he appeared.

His eyes at a rage, a fierce and wild look in his eye.

Like a monster, a beast who was ready to strike at any moment.

His eyes seems to take on a whole other demeanor of person. Unlike the soft brown eyes I once stared into just a few moments ago.

I saw it in his eyes then. Ben wouldn't have hesitated to kill the prince on the spot.

And for what? Everyone foul mouthed me, I wasn't surprised that the prince would do the same.

I knew most here hated me.

I wasn't surprised. So I decided just to leave this charade.

And as I was just going to take my leave my mother intervened.

She arose and spoke what I thought she would never dare say.

"That is quite enough young Ben, I thank you for sticking up for my daughter but don't say words you'll regret talking out of anger. And I've had enough of your squabbling Gerald. You ungrateful child. If only your parents knew how indecent you were right now. You need to grow up."

"Your daughter is nothing but a petty little wretch!"

At those words Ben took Prince Gerald by his shirt and was close to contacting his fist to the prince's face.

"That's quite enough Ben. Put him down."

The prince gave a dirty look toward Ben.

"Serves you to know your place. And you watch how your cow of a daughter acts toward me. I am the future king!"

Gasps were heard from many around the table after the sound of something like water splashed onto something.

I squinted through the leaves of the tree to see the prince drenched in wine.

"I do not regret what I have done. And you will not speak ill of my daughter any more. Tread lightly the next time you want to talk ill of someone."

"Guards take her away! Lock her up! Now! Lock the old wretch up! Do it!" The prince threw his arms in the air and arouse in anger.

He wailed his arms about like a hypered-up-child who couldn't get his way.

Ben launched himself as if he was going to hit Gerald but pulled back causing the prince to suddenly jerk in fear.

Just before a couple guards came in Ben held out his hand.

"There is no need for this nonsense. The prince will be ok. He just needed to cool down. Back to your posts. This isn't a serious matter."

Both guards left and as they passed I made sure to hide myself well before leaving right after them.

I could do nothing but hear their commotions so I thought the best thing to do was leave for now and thank both Ben and my mother later.

When I had the chance to.