The small number of books that had been on your shelves were now scattered on your floor, and the blue chair by the fireplace had been thrown to the ground. You paced both anxiously and angrily around the space by your bed.

What if they go back on their word? You thought. What if they do something to Reed? Who would even do that to a child! He's a child!

You stopped pacing and sat on your bed. No, they wouldn't. They said they wouldn't. Can I trust them? Should I trust them? You sighed heavily. You could probably go out to the stable to quell your fears, but what would happen if you did see Reeds.... Reeds.... You couldn't even think of it. You had barely met the boy, but he had instantly charmed you and it would shatter you to see anything happen to him.

You screamed out in frustration and fell back onto the bed before hearing your door open. You quickly sat up, hoping it was one of the twins for once, but instead you saw a wide grin and playful blue eyes.

"What do you want Micah?" You sighed as you fell back on the bed, instantly disappointed.

"Wow. Nice to see you too (Y/n). I didn't know I made you that angry." He replied as he gazed around the mess of your room. "Or did something else make you angry?"

You sighed again and covered your eyes with your arms, "Something else..."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"No."

He let out one of his signature laughs and sat on the bed next to you. "Come on, talk to Therapist Micah."

You snorted and glanced at him, "You? A therapist?"

He nodded.

"That's a funny joke Micah. Stick with pervy seamster. It fits you much better."

He raised his eyebrows, "Pervy? (Y/n), I'm hurt. I would never act like that."

You sat up, "Oh really? So, your powers of guessing women's undergarments are a gift from the heavens?"

He grinned and nodded eagerly.

"Oh shut up!" You exclaimed as you grabbed one of your pillows and threw it at him. He caught it swiftly before returning it back to you.

"I believe this is yours."

You half attempted a scowl, "Yes, it is." Grabbing the pillow, you put it back in its spot before drawing your knees up to your chest and hugging them.

"In all seriousness, what's wrong?" His blue eyes glinted in worry as he stared at you, waiting for an answer.

You glanced at him before turning your gaze to the wall, "Do you really want to know?" You mumbled.

"Yes. It seems like its really bothering you. You don't seem like the type to throw books and chairs (Y/n)."

You laughed, "No. I'm really not."

He shot up, "Bingo!"

You gave him a concerned look, "What? What is it?"

"You laughed!" He said as he clapped his hands. "I made (Y/n) laugh!"

You buried your face in your knees, ignoring his little dance of what you assumed was happiness.

He sat back down and rested his hand on your shoulder, "Okay, I'm sorry. Now I'll listen. Your laugh is just really contagious."

Your cheeks reddened, but you looked up at his waiting face. You let out a breath before explaining what had happened outside earlier.

"To Reed!?" Micah exclaimed, his eyes now filled with worry as well. You nodded, looking back at the wall.

"They're crazy." He breathed as he stared at you, "Just because you wouldn't pay attention to them?!"

Another nod.

He bit his lip in contemplation, "If they locked you up in a cell, and then threatened to kill a child, I don't think you should be around them (Y/n)."

You scoffed, your (e/c) eyes meeting his, "You think I haven't come up with that solution? There's practically no way for me to get out the palace though."

"I could hide you somewhere." He offered, searching for your expression.

"No. They'd find me easily and then probably kill you and Reed just to spite me, and I can't let them do something like that to either of you."

"(Y/n)..." Micah trailed off, and you looked at him, sensing something deeper in his voice.

"What-?!" You started, but he engulfed you in a hug.

"I swear," He whispered, "I swear I'll help you, okay? They won't hurt Reed, they won't hurt me, and you'll get to leave the palace."

You sank into his grasp and clutched his suit, not realizing how much you had needed true human contact, "Thank you." You breathed into his shoulder, "Thank you so much Micah."

The door burst open again. "(Y/n), We're done riding now so you can..." A familiar voice trailed off and you jumped away from Micah to see Aiden standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

Micah stood up and cleared his throat, "Hello Prince Aiden. Pardon me. (Y/n) was worried that someone was hiding in her room for when she came back it was in this state." He gestured to the books and chair, "So she came to grab me. I was simply calming her down." He bowed before leaving the room, not letting Aiden question him further. Aidens gaze switched from Micah to you.

"Is that true?" Aiden asked coldly, leaning against the door frame.

You quickly nodded your head, "Yes!"

He huffed for a moment, "Alright. I'll notify the palace staff that someone might be inside the castle. For now, can you go out to the main entrance and grab that order of books I told you about?"

You stood up, "But you were just at the main-"

He held up his finger, "Do you really think my brother and I are carrying those books all that way?"

You suppressed the growing urge to snap at him. "I'll get them right away." You brushed past him and started walking down the hall.

"You really should start using that curtsy more." He called out, and you growled, your pace quickening.

You hurried around the corner of the main hall and saw the main entrance again. Outside stood a small wagon and someone shifting on their feet. You quickly approached and noticed the stack of books in their hands.

"Hello? Is that the book order?" You asked as you approached them.

The person, who you now saw was a woman, looked startled, "Erm, yes! For the princes..." She trailed off as she looked at you, "Wait...(Y/n) (L/n)?"

You looked at their face, and noticed it was the librarian from the village, "Oh its you!" You exclaimed as you rushed forward and gave her a hug, before quickly pulling away. "Oh I'm so sorry. I was just excited to see someone from home and..." You looked at the ground sheepishly.

"No! I'm glad to see you. Everyone's talking about how you disappeared from the village two days ago. I guess you got a job here."

"Got is not the word I would use," you mumbled as you took the books out of her hands, "But yes, the princes sought me out."

"Oh how dreamy!" She exclaimed, a wistful look in her eyes.

You raised an eyebrow, "You wanna switch?"

She laughed before turning towards her wagon, "No, I don't think any prince could top working with books. I'll be back in two weeks to collect those. Have fun!"

"Wait!" You called out, as she was getting ready to tell her horse to go. "Tell my parents I love them, please."

She smiled and nodded before flicking the reins to her horse and starting her journey back to the village. You sighed and turned around, heading back into the palace. You walked through the halls, passing the fitting room where you could've sworn you heard shouting, before arriving at the princes door. In the same situation as this morning, you tapped the door lightly with your foot, and it opened, allowing you to come inside and set the books down on the coffee table.

"Here." You stated, turning around to be face to face with Connor. You stumbled back almost tripping on the table, "Stop that! It freaks me out!'

Connor looked at you innocently, "Stop what?"

You stepped away from him and around the couch, "Getting so close to me. Its unnerving."

A look of sadness crossed his face, "I'm sorry. I just want to be close to you (Y/n)."

You shot him a look of anger, "Well I don't like it." You looked around, "Where's your brother?"

He smiled, "Getting changed in the bathroom. We're going to get lunch in a minute. Would you like to join us?"

You backed away, towards the door, "No that's okay I'm not very-"

"Actually, that's a great idea brother," Aiden said as he came out of the bathroom, tucking a white handkerchief in the pocket of his suit, "I haven't seen her eat a single thing since she's gotten here, and we can discuss our plans with her over lunch instead of this evening. Come (Y/n)." He held out his hand, but you turned and opened the door.

"I'm not hungry." You said, although you could feel your stomach growling. You'd eat, just not with the princes.

Connor cleared his throat, "Reed."

You whirled around to see both of them smiling menacingly. You clenched your hands into fists before throwing them up in defeat, "Fine!" You stomped down the hall, both of them trailing behind you.

You practically followed the same path down the main hall to the entrance but turned to the right and through a large pair of dark oak doors. The room was similar to the throne room, the walls being made of blue stained glass, except a large dome funneled through the roof. A large white table was set for at least 30 people, and you silently wondered how you would ever have enough time to keep up with 30 friends.

"Isn't this excessive?" You hesitantly asked as you lingered in the doorway, the twins passing you.

"No. This is how its normally set up. When we host parties, it triples." Connor responded as he took a seat in the left chair at the head of the table.

"Is this weird for you?" Aiden asked as he sat in the right chair at the head of the table.

You shifted on your feet, "I usually dine with two other people at a three-person table, so yes, it is very weird for me."

Connor laughed, "Come on (Y/n). Come sit next to me."

Aiden glanced at Connor before smiling at you, "(Y/n). Come sit on my side."

You bit the inside of your cheek before pulling back the chair on the far end of the table and sitting down. You had to squint to see the twins full features but were grateful you were far away from them. The twins shared a look before they both stood up and made their way towards you.

"What are you- Hey!" You yelled as they both grabbed a side of your chair and carried you down to their end of the table. Connor kicked his chair to the side and sat you down in the middle of the two of them, before they both sat in their chairs as well.

"I was fine on that end!" You snapped, glaring at both of them.

Aiden shrugged, "We weren't though. We'd much rather see your beautiful face up close (Y/n)."

You squirmed uncomfortably in your seat, opting to stare at the tablecloth in front of you.

"We're ready." Connor called and automatically a few chefs came in through side doors with a couple pushing carts filled with food. Your eyes widened. You had never seen such a large meal in your life.

"Do you like it?" Aiden asked with a laugh, noticing your amazed gaze.

"There's so much..." You trailed off as the chefs started putting the dishes on the table.

By that point they were both laughing, and Connor dismissed the chefs who silently went back through the doors, leaving you alone with the brothers again.

"Don't be shy," Aiden said, "Eat as much as you'd like."

You glanced at all the dishes. There was roasted lamb, bowls of soup, steamed crabs, salads, small pastries, steak, everything. You watched as the princes grabbed portions of certain things and wondered how they could choose between all of it so quickly.

"Hey (Y/n)?" You heard Connor ask.

"Yeah? what do you-" You turned to look at him and felt something push inside your mouth. You tentatively bit down, and felt a rich flavor fill your mouth and warm your stomach.

You swallowed, "It's so good!"

You felt someone grab your chin and force your face towards them, "My turn." Aiden mused as he forced something inside your mouth as well.

It tasted as amazing as the last thing, and you felt yourself sink slightly in your chair. "That's really good too..." You murmured as you looked at the dishes again.

The twins smiled and started reaching for things to put on your plate. Eventually, they finished and you picked up a fork and knife and cut off a piece of steak. You put it in your mouth, tasted it, and immediately began cutting more pieces.

"Brother, I'd say she likes the steak." Connor said with a laugh as he watched you out of the corner of his eye.

You sheepishly slowed down your pace as you put another piece in your mouth.

"Now," Aiden said as he set his fork down and turned to look at you, "Let's talk about what we need to inform you of."

You glanced at him, trying a bite of a salad, before shoving more into your mouth, "I'm lishenfing."

He nodded with a smile, "In about two weeks, Connor and I are going to be hosting a masquerade here at the palace."

You raised your eyebrows, but continued eating while listening.

"And, " Connor interjected, "We're going to need your help coordinating and choosing certain color schemes and decorations."

You looked at him questioningly as you swallowed a bite of chicken, "Shouldn't you two be choosing that stuff?"

They both laughed again, but you were preoccupied with taking a bite out of a flaky pastry they had put on your plate, "Strawberry!" You exclaimed as you took another bite.

"Dear (Y/n), you should be choosing these things," Aiden replied as he watched you fondly.

"Why?" You asked as you swallowed the rest of the pastry.

"Because..." Connor began.

"It's your masquerade." They said in unison, waiting for your reaction.