"Okay. I think that's everything." Reed said as he looked at the small pile of items tucked into the corner of the stable. He had set aside a saddle, reigns, a rope, and a bag. "It should be easier tomorrow if its all in the same place."

You nodded and turned to him. "Thank you Reed."

He smiled and turned towards the row of stables, "Now. I have to feed the horses. It shouldn't take long though! You can wait somewhere and after we'll figure out all the details for tomorrow."

You nodded silently as you watched him drag sacks of oats and apples down the rows of stalls, pausing and going inside to feed the animals. You heard the sound of running water and a few moments later he reappeared carrying two large buckets of water.

"Are you sure you don't want help?" You asked, standing there awkwardly.

He smiled, "Nope! I do it every morning." He made his way back down the row of stalls.

You silently walked over to where you saw him disappear and saw a small faucet. You glanced back at the child, your brow furrowing.

"Reed? Do you have any towels lying around?"

He stopped and looked up at you, "Yeah! Hold on a second." He walked over to a wall that wasn't in your view. You could hear him opening something and he came back with a small white towel.

He walked over to you, smiling, "Here you go!"

You took it from him and turned the faucet on. He went to walk back, but you grabbed him and pulled him towards you.

"Hey! I have work to do!" He exclaimed as he turned to look at you.

"It can wait." You replied as you dampened the towel and turned him completely towards you.

He winced as the towel came in contact with his cheek, "Ow!"

You gave him a small look of sympathy before going back to cleaning the right side of his face. "I'm sorry, but this need to be cleaned up. Now hold still."

He wrinkled his nose, but stopped fidgeting as you wiped everything away, "But why?"

You stopped, "What do you mean? It can't stay like that. It could get infected."

"But (Y/n), no ones cared about my injuries before."

You glanced at him, "Aren't there people who worry?"

He looked away from you.

You furrowed your brow, "Reed? Don't you have people who care about you?"

He continued to look away. You turned his face towards you.

"Hey. Look at me. I didn't know. I'm so sorry. No child should be working out here alone without people taking care of them."

His eyes widened and you slowly saw tears start to form again.

You looked at him sadly, "Hey. Don't cry. It's okay, you don't have to be alone anymore. I'm here. I always will be." You pulled him into a soft hug.

He nodded silently, wrapping his arms around you tightly.

"My brave knight." You whispered as you smiled into his hair.

He stiffened before he pulled away from you and puffed out his chest, "Okay. I'm ready."

You looked at him surprised, "For what?"

He had a determined look on his face, "The pain. A knight isn't supposed to show their pain and fear! J-Just get it over with!" He squeezed his eyes shut.

A laugh escaped your lips and you looked away.

"What?!" He exclaimed.

You looked at him fondly, "Nothing. I've never seen someone so worked up about cleaning a cut. You're so adorable Reed."

His face reddened and he crossed his arms, "I am not!"

You shook your head and raised the cloth to his cheek. You cleaned it up in silence before smiling.

"There. All done." Reed sighed heavily.

You ran water over the towel before letting it fall to the ground. You'd take it to the laundry room later.

"Are there a lot of kids like me in the village?" Reed asked quietly as he felt his cheek.

You turned to look at him, "No, not really. I don't think there's any other child like you."

He furrowed his brow, "Is that a bad thing?"

You laughed, "No. It's a very good thing, little knight." You tapped his nose before walking towards Mei's stall.

He huffed and walked over beside you. You glanced at him before looking at the horse, your smile fading.

"Do you think this'll all work?" You murmured.

You could see his grip on the stall door tighten, "I really hope so...Mic-...He tried really hard to make sure this would all line up."

You glanced at him again, "I have faith. We'll do it, together. Okay?"

He nodded, his grip relaxing.

"What will you two do together?" A voice asked and you turned to see a pair of blue eyes staring at you from the entrance of the stable.

"I-I...Um.." Your breath caught in your throat for a split second.

Reed stepped into view of the person and smiled innocently, "She said she'd teach me how to dance tomorrow!" He glanced at the floor sheepishly, "I'm...not the best dancer and she said she'd teach me for the masquerade..."

You stared at him with wide eyes. How was he such a good actor? You turned to the person and forced a smile, "Yup!"

"I hope you're not planning on stealing her from us." A voice said and you saw Aiden come up from behind Connor.

"Never Your Highness's!" Reed bowed and turned away from them letting out a faint sigh.

You glanced at him before turning your attention back on the princes, "Was there something you needed?"

Connor laughed and came inside, "Yes...That was very cruel (Y/n). Feeding us those berries and not even bothering to check if we were okay."

You looked away and shrugged your shoulders, "I didn't expect you two to react to them like that."

Aiden narrowed his eyes, coming up to you, "Now don't lie. Out of curiosity, I looked up Bonumberries, but they don't seem to exist. In addition, they seemed to look an awful lot like Bezaberries."

Your face paled and you looked at the ground, "I-Is that so? Micah told me they were Bonumberries. He was probably trying to play a prank on me."

Connor placed a hand on your shoulder, "Regardless dear, we'd like an apology."

You looked at them, "O-Oh! Of course. I'm very sorry."

Aiden pursed his lips and glanced at Connor, "That didn't seem very genuine, did it?"

Connors grip on you tightened, "No. Not at all."

Reed watched silently, trying to make himself seem busy.

You looked at them innocently, "Truly I can assure you that I am-"

You were slammed against the wall. You blinked a few times, trying to process what had just happened.

"(Y/n)!" Reed cried as he ran towards you.

"Don't move stable boy or I'll give you a matching cut by the other eye." Aiden snapped as he turned to Reed, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Reed froze and looked at you helplessly.

"I don't like this new attitude dear." Connor hissed, pinning your wrists to the wall above you. "What's gotten into you?"

You narrowed your eyes, "I've slowly realized all the lies you've told."

Connor raised his eyebrows, "Lies? What lies have we told you. Please enlighten me."

You tried to pull your wrists away, but he tightened his grip, causing you to wince.

"We're waiting." Aiden mused, his eyes glancing between you and Reed.

You growled and twisted in his grip, "Let me go!"

"Not until you give us a proper answer." Connor stated.

You looked at him angrily, "Fine! Let's go down the list. Number one: You told me you wanted me to be your maid. You didn't. You just wanted me in the castle with you. Number two: You said you wouldn't hurt any of my friends as long as I stayed in the palace. Number three: You did kill Micah. There was no poison. It was your soldiers and your orders. Number four: You say you love me. This is not love, and if it truly is...its demented and sick. I don't want it."

Connor and Aidens eyes darkened.

"Listen, and listen carefully (Y/n). Everything that we've done has been for you. You were rotting away in that village. That damn clothing boy had no business talking with you in the first place. Your friends can be replaced...with us! You only need us. How many times do we have to say it." Connor growled as he pressed his forehead to yours. "And how many times do we have to say to never doubt our love. We've killed for you...We've always kept your best interests in mind, so don't discount our feelings."

"No you don-!" You were slammed into the wall again, sending your mind spinning.

"(Y/n)!" Reed cried as he took another step forward.

"Shut up stable boy. I'll kill you on the spot, do you hear me?" Malice dripped from Aidens voice as he looked at Reed angrily.

"Now. Give us a proper apology." Connor said dully, watching you try to regain your thoughts.

You winced at the pain in the back of your head.

"Wrong." Connor stated and threw you to the ground.

You hit the floor and didn't bother to get up. There was no point. You watched Connors shoe lift your chin up and your eyes met his wild ones.

"What to do with you." He murmured as he looked down at you, "So helpless...so exciting...but we can't use our usual methods to make you compliant."

"She'd break." Aiden stated, eyes still on Reed.

"Yes. That wouldn't be fun." Something glinted in his eyes, "(Y/n). Do you know how hard it's been to hold back? You drive us crazy. Insane. Every look...action...feeling..." He ran a hand through his hair, "It's intoxicating."

You looked up at him fearfully.

"But, we can't take our feelings out on you. We can take them out on everyone but you. The hallways are always silent and empty...do you know why?"

You shook your head slightly.

Connor chuckled darkly, "Well. All the servants use the passages in the walls to avoid us. They know that if they cross our path...well...they might not get to do much anymore."

Your eyes widened.

"And it's all your fault." He mused, smiling. "You made us this way. You've caused countless deaths, but you only know a few. How tragic. I wonder if they all know that you're to blame..."

Something inside you shattered.

"Look at her. She doesn't know what to do anymore." Aiden said as he glanced at you.

"(Y/n)..." Reed murmured.

"...I'm sorry..." You whispered refusing to meet their gazes.

"Hm? Did you say something?" Aiden asked.

You looked up at them, your eyes filled with tears, "I said I was sorry! That's all you wanted to hear! Okay?! I'm sorry. I'm sorry to every single person who was affected by me being in the palace. I'm sorry to Micah for letting him down. I'm sorry that I ever came to meet you two. My entire stay here has been a whole mistake and everyone but me is paying for it!" The tears fell down your face. "It's not fair! I don't want this. Why can't I be the one the pay. Micah paid. Florence paid. Countless other people paid. Why can't I!?"

The twins looked at you, speechless.

"I'm sorry..." You sobbed.

Connor silently bent down and picked you up. You tried to shove him away, but your body had shut down on you. He glanced at Aiden before walking towards the exit.

"Hey! Stop! Put her down! She doesn't want to be near you!" Reed yelled as he watched Connor slowly walk away with you.

Aiden gave him a pointed look, "Follow us and you'll die. Do you understand? Go give one of these stupid horses a bath."

He turned on his heel and followed Connor outside.





A/N: And I oop- ◔ ⌣ ◔