You slowed down as you made your way into the forest. You scanned the trees for any signs that Reed was there.

Come on (Y/n)...Think! Reed needs you!

You narrowed your eyes and thought for a moment. Reed had been leading everyone away to the north, so he must've had to turn around at some point and come the way you had.

You nodded silently and continued running. You were going to find him, you didn't care what it'd take.

It didn't help that there were still guards out looking for you. Connor and Aiden could go anywhere with ease, but you had to maneuver around dozens of guards.

Your footsteps echoed lightly around the forest as you continued to scan the trees. You had passed the main village and were parallel to the road now. Straining your ears to hear any guards, you couldn't pick up anything and risked calling his name.

"Reed?" You called out as you continued running.

No answer.

Worry started to grow inside you. What if he'd come another way?

"Reed?!" You winced at how loud you were and glanced at the main road. No one was there, thankfully.

Where are you...

Tears threatened to come back as you continued to run. You couldn't save Micah. You couldn't even save your family and friends...but you had a chance to save Reed.





"She seems to be trying hard, doesn't she brother?" Aiden murmured as he watched you run back towards the palace.

Connors jaw tensed, "Yes. It's a little annoying."

They had been following you for a few minutes, keeping a safe distance away.

Aiden sighed and looked up at the trees, "This is boring."

Connor laughed, his eyes still on you, "How about we go do our job. The guards have reported the child's location."

Aidens eyes glinted darkly, "Have they now? Well, we are obliged to carry out our part of the game."

Connor and Aiden guided their horses away from you and towards the main road. The cut through the trees and entered the forest on the other side, grins on their faces.





Your heart stopped as you watched Connor and Aiden cross the main road. They had been so close to you. You'd almost gotten caught.

Why are they going that way...

You slowed to a stop and looked at the forest on the other side. Had they somehow gotten information that Reed was that way? You balled your hands into fists, cursed yourself for being stupid, and ran out into the main road. You quickly darted into the forest and looked around.

Where did they go?

You scanned the floor to see if there were any visible horse tracks. After stumbling around for a few minutes, you found some. Praying that they were the princes and not the guards, you ran the way they were headed.

You ran in silence for a few minutes before a voice cut through your thoughts.

"(Y/n)!" a voice screamed.

Your face paled and you ran towards the voice.

"Reed!?" You cried out as you shoved your way through low hanging branches.

You collided with someone and the both of you fell back to the ground. You winced as pain shot through your head, but you ignored it and focused on the shaking figure on top of you.

"(Y/n). (Y/n)..." He sobbed as he grabbed a fistful of your shirt.

You slowly sat up with him and he continued to press himself against you.

"Reed. Hey. What's wrong?" You wrapped your arms around him, thankful that you had found him before the princes.

He whispered something and shook more, but you couldn't hear him.

"What?"

"I'm sorry!" He cried.

"You're fine. Shhh, it's okay. There's nothing to be sorry about." You combed through his hair gently.

He shook his head and you heard him cough.

"Reed, look at me." You tried to pry him away, but he clung to you.

"No!"

Your eyes widened, "Why not!? Reed?" You grabbed his hands and tried to pry them off.

"(Y/n)...No..." He cried, "I don't want you to see."

Your face paled, "Want me to see what?" Panic laced your voice. "Reed what's wrong!?"

He shook his head, "It didn't work..."

"Reed. What didn't work. Please, let me see you." You tried to push him away from you, but your face paled. Your hands were wet.

"R-Reed!?" You looked at your hands and saw the red substance.

"(Y/n)! I-I'm sorry!" He finally looked up at you and you gasped.

There was a new cut on the other side of his face and the original one had been cut open again. His tears mixed with the wounds and made it seem like he was crying blood.

You made him lean back so that you could see his chest and you had to bite back a sob.

It was bad. Blood stained the entire front of his shirt, making it impossible to tell what the color originally was.

"W-What happened?!" You cried as you pulled him back into you.

"T-The guards. They saw me as I-I was coming back towards the village. K-Kia and I escaped them, but then a f-few moments later Kia fell to the ground and I went down with her. T-The princes...they..." His grip on you was crushing at this point.

"You don't have to say it." You whispered, "How bad is it?"

He whimpered but didn't give an answer.

"Reed. Let me see." You tenderly pulled him away from you and lifted up his shirt. Panic crossed your face. The wound was large and extremely close to his heart.

"Y-You're fine." You smiled and tried to mask any panic.

"Y-You're lying." He whimpered. "I can feel it."

Your lip quivered, "Reed. Why did you even try to hide it?"

He looked up at you, his eyes wide, "Because I'm your knight! I'm not supposed to show my fear or pain when I'm with you!"

Shock registered on your face, before the tears started to fall, "Reed! Everyone has to show it at some point. Y-You shouldn't have..."

He closed his eyes, "But I had to be brave!"

You moved a few strands of hair out of his face, "You were. I'm so proud Reed. Now, you can stop. You don't have to worry about being brave now."

He shot up from you, the tears coming down faster, "B-But! I'm your knight! I have to protect you from them....I-I I have to-" His eyes widened, and he fell forward into you.

"Reed!?" You gasped as you saw an arrow lodged in his back.

He coughed up blood and looked up at you, "I-I can't breathe..."

You cradled him and looked around wildly for whoever shot the arrow, "Hang in there Reed. I believe in you."

His eyes grew wider, "(Y/n)..I-I...I can't..."

You looked down at him helplessly feeling grief slowly creep into your mind. "Reed listen to me. You are so strong. You are the strongest child I know. You are kind, caring, hardworking...so many things."

His lip quivered as he tried to focus on you.

"I never thought I'd meet someone like you. You tried so hard to do everything for me. You always had my best interests in mind. You are amazing."

"(Y/n)..." He sobbed as he reached a hand towards you.

You took it and forced a smile, "Reed. Thank you. Thank you for everything. You did it. We got out. We got out. Your plan worked."

He looked around for a moment, "I-It did...?"

You smiled and choked out a sob, "Yes! You got me out. M-My brave knight."

Happiness crossed his face for a moment, "(Y/n)...W-Why is the world getting d-darker?" He waved his other hand in front of his eyes as if he was trying to see if something was blocking them.

Your grip on him tightened, "Reed. I-It's..." You turned your head away for a moment and let out a small sob before turning back to him, "I-its because there's a new mission for you. You completed this one...someone else has another one waiting for you..."

He coughed again, "B-But I want to stay with you! (Y/n)...Don't let them take me! I want to ride horses with you...I want to...I..." You wiped the tears from his face.

"I know, I do too. We will. Someday. I promise."

He looked up at you dully, "Pinky promise?"

You linked your pinky with his and smiled, "Pinky promise."

The coughs got more intense and his eyes widened, "I-I...I can..."

"Don't talk." You whispered as you combed his hair. "It's okay. Y-You're going to be fine."

His eyes widened, "M-Mi...Mic..ah...?" He focused on something beside you.

You glanced over there, your lip quivering, "No...H-He's gone remember..."

He seemed to be listening to something intently before he blinked slowly and looked at you, "I-I can see him. He's beside you. His hands on your shoulder. H-He said...said..." His brow furrowed, "H-He was proud of us...of both of us..." He looked at you, "He said you did enough."

You did enough.

The words echoed through your brain and you looked at Reed's eyes. If you focused enough, you could almost see a silhouette reflected beside you.

You hugged him tightly and whispered, "You did too Reed. You did too."

He smiled before he coughed again, "It's getting dark...(Y/n)...We should go to bed."

You let out another small sob before nodding, "Okay Reed. Just close your eyes. I'll see you in the morning." You tried to smile for him.

He nodded, "O-Okay...(Y/n)...Thank you f-for being here...like a mother...I-I l-love...love..." His eyes fluttered shut and his body relaxed in your arms.

You numbly released your hand from his grip and felt for his pulse. There was nothing.

You slowly pulled him up to you and screamed.

"Reed....Reed!" You cried into him.

"Come back! Please!" Your body shook with every cry you let out.

"May I help you?" A timid voice asked, and you turned to see a child that couldn't have been older than 12.

You stared at him for a moment before regaining your composure, "Yes. Are you the stable boy?"

He puffed out his chest and grinned, "The one and only ma'am! My names Reed!"

Your grip tightened.

Reed ran to you and hugged you, "The diamonds are back! Your eyes are sparkling again (Y/n)!"

You picked him up and stared at him, "You're a lifesaver Reed. I don't know what I'd have done without you."

"What would I have done without you..." you echoed.

He nodded and stood up as well. "I'll make sure everything's ready." His eyes were a mix of excitement and fear, "They took Micah from me, but they can't take you."

You sat there for a few minutes, numbly crying. But they had taken him from you.

Everyone's gone...

You heard footsteps come towards you, but you kept your face buried in Reeds hair. You weren't letting him out of your sight.

He'll disappear if I look away...

"(Y/n)..." A voice said and you felt a hand rest on your shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" You screamed as your grip on Reed tightened.

"Dear..."

"Don't call me that!"

"Hey..." Their voice was tender. You shook with rage.

"Don't talk like that..." You muttered.

"Talk like what?" They asked innocently.

You looked up at the face in front of you. Their green eyes were filled with amusement. There was no remorse.

"Like you have a soul!" You screamed. "Y-You took everything from me. My friends...my family...everything!"

You felt someone come up behind you and rest their hands on your shoulder, "We can replace that. We'll be your friends and your family." They murmured.

"No!" You glared at Connor.

Aiden sighed, "Dear, why don't you just let go of that child..." He went to remove your arms.

"I said no!" You screamed and you shied away from his touch.

"He's dead (Y/n)." Connor shouted and you froze.

He's dead.

Aiden reached out for you again, but you sat there numbly replaying the two words in your head.

He's dead...

You felt him remove your arms around Reed and he gently picked him up.

"Where are you taking him?" You whispered.

"We'll leave him here and the guards will come and bury him." Connor stated as he pulled you up to your feet.

"Bury him with Kia." You felt too numb to function. "He loved horses."

Aiden glanced at you and nodded, setting him down against a tree. "We will."

"Come on. The masquerades waiting for us." Connor murmured as he guided you towards two black horses.

He helped you up onto a horse and climbed up after you. You glanced over to see Aiden already on his horse.

The three of you rode in silence as you made your way back to the palace.

Everyone's gone. It's just the princes...

You felt empty. The plan hadn't worked. Reed and Micah were gone...and you were on your way back to the palace.

The twins stopped in front of the main entrance. Connor jumped down and helped you off. Aiden came up beside you and handed you something. It was your dress.

"Here you go. Do you want us to help?" He looked too happy.

You stood there, not saying anything, just staring down at the dress.

"Is that a yes?" Connor asked as his hands grabbed the bottom of your shirt.

You didn't say anything, or rather you couldn't.

Connor and Aiden glanced at each other before Aiden grabbed the dress from your hands. They slowly dressed you as you stood there numbly. You didn't care anymore.

"You're so beautiful." Aiden murmured as he looked at you, "It really makes me want to just take you to your room now."

"Dear won't you say something?" Connor said as he zipped your dress up.

You glanced at him.

Aiden thought for a moment, "Do you want us to disappear as well?"

Your eyes widened.

Disappear...Like everyone else...

"No!" You turned to him and grabbed his arm. "Please don't."

You looked at the ground, your hair covering your face as you shook. "I'm all alone."

Aiden pulled you into a hug, "We won't. We're here for you."

You melted into his touch and vaguely felt Connor embrace you as well.

"We love you (Y/n)." Connor whispered and you closed your eyes. Would it be so bad for you to believe them this time?

The three of you stayed like that for a few moments before you felt one of them slowly pull you towards the door.

"Come on. It's time to go to the masquerade." Connor smiled.

You trailed behind them as they walked down the hall and down the stairs. They paused outside the door and Aiden pushed something into your hands.

"I think you forgot this." He winked as you looked down to see the (f/c) mask you had left.

You just stared down at it. It had only been about an hour ago, but it seemed so long since you'd ran away.

Aiden smiled in amusement before he took it back and placed it on your face, "It's supposed to go here. Not stay in your hands."

You nodded silently.

"Wait here for a second and we'll announce you...again." Connor said as he disappeared inside.

Aiden waved and went in as well.

You pressed your ear to the door and listened.

"Hello everyone. Sorry for the wait. I presume you are enjoying yourself so far." You heard one of them say. There were cheers on the other side of the door.

"Great! Now. It is our pleasure to introduce our new queen, (Y/n)."

You froze as the doors opened and you were met with thousands of eyes.

"Come on dear." Aiden smiled and gestured for you to move.

Your feet moved on your own as you entered the room. People moved out of the way as you moved towards the twins. They really did look beautiful. Their faces were framed by the soft light of the room and their blue suits almost made their complexion glow.

Your breath hitched. They looked like gods.

"Is that blood?" You heard someone whisper and you turned to see where they were looking. Your hands.

You glanced down to see the dried blood and your face paled.

Connor laughed, "What a silly thing to think. (Y/n) is an artist and that is paint! It is her talent. We found her painting in her room, not realizing it was time for the masquerade."

People nodded and you made your way over to the twins. Stepping up on the raised platform, you felt them grab your hands.

"Would you like to say something?" Aiden whispered, still smiling at the crowd.

"O-Oh..." You stepped forward slightly and forced a smile to your face. "Thank you for coming tonight! You all look lovely. Please enjoy yourselves."

People smiled and cheered and you felt Aiden and Connor pull you back into them. They began talking and dancing once more.

"We completely forgot about the blood." Connor murmured as he sat down in his throne.

"Yes. Good cover story though." Aiden glanced at you before he sat as well.

"Come sit with us dear." Connor said as he reached out and took your hand.

"N-No. I'm fine standing." You smiled.

Aiden raised his eyebrows, "Suit yourself."

The masquerade seemed to go on for hours. You watched as people danced and drank, the entire room filled with liveliness.

You turned to the brothers who had bored expressions on their faces, "You two aren't going to dance?"

They both laughed.

"No. It's not our thing." Connor said as he glanced at his watch.

You furrowed your brow, "Then why hold a masquerade?"

Aiden stood up and wrapped and arm around your waist, "To honor you, dear."

"But I don't need extravagant parties." You glanced back at the crowd.

Connor put the watch away and stood up, "I think that's enough for tonight."

Aiden smiled and he turned to address the crowd, "Everyone. We are retiring for the night, but please continue to enjoy yourselves. There is a surplus of food and music for you."

They both grabbed your hands and dragged you through the crowd and out the door.

"What's the hurry?" You asked as the three of you ascended the stairs.

"We've been waiting for this for weeks..." Connor murmured as he glanced at you.

"That's why we're hurrying." Aiden said as his grip on you tightened.

They dragged you to your room and threw you inside. You caught yourself before you fell and turned to look at them. The door clicked softly and your eyes widened. Their demeanor was much different now and you felt scared.

"(Y/n)..." Connor murmured as he came towards you.

"W-Wait...Can't we not do this?" You backed away from them.

"We've held back for weeks..." Aiden smiled. "We deserve this now."

The back of your legs hit the edge of your bed and you looked at them pleadingly, "B-But..."

"It'll be amazing dear." Connor whispered.

"We promise." Aiden turned you around and slowly unzipped your dress.

You shivered as you felt it fall down. "I-I really don't..."

"Just relax." Connor murmured and he pushed you down onto the bed.

You watched as they slowly undressed as well.

"I hope you're not tired." Aiden smiled as they both crawled onto the bed.

You could feel their lips brush against your neck and trail down your body. You squeezed your eyes shut, trying to ignore everything they did.



(One year later)

You sat in your room, reading a book. The cold had finally hit and you were trying to stay as close to the fire as possible.

The door to your bedroom opened and the twins came in, both seemingly tired.

"Hello, dear." Connor whispered as he slid his crown off his head and set it on the small table.

You smiled warmly, "Hey. Are you two alright? You looked tired."

Aiden came over and gave you a kiss, "Always observant. It's just a pain to deal with other countries sometimes."

You nodded understandingly before you held up your book, "You guys would like this one. I had the librarian in the village order it and bring it to us. It reminds me of the other types of books you like."

Connor came around behind you and nuzzled your hair, "We'll have to read it sometime."

You leaned back into him and nodded.

"What have you been up to?" Aiden asked as he sat down in front of you and rested his head against your legs.

"Not a lot. I went out and took care of the horses earlier and I've been reading for a while." You ran a hand through Aidens hair. He smiled at the touch.

Connor sighed, "I wish you'd just give up on those animals."

You smiled again and shook your head, "I couldn't even if I wanted to."

Aiden glanced up at you in jealousy before relaxing again, "We love you dear."

Connor nodded and his embrace tightened.

You laughed, "I love you too."



A/N: This was the original ending I had planned. The alternate ending will be posted shortly or its already out. I hope this met people's expectations and thank you, thank you for reading my story and giving it a chance!