I first became aware of someone dabbing cool water on my face. I next became aware that my scalp could breath. Last, but certainly not least, I became aware of the pain my body felt. I drew a sharp breath. The dabbing stopped.

“Prince Aten?” I recognized the voice. I opened my eyes. Sure enough, it was Luke. He looked worried. “How do you feel?” I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. Instead, I started coughing. He gently sat me up and gave me water. “I am sorry. That was foolish of me. The physician said that you wouldn’t be able to speak for a while.” He touched my throat which caused me to cringe, which in turn caused me to grip his shirt. “Sorry!” I took some deep breaths—which hurt—and calmed down. He set me back down gently. Someone knocked on the door. “Enter.”

“How is he?” a voiced asked quietly. It was Dini.

“Sore, bruised, and awake.”

Dini rushed to my side. I tried to smile at him. “Guess what. Now you do not have to hide your true self to Prince Jared anymore.” I looked at him puzzled. “Your wig fell off and he ordered anyone and everyone who knew to tell him the truth. He was surprised at how many people knew.” He tried to chuckle to lighten the mood, but it was not even half-hearted. I felt my soften.

“The doctor says that you have to stay in bed and try not to move too much,” informed Luke.

“Hope you like broth, that is all you will be able to eat,” he chuckled. This one was true.

And so I stayed in bed. I was never alone. A guard or servant were always with me and kept me company. My arms were not as hurt, so I was able to write. At night, Luke would always sit by me and sleep in the rocking chair that Jared once rocked me in. being put on bed rest was not entirely fun. My muscles started to ache and stiffen. Luke would merely say, “It will get worse if you stand and overexert yourself.” In the end, Luke would stretch my limbs every morning and night. That helped a great deal. After three weeks, I was able to walk around the castle without having to worry about pain. I learned earlier that my father got dethroned and my mother is now ruling. I walked down a hallway just drawing on my tablet when I heard footsteps running toward me. I turned around abruptly only to be picked up by Luke bridal style. He did not even slow. I did not even attempt to write on my tablet. Luke did not even need to be asked.

“Prince Jared wants to see you. He had a look in his eye that I did not like.” I then understood. They were prolonging the inevitable. If he was going to kill me, then I would have died long ago. I made Luke look at me. He slowly came to a stop. He knew what I wanted. “At least allow me to go with you.”

You can, but you wait outside the doorway, I wrote.

“Fine,” he said defeated. I could not help laugh a silent laugh. I had never seen him act like a child before. That was more of Dini’s category.

We made our way to Jared’s room. It was a rather gloomy walk for Luke. He just needed to trust me. I knocked on Jared’s door. “Come in,” I heard him say. I walked in and shut the door behind me. “Why did not say anything to me?” he asked not looking at me. “Am I untrustworthy? Do I frighten you? Did you think that I would just leave you to suffer?” By the end, he was shouting at me.

Instead of feeling ashamed, I felt angry. He had no clue what I had gone through. The anger toward him had piled with the anger toward my father. It was so intense, that I could no longer contain it. “Do not speak to me as if you know everything about me! if I had told you would you have acted the way you did before you knew? My father is no idiot so he could have easily seen right through you!” I yelled right back at him. It did not even register to me that I had gotten my voice back. I gave him an intense glare. He looked at me astonished. “I am glad now that you found out, because now I can see the real you. I thought you were different, but you are just like my father.” I took a deep breath to calm myself. That is when it struck me that I could talk again, but I did not let that excite me just yet. “Look, since technically we are not married, you do not have to worry about me burdening you any longer. I will leave as soon as I am packed. I am sorry that you had to deal with me for so long, and I am sorry that one you fell in love with does not exist. I wish you well. Good bye.” I walked out of the room without giving him a chance to speak. He looked too stunned to be able to anyways.

When I walked out of the door, I realized a small crowd had formed. I sighed and walked on. No one followed me, not even Dini. I made it to my chamber and immediately started packing. It did not take long since I had only been in at least two dresses and a night gown. The clothes that I was currently wearing belonged to Jared. They fit me big and I would return them to him. When I walked out, there was a chariot waiting for me along with everyone from the castle. I bid them all a farewell as I passed them. Luke was the last one I saw.

“I will be your escort to your kingdom.” I nodded and helped me into the carriage. The ride back was long and painful. I could not stop the flow of tears that raced down my face. He brought me into his arms and just held me. I could not understand why I was crying. Was it because I was going to miss everyone that I had become close with, or something else? “My Prince, we are here.” I opened my eyes. I had not realized that I had fallen asleep. I lifted my head from his shoulder and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. He got out and offered me a hand.

My mother rushed to me and embraced me. “I am so happy that you are safe.”

“I am happy to see that you are well. How did you know that I was coming?”

“A messenger bird was sent telling about your arrival.”

“Really now?” I asked looking at Luke. He looked up at the sky, but I saw a small smile play on his lips. I turned toward him and gave him an unexpected hug. “Thank you.”

He hugged me back tightly. “You are very welcome. Take care of yourself.”

“You too.” He released me and I walked into the castle with my mother. In the distance, I heard the carriage leave with one of my closest friends.

Okay, this is where you guys come in. Should Jared chase after Aten, or should it end like this. LET ME KNOW!! XD