Yeah, I know...I havent updated in a really long time...but here's chapter 2 and 3 =] Comment!

Chapter Two

In the morning, a maid is shaking me roughly by the shoulders. When I sit up drowsily and glare at her, she draws back, shoulders hunched, watching me with wide eyes. "The queen ordered me to wake you. You're to have breakfast with Prince Evan and Princess Helen…" she trails off.

I roll my eyes and slump under my covers. I hear the pattering of her shoes as she leaves the room.

Then suddenly rougher, harder hands grab my shoulders. "Princess Kiran, you little twit, get up this instant!" Madam Purcell looms over me. "You're to have breakfast with your handsome prince. Shouldn't a princess be very happy?"

I purse my lips. "Excuse me, madam, but it seems that you are disturbing my sleep. I would like to be left alone now." I draw the covers over my head and roll over. Soon I hear her shoes walk away.

"KIRAN!" Mother is now by my bed, shouting her displeasure. "I did not have Prince Evan get engaged to you to be left alone all morning! Get dressed, wear his ring proudly, and get your fat head to breakfast!"

I nod sullenly. I had a few things I wanted to yell back at her: How do you expect me to wear his ring proudly when it has another girl's name engraved in it? But I don't. I rise from my bed and curtsy to Mother. Beside her, Madam Purcell smiles smugly at me. She knows that even I have to bow down to the wrath of Queen Evren.

"Good." Mother smiles. I marvel at how beautiful she is, even first thing in the morning. Her hair is impeccably combed, her lipstick not even smudged. "Wear that moss green gown of yours. It brings out your eyes."

I nod, forcing a smile. Mother smiles at me again and touches my hair. Then she is leaving, her gown floating behind her. "Don't forget to wear the ring!" She calls over her shoulder. I listen as their footsteps fade, before I walk to my closet. When I finally find the green dress, it looks forlorn and forgotten. I bit my lip. Looking at it, it suddenly reminded me of times when I didn't have any worries or husbands. And suddenly, this made me want to cry.

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When I arrive in the dining room, Prince Evan and Princess Helen immediately jump to their feet to greet me. Princess Helen smiles at me adoringly while Prince Evan barely manages a smile. Suddenly, the ring on my finger feels more like a rock. Prince Evan pulls out a chair for me. I smile politely at him and sit down.

The table is now silent, so quiet that I am instantly aware that Princess Helen is the only one eating, her fork clanking noisily with the plate. I lift my glass to my lips and take a sip.

"I like the paintings hanging in the hallways," Prince Evan says quietly, an offer for conversation.

"Do you enjoy painting?" I ask, bringing my fork to my mouth. The eggs today are less salty than usual—Mother must have caught on to their dislike of salt.

"Yes, although I'm no good at it." Prince Evan's mouth twitches up at the corners, as if he's trying to smile but can't quite manage it.

"I'm sure you're very good at it," I say.

"I just said that I'm not," Prince Evan says. I expect him to look mad, but instead he smiles. "It's okay. I know I'm horrible at it."

"Oh," I say awkwardly. "Okay then."

His smile vanishes and he goes back to picking at his food. Princess Helen looks up at the gap in conversation. "Let's take a walk," she suggests.

Prince Evan folds his napkin neatly. Princess Helen jumps up and runs ahead, making Prince Evan and I walk next to each other. We keep a huge distance between our shoulders and occasionally he glances at me. When we're outside, he clears his throat. "Would you like to lead the way?" He asks.

I look at him sideways. "No, it's all right. I promise we wont get lost."

He nods and looks at the ground while we walk. I suddenly feel like I need to fill the space between us with conversation. I take a breath. "Do you miss home?"

For a moment, I think he isn't going to answer. But just when my cheeks start to flush, he says, "No."

"Why?" I ask more because I feel the silence will swallow us again if I don't, not necessarily because I want to know.

Prince Evan looks thoughtfully up at the blue, blue sky. "Not enough fresh air."

I laugh, but it comes out harsh and loud. "Just because of that? Not because you wanted to escape pressure? Not because you wanted more from your life?"

Prince Evan cracks another smile. "I like it here," he says simply. I want to tell him that it doesn't seem like it at all, but I keep quiet. This is the most conversation we've had.

"So do I," I agree. I pluck a flower bud from the next bush we pass.

And then suddenly, we relapse into silence. This time it feels more comfortable, even though from time to time Prince Evan looks at the ring.

From here, I see Princess Helen running to us from the path. Her blonde curls are streaming behind her and she looks excited. "The gypsies are here!" she says, clapping her hands together.

I furrow my brow. "Gypsies? Aren't they thieves?"

"They're vagabonds," Prince Evan explains. "They travel from country to country, earning their wages by performing shows."

"Let's go watch!" Princess Helen says, already running back up the path. Prince Evan jogs after her, easily keeping her in sight with his long legs. I sigh and start running.

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The sights, the sounds, even the smells captured my attention. But what really made my pulse race was the huge red sign nailed to one of their carriages. New Recruits Wanted.

This was perfect, beyond perfect. I could join the gypsies'. I could finally escape, finally start over. And then Prince Evan could go back to Lena, and our worlds would be restored.

When we had to go, I was almost wistful. What if they left tomorrow? What if I lost my chance?

But Princess Helen was getting sleepy. Prince Evan held her hand and he came to tell me that they were going back. He added that I ought to go with him, for it wasn't proper for an adolescent girl to be alone after dark. I had sighed and trailed behind them.

Back at the palace, I bade them good night. Prince Evan had the room three doors down from mine; Princess Helen's was right across. They shut the door soundlessly. Once I was sure everyone else in the castle was asleep, I crawled out of bed. I grabbed my clean white sheets and laid them flat on the ground. I started folding up the simplest gowns I had, in the less conspicuous colors—browns, navy blues, pale greens. In total, I had ten. Then I added stockings, my hair bands and clips, even my jewelry box. I figured that I could sell them for money. I slipped out of my nightgown and into one of the maid uniforms. I had taken it from the blonde maid in the kitchen who looked to be my size. Then I comb my long hair into a simple bun.

I hoist my makeshift pack on to one shoulder before opening the door cautiously. It was dead silent, and would be pitch black if it weren't for the moonbeams shining in, overlapping in some places and leaving some areas completely shrouded in shadow.

I took a deep breath. I had Prince Evan's engagement ring in my pocket, a couple of gold coins in my other one. I could finally leave this life I didn't want, finally leave Mother. I was sure this was the right thing to do.

I was now in front of the staircase. I was about to set a foot on the first stair when I heard it—"What are you doing?" It was whispered, but it seemed like a shout.

I gasp, a strangled sound, and squeeze my eyes shut.

"It's okay," the voice said softly. The figure stepped out of the shadows. My jaw dropped. Prince Evan? Surely he wouldn't drag me back?

"I was hungry…So I was just going to get some food," I say hastily. "Would you like anything?"

"I'm not stupid," he says firmly. "Where are you going?"

"The gypsies' camp," I whisper, surrendering. "They're looking for new recruits."

"Don't worry," Prince Evan says. "I'm not here to stop you."

"Well—"

"But I do have one condition," he whispers. I knew this was too good to be true.

"What is it?" I demand.

"I'm coming with you." I see him smile in the thin moonlight. "Wait for me."

I purse my lips. "Hurry."

He turns around and disappears into his room. He's surprisingly quick, coming out in less than five minutes.

Prince Evan looks at me warily. While I know this is in no way a friendship, it feels like we're finally making some progress.