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Back to the story.

Chapter 2

She looked up and found herself gazing into a pair of beautiful, haunting emerald eyes.

Clove's eyes fluttered open, finding herself in a huge room. She sat up, her head throbbing. She gently massaged her temple. She looked around, awed. She lived in a mansion, but she had never seen such luxury. Teacups with intricate design sat on the gold table. Paintings and calligraphies of famous authors hung on the wall. She had taken an instant liking to the painting of the peach blossoms. She could almost smell the sweet scent of them. High quality jade ornaments decorated the room. The whole room seemed to be radiating royalty.

Wait! Royalty? Clove cursed. After everything, she was still in the freaking palace. She must escape! She got up and ran towards the grand wooden door. As soon as she laid her hands on the door, a palace maid entered, with a shy smile on her face. "L…Lady Clove, you have awoken. Do you need anything?"

"No, no thank you," Clove replied cooly. Before waiting for the palace maid to respond, Clove jammed one of her pressure points with her two middle fingers, causing the maid to faint.

Clove immediately ran out of the room. She found herself in a yard and swiveled her head around. The main door was located a few feet west of her room, two guards stood by its side, with their backs facing her. She took a deep breath and walked calmly towards it, not wanting to alert the guards. But as soon as the first guard turned around, she pulled out a knife from her outer robe and threw it in the guards' direction. The knife whizzed through the air and caught the first guard in the knee. The second guard was quicker and managed to dodge a knife to his shoulder. But before he could draw out his sword, Clove dashed forward. Her foot lands square on the guard's crotch. The guard fell to the floor as Clove picked up the guards' daggers to add on to her own collection. Without thinking, she pushed through the main door, closing it behind her.

Clove found herself in a place with stoned pathways and even more doors leading to different places. The gigantic palace was not helping her now. Not at all. Making sure to not make any noise, she randomly picked a route and walked on. The corridors were empty, not a soul in sight, only the occasional doors by the side. Making her job of not being seen much easier. Then, she heard the most ear-piercing scream ever.

Knives drawn, Clove swung the door open.

Katniss stared at her, her mouth agape. A palace maid was on the floor, picking up shards of broken porcelain.

"She dropped a vase…" Katniss explained, as she saw the confusion on Clove's face. But before she finished, Clove slammed the door shut and left. Seriously! Who screams just because of a damn freaking vase! And now, her plan of not being seen was ruined!

She took deep breaths, calming herself down. Back to plan. She walked, following the paths, be careful to not let anyone see her, or suspect her. The palace was huge, with beautiful flowers lining the pathways. There was a pond, with water lilies floating on top. Colourful butterflies fluttered around. If Clove was not that desperate to escape, she would have been mesmerized by the beautiful scenery.

She hurried along, knocking out a few palace maids and eunuchs on the way. She found a gate that she assumed led to the city. She crouched behind a huge rock sculpture. Two burly and very menacing looking guards were standing at the two sides. Don't you ever dare think that Clove was afraid. She was not. In fact, the thought of knocking out, or killing the two guards if necessary excited her. A smirk formed on her face, as she cut the spikes of the cactus, throwing them onto the neck of the two guards. It caught them off guard and as they raised their swords, they fell to the ground, limp.

Clove stood up, and hurried out of the gate. She walked along the path, and soon reached a market place.

It was bustling with activities. Candied hawed sellers walked down the streets. Roadside stalls selling beautiful accessories and delicious food were everywhere. The market place was bustling with life. Clove was so very tempted to buy her favourite candid haw. She had to force herself to look away from it and continued forward.

Distracted by the hustle and bustle, she bumped into someone. "Watch where you're going, jackass" she snapped, looking up. That pair of emerald eyes… Where did she see them before? Shit. Damn shit. She ran.

Shoving people out of her way, she rushed forward, knocking smaller sized people over. Without looking back, she ran.

She screeched to a halt as she saw two familiar guards… It was fate wasn't it? No matter what she tried, she was still fated to enter the palace.

"Ah! Lady Clove! Why are you here? You are not trying to escape again right?" one of the guards said, "Here, let me escort you back into the palace!" The other guards grabbed hold of her arm and jerked her forward. Clove glared at them, but she had no choice but to follow them. Since she had to stay in the palace, the only solution was to make the best of everything. She won't be owned, but she will play along.

"What am I in the palace?" she just had to ask.

"You do not know? You are the soon-to-be concubine of the crown prince!"

Concubine… embarrassing and senseless…

"What about that Rue and Katniss girl?"

"Rue is for Prince Thresh, and Katniss for Prince Peeta."

"Oh, so I guess I'll be for another stupid arrogant prince with a freaking gold crown on his head"

"Watch your mouth, missy! Say that one more time about King Odair's sons and I'll whip you so hard you'll cry."

The sinister tone in his voice was unmistakable. But Clove knew better

"Try me," she said defiantly.

The guard turned away and started dragging her back to the palace. "I'll still cut you," she muttered under her breath.

They went into the palace and the guards brought her into this room with a screen. Katniss and Rue were also in the room. The guards excused themselves and left, leaving them inside.

"Girls!" a high pitch voice resounded. A lady dressed in extravagant clothes entered, a smile on her face masked with thick make up.

"I am the head of the imperial Maids, Effie. I will be running some…. Checks on you. First up… Katniss Everdeen!" Effie gushed in a weird accent. She gently pushed Katniss along, hiding behind the screen. A maid entered and Katniss exited, with a slight blush on her face. Clove was curious to what was happening. What did she exactly mean by 'checks'? Rue entered next, and then exited with her face bright red. This definitely sparked curiosity in Clove.

Clove entered, only to be told to strip. Seriously? That's what Rue and Katniss were embarrassed of? Clove rolled her eyes as she gently pulled off her clothing. But she held on to a single knife. "Touch me and I'll cut you," she said coolly. Effie's eyes immediately turned into a sneer as she hissed in a high pitcher voice, "Manners!" Effie prodded and peered at Clove's bare body. "She's in good shape, nice ass, still a virgin. Passed!" Effie finally announced. Clove rejoined Rue and Katniss as Effie once again took the stage.

"We will put you through some intensive trainings to become a proper lady. We do not want any of you to spoil the princes' image!" She stressed on the word "image", but I didn't understand why. Weren't we gifts? How are we suppose to spoil their "image"? Effie then started her boring speech on the proper etiquettes and some other boring stuffs that Clove already knew.

For the next few hours, the girls were drilled in embroidery, calligraphy, painting, dancing and coached in different instruments. Clove absolutely hated embroidery. Rue and Katniss were surprisingly well at it, but none of them could compete with her dancing skills.

When they thought that they could finally rest, Effie announced that they had to perform in front of their princes. They had an hour to prepare.

Clove smirked. She knew exactly what to do. She chose her clothes carefully, selecting a black and white one, which was a little translucent and thin. The outer robe was off shoulder and the inner robe was a little lower than usual, showing off some of her asset. Her dress was made of fine thin silk, and was stunning. She wore a pearl circlet, adding the finishing touch. With a smile on her face, she walked towards the hall, where they will be performing.

Katniss, who was dressed in a red and orange robe that made her look as if she was on fire, went first. With gentle strokes, she played the gu zheng beautifully, the song gentle but filled with strength. Rue went next, wearing a robe, which was forest green in colour. She looked like a sweet little angle in it. As expected, Rue sang. Her voice was sweet and gentle, touching people's heart. Her song was beautiful, filling them with images of the gentle flowing river, with beautiful flowers blooming by its side…. And before Clove knew it, it was her turn.

Clove walked into the room, her hips swaying, a smirk on her face. She carried herself confidently, with elegance.

That's when she saw the pair of emerald eyes trained on her.

Shit.