She awoke, she could hear people whispering. They were close, but not close enough for her to hear what they were saying. Breathing out, she opened her eyes which protested. The lamp on the wall was bright enough to make her flinch. Lifting her hand to
cover her eyes she saw it was now bandaged, a small red spot on in the center. She looked at her hand in confusion, looking down she saw that her boot was off revealing the nasty bruise underneath. Slowly she sat up, looking around. There were shelves
on the walls filled with different sized jars that held different colors, there were a couple beds around the room, at the door were two goblins, one was slightly taller than the other and chubbier, they seemed to be talking before one caught her
glimpse. The larger one nudged the smaller one.

"Go tell the King. Quickly."

"Why do I have to?"

"He likes you more."

"Oh. OK." The smaller one ran out the door. The chubbier one hesitantly walked closer to her.

"My, my name is Thang. Yo-you are in the Infirmary." Thang stopped at the other bed, carefully not to come closer.

"How?" She swung her legs to the side of the bed. She shook her head as she tried to stand, pain shot up her leg making her nauseous. Giving it a couple seconds it passed. She tested her foot out a couple times. She would be hopping for the next little
bit, that was certain. She looked back up at Thang who just stared at her.

"Howwhat?"

"How did I get in the Infirmary?" Thang stood there, mouth opening and closing, as though trying to find the right answer. She rolled her eyes and began hopping towards the door. She then had an idea, she lifted her wings, they weren't fully dry and they
were still fairly heavy, but they would be able to let her hover, just enough to keep pressure off her foot. She was about to push the door open when it swung open causing her wings to falter making her fall back. A hand reached out and stopped her
from completely falling. She met eyes with the striking blue again. After a couple seconds she let her wings flutter again, lifting her feet slightly off the ground. He then let go of her wrist and leaned against his staff.

"You recover quickly." She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.

"Why're you being so nice? Why aren't my wings soaked?" He shot his eye brows up.

"Just cause' you are my prisoner, does not mean I can not treat you well. As for your wings, you can fly, but not far enough with how wet they still are." This only made her more suspicious, though he was right, her wings still felt heavy, a long flight
would not be the smartest move.

"Why am I your prisoner? I didn't do anything to you." He raised a finger and smiled, showing his teeth.

"Ah, that is where you are wrong Princess. You broke into my castle and let my previous prisoner escape. Call it a, trade, if you will." She fluttered close to his face, anger ran through her.

"Marianne!" He raised an eyebrow, smirking at her.

"Feisty aren't ya?" His voice dropped even lower, his accent becoming more apparent. "Aren't Princesses suppose to be obedient?" Her lip twitched at his insult, but he just watched her, amused. She noticed his eyes grew a shade darker. Without thinking,
she curled her hand into a fist and connected it to his jaw.

"Call me Princess. One. More. Time." He turned his head slowly to face her, he face was inches away from his, but he still held that amusement. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear.

"Princess." Rage filled her, she swung again, but he stepped back into the hallway, watching her. He gave his staff to Thang, and lifted his arms, urging her on. She lurched herself forward and like that they were fighting, though something about it seemed
to be like they were dancing. He would duck and turn, she would spin around him, each trying to land a punch, but she felt like he was holding back. After a couple moments of them going in circles, her wings began to tire. She let herself land, a
small shot of pain came causing her step to falter, she braced herself against the wall. Through her lashes she saw him reach out, she snapped her head up glaring at him.

"Don't." He stopped for a brief moment before rolling his eyes and walking to her. Her entire body tensed as he lifted her. His arm made its way around her back and under her arms. He walked back into the Infirmary, placing her on the same bed as before.
She went to stand again, but he only placed a firm hand on her shoulder.

"Wait. Here." His voice was harsh, as though scolding a child. She rolled her eyes and nodded her head, crossing her arms. He raised an eyebrow at her. She lifted her arms in the arm.

"Fine." He watched for another moment before leaving. She watched him leave, noticing how his wings were not of that of a butterfly or moth, they were that of a dragon fly, though his were faded and brown. Before she could get a better look he was gone.
She sighed, looking around again. For the Dark Forest, it actually wasn't that bad as far as she could tell. Instead of stone and flowers, they had stone, roots and dirt, it had more of an earthly feel. Something inside her told her it felt more like
home than the Fairy Castle. That puzzled her, she had never been here before, nor even thought of visiting. Why was the King being so cautious around her, as though he was amused with her in some way. She admitted she liked how he didn't talk to her
like she was a fragile thing. She pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Thang came back in, with the shorter creature at it's side again.

"Stuff, quiet." Stuff huffed and walked over to the bed looking up at her.

"But this is the second Princess in less than a day! Are we sure that one of them can-"

"Stuff!" Thang smacked it upside the head, glaring at the smaller creature.

"S-sorry…"

"The King had to make an errand real quick, he told us to ask if you were hungry or needed anything." Thang looked at her with what she assumed was a smile.

"Actually, could I go somewhere else? Anywhere is fine."

"He told you to stay here." Thang crossed its arms, tapping its foot. "Though… I guess the throne room would be ok…"

"Oh! The throne room has a massive skylight! You can see the moon and stars!" Stuff smiled again, looking at her with excitement.

"That sounds…. Lovely?" She was never one to use, cutesy words.

"Ok. Stuff, you wait by the door and tell the King when he gets back where we are." With the they began to walk, she noticed his staff was leaning against the wall. Debating in her head, she took it, Thang looked at her with fear but said nothing.

"I'm just using it to help me walk." Thang gave her a hesitant nod before continuing walking down the hallway. As they walked she looked over the staff. It was wooden that twirled around itself making its way up. At the top it looked almost like a dream
catcher with a large amber stone in the center held by leather straps. It was truly beautiful, at the top stood a small secured blade that had the wood twirling around at the base.

They made there way through an archway leading into a massive room, massive dome room was decorated with roots, stone and smoothed over dirt. In it's own way it was nice, looking all the way up she saw the massive skylight that let the moonlight in, you
could see the stars so clearly. Glancing around she saw on the far side was a massive throne. The throne itself was that of a spine of an animal surrounded by larger roots that curled its way up almost making a crown. She made her way to the center
of the room, still gripping the staff as she looked up, it was the first time she saw the night sky like this. It truly was beautiful. It was a full moon tonight, it seemed so large, as though it would crash through the glass any second. She had lowered
the staff, she ignored the pain in foot as she stood, just staring. She closed her eyes. For the first time in years, she felt at peace, like she was at home. It was an odd feeling she knew, but she wanted to relish in the thought that maybe she was
home. A small slowly made its way across her lips as she soaked in the moonlight. Slowly she raised her arms up, bringing the staff with her. The smile only grew. Slowly she opened her eyes, looking up at the moon once more. Something caught her attention
in the corner of her eye, she spun bringing the staff to her defense, only to slightly relax and bring the staff to her side once more, leaning against giving relief to her ankle. The King stared at her first then to his staff, his brows coming together
in confusion.

"I used it to help me walk. I, uh, here." She winced as she put weight on her foot again, holding out his staff towards him. He walked towards her slowly, hesitantly he pushed it back to her.

"If it helps, it is fine." His voice was just barely above a whisper. Clearing his throat he lifted his hand revealing he had been holding a small jar. "This will help. May I?" He pointed to her ankle. She felt a small heat move across her cheeks as she
gave him a small nod. He knelt down, gently taking her ankle. He lightly placed the ointment on the top of her foot, making his way up to the top of the bruise. She let out a soft sigh as instantly the pain started to recede. He left go of her ankle
and stood again giving a soft chuckle. "It is an old remedy we use here in the Dark Forest. Speeds up the healing and numbs the pain. Very rare to have, even harder to find." She tilted her head at him.

"Why are you being so nice?" He rubbed the back of his neck, giving an awkward smile before moving up to his throne. She remained where she was, watching him as he sat, leaning back, his elbow on the armrest, his head in his hand, watching her. She shuddered
under his gaze.

"I don' know. Somethin about you." His accent came through again, his gaze on her never faltering. "Ya not like the rest." She scoffed.

"Yea, I've heard that…" Her voice trailed off as she looked back up at the moon, oddly it gave her a sense of calm.

"I mean it as a compliment."

"Sure. Just like how Princess is held as a high title." A lick of disgust flickered across her features. She felt a soft breeze go by her, she looked up to see him standing in front of her again, it caught her by surprised making her breath hitch.

"Why does that bother you? Princess?" Her wings fluttered behind her, giving a clicking sound. He raised an eyebrow at her, watching as her wings still fluttered. She was grinding her teeth, she looked away, shoving his staff into his chest before walking
back to the hallway she came from. She managed a couple steps before he stepped in front of her again, she noticed he wasn't holding his staff, shaking her head, she tried to move around him only for him to stop her movements each time.

"Princess?" He voice was soft, but the anger still rose in her again.

"IT IS A USELESS TITLE! IT IS ONLY SO THEY CAN BE MARRIED OFF FOR POWER! THEY ARE TREATED AS THOUGH THEY ARE FRAGILE AND CAN NOT MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS." She watched him as surprise filled his face. She fluttered her wings again, bringing her to his
eye level, her eyes were darkening. Her voice lowering again, dripping all the venom she could. "Their feelings do not matter. They are regarded as though they have power when indeed they have none. That title is an insult, it tells me I am nothing
and never will be more than some else's gain. Even if that someone else is a lowly, self centered, arrogant, son of a b-"

"Woah, woah." He gently grabbed her shoulders, bringing her back to the ground. Her hands kept clenching and unclenching into fists. "Who told you Princesses have no power?" Her head snapped up at him.

"Everyone?" She was confused. "That is how we are treated and taught. That we have power, but when it matters…" Her eyes began to water and she shoved past him, determined not to let the tears fall. This time, he did let her walk away, she made her way
back to the Infirmary and laid on the same bed she woke up on. She stared at the ceiling. She wasn't sure what came over her. That was the most honest she had been with anyone, even if it was brief, not even Dawn truly knew how she felt. She sighed
and turned her back against the doorway. Her eyes became heavy, she left herself drift, though she hated what came next…..

She was flying as fast as she could back to the castle, the small light in the distance showed it was the castle. Fear laced through her as she trembled, wishing she never left the castle, wishing she never fell for his tricks. She was suddenly tackled out of the sky, she landed hard into the ground, her vision blurry, reaching up to her head she looked around. His voice that once made her melt now made her shiver. This wasn't the first time he did this, she should have learned by now.

"My dear Marianne. You couldn't have just been ok with it could you? I will get my army." She watched as he sauntered over to her, the moonlight casting a shadow over his face, distorting his appearance making him look twisted and truly evil. She began to stand and attempted to fly off again but he grabbed her wrist and slammed her into the ground. He was kneeling on top of her, her arms were pinned above her. Her eyes went wide as she watched him. "You see, no one is going to believe you. I have a reputation that is so well put together, people will think you are just being a spoiled Princess." He trailed his finger down her neck, stopping just short of the small clasp that held above her breast. Her breathing stopped for a moment. "Princess holds no true power. Even when you are Queen, the King still triumphs. If I can't have you, I'll just have to take that little sister of yours." She then started to buck, kick, and tried to free her hands, but he only laughed. He moved his hand from her chest and went to her thigh, slowly lifting her dress. She began to sob, her entire body shaking. She heard the clasp of his armor coming undone which sent another surge of fear through her. His weight slightly lifted off of her allowing her leg to move and she kicked him hard in the chest sending him back. She stood only to have him hold her by the throat. She clawed at his arms and attempted to reach for his face but her reach wasn't long enough. His grip tightened, that venomous smile of his staring at her. He then kneed her in the stomach before tossing her into the Dark Forest. She tumbled down, stopping only when she smacked into root that was sticking out of the ground. He was on her again, lifting her by the arm and yanking her out of the forest. He tossed her to the ground, standing above her. She whimpered and tried to crawl away before he landed a kick to her stomach. He knelt down beside her.

"Marianne, I will have my way with you again, even if I am to marry that sister of yours." He grabbed her hair lifting her head to meet his. "You are mine."