Okay, okay, so this is where Courtney's story really starts. Thanks for reviewing, Elizabeth Fire Ice Heart and Gage the Hedgehog.

While Bridgette was leaving, Duncan was looking Courtney over. Actually, he was blatantly checking her out. Courtney stared back at him, her dark eyes filled with anger.

"What are you staring at, creep?" she spat. She knew his name now, since she'd heard Geoff say it, but she had no plans to use it any time soon. After all, the guy had locked her younger sister up, and only let her go when Courtney offered to take her place.

"Enjoying the view." Duncan said casually. "Got a problem with it, Princess?"

"Yes, I do. And don't call me that – my name is Courtney!" Courtney snapped. "Are you going to lock me up, or not?"

Duncan studied Courtney again, before he replied. "No. Since you're staying, I thought I'd give you a room that fits your personality. And some freedom." In reality, he'd considered locking Courtney in the dungeon, but a voice in the back of his mind, for some reason, was telling him that if Courtney was staying, she deserved a proper room.

"And what does that mean?" Courtney said defiantly.

"What it means, Princess, is that you might actually like the room."

Courtney fell silent, although she was just dying to correct him again. She knew exactly what he was trying to say when he called her 'Princess', and only kept quiet to make sure he didn't change his mind.

"By the way," Duncan said as he led the way, "You can go anywhere in the castle – except up that staircase." He waved a hand at it. It was where he kept the rose and other important things, and he didn't want Courtney going through it.

"What's up-" Courtney began.

"I am not above grevious injury if I find you up there." Duncan said in his quietest voice. He never made loud threats – the minute he became scariest and the most dangerous was when his voice went quiet, and Courtney saw that instantly. She didn't ask again.

Finally, Duncan opened a pair of double doors. "If you need anything, the servants are always on hand." he said. He paused, thinking, and added "One of them will call you down when it's dinner time."

"Will I have to see you if I come down?" Courtney asked boldly.

"You're smart. Figure it out." Duncan shot back.

Courtney knew the answer. "Then I decline. I'm not coming down."

"Joining me isn't a request." Duncan said. "I expect you down at the right time." He didn't wait for an answer, leaving Courtney alone in her new room.

It was a nice room, admittedly. It was much bigger than her one at home, and there she had to share with Bridgette. Courtney had always wished for more space, but now that she was most likely never going to see Bridgette again, she'd rather have a room half the size of this one, and her sister with her.

Tears welled up in Courtney's eyes, as the full force of her sacrifice hit her. Not only had she lost her sister, she'd lost her chance at her ambitions. She'd never go to law school. She'd never get to do anything. She couldn't go to a library, either. She couldn't do anything outside of the castle.

Courtney hated to cry. But it was okay. No one was in the room with her. Courtney threw herself on her new bed and spent half an hour soaking the pillows with tears.

Courtney's tears were drying up when there came a knock on the door. She wiped her eyes, sniffed, and remembering what Duncan had said about the servants, called "Who is it?"

"Do you want tea?" a girl's voice called.

Courtney paused. She liked tea, although she preferred coffee. But any hot drink would proably have made her feel better at this point. Finally, she said "Yeah, thanks."

The door opened, and a girl came in. She didn't look much older than Courtney, but much paler, with dark makeup. If it wasn't for the apron around her waist, she would have looked like an emo. As it was, the apron didn't hide that she was full-on goth.

But she smiled sympathetically at Courtney, and handed her a teacup. "I heard what happened." she said. "That was brave of you." She paused and said "I'm Gwen, by the way. I work in the kitchens, mostly."

Courtney frowned. "How old are you? Don't you have school?"

Gwen shrugged. "Long story. But I left school anyway – financial problems, blah blah blah, don't really wanna talk about it." She paused to draw breath and then said "But I thought you might want to vent."

Courtney took a sip of her tea and considered. Gwen seemed nice. And heaven knew Courtney needed all the friends she could get. But on the other hand, Gwen was a servant, and a question entered Courtney's mind.

Finally, the question came out of the brunette's mouth. "You're not going to report what I say to your boss, are you?"

Gwen laughed. "Are you kidding? I'm used to Duncan now, but he can be a real douche sometimes. I mean, he's better than he was, but I wouldn't report back to him. Trust me, backstabbing is not my style."

But before Courtney could reply, there was another knock on the door. "Wardrobe consultant!" sang out a peppy voice.

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Should I let her in?" she asked.
Courtney shrugged. "Not like things should get any weirder."

Gwen opened the door, and a buxom blonde bounded in, dresses hanging off her arms. "Hi!" she said. "Oh my gosh, you are gorgeous! How do you get your hair that glossy, and your freckles – so cute!"

"Whatever." Courtney muttered. "Um, excuse me, but who are you?"

"I'm your wardrobe consultant!" the girl said. "My name's Lindsay."

Courtney held out her hand. "Courtney Touland. Nice to meet you."

Gwen was hiding a smile. "I...I guess I'll just leave you two. I have to get dinner ready, anyway. I can't trust Cody to do it on his own – chances are he'll burn everything, and that's the good scenario." She mouthed a Sorry at Courtney, and left the room.

"So, I thought you should wear something special for dinner tonight!" Lindsay gushed. "I was just coming in to restock your wardrobe, but why don't I help you pick out something?"

"Don't bother." Courtney advised her. "I'm not going."

Lindsay gasped. "But why? Lord Duncan wants you to! Do you know how lucky you are?"

"You may serve Duncan, but he doesn't own me." Courtney said stubbornly. "First he throws my sister into the dungeon, then when I offer to take her place, he barely lets me say goodbye, then openly stares at me like I'm some kind of slut for him to look at, and basically orders me to join him for dinner. Is it any wonder I'm refusing to go?"

At that moment, there was another knock on the door. It opened, and a tall dark man put his head in. "Excuse me for intruding," he said in a pleasant, gentle voice, "But...dinner is served."

Courtney shrugged. "You can tell Duncan I have no intention of coming down, on account of I don't want to see that self-centred spoilt lord ever again!"

The man didn't push it. He left. After that, Lindsay also slipped out, leaving Courtney on her own.

We'll go back to the village next. Hope you liked this chapter!