By this point, I had taken a vow of silence.

Three days into my stay at N's castle, and I hadn't spoken a word since the first night. Lying in bed that night, I knew sleep was impossible, despite how tired I was. So I had just lay in bed and planned.

Just the thought of sleeping in the same bed with my rival- and possible enemy- sent shivers down my spine. Though, I have to admit, I'm a bit proud of myself for surviving three nights of it.

I wouldn't leave the bedroom, either. I was slightly curious as to what N and his servants- the Plasma grunts- were saying about me. Did they think I was being childish? Did I seem strange to them? Any way, it didn't really matter. I wanted them to know that I was uncomfortable here. I didn't want to be here.

Well, at least I could just lie in that comfortable bed all day, in that beautiful room. I made sure that the message got across to N that if he really wanted me out of bed he would have to dragme out. Okay, so that's probably childish. But hey. I'm here against my will.

But, in the end, what will all this stubbornness accomplish? I guess I was hoping that N would take pity on me, or feel bad about making me upset, and let me leave. I should have known it wouldn't be that easy.

The sound of a door creaking open shook me from my thoughts. I looked up from where I was seated in the middle of the large bed to see N carrying a plate of food, right on time. When it became known that I wasn't going to leave this room, N or a Plasma grunt had taken to bringing my meals to me. I never ate until they were gone, however.

I returned my gaze to my fingernails, picking at them absently. It was probably smart to not even acknowledge the prince's presence.

Even when I felt weight shifting the bed, I didn't look up, knowing already that N was sitting there and expecting me to do something- at least give him a bored look, or a nod. But no. He hadn't taken the hints, after three days, that I was unhappy here. I wasn't going to play along in this game anymore.

"White," he said softly.

It was so hard to ignore the pain in his voice.

I felt his hand reach out to brush my hair back, and on instinct my hand flew up, slapping his away. His eyes filled with shock, staring at his hand. I almost mumbled an apology before remembering how important it was to not give in.

"Please, White... Just... say something. Anything," he begged.

I met his eyes now, part of me hoping that he would just understandwithout me having to say something. Honestly, at this point I was afraid to speak. Up until now I had always seemed to go along with what N was saying, finding it hard to be mean to such an innocent person. It would be like abusing a child. Part of me knew that if I spoke I would agree to whatever N wanted me to do.

I was met once again with a begging emerald gaze.

Silence is golden.

There's that voice again.

Don't give in.

But it's so hard not to.

Why is that, exactly? Could it be that I just felt bad about being so rude? Was I feeling embarrassed about acting so childishly?

But in truth, I knew the answer.

I wanted so much for N to remain the cheerful person he always is. I didn't want to be the cause of that person fading away.

"What can I do to make you happy here?"

The question took me by surprise, but more so than that, the way his voice sounded so strained. It sounded like... he genuinely cared about making me happy.

"I want my pokemon back."

I spoke the words as firmly as possible, thanking Arceus that those days without speaking hadn't caused my voice to come across hoarse or weak.

His eyes lit up and a grin spread across his face as he heard me speak again. Suddenly, without warning, he threw his arms around my neck and buried his head in my shoulder. "Oh, White!" he cried. "If that's what it takes, I'll see that it happens! Just as long as- as long as-"

Part of me wanted to demand to know if he was really crying or if that was just my imagination making this moment seem dramatic. But when I found my mouth moving, it formed a different question. "As long as what?" My voice was barely louder than a whisper.

He pulled back to look at me, and I saw that his beautiful eyes really werefull of tears. That almost broke my heart, if not for the small sweet smile that he still wore. "As long as I can still see your beautiful smile."

I didn't know how to respond, so I just mumbled a reply and looked away, hoping my blush wasn't too obvious. Why did he have to say things like that? Was he tryingto embarrass me?

N chuckled. I resisted the urge to glare. When I didn't say anything else, he started telling me about how he had been personally taking care of my pokemon, and some of the things my Emolga had said to him. Once again, I felt myself subject to his words. I felt controlled by the mesmerizing sound of his voice.

You're failing, White.

Shut up.

You need to stop giving in to him.

I'm trying, okay?

Are you really?

I couldn't respond to that damned voice anymore.

Maybe it's simpler to just focus on the sound of N's voice.

"... Ghetsis will be returning to the castle soon, though, probably tonight. And I'm not sure how he'll react once I tell him that you've requested to have your pokemon back. If he disagrees, things could get messy... But even if it means standing up against my father, I want you to be happy, White..."

I tried not to let myself appear shocked by his words. But on the inside, I was. Ghetsis was going to be back? Oh no, if he found out how stubborn I'd been acting... What would he do?

N, you fool... Ghetsis will never allow me to have my pokemon back. Can't you see that? Evenyou aren't strong enough to stand up against him. And even if you are... I'm not worth getting hurt for. You shouldn't care so much for me, someone you barely know more than a rival.

It was at this point when I realized that N's hand were still on my back. Actually, I think I had been aware of it the whole time, but I had let it slip. Hey, what's the harm?

Our moment ended when the door flew open so fast and roughly that a mirror fell off the wall and shattered onto the floor.

"Prince N," a male Plasma grunt panted, his eyes wide. "Master Ghetsis is... dead."