Ok! So summer classes are almost done and I finally have a little time to get this thing uploaded finally! Pretty proud of how it turned out if I do say so :) Anyways I'll stop rambling and let you all get on with the story.

~*One's Duty*~

"Mmm…."

Tonya began to stir as she slowly opened her eyes. The events of last night slowly coming back to her. The dancing, her argument with Falitna, seeing that woman, and Chezem taking care of her. Even though she'd been a complete mess once they'd left. She could still feel his arms around her, comforting her as she'd cried her eyes out. She remembered waking once he'd put her in her bed. Pleading with him to not leave her for fear that the nightmares would take her if she was left alone. Tonya knew she would have to thank him somehow for all he did. As she began to fully wake, she realized that it wasn't just a faint feeling she'd had. Tonya lifted her head to see Chezem's arm still around her as his other hand held hers. His hand was so much bigger in comparison, but it was also soft and warm. She moved her eyes from his hand to his face. He was still sleeping calmly as Tonya couldn't help but stare at his face.

'He stayed the entire night?' She thought to herself as she reached up with her free hand to touch his face softly.

The soft touch was enough to stir the boy as he began opening his eyes. Tonya quickly dropped her hand and her face as she kept her eyes averted. She could feel his body move as he sat up slightly to look down at her as he tightened his grip a bit. At this she looked up to see him smiling down at her.

"Good morning." He said sleepily as the two just looked at each other.

"Good morning." Tonya said softly as she lowered her gaze. "Chezem, about last night….thank you…."

She whispered as she felt him wrap both arms around her as he held her against his chest. The two just enjoying the feel of each other's bodies as they remained like that. Tonya was surprised at how bold he was being. The normally shy and reserved Chezem was beside her, holding her with a smile on his face. She vaguely wondered if this was the same Chezem she'd met when she'd first arrived a few weeks ago. The same prince who wouldn't even so much as look at her, let alone hold her as he was doing now. To her, it was nice. She snuggled in closer as she put her hands on his shoulders as the two lied there for a few more minutes, just enjoying the silence. Until they heard a knock on the door that is.

"Tonya, you in there?" Jun called out as the two hurried to untangle themselves. Causing Chezem to fall off the bed in the process.

"Are you ok?" Tonya asked as she leaned over the bed to see the prince just sitting there.

"Fine." Chezem smiled as the two couldn't help but laugh at the situation before them.

"What are you two doing?" Jun asked, having let himself in. They turned to see him leaning against the couch as he looked at the two. "Chezem why are you here?"

"I-I-I was just checking on Tonya! I wanted to make sure she was ok after last night." He quickly explained as Jun looked to the girl.

"It's true! Chezem was the one who carried me to my room last night after I exhausted myself out. So naturally he'd want to make sure I was ok. It's what I would do for any of you after all." Tonya covered as Jun folded his arms and narrowed his eyes.

"Sure." He smirked as Tonya scooted to the end of the bed while Chezem picked himself off the ground.

"Anyways why are you here?" Tonya asked as Jun's smirk faded into a real smile.

"To make sure you uphold a promise you made." He said as Tonya's eyes widened.

"The plans were put through?" She asked in excitement as he nodded.

"Yes. I was going to let all the people know today. And you're going with me." Jun said as he pushed himself off the couch. "Be ready in an hour."

The prince called out before leaving the two alone. Tonya looked up at Chezem who was looking away in embarrassment as he returned to his usual self. She giggled as he turned back to her and smiled before moving to sit beside her on the bed.

"So Jun's plans finally got put through. I'm glad." Chezem said softly as Tonya nodded.

"I am too. Plus I'm excited to see the town he's so fond of. It'll be nice to see something else besides the tourist trap areas." Tonya grinned as Chezem's gaze became serious.

"Are you ok? After last night?" He asked as he watched her face fall a bit.

"I will be. Just seeing that woman makes my blood boil. As you can see she runs with the high society circles. Something I always did my best to distance myself from." Tonya said as he watched her eyes harden.

"I see, so you know some high class people?" He asked as Tonya shook her head.

"My father did. But as far as I'm concerned I want nothing to with any of that." Tonya growled as Chezem just looked at her.

"So you don't want anything to do with our life as well?" Chezem asked softly as her eyes widened as she grabbed his hands.

"No! I didn't mean it like that!" Tonya said frantically as Chezem backed up a bit. Surprised by how close she'd gotten. "You guys are much different. Believe me I've never had so much fun with any high class family as I've had with you guys. I honestly don't know what I would do without you guys anymore."

Tonya smiled as she felt Chezem's fingers curl around hers. She looked from their hands and back to his face as Chezem gave her that warm smile she'd seen this morning upon waking. She lowered her gaze as he leaned his forehead against hers, a soft chuckle escaping his lips as he did so.

"That's good. Because I don't know what we would do without you either." He said softly before kissing her forehead.

Tonya froze up as Chezem rose silently and left the girl as she watched him leave. She touched the spot he'd kissed and felt her heart pick up as she sat there. Glancing at the clock though, she remembered Jun was waiting as she quickly jumped up off the bed. The girl quickly showered, dried her hair, and pulled on a nice mini skirt with a purple tank top and small jean half jacket to complete the look. Throwing on purple studs and her hoops, she grabbed her shoes from last night and ran out of the room barefoot. Hustling down the stairs to see Jun waiting on her. She hopped into her heels as Jun couldn't help but laugh at the sight.

"Oh hush!" Tonya snapped as she strode past him to the waiting car.

It was about an hour drive from the palace, past the city, and on to the small town. While the area did look a bit run down and old, the people wandering around were bright and happy. Stopping and talking to each other as the rest buzzed around the various merchants set up in the main street. The two climbed out as children immediately swarmed Jun. Dragging him off to show him something as his face lit up immediately. Tonya had never seen him smile so brightly before. It surprised her to see him play with the kids so casually as Tonya stood near a merchant.

"Are you a lady friend of Prince Jun's?" The old man asked as Tonya turned to him.

"No, just a friend. Is he always this happy when he's here?" She asked as the man nodded.

"Always. This is where he grew up of course." The man chuckled as Tonya's eyes widened. "His mother was born in this town too. When she wasn't spending time in the palace, she and her son would always come here. Of course he stopped visiting less and less when his mother passed, but it's always good to see him when he comes down."

Tonya suddenly understood everything now. Why Jun had been so upset when the plans had been altered, why he'd been so devastated when he thought nothing could be done, and how grateful he'd seemed when Tonya had done what she'd done. This place was like a second home to him. It had been the home of his mother. Naturally he'd want to protect it and preserve it.

"Well what do you know? He's not as arrogant as I thought." Tonya said to herself as she watched him talk with the others around.

"Tell me Miss, are you the friend who helped him?" The old man asked as Tonya looked down at him. "Jun is like a grandson to me and naturally he tells me of the going ons of the palace. I can recall him telling me about a reckless girl who helped to save our small little town. Told me how grateful he was that he had a friend like you. Said you were truly a one of a kind."

"Did he now?" Tonya giggled as she looked at Jun. "He's not such a bad guy himself."

Tonya felt a small tug on her skirt as she looked down. A little girl was looking at her with wide eyes as Tonya squatted beside her as the girl looked away. A timid little thing. Tonya waited patiently with a smile on her face as the girl turned back to Tonya, holding a flower out to her.

"I heard that you helped us. I wanted to thank you." The small girl said as Tonya took the flower.

"Aw why thank you sweetie." Tonya smiled as she put the flower in her hair. "But it's Prince Jun you should be thanking. He's the one who fought hard for all of you."

"Did I just receive a compliment from you?" Jun asked as Tonya stood back up. The little girl took off with a smile on her face with the two adults watching her as she went.

"I am capable of giving you one good compliment every so often. Kind of like my good deed for the day." Tonya turned back and winked as Jun laughed.

"Are you sure you two aren't together?" The old man teased as the two looked at him.

"No. Unfortunately she already has eyes for another. Besides, she is like a sister to me." Jun pulled her into a headlock as Tonya elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"A sister that can whip you and still look good doing it." Tonya said as the old man just laughed at them.

Jun gave Tonya a short tour of the market place and the town, pointing out areas where he'd played as a kid. The love for the town rang clearly in his voice as he spoke about it. As the afternoon rolled around, the two said their goodbyes to the people before making the drive back to the palace. Leaving the scenic area to head back to the sprawling city. It was sad in a way.

"I'll have to go visit that town again. It reminds me of the small towns back home." Tonya said as she looked out the window.

"Do you miss your home?" Jun asked as Tonya turned back towards him.

"A little. But I write my uncle every day. He's the one I live with in the U.S. So it's not too bad as long as we can stay in touch." She explained as Jun leaned forward.

"Don't you have any other family?" He asked as her face seemed to fall a bit.

"Not really. My mother died from an illness when I was young." Tonya said softly as Jun placed a hand on hers.

"The same with my mother. Before she passed she wanted to return to that town one last time. That's why I wanted to do all I could to protect it. It'd meant so much to her. And it still means so much to me." Jun smiled as Tonya gave him a smile of her own, realizing that in a way they were kindred spirits. Having gone through similar ordeals when they were younger.

"I bet that was a time you were glad to have your brothers." Tonya smiled as Jun laughed softly.

"Yeah. They did all they could to help me get over it. Alvah especially. Since we were so close in age we had a special bond. I guess in a way we still do." He said as he glanced at the girl. "Surely you had others to help you through your ordeal?"

"My uncle. He was the father figure I never had. Did all he could for me and my mom. He is a good, kind hearted man. Similar to your father, minus the harem and eccentric personality." Tonya added as Jun couldn't help but laugh. But his laughter died as he really picked up on what she'd said.

"Wait, so is your father?" He let the question hang in the air as she sighed and leaned on her arm.

"Was never really in my life. It's not a big deal. We attempted to talk before his passing but there was just no closing the gap." Tonya shrugged as Jun watched her eyes harden just the slightest bit. But when she turned back to him they were warm and inviting again. Jun wondered if he'd imagined it all as he let it go.

The two arrived back at the palace and walked to the dining hall. Jun ordered food for them as the servants hurried to prepare something. The two ate their small meal in silence, feeling as if they'd grown closer. And Tonya was glad. But as her eyes often did, they trailed to the wrapped up bracelet around her wrist as she thought about the real reason she was there. Still allowed to live amongst the princes. Not wishing to dwell on it, she decided to ask about something else that had been bothering her lately.

"Jun, can I ask what the deal with Falitna and your family is?" Tonya pried as Jun wondered where the question had come from. "I'd like to be a little more knowledgeable as to why she seems to hate me even though I have yet to give her a reason to. Minus last night."

"Oh, that. Well Falitna is a childhood friend of ours. Mainly mine, Alvah's, and Chezem's since we're the closest to her age. My best guess as to why she hates you is because she feels like her position is threatened. See, it was decided long ago that she was to be married to the next king." Jun explained as Tonya shuddered.

"To be married to a harpy like her? I almost don't want to choose anyone to save them from that fate." Tonya rubbed her arms as a voice chuckled from behind her.

"Marrying her would do nothing more than to boost the power of the next king. While her father isn't much, her mother is a very well-known aristocrat who holds quite a bit of power. So it would be a beneficial move that would potentially help the country later." Lambert said as he pulled out a chair and sat down near the two.

'Of course Lambert would say something like that.' Tonya thought to herself as a glass of tea was placed before him. "But still, to marry just for power? Can someone say they're truly happy that way?"

"In an idealistic world, people would marry for love. But in ours it is merely a duty. It is something that we've come to expect and accept." Lambert stated as Tonya clenched her hands into fists.

"But why? You should be free to find someone you love and be with them. Not someone who has no interest in you other than for a power gain." Tonya did her best to keep her voice even.

"We don't like it any more than you. Hell, you wouldn't be the one spending your life with her. But as Lambert says it's our duty. Speaking of which, I'm supposed to meet Falitna soon." Jun said as he looked at a clock hanging in the dining hall.

"That's bullshit!" Tonya slammed her hands down on to the table, surprising the two. "How can you two sit here and say such things? To willingly allow yourself to be shackled to someone who would make you miserable? Or you do the same to her? To allow someone to take your will away? To just let someone dictate your life with no say whatsoever? To just accept the role you have been given all because someone decided it for you?"

When the two remained silent, Tonya stormed off. They both wondered what had caused the girl to become angry so quickly as they watched her disappear. Not wanting to be around anyone right now she headed outside as she looked for a place she could be alone. She glanced back at the palace as an idea came to her. Something she used to do at home all the time. Walking around to one of the sides where a trellis kept vines off the palace, she quickly climbed up and to the top to sit on the roof. Taking off her heels as she walked barefoot across the stone as she moved to sit near the bottom of one of the towers where no one would be able to spot her. Drawing her knees to her chest as she watched the sun slowly set.

_._._

"Where could she have gone?" Ivan asked aloud as Melchiorre sighed.

"The girl was obviously upset by something those two said earlier. Just give her time, she'll be back. I don't think that she's in any trouble." Melchiorre called over his shoulder as Ivan continued his search.

The oldest prince walked outside and around the side of the palace. Wanting to escape the noise that was going on down below, he pulled himself up on to the trellis and on to the roof as he had done so many times before. He hummed to himself as he walked to his usual spot where he normally sat. It was out of view from anyone down below, making it a perfect hideaway. As he walked along though, he spotted something out of the corner of his eye. Sitting with her knees drawn to her chest was Tonya. Her head resting on her knees as she stared out blankly over the palace grounds.

"You know, everyone is looking for you." Melchiorre whispered in her ear, expecting the girl to jump and bat him away.

"Is that so?" She replied in a monotone voice as she kept her eyes forward.

"Oh dear. This is serious." Melchiorre murmured as he sat down next to her. "What's wrong? What did those two idiots say now to upset you?"

"Would you be happy being forced to marry someone you didn't love?" Tonya asked as she glanced at him.

"They told you about Falitna's role did they?" He asked as Tonya shifted her eyes forward again.

"It's not just her. It's the fact that they can accept that so calmly. To allow their will to be stripped away on something so important." Tonya whispered as Melchiorre saw a deep sadness mixed with hatred in her eyes.

"Does this have something to do with that woman from the other night?" Melchiorre asked as he watched her eyes twitch just the slightest bit.

"Somewhat yes." Tonya answered as Melchiorre put an arm around her.

"Chezem told me about it, but I can see that you don't wish to speak about the topic. And it would be rude to make a lady speak about something that she does not wish to." He grinned as Tonya leaned into him.

"Thank you Melchiorre." Tonya whispered as the two just sat there in silence.

And finally got to Melchiorre into the mix! When I did his story I knew I would have to use the balcony scene somehow. I love how the words almost seem to write themselves sometimes. Makes things easier on me lol. Well can't wait to hear from you all!