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Chapter 24

After my sobbing outburst of the morning, I tried to pull myself together in the afternoon. I was working in my room, the windows and the door opened to have the air flow in the room.

"Rose!" someone called from a distance.

"Rose!" Closer this time. Was that Jerad?

"Rose!" Jerad peeked his head in my room. "Rose? I know I'm not supposed to come up here, but you need to come."

I frowned. "What's wrong?"

Jerad was breathless. "It's Logan. He's loosing it."

"What happened?" I was starting to panic. "PTSD?"

He talked fast. "No, I don't think so. He's rambling something about not being a criminal, or something like that. He's throwing things in his room, breaking stuff. I don't know what to do!"

"I'm coming." I turned to a guard in the hall. "Get the King, please."

He bowed. "Right away, Your Highness." And he ran away while Jerad and I ran down the stairs – now was not a good time to spring my ankle. Jerad led the way to Logan's room, but with all the noise coming from it, I could have found it without a problem.

The door was ajar and I looked inside. Michael was trying to calm Logan down, and Logan was in complete havoc. I pushed the door opened and entered, Jerad just behind me.

"Logan, what happened?" I tried to use my softest and kindest voice I could muster in this situation.

"I am NOT a criminal!" he yelled at me.

"I know you're not, Logan. What makes you say that?"

He grabbed a magazine on the floor and looked for a certain page. "This!"

I read the headline: 'A Criminal in the Palace?!' Oh no.

"Do you honestly think I would volunteer for the War and risk my life to help save the country if I was a Rebel? If my father was a Rebel?" He ripped opened his shirt, revealing a gruesome scar on his right shoulder. "You see this?" Father came in just then. "I almost died of this wound! There was no hospital were we were, and I had to take the bullet out myself, and it got infected." He tore off his shirt. "And you see that?" He pointed to yet another scar in his abdomen. "I was stabbed here, and again, almost died. Do you think a Rebel would do that for his country? NO! Because I am NOT. A. REBEL! I am a war hero!"

"Okay, Logan. Calm down, we're going to talk about this now." Father said. Then he turned to Jerad and Michael. "Gentlemen, thank you for your help, but I'd like to talk with Logan and Rosaline alone."

"Yes, Your Majesty." they said in chorus, and left the room. Father closed the door and invited us to sit anywhere we could. Logan, shirtless and a bit out of breath, sat on his bed; I turned a chair over and Father sat on the desk.

"Okay, now let's start from the beginning, Logan."

Logan looked at Father, and I could see fear in his hazel eyes. But he didn't answer.

"Look, I'm here to help. I want to find a solution to this. So if you just tell me everything you know, it will help me help you."

Logan sighed. "All right." He glanced at me, and I smiled encouragingly. "It all started six years ago. A friend of my father arrived home one evening, asking if we could shelter him for the night and give him food. He was on a journey; something had held him back and he couldn't make it to his destination in time. And with curfew and all, he couldn't travel by night, at the risk of being put in jail for a couple days or paying a fine. So we sheltered him, like any friend would do for another friend." He paused a few seconds, thinking of what to say next. "Two days later, a bunch of guards raided our house and took father away, not even saying why they were taking him away. They tortured him because they wanted information on that guy we had sheltered. But we knew nothing. He hadn't said anything to us. But they were sure father knew something and they tortured him for days on end, trying to pull all he knew out. But he knew nothing."

Logan shuddered without his shirt. He hugged himself and resumed his story. "We didn't have any news of where he was or if he was even alive. But a few weeks later, we got a note from him, telling us he was in the Tammins' Men's Prison. I immediately went to see him. He told me we had helped a Rebel flee by sheltering and feeding him. But we had no idea. He told me the government wanted to make an example of him: this is what happens to people who help the Rebels. Prison. And death. Father is sentenced to his execution next month." He sighed. "I was seventeen, at the time. I couldn't say anything. So when I turned eighteen, I signed up for the war. I wanted to show that the Castle family are not Rebels. What Rebel would risk his life countless times for his country? But it didn't help. When I came back, they thanked me for my service, but that's all. I was hoping I could show my father was not a Rebel, but it didn't work." He was silent for some time. But neither Father nor I talked. This was a lot to take in.

But Logan was not finished. "My mother died ten years ago, so it's me and my little sister, and our father in jail, killed in a month." He looked at his King. "The only reason why I put my name in the Selection was because I wanted to try to convince the Princess that my father was innocent, and she would convince you, then, to free him. It was an act of despair, but on which I desperately counted. I want my little sister to have a parent. Her mother is gone, and she only has me."

I dried a tear that I didn't notice had streamed down my cheek. Father was pacing up and down in the room, thinking about all what Logan had said. "Son. I believe your story. I had no idea this had happened. When we checked your background, we only found that you were a War Hero." He scratched his chin. "This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to have your father brought here in Angeles. He will be interrogated – not tortured, I promise – because I want to hear his side of the story. I'm going to have the best detectives do it and have them use a lie detector during the interrogation. If he comes out clean, I'll free him."

Logan's shoulder's fell, but anticipation could be read on his face. "When?"

"As soon as possible."

He fell on his knees in front of my Father. "Thank you! Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Stand up, Logan. I'm not a god." He grabbed him by the arm and helped him stand up, his cheeks wet from happy tears.

"He's not free, yet, son. He'll have to pass the lie detectors."

"I know, but it's something new." He put his shirt back on and stood near the window, gazing outside, not wanting us to see him cry. Father silently walked out, but I didn't want to leave him alone now. I stayed on my chair and waited for him to turn around.

"Are you going to be alright, Logan?"

He turned around and smiled. That was something I hadn't seen since he was here. "I couldn't be better right now. I'll be perfectly happy when dad is freed. How will I ever thank you, Rosaline?"

"I didn't do anything, you know? You just told your story to the King. He's the one to take this kind of decision. I couldn't have done it better than you did."

"Well, if he passes the test, I'll be forever indebted to you." He kneeled on the floor next to my chair, taking my hands in his. Was it just me, or did the dullness in his eyes lessen? "I won't tell anything to Grace for now. I don't want to get her hopes up and then see them tumble and break her again."

"Logan, if there's anything else I can do for you, you let me know, okay?"

He nodded. "Can I have something now?"

I chuckled. I had a feeling he wanted a kiss from me. "What's that?"

"Can I have a hug?"

I laughed and stood at the same time he did. "Of course you can." I said embracing him. He pulled me close. I don't know when was the last time he had a hug – aside from his sister or Maggie, maybe – and I definitely agreed he needed and deserved one.

He was the first one to break the hug. "Thank you, I needed it."

"You sure did, Logan." I planted a kiss on his cheek and walked away, leaving him the privacy to take in the new information. I walked back up the stairs to Father's office. He was in his favourite armchair, gazing outside the window.

"Thank you, Father."

"What else did you want me to do, Rosaline? This was bringing bad publicity to us and you with the Selection. I had no idea the campaign would backfire like it did. At least this will show the Illéans that we recognize when we do a mistake, which, in this case, was putting a man in jail without any proof. But before any of this gets out, I want to hear his side of the story."

"Of course, Father. It would totally be a disaster if anyone knew anything before the interrogation. I'll let Logan know not to talk about this with the others. I'll go right now." He nodded and I left his office, going back to Logan's room.

I knocked. "Come in!"

I entered and closed the door behind me. "Logan, I just talked with Father." I told him what we had said, and he agreed. I thanked him and we walked together down to the Dining Room, because it was time for Lunch. He sat at his table and me at mine. Jerad and Michael talked with Logan, probably making sure he was okay, now. I was glad they were with him when it happened, because they had witnessed first-hand the Prison scene.

Lunch was loud again. I wondered what the boys were talking about. It seemed there were two or three different groups and they were not agreeing with each other, but I couldn't guess at what it was.

I walked out of the room when dinner was over, and called Markus, who was already walking up the stairs.

"Yes, Your Hi- Rosaline?" He quickly corrected his mistake, smiling slyly.

I lifted an eyebrow. "That was a close call, Markus."

"I know, I know, I'm sorry. What can I do for you?"

"Well, I was wondering if we could spend some time together soon.

"I'd be delighted." He said eagerly.

"Great! What would you prefer: this afternoon? This evening? Tomorrow?"

"Why not this afternoon?"

"Okay. Are you ready right now, or did you need to do something else first?"

"Nope. I was just going in my room to take a nap, but it can wait."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Having a date with the Princess is much better than napping, to be honest. Besides, I can never fall fully asleep during the day. So I would just be dozing off and I would be groggy later on. No. Spending time with you is way better." He smiled mischievously and gave me his arm. "Where to, My Lady?"

"Where ever you want. I don't want to make another decision right now. I feel that it's all I'm doing right now."

He smiled warmly. "Very well. Is outside okay?"

"Of course." He led the way and we headed for the Gardens.

"Markus, you're an actor, right?"

"Yep."

"Aaron is, too. I was wondering if you ever were in a movie with him? My movie knowledge is pretty bad." I made an apologetic face.

"Actually, no, we haven't. I've met him a few times at the Oscars or some other gathering, but I never was with him in a movie. It would be fun though. He's a great actor."

"And how did you found yourself in the acting world?" We were following the gravel path, walking really slowly, just enjoying each other's company.

"Um... well, even though we're Twos, we always struggled financially. My mom's job doesn't pay well, so when my dad got a job opportunity at the Palace, he took it."

"Wait. Your father works here? Who is he and where does he work?"

"He's one of the outside guards. His name is Oliver Erikson. Officer Erikson."

I sat on the ground in the shade of a huge willow tree, bewildered by what he had just said. "Did you see him?"

He sat next to me. "Yeah. Every other day or so. We don't see him much at home, only when he's on leave, which happens every three weeks for four days. But that's all."

"I didn't know that." I frowned. How could I not know this? Working three weeks straight was torture. "And so how did you become an actor?"

He leaned on the tree trunk, his hands folded on his stomach. "A few years ago, there was an add in the newspaper for a movie casting. They were looking for a young man with chestnut hair and dark eyes for a new movie. Conor, my twin brother, and I both went, because we knew the money would be welcome. He was – is – a terrible actor, but they chose me among seven hundred other young men. It was incredible! So I started filming and I haven't had a break since. This Selection is very welcome for that." He chuckled. "My brother kind of hates me now."

"Why? Because you got the acting job and got Selected?"

"Exactly. But I wouldn't be too jealous if I were him."

"Why not? I would be." I laughed.

"Because he has a stable job with privacy. I don't. And he's already happily married to an amazing young woman, Katia, who is pregnant with their first child. And I'm here, fighting with twenty other guys for your hand." He chuckled.

"And how are you managing that?" I asked teasingly.

He eyed me. "Hmm. I'm not sure, to be honest. I've never had a girlfriend before, so I have no idea how to love and be loved. And to be honest, Conor made me realize that I have a tendency to reject everyone who comes too close."

I leaned on my hands and crossed my ankles. "Do you know why you do that?"

"I think it's because I'm afraid to have my heart broken. It never happened to me before, so it sounds stupid. It's an irrelevant fear."

"No it's not. Are you afraid of falling in love or afraid of being hurt?"

He looked at me, debating what to answer. "Not sure. But maybe afraid of being hurt."

"Then it's agliophobia. It's not irrelevant."

"Maybe. So if you feel I'm pushing you away, don't be too surprised."

I chuckled. "Okay."

"Oh, and one other thing. I don't know if I have what it takes to be Prince."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I hate being famous, in the sense where I don't have enough privacy. And I know how much of the Royal Family's private life is known to everyone. I didn't think we knew that much. But living here for three weeks and a half with photographers and cameramen looming around us and seeing our faces and actions in the newspapers and on TV the next day is even worse than being an actor. We have paparazzis following us from time to time. But you have them all day long, every single day! How do you do that?"

I sighed. "To be honest, I completely ignore them, but I'm always careful to be smiling all the time and always perfectly well dressed. When I loose it – yes, believe me, I do – I do it behind closed doors, when nobody is watching."

"You loose it? Unbelievable." He shook his head with wide eyes.

"Oh, yes I do. The last time was just this morning."

"I can't even begin to imagine you cry and throw things around a room." he said laughing.

"It's not funny, Markus. Look, I'm trying to open myself to you and talk about things that are hard to talk about, and all you do is make fun of me!" I stood to walk away.

"Rosaline, I'm sorry, come back... I told you I had a tendency to push everyone I liked away."

"Markus, if you're going to push me away, you should go home."

"Please, no." He said in a small voice. "Please give me a second chance?"

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Fine. But not know. I'm going back inside." I stormed away, but took the long path back. I wanted to be alone for a while.

I slowed down a bit and breathed in the summer air filled with rose scent. The rose garden was not for away. As soon as I turned the corner around the rose bushes, I froze. On a stone bench was Kate-Lyn and Adam embraced in each other's arms, kissing passionately. They didn't see me, but I had a very good vantage point. I wanted to laugh. Technically, this was treason from both of them, but I was so happy for them! I decided to do nothing and walk away.

How on earth was I going to tell this to Father, let alone the country? These boys were supposed to be mine. But they were perfect for each other. I walked away and headed for my room. I needed a long rose petal bath after this emotional roller coaster day.

I went up to my room. Anna wasn't there, so I prepared the bath myself. I slipped out of my dress and heels. I took the rose essential oil and poured a few drops in the rising water. Then I lit some candles that I put on the bathtub edge, and turned off the light and closed the door to my room. I slipped in the bathtub and leaned my head on the small round plastic pillow, closing my eyes, and letting the water fill the tub, slowly covering me up to my neck. I relaxed my limbs one after the other. I almost forgot to turn off the water before it overflowed.

I must have dozed off a few times, though, because when Anna knocked on the door and came in, it was time to get ready for dinner. I got out of the water and saw that my fingers and feet were all wrinkled like an old person's. I hoped it would go away before dinner. Anna made me wear a floor length blue strapless evening gown with blue heels. I was so happy to have her choose my outfits everyday, because it was one thing less for me to decide.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Don't worry, MArkus is not going home yet ;-)

See you soon for the next chapter^^