Aqua woke feeling more comfortable than she had been when she went to sleep. The men who had attacked her had been apprehended and escorted to the dungeon. Zack had woken after his healing, insisting he was fine, but the King ordered him home along with fresh guards to protect everyone in the study. Not being permitted to return to her own bed until they had searched for traps, both physical ones and magical ones. The thought sent a chill down her spine.

She hadn't done anything to anyone in the kingdom. She hadn't even been rude enough to warrant anyone having a grudge. Yet, it seemed that by simply living in their kingdom, she was their enemy. A reminder that no matter what happened, this would never truly be her home.

With a heavy heart, she claimed a small cot when they were brought in. Much to her chagrin, Jack claimed the one next to her. He curled up on the cot and fell right asleep. She tossed and turned, struggling. She wasn't used to sleeping in a room with other people around her, especially not armed guards minding the doors. Or her betrothed right across from her. Just as she was about to give up and find a book to read until dawn, a coolness washed over her. With that, she passed out like a light.

Somehow, some way, during the night, Jack managed to scoot himself as close to her cot as possible. He managed to wrap both arms around her arm in a near python-like hold. The pins and needles shooting up her arm told her this happened a while ago and she was only noticing it now because it was uncomfortable. However, that meant she had to escape. Especially before someone noticed. She struggled to free herself. Unfortunately, he had latched on quite tightly.

She had to wrench her arm away and when she did, his eyes fluttered and he shifted. To her relief, he stayed asleep, just rolling over and his hands were making a grabbing motion for something. Suddenly feeling guilty, she took the blanket and brought it up beneath his chin. Jack snuggled down beneath the blankets, mumbling sleepily. Even Aqua had to admit that it was rather cute.

With that thought, she blushed and hastily looked away, only to find the King staring at her. He was sitting at the desk with a mound of paperwork. However, he wasn't doing any of it. He was smiling, clearly amused by the exchange between the sleeping Jack and Aqua. She ducked her head. Unfortunately, her mortification would not kill her. Nor would the ground swallow her up.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked.

"O-Oh, yes sir."

"That is good." North said, "Please come sit."

He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. Aqua grimaced but seated herself there as he requested. This felt like the many times she was brought before her father after doing something he did not approve of. She wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to make herself as small as possible. Anything to keep him from getting angry with her.

"What happened last night?" North inquired.

"I don't know," she whispered.

Half because she was afraid, half because she didn't want anyone else to overhear. Jack was dead asleep but she hadn't looked to see where Elsa or Riku were, let alone where any of the guards were. She wasn't sure what had happened herself but giving it closer inspection may lead to answers she didn't want.

"Try."

It was a gentle request. A kind one even. But Aqua recoiled as if she was struck. She didn't want to think about what happened. She almost died. Zack and Cloud were hurt for her sake. If those assassins hadn't frozen up the way they had, they would have completed their mission. There would have been 3 bodies.

"I don't…"

"Take your time."

Aqua pursed her lips. She likely wouldn't be able to escape describing what happened now that she wasn't an emotional mess. Still, thinking of her would be assassins sent a chill down her spine. Not to mention, the strange way they stopped. North folded his hands before him, just above his mouth. Aqua was at a loss. She wasn't used to people actually wanting to hear what she had to say. It left her feeling strange.

"Zack and Cloud came to my room and insisted I come here as quickly as possible." she explained. "But on our way those men showed up. Zack… Cloud… They wouldn't walk away."

"Tis job to protect you." North said.

"But they almost died!"

North nodded. He could see the issue. Aqua had never had anyone care so much about her well being enough to lay their life on the line. It left her feeling helpless and perhaps unworthy of the devotion. North knew Zack and Cloud. Neither of them would have fought for her so valiantly if they didn't believe that she deserved it. The Frost family would have to work on that opinion of herself.

"They would be ashamed if anything happened to you."

"But I-"

"Are Jack's fiance and their friend," North said firmly.

Aqua's grip around herself tightened. To the point of her grip nearly going white knuckled. She thought back to that moment. It was so hard to dredge up because she had been terrified out of her wits. Zack lying unconscious. Cloud bleeding. Blood… so much blood. But the man froze when she screamed for him to. All of them did. She hadn't been able to look a gift horse in the mouth so she ran for it. Taking Cloud and Zack with her.

"In the end, you did the saving," North said. "You used magic."

Aqua could feel the blood draining from her face. Dread flooded through her entire being. People in her kingdom died because they could use magic. Her father had gotten to the point where it was immediate grounds for execution on the spot. No formal trial. No hangings. Just immediate death. If her father knew… he would have her killed on the spot. Had he known? Was that why he didn't shower her with as much affection as he showed Vanitas?

"How?" she croaked.

"Everyone is capable of magic." he said.

She bit her lip. If everyone was capable of magic, then people in her kingdom died needlessly. Her father killed people who couldn't help it if they used magic anymore than they could help breathing. Then again, comparing Verona to Guardia was like comparing night and day. Enough so that the two countries may as well as have been two entirely different worlds. Verona was bleak and almost lifeless but Guardia was vibrant and the most joyous place.

"Tis lot to take in," North said.

He pat her on the head. Aqua blinked. She couldn't remember the last time an adult looked at her with such paternal kindness. Her own father had never been affectionate. Her eyes began to prickle. The first signs of tears as her vision blurred.

"You are strong and brave. You can do it."

He didn't say anymore after that as she wept.