Over the course of the next few days Everleigh was careful not to let her maids see any of her new cuts. She bathed and dressed without the assistance of them as she waited for the fresh wounds to heal. She instead told them to focus on cleaning or organizing her room. She had reached out to Leo and explained about her relationship to Darius. He had been angry and upset and told her that he needed time and space. Everleigh sighed as she thought about Leo, she wanted to reach out to him and talk, but understood his need for space. He had told her that he would call when he was ready to face her again, but so far, she hadn't heard from him. Everleigh sat at her vanity desk as one of her maids brushed her silky blonde hair. She glanced up at her maid whose eyes were focused on her wrist. Everleigh sighed, so they suspected something. Which meant they were going to tell her father. She should have known her behaviour would tip them off, ever since her return she had allowed them to help her bathe and dress again. I'm such an idiot she though, panicking. She didn't know how she would explain this to her father and she really didn't want to be sent away again.

"All done, miss," Her maid said.

Everleigh smiled at her maid, "Thank you." She said as she stood. She gave herself a glance over in the mirror then left her room. Maybe they don't know she thought, trying to reassure herself. She took a deep breath to compose herself as she made her way to the dining hall. She stepped inside and took her seat beside Jase who smiled at her.

"And how are you doing today?" Everleigh asked.

"Good, I started a new book last night," Jase replied.

"Well, I would love to hear all about it." Everleigh said with a smile. She adored her younger brother and felt bad that she had been neglecting him lately.

"Maybe later, there's a lot Sawyer and I need to discuss," Elon said. Everleigh suspected that it could wait, and that he just wanted to silence Jase. Elon turned his attention to his eldest son, "Tell me, how is your Selection going?"

"Well enough, I have taken most of the girls on dates now." Sawyer said as he reached for his glass of orange juice.

"You only eliminated ten so far, I want another five gone by the end of the week." Elon said.

"Another five?" Everleigh asked, shocked. That would mean fifteen gone in the first week.

"Your brother needs to show people that he's decisive," Elon said firmly. "I want another five gone by the end of the day, am I understood?"

"Yes, dad." Sawyer said with a sigh, he didn't like eliminating his Selected, it felt so heartless and cold. But he knew it ultimately had to come down to one, he just didn't know how to get to that point. "How did you know that mom was the one?"

This piqued his siblings' interest as they both glanced at their father, eager to hear his reply.

"That is a story for another time." Elon said as she finished the last bites of his meal. "Everleigh, how have the Selected been conducting themselves in the Women's Room?"

"Perfectly fine, nothing worth noting has happened." Everleigh replied as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

Elon nodded, "Good, at least they can behave themselves. Everleigh, stay after breakfast, I would like to speak with you."

Uh oh, Everleigh thought as she nodded and forced a smile.

After breakfast Arya reported to the parlor to attend another one of Avery's lessons, when she noticed that her favourite bracelet was missing. She sighed, I must have left it in the dining hall, she thought. Avery had excused her on the condition that she hurry back. Arya nodded and hurried from the room. Outside of the dining hall she reached for the handle of the door, but paused when she heard voices from within.

"What is wrong with you?" Elon ground out. "I did everything right, I sent you to get treatment, I got you a psychiatrist yet still you insist on hurting yourself! Why?"

Who is he talking to? Arya thought, and against her better judgement she pressed her ear against the door to hear better.

"I-I don't know…" Everleigh said so quietly that Arya had to strain to hear her, the teen's voice was thick with tears. Arya thought to the cuts lining her own wrists and her heart went out to the girl. She understood why she would do it.

"Do I need to send you away again?" Elon threatened. "Do you know how bad that would look? In the middle of your brother's Selection! This is the time to pull yourself together, Everleigh."

Again? Arya thought, so the princess has gotten help before. She felt slightly jealous that her father cared enough to get her help, but couldn't help but be reminded of her mother by his harsh reaction.

"I'm sorry, dad."

"Starting today your room will be searched daily for anything you could use to harm yourself, so I suggest you hand over whatever it is that you're using," Elon growled. "Your maids will also be inspecting you for any sign of injury, if I hear about another cut, Everleigh, I swear to God you'll regret it. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, dad." Everleigh said quietly and Arya flinched at the sound of muffled crying.

"Quit your crying, you're not a child!" Elon barked. Arya straightened up as she heard footsteps approach the door. Before she could back away the door opened to reveal King Elon. "Just what, pray tell, are you doing here?" He demanded as he read her name tag.

"I-I uhm, forgot my bracelet, Your Majesty." Arya stammered as she curtsied to the king. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but she found herself glued to the spot, too intrigued by their conversation to leave.

"Really?" Elon mused. "Because it looks to me like you were eavesdropping."

"I wasn't, Your Majesty, I swear I just got here I didn't hear anything," Arya said quietly. She looked to Everleigh who had her back to her.

Elon leaned in and hissed into Arya's ear, "I hope that what you're telling me is the truth. However, if you did overhear anything that was said in this room, I would hope that you have the common sense to keep your mouth shut." With that he left the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Arya hurried to her table and grabbed her bracelet, she gave Everleigh an apologetic look and made her way to the door but Everleigh beat her there, cutting her off.

"I don't need your pity, Arya," Everleigh spat. "I know you do the same thing. Why else would you be wearing sleeves in this heat?"

"I'm sorry, Everleigh-"

"Your Highness," Everleigh correctly coolly as she took a step towards her. "If you even think about telling anyone a word of what you heard I'll tell Sawyer that you're a cutter too. Not that he won't find out on his own, I mean, if he marries you that is."

"I won't tell anyone, Your Highness." Arya said, looking between Everleigh and the door. "I promise."

"Good," Everleigh said, then turned and left the room.

Arya sighed, this was bad, now both the King and the Princess were against her. She knew that Sawyer valued both of their opinions, I'm doomed, she thought.

Sawyer waited outside of the Women's Room, he had no idea where his father's instruction to dismiss Arya came from, but he wanted to talk to her himself before he made any decisions. This was his Selection after all. After a few moments she stepped into the hallway and Sawyer offered her his hand.

"We should probably go somewhere private for this conversation," Sawyer said.

"Is everything okay?" Arya asked nervously as she took his hand.

Sawyer said nothing as he led her away from the Women's Room. Once they were in one of the manly libraries in the palace he closed the door and leaned against it. "Did something happen between you and my father?"

"I'm not sure what you mean," Arya lied, avoiding the question.

Sawyer sighed, "I need you to be honest with me, Arya. He wants me to eliminate you and I'm not sure why." He couldn't think of a reason that his father would want the seemingly sweet girl eliminated. Unless of course it was all an act and she was playing him.

"I…I overheard something that I shouldn't have," Arya said quietly.

Sawyer's face etched in confusion, what could she have possible overheard? The right wing was off limits to the Selected. "What did you hear?"

Arya sighed, "I overheard him berating your sister about hurting herself. I didn't mean to listen in, I forgot my bracelet in the dining hall, and I went to get it and the things he was saying to her were just awful."

Sawyer slowly nodded, taken aback. Everleigh had hurt herself? Again? He thought she was going to come to him. "I'm sorry you had to hear that."

"Please don't tell your father or anyone else that I heard-"

"I won't tell anyone, I promise," Sawyer said as he ran a hand through his hair. "And I'm not sending you home over this, I just ask that you use discretion regarding this matter, Everleigh is rather sensitive about it."

"Her secret is safe with me," Arya said as she nervously scratched her wrist. "But there's something I would like to tell you."

"What is it?" Sawyer asked as he leaned against a bookshelf.

Arya took a deep breath and pulled the sleeve of her dress up, to reveal her wrist covered in scars. Sawyer sucked in a breath as he grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over the myriad of scars.

"Why do you do this?" Sawyer asked, confusion and concern laced in his voice.

"It makes me feel something," Arya answered in a small voice. "I have to numb myself around my mother so I don't snap. She's controlling and…emotionally abusive. She controls every aspect of my life and I just, I need to get some semblance of control back."

"I'm sorry, about how your mother treats you, no one should have to go through that." Sawyer said, unsure of what to say to her. He was relieved that none of the cuts looked recent. But still, he was concerned that she might do something like that again. He wasn't sure what to do, but he knew he had to keep this to himself.

"Thank you…but your father's doing the same thing to your siblings, the things I heard him say to Everleigh were just…terrible."

"I know," Sawyer said quietly. He didn't want to admit it, but Elon was abusive, just not to him. He didn't understand why he was exempt, but he was for some reason. He had to do something about it, he just wasn't sure what. "Thank you, I'll let you get back now." Sawyer said as he made his way to the door. He couldn't believe his father, trying to send a girl home over that, it wasn't Arya's fault that she overheard. He was also concerned about his father's behaviour to his younger sister. He just wished there was something he could do to help Everleigh.

June was walking through the palace, on her way to the Women's Room when she saw Sawyer approaching her. She waved to the Prince who smiled and waved in return.

"Good afternoon, Lady June," Sawyer greeted in a friendly tone.

"Good afternoon, Prince Sawyer," She teased with a grin. "I actually was hoping to run into you, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

"Of course, what is it?" Sawyer asked, intrigued.

"Well, I was thinking about your sister, and between you and me she doesn't really seem…happy." June finished as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I was thinking that maybe I could get her a gift?"

Sawyer thought for a moment, a gift might cheer her up he had been meaning to do something for his sister, but he just hadn't had the time. How had June been able to catch onto his sister's emotions? Something that had alluded him.

"That sounds like a fantastic idea, what were you thinking?" Sawyer asked as he offered June his arm.

"Well, I studied biology in school and I have an interest in plants…" June trailed off as she took his extended arm. "I was thinking a succulent, they're relatively easy to take care of and having something to take care of might cheer her up. I'm going to be very strict with her, the plant is her responsibility, no maids helping!"

Sawyer laughed, "You'll be the one to break that news to her." But he was thrilled by the idea. He was sure Everleigh would like it, it was a unique and thoughtful gift.

"I don't mind. So, when should we go get it?" June asked.

"How does right now sound?" Sawyer asked with a grin. This was just the thing he needed to cheer his sister up.

"Right now? I'd love to!" June exclaimed with a smile. She had already had her first date with Sawyer and now she was getting to spend more time with him, she was glad that he was on board with the idea and didn't see it as pushy.

"Well then, let's go. I'm sure we can find a plant store somewhere," Sawyer said.

"You mean a plant nursery or a gardening store?" June teased.

Sawyer laughed, "I don't get out much, okay?"

Sawyer and June spent the afternoon at the gardening store picking out the perfect plant for Everleigh and when they returned they went straight to her room. The fifteen year old was lying in bed with a magazine on her lap when they burst into her room.

"Good afternoon, Everleigh!" June said in a cheery tone. "We come bearing gifts."

"A gift? For me?" Everleigh asked surprised.

June held out the colourful succulent that they had picked out and showed it to the princess. Everleigh smiled as she got off of her bed and walked towards it.

"It's very pretty," Everleigh said with a smile, the first genuine one in days. "Thank you."

"It was all June's idea," Sawyer said, giving credit where credit was due.

Everleigh took the plant from June and glanced around her room, unsure of where to put it.

"It would be best if you put it by the window, so it will get lots of sunlight." June said.

Everleigh nodded and placed the plant by her windowsill, "I'll make sure my maids take care of it."

"Oh, no that simply won't do," June said in a jokingly authoritative voice. "You'll take care of it, I insist. It's your plant, it's your responsibility."

Everleigh grinned, "I don't know the first thing about taking care of plants."

"Well, it's a good thing I do," June said triumphantly. "Are you sure you like it?"

Everleigh nodded, "I really do, thank you."

"Great, now onto how to care for your plant. Sawyer, you pay attention too in case you need to babysit!" June exclaimed.

Everleigh laughed and Saywer grinned, happy to see his sister happy for once. It had been a small gesture, but June was right, it did cheer Everleigh up and that's all that mattered to him.