Hi guys! So this chapter is a little bit shorter than the others, I got a little bit of writer's block while writing it. Also, if you guys have any suggestions, comments, critiques, questions or anything, let me know in the reviews, I'd love to hear what you think of the story so far and how you think it can be improved :)

T.W. Death threat

It had been about three weeks since the Rebels had infiltrated the Palace and I still hadn't figured out who that Rebel was talking about, when he said 'her'. Today, though, I was determined to ask Dad if he knew anything about it.

I made it to Dad's office when I noticed that the door was open about a crack and saw that Mom and Dad were in there. I went to knock when I heard Mom say, "Maxon, they were in here. They were so close to her. Who's to say that they won't be successful next time? She couldn't even get into a safe room, she was hiding in a closet. A closet! We need to up her security, or something. I don't know what to do Maxon, I just want to make sure that she's safe."

Woah, wait a second. Were they talking about me? Were the Rebels after me? Why would they be after me? I haven't even done anything. Was that why they were here? What would they have done to me if they found me? Oh gosh, the room, it felt like it was spinning.

"Raia…" began Dad, but I couldn't hear the rest of what he said, I couldn't hear anything. I just stood there, stunned, in complete shock. What would have happened if I didn't make it to the closet? What if I'd opened the door and they were right there? All I had was a mop and a screwdriver, how would I have defended myself? How would I have defended Aliya? This was too much, way too much. I needed to sit down, I needed a break from this.

Finally, my head stopped swimming and the only thing I could think to do was run. I didn't know where I was going, but I just knew that I needed to be somewhere away from being the Princess, away from being an Heir, just away. Somewhere where I could think clearly. I ended up making my way to the stables and after a couple minutes, Lightning and I took off.

After about 20 or so minutes, Lightning had slowed down immensely and I let my thoughts run wild again. What could I have done to upset them? I can't think of anything that I've even done that could have upset anyone, I was working hard on the education sector, but no one knew about that. We hadn't even finalized everything yet.

I got off of Lightning and just sat down against a tree, not caring that my clothes were getting dirty, put my head between my knees and just let everything go. Everything that I had been bottling up, the stress of becoming Queen, the Rebels attack, the possible death threat directed at me, the media, everything.

"Um, Raia, you good?" asked a voice.

Startled, I looked up into concerned blue eyes, and realized it was Kile. Kile Woodwork, Marlee and Carter's son. He wasn't too much older than I was, only about two years. We'd known each other our entire lives and we literally grew up together. He also had dark brown wavy hair, a chiseled jawline, some freckles here and there, smooth glowy skin and was incredibly tall.

I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes, although he obviously knew I had been crying and said, "Oh, hey Kile. Um yeah I'm fine, don't worry about me."

"You sure? Cause you don't look like it."

I sighed, "Not really, I just don't particularly want to talk about it. I came here to get away from all of it."

"Ah, I see. Mind if I join you?" He said pointing to the space beside me.

I nodded and he sat down, leaning his head against the tree.

"So what're you doing out here?" I asked.

He sighed and said, "Just needed some fresh air, I don't think my mom is too thrilled about my career choice."

"What do you mean? What career choice?"

"I want to be an architect, I'm not really interested in building apartments and stuff, but more like building housing for low income families, you know to help reduce the amount of people on the streets."

"Wow, Kile, that's amazing. That could help so many."

"Yeah, I think she's mostly just opposed to the part where I have to leave the Palace."

"Makes sense, but you can't put your dreams on hold just because you're worried about how your mom is going to take the news, I mean, it's not like leaving forever, you're going to come back for holidays and on other days to visit. Plus, well I'd have to talk to my Dad first, but I'm sure that we could get a program going where we build houses and you could design them, pick out materials, and all that, I mean, if you want, of course."

"Yeah, you're right, thanks. I'm going to use that next time I talk to her. Yeah, that sounds amazing, I'd love to help out with that, thanks Raia!" he exclaimed and smiled, whenever he smiled, he had these cute dimples that formed on both cheeks, "So, you sure you don't want to talk about what's bugging you?"

I sighed, "Well, it's kind of hard to pinpoint exactly what I'm upset about. It's all just kind of been building up for a while. But I'll start with today. So apparently, weeks and weeks ago, there was a death threat, directed at me. And that's why there was that Rebel attack three weeks ago."

"Oh, wow. I don't really know what to say, but you're safe in the Palace, there are so many guards and I'm sure they wouldn't let anything happen to you," he said apologetically.

I nodded, "Yeah I know, it still sucks though. Especially since no one told me about it. I get why they didn't, but still, it would have been nice to know what was going on, especially since it was targeted at me."

"Definitely. Man, I feel like I'm contributing nothing to this conversation," Kile chuckled and then continued, "sorry bout that."

"No, it's fine, honestly it's just nice to talk to someone about it. When I figured it out, I kind of just took off running." There was nothing particularly funny about that statement, but I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

Smiling, Kile asked, "Are you good?"

After I'd calmed down from my little fit of laughter, I replied, "Yeah, sorry, I think I'm a little delirious."

Kile got up, turned to me and said, "Maybe we should get back to the Palace, I'm sure everyone's wondering where you are."

He extended his hand, I took it and he helped me up. Our faces were really close and I couldn't pull away, I was lost in his deep blue eyes. Neither of us pulled away, it seemed he was lost in mine as well. Had I never noticed that Kile was actually really good looking? And caring? No, no, no, this is Kile. Kile who was my childhood best friend and nothing more. There was nothing more there, he's just a friend, I declared.

After a little while, I pulled away, blushed and said, "Um, we should probably go."

Now it was his turn to blush, "Yeah, right."

As we walked back to the Palace, I held onto Lightning's halter so we could walk alongside each other. But the little moment we shared had made things a little awkward so the entire way back we just walked in silence.

Once we made it back, we both went our separate ways, he went inside and I went back to the stables. Hopefully Mom and Dad weren't too worried, the last thing I wanted was to add more stress to their lives. I had just needed some time to clear my head.

一一

I knocked on Mom and Dad's bedroom door, since a guard had told me that I could find them there.

"Come in," Mom called quietly.

I opened the door to find Dad taking a nap and Mom reading, she put a finger to her mouth and pointed at Dad.

"Hey," I said sheepishly.

"Hi sweetie, let's go to your room so your Dad can get some sleep."

一一

In my room, Mom sat down on my reading chair and I took the seat at my piano.

She began, "Honey, I know we should have told you about the death threat, we just didn't want you to be thinking and worrying about it. You are safe here, the guards will keep you safe and so will your father and I. I know it's not easy to get these harsh letters, believe me, I know how you're feeling. But my love, these Rebels, they just don't like the monarchy. This is in no way a reflection of how others or the public view you as a person, just a group that hates the monarchy as a whole and will do anything to dismantle it."

I nodded, "I know, it's just," I sighed, "It's just so much to handle and so difficult, and I'm not even Queen yet, it just makes me think how bad it'll be once I am Queen. I really don't know if I'll be able to handle it, if I'm being honest. I don't think I'm ready, or if I ever will be."

"Yes it's a lot to handle and yes it's difficult and hurtful, but Raia, you are a strong young woman, unfortunately, there's a lot of difficult things that you'll have to go through along your way to becoming Queen and once you are Queen. However, you don't have to go through it alone, you have so many people who are right here to support you, no matter what. Don't run away just because things got hard or are going to get much harder, remind yourself that you are, Raia Adira Schreave, no one and nothing can bring you down."

"Thank you, I really needed to hear that. I love you, so much, Mom."

"And I you, Raia," she kissed my head and said, "You know I really miss the sound of you playing piano and violin. It's been awhile since I last heard you play."

I smiled, "Nothing compares to your playing though Mom. And I played yesterday, I just don't play very loudly, I don't want everyone to hear it."

"I disagree, you're much better than I'll ever be. Why is that? Everyone loves it when you play. Won't you play something for your dear old mother?"

"First off, you're not old," I said, laughing, "Second off, what would you like me to play?"

"Hmmm, surprise me. Anything you play is beautiful either way."

"Hm ok." I think back to all the songs I know and decide to play my all time favourite, Canon in D Major.

It's been awhile since I played it, but as soon as I hit the first note, it all came right back, just like riding a bicycle. I loved playing the piano, it was so relaxing and therapeutic. When I finished the piece, I heard many clapping noises. I turned around to see Mom, Dad, Issy, Elias, Kye, Aliya, Officer Williams, Officer Klein, Aspen, Kile and some others all gathered around my doorway. I blushed and ducked my head, "Um thanks guys, I didn't know so many people were listening."

"It's because you play beautifully, Raia, no one can help but admire it," Dad replied smiling.

I smiled back, "I guess."

Ah I love Canon in D so much, probably one of my favourite pieces.