Chapter 5: Her

A/N: Hey guys! Welcome back to another chapter. First off, I would just like to apologize for my late uploads. I've been doing a lot of writing for other projects recently, and sometimes I feel like taking a break from it. Other than that I would also like to address the fast paced-ness of this chapter, as I was kind of in a rush to complete it as it is 1:42am in the morning right now. I'll continue to say more at the end of this chapter. Other than that I hope you enjoy!

Cal POV:

She looks exactly the same. Mare, that is. The only thing that's changed is the ends of her hair; purple instead of gray. But, other than that she looks just like she did a year ago. Maybe, physically stronger but I assume that's just from training. I think I've been staring too long because Evangeline interrupts my thoughts with a very loud and exaggerated cough. Classic Samos tendencies.

"Uhm, yes. Welcome to the castle, I've arranged rooms for all of you are welcome to rest at your leisure before the dinner tonight." I awkwardly say as I lead them all into the castle. It feels strange that for someone who I used to be so close to, we can't even bare to look at each other. But at the same time my heart almost skips a beat when I remember exactly the last time I did see her. No good memories to say the least.

"I assume that you all know where everything in the castle is, and if you need any help or accommodations, please ask the servants or myself. Alyssa, will show you where your rooms are", I continue to say, pointing her out. Oddly enough, I feel proud that I know her name. Just last week I made it my best efforts to get to know every single person who worked under me. It was fitting seeing as they take care of my own home.

Stealing another glance at Mare, I notice that she has her blank expression plastered on. Even in front of me. What did you think Cal? Everything would go back to the way it used to be?

Tyton follows her as they make their way up the staircases and into the west wing of the castle. I knew she was bringing a guest, but him? It's none of your business what she does anymore, Calore. Stop thinking about it.

Again, Evangeline breaks my thoughts.

"So? What do you think. I brought her along as promised" she grinned.

I smirk. Of course. "Nice of her to bring a friend isn't it"

"Obviously you wouldn't have a problem with Tyton being with Mare would you", she says, seriously.

"Why would I?" I say. But the heat that slowly pulses out betrays my real thoughts.

I really do need to work on that.

Now it's Evangeline's time to have her laugh. "Thought so. But you know, where's your soon to be wife? Shouldn't she be here?"

"Oh, yeah. She's busy preparing and doing other important stuff"

At this, she scoffs. "You know, just telling you I always thought Mare would've made the better queen anyways", she tells me before flicking her hair, and starts walking off to another hallway, probably to find Elane hidden somewhere in the castle.

I sigh. Well, she's not wrong. But not in the way Evangeline's thinking. Layla's never really had a passion for ruling or making laws. And maybe that's the way it should be. I've had enough of mixing my crown with relationships for a lifetime. Still, I can't help but wonder what could've been with Mare at my side. It always comes back to her, doesn't it?

Mare POV:

Well, this place pretty much seems like the same mess as when I left it. And fucking awkward to say the least. I mean I could tell he was staring at me but I just couldn't bring myself to look back at him. Maybe it's for the best. We just aren't meant to be, and we never will be.

And the fact that Tyton was right next to me and when he put his hand in mine made it impossible for me to recognize that he was there. But he's already left to his own room which is a floor below mine.

A least the rooms he gave us aren't bad. Actually, it might be more extravagant than I remember any of them looking during my short-lived stays. This time, I'm given a spacious area with floor to ceiling windows that overlook the west mountains. It's actually beautiful. The bed is luxurious as always, and the white walls make it seem clean and fresh.

"Well, well look who's already settling in", I hear from someone at the door. I turn around to see Evangeline, and of course she has Elane on her arm.

"Yes, yes what do you want to do to bother me today Eve", I grumble.

"Don't be sad Barrow, we're only here to see that you are going to make a grand appearance at tonight's dinner party". She almost laughs.

I almost want to roll my eyes, but then I stop to think of how great it would be to make a show stopping entrance. I can't help my emotions. But, I hate it when Evangeline's right, so I grimace instead. She knows me well enough to understand that it's a sign of submission, and I swear I see Elane beam with a grin.

I can only shake my head.

For the next couple hours, they spend their time trying to make me look presentable. Well, mostly Elane. Evangeline just lounges around on my bed and molds her rings into random shapes. I never knew that there we're so many things you could do to make someone look better. It reminds me when I had to be painted over with white paste as Mareena. But, now Elane matches my skin tone to something she calls foundation on, which magically blends over every single blemish on my face I didn't know existed. Instead of focusing on my makeover, I take this time to dream up every possible scenario of what's going to happen tonight. Just fantasizing about shocking everyone at tonight's party with my new appearance makes me want to either throw up or blow up with excitement. I can't really decide.

I almost want to scream with frustration when I find out that after applying dozens of products on my face and brushing the knots out of my hair multiple times, that we're still not done.

"Calm down Mare, this is supposed to be the fun part", Elane sighs.

I frown as I look around at the room, seeing nothing remotely exciting. "And what exactly is this part"?

"Isn't it obvious Mare?", Evangeline says, exasperatedly. "We can't exactly have you going to a party with everyone who's anyone in the kingdom in your rags, can we?"

I'm about to retort to her, but decide I should just let it go. I mean, she's right. There isn't really an opportunity for shopping back in Montfort.

Elane begins to pull multiple dresses out of my closet, which I grimace at. How constricting. But, them being the most stubborn and incessant couple, they made me pick one. So, of course I choose a purple dress with a tight bodice and flowing skirt. If I'm being honest, it was actually really pretty. It sparkled with a flare under the lights, and it was breathtaking to look at. Why not use this opportunity to remind people who exactly I am. It's always exciting to take this opportunity to channel my inner "little lightning girl", even if she never really existed.

Elane and Evangeline help me in the dress and fix up my hair by curling it into long flowing waves, and fit me into silver strappy stiletto heels to match my dress. Great. Looks like I'm going to be tripping over everything all night.

"Okay, time for jewelry!", Evangeline told me.

She starts by placing necklaces, rings, and bracelets on me, that I don't necessarily care for, but it reminds me of something else I have yet to put on.

After all of their work is done, I ushered them out, thanked them for their hard work, and told them that they needed time to get ready too. Only 1 hour left.

Slowly, I shuffle through my backpack to find what I'm looking for. Reaching in the front pocket, I place my eyes upon it, and pull out a shiny red gem. If this is a time for new beginnings, then this is the place to start.

Walking over to the spacious bathroom, I take the sharp back of the earring and punch it through my left earlobe. This one doesn't need to be kept with the others. The others bring good memories, and times of happiness. This one is immensely different. And the satisfying sting that comes with it, also brought splotches of red blood brings me back to reality. Leaning back, I smile, satisfied. It's going to take more than 1 tireless fire prince to bring me down tonight.

But before I know it, it's time for the party. I shut the lights in my room off with no effort, and I start to exit my room. I'm already 10 minutes late, but that's the plan. I have no idea what's gotten into me, but for some reason I just want to be noticed. Walking down the staircases to the grand ballroom, I'm starting to question my decision. Who am I? Why am I doing this? Why did I think this was going to be a good idea? But, it's too late to back out now. The only thing that makes this worse is that I chose the entrance where there's a grand entryway, and everyone can see you. You're an idiot, Mare.

Sucking in a deep breath, I pull back the curtains that separate the hallway from the ballroom, and enter.

Holy fucking shit. What was I thinking.

Everyone, and literally everyone was staring. Part of me wants to flush out all of the lights in this whole damn palace, and my other conscience reminds me that that would quite literally be the worst decision I could ever make and also the fact that it wouldn't do anything because of the fucking candles that illuminate this stupid room.

Well Mare, just get it over with.

Slowly I take steps forward, down the stairs. Step by step. Unconsciously I scan the room looking for him. And It's not very hard for me to see him. I could find him anywhere in the world. He's not exactly hard to miss either, in his dress suit and crown. He's in the corner, talking to other nobles I don't care for.

This time I look at him straight in the eye. And he stares back. Mouth slightly open in shock. I smirk. This is exactly what I needed.

With this, I give my most confident walk down the staircases, all the way to the bottom. If anyone has anything to say about me, they don't express it, and at least give me the courtesy turning back around to their own business.

Except Tyton. He comes right towards me. He's wearing a plan black suit with a silver-white tie to match his hair.

"You okay?" he asks.

"I'm fine", I say, almost rolling my eyes. He doesn't need to know about anything. Yet.

But it's exactly this moment that I hear a song play.

"Are you going to invite me to dance", I smile.

"Of course. May I have this dance my lady?" he grins.

I place my hand into his, and he leads us into a dance around the ballroom. It brings me back to my late-night dance lessons, with Tiberias. But this only reminds me that I have yet to see this fiancé of his. The thought makes me want to blow up. But I won't let my emotions betray me tonight.

That might be hard though. Especially when the dance ends, and I'm shoved a glass of alcohol from one of the servers. I quickly down it. And the next 2. I'll need all the liquid courage I can get.

Because it isn't long before the bell rings, signaling that it's time for the dinner ceremony. Tyton disappears into the crowd, and I stay behind for a moment almost confused. That is, until Evangeline finds me.

"Mare come on you're so slow", she says exasperated as she grabs my hand and drags me.

With alcohol already dimming my reflexes, it takes me a moment before I start to willingly follow her into the grand dining hall. Here, there is what has to be the longest table I have ever seen filled with silverware for every guest.

Eve pulls me into a chair next to her and Elane, and I have no complaints when I see a full glass of deep red wine in front of me. But I take small sips, instead of downing it. I almost blank out during the next couple of minutes when the room is filled with chatter. That is, until they begin to quiet down as they realize that the guests of honor are arriving in.

First, walks in Tiberias, regal as always. Instead of ignoring him as I would usually do, I watch. I keep my eyes on him as he enters and I see him glancing right back at me.

But in doing so I see his arms around another girl and, I see her. I see the person who ruined my life. The person I want to fucking kill. The one god damn bitch that deserves to rot in hell. The fucking whore Tiberias slept with. Thousands of emotions swirl in my head at this exact moment and the only thing I can think is: WHAT THE FUCK.

I have never experienced pain like this. If pain is being stabbed, this is 100 times worse. This is anger. This is betrayal. This is heartbreak.

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed this newest installment of Love is Pain, Love is Bliss. This took me quite a while to write, but I have already started on Chapter 6. Next chapter will look more into Mare's reaction towards all of these situations, especially with her being drunk. I will also take the time to hopefully switch into someone else's POV soon (probably Cal's), but before that we're going to have to stick with Mare for a little while longer (sorry!). I'm also potentially trying to write a new fanfiction idea for Red Queen, but I haven't had the time to finish it yet, so we'll see how that turns out. Anyways, I truly did hope you like this new chapter, and this A/N is going all over the place, so I'm going to end this here.

As always, please review! It makes me more motivated to write, and it will make me write faster!

Love you guys,

Katelyn