Hey all!

I am back. thanks for the reviews.

So.. I have been keeping up with my schedule... great! But, I will not be uploading next weekend as I will be not at home-time for vacation... So I will be seeing you all the week after.

Here is chapter 8:

Edward's POV:

I hear Nazia and Liza laugh. I ask them about it and they tell me how bewildered the girls were when they entered the room and how Rowena saved them. I laughed too, when they told me about Rosita's reaction when she saw the girls seated.

Breakfast soon ends. Mom leaves along with dad, uncle and aunt. Nazia and Liza leave too. The girls exit, leaving me with Rowena.

"What did you want?" she questions me.

"Well, I was thinking..." I stop and arrange my thoughts.

"Thinking?" she prompts me.

"I have Nazia to spy on you all and tell me how you all act and all that. Liza too, even though she will leave soon. But the problem is that the girls will act proper around both of them, seeing they are princesses. You, on the other hand..."

I stop to see Rowe laugh. "What?"

She laughs even more.

"Okay, okay," she says upon my glare. "You want me to spy on them and help you find the best one?"

Seeing me nod, she continues. "Well, three things."

"What?"

"First, what do I get out of that? Second, even if I agree, I won't tell you everything. Third, what about me? You won't even think about me?"

At the last point, she makes a face.

"To the third point, you will always remain an option. Since you will be helping me..." I receive a glare from her at that.

"I never did agree, Ed, but go on."

"As I was saying before you interrupted me, you will be staying until the end. To the second point, I agree and have no problem. To the first, I am your prince so..." She starts laughing again. What is so funny?

"Stop throwing around your title, prince. Otherwise, no one will marry you. I'll agree to help you as long as you agree to do as I say. I'll think about that later, Rosita is sure to wonder where I am." With that, she turns and leaves.

"See you later," I call out after her and all I receive is a wave.

Jo's POV:

I wonder where Rowe is? She disappeared when we entered the dining hall, but at the same time, she saved all of us from embarrassment. Now, where is she?

The doors open and she walks in, a smile on her face and eyes glistening, as if she just had a good laugh. Before I can talk to her, Rosita walks in.

"Ladies, it is time for your first etiquette lesson," she announces and I see Rowe wince. Maybe because she already knows everything about etiquette. This would just be a revision for her.

"Okay, so first thing, whenever a royal enters a room where you are, or you enter a room where they are, curtsy. Today, you all were saved from any repercussions, partially because you did not know this and partially due to Lady Rowena. At least someone here knows their etiquette..." she drones on and I zone out of her speech.

"Boring lesson," Shelby claims, walking out with us. Rowena has again disappeared. She had received a note in the middle of the class. Not from the prince, though. That's what she said.

"I wonder what's going on? What's happening that Rowena knows?" Karma muses.

"Who knows? We'll ask her when we meet her," I reply.

Rowena's POV:

I received a letter from the queen during the boring lesson. She wanted to see me. What was it about? I wonder, walking up to the third floor.

The guards stop me. The selected were forbidden to enter the third floor. But before I can say anything, I spot my brother.

"Robin, help me. The queen wants to see me and the guards are stopping me," I send him a telepathic message.

"Wait, I'm coming," he replies and I see him walking towards the stairs.

"Let her enter. Queen Eadlyn wishes to see her," Robin informs the guards. They open the path and up I walk. Mouthing my thanks, I knock on Eadlyn's door and enter.

"Queen Eadlyn," I address her, curtsying.

"Rowena," she acknowledges me and motions me to sit. "You need not be formal dear."

"Rosita would get a heart attack if she saw I was informal with you."

"Well, I'll tell her that you are excused from all etiquette lessons."

"Thank you. Now, what did you want?" I ask the queen.

"Any updates?" she questions me.

"None."

"We have a spy in here..."

"From the rebels?"

"Yes."

"You need not worry. Their spy is spying on them and feeding false info. Betraying them in return."

"How do you know?"

"Mom never told you?" I question.

"Told me what?" Eadlyn is surprised.

"That I spy on the Northern and Southern Rebels? That I am a high-ranking person there, leading a battalion? That this is how you were fore-warned about the recent attacks? At least Robin was..."

Eadlyn's POV:

"What?" I ask Rowena. "You spy on the rebels? A leader? That's how your twin knew of the attacks. Not his instincts?"

All she does is nod. Margaret never told me about this.

"Who is the spy that they have sent?" I ask her.

"Me," she replies. "Don't worry, we did not rig the selection. And I just feed them false information. Nothing true. To them, I am spy for them. In reality, I spy on them."

"Swear on your loyalty to the crown..." I start speaking, before she starts laughing.

"Eadlyn," she speaks exactly like her mother. "I am loyal only to the Illean Crown. I spy 'on' them, not 'for' them."

I look skeptical. She sees that. "I have always been loyal. Whatever I found out, you know through mom, dad or Robin. Even Rosetta and Derek can tell you."

"Hmm..." I tap my fingers on the desk.

"Eadlyn, this happened before the treaty. Before we first met. Before..." she stops mid-sentence to see guards entering the room. I see fear in her eyes.

"Eadlyn, anything you do to me will be against the treaty," her tone changes. "And, I have diplomatic immunity too. You know that."

"Stand back," I order. Maybe, I should get all the information from her now. She has been willingly speaking. "Officer Russell, get Doctor Russell now," I order.

"Confirm from them too, Eadlyn, they will say the same. I had no idea mom never mentioned this."

Robin and Rosetta enter. They look at each other in surprise. Their eyes widen upon seeing Rowena there.

"Queen Eadlyn, all that Rowena has told you is true," Robin speaks up. Rowena must have let him listen to the conversation.

"Indeed, completely true. She is with you, not against," Rosetta speaks.

"That's all I needed to know, you may go back to your posts," I say, before turning to Rowena.

"Tell me everything," I order her. She just looks at me, lips in a tight smile and her eyes looking directly at me. They look exactly as Margaret's when she is angry.

"Send the guards away, Eadlyn," Rowena speaks in an extremely serious tone. One that matches her mother's when she is serious. "You know I won't harm you. I could already have done that."

"You can't negotiate, Lady Russell," I say. She laughs.

"Yes I can, Eadlyn. If you are so scared, get Robin here. But no one else."

I see determination in her eyes. The guards exit upon my command and Robin enters. He closes the door, even though I would have preferred otherwise.

"Look, I know that if I give you every single detail, you will have them captured this instant. But that will be a disadvantage for you," Rowena says once we are alone. I look at her, confused.

"I know you have your own spies in rebel ranks, Eadlyn, but they are in the lower ones. They find things out last, and at the last moment and cannot warn you in time." She takes a break and looks at Robin. I see something glistening on her face. Was she crying?

"I, on the other hand," she continues, "am one of the leaders. High ranking spy. I know details, when they are planned. That's how you are safe. Robin's 'instincts' are my knowledge. Use this position, Eadlyn, use it."

Another break. Is she breaking down? Before I can say anything, Robin is around her, holding her tightly. Their eyes meet and they have a wordless talk.

"Just don't be foolish and give her false information, Queen Eadlyn," Robin says. He always addresses me like this, even though his sister addresses me like their mother does.

"Trust her with the truth, let her twist it, and let us arrange a counter plan and capture them."

"What?" I ask confused.

"Eadlyn, for her sake, trust us," Rowena speaks. I know that by 'her', she means her mom. Robin doesn't know that yet.

"What about all details? Why not end them now?"

"We have a plan, Eadlyn. All Northern Rightiers know about this."

"All I have to do for getting information is to trust you and wait? And in return you give me all information on the rebels?" I ask, surprised. Often, there is more than that. Then, she did willingly tell me all the rest too.

"No," she says. "It would have been, had you not called the guards and doubted me."

"Then what do you want, besides this?"

"Keep the guards away. Let me go to the meetings un-escorted. Trust me. Don't keep on pestering us. Keep my identity a secret from all. Have the guards do the same."

"Rowe..."

"No negotiations on this, Queen Eadlyn," she cuts me, her tone sharp. "None at all. Otherwise, you get no information and only Robin knows about the attacks."

"But..." as I try to speak, she looks at me.

"Robin can trail me when I leave the palace. No one else," she speaks with finality in her tone. At least she understood the danger of being alone outside the palace. I know she trusts her brother, so do I. He did save Nazia as well.

"Fine. As you want," I agree. Robin slips a paper and I know she wants a written statement. Our terms are written, Robin witnesses it and she gets up to leave.

"I am loyal only to the Illean Crown," she says before leaving the room.

Robin's POV:

"You alright?" I ask Rowena, as we exit the queen's room.

"Yes, and don't ask what it was about," she replies, knowing that would be my next question.

I walk with her to her room. I know she needs support. She broke down when the guards entered the room. I knew better than to ask her about it. She would tell me herself, when the time came. She enters the room and waves me goodbye. I knew I would see her later, but, I had to do something first.

I walk back to the queen's room, and knock before entering it. She is surprised upon seeing me.

"Don't trouble her," I say, before Queen Eadlyn can say anything. "She has already been broken by you. Don't break her further."

"What?" she asks, looking confused. I explain to her the mental condition of my twin. The Queen looks shocked, not knowing what to do.

"Don't call her for now. And have me posted near her. She will need me around her more. Make it 24/7 if you have to. But, I need to be near her."

"Fine, I'll see to that. Let her know that I want to talk to her when she is stable." I nod and leave the room. At least, now I will be able to protect her.

Karma's POV:

Lunch passes by. Rowena did not join us and everyone was surprised. She was present for dinner, though. I wondered what happened. After dinner, every one leaves, leaving me alone along with the prince. I see him walking towards me and I curtsy when he is close.

"Lady Karma," he starts speaking. "Will you join me for lunch tomorrow?"

"Indeed, your highness," I reply, happy that he asked me out.

"I will come to your room then," he says and leaves the room. I sigh and follow him out.

Outside, I meet Shelby. We had become fast friends on the plane ride. Now, we were in-separable.

"Did Jo find where Rowe was?" I ask her.

"No," she replies. "Rowe asked Jo not to question her, that it was not meant for a selected to hear."

"Why, she too is one after all?"

"Maybe, she got to know because of her father?"

"Maybe."

We join the others in the Women's room. Rowe is sitting in a corner, talking to Jo. We join them. Rowe seems to be telling a story about the prince. She had, after all come here before.

"... and then he challenged me to climb the tree. I reached the top, but he fell down when he was midway up. Besides having a twisted arm, and a sore back, he refused my help," Rowena was saying. "I had to call Robin and Rosetta and we together dragged him to the hospital wing, despite his protests."

"Oh dear," Jo laughs. "A stubborn prince?"

"Yup."

"What else happened?" Shelby asks her.

"Well, on day one, I crashed right into him," she laughed. "And in return, we got a full tour of the palace. He is a true gentleman, he offered me his hand to get up."

We heard heels walking our way. I turned to see Princess Nazia approach us. When did she enter? We all swept into a curtsy; well, all but Rowena. If Rosita was here, she would kill her, even though she does know all protocols.

"Nazia," Rowena says, skipping the princess part. "What brings you here? I thought you were with Liza."

"A message from my dear brother," she says, smiling.

"Right now? I thought it was later," she says. "Fine, I'll go." She turns to us. "Stories some other day." With that, she leaves.

Rowena's POV:

Nazia told me that Edward wanted to see me now. I stepped out of the room, to see Robin waiting.

"What are you doing here?" I ask him.

"Waiting for you," he replies. Seeing me confused, he telepathically explains to me what he had done. He cares so much about me. I am glad that he is here.

We reached my room and he stops just outside. I walk in, seeing Edward already present.

"Well, here you are," he says.

"Yes, here I am."

Edward's POV:

Rowena sits down on her bed. She looks around.

"Tell me what happened ever since we last met," I ask her.

"Well, your head doctor, Doctor Russell, is in reality cousin Rosetta," she starts speaking. No wonder Doctor Russell was so familiar.

"And, Senior Officer Russell is Robin. Derek joined the parliament. I am here. Sofia's 10, going to school."

"Hmm, so three Russells here? Great."

We have a long discussion, after which I feel sleepy. Kissing her goodbye on the cheek, I leave her room and walk to mine. The selection has me confused.

Melina's POV:

I meet Rowena, when we are walking down the stairs to go for breakfast. Someone seems to be following her.

"How was your night?" she asks me as I join her.

"Great. Who is that following you?" I ask her.

"Someone is doing the same to you dear; to all of the selected in fact," she replies.

"Safety measures installed by the queen. We will be trailed by guards that rotate, unless the prince dismisses them during a date," she explains, seeing me confused.

"She told you this?" Jo joins us.

"Hmm, yes. That's one thing we discussed. The rest, not meant for a selected."

"But you know..." Bell joins us.

"That's because dad is one of the previous mayors of Calgary," she explains. "I know because of him. Because I am Lady Rowena Russell, daughter of Lord Lawrence Russell, not because I am Lady Rowena Russell, a selected."

"Oh, but he isn't mayor right now. What happened?" Jo asks.

"He didn't run in the last elections. He needed a break from being mayor. He is running this year, though."

"Wait, did you say that your father is Lord Lawrence Russell?" I ask her. I did hear about him from my step-father.

"Yes," she replies.

"Oh, no wonder you know all the etiquette."

"Hmm."

We reached the dining hall. The Royal Family is seated. We all curtsy, all but Rowena. Perhaps she has an exception. Breakfast goes un-eventfully. We leave to go to the Women's Room, for our next etiquette lesson. Rowena avoids entering and leaves us.

"Welcome ladies," Rosita greets us.

"As you may have noticed, Lady Rowena is not with us. She has been excused from all etiquette lessons. She may attend if she wishes too, but that is her choice. She will, though, be present for all other lessons, and will help you out in etiquette if you ask her."

No wonder Rowena left us. She doesn't need this.

"But, Rosita, she did not follow protocol," one of the selected speaks up. "She did not curtsy or address the royals with their titles."

"I am aware of that Lady Katlyna. She has been excused from that as she is personally close to the royal family. They have given her leverage."

No wonder she acts different from us.

Eadlyn's POV:

A knock surprises me. I was not expecting anyone. Before I can answer, the door opens and in walks Rowena.

"Eadlyn, I heard you wanted to see me?" she speaks with softness in her voice.

"Yes dear, please sit," I reply.

I ask her about her feelings and apologize for my actions. I know they were not good, but at times that had to happen. She just waves that away.

"Expect another attack soon," she suddenly says. "A deadly one. Robin already knows and is using his 'instincts' to convince the others and prepare."

"Okay, thanks for the warning. We had better prepare the saferoom."

"Indeed. I must go now. History lesson is next. I'll let you know the details when I get them." With that, she leaves.

Who are the Northern Rightiers? What does she know? What's happening? I know you all are wondering this. This is all part of the plot, some twists. Those that I had planned long ago. These will be answered later.

See you soon

Don't forget to review-I really want your views on this

Thanks again to Abizeau for beta-ing (I don't know how many errors I would make if it was not for you)

Rowena