Thank you for all the reviews!!!!
I dunno but maybe I overdid the conceitedness of the prince, I don't think I've met anyone's like that in real life. I was just really mad at the prince being a good prissy hero all the time, so I made him arrogant and sort of the antagonist.

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Chapter 7 – Robin's Argument

I'd been living in the forest for a month. I was fairly happy, but Vivia was always in the back of my mind no matter how hard I tried to forget her. I knew that one day she would realize that I was still alive and would come looking for me.


One day, I when to the stream to relax. I sat down on a log and dangled my feet in the cool, clear water and closed my eyes.

"Hello!" a voice said, snapping me out of my daydream.

I turned around and met a pair of eyes the colour of autumn sky.

"Oh Robin, it's only you." I sighed with relief.

"Only Robin!" He turned away and pretended to be upset.

"Sorry. But you would say the same thing if you were me and scared out of my wits."

"Oh, sorry." he sat down beside me.

There was an awkward silence. I looked at him, at the same time he turned to look at me. Our eyes locked for a moment, I felt my face flush and my body grow warm. I never noticed how clear and blue his eyes were. Robin looked away first, blush as well, I noticed.

He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his light brown mop of hair. "So anything new happened to you?"

"Actually, yes." I proceeded to tell him about my encounter with the Prince of Leithia.

When I finished Robin laughed. "That sounds like something you would do, hurt his ego." Then he got a faraway look in his eyes "You remind me so much of a girl I used to know."

"What happened to her?" I asked without thinking.

There was a moment of silence. I guessed Robin was considering whether to tell me or not.

"She– " Robin faltered for a second, but continued, "People say she died. But I don't believe them."

I realized he was talking about me.

"Is it Queen Airadne?" he nodded. I was glad that he didn't believe Vivia's lie, but I wanted to know why.

"Because Queen Vivia is such a cruel queen. It seems to me that she would do something to Airadne and take the crown dishonestly." He answered.

"But Vivia isn't cruel." I defended my stepmother automatically, "It's not her fault. Something must have happened to her. She used to be, well not really kind, but at least she was civil."

"How did you know?" Robin narrowed his eyes.

"I, I, um." I was at loss for words.

"I don't care what she was like. All the people of Annon, including me, care is that she is cruel now. We can only wonder what would happen if Airadne was ruling." Robin almost yelled, his eyes flashed with anger.

I drew back, unsure of what to make of his sudden outburst.

"What do you mean?" I asked tentatively.

"What do I mean? Have you even been out of this forest?" I shook me head slowly. "Well if you had bothered to step outside this forest. You'd see what I'm talking about." Robin huffed, "Vivia is thirsty for money. She placed high taxes on everyone, so high that many village people couldn't afford to buy food or clothing. Vivia would send her guards to take the homes of those who couldn't afford to pay the taxes. They were thrown onto the streets to beg. Some even had to go through garbage to find food. She uses the money on herself or to entertain her rich friends while the rest of the country is starving.

"No one likes her, yet no one is brave enough to challenge her. She is cruel when it comes to torturing. The dungeon is full of contraptions made to make people suffer. You know what happened to James? He was imprisoned for no reason at all! Luckily we helped him escape."

Then he turned to me, "And you? You know nothing about this, do you?" his accusing stare bore into me, "You ran away from it, ran away to hide in a forest and not caring in the least about the welfare of your fellow Annonians. Why, because you were afraid of her instead of rebelling with us. I always thought you were brave Aireia, but you are a coward."

It was my turn to be angry. How dare he accuse me of being a coward!

"You have no right to accuse me like that! For your information, I did not run away. If you hate her, why do you still work for her?"

"I work for her so I could get inside information on Vivia and inform the other people. If you had the courage to stay, you could've worked with me. But you didn't." Robin stood up.

"How was I supposed to know you are planning a rebellion?" I shot back, "I did not run away and I did not leave because I was afraid. Why should I be, she's part of my family!" I gasped and covered my mouth quickly.

"What?" Robin looked surprised.

"N-nothing." I got up, turned my back on him and said over my shoulder "If I'm such a coward, then don't talk to me." I ran towards the forest, not even bothering to put on my shoes.

I ran until trees hid my view of Robin. I stopped and collapsed unto the ground, sobbing. I rarely shed tears, but Robin reminded me of my guilt of not doing anything to take my throne back and how I should help my subjects as the true queen. I was shocked and sad that my best friend accused me like that. But I guess deep down I was a little afraid of Vivia.

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Excuses for delaying: 1) school started and I was busy with homework and stuff 2) I was lazy (don't know if it counts as excuse) 3) had to think of how to write this

I need votes on whether I should have Robin help with the witch's scheme or not. He wouldn't know it's gonna be fatal or the witch is queen in disguise though, and he's gonna feel guilty afterwards. So I need votes on whether I should do that or not.

Reviews Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!