A man entered a large throne room followed by three men in chains. The man approached the throne, bowing when he arrived close. "Your highness, these men are from the enemy forces. They've been questioned and are of no use for us now. They are yours to do as you see fit."

The princess watched the men with concern, noticing they were injured. She wasn't paying attention until she heard her name.

"Andaka, do with them as you please," the King spoke aloud.

Andy rose and bowed before helping the man unchain them.

"Come with me," she led them into the hall before speaking more. "I'll show you to a room and help you patch up your wounds." She started leading them toward her wing of the castle.

Two of the men scowled, crossing their arms and refusing to move. The third sighed and began limping after Andy. "Morons."

Andy looked back at the two, "I can get the guards to bring you if you don't want to follow willingly. But you'd get patched up and food if you'd just come along."

The two exchanged glances, then growled in unison. But they began to follow slowly, their wounds limiting their movements.

Andy led them to a room with a few couches, then pointed into three other rooms, "Those are your bedrooms." She grabbed a kit from the bathroom, "Sit. I'll help clean your wounds while food is being made for you."

"Why would you do this?" The first reluctant one asked. "We're the enemy. You don't treat the enemy like a honored guest!"

Andy sighed, "I'm just doing what I'd do for anyone. And since you're under my care, I want to make sure you have what you need."

The third man rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Damn it Tet! You'd prefer to stay in the prisoner camp? I'm sure she could throw your sorry carcass back if you really want."

The one called Tet glared at the man. "Shut up, Ryon. You don't have to prove you're a collaborator!"

Ryon lunged at him, his face enraged. "You take that back! I DID NOT sell out my brothers!"

The second man stepped between them. "Knock it off before she decides we're too much trouble and has us executed..or worse."

Andy watched them fighting, unsure what to do. She hadn't expected it. The thought of calling the guards in to break them up crossed her mind but she decided against it. "Why don't you all calm down so I can actually get to cleaning you up?"

The three stopped and stared at her as if just remembering she was there. Ryon slowly lowered himself to one of the couches with a sharp exhale. Tet and the still nameless second man did the same, Tet defiantly staring at Andy as if daring her to do something.

Andy started with Ryon, quietly looking him over before gently cleaning him off and bandaging his wounds. She then moved to Tet and the other man, "Would you rather bandage yourselves or have help?"

"I'm not hurt that badly. I can take care of myself. Tet needs his back looked at before it gets infected, if it hasn't already. I'm Kiba, by the way. Sorry for the fighting. There are..issues between them."

Andy nodded, "You guys can call me Andy." She looked at Tet, "Turn around so I can see your back."

He scowled, but did as asked. His back had been slashed by a sword, the skin dirty and raw under the shirt. Blood was caked over the injury.

Andy went and got a small wet towel to wipe everything off before using smaller disinfecting pads to clear the area of germs. She worked as gently as possible to not hurt him and when she was done, she placed a large bandage over it. "We'll need to check it again and change the bandages but it's clean now so hopefully you won't get an infection."

"Thank you. I apologize for my behavior." He rose quickly, then swayed. Kiba grabbed for him, then groaned.

"Are you sure you're not hurt badly?" Andy asked Kiba quietly.

Tet swore as a trickle of blood escaped Kiba's mouth. "You said you were fine!"

Kiba gave a weak smile. "Didn't want to worry you.."

Andy shook her head and started looking Kiba over. She patched up what she could find. "If things get worse, I can call a doctor in to help."

Kiba shook his head. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about it." He lay his head back on the couch arm as Tet and Ryon exchanged worried looks.

Andy sighed, "Your food should be here shortly. I'll come check on you again in a bit but if you need anything my room is just down the hall."

Tet and Ryon bowed distractedly as she left, their attention on Kiba.

After a while, Andy returned, a doctor behind her. "I decided to call one just in case. Rather be sure he's okay than wait and he get worse.."

Ryon looked up as she entered. His eyes were panicked, though his voice managed to stay steady. "He passed out and won't wake up."

The doctor nodded, checking Kiba over. He administered some medicine before speaking, "Just let him rest. If he doesn't wake up in the next day, I'll come back to check on him again."

Andy nodded before the doctor bowed and left. She quietly watched Kiba for a few moments. "Why don't you all get some rest? I'm sure you're exhausted."

"Tet's already asleep. I didn't want to leave Kiba alone." Ryon yawned, his eyes heavy lidded.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Andy offered.

He nodded, bowing slightly before stumbling into one of the bedrooms.

Andy sat down, continuing to watch Kiba in silence.

"Morgane! Nooo!" Kiba cried, his hands reaching into the air as tears streaked his cheeks. He coughed harshly, then wrapped his arms around himself and sobbed.

Andy went to him, gently shaking his arm. "Kiba? It's alright. It's just a nightmare."

His eyes flew open and he snarled "Nightmare? No! It's what your fucking army did! They slaughtered her and laughed! Get away from me!" He scrambled over the back of the couch, his back slamming into the wall as he shook from exertion.

Andy looked at him with sad eyes, "I'm sorry.."

"Your war took her from me! What did we ever do to you? We just wanted to be free.." He sank to the floor and covered his face.

Andy was quiet as she admitted, "I don't know much about the war. I know it exists, but I don't have any clue what it's even over." She sighed. "I guess I'll leave you alone now." She stood to leave the room.

"Don't leave." Tet stood in the doorway. "It's not your fault. He's lashing out because he's still hurting." The warrior gently led Kiba into the other room, then returned. "Don't take it personally."

Andy stayed quiet as she sat back down, unsure what to say.

Tet sighed and sat down near her. "I'm not surprised you don't know what's happening. You are just the Princess and not expected to make decisions yet. I just wish.." He stared at his hands sadly.

"I'm sorry that you guys have lost people in the war. I wish there was some way to make peace."

He looked up abruptly. "Lost people in the war? You make it sound as if they were killed in battle."

"Sorry.."

He shook his head. "No, I am. You don't know any better." He stared at her intently for a moment, his eyes softening. "I wish we'd met under different circumstances.."

She sighed, "I won't take the throne for a long time, so they don't tell me much. I know we've lost quite a few soldiers but I don't know much else."

"Of course not." His tone turned sarcastic. "Be one hell of a dinner conversation. 'What did you do today, dear?' 'Not much, honey. Just conquered another peaceful village so I can get more taxes from the serfs.' 'That's nice, dear. More chicken?'"

Andy looked down, "Are we really conquering peaceful places? There has to be some reason we'd do that.."

"Our village was peaceful! We were farmers and artisans. The army showed up when we were working one day and started burning homes. They claimed we were sheltering rebels and said this was going to make a point to other villages. They slaughtered some of the women and children and took others away. Those of us left joined the rebels. Been fighting ever since."

Andy stared at the floor in silence. Finally she asked, "So my parents are the bad guys?"

"Unless the soldiers that attacked us were rogue, yes."

Andy nodded slowly, unsure what else to say. Her whole life she always thought of her parents as the best people she knew. If they weren't as good as they seemed, what else in her life was a lie?

"I'm sorry. This must be a shock." Tet gave her a sympathetic look. After a few minutes, he sighed. "You do realize we can't stay, right? We have to escape."

She nodded slowly again. "I'll release you. Though I don't know if I have the ability until I'm in charge. Though if they are bad and I take charge, everything will change then anyway.."

He gave her a small smile. "They won't let us go that easy. Our squad has been a thorn in your father's side for two years now. To be honest, I thought this whole thing had been an act. Get us to relax before the execution.."

"What am I supposed to do?" She continued to stare at the floor.

"You don't have the power to do anything. I'm really surprised your father 'gave' us to you. It's not really a smart move security wise."

Andy nodded and looked at him, "I'll find a way to help you guys escape. Just give me some time to figure it out."

"Why are you trying to help us?" Tet's eyes narrowed as he heard noise from Ryon's room.

"I don't particularly like the idea of 'owning' anyone to begin with, but if my parents really did what you say, then you guys are innocent and don't deserve to be stuck here."

He shook his head. "It won't end well. You might get yourself killed. You don't deserve to lose your life over us." He stood and peeked into Ryon's room, then returned to his seat.

"And why do you care about my life? I'm just the daughter of the people in charge of slaughtering your village," she answered, looking at her hands. "They always seemed like such caring people.."

"Just because they did bad things doesn't mean they don't love you. And you're an innocent. You have nothing to do with this. Why wouldn't I care?"

She shook her head, "I don't know." She sighed, "I wish there was a way I could take over without my parents having to die. I could stop any more damage from happening."

Tet gave her his first real smile as he approached her. "Somehow I believe you." He stopped inches away from her face, his eyes wide. "I have a sudden urge to kiss you."

Andy raised an eyebrow, "You just met me."

"I know.." His lips softly touched hers, then drew back as he turned red.

Andy gave him a small smile, "I liked that."

His eyes twinkled. "You did?" He drew her in and kissed her again. His hands entangled themselves in her hair as his breathing grew heavy.

She wrapped her arms around him as she kissed back.

"I don't know how smart this is, but right now I don't care…" He said softly as he kissed down her neck slowly. "Even if they kill me, I can't stop."

"Well, I was told I could do anything I wanted with you. I think kissing would be included," she said softly.

"That is true..what about more than kissing?" He drew back slightly, searching her face intently.

"If that's something you want.. I'd never force it."

"I want..more than anything else right now." He cupped her cheek. "But it's your choice. I don't take unless it's given."

"As a princess basically locked in a castle, it's not like I've ever really had the chance to do anything like this before.."

"Maybe we should help you escape." He chuckled softly as he led her to his room.

Andy gave a small laugh, "Escaping would be kind of nice." She moved to pull him into another kiss.

He reached for her dress as he closed the door behind them.