Something Laura had said had been bothering Sebastian for two days now.

"I've been in your shoes."

Sebastian twirled his pen in his hand. He had heard stories before, but he always assumed that they were just old tales. Now, what she had said had him wondering if there was more.

He sat up off his bed, catching Tedros and Chaddick's attention. "Do you guys know anything about the lost princess of Villeneuve?"

Tedros shrugged. "My dad told me tales about her," At Sebastian's look, he continued. "He told me that he had met her as a child when he was a teenager. That she had brown hair, brown eyes, and a little star-shaped birthmark on her left arm. He didn't know what happened to her, only that one day she vanished without a trace."

"Why are you asking?" Chaddick asked.

"It's just something I heard about."

"Was it Beatrix or Reena?" Chaddick asked. "Those two tried to convince me that Laura was her. Ridiculous."

Sebastian furrowed his eyebrows. "I'm going to the library."

~~~

Sebastian had poured over dozens of books about Villeneuve. All of them had the same thing. Nobody knew anything about the princess. He opened one more, by August Sadar, and blinked in surprise to find new information. Apparently, the princess had done something, something bad, and was no longer allowed back.

Then he found a photo.

Someone had scratched out the face, covering it in black ink, making the face illegible. Someone didn't want to be found. He had a sneaking suspicion about Laura, one that was growing more and more, he had rumours from girls in the castle, but he assumed they were just rumours.

He'd ask her tonight.

~~~

Laura whipped a ball of fire straight at Sebastian from across the library. Sebastian grabbed it, changing it into water and flying it straight back at her. She jumped, touching it, and it evaporated.

Sebastian ran a hand through his hair, watching her with suspicion. He had never noticed the freckles across her face.

She walked over to him, and he grabbed her wrist. She stared at him, trying to yank it away.

"What on earth are you doing Sebastian?"

He flipped her wrist over and laughed. He was right. He let out a shaky breath. "You're her, you are the lost princess of Villeneuve. Princess Colette Laurel Belle."

Laura's face went dark, and she stared at him in shock.

He bowed his head. "It's an honour your highness."

"You figured it out." She whispered it so low that Sebastian barely caught what she said. She ripped her arm out of his grasp. "Are you happy?"

She stormed off, walking away.

"Wait, what did I do wrong?"

"You stuck your nose where it doesn't belong," She hissed, turning around to face him. "I left that life behind! I wanted no one to know who I was! Can't you understand that?"

Sebastian stepped forward slightly, trying to comfort her, but she stepped back. She must have been upset, if the way the fire lamps were acting up. She never lost control like this.

"Years of burying her, years of hiding my parents, my horrible horrible birthright, only for you to dig it up in a week! Lessons are over."

"Wait Laura." Sebastian grabbed her arm, only to wince at how hot it was. "I'm sorry, please, I just wasn't thinking."

"Obviously you weren't thinking! Otherwise you would have minded your own business," she blinked, and Sebastian was nearly blindsided by the fact she was holding back tears. "Don't talk to me again."

With that, she turned and left, leaving Sebastian in the steadily cooling library.

~~~

"Girls are a weird species." Tedros mumbled as Sebastian and him walked out of swordplay.

Sebastian nodded. "Yes, they are. How can they go from being so calm to angry at you in a second?"

"I don't know. Sophie and I are going to team up in the trial by tale though, and prove that good and evil can work together."

Sebastian hummed in response. He didn't trust Sophie, there was something off about her, but his friend sure seemed too.

"Wait, who is your girl troubles?" Tedros grinned. "Who is it?"

"No one." Sebastian responded.

Tedros poked him. "Is it Beatrix? I'll respect your decision if that is who it is, even if she's a bit prissy."

"Eww, no. She's not my type."

Tedros raised an eyebrow. "Who is it?"

Sebastian feigned confidence. "I'd rather not say, as we aren't official."

Tedros laughed and Sebastian squirmed with guilt. He had to apologize to Laura. He had trespassed boundaries, and despite knowing how to control the magic, he still struggled with controlling it, especially when he was upset.

He needed her back, badly.

~~~

The announcements were up, and Sebastian was one of the ten good students participating, along with both Tedros and Laura.

He drummed his fingers on his knee as he sat with a couple of the guys. The were all making a pact. Any girls who didn't get asked to the snow ball failed, and they had decided to not ask out Laura or Agatha, deciding that it would be best to get them out.

"Well, Sebastian, your highness, are you in?" Chaddick looked over at Sebastian.

"No," Sebastian responded.

"What? Why?"

Sebastian stood. "Because, what you are doing is cruel and mean. I'm not saying i'm going to ask them out to the snow ball, but I won't join in."

"Aren't you supposed to hate Laura?"

"I did, I mean, I do. I don't know."

Sebastian stood up, picking up a letter from his parents, and walking away, getting away.

Chaddick and Nicholas stared after him. It's not like they could hate him, since his kingdom would be recruiting knights soon.

He ripped open the letter.

Dear Sebastian,

Your mother and I are very disappointed in your low grades, and although we appreciate you not using magic. Good job adhering to our kingdom's rules, but you can't fail, or else you are going to have to find somewhere else.

Sincerely, King and Queen of Havfrue.

Sebastian began laughing. He didn't need to go back there, but Laura has kept her promise. His parents didn't know about him.

He was safe, thanks to her.

He needed her.

"God damnit." He mumbled.

He stepped back into the clearing, spotting Laura and Agatha sitting over by the tree. He steeled himself, and walked across the clearing.

Laura looked up at him. The pink uniform still looked uncomfortable.

"Hi." Her tone was annoyed. "Can I help you?"

"I wanted to thank you," He handed her the letter, and she scanned it, chuckling slightly, before handing it back. "For doing what you did."

"If this is your best attempt at grovelling, I suggest you go elsewhere."

Agatha snickered, and Sebastian became suddenly aware of how every single person in the clearing, good and evil, were watching them. They were arch enemies, right?

"Can we talk?" Sebastian asked. "Somewhere where no one can hear?"

Laura has become aware as well, her eyes darting at everyone watching her, and gauging her reaction.

"Fine."