A Day

by Naerhaella

Erika longs to have a day for herself. After being an indentured servant, a fake princess and a singer, she thought being a queen and a mom would be a breeze. Desperate, she agrees to make a deal for the needed break. But when unexpected enemies arise and trick her into removing herself from history, she will only have a day to fix all the problems her absence caused. (Aka SURVIVE)

5. Wasted Lives

S.U.R.V.I.V.E. byshadowgirl416

Beta Reader: Avatarfan445 :D!

Chapter 5: Wasted Lives

It was probably one of the coldest nights she had ever lived; probably because she was outside when she was supposed to be sleeping like everybody else or maybe because she wasn't properly covered. But deep inside her heart she knew those weren't the reasons.

She was alone – literary.

Her mother, the woman who was supposed to protect her, had forced her to marry a stranger. The trust Anneliese had in Genevieve disappeared; she thought her mother would understand she loved another man, but all she did was ignore her and say nothing when Preminger decided to fire she cared at least a bit for her feelings, she wouldn't have permitted him to throw out Julian. She was alone in this; her mother preferred to listen to her adviser more than to her own daughter. And the person for whom she cared the most for was gone too.

She sighed, sitting on the nearest bench available on the garden. Admiring how big and full the moon was that night, it described her sorrow perfectly. Although the darkness around her made her recall the repulsive day she had. It was their first month together as a married couple; everyone in the castle congratulated them. Her mother wasn't so happy though, she knew that marriage was a fake and that Anneliese wasn't ecstatic about it either.

A grim and fake day, that was all.

But even with all of those problems, Anneliese couldn't get him out of her mind. Even sitting on the deserted garden reminded her of him; it was the place where they first talked – where they met each other. It was impossible to forget about him, even sounds and colors reminded her of his absence.

But now, she was a married woman. Those were things she couldn't just say out loud to her mother – even telling them to Serafina was risky. If anyone heard any of those things, everyone would know the truth and her kingdom would be ruined.

If she had just one more moment with him… so she could tell him how she felt. He left and she was never brave enough to tell him how much she cared, how much she loved him. Even when she had an idea of how he felt, she was scared of finding that he was as frightened as her to face his feelings – but with that she'd feel good enough to tell him. If only she could see him again, just one more time; maybe then she would feel a bit better, maybe.

Suddenly she felt something rubbing against her dress, purring at the same time. She giggled, cuing the white cat to sit beside her. She loved Serafina; the cat somehow knew when to comfort her. And that night, she needed her more than ever. The feline jumped and landed beside Anneliese on the bench; instantly starting to rub her head against her owner's arm.

The princess smiled, taking Serafina and placing her on her lap. The cat's big green eyes met with Anneliese's sad ones, and with a simple 'meow' she communicated her mistress that she understood how she felt. The blonde woman couldn't hold it any longer, her eyes filled with tears as she gasped for air.

A clear sad expression took over the cat's face; she hated to see her princess crying. But she knew she needed it, she needed to give some vent to her sorrow and her pain. And Anneliese had her chance now—alone in the garden while everyone slept.

So as she wept harder, Serafina placed one of her paws on top of one of Anneliese's hands. But an unexpected sound interrupted the girls, Anneliese decided to ignore it but Serafina's instincts rapidly reacted. Her head up, her green eyes as huge as they could get; registering everything around them; her pointed ears lifted, aiming to identify the source of the noise.

It wasn't long after the weird noises that Serafina meowed and jumped off Anneliese's lap, making the woman realize there was something weird going on. So as the white fur ball ran, her owner stood up from the bench and wiped the tears from her face – taking a deep breath to calm down. Then, looking around to find her pet, her body froze when her eyes spotted a distant tall shadow.

Her eyes narrowed as they tried focusing to identify this figure.

'Maybe it's just a guard, I'm not supposed to be outside.' she thought, but her hands starting to sweat when she recognize that this person standing there was not wearing any kind of uniform – it was not a guard.

Then she felt the tension grow heavier when she saw Serafina walking closer to the mysterious shadow and not planning to go get her she decided to call the cat from where she was.

"Serafina!" she hissed, "Serafina, get back here!"

Yet, the cat only sat and did not make any gesture to obey her. Instead, she meowed again and started moving her tail playfully. The princess sighed, worrying that the stranger would do something to her precious pet. But Serafina seemed not to be thinking the same thing as she started to rub herself against the stranger's leg – Anneliese softly gasped, Serafina knew this stranger!

Not knowing why, the woman decided to start walking towards this person – curious to discover who it was. While he kneeled to pet the cat's head as she purred.

The princess was uncertain of the decision she had made, what if this person that appeared in her garden really was dangerous? She hadn't even seen its face, with only the pale light that shone from the moon to see her surroundings it was almost impossible to determine the identity.

The man noticed the princess was now standing in front of him and he stopped petting the cat; clearing his throat as he regained his posture.

He was prepared to face her, knowing that it was her sitting alone in the garden, but she gasped when she saw his face. Anneliese's eyes bulged out, suddenly it got harder to breathe, she was not prepared to see him – but she wasn't upset to be there with him at all.

"Julian…" she whispered, not believing it was really him.

He smiled, "Hi."

She smiled back, walking closer to him but not being able to find words to answer him. Julian couldn't take his eyes off her; she was as beautiful as he remembered.

But not wanting her to notice – he continued. "How are-" He was cut off by an impulsive embrace coming from her. Now it was him the one having trouble to breathe as he felt her fingers clawing to his back and her face pressed against his chest. He eagerly returned her hug, wrapping his arms securely around her.

"I'm so glad you're okay." She whispered.

He chuckled, hugging her tighter. "I'm so much better now."

She smiled, gently breaking their embrace - looking up to meet his eyes and make sure this was real. After a whole month without seeing him, there he was – and still she couldn't even find a word to start her confession. Even when she spent most of her time fantasying about this moment she never thought it would come.

Julian softly placed one of his hands on her cheek, his smile fading a bit. "You were crying."

She softly chuckled; he knew her more than anyone in his world, she couldn't hide something like that from him. With only the moonlight to be able to see, he still noticed the redness in her eyes.

"Why?" he insisted, she shook her head. Her shyness was taking over her, this was her chance –maybe her last- and she didn't felt prepared to tell him.

So, lowering her head so he wouldn't see the fresh tears on her eyes, she remained silent.

Julian sighed; he knew how hard it was to make Anneliese say what she was truly thinking – that bad habit of repressing all of her feelings inside her always made him worry.

So he cupped her chin with his hand to make her face him, "You know you can trust me," he assured; she nodded but said nothing back.

She wasn't replying to any of his words so feared the worst, and taking one of her hands with his free one he asked: "Has that buffoon done something to you?" the venom in his voice was as clear as water, "Because if he has I swear-" Anneliese finally spoke, cutting him off.

"Other than being a complete idiot, he hasn't done anything else." She said, trying to smile.

A puzzled expression splattered on Julian's face. "Then why are you sad?"

The princess squeezed his hand, "I... I thought I'd never see you again." Her eyes started to burn again.

Julian's heart squirmed, he didn't know she had been so affected by his depart and the least thing he wanted was for her to be depressed. He moved his hand from her chin, and took the daring move of placing it on her waist to pull her closer to him.

Then, noticing she didn't make any gesture of discomfort, he leaned to speak more directly. "I'd die if I was destined to never see you again." And even when his sweet words made butterflies riot inside her stomach, her sorrow rapidly destroyed them.

"But you are…" Her voice barely above a whisper, tears running down her cheeks again.

Julian shook his head, piercing her with his eyes and pulling her closer. "I don't care."

Anneliese weakly giggled, realizing that confessing everything to him could be easier than she thought. It was now or never. He was holding one of her hands and their bodies were almost against the other. But… what if she was taking this the wrong way?

As the tears ran down from her eyes and across her cheeks, Julian gently protested. "Don't cry." And releasing both her hand and her waist, Julian took her face in his hands – wiping the tears away with his thumbs. Anneliese cheeks grew warm as she realized how close their faces were; he was close enough for her to feel his breath.

Her eyes widened as he lowered his head to close the small gap between them and she barely had time to wonder if this was the right moment for this to happen when his lips lightly touched hers. It was a soft kiss, precise and quick – almost as if it was accidental.

Julian suddenly realized what he had done and he rapidly but gently pulled away, removing his hands from the princess' face. She could see the small regret hidden in his eyes, yet she could feel his need and desire.

What he did was just a rash action and he knew the risks he had taken; but just the feel of her soft lips against his own was worth it.

"God, I-I'm… I'm so sorry." He stuttered, taking several steps back from the princess.

Anneliese was as shocked as him, she wasn't expecting that either. But he had made things easier for her, so she smiled and walked closer to him.

"Don't be." She replied, a baffled expression on his face. "Julian…" she called, making him feel more calmed."I was afraid I wouldn't have the opportunity to tell you… how I feel."

Serafina - who had been watching everything all along - smirked and quietly walked away, knowing that her job there was done.

Anneliese looked up at him and tugged on his collar, pulling his head down to her. And without warning or hesitation, she locked her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his, kissing him at first, Julian felt afraid to kiss her back; but when he felt how sweet, honest and willing her kiss was, he moved his hands to her waist and pulled her tightly against him as he kissed her back eagerly.

And softly breaking the kiss and gasping for air he managed to say: "I love you, I always have and I always will."

She grinned, the moment she had been waiting for so long had finally come. "You don't know how long I've waited for you to say that. I love you too, Julian."He felt his soul glowing with happiness, he had finally told her; and closing the distance between them, their lips met once again. He then gripped her waist, lifting her up until she was standing on her tiptoes as they resumed their passionate kiss.

And for a moment, the earth stood still for them.

But that moment was short-lived, a loud gasp interrupted them.

"Anneliese!" a woman hissed in disbelief.

As both blondes stopped the kiss, their blue eyes bulged out as they realized who had caught them. Julian couldn't feel more ashamed, but he wasn't willing to release his love until there was a decent reason to. Anneliese, with her hands against Julian's chest, glared at her.

"Mother…" she flatly replied, it was almost unbelievable that her tone reflected her inner carelessness.

Genevieve was baffled, her brain not wanting to accept what her eyes were seeing. "What are you doing?"

The aching in her head woke her up.

She loved remembering that moment, but the end was always the same... She fluttered her eyes open—the light of where she was instantly blinded her.

She was lying on - the ground? She could feel the grass under her hands as she supported her self to sit up.

Her vision cleared and she saw the countless branches of the trees on top of her, looking around herself she found thousands of trees.

And already starting to pant she placed her hand on top of her head to check if she was injured, looking at her own palm and realizing she wasn't hurt - she let out a sigh of relief. But her relieved moment was short-lived; suddenly she started hearing the sound of dry leaves being cracked, like if something was stepping on it.

"Anneliese?" a female voice called from behind. The Queen looked back, a bit scared to find herself with a stranger in the middle of nowhere but the face she met was her own reflection - again.

Erika wore a worried expression as she walked closer to her blonde friend who instantly frowned at her. "Are you alright?"

Anneliese sat up instantly, standing up from the ground and shaking the dirt off her dress.

"Where have you taken me?" she asked as she took some steps back from the brunette woman.

Erika raised one of her eyebrows, as if the answer to her question was too obvious. "We're in the woods-" Anneliese cut her off.

"Why?" she spat.

"I needed to talk to you, privately" Erika explained, walking closer to her. But the Queen clearly did not want to talk with her.

So after looking at Erika for some seconds, she turned away from her and started running. Erika gasped in surprise, realizing that what she had done just made Anneliese so much more scared of her than she already was.

But Erika ran behind her and pulled her to the ground, landing in top of Anneliese encasing her wrists in her fists and pinning the rest of her body to the ground with her own.

"You need to calm down, Anneliese!" Erika told her, both women gasping for air. "I'm your friend, I'm not going to hurt you" she assured.

The blonde girl didn't seem to be eager to listen to anything she had to say. And still in shock from the brunette's previous actions, Anneliese just couldn't figure what this woman wanted. "How can I trust you?" She gasped for breath, panting some more. "You just hitme in the head and dragged me into the woods!" Anneliese sounded desperate.

A woman that appeared at her castle that looks exactly like her and out of nowhere she is pinned under her in the middle of the forest.

Erika was now trying to make her realize the severity of her situation, she was desperate too! And her problems were far worse than just being kidnapped by a copy of herself.

"I'm sorry, Anneliese." She apologized, even when it sounded like a scold. "But, first of all I needed to get you away from that awful man-" the blonde girl interrupted her before she could finish her statement.

"That awful man is my husband!"

Erika was surprised at how supportive Anneliese was being with Preminger; still she knew those were only appearances. "But you don't love him"

Anneliese raised one of her eyebrows, looking suspiciously at Erika. "How do you know that?"

"Oh, please Anneliese; he could be your father!"

And even when the light haired woman was lying on the floor, she managed to shrug. "So?" she asked.

Erika rolled her eyes "So, I knowyou don't love him" Anneliese's expression didn't changed, she still doubt that this woman knew her. So to prove herself to her, she decided to only give a glimpse of the information she had "The man you truly love had bright blue eyes-"

The blonde's eyes expanded in surprise, how did she know that? "Huh… No… they're not blue." Anneliese tried to lie, but the tone of her voice was betraying her. And trying to change the subject, "Who sent you here?" she asked, "Are you supposed to kill me or something?" the blonde woman asked, founding that that was the only reason Erika could possibly have to do what she was doing.

The other girl shook her head, "No, no. It's just that…" She couldn't just tell her everything at once, it would make Anneliese think she is even more crazy than she already think she is. "Right now, it's hard to explain. You won't believe me-"

Anneliese, who had caught her breath already, cut her off. "Of course I won't, just tell me who sent you!"

"Nobody did!" Erika answered. The Queen took a deep breath, still not having a clue of this woman's origin. She looked exactly like her, knew things only several people knew, Frederick had warned Preminger about her and she had kidnap her! So there was only one reasonable explanation -

"Did Lily send you?" Anneliese asked; Erika rolled her eyes "Are you some kind of creature she made?" Anneliese asked again, this time with a bit of anger in her voice.

"My parentsmade me, just like yours did!" And her patience was beginning to run out "Look," A way to make Anneliese begin to trust her appeared on her mind. "Ask me something that people don't know about you, anything. You'll see that I doknow you and that you can trust me."

Anneliese looked suspiciously at her for a moment, her blue eyes eyeing the face on that identical person who was pinning her down to the ground. "Okay…" she agreed. "What's my middle name?"

Erika sighed, trying not to roll her eyes. "Anneliese, you don't have a middle name and even if you did everyone in the kingdom would know it because you're their Queen."

The blonde woman knew that, she was just testing her to see if she fell on her trap. And clearly noticing that Erika did knew a lot of things about her; she decided to go for a hard question to prove her wrong.

"That blue eyed guy you mentioned before," Anneliese started, Erika nodded. "What does that man mean to me?"

The brunette smirked, this was way too easy. "His name is Julian, he was your tutor and well… he's supposed to be your husband instead of Preminger." Anneliese's jaw slightly dropped - how the heck this woman knew all of that stuff? "He means everything to you; you love him with all your heart"

When the brunette girl finished answering Anneliese's question, she was baffled. The blonde woman couldn't find a coherent explanation to her current situation. A woman that had her exact physical appearance - except for her dark hair, she claimed that she knew her and now Anneliese had discovered that she knew some of her deepest secrets.

Still not being entirely convinced to trust this woman, she decided to demand more reasons to do it. "I don't even know you," she started "You hit me in the head so you could drag me here, you say you know me and I don't know if you have noticed but you look oddly exactly like me." Erika nodded, and before she could start talking Anneliese continued. "But that's not all! Pretty much everything you've said to me is illogical even when part of it is true."

"Then why do you say it's illogical if it is true?" Erika asked.

"Because you aren't supposed to know it!" Anneliese instantly replied, finally sighing she asked: "Why should I trust you?"

She bit her lower lip before trying to answer her friend's question "Because… because… huh… " Erika sighed and released Anneliese, standing up and realizing that the Queen didn't have reasons to trust her. Anneliese saw the more calmed face of Erika, and even when she wanted to run off again she really wanted to hear what Erika had to say. She stared at her still lying on the floor, lifting her head to meet her eyes.

The brunette smiled, an idea came to her head. The same idea she got when she first met her, the thing that made them become friends in just some minutes. She forced a smile on her face and started to sing:

"I'm just like you…You're just like me.

There's somewhere else we'd rather be.

Somewhere that's ours, somewhere that dreams come true.

Yes, I am a girl like you.

You'd never think that it was so, but now I've met you and I know.

It's plain as day, sure as the sky is blue, that I am a girl like you."

Erika finished the song raising her arms in the air, looking down to see if Anneliese had somehow remembered the song they sang together when they first met.
But Anneliese only stared at her, her mouth slightly open and looking at Erika as if she was very, veryinsane.

She really didn't remember any of those lyrics or the girl singing them, so she stood up - frowning at Erika.

Both girls stared at each other for some seconds, Erika looking at Anneliese with worried eyes - a humble begging hiding behind her blue irises. On the other hand, Anneliese's eyes were filled with fear; a dreadful feeling she was trying to hide behind a serious and almost angry expression.

Without any words, the blonde woman turned her back on the other, starting to walk away from her. But before she walked further, Erika grasped her arm - making her stop and glare at her.

"Unhand me at once!" Anneliese demanded, struggling to break free from Erika's grasp.

"Look, you don't know what is going on-" the brunette kept trying to convince her.

Anneliese shook her head, "Oh I do; you are a copy of me who wants to take my place!"

Erika rolled her eyes, laughing harshly before she answered "Oh please, who would want to be the wife of such a malicious and horrifying man?"

The Queen abruptly stopped struggling, her eyes connecting with Erika's as they rapidly filled with tears.

"See?" she managed to say with a trembling voice. "You do not know anything about me." Her voice sounded so hurt, so changed – it was almost like talking with a whole different person. Only by judging the sound of her voice, Erika could tell there were lots of things that Anneliese was hiding - And not exactly hiding, but a lot of things that had happened to her while she was not around, things that had wounded and harmed her.

Erika gasped, that same feeling of guilt she felt when she had hurt Anneliese before. "W-What do you mean?"

Anneliese blinked away some tears as she rolled her eyes. "I thought you knew me." She mocked; a sprinkle of sarcasm was clear in her words.

Erika sighed, dropping her head to show her remorse. "I'm sorry, Anneliese." And feeling the tension between them had decreased, she decided to release her friend's arm – only hoping that she would decide not to run away again.

"It's not your fault," Anneliese said, drying her tears with her own hands. "Not many people know about it"

"Oh…" Erika replied, feeling a bit uncomfortable, she crossed her arms in top of her chest.

A tense silent moment passed after the girls stopped talking; both of them thinking about their own problems, both so different yet so similar at the same time. Anneliese had her own problems, but now she was realizing that someone else needed her help. Erika, starting to discover Anneliese's predicaments, realized that she was not the only one with big troubles around here.

She was to blame, it was her fault that Anneliese was married to that creep, it was her fault the kingdom was on the hands of an insane fool, it was her fault her own children didn't exist, that Julian wasn't with Anneliese and it was her fault that Dominick was missing.

And after reviewing the past events, curiosity took over Erika. "Who was that man singing with you in your balcony?"

Anneliese's eyes rapidly filled with some sort of odd shine; yet, didn't answer and stood quiet trying to avoid answering a question that would probably put his life in risk. A small smile forming on her lips, but she didn't say anything about that man. Erika knew that Anneliese was probably in love with him, and remarking that Anneliese didn't denied anything when she said that she was in love with Julian – she figured that it was probably him and that the Queen was probably only trying to protect him.

So, in order to change the subject but still get some answers, Erika decided to ask something else. "Why is Preminger your husband?" That question erased the smile on the Queen's face, and realizing that she didn't had anything to lose if she answered, she took a breath before starting to talk.

"Because…"Anneliese stopped and she felt silent again. She shrugged as her eyes met with Erika's.

She insisted, she knew that Anneliese was a bit shy. "Tell me, you can trust me." She walked closer to her blonde friend, and placing one of her hands on Anneliese's shoulder she assured: "I won't tell anyone." Anneliese sighed, feeling a bit more comfortable around Erika, a corner of her mouth turned up in agreement. "Well…" she started, "Preminger… he's my husband because he rescued me when I was kidnapped once." She dropped her head in disappointment, the memory of that faithful day reviving in her memory. "He found me just hours after King Dominick's ambassador cancelled the wedding; and for the amazing feat of bringing me home safely and mentioning that he had found a mine of gold during his last journey, mother offered him my hand in matrimony." Erika softly gasped, before Anneliese finished. "I had to accept, the kingdom would have been doomed if I had denied the offer."

Erika bit her lower lip, it was all her fault! If she had been there, Julian would have brought her to the castle and Dominick's ambassador wouldn't have cancelled the wedding. Preminger would have been in the castle a bit longer and Anneliese would have had the time to runaway.

The brunette sighed "You know…" she started, making Anneliese look at her. "It's my fault you had to marry Preminger."

Anneliese raised an eyebrow in confusion, "What?" her tone making clear that she was utterly puzzled.

Erika smiled; she decided to explain everything as short and simple as she could. "I first met you when I was singing on the street; you came along to hear me sing and gave me a coin. We met each other, we sang together…"

The king smiled at his own reflection, moving the small mirror closer to his face.

These alone moments he would have with only himself to talk to were the most precious and delightful of the day. Not because he wanted to be alone of course, but because somehow no one was never at his side. Midas would sometimes come to make him company but he was a dog and as far as he knew animals couldn't talk. But even when his only companion would be a simple pet, he preferred to spend most of his time mentally speaking with himself. That woman who he had to refer as his 'wife' was not an option, he didn't like that stupid white cat coming near him. Their marriage was only a commitment to work together to bring the kingdom back to health. Of course, he would always make the decisions – in his cook, women are awful to make economical decisions. Plus, he hated when she came near him – not that she constantly did that – her perfume, her cat and her dusty old books would always give him allergies. A king couldn't waste time sneezing!

Besides, she seemed a bit happier when she was alone. So spending their time completely separated was a mutual choice, even when it didn't suite their marital image.

"Your highness!" a male voice caught Preminger's attention. As he moved the mirror to see who was calling him, he saw a guard running towards him. Rolling his eyes and placing the object on the armrest of the throne, he sighed.

And with a serious expression he flatly replied "Yes?"

The man in front of him looked desperate, gasping for air from the run he had made he managed to communicate the news. "That pauper!" he started, panting to catch his breath "She-she kidnapped the queen!"

"What?" Preminger shouted, instantly thinking that all this guard had said was a joke.

The man wearing a metal amour reached to his belt, unbuckling a round, thick and golden object to finally hand it to him.

The King took the object from the guard's hands, rapidly identifying it as a crown. But as he took a closer look, he noticed that the patterns and jewelry on it were far too familiar – it was indeed Anneliese's crown.

It was true, that pauper had taken her!

He glared at the man and frowned, standing up from the throne. "How could you let this happen?" he demanded as he walked towards the guard – who was clearly nervous.

"We don't know, my lord" he replied as he slightly shrugged, but when he saw the anger on the King's face he tried to explain that it hadn't been their fault. "She stole a horse from the royal stable and then we saw her riding off holding the Queen – who was unconscious."

Preminger frowned harder, "You worthless bunch of idiots! Why didn't you follow them?"

The guard rapidly replied, "We did, sire, we did. But she headed towards the woods; as soon as that woman entered there she instantly disappeared between the trees!" Preminger was gnashing his teeth, clenching the crown on his hand to relief some of the anger he was feeling.

His wife was missing and that day was their first anniversary ball! She had to be there unless she wanted the kingdom to know that their marriage was a fake!

He couldn't let that happen, his matrimony with would get dissolved and he wouldn't be king anymore. After all the hard work, after he did all those things to be where he was standing right then – it was impossible to give up so easily!

"Find her…" he managed to say. Those useless guards fooled by a woman and scared off by a forest! They didn't deserve any of his kindness. "You have until sunset to bring her here…" he angrily informed.

"But-" the guard tried to complain, but he was cut off by Preminger.

Waving his index finger in front of him he said, "No buts!" and sighting he said with a louder voice tone: "Find her! Find her even if you have to burn down the forest tree by tree!" He started walking away from the guard, but he stopped to warn him – wanting this job to be done properly and promptly. "If you don't find her, tell the others not to come back here."

And starting to walk away again, his last words replayed on his mind one more time.

'-not to come back here'

They sounded familiar, like if he had used them multiple times. Those words brought to his mind a phrase he used once…

"I thought I had made myself clear when I told you that I didn't want to see you around here anymore."A person he had warned not to come back to the palace…

Him!

Preminger stopped walking again, the answer to his predicament came into his mind. If Anneliese was out in danger in the woodshe knew who would help her and he knew exactly where he would hide her!

Rapidly turning towards the guard – who was already leaving, he called "Wait!"

The guard looked back and obeyed the King, walking towards him to listen to what he had to say.

Feeling more relaxed by now, Preminger started "My informants have notified me that there will be a 'surprise' attack from The Resistance'sgroup tonight." he smirked.

The guard nodded "We are aware of that information, your majesty."

Preminger nodded, "Good…" And walking towards his throne again, he continued speaking, "That means you know where they will attack." The guard nodded once more. "And are you aware that one of the two rulers of that group is a traitor?"

The guard raised an eyebrow, "A traitor?"

"Indeed," Preminger nodded, "The Queen's former tutor…"

That was enough to make the guard realize what the King meant. The tall blonde man, he remembered him. Always by the young princess' side, her teacher and confident – it was only a rumor, but everybody suspected there was something going on between those two. The guard nodded once again, understanding what his master meant. The Queen's former tutor was one of the leaders of The Resistance, if she was lost in the forest—the place where they had their headquarters—they both knew that if they found him, they'd find her.

"I assume you figured she will be there with him—" the white haired man said as he sat down on his throne again; giving the other man a deadly glare he shouted, "Bring them both!"

The guard nodded yet again and started to walk away, already thinking of how he was going to fulfill the King's order.

Preminger smirked in satisfaction as he placed his wife's crown on her throne. It wouldn't be long before she was by his side again, not that he cared but—it would leave a very good impression on their guests to see them together on such a special day. He knew it was all an act, he would never see this girl as a romantic interest, and she could be his daughter! He had watched her grow. He served in the castle long enough to presence every step she had taken. Yet, if they didn't made a good impression the rumor that started just when they got engaged would only be confirmed, their marriage was a pure fake.

Preminger was always aware of how reluctant Anneliese was to marry him, even the day of their wedding she couldn't force a smile – but today, she had their guests with a frown on her face, or a flat and vacant expression, would loosen people's commentaries. But, how could he make her do that? She never listened to him, or followed his instructions – how was he going to make her see that he was the one in charge, And that if she cooperated she could benefit herself too?

"Wait!" The King called, again. An evil and vile idea came to his mind; he knew how to make that nitwit Anneliese realize that he was the boss in that palace. The guard, trying not to sigh, turned to face his boss. "Bring the queen safe and sound- as for the boy…" Preminger smirked, "-Scare him a little bit and make her watch" he started evilly laughing as the guard left the room; maybe this day wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Then, you and I had a double wedding-"

"Stop it!" Anneliese protested, cutting the other woman off. "This is insane!"

Erika had told her the craziest story she had ever heard, it involved Preminger kidnapping her, Julian getting Erika a wig so she could pose as her while he figured out a way to find her, Dominick falling in love with Erika…

Erika was wackier than she thought!

She was starting to believe in her when she told her those things about Julian. Only someone who was close to her would know them, but this story was just out of line! It was way too twisted and distorted to be true—even when the brown-haired girl mentioned it was supposed to happen if she had been present.

The brunette sighed, that hopeless feeling starting to fill her chest. Anneliese didn't believe anything she said, how was she supposed to get her to help her. Without her best friend's help, how was she supposed to fix this all? She didn't know where Dominick was, Julian was missing as well and she still didn't have any clue of how she was able to break that contract.

With tears burning in her eyes, she asked "You still don't believe me?"

Anneliese crossed her arms on top of her chest, and didn't hesitate to answer. "No"

Erika bit her lower lip, starting to walk away from the blonde woman. She needed some time to think, she had to think about what she was going to do – After all she had said, Anneliese still didn't believed her story. If she wasn't willing to help, then she had to resolve this problem on her own. And sitting on an old tree trunk lying on the ground, she sighed again.

As she sat, she heard a squeak that came from her dress; leading her hand inside pocket to take out the object, she saw the rag doll she had taken from her daughter at the birthday party.

That made her remember about her two babies… if she couldn't break out of this contract they would be gone forever. She was never going to see them again, not even to say how sorry she was or to say how much she loved them. Her dear husband, who was missing in this twisted reality, was never going to know how regretful she was of all the things she said to him.

Anneliese wandered what was wrong with Erika; she really wished she could help her but - how?

The girl was an exact copy of her. Plus, she knew things about her no one knew and this was the first time she had ever seen her in her whole life! She wasn't willing to accept the fact that maybe Erika was right… maybe her story was real, maybe all those things would have happened if she had been present in their lives.

She wouldn't have been rescued by Preminger, she would have escaped instead. Dominick would have fallen in love with Erika. She would have married Julian…

It did made sense; but, a woman that just came into her life and made up a favorable version of it just to make the confidence grow between them – it didn't made her feel comfortable.

Her attitude seemed desperate though, I mean she got her unconscious just to get to talk to her privately.

She knew Erika needed her help, urgently.

Anneliese was always willing to help others, a good trait of her personality. The same trait that made her become the world's unhappiest woman - agreeing with her mother to help the kingdom.

Trading her happiness for the well-being or her people, throwing away her feelings for Julian to marry that thing…

She had a lot to lose when she made that decision, and she lost everything she loved. Why not help this woman? She didn't have anything else to lose.

Erika's eyes pooled with tears as she pressed the rag doll against her chest, repeating in her mind how sorry she was and how much she was going to fight to get her family back. Then, she felt someone's hand on her shoulder.

She placed the little doll on her lap, looking up to meet with Anneliese's eyes.

"Tell me…" she started, sitting beside Erika on the hollow tree. "Whydo you need my help?"

Erika wiped the tears off her face, looking down at the toy in her hands. "I signed something I should have neversigned…"

Anneliese chuckled; "You're going to have to be more… specificif you want my help"

Erika chuckled too, "I'm sorry" she apologized; not taking her eyes off the doll as she played with the little purple dress it had. "I'm talking to you like if you knew everything that happened" she sniffed.

"Does it have something to do with that little doll you have there?" Anneliese tried to joke; it was her fault Erika's mood darkened.

The brunette looked up, facing the blonde woman. "It…" she sighed, "It belongs to my daughter, Erika."

Anneliese smiled at her, she didn't know Erika had a child. "Really? How old is she?" That only made her feel worse, yet it fed her new desire to help her.

Erika looked at the doll again, "She and her brother just turned one."

"Oh, you have another baby."

Erika grinned, remembering her two kids. "They're twins."

That smile on the brunette's face was priceless, Anneliese felt good by just seeing it. She wasn't lying about them, she could tell. Now she knew that did not only Erika needed her help, but also two little innocent babies.

"We are they?" asked Anneliese.

Erika's smiled faded, the pressure on her chest reappeared. "In this reality," she started, looking at Anneliese. "They don't exist."

Her friend couldn't help but to gasp, figuring that it had something to do with what Erika had signed.

"Ohh…" it was all she could reply, she didn't want to remind anymore tragedies to her companion.

Erika took the little doll and hid it inside her pocket again; finding in the process the paper Lily had placed inside her pocket.

"I signed a contract with a witch," She started, taking out the contract. Before Erika could unfold the paper to show it to her, Anneliese's eyes bulged out and she gasped.

"What? Oh dear, you know you should never sign a contract with a witch."

Erika rolled her eyes, "I think it's a little late for me to know that, maybe if someone had mentioned it before we wouldn't be in this mess."

Anneliese shrugged, "Now you know." Erika nodded as her friend continued, "They are very deceiving and manipulative - they can read your mind."

"They can?" Erika gasped; no wonder why they had so much in common! That Lily had been reading her mind to mislead her into thinking she needed a day off - Anneliese nodded.

Lily was reading her mind while she was in her house.

"Let me see-" the Queen took the contract, rapidly eyeing it before she started bending and twisting the paper on her lap.

Erika watched curiously, "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I learned some tricksfrom that Lily-"

"You know her?" Erika rapidly cut her off; she knew Anneliese had to know her – but to actually learn things from her?

Anneliese nodded, still folding the contract. "Preminger and her husband, Frederick, are reallygood friends. They visit us constantly. It's not that I like her but it's nice to have a girl to talk to at times." Anneliese looked at Erika for a second, rolling her eyes playfully. "I still know she's evil."

Both girls laughed, Erika still wanted to know some things. "What kind of tricks are you talking about?" she asked.

"Well, there's always a loophole on every contract, even when she persists in saying that there is not."

Hearing what Anneliese had just said made Erika's heart feel relieved, there was a way to resolve this problem! A smile crept onto her face as the blonde woman continued, "She usually reclaimed something valuable to cancel the deal, but now she is a Queen - she already has everythingyou have to offer."

"And you're doing that with the contract to figure it out?" Anneliese nodded; Erika had a look of full blissful contentment. After all, Anneliese was helping her in the biggest way possible. Her hope revived and stronger, she was starting to look at this situation positively.

Maybe doing this wouldn't be bad after all, if Anneliese did find a way to break the deal all this situation would be just a joke in the past – she will be laughing about it in no time, she hoped. Because if everything went downfall and her last day was wasted, she was going to disappear forever, Anneliese was going obligated to live as Preminger's wife at least until he died, Julian and Dominick would stay missing and for all she knew her two babies would never exist.

All those days thinking she was an insignificant common pauper, and now she realized that a lot of people needed her. Not now that she had made this mess, but in their lives. Anneliese and her kingdom needed her to be saved from Preminger's scheme; Dominick needed her to save his own kingdom and perhaps to save himself. Not to mention that without her work Madame Carp's Dress Emporium wouldn't had been so successful; yes, she could have hired a new employee, but Erika knew that without her advice that woman wouldn't had made it so far. Poor Wolfie! Where could he be? Without her he was probably still living on the streets. No one wanted a weird barking-cat, that's why she took him in - he was different like her.

How much she wished she was back at the birthday party, so she could forget about all the problems that surged and spend her time celebrating a very special moment from her children's lives with all her family and the ones she loved the most. If only she could rewind the time, just a few hours – so she could turn down Lily's offer. But if was a little too late for that, and she had to do was think about the solution. Not waste time, she had to redefine her priorities, verify her self-worth through commitment, understand her problems but most of all embrace this day because it really was her last…

And just to start solving this dilemma, Erika decided to ask once more – wishing Anneliese felt confident enough to answer her. "Anneliese," she started.

"Yes?"

Erika rapidly chose to use the real name in the question to make it direct. "Where's Julian?"

When the queen heard those words, her body froze.

"Are you going to keep insisting?" she looked at the brown-haired girl sitting next to her, Erika raised an eyebrow.

"Come on!" she whined, trying to cheer her blonde friend so she told her where he was. "Look, if you haven't noticed it's my fault that you two can't be together." Anneliese looked at her, doubt filling her expression. "The contract…" Erika pointed out, "Just think about the story I just told you, and now add the fact that I was never born."

"Okay…" Anneliese replied, mentally obeying her new friend.

"It's what this contract did- which means that you'll have to remove me from that story…"

The Queen was swift to respond, with a gasp she declared that she had figured what Erika meant. The result of deleting Erika from the story she told her –the one she thought was so insane—was the reality she was living right now.

"What you mean is," Anneliese started, tears of joy gathering in her eyes. "That if I help you break this contract, Julian and I can be together?"

Erika nodded, "Yes!" Anneliese smiled, "But," Erika added, making Anneliese's smile fade. "I don't know if we'll be able to do that. So, to make sure you're happy even if I leave without fixing anything – let's find Julian, so you can be with him even when things stay this way." She just wanted Anneliese to be happy; at least she would fix some of the damage her decision caused on her best friend.

Anneliese sighed and resumed her work on the paper. "I wish I knew where he is…"

Erika raised one of her eyebrows "What? What do you mean?" She predicted that if they where so close Anneliese knew about his possible hiding place –if he was hiding.

The princess' expression saddened, she put the piece of paper on her side as she sighed.

"Well…after I got married," she bit her lower lip, just to remember that incidence made her utterly sad. "My husband felt that it wasn't appropriate for his wife to have a male tutor…"

With that, Erika understood everything.

Yet, after a moment, she smirked, trying to cheer Anneliese up. "I know why Preminger reallydid it -"

Anneliese looked at her identical companion. "I already told you why he did it."

"I know… but I know there is another reason." She playfully answered, "Your 'husband'did it because he knew something more was going on between you two." she grinned, Anneliese instantly blushed.

And trying to protest and hide the truth she stated, "Nothingwas going on between us!"

"Then why haven't you denied anything I've been saying about him?"

Anneliese stood up from the trunk, rolling her eyes and starting to walk away from Erika. The brunette gasped, the Queen was getting away from her – again!

"Anneliese-" she called, the blonde woman interrupted her before she could finish.

"I need a moment!"

Erika sighed; she was tired of running after her.

This day was only starting and it was a complete mess already - and she had only this same messy day to fix everything.

Dominick was gone; Frederick and Lily were taking their place. Her babies didn't exist - she didn't exist.

Anneliese was married to Preminger and Julian was gone too…

Everything was upside down!

'Now this…'she mentally added. For all she knew, Anneliese could run off or maybe get lost in the woods.

She was mad at her once again; Erika didn't mean to hurt her feelings. She just told her the truth, and Anneliese didn't seem to like it.

She looked at her side; the contract Anneliese had been folding had a new shape: a heart. Lily must have taught her to do origami with the contracts, that's how royal people entertained themselves these days? Erika took it to look at it more closely; it had a new phrase right on the edge of the heart formed by the letters of the contract.

Confusing and misshapen letters, the blue-eyed squinted her eyes to read them and she was able to read the phrase: 'True Love's Kiss' it said. Some other ways to break the deal, Anneliese had said… and that phrase said it! Around the letters spelling the phrase was a sentence that explained what she had to do to. It had to be a kiss of true love, with the man that felt exactly the same for her and it had to be before her day was over!

Erika breathed a huge sigh of relief; the only thing she had to do to end this nightmare was give her true love a true love's kiss. It looked simple enough, if she knew where her true love was…

But at least she knew that this wouldn't be so hard to resolve once she spotted Dominick's location. She couldn't wait to finally see him, to say how sorry she was. But she needed Anneliese to find him, she knew more about this forest than her, plus she had promised to help her find Julian.

So she started looking for Anneliese - she couldn't have gotten so far.

Dominick rubbed his temples in frustration as he examined the map over again. This had to work; it was his last and most risky chance. And this second mission he had added to help his friend just didn't seemed to fit the way he wanted to.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" the brunet asked, the blond man immediately nodded.
"Of course I am" Julian replied.

Dominick sighed; he knew this was a huge risk. "It could be dangerous, Julian." He started with this, again. The other man just sighed too; he was tired of hearing excuses from the person who had volunteered to help him. "Our people will be exhausted after the battle; trying to attack Preminger after we get Frederick means more time for the guards to catch us."

Julian stood up from his chair, glaring at Dominick. "Look, if you don't want to help me just say it. I'll do it on my own." But as he started to walk away from him, Dominick objected.

"No, no. I still want to help you." That made the blonde man stop walking and turn look at him. "I'm just saying that maybe some other day would be better."

Julian shook his head, walking towards the man sitting in front of him. "Dominick, this is a once in a life opportunity - the two kings in one place where the anniversary ball will be a great distraction for the guards. If we make the right moves, none of us will get caught." Dominick still didn't seem convinced, but Julian knew he was completely right about it. This event was a perfect chance for them to attack, having more possibilities to actually win. Unlike other parties that Preminger had done, this anniversary ball was going to be very exclusive and private. Only family and close friends where going to be invited, meaning that unlike other times the security around the castle wasn't going to be reinforced. Plus, they had heard that it was going to be celebrated outdoors, which would only make their mission easier. "Look," Julian started again, trying to make Dominick see his point. "This won't change a lot from your original plan; we'll still attack Frederick, it's just that we'll also get Preminger. And I bet your cousin won't be such a strong adversary, physically talking. It will be a piece of cake to take him down."

Dominick finally nodded, a more positive and approving expression on his face. "Sounds good." He assured, "But what about Preminger. I mean, how are we going to get him?"

Julian smirked, "You don't worry about that, leave him to me -"

And before the blond man could finish his statement, the door of the small room sprang open - three persons entering after that.

A woman with curly and voluminous red hair rapidly strode to Julian's side. "Oh, no my sweetie pie." He rolled his eyes at her; he hated to be around her. On the other hand, she adored every minute she got to spend near him. "That little brainless fool is all mine!" she declared, raising a fist in the air as she continued "I'll make him pay for the insensitive way in which he rules this kingdom—"

Dominick knew how annoying this girl was; in addition, he knew about her adoration for a certain tall light-haired man and how much he loathed her presence.

"Cherry," the brunet called, cutting her off. "Please stay out of this."

One of the men that had entered with Cherry to the room gently protested, "But sir," Dominick and Julian turned to look at him. "She has some very important news."

All eyes turning to the thin red-head as she smirked. "No, no, James. I think these gentlemen aren't interested in hearing what we know – I guess I'll be leaving now…"

And starting to walk away, she heard both Dominick and Julian sigh. She was so very immature and childish sometimes. "Fine, Cherry. You can stay, now tell us what you know." said Dominick.

"Please." added Julian. She jumped and ran towards Julian, hugging his arm as she squealed with excitement.

"You're so cute!" He gently pushed her away as she cleared her throat. "Well, as you may remember I have some friends that serve in the castle. They informed me today that the king knows everything about our attack."

That last thing she said made a thick and short silence fill the room, a stunned expression on both leaders' faces.

"What?" Dominick finally spoke, Cherry rapidly shrugged.

"Someone told him and now he has sent to double the security in the palace," Dominick placed a hand on his forehead as he sighed, "And the ball will be done inside the castle." She finished, Julian dropped his head in frustration.

"Damn!" he muttered.

Dominick slammed his fist on the table in front of him, "The whole plan is ruined!"

"We won't be able to get Frederick nor Preminger." Tom, the other man that was with James and Cherry, muttered.

Julian shook his head as he took a deep breath; he wasn't willing to give up so easily. "No," he began, taking the attention of all the persons in the room. "We can still get them, it's just going to be a bit more arduous then we were expecting."

Dominick shook his head, quickly protesting. "Julian, don't you see? He has doubled the security, the ball will be done inside the castle – it's going to be impossible for us to get neither of them without being spotted. We are risking everybody's lives, including ours…" the blonde man looked away from Dominick, already mad at his companion pessimistic attitude. "Just imagine the massive brutal battle that this move could cause, even her life could be in danger…" That made Julian think harder, Dominick was right – it was unnecessary for innocent people to die. If only they could find a way to go to the castle only to get one of the kings, then the fight wouldn't be so vast and long. It would also supply some time for their people to recover their energy for the next attack.

And then it struck him; at night both kings would be already inside the castle, but at noon Frederick would still be on his way there – passing through the middle of the forest where they hideout was located.

Dominick stood up from his seat, running a hand through his hair. "Inform everyone that the attack is cancelled, we'll have to do it some other day-"

As Cherry and her fellows nodded, Julian objected. "Nick, wait! I have an idea." Dominick, or Nick—that everyone but Julian thought he was named—cued him to speak. "What if we attack Frederick while he's on his way to the ball? While his carriage is passing by the middle of our deserted woods…"

"Yeah!" James agreed, "He has to pass by there, it's the only way to get to Preminger's kingdom."

Cherry nodded. "It could work, plus no one will hear the attack."

James also supported Julian's idea, "No witnesses." He added.

Julian softly smiled; at least they were supporting him. "It will be an easier and safer way to attack Frederick. We can even leave him here while we recover from the battle."

Nick chuckled as he looked at Julian; he really wanted to get her today. "I guess it could work." He smiled, adding another positive opinion himself. "It would be done in a private and deserted area."

Cherry giggled, clapping her hands energetically. "Then we'll make our way to kill that dimwit Preminger on his castle!"

All the man cheered together, raising their fists in the air. "We'll win this time; justice will be served!" Nick guaranteed.

"We'll make them pay for all the pain they have put us through – we'll rip their heads off!" James declared.

Julian grinned, nodding at his associates, 'And I'll rescue Anneliese on the way.' He mentally reassured.

Anneliese groaned as she sat on top of a rock, she was tired of everything. She was tired of doing everything people told her too, tired of all the lies, tired of being used… She knew she could go with Erika in this crazy quest and just pray for her to be right. Besides, she did have anything else to lose – but a lot to gain if they succeeded. And looking at the little lake in front of her, she started to think again… Think about him. Was she willing to live her life unhappy only to do what other people said was right?

She sighed, she didn't have the answer to that question yet - she took a really deep breath and started to sing:

"Go unnoticed, let the freedom wash away.

Losing focus, the pretense is second nature.

It's a broken life that I cling to,

Trying to make right…"

Erika heard Anneliese singing, and following the source of her voice she instantly found her.

And decided to join her by placing a hand on her shoulder and singing with her.

"I feel dismay just like you do-"

Anneliese looked at her, tears started to run down her eyes but kept singing:

"I feel decayed.

So find me a way,

To leave this wasted life, behind me.

Find me a way,

To leave this wasted life behind me, after all."

Erika sat beside her and she sang to her.

"Yes, I see you surrounded by the hopeless.

When they need you, you're much too good and bloated -

By the hopeless life that you cling to, trying to make right."

The blonde one smiled, Erika really knew her.

"I feel disdain just like you do-"

Anneliese sang:

"I feel decayed-"

And both girls sang in unison:

"So find me a way

To leave this wasted life, behind me.

Find me a way

To leave this wasted life behind me, after all…"

"If you help me, I canhelp you-" Erika wiped the tears off her friend's face, she felt really guilty - she knew it was her fault Anneliese was feeling like this.

The blonde woman felt a really strong connection with that girl, like if she really knew her. It was amazing how close she felt to her and she had only known her for a few hours.

Erika's eyes started to get glassy as she placed one of her hands on top of Anneliese's. "You are like the sister I never had… and seeing you like this and knowing it's myfault…" Erika bit her lower lip; it was inevitable to hold back the tears. To feel how much damage and pain she had caused to the people she loved the most, all just because of she wanted a day off. "It makes me feel like a selfish monster."

Anneliese shook her head as she hugged Erika, it was like if her instinct had told her to - she really felt like if this stranger was the sister she never had… her best friend. Erika returned her embrace and squeezed her harder.

Anneliese felt a smile appearing on her face, this was the first time she felt safe with someone that wasn't Julian. This woman was being truly honest with her.

As her brunette friend calmed down, Anneliese spotted an odd piece of paper glued to one of the trees in the forest - It didn't really fit with the ambience of the place.

Erika broke the embrace and wiped the tears of her face. "I'm sorry" she giggled, "I really needed to cry…"

"Don't worry about it." She replied, smiling at her.

"Oh, by the way, it worked! You figured the trick to break the deal!"

Anneliese nodded, she knew it had to work—she had learned that from the very witch herself. She fixed her eyes again at the weird paper on the tree. It had to mean something bad if it was in the middle of nowhere, it had to be very important for the police to even post them inside the forest.

"Look-" she pointed at the paper with her index finger, making Erika look. She squinted her eyes to get a better look, trying to identify what the paper was about.

"Weird," Erika commented as she stood up and started walking towards it, "Must be something important to be put up here."

Anneliese followed Erika, both girls walking closer to it. A face in the center of the paper, only a nickname was given – the first thing they read was the big bold red letters heading the sign.

"Wanted-" Erika read out loud, then when they were close enough to actually see the face of the man printed on the paper they both gasped.

"It looks like," Anneliese started, Erika cut her off.

"It is Dominick."

And indeed, the man who was being announced as 'dangerous and clever' was Dominick. Yet, it only said he was called 'Nick', that he was a tall, white, young blue-eyed man who was usually seen with a masked person.

Erika was speechless; her sweet loving husband, wanted dead or alive.

"God…" Anneliese muttered, walking away from Erika. She knew that she needed some space to think about what she was going to do. She had declared that Dominick was the love of her life, the father of her children – but he was a wanted criminal, was she still willing to find him?

Erika sighed, dropping her head and closing her eyes to think. A criminal, a wanted dangerous criminal. That is what he became after his cousin took the throne, and it was all her fault! He could be hurt, maybe already… dead… No!

No, no, no! He was the most gentle and sweet man she had ever known, what could be possible had done to become this hated?

"Oh, Anneliese," Erika moaned, "We've got to find him before its too late… Where do you think he could be? He must be hiding."

She had no response from Anneliese, so Erika looked turned to look at her but her friend wasn't there anymore.

"Anneliese?" she called, but no one replied. No one giggled or whined, only silence. Erika frowned, "Stop playing, it's notfunny!" Silence - only the tweeting of the birds, not even a trace of the Queen. Only the trees, the rock, the lake, and the greenness of the nature around her. She crossed her arms across her chest. "Anneliese, I'm serious! We don't have much time…" She sighed again; rolling her eyes and turning back to see the announcement again -

Darkness… Her hands bound… and the familiar stench of a dirty bag covering her head.

Author's note:

Wow! This chapter came to be way longer than I had planned, but I guess it came just the way I wanted XD.

First song is a piece of 'I Am a Girl like You' from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper movie. The second one is another piece of the song 'Waste' by Seether ( I know a man sings it and it doesn't sound nice, but the lyrics fit so well!)

I really enjoyed writing this chapter! I think I was a little too dramatic though XD

New character! Cherry; well you know that in some movies there is this girl that is in love with a boy that just doesn't return her love. Cherry is that girl in this story, and she had a very important purpose in it too ;)

I want to thank everyone who had supported and/or reviewed this FF! Really means a LOT! :D And to my beta-reader Avatarfan445, you are awesome :) !

Also, if you have any questions about the story or a character - anything! Just let me know and I'll answer anything with pleasure :D! And, if there are any mistakes - let me know! Please, it really helps me get better in this ;)

PS. If there are spelling mistakes, do not blame my beta-reader. I'm trying to get better with my writing so we changed our 'correcting method' to make it more easy and independent ;).