By the time the party was over, Flynn and I were the ones who cleaned up most of the mess from the guests. The servants were grateful but they also didn't do much. Once the prince and the princess were gone, I assume they figured they weren't being watched. They didn't know that their king was in town. So far, I do not like him. The creep is up to something. I hope it's not some kind of ominous plot to take over Terca Lumireis.

Hundreds of trash bags were taken out into the front yard by the gate. Not long after they were all outside, the trash truck came by and collected all of the garbage. They even picked up the scraps that fell out of the bags. (Talk about dedication.)

Today was also fairly cloudy but I don't think it's going to rain. I'm hoping that Estelle and Ioder come back sometime today. I love Flynn but it's boring being here with just him… and King Reinhold. I haven't spoken to the king since yesterday night when he refused to help clean.

I was aching all over from all of the heavy bags of trash that was being carried. My back cracked every time I bent over or arched it. I wasn't sure if Flynn was feeling the same. He seems just fine this morning but he's good at hiding pain.

The halls of the castle were gloomy and dull today for some reason. On top of that, I was bored out of my mind. There was NOTHING for me to do. I would play with my XBOX 360 but it broke. Also, the new gifts I got, I forgot where I put them. Instead, to keep myself occupied, I began to roam the halls. I even discovered a few things as I was exploring. Apparently, the basement is where the knights' sleep and it is stock full of weapons. Most of them I can't even name.

Not only that, I found a secret hallway behind Ioder's room. It looked much nicer than the rest of the castle and there were about five rooms in the hall. For some reason each of the doors were labeled. There were two bathrooms, an office, a library, and the king's chamber.

As I walked by the king's office, I noticed that there were people talking from the other side. The voices were muffled but I could still hear a few words.

It sounded like Flynn and King Reinhold arguing.

Flynn said something about Ioder and the dance. I couldn't piece together whatever he was saying though. King Reinhold said something about me. I didn't hear anything after that. A few moments later, I heard footsteps heading towards the door. I ran back to the main hallway just in time before someone opened it. I'm not worried about their relationship; I'm just worried about any secrets that are being made. There have been too many secrets for me this year and I'm not looking forward to anymore problems.

I went off to the bathroom on the other side of the castle to take a shower just in case someone came from the room to see who was there listening.

Whatever they were talking about got me curious though. It's best for me to stay out of this one though… unless I'm already in it… My Christmas break is really relaxing, huh? Once I got rid of the psycho rapist, the power crazy king decides to make more conflict. What other exciting things am I going to experience this year?

The warm water from the shower head felt so good. This is my second shower today too. I know I shouldn't be wasting water like this but castle water feels so good. I wonder what kind of water it is.

Without knocking, someone came barging through the bathroom door. It took me a moment to realize that it was Flynn who walked in on me. My lover quickly closed the door behind him once he noticed I was naked.

"What's up?" I asked merrily. In truth, I knew what he wanted. This guy catches on too fast.

Flynn crossed his arms looking pissed off standing outside of the shower door. I wasn't going to come out. He scares me when he's angry.

"Wh-What?" I asked again.

"I want to talk to you. Come out of the shower. I can't hear you well with water running like that."

He sounded so mad.

"N-No. I don't want to. You're just going to have to wait until I come out."

I did not expect Flynn to start taking off his clothes. It really surprised me especially when he jumped into the shower with me.

I think this is his second time bathing today too. The only difference is he's getting in to yell at me not because the water feels good.

"Heh. The last time we did this was when we were five." I said nervously.

"King Reinhold told me something interesting not too long ago. He said that Ioder looked so happy with you yesterday that he would like you two to get married."

"What the hell! Is that even legal! Did Ioder agree with it! Why did he tell you of all people!"

"It's legal if the king wants it to be. Prince Ioder doesn't know. He probably told me because he wanted to see how I'd react. The bastard was smiling the entire time he was telling me. Did you know about it?"

His voice was monotone. That is often the step before yelling.

"No. The only time the king spoke to me was at the party. I don't want to marry the elf prince anyway. That would be so weird." I said with my back facing Flynn.

He stayed silent for a while. I could tell that he was feeling really upset right now but I had no idea what to say to him. At times like these I usually stayed overnight at his apartment and I let him hold me while were going to sleep. In the morning he'd wake up just fine so I often had nothing to say to him. He always healed on his own but this time is different.

I sighed. "Flynn listen…"

My lover turned me around to face him. He kissed me with so much force but it carried passion behind it. Flynn hugged me tightly with our wet bodies touching and my wet hair wrapped around his fingers. I felt him take a whiff of my clean hair and he buried his face into my neck to kiss me dozens of times. His strong arms held me securely and his broad hands gripped each side of my waist. I couldn't help but to hug him back.

"Maybe we should go back to the lower quarter, Flynn." I suggested.

"All I want is for you to not leave me for anyone else, Yuri." He held me a little tighter. "I've been feeling so distant from you lately. You're the only person I have ever wanted and you're slipping from my fingers."

I noticed he let my wet hair slide through his fingers as he kissed me again. I know he's upset right now but I hope he doesn't want to have sex in the shower. We're already wet enough.

"Well, Flynn wait until I finished bathing. I'll talk to the king himself."

My lover didn't respond. He eased his hold on me, kissed my neck one more time, and let me wash up. He washed himself too. Luckily the shower was big enough for the both of us or else I would have been so annoyed with how many times we would have bumped into each other.

I quickly got dressed to see King Reinhold. He was in his office. He sat at his desk looking pretty intimidating. He had his hands folded on his big, polished mahogany desk and it was almost as if he was expecting me. His eyes practically said "I knew it." He probably wanted Flynn to tell me what he said so I would come into his office… Ioder is just like his father in many ways. They both do stupid things to get what they want from people who they think are less than them. I wonder if all nobles (except Estelle) do that. The only way they could get by in life is by being rich and snobby apparently.

Despite how small I was feeling compared to the king's huge ego, I approached him anyway. Even though his desk wasn't too far from the door it felt like a mile walking to him with my wobbly legs. Hopefully he didn't notice how unconfident I actually was.

"I was waiting for you." The king said as he offered me a seat in front of his oversized desk.

I sat down on the edge of the chair. There was no way I was going to get comfortable in his office.

"I bet your friend told you about my idea." He said in the most arrogant voice I've ever heard. "So how about it? Will you go through with it?"

"Ha!" I said because I just couldn't believe how he was handling this. The king was absolutely… I guess I could say stupid and overconfident. What was I intimidated for?

"There is no way I'd ever marry Ioder." I told him. "If I were to marry someone it'd be Flynn."

He sat forward. "What if I said you had no choice?" He told me in a deep voice as if he was threatening me.

I sat forward to meet his level. "What if I said I did?" I repeated his tone of voice just to be an ass.

"You worthless street rat! Are you so uneducated that you have no idea who you're talking to?"

"No. I think I'm so educated that I know who I shouldn't let talk down to me. Living in the lower quarter will do that to you." I said as sarcastic as possible.

He wanted to tell me to leave his office. The look on his hairy face said it all. I was just waiting for him to say the word but instead he sat back in his big comfy chair and stroked his beard. King Reinhold seemed to be studying me. He watched my face and my body language. If he knew psychology then he should know that I'm not afraid anymore.

I met his eyes. The king's blue eyes searched and appeared to be seeing through me. In a way he seemed curious but he also had a cold feel to his gaze. That didn't scare me though. I think Zagi is the only man that can do that.

"I don't know whether to like you or not Yuri Lowell."

"Well, King Reinhold, I already know that I don't like you."

I left his office without looking back. Maybe he'll stop talking to me now… at least that's what I'm hoping. I couldn't help but feel a little pride after that.

This king is making things worse. I thought that with Zagi gone, the drama would decrease at least some amount. Once the elf prince comes back, I hope the king leaves and goes back to wherever he came from.

Flynn took Repede out for a walk and hasn't been back for hours. He must be clearing his head but I don't know what for. It's not like I'll actually go through with marriage. Of course King Reinhold can force me to if he wanted to but that doesn't seem likely… Maybe I'll run away to Halure or maybe Aspio. I haven't seen Rita in a long time anyway. Or I could possibly leave this continent and go to Capua Torim. So many options to choose from…

I stayed in my room all day wondering when Estelle and Ioder would get back. It felt like forever since they've been gone. It's not that I missed them; I wanted to know what Ioder thought about this. More than likely, I was curious about the elf prince's opinion on this. He would definitely say "yes" if Flynn and I weren't involved.

Just as that thought crossed my mind, Estelle came barging into my room and shouts "Yuri!" with excitement and she jumped on me. Her coat was wet and cold from the snow.

"Estelle?" I said.

"We were on our way when we heard the terrible news! How are you! Are you alright! King Reinhold didn't threaten you, did he!"

"Calm down. I'm alright. The king didn't anything."

The princess sat at the edge of my bed and let out a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness! Usually the king persists until he gets what he wants or he takes it by force. You must be really lucky, Yuri!"

"I suppose."

Deep down, I knew this wasn't over. If King Reinhold is good at observing people and reading personalities then, he'll take me by force despite what me or the elf prince has to say about it. Something is not going to go well.

Ioder soon came in with the saddest expression I've seen him make. My heart shot up to my throat.

Ioder then said "I'll see you under the arch in two days."

To be continued…