Everyone, I present you with...

CHAPTER THREE :D

yes, I know it has been a while, but I'm back now and doing my best to update whenever I can

Just a heads up for this story, I want you all to be very patient with me cause I'm trying to take it slow. This means that if something doesn't quite make sense, just wait a bit and it'll all come together in the end :)

Anyway, without further adue...

MAY POV

"That girl doesn't know when to quit," Ash sadly shook his head.

I had been waiting for someone to break the silence left after that girl had been dragged away, but somehow his remark did not comfort me.

"Well, that's what you get for talking back," Dawn's gaze hadn't moved from the door since the guard's sudden departure, her eyes lost in thought.

I brought my knees to my chin and wrapped both arms around them. This was horrible. This place was horrible. This awful excuse for a uniform was horrible. I hated it all.

The last 24 hours had been a truly traumatizing experience and I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever be free. From where I was sitting, on a dirty stone floor, it sure didn't look that way.

Out of the corner of my eyes I saw Dawn break away from her daze and turn to me.

"You need to get changed, before they come back."

I scoffed automatically. Right now dressing down into the old rag before me was the furthest thing from my mind. Nonetheless, I forced myself to my feet and took the tattered material in my hands. I was just about to begin my undressing before remembering I was not alone. I shot a glare at my two companions, indicating my discomfort. Almost instantly the two averted their gaze, trying to appear as though the cracks on the ceiling and walls were beyond fascinating to them.

I was thankful for their lack of subtlety and swiftly changed into the so called 'uniform'.

It fitted perfectly but I felt filthy wearing it. I just hoped this was the worst of the place.

Of course, I knew I'd be wrong.

MISTY POV

I could not stop admiring myself in the mirror. The dress was absolutely beautiful. The deep red color matched my personality to a tee, and I couldn't help but notice how good I looked. That was mainly due to the incredibly warm bath I just took to clean off all the dirt and bad memories from the previous night, and now I was finally starting to feel better.

I perched myself on the foot of the large bed, my mind retracing over what I had just been told less than an hour ago.

The old woman had introduced herself as 'The Grand Duchess Beatrice'. She explained how she had found me by the side of the road last night, drenched in rain and mud. She immediately took me in and brought me back to her estate, clothing me in dry garments and giving me a comfortable place to rest. And she did all of this out of the kindness of her own heart. I was touched and truly grateful, yet at the same time I couldn't help but wonder why. It wasn't her fault, it was my own trust issues. I rarely felt the warmth of genuine compassion, so it was only natural I'd be skeptical of her motives. I quickly pushed the feeling aside though, as I did not want to seem unappreciative.

My thoughts were soon halted in their tracks by a loud knock on the door.

"Come in?" I shouted, confused as to who it could possibly be.

The double doors leapt open to reveal three figures. Two were guards, only there to assist in the opening of the doors. The third figure, however, was unknown to me, yet as I watched him step over the threshold I felt my heart skip a beat.

LEAF POV

I examined my current surroundings. The stone walls were damp and layered in mold. The hard floor was sticky and if I stared close enough I could just make out the bloodstained patches covering it. The place offered a repulsive stench that sent my gag reflex into overdrive. I had to get out. Not just out of this dungeon, but out of this castle, and back to my family.

The thought of my sick mother and Silver all alone without anyone to take care of them sent me into a spiral of guilt. I imagined them sitting by the door, worriedly awaiting my return. There were so many questions I needed answered. Had Silver gone to look for me? Was he okay? Was Mom okay? Had they began to realize the unlikelihood of my return? I feared the worst. What if an overload of worry was making my mother even worse than usual? Would Silver be able to handle her care? I couldn't cope with these thoughts, I had to get out. I just had to.

MISTY POV

This guy was beyond charming. His natural good-looks and obvious confidence were emphasized with each movement, and his personality and good humor could not go unnoticed. He made me laugh and I was glad to be away from my horrible sisters and in his presence.

Moments after his arrival he had introduced himself as Rudy; the Duchess's grandson. I for one, could not see the family resemblance, as such a wrinkled old lady could not possibly be related to this handsome young man. Well, I guess that's ageing for you.

"You know, you're very beautiful," Rudy stared into my eyes, and I couldn't help but blush.

"Uh, thank you," I replied, unable to meet his gaze "You're so, uh, sweet."

"Yes, well, it comes with the charm," He winked suggestively.

I was beginning to get uncomfortable. I mean, I liked the guy and all, but he seemed to be going somewhere I had no interest in accompanying him to.

"Look, Rudy, I-"

"Shh," He cut me off, raising a finger to my lips "Let's not ruin the moment."

Okay, red alert. I had to get myself out, quick.

"You know, I have been searching for a wife for sometime now," He was staring intently at me and, despite my desire to do so, I could not break away from his gaze.

"Oh, that's, uh, nice…" I attempted to stand but he grabbed my wrist and yanked me back in my seat.

"Yes indeed. But, you see, I've had trouble finding the proper companion. You know, someone with the grace and beauty to handle this elegant lifestyle."

He was stroking my cheek now and I knew I was in trouble. How could someone seemingly so charming and kind turn into a complete creep in the blink of an eye. It just didn't add up.

"Um, Rudy, I have to tell you that you're making me quite uncomfortable," I thought the best way to go would be to tell him how I felt, so that he'd back off.

Unfortunately all I did was set him off.

"Listen girlie, quite frankly I don't really care how you feel. All I know is I've found something I want. And I always get what I want."

Within a second he had grabbed me and pushed me onto the table, his body crushing mine as he forced himself on top of me. I tried to struggle from his grip but he overpowered me, holding me down with determination. I flailed my legs wildly, trying desperately to kick some place that hurt. But it was useless, and I was helpless. He lowered his head to mine until our lips met. Hungrily, he forced his tongue down my throat, enjoying each and every resistant struggle. Suddenly, an idea came to me and my teeth clenched down hard upon his wild tongue. Rudy's eyes widened and he screamed out in pain. He pushed himself off of me, pulling me up by the neck before throwing me to the floor. It hurt, but I was in no position to show pain.

Thankfully it was that moment that the Duchess chose to enter the room, her eyes full of worry.

"I heard screaming! What is going on!"

"Grand Mommy! Thank god you're here!" Rudy pointed down at me "This skank just threw herself at me! And when I tried to stop her she attacked me! She's no more than a filthy slut!"

"Is this true?" She turned to me, on her face a look of disbelief.

"What? No, I didn't –"

"Shut your mouth, whore!" the Duchess was quick to cut me off, obviously having decided that her precious grandson was the victim here "I offer you a roof over your head, I cloth you, I clean you and this is how you repay me? By assaulting my son?"

"But I-" I tried desperately to get a word in, but she wouldn't hear it.

"Do not dare speak to me! I will see you get what you deserve!"
This last remark scared me beyond belief as I began to imagine all the horrible fates these people would give to me. I took a quick glance over at Rudy to witness his reaction to my situation, only to find the bastard quietly grinning to himself, on his face a mix of amusement and pleasure.

ASH POV

The door swung open with a bang to reveal one of the more horrendous guards we had circulating the castle. I knew my time in the maid's quarters couldn't possibly be served yet, so I was quite curious as to why he was here.

"What is it, Patty-boy?" I teased. Big mistake.

The guard, preferably named Patrick, stormed over to me, raised his boot, and gave me a big ol' kick in the shin. I heard a gasp to my left. The new girl obviously wasn't used to our take on 'tough love'.

"Don't you even try to be funny, boy," The guard raised his index finger right in my face. This guy was all business.

"Fine, man, I'm ever so sorry," I layered on my most sarcastic tone, "But I was just curious as to why you've graced us with your heavenly presence."

I saw the boot fly up behind him and I soon felt the blow to my other shin. Painful, yet I wouldn't allow myself to fall.

"Listen you arrogant little twit," The man was spitting in my face now "I've been ordered you come and get you, so you'd better shut your trap and play nice, or you're in for a world of pain."

That insult was just pathetic, didn't even sting. Well, I guess that was my fault for having such high standards.

"Oh sure, go ahead, drag me away," I held out both hands for him to grab.

Patrick growled and was about to raise his boot for the third time before deciding against it. I guess he wanted me alive when he brought me to where I'd been summoned. How noble.

In a matter of seconds he had me by the collar and was dragging me out the door. I offered a small wave to both Dawn and May, so they knew I'd be fine. Not that they'd care; they had themselves to worry about.

I soon found myself thrown into one of the larger guest bedrooms. I wondered why I was here, almost as much as I wondered why the room was filled the guards and servants.

I soon found my answer as I scanned the room and found the Duchess, better known as my step-grandmother, standing over some poor girl whilst Rudy smirked in the corner. So this was his doing? I should've known, he was after all the most blatantly evil of my 3 step-brothers.

It was soon clear to me why I was here. They needed witnesses; one's who held no power and so were unable to object to the Duchess's cruelty.

My eyes suddenly travelled back to the terrified girl, now on her knees. She was staring at the floor, her blazing red hair spilling out over her hidden face. As she raised her head to meet the stare of the old witch before her, I couldn't help but gasp.

As the hair fell out of her face, I was able to fully witness her beauty. She was delicate, yet strong. Feminine, yet bold. Sweet, yet fiery. And something in me needed to protect her.

"Excuse me, Duchess?" I knew I would regret speaking out, I always did, but this time I just had to do something.

She stopped mid-sentence and turned to me slowly, the anger clear in her beady pupils.

"What is it, boy?" I winced at her tone. She never addressed me pleasantly, but this was a whole new level of pissed.

"It's just that," I took a step forward to separate myself from the quietly observant crowd "I don't think we should be so quick to choose her fate."

I was doing my best to sound mature, but somehow I think I just came off as nervous.

"What?" The Duchess was close to yelling now. I knew I should've kept quiet.

"I just think that her life would be better served in the maid's quarters," I was finally starting to make my point. I just hoped my punishment wouldn't be too severe "You know, since were kind of low on staff?"

She turned her withered body towards her guards.

"That little nuisance has talked back for the last time. Throw him in the dungeon," She ordered, failing to suppress her rage.

I sighed. Although I valued my time with the maids, I always found myself less willing to carry out a punishment in the dank, rotten old prison. Nevertheless, it was far better than being in the company of these snobby assholes. I succumbed to the order and allowed my body to be dragged away by two buffed-up brutes. As I was dragged out of the room and to my current sentence, I was able to catch a glimpse of the red-haired beauty. She just stared at me, her eyes wide and frightened. I pitied the poor girl, I'd hate to be in her position and I couldn't imagine how she'd be feeling. Oh well, I'd done all I could. I just hoped these people would realize the logic behind my suggestion, and maybe her life would be spared.

So...? How was it? PLEASE REVIEW SO I KNOW :D

Also, i know some people are wondering where Paul is, but just let me assure you that HE IS COMING.

BE PATIENT!

night night! seeyou soon, promise!