AN: I was asked who I was cosplaying as for my con last weekend- it was Rapunzel and my boyfriend was Flynn! I've got another cosplay coming up next weekend- I'm live action Belle on Saturday for a con and then Hogwarts Rapunzel for a photoshoot on Sunday. I'm Princess Luceia Cosplay on Instagram if you want to see any pics!

'I think I like your court,' Amelie said as she looked at the dresses in a boutique in the town. She'd already cooed over the fairytale-like architecture of the buildings and the hot chocolates we had drank in the town square and now we were shopping and she was admiring the fashion. She'd already bought two dresses in a previous shop, which Chloe and Abby were carrying as they followed us into the next shop. 'You should be buying some dresses for yourself.'

'I have plenty,' I replied as I looked at the silver, black and blue shades of silk, chiffon, velvet and some materials I had never seen before.

'But you're Lady of Aldheim now,' Amelie replied, 'So surely you should be wearing Aldheim's fashions.' She pulled out a black ballgown with a lace bodice and a slit up the skirt. 'This would look beautiful on you.'

'I'm not sure,' I bit my lip as I looked at the gown. I had grown accustomed to wearing gowns with corsets underneath and the thought of wearing something that showed a little skin made me feel nervous.

Amelie scanned another gown, this one in black with embellished halterneck and an embellished waist, where there small cut out sides. It reminded me of the dress I'd worn on the ship on my birthday and then it dawned on me as I spotted another in a similar style; Zed had ordered me a dress in the style of his court. My harvest ball dress I'd designed also seemed to fit in with court fashion as did the dress my maids had made me for the night Zed had proposed. People had been trying to mould me into the style of the court long before Zed had asked me to marry him. And now Amelie was right- I was the Lady of Aldheim and I would become the princess. Perhaps it was time to dress the part.

'May I try on some dresses?' I asked the shop owner and she beamed as Amelie winked at me.

'Of course, my Lady.' She replied.

I bought myself plenty of new dresses that day and boxed up most of the old dresses, insisting that they were sent to Ellen immediately.

The following day, Amelie were sat on the windowseat between two sculpted pillars in the conservatory when Rowan arrived. We'd been laughing and chatting about times in the palace, both in Aldheim dresses, and we both froze as he entered the room with an arrogant swagger, brandishing the Aldheim crest on his tunic and his sword at his waist.

He lowered into a bow. 'Lady Sky and Lady…'

'Lady Amelie.' I replied, formally. Neither of us moved from our casual, relaxed positions on the window-seat but my friend tilted her head as she looked at the white-haired man with curiosity.

'Lady Amelie.' He said, his head still bent. He straightened himself up and looked at my friend with the same curiosity.

'This is our Captain of the Guard, Rowan Thornbern,' I told Amelie and he moved to take her hand.

'A pleasure, my lady.' Rowan said formally as she shook his hand.

'Lady Amelie will be staying with me for a few days,' I said to him.

'Would you like to postpone our lessons?' He asked me, a cheeky and mocking expression on his face.

'Of course not,' I replied.

'Because, Captain,' Amelie said with a mischievous grin that rivalled his own, 'I'd like to be trained in combat too.'

He let out a low whistle and ran his hand through his hair. 'Did our princess put you up for this?'

'Not at all, sir,' Amelie beamed, 'I'd quite like to fend for myself so that Lady Sky no longer has to play my rescuer.'

'You rescued her?' He glanced at me.

'Have you been living under a rock?' Amelie drawled, 'the press were all over it. Lady Sky, future Princess, challenging female stereotypes.' She grinned and Rowan blinked at me. Then she stood up. 'So I'd like to learn how to use a sword, if you please, as I can't guarantee that Lady Sky will always be available to save me.' She winked at me and strutted past me and I smiled as Rowan looked between us in an expression that seemed like surprise, disbelief and perhaps even a little bit of awe.

Two hours later and my muscles were throbbing as I sank into the bubble bath Abby had run for me, whilst Chloe was off attending to Amelie's own aching muscles. We'd only just stopped training and I'd found myself far better than before. My self-esteem was higher too, most likely because, with Amelie training at my side, Rowan was throwing fewer insults my way. I needed her at every training session clearly.

'Better lesson?' Abby asked as she passed me a much-welcome cup of tea. I sank further under the bubbles as I sipped at it, grateful for the external and internal warmth.

'Much.' I replied as she moved to wash my hair for me. A few months ago, I wouldn't have let anyone be around when I was bathing, but now I was used to it and Abby's head massages when she washed my hair were divine. 'Do you think I'll be able to pick it up?'

'I don't see why not,' she said, 'you're good with a bow and arrow now, your fitness is good and you can use self-defence. What's a sword in the mix?'

'I guess so,' I sighed, content as she massaged shampoo into my scalp. 'I'm not sure how Zed will feel about me carrying a sword around.'

'He knows you're stubborn so that's an argument I'm sure you will win,' she laughed softly, 'and you have him wrapped around your little finger so that probably helps too.' I laughed with her. 'Although I would suggest a new sword. That thing is a little battered and scruffy-looking for a princess to be carrying around. You need a nice hilt with gems encrusted into it or something.'

'Do you think Zed will buy me a sword?'

'I think he'd buy you the moon if you asked for it.'

The following day, I helped Amelie get ready for her visitor, who we'd arranged would join her for lunch at the castle, and her enthusiasm still seemed lacking as I fastened a ruby necklace around her slim, tanned neck.

'You look lovely,' I told her reflection and she smiled at me in the mirror, but I did not reach her eyes. 'Still dreading this?'

'Absolutely,' she replied. 'He's probably fat and bald and ugly.'

'Amelie!' I scoffed as I stifled a grin. 'Looks aren't everything.'

'Says the fiancée of Prince Zed.' She rolled her eyes at me. 'It's okay for you, your husband-to-be is gorgeous.'

'He is,' I smiled to myself and she sighed. 'Why not just cancel? Tell your father you met with him but he wasn't interested.'

'Father will check up on me,' she replied. 'Mother didn't want me to come… she was happy to let me find myself some work and live my own life but my father is so desperate for me to find a husband with a title as soon as possible. He'd ship me off to another country if he thought it meant I would marry a Prince or a Duke.' She wrinkled her nose.

'Most of the other girls have had proposals since leaving the selection, have you not?' I asked as she ran her fingers through her sleek, straight hair. 'You're a better catch than most of them.'

'Perhaps,' she flicked her hair over her shoulder, 'and yes I've turned heads but so far I've not seen anything I've liked.'

'The visitor is downstairs.' Abby said, appearing in the doorway. She smiled at Amelie, 'you look beautiful, Lady Amelie.'

'Thank you,' Amelie said softly, her voice quiet and reminding me of the night we'd spent hiding from rebels in the palace, the night our friendship had truly begun.

'I'll go and greet your visitor first,' I told her, squeezing her arm. 'Come down whenever you are ready.'

I walked down the stairs, holding the skirt of my black dress as I did so, and keeping my back straight as best as I could, especially as I had a small circlet on my head. Today I was a princess, checking a possible suitor for one of my ladies and it was important that I looked the part. I released my skirt as I reached the bottom of the stairs and prayed that my heels would not catch in the fabric as I walked into the reception room. Just like Amelie had waited a few days previously, the Lord was sat in a chair when I entered, but looking less comfortable than she did. He stumbled to his feet as he spotted me, his lanky frame nearly tripping himself up.

The man had auburn-coloured hair that was styled neatly and a few freckles decorated his nose. He wasn't bad looking but in his too-big tunic, he looked younger than he was and anything but Amelie's type. The poor Lord.

'My lady,' The man bowed in a clumsy fashion that made my first curtsy look well-rehearsed. 'Or my princess?'

'My lady,' I replied for him. 'I will not be a princess until I am wed.'

'Forgive me,' he said, holding out his hand. 'Lord Louis, my lady, an honour to meet you and to welcome you to your new home.'

'A pleasure to meet you too, Lord Louis.' I replied, shaking his hand. It was clammy and sweaty and I realised it wasn't just Amelie who was nervous. Perhaps he had been put up to this too?

'Thank you for being so kind as to letting me meet Lady Amelie here.' He said and I smiled as he bowed your head.

'You are most welcome.'

I heard the footsteps on the stairs behind us and knew Amelie was coming, even if she didn't want to. At the same time, the front door opened and I watched as Rowan walked in, looking fierce with his rugged white-blonde hair and sword and knives attached to the belt at his waist. He gave Louis the once-over and I could've sworn Louis yelped slightly and then Rowan's eyes drifted to Amelie. They widened slightly, but he kept quiet, only glancing her way for a moment before he walked in the direction of the kitchen. Amelie brushed down her navy velvet dress and moved to stand beside me. She faked her best smile as she curtsied to Louis and he bowed back and then I left them in the awkwardness and I disappeared into the kitchen myself, suddenly needing a coffee.

'And who is that?' Rowan said as I walked into the room. He was sat on a stool, drinking a cup of coffee like he was in a tavern drinking mead.

'Lord Louis,' I replied, casually, as I perched on the stool beside him. The cook began fixing me a coffee and I was thankful when she handed it over.

'I'm supposed to know who that is?'

'A reputable Lord in Aldheim, so I have heard,' I said. 'He's here to court Amelie.'

Rowan choked on his coffee and I glanced at him in disbelief as he tried to regain his composure. 'That is trying to court Lady Amelie?'

'I believe you mean he.'

'He barely looks old enough to hold a sword,' Rowan scoffed, 'and his arms would probably break if he tried. She's going to eat him alive.'

'Is she?' I resisted the urge to snort or laugh at his reaction. Why was he all flustered all of a sudden? And over-protective?

'If that's the best Lady Amelie can do then we're all doomed.' He took another sip of his coffee and stared at its contents as he put it down. 'She really wants to marry a Lord, huh? Like the other girls who were in the Selection with you?'

'Amelie's father wants her to marry a Lord. She just wants to make a difference in the world and to fall in love, just like I did when I entered that contest.' I replied.

'So why doesn't she stand up for herself?'

'Believe me, she's tried.' I murmured. 'But this is what her father wants and she does not want to disappoint her family… I understand that and I am sure you do too.'

'My father was killed eighteen years ago,' Rowan said with narrow eyes, glaring at the cup as if he could see the killer. 'Murdered.'

My eyes widened, 'I'm sorry,' I said, softly. 'You must have been-'

'Three years old.' He replied. 'Young enough to just about remember how distraught my mother was.' He abruptly stood up and placed his hand on his sword, 'Are we training today?'

'Erm, yes.' His firm voice caught me off-guard and I slid off the stool. 'I will get changed and be right with you.'

Haunted. That was the only way to describe Rowan's eyes as we trained together. Swords clashed as I moved through the footsteps in a choreographed dance, diving out of the way yet bringing our swords together to meet. The sound of the metallic metal joining echoed around the castle courtyard and, other than Rowan shouting out bitter, sarcastic comments, the air was quiet. Almost too quiet. A storm was coming.

Rowan knocked the sword out of my hand as I dared glance upwards at the darkening sky and he hissed, 'What are you doing?'

'A storm is coming,' I replied, dully. 'Can you not feel it?'

His green eyes narrowed, 'You're distracted by a storm? And you want to fight alongside His Highness?' He scoffed and I frowned at him.

'I'm sorry I brought up your father.' I said, 'but there's no need to be in such a foul mood with me.'

He broke my gaze and turned to the side slightly, 'I'm sorry my Lady.' His voice was still bitter but tinged with hurt. He lowered his sword, putting it back in its holster and I took a step towards him.

'Would you like to talk about it?' I offered.

'No,' His voice was firm and he straightened up just as the heavens opened. Rain fell over us but neither of us moved nor did we flinch as the cold drops of water covered our bodies, soaking our tunics. 'I should get going.' And he turned on his heels and walked away. I watched the Captain as he walked with hunched shoulders, through the rain as he passed through the gate and into Aldheim beyond it.

'Never again,' Amelie finished her second glass of wine and repeated the statement she had already announced at the end of her date. 'He's scrawny and sweaty and so incredibly dull. All he spoke about was politics and the monarchy as if it would impress me. No personality. Nothing going for him at all.'

'Except for money and I title,' I murmured and she groaned.

'Father won't be happy when I break it off with Lord Louis.' She said. 'He'll probably arrange a marriage and have me wed as soon as I get home.'

'So don't go home.' I said as she poured herself another goblet of wine. 'Stay in Aldheim.'

'Right,' she scoffed, 'because hiding up here would stop me from being wed? He wants me to find a husband and a good job, a powerful one.'

'So find yourself a job and find a husband later. Choose a man yourself and then have your father meet him… and if he doesn't approve then tough.'

'Easy for you to say,' She sighed, 'Your parents would love you no matter who you chose or what you decided to do.'

My heart ached for her in that moment. She was right. Sally and Simon would support all of my decisions. Simon had even agreed to let Zed marry me, even though he was afraid I would be hurt. They'd always supported me through school and had been encouraging when I had told them I wanted to teach music one day.

'Not to mention you're marrying a prince.' Amelie added.

I paused as I sipped my own wine, scanning my mind for something that would help. I couldn't organise a marriage for her, that would make me as bad as my father, but a job. Could I find a reputable job for her to have? A smile crept across my face as I thought of something.

'How would you like to be my Lady in Waiting?' I asked her and she widened her eyes.

'Your Lady in Waiting?' She looked hesitant, uncertain, and I wondered if it was because she wanted higher status or had once imagined herself as a princess.

'Think about it…' I said. 'As my Lady in Waiting, you would be an official member of my Aldheim Court and would live in the castle. You would be eligible to marry anyone you would like within our court and you'd be a noblewoman with high status. You could help me plan social events and charity projects and you'd be my confidante.'

'We do make a good team,' She mused, 'but why me? Why not Ellen?'

'Ellen would love the job,' I replied, 'but she is set to attend university and although she may seem like a social butterfly, I know she wants to follow a different path.'

'As your Lady in Waiting, I would only answer to you,' she said, softly, 'Not my father.'

'I would have to agree with your choice of suitor.' I told her.

Her eyes welled up slightly and she reached for my hand across the table, 'You would do this for me, Sky? Really?'

'Yes,' I told her with a small smile, 'I cannot think of anyone better suited to the role.'

'Then yes,' She nodded, 'It would be an honour to be your Lady in Waiting.'

The figure turned towards me and his black hood slipped, revealing the scarred face I feared. He reached out his hand for me, 'it's time to come home, Sky.'

'Home? I am home!' I yelled back at him. I glanced around, looking for my guards but there was no sign of them. In the distance, I could just make out the castle. I tried to let out a scream but it wouldn't come. My voice was too hoarse, my throat too sore.

'You have never been home here.' The man replied. 'Your home is with me.'

I shrieked as I sat up in bed, drenched in sweat. The door burst open and a night guard ran in, followed by Amelie, who was in her nightgown.

'Sky,' She whispered softly, 'it's okay, it was a nightmare.' She turned to look at the guard. 'I'll take it from here.'

'Yes, my lady.' The guard bowed at my Lady in Waiting and excused himself as she moved towards me. She sank onto the sweat-drenched bed and ran her hand through my damp hair.

'What did you dream about?' She asked, comforting me like I had comforted her many times before. I turned away from her, trembling, but she held me tight, stopping me from escaping her embrace.

'The man with the scar.' I whispered as my heart-rate slowed.

'What man?' She pried. 'What scar?'

'I don't know,' I whispered into the darkness, 'I keep seeing him in my dreams… at least, when Zed's not here… a man with sky blue eyes and a scar on his face and silver hair.' Amelie tensed and I turned my head to look at her. 'What?'

This time her lip trembled as she looked into my eyes, her face just as afraid as mine was. 'I've seen him too,' she whispered, her voice afraid. 'I saw him the night of the Harvest Ball.'

Fear filled my bones and my stomach twisted, ready to throw-up whatever remained of my dinner from the night before. 'What?' My voice came out choked and my lungs felt like they were collapsing.

'He was there,' she whispered. 'I saw him when they attacked… dressed in a smart tunic like he was one of us but…' She trembled slightly, 'I saw him attack some of the Royal Guards and he was looking around the room like he was looking for something.'

Your home is with me.

My heart sank and my body sagged as my head began to spin, 'he was looking for me.' Her eyes widened as fear sank into my bones. 'The man was looking for me.'