Thanks, bros, for sticking around! I've started schoolio so I'll try real hard to get all these chapters up. Enjoy :)

Family

"Why did you choose me, Princess Ofelia?" he whispered.

"You've offered to take care of me. In fact, I haven't chosen you," I shyly replied.

"Haven't chosen? Reina said that," I cut him off.

"Reina doesn't decide who I marry. You don't understand that there were many before you. I have found no suitors yet," I explained.

"That does seem to be true. Still, why choose?" he was curious.

"It's hard to explain to my suitors that I mustn't marry them. The nice ones like you are easiest to tell. You should feel honored. Nice ones are good to marry," I smiled.

"Thank you, Princess Ofelia," he chuckled.

"I'm truly sorry I have to break away so quickly. I ask nothing but your cooperation. I'm going to tell Reina that you weren't interested," I started.

"Oh, let me tell her. She might get you in trouble. The least I can do is help," he smiled.

He led the way back into the kingdom. The party was still going on. I spotted Reina in her throne with the Bride. She was laughing and talking to her very discreetly. She spotted us in the doorway and rushed down to see us.

"How are my lovelies doing?" she asked Jeran.

"There's been unfortunate news. I'm afraid this marriage cannot work in unison. She'll just have to find someone else," he looked at me stern and winked.

"Oh. That's completely unfortunate. It's your fault, Ofelia!" she shouted at me.

"I swear it wasn't her fault this time. It's just me," Jeran stepped in front.

"If you say so," Reina just smiled.

He bowed to Reina and touched my chin gently. With his head held high, he stormed off without turning back. He will be a brave man someday. Everyone was still at the party having a good time. When I turned to Reina, she had the complete opposite expression. Her face was as red as a tomato. She didn't believe his words and I knew she didn't. She screamed in rage and hit me. I fell to the ground, hurt by her actions. Everyone gasped and stood away from us. She picked me up by the shoulders and shook me about. Tears began to stream down my face.

"It wasn't my fault!" I sobbed.

"You can't do anything! You're even lucky to have suitors! No, they won't want to marry you!" she shouted. She then looked around to see everyone watching. "Please excuse my daughter. She's too young to be here," she explained to them.

After that, everyone went back to their usual business. I expected them to. They all believe her lies and what she tells them. She grabbed my tied up, red hair. I sobbed some more as I followed her down into the deepest part of the castle: my room. She didn't say anything to me after that. I felt like a complete mess. I started to cry some more and curled up on the floor. I thought about Mystery man again. What if he actually saw me in the window? I'd be in a good place right about now, so I wouldn't count on it. I took out my charcoal that I found in my prison. I began to draw what I thought Mystery looked like. I wasn't a good drawer but I practiced a lot in my free time.

When I was about done, I looked at the man staring up back at me. His whole face and hair were brown, from the floorboards. He stared up at me intently. I want to smile at him but I don't think he'd let me. I hoped that he knew I was in that window. All I could do was sigh and curl back up in my dress. I didn't feel like changing anyways. I started to fall asleep from the exhaust. My eyes fluttered back and forth. I thought I saw a person in my room. I couldn't help staying awake though! I tried to fix my vision and it was clear that someone was in my room.

"Mystery?" I shook my head.

"Mystery?" he repeated.

I was finally awake. My thoughts explained to me that this man might be a killer. He might be trying to kidnap me! Why would anyone want to kidnap me? I was still scared. I couldn't move from my position.

"What did you do to me?" I screamed in confusion. I tried to stand up but couldn't move.

"Just relax, my dear. I've given your legs a little break from running. The potion will wear off soon," he assured me.

"A potion? Are you a murdering wizard?" I sounded scared.

"I'm obliged you called me a wizard. I'm just a regular doctor," he told me.

"What do you want?" I distracted him.

"Just you," he smiled.

Oh? I was completely wrong in every way. Maybe he was coming to rescue me? He couldn't have been a bit more obvious than come here sneaking around. I shook my head and realized I still couldn't move.

"Why?" I suddenly asked.

"You're important to what is about to happen in the future," he stated.

"The future? I'll never be important, sir," I explained.

"You're such a valuable person. People would give their lives for you. Do you know that?" the man asked.

"You must have the wrong girl. No one would ever take a life for me. I'm used to the cold shoulder," I answered.

"I know my own niece when I see her," he chuckled.

"Niece? I don't have an uncle," I assured him.

"Ah, well, I guess we have to get used to that," he laughed.

"I'm related to no one. I only have Reina and my deceased father," I felt a rush of sorrow.

"That's why I'm here, my dear," he pointed out.

"You must know Reina or my father?" I asked.

"Both," he replied.

"What do you know of my father?" I perked up.

"He wasn't meant to be murdered. He was a very good man, a warrior. He fought for what he believed in. I should've married your mother instead of him," he sighed deeply.

"She was going to marry you?" I asked.

"We had plans. She chose me first but I had to save her. The only way to do that was if I cheated Death. When I did, he took me down into the ground and I haven't been up here for years," he said with a hollow voice.

"So you're really his brother?" I asked.

"Of course," he stated.

"What's your name, uncle?" I gently asked.

"Liam. Liam Stiltzchen," he whispered.