"Emilia," Aylee said, snapping the girl from her daze. "Emilia did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry Aylee." She said, looking down at her wine. "I'm a bit distracted." She could not stop
Thinking about the events from the day before. So much had happened she could barely think.

"Is it about Marque?" She asked, a look of concern etched across her light features.

"It's just confusing is all." She said.

"I'm certain his mother will change her mind." She assured.

"I have a feeling it's not title she's worried about." She sighed. "She hates me for reasons I cannot understand."

Ellyana materialized at her side. "You know I can vouch for you." There was a glint in her eyes that Aylee did not understand.

But Emilia knew. "I know. It's just... you shouldn't have to."

"And you shouldn't have to be denied because of a stubborn mother."

From the corner of her eye, Emilia saw Marque walk in with his mother, Monique. Her blood boiled at the sight of the wretched woman. Monique glared daggers at Emilia. She slammed her cup down on the table and left Aylee standing confused, while Ellyana followed.

"Leave me be Ellyana." Emilia growled as the Welsh girl approached her.

"You cannot let Monique get to you." She replied calmly. "She cannot keep you away from her son for long."

Emilia, still angry, turned fully toward her. "What do you mean?"

"His father runs the household. Marque will run it on his father's death. Monique has no say in these affairs, if her husband or son does not wish it."

"For someone who hates courtly matters, you know enough." Emilia grumbled.

Ellyana's golden eyes flashed. "Maybe I will stop helping you, then!"

"I don't believe I asked you." Emilia retorted, her blue eyes turning silver a moment.

"Now you don't have to." Ellyana snarled, whirling on her heel.

Being outside was no better. Ellyana stopped dead in her tracks. Her anger faded away, leaving her strangely empty.

Across the pond, Mary sat with Sebastian. She had tears on her cheeks as she vented to him. She was obviously drunk. Time seemed to slow down as Mary leaned in to kiss him.

Ellyana brushed passed Emilia and disappeared into the woods. Bottling up her emotions until she was far enough away from the castle.

Emilia stared blankly into the water of the pond. Contemplating what had driven her to act that way towards Ellyana. She was only trying to help after all. She sighed and tossed a rock in the still water, watching as the mirror became distorted.

"Emilia." Marque said, approaching her from behind. "Are you alright?"

"I don't know." She admitted.

"I promise you that before the year is out we will be married." He took her hands into his own.

"How can you promise that if all you're doing is trying to please your mother." She tore free of his grasp. The words dripped like venom from her mouth and she immediately regretted them. She saw the hurt in his eyes and her heart dropped. "Marque I'm..."

"Don't Emilia." He cut her off. "I understand." She choked back a sob as he walked back to the castle.