I stand tall at the edge of the glass and watch the Reds stand in a line along the banks. I hear the crackle of a whip as raise my head even higher. But inside, I'm shaking like no tomorrow. Still, I don't dare say a word as I watch the Reds watch us, with faces as solemn as ever.

Somewhere in the other room, I hear Mare. I feel the licks of her thoughts within my brain, but I ignore it. But I can hear enough. She's arguing with my parents, telling them this is wrong. But she must learn something first: You can't change somethings. I learned that years and years ago, when I was only a child. Some things are just made this way, and you just have to move on.

Ignore it and move on.

*E*

I get on a transport with Cal and Evangeline, neither of them dare say a words as I stare out the windows. I see the bakery me and Maven would go too, I see the world I've lived in and smile. Its so beautiful, I'm so blessed to be given such a beautiful life.

Eventually, its speech time. I stand next to Cal and Maven, and then, suddenly, Cal's hand finds my own. He squeezes, and I squeeze back, before a soft smile falls onto my lips. I want to hold Maven's hand, so I open my palm, waiting it to be grabbed by my other brother. But the warmth of his hand never reaches my own. He doesn't even attempt to reach for it. And its not like he didn't noticed, no, he did. He just never took it.

Sadness wallows up in my chest as I watch as Mare takes the stage. I can see her spitting the words out, the words she hates and would never believe in. I stand behind, and silently wait for my turn. Father asked me to prepare a speech, and I have memorized. When she's done spitting out the foul orders to the crowd, I walk up with grace, as always, and take the stage. My eyes look at the crowd, then at the cameras. I exhale.

"Hello, my beautiful kingdom of Norta." I say, every inch of my speech clear. "My name is Princess Eliza Lillian Calore. A few days ago, an unexpected bombing happened at the ball we were happening." I take in a deep breath as I wallow up genuine tears at the memory. I take in a deep breath and wish I had Cal's strength. But I keep going.

"My friend and ally died that day." I whispered, but I know the microphones will pick it up. "One moment, the room was full of joy and happiness. And the next, silver blood was spilled onto our own floors." My voice crackled at that. "I got serverly injured. I almost died. I almost died by the hands of The Scarlet Guard. This is what they do to the world." I shut my eyes tightly, and remember the one part of the speech I made. I exhale.

"To my Red brothers." I say, my voice clear. "I know you hate us." I can feel the hitch in my voice and I can practically hear my father's disapproval to my words. But I keep going. "I know you despise us. I know you think that we treat you as slaves rather than human beings. I know you truly believe that we hate you with all of our hearts. But you must remember one thing," I exhale as a tear drip downs my cheek. I pray that nobody will think of these tears as forced.

"You must remember that we all do not all have the power for change. We are a nation at war. The second the tides turn, the very second we get defeated, they will murder us all. The Lakelanders do not care," My voice breaks as I squeeze my eyes shut. Tears fall down as I open my red-gold eyes again. "About the lives that will be lost. They care, for our land. They will murder us all, they will grind our bones as their weapons. They will drink our very blood, Red and Silver both, as a beverage. They will not care who we are, royalty or red. They only care for our land." I raise my chin that much higher. Its so quiet. I've made speeches before, but never like this. Never before had it been this emotional.

"Would you rather have all of us die, or a fraction of us die, my Red brothers. Without your help, we would all die. And for your help, I will forever be grateful. Thank you so much for all you do, and I for one, will never forget your sacrifice. Never."

*E*

"That was the most stupid thing you could've ever done!" Cal lashes out at me as I walk towards one of our many sitting rooms.

"Why?" I snap back as Cal runs his fingers through his hair.

"We're suppose to be strong, invinsible. Not some weak, fragile army that depends on the Red!" He screams as I narrow my eyes at him.

"Cal, you must forget." I whisper. "We are not monsters. We must forever remember that. We are human. We must show compassion." I take a step forward. "We are not Gods, Cal. Or have you simply forgotten? We are human, and they are too."

On that note, I walk out, fuming mad, but mostly because I do not want to hear any more lectures from my parents, who went even harder on me than Cal. That was broadcast over every television in Norta, and everyone saw it, Red and Silvers alike.

I roam the hallways, looking for my room when I feel the presence of someone else. Mare.

"Not you too." I grumble as Mare catches up with me.

"Eliza," She says and walks at the same pace as me. She pauses and stares at me. "I would just to tell you that... I think what you did back there was really brave." I roll my eyes.

"My parents call it an act of stupidity." I reply as she sighes.

"Well, thank you, Eliza." I stare at her.

"Why?"

But she doens't have time to respond when Maven hooks his elbow with his own and walks her away.

*E*

THe next day, Maven comes to talk to me for the first time since... I forget when was the last time I spoke to my own brother.

"Hello, Liz." He said as I turn to stare at him, my golden hair cascading over one of my shoulders.

"Maven." I respond. He runs his fingers through his hair when, suddenly, Mother appears. I expect more scolding, but the only thing that comes is her fingers running through my golden hair. It feels oddly calming as I let her.

"I never understood why you had such beautiful hair." She whispered, as I turn to stare at her hair. Ash-blond. "Or such beautiful eyes. Or why your attitude always made me rush with joy."

I smile at her. "I am your daughter." I respond as she pulls me into a hug.

"You will always be my daughter, Eliza. Never forget that. I love you." I smile as she lets go. Then, she smiles, tiny and in secret. "I'm sorry for lashing out at you." She whispered, her fingers still running through my golden strands. "You were right, you know. The Red villagers love you, they truly love you. We need you, Eliza. We need your gentle heart if we ever want to stop this rebellion."

I tilt my head at her. "What do you mean?" I ask as she sighes.

"We need you to go to this Red Village, they seemed to be causing some trouble lately. Just for a day, maybe two. Be yourself, Eliza. That's all I can truly ask for you." She places a soft peck on my forehead as I smile at her.

"Sure, of course." I respond as she gets up. I widen my eyes. "We're leaving now?" I ask as she nods.

"You're leaving now. This kingdom needs their Queen and King. That village needs you. You'll be fine, Eliza."

I nod and grab my coat. She gave me a suitcase, she packed for me already. I nod and grab it. She seemed fairly prepared. More prepared than usual. I grab the suitcase and walk down the stairs to find that nobody else is here to wave me good bye. Not even Father. Perhaps he's still mad at me.

"Good bye, Eliza." My mother tells me as I nod. THis disappearance seems so subtle, that all I can do is nod at my mother. MAybe she just wants some time alone with her boys.

"Good bye, Mother." I respond before stepping into the car.

Something about this whole situation... Seems rather odd. I stare at my mother, and I want to venture into her thoughts, but I don't. She's my mother, she would never hurt me.

Little to say, those two days don't go as expected.

*E*