Okay, the tavern. Thanks for reviewing, Gage the Hedgehog and Elizabeth Fire Ice Heart.

While Courtney was adjusting to being a prisoner in a castle for the rest of her life and Bridgette was struggling her way back to the small town, Justin was sitting in a tavern, moping about Courtney's rejection.

"I can't believe it. I'm disgraced." groaned Justin. "I can't believe she said no!"

"Aw, come on!" Izzy attempted to cheer him up. "Am I going to have to start singing to cheer you up?"

"Shut up, Izzy." Justin muttered.

"Oh, it looks like you do need the song!" Izzy exclaimed. "Well, here it comes..." She got the attention of everyone in the tavern with her first line "Gosh it disturbs me to see you, Justin, looking so down and so hurt.

Every guy here'd love to be you, Justin, a sculpted God without a shirt!

There's no one around who's admired like you, you're everyone's favourite guy!

I'm paid for praise that's inspired by you, and it's not very hard to see why..."

After a while, everyone was joining in Izzy's song, and Justin himelf began to cheer up in spite of himself. Katie and Sadie were swooning over him, the other men were admiring him, and everyone praised him. Izzy swung from the chandelier in the middle of the room as she led everyone in singing "No one's hot as Justin, models lots like Justin,

In dazzling girls no one can smile like Justin!"

"Cause I've been doing it for the last sixteen years..." Justin added.

"We love a guy..." everyone sang. "Like Justiiiiiiiin!"

But just as that happened, another person ran into the tavern. A familiar girl, her ponytail messy, green eyes wide with sorrow and fear, and looking wild.

"Please!" she gasped out. "I need help! Courtney...she's imprisoned there...I can't-"

Justin's ears had pricked up at the sound of Courtney's name. "Bridgette? Slow down...who's imprisoned Courtney?"

"A man – a Lord, they said...he hates tresspassers and locks them in dungeons. The only reason I got away was because Courtney offered herself in my place." Bridgette said, almost in tears.

There was a pause, before everyone began laughing. No one believed for a second that a lord would do that. It sounded like a fairytale to everyone else. Poor Bridgette was laughed right out of the bar.

"Crazy Bridgette." chuckled some of the men. "Always good for a laugh."

"It sounds like she's really lost it!" Izzy cackled. "I mean, she was already crazy, spending all her time on a surfboard. Now she's making up stories about Courtney?"

Justin was looking thoughtful. "Crazy Bridgette, hmm? Let me think about this, Izzy..." He smiled. "You see, Bridgette is Courtney's sister. And we both know that Courtney would do absolutely anything for her little sister. Yeah?"

Izzy nodded. "How are you going to use that?" she asked, catching on.

"Oh, well now that Bridgette's crossed the line from insane to demented, I think I can call that man running the asylum." Justin smirked. "Remember when that terrorist woman threatened to blow up the town and he took her away?"

"Scarlett?" Izzy said. "Yes, I know what happened, I was there! What was his name again?"

"Dr McLean." Justin answered. He pulled out his cellphone and dialed. "And if Courtney doesn't marry me, her little sister will be the one being taken away this time."

Meanwhile, while Justin built up his ego and Courtney sulked, many of Duncan's servants were trying to coach him on how to act during dinnertime. DJ had gone to fetch Courtney, while Geoff and Gwen gave him advice.

"She's taking ages." he groaned. "What's happening up there?"

"Be patient." Gwen said. "She's lost her sister and her freedom. She's bound to be angry. It was obvious – she would never have given up her life if it had been anyone else. She's furious that she had to make such a deal to make you let her sister go free. You'll just have to show her your better side this evening."

"Smile at her." Geoff told her. "Act charming-"

"But don't be fake." Gwen added. "And don't flirt with her – she's already angry with you and that would just make things worse."

Duncan wasn't taking any of this seriously. "Whatever."

"This is a huge chance!" Gwen told him. "Courtney might be your only chance to break Beth's curse! Honestly. You know the rose is starting to wilt! We have about a year, tops. Seriously, do you want to be a statue?"

Duncan heaved a sigh. "Shut up, Gwen. What do you think, I'll be able to love the girl? I don't even like her. She's a spoilt little princess. And I'm not going to act all sweet and nice to her when she's being difficult."

"She's only acting that way because she's angry right now." Gwen said. "Once she's ready, I'm sure you'll see her true personality."

"And in the meantime, you can try to make things as nice for her as possible." Geoff suggested. "Besides, would you rather have her mad at you or have her want to be nice to you?"

These words hit a chord with Duncan. Yeah, he didn't love Courtney. She'd acted pretty difficult so far. But in that case, pretty was the operative word. Duncan would be lying if he said he hadn't liked the way she looked. And Gwen was right – if he had any humanity left, and he saw a likable side of Courtney, maybe his feelings towards her would change. Already, he did sort of admire her stubborness, although it didn't make him like her. But Geoff was right, too. The only way to bring out any likability in the brunette would mean more effort than he'd ever made before. And he did want to break the curse. So if his servants wanted to try to get him set up with Courtney for both his and their own sakes, who was he to fight?

The door opened, and DJ came in, looking scared.

"Where is she?" Duncan demanded.

"Well..uh..." DJ stammered, "I mean...circumstances being not the best...and her still being angry...well..." He paused before he admitted. "She refused to leave her room."

Duncan was annoyed, but he didn't show it. He walked up to Courtney's room, and without knocking, tried the door. It was locked.

"Princess?" he said through the door, trying to sound light and teasing. "Do you have a fasting schedule or something?"

"Go away." snapped Courtney's voice. "If you're here to persuade me to come down, I'm not going to."

Duncan got more serious. "If you don't come down, I might get angry. And trust me, everyone else will tell you that me angry is not something anyone wants to see."

"I won't see you angry if I stay in here." Courtney shot back.

Geoff, who had followed him, caught up at that moment and heard Courtney's comment. "Try being apologetic." he suggested in a whisper. "Then ask her again."

Duncan took a deep breath, and then said "Listen, I'm sorry about what I did earlier. I'm not very good at self-control."

"I can see that." Courtney said from inside. "Are you going to apologize for kidnapping my sister too? Either way, you aren't forgiven."

Duncan cursed. Finally, he said "C'mon, please come down for dinner."

"No." Courtney replied, a short, sharp word that shot down any hopes.

Duncan gave up. "Fine, don't! Have fun starving yourself!" As he passed Geoff, he muttered "If she doesn't eat with me, she doesn't eat. Make sure the kitchen staff know."

Geoff did tell Gwen about what he'd said. She simply gave a sigh and said "Does he really expect us to starve her? He's being a jerk to her. I wouldn't leave my room either. If she wants food later on, she can come down."

Geoff nodded in agreement. He'd only told Gwen because Duncan had wanted him to – he hadn't expected Gwen to obey, and he wouldn't either.

After all, Duncan is still at an early stage, still selfish and unable to see his own flaws. He'll get further later on. Please, if you choose to review, please tell me what you liked/hated about the chapter. I like to know what's good and what isn't.