Hello! I am back! So to make up for my long breaks, I wrote a really long chapter hahaha. Thank you for reading and reviewing even though I take forever!

"Now I think that dark blue roses will work the best…you want to display an elegance with the color and a romantic softness with roses. Your wedding was a showcase of the grandeur that your marriage is but this needs to be better than that. You need to symbolize the coming of a new era….."

I was scrubbing the splattered blood that had stained the floor. I didn't want any maid to see it and Agnes was busy packing. No one could know what had happened. The acidic smell of iron mixed with the lavender soap I had found near the bathtub. I didn't know what else to use. The tears blinded my vision and my arms started to ache from the scrubbing.

"Roan are you listening at all? This is your coronation might I remind you."

I looked up at Antonietta "Oh yes, dark blue roses will work perfectly."

"Wonderful. Now, what about the curtains shimmering gold or sterling silver?'

Newt had looked so handsome in his silver mask and navy suit.

"Sterling silver to match the roses."

Antonietta nodded her head. "My thoughts exactly. I also think we need to do something about the garden. We need people to mill about. See our vast palace grounds…."

Antonietta kept walking and pointing out things in the ballroom for the Page to write down. My pounding headache did not help my protruding thoughts.

"Roan! Whats happened your bleeding!" Newt rushed to me and turned my face to the side. The contact stung a bit. I hadn't realized but I must have cut my neck when I pressed my head and neck to fix the fallen vanity.

"Its fine but you all need to leave." I said, pulling my head from Newts light grasp. I noticed Thomas was hanging near the back of the door. He was wearing commoner clothes and his usual sword strap was replaced by a shoddy leather contraption.

"Where have you been? We haven't seen you in days." I said, looking at my cousin with annoyance.

That's when Minho decided to join the conversation. "Its not a question of where more of with whom has he been with."

He couldn't have…not again.

I blinked the memories away and decided I needed some fresh air. The days had been lonely with Agnes and Teresa gone.

I couldn't keep what had happened secret from the three intruders. We all agreed that the best way to protect Teresa from any ill-fated rumors or speculation was to send her away. Minho was using his days as a Maze Guard to try and find out who had hurt Teresa. It had been a week but my stomach still churned at the thought of it.

I still could not believe what we had done next. It made my chest heave in anxiousness.

"if anyone finds out about this Thomas! Did anyone see you?" I asked with my hands in hair.

This could not be happening. One disaster after another.

"What does that matter? I am not letting anyone tear her away from me again!" Thomas couldn't look me in the eye as he talked.

"What does that matter! A second time with someone who is not clean is a death sentence! Is that what you want? Might I remind you the health council here still abides by the old law."

Thomas sighed loudly "I'll give up my tittle! I'll fake my death! I cannot do this anymore!"

"Absolutely not! When I wanted to do that, what did you do? You told me I had to come here and get married so now I am telling you the same thing. Get married and forget all about Brenda."

In that moment, Minho decided to speak "I think we have some options here…we have a girl on the verge of ruin in the bathroom and Thomas here would greatly benefit from getting married, the sooner the better, both of them have good titles. Thomas has a higher blood purity but Teresa still would be a good prospect. Her family is wealthy and their family names is nearly older then the maze."

It would be hard to question the royal sensibility of it.

Thomas and Teresa had traveled to Suecia to carry out Minho's plan. This would give time for Teresa to heal somewhere far from where her terror had occurred. I sent Agnes to aid her in any way possible. Agnes guise was that she was visiting family in Suecia.

Teresa and Thomas were both very reluctant but I helped Minho convince them. Newt had stayed quiet the whole time. I still wasn't sure what he thought of the matter. We hadn't talked much about that night.

Apparently, Isabelle Winchester was the one who had informed Minho of Thomas's whereabouts. That's what she and Newt were discussing the night of the ball. She of course would want something in return for the role she played in keeping Thomas's indiscretion secret. I just didn't know what it was.

And how had she found out about Thomas? I needed her gone. I could smell the danger off of her. Thats what Janson always said. He claimed to be able feel it in the air who was a threat and who wasn't.

I needed Janson's help. He would know what to do. I looked around the ball room and realized that Antonietta was more invested in the coronation than I ever would be. She would probably be happy if she didn't have to ask for my approval. I left the room without her even noticing.

I found Janson in his office quarters. He was looking over a letter.

"Your mother gave birth." He said without looking up. "You have a brother. She also sent you a letter. I don't trust these Britannican messenger men. Too easy to pay off. I'm using my network to get messages back and forth."

The news of my new brother almost distracted me but the nausea from the events was still rather strong.

"I need your help getting rid of Isabelle Winchester."

Janson looked slightly up but then looked back.

"I wouldn't worry about her. I took care of it."

My jaw dropped. How did he know?

"Of course, your ploy of getting Thomas married helped tremendously, but keeping her quiet was never going be very hard. Her family's dirty laundry made sure of that."

My shoulders slumped. "How is it possible for you to know everything?"

Janson set the letter down and smirked "Oh Roan you know me. I like to observe, one can learn a lot from just sitting and watching. For example, Thomas asking for more than his usual monthly salary, Agnes carrying buckets of water in the middle of the night, and like I've always told you: your very best friends are the ones everyone forgets about."

He was talking about the palace staff. The cooks, the maids, the page boys. They always knew what was going on.

"If I were you, I'd start building my network. I can't hold your hand forever and besides your husband is soft, he'll need someone smart on his side if he plans to rule on his virtues rather than his wits."

I sighed "I don't know how to build a network like yours"

"That is not as important now we still have some time. I think you'd like to know that the Arubians are here for your coronation. I've got a missive that they are in the grand hall being greeted by the Royal Family. You and I should find our way there."

Janson threw a heap of scrolled messages into the fire while I sat and watched him.

"Now I know what your mother told you of the Arubians but I'm telling you know , for everyone's sake, we better get down there and smile. Other wise, this coronation might not happen at all"

Mother had always told me that a good ruler, rules sternly but never cruelly. The Arubians constantly mistook proper ruling for cruelty.

I tried to keep the smell of burning flesh out of my mind as Janson and I walked to the grand hall. The last time I had seen the Arubians they had set a page boy on fire for accidently spilling wine on a their Queens dress. Mother never wanted to see them again. She said they were wild animals disguised by money and pomp.

Father always had come up with some terrible crisis that took him deep into the mountains and far away whenever they passed through our kingdom. He believed Mother was better equipped to deal with them.

I took a deep breath before we entered the Great hall. Janson slinked away through the crowd and I looked for Newt. I found his golden head next to his sisters.

I made my way through the crowd until I reached him. I felt more relived at his side. Everyone liked him and as long as I played a demure and polished Britannican wife, there should be no trouble. Easier said than done, however.

Newt smiled and gave me his elbow.

"I've been waiting for you. Mother said you ran off and left her to do all the work."

I rolled my eyes "I think she wanted me gone. Besides, she is a better interior decorator then I am"

I scanned the crowd for the Arubians, my heart was beating hard with anxiety.

They were the only people Mother ever openly worried about. I remembered her pacing back and forth holding her pregnant belly, ruminating and whispering to Janson all sorts of complaints.

I found Prince Winston first, he was the nicer of the lot, he was talking with some courtiers. His father and mother were not too far off talking with some council member.

It would only be a matter of time before official greeting rites were made and I would have to face them. I pulled closer to Newt. Mother had always let me hide or run off with Father. There would be no hiding here.

"No need to be nervous, Ronnie. I've good relations with the Arubians. Lets just try to watch our tongue love, I'd hate for your temper to get in the way of good diplomacy."

Ronnie

He called me Ronnie. Newt had given me a nickname.

I was torn. I did not know if to bring up the nickname or to respond to his jab about my temper. But he had also called me love.

This was too much for me. I could not handle it. Teresa's attack, forcing Thomas to marry her, the Arubians, and now this.

I would convulse from stress if this kept up.

The royal squire blew the trumpets and the Grand Halls doors opened to reveal Georgios and his wife. His wife was still clad in black and wore a mourning veil.

"Andros! A man worth his blood! Glad you could join us for my retirement party!"

Andros was a fat man, clothed in dark green. He wore the golden Arubian turban on his head and a shiny hammer hung from his belt. It was the royal insignia of the Arubians. A hammer of all things.

The rumors were that Andros would beat his wife with the hammer.

Andros laughed and returned Georgios boisterous hug. "I couldn't possibly miss watching you be dethroned. Now where is that new King of yours? I haven't seen him since his fathers funeral."

With great dread, I complied when Newt pulled us forward.

I, a simple princess, curtsied before the king, Newt a rightful heir simply outstretched his hand.

Andros pulled Newt for a hug and clapped him heartedly on the back.

"Look at you lad! The spitting image of your father! Tall and blond!" Andros said, holding Newt by his arms while he laughed.

Once he let him go, he turned his attention towards me.

"And whom might this be?" He asked.

Newt put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me slightly forward.

"This is my wife, Princess Roan of Suecia."

I still wasn't used to being presented as someone's wife.

"Ah…a Suecian in a Britannican court. There have been stranger things I suppose. I should have known by the looks of you. Tall and long dark hair. Just like your father. Tell me child, will you also invent a crisis just to get away from me?"

I felt spit choke in my throat and as it was my instinct I dug my nails into my hand.

"Your grace, having your presence here for our coronation is a great honor." I said, trying to sound and look as demure as possible.

" If you plan to rule this court, I recommend you become a better liar but I am sure you are well aware of that. Stand with a proud chin girl. Your mother didn't raise you to be a submissive whore who births out blond ingrates"

I blinked in shock at his callous words.

Georgios guffawed loudly and slapped his legs with his hands. "Do not worry. She'll reveal herself soon enough. Just have to stir her up enough."

My cheeks burned a hot, scarlet, red.

I felt Newt slightly squeeze my shoulder.

Good diplomacy, Good diplomacy, good diplomacy,

I had to physically bite my tongue.

"She's her mothers daughter. We best not mess with her. I can always tell when I am standing across from a proper Moidecii" Andros said, his attention suddenly looking towards Antonietta who had appeared.

She curtsied "Andros, always a joy to see you in our halls. We feel rather privileged to see you join us."

Her smile was demure and her eyes were lowered.

It seemed everyone took the same approach when it came to Andros of Arubia

"Please, your grace, accompany me I want to show you what we've been able to accomplish…"

Andros and Antonietta walked away from us and the crowd moved to clear a path for them.

"Mother said she doesn't trust you with the Auribians. She told me to keep them away from you." Newt said, raising an eyebrow as he looked at me.

I pressed my lips together. "I can behave." I said quietly.

"Oh I'm sure you can, "Newt said with an amused smile.

"I can! Lets put a wager on it." I said. Looking into Newts glimmering eyes, they were full of retained laughter.

"All right, Love. If you can behave from now until they leave, I will make sure you get a proper tour of Bohemia and if not…well. You'll just have to wait and find out."

I raised my eyebrows " Well that's not very of fair. I have to know."

"Well if you're so confident in your abilities to behave, what does it matter?" Newt said, his smile wider than ever

I could recognize the obvious trap that he was laying down but I did not really have much of a choice but to behave when it came to the Aurubians.

"Deal." I said, trying to suppress my smile.

"Very well, love. We should get dressed for dinner. We have Auribians to impress"

I looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn't accustomed to wearing pink. Even if it was a dark mauve. Agnes being gone was getting more difficult. And a lonelier.

"We best get going, Ronnie. We cant make our guests wait." Newt was standing by the door.

"I don't like my dress. It has too many frills and I don't look good in dark pink. Pink is for pretty blond, blue eyed girls."

I saw Newt roll his eyes "Its just a color love. You look fine. Now we have to go."

I sighed "There isn't anything to do now. I miss Agnes and I thought Sonya would know by now that I like darker colors because they make me look more refined."

Newt opened the door so I could walk out of it "I think the pink goes well with your darker skin. Its gotten lighter since you've gotten here but its still…I guess you could say… pleasing to the eye."

I wasn't sure if Newt was trying to pay me a compliment or give an underhanded comment so I decided to change the subject.

"I just hope Sonya realizes when its time to come to my chambers. I know she is used to being released earlier but it will be a quite the torture to sleep in a corset all night."

"I'm sure she will remember. Agnes must be enjoying her very well deserved vacation."

I hated how the hallways were always dark around dinner time. I was glad Newt was with me.

" You're right, I can be quite the handful. My first order as queen will be to get these hallways lit. And I hate all the drapes. They will have to go."

Newt feigned a gasp "You dare insult my family home? It has been like this for as long as I can remember."

"Should have married someone else." I said, as we came to the division of four entryways. I had to pause and think. I felt Newts gaze watching me. I decided to pick the most familiar looking one

It wasn't long until I realized I had taken the wrong turn and swiveled around only to bump in to Newt.

Newt grabbed my forearms to steady me.

"You all right there? Dinner is the other way." Newt tilted his head to the left but he didn't let me go.

"I'm still getting used to the palace. I keep getting lost" I said, his hands and grip felt comfortable.

"I can tell. Follow me or we will never get there."

The rest of the walk to dinner was spent in light teasing and easy conversation.

When we finally arrived, the dinner table was almost full.

Newt pulled out my chair and helped me sit down before he took his place. Next to me was Rosemary, who I hadn't talked to or seen in ages. She was in deep conversation with Prince Winston who was next to her. That seemed like strategic placement from Antonietta.

It wasn't long before the dinner bell was rung. The food was ornately garnished, more than likely to impress the many guest around us.

I was happily and quietly enjoying my dish when I felt a foot kick my leg.

I looked up in anger across from me to spot Minho make eye contact with me and then send his eyes to the side.

He wanted me to look to his left.

I put my fork down when I saw Andros of Aurubia harassing one of the servant girls. He was trying to pull her onto his lap as she tried to politely resist.

Newt must have noticed me stiffen because he put his hand on top of mine.
"Ronnie….I know what you're thinking but we cant risk offending him." He whispered as low as he could. He had leaned in close to my ear so I could hear him

I glanced lightly at Newt. Our bet from before, appearing in my mind. I glanced back at Andros and then at Minho.

Minho held my gaze and nodded his head. He stood and took his wine with him.

I felt Newt tense beside me.

I could feel my heart start to palpitate faster.

I watched as Minho got closer to Andros, flashbacks of my childhood and spilled wine started to appear, with exaggerated clumsiness Minho feigned to trip and spilled his wine on the floor.

The servant girl instantly took her opportunity to get away. She rushed to help pick up the mess.

I relaxed back into my seat. If the whole week was going to be like this, I did not think we would make it.

Dinner went on without anymore issues. I found myself not wanting to socialize much more and decided to head up to bed. I had called for Sonya but she was nowhere to be found. Newt went to the tea rooms with the dowager and the rest of the guests.

With no way out of my corset, I decided to look at my correspondence. Janson had someone bring mothers letter to my rooms. This seem like a perfect opportunity to read it.

My Darling Roan,

Janson keeps me updated on you and must I say I'm rather disappointed in you.

Well, that was quite the start.

You need to consummate your marriage. If anyone were to find out that you haven't, someone might try to attempt against your virtue and the whole marriage could fall apart. You'd never be able to marry again. Get it done and while you're at it please try to procure an heir. I have plenty of things to worry about and matters to attend to, I do not want to waste time worrying about your prudishness. Also, the scabby maid has gone missing. Your cousin's star-crossed lover. Hopefully, she is at the bottom of some river for all the trouble she caused us. I had plans for Thomas but had to send him away cause of the little wench. Find him a wife, it would save me the trouble of having to hear your Aunts incessant complains about him. I cant stand her any longer. Your silly mountain tribe has been taken care of. They are fed. I expect you home this summer. I want you to meet your new brother. It took years but finally I have three heirs I can proudly say are mine. I think you can become a great ruler Roan, as soon as you get your head out of the clouds.

With love,

Mother

p.s I've always hated Antonietta but please if you do attack her do it fully clothed.

Mothers letter was just what I expected. I had wondered how long it would take for her to chastise me over the whole lack of consummation. If anything we were farther from consummating then the actual night of our wedding. One is less likely to do something they do not wish to do when they are not being forced.

I ripped the letter into little pieces and threw it away in the bin. I would hate for anyone else to find out about my virginity or perhaps maybe Newts. I had no idea how deep his relationship with Isabelle was nor did I want to know.

Sonya had said Isabelle was getting married yet here she still was. The uneasy thought that she might be waiting for summer started to ruminate in my head. Brittanican gardens were famous and many couples used their beuty as a background to their wedding.

I had no idea how to start building a network to protect myself with. I had Sonya and I somewhat had General Gally but I wasn't really sure were we stood. Lord Benjamin seemed to like me.

I needed a foot in with the servants. An incentive for them to work for me.

I stared at the ripped up pieces of paper. They made me useasy, The belonged in a fire.

It took me a bit but I got the fire started. Once it was big enough, I threw away all the contents of the bin into it. I did not want to risk missing any bit. Janson has taught me better that that.

"Why is it that every time I catch alone at night, you are burning documents?"

I jumped and turned around to see Newt loosening his neck handkerchief as he walked towards me.

"It was a letter from my mother. Janson doesn't like it when we leave our correspondence out."

Newt had thrown his handkerchief and was working on his buttons. I wondered where Alby was.

"Ah yes. Janson, even he is hiding from the Aurubians. Mother has called off all servants for the night. If we want to make sure they also make it unscathed for the rest of the week we will not have any help at night."

My shoulders slumped. "How am I supposed to get out of this?" I said motioning to my dress.

"I'll help you, turn around." Newt said, walking towards me.

I tried to hide the nervous jolt that ran through my spine and turned around.

I needed to act normal.

"My mother gave birth, I have a brother," I said. Newt started to work the hidden buttons of my dress.

" Congratulations. I've always wanted to be an uncle." I could tell he was joking but it was hard to laugh with him undressing me.

"She wants us to-" I nearly gasped when I felt the dress fall off, I stepped out of it but my corset was still on. "She wants us to visit this summer. She is also very disappointed in the fact we falsified our wedding night."

Newt chuckled and put a hand on my bare shoulder. "Seems like everyone is upset about that."

I smiled slightly but my breath was cut short when Newt started to pull the strings of my corset.

However, I nearly lost my ability to breathe when the door flew open.

"Newt you need to come right now." A breathless and sweaty Minho stood at our door. One hand on the handle the other on his knee.

"How many times do I have tell you to knock?!" Newt took his hand from my shoulder and turned furiously towards Minho.

"It doesn't matter you need to come now. It's a code green." Minhos tone was stern and on edge.

As soon as Newt heard code green, his eyes widened and he grabbed his discarded over coat.

"Roan under no circumstance do you leave this room. Do you understand? Promise me Roan." Newt had grabbed hold of my shoulders and was almost shaking me.

"Whats going on? Whats happened?" I asked, worry started to creep in my stomach.

"Promise me Roan." Newt had never raised his voice at me until that moment.

I nodded my head.

"Get dressed and quickly. Something you can move in. I'll come for you as soon as I can. Under no circumstances do you open that door do you understand?"

"Yes I'll do all that but Newt whats going on?"

Newt was moving around the room in a crazed fashion as I followed him around.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw him pull a sword from the chest at the edge of the bed.

"Newt…whats happened?"

Newt turned towards me and looked me up and down. "Get dressed please. I'll come for you and explain."

As if things couldn't get any more unexpected, Newt grabbed my neck and pulled my head to him. He kissed my forehead and then rushed out the door with Miho.

I put a hand on the spot where his lips had been.

I wasn't sure on what part to concentrate on. I wanted to chase after them and ask what was going on but instead I decided to keep my promise. I rushed to the bathroom where I knew Agnes always left me some spare dresses for when I wanted to rest. I threw the least expensive looking one on. It was a plain blue dress with not much too it.

Mother always said in the case of an attack, it was imperative to blend in and not attract attention to oneself.

I ran back to the chest Newt had taken a sword from. There were boots and leather bags. I couldn't help but exclaim in joy when I saw a knife after ruffling through all the items.

I knew the best place to hide was in the dresser in the bathroom. I struggled to push all the clothes away but eventually I made enough space to squeeze through. I sat there ready with the knife in my hands.

It would help no one to sit there and worry about why and where Newt and Minho had run off to. I needed to do something useful.

I needed to start piecing things together. I closed my eyes and began to retell events in my head.

First, I was falsely attacked in my chambers by someone who had plenty of access or knew someone who did

Second, Georgios son dies, the death is questionable.

Third, Teresa is savagely beaten and raped in the very bathroom I was in.

It did not make sense. Who could possibly benefit from any of these things?

Perhaps I did not know Britannica well enough. I needed to be better.

And lets not add that incriminating letter I had found. It was still around here somewhere. We really needed to burn it. Getting Teresa and Thomas out of the kingdom had taken up all the time and energy. The letter had been forgotten.

The hours seemed to slip by in a slow haze of nerves and anguish. I hit my head on the back of the wood frame repeatedly. I began to doze off after an hour or two of nerves.

My head was propped up on the wood walls and every bone in my body was crushed and in pain by the time I heard my name being called.

"Roan! Ronnie! Roan! Where are you?"

It was Newt. I scrambled out of the dresser and fell right on the floor on my way out. I scraped my arms on the stone floor but that didn't stop me on my flurry to get out. Newt threw the bathroom door open and found me making an effort to get up.

I heard him let out a sigh of relief. When I looked up, his boots were covered in mud, there was splatter of…blood on his face and the rest of his clothes were soaked in dark splotches.

"You're back!" I said, struggling to stand.

He gave me his hand and pulled me up.

"Nice hiding place love. Glad you listened to me."

"What happened?! Where did you go? Are you hurt?"

Newt grabbed my hand and examined the ripped skin on my palms. He passed his thumb over the red skin.

"It looks like you suffered some injuries as well."

I rolled my eyes and took my had back. "Newt! What happened?!"

He sighed but reached for the other one "Well….it seems some cranks were spotted outside the city walls and not every soldier here knows how to fight a crank so Minho and I decided that the best thing was to lead the defense."

I stared at Newt dumbfounded and took away my hand.

"You lead an attack? An actual attack….against cranks?! Newt what were you thinking!? You are to be king! You cant! You cant do things like that!"

The frustration I felt made me ball my already bleeding hands into tight fist.

He could really be a bloody idiot some time.

"Roan! Cranks are not simple soldiers! You need training and knowledge! It would be massacre if we just let everyday guards fight them!"

I pressed my lips together "But was there really nobody else Newt?"

I saw him hesitate, the little liar. "Well there are… guards here who can but as their future king I cant ask them to risk their lives if I am not willing to risk mine."

That's when I lost it

"Newt! That's what they are for! You can be so thick!"

I wanted to keep going but Newt cut my tirade short.

"Love, you can yell at me all you want later but right now I need you to come with me to the throne room so we can do our kingly and queenly duty"

I bit my lip and tried to breathe through my nose "Fine but this conversation isn't over."