Hi guys! If you're in school, I hope your year is going well! I know October is when most people's grades start to drop, so don't procrastinate because I promise you will regret it. I'm so glad I didn't because now I have time to continue this story! Anyways strap in for another chapter and hope you have as much fun reading it as I did writing!

June -

Mom and Dad convinced me to leave Amber's room, but only so I could shower and eat. My eyes are red and puffy from so much crying, and I haven't even bothered to dry my vibrant red hair.

Throwing on the first nightgown I see in the closet, I half-run to Amber's room. Only Mom and Amber are still inside, and Amber still hasn't opened her eyes.

"Do the doctors know what's wrong with her yet?" I ask Mom, afraid of the answer.

She shakes her head, then quickly returns her gaze to Amber. I take the now warm cloth from her head and plunge into the bucket of ice-cold water next to Mom.

"Thank you, Jellybean." She says softly, when I place the cloth back on Amber's forehead.

A soft whimper escapes her, and both of us snap our heads to her. Her eyes flutter open.

"Mommy." She pleads.

Mom immediately clutches both of Amber's hands in her own, smoothing back her hair and whispering soothing words into her ears.

A knock sounds at the door, and I open it. It's Doctor Greene. Her eyes look troubled, and I quickly usher her into the room. Mom stands up when the doctor enters.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid I will have to ask you and the princess to leave." She says crisply.

Mom looks like she's about to argue, but one look at Amber on the bed is all it takes for her to leave without a word. As I turn around to leave too, Amber speaks.

"Junebug."

Is all she says. She hasn't given replies with more than one word, and they're usually one of our names. I run back to her side, tearing up again.

"Don't cry, Junebug." She whispers.

I cry harder. This is the most she's spoken since the first time she fainted. Doctor Greene clears her throat, and I look at her.

"Princess Amber, your diagnosis has come through. You have Aplastic Anemia." She says.

My world shatters for the second time in less than forty-seven hours. Finally, all my studies on biology and talks with Uncle Gerad have helped me to deduce something. Amber needs a blood transfusion.

Quickly, so she doesn't have to speak, I ask, "Is it terminal?"

I pray the answer is no that it's not too late to begin treatment.

"She needs a transfusion. She has three months at most without one." Dr. Greene says.

My head spins. I'd donate mine for Amber in a heartbeat, but her blood type is O negative, the rarest one. No one else in the family has it, not even Great Aunt Adele.

"From the looks of it, this isn't the first time the princess has experienced these symptoms." Dr. Greene continues.

I look at Amber, and she won't meet my gaze. She's been hiding this from us. For how long?

Austin -

Mom and Dad urged me to continue with the selection. We can't let the public know anything is wrong with Amber until we get an official diagnosis.

I walk to the Women's Room, knocking on the door because men aren't allowed to enter without the queen's permission. When a maid opens it, I hand her the note Mom wrote, and she opens the door wider so I can walk in.

I sense the change in the room as I enter. The girls sit up straighter, all of their gazes transfixed on me. Except for one. It's the one with silver hair. Her chin is propped on her fist, and she stares out of the window like she'd rather be there than here. I ignore her. If she's this much of a dreamer, she's clearly not the woman for me.

"Hello ladies." I start. "I apologize for not going through with the interviews promptly after breakfast. We encountered a minor issue which has now been resolved."

I take a breath.

"Interviews will now commence, and Nadia will tell you when it is your turn. I'll start with Lady Calypso." I say.

I have a list of them tucked into my pocket and I hope none of them notice it. A blonde that must be Calypso stands up, twirling a strand of hair in her fingers. She casts a furtive glance in my direction. This is going to be a long day.