Tysm for 800 views! Idk how y'all are generating hundreds of views between yourselves, but ty for the support all the same!

Dawn -

When I reach the room, all my maids are present.

"How was it, Miss?" Iana asks, coming over to me.

"Just get me out of this dress," I say, giving her a tired smile.

Iana returns it and leads me into the bathroom, where she takes off the dress and leaves to get me my nightgown. Quickly remembering the paper in my bra, I take it out and hold it between my chin and my neck. It's an odd angle, but the paper isn't visible. Iana comes back with a pastel green nightgown and lets me dress myself. She also leaves my fussy white slippers at the door.

"Where were you all day?" I ask, stepping out of the bathroom.

Iana turns from where she's rearranging things on the vanity. Lilac and Violet are already gone.

"I had errands to run, Miss." Iana says.

I frown. "I missed you," I tell her.

Iana doesn't bother to try and hide her blush.

"That would be a first." I hear her whisper.

"Sorry?" I ask.

She bows her head.

"Nothing, Miss. Do you require any more assistance?" she asks.

I shake my head and instantly regret it when the corner of the paper pokes my neck.

"I'll be going then. You know how to call for me." saying this, Iana leaves, shutting the door softly behind her.

I turn on my lamp and switch off the main lights, climbing into bed. Then I open the folded paper. Along with a phone number, it reads:

I had a feeling you'd want to join us, Dawn. Looking forward to working with you. Now burn this paper so no one can find it.

~ Ginevra

My heart stutters. Dawn. She called me Dawn, and there's no way it was an accident. Panic races through me, but I force myself to breathe. Ginevra could've told anyone, but she didn't. I'm helping her. Quickly, I rip off the part of the note with the phone number and stick in my drawer. I clutch the piece with the writing in my fist and fall asleep holding it.

-o-

I wake up to the sound of someone singing. Blinking wearily, I rub my eyes and flinch when a crumpled up piece of paper makes contact with my cheek. Instantly remembering what it is, I quickly stick it in my drawer with its other half.

"Good morning, Miss! I didn't expect you to wake up this early." Iana says, looking at me from where she's cleaning the windows.

"Morning, Iana." I say, climbing out of bed and checking the time.

It's six minutes past seven.

"Shall I start the bath?" she asks.

I nod, yawning and stretching my arms.

"What day is today?" I ask.

I hear her laugh before she answers, "Thursday, Miss."

I giggle at my own expense and walk into the bathroom. By the time I finish brushing my teeth, the tub is almost full.

"In my defense, I was in a coma for three days." I say, undressing myself.

Iana smiles and picks up my hairbrush as I get into the tub.

"I did miss you, Miss. I'm glad you're alright now." she tells me.

I smile to myself, ignoring the pain in my leg when it makes contact with the hot water. It fades in a few seconds.

"Did the nurses change your bandages yesterday?" Iana asks as she brushes my hair.

I shake my head.

"They said one of my maids would do it." I tell her.

Iana nods and reaches over to the cupboard below the sink without breaking her rhythm of brushing my hair. Dusk used to do that for me.

"Once you get out of the bath, I'll need to do it. It won't be pleasant." she says.

I sigh. "I don't have much of a choice, do I?" I ask.

She just shakes her head and laughs.

Apollo -

"Good morning, Your Highness." Phillip says, placing a mug of coffee on the table next to me.

I sit up and take it, nursing the hot porcelain.

"What time is it?" I ask him.

"Half past seven, Sir." he replies.

I take a much-needed sip and put the mug down.

"Do we have any important events in the next two weeks?" I ask, getting up and walking into the bathroom to brush my teeth.

"Yes sir, I believe so. Lady May will be coming to visit this weekend. She's also sent letters for you and your siblings. I've left yours on the coffee table." Phillips says. "Aunt May? She's visiting?" I ask, putting toothpaste on my brush and starting to brush my teeth.

"Yes sir. All the appropriate information should be in her letters." he says.

I spit and rinse my mouth, putting the toothbrush back in its cup and opening the bathroom door. Phillip holds out my suit for the day to me and I take it, dressing myself. I walk to the coffee table and pick up the letter, breaking the royal seal Aunt May insists on using because "it's fun". Phillip moves my coffee to the table and leaves quietly, shutting the door behind him. I unfold the paper and slip it out of the envelope. I instantly recognize Aunt May's swirling script.

In case you haven't heard already, I'm coming back to Illéa to visit you all. I know Stink might not be as excited as Maxon was when his selection came around, but please help him realize this isn't only good for the country, it's also good for him. I can't wait to see all the selected girls! I watched the Report from my room in the French palace and is it just me, or are all those girls freaking gorgeous? If I were you, I would steal one or two. (Don't actually I was just joking).

Love you lots, Aunt May

I fold Aunt May's letter back up and place it back into the envelope. As happy as I am that she'll be coming to visit, it also means we'll have to tell her about Amber. I've been trying to ignore it, hoping that Austin can get Dusk to donate her blood before we really have to start worrying, but things are moving too slowly. Berry doesn't have enough time for a whole love story to play out. This is real life.

-o-

This is the first normal breakfast we've had in a while, now that Dusk is back. Nina looks less sad now; her eyes aren't red and puffy anymore like they were while Dusk was in a coma. She chats eagerly with Dusk, who answers her questions with equal excitement. It's a nice change from her usual reservedness. I lean over to Austin, who's watching Sofia... again. He'd been spending an awful lot of time with her while Dusk was gone.

"Any progress?" I whisper.

His gaze snaps to me and he leans back in his chair.

"Finally. She's actually... she's pretty interesting." he admits.

"Pretty interesting, or pretty and interesting?" I tease.

Austin rolls his eyes at me and juts his chin in her direction.

"You tell me." he says.

I put my hands up halfway so as to not attract attention and reply, "hey, she's your future wife. Don't try to tell me you're not falling in love with her."

Austin rolls his eyes again, and I kick his chair leg, causing the precariously balancing chair to topple backward. He only just manages to catch hold of the edge of the table to steady himself and shoots me a glare. I hear a giggle, but when I look at Dusk, she's facing the other direction. It was definitely her though. When I look at Austin, I see he's looking at her too. I can barely contain the urge to tease him about his newfound attraction to her. She is very attractive, but there's too much mystery about her. I just feel like she's hiding something.

"Hey, Ape?" Austin asks.

I look at him, raising a brow at the nickname.

"Yes, Prince Stink?" I counter.

He gives me a friendly punch on the arm, but then seriousness enters his eyes.

"Do you... do you think I could really have a future with Dusk, or any of these girls?"

I can hear the self-doubt in his voice. My brother, who's always been guaranteed a future as a king, who's always been good at everything, who' always been the better twin, is afraid. I want to joke away his fear, but the anxiety in his eyes is so real, so tangible, that I swallow the smart remark just waiting for me to say it.

"They wouldn't have entered if they didn't see at least a glimmer of a future with you," I say.

He smiles, but it's a small one. A small sliver of doubt creeps into my mind. Not all of them. Mom herself didn't want to enter.

"Thanks, Ape."

I roll my eyes and spear one of my peas. "Anytime."