8 Chapter 8: Hit Me Baby One More Time

"Yes, I would like to," I couldn't believe I was hearing this from my mouth, especially as I didn't really like Prince Nicolas because of his opinions during and after the annual auditions. He was happy, but still looked slightly surprised, I could tell by his short shrug of the shoulders. "Thanks, I'm always so lonely as an only child with a golden spoon in my mouth, it's hard to get rid of the prejudices," he sighed a little and leaned against the wall. After a short silence, he cleared his throat: "Belle, I have to admit, even if we don't end up together, I'm still glad I met you." "I'll be honest, that sounds very cheesy," I said, raising an eyebrow. I wouldn't stop speaking my mind just because we were in a casting situation here. "Did I speak up again, that happens a lot, please strike that from the record," he bit his lip awkwardly, quickly realising he had gone too far at our stage. I smiled and pretended to note it down and then cross it out, just as he had once done to me: "Yes, my prince." "I guess I'll never get used to hearing that from your mouth," he confessed to me. I grinned briefly: "Well, some things will never change." "You're a crafty one, Miss Woodstock, but since we're friends now, I'll keep calling you Belle. My first order of business is to ask you, is there anything I can do for you?" I didn't have to think and answered immediately: "May I write a letter to my family, I need to know if they are well, lacking nothing. They assured me that the world would not end when I was gone, but we Woodstocks would never admit to a problem. With my application, I just left them out in the cold." As if I expected it from a prince, he said I could use the phone. Of course, if I were rich or if we owned one, I would have called them long ago. I had to roll my eyes. I was in a different reality now, I had to get used to that. Yes, I could if they had a phone line, believe me, I had thought of that too. I thought everyone had a phone line these days? Our networking of the country started 500 years ago." "Only those who can afford it. Not every four or three is entitled to have one," I said seriously. But you won the lottery with your family and you can enjoy all the benefits of a three. I live in an outlying district and we have six mouths to feed, so we can't afford a connection, Nicolas. Just because we won, nothing has changed, except that we see less blood on the streets. We are the outsiders of this society. We're not even allowed to wear what fits." Why didn't he understand that? Because he's superficial, and just because he's been nice to you so far Belle, doesn't mean he understands you, that he knows what's going on behind that dream facade, I answered my question. I've upset you, I'm sorry. I guess I'm making a lot of faces at you." I glanced at one of the paintings, at this perfect family, then crossed my arms in front of my chest: "You know, if you knew just a little bit about the world behind the walls, you wouldn't embarrass yourself in front of everyone. Not in front of me, not in front of the press." I got angry, angry that he didn't want to see that people were suffering, that nothing knew about the harsh world I faced every day. I left without saying goodbye, a friendship would never blossom between him and me, it was just a spark that faded into the embers. He closed his eyes to reality. Out of grief that I could do nothing for my family again. I had expected him to follow me, my naïve heart. I kicked the pillar in the corridor, it was one of the few corridors that still had parts from the old days. Flower vases with bouquets, statues from Greece. Pain ran through me immediately, anger surfaced at how stupid I had been to kick marble. A mighty rock and a naïve belief in goodness. I braced myself against the pillar. Anger and despair mixed and rose in tears. I wanted to go home, this place was a nightmare, I wanted to wake up. No, I would not cry, I would not sink into self-pity, there was no need for me too, I am a strong, independent woman. I took a deep breath and wiped my tears away with the back of my hand.

Another pair of gloves to wash, I had cried several times since my arrival but always pushed it back. I missed my family and the nature of my freedom more than I wanted to admit. I continued to pace the corridor, but now these possessions were slaying me. My room was the only place in the palace where I felt truly safe. I closed the door behind me, took off my gloves and wandered in to the bathroom, running a bath. I admitted that taking a bath was a luxury I no longer wanted to do without. I understand that you freaked out because of our kiss, but that you just cut yourself off from our mission like that. We had a pact, you can't just stop like that" I winced and turned around, hoping that I had only imagined it. "Leopold, what the hell are you doing here!" I screamed in horror as he stood in the doorway. Not so loud, darling, or do you want to wake sleeping dogs," he put a finger to my lip and lifted my chin. Get out of here," I hissed more quietly and pushed him aside so I could get into my bedroom. I almost bit him. "No, you're not going to make it that easy for me, Belle. Look," he came over to me and showed me a video on his mobile phone, which I'm sure he had stolen too. It showed my brother and sister in the flat, playing. "If you get out, bad things will happen to them, my boyfriend is always on call." I widened my eyes, froze and snapped at his device. "What have you done to them!" I cried out. "Nothing at the moment, but I could," he pocketed his phone and folded his arms behind his back, pacing back and forth a little. You're such a monster, you swore to me you'd leave her out of this," I wanted to jump down his throat. My eyes went with him, always ready to fight back if necessary. Yes, but you haven't thrown my letter out of the window yet, I see everything," he stopped and looked at me: "I thought lilac and the princess look would suit you, add a little tiara and you're perfect." I also clasped my hands and laughed contemptuously: "Of course, sure. Any colour would suit me better than boring earth tones and now get out of here or I'll call the guards." "Then I'll tell them you seduced me and you'll go to jail." I countered: "As if they would believe you, you might as well be a stalker, which is basically what you are." I couldn't take him at first. Suddenly he strode quickly towards him, I dodged him but was cornered, my legs bumping into the dresser, I heard the little things rattling. He grabbed my neck and squeezed: You will stay and he will lose his heart to yours, understood, and then you will take his life, you will drive a dagger into his heart. If you tell anyone, I will make sure bad things happen to everyone in your family and I will reveal why you are here, you will lose your life too." I struggled for breath, my eyesight was getting weaker. I tried to free myself with my hands, but he was stronger than me. Did you hear me?" he whispered firmly. I could hardly move, but to protect my family I had to give in. He finally let go of me and I sank to the ground, gasping for breath. He bent down to me: "That's a good boy." I looked at him in disgust. "Don't be naive Belle, the world is hard," he reached out with his hand and slapped my face, "Even stubborn people need to be educated, don't they?" I didn't notice him disappear because I collapsed on the floor.