II) London's Chess Pieces

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."- Anias Nin

Chapter two- Daily routine

After two years~

-We have urgent news to report-

"Black scorpions strike again, in short they refer to them as the Bs criminals, they seem to have attacked one of the nobles that came from France to visit London."

"He came inorder to negotiate with the king to extend the amount of supplies and to get some experience, if war ever occurs, by training under some fine soldiers in Cylestia, first kingdom of London."

"The Noble man was the brother of the ruler of France and from this attack, the French people took high offense and thought that London is opposing them."

"The Noble man hadn't had any critical wounds and was just injured, they said this happened from his failed attempt in trying to run away from the Bs criminals."

The criminals as always wanted cash in exchange for the hostage. But it didn't occur the way they had planned, the police came early and what they had planned went futile instead they stole money from a near by bank.

How did that happen, you ask? Well, BS's backup had another plan as well. The criminals always have a way to get what they want, so as the originals were messing with the police and all of France since the broadcast was live.

Way to get both king's standing on their tip toes and anxious.

The backup took the liberty in robbing the bank. After the alarm went out it was too late since they already left.

I'm starting to think London's forces are weak and ignorant fools...

London had confirmed that it was not under any of the king's orders to attack the Noble man.

But in truth no one knows if one of the king's might be the commander of the group of criminals. Most say they are just free bandits under there own control, free of responsibilities and consequences.

None of the criminals have been caught yet.

They are critical masterminded criminals, I bet the one who came up with that name was smart, I don't want to brag, but since my zodiac sign is a scorpion, that's why I'm complimenting it.

But also complete imbeciles since BS usually stands for bullshit. Talk about some BS criminals alright.

I already knew of the truth to what happened to my father, he got murdered by those criminals and I don't know the purpose to what could drive them to do such a terrible thing.

Plus no one could find evidence if he was still alive, considering all of the logical facts of him being already dead.

I discovered it was them because the description of those criminals matched the ones that I saw. Adding to that, they were known for their black scorpion tattoos.

They destroyed what little family I had left. I'm all alone in this world now.

Feeling tears welling up in my eyes, I blinked them away, father wouldn't want you to cry...

"Hey Lee aren't you coming?" Will asked annoyance vivid in his voice, in the past two years me and him became somewhat close, even though he tried to ignore me, he eventually warmed up to my existence.

"Didn't I tell you to call me Annabel?" I sighed, he's been calling me by my last name all this time. We're friends now, I suppose so, he should call me by my first, Aaron does.

"But Lee is shorter, takes less time in saying it and besides I can call you whatever I want and you can't do anything about it." He whined at first like a sarcastic child having trouble learning the abc's, then became somewhat an asshole.

I put on my long white coat and grabbed my bag. "Then come up with a nickname or something, I call you Will in short for William....ah, just call me Ann or Anna." I said closing the door behind me, ignoring his last remark.

"Had breakfast yet?" He asked with a concerned tone.

"Not really...I'm just not hungry." I've been skipping breakfast lately also eating small portions at lunch and dinner, but he shouldn't be worried.

This isn't the first time it happens..

"After you finish studying in the library, attend the training field." He ordered. "Fine, see you there at three." I said as we parted ways, I entered the library smelling the fresh air of dusty books.

"Good morning Miss Marry." I greeted the old librarian. "Oh hello Annabel, we just brought a new stack of medic books for you, they're right on the table." Yes, I'm studying to become a paramedic and a doctor. But first I need to become a paramedic since to become a doctor is takes alot of time, years.

To be honest, I hated doctors, the needles gave me frights and nightmares, always making me cry, but I said I would change.

After a year of pampering Aaron like the child he is and being his so called 'personal' maid, I took interest in becoming someone proffesional in the medical field so I could cure people and save lives.

"Don't you ever quit studying?" Toby asked, he's a spy for the castle, A very good one in fact. When he's undercover no one suspects him, also he's an expert in hide and seek. He's kinda like a ninja.

"Nope, knowledge is all I need in this world." I smiled at the books standing in front of me like a tower, then sighed feeling already exhausted. "But too much knowledge might overwhelm you." Toby muttered a distant look in his eyes. He's so right.

"And isn't that the purpose of learning, to become someone great in this world, to be unforgotten and overwhelm not just yourself but the people." I glanced at him to see if he would answer. "Maybe..."

I took the one at the very top and opened it to start my battle, me verses books, who will win? Will I be able to defeat it?

I read a couple of sentences. Ha, beat that book! I will finish you in no time.

"Earth to Annabel." He waved his hand in front of my face. I glared at it cause it made me stop the great battle I was imagining. Doesn't he know my phases?

"I guess you were in the zone." He chuckled, his short dark brown hair shaking with him, cat like green mixed with brown eyes shinning in the dim light. I just love those eyes...what in the world am I saying!? 

"I remember when you first came here, you were so shy and innocent." Toby sat beside me. "Am I not still innocent?" I looked at him confused. "No, I bet you have some crazy stuff in that messed up mind of yours." He laughed, I glared at him playfully.

"I remember you cross dressing as a girl so who is the messed up one now?" I chuckled, he shivered at the memory. "Dammit, will you never forget?" He grunted. "Plus I have a picture to prove my statement." I took out the picture from my coat's pocket. It was him in a maids outfit, serving drinks on a tray while blushing.

"What the hell!? Why do you even have a picture like that!?" He yelled trying to snatch the photo out of my hand.

"Cause I think it's cute." I replied bluntly and I saw a small blush spread on his cheeks. "Also hilarious." I laughed at his expression and the picture.

"What's the story behind it anyway?" I muttered still easily dodging Toby's half hearted attacks. "It was Sebastian." I nodded my head in understanding.

"Give it to me!" He tried taking it but I quickly put it in my pants back pocket. By that he won't be able to take it from me.

"No, I'll just keep it to remind you, you got nothing on me as much as I have on you." I laughed, he sighed in frustration then let out a grin.

After I finished studying, I went to the garden to sword practice with William. "Took you long enough." He groaned, I wore my metal shields, armor. Even though it's practice I take my precautions, safety first. He threw me my sword.

Oh yes, I always took interest in becoming a knight or spy, but Aaron said no. He agreed on a girl needing to know how to fight in case a battle takes place and there is no one to protect her. I've been sword practicing everyday with William, Toby would sometimes teach me a few tricks.

"Ready? Even if you're not, I don't care, let's get this over with." He said taking position, I sighed at his attitude. "Then why did you ask in the first place?" I said taking an attacking stance then launched myself at him. My defense is great but my charging and attacking skills... not so much.

"Aaron said he wants to see you." Will said dodging my attack. "Oh did he now." I muttered trying to strike him. He's the best sword fighter I've seen, not once did I touch him.

"I bet he misses you." He winked at me playfully, then turned to his usual blunt and serious face. I felt my cheeks heaten up but then I shook my head and returned to attacking him trying to not think about his words and what is behind their meaning. "Well I don't." I replied, changing into defense.

"Harsh words stab the heart Lee." He smirked did a twirl then went for a hit.

Last time I came into Aaron's office or as he calls it, his realm, he threw me out, saying he didn't want to see me and now he does? Does he have mood swings? He changed from the bubbly happy blonde into a blunt dull, mean one. He became William.

I don't know what happened to him....I used to like the old him much better than the new. Guess puberty got his personality before his body.

Being sixteen and taking responsibilities for the kingdom must be hard for him, but I said I'll help and support him in his choices all the way.

William is an eighteen year old handsome devil, while Toby is seventeen but very childish and wise for his age.

I'm about the same age as Aaron but a month older, I treat him like a kid which makes him angry, it amuses me every time he refuses that I'm older just by a month.

We took a break to rest. I can't believe he scratched my arm with his sword! He cut me, deep. I hissed at the wound that burned my now light pink flesh. Blood seeped out, oozing down my arm, the wound was so vivid since my skin is very white but it has gotten to the normal skin color over the two years I've been here.

I stared at the gash on my forearm, feeling pain but unable to react to it because....I've felt pain worse than this. I can feel my eyes water but no tears forming since I easily blinked them away.

"Are you okay?" He might of seen me grabbing onto my arm or staring at it. He held my wrist and removed it, I was trying to hide my injury to not make a big deal out of it but I guess I was caught red handed.

And indeed my hand was red, covered in my own blood, his eyes widened. "Annabel you're bleeding." I chuckled at his reaction.

"Really?" He glared at me for an instance for saying that in a sarcastic way. Well he shouldn't have stated the obvious.

"I apologise for hurting you Lee. Please forgive me, I should work on my skills more." So you can slice me to pieces? "Let me take you to the doctor, does it hurt?"  He said in a cool entire even though I know he's probably freaking out inside, it might not be present on her features. Well actually it looks like he couldn't care less for me but in those past two years he's grown a heart.

Maybe made of stone but still a heart.

Okay maybe he would laugh sometime's but he always hide's the fact that he did!

"No, I'm alright." I lied, feeling it sting. "Well we have to treat your wound." He grabbed my good arm and took me to the infirmary, I would've treated it myself but William insisted on seeing a professional person. It's like he doesn't even know I'm studying medics!

She wrapped my forearm with a bandage after applying Neosporin, and gave me ibuprofen to seduce the pain and inflammation. After that, we went to see the little princess, a.k.a Aaron.

"Hello your highness, why have you called to see me?" I asked, quickly to get to the point. He looked up at me, from the piles of papers.

He used to never work, but after my encouragement and how jealous he was that I was working hard and he was just slacking off, he finally took it upon himself to sign and read the papers that held stuff that consisted the people, kingdoms and shipments, all that.

"Nice seeing you too, Annabel." He smiled forcefully out of habit, I winced at my name, he always called me Bel or Bella, he must be mad.

We stared at each other, me confused in why hasn't he began explaining and oddly, he looks frustrated and a bit mad. I have an exam coming up in two weeks. He better have a good reason for me to be here.

"I need your advice...." He mutters barely audible to anymore in the room but I heard him clearly. Too stubborn to accept that you need my help huh. "In what exactly?" I asked, I couldn't help but smirk.

Will looked clearly amused by this, standing by Aaron's side, watching us like it's his favorite TV show. "In whether to let prince Reece of Vanderdonia visit our castle or not." He frowned. The last time Reece came here, Aaron threatened him by attacking his kingdom, by making a war happen.

How that happened and why? Reece, is a very pampered little brat, and when he wants something, he gets it. He took a liking to me for some odd reason. He liked my eyes, stating that they were unique, I snorted at that, they are just like a rainy day, light blue mixed with gray. Nothing unique about them.

Also saying he never had seen skin as fair and white as mine....that I won't disagree with.

Maybe he meant that not a lot of people had that eye color? He wanted me to be his. Aaron refused Reece's many offers to attempt to gain me, he even poisoned Aaron and captured me, saying that he'll give him the remedy if I agree to become his .....concubine.

Am I seen as a girl who's only good in sex? what is wrong with men these days.

Aaron came just in time, and threatened him. That's the story of how I know reece, now how I met him is a different story.

His visit to the castle may have some advantages and disadvantages.

Advantage: with him visiting, we could work out a deal, him sharing food and plants used to make medicine that can't be grown here and us sharing supplies like glass, weapons and wheat.

Disadvantage: and also with him visiting he could have a fight with Aaron, and hit on me....which I don't want.

"Yes...?" I was questioning my own answer, debating wether should I agree. "Is it yes or no!?" Aaron looked annoyed and very stressed, he didn't like having a conversation about Reece, after all he despised him, I wouldn't blame him though. After getting poisoned, he stayed in bed for weeks suffering and enduring constant pain.

"Why are you asking me? It's your choice." I retorted.

"Fine, he'll come." He grumbled, what is he mad about? It was his decision. Not mine.

"Aaron, when did you turn into a grumpy old man." I snickered trying to lighten the mood. "When you turned into an old lady." He shot back, okay that remark just now made me mad.

"Shouldn't you go out? Aren't you tired of staying locked in here all the time?" William asked. "No." Aaron bluntly said. Will sighed at his answer.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me?" I asked, I started shuffling my feet, I had the urge to pee, I need to go to the bathroom really bad, I should have never drunk that much water this morning in the first place.

I drank like four or five cups plus adding to my multiple tasks in the castle, probably makes a whole gallon.

"Yes." Aaron smirked checking me up and down, noticing how I'm flushed and sweating, that's so disgusting... he kept quiet enjoying the sight of me suffering, the nerves of that boy!

"Then spit it out already!" I yelled, if he won't say it then I'm out even though that'll be unrespectful of me to do.

"Hey don't snap at me! It's not my fault you drink to much!" He argued, exploding like fireworks, yeah I drink a lot of water, but that's normal, no its not....I have abnormal thirst.

"Stop being stubborn, do you want something or not?" I glared at him, he's doing this on purpose, why you son of a-

He chuckled at me. "No, you're dismissed." He waved me off. "Then why did you say yes in the first place!?" I bet he wanted me to crack and he got me to crack, I can see the amusement in his crystal blue eyes.

"To watch you potty dance of course." He snickered, William looked like he wanted to laugh but kept it behind an almost straight poker face.

I glowered at Aaron in embarrassment and turned on my heel, why does he have to do this. How did I stay alive after two years living with that?

Even I don't know how.