frozen in disbelief

This was the Crown he knew, this was the Crown he missed for so long.

"Say that again," Crown whispered.

"Respectfully Miss, this union is for the benefit of both our lands, like we have explained to your town's elders. You do not have the luxury of choice and you have been chosen to marry the royal Prince of Tahu."

Crown became frozen in disbelief at what she just heard.

All was silent for a moment and the next Hawthorne was sent flying out of the house and on to the stairs. Crown had keyed into the growing anger she felt to kick him right in the stomach and because he hadn't expected it, he was completely knocked off his feet.

Before anyone could react she had drawn out the sword that was neatly tucked in Lucia's belt with ease one could clearly see she was a trained soldier.

"Crown!" her father yelled after her. "What are you doing?"

Zaccai was definitely surprised. He expected her to refuse the proposal but not to start a fight. 

"You dare to tell me I have no choice! Who sent you to me!" Crown marched towards Hawthorne. "Do you really expect me to believe you just had a change of mind and I ended up being the chosen one. Huh! Answer me!" She yelled. 

Hawthorne looked towards Zaccai as he backed away from Crown. The others now surrounded them both but none drew their sword. Zaccai's instruction was clear, no one was to attack the humans.

"Crown that is enough!" Tiran shouted from the balcony as more people started to gather around them. Honey chose that time to finally come out of her hiding spot.

Crown wasn't listening, she raised the sword she carried to Hawthorne but wasn't fast enough as Vax held her wrist firmly. She released the sword and threw two punches to his stomach sending him back a step.

"Wow." Zaccai whispered. He watched the scene with increased interest. When had she learnt to fight? 

"Crown please stop," Honey pleaded as she shifted her attention back to Hawthorne.

If Crown had cared to follow his gaze, she would have noticed him staring at her sister. He remembered her from their little meeting days ago. Honey, she was a person he wouldn't forget in a hurry and now that he really thought of it, he saw the resemblance between the sisters. 

"Enough Miss Crown. We do not want to hurt you." Elara pleaded.

"I'd like to see you try!" Crown turned on her and was obviously going to attack when Hawthorne moved at the speed of light to where Tiran stood. 

Hawthorne placed a hand on Tiran causing him to fall instantly passing out cold. In the same manner, he touched a random person who had stood to watch the scene. 

In a flash, five persons including Tiran looked dead to the world around them. It was only then that Crown stopped in her tracks. She looked around, wide eyed as her face filled with fear at the thought of what she may have done. Why does trouble always seem to find her.

"They have killed them, because of you!" One villager shouted. 

"Why do you always cause trouble for others?" Another added as an uproar started among the crowd.

"Dara accepted her fate without trouble, why does yours have to be different and filled with difficulty?" Yet another added and blamed.

She had been so angry and still was, but wasn't anymore blinded by it. She looked around to the seemingly lifeless bodies that layed around with a few persons already crying over them. Unshed tears clung to her eyes at the sight before her, especially her brother.

Honey was already crouched beside Tiran along with their parents, trying to get him to wake up. Crown ran to their side. "Tiran, brother please. Wake up." She patted his face gently. "What did you do!" She asked Hawthorne who stood emotionless watching her.

"It's not my fault miss Crown." Hawthorne replied.

"Fine!" Crown half ran to stand in his front. "Undo whatever you did. I will marry your stupid prince. Bring them back!" She yelled as she bunched her fist in his chest. "Bring them back now!"

"You must give us your word." Hawthorne said.

"I already did!"

"Do not fault me for not believing you."

"I will marry your stupid prince. Everyone heard it."

"Miss Crown you must speak with respect—" Hawthorne paused as Zaccai raised a hand to let him know it was okay.

He touched that same hand to those he had touched earlier and like one being jolted from a deep sleep they all woke up. 

Crown turned and looked around, and breathed a sigh of relief. Most frowned at her and pointed fingers, but they all shared the same feeling of relief that no one had been lost to death.

Because she was still angry, she punched Hawthorne square in the face before turning her back to him and heading up the stairs. 

Zaccai stifled a laugh at her actions. Poor Hawthorne, he was getting more than he bargained for.

"That's for touching my people you monster." She said.

"Tiran, I am so very sorry. I am sorry." She begged as she knelt beside her brother.

"I now know what to do with the land papa gave me." Tiran announced, his words bringing confusion on the faces of his family.

"Brother, do you feel okay. Is something wrong?" Honey asked, worried.

"I have never been better." He replied as he rose up with a smile. "What did you do?" He asked Hawthorne who had walked closer rubbing his nose that was in pain.

"I am a dream fairy. All I did was put you to sleep and show you a dream you probably didn't know you have." He explained as he looked around. "As did all of them."

It was then that Honey realized why he felt familiar. He was the man she met at Mora. She looked down avoiding his eyes.

"Thank you." Tiran stepped forward to take his hand in a handshake, an act that surprised everyone.

"Brother, what do you think you are doing?" Crown asked, still confused.

"Sister, come." He held her shoulders and led her back inside as their parents followed closely. Honey shut the door sparing a glance at Hawthorne.

"You all aren't going to agree with this are you?" Crown asked.

"No." Her parents replied 

"We have no choice." Tiran said.

"You already gave them your word." Her sister reminded.

"I was trying to save everyone!" Crown shouted.

"You didn't have to! The outcome didn't change did it?" It was the first time Honey ever raised her voice to her sister.

"What? Why would you say that? Was i to simply nod and smile at a proposal that isn't of my chosen. I am set to wed Darius in less than a month. And since you feel so complacent, why not marry this so called prince yourself!" Crown yelled back.

"That is enough from the both of you!" Their father shouted looking from one daughter to the other. "Enough, please."

"Don't worry father, I am done with this." Crown headed to door that led to the back of their home but not before her family caught the tears that was ready to fall from her eyes.

"I'll go after her." Tiran offered as he pointed to the direction crown had taken.

"Thank you son. Keep her close," Yara said, her voice sounded small and different to her ears, her heart heavy with a profound sense of defeat.