I quietly wandered the hallway, admiring every detail I came across. I never imagined that I would see something as extravagant as this castle. It was a given that I would spend the rest of my life in that asylum. They would never have let me go. I never thought I would experience anything besides captivity.

After turning a couple corners, I realized that no one was around.

Where is everyone?

I walked passed a window and saw that the sun was high in the sky. Maybe they were outside or still sleeping. I continued exploring for a couple minutes until I heard a noise coming from down the hallway. Carefully, I made my way towards it. As I got closer, the sound became more clear; it was music. The sound of a piano echoed down the corridor. In front of me was a wooden door that was slightly ajar.

My curiosity got the best of me, and I peeked inside to see a large room with bookshelves that lined the walls to the ceiling. In one corner of the room was two leather couches, and on the other side of the room was a black grand piano. Tristan was sitting with his back towards me on the bench. His fingers glided across the keyboard and his eyes were shut. For the first time since I've been here, he looked peaceful. The song he was playing was beautiful but was melancholy, and he was pouring his emotions into the notes.

I was in awe and pushed the door slightly to get a better view. Quietly, I took a few steps closer to him. Sensing my presence, the music abruptly stopped, and he glared at me.

"What are you doing in here?" He asked, glowering.

"I-uh... My door was left open so I went exploring. I heard the piano," I explained nervously while combing a loose strand behind my ear.

"You shouldn't be out wandering about the castle. Not all vampires can handle their bloodlust."

"I can handle myself," I snapped, irritated at his constant mood change.

Could I really though?

His eyebrows rose as he looked at me up and down. "Really? You can take down a bloodthirsty vampire?"

His comment really struck a nerve with me. I escaped and endured a horrific place by myself. I survived a tragic accident and mourned my family. Sure, I wasn't strong or immortal, but he didn't know me, know what I can endure. I'm not usually angered so easily, but what he said got under my skin. I may not be able to take on a supernatural predator, but I wasn't just some frail girl like he saw me as either.

"Excuse me?" Anger laced my voice. "You have no idea what I've gone through. I may not be some strong vampire like you, but I am fully capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it for the last six years. You don't know me."

His face was impassive, and he blinked a couple times before casting his eyes back at the piano. "You're right. I don't, and I don't plan to. You should go back to your room."

Ouch.

Tristan's words hurt. I didn't know much about him either, but I had hoped that we could try to get to know each other. I wanted answers, and this man had been a part of my life for as long as I could remember. He was familiar to me in this new place, and despite him being cold and distant, I wanted to be near him. It was frustrating trying to understand the whirlwind of emotions inside me.

"No," I finally said after some time.

I walked closer to him, and he looked at me with a peering expression. His eyes fixed on me, and I never left his gaze as I sat in the seat next to him. Being this close was sending a strange feeling up my arms. The hair on my body felt like it was standing as a tingling sensation took over. He must of felt something too because he gasped and flinched away from me.

I continued, "I'm not going back to my room just because you want to be rude to me. Everyone might see you as cold and angry, but I don't think that's really you. If you keep building up that wall, you'll be trapped and no one will ever be let in. No one deserves to be that alone."

I thought Tristan would leave, but he sat there and stared at me with an expression I couldn't decipher. I stared into his eyes and didn't break contact to show him I wasn't playing games. He finally sighed and looked down at the piano, where he pressed one of the keys down. A pretty tone filled the air. Without hesitation, I pressed on one of the keys as well, then another.

"Do you know how to play?" He asked, surprising me. His tone was different, softer.

"No, I wish. My mom did though. She was amazing at it," I answered with a solemn smile. "She was going to teach me, but she never got the chance."

"It's pretty easy," he said as his hands danced around the keys. "The keys are just a repeat of A through G in the alphabet across the keyboard. Once you know the keys and read music, it comes naturally. You can even play without sheet music and just make up your own." His shoulder visibly relaxed.

"Did you compose what I heard you play?" I fixed my attention on his hands that were hovering above the piano.

Tristan continued to slowly hit keys as he spoke, "Yeah, I did."

"Well, it was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. You're really talented," I complimented and followed his movement.

Tristan looked uncomfortable and fidgeted in his seat. He finally met my eyes. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." I rested my hands on my lap. "I didn't know that a Prince had time to play the piano."

"I don't. I come here to hide from Julian and my father. No one ever comes in here."

No wonder he was annoyed. I intruded on his alone time. "Oh. Well, I can't see why. This place is amazing... and quiet," I commented as I looked around again.

"Was quiet," he mumbled and shot me an annoyed glare.

I bit my lip and ran my hands through my long, brown hair before slapping them onto my knees. I couldn't do the bipolar thing again. "Well, I tried."

I stood up and began walking to the door. I thought we were finally getting along, but I was wrong. I was kind of hurt, but despite that, I wanted to go back next to him. Again, I was experiencing conflicting emotions. I forced my body to keep walking.

"Wait."

I stopped and turned around. "What? Am I walking too loud for you now?"

Tristan did something I didn't expect him to do; he laughed. My brows pinched together in confusion.

"What a childish thing to say," he finally responded after I continued to glare at him. "It's like you just had a tantrum. Don't tell Julian, but you two are a lot alike."

My face reddened from embarrassment, and anger bubbled inside of me from his remark. Tristan knew how to push my buttons. I was also at a loss for words. I didn't like being scolded like I was a child, even by my parents when they were alive.

"You—you just," I stuttered and exhaled loudly. "I have never met someone as infuriating and sure of himself as you!"

"I'm infuriating?!" Now he was yelling too. "I've never met someone as annoying as you! You're like a fly that won't go away!"

That one stung. It made me feel as if I didn't belong anywhere. Pain rippled through my chest as a tear raced down my cheek, "Consider me gone then."

I ran out of the room and down the hallway. I heard the door slam against the wall from Tristan opening it with his strength.

"Wait, Claire!"

Suddenly, he was in front of me, and he grabbed a hold of my forearms. My face was close to his hard chest, and I couldn't bring myself to look up at him. Despite my emotions, his touch set off fireworks in my body.

"Where are you going?" He asked with an assertive tone as if he didn't just say he wanted me gone.

"You said I am annoying and won't go away. I got the hint. I'm leaving. Obviously, I overstayed my welcome," I shouted at him while trying to wriggle out of his grip.

I heard him sigh and felt his eyes burning a hole on top of my head. "You can't just leave."

"Why not? You want me to, right? So, why can't I? I'm sure you would be happy for me to be gone since you hate me so much," I spat as I tried to hold back more tears.

He released his grip from my arms and spoke softer, "I don't-"

"Tristan?! What is going on?" The Queen interrupted and walked towards us. "Why is Claire crying?"

She put her hand on my shoulder and gave me a hug. My anger and hurt diminished. Even though I couldn't see, I could feel her shooting a glare at Tristan.

"Nothing, maman. I was just leaving," he replied coldly and then disappeared.

Aurora extended her arms so I was facing her. "Are you okay? I'm sorry about Tristan."

"It's okay." I managed to smile at her. "I was angry, but now I feel better."

Strange.

"That was me. I have the ability to manipulate emotions," The Queen explained. "I thought that maybe you needed my help."

"Oh... Well, thank you."

Aurora kept her hand on my shoulder as we walked. "I don't know what my son did to upset you, but don't let him get to you. Tristan has a good heart, even if he doesn't show it. He's just stubborn. You don't have to tell me what happened, but if you need to talk about it, I'm here. "

"Thank you. That means a lot." I gave her a genuine smile this time. She's been so nice to me since I got here.

"You're welcome. Now, you seem like you could use some excitement being cooped up all day. How about a ball?"

"A ball?" My eyes widened.

"Yes! A ball! This Friday night at seven we are throwing one," she chuckled. Her aqua eyes glowed with excitement.

"I've only read about them in fairytales. I never imagined I would ever attend one," I confessed as my excitement grew. I was anxious about the people that would be there, but what teenage girl hasn't thought about a ball?

The Queen stopped walking. "You are now. I have Olivia in your room to take measurements for your dress. She is a very talented seamstress. Oh, and I know things have been rocky with my son, so Julian is going to accompany you as your escort to the ball. We can't have such a pretty girl go alone." Her hand gently caressed my face like my mother's used to.

"Okay," was all I could muster.

Julian would be escorting me.

My heart fluttered at that idea.

"Great! It's settled. I have some things to attend to. Are you able to make it back to your room by yourself?" I nodded. "Well, I'll see you later. I can't wait to see how you'll look."

Aurora hugged me before turning around, and the clicking of her heels on the marble began to fade, leaving me alone. All sorts of emotions ran rampant through my mind as the Queen's touch disapeared. I was excited about doing something fun and new, but Tristan and Julian kept popping back into my mind. I tried to block everything out, and I made my way back to my room to meet with Olivia to prepare for a fairytale.