"Roswell? Your own principal, Roswell?" My father was outraged, pacing in a line. He threw his crown onto the table, combing his hands through his hair in distress.

The crown is off. Not good.

"You mean to tell me a principal of one of our schools harboring children, was Descuvi?" He laid his hands on the table, leaning forward. I crossed my arms, looking him directly in the eye.

I was always right about him.

"Yes, your highness." I nodded curtly. He turned away from me with a growl, anger etched onto his face. He walked to his office windows, holding a great view over Deltora. Sometimes as a kid, I would sneak into his office just to view the sight.

I couldn't just leave the castle unless I was supervised, but it was never the same. I would watch as shopkeepers sold steaming, delicious looking foods; friends reacquainting themselves, couples holding hands, other children playing games through the streets- and I would dream of being with them, a normal child in a safe kingdom.

It's not the same anymore.

My father seemed to have the same thoughts. He heaved a sigh, viewing our kingdom with worry,"There is a storm brewing, Daruis. I don't know how much longer I can continue ruling our land."

"Well that doesn't mean I need to marry right away, father. We can still have a coronation without an alliance- it's not as if Deltora needs more income or supplies right now."

"Don't you understand, son? We need to unite against Descuvi. It's not just about the money- a war is to come in the near future, and we must have allies," he walked back over to his desk, sitting down in exhaustion.

"I don't want to marry." I exclaimed louder than before,"You married mother out of love, why can't you let me do the same?"

"That was before we had an enemy, Daruis! And they are slowly breaking down our walls from the inside out. You will do as I say, for the sake of the kingdom and our people. That is final."

"But-"

"Get out!" He chucked his crown at me, pointing toward the door. I dodged it, trying to mask my face of any sign of hurt. I uncrossed my arms, giving him a small glare, yet I only felt turmoil.

I opened the door,"If mother was still around, she would've been strong enough to stay on the throne, with or without you."

And slammed the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I walked back to my room with a purpose, ready to greet Annalise. There were more guards scattered around the castle, which I knew was because of my father's finding out of Roswell. I couldn't figure out which angered me more: the fact that the Descuvi were obviously hiding under our noses, or that Annalise was constantly put in harms way because of me.

I would never be able to forget the look on her face as she frantically walked into my geography class, requesting that I left with her immediately.

I pestered her with questions as we made our way to the principals office, immediately noticing the blood on her beautiful gown. For a second I had wondered if it was her time of the month, but I was most definitely wrong.

It was worse than I could've ever imagined.

Jack stood over Roswell's body, tying his hands together with rope he had found. Blood seeped onto the carpet, down Jack's ear, and all over Roswell's snow colored hair.

I turned to Annalise, whom only held a glare to Roswell's unconscious body on the floor. Jack explained he had found her while Roswell was trying to defile her. He wondered about the "red eyes" that had immobilized them both in their fight, but I was more concerned for Annalise's well-being than giving an explanation.

I burst into the room, spotting her by the fireplace. She was reading a book on war tactics. I remembered when she pretended to read this novel after the BlackBerry ball, yet this time she seemed to be more interested.

"How are you feeling?" I sat beside her. She glanced up from her book, giving me a small smile.

"I'm perfectly fine, Damien. I just have questions I want answered." She shut it, finding her way into my arms. I leaned back against the couch, holding her as closely as I could. I wanted her to feel safe in my arms, away from all harm, but I worried she wouldn't be able to feel so.

"Your wish is my command, sweetheart."

"What did you do with him?" She snuggled closer, and I felt my heart skip a beat. It was just something about having the girl you loved in your arms that seemed to kill me.

"We disposed of him after we realized we wouldn't be able to get any information. Every verified, demented Descuvi we have encountered seem to not release anything on their plans. It's frustrating, and what makes them such a powerful foe."

"His eyes," she continued, as if she was recalling the events. I took in a sharp breath, knowing the secret information about her people was going to scare her. "They turned red, and I couldn't move. I was just stuck there as he... he-"

"You don't have to say more. I wish I could've been there, I've always had a feeling about Roswell. I despised him from the start. I knew he was a pervert, but I never could've imagined he would try to take your virtue. I should've been more cautious."

"That's not what concerns me anymore. His eyes, Damien, what happened?" In my arms, she glanced up at me, a burning curiosity in her eyes. I tried to brush over the subject, but I knew she would get it out of me.

"We have found that once the rage has reached a Descuvi, they become demented. They hold an aura that strikes fear, and they feed off of it. We believe this grants them certain powers, and if you look them in the eyes they can immobilize you. At first, we wondered if it was witchcraft, but we couldn't explain how every Descuvi was able to use such powers. We don't understand it quite yet." I began to massage her head, trying to soothe her wild thoughts I knew she was having.

"How do you think the 'rage' reaches them? These are my people. How come it has not reached me?" She wondered aloud, relaxing against me. She yawned, and the novel she held almost fell out of her hand.

"I don't know, sweetheart. I'm just glad that it hasn't, and it shall never. I will do my best to continue keeping you safe." I continued massaging her head, wanting her to rest. It had been a long day for the both of us, and I needed to find a new headmaster for our school tomorrow. Until then, school will be canceled until further notice. We would not explain why, I didn't need more havoc in the school then there already was.

"You won't be able to."

"What?"

"Keep me safe, that is. It's not your fault, but just know that I love you whatever happens," she was half-asleep, rambling. I wanted to wake her back up and explain this wouldn't happen, but could I? Would I truly be able to continue keeping her out of trouble? Though the castle walls were the safest place she could be- and in my arms as she was now- I would never be able to guarantee her safety.

Instead, I picked her up bridal style, leading her to the bed. She smiled in her sleep, feeling me place the covers around her. I climbed in, pulling her to me as tightly as I could. This was the only way I could forget about the image I had of Roswell and her, and stop the anger from taking over.

As long as she was in my arms, she was safe.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I opened the double doors, dust flying as I walked in. I coughed, taking out my handkerchief to hide my face from the annoying specks. I shook the notebook in my hand to keep the dust away.

This was big enough, I guess!

I had a look around, feeling the different materials of cloth that were left behind. There were definitely some potential outfits I had in mind, inspiration flooding into my mind at the different fabrics.

My new project...

Taking over Miss Woods' dress shop. It was the least I could do for Annalise and her mother. She had always been one of the only companions I had with any sense of fashion, and her dresses were exquisite.

Instead of dresses, I would remodeling her shop to sell suits. Most of my income I would store away for Annalise in case anything happens, and the rest would go to buying more supplies and textures.

She left behind a small dowry for Annalise, but it wasn't enough from a future standpoint. The question of Damien and her was still in the air, and even if nothing came out of it - which I know it will- finding another suitor to take care of her wouldn't be a easy feat. She wouldn't want to marry for money, she would want to marry for love. Coming across a suitable noble was very hard, and with the amount she had, it wouldn't be enough until she found what she was looking for.

I started rummaging through her closets, getting down and dirty. I was glad I wore my 'labor' suit today, it was very easy to work in and breathable. I would be able to sell readjust the dresses she already made for people and give them to Annalise, though many of them weren't her style.

I continued cleaning out her supplies of what I wouldn't need until I found a box.

To: Annalise Woods

From: Mother <3

It was tied up with a red ribbon, and as large as a box than I've seen one. I grunted as I took it out, it was heavier than I expected. I stared at the ribbon, contemplating wether I should open it or not.

Just a small peek wouldn't hurt...

What if it's personal?

I already knew she was a Descuvi, it's not like she could hide anything else.

"Fine, I'll open it!" I said aloud, wanting the voice in the back of my brain to shut up. Sometimes I believe it's the straight side of me popping out, and I try to ignore it as much as possible.

I carefully undid the silk ribbon, opening the large box with caution. It was as if I was ready for something to pop out, but I was most definitely wrong.

I found a long letter on top of fabric, and decided not to read it for my best friend's sake. When I removed the letter I gasped.

A wedding dress.

I pulled it out, my mouth agape. It was the most beautiful gown I had ever seen, draped with silk lining underneath the white, beaded fabric made with the finest material. Every bead was sewn in with precision, shiny and detailed in patterns up the dress. It was thick and heavy to the touch, but I knew it would look absolutely beautiful on Annalise. I wondered how long this must've taken Miss Woods to make. Weeks, a month possibly?

After gazing at the dress for what felt like hours, I decided to put it away. It would be a surprise one day for her, and I hadn't even told her about my plans for the shop yet. Maria was the only one who knew.

She was a devious thing, that maid.

I couldn't wait to show her the shop once it was done. Instead of Woods' Dresses, I will be naming it Woods' Suits, out of respect for her mother.

If anybody knew fashion the way Miss Woods did, it was me.

*~*~*~*~*~*