THE ROYAL ENEMY

Chapter 16- In The Dark

"Even the people who were kept from the truth, should recognise a lie. Even the people who were left in the dark, had walked passed the light. " -Shakira Begum

JULIA

I wanted to scream and throw things, but I contained my anger and continued to walk towards my room. It's true, I wasn't apart of his family. That doesn't mean I would stop calling his dad, uncle. I wasn't that upset.

I sighed, thats not true, I was upset. But if I stopped calling him uncle, if I acted any differently than I usually do, it would show Leo, that what he said affected me. And I won't let him have that satisfaction.

"Lady Julia," a voice called and I turned to smile casually at Bart. His eyes studied my face, "Are you alright?" I almost staggered at his question. There's no way he could tell I'm upset. I wasn't crying, I was smiling and looked like I usually do. Raising an eyebrow, I nodded, "Why wouldn't I be?"

Bart shrugged, "Well I just spoke to Leo," my breathing hitched in my throat, " and he was really mad, told me to get lost. I just assumed he got into a fight with you." I smiled forcefully, "No, I haven't seen the prince, let alone fought with him."

Bart nodded, "Your right, you would be mad if you had, but you seem fine. I must have gotten it wrong. He must have fought with the king again."

I pursed my lips, " Yeah, it would probably be best to leave him be," I suggested before Bart nodded and headed off, claiming he was on clean up duty. It was a close call, but I knew I could pull it off. I would always brush off any arguments I had with Leo, and we argued a lot.

I thought back to the things he said, than the tournament tommorow. And I asked myself the question I've been debating over the last few weeks.
Should I let him win?

"Julia!" A voice interrupted my thoughts for the second time and I looked up to see Elizabeth and Casandra. They ran up to me and stopped. I did a double take when I saw them. Casandra's dress was torn at the bottom, and Elizabeth had a thick stick in her hand.

I looked at them in alarm, "What's wrong? " I asked. Casandra fumed, " That idiot, thinking he's better than everyone else. I swear, when I get my hands on-" Elizabeth cut her off, turning to me she sighed, " Have you seen my brother?"

"Bart?" I questioned. She nodded and then I mimicked her movements. "Yeah, I was just speaking to him a minute ago."

"Why?" I asked. Casandras face was reddder than a tomato, her hands balled into fists. "We were in the courtyard," Casandra began, "When a group of guys came up to us and started flirting with us like they usually do."

I nodded, holding back the urge to roll my eyes. Both Casandra and Elizabeth were beautiful. And becuase there were twice as many guys in the kingdom than girls, the attention would always be on them.

"One of the guys started getting a bit handsy with Casandra," Elizabeth continued. Casandras face went red again, but this time she wasn't angry. "Bart must have been walking by because the guy was suddenly ripped away from her."

"Long story short," Casandra said, " He beat them up. All four of them." I held back a snort. It was no secret that Bart was an excellent fighter, both with his swords and fists. He was tall and muscly and could take on half a dozen guys if he wanted. To tell the truth, a lot of the guys were scared off him.

" Well than why is your dress torn, why are you holding a stick? And why are you mad at Bart?" I asked, still confused.

Casandra blushed, " I may have jumped into the fight," she admitted. I glared at her, " That was incredibly-"

"Dangerous, I know," Casandra finished. I crossed my arms, " I was going to say stupid."

"Could you blame her, it was four against one," Elizabeth said. I smiled, " Is that why your holding a stick?" She nodded pathetically.

"So, why are you chasing Bart? Why are you so mad at him?" I asked, I felt tired after asking the same question so many times.

"Because, after he fought them, he told them to stay away from Elizabeth, his sister, and me, his girlfriend!" Casandra said, fuming.

I wanted to laugh at the situation, but did my best to keep a straight face. "They apologised, saying they didn't realise she was his girl," Elizabeth said, a small smile on her face.

Casandra glared at her, "Then he said," casandra puffed out her chest, trying to imitate Bart, " and you better not forget it, tell you friends too. I if I ever see you hitting on my girl again. You'll think this fight was a walk in the park."

I couldn't help it, at her imitation of Bart, I let out a laugh. She scowled at me, pouting, "This isn't funny. It's serious!"

I shrugged, "So what if he told everyone he was your boyfriend, at least they will leave you alone now."

She shook, " Number 1, I hate him. Number 2, James will never go out with me now. And number 3, I hate him."

I laughed, James was the guy every girl had a crush. Except me of course. But of all the people that had the best chance of going out with him. It was definitely Casandra. Well, not anymore.

"Bart said he was on clean up duty," I said, pointing in the direction he went. They sent me a grateful smile and headed off in that direction. Elizabeth turned around once more, "Good luck in the games tomorow," she said, and then left.

I frowned, right, I almost forgot about the games. The games and well, Leo.