𝙎𝙃𝘼𝘿𝙊𝙒 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀

𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻

Maven

I get dressed quickly as soon as I open my eyes. A clean dress uniform since my training is still on hold. When I go out of my room I notice a white paper on the table at the back of the tent with a summoning to a meeting at 8:00 and groan internally. Perhaps if I don't go, no one will notice. Without Cal, anyone hardly notices me. And besides, seeing Thomas seems far more important.

I walk out of the tent with a jump in my step. Will he have a free day today again? Or maybe we can just go around camp if he's busy. I wonder if I can get another taste of that miraculous bread. Would it be weird if I just followed him around all day? Probably. Maybe I shouldn't do that. But what if he smiles at me the way he does and I can't help it?

When I get to the cafeteria, my eyes go straight to the Red side, looking for him. But he isn't there. Looking around the room, I notice he's not here at all. Perhaps he already had breakfast. I grab a tray and fill it up with fruit and scrambled eggs, taking a seat by the Silver's table. It's blatantly different from the other side of the room where everyone talks with everyone. Nobody talks on this side.

I wonder where Thomas is. Maybe he was sent to work early and he's already carrying ammo boxes around.

I finish my food quickly and step out, leaving the cold silence of the Silvers behind. The storage buildings aren't very far. I head to them thinking he may be there, and as I get closer, I notice a group of people moving boxes. I sharpen my sight to find him among the sea of black overalls.

"Thomas!" I call when I spot him. He meets my eyes for a moment but goes back to his job.

"Good morning," I say when I'm closer and bump his shoulder.

He doesn't answer. He doesn't look at me. I frown. "Thomas?"

"Good morning," he says and then bows, "Your Majesty."

My blood turns cold. It takes everything in me not to gasp. He finally looks at me, but his eyes don't seem as warm as they usually are.

"I was going to tell you," I say quickly.

"Really? When?" he crosses his arms. His demeanour is different, wary.

"I was going to," I insist. I think I'm just trying to convince myself too.

"Maybe it was all part of the joke to you, huh?" He turns back to the crates he was moving.

"No!" I turn him around. I need him to understand. "Thomas, it wasn't a joke. Everything was real. I wasn't playing with you, I do care for you! I just thought—"

"That you would have a laugh with the silly little Red boy, right?" He spits.

"No, Thomas—"

"I don't want to hear it, Maven." His voice sounds so cold. "Or should I address you as Your Highness?"

"Tommy..."

"Don't call me that," he seethes. "Don't you fucking dare call me that."

I'd never heard his voice sound like that. I didn't think he could even do it. I didn't think he could get so angry. "Thomas, I—"

"Please excuse me, Your Majesty, but I need to work," he pushes past me and I'm left standing alone in the mud.

When did it all go so wrong?

I turn around even though I know it's useless to go after him, and when I do I meet the gaze of the tall man that called Thomas in last night. He stares at me unwaveringly. I narrow my eyes. What did he tell him?

Only the truth.

The truth I was too scared to tell him myself. I could hate the guy. It would be easy with the way he looks at me like he's glad I lost. But that would be lying to myself. With as much dignity as I can muster, I walk away and leave them behind. Clearly, I'm unwanted here. I force myself not to look back at Thomas. It would only break me.  Seeing his back to me after everything I told him and confessed to him. After everything he made me feel.

Instinctively, I snap my bracelets and grow small flames that extinguish almost as fast. What did I do wrong? I thought we were fine. I thought maybe since he knew me, he wouldn't be so mad when he found out. I thought that after yesterday we could...

"Agh!" I pull at my hair and hide between two buildings. Why am I like this? Why couldn't I be normal? If I weren't who I am maybe we could... maybe I could've been honest and he wouldn't...

I want to burn. I want to destroy something. Instead, I bite into my arm and let out a silent scream.

♛

I'm not sure how long I spent in that alley. I feel empty and tired. Completely dried out. My feet walk through camp slowly, wasting time. I keep my eyes on the ground, afraid to meet anyone's eyes and see the familiar resentment or anger. Lerolan's words come back to me. A soldier with nothing to do isn't worth anything at all.

"Your Majesty!"

I flinch.

"Prince Maven." I turn to meet the face of a General. Judging by the colours on his clothes, he's from House Arven.

"General Arven," I greet, carefully placing on my mask.

"You did not attend our summoning. I was waiting for you."

The meeting at 8.

"I was feeling unwell this morning. I apologise," I lie quickly.

"It isn't the first time you feel unwell during our meetings, Your Majesty," he answers. "You ought to take your role here more seriously. Your parents wouldn't be pleased to hear about this."

I concentrate on keeping my mask in place. Do not fail, Mother's voice echoes.

"I think you have to be reminded that your title doesn't have any power in the Choke. Perhaps a penalty will serve you well."

"It won't happen again," I assure him.

He hums. General Arven turns briskly and walks away.

I try to keep the cracking pieces of my mask together as I run to hide in my tent.