The Rebel (#Wattys2016)

10. Anybody Knows How to Use a Knife?

"Now, don't look so surprised, Skander. Of course I would find out. Didn't you think somebody would notice you two leaving?"

Skander stood taller and stepped closer to Adeen. The King turned his attention to her.

"And you, Lady Adeen, should enjoy tonight. I have already arranged for a car to come here and take you back to your rotten home, as you don't seem to be able to be away for long."

"It was my idea." Skander looked ready to fight, but his voice shook.

"I do not care whose idea it was, Skander. What matters is that she is poisoning your mind. Can't you see it? Lady Adeen is showing you the bad Illea. She is not showing you the real Illea."

"No." Skander turned to look at Adeen. Now that the room was properly lit, Adeen could appreciate how different he looked with blonde hair. "She is showing me what you don't dare show me because you know I would change it. I am not you, Father. I will not sit down on a golden throne and laugh and sleep properly while the rest of the country goes to hell."

The King looked at Skander, then at Adeen. "Good night, Lady Adeen. Please, enjoy your last night here."

And then he walked out the room. After he had gently closed Adeen's door, Skander turned to her.

"I will change his mind. You will stay, I promise."

He turned to leave, but Adeen took his hand. Skander turned around and hugged her tightly.

"Skander, let me go." Adeen knew he would refuse, but it sill felt like she needed to say those words. "You already saw Illea, you don't need me anymore."

He let go and took her hands. "No, I do need you."

"Why? You are the Prince. Now you know what Illea is really like, and now you can change it."

For a moment, a glint of amusement crossed Skander's eyes, reminding Adeen of the jerk he had seen in TV.

"Adeen, I was serious when I said I wanted you to be my Queen."

He pressed a kiss on Adeen's hot forehead, gave her a sad smile, and hurried to the door.

Adeen collapsed on her bed, enjoying the freedom of her old and torn clothes, and breathed in and out. She stared at her ceiling.

Adeen didn't sleep that night, or at least she didn't think she did. A couple of times she woke up, but she was sure she had just slept for minutes, because when she did, it was still night.

After countless dreams, Adeen finally awoke to daylight. She lied on her bed for a while, looking out her window at the impossibly blue sky. When she was tired of wondering, she took a shower. When Adeen came out, Maggie and her maids were already getting her dress ready. She wordlessly let them put it on, and then went outside.

Adeen was greeted by Regina, who could have been Medusa for her stare alone.

"How was your date?"

Adeen eyed her before continuing down the hallway. At the end of it, June and a couple of girls were talking.

"It was good."

"Good. I am glad you enjoyed it, you know, since you are going to be the first one of us to leave."

"What makes you so sure of that?"

Regina smiled at Adeen, who had stopped. "Prince Skander just sent a letter to my room. He and I will meet today. I wonder how alone we will be in the woods."

Adeen's nails dug into her palms and her head ached from clenching her jaw.

"Alone enough so that he realizes how shallow you are, I suppose." Adeen continued walking, leaving Regina behind. She looked back at her slightly red face. "But of course, even if he doesn't find out today, he will see you for what you are eventually. After all, a rotten fruit can pretend to be edible for so long. Good luck, Lady Regina."