The Key to X | Editing - but on hold

Artemis

I woke up the next morning with a start. I leaped out of bed, my thoughts all in worry about Fallon. I changed and made sure that I was presentable before quickly leaving my room. I had recalled that Luis and Marco said about Ashton and Fallon and where they would be staying. They were to stay on the 11th floor, which was only accessible to the royals. I thought back to my childhood days with Fallon; he would always get up early and wake me up; I hoped that was the same as of now. I rushed towards the stairs and headed up to the 11th floor. There were four very large and bulky men, standing by the four doors, both marked with locations of the kingdoms. I walked up to a man in front of "East Prince" and spoke softly.

"I am here to see Fallon." The man looked down at me and laughed.

"The royals are seeing no one. Especially Prince Fallon. Remember his place in society and yours." The man laughed at me, crossing his arms. I furrowed my eyebrows and spoke again.

"Tell him its Anastasia." I winced at my full real name. The man sighed, entering Fallon's suite and exchanged a couple words. He opened the door and let me in with a defeated look on his face. I crossed my arms angrily, turning to a sheepish looking Fallon.

"Hey, Ana, sorry about that." I sighed, rushing over to him and hugged him tight, burying my head in his shoulder.

"Are you okay, Fal? Do you know who did it?" Fallon stroked my hair squeezing my shoulders before letting go.

"I'm fine, little Anne, I-er, met X last night." My eyes widened and cheeks paled. "He didn't hurt me, but we had a small talk about what happened." I watched Fal swallow nervously. "The poison in the dish was supposed to go to me, but X swapped it for my food taster. H-he saved my life." I let out a sigh of relief, still a bit worried about my best friend. Fal lead me out to his balcony, where he could see everything within the school grounds.

I tugged Fal in, shutting the balcony doors and curtains. "Who did X say it was?" Fal swallowed slowly before answer my question.

"Ashton." He sighed, sipping a glass of water. "X said that Ashton did it. I believe him, but I just don't know how or why Ashton is doing it. We all well know that without a ruler in each kingdom, the kingdom will be in chaos. I nodded, turning away from him.

"We just need evidence, Fal," I said softly, pulling out a silver blade from my pocket. "I'd like you to have it, just for you to protect yourself when needed. I'm not sure that you know how to use it, though. It was one of the gifts my mother had left for me after her death." I placed the dagger in his palm, tracing a pattern on his hand. His jaw slacked a bit, his eyes sad from my gift to him. "I hope it'll help you. You're leaving by noon, aren't you?" He nodded, reaching into his drawer and pulled out a small intricate box.

"Ana," he swallowed nervously, before opening his mouth to continue. "Did you know about your betrothal at birth?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, shaking my head no. He took that as a sign to continue. "Before we were born, our mothers, Annabelle and Queen Madeline, signed a contract that their children would be betrothed. I grew up knowing that one day, I'd have to fulfill that betrothal to Annabelle's daughter. I met you the first day at our boarding school, not knowing of your heritage, yet you knowing mine. I fell, and stumbled, tripping head over heels into you, quite literally." A small smile appeared on my face, thinking back to my first encounter with the clumsy boy. "I didn't just fall that way, I did fall, stumble, and trip head over heels... for you." He took a shaky breath before kneeling down on one knee. "Anastasia Madeline Valentina Lexington, would you make me the happiest man on Earth, not only to complete our betrothal but marry me as well?" He opened the box, revealing a beautiful ring.

With my cheeks flushed and my eyes widened with surprise and delight, I nodded, a grin making its way onto my face. "Yes! Of course, I will!" Fal took the ring and put it on my left ring finger, picking me up and hugged me tight. I turned my gaze to the ring, studying it slowly.

It was blue and silver, the color that Fallon and I both shared, our blue and silver masks. It was platinum plated sterling silver and had an octagon cut. I smiled fondly at my best friend and now, fiancé. Only his departure would sadden me, but I knew that we would be together in the end.

"What do I do with the ring when you're gone?" I sighed, brushing my index finger along the ring. Fallon handed me the box, a blue and silver box, and sighed.

"Possibly keep it hidden amongst your possessions? I'll be back before the end of the term, the final one for our age, I believe." I nodded, hugging him one last time before turning away. Fal's hand reached my shoulder, before spinning me around. "Stay safe, alright?" I smiled faintly at him, allowing him to press his lips on the top of my forehead.

"You too Fal." He gave me a small smile, before turning away like I. I stepped out of his room, quick to hide my engagement ring before departing the royal floor.

----------

Aw, Fallon and Artemis are engaged! Childhood friends, nonetheless. However, they were betrothed from birth. Just an FYI to all out there, the Lexington family was a high noble family and was a good social status for the royals to marry into. There will be flashbacks soon, a bit about Artemis's past and her involvement with Fallon. However, X is still out there. Let's see what's coming up next.

-Charlie