Spots

Chapter 8

I couldn't help it a small smile escaped, then a giggle then I full out started cracking up. I was laughing so hard my sides hurt. Then I looked at Pierce. He looked shocked. His face just made me crack up even harder. Then Pierce grabbed my shoulder and I stopped laughing.

"You obviously think this is a joking matter." Pierce growled. I wiped my eyes. Oh crap. He wasn't kidding.

"Wait your serious?" He nodded. "You can't really expect me to marry some old cranky dude." Pierce growled and slapped me across the face. I cup my cheek, shocked.

"He will be your husband and king and you will treat him as such." He looked me in the eyes. "Insult our king again and you will recieve far worse penaltys. Do you understand?" I just stared at him. It's so weird to think that the Pierce that I met can turn into this. He storms out of the room without glancing back.
         Well this sucks. I mean I obviously wasn't actually going to marry anyone. If Pierce thought that, then he was even crazier then I thought. Well I can't escape now the doors probably guarded after my escape earlier. I sigh and lay back on the bed.

This day just keeps getting worse and worse.

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They had left me isolated for three days. THREE WHOLE DAYS! That's too long to go without talking to anyone. I was going mad. I had already counted all the tiles on the bathroom floor (950 in case you were wondering), memorized the patterns on the ceiling, and traced all the tiny cracks in the wall.

Finally I flop onto my bed. I would kill for someone to talk to. They sent maids in with my food but they would never actually respond to anything I said. One time I even tried jumping and waving my hand in a maids face. The poor girl ran out of the room and I went without lunch that day.

I start tracing the swirls on the bed when the door opens. I look up expecting it to be a maid with my food but instead Pierce and a group of ladies walk in. I jump up from the bed and walk towards them.

Pierce looks up at me. "Stop." He orders, and I do. "Turn around." I look at him doubtfully.

"No"

"Yes."

"No!"

"YES! Now do as I say!" I glare at him the turn around slowly as he looks me over."Okay." He says clapping his hands and turning to the ladies in the room. "You have obviously got you're work cut out for you. So get to work."

They walk towards me and I take a step back. "Calm down Mil'lady. " One says. "We just need to take your measurements." I nod and stop moving back.

They aproach me and measure me in places that I had no idea would need measuring and let me tell you, it was a bit awkward, especially when Pierce stayed in the room the entire time. I sent him scowl every time I was turned to face him and he smirked right back.

When the ladies are done Pierce dimmisses them and walks to me. "Now." He says walking in a small circle around me. "What am I to do with you?"

I fake thinking then raise my hand and wave it around like an excited six year old who knows the answer to a question. "Oh I know! You could let me go home!"

Pierce scoffs then walks around me once more. "Okay." He says in a no nonsense tone. "You need to work on your grammar, posture, poise, grace, and definately your manners." I gasp in protest. "I will send inscructers up imediately and you will begin today." He quickly walks out of the room leaving a me gaping at the door.

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My classes started the next day. I have four instucters. One (Mrs. Botop) teachs me the finer points of poise and posture. Another instructer is named Mr. Wallywag. I laughed so hard I was snorting when he introduced himself then relized he wasn't kidding. He teaches me my manners. Sigh. My third instructer was named Mr. Frank and he's teaching me how to act in public (apparently burping in front of all the royal family at dinner is bad). Right now I'm sitting on my bed waiting for my fourth teacher. My history instructer.

I'm lying on my bed studying the cracks on the ceiling when the teacher walks in. I glance at him then sit up. He is tall with auburn hair and green eyes and surprisingly he didn't look much older then me.

"Hi." He says. "I'm Brady."

"Hi." He sticks out his hand and I shake it hesitantly. He's different from all the other teachers. They were all crabby, redfaced old people.

"Okay." He says. "Let's get started." He launchs into the history of all the shifters and I listen closely.

When he's done I ask him the question that has been nagging at me for days. "So whats the deal with me being 'the princess'." I say the last two words mockingly.

"Well. 15 years ago the royal family who rule over all four elements were prosecuted then killed violently. Everyone had thought that there were no survivors. Until the land shifters found you. Then tried to keep it a secret and placed guards on you." My mind snapped to Sadie. "But we found you and now your here."

"Okay. But what I don't get is why does everyone want me?"

He looks me coldly in the eyes. "Because you are more powerful then all of us combined."