X. July 1st, 1989

Gwen ran to me, "Mira!"She eloped me in a hug, "Oh God, you're okay!"

I look up to see the Celeste's estate. When I turned around, the car that dropped me off was long gone. "What happened?" I asked.

"What happened?" she asked in a shaky voice. "You left the ball without a single word! That's what happened! I-" Gwen's eyes teared up, "I was so worried." She hugged me firmly.

While I pat Gwen's back I attempt to recall what happened during the night of the ball. I remember how I ate, drank and, surprisingly danced. I danced like it was the end of the world and I was crazy good at it.

Then, I think I met this guy.

We dance and dance and then-

I gasped.

"What is it?" Gwen asked.

I remember how we kissed in the hallway, and one thing led to another, I was in his bedroom. We had breakfast together, and he sent me off.

I rack my head around the one-night stand, but I can't remember his face.

But, for some reason, I'm okay with not remembering.

"I think I need to sit down." Gwen helped me sit down at the stairs, "I'm pretty sure I drank too much and slept with someone."

Gwen exhaled, "Mira," she said. "Again?"

I nodded, "Again."

There's a part of me that keeps repeating how everything is okay despite it not being okay. Why do I feel like it's okay when I lose parts of my memories?

"Where's Asena?" I looked around. You would think she'd be worried about a friend who's been gone all night.

Gwen exhaled, "We'll talk about her on the way to the hospital."

"The hospital? I don't need the hospital."

"Mira-" She stood up, "You blacked out again!"

I copied her action, "I didn't black out. I remember...some things...this time."

"I called your brother," she said. "He's really worried, and told me he'll book a flight here but-"

"Oh, no." I ran into the mansion and found the nearest phone. When I spotted one, I dialed my house number and prayed they pick up. "Mom?"

"Mira is on the phone!"

"Are you okay?" Mom asked.

"I'm fine." I looked at Gwen, "I partied too hard at the ball and ended up in a hotel room."

"Mira-" Dad does not sound happy.

"I...I'm fine," I said. "I...the thought of starting medical school soon got me anxious and- I'm okay Dad."

After ten minutes of trying to calm my family down, they finally let me go with a warning. They said, if I disappear one more time, my ass is flying back. They didn't say it like that, but it was implied.

"I'm so sorry. I was worried so I called them," Gwen said.

"It's okay," I responded. Now, it was time to soothe Gwen, and finally, when everyone was no longer worried about me, I went back to my bedroom.

It's not like I don't want to tell them the truth, but the last time I told everyone about the gaps in my memories, the doctor prescribed me intensive medications and I had to see a psychiatrist for months.

It wasn't fun.

After I showered, I went to Gwen's room. She was pacing.

I sat on the bed, "What's bothering you?"

She stopped and turned to me, "When you disappeared from the ball," she said slowly, "You kind of missed something."

I dried my hair with the towel, "What?"

"You kind of missed how Asena is the King's soulmate."

Gwen explained to me everything I missed when I left the ball. During the King and Queen's arrival, the King made eye contact with Asena and then chased her out of the ball.

There's more to the story, but that's the overall summary.

I am a firm believer in love, especially true love. But, knowing who your soulmate is by looking at them?

Meh.

And trying to get it on with your soulmate while you're married?

Double meh.

We stared at each other for a ridiculously long time, before a laugh erupted from my mouth. "That's funny." When she didn't laugh alongside me, I stopped. "You're serious?"

She nodded.

"Then, Asena-"

"She got summoned to the castle."

You get freaky for one night and you miss the main plot of the story.

"Oh...shit."

What else can I say?

When evening arrived, Emmett came back without Asena. Let me tell you, he did not come back happy.

"What do we do?" Dawn asked me.

What do we do? Is she asking me that? I mean, we can call the cops but they can't do anything to do the king. We can break into the highly secured castle but the best outcome is, that they escort us out of the castle instead of imprisoning us. We can call Asena's stepmother, but she probably laughs and then demands the king to give her a gift in return for her daughter.

"Um- we can go beg the king for Asena?"

"We can't do that. We need an invite into the castle first."

Does Dawn not know I wasn't serious? Of course, I know it isn't easy to meet the king. Realistically, Asena is long gone.

Nonetheless, friendship triumphs all and I have to go along with Dawn's crazy ideas.

Dawn told me that Lilith invited us to her tea party during the ball. The other ladies mentioned how the Queen will also be there. So now, all we have to do is wait for the tea party and then beg the Queen for Asena back.

There seem to be a few gaps in the plan, but so far, it looks like the best one we can come up with.

The days passed, and I counted down the time I had to return to my hometown to spend a bit of extra time with my family and then, off to school.

On the morning of the tea party, I woke up feeling fatigued but I shook it off. Can't complain when my friend is imprisoned in a castle against her will.

So, I sucked it up and went to the tea party with Dawn.

"You okay?" Dawn asked me inside the car.

"Yeah. Why?"

"You look tired."

"I'm fine. Just phasing-" through life.

When we got to the Kearne's estate, I nodded in approval of the beautiful castle. Someone came and escorted us to the tea party.

I would definitely enjoy the beautiful scenery of flowers and fancy teapots if I wasn't so tired.

"Dawn. Mira. You made it." Lilith held Dawn's hands.

I missed alot when I ran out of the ball.

"Good morning, Lady Lilith."

I smiled, "Hello-" Dawn elbowed me, "Lady Lilith."

"Thank you for accepting my invitation. Come. Allow me to introduce you." Lilith introduced us to all the high-class ladies.

When they knew we were Asena's friends, the interrogation started - How long had we known? Do we know what will happen next? What will we do? When is the engagement?

Quietly, I sipped the tea while Dawn attempted to answer everyone's questions. I opened my mouth a few times, but she cut me off so I couldn't say a single word.

But, maybe it's better that way.

While Dawn responded to all the ladies, I noticed how Lilith was staring at me.

It's very uncomfortable.

Especially when she hasn't said a single word since the initial greeting.

Everyone stopped talking, and I turned my head towards the direction they did. When they stood up, I followed, and when they curtsey and greeted the freaking Queen, I did.

Don't stand out.

Blend in.

The Queen's name is Meredith Jelani Kearne.

Queen Meredith greeted everyone one by one and when she was no further than a few feet away, I gawked at her beauty. The TV did not do her justice!

The woman is beautiful!

When she got closer, she asked: "And whom might you two be?"

Dawn courtesy then introduced herself. She elbowed me.

I courtesy, "Greeting your majesty. I'm Mira Liu."

Queen Meredith smiled - oh, my eyeballs.

I know Asena is the King's soulmate, but the Queen's beauty makes me want to root for her.

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mira."

"Wow, you're so beautiful."

Everyone went quiet.

Did I say that out loud?

Queen Meredith laughs, "You humor me."

I humored the Queen.

When she left, I turned to Dawn with an open mouth, "I made her laugh."

"What are you doing?" Dawn whispered. "Eyes on the prize!"

Oh, right, we're supposed to beg for help.

Back to tea and scones, everyone returns to the conversation except it's much more cautious.

I guess no one wants their heads to roll.

Do they still do public death sentences around here?

When tea time was over, it was time to stroll around the garden. I flicked on a flower. Rich high-class people sure have it nice.

Tea or coffee and scones then a stroll around a beautiful garden.

Now, if only we can get Queen Meredith to be alone.

Ah, shit.

Cannot come up with a plan and need to use the toilet. Probably all the coffee and scones I ate earlier.

After I finished using the toilet, I walked down the hallway with confidence. Because if you pretend to be the main character, you will become the main character and if luck is on my side, I'll run into Queen Meredith.

Nope.

Did not run into her privately.

Instead, I ran into Dawn asking Queen Meredith to help her with Asena in front of everyone.

I'm pretty sure Dawn threw out all plans in catching Queen Meredith alone because she realizes why the fuck would a Queen be alone at a tea party?

Or ever?

"Please-" Dawn says, "Asena doesn't know anything."

Queen Meredith stares at her alongside everyone else. The atmosphere feels heavy. I shouldn't have left to go poop.

"So, let's say I somehow convince the King to let her go," Queen Meredith says calmly, "What do you think would happen next?"

We all part ways and pretend nothing happened.

"I'm not sure, but we can figure it out. It's just-"

"Lady Asena is the King's soulmate-"

Damn, she sounds mad.

"She belongs to him."

Dawn frowned, "She's not a piece of property."

"Are you, perhaps, defying the crown's order?"

Oh, no.

Lilith stepped forward, "Queen Meredith-"

She places a palm in the air to stop Lilith.

If I wasn't so afraid for Dawn right now, I'd admire her elegant command.

"I'm saying, no one should be treated as a piece of property."

I ran towards Dawn before she could say anything else that could offend the Queen. I grabbed her dress and shook my head, "Dawn-"

Queen Meredith glances at Lilith, "I accepted my niece's invitation because she promised me a pleasant morning."

"Aunty," Lilith says, "I'm sorry."

Wait, aunt?

Lilith is...roya- oh, they have the same last name.

"It's not your fault." She turned towards Lilith, "You've always had such a weak heart."

Why does it sound kind of...mean?

Lilith lowered her head, "My apologies."

Dawn grabbed Lilith's arm, "Why are you apologizing? It's not your fault." She looked at Queen Meredith, "I-I- didn't think-"

"At least you admit your faults."

Dawn's frown deepens.

"Dawn, stop it," I whispered. Stepping on the Queen's toe is definitely not the way to rescue a friend.

"Your friend is insightful," Queen Meredith says, "For understanding her worth."

Did she just indirectly call me a peasant?

Oh, you bitch.