Holy, I thought, what do I do? I checked Lana’s pulse and breathing and she just seemed to have fainted from exhaustion. I then brought Andy out of the closet and into the gathering room so I had more space. Using my basic knowledge of first aid, I got some bandages from the closet and a canteen that I had on me. I had to meticulously cut off his shirt so I didn’t move the arrow in any way. I removed the arrow and saw that it had hit bone and stopped. I knew of no advanced treatment if the bone were to be slightly damaged, so I just decided to hope it didn’t crack the bone. The bleeding started immediately and I prepared the bandages. After a few seconds of it bleeding I sat him up against a wall and rinsed the wound with the water I had. Then, with nothing to pack it with, I just held pressure on it and tied the bandages tight.

Now what, I thought, how am I supposed to get these two out of here? I knew I needed to get them to the inn that we still actually have a room in for another week and a half. I couldn’t carry both of them with me. I’ll lay Andy down on a cot in the room then come back for Lana. It will only be a few minutes, I thought. I hoisted Andy up and rushed off to the inn. It was still dark out, but I could tell dawn was coming. I quickly put Andy down on the cot and put a cup of water on the dresser.

The sun was rising when I arrived back at the stairwell, and I sprinted down the stairs. When I got into the gathering room, there were three people hovering over Lana’s body. Desmond was nowhere to be found, so I wanted to spare them. I took out my bow and knocked an arrow. “Step away!” I yelled as I drew back. They did so and I told them to tie their arms up as well. They did it ever so slowly that I started to get nervous. Once they had said they were good, I checked the knots to see if they were tight. They, thankfully, were and I put my bow on my back and lifted Lana up. I ran as fast as I could. I wanted to get out of that place.

“What-” Lana was starting to come to.

“Everything's alright, we’re on our way to the inn,” I coaxed her. I ran up the steps as fast as I could. I burst through the door at the top to find Desmond and a couple cronies on their way in.

“What do we have here?” he said, “It looks like somebody was snooping around last night. And it also appears that I have the advantage here. Care to take a walk with me to the dungeons?”

“Actually,” I said while I quickly laid Lana down in front of me and knocked and drew an arrow, “I have the advantage.” Lana was mumbling something, but I wasn’t really paying attention.

“Quite feisty, aren’t we?”

“I don’t need your crap. Get out of my way,” I said, sounding the darkest I’ve ever heard myself be.

“Hmm… I think not-”

“I think so.” I shot an arrow straight into Desmond’s chest and aimed another at the rest. “You can die here, or you can live. Choose wisely.” They put their hands up and parted ways. I picked Lana up and ran off.

                                   -------------------------------

“There will be a banquet in three days.”

“Yes, father, I heard about it from one of my maids.” It happens every couple of months, so why does he need to remind me? I’ve been to about 50 or 60 of them, I think, I thought.

“This one is very important. Your future King will be there. You must present yourself well. I have arranged everything, from your dress to your dance card,” he said formally.

“I see. Is that all?”

“Yes, you may go.”

I briskly walked out the door into my cluster of maids. It was a little annoying, even after getting used to it. I sighed and started to go to my room. I wonder what Luke is doing right now. I wonder if he’s okay. I didn’t know what was happening to him. I bet he’s working hard. And I’m sitting here just going about my daily life. I feel so useless. I couldn’t do anything from where I was. I had no power as princess and was constantly being watched. All I wanted to do was go home. I reached my quarters and decided to do nothing for the rest of the day. Maybe I’ll just sleep until the banquet. Maybe I can sleep through the banquet. I flopped on my bed and closed my eyes.

Then, I felt somebody shake my shoulder. I slowly opened my eyes. It was really dark. It must be night. I looked over to see Luke sitting on my bed. “What are you doing here? How did you get here?” I exclaimed as I sat up.

“Shh,” he said quietly, “I came in through the window.” The window was open, and a hook and rope was draped over the windowsill.

“So how are things going here?” he asked.

“Okay I guess. There’s going to be a banquet… what time is it?”

“After midnight.”

“Then two days from now. The guy I’m supposed to marry is going to attend and I’m supposed to ‘make a good impression.’ Aside from that, it’s just been the daily life of princessing.”

“Boring?”

“Yeah.” He snickered.

“What?”

“Well, you know, people would kill to be in your position.”

“I guess so. Sorry.” Oh no, I sound prissy, don’t I?

“Nah, I get what you mean. I would be as well.”

“So, what interesting things have you been up to?”

“Let’s see… I found Andy and Lana, the two at the cottage, then we went to get some supplies from the hideout of a terrorist organization, got in a firefight, Andy got shot, he’s fine though, then I let him heal for a bit, then I came here and swung into your room.”

“Umm… Let’s see… detail?” I exaggerated the last part.

“Alright, alright.” He told me the whole story.

“Wow, are you okay?” I asked. I can’t believe he had to kill so many people. It must be hard for him.

“Yeah, I think so. I just need to think over some things.”

“If you ever need me, I’ll be here for you.” I hugged him.

“Thanks,” he said, and he hugged me back.

                                    -------------------------------

I woke up with an upset stomach. Today is the day, I thought, today is the day of the banquet. I didn’t know what to do. I got up and was changed by the maids. That’s another thing I felt uncomfortable with. I opened my door to the sweet aroma of the chefs at work, but that wasn’t going to sway me towards the banquet. I really didn’t want to meet that guy. No, you have to meet him. You need to gather information on him. Do it for Luke. Speaking of, I hadn’t seen him since that day he climbed through the window. I'm worried about him. Yet again.

Deep in thought, I was shocked when somebody yelled, “Libby!”

“Wha- oh… it’s you.” He startled me for a second. That was Bucky. Just Bucky. He was one of my personal maid's sons. He was my only playmate when I was a kid, but then we didn’t see each other as much since he started working. He had matured a lot since back when we were kids. His blonde hair was cut short, and his facial features were more defined now. He had brown eyes, with a small button nose.

“How’s everything? It’s been a while.” He beamed at me.

“Things are okay, I guess.”

“I hear you’re getting married.” His beam went away a little.

“Well,” I looked around to see my maids had disappeared, “I’ve never even met him! I can’t say I’m optimistic.”

“Mhm. Well, if there’s anything I can help with, I’ll be at the banquet tending to the partygoers. See you there.” He walked away somewhat gloomily, but he was trying to hide it, so I paid no notice.

“See you!”

I walked to the ballroom to see how the preparations were going, but by the time I got there, I had to go back to my room to change into my dress. So, I walked back to my room, was dressed, and was escorted to the ballroom.

I despised the dress I was wearing for so many reasons. For one, it was white, like a wedding gown, which I knew was purposeful. Second, it didn’t have a back, which I’d never worn before and never wanted to wear before.

But, it was only for an hour or two. I could manage. I walked in, and felt all eyes go to me. It made me uneasy. The lighting in the ballroom was dim, and somehow with a blue tint. The floor was packed with royalty from all over the world. It made me nervous.

“Attention!” somebody announced from the stage where the musicians were, “please refer to your dance card for your next partners!”

I sighed and walked out to the dance floor. I just took out my dance card when I heard, “I believe I have the first dance.” I looked up to see Luke in a tuxedo extending his hand. “I am Sir Isaac Newton of Riverdale.” I couldn’t help but laugh.