Elowyn's room was the size of her and Nayeli's hut back on Suditi. Elowyn could hardly believe the loveliness of it all. The room was decorated with silvers and blues, full of so many fine things she had to keep from jumping with excitement.

Instead, she curled up on the bed. It was softer than her cot on the ship. It was softer than any other bed she had slept on. But despite its softness, she still felt uncomfortable. The dress was tangled around her legs and constricting her stomach. Without a second thought, she tore the dress off and flung it to the floor.

Elowyn hadn't done anything physically strenuous, but she now felt exhausted. All the panic and fear that had built up on the ship seemed to crush her now. But she no longer felt worried, merely tired.

She slid into a sleep filled with dreams of Suditi and awoke longing for it. But not really the island itself, the people. Nayeli. Her mother. Nayeli would always be her mother.

Suddenly, the door opened. Erik entered. With a look of utter condescension, he asked, "Why are you in your underwear?"

“Why are you in my room?”

Erik's eyes squinted. He didn’t respond.

"It was uncomfortable."

"Hmm, right. Well, put another one on. You're expected for dinner." He turned and began to leave.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Erik paused and turned back.

"Why didn't you tell me you were the prince? Or Chord or the captain... nobody said anything."

"That," he sighed, "is because I asked them not to."

"But why..."

"What I ask my subjects to do is none of your affair." He interrupted. He walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Dinner was a spectacle. Some handmaidens had given Elowyn an even finer dress to wear that was just as uncomfortable. It seemed that everyone at dinner was wearing finery, even Chord, and Dymtro, whom Elowyn had never seen dressed well. She loved the extravagance of it all but hated how different it made her feel.

When she had first entered the dining hall she had been introduced to Leopold and Hedley, Erik’s older brothers. Leopold was 17 and the crown prince of Thana. Hedley was 15 and learning to become a knight.

Elowyn did not speak while eating, but the others conversed freely. She sat across from Lady Estel and tried to mimic the lady's way of daintily eating with the cutlery. Estel soon realized this and would over-emphasize her movements so Elowyn could more easily follow them. She would give a slight nod and smile when Elowyn mimicked them correctly.

"Elowyn."

Elowyn jumped and nearly dropped her spoon in her soup. She looked at the queen who had spoken.

"It is my understanding that in Suditi, parents would arrange marriages for their children."

Elowyn frowned but nodded.

"I see," the queen continued, "And did your... surrogate parents do that for you?"

"I... I didn't have..."

"Speak up!" The king commanded.

"No your grace! I only had a mother. And she believed marriage was better when you were older. Many girls in our village did not marry until they were nearly twenty."

"Is that so..." the queen looked distracted.

There was silence at the table for a moment.

"So I understand that your... mother is the only attachment that you had back in Suditi."

Elowyn nodded again.

"The boys there didn't like me. And I didn't like them."

"Oh," the queen raised an eyebrow, "And why not?"

"They thought I was pale."

Erik snickered. His mother frowned at him.

"Stop hounding the child and just tell her." The king huffed.

The queen gave him a disagreeable look then continued.

"My dear, here in Thana, many children become betrothed at a young age, but they do not marry until they are older. You understand?"

Elowyn nodded.

"The child isn't a fool, just tell her!" the king commanded.

The queen sighed at him.

"Elowyn, you're grandmother has spoken with his majesty, and I and we have decided that it would be very... beneficial for us all if you and Erik were to marry."

This time Elowyn did drop her spoon. She stared horrified at the queen.

"You are saying that..." Elowyn couldn't bring herself to finish.

"You and Erik are now betrothed. And when you have grown to a more proper age, you two will be married."

Elowyn jumped up and ran from the dining hall. She felt blind with anger and fear. As she ran, she could hear the king say,

"Someone has got to teach that girl some propriety."