It was morning now. Penelope had woken me up, first thing asking how I was. I told her I was fine but, of course she was still relentless in her worried questioning. 

"If you need anything, please tell me Princess! Does it still hurt?" 

My goodness! She's still talking. She had already set my breakfast tray on the center table. "I came here with breakfast every morning for two days! I thought you would never wake up.."  

I must have really looked as if I was dead then...

I was ever grateful for the knock on the door, because now she fell silent. Penelope opened the door to allow Eloise enter. He held a paper in one of hands and wore a solemn look on his face. 

What is wrong with him?  "Good morning Your Highness." he bowed. 

I slipped the paper from his hands and read the contents. It's my schedule for the day. Language lessons, ethics class, banquet organization..? This is totally different from anything I had in Dewsdale. 

"Ahem!" 

That scared me! Is he asking for permission to say something? I set the paper down on the table and sat down to start eating. 

"Do you want to say something Eloise?" 

"Yes, w-well I had heard about the horrible incident that occurred two nights ago, and...I must say that I really am sorry about it all. I am very happy to see you awake again Your Highness." 

Ah... I could feel the sincerity in his words. It wasn't ingenue or false. Gratefulness was what I felt now.

"Thank you very much Eloise. I really do appreciate your concern. I am alright now, but really, thank you..."  I hoped that he could perceive my sincerity as well. Unexpectedly, he gave a small smile before bowing and leaving the room. 

Shortly after he left someone else barged in swiftly. Damond!  It's been a while since i've seen him. But, why does he look like that?  His hair was scattered and unruly, covering his eyes. I couldn't take a good look at him. 

Stuffing the last bread in my mouth, I stood immediately to inspect him further. Damon stopped midway went on one knee in front of me. "Princess." he finally spoke. His voice was deep and groggy with a certain roughness to it. "What is it? Are you alright, you sound horrible!" 

He shook his head. "No, I should be the one apologizing to you... that man he...we couldn't capture him. He got away." he sighed. Is that what he's so worked up about?!  I came closer and put my finger under his chin to raise his face. Dark rings circled his eyes and it seemed that his skin had lost its natural color and shine. He looks terrible! 

"Damond are you alright?! You don't look well at all." I said worriedly. He took my hand and put it on his cheek to caress his face. A sigh escaped his lips as he stood. That did something odd to my heart. He never touches me like that...perhaps he missed me? 

"I don't think you understand the seriousness of this situation Rina... somebody was out for your life. You aren't safe here!"

"I know that." I sighed. "Andres is doing everything in his power to investigate the situation."

His eyebrows pulled together in an uncomfortable manner. "Do you trust that man already? He seems...odd. Like he's hiding something." 

I can't argue with that. As vulnerable as he was last night there's still something off with him. That picture... or am I just too curious? 

"No I don't. I don't trust him. Not yet. But that's not what's important right now. You haven't slept, have you?

He shook his head slightly. "Alright, then go to bed now. And!" Of course, I wouldn't give him a chance to argue. "Don't get up until you feel alright. Ok?" In reluctance, he agreed. "Yes Princess." 

Damond got up and bowed before drowsily walking towards the door and shutting it. Really, I should be grateful for all the people that are worried. It seems they are more concerned about me than I am for myself. 

But there was something else more important to be taken care of first. My parents.  I hadn't written to them in so long. News shouldn't spread to Dewsdale too fast. I should be the first to inform them of the incident. 

I grabbed a paper along with a brush and ink and sat down at my vanity to start writing. How do I even go about this...? I can't just say I almost died...

After some thought my hands began to move across the paper on it's own. I knew what to say now. 

A while later I set my brush down and read over my letter one last time. Hopefully the way I wrote it made it seem like less of a big deal --I didn't want them to worry. I was folding the letter carefully now, hoping to give it to Penelope so she could get it stamped and delivered. But of course, when I looked back she was gone, my breakfast plate too. I'll just keep it in my drawer for now. 

Meanwhile, I'd better get to my first lesson. It was hard looking for the right room with just the schedule Eloise gave me. I came to a stop in front of a door that had the word "Ms. Maupin" written on them. This better be it. I've been walking for far too long. I gave the door a light knock and waited for a response. 

"Please come in." a voice said from behind the door. The door creaked as I opened it and poked my head through.  There was a short slim woman with a grey dress with white buttons dotting down to her chest. She had excessively slicked back grey hair tied up to a tight bun. Her eyes were a scary striking blue. Eyes that were suddenly staring straight into mine. 

"..Ms. Maupin?" I asked slipping into the room, putting the paper behind my back. "Yes. I am Ms. Maupin and you are very late!" The woman scrunched her face in what seemed to be anger. I could see that the bun was pulling at the corner of her eyes too hard. It smoothed out her wrinkles though. 

"I'm sorry. I-it took a while for me to get here so I-"

"Don't think for a second that I will forgive your tardiness just because you are engaged to the Prince!" 

Of course she would be thinking like that. Exactly what privileges have I gained from being engaged to him so far? A near death situation? 

"I've only just met you and already, your manners are utterly deplorable. You could not even courtesy when you came in...sit down." 

Rattled by her rapid scolding, I walked forward with my head down and sat on a brown chair facing an oval table.

"Good. Now we will start with table etiquettes." She said, and she placed multiple cutlery across the table. Ugh. This will take a while.