"Zuri, you have got to wake up."

Milo was leaning over me with a plate of waffles in his left hand and a glass of juice in his right.

"Zuri, you were screaming so loud that the townspeople could hear you. Are you... okay?"

Sunlight was shining through the glass window that overlooked the town below us. The buildings gleamed with the morning sun, their shingled roofs sparkling. I closed the curtains and turned back to Milo.

"I'm okay, it's just another bad dream."

"Well, I brought you some waffles. I'll leave them on top of your cabinet on my way out."

Milo quietly backed out of the room and into the hallway, leaving me with just my thoughts. Milo and I, we just clicked. We were both introverts who prefer holing up in our castle and reading to going out and facing the world. Together, we could take care of the castle and the town without much extra work, despite me being frequently absent for work trips. He was my best friend and always knew how to cheer me up. He never asked questions unless he deemed it necessary, but whenever I asked he would always describe every detail of his newest project. I swear, he loves his work more than he loves his own mom. His turquoise eyes gleam whenever I ask him a question about it, excited that he gets to share what he loves with another. 

I had just gotten out of the shower when I heard Milo shouting from downstairs. I pulled on some clothes and headed downstairs, only to find Milo face to face with my father's messenger. Once the messenger noticed me, he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it over. 

His Majesty Fourth Emperor of the Twelve formally invites you to the Harvest ball as his guest and ambassador. The ball will be held in the Sixth Emperor at their Rosseau Pavillion. All guests invited are required to attend both the ball and the court sessions following it. To refuse this invitation would be considered an act of treason against the Twelve. 

"Give me a second to pack my bags," I told the messenger, "I'll be out soon. You can wait in the foyer."

I grabbed Milo and dragged him upstairs with me, unsure if this would be the last time I saw him. I looked over at him and sighed.

"Milo, you were the best castlemate I could ever ask for. I don't know what I would do without you."

Milo looked at me quizzically.

"What do you mean? It's not like you're leaving me forever. You're just going to your father's stupid ball."

"This is just the start. If he is calling me back to go to one of the Twelve court sessions, it means he has either arranged a marriage for me, is planning to sell me off, or needs my help against the challengers. Either way, there is a good chance I will not survive unless I am getting married. Milo, you are the kindest person I have ever met. Don't ever change."

I pulled him into a hug before he could say anything else. I could feel the tears streaming down his face as they hit my neck one after another, making me shiver. Inside, my mind was panicking, but at least I knew Milo would be safe. I just couldn’t let him die, not now, not ever. It was hard to remain calm in a moment like this, but I had to keep it together for the both of us. I never broke down, and today would be no different. 

"Okay. I can't say I agree with your decision to go, but I'll help you pack,” Milo said. “What will you need?"

Why was he always so helpful? Milo didn’t need me like I needed him. He was the best person to ever fall into my life. I couldn’t live without my rock, my reason for staying alive. He kept me out of my mind and gave me more than I could ever have the courage to ask for. He held my soul, and I was his protector.

"I'll need at least three autumn-themed ball gowns and at least three fourth-empire-themed party dresses. Go to the red tag that says B4 and the green tag that says P1 for those. I'll be right back with everything else."

As much as I wanted to pick my own clothes, I needed Milo to help me for time's sake. With our combined efforts, it took us almost no time to get me packed up and soon it was time to say goodbye. We headed downstairs and I hugged him one last time, hoping I could hold on to him forever, but all good things must come to a close. In the end, he pushed me away gently and looked up at my face.

"Zuri, promise me we will keep in touch, even if it is just one letter every year."

I said of course, but we both knew that was a lie. There was one truth I could tell him, though. I leaned in and whispered in his ear.

"I will fight tooth and nail to return to this castle and you, I promise. Even when all else seems hopeless, I will make it back to you. Plus, guess who has the whole castle to himself now?"

I backed away and headed to the foyer where the messenger was waiting impatiently. 

We were never meant to last, Milo and I. I never deserved someone like him. My list of sins was too long to ever deserve someone like him. I was nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing, while he was a beacon of light, shining upon my fogged-up mind.

"It was time for us to go an hour ago. We are leaving now," the messenger demanded.

I headed outside, where a pegasus-drawn carriage was waiting. The messenger yanked my bags away from me and shoved me into the carriage, only careful not to scratch my face. Within minutes, we were off, the castle just a speck in the ocean below us.