Nine stared at her reflection, her hand on her belly. It was Lucas' birthday, and she had already expected to stay hidden, away from the world and people arriving considering the fact that her belly was growing and Elizabeth wanted it that way, but Lucas brought up the statement he made at the breakfast. About how he wanted everyone together, and the Queen had complied.Ora had arrived that morning to get her into the dress that Elizabeth had sent. It was an impromptu one, but it was beautiful nonetheless. A lilac strapless dress that flowed from her bust in an A-line design. She remembered on her wedding day that Ora had been absent during her dressing and make up, the maids who had seen her scars had stared but dared not saying anything, but now, as Nine stood while Ora pulled up the zipper of her dress, she wondered what she was thinking.Nine, of course, was immune to the marks now, but she still felt uncomfortable when people saw it.When the female was done with the zipper, Nin

All of Raester had been thrown into chaos.Exiting the hall had been near impossible, with reporters blocking every single route with people asking what in the Goddess' name was going on, not like any of the Royal family members had any idea.After they had managed to leave, barely with their whole body intact, Elizabeth had a slight fainting problem, though she seemed to recollect herself after April snapped at her. Nine, on the other hand, had been sent away by the older woman who didn't think it was alright to 'stress' the poor lamb, and Leonard looked like he wanted to destroy something.Now, they all gathered in the Royal throne room, Lucas with his head bowed while Leonard, who had been completely silent before going off on him like a firecracker. "'You have been making sacrifices?' 'Trained into being the best you can be?' 'There's only so much you can give?' You make us sound like we have been dictating over you all your life!"Lior, on the other hand, stood at a corner, watch

"... And it's more beautiful at night, you know, can you see it?"Ora's cheerful voice said behind Nine who had zoned off for the first few minutes. They both stood and stared through her window at the sky. Ora had mentioned something about her stars and a long word that Nine couldn't remember. Though it hurt her a little that she wasn't paying attention to her, she couldn't stop thinking about what happened earlier.The announcement Lucas had made... She didn't really understand it, though she could make some conclusions. It made her remember what he had said earlier. Was that what he thought would make her not like him anymore? Nine knew he was a good person, and he had never hurt her before so she liked him, but he also said he was a going away and that thought... She didn't really like that one.Still, was he going to be fine, right? She would have wanted to ask how he was doing, or talk to him, or just be by his side but they all had a meeting with him and sent her away.Grandma

Nine's stomach rumbled.The female wasn't even sure when she got to her bed, but she could tell from the way her face and eyes felt completely dry that she had probably crawled to the bed and slept off mid crying.Another wave of hunger hit her again and she squirmed a little bit. She didn't want to go anywhere. She wanted to stay here. And just... Sleep all through. She wasn't even sure she wanted to see anyone after yesterday. It was impossible that no one had heard him when he said those words and she had this very strange feeling that if she went below at that moment, she'd see him and she didn't want to.Nine bit into her lower lip now, trying to will the baby in her stomach into sleep, though she was beginning to doubt it was working. She let out a sigh now, straightening for a while before turning to the other side of her bed and freezing.Beside her was the one person she wished to avoid. He had his dark raven hair sprawled out around his head and his face held the most gentle

"Money does work wonders," Seven said, her eyes staying on Nine now, the mischievous glint in her eyes glowing now. "Doesn't it Four?""Only if it could erase people's memories about their past," Four said with a small shake of her head, though she was grinning. "I doubt they know who she really is,"At the beginning, they had been quiet, perfectly complaint, until Mom suddenly brought up the idea of Nine spending alone time with her 'sisters'. Of course, she knew they were probably sent to threaten her, or remind her of where she really came from. And they were doing just that."Oh, relax," Seven said, giving a small laugh as she waved her hand in the air. She hadn't changed, not one bit, though their likeness had reduced since Nine was... Healthier, and her round eyes had flesh around them now and her black hair was a lustre shiny colour.She wasn't a vain person but now, she didn't think Seven was beautiful. Not that she was comparing the female to herself, but she had seen beautif