In two weeks Nicoleta's desk became full with stacks of papers, which were divided into two stacks, one for her art and another for learning Wovis, which she had passed from basics to toddler stages according to the captain, Language learning on Flamae according to him was much more cruel than his method of teaching he said when Nicoleta protested on him calling her next stage toddler.
She juggled these two things during the two weeks, isolating herself from the rest of the world, her only contact with the outside world being her opening the window occasionally to get a breeze in.
Her stylist began dressing her with less heavy clothes, thin straps, shorter skirts, to allow her to get some air around her shins, and arms.
The sun was blistering as opposed to how the weather usually was during April, and there was only so much a small fan could do to cool Nicoleta.
During a Language lesson, Nicoleta's fourth pen ran out of ink. Frustrated she lifted her gaze to the Captain scribbling words on another note book, brows knitted in concentration.
"Is there a library in this house?"
"Yes you highness- why do you ask?" She closed her note book and waved her pen slightly, "I'm out of ink- a library or study has pens"
"Do you wish to be taken to the library, your highness?" She nodded.
They packed up and retired to the library.
Inside Nicoleta immediately noticed the pale, slim figure of Zelen slouched over a large book with other large books next to him waiting to be read, he scratched his head every few seconds, and each time he flipped a large page.
Nicoleta's outrageous heels clicked against the wooden boarded floors, bringing his attention to the three.
He scrunched his face, looking her up and down with disgust in his eyes, he seemed to catch himself then force a smile.
"Hi," he said, standing up on his feet. He took the two heavy books in his weak arms, logging them as he disappeared behind the shelves.
"Hi," Nicoleta barely uttered, watching him go with his medical books.
The Captain pulled a chair for her, and she sat down, her eyes lingering around the place Zelen disappeared behind.
He and Zylith looked so similar, every time she remembered his face, it was like seeing Zylith through a different lens, and each time she would feel a pang of guilt.
Leonardo sat beside her placing a reassuring hand on hers, "he is still mourning" he whispered, she nodded, flipping her notebook open, as the captain sat down across from them.
Negotiations were announced to be close to being settled.
When Nicoleta heard this announcement, she fell into a deep sadness because that meant her time on earth was coming to an end, her time left with Leonardo was short, her time left with the remainder of her friends were short.
That announcement only meant that she would soon be stepping into unknown grounds, forced into a life of royalty that she already despised, forced to live under the same roof as the woman that did not regard her until she realised Nicoleta could be useful thirteen years later.
She didn't want to leave. When she heard the news she wanted to jump out of her window and take off, run until she made it to the ends of the earth, hidden from any eye.
But if her mother caused a war to find her the first time, she wouldn't mind destroying the planet to find her the second time.
As much as Nicoleta wanted to stay on earth, she didn't want more people to die even more, and thus she shoved down her urge to escape, and drowned herself in sorrow.
Reliving every memory, good or bad, making it even harder for herself to not go through with her plans.
She distracted herself by mumbling Wovis under her breath, repeating the learned words over and over until she fell asleep on her window seal.
In the morning her stylist dressed extra nicely, padding her shoulders, placing the sparkling tiara on atop her head, and making her wear slippers that were a beautiful blend of vermillion red, and emerald green.
She was adorned from head to toe, they even curled her hair, making strands hang by her face as they tied it into a neat ponytail.
Nicoleta learned soon why they had made her look so beautiful.
"Her Majesty has requested to have breakfast with her highness" said the Captain of the guard, his arm up and ready for Nicoleta to take.
She did, her hands trembling from nervousness. She squeezed Leonard's hand tightly on their way there, taking nervous glances all around them as they walked.
When they arrived the Queen was adorned as always, her golden skin glimmering even though she was away from the sun's hue.
She neither smiled nor frowned, she held a poker face, her scarlet curls bouncing on their own.
She wore a blood red dress that swept the floor, strapless, the belt around her waist snatched, made out of some kind of mineral.
The Queen's gaze landed on the two men behind Nicoleta. She didn't change her expression when she waved a hand for them to leave.
The Captain bowed along with Leonardo, and they both left.
Nicoleta stood there, breathing quickly, whilst staring at her mother.
The Queen sat down, gesturing for Nicoleta to do the same.
"Good morning?" She asked, scrutinizing Nicoleta for her lack of formality.
They ate in silence, fork and knife clanking on the plate every few minutes.
Nicoleta stabbed the sausage on her plate, cutting it into a smaller piece before mixing it with the scrambled eggs.
Before she could even eat it together, the Queen stopped her, placing her cup of water down loudly.
"Do not do that- your father always did that- " she stopped herself, leaning back, and glaring down at Nicoleta, waiting for her to obey her.
Nicoleta ate it regardless, placing the fork down when the food was in her mouth.
The Queen's poker face dropped into a displeased frown.
"I eat how I want" Nicoleta spat, surprising even herself. Her mother's eyes widened for only a second before her hand cupped Nicoleta's face tightly, pinching her nails into her cheeks as she lifted her up from her chair.
"You will behave like an heir to the Wovaenian Throne" she growled, shaking the very ground they stood on.
Nicoleta stumbled back when she let her go, rubbing her cheeks to calm the stinging pain.
"I'm glad I killed him when I did- he would have been a distraction" the Queen said, turning her back on Nicoleta, as she made for the door.
"Murderer!" Nicoleta screeched blasting her flame toward her only for her own scarlet flame fell on her and a force slammed her into the wall breaking the wall and cracking her spine in the process.
She screamed in agony, as she fell on the floor, her body immobile.
"You will learn to respect your Queen- understand?" Her voice was calm, she didn't even seem angry, not even annoyed.
She grasped Nicoleta's face again, forcing her to look into her burning eyes, "you will learn to Obey me" her chest rumbled as she let go of Nicoleta, leaving her alone, unable to move, unable to even breath properly.
The Captain came inside the moment her mother closed the door behind her, and carried her into her room, telling Leonardo to call a healer on their way.
When Nicoleta began to feel whole again, she opened her eyes, and hovering over her; eyes white, was Zelen.
His eyes returned to the lurid yellow colour, and they both locked eyes.
Filled with regret for defying her mother, and guilt for not being able to save Zylith, Nicoleta broke their stare, looking away in shame.
"I'm so sorry" she crooked, choking on her own words, "about Zylith- I really - I I wante- I'm so sorry"
He didn't seem fazed, only a blank expression was in his eyes, he didn't look angry, or sad, or anything…
Zelen nodded slowly, bending down to gather his supplies.
"It is not your fault" he said, simply. "You should rest your back for some days" he left after that, leaving Nicoleta to her never ending sorrows.
A lone tear slipped down her face as she watched him go, seeing only Zylith as he walked away.