"If she is going to win we are going to need a plan" the words echoed in my brain a thousand times and I still had no Idea what to do.

Anne, Mary, and Lucy are trying their best as well, but we all sit at the table in my room staring at each other in a painful silence. we sat there for what seemed like hours, then suddenly, something clicks in Anne's brain and gives me a diabolical grin. She starts to scribble on a piece of paper.

After a minute i spoke "Anne, what are you doing?"

No response. Then i waited for a few more minutes.

"ANNE!" I pleaded with a desperate tone in my voice, "what on earth are you doing?"

She just smiled, and continued writing. I was about to snatch the paper out from under her, then she stopped. She slowly lifted up the paper and then slid it across the table to me. I grabbed it quickly, i couldn't wait another moment in this agony, and read it. I just shook my head in amazement, i was baffled.

"Anne, sweetheart, i knew i had the best maids in the place but this takes the cake" I said laughing at my little pun.

Then next next day was a blur , at dinner Maxon tugged his ear but i shook my head. I could see the hurt in his eyes, but right now i didn't care. He went straight to Kriss after out intimate encounter in the safe room, i knew i was supposed to 'trust' him but it still hurt. I went to my room locked it, leaning on the door i breathed a heavy sigh of relief, till i heard a stirring in the the room.

"Mer" he whispered as he walked out of the dark corner he had hidden himself in.

Aspen.

I closed my eyes for what i was about to say was not easy, but it had to be done.

"Aspen, you must leave.." i started but he interrupted me.

"No, i love you, i will always love you..." he whispered, then i returned the favor and interrupted him.

"Get out Aspen, i love you and will continue to love you, but We, us, this. This is over, i am 'In' love with Maxon. You must go and please don't speak to me in private without my consent" i paused and took in a deep breath, then continued, "That was not easy to say, and i still want to talk to you, but as friends, good friend, close friends, but not as lovers." i ended

He looked at me and then said "I understand," then walked out of the room.

Ugh. Why did he do this to me, always making me feel guilty for something 'HE' did! I cannot regret something that had to be done, if i wanted a shot at a life with Maxon this had to be done. I have this explainable feeling for Maxon, and i can't shake it no matter what i try. That is the reason i have my little plan.

Tired i plopped done on my bed , closed my eyes, just to re-open them to the morning and the sun shining into my eyes.

We started right away, getting up i took the dress my maids had left out for me, and tossed it over my head and pulled it onto my body. I walked over to my closet and grabbed a pair of sliver and blue sparkly heels, they matched perfect with my blue silk dress. My dress was a pale blue, cut just above my knees, it came in at my waist and flowed out though the skirt. I forced the shoes on my feet quickly and sat on a chair in front of my vanity as my maids walked in they immediately went to work. They pinched, primped, polished and princess-ed me up, until i was ready, and i left for breakfast.

This was no ordinary breakfast it was a Birthday breakfast for Queen Amberly. Since it was a special breakfast the food tasted even more extraordinary, if that was possible. As i was eating a delicate pastry, i looked up and saw Maxon. Our eyes met he winked and pleading pulled on his ear, but once again i refused.

He looked at me begging and i just looked away. Soon after i excused myself and headed into the hallway, i was on my way to step one of the plan. Then as i walked past a door, it opened and an arm grabbed me pulling me into a dark room. I looked into the captors face who gave me a sly smile, and i wasn't expecting what he did next.