Remora coaxed Marina into her room, peeking out to make sure her grandmother wasn't following her up. Marina's eyes glittered as she looked around the room. It smelled distinctly of Remora. Charms, trinkets, and some makeup items decorated the surfaces of her dresser and bedstand table, paintings of the harbor, ships, and shorelines filled the walls, and pnts hung as well as rested carefully near the windows. Notebooks, diaries, and books filled a shelf off to the side of her bed, Marina not recognizing any of them. Her bed looked wonderfully comfy, and Marina almost let out a whine as she examined its soft plush bnkets and pillows. She could only imagine the sleep she would get in such a thing. But she wouldn't dare touch anything... feeling like she had already intruded far too much.

  Remora closed her bedroom door behind her with a sigh. What a night... Remora lifted her head to see Marina fidgeting awkwardly as she stood in the middle of her room, and it only hit Remora now just how deep she was in it now. She successfully smuggled not only a royal, but THE Princess of Alverot into her own modest home. Marina gazed back at her, shifting her weight, not knowing what to say, trying not to convey her obvious distress in this new environment where she wasn't sure just how welcome she was. Remora took in a deep breath. Usually by this time, she'd get dinner, shower, read one of her books and rest... But now she had an entire other responsibility on her hands. As she exhaled she steeled herself for what she was signing up for.

  "Alright, first thing's first... Let's get you out of that dress and washed up. A warm bath oughta help..." She goes and opens the door to her bathroom. It's small and worn but well kept for a lower css bathroom. Remora tossed Marina's corset piece to the side, grabbing a towel from her wardrobe. Marina watched her in utter dread at the idea of bathing in this stranger's home... Remora tossed her the towel, causing Marina to jump from her thoughts.

  "There you go, you can change in there... Left knob makes the water hotter, right cooler, etcetera etcetera... I'll find some clothes for you to wear... Just hoping I have something that fits you..." Remora rambled. Marina's eyes filled with fright even further, like she were a deer in headlights. Remora turned and raised an eyebrow at her expression. "What...?"

  Marina felt like a defting balloon. She was already embarrassed at having to take kindness and shelter from this stranger but now all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and die.

  "I don't... um..." She looked down at the towel in her hands, her fingers tightening around its fabric as her cheeks burned red. Remora pnted a hand on her hip as her eyebrows furrowed, puzzling at what she was getting at. She tilted her head as she made a guess.

  "What? Don't tell me you don't know how to bathe yourself..." Remora smirked with a zy grin as she jested. However, her expression slowly changed as she saw Marina whimper and clutch the towel even tighter. Remora incredulously blinked at her "...Oh... you've gotta be kidding me..." Remora deadpanned. Marina was utterly mortified and she felt like she could crumble into a useless pile of dust right before her.

  Remora sighed and rolled up her sleeves, marching to the bathroom, passing Marina. She huffed as she turned the faucet on, the water gushing out into the tub. She tested its temperature with her hand before setting the plug. She crossed her arms as she watched the water fill, an unamused frown on her lips. Marina felt like a statue, like if she moved Remora would turn and bite her head off.

  After a minute or two of tension, she then turned to Marina with a scowl and a sigh.

  "Alright, listen. Let's get one thing straight here, princess... I am NOT your servant, nor will I ever BE your servant." Her words were biting, causing Marina to jolt in surprise.

  "W-what-!? I didn't-! I never...!?" Marina shook her head and her hands, dropping her towel as her face turned beet red.

  "But also," Remora interrupted. "...you're not sleeping in that horrid, wet, wedding gown, and certainly not without treating your wounds... At the very least cleaning and disinfecting those scrapes. So, let's get this over with..." She pinched the bridge of her nose. Marina blinked at her again, her heart pounding in her ears.

  "Get... What...?" She meekly inquried. Remora bit down on her tongue. She wasn't sure if she was more frustrated or embarrassed at the situation as her own cheeks pinkened. She motioned to the tub of water.

  "You're taking a bath. And I will..." She sighed and dragged a hand down her face. "...help you with what you need help with..." The words came out begrudgingly. Marina could see the regretful and sour look on her face and she shook her head.

  "No, no, it's fine... I can do it myself..." There wasn't a drop of confidence in her voice. Remora smirked and crossed her arms.

  "Right..." Remora slowly nodded her head in faux belief. Marina furrowed her brow as her cheeks burned hot, pouting.

  "It's just... I've never...!" Marina tried to protest. Remora's smug look inched wider.

  "Mhmm..."

  "My servants never showed me..."

  "But of course...!" Remora's words were a feigned sweetness. Marina scowled and groaned.

  "I'll do it myself!" She procimed, picking up her towel and bumping Remora's shoulder as she marched up to the bathtub.

  "Great! Knock yourself out, princess." Remora turned around, leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. Marina turned to her with a mortified expression.

  "So... what...? You're just going to watch me!?" She whined as she gripped her towel. Remora raised her hands in surrender, grabbing the doorknob.

  "It's all yours... just don't take forever... Some of us have to clean up around here too." She slowly pulled the door in towards herself. Just before she shut it she peeked back in. "Oh and..." Marina turned with a look of curiosity and a hint of hopefulness. Remora's lips curled up further. "Don't drown." She teased in a low voice before shutting the door.

  Marina stared at the door, her heart racing in her chest, before her face dropped to a scowl again as she looked back at the bath.

  "Don't drown... as if I'd..." She scoffed and rolled her eyes. She set her towel aside, familiarizing herself with the space and the items that adorned the edges of the tub, her thoughts running rampant about all these unfamiliar things. She picked up the bottles, reading them. She was thankful she was at least taught how to do THAT...

  "Okay... shampoo before conditioner... right? Or maybe it's the other way around..." She faltered as she looked between the two, then groaned. "Whatever." She tossed them aside. "Just do your best, Marina..." She muttered to herself. She reached up behind her back, searching for the zipper to her dress. They always made these dresses SO inconvenient... She strained, her shoulder shaking as she reached and reached, her fingertips being met only with fabric and the line for the zipper. She growled, her temper rising as she fought with this nightmare she was put into. She hopped, twirled, tried the other arm, but it was no use... she just couldn't grab it. Then as she stumbled back she caught glimpse of herself in the bathroom mirror and it caused her to come to a complete halt.

  She approached the mirror, the reflection of her face like a haunting image. Her hair was tangled, her eyes red and puffy, her mascara smeered, her lipstick practically gone except a few patches, and her face was a cooling red from her frustration. And in that moment a single word rang in her mind...

  "Helpless." The word echoed around in her skull. Before all this, she saw the makings of someone proper... and now she was just a devastated runaway who didn't even think any of it through. And yet, something simir remained... something only she could read in the very soul in her eyes. She was... different... and therefore, a troublemaker. She couldn't just be prim and eloquent, beautiful, and full of grace and pride in her role in this world. Throughout her life, when she looked in the mirror, she'd see the same sadness in her eyes that only grew as she developed. A sadness that desired to be helped. But she was...

  "Helpless..."

  It was like her brain was mocking her. She was sad before and she's sad now. She thought she could finally help herself... help herself by making a choice... Perhaps there was no escape, no fairytale that could take her away from this pce... from this body... from this life....

  What had she done?

  She wanted to wilt away like the roses would her bouquet that she tossed away at the altar. She wanted to give up.

  Then she thought of her... And her eyes widened simply at the image... at the name...

  Jamie...

  The girl who risked everything to help set her free. The only person who didn't aspire to clip her wings. The only person who saw her beyond the facade. What would she think of her if she just gave up? Just like that? She made it. She escaped her wedding... for the time being. She was safe... at least in this moment... and she couldn't have done it without her... Now was not the time to dwindle.

  Now was the time to survive.

  With that, Marina sucked in her pride and held her breath, almost like she was smothering it until all the oxygen ran out. She had to kill that pride for now. She let go of the air in her lungs and turned towards the door, steeling her expression. She then stepped to it, grabbed the doorknob and opened it, peering into Remora's room.

  "Remora...?" Her voice peeped out just above a whisper, her eyes downcast. Remora was on her bed, reading a book on her stomach to pass time. She hummed and looked up at Marina, her expression deadpanning. She sighed and tossed her book aside, rising from her bed and approaching her, crossing her arms.

  "What is it?" Her expression was hard, though her tone soft enough. Marina lifted her gaze to meet Remora's. Her own expression hardened like she was about to protest, argue, deflect all her feelings onto Remora. She swallowed all those bitter, negative feelings, forcing her pride down again as she imagined Jamie one st time. She opened her mouth to speak, taking a few moments to try and muster up something... when all that came out is...

  "Please..."

  Remora raised an eyebrow, turning her head wearily as her eyes narrowed.

  With that, Marina took a breath and dropped to her knees. Remora's eyes widened in shock, the deadpanned expression fleeing the scene immediately. Marina then dropped onto her elbows, bowing to her.

  "Please... I can't undo my dress and I don't know how to wash my hair... I admit defeat... Please... just help me." She begged, her voice wavering in embarrassment and desperation.

  Remora was filled with immediate panic. She expected to be fighting with this royal for her predetermined uppity behavior and snootiness... Not this!!! She instantly dropped down and grabbed her underarms.

  "Oh my Gods, okay, okay, stop that... Gracious..." She picked Marina back up to her feet, a look of concern in her eyes now. "Don't do that..." She ughed, completely baffled and a little embarrassed herself. "I'll help you... all you had to do was ask..." Marina gazed back at her with wide sad puppy dog eyes.

  "Really...? But you seemed mad..." Marina mumbled as she rubbed her arm, her cheeks turning pink. Remora scoffed and rolled her eyes.

  "Mad...? No... Just tired and a little... I guess I'm... I'm just processing all this..." She rubbed the back of her neck, her tone softening. Marina nodded. She imagined this was all weird to Remora too, and she knew the kind of danger she had put this girl into... Remora sighed, taking Marina's hand, and giving it a gentle squeeze.

  "I'm sorry. I've been a rude host. I'm not... fond of royals... And yeah, the idea of helping you bathe is a little weird but..." She sighed. Marina blushed brighter as she listened.

  "...But... It's clear you need help... and I've chosen to help you. I just need to accept that." Remora smiled a genuine smile. Marina met her gaze again and saw the honesty... the sincerity in them... and it made her eyes well up. Remora's heart leaped into her throat at the sight. NOT AGAIN!

  "Oh my Gods, PLEASE do not cry again... You probably have no water left anyways!" Remora took her other hand in hers, squeezing both of Marina's with urgency. Marina ughed and wiped her eyes, smiling widely.

  "Okay... Okay, I won't... Thank you..." She dipped her head, the embarrassment still rampaging through her. Remora smiled, her eyebrows creasing.

  "Don't mention it..."