I’d done my job well. I’d caught his eye at the very first ball. I had his ear not long after that. The last 2 months I’d played my part, the orphaned niece of Lord Ostrey come from the homeland of my mother after her recent demise. He had coached me, explained the prince’s mannerisms and interests, but I found myself rarely needing to act. Prince Merrick was kind, thoughtful, and seemingly dedicated to his people. It was a mystery how he’d come from his father, a man that delighted in the torture of his enemies and when he was without one he would assign guilt to an innocent. Two months of living in the Royal court and maintaining a fictional history of noble birth that made me grind my teeth. Almost every day I interacted with the future of a family I was raised to hate. I was faltering. Merrick wasn’t any of the things I thought he would be, but Ostrey was adamant that the terror wouldn’t end with him. He truly believed as I did that in order for a new era to dawn, Merrick Audrin had to die. I was no longer sure that was true. Lost in thought, I meandered through the gardens, my dress was a simple gauzy sage that billowed gently with the slight breeze. The cold steel of the dagger startling my skin every time I would adjust my weight to the right. I’d taken it everywhere waiting for the right moment, but it had been difficult to find privacy with a prince. Particularly when every other noble daughter was competing for his attentions. “Aesira, are you alright?” I jumped at the sound of Merrick’s voice. He was covered in sweat probably just released from training with the royal guard. “I’m sorry Lady Ostrey, I didn’t intend to startle you.” The dagger felt heavier in moments like this, itching to be loosed. Here I was alone in the gardens with the prince, but in broad daylight with guards within calling distance, I wouldn’t make it more than a hundred feet from the grounds before getting caught. “I’m perfectly fine your highness. Perhaps smelling roses is beginning to make my mind wander.” “I’d escort you inside if it weren’t for my attire.” “You’re as regal in your training leathers as you are in formal wear.” He chuckled, “I wouldn’t call my sweaty state regal. I’m on my way to get cleaned up for tonight’s festivities.” “Of course, plenty of wine and dancing as always. I’m sure you’ll be incandescent in your white finery.” “I’ve actually received a new military uniform. It’s gray and extremely dull.” “Well I’m sure the noble daughters will be disappointed when they realize they’ve accessorized incorrectly.” He laughed and wiped a cloth across his forehead. “We’ll just have to see. In any case, I’m hoping to discuss charitable causes with the nobles this evening. I’d rather not see homeless children in every village we travel through.” He stared at me thoughtfully and for a moment my heart stopped. Did he know I was one of those children? That I had fought to survive on the very streets he rode through in a gilded carriage? “That would be a very noble cause.” “I do hope you’ll save me a dance, and perhaps a more private moment? There’s something I’d like to show you in the libraries.” “I’d be honored your majesty.” I curtsied low and he hurried off towards the palace doors. I continued strolling through the grounds eventually making my way back inside. Alone with the prince in the libraries. Lord Ostrey could make plans to extract me after I’d completed my mission. Frame a guard for the prince’s murder. The closer I got to our quarters, the more ill I felt. The dagger at my thigh was unbearable by the time I entered my rooms. I ripped the buckle free letting it clatter on the floor. “Aesira? Is that you?” Lord Ostrey called from the sitting room. I quickly pulled myself together and strolled out into our common area. He looked me over “Are you alright? Is there anything to report?” I hesitated, “No. His highness simply informed me of a change to his attire tonight.” He shrugged, “Then you should get ready, I believe his highness has called the lords to meet this evening before the festivities. I’m sure he’ll be eager to see you after facing down a dozen corrupt nobles.” I bowed my head slightly and escaped into my rooms. I couldn’t tell him that the prince had asked for a private moment. I needed to remind myself why I was here. The king was untouchable, he never even attended social gatherings, but we could end his line. Call into question who would succeed him, and perhaps create enough instability to completely overthrow him. That was my goal, my purpose here. This was how I would change the world for the better. At least that’s what I hoped for. - The rest of my afternoon had been spent bathing, grooming, dressing, and practically painting my face. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized myself. I quickly removed the thick coverage and worked on something far simpler. Wearing what was essentially a mask had made me nervous as though everyone would be able to tell that I was hiding something. Without the make up I felt far more able to fit in or even be overlooked. Finally I stood looking over the glittering smoke colored dress. My jewelry sparkled exactly as the dress did, I looked like a late evening sky. My hare cascaded in gentle curls down my back, a simple choice to compliment the gown. Ostrey had left a few minutes earlier to attend the prince’s meeting. I gave myself a few minutes to catch my breath and strap the dagger back to my thigh. With any luck, I would arrive in the ballroom only a few minutes before the prince did. Exiting my rooms, I could hear the distant violins gliding through the halls. With everyone already enjoying the music and drink, the halls were mostly empty save a couple guards walking by. I entered the ballroom and the lady’s along with their daughters turn and stared at me. All of them were bedecked in pastels and confused by my darker choices. I grabbed a glass of wine from a server as he passed by and strolled to the window looking out at the darkening sky. “His Royal Highness Merrick Audrin and the lords of the royal court.” Massive double doors opened and the men of the court strolled in, some looking thoughtful while others looked disgruntled with a glass of dark liquid in hand. Lord Ostrey strolled my way smiling while I caught Merrick’s eye though he was still caught in discussion with Lord Irvine. “Aesira, you look divine.” I smiled taking his hand and letting him spin me around to see the movement of the gown. “Thank you uncle.” He kissed my cheek and stepped back taking me in again. “I need to speak with Lord Dracon and his wife, but I’ll be nearby.” Nodding I watched him depart and did my best to avoid the gaze of the approaching noble daughter. “How did you know he wouldn’t be in traditional white.” “Well Destry, his highness and I discussed tonight’s festivities in the gardens this morning where he mentioned his attire in passing.” She huffed, “How were the rest of us to know? Now you’re the only one who appears to belong on his arm.” I feigned innocence, “Do you think so? How kind of you.” She rolled her eyes. “You should know that jealousy isn’t a good color on you Destry, it’s a good thing his highness didn’t see that face.” She glanced nervously around realizing Merrick was still locked down by Lord Irvine, though it looked as though he was about to make an escape. “Merrick isn’t going to marry some foreign girl that has no respect for our country.” I felt my heart chill, “I have more respect for this country than you will ever know.” She stepped back stricken by my tone. “Merrick is heading this way, perhaps he’ll ask you to dance Destry? After all I’m just some foreign girl.” She turned plastering on a glowing smile as Merrick approached. “Your majesty, I was just discussing our customs with Lady Aesira.” “Customs? I wasn’t aware that Lady Aesira was lacking such information.” “Well, Lady Destry was just offering her advice as I am fairly new to court.” “How kind of you Lady Destry, but I’m afraid I must ask Lady Aesira to grant me a dance.” Destry curtsied and sauntered back to the other ladies. Merrick extended his hand, “May I?” I bowed my head and took his hand letting him lead me out into the throng. “You look incredible. Was Destry giving you any trouble?” “Nothing I couldn’t handle, the darker uniform looks very refined.” “I feel stiff as a board. Honestly I prefer my training clothes.” “Well how was your meeting with the lords? Were they receptive?” “More so than I had expected. I’m hopeful the few in opposition will come around.” “Only a few were opposed?” “Perhaps two or three were concerned about funding, but I tried to assure them I would assist as much as I can.” “You will?” “Of course. My wealth is the result of my country, therefore there shouldn’t be children left with nothing and no one.” The song began to fade as my eyes welled. “Aesira…” “Excuse me your highness, I just need some air.” I beelined for the hall suppressing the tears and fanning my face with my hand. The hall was quiet, two guards standing on either side of the doors. Before the door could fall shut, Merrick slipped through and gently closed it behind him before reaching out and taking my hand. “Leo, Anthony, would you give us a moment?” The guards bowed and marched off down the hall. “My gods you even know their names?!” I pulled my hand from his grasp smoothing it over my hair and turning my back. “Is that wrong? Have I done something to upset you?” “No your highness, you are simply not what I expected.” His hand grasped my shoulder turning me back to him, “May I show you what I mentioned earlier? The library will be empty I promise.” My heart pounded. This was the moment I’d waited for. The prince was asking for me to accompany him to a private location where no one would interrupt, but how could I kill someone who’s ideals were better than anything I’d ever encountered. My mouth went dry and the dagger at my thigh felt far to large to not be noticed. My nod was minuscule, but Merrick’s hand moved gently down from my shoulder until his fingers intertwined with mine and he was pulling me down the hall. The library was dark, a few candles sat on the table in the center where a book lay open. Merrick released my hand and trotted towards the table. I felt my heart pounding and racing, every instinct telling me there wouldn’t be a better opportunity, but it felt wrong. Everything felt wrong. Merrick began reading from the book on the table, a history of his great great grandfather’s reign of prosperity. “This is what I want to return to. My father’s mind has been declining and the lords are hoping he will step down in his age and allow my ascension and this…” he turned his back to me and I reached for the dagger below my skirts. “This is the blueprint I will follow.” I moved closer and he turned looking deep into my eyes. The purity I saw in him made everything stop. My heart slowed along with my breathing and I released my grip on the dagger having made my decision. “You’re in danger Merrick.”