“Yes, I have.” And now she had to go through the same reasoning as he did. With the three questions over and done with, it wasn’t like any others could be relied on.

“Either way... I do intend to marry you. I think we’d make a good pair, yes?”

“I’m literally 12. We still have a few years to think of marriage.”

“Yet you speak like an adult. Admittedly, we both received etiquette lessons since young, yes?”

She grabbed a silver knife and cut into the cake. Layers of red fruit were stacked between the white cream. Strawberry, maybe.

“I believe so. Still, who else have you seen? Surely you must have invited others.”

“Hmm. Have you heard of Edmond Ren? The one with the church, yes?”

“Edmond, no. I haven’t.”

“That’s interesting, yes. Perhaps you don’t keep up with religion all that much. Either way, he’s an up and coming rookie holy knight.”

“You mean a paladin?”

“No, that’s a different thing.”

Francis sighed. Hours at the palace, trying different snacks and pastries, all while making pleasant conversation. She was a good conversational partner, don’t be mistaken, but certainly not one to talk on end for hours. All he wanted to do was to collapse onto his bed and take a nap.

Princess Haein, meanwhile, seemed like she could keep this up for days if she so chose to. That woman was built like a machine. Even then, she seemed happy to talk.

“Oh right, speaking of Count Norman’s son.” She clapped her hands together. “If we get married, we need to produce an heir.”

“That won’t be possible I’m afraid. I plan to transition. By the way, would you still marry me if I did?”

“Transitioned? As in, becoming a woman?”

“Yeah, would you have an issue with that?”

“Rather than yourself, it's the future I’m worried about. It's not too rare for stuff like that to have happened, but usually there’d be a child ready. Either way, let’s wait for a few years before we continue.”

Francis stood by the windows. The moon waved its entrance.

“Oh my. Apologies, I didn’t realise I chatted for so long. Would you care to join us for dinner?”

She approached him with her offer. Her steps slow, and her red dress and pale skin against the moonlight making her seem like a ghost. She pressed her body against his, and reiterated her offer.

“Are you trying to seduce me? First of all, I’m literally 12. That’s not really nice. Second of all, don’t.’

The princess released her grip. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned on the wall next to him. He touched the window glass; cool to the touch.

“You really aren’t like other men.”

“I’d ask you to elaborate, but I can only imagine what you’re going to say. Listen, we need to set boundaries. We haven’t even officiated anything yet, much less gotten married.”

“You say you’re 12, but you don’t talk like one.”

“10 days of fever tends to do that to you. That’s that, and this is this.”

“Either way, you’ll stay for dinner and the night.”

She rang a bell. A maid knocked on the door after a short period, and was let in. She seemed like a young girl, not even older than himself.

“Send for his knight. She’ll eat with us.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Should I inform the chef?”

“That’d be great.”

A short while later, Katalina returned. She draped a white towel over her neck, with a large grin on her face. Sweat dripped from her hair and elbows as she got on one knee.

“Your Highness.”

“Go and take a shower.” Princess Haein covered her nose. “You stink. Lily! Seize her and wash her!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Like magic, the same maid reappeared. With a strong hand, she pulled Katalina away, and out of the room. The knight, following along, closed the door.

“Now then. Let’s go have a meal.”

Francis squinted his eyes. There was something off, just everything felt suspicious. His eyes followed as she moved around the room. The princess just smiled and motioned for him to follow.

They did not need to travel far. Still, it seemed odd that the princess could wander around without at least someone watching over her. Besides, it wasn’t as though she was much older than him.

“Sit.”

She motioned to the chair opposite herself. It was basic etiquette to wait for the highest ranker to give permission. Though, within the quiet dining room, a few servants milled about. Clearing plates, refilling drinks, and the like. There was a great spread of food, ranging from the leafy greens to the red grilled meats, that leaked juices upon a touch.

“Do you care for a glass of wine? I think others might be too strong for your age, yes?”

“Again, I’m 12. Red or white?” She laughed.

“We have anything that you’d like. A ripe red wine aged for 50 years and counting, and the weakest ones for the less capable.”

Before he could say anything, a servant approached. The maid, this time an older woman with curly black hair, bowed her head and whispered into the princess’ ear.

“Your knight’s finished. What’s Rayleigh culture like?”

“Nothing too surprising. Let her in. She’ll eat with us.”

The princess chuckled. With a snap of her fingers, Katalina was let in. Together, they ate. Making small bits of conversation, though it was mostly just Francis and the princess. There was nothing too heavy for discussion. Simply polite, and casual. As Francis finished his wine, they were shown to their room for the night. Though, he did fall asleep a lot faster than he was used to. But perhaps that wasn’t his own doing.

When he woke, his body was sluggish, and his hands were bound behind him. A gag, shoved into his mouth, muffling every word as he tried to speak. Long strings of saliva dripped out from his mouth, and down onto his neck and body. A man sat on a wooden chair in front of him. Perhaps in his 30s, at least. He wielded a tall, ornate staff fit with decorations and a vast system of pins and metals. His short black hair was protected by a tweed flat cap.

“You’re up.” He moved forwards, past the metal bars and removed the ballgag.

“Buy me dinner and drinks before bondage.”

“The one thing more concerning than your cracking jokes at this situation is the fact that a 12 year old boy knows about bondage.”

“Right then. Who are you, what do you want?”

“Courteous. I am Walter, the imperial court mage. And I am here to conduct the true questioning.”

“Yeah? And how do you plan that?”

“I suppose there is no harm in humouring you. Your memories will be erased after this anyway.”