“Alina… saying such a thing-” Norman began, his voice hoarse.

“Father, this is what I want, I promise,” the Princess interrupted despite her hands beginning to tremble.

“Everyone but the Princess leave the room, now.” The King’s dark tone set everyone in motion immediately.

Everyone except the Troivackian King who turned to Alina, and locked eyes with hers.

Despite there not being a hint of emotion in his face… she could see the question in his eyes.

She nodded, and he turned to leave.

The exchange was only noticed by Annika Ashowan, and the Lady instantly grew anxious for the near future...

Once they had all filed out, and door closed behind them, Brendan found the entire inner council immediately all turned to face him.

The most joyous looking of them all was Lord Fuks.

“Pay up Captain, Mr. Howard, and you Keith! I told you she’d pick the King!” the old man cackled happily.

Brendan frowned at the men as they all reached into their pockets and drew out their coins.

“What is this about?” Brendan asked coldly.

“Isn’t it clear? We had bets, Your Majesty. I bet on you and so I am three gold pieces richer for it!” Lord Fuks replied while snatching the money from his fellow council members and stowing it in his leather pouch attached to his cane.

“Who all did you bet on?” Finlay Ashowan asked dryly. Clearly he had not been included in the gamble.

“I bet on Prince Henry,” Mr. Howard grumbled while folding his arms across his chest.

“I had my money on your boy, Viscount.” Sir Taylor nodded to the redhead apologetically.

Everyone turned to Keith Lee expectantly.

Sighing, the man leaned on his staff wearily. “I bet on the Viscount’s daughter, Lady Katarina Ashowan.”

“I… beg your pardon?” Fin began slowly.

Brendan had had enough of the madness of the Daxarian King’s inner council. He just wanted to wait for how the meeting would be handled in peace, and had intended to stand outside until the Princess had finished speaking with her father and…

‘Why do I need to wait around? The King will summon me once the agreement is drawn up.’ He suddenly found himself realizing he was doing something odd and useless.

Then again, Alina’s nervous eyes when she had looked at him flashed in his mind.

Shaking his head, Brendan began striding away from the chamber.

Their marriage would be between two strong and capable individuals. He didn’t need to hold her hand like a child when difficult times arose.

A strange resistance in his chest made it a little harder to leave, but…

Mr. Levin was waiting with news from his court. He needed to handle that so that he would have time for the engagement contract review later regardless.

Besides, if he could avoid spending time with the Ashowan family members, that was an added bonus.

He continued on his way back to his chamber, and didn’t spare a second glance over his shoulder as he did so.

*

“Alina, has he forced this decision upon you somehow?” Norman demanded while staring at his daughter who had seated herself on his right hand side.

“No, Father. I want to marry him. I want to be the Queen of Troivack and help their society evolve into something… better.”

“You sound as though you are marrying him just to be Queen,” Norman observed, his tone hard.

Alina felt her throat tighten. “I… I am. I want… to lead people, and become stronger. That matters more to me.”

“Then your people don’t matter to you, your ambition does,” Norman countered coldly.

“No it doesn't, I-I just think I can help. I can bring what has worked for Daxaria to them, and try to-”

“It won’t work in Troivack. Their nation is barely ready to allow women having a voice let alone one changing their traditional laws. You are choosing a life of hardship alone from your friends and family, and a husband who will only see you as a means to an end. In the end, all you will have is the title, but none of the power to make a difference.”

“I can still try, Father! I’ll become stronger, attend council meetings and learn-”

“No. Alina, this marriage will have you dead in a year.”

Standing up abruptly, Alina's hands trembled at her sides, tears falling down her cheeks. “I’d rather die with a title and the knowledge I did everything I could to make a kingdom better than die here weak and alone as a coward. I can no longer stand always being coddled with no purpose other than as a piece of fluff meant for comforting people who are greater.”

Norman felt his anger, fear, and sadness ebb away at the sight of his daughter’s tears.

He saw she meant her words. Saw the desperation in her eyes to never live a life as anything other than a monarch…

And it broke his heart.

“Alina.”

His daughter didn’t wait to hear what he would say next, however, as she stormed out of the room, and slammed the door behind herself.

Sinking back into his chair, Norman looked to the ceiling before swallowing with great difficulty.

He had handled that horribly... but how could he let his daughter risk everything she was... her safety, her happiness, her family... for such a risky gamble?

“Ainsley… what do I do? Our girl… wants to leave and… I’m scared. I’m scared I can’t protect her anymore. I’ve lost so much already… First you… and I don’t even know if Eric will ever return. Gods, my love. It’s been a mess ever since you left. I don’t know what to do,” Norman's anguished voice croaked into the silence as a coldness settled over him despite the summer heat.

Dropping his head to his hands, the Daxarian King felt the familiar dread and grief fill his heart.

Soon, he would be alone, and when that happened? What point was there to living?

*

Alina hesitated in front of her chamber door, her hand raised over the handle.

She knew the moment she entered, her maids would descend upon her disheveled state and would begin trying to fix her appearance. They didn’t care what could have made her upset. Their primary duties lay in maintaining her pure, flawless image...

She didn’t want to deal with them. Turning towards Eric’s room she began to stride towards the comforting sanctuary.

“OY!”

Stiffening, Alina glanced over her shoulder reluctantly, only to see the familiar grin of Katarina Ashowan.

“W-What is it?” the Princess managed to ask while wiping her nose with the back of her wrist in a very unladylike manner.

“I see you’ve had a rough go of it since the ball… do you maybe want to go on an adventure with me?” Kat looped her arm around Alina’s and was already pulling her away from her chamber.

“I-I just want to be alone.”

“To do what?” Kat asked with a raised eyebrow before plundering on in a philosophical tone. “Look, you can dwell on the misfortune that is clearly bothering you, or you can push it to the back of the shelf and take a look at more interesting activities available to use up your time!”

Katarina waggled her eyebrows down at the Princess, and like a moth to a flame, Alina felt herself be drawn in.

“W-What kind of adventure?”

“That’s the spirit! Come on! You liked wearing trousers before, right? How do you feel about dying your hair? Ever held a knife?” Kat proceeded down the corridor, happily dragging along the Princess at her side onto her next grand plan for her day.

*

Tam stared at his mother flatly.

“How long have you known?” Annika asked her son calmly.

“Since I overheard your meeting with Clara six years ago. I was in the solar hiding from Kat and heard the entire thing.”

She nodded slowly.

“Though if I’m honest, you secretly teaching us evasive moves, how to survive in the wilderness, plus dagger handling and throwing was a bit of a tip off that you might be involved in more than just regular noble duties.”

Annika smiled slightly at her son’s words. “I knew it was a matter of time before one of you figured out that it wasn’t the norm for Troivackian women.”

“Mum, why are you sending so many messages with our family hawks lately?” Tam asked seriously. “Is something wrong with the Troivackian King?”

The Viscountess’ features fell to an expression of neutrality. “Don’t worry about it, love. Your father and I can take care of it.”

Tam shifted in his seat. “Mum, you heard the news today, they are going to be engaged. Alina deserves to know- or at the very least tell me so that I-”

“So that you can do what, Tam?” Annika asked calmly. “There is nothing that you would be able to change. What I know, cannot be revealed to Alina, or else we risk exposure.”

“When are you going to start trusting me as an adult? I just want to help protect our monarchs.”

Annika’s expression softened as she shifted forward in her seat. “Love, the day you say you want to start taking over as Viscount for your father, we will talk. That to me, is what indicates you are ready to start joining our political moves. Until then, don’t worry. We will handle things.”

“Mum, I can’t even be in a large room without trouble, I shouldn’t ever be-”

“Tam. Whatever it is you are so scared of, you need to either seek help to conquer it, or learn to face it alone. You haven’t told anyone whatever could be so terrifying, but-”

“Stop.” Tam stood up, and stared down at his mother who sat primly at the edge of the sofa in the solar. “There are some things worth being scared of, and there is a reason. You don’t know what facing it means.”

“Then try to tell us!” Annika stood up, her eyes filled with worry and exasperation. “We’ve had this discussion for years, Tam, but you keep shutting your father and I out. How can we- Tam!”

The young noble had turned and already begun leaving the room, his gaze fixed to the floor as he wrenched open the door, and slammed it behind himself with enough force to shake the stone floor.

Sighing slowly, Annika seated herself back down and rubbed her eyes.

“Is this a bad time, Mistress?”

Slowly opening her eyes, the Viscountess turned to see her pupil who had clearly just entered through the window. His gray cloak drawn over his features.

“No, Likon. It’s fine.”

The young man silently dropped to a single knee and bowed his head before the Lady.

“We received word from the last of our informants. Lord Miller doesn’t know how anyone found out who you were. We have looked into all the nobles but, nobody-”

“Mr. Levin is not a noble, you asked about him didn’t you?”

“I did, Mistress. He is an orphan. He inherited a substantial amount of wealth from his family after they died aboard one of their merchant ships. He was six years old at the time, but ever since their passing dedicated himself to his studies. He married two years ago, and his wife found out she was expecting their first child only a week ago. Mr. Levin is unaware of this just yet.”

Annika frowned.

She didn’t like this. “What of the Coven of Aguas? Is there perhaps anyone there with connections here in Daxaria?”

“I have not checked yet.”

“Please do. They have been awfully quiet since the war and I am not sure if it is because they fear the new King, or if they are plotting something.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

“Did Lord Miller have any idea about the King’s threats to remove my people?”

“He said the guards had been doubled around the castle, but that wasn’t uncommon when the Prince and King were gone together.”

Annika nodded slowly. That didn’t sound too strange.

“Oh, Lord Miller also said to inform you that the final Madame agreed to your most recent offer. You now own more than twenty-five percent of the brothels in Troivack.”

The Viscountess smiled wearily. “Tell him to retreat from the court along with the others. I can renegotiate their return with the King shortly.”

The young man’s back stiffened. “As you wish, Mistress.”

“Likon, I won’t send you to offer my terms, don’t worry.”

Raising his brown eyes to the Viscountess, the man in his early twenties raised a quizzical eyebrow. “Are you intending to go yourself?”

Sighing Annika shook her head. “No. I’ll send Tam once we know for certain that the Troivackian King thinks it is in fact me.”

Likon straightened immediately and grave concern sprouted on his face. “My Lady, the young Lord has no training and-”

“He needs to see what it is like in this circumstance, and he seems to already dislike the King. It should be the best motivation possible for him to start thinking more seriously about joining important meetings.”

“Mistress, what about Lady Kat?”

Annika stared flatly at her prodige. “I adore my daughter with all my heart, but you know as well as I do she is not going to hold her tongue if she is angered. It could make the situation worse.”

“I know, my Lady, but perhaps giving her some responsibility would-” Likon stopped talking then and leapt to his feet immediately in time for Annika to turn to the door. They both knew someone was coming.

With a small rustle of his cloak, the young man had disappeared back through the window just in time.

The solar door was thrown open with great force. Both Fin and Clara stumbled into the room and were out of breath.

“Annika, have you seen Kat anywhere?!” Fin burst out, his eyes already glowing- meaning he was searching for their daughter magically already.

“Not since early this morning. Aren’t you supposed to already be at the hunting grounds? It’s going to be nighttime soon!” Annika glanced at the blazing pink sky outside the window.

“I was, but was waiting for Duke Iones to show up, he’s running late. Clara and the Princess’ maids came and found me and said they haven’t seen either Kat or Alina in hours.”

Annika pinched the bridge of her nose. “Oh good Gods.”

“You know where they are, don’t you?” Tam’s voice echoed out suddenly from behind his father and Clara.

The three elders gazed at the young Lord’s angry expression, his eyes fixed only on his father, his hands pressed in his pockets.

“Where is Kat banned from being, but would love to be?” Tam asked with a subtle note of exasperation.

“Oh shit.” Fin turned to his wife who had the same expression of horror mixed with anxiety.

“She went on the Godsdamn hunt, didn’t she?” Annika uttered in faint disbelief.

Tam didn’t look at his mother, but nodded. “And she dragged the Princess along with her by the sounds of it.”