Alaina comes to a sudden halt as she hears footsteps. They get louder as they gradually approach her; but even after scanning the area, she fails to find the source. It's dark in the corridor, so she uses it as an advantage to hide herself in the shadows as she checks the four guards she'd spotted before entering the atrium. Four, still around the same area the last time she'd seen them. Are there more of them?

The sounds of heavy chainmail indicates that it is indeed a guard, but it is neither of the four. Alaina tenses, trying to shroud herself with darkness. She can't be caught, she thinks, not right here. There are too many guards around. If it's a lone guard, she would be able to find a way through; but if there's a few of them, it's rather risky -- she might be forced back to her room under her father's orders.

She turns to the other direction to leave, but it's too late; she's caught. She feels her arm being held back by a strong force, and she struggles to break free. "Let me go --"

But she is silenced immediately by a hand covering her mouth. She is dragged strugglingly away from the atrium and further away from the dark corridor, towards a corner.

"What was that?" She hears a guard who'd just turned a corner say.

"What was what?" says another guard.

Alaina desperately tries to reach out for them, to call for help; but she hears a soft whisper -- a voice that reassures her.

"Quiet."

She stops struggling immediately, obeying the voice. To her, the voice is her saviour; a voice in a world of screaming silence.

She'll recognise the voice anywhere.

"Your highness?" Lancaster says, letting her go once the guards are no longer in their sights.

"Couldn't you grab me any less hard?" she says while furiously rubbing her arm where he'd gripped her.

"I apologise, but I didn't want you to be caught; and I am certain you yourself would not want to be either."

"I was looking for you," Alaina says immediately, changing the topic.

"Are you not supposed to be in your room?" he questions in return, neglecting her statement. "You know, locked up by his majesty's orders?"

"Please, you would be last person to be asking something so absurd like that." Alaina rolls her eyes, crossing her arms. "You know they can't keep me."

"And what is your motive, now that you have escaped?"

She narrows her eyes to try and make him out in the dark. "Are you asking me because you honestly have no clue, or because you're simply trying to confirm what you're predicting?"

Lancaster sighs in defeat. "You are up to something."

"And?"

"You are going against the king. That would mean going against the entire kingdom, your home; you are betraying your own land," he states the probable consequences of her actions. When Alaina only nods in response as a sign of agreement to what he'd said, he continues, "and since this does not only involve your own kingdom but the remaining six as well, you are turning your back against the whole of Asteria, just by simply denying the proposal that the kings have just agreed to."

Wincing, Alaina says, "it won't be that bad, I'm not doing anything just yet."

"I am merely stating the probable outcomes of your predictable actions, and I cannot guarantee the results would be to your liking. We do not know what the future holds."

"But that would also mean we do not have a future, if we simply sit here idly," she makes her point, "I want answers. And if I can't find it here, I'll have to find it elsewhere."

"On your own?"

"Are you coming with me?" she asks like a child making an honest request, but in reality, it sounds like she's saying 'aren't you coming with me, like you always do?'

Lancaster is aware that once she'd gotten her mind on something, there's no stopping her. But honestly, Lancaster had already made up his mind long before, even before they met the king after his meeting. He had thought of both possibilities, and the outcomes of each answer the kings would come to; planning steps ahead. If somehow, the kings were to ultimately give in to the empire proposal -- a low possibility, though, he had thought -- he knew very well the princess wouldn't just resign to the given fate. "I knew you would say that," he finally says, and he means it. "And I had already thought of our plan of action in advance."

She looks up, gleam in her eyes. "Really? You'd come with me? My dad might have your head if he finds out you're helping me."

Nothing she say is going change anything, though; because Lancaster had already decided to be loyal to her to the very end, and it'll be on his own will: not because he is tasked as her personal guard, but instead because he sincerely sees her as a friend. "I know. But of course, I am with you. Do you remember when we were back in the throne room earlier, that I was about to say something?"

"Why are you bringing that up?" Alaina asks immediately, but after a few seconds, she manages to reassemble her thoughts. "Wait -- right before the messenger told us the meeting was over?"

"Precisely."

"You were suggesting?"

"That we first check out the Kingdom of Caelus," Lancaster answers.

Realisation dawns Alaina at his words, because all she knew was that she had to do something, but she honestly has no idea where to begin. She only realises in that moment that she is completely clueless, with zero plans and a blank mind with no expectations as to what is to come.

There are certain things that she is sure of, though. One, she is not the only one who disagrees with the formation of an empire, her entire kingdom is; and two, her father is acting strange, he isn't himself; finally three, that she must do something -- not only for herself, but also for the sake her father and her kingdom. But in turn, these facts only raise more questions. What ultimately made the kings decide to go with the idea? What made her father act that way, even coldly rejecting his very own daughter? What then, would happen to her kingdom, along with the entire land of Asteria?

Most importantly, what would happen to her, if she just simply stays on the sidelines; and what would happen, if she did anything? Would she accomplish anything, without leaving too grave of a consequence either way?

Even without thinking so far, there is one question that is holding Alaina in her current position. How is she even going to begin, if she doesn't have a clue where should she?

"To Caelus, you say, but why?" she questions, after a long thought. Lancaster already had something in mind, so she decides that she could start by seeking his advice.

"We know the people of Theia are unhappy, from the events earlier today," Lancaster starts, "but we have no clue what is happening in the other kingdoms. What if Theia is the only one being cornered, having no clue that the other kingdoms have already agreed to the proposal?"

"You're saying that the other kingdoms agree to this? Except us?"

"I am saying that it might be a possibility. Not unless we ourselves check it out."

"So why Caelus?"

Lancaster's lips curl ever so slightly, twisting into a small smile. "It used to be my home, after all. If nothing else, I would know Caelus best."

"Point taken," she smiles.

"Are we agreed then, your highness, to start by simply visiting the Kingdom of Caelus?"

She takes a deep breath. "Yes. I'm sure my father won't mind if I took a few days to myself, while he is preparing for the installation in three weeks' time," she says, trying to sound confident; although deep down, she is unsure where the future would take her. "A simple visit won't hurt. We'll be back before he even realises I'm gone."

They are so preoccupied in their conversation that they do not notice yet another set of footsteps approaches them gradually but surely, confidently.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," a voice says, accompanying the footsteps.

Alaina and Lancaster nearly jump in shock of the sudden interruption, immediately scanning the area in search of the source of the voice. What surprises them even more than the sudden intruding voice already did, though, is the fact that they find Lloyd emerging from a dark corner of the atrium, behind a pillar.

"How long have you been there?" Lancaster asks, sighing, with a calm demeanour; as if he isn't even surprised when he'd first heard his voice.

"It's not what you think!" Alaina says immediately. Her heart is racing, her mind swirling with random thoughts in search for an excuse.

Lloyd's glasses reflect the small beam of moonlight directly shining onto him that somehow managed to enter the atrium through one of the high arched openings. It isn't for long, though, before darkness befalls them once again as a cloud shrouds the moon completely. "Please, I'm not here to --"

"There is no going back now, then," Lancaster says immediately before Lloyd has a chance to say anything else, his face turning as dark as the corridor, or perhaps even darker; so dark that his green eyes look as if they're glowing.

With a swift movement he grabs the hilt of his sword at his side, pulling it out from its sheath. Within seconds, without hesitation nor regret, he flings it over to Lloyd and slams the blade only an inch away from his face to the wall next to him, trapping Lloyd who jumps at this sudden action of his. "How are you going to tell us off, if you are dead?" he threatens, glaring hard into Lloyd's eyes.

Lloyd pales, cold sweat trickling down the back of his neck. "I am not --"

"Easy, Lancaster," Alaina says quickly, pulling his arm hard. She hasn't seen the menacing side of him for a long time. "He's trying to say something, would you let him, please?" she presses on the word 'please', displaying emphasis, and nods softly to him.

Lancaster backs off, keeping his sword back in its sheath, but keeps his gaze fixated on Lloyd who simply sighs in relief.

"I am not telling you off," he starts off, adjusting his glasses and straightening his clothes. "I wish to join you."

"You what?" Lancaster asks, clearly surprised. He crosses his arms, dissatisfied.

"You saw the king. He's not himself."

"I agree." Alaina steps forward from behind Lancaster, approaching Lloyd. When Lancaster pulls his gaze away from Lloyd to turn to face her questioningly, she adds, "I mean, the king not being himself part. That, I agree, at least."

When no one says anything further, Lloyd speaks again. "I wish to join you," he repeats, "I overheard --" Lancaster scoffs, and he adds quickly, "-- accidentally, of course, that your highness wish to visit Caelus; that you do not want to sit here blindly awaiting for something you're clearly unhappy of. I wish to accompany you."

Lancaster is about to say something to protest before Alaina stops him. She speaks first. "How can we trust you?"

"I am the proud advisor and royal strategist of Theia, your highness."

"I believe we have heard that many times, on various occasions," Lancaster says, frustrated. "What is your motive?"

Lloyd sighs. "I have no motive, other than to seek the truth myself, just like you. You know, knowledge is self-serving. I do not wish to serve a mindless king."

Alaina winces at the assault of her father, but deep down, she agrees. She looks at Lancaster, and after a moment of thought, she offers her hand to Lloyd. "Looking forward to working with you."

Lloyd, who never did expected cooperation from them, much less allowing him into joining them in their little rendezvous; gratefully takes the hand, still standing with awe. "O-of course, your highness," he stammers ever so slightly.

Although Alaina is smiling sweetly, Lancaster, who has just took a step forward to face him, says, "you better not try something."

Smirking, Lloyd adjusts his glasses. "I would be useful in every sense of knowledge you might require," he says, boasting. "I am, after all, the most intelligent man in Theia, perhaps even all of Asteria."

*****

After the long discussion, the three are now out at the back of the castle, ready to leave. They are now prepared; with Alaina and her usual hood around her head when she sneaks out of the castle, Lancaster and his sword, Lloyd and a bag that contains certain books and scrolls that he'd refused to leave behind -- "I never go anywhere without my knowledge sack", he had said.

As the three of them exit the castle in the late night, the wind is so hollow and cold that Alaina and Lloyd shivers, not only because of the drop in temperature compared to indoors but also because they do not know what to expect next. Lancaster walks in front of them, seemingly lost in thoughts. Alaina catches up to Lancaster, and they both indulge in a conversation.

Lloyd takes a deep breath as he watches the backs of Alaina and Lancaster. They must be really used to this by now -- walking in the dark, unafraid of the deadly silent night. They're brave, he thinks, walking fearlessly like that, without the slightest hint of regret that they're turning against the king. Even the princess, whom he always believes to be a pampered child of the king's, is courageously walking into a lion's mouth, pride never wavering until the end.

Instead, he is the one who's uncertain. He has always been a strategist, not only as a formal one in the castle but also one of his own mind; thinking things faster than anyone else, solving problems five steps ahead. But this unexpected change had left him devastated, and for the first time in his life, he doesn't know what to think.

As he is deep in thought, he is slowing down, being left behind by Alaina and Lancaster. A sound of a rock rolling near startles him, and he jumps, almost yelling out loud. He rushes over to Alaina and Lancaster. "Wait up, you two!" he says frantically as he tries to catch his breath, from both freaking out and running.

Lancaster turns to face him. He cocks a brow, and mockingly, he says, "you are not scared, are you?"

"S-scared? Of what?"

Alaina laughs, trying hard to do so as softly as she can, while Lancaster struggles to keep his composure. "Really, Lloyd, I thought you were much more." Lancaster purposefully picks on his archenemy's weakness.

"I have no idea what's so funny." He walks ahead of them, stomping furiously with a mixture of anger and embarrassment. "See? not afraid." He proceeds further, and they watch him go, then stops. After a split second of hesitation, he turns back to them. "What are you waiting for?" he says quickly when he realises he's alone in the front.

Alaina and Lancaster almost blow their cover as they laugh.

"Silence! Do you want to get caught?" Lloyd exclaims.

"You are the one speaking really loudly," Lancaster challenges.

Then there's another sound. Lloyd hears it, and he whips around to find the source, but all he sees is dark, empty alleyway. He turns back to them with the intention of letting them know there might be something there, but decides against it as it might only be his own subconscious. He also doesn't want to risk hurting his pride, especially when Lancaster is around.

He turns around, and continues to walk, with Alaina and Lancaster slowly following behind.

But another sound -- a brush against the alleyway, or possibly even a shuffle -- brings his stare back at the alleyway. He squints his eyes, trying to make out something. Nothing, only darkness. He shudders as he starts to doubt his own mind. For someone who'd been living in the castle for so long, he'd never imagined the city would be so creepy at night.

But although he can't seem to spot the source of the sounds, it doesn't stop bothering him that something's there, and that it's following them as they walk the empty streets of the quiet city late in the night.

Seeing is believing, his mind says in an attempt soothe his frantic soul, as he tries to remain serene despite his hysterical state.

He'd thought it is the cat that he'd just spotted its shadow, running across the street. But there is another rattling opposite the direction the cat had just ran off, and it seems to be getting closer. It is obviously following them.

Lloyd decides it's not about his pride now, as their safety is concerned.

"Something's there," he says, turning to face Alaina and Lancaster.

"What are you talking about? It is as empty as a barren dessert, apart from us three."

"No, I'm serious. Something's --"

Before he has a chance to finish, there is a light tap on his shoulder. Lloyd freezes. He is still looking in the direction of Alaina and Lancaster, so who is tapping him? Or, what is?

Turning pale, he swallows as he builds up the courage to turn around, slowly. That moment, it is as if the world had stopped moving, and that time had stopped abruptly; as he discovers whether he would regret looking or not.

Lloyd catches a glimpse of a small but fast brownish figure, and "boo!" is all he hears before he lets out a yell he has been trying to suppress since they started walking out in the city.

He is hit in the head lightly, and he stops yelling immediately, shutting his mouth and looking around in alarm. Then he hears laughter. They're soft, but mocking in his ears anyway.

"Get a grip," Lancaster says, pulling his hand away. He is the one who had hit Lloyd earlier.

"W-what? What was that?!"

Giggles.

Lloyd adjusts his glasses and rubs his eyes, composing himself from the panic attack. He sees Alaina laughing, Lancaster shaking his head, and... another girl.

Where had this young lady come from?

"That was so funny!" The brunette with short pigtails says between laughter. "You." She points at Lloyd, "are funny. I like you."

Sudden, intense heat rises up all over him, out of fury also embarrassment, along with a tiny glimpse of a secret delight, even the slightest bit. "It's not funny! What if someone were to find out? We would've been caught!"

"Actually, true. Let's pick up the pace." Alaina scans the surroundings, making sure. "Also, Rose; seriously, what are you doing here? I'll admit it, it was funny -- but really. You have to go back," she says softly.

Rose narrows her eyes in suspicion. "What are you all up to, in the middle of the night?"

Alaina, Lancaster and Lloyd just exchange glances, trying to find the words. Finally, Alaina breaks the silence. "Well, stuff. You know, business," she lies.

"In the middle of the night?" she repeats.

"It's complicated. But why are you here, that's another mystery too."

"I want to follow you," Rose says softly, pouting slightly. "I know very well what you're up to. You aren't happy with the results -- I'm not either, by the way -- and you're trying to change it, some way or another. So if you don't let me follow, I shall inform his majesty."

Lancaster raises an eyebrow. "Is this a threat?"

"Of course."

He sighs. Another stubborn girl.

"What about your parents?" Alaina questions.

"They would be proud of me. I mean, they gave me the permission to do what I think is right," Rose replies, but with a slight wince no one notices.

"How did you even think of finding us here in the first place?" Lloyd asks, curious.

"I just thought what Alaina would do."

Lancaster looks over to Alaina, who flushes. Her actions are not only predictable to Lancaster, but to Rose as well.

Alaina gently puts a hand Rose's shoulder. "We are sort of going against the kings. Are you sure you want that?"

"If it's with you guys, sure." She smiles brightly, even in the dark.

Alaina nods to Lancaster and Lloyd. Lloyd is shaking his head in the distance, a palm in his face.

"I guess we need all the help we can get, then." Lancaster sighs in defeat, already giving up being against the idea of having Lloyd in the first place.

"Fine, let's hurry," Lloyd says, glaring over at Rose in particular. "Before any more scares -- I mean, interruptions come along. Unpleasant ones," he quickly adds.

Giggling, Rose strides near to Lloyd, who tries to walk faster and further away from the girl he'd just met on very embarrassing terms.

With Lancaster being left behind with Alaina, he says, "shall we, your highness?"

She smiles. "To the Kingdom of Caelus."