A few hours later Queen Levina called me to her office. As I walked there, my feet felt unusually heavy and my mind was filled with dark thoughts. Since Alvis had said he would report everything I knew what this was likely about. I had let my guard down, but was it enough to get me removed from my position as princess?

When I arrived at her office, the queen’s guards beckoned me in before I even had a chance to knock. Queen Levina was waiting for while standing by her window.

“Cassandra, I am incredibly disappointed in you,” she spoke, her voice cold,, “After everything you have been through and accomplished I would never have expected you to be the one to let an enemy walk right through the castle doors.”

I trembled slightly. This was definitely it, but I promised myself that I would at least leave with dignity. “I have no excuse,” I replied. My voice was stiff but I had managed a reply.

The queen was silent for a while before she turned from the window. “It seems that you have been thinking about this deeply. I am glad,” she said, “If you had dismissed your mistake and tried to justify yourself I might have lost an excellent princess.”

My eyes widened and I looked up with hope.

“The important thing is that you fixed your mistake. It is better to mistakes while you are just a princess so you have that knowledge later on,” Queen Levina told me, “However, I cannot let a mistake this grave go unpunished.”

“Of course,” I replied.

“Starting tomorrow you will be suspended from your position as the tenth princess. No one shall take your place, but when you return is entirely up to your efforts,” she continued, “When you return I expect to see a stronger princess with improved talents. I want you to know your place and duties as the tenth princess. When you return, you must return with a purpose.”

“How am I supposed to know what my purpose is?” I asked.

The queen smiled. “Why did you become a princess, Cassandra?” she asked, “Why have you worked so hard to attain this position? Often once people achieve their goal, they forget why they strove for it in the first place. Good luck.”

I stood and left at the clear dismissal. Why had I become a princess? Why was I so determined to be Queen?

Magic, of course!

I had forgotten. Perhaps after everything I had learned I had been discouraged from my goal, but now that I thought about it, that was just silly. Real magic, fake magic, was it not all magic? In fact, would not this information help me achieve my dream? I needed to prepare myself as Queen Levina had ordered.

When I entered my office my eyes rested on the sceptre. Having such power and responsibility was certainly interesting, but it didn’t feel quite right for a princess to have it. Should I give it to Reginald? Perhaps Caleb? I gently rubbed the staff as I thought. Then an idea came to me. I wasn’t sure why, but I knew exactly who I should give it to.

I took the staff and once again set off through the halls, this time with determination. When I arrived at my destination I politely knocked before entering when permission was given.

Nero observed me from over his desk. “Cassandra? Is there something you need?” he asked with suspicion.

“Because of the recent incident I will be temporarily suspended from my position as princess,” I informed him, “For that, and a few other reasons I have decided I am not worthy to wield this scepter.”

Nero frowned when I held the scepter out to him. “And why would you choose me as the person to give it to?” he asked.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but I think I know now,” I told him, “Queen Levina reminded me that I needed to find my purpose in the dream that made me step into the palace in the first place. You told me once that you admired the position of head magician and despise the position of king. Why should you have to continue to dance to the tune of a traitor who vanished a long time ago?”

“I see,” Nero said and accepted the staff, “In that case I suppose it is time for me to make my move. I can make use of this incident as well to step down, just like the last king did. I believe Maximus is ready, and he will have excellent aides to back him up.”

“Good luck,” I told him, “It’s a shame I won’t be in the palace to see it. I intend to return home while I am suspended. I should go back to where it all began to make sure I remember everything I used to find important.”

“Good luck to you as well,” Nero said. As his grip tightened on the staff it glowed again and it’s colors changed to resemble the night sky. It was beautiful, far more beautiful than it had been in my hands.

I smiled as I left. I returned to my office and finished informing all of the people I needed to inform of my sudden absence and then I started packing my things and preparing for a journey. Just as the queen had ordered, I had no intentions of returning until I become a stronger princess who was ready to take on my role. I had many things to prepare.

****

Time passed and news of the change in king reached my hometown as well as the news that Alvis had vanished. There were also rumors of the head magician taking on a new apprentice. However I continued my preparations until I received the news I had been waiting for.

“Cassandra, you have a letter,” mother told me, “This one seems to be a report just for you.”

I took the letter and quickly read it over.

“Is it the news you have been waiting for?” mother asked.

A smile spread across my face. “It is,” I replied, “The train tracks are finished. The launch of the trains was a complete success. Not only that, the queen has granted me permission to return to my position after reading through my reports.”

“How wonderful!” mother said and gave me a tight hug, “Make sure to wear the new boots we made you. Your father claims they are his best work so far.”

“I will,” I promised.

It had been almost a year since I had left the castle after the incident. I had been preparing ever since then to become the princess with the best connections with the magic division and the most knowledge on the rules and intricacies of magic. Once I stepped back into my office I would be the tenth princess, the princess in charge of communication with the magic division and magical law directly under the queen herself.

The moment of my return was far less dramatic than I expected. No one came to greet me since I had arrived fairly late and they were busy. I went directly to my office since I had missed it so much and carefully opened the door.

My office had been cleaned in my absence so there was not even a speck of dust. Everything was just how I left it, however I did notice one thing out of place. There was a note on the desk. It was the kind that was sealed with magic so that only the receiver could open it. The note looked somewhat worn so it had likely been there for some time.

I walked over to my desk and unsealed then unfolded the note. On the paper I only found one line:

“You have completed the Alvis Route~ Bad End.”

I stared silently at the note for a while before sinking down into my chair and laughing. I didn’t know if this was some kind of prank but at the moment I didn’t care. Everything that happened did seem like it would be the bad end of some kind of romance, but I had a whole life ahead of me after this so-called ending.

After carefully refolding the note I placed it in the bottom of my cookie drawer. I felt I should keep it to mark an end, and my new beginning.