Mairwen danced to her heart's content. She enjoyed dancing immensely, but after a time she grew weary of countless dance partners always asking the same questions. Aside from a few boys that she knew, everyone asked her about her plans for the future, wondered if she knew how beautiful she looked, and inquired what it was like to have an Empress for a mother. She could only have the same conversation so many times.

At last the princess pulled herself away from the crowd of dancers and headed toward the Spring Garden, where Alaron sidled up beside her. "Are you enjoying the party?" He asked. The Prince looked very handsome in his blue and white tunic and pants. A lighter blue, shortened cape was draped loosely across his shoulders like a kingly robe. Alaron had opted to represent the royal colors, and they sat well upon his figure.

"Oh brother, it has been a wonderful celebration! Dancing with father was certainly the highlight. The music, the excitement: it has been perfect. Nothing could ruin this evening." The princess beamed.

"Remember that you said that," the prince looked guilty.

"Prince Alaron, what have you done?!" Mairwen stopped her brother and forced him to look at her.

"Nothing! You know I am always getting into trouble. I just want you to be prepared." He gave a weak smile.

Relaxing slightly, the princess wrapped her arm around her brother's shoulder. "Just try not to get into so much trouble that I cannot get you out." She gave her brother a squeeze.

"If what I want to do works, it will be getting us both out of trouble, I promise." Alaron truly believed his words. His sister would see eventually that he was simply righting a wrong. "I like your necklace," the prince tried to change the subject. He indicated the pixie on a chain around her neck.

"Thank you, it is my birthday gift from Mother. What did she give you?" Mairwen asked as she stoked the present.

"Nothing…yet."

Coming into the crowd, the prince and princess watched the performances from the back. Mairwen enjoyed seeing the audience's reaction, while Alaron was avoiding the Empress's gaze. The moment had not yet come for his triumph, but it would be soon.

As the fire-breather finished his act, the princess yawned. Her brother nudged her shoulder with his own. "Go take a rest," he urged. "There is plenty more happening tonight. You need to refresh for the next set of dances."

Mairwen rolled her eyes. "I will feel all this dancing in my feet tomorrow, but a moment of quiet does sound nice. I think I shall retire for a bit."

Alaron glanced to the stage where the actors were almost ready. Sweat formed on his brow. "Get along with you, then," he said with a nervous laugh. He pretended to kick at her with his heel.

"Will you be alright?" the girl asked.

"I will be better when I know you are taking care of yourself and resting," her brother answered honestly.

"Then I will go. Be well, brother." Mairwen kissed her the boy on the cheek. With her entourage in tow, the princess left the Spring Garden not a moment too soon. Heaving a sigh of relief, Alaron watched as the play began.

Unlike the Emperor and Empress, he thoroughly enjoyed the show. He especially appreciated the actor that portrayed him. The man was handsome and strong—an ideal hero. Which is what Alaron believed that he was: a hero. After the Emperor and Empress left through the ballroom, a general walked calmly up to Alaron.

"Enjoying the show?" He asked the boy.

"It seems to have had the desired effect. People are gossiping, and Her Majesty is distraught." The prince was pleased with the result.

"It is almost time for the second phase. Where are your sister and your personal guard?" The general asked.

"Mairwen went to rest. She should not be a problem," Alaron was trying to convince the general as much as himself. "And I sent Warin on a fool's errand an hour ago. He will likely be too embarrassed to admit he has lost me, and I have no intention of letting him find me now."

"Very well," the general was satisfied with his answers, "I shall go take care of His Majesty and then we can begin your moment of glory."

"Yes, thank you, Uncle."

——————-

Mairwen's rest was short-lived. She did not sit still well, and her ladies-in-waiting prattling on about nonsense did not help ease her mind.

"Please return to the party, ladies," Mairwen said. "I can manage on my own."

"But Your Highness," one of them objected.

"Please keep everyone in lively spirits until I return. I am counting on you, ladies," Mairwen smiled at them. She could see on their eager faces how much they wanted to return.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" The ladies giggled and filed out of the room. Only Mairwen's personal guard, Eira, remained.

"I think I shall take the long way back to the party," the princess told the guard. Eira, the only female personal guard of the royal family, nodded her understanding.

They walked in silence around the halls, nodding at anyone they passed. Mairwen saw one of the old, crotchety generals and tried to smile at him, but he grunted without stopping. "He is no nonsense," she whispered to Eira. Others they passed politely curtsied and went back to gossiping. Mairwen got the sinking feeling that they were talking about her.

A short while later, Mairwen aimlessly turned a corner on a blind hallway. She bumped into someone coming out of a room. It was a general—no it was the same crotchety general from before.

"I am sorry, sir!" The princess lowered her head. She expected a gruff response, but was surprised.

"My fault," the general said. His voice sounded familiar. "You should get some rest, Your Highness. Excuse me." He brushed past her, and she noticed that the edge of his armored sleeve seemed to pass through her as if it was not really there.

"Did you see that?" Mairwen asked.

"He was friendlier than normal," Eira observed.

"Yes, but that is not what I meant. His clothes passed through my skin like they were not there!"

"Are you sure?" Eira was not one to question the princess, but the suggestion was absurd.

"I am positive. Where did the general even come from?" Mairwen looked around.

"I think he came from that room. Where is the guard for that door?" Eira was on alert. Something was off. The guard drew a knife and pushed her ear to the door. The princess also leaned into the door to listen. There was no sound within. "Wait here, Your Highness."

Mairwen took a step back and allowed her guard to do her job. Eira touched the handle and then opened the door. Rushing in with her knife drawn, Eira surveyed the small storeroom quickly. The princess waited anxiously for her guard to return.

Instead she heard a gasp. "Your Highness, you need to see this," Erin's voice was shaky. Needing no further invitation, Mairwen pushed through the doorway, and her eyes welled with tears.

Along the back wall, four figures were strewn. Among them, Devrim lay lifeless.