(Xul)

Aurenolia sat still in her seat as her maid carefully braided her hair in an elegant and masculine style but her heart was shaking wildly. She could think of nothing but the strange boy from the night before. There was something pitiful about him that made her believe he couldn't possibly be dangerous.

A knock sounded at her bedroom door, “Your Highness? Are you dressed? May I come in?”

“Yes!” Aurenolia shot to her feet, feeling a pain in her scalp as her hair was pulled. The maid let out a squeak as she was dragged along.

One of the twin guards from the day before opened the door and stepped into the room, witnessing the maid with her fingers tangled in the tail end of the “prince’s” untied braid and the prince holding “his” head with an expression of pain.

With a face so pale it seemed to be pure white, the maid hurriedly backed a few steps away, bowing low at the waist, “I’m deeply sorry, Your Highness.”

Aurenolia laughed, “No, no it’s my fault for standing up without warning.”

The maid didn’t rise from her bow. Aurenolia sighed and waved her hand, “Alright, you can go.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The maid left the room as fast as she could without breaking into an all out sprint.

“She hasn’t been with me very long so she’s not used to me, “ Aurenolia laughed nervously, an embarrassed flush on her cheeks, “Anyways, did you have news about the boy?”

The guard bowed, “He is awake, Your Highness. His Majesty is speaking with him now.”

Aurenolia could hear her own heart pounding in her ears. “Can I speak with him?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

***

“You truly remember nothing aside from your name?” The King asked, staring down at the burned boy.

“Yep.” the boy answered, studying the thin blanket draped over his legs rather than looking up at the King.

The King bristled at the boy’s nonchalant answer, “I hold the power to end your life with a single word, maybe speak with a bit more respect.”

The boy’s cold gaze slid to the King’s face, meeting his eyes for the first time. “Kill me then.”

“You-!” The King’s face turned a deep shade of wine red in an instant, but before he could continue his cursing, the door opened.

“Ah Royal Father, you’re still here.” Prince Altyrion bowed to his father. The younger of the two twin guards followed behind him and shared a look with his brother who had stayed behind in the room with the king and the boy. The older twin shrugged and the younger’s expression turned exasperated and he shook his head.

The King turned to his son, “The boy is suspicious, he has failed to give a decent explanation.”

The boy on the bed and the prince accidentally locked eyes. “What explanation did he give, Royal Father?” Altyrion asked, struggling to tear his eyes away from the boy and look at his father.

The boy answered before the King could, “None. I don’t remember anything but my name. Deo.”