At the same time, but a completely different place, a strangely important conversation took place..

"Do you understand why you are here." A woman who sat behind the desk hissed. It was a very irritated Ms. Snake.

"No? Am I arrested?" The person sitting at the other side of the table questioned.

"Do you want to be?" Miss Snake answered back.

"No, obviously." As the person finally raised their tone, the knight placed a file on the table. It was a picture of a valuable treasures that belonged to Queen Charlotte.

"You go by Rika Sheryl? The shapeshifter thief? Steal this for me, and make it quick." She ordered.

"For what? I don't just work for free you know?" Rika explained, to which Ms. Snake only pulled out a few reports. She started reading.

"The so called Rika Sheryl has allegedly stolen various valuable artifacts, as well being accused of petty theft and physically hurting the knights of lower and higher ranks. Even though none were killed, many were severely injured. No concrete evidence has been found against her, however if she is found, she will be brought in for questioning."

She stopped reading. "The rest is a list of all of the reported incidents of robbery and many others. I'll give you credit, you could've done worse, but in not finishing the job, we caught up to you. If they take you in for questioning, it won't be long before they absolutely connect you to everything and find out your real identity, which I would make sure would happen.. It would really be a shame if a person as young as sixteen already got into legal trouble." Miss Snake pulled out a device.

"I see, your fucking recording." The shapeshifter smiled. "You know blackmailing is illegal right?"

"Rules become bendable when your one of the knight chiefs." Miss Snake said with a loud whisper.

Rika burst out laughing. "Foul play! I see how it is.."

"Now that you understand your situation, let's make a deal.." Miss Snake stopped for a second until the thief stopped laughing.

"I'm very sorry, this shit is just very interesting, continue." Rika urged the knight to speak.

"As I was saying, the deal is you get some valuable items from Queen Whiteblind, the ruler of Snowfei, and bring them to me. In return, all of these records magically dissapear and so does your acussations.."

"I just need go steal one of these items?"

"The more you have the better. I don't care how, just bring them to me." Snake replied.

"You just made yourself a deal." The thief chuckeled extending her hand. The knight then shook it, and then the strange thief left.

..

...

We searched around the town in hope of a crate with items I don't know anything about. We asked a bunch of people, and of course, they did not know anything. I should consider negotiating a better price for this job.

"Do you even know what artifacts Charlotte has in there?" I asked with a hint of suspicion.

In response, Seven shot me a cold glare.

"It's Ms. Whiteblind for you." He said.

After thirty minutes and fourty five seconds, absolutely nothing happened. We didn't find anything. No leads, no clues. Nothing.

"We should head back, today wasn't really our day." Seven said, but I denied.

"You can head back, I'm going to have another look around."

From there we parted ways. He said he went to 'spectate' whatever that meant. Creepy.

After another twenty minutes exactly, I wanted to head back as well, however at that moment I noticed a strange potion shop. This suspicious looking building really piqued my interest. On the door was a sign that said 'open' so I walked inside.

The inside was filled with all kins of books, potions, materials and suspicios chemicals. The place was a mess, really. Out of the backroom walked in an elf lady. With a purple cloak over her shoulders and pink flowers in her hair she looked almost mysterious. Her hair was a washed down purple, almost revealing her true brown hair colour. She wore a plastered smile as she greeted me.

"Good evening. Have you come to pick up an order princess?" She asked curiously.

"No, I was just wandering around. I do have a question though, if you don't mind." I replied.

"Oh, is this work related?" She giggled slightly. "My sister told me all about your knight duties, honestly I'm suprised that no one really knows about it." I see no hint of anger or hatred in her voice. Why didn't Charlotte tell anyone in the end? Strange.

"Your sister?" I catiously asked.

"Ah, yes. She probably didn't mention me. 'Personal stuff isn't suited for work and bla bla bla'. She really only says that so I don't emabarrass her. I'm Kiannas older sister, Kianna nice to meet cha!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she reached for a handshake. I have a lot of questions from this interaction.

"So, your name is also Kianna?" I couldn't help but let a question slip out as we shook hands.

"Yea, please don't ask why. I also go by Kae if it's way to confusing, I prefer that name anyway."

"How are you two related your an elf and she's a-"

"Human? She's actually half elf, half human. It's complicated.." She cut me off.

"Right.. got a little sidetracked there. I wanted to ask you if you have seen any unusual activities involving robbing. Like, for example a crate full of very valuable items?" I explained finally getting to the point.

"Nope, not really. I do know someone who might though."

"Who?"

"Well", she started explaining. "there is a customer that comes around every month or so, he buys a few spell books and leaves. He always seems to know everything. Honestly I don't even know where he gets his information from. Once, when he didn't have enough money to pay for everything, so in exchange, he told me everything about the secret stash of a bunch materials. Suposedly, some people buried them twenty yeaes ago for someone to find. He even gave me a map to navigate the place. In the end, I found a bunch of containers with blue glitter. The crazy part is, I was prepairing a calming potion earlier that day, and ran didn't have quite the amount of blue glitter that I needed." She whispered to me the last part. Quckly checking behind the windows afterwards.

"Do you know where I can find him?" I inquired, concerned.

"He came here five days ago. Mentioned something about working for a company 'Indigo' for a short period of time." She answered.

"Thank you, this information may be helpful." I turned around to leave.

"Oh wait! I almost forgot! Here take this." She handed me a bag. "The Queen is actually a regular here, she bought some cleansing potions two days ago. They were due tomorrow, but since I finished them early, I figured I should give this to you now. Least I could fo after she left such a genereous tip when she paid for it." She told me as i opened to look inside. About thirty-ish little bottles with some purple liquid inside.

"Uhm.. alright, I'll give it to her once I get back. Have a nice day." She waved at me and I left the shop.

The walk home was really quiet and loud at the same time. Not even the cold wind could stop me from thinking about the things that I have learned. Every answer leaves me with more questions. Why did Charlotte buy so many cleansing potions? What is going on with Kianna and her sister? And why am I playing part in all of this? Nothing seemed logical from the moment I arrived to now. From everyone not liking knights for some reason, to me, a knight playing Charlottes lost sister that she may as well consider as dead. Nothing made sense.

...

And the nameless young knight didn't realize it then, but she wouldn't have the answer for a very, very long time.

After the moon risen from the sky and the clock struck midnight, a black-haired girl sneaked past the gates.

So stupidly easy, a giant could sneak past these blind idiots. I just have to find out where the stash is. Easy. Then I can go home and sleep. That blackmailing scumbag told me that they transferred the crates by boat back to Snowfei this morning. So it should be in the castle by now.

I walked throught the town trying to be as quiet as possible. The streets were almost empty at this hour. The only thing that lit it up was the faint light from the streetlamps. When I arrived close to the castle. I hid behind the bushes. Shit.. this place is heavily guarded. I'll have to look for another way in.. I crawled around the castle, hoping that I wasn't loud enough for them to hear me. I was trying to find a window low enough to climb in. Great, just my luck. The lowest one was on the second floor. Why don't these people have fucking windows?? Are they vampires or something? I took a deep breath. Well, here I was thinking this was easy.

Atleast I came prepaired. I took a rope with a hook attached to it and threw it at the edge of a window. I carefully climbed up. I checked to see if anyone was inside. No one. Perfect. It's closed, but I think I can force it open. I pulled out a tool for the job and tried to open the window. It took a while, but I managed to do it. Though I also managed to scratch the wood of the frame a little, but it shouldn't be noticable. I pulled the rope up and tucked it in my jacket.

I drew the white curtains open to see a fully pink princessy room. Fancy I guess. I carefully opened the door and exited the room. I wandered across the hallway until I noticed the flight of spiral stairs leading down. I slowly walked down the stairs, hoping not they wouldn't creak below my feet. I was only halfway there when I heard voices.

"Have you found the crate?" A female voice asked. I peeked my head next to the wall to try recognize the face. But shorty after I pulled back as I realized who it was. It was Queen Charlotte and another white haired girl.

"No Charlotte, but I have a possible lead. We will bring everything back." The white haired girl spoke.

"Alright.. but remember Paper, every single item in that crate is valuable to me. I don't want a single thing missing. Understood?" The Queen ordered.

"Yes, I understand. This is yours by the way.." I heard russtling in a bag.

"Oh, yes... I.. forgot I ordered these. Thank you!" The brunette stuttered.

"I'll be at the library if you need me highness." That was the last thing I heard. So, someone got to the prize before me. A thief tracking down a thief, how amusing. And here I was thinking that this was going to be boring.

And with that, Rika Sheryl dissapeared as early as 12 : 30 o'clock with a newfound interest in this game of hers.

...

"What warrants you to leave the castle so casually?" Seven asked me as he accompanied me towards the 'Indigo' company.

"Me, myself? Besides, a fancy dress would be way too distracting."

I replied as we walked.

"Alright then, who are we meeting there again?"

"Don't know his name really."

"You want us to negotiate with an informant of whom we don't even know the name of?!" Seven replied, with a louder tone.

"I know what he looks like so it's fine. I've negotiated with less information. I'm a natural." I said shrugging.

"I swear, if you don't take this seriously-"

"Oh, is that the building?" I cut him off.

He let out a huge sigh of annoyance.

"I understand that our situation is not.. ideal," he started sarcasticly mouthing me "HOWEVER, we don't don't really have any other ideas do we?" I raised my voice. He shrugged and nodded, and with that we went inside.

"Can I help you?" The receptionist asked, keeping her eyes glued to the computer screen infront of her.

"Yes, I'm here to have a quick chat with one of your informants who started working here a short while ago. Blonde hair, green eyes, kinda short." I explained while trying to have a peek at what she was writing. She stared up at me, realizing who I was (who I'm pretending to be) and slightly nodded.

"Sure. Fifth floor, room 3."

"Thank you. Have a nice day." I said as I turned towards the elevator.

I turned on the button and in twelve seconds I heard a ding. We went into the elevator.

The next fourty four seconds very, very quiet, both of us strictly avoiding eye contact. I think Seven was still annoyed because of this situation. Who knows what is going on in that stupid head of his. The elevator stopped and we stepped outside.

Room 3.. room 3.. room 3.. Oh, here it is.

We knocked twice and only entered after we heard a 'come in'. We opened the door to see a quite neat office, with papers neatly placed on the table and files stacked on the shelves in hronological order. Seven looked really mad.

"What can I do for you?" Asked the guy in a chair, observing a book.

"My name is Paper Whiteblind, and this is.."

"Seven!" He cut me off "Aww so nice of you to visit! Did you come here to admit that I'm the better spy, and to give up your position to little old me?"

"Keep dreaming." Seven talked back.

"So mean! I bet you haven't introduced me to the princess. Hello I'm Marko, the best informer in Snowfei-"

"Second best." Seven coughed sarcasticly.

"Anyways, I know anything and everything around these parts so if you need information, you came to the right place." He's nothing like I imagened him to be. By Kaes story, I thought he'd be more intimidating?

"Actually, there is something. I assume you know about the missing crate incident. We are searching for it. Do you know anything useful?" I questioned.

"Well that depends, how much do you have?" He asked curiosly.

"Will 500 silver do?"

"Splendidly." He reached out his hand and I handed him the bag full of silver. He greedely yanked it off my hand and opened the bag. Delitighted to see the exact amount, he started talking.

"I came across this information because I am investageting the other rivaling company. Yesterday, they stole a crate with a bunch of valuable items from the queen. Jewelery mostly. But the most important thing inside was.." Marko seemed to stop there after he saw how coldly Seven stared at him. He cleared his throat and continued. "That's besides the point. I heard that they will hold an auction for it tomorrow night. Rich people will probably come and bid for it. The operation is strictly secretive. Which is why it will be heavily guarded."

"Why didn't you tell the queen the situation. You are from Snowfei, aren't you?" Seven questioned.

"I thought you were in charge of that. So rest assured that I am soo delighted that little detail slipped by you 'queens informant'." Seven groaned at that comment, but didn't talk back, instead he walked out of the building.

"How do you even work with him..?" Marko turned to me. He handed me a piece of paper. "Here is all the details about the auction tomorrow."

"I don't know.. by the way, what was that important item?" I asked out curiosity.

"It's..a magical scepter. That's all I know. It really is an interesting topic I'd like to look into. I mean, I don't even know what it does!" The answered as he turned the page of the book he was reading.

"Thanks.. Have a nice afternoon." I waved.

"Be careful, Seven is trying to withold information from you. It would be wise not to listen to everything he says. Bye, bye princess!" He waved as I closed the door. I was buried in my thoughts as I walked towards the exit.

Once I left the building, I saw Seven slumped against a tree. He seemed to be sulking like a child.

"What took you so long?" He then asked, after spotting me.

"Calm down, it's only been five minutes and fifty five seconds." I answered him.

"Alright I just don't get why I had to come.." he muttered.

"You were the one who insisted." I coughed. "Next time: Don't come. Simple." I could feel that eyeroll response.

I opened up the neatly folded paper that Marko gave me. Inside was everything I needed to know.

Location: Hotel in xx street in Daylight, a city in Armia.

Time: 9 p.m.

Outfit theme: Black and White

Invitations required. This is how one looks like:

"I'll need an invitation. Where am I gonna get that?" I spoke to myself forgeting that Seven was peeking over my shoulder.

"We could just forge that." Seven said.

I jumped a bit. He scared me there.

"And how do we do that exactly." I raised my eyebrow.

"Kianna can do it. Seriously she is such a skilled painter that she can forge one no problem. Plus her sister is a genious at potion making so she can create an illusion of the feel and smell of a legit invitation." Seven rambled. "We just need to come up with a fake identity, well in your case fake, fake identity and-" Seven started violently coughing.

"Are you.. okay?" I asked. He always looked fine to me.. So why is he shaking.

"I'm alright." He said as his coughing slowed down. "I'm.. going to a doctor. I'll see you tomorrow. Please ask Kianna to forge us those invitations." And then he ran off, and left me quite concerned.

And I swear, I saw a feather on the ground. Were they black?

I walked back home (to the castle) and fell unconscious on the bed.

...

That night the same two people met up again in the forest.

"These potions hurt me." Seven said to the queen.

"It's not fatal, it's just a side effect. Just don't use them as often." Charlotte replied, adjusting her hat.

"Just don't use them as often." Seven chuckled. "How am I supposed to my job then!? Now to mention, that one of the 'side effect' leaves me shaking. I've coughed violently and have been growing feathers!" He raised his voice.

"Do you want the reward or not? Last I checked, you are the reason you are in this mess right now! You're lucky I even gave you a second chance and gave you a job as my informer."

Charlotte replied coldly. Her words shook Seven up.

"Yes, Queen Whiteblind." He kneeled before the woman with the black hat.

Charlotte smiled.

"Remember, I can always replace you with that.. what was his name? Oh, yes Marko.." Sevens eyes widened. They told Charlotte everything she needed to know. "Keep me posted as you always did. If you fail, it's your fault .. former knight." The woman ordered leaving in the midst of the forest.

"It's all my fault."

.

..

...