When Zephyr noticed that the assassin, his assassin, had checked into the hospital wing the night before, he grew a bit worried. When he saw the man dropping another assassin, one who Zephyr could've cared less about, he was a bit relieved.

From the side of the ring, the prince clapped his hands.

Both assassins jumped, looking at the 'new' audience they'd acquired.

The one on the floor had to stand before placing a fist over his heart and giving a sharp bow. Orion Magnus was already pressed into perfect form.

"Great match, both of you," the prince remarked, making small talk. "Orion Magnus, correct."

The rust haired assassin's eyes were anywhere but on the Prince's. "Yes, your highness?"

"I'd like to speak with you, in private, if you don't mind."

The assassin nodded, stepping forward towards Zephyr before stoping, remembering to drop all his hidden blades on the floor. Proper etiquette I front of royalty, of course.

Zephyr turned and started walking, confident that the young assassin would follow. While walking, he took note of Orion's footsteps, which he couldn't at all hear. He was a bit embarrassed at how impressed he was. To Orion, it must've been natural.

When he reached the door he was looking for, Zephyr pulled out his keys and unlocked it, allowing both of them to silently slide in. An older room meant to be a break room. No one used it anymore because it was too far off patrol compared to the rest.

Finally, Zephyr took a moment to examine the assassin. He was tall and lean, maybe six foot five inches. Tanned skin and well defined muscles. He wore boots, good for hiding blades, and an empty sheath around waist.

He must've been staring for a while, because the assassin began to fidget.

"Is that wound of yours doing well?" The young prince finally asked. "Not hurting too much or anything?"

"No, nothing too bad, your Highness. A saint gave me a tonic to-"

Zephyr's fist connected with the assassins stomach. The left side, right where he knew it hurt. Instead of moving his hand away, he kept it flat against Orion's stomach, keeping him steady in case he fell.

But the assassin only flinched, biting his lip against the searing pain and refusing the support.

"Good," Zephyr said, waiting a few beats before taking his hand away. "Looks like you're still in good shape."

"Your highness?" Orion bit out.

"I'm sure you've heard the news, Orion. The Coronation Game is coming up." He waited for a response, but got none. "I want you to participate in my team."

Now his gray eyes flicked, looking up and meeting the Prince's eyes.

"Me?"

"You do have the best rating of all the young assassins. Never failed a job, never been caught. I could use someone with skill like yours. If you think you're up to it."

A challenge of bravery. That's what he'd just issued. The first trial that all the members of the Royal team had to face. People called it the first test.

The foreign guard had asked for it.

The murderer hadn't cared.

And the assassin. May Sheek-Ala, goddess of the battlefield bless all those who stood in his way.

The assassin smiled.

---

Rei was sick and tired of waiting on the gods damned criminal. Wait for her outside the nice, long, hot bath. Wait for her while she talks to the king. Wait for her while she eats. Wait for her while she pretends she's not still trying to stomach the half pizza she devoured. And now, wait for her while she picks weapons, emphasis on the 's'. She grabbed whatever she liked.

Though, he had to admit, she was beautiful when there weren't layers of dirt caked on her skin and in her hair. What he thought was more of a dark brown color, turned out to be an auburn color that reminded him of autumn. She was even more beautiful when she examined the weapons while a small smile tugged on her lips.

He would be lying if he said he didn't have his left hand casually hanging over the hilt of his blade. Or that his grip didn't tighten when she picked up a sword to examine it.

He felt it, but only for a second. That heavy glance of hers that made you quiver in fear. And then she was tying the belt around her thin waist, fitting all sorts of weapons into it.

Several daggers and throwing knives.

"You have any poisons?" She asked in her velvety voice.

"Fraid not, Ms. Murderer. You'll have to find other ways to kill people."

She raised an eyebrow at him and he was sure he'd shot the conversation. She found a way to pick it back up.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, Mr. Foreigner, but you're also a part of the Royal team."

He puffed his chest up a bit, just a bit. "I am."

"So then you'll be killing as well? Or are you only there to be the Prince's assistant."

"Yes, I'm killing people. But it's for a good purpose. It's for the prince to become king and rule for a longer period of time. No enemies from the get go makes it easier."

"And who decided this way of killing was right?"

"What're you talking about, Earnheart?"

She shrugged, running her finger across the blade of a long sword before sheathing it against her back.

"Well, if I killed all of my enemies, would that be right?"

"Well, no."

"So who decided the Kings enemies all had to die?"

"It's been a tradition for years."

"But who decided it?"

"The royal family."

"And who said they could decided that?"

"They did."

"And why do they get to decided that?"

"Because they're the royal family. Why're you interroga-"

She held up a finger. "And who decided they got to be the Royal family?"

"What're you-"

"According to all the history books we've ever been given, they decided for themselves to be royalty. So, if they can slaughter all their enemies and call it a tradition, why can't I kill my enemies?"

Reiko was growing angry. "Because you're not royalty."

"Oh, is that all? But we both just admitted that they were the ones who decided to be royalty. That's like if I went around murdering people and screaming 'I'm royalty' and then getting away with it."

"That's not alike at all."

"How so?"

Rei opened his mouth to talk, to argue, but for the first time in years, nothing came out. His jaw hind open as his little brain tried to comprehend what he'd just been told.

The criminal smiled at him. "Don't get me wrong, Reiko. It's a great way to rule. By the time Zephyr reached the throne, he'll have no enemies to worry about in his own court. It's surprisingly a great way to maintain peace within the country itself. Just, think before you speak. Instead of saying you'll be killing with good purpose, say it's justified. Because there's never a good reason to kill someone. But what we're doing, it's justified."

She brushed passed him to examine the swords on the wall far wall. Long swords, if Reiko remembered correctly.

He could see the corners of her lips uplifted a bit, just a bit. Because she was right and she knew it.

"How is it," Rei finally said, turning towards her, "that you're so unbearably smart?"

"I told you I went to school."

"So did the rest of the country. But you're different. Even after that prison, you've managed to come out somewhat sane and somehow nearly a genius."

At that, she laughed. A deep yet smooth laugh that made the tips of Rei's lips twitch in accomplishment.

Finally, she looked at him. "I guess I should thank you, Mr. Foreigner, for the compliment."

Reiko wanted to amend his previous question.

How was it she'd come partly sane, mostly genius, and completely gorgeous.