Rika, the sneaky bastard managed to get out of the hotel among the crowded people who were panicking.

'That little fiasco was only slightly boring..'

She thought to herself.

She took a train ride to one of the knights headquarters. Yes, she was going to bring the necklace back to Ms. Snake.

This particular HQ happened to be in Flaire, the land of tech, and different from Snowfei in every aspect. The whole land is filled with knights.

The place has a reputation of having low crime rates, which is precisely why Rika risked committing theft here.

Rika looked out of the window and observed what people were doing. She started cracking her fingers. Boredom truly is the worst punishment for her..

When she arrived, Rika practically jumped up her seat and rushed towards the huge building.

She wanted to get this done and move on with her life. She ignored the receptionist and went straight to Snakes office.

'Main office' is what read on the door. Rika pushed the door open, not even considering to knock.

In the room stood Mrs. Snake along with some guy with green hair and brown eyes.

She did look slightly irritated at Rika bursting in during a conversation, though she didn't say anything about it.

"No I don't care that I interrupted you two." Rika stated, reading right through Ms. Snakes expression "One item.." She continued. Snake didn't look all that pleased

"That's all..? Really." The Snake asked with a blank face, while the other knight stared in confusion.

"Yeah.. things got a little.. complicated, and some siblings stole my stolen goods..! Can you believe that shit? Haha... Anyway.. it was nice working with you but now I'm gonna go.." The thief said as she tried to walk out of the office.

"You're not dismissed trainee." But Snake stopped her from doing so.

"Excuse a what now?" Rika turned around in confusion.

"You heard me. Good job.. You have the luxury of training to be a knight." The head knight continued.

"No, no, no.. I did not sign up for this. I will never ever work such an uninteresting job that requires.." Rika shivered at such a thought "dumb rules."

"I mean, if you would rather confined sure." The thiefs eyes widened. "You know, theft is considered a pretty serious crime here in Flaire.. along with all the other minor crimes you have and.. that results you in five years in prison at least.." Rika could only stare at her in utter resentment.

Ms. Snake continued. "And you're a late teen, would be a waste to wilt in prison.. Knight work isn't as bad. If you work hard enough.. you can do more exciting jobs in a few years.. plus you get paid. I would take the deal if I was you.."

Rika cursed under her breath.

"You.. I did what you asked of me.. You can't just ignore a deal."

"I absolutely can.. This is just a precaution. I can't have you spreading word of alleged blackmail."Rika grumbled as she said it.

Alleged? Fucking alleged?! The thief couldn't stop thinking about the audacity of this woman. The trickery, the absolute years of dirt she dug up from Rika. She wanted to get back at her.. however it was close to impossible in the position she was in.

The backstabber truly thought this through.. her name suited her, Rika had realised..

"The death glare you're giving me doesn't really change your situation," Rika stayed silent at her comment. Which wasn't usual behavior for her. Will she stop rubbing it in? Was the only thing she could think of in her slight panic. "This gentlemen right here is Isaak Ivor.. you will be under him for the time being. Training starts at 7 a.m. don't be late."

"Please, just call me Zack. Everyone calls me Zack. No need to be so formal." He corrected Miss Snake, giving her a smug look.

"Right.. Zack, well we need to discuss something. Wait outside for Mr. Ivor. Dismissed."

Rika slowly exited the office and closed the door. Her hands were shaking from fear and anger. She could hear voices from inside.. she could not make out what they were saying.

Inside the office however was a serious conversation.

"Did you manage to catch her?" Miss Snake asked as soon as the doors were shut.

"Who?" Isaak shrugged in genuine confusion.

"Are you-" Miss Snake took a deep sigh "Diana Gwen. Your ex. The woman who physically assaulted knights and then tried to flee to Snowfei. The one you were so determined to catch. Did you manage to take her in? Or did you see another girl to chase after?" She continued.

"Ouch. That hurt." Zack said, sarcastically while rooling his eyes his eyes. He let out a soft chuckle..

Oh if she knew what I actually did... She really didn't notice the young knights disappearance?

He thought to himself.

"Yes, yes, I'm not dumb or forgetful. I know.. more than you anyway. Well I was close .. kind of.. we tracked down all trains close to Snowfei however.. she slipped into the princess maze or whatever it's called and.. we lost her." Zack shrugged as he explained..

"Good riddance.." To say that Ms. Snake was angry would be an understatement. "You know how important this information was.. you were so confident so what in the actual underworld changed?!"

"I got depressed..! I never should have dated Dianna .. "

Isaaks tone got quieter.

"Just.. leave." Zack stood confused as she said it. "Leave my office. Immediately." Snake ordered.

Zack quickly rushed out of the doors as soon as he understood. He did not want to provoke Ms. Snake..

Zack almost slammed the door into Rikas head when he opened it.

"Maybe don't yank the door?" She told Isaak sarcastically.

"Maybe don't eavesdrop on private matters." Zack replied with an annoyed expression.

He continued walking away as Rika stood there absolutely confused.

..

"Well," Zack began to say as he suddenly stopped ad turned around. "What are you waiting for? Come with me. There are still things I need to briefly explain."

Rika quickly followed the knight as they walked through the hallway.

"As a new trainee you will have to learn good swordsmanship and close combat in order to truly become a proper knight." All those fancy words that he spat would be a wonderful dream to a few.. not to Rika, however..

"So what, I'm supposed to just.. accept it? I am not a fucking knight, I'll never do your elegant combat moves or whatever, I'm a thief for fucks sake!"

Rika told Zack, with every word in a louder tone than the last.

"Well you will try, or pretend.. if you don't want to be taken in for questioning. We will let you go when we finish our little agenda."

"Which is?" Rika asked cautiously, noticing the knights shift in his voice.

"To end the Whiteblind bloodline."

The way Zack put it.. so bluntly.. Not only was it hard for Rika to comprehend, it put a bad taste in her mouth.

To erase the Whiteblind name.. he doesn't mean to .. kill the queen.. ?

The thief thought to herself as she looked at the floor, in complete shook.

She may have been a criminal.. but going that far..

"Training starts at 8 a.m. tomorrow. Don't be late."

Even Rika had her limits.

[A/N: Sorry for the inactivity..! I got hit by writer block, so I was really stumped while writing this.. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Any feedback is appreciated!]