I DO NOT OWN THE ROYAL TUTOR; ANY PICTURES OR THE MUSIC USED IN THIS FANFICTION

Please enjoy ^~^

------------

The guards' armors clattered along with her chains, as she slowly strode towards the gigantic throne in the courtroom, where, just as she had anticipated, the king of Glanzreich sat. His familiar features betrayed nothing, as if she was a stranger to him. At his side she was able to make out five more figures, one of them being the person she'd loved for years. Sorrow stood written in his face, and for a moment she regretted her decision. Now, however, it was too late.

I am sorry, Heine., she thought, as she came to a halt in front of them. I don't see a way out this time...

"Aithne Cordes. You are to be charged with murder and theft in high amounts.", she heard Viktor Von Glanzreich, the king and father of her loved one's students say. "How do you plead?"

The silence around her was almost suffocating, yet she didn't show any signs of weaknesses. She had realized a long time ago, that there would be no escape from this. She knew that this might be the last thing, she would be able to do for him.

"Guilty, Your Majesty.", she answered.

The princes' eyes were wide, and she saw the sad look on his face. She heard him whisper his name, silently begging her to change her mind. She saw the wish in his eyes to reach out to her.

"But father!"

"Your Highness!", she heard the heirs to the throne object, but she shook her head. Heine's face was white, a hurt expression on it. Her own pain almost made her go to her knees.

"Your Highnesses. I appreciate your wish to defend me. However, in the end, I still ended a noble's life. Not to mention the rest of my crimes, that make this whole situation more than justified.", she said quietly. Her eyes travelled to Heine, who didn't dare to say anything. She held back a rush of emotions and looked back to the uniformed princes. "I am ready to face whatever punishment will be brought upon me. I deserve it."

~~~~~~~~

A week earlier...

"Wooow!"

"There's the book shop!"

"A café! Let's go there first!"

"How... about feeding... the birds?"

"Your Highnesses, please stay together. We can't afford to lose each other."

Especially since you still have no idea how to survive in the city without guidance...

A short, redheaded man reminded the four students of his, who crowded around him. Just a few minutes ago they had exited a carriage, that now drove back to the palace of Glanzreich. The princes, all of different ages, stayed behind, along with their tutor, and chattered excitedly.

"Of course, Master!"

"Geez, why so serious?"

"Oh my god, there are so many people..."

"Staying... together... is best..."

Heine almost sighed, and eyed his companions. At least they shouldn't be recognized the way they are dressed right now...

All of them had abandoned their usual suits, and wore something more fitting for the city. While he hadn't changed his attire, since it was already fitting the style of a commoner, they surely had gone out of their way to do so. By now, they all had become more comfortable with this type of clothing, as he remembered a time, where the youngest, Prince Licht, had had to stop them from covering their faces.

Now, Prince Kai, Prince Bruno and Prince Leonhard all wore suits that fitted to the standards of the common people, and Prince Licht, who was more experienced in that matter, didn't have to help them anymore.

Regardless, he stayed wary of them, since none of them were actually a part of this normal behavior. Their father had put his trust in him, and he was certain to not let him down.

For a moment, he felt as if he was being watched, and turned, careful to make it look as if he did not sense the eyes that followed him.

Nothing..., he thought. Perhaps I imagined it...

He was unaware of the person that started to walk after them, eyes shining with something, that had yet to be discovered.

Three hours later he breathed out in relief. Until now, everything had run smoothly. The last obstacle would be the way back to the carriage, that would await them some streets further. If they took a shortcut through the alley that came in a few steps-

Cloaked men suddenly stood in front of them, and surrounded him and his companions.

"Wha-"

"Quiet. You will follow us, without any games. One wrong move, and we'll hurt one of you.", one said, weapons drawn.

"M-master?"

"Just do as they say, Your Highnesses.", Heine gritted through his teeth. Why can't anything just run the way it should?

"Good choice, kid.", another grinned.

Fury showed in his eyes, as he was once more mistaken for a child. He sent them a deathly glare, but followed their instructions. A discrete look to his pocket watch assured him, that the guards would soon come to find them. Yet, would they be fast enough?

They were ushered into a carriage that concealed whatever would find place in it, and he grew even angrier, a bad feeling in his stomach.

Of course – that way, no one will ever know we're in there. I'll have to wait and see...

The vehicle took off, and he noticed Ludwig and Maximilian, already searching for them in the crowds they passed.

Damnit!

His thoughts, however, were put to a sudden halt, when the carriage stopped in a rough manner.

"What's happening?!", Bruno exclaimed, as the princes no longer were able to see what was happening. Heine quickly pulled one of the curtains to the side, and his eyes widened.

It can't be?!

"Aithne?!", he whispered breathlessly. How?!

Shouting reached their ears, as the girl with white hair and eyes fought the kidnappers skillfully, her movements flowing. Her determination was to be seen in her light orbs, which he'd recognized anywhere. Speechless, he watched, as she eliminated the enemies, leaving the princes trying to get a word out of him.

"Oi, Teach! You still there?!"

He didn't even hear the argument, that was about to begin.

"We're... being saved.", he eventually said, his tone as neutral as possible. "Someone's rescuing us."

"Thank... god..."

"But who is it?!"

Heine finally drew the curtains completely open, what earned him a bunch of phrases like "No!", "I knew one shouldn't trust teachers!" and "Are you mad?!", but he didn't care. The figure had stopped, stood between the beaten rogues, catching her breath. Careful, he opened the doors.

"Are you okay?", she asked, turning.

"Yes. Thank you.", Heine answered, hidden worry in his voice. The princes stumbled out behind him, taking in her appearance.

"Woah?! You did this?"

She chuckled, and grinned. "Anyone else here?"

Footsteps approached, and she froze. The Royal Guard had arrived. Her look grew hectic, and she looked at Heine.

"I-"

"There they are!"

None of the guards wasted a second, once they saw her as well. Sudden panic was evident in her face.

"Get her!!"

"No, wait!", Heine tried to interfere, to no avail. She cried out in pain as the guard took her arm and turned it forcefully, in a rough manner. Heine saw the wound in her shoulder, a chill running down his spine.

"What is happening?!", Leonhard asked irritated, in which moment the guards' voice rang around their surroundings.

"Aithne Cordes, you are under arrest for murder and attempted abduction of His Royal Highnesses!"