Pacing up and down your room, you chewed on the inside of your cheek while thinking about a plan that would have a chance of success without you risking your head.

But no matter which options you went through, there was no optimal outcome.

With a groan, you squeezed your eyes shut and tubbed your eyes to get the heaviness out of them.

Your eyes fell onto the cord that hung from of the wall.

Quickly, you pulled it a few times and rushed off the grab some of the spare clothes that the chamberlain had brought this morning.

As quickly as you could, you switched the fancy garments you wore with the simpler ones.

You needed to be as unrecognisable as possible. At best, there wouldn't be anything that gave away who you were and how to identify you.

You dropped all of your jewellery on the table, rings, necklaces, ornaments to clip to your clothing.

But as the many shiny things gathered on a small pile, you hesitated to take off the one last thing that decorated your body.

Your gaze fell onto the small golden ring that sat on your pinky finger.

If you wanted to pull this plan off, you needed something to identify you as noble. It wasn't ideal that there was your emblem on it.

On the other hand, you just had regained your title. Chances were low that people actually knew from what house you originated from.

All of a sudden, somebody knocked at the door.

Struck by the sound, you threw a glance over your shoulder only to remember that you had called for the nightly visitor.

While buttoning the shirt all the way up to your throat, you went to open the door.

The chamberlain's face appeared.

"You asked for my services?", he asked, fully in his polite manner.

You weren't sure if it was wise to put your trust in this man but in that moment he was the only option you had.

"I need you to do me a favour.", you said and grabbed him by the collar to pull him so close that he couldn't help but weep in fear. "And if a single word crosses your lips, I will find you personally."

A magical shimmer chased through your eyes and made the (E/C) appear golden for the breath of a second.

Holding his breath, the chamberlain pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded his head.

"Good.", you let go of him and flattened the wrinkles that you had caused in his appearance. "Now, get me to the chambers of the general."

Confusion lit up in his eyes.

His lips moved in an attempt to voice his thoughts about the request.

In a warning manner and with grim eyes, you raised your hand and let a small flame light up between your fingers.

Immediately, he closed his mouth again and nodded once more.

"Please follow me.", he asked with his head lowered and took the lead.

If there was one thing you needed to give this chamberlain it was the appreciation that he knew how to read situations.

He could have lead you to the generals chambers like on a normal stroll and made it look like a pure coincidence. But instead of taking the stairs or the path through the castle gardens where everyone could have witnessed you, he took the dark routes through the tunnels and hidden corridors of the castle.

Judging by the footprints in the dust these hidden corridors were in good use by others as well.

Hopefully, you didn't cross paths with them in this moment.

You needed to remain unseen and unnoticed.

The idea of enchanting the chamberlain to fall asleep after he did his job lingered in the back of your head.

But that seemed rather cruel of you since he did do a decent job so far and gave you no reason to mistrust him.

Besides it did not appear like he had any intentions of giving away your actions to others.

"Since this seems to be a private matter, I will take my leave now.", he said as he stopped in front of a door. "Knock twice. If you hear knocking back, knock three times."

With a polite bow of his head, he rushed away.

"Thank you.", you called after him.

It needed a moment until your ears didn't pick up his steps anymore.

Only when the howling of the wind was the only thing that made your brain tingle, you did dare to turn towards the door and knock just the way he had told you.

Moments passed.

Nothing happened.

Unsure, you made an attempt to knock once again.

But as your knuckles floated over the surface of the door you hesitated.

The tips of your ears picked up faint movements.

Somebody approached.

With bated breath you pressed your ear against the surface of the door and listened.

The airflow that crawled from under the crack in the door changed.

Somebody stood right in front of it.

Then, all of a sudden, somebody knocked back.

Your heart skipped a beat.

Immediately, you returned the sign.

The door started to move.

Dust filled the tunnel.

Cracks of light fell onto your face.

Blinded, you squeezed your eyes shut and shielded them with your hand.

Bright light flooded the dull darkness.

On the other side, the cautious face of the general appeared.

Still a bit blind sighted by the brightness, you looked down, only to find him with his hand on his sword.

"What a warm welcome, general Voorhis.", you joked and allowed yourself to enter his room. "And I thought you offered me to form an alliance."

A little irritated but not hostile towards you, he stepped back to give you more space.

"How come you already know about the hidden tunnels?", he asked and closed the door behind you, which revealed to be a large painting. "I remember you only arrived mere days ago."

A chuckle escaped you.

"I have my ways."