I find it safe to say that I didn't sleep well last night; between Kaladin and my thoughts, I dreamed little.  When I did finally sleep, the slightest creek of Kaladin's chair opened my eyes again, and each time I cast a look over to him, he was either faced towards the window, or looking at me. I rolled my back to him so it was  less uncomfortable, but over all he was a gentlemen and never once did anything that overstepped his boundaries again.

I wake in the morning to a knock on my door, and I instantly look to the chair, which is empty, and a breeze blows through the open window.

"Princess, it is Penelope, may I come in? " The voice of my maid-servant asks from the other side. "I've brought your breakfast, and the Queen has asked for your presence in her chambers. "

I toss the blankets aside, and go to the window. "Just a moment!" I call, pulling it shut.

A piece of my personal stationary on the bedside table catches my eye, and I pause my way to the door to pick it up.

There is big, messy writing on the fine parchment, and I scan it quickly.

Lyra,

I've gone for now. Leave your window unlocked so I may enter again later. We'll keep an eye on the perimeters, and I will come warn you if something occurs involving you.  Burn this after reading.

I find myself surprised that Kaladin can write, or read for that matter, but I dismiss this and quickly do as instructed, crumbling the parchment up before tossing it into the fireplace. Kaladin kept it live all night, and the letter is quickly eaten up.  I make sure it is completely gone, then go to retrieve a blanket to drape over my shoulders  before calling for Penelope to enter.

The woman is short and stout, with brown ringlets pulled away from her face. One of my guards follows behind her, having taken the platter of foods from her burden.

I smile at them as they enter, pulling the blanket closer around my chest at the sight of Camisêal.

He is in his twenties, with dark brown curls and a face that is harder than need be, made cold by his short past. He came to my Guard an orphan, having watched his parents murdered in their own beds. He came to live at the court at age eleven with his aunt, coming from a noble family, he was permitted to stay.

Camisêal doesn't let his memories get in the way of his job, and is a Guard that I trust deeply. He worked hard for his position, and proves himself to me everyday.

He bows, keeping his eyes averted and sets the things on the table near the fireplace before striding out.

Penelope buisies herself at my wardrobe, pulling out dresses and shoes, matching them up. "Do you have a preference today? "

I shake my head as I sift through the baked goods, porridge and fruit on the platter. "Whatever you propose will do well, I'm sure. "

"Did you dress well on your own last night? We were on our way up when your Guard met us and told us not to worry. Said you requested us to retire early. "

I chew on a pastry, sitting in my chair and crossing my ankles. "I managed. "

"You had us all worried there with your faintin' and all. We almost came to check on you despite your Guard's sayin'. "

"Oh, yes I woke soon after I was laid down. The stress of things must have gotten to me, and I suppose I needed some air. I feel well now, thank you. "

She nods her head, then steps back to show me the dress she picked for today. "Will this do alright, malady? "

I swallow the last of my meal before nodding. "Yes, I think it will do lovely."

-

Once Penelope helps me bathe and wash up, she powders my face and dresses me. The dress is a beautiful scarlet red, the shade of blood, with open sleeves and gold threaded trimming and matching design swirling and curling up the length of it.

I let my dark hair fall how it will, while Penelope adds a few small braids near my face.

It stil seems strange to see myself as a girl, and I tilt my head at the beautiful lady in my looking glass. Altogether different then the boy that met with the mercinaries in the woods.

I dismiss Penelope to head to my mother's chambers.

At my door, the four Guards stand at attention, and I wave a hand at them in dismissal. "Relax, men. Has anyone heard from Hana today? "

Camisêal speaks up, being the highest ranking Guard left. "No, malady, nothing yet. "

I press my lips together, starting to feel concerned. "Well, let me know as soon as you do. Meanwhile, I must go to my mother. "

Camsiêal looks behind his shoulder slightly. "Mashkíl, stay put." The golden haired Guard nods at his orders, standing fast by the door way. Camisêal looks to me respectively. "Nikeil, Jensen and I will accompany you, Princess."

I nod, looking to Mashkíl. "Make certain that no one but me, under any circumstances, are allowed to enter. "

Mashkíl bows low, fist pressed to his chest. "Yes, malady. "

I smile gracefully at him before turning to walk down the hallway, finally starting to feel like my former self again. It isn't necessarily a feeling that I relish, but will once again become accustomed too quickly; this is who I've been most of my life, and will be still when I am Queen... Who I have to be.

My mother's Guard dip their heads at me, and move to the side to let us through.

Camisêal follows me in, waiting around the corner of my mother's chambers, while 

Nikeil and Jensen wait with the other Guards outside.

My mother is behind her privacy screen, and her maid servants are waiting on the other side, holding a selection of dresses for the Queen to chose from.

"You requested? " I ask, standing properly near the center of the room, my hands folded delicately in front of me.

"Ah, darling! Tell me, which dress is the better color? I could use your opinion." She says, poking her head out from behind the screen. Her hair is yet to be pinned up or braided, and falls in long dark waves.

I walk over to get a better look at the dresses, taking a moment to rub my fingers between each of the four fabrics.  "Well, the yellow one feels the best, but your eyes are dark, and would be better complimented by the blue."

She smiles at me and waves one of the maids over to dress her. "Bring the blue. You look beautiful today, darling. Your dress is a lovely color! "

I give a small smile. "Thank you, mother. But I think you did not ask me here to speak of my wardrobe."

Her shadow waves a hand dismissively from behind the screen as the maid fastens her corset. "A mother is no longer allowed to adore her daughter? "

I sigh. "Of course you are."

"To the point then. I called for you on two separate matters. The first being about your health. How are you feeling? You look well."

My brows raise slightly. "I do feel well. What of the second matter? " I have a feeling that it will be about which suitor I've thought about accepting as my husband. That answer in no closer to being decided as before, so I am surprised by what she says next.

The Queen pauses before continuing. "Your safety. My Guard has been speaking about you, how your Captain took it upon himself to hunt someone down in the middle of the night. What is this about? " Her voice takes on a subtle note of concern. 

I swallow. "You know of the group I was found traveling with? "

"Yes, merchants you said, correct? What of them? "

Yes, Yes I lied about the mercenaries' occupation - but that was only to keep them safe against my father. He doesn't take kindly to the likes of them, especially since they harbored me against him. When I told him they were mere traders, he dismissed it quickly. Prince Sam, to my dismay and relief, hadn't spoken up and said what we both know about the group. I plan to question him about that later today.

"Well when I was found, there was a spy on us who tipped Prince Sam as to who, and where I would be. "

"And? "

I clear my throat. "Well, to cut a long story short, King Alphonse of Azgän has put a hit out on my head. My merchant friend told me of it last night. "

My mother waves the maid away to step out, her dress hanging around her shoulders still undone. Her servant hurries to follow her so she can finish her work lacing it back up. "Darling, I'm confused. Why would Alphonse have a grudge against you? "

I swallow. "Well, we went through Azgän to trade, and two of Alphonse's men started a fight with the leader if my group. It went south for him and another of my group members killed one of them." I lie, keeping my face straight and neutral. 

"You were disgusted as a boy though, yes? How did Alphonse recognize you, and why would he care about one man when he doesn't even care for his own starving people?"

 I clench my jaw as I prepare to lie to the Queen again. "I'm not aware as of how or why he cared, but he found out about me and instead of going after my group, he decided that kidnapping me would be sweeter than just killing a handful of Merchants. With me, he could hold a ransom and get money out of it, becoming rich."

My mother's brow furrows with concern. "Well then, if this is a serious threat, we must tell your father of it."

I inwardly sigh. That's what I was afraid of. 

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So sorry for keeping you all waiting for an update, I don't actually have a good excuse so I'll just not mention why! Hope you don't think this chapter is too short.

Let me know if things are off in this chapter or if I missed anything, my head is rather fuzzy and I didn't have it proof read before updating. I might end up posting it then taking it back off again to re-write or edit it, so don't be alarmed if it disappears! 

I love all your comments, thanks so much for putting up with me and liking this story ! I'm totally mid blown by how many reads this book has gotten, and its all thanks to you guys! Thank you, thank you, thank you ! :)

Love,

~A.