Angelica stood outside of the Citadel's front doors. She awaited the arrival of the man she was to escort to King Regis. She didn't have a clock anywhere around, so she couldn't tell the exact time, but she assumed it was nearly 3. She sighed with boredom, but refused to move from her spot. Mere minutes later, a white car came into view. It was stopped by the Glaive at the gates, who looked inside before letting the car pass.

Angelica watched the car pull around and park before the steps. A man stepped out from the driver's seat. The girl was quick to inspect him as he ascended the stairs toward her. He wore simple clothing, had messy black hair that hung down to his shoulders, and stubble across his chin and jawline. Right away, she caught sight of a knife on his belt. He had an obvious smirk plastered on his face. Angelica hid her disgust behind a neutral expression as the man approached her.

"Good afternoon," she calmly greeted. "I'm to escort you to His Majesty. Please, follow me."

She turned on her heel and went inside, hearing him follow. "A servant girl, eh?" She could tell he was still smirking by his tone. "You look a bit young for a job here."

Angelica had to keep her voice calm and composed so as not to show her displeasure. "I assure you, I'm old enough. We'll take an elevator up."

They went to an elevator and the girl pushed the button. After a brief moment, the doors opened for them. They both stepped inside. Before the doors could close, someone else rushed inside the elevator. The man moved back behind Angelica to make room for the new arrival who nonchalantly pushed up his glasses. Angelica was definitely not happy to see him at the moment.

"Ignis."

The advisor pushed a button and stepped aside, giving the other two some space. "Angel. I didn't expect to see you on escort duty." He glanced back at the man behind her.

Angelica assumed he'd heard of her little assignment, but she didn't want him to witness the next part of her job. "What are you doing here?" she asked with the slightest hint of annoyance.

"I require a lift from the elevator," he answered dryly. "They are free for anyone to use, you know."

She wanted to roll her eyes at him, but refrained from doing so. "What the hell's with all the kids working here?" the man questioned in an uncaring manner.

"Pardon me, but I happen to be 20," Ignis stated, looking back at the man who only shrugged in reply.

The ride had barely begun and Angelica could already feel the man inching closer to her from behind. She knew he must've been plotting to stab her. In and instant, he thrusted his blade toward her. But Angelica was quick to step to the side, grab his arm, and twist it in a way that made him gasp and drop his knife. Ignis barely knew what was going on until he heard the knife clatter on the floor. The girl then swung her foot back, knocking the guy's feet out from under him.

As soon as he hit the floor on his stomach, Angelica was on top of him, a foot placed firmly on his back as she bent down, tying his hands behind his back with rope she had stashed in her pocket. Ignis stared in shock, watching as the girl then picked up the man's knife. She glared down at the guy who now sat up on his knees, gazing up at her in anger. It was the first time the advisor had ever seen her retaliate.

"How dare you attack me," she hissed. Ignis noted the dark tone she used. "Did you really think King Regis would trust you after what your pathetic little resistance has done?"

The guy chuckled, a smirk creeping across his lips. "We've still got hostages, y'know. They'll be killed if I don't return."

It was Angelica's turn to smirk. "You really are as stupid as you look. The Crownsguard hostages are being rescued as we speak." The man's smirk faded, causing Angelica to chuckle. "Did you really think the king didn't have a plan for all this? Now..." She bent down, placing the knife against his abdomen. "If it were up to me, I'd gut you like a fish." The guy trembled with fear. She slowly retracted the blade. "Fortunately for you, His Majesty requested that I bring you alive."

The man silently sighed with relief. After moments of silence, the elevator stopped and the door opened. Ignis finally said, "My word... How did you perform such a feat?" He was still stunned by the whole thing.

Angelica looked at him with her usual poker face, trying hard not to show how afraid she was of what he might assume of her. "That's something I can't tell you. But let's just say that King Regis didn't task me with escort duty because I'm pretty." She turned her gaze back to the man kneeling beside her. "You, on your feet."

"Like I'd listen to you!" he spat. "There's no way I'm groveling at the feet of that bastard of a king!"

She slapped him. "You'd better hope King Regis is forgiving of your actions. Now either stand or I WILL drag you there." After a brief moment, the man still stubbornly refused. "Fine. Have it your way then."

She grabbed hold of his hair and roughly yanked him out of the elevator. He nearly fell flat on his face. "Oww! Alright, alright!" The man finally complied and rose to his feet.

Ignis quietly followed them. He had his own errands to run and wasn't originally heading to the throne room, but his curiosity got the better of him. While he had been notified of the resistance group and their Crownsguard kidnapping, he hadn't been told of what measures were taken in response. He definitely had no idea that his friend, Angelica, would be a part of it. He guessed that with her involvement, her mother was a part of it as well.

As for the red-haired girl, she noticed Ignis following her. She didn't know if he had business with the king or just wanted to see how events would play out. But either way, she knew she couldn't stop him from tagging along. She instead remained silent, fearful of what Ignis might ask her if she said a word. She was actually terrified that he might discover something, especially after what he had witnessed. But she wouldn't allow any emotion like that keep her from doing her job.

Entering the throne room, Regis sat on his throne with Clarus standing beside him. Valerie was already there as well, awaiting her daughter's arrival before the throne. The woman flashed her daughter an approving smile as she drug her captive in by the arm. Angelica forced the man down on his knees once more. She then tossed his knife over to her mother, who easily caught it, and then bowed.

"I did as you asked, Your Majesty," she said.

Regis gave a faint, approving nod. "Excellent. Valerie had succeeded on her end as well. Now there is only one thing left - information." He shifted his focus to the captive. "What is your name?"

The main angrily averted his gaze. "Spyke. But don't expect me to squeal on the others! I ain't talkin'!"

"Spyke," Regis said, "I can't say you'll go unpunished for your crimes, but I can say that you'll be confined and relatively unharmed if you simply reveal the location of your group. No one needs to get hurt."

Spyke growled. "Tell that to everyone outside of the Wall! You all but left them to the Niffs! I ain't ratting on my buddies and that's that!"

Regis sighed, knowing he'd have resort to the use of his assassins. "Then I'm afraid all I can do is leave you to them. Valerie, Angelica, get whatever information you can."

The two both glanced at each other with grins. "With pleasure," Valerie replied.

Spyke clicked his tongue. "What'er you gonna do? Kill me? Go ahead."

Angelica chuckled and bent down next to him with a menacing grin. "Believe it or not, there are worse things than death. And by the time we're done with you, you'll be begging for us to kill you."

With that, the two women drug away their terrified captive who began to kick and scream in terror. Ignis was left there, staring back at them after they exited the room. "Ignis, sincerest apologies you had to witness that," the king said, catching the advisor's attention.

"Your Majesty..." He took a moment to think over his questions. "Just what is going on?"

Regis took a quick glance at Clarus. "It's a bit difficult to explain," the shield admitted. "The story behind those two is a long one."

"Your Majesty, with all do respect, I believe I deserve an explanation for everything that just unfolded. Not only that, Angelica and Miss Valerie are friends I have trusted for years. I do not wish to jump to conclusions and make false accusations concerning them. I only ask for the truth."

Regis nodded in understanding. "And so you shall have it." He rose to his feet. "Though I have duties that need attending, as I'm sure you do as well. Let us save the tales for tomorrow."

Ignis swiftly bowed. "My deepest gratitude, Your Majesty."