She wished she could've spent more time with her friends.

Rex and Chase accepted her true personality when so many others didn't. They understood her. Understood what kind of person she was on the inside. Most importantly, they respected her dream. Their perception of her differed from that of the king along with a large majority of the public. In their eyes, she was just a helpless princess. 

On the contrary, she believed Sanctuary viewed her as nothing more than a blank slate. An image rather than a thinking and breathing individual. She'd been raised in a way forcing her to develop a shield around herself. An exoskeleton in which to coat her actual personality. If she wanted to be a leader then she couldn't allow anyone to see her weaknesses.

If she permitted herself to remain as the kind, well-mannered girl of her past she wouldn't last long as a queen. Humans as a race loved receiving results. If their government couldn't meet their expectations chaos would surely ensue. She sighed, remembering Rex's words. It made her wonder if the people saw her as an admirable leader or just another money-obsessed royal. It was questions like this that made her wish she hadn't left just yet. She could use some more of Rex's odd commentary. Shutting her eyes, she replayed the decision she'd made in her mind.

"As we said, it's imperative you come with us." the second enforcer had emphasized.

"The king, you say?" Lucas replied. "Last I checked his majesty was attending a meeting with the noble families. He said he was very busy and requested I stay with Princess Alice until his business concluded."

"Yes, sir." both the enforcers responded simultaneously, almost as if they had rehearsed this conversation prior to their arrival.

"His meetings are notorious for taking long. For him to seemingly call this gathering off is certainly uncharacteristic of him." Lucas knew everything. As a guardian and fellow enforcer, he made it a duty to be knowledgeable of the people he served. He couldn't say the same for these soldiers. "So how is it he finished a meeting in under an hour?"

A dark-haired soldier stepped forward with a scowl. "Are you questioning the king's authority, sir? Doing so is a serious offense, punishable with over five years in prison. You may be higher ranking than us but even a newbie enforcer can arrest someone like you should their reasoning be justified."

Said soldier backed down almost as quickly as Lucas towered over him. He didn't appear to be angry by the soldier's attitude or scared of the threat issued to him. His expression was as emotionless as ever. "Is that supposed to be some hollow attempt at removing me out of the picture? I'm aware some have a distaste towards me but at this moment I only care for the safety of my princess. You can understand how I would be a little on edge given how alien this entire situation is, can't you?" 

Rex struggled to contain his laughter at how terrified the enforcers looked. They were practically quivering in their boots. These were the warriors tasked with safeguarding the city? Yeah right. The dark-haired enforcer backed off, his comrade taking over the conversation. 

"We- We don't have any specifics on why, per se, the king has summoned Princess Alice. We're just following his orders, sir." As he spoke he barely met Lucas' eyes, preoccupied with his repeated bowing. With a final glare, Lucas turned to Alice. "It's your call. What say you, your majesty?"

All eyes now landed on her. The girl didn't want to leave. She also didn't want to speak with her father. However, if the matter truly was urgent then she ultimately hadn't a choice. "We shouldn't keep his royal majesty waiting. If those are his wishes, I will comply.", was her response yet Rex sensed the dissatisfaction within her words. He desperately wanted to tell the enforcers to shove off. Sadly, it wasn't his place to speak. Biting his bottom lip, he remained silent. Alice shot him a pure-hearted smile and said, "Sorry, Rex. We hardly ever see each other and here I am running off."

"Don't sweat it, princess. If anyone should be apologizing it's me," he smirked, waving his hands. "You were originally planning on visiting the wall, right? If my stupid fight hadn't distracted you maybe you'd have gotten the chance."

". . . How did you know?"

"Give me a break! You love visiting it. After all, it was this hobby of yours which ultimately led you to me!" Her cheeks became engulfed in red. "I just hope you don't find another boy outside. You're so caring that you'd probably take him in and throw me to the wayside. I don't think I'd be able to handle the neglect."

"Shut up, you jerk!" she pouted, much to Rex's delight. She stormed to the stallion and muttered, "Lucas, let's go."

"Yes, princess." Before he joined her inside the vehicle, however, he stared at Chase standing by the doorstep. "Be sure to relay the message."

"Right, I'll tell him when he gets home."

And with that, the door of the vehicle shut. Alice had hoped Rex didn't see her blushing too much. As they departed, she'd managed to spot Rex engaging an argument with Chase through the stallion's window. A chuckle escaped as the last thing she saw was the outsider getting smacked on his head. It must be nice having to not worry about the expectations and rules of being the next queen. 

Striding towards the two massive doors of crimson at the end of the lengthy corridor matted in red Alice dwelled on the memories of her best friends. She along with Lucas were led by a trio of marching soldiers. They opened the giant-sized doors then stood to the side so the princess could be the first to enter. She did just that, confidently stepping inside the king's royal chambers.

The room was covered in glass tiles, a single red carpet leading to his royal majesty. Portraits populated the light-blue walls. Paintings displaying the kings and queens of the past as well as art pieces to further stroke their egos. There was a specific painting showing one of the men riding on top of a horse with a sword in his hand. 

Of course, the event never occurred. The bravest thing he'd probably done in his life was leaving the castle grounds without an escort. Fancy chandeliers of silver suspended from the roof but they weren't lit. This meant the only source of light eminated from the moon. Its beams streamed through the large glass windows at the rear of the throne. Residing at the top of the tower provided the ruler with a view unlike any other. 

Sojourning above all as if he were some kind of deity. A god amongst men. Its light shone into the room and cloaked the king in a veil of sapphire. He sat atop his crimson throne elevated several feet higher than the floor. On both sides of the carpeted path stood stone statues, each of a man striking varying heroic poses. As Alice approached him, the king became easier to discern.

A long set of white hair dropped all the way to his waist. A pair of purple eyes stared in contemplation, seemingly disinterested with everything and everyone present. Those bored eyes matched the color of the purple robe he donned. Finally, sitting proudly atop his head was a golden crown. It's crest extended into the air in a curved shape almost resembling that of a diamond. Dotting the headband were rubies, decorating the luxurious headgear even more. Alice, as well as Lucas and the other enforcers, bowed at him. They got onto one knee and hung their heads to the floor. After a moment of silence, the king ordered them to rise with a wave of his right hand, rings wrapped around each finger.

"Good evening, King Vincent," the princess spoke. "I was informed you sought a meeting with me."

"Leave us," Vincent ordered in a deep yet aged voice. Everyone, including Lucas, marched for the door. The princess and her protector exchanged hesitant glances before the doors shut closed. Now it was only herself and the man who'd brought her into this unforgiving world. Even though he was her father she found it difficult to hold a conversation.

"My king, what is it you'd like to discuss?"

"I've been notified of your constant disappearances to the walls," he began. "Here I thought you were spending your days more productively only to be disproven by one who I ordered to keep a close eye on you." The king released a tired, discontented sigh. "As the next acting queen, you can't afford to aimlessly galavant wherever you so choose. You should know by now the great Riley name rests upon your ability to guide Sanctuary into the future. Do not undo several generations of hard work with your utter incompetence."

"Forgive me, your grace," Alice responded, her tone still soft. "When I visit the walls I find it calming to look out into the distance far past the borders of Sanctuary. It makes me feel free. What's so wrong with having a hobby?"

"There's nothing wrong with partaking in one or two distractions . . . Though I have a problem with you obliviously trekking through those low classed districts. We're rulers. Lords of this domain. We can't be seen in places of lower stature. It'll make us look bad in front of the other nobles. I thought I explained this to you already? Have you so soon forgotten my teachings?"

"King Vincent, they're our people. Regardless if they are poor we should make it an effort to show we care for them."

"You can demonstrate your solicitude by tending to your royal duties and minding your own business!" he snapped, leaning forward in his seat. "Speaking of which, I've also been informed you've rummaged through my office. Tell me, child, what would possess you to steal a book from my desk? Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out? I'm the king. I know everything that happens in my realm."

Alice frowned. "Someone's obviously good at filling you in on my daily endeavors. Let me guess, was it Lucas?"

"The person I've entrusted the task of ensuring your safety reports solely to me." The king swatted away her question with a flick of his wrist. "What you should be focusing on is the explanation I expect to hear. What were you doing with the Riley History Book?"

"Reading it. It is a book."

"Yes, I suppose it is." The pauses he made whenever he spoke constantly terrified her. He was so unpredictable. Out of everyone in Sanctuary, he was the sole person she could never figure out. A complete and total enigma. The only person who rivaled his layer of mystery happened to be Rex. The king rested his head onto his hand and inquired, "Well, what did you learn? That book contains an in-depth description of each of the kings and queens before me. Everything including our successes and our failures."

"As well as our past transgressions."

King Vincent shot a focused gaze. "Come again?"

"My lord, it should not be overlooked our family has performed several travesties towards the people of Sanctuary. As I read it, I was horrified to discover the practices some of our past rulers have conducted and condoned. It bothers you too, doesn't it? How hectic things were back then? It made me realize we owe much to our people to make up for the terrible lives they've had to endure." The girl clutched a hand to her chest. " I decided that when I'm crowned queen I will transform Sanctuary for the better. For now, in my opinion, you should be trying to fix our kingdom yourself." Vincent said nothing, the king lingering in a canopy of silence. "When I visit the walls I see the situation for myself. People are losing homes because of the tax rates you continue to increase. Kids are forced to have jobs because the income made by their parents won't be enough to pay for the large quantity of jen required from them. If this continues these districts will eventually descend into madness. As the king, you need to address this before it's too late!"

The king slammed his hand onto the armrest. His look of anger and annoyance penetrated through Alice's shell and made her feel like retracting everything she'd said. "You truly are just a child," he muttered. "A child that knows not of what our past kings have sacrificed for Sanctuary. A mere infant incapable of seeing the bigger picture. This is exactly why you shouldn't be sneaking out of the castle and instead be devoting more time to your studies."

"But father I-" Alice bit her tongue. King Vincent's eyes widened with rage. She thought he'd pounce from his chair and discipline her like he did when she acted up as a child. Alice hadn't seen him this angry in a long while. The last notable instance was the day after the queen had up and disappeared. Not wanting to escalate things past the point of no return she bowed at him. Unlike before, she got on both hands and knees, resting her face against the cold floor. "I'm sorry . . . Your majesty is what I meant to say. I got carried away in voicing my opinion. I ask for your forgiveness, King Vincent"

"Listen to me and listen well," King Vincent spoke with so much vigor in his voice she practically felt the weight of his authority begin to crush her. "From this moment forth I will be in charge of everything you do. You won't be able to leave the royal grounds unless I say so. You'll only read what I tell you to. Everything will be governed by me. Do I make myself clear, girl?"

"Y- Yes." Alice responded in a trembling voice, her face still pressed against the tiled floor.

"It is evident I've been too lenient with you. That stops now. You will put aside these childish tendencies and focus solely on becoming a leader Sanctuary can depend on. I want you to forget whatever it is you read inside the book. It's entirely irrelevant. Your immediate concern is discovering how you intend to lead this kingdom after I'm gone. Do you understand?"

" . . . Yes."

"Good. Now get out of my sight. You've already wasted enough of my night. Leave me before you give me a headache."

Alice rose from her spot quietly. "As you wish, your majesty."

* * *

Lucas waited patiently in the hallway. He wouldn't leave like the other enforcers without his princess. He feared how the confrontation would go as the two never really got along well. Their ideals contrasted greatly with one another. This often made the king furious with Alice, Lucas recalling their numerous spats in the past. Based on the shouting coming from the room he assumed this meeting wouldn't be much different. 

The concerned protector leaned against the walls of the castle. He stared through the glass window adjacent to himself and at the translucent barricade eternally protecting Sanctuary. How long has it been now, I wonder? He surprised himself when he'd first returned to the safe haven alive, a fate many were not gifted enough to receive. He often pondered which was superior, living life safe yet oppressed or free but imperiled. Even now he'd yet to form a concrete conclusion. Only time would be able to grant him the satisfaction, or rather reassurance he desperately craved.

Suddenly, the giant red doors to his left creaked open. Stepping out of the room with her head facing the floor was Alice. She walked past him in a hurry. As her royal guardian, he couldn't bear to see her this way. He swiftly caught up to the girl and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Princess Alice, is everything alright?" He got his answer when she turned to face him. Her eyes were red, tears flooding out of them. She downturned her head yet again to hide her trembling chin and runny nose. Without saying another word he pulled the disheartened royal in for a much-needed hug. "Everything is going to be fine, princess. The worst of your night is over," he whispered. "Be strong,"

Alice sniffled. "R- Right."

The princess allowed her sadness to run free, burying her head into Lucas' chest. The two of them were completely unaware, however, of the individual studied them from around the corner. Emerald eyes gazed in the darkness. The silver-headed observer cracked a smirk before walking down the empty hall, hands over his head and whistling his favorite tune. Tonight had ended exactly how he thought it would.