The girl, a child of nobles and luxury, had been present when the rebels had given back the princess.

She was not supposed to know of the rebels, this child. She knew that a proper young lady did not smush their ears to thin walls to hear into the closed off offices of her father, but yet still she let her curiosity lead her to those decisions. These rebels were there to steal away her home, her father had said. They meant no good at all, only meaning to wreak destruction upon everything right and just about Catala. These words her father had spoken of the lotus society had chilled her though, and it was a rare occasion that she ever eavesdropped again after that.

However, there were few that knew not of the rebels now, after such a spectacle. The entire city of Thorto had been present to witness the masked rebel leader declare to a crowd that they had taken the princess as a symbol of their growing strength. That they were here to stay, and it was now that the entirety of the kingdom should know so. With that, the rebel had shouted, the princess would be returned as a sign of its own, that they needed no ransom to wage a war.

It was that statement that had set the kingdom a flame. Perhaps not, to the privileged urban dwellers who new little of true poverty. However, to the struggling poor of the countryside, this declaration chimed from ear to working ear. A rebel group that needed not the monarchy to wage their war, but instead focused on the needs of the impoverished instead. This is what spoke to them, rose them to their feet. Finally, a group that cared for what they needed.

It was a victory for the rebel group, one that they were glad that they had made. The plan at first had seemed foolish coming from the princess's mouth, but somehow it had worked. Amika had been proven wrong. Perhaps Princess Adelaide was much more clever than she seemed.

Far away from the rebel headquarters where they celebrated and long after the princess had been swept up by palace guards, Lexa was surrounded by many. Unflinching Soldiers, doting maids, and plotting palace officials were a constant in the concealed room they kept the princess in. Panic was distributed in the air like a disease throughout the room, spreading from person to person as they mulled about around where Lexa sat, as she let a dazed look wash over her face.

So many people, each and every one of them focused on her. That, or the trouble she had caused for Catala's reputation. Lexa, with a feigned weakness, had croaked that she had woken to rebel base, days later. The palace investigators had shortly after discovered Mortolo Hebalia in her system, deducing as one would that this must have aided in the attempt of stealing away the princess.

But that would be too easy. To the investigators, the situation still had made little sense. How could have the rebels made it into the room, without a scratch at the window or a single disturbance to the it?

Of course, it was nothing that Lexa hadn't already calculated. Even if every eye in the mid of this lifeless room gazed upon her with the weight of a million boulders, she could still have things done.

The room was crowded, but she was still able to meet eyes with the man who leaned against the door frame. He was watching her too, after all. Even as the palace investigators reported back to him, he had never torn his eyes from her the moment that she had arrived.

There was fury there, that she could tell. Bennie was not happy to be left behind from her mission. She had ignored that gaze though, throughout the questioning.

William had been here, for part of it. He had held her hand gently like a good fiancé, worry filling his words every time he asked her if she was alright. With every question she gave him a tiny nod, or a feeble yes. The kind of response that said that she was not okay, but would not admit it. And it was with this that Lexa had watched Will's worry build like a crescendo. Eventually he had been forced to depart, but Lexa could see that it took everything that Will had to do so.

Pity, that emotion that Lexa had elicited out of him, was driving the prince to be loyal.

If only that would work on Bennie. She could tell that he was becoming more and more difficult, with each and every moment he spent as a high sorcerer.

She arched an eyebrow at him, a question raised in it.

He grinned. It's handled, your highness. Even through the sound of his voice in her own thoughts, his sarcasm still peaked in title.

And how is that? Lexa responded.

Your pet guard, you know, that one. What was his name again? Harrison? Garry?

Garrison. She grunted through her thoughts.

Yeah, that. Blamed it on him, said he was a rebel conspirator that helped kidnap you. The usual.

And no one questioned that?

Nope. Tends to be a perk of being the high sorcerer. Everyone thinks you're all knowing. Which I am, of course.

Mentally, Lexa sighed. She supposed that it was the right decision, and also the one that would have most likely made. But it did not change the fact that she would have to replace garrison now, and not every man was so gullible.

What's all the frustration about? Bennie continued. You got what you wanted Lexa, just like always do.

And you're happy about all of this? About me leaving without you?

I'm ecstatic, he said, surprisingly meaning it. He wasn't lying, but there was also an element of something that was not the truth there.

Lexa deduced that Bennie was elated, but not because of her actions. No, he was still angry about that.

You're just happy that Garrison is moved out of the way. You never liked me using him anyway.

Can't say that's untrue. I mean, who could blame me? Speaking of which...

Bennie cut off, just as the prince paraded into the room. The countless guards and maids made way for him, breaking apart like the sea. As he passed through, he nodded to Bennie, acknowledging the man who would one day serve him as the sorcerer of Catala.

Will flashed a princely grin, pulling out a chair and sitting beside her. He took her hand, kissing it with a graze of greeting.

She smiled back, threading together an expression both bright and haunted by past events, in need of sympathy.

"You all may leave. The princess will be fine under my care."

The crowed mulled out, though Bennie remained like a sore thumb.

"That includes you as well, sorcerer."

Bennie bristled, and Lexa could hear him mutter curses to the prince in the back of her mind. Though with a sharp gaze of her own, barely visible to anyone but him, he shrank away begrudgingly.

"I'm sure it has been a long day for you," Will started, "I hope that this room has not been to uncomfortable for you. I'm afraid the investigators are still discerning whether your quarters are safe to return to."

Lexa let Adelaide's pretty head cock to the side, the light of the room's only window highlighting her face like a ray of golden sun. "This is perfectly fine, thank you."

"That's good to hear. Honestly, I have feared that you have had a far tougher experience at our palace than we would have wished for Adelaide. With the insane servant after your arrival, an now this... I worry for you. And although the pressure to unite our kingdoms is only growing, this is why I have spoken with my father. And with some debate, he has agreed to temporarily postpone the wedding, if that is what you wish." He watched her, anticipating her response.

Panic throbbed through her veins, even as she held her composure. She couldn't let that happen. The wedding was the most integral part of her plan, and if it didn't occur when she needed it— Lexa would not herself allow to think of the possibilities.

She scrambled for words, coming up with the ones she needed. As always, lies woven with lies to be threaded into the appearance of compelling truth.

A fearful look grew over Adelaide's face, for Will to see and worry for. Her voice, when she spoke, held that same pitiful fear. "I feel safer when I am around you, my dear Will. I know that it must be hard for you to understand, as you are not a woman. In no capacity could I ever fend for myself against such perils that have faced me so far. And it has been proven that no guard is able to protect me in the security of my own bed. But once we are married, I will have a strong man to grace my side and protect me from harm. I will have you, and that will be enough for me to feel safe once again."

Will, at the sound of her words, lit like a firework. His smile beamed with joy, his spine straightening with confidence. Everything about him shifted, as if Adelaide's approval of him was a drink of water while stranded in a arid desert. Another man to fall into her web.  "I'm so glad that you feel that way."

Will stood, starting to make himself towards the countless other duties that he had as prince. "I cannot contain the excitement I have at wedding you in a weeks time, Adelaide."

Yes, Lexa was excited as well. It was so funny, how in only a week she would be a queen.

A slight, innocent smile grew. "I am too, Will."