A week had passed since Gisella's first day as Princess Gisella of Conterna, a spy for the royal family. Since then, she spent every day at the revolutionist's camp trading false information on the Royals in return for secrets of the rebellion, of course, she was still barely trusted. In the evening, as the sun started to dip low in the sky, she would be escorted back to the palace, where she would sit in the parlor with the king and reveal all that she had learned for the day. Sometimes, when she had nothing to report, the two of them would sit in silence, basking in the warmth from the lit fireplace.

Gisella sat in a stiff back chair with a godawful pattern print, sipping as delicately as she could manage on her tea. The king lounged on the sofa, drinking a glass of scotch while staring at the burning embers. Gisella had learned very little that day, only that the revolutionists had a secret word for when they were to attack during sieges, what the word was, she had not been trusted with.

"How have you liked your stay so far Gisella, my dear?" The king asked, startling her out of her thoughts. Looking up, she saw that King Richard was still staring at the glowing fire, the light illuminating his face in the dim room.

"I have fared well," Gisella spoke politely, turning her attention towards the slowly dying fire. "It is much different from how I grew up, that much I can tell."

King Richard laughed, a deep, hearty laugh that filled the vast space of the lounge, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "That much I had suspected," Richard joked, placing his glass down on the table in front of them. "The palace is quite the place to raise children, but it can be rather lonely for those of first inhabitants."

Gisella knew the king was talking about her, it was obvious in the way his face was angled towards her, eyes gauging her reaction. She stayed silent, watching the embers of the fire burn.

"I wouldn't want to raise my children in such a place," she spoke quietly, pursing her lips together. "I'd fear for their safety every day."

Richard nodded his head in understanding. "Of course, that is very reasonable. The castle is constantly under attack, many lives are lost."

It was quiet between the two and Gisella got the feeling that the king wasn't quite finished with his own reasoning. Finally, he continued, "Isn't it the same for children of assassins, as well?"

"What do you mean?" Gisella inquired, turning her face to look at the king.

"Children risk their lives every day for a revolution, one they may never see come to life, and yet, they risk everything. Assassin children are put to the slaughter at a young age, look at yourself."

Gisella looked away, cheeks heating up. She knew her life was constantly in danger, but she also knew that the revolution may never happen, and yet she still stayed. She had no idea why she stayed, maybe to feel connected to her deceased partners, maybe to feel like she was needed. 

"Here, in the castle, children are protected, looked after, and cared for."

"Yes, but who will protect them, the innocents who live in the village."

"Why would the need protecting?"

"They're killed every day."

"And who kills them?"

Gisella's lips snapped shut, a sharp intake of breath. The king was right without even needing to say it. If it wasn't for the assassins, no innocent lives would be lost. They killed people who supported the monarchy, but that was all they did; support.

Richard's lips set into a grim line as he patted his future daughter-in-law's hand before sitting back. "It's a terrible thing to do, give your children false hope in a better future."

"Can you tell me about them?"

Richard didn't have to ask to know who Gisella was asking about, it was clear on her face, the pain and sadness etched deep into the ridges of her face.

"Magna and Lumen were good people, they really were. They just believed in the wrong cause," Richard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Lumen was my first wife, Penelope's, best friend as children. Penelope and Lumen were both children of noble dukes, however, said Dukes had many bad habits.

"Lumen was brought into a world full of hatred, he was taught to see things as black and white, no grey in between. He believed that all nobility were harsh and merciless as his father, so he left and he never looked back. I kept tabs on Lumen for Penelope, she loved him dearly and wanted him to be safe. I was informed when he married Magna and when you were born, my dear."

Gisella sat up straighter. So the king knew who she was before even she knew?

The king continued, "Magna was born into a house full of assassins. Believe it or not, talk of a revolution is not a new thing. It's been around since I was young, it has never been a big threat. Magna and Lumen's marriage signified something new, the joining of nobility and an assassin was something no one expected, but it happened. It gave the rebels a new hope, one they put into your parents, they were the sign of a new world.

"They tricked us, said they would spy on the assassins for us. Penelope trusted Lumen with everything, and I trusted her. I realized I trusted the wrong people, for they killed her shortly after Alexander was born and went to kill my son had I not walked in on them over Penelope's dead body."

"That's horrible," Gisella whispered, hand covering her mouth. She had no idea her parents had done such terrible things, especially to the early queen. She had always been told her parents were noble people who simply represent the new age.

"Indeed. They were killed for their crime. I felt terrible, killing Penelope's dearest friend and leaving a child abandoned," Richard's gaze went to Gisella with saddened eyes, "but they committed a crime that I could not forgive them for. I would not pardon them for killing their queen."

"Why do you trust me?" Gisella asked after a moment of silence.

Richard's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What do you mean, child?"

"I'm the daughter of those who murdered your wife, the queen," Gisella whispered. "I'm a terrible person, I align myself with the assassins."

"You had no idea," Richard said softly, placing his hand over Gisella's, which was shaking as she gripped the arm of the chair. "Your head was filled with lies, I can see that."

"I must find Alexander," Gisella stated suddenly, placing her teacup on the table and getting up quickly. "I said many harsh things to him, I must apologize."

"I'm sure he has forgiven you already, my dear."

The king let her go, watching as she scurried out of the lounge in search of his son. Although the two of them were forced together, he could see a beautiful life for them in the future, one where all the darkness that plagued them would vanish one day and they would be the light to guide one another out of the dark.