"I've been looking for you everywhere!" The prince exclaimed when he saw Setia walking back toward the practice field. She plastered a smile on her face and tried to hide her flush. Also, the pit of guilt that ate at her stomach.

'You would do well to remember that you have a job to do,' Eli chided. Setia internally cringed. Eli was right, she was here to complete her mission, and Liandris had nothing to do with it. He wasn't even real! None of these people were real. Were they?

"I'm here! I was sparring with the General, then discussing some security measures." She said sweetly. The prince nodded approvingly.

"He always has been proactive. Excellent! I was hoping you would accompany me on a walk about the grounds." He asked sheepishly. Setia blushed and nodded. He held his hand out to her, she daintily placed her palm in his.

"I would be delighted." Setia answered. He led her off, away from the practice field. Setia couldn't afford to spare a glance at the General as he led her.

"I had hoped I was springing you from your solitude in your room." The prince said, in an almost chiding tone, as they wandered through the gardens. Setia laughed and admired the rose blooms around them.

"I have never been one to follow orders, Niall." She said, purposely leaving off his title. He smiled and nodded.

"You don't seem the type. I suppose it makes for an interesting future." He said. She gasped.

"Future?" she said. This was a quick turn of thought.

"Well, given what happened the other night... I assumed we were at least considering our father's proposals." He said, a flush colouring his cheeks. Setia swallowed.

"What about Lina?" She asked. His brows raised in surprise.

"Let me handle Lina-"

"About Lina- "Setia started.

"Your highness!" A voice cut him off, and the girl was standing at the entrance of the rose garden, with her hand on her hips. "Prince Niall, I have been looking for you everywhere! Your mother is looking for you." She placed her hand on his arm, trying to lead him out of the garden. Setia sighed. Niall looked at her guiltily.

"I will see you later?" He said to Setia. She nodded. Lina's scowl deepened. As they walked away, Lina threw a nasty glare over her shoulder, followed by an evil smirk as she squeezed the prince's arm.

Setia spun around and crossed her arms over her chest. This was exhausting. She had never been one to fight other women over a man. She was wondering if she should tell him her suspicions of Lina, or if that would just look like her trying to cast blame on another.

If she will murder one of her own just to make it look like Setia was guilty, then who knows what she would do next. These things always escalate, don't they? She tried to think back to her criminal psychology classes.

Sighing, Setia turned to return to her rooms, and began marching back across the palace campus. She was still given suspicious glances at those around as she walked. They were not as violent as they were after the ball, so she assumed Elarion had spoken to some of them on her behalf. She supposed she had little else to do but return to her rooms and wait.

She didn't see Niall for the rest of the evening, and she was rather disappointed. She had spent the afternoon reading books on Elven history that she had found in her suite. Eli spent the afternoon munching on various snacks the serving staff had stocked her suite with, and complaining about how bored he is.

A soft tap came at the terrace doors. Setia sat up straight and smoothed the front of her dress down. She was wearing a pale purple diaphanous gown that flowed around her. Rising from the bed, she made her way to the doors. She placed her hand on the handle and slowly opened them.

"Princess," a honeyed voice called softly. Setia stared up into the piercing blue eyes of Elarion Liandris.

"Hello, General. I wasn't expecting you." She responded. His cheeks had a light flush. He looked as if he didn't know what to do with himself.

"I wanted to see you. I thought I should update you on the investigation." He said smoothly and stepped into her rooms. She moved aside to let him pass. He looked quite large in her room. Taking up more space, he looked around to the rumpled bed covers where she'd been reading, to the array of snacks spread out around the lounge chairs where Eli had been grazing.

'You could at least clean up after yourself!' She chided to him in her head.

"How rude of me. Come on in. Let's sit down on the bed." She cleared space and sat on the edge of the bed, gesturing for him to take a seat not too far from her. He cleared his throat, and she saw the red in his cheeks as he gazed at the bed. He sat slowly on the end of the bed, an appropriate distance away from her.

She felt confused by her feelings for Elarion. Drawn to him, his raw power and magnetism, and his kindness. She remembered their fiery kiss earlier and sighed. She was here for the prince, and her mission in this world relied on that. At the end of the mission, she'll move on to another world. Yet, that could be years away, it could trap here her for a lifetime, should she live how she wants? Judging by the look on his face, he hadn't forgotten it either.

"How can I help you, General?" Setia said softly. He turned to look at her, his gaze piercing and deep.

"We have determined that the knife found here was definitely the knife used to kill councillor Erik." He said with a grim look on his face. "I don't understand why someone would target him, or want you involved." He said, rubbing his chin in thought.

Setia had a few ideas who wanted her involved, namely Lina. She was worried about Setia's relationship with the prince, and how that jeopardized her position and influence. She would no longer be in the running to become Queen.

"I have an idea..." Setia trailed off, shy to admit her thoughts to Elarion.

"What is it?" He asked. He reached forward and grasped her hands, squeezing them. She flushed. He looked down at their hands, then at her with concern.

"The prince's consort, Lina. She was missing at the party during the time the councillor went missing, she's threatened me repeatedly. I think she wants me out of the way." She spoke earnestly. Elarion's brows rose.

"Setia, I think this goes beyond normal palace jealousy." He said, sounding disbelieving. Setia sighed. At least she had tried.

"You may be right, but just trust me, something isn't right." She tried again. He brought her hand in his to his lips and brushed a gentle kiss across the back of her hand. She shivered.

"I will guard you diligently, my Lady." He said, his gaze intense. She knew he meant it, but if he didn't know what to look for, what help would he be? She smiled at him. He was still holding her hands. He reached up to brush his fingers across her cheek. She leaned into his touch."There's another matter I wish to discuss." He said. She nodded, listening. "I know there are plans to speak of a betrothal between you and the prince. While I respect your wishes in the matter, it might satisfy you and your father to have a General instead?"