A/N - The cover above was made by 

The following day, Chase and Reese met in the forest and proceeded to walk towards the castle.

"Rose's birthday party is today," Reese reminded Chase. "Are you still planning on going?"

Chase warily glanced at Reese, who looked genuinely concerned for him. "Yeah, I'm going." When he saw Reese frown, Chase asked, "What's wrong?"

"What if you get caught?"

"Psh," Chase scoffed, nearly laughing at the thought. "They said they were only checking forearms for Red Phoenix members. They'll probably also search for weapons, but I don't need any weapons."

They finally saw the Azalea castle and stopped at their normal place underneath a large tree, away from the rest of the crowd but still being able to see the balconies. It was an eventful day. Not only was Rose's birthday party today, but Amaryllis would also be crowned queen.

A little while later, Amaryllis came out onto the main balcony. She tread confidently with the crown perched on top of her wavy blonde hair and a bold pink dress fitted to her slender figure. She was just crowned queen inside the palace, and now she had to come out to address her citizens.

The crowd immediately silenced when they saw Amaryllis, waiting for what she had to say. Reese and Chase also watched warily.

Reese was right. I didn't really notice it before but now that I look at Amaryllis, she looks like a second Flora. They even look similar for sister-in-laws. Chase thought to himself.

He snapped out of his thoughts when Amaryllis opened her mouth to speak. "My people! As of today, I am your new queen. I promise all of you that I will be the best queen this kingdom has ever seen. Flora's reign was short, but I swear I will find Flora's killer and kill them myself. May you all enjoy Rose's twenty first birthday party this evening. Long live the Azalea kingdom!"

At that moment, a bunch of amaryllises bloomed across the balcony rings, and the next thing everyone saw was Amaryllis's crown being set ablaze. Amaryllis seemed unaffected, though, she just looked more eager and satisfied as she raised her hands to glorify herself. The crowd burst out into chants of "Long live the Queen", but Chase and Reese noted how some of the citizens had worried looks on their faces. If Flora was notorious for her temper, then so was Amaryllis. It didn't help that both Basil and Flora died recently, either. The flames eventually went out, and Amaryllis gave a last wave to the crowd before retreating back inside.

He heard Reese say in a bitter voice, "My God, she's even worse than Flora. She just set her crown on fire to demonstrate her power."

Chase didn't reply. Seeing the flames Amaryllis conjured made him think about the day his family died. The flames... the same aura as Flora's and Rose's. She or Rose could have been there, or even worse both of them. I have to go to the party. I have to find out if any of them were there. His eyes darkened. He had been tempted to torture Flora to know why she killed his parents and sister, Dawn, but he hadn't had time as someone had been walking towards the room. He clenched his fists. Even if had had the time, he knew from Flora's fiery eyes that she wouldn't have told him anything anyway. She would have gladly taken her secret to the grave if it meant leaving him constantly wondering, never knowing the answer to his question.

"Chase, you got to get rid of Amaryllis. She's a bloody psycho." Reese's persistent voice suddenly rang in his ears.

Chase bit his lip. "She hasn't done anything utterly crazy yet. I'm pretty sure it's normal to act that way after Flora's death." Despite what he said, he sounded like he was trying to convince himself.

Reese shook his head. "She doesn't even have to do anything, Chase. I just looked at her and I can already tell she's going to bring everyone misery if she stays on the throne. Flora was crazy too but she was mainly angry. Amaryllis on the other hand, she's crazy. You got to trust me on this one."

"I'll check her out at the party. If my suspicions are correct, I'll definitely eliminate her," Chase said coldly, narrowing his eyes. "I'll tell you how the party goes."

Reese sighed. "Don't get caught. You may be an assassin, but don't underestimate them. Just... be careful, okay?"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. Later," Chase called over his shoulder before running off.

Reese stayed underneath the tree for a while longer. He rested his hand over his sword.

Chase is so calm about all of this. I'm glad we're on the same side. I know at first I just wanted him on my side, but we're more friends than allies now, and friends help each other, right?

Reese looked back at where his father died. He could have stood there for another hour, thinking about all those happy memories he shared with his father. He had never known his mother, which made Reese and Raymond all the more closer. Despite his desire to stay, Reese forced himself to turn around and head back to the Red Phoenix lair.

--

Violet rarely left her room. It started after she saw her mother's dead body by the dinner table. She was just beginning to move on after her father died, but she was once again pushed into the pit of misery after that night. She stayed cooped in her room, only leaving if it was absolutely necessary.

She remembered Amaryllis's subtle triumphant smile as Amaryllis was being crowned. Violet knew that Amaryllis only sought to fulfill what her mother could not, but deep down she felt angry. If her mother hadn't died, Amaryllis wouldn't be queen today.

She burst out into sobs again when images of that dreadful night unconsciously filled her mind. The slash marks on Flora's throat, her limp body, and the crown that had fallen to the floor.

"Violet?" she heard a knock at the door.

Violet gasped but quickly wiped her tears. She replied, "Come in."

The door opened and Amaryllis strode in. "Violet, are you alright?" Violet didn't answer. Amaryllis continued, "Violet, dear, you've been cooped up in here for too long. You should go outside, at least."

There was a tense silence, Violet's eyes were cast downward. "I'll think about it."

Amaryllis smiled lightly. "Alright. I'll see you in the evening."

Violet called without looking up, "Yes, Aunt Amaryllis."

The door closed lightly and Violet stood up from her bed and peered out of the window. The Azalea castle was surrounded by a moderately high wall for security. In between the large space were the gardens, plains, courtyards, and walkways.

Perhaps you should go outside.

Violet sighed and went to open her closet, changing out of her purple dress and into her riding clothes. She opened the door just a crack, making sure there was no one in the hallways. She didn't want to deal with anybody. She wanted to be alone, and horse back riding usually calmed her down if nothing else would.

Violet closed her bedroom door behind her as she made her way to the castle stables. When she got there, she strode in and ran down the line of horses, finally finding Acorn, the Azalea horse. It was a gift from her father. Only she and her sisters could ride Acorn.

She opened the gate, causing a small screech to echo throughout the stables.

All of a sudden, she heard a voice from the other side of the stables. "Who goes there? You can't just take a horse without my permission, Azalea knight."

Violet stopped and turned her head to the left to see a boy holding the reins to another horse. The boy had dark hair and was dressed in the stable brown tunic and black overalls. His hazel eyes were narrowed to see who the intruder was.

The boy's cold expression was then replaced by one of surprise. The words weren't audible, but Violet saw him mouth "Princess Violet" to himself. He instantly bowed repeatedly. "My apologies, your Highness. I didn't know it was you. Usually only the knights come here. Please forgive me for my rudeness."

Despite her foul mood, Violet started to smile lightly. "No apologies necessary. Though I'm afraid I do not recognize you. What is your name?"

The boy straightened and replied, "My name is Julian Summers, your Highness."

Violet let out a small laugh and gestured to Acorn. "This is the Azalea horse, Acorn." Julian nodded and tugged at the reins, leading the horse he was holding into one of the gates. Violet glanced at him curiously before asking. "What happened to the other stable boy?"

Julian looked up and said, "I'm not sure. Lady Marguerite hired me. He was gone before I came." Violet went in and readied Acorn, leading him out of his gate. "Why are you going riding, your Highness?"

Violet replied, continuing to walk Acorn out of the stables, "I need to clear my head."

Julian bowed, "Have fun, then."

"Thank you. I'll return soon," Violet called. She mounted Acorn and moved the reins in a signalling motion. Acorn whinnied and galloped off into the castle plains, Violet's blonde waves flying in the wind.

--

"A little more to the left," Amber suggested. The other maid groaned slightly, but complied, moving the rose decorations. "No, sorry, I meant my left."

The other maid rolled her eyes and went to fix her mistake when Lily walked in. "Amber!" Lily called.

Amber turned to see Lily. "Lily!" She turned back to see the maid looking at her with a slight glare, as if waiting to be ordered to fix the decorations again. "Perfect!" Amber called. "Thank you so much for helping me."

The maid looked relieved that she was finally done and hurriedly left, bowing to Lily as she exited.

"Wow, this looks amazing," Lily said in awe. "The rose decorations are just perfect."

It truly was an amazing sight. There were pink roses around the walls and red see through tapestries adorned across the ceilings. There was a glass table in the corner of the room with some pastries on it, the rest of the table vacant for when the cake was ready.

"Thanks," Amber replied. "I hope Rose likes it at her party."

Lily's smile wavered. "Speaking of the party, that's what I came to talk to you about." Amber tilted her head slightly. "Do you really think this is a good idea? I know we can't cancel it but... doesn't it seem odd to you that we're having a party right after my mother's death?"

Amber sighed. "I understand. To be honest, I do find it a little odd, but I talked to Rose and she said it was okay."

"She did?" Lily asked. "What about everyone else? Will they be okay with it?"

Amber could only shrug, "Queen Amaryllis insisted. She told us that this was the best way to move on. I think we should just try to make the best out of this. The timing is bad but it would be unfair to Rose not to have the party."

Lily nodded, "That's okay. I just wanted to hear what you thought."

Just then, a knight walked in, leather boots thudding against the ballroom floor. Amber glanced at him in acknowledgment as he approached them. He wore the traditional metal armor while he rested a relaxed gloved hand on his sword.

Lily turned to see who Amber was looking at. She greeted, "Hi, Thierry."

Thierry smiled, his green eyes lighting up. "Good afternoon, Lily," he replied. Like Amber and Saige, Thierry had known the Azaleas for a long time, the Azalea sisters and Prince Aster, especially. He was given permission to address them without any honorifics, as though they were really good friends. He was one of the youngest knights, being twenty years old, but he had proven many times that he was also one of the most loyal.

Amber tried to say something, but found that her lips wouldn't move to speak. Thierry looked at her and said, "Amber, I wanted to talk to you."

Amber blinked and put on an odd smile. "Oh really? What about?"

Thierry brought a hand to scratch the back of his head, as if figuring out what he should say. "I wanted to clarify the procedure for Rose's party." He locked eyes with her and said, "I'm ordered to stand guard at the entrance with some of the other knights. We are supposed to put any Red Phoenix members we find in the dungeons." Amber nodded before he continued. "I want to ask if you could help me."

"What?" Amber cut in suddenly. "I'm needed inside, though."

"Oh, well I meant to ask if you could keep an eye out on the inside, in case someone manages to breach our security, you know?" Thierry laughed lightly.

"Oh!" Amber flushed, but it was very subtle. "Yeah of course, no worries."

"Great! Thanks for your help," Thierry said, waving at both Lily and Amber as he left.

Amber also waved as Thierry walked out of sight. She jolted when she heard Lily say, "You should tell Thierry how you feel about him, Amber." Lily gave a bright smile and a wink.

Amber shook her head but spoke hurriedly. "What? What are you talking about? Thierry's just a friend, Lily."

Lily laughed, "Okay, whatever you say. I'll see you at the party, Amber."

Amber nodded and bowed out of habit. "Okay. See you later, Lily."

Lily smiled before leaving. Amber double checked the decorations before leaving herself, her cheeks still slightly pink from before.

--

The sun was beginning to set and citizens started to line up. Thierry was one of the two knights checking people. The other knights were lined up around the castle, watching for any suspicious activity from any other parts outside the castle.

"Next," Thierry called, letting the man he just checked to pass.

Chase stepped forward, briefly holding out his forearms for Thierry to see. As if it seemed obvious, Chase tried to head inside.

"Hold it," Thierry stuck his arm out, blocking Chase's path. "I have to check you for weapons too."

Chase glanced at Thierry before moving back. Thierry patted him down quickly but efficiently.

Thierry was finished, but there was something about the boy in front of him that seemed off. When he looked up, Chase was watching him expectantly, waiting for Thierry to let him pass.

"Thierry," the knight next to Thierry called, noticing that Thierry was taking an awful long time to check Chase. "You okay?"

Thierry nodded in reply, not taking his eyes off of Chase. Finally, Thierry said, "You may pass."

Chase said nothing, but merely nodded as he stepped past the knight.

Thierry didn't look back, but he thought. It must have been just me, but he looks like the assassin type. The Nissisa family is dead, though. I didn't get his name either. There wasn't anything physically odd about him and he didn't have any weapons but... Thierry emitted a sigh. I really should stop thinking too much.

Chase had felt the knight's hesitancy, and he made a mental note to remember Sir Thierry. Like the knight, he had also felt a small aura of a potential threat. The knight had looked around his age, but he seemed a lot sharper than the other knights.

Pushing away the thought of the strange encounter, Chase reverted back to remembering why he actually came to the party, pursing his lips in a thin line.

I'm in.