The sound of crinkling curtains made me jolt from my sitting position, the bright rays of the sun flashing upon my very own eyes. Almost like a vampire, I hissed and covered my face from the annoyance.

"Good morning, young miss! Rise and shine! Breakfast will be ready in a short while—oh, you are already up. That is surprising."

Gertrude rang her tiny bell and the rest of the handmaidens scurried inside the bedroom, one carrying my silver tray, a simple elegant fabric of baby pink with three white round buttons at my chest, each a tiny size.

My personal maid glided towards me, humming a sweet tune. However, she stopped the moment she saw me at a close range, gasping at the sight that welcomes her.

"Oh my! Young miss, there are dark circles under your eyes! Did you not get enough sleep, perhaps?"

Gertrude, dearie, I couldn't even shut my eyelids to a close. I was afraid that creepy cult crap man might kill me in my slumber.

"I had a rough night, I guess." I shrugged. I wasn't lying. But I wasn't telling the whole truth either.

Fortunately for me, Gertrude respected privacy, so she refrained from asking any further.

I glanced at the three buttons of my attire and cringed. Somehow, the number 3 only kept giving me bad memories. The fact that Prince Agustus came to my rescue thrice and threw three knives to threaten my murderer gives me a reason to say so.

The Heir. I have to let the Heir know about this.

"Gertrude, I want to have a personal discussion with Prince Eugene today. Is he in his office as of now?"

The handmaidens gave me a look of jealousy after hearing my words. Gertrude had to glare at them so they would get back to work.

"He should be." She responded, dipping her head as she bowed down, the rest of the maidens followed her act of courtesy and respect.

Without much time to lose, I hurriedly hopped out of bed. I was about to swing the door wide open when Gertrude stopped me.

"You're going out like that?! Goodness dear, no. Have breakfast first and wear the appropriate dress! You cannot just greet the Heir with messed up hair in a nightgown!" she piped up in an abrupt panic, a grimacing look plastered upon her.

I glanced at the mirror to see my reflection, and whoa I looked horrible. "R-Right, sorry."

Appearing quite proper this time, I proceeded to knock on the Heir's golden door with crimson markings. I will be frequently visiting this place from now on.

"It is Rosette, Your Highness. May I speak with you?"

There was a fraction of a moment before the sound of shuffling papers reached my ears. It gave me the idea that the prince might've been busy. I didn't want to cause a disturbance. I was about to tell him that when his voice broke out from the inside.

"You may enter."

I was hesitant to step inside, but as soon as I spotted Prince Nathaniel James walking towards my direction while reading a page of the familiar leather-bound notebook, I rushed through the door.

Third Person's POV

Prince Nathaniel squinted his eyes as he adjusted the rim of his glasses. He could've sworn he saw streaks of blonde hair moving into his brother's private office.

He wanted to go and check to make sure he wasn't delusional. However, the presence of Prince Jacque Darryl made him rethink his actions. He saw the dark circle under the youngest's eyes and was immediately concerned. Just a tad bit.

"You..." He spoke up, causing his brother to pause beside him. "You didn't sleep?"

Prince Jacque was somewhat surprised upon hearing one of his older brothers initiating a conversation. He was happy, but alas, he didn't like this topic.

"Only for a few hours, nothing to worry about," he responded calmly, his gaze then shifting to the object his brother carried, "What's that?"

"Nothing worth mentioning," the older prince quickly shut it tight and brought it behind him, forcing a slight smile.

An awkward silence was bartered between the two. Both of them knew that even though the other says it's nothing, there must be definitely something.

And that certain something was a secret they kept from one another along the years.

"I must go." Prince Nathaniel remarked before walking away from the scene.

"Okay. Take care—"

The older prince didn't bother to let him finish, already escaping from the halls. His younger brother could only sigh in disappointment.

"...brother."

Rosette's POV

I had already told the Heir about everything I learned from the past few days. I made sure to not miss any detail.

Well, except for the fact that Prince Agustus saved me last night. I doubt he'd like it if I told his brother about it. It probably won't mean much anyway.

"Arson...?" Prince Eugene's lips parted as he let out a short baffled exhale, his intense gaze struck me when he lifted his head, his fingers intertwined in a business-like manner.

"It is likely so." I nodded with furrowed brows. "The man who wants me dead might be connected with the one who burned your place ten years ago."

Dead silence hung in the air. The prince planted his forehead onto his hands, still with that position, and his expression... It was an erratic tangle of emotions, so faint yet so powerful, enough for someone to feel the violent pain of his heart.

Was he crying? Was he screaming internally? Was he thrashing around in the darkest portion of his thoughts? I couldn't tell. It was hard to tell.

"I see. It does make more sense than just a mere accident. Good job, Miss Rosette. With this, we can kill two birds using one stone."

His tone sounded stable, like the calm before an aggressive storm. I noticed his muscles tense, his hands tighten. I remained still in my spot, not wanting to fuel the spark of a rising flame.

I think we had enough fire for today.

The Heir might have sensed the meaning of my hushed figure retreating towards the side of the room, for he then looked at me with sad regretful eyes.

"Jacque and Vante must've been so traumatized. And you, you must've been so scared. You actually encountered your killer earlier than the expected date. Your fate is rapidly changing."

I was surprised when he stood up from his leather chair and gently held my wrists as if this much physical contact was the peak of his limitations. He forced himself to speak, only little croaks climbing out of his throat.

"I vowed to myself that I would protect you, yet where was I during the times when you actually pleaded for someone to come and save you?" he said, anguished. A tone of guilt was evident in his voice as he speaks.

I failed to catch my breath. "Your Highness—"

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry for not keeping my promise, Miss Rosette."

My whole world froze, unmoving. I could only stare at him, gulping down the shocked yell that begged to be released.

Promise?

"Maybe I should hire a guard to protect you, to be there whenever something dangerous attacks." Prince Eugene suggested as a way of keeping me safe, hopeful that this time would be different.

I gave him a small smile. "But that would just interfere with my duties as your spy, Your Highness. It would be quite bothersome, although I very much appreciate the offer you have given me."

The Heir couldn't utter a reply, because he clearly thinks that I'm right, that I have a valid reason for declining.

"Well, if you say so, then I will trust you, Miss Rosette. Besides, you have already proven to me that you can protect yourself, given the fact that you fled from the pursuer all on your own."

Somehow, it was as if his words were directed, not at me but at himself. A way of reassurance perhaps, he just wanted to convince the inner voice inside him that his final decision was for the best.

"...Is there anything else that you would like to add?" he asked, staring at me as if he was expecting something more, something else that I purposely left out.

Well, after that encounter, Prince Jacque appeared outside my bedroom and informed me about the Black Hood and then that's how I—

Wait, now that I think about it...

Prince Jacque told me about the incident, yet he strangely didn't say anything about the Black Hood. However, right after my near death experience, he then popped out of nowhere like everything happened in the perfect timing.

Like everything was just a total convenient coincidence.

But was it?

I blinked vigorously at the motion of the prince's waving palms that intended to capture my attention.

"Miss Rosette? Are you alright? Perhaps you really do have something else to say?" Prince Eugene inquired worriedly, expectantly, as he waited for me to utter a word to his non-ending questions.

I was sure that I would stutter in response, so I simply nodded. Actions speak louder than words but my gestures lie better than my tongue.

I was starting to be disgusted with myself. Suspecting the first prince that welcomed me, that trusted me, that saw me as the person I wanted to be, was just downright wrong.

The Heir was hesitant to let me go with such a plain answer, yet a few seconds passed. In the end, he chose to give it up, he chose to endure his curiosity, he chose to believe me. And I... I don't deserve his kindness.

The last thing I saw before shutting his office door to a close was Prince Eugene Brancen showing me an ever so bittersweet smile, pricking into my melancholic soul like a spindle of a spinning wheel.

Third Person's POV

Prince Tayden Pharrell leaned his exhausted body against a tall trunk of a tree. He was weak from abusing his physique last night, his energy all drained and damned. He knew even a cruel creature like him had his own limits.

With a swift swing of his dagger that had a gem of flashing scarlet, he tossed it upwards until it pierced right through an apple and fell back onto his hand. He then separated the fruit from the steel, taking a big bite out of it. He was hungry, after all.

While chewing his snack, the prince couldn't help but stare at his weapon. Even though he had twin daggers, he rarely uses the other one.

Because it wasn't his in the first place.

In the short blade's reflection, aside from the sunlight peeking through the trees was a figure of a sneaking young lady, appearing to be hiding behind a trunk.

He sighed at this, with a voice too tired to sound commanding.

"I can see you. Come here."

Khaleesi Dulcina Ermengard flinched. It was only for a few matters of minutes before she regretfully stood in front of him, pursing her lips. He stared at it.

"If you had an odd desire to stalk people, you should have done it better. Sensitive ears can hear your footsteps crunch against the fallen leaves." Prince Tayden indifferently instructed her, crossing his arms in amusement as he eyed her warily.

A corner of her mouth twitched as it felt mockery. She came here to spy on him, not receive a piece of advice, yet she took it anyway. She might need it someday.

Her round mouse eyes narrowed to his open fabric that showed a bit of collarbone. She could've sworn she saw another set of cuts and bruises.

Prince Tayden noticed where her gaze lies and quickly covered the exposed part of his body by tucking back his dagger and using his now free hand. She mentally noted how he was protective of this.

She coolly pointed at it. "How did that happen?"

He remained silent for a while, and this caught her attention. In her perception, he was becoming more and more suspicious.

But, strangely, she couldn't imagine herself hating him, loathing him. There was something wrong with her.

"You'd probably tell me that it's assassin work again, so I won't bother to wait for your answer." She casually stated, a hand on her hips.

My job means I go through these things all the time. He once said.

She raised a brow, frustrated when the silence went on. "At least tell me something, anything."

Among all the princes of Grand, he was the only one in her list that doesn't have a certain relationship with her yet. Because of this, she will be forced to follow him around, much like how Prince Nathaniel is doing to her—following the person they deem suspicious.

The prince didn't like her way of snooping into his personal business, but he also couldn't imagine himself hating her, loathing her. There was something wrong with him too.

There was something wrong with the both of them, their peculiar hearts beating as one, just like that moonlit night when the two of them were alone together, like that moment when they embraced bodies on the bed. Ever since then, that memory constantly disturbed his thoughts.

It was intoxicating, a dangerous drug that has to be stopped. But because it was sweet, they craved to indulge, to seek for more.

Prince Tayden can lie to others, but he cannot lie to himself. That night, he sees it as a beautiful memory that he would never forget, just like that pristine stillness of the world when he first met her.

He shifted his gaze from her lips and into her charming evergreen orbs. For a brief instant, he felt weak, he wanted to feel weak.

But he knew he should never. He should never let his inner self show. He made a mistake that night, that dreamlike night, and he will refrain from doing it again.

"Alright, I will tell you something." Prince Tayden muttered as he gazed at her keenly. "Something that you might find confusing yet fascinating at the same time."

Her ears perked up upon hearing this. "What is it?"

Instead of leaning backward, Prince Tayden leaned forward to her, his mouth so close to her ear that his breath tickled against her skin.

"A lie speaks in flowers. The truth speaks in thorns." He whispered, sending shivers down her spine.

Prince Tayden walked away, trudging deeper into the hollowed woods, leaving the maiden who was still in a state of surprise.

She whipped her head to his direction, her stare fixated on him. She won't let him escape this time, after that enigmatic riddle.

He was right. It did confuse her. It did fascinate her. And it made her want to know more.

It made her want to follow him.

Prince Tayden should've never given his advice, for now, the young lady stripped off her shoes and let her toes sink into the soil. Like an inaudible sound of a snake slithering through the grass, like a real spy, she goes undetected.

Except for the cat-like eyes of another prince who happened to be passing by at that very moment.

"Didn't I warn her already to not venture off into the forest alone?" he released a short exhale of disbelief. "What is this girl up to now?"

With a frustrated sharp inhale and a tilt of his head, Prince Agustus Dane trailed after her.

Rash decisions distracted this unthinkable trio from the actual threat that lurked a few feet ahead of them.

They shall face the consequence of their choices.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the long loooong very LONG break. Forgive us. By the way, how was the chapter? Good? Not good? Sorry to disappoint you if that's the case. We will try our very best and use all the juices left in our tiny brains.

BTW HAVE YOU GUYS WATCHED BBMA? So proud of our 7 babies/dorks *squeal*

Okay, enough, I'm leaving. Ciao, Sayonara, Adios, Annyeong, La Revedere, Alavida, Paalam, Au Revoir, Uhm... Bye?

Lovelotsss ARMY FAM,

Nocturnal Armys

PS: Hi guys, this is Haneul, I just wanna say don't mind my sister Iseul's A/N, she's drunk.