Rosette was walking along the corridor when she perceived a tuft of pink hair peek out a turning point. She grinned mischievously and hopped towards the person.

"Heya, Eugene!" she cheeped, tapping his shoulder.

The Heir turned around and smiled politely. "Greetings, Rosette. What does heya mean? Is it a developed version of hey?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "It means hey, hello, hi, and it's pretty popular in our century—"

The maiden froze. Behind the Heir was the very man she didn't want to see until the ends of the earth. It was no one else other than Prince Agustus Dane with a busted bottom lip. Instinctively, she threw a hand to her mouth to cover hers.

"—century of t-the 18th a-and the Duvians! That's all I came here to say! Bye!"

She skedaddled away, clumsily tripping on nothing in particular.

Prince Eugene Brancen observed her leave in a hurry, sighing as he gave his brother a side-glance. "You guys are still avoiding one another? It's been days!"

"It is her avoiding me." The second-born said to his defense, now standing next to the Heir. Obviously, the first-born wasn't convinced, but instead of nagging, he chose to change the topic.

"Did you do what I told you to do yet?" he crossed his arms and brought up the memory of their talk on the veranda a few days ago.

"I..." Prince Agustus shyly scratched his raven-black hair. "I will do it today then."

"And he says the maiden is the only one doing all the avoiding." Prince Eugene cheekily beamed. "Go. Go and look at the roses."

So the second-born, although reluctant, followed orders and went out.

Prince Tayden Pharrell had successfully returned from his mission. He waited behind the bulky trunk of a tree at the Royal Gardens, a bunch of flowers in his clutches.

The maiden, completely oblivious, stepped into the area of the maze-like stone walls as she searched for him. The instant she passed by his hiding spot, he jumped out and grabbed her by the waist. He didn't give her the chance to scream and dragged both of them to the ground.

Without another second to waste, he quickly scooted to her side and had his elbow support his body as he nestled his chin to his palm. He then scattered the petals all over her long hair that reminded him of golden threads settling on the soft grass.

She was quiet for a while. The prince saw her chest rise and fall in a steady loop.

"Sorry, did I scare you?" he worriedly asked.

Yet Rosette only released a little laugh, much to his relief. "I could've shot you with my arrow, you know."

"How bold," he remarked, eyeing her up and down with a smile, regarding the petals on her hair and her lacey white dress, "and beautiful."

A few minutes later, the two youths chased each other around the tree. Wind ruffled their clothes. Skin made contact with skin. Giggles got mixed in between breaths. Finally, he caught her and pinned her against the trunk.

He was supposed to stare into her dilated pupils, but his gaze shifted because something else had stolen his attention.

His smile dropped. "What happened to your mouth?"

The maiden enjoyed their moment so much that she had actually forgotten about that. She lowered her head, ashamed.

"I got into a fight...with Agustus. It was an accident, I swear..."

"It's alright. You can tell me."

There was silence.

"We kissed." She uttered with timid honesty, fists curling.

More silence.

Rosette anticipated for the worst. She imagined him leaving her, yelling at her, or maybe even stabbing her with a dagger out of anger—considering the betrayal that he would feel.

However, when she looked up at him, he was unexpectedly smiling.

"You...You don't mind?" she blinked in bewilderment.

Instead of replying to her inquiry, Prince Tayden snaked his hands along her hips and leaned forward, his lips meeting hers. She was surprised by his sudden action, but she succumbed to blissful sensation like a drunkard intoxicated with luxurious liquor. She closed her eyes as her arms wrapped around his body.

He repetitively kissed her with passionate desire, teasingly pushing and pulling away. She wanted more of it, more of him, her torso pressing against his. He got the signal and smirked. At that point, his tongue moved and licked her bottom lip, startling the maiden. She flinched and was about to detach herself from him but he tugged her closer.

Meanwhile, a third party watched them from the distance.

Prince Agustus gripped tightly onto the flower in his hand. It was the most vibrant one that bloomed in bright shades of red. It reminded him of her, of her green eyes that resembled the stem, of her pinkish lips that were the color of the petals' tips, and of her sweet fragrance. He realized that she was a rose unique in all the world.

But he was too late.

He will never be able to give her the rose.

And so he made his exit out of the Royal Gardens, not wanting to cause a disturbance.

Coincidentally at the same time, Prince Tayden finally parted his lips from hers, reaching his limit. The maiden gasped once he did, out of breath. She slowly opened her eyes as though awakened from a nice dream.

"There," he beamed, "I removed his kiss."

"You..." she breathed out, "you idiot."

She feebly hit his chest with her curled fists, fervently blushing. The prince simply laughed at her, amused by her reaction.

Rosette was living the best of her life here.

Yet when she entered the Heir's private office, she was once again reminded of who she was and where she truly belonged.

Rosette's POV

"You will...what?" I managed to utter, knuckles whitening while I nervously held onto the folds of my skirt.

Fire crackled within the hearth from the side of the room as it ate lumber.

"It is the first step of my plans." Prince Eugene Brancen explained, staring at me from the sofa opposite to mine. "Thanks to you, I have gathered enough information and connected the dots. Alas, there are still blurry lines. I must discuss these with my brothers."

I gulped, looking at my qualmy feet tapping onto the floorboards. "There will be chaos."

"I have mentally prepared for it." He dipped his head, his attention lingering at the coffee table between us before it landed back on me. "Besides, they deserve to know, don't you think?"

He's right. He's always right.

"I'm scared that they will hate me." I admitted.

"Try forewarning them." He suggested kindly, but then he realized that he was a bit inconsiderate throughout the entire conversation. Stress written on his noble features, he tiredly buried his face onto his palms. "I'm sorry for dragging you into my family's mess, Rosette."

"It's okay." I forced a smile. "This was bound to happen anyway."

"I'm fortunate to have you." He said in the sincerest form of gratitude, smiling back in spite of his sad gaze. "Come, I want to show you something."

I nodded and we both went out the room, then outside the palace and towards the open field.

Somehow, I was back in the Royal Gardens. Just a couple of steps ahead and I would see that tree where Prince Tayden and I...

Gosh, what am I thinking? This is definitely not the time to be recalling a man's lips, Rosette. You should behave. I internally chided and slapped my cheek.

I tossed that memory aside, flapping at the air as if shooing it away. Prince Eugene glanced at me and I hastily put my hands down, plastering an awkward grin.

From what I've noticed, he stopped in front of the music fountain that served as marking the center of the gardens. He stared at it.

He wanted to show me this?

I was perplexed, so I had to ask.

I tilted my head sideways. "Why the fountain?"

And to that, he mysteriously smiled.

If I did something bad, would you forgive me?

The first one I asked was the seventh-born, Prince Jacque Darryl, who welcomed me in his cozy atelier as though nothing had happened between us. I know that this was supposed to be my workplace, but seeing his artworks progressively getting plenty and cramped in the corners made me want to regard the room like it was his.

He sneaked a glimpse at me before he continued to focus on his painting and said these words. Is this about the paper from your chambers? I don't think it's bad. You're just not willing to tell me.

Not willing because of it being bad. I told him and apologetically stared at the ground.

He simply shook his head and smiled. I'll always end up forgiving you, Rosie.

My heart squeezed when he said that.

When I gave the same question to Prince Vante Osburne, he didn't take it seriously. During his crawl into the bushes by the gates, he responded bluntly with: It depends. Did you rob a poor farmer who earns for his family? Did you conquer a kingdom? Did you set a castle on fire?

I couldn't laugh at the last two examples.  

But as your fellow escapee I think there's a reason behind every action. He went on, dusting off his commoner outfit once he got to the other side. Enough of that. Are you not coming with me?

I'm afraid I must cancel today, was what I decided to say, since I must carry on with my...duties.

And I hurriedly slipped out his sight.

The third person I asked was Prince Nathaniel James. He burst out cackling like a mad scientist, dropped his act, and annoyingly ruffled my hair. I've been suspicious of you from the beginning. Of course you would be the one doing something stupid. He said.

At his reply, I could only look down in humiliation.

However, he then murmured. Stupid but not bad.

When I looked up at him to confirm my ears weren't hearing things, he was already walking towards the opposite direction.

Prince Jacob Erhart, after I watched him practice on the field, chuckled at my inquiry. You would not do anything bad, Rosette. If you did do such a deed, then it must be with purpose of great depth.

The Training Field was rumbling with soldiers, yet it felt like we were alone. His words were pure. I wanted to embrace him and the three other princes for understanding me in their own way. It was good at that time, but their reactions might be different once faced with the real deal.

So I was still anxious.

A couple of hours later, I found myself wandering around the forest. I was careful and strolled along the entrance only, not the least bit interested in getting lost again. The sky had become dark as if ink had spilled all over the color blue and the stars were like shimmering tears.

That's why when I saw Prince Agustus Dane leaning against a tree while gazing at the moon above him, I almost believed that the teardrop trickling along his cheek was tiny star that had fallen to the earth.

I couldn't move the instant he whipped his head to where I stood.

"To show up right after I tried not to think of you anymore," he scoffed in disbelief, "how merciless of you."

"What are you talking about?" I dared to reply, gradually retreating.

He swiftly advanced towards me. The melancholic mien of his eyes had disappeared, replaced with a dangerous glint of pent-up frustration. I was trapped with nowhere to run. My legs trembled weakly under his wrath.

Clouds loomed over us, making him seem like a shadow charging at me in this area of the night. I was terrified of what would happen to me.

He roughly grabbed me, locking me in position.

"Let me go, Agustus." I regained composure, giving him a warning look. My fists were shaking so I hid them behind me.

I didn't want to fight him, yet Aculeus was available if I had to.

"You must end this audacity." He hissed.

"Audacity? What the hell are you—"

I stared at him with wide eyes. The clouds parted and the moon's rays landed on his face, allowing me to see it.

It was the fleeting emotion that I would catch at the strangest of moments shared between me and him. Here it was again, evident by how he looked at me, but this time, he couldn't control it and have it go away.

His skin was pale as sugar, enlightened because of the moon. His busted lip was clearly self-bitten in repeat. His black hair appeared silver under the light. His sharp eyes were glassy and welling up with tears.

It wasn't wrath at all. It was silent aching.

Prince Agustus was hurt. Emotionally hurt.

And somehow, he was blaming me.

"You make me feel—no, you make me feel." He murmured in pain and in confusion. "And I want you to stop. I need you to stop. Now."

He shook my shoulders pleadingly like a cat accidentally scratching me with its claws. I winced at the rash gesture. He noticed.

He staggered backward, feeling sorry.

The woods became quiet.

"Agustus..." I heavily breathed in. "You're not explaining it to me properly. I can't...I can't understand you."

Did I do something else that was bad without realizing it?

Am I a bad person?

"Do not bother. To you, I shall never be unique in all the world. Do me a favor instead." He demanded, roughly wiping off his tears. "Answer my question honestly."

"Okay," I sniffled, losing trust in myself, "okay, I will. What is it?"

The night let us be sensitive, let us be truthful about the feelings we hide beneath our masks, so I should be able to answer him without trepidation creeping up my spine.

Prince Agustus seemed so vulnerable, so fragile to the point where he would break at the slightest touch of my fingertips. His brows furrowed in agony and his voice cracked once he spoke.

"Does he love you as much as you love him?"

I was wrong.

His question pushed me to the edge of a pit.

He didn't need to say a name. I immediately knew who he meant. Someone came to my mind.

I couldn't utter a word.

He detected my hesitation.

"Did he even duly court you as he should? Is he making you wait? How long do you have to wait?" he proceeded, his sentences continuously aiming straight to my heart.

Prince Tayden Pharrell's smile jogged up in my memories. The sensation of his kiss and the nonchalance of his expression when he knew I was kissed by another also rewinded.

He loves me. Although he never said it, he must love me after everything we've done together, right?

"What do you call your relationship then—"

"Shut up!" I cried out. "That's enough!"

He did.

I fell to the ground, sobbing.

"I can't answer you if you give me hard questions." I said through small croaks. "I've been asking myself the same things as well."

I was merely staring down the rocks at my boots. I didn't want to see his reaction. But seconds later, I heard his footsteps come closer.

Soon, he knelt in front of me. I helplessly glanced up, my mouse eyes meeting his feline ones just like the rest of the unforgettable moments that occurred to us for the past two months: when he playfully mocked me for being weak, when he found me in the middle of the woods by the sacred Oaktree, and now this.

He gently pulled me in an embrace. His body was warm, contradictory to his cold hands running through my hair. It's weird that he would do this without a murderer chasing us, without me fainting, without any particular reason except for comfort.

But I appreciated it.

"And I can't even stay mad at you." He exhaled, whispering in my ear. "I guess we're both fools."

"No," I stubbornly denied as I let myself sink into his arms, "just you."

"Perhaps you're correct." He chuckled in soft volume. "Just me."

I had a difficult time trying to understand him, yet this odd night had taught me that maybe—once we stop loathing each other—maybe we could really be friends.

The following morning, I sacrificed my schedules to spend the whole day with Prince Tayden. I wanted to forewarn him too. We were laughing as always, sharing a blanket to keep ourselves warm while enjoying the view of the hills.

But because of Prince Agustus, I ended up sputtering the question that remained in my mind for so long. The breeze carried leaves as it flowed by. My nervous breaths turned into mist that hovered in the air.

"Tayden, what are we?"

And like I feared...

He couldn't answer.

In return, I couldn't forewarn him of what will happen tomorrow either.

Third Person's POV

Prince Eugene Brancen stared at the new portrait joining the line of images decorated on the palace walls. It was the painting of a blackbird that the Painter was tasked to make. He traced the ebony feathers with his thumb. They were intricately painted with so much detail that he couldn't help but acknowledge her masterpiece.

"Everyone's here, brother."

He spun to the source of the sound. Before him were his six siblings, all wearing a serious guise upon their faces. The High Constable, Prince Jacob Erhart, took a step forward, for he was the one assigned to call the individuals.

"Thank you, Jacob." The Heir stated, beckoning the seven with an order. "All of you, follow me."

Regardless of their bafflement, they didn't query him any further.

Similar to what he did with the maiden from the past two days, Prince Eugene led them outside and stopped at the fountain in the center of the Royal Gardens.

The brothers behind him exchanged puzzled looks.

"What's wrong with the fountain, Eugene?" Prince Nathaniel James asked, checking the leather-bound journal in his coat pocket that might get wet if he stands near the mechanism.

The Heir widely grinned at him. "You mean what's under it."

To their astonishment, he walked over the stone wall of the gardens where a small bird statue was settled. He then grabbed the body and lifted its wings. A rumbling noise came to their attention.

The water spewing out of the fountain stopped and quickly drained, revealing a trapdoor of the fountain floor. Prince Eugene stepped in and opened it, showing stairs going underground.

"I trust that my men can keep a secret." He said.

His brothers automatically nodded, raising their right hand and placing their left onto the chest to pledge.

Once the pledge was made, they all headed down. There was a second bird statue on the wall of the passageway at the last step of the stairs. Prince Eugene lifted the beak and another rumbling noise shot at their ears. They witnessed the large water pump beside the stairs whirr back to life.

"Let's go. Be careful with your strides. It's slippery by the entrance." The first-born cautioned, calmly pacing at the front.

The group trailed after him.

"I thought only kings had a secret room." Prince Jacque initiated a topic, both out of curiosity and of intent to lessen the tension.

The eldest didn't mind, ready to respond. "As the Heir to the Throne, a secret room will be given at the age of eighteen since it will also be the room I use once I become king."

Prince Tayden glanced at him and at the torches providing them the light they need to see through the tunnel, a drop of sweat on his jawline.

"The palace contains a lot of secret rooms. Every single one belonged to a king that reigned over the years. Like them, this place was constructed to my preferences." The Heir added. "New king, new secret room."

"That is amazing." The youngest commented, genuinely impressed.

"Not as amazing as the reason why he would suddenly gather us here today though." Prince Vante Osburne interjected, boiling back the dread in his siblings again.

At last, they arrived at the end of the tunnel where there was a wooden door. Prince Eugene gripped the handle and pushed it open.

The interior of the room was similar to his private office. There were red and black flags with the Blackbird symbol on them, a bookshelf filled with ancient literatures (which captured Prince Nathaniel's fascination), and more torches. The main attraction, however, was the table of rich brown located at the center encircled with seven chairs.

Prince Agustus Dane mentally noted that there was an extra chair in the corner, but he didn't bother wondering about it.

The Heir made his brothers sit on the chairs in birth order. When they were all seated accordingly, he then closed the door and offered a faint smile.

Welcome to the Round Table.

A/N: FINALLY! *screams* I had a hard time rewriting everything in this chapter and it was a rough phase for me, but I persevered for the sake of you lovelies reading our book. Although I am a bit disappointed, it turned out okay. Since I'll be writing using a phone from now on, there might be many errors :((

Thank you so much for giving us a lot of love and appreciation. You guys deserve the same, but doubled—no, tripled!

Take care of yourselves! uwu

Sincerely,

Nocturnal Armys