Walking out the door to the massive garden he heard the voice of two people talking in almost hushed tones.

"Look, all I'm saying is it's a bit odd that your long-lost childhood friend suddenly shows up in front of you like the two of you never parted ways and no questions are asked about how he found you. It has been ten years since you two last spoke, and you don't know what has happened to him while you were away from him. Nor does he know what you've been through. Now you wish for me to just get along with him free of suspicions. I'm sorry, dear, as much as I love you and want nothing but your happiness, that is one thing I cannot do."

"First off it has been thirteen years since we last saw each other. Second, I understand your worries, but he is my friend, Robert, and not just any friend my most treasured best friend. How can I turn my back on him after everything we've gone through and stressed about all these years? How can you tell me to choose between two of the most important people in my life?"

Walking towards the voices both Robert and Loraz slowly came into view sitting at a table set for three. He saw Robert shaking his head as he stood up from his chair and threw his napkin on the table.

"Ha...so you finally want to admit that you care about me, but only when you admit that you also care for him. Your words cut deep and maybe I was right all those years ago to keep my distance. If I had kept true to my original plan, I wouldn't be standing here in so much pain. To think I even though father might be right and figured I go after my heart's desire. Well, the joke's on me, isn't it? I'll let father know that there will be no union between us."

Loraz jumped up out of her seat and reached out her hand to grab hold of his arm to stop him then said,

"Robert, please, why is it so hard to just let things flow the way they will flow?"

Both paused as they saw him standing there staring at them. Unsure if he should be serious or try to lighten the mood, he just waited for one of them to speak.

Loraz removed her hand from Robert's arm and looked down at the ground as hot tears began to roll down her cheek.

Robert looked at him and licked his lips slowly then bit the inner side of his bottom lip. He fixed his suit jacket and looked at Loraz then back at him. Robert walked up to him and looked him straight in the eyes.

"You best take care of her because if she sheds one tear from you hurting her, I'll have every bounty hunter money can buy to hunt you down so I can kill you myself."

Vestin took in a deep breath and shook his head. He looked over at his beloved friend who stood there trying to hide her tears from them both. It was clear to see how much of an impact Robert had on her and he could tell she was struggling with mixed feelings for both. He walked over to Loraz and lifted her head so she would face him. Wiping the tears from her eye with the napkin from her hand he spoke,

"For the love of the Ancestors, Lo. I came to look for you because your life is in danger. Do I love you? Yes...my heart spills over with love for you, but my mission is to bring you to your rightful place on the throne of a dying kingdom. With people who are desperately waiting to be freed from the everlasting hell that is being afflicted upon them, I have risked not just my life, but the lives of many others to get here. To save the one person who brings the people of this kingdom hope, you. You are our princess, Lo. You are our only hope; our only ray of light in this damned world we live in."

Loraz grabbed his hand that held the napkin and pulled it away from her face.

"Vestin, I can't fight against a mad woman and her army alone. What help would I be to people who have known nothing about me until now? "

Vestin took both of her hands in his and pressed on them gently. He looked her in the eyes and smiled. The poor girl still thought like a scared young child. She didn't see the people she was surrounded by shining light upon her in her world of grey.

"Lo, the reason your mother sent me was, so you'd know that you are never alone. Past, present, and future you will always be surrounded by those who love you. I did not seek you out in hopes to kindle a lost interest that may have been long since dead. Nor was it solely to fulfill a last wish and promise, but because I didn't want my friend who I've watched for years smile and laugh like the world was her playground spiral down into a deep and dark hole with no way to free herself. I care for you on a much deeper level than just wanting your heart. I came to bring you to a safe place," He then looked over at Robert and then back at Loraz, "Had I known you were being protected all this time by someone else I would have kept my distance and watched you from afar until it was time for you retake your throne. You have supporters, Lo. You have so many behind you willing to throw caution to the wind and forsake the laws of everything that the Ancestors teach us just to make sure you regain what you've lost and bring peace back to our lands. Our home is in deep trouble, Lo, more and more people die from starvation and sickness. They are taxed so heavily that many have no money for much, not even proper clothing."

Robert listened to Vestin's words. He looked at Loraz and realized that she had far too much to think of to worry about him and his confession. While it pained him to watch her rekindle any affections for the man that stood in front of them, he couldn't walk away so quickly, but first, he wanted to make sure that she was safe and that her mind was clear to think of nothing else, but him.

"Loraz, didn't you already plan to stand up to your stepmother by coming here? Didn't you agree with father that you would attend this school under the condition that you'd leave this place as the true heir to the throne of Serenity?"

Loraz looked over at him, her eyes wide and speechless. That conversation was to have been private and she thought they were alone at the time.

Robert walked closer and stop short as Vestin released her hands and walked over to sit in a chair. They looked at each other for a moment neither one of them blinking and Vestin nodded his head and then sat back in his seat.

"I overheard your conversation that day when we were back in Mossca. Father wished for you to come here as the true heir of Serenity, while you begged him not to reveal it while you were in Mossca, the truth was to come out while here in Ay Su. I didn't hear much and understood very little of the conversation, but the determination you had about facing this head-on...I don't truly trust this gentleman, but to open the way he just did in front of a stranger says a lot. Whether his words are genuine can be determined later. A true ruler understands his people. Their needs, their wants, their desires...you were once living amongst your people. You have seen the world with the eyes of a commoner and the eyes of a royal. Use this strength to bring your people to the future they are hoping for. You already know that Mossca will always aid you in any way you need."

Loraz looked at Robert. She felt her heart pounding as she inhaled deeply. As she exhaled, she looked over at Vestin. It was a lot to take in and so many things came rushing at her all at once that it made her dizzy. Her plan when she left Mossca for Ay Su was to come forward as the princess of Serenity and announce herself the rightful heir to the throne. She turned to face Robert again and wondered when exactly she became so full of fear at being found by her stepmother.

"You're both right. The past few years I've just been doubting myself and lost who I truly was," She walked over to Robert and took his hand in hers then pressed it gently, "Our personal matters can wait a bit I hope until I accomplish an almost impossible task?"

Vestin looked up from the table a smirk crossed his face. He had a fear that he may have been too late in winning her heart. While he said he didn't come to woo her he had hoped that just showing up would rekindle some type of spark between them.

"Lo, I will always be with you whatever you decide."

Robert lifted her hands to his lips and kissed them softly. He looked her in the eyes and saw the flush of red across her cheeks.

"I will wait for as long as I can breathe."

Loraz pulled her hand away slowly and cleared her throat. She looked over at Vestin and an idea came to mind. She had learned that the order of succession in her kingdom was by order of birth no matter the gender and that she could appoint anyone she trusted most to hold her seat in her absence. She smiled and rushed over to the table ready to blurt her idea out to Vestin.

Vestin not at all surprised by her sudden excitement returned her smile and said,

"Something you have in mind?"

She nodded then looked behind at Robert. Her eyes glittered with life.

"Yes, the first step of our battle plan is to go to Madim."

Robert walked over to the table and placed one hand down to lean on it and looked at Loraz.

"Why do we need to see Madim?"

Loraz looked around then leaned in closer to both.

"If this Hidden King has already found out about me it's only a matter of time before he sends more spies or assassins, correct?"

Vestin shook his head and reached for a piece of fruit.

"Spies, yes. Assassins, no. He wants you alive. You're of no good to him dead. The queen, on the other hand, is still not sure about her. You are the only thing that stands in her way of keeping her sick son on the throne. Last I heard your brother only had a year left to live."

Robert frowned his brow, all this preparation for war and the other party's King is on his deathbed.

"What exactly is he sick with?"

Vestin saw no point to the question and at first thought not to answer, but then looked over at Loraz who also looked a bit curious.

"I heard it's a sickness of the muscles. Don't know the name of it as they keep it secret, but it's slowly eating at his body. His memory is slipping from him as we speak. Poor man barely even remembers his name or where he is half the time. At least that is what the rumors say. No one knows for sure, except the queen and Jayel."

Robert stood up straight and bit at his bottom lip. A list of things that might have matched the symptoms that Vestin spoke of.

"Hmm...that sounds oddly familiar. When did he get this illness."

Vestin shrugged his shoulders and sat back in his chair.

"I heard he was born with it, but many have testified that it started after his sixth birthday."

Loraz stood up straight and glanced back at Robert.

"Robert, do you think it could be..."

"It sounds like it could be...but father made him destroy every one of his labs when we were kids."

Vestin sat up and looked at them. He had thought nothing of the young king's illness, but the way he saw their reactions made him wonder if he had been blind about something.

"You mind filling me in?"

Robert walked over to the table and looked around to check his surroundings. He leaned in a bit closer and whispered,

"My eldest brother invented a poison when I was younger that rots the body from the inside out. If fed to someone in small dosages the poison can be used to make it seem like it is just an illness. But the poison is untraceable as far as searching the blood, smell, or even taste. It is as clear as water. The only way to know for sure that you have even taken it in is to check the bodily waste."

Loraz frowned and looked at Vestin

"So, there may be someone poisoning the royal family."

Vestin placed his hand on his head and sighed.

"Not someone, the only one who would benefit from the prince's death,"

"This Hidden King?" Robert said

"Exactly..."Vestin said

"Then even more reason for us to get to Madam's office. If my plan is to work, I'll need both of your cooperation. "

The two men looked at her then at each other. They both sighed and Robert sat back down in his chair.

Loraz giggled and clapped her hands then said,

"Great. Our first step is getting an audience with Madim. For that just leave everything to me."

She then sat back down inher seat and poured herself a cup of tea with a smile on her face.