A/N: Yes we eat breakfast in fashion. 

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Chapter Nine

I stared at Lord Amauri as he straightened up.

The man was impressive, the slowly rising sun made his pale skin gleam and shadows of the trees against my porch made his red eyes glow. The more I looked at him I found myself wondering to myself why I'd never fallen for him.

I'd seen him before and in passing had noted his handsome looks but that was then, this was now.

"Surely, you haven't snuck into the emperors palace to take my life for a simple kiss?"

A low chuckle was the answer to my words. He took another step from the shadows and faced me as if there was nothing wrong with his early morning visit. "No, I see that kiss as more of promise for something more but...not of the carnal type."

"Too bad, I'd have welcomed something carnal." I said walking over to him I slowly circled him. "Carnal desires are so much easier to deal with. I believe what you've brought me will be farm troubling."

Stopping by his side I slowly reached out and touched the tip of his sword handle. Seeing as he didn't stop me, I tapped my fingers against it. "Something tells me the monsters in the north are growing fiercer and rather than send more support my father has decided to cut your budget."

"How—," he whipped his gaze to mine. I placed a finger on his lips and leaned in.

"I'm sure you're curious how I know but I think my knowing doesn't matter in comparison to how desperate you are."

I knew from my memories just how truly desperate they were. The north lost the duke within a year and after five years of struggling against everything. His heir fell to a enemies blade, his boy abandoned to icy show fields. Helping would remove another partner for the Fifth princess as the person who'd taken over was one of her compatriots in school.

I would hate to give her anything. Call me petty, but I felt a tad bit tiffed with her fucking my ex-husband.

"Hmm, yes if it's food and supplies I can help you but you're going to help little heir," I said this naughtily tapping my finger against his lips. "Tell me what you are willing to give up to have the northern duchy survive?"

I took the finger I pressed to his lips and pressed the same finger to my bottom lip. His eyes followed my movement.

"What would your highness have me do?"

I smiled, "Aren't you a naughty little boy. It's almost as if you're willing to sale your body for me to use at my will. That's a dangerous thing to offer a crazy princess, haven't you heard what I did to my disloyal servants."

He retreated a step and lowered his head while bringing a fist to his chest. "I, Elio Amauri offer my loyalty to the princess for her help. If you can't convince the emperor to—," "No."

He flinched and looked at me in surprise.

"I'm not going to convince father emperor of anything. I think you've mistaken something. I'm not some favored daughter, nor have I suddenly earned an immense wealth of support. Instead of convincing my father of anything, let's do something else."

"Something else," Elios stared at me with confusion, but I could irritation in his gaze.

How impatient was this man. Why would help my father with anything? I wasn't here doing charity work, there wasn't a possible way in hell I'd earn him the loyalty of the north. Instead I'd collar myself my first little card for success.

Walking back inside, I approached the drawer I'd locked and opened it. Diggin out one of the slips of paper I closed it.

Turning around I found that Elio had entered the room and was currently look around. "Look as much as you want, it's not my favorite room and I switch every three days. I hate seeing the same ceiling every morning."

He gave me a look.

"Ah, now you can't already question my intelligence."

"Princess, from what I've heard many already questions it," he focused on the paper in my hand. "What is that?"

I waved it in front of him. "The thing that will save the north, but you have to tell me what you're truly willing to trade and I don't want something as foul loyalty or...mmm, your body. Give me something substantial."

Elios expression tightened, "Surely, you're not telling me I'm worthless?"

I shrugged, "Well, yu're completely useless but my father has sworn he'd destroy anyone who welcomed me on the lily path before marriage with destruction. Which, I find hypocritical considering he's not once stopped any of my brothers or my sisters from engaging in a few affairs. I think I should be commended for being pure at 18. Not a whore wagging her tail about, or like fifth sister a real golden slut."

Elios made a choking sound followed by several coughing noises. Worried I reached out and patted him on the back.

"Are you okay? Don't tell me you've some hidden illness?"

"No-cough- no, I'm alright princess," he roughly cleared his throat. "I-I think it be better if you went ahead and told me what it is you would prefer."

"A marriage proposal."

After my answer Elio once against start coughing. Oh, dear I do hope he wasn't ill. I was hoping he'd be my first husband, it was the best way to collect the needed pieces for my rev—I mean, to save the world.

Eventually he agreed especially with what he'd seen written on the paper. His serious expression was attractive to. Clutching the piece of paper he'd bowed and quickly left.

~~

The next morning, I was beyond tired.

So I'd had Scarlette set up breakfast outside in the garden. Maybe sipping tea near roses would relieve the fatigue I was experiencing. Saving the world was hard work, I also pretended Cirilo wasn't sending me suspicious looks.

After a few sneaks from him I set my teacup. "Ask what you want to ask?"

He hurried to my side.

I raised a brow at his speed, he must've been dying to speak up for hours. Leaning down he whispered, "Did you sleep with Heir Elios?"

"Surely, if I had laid with him I wouldn't have left my bedroom."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"So, he's dead then."

That last one was Boros as he grabbed up one of the crumpets. "I've been wondering who'd the unlucky bloke be and here he is. The Elios, be prepared for the north to be erased."

Dalton eyes were burning in my neck, I tilted my chin up and averted my eyes from his. "I just want it on the record that I did not an any point invite him to my chambers. He arrived on his own two feet."

"But you didn't send him away," Cirilo added his two cents.

I glared at him, "I'm eagerly awaiting the day you take my third brothers money and run off and betray me. Hurry it up."

Cirilo snorted, "You're far more entertaining princess. I think I'll enjoy taking his bribes for now."'

"Hah, I knew you were taking his money."

"Princess," Dalton snapped casting his large shadow on my table. "Could you explain why Sir Cirilo believes you'd have slept with the dukes heir?"

I glanced at where Daltons hands pressed against the top of the table. I'm sure I heard the 100 year old oak crack.

"Well here's the thing—." "The crown prince enters!"

"Oh, brother," I jumped up completely evading Daltons grim look and greeted my dear, dear brother. "I've eagerly been awaiting your visit."

Cainon obviously taken aback by my bright greeting frowned. "Ah, y-yes. I advised to visit you by second sister. She said the color changed and that you would know what that meant."

I took his hand and guided him to the table and pushed him down ignoring his resistance. Leaning down I softly whispered. "What she is saying, is has confirmed that your dear viper wished to bite his beloved and fill them with venom to keep them by his side forever."

At my words I felt his shoulders tense, releasing him I walked over to my seat and waved the servants away along with guards.

The three along with Scarlette retreated my brother time to speak.

"So, with her confirming that your allies are no longer good for you. What do you think you should do next?"

Cainon expressed had turned pale and his eyes were focused now on his hands in his lap. I could almost smell the sorrow he felt at loosing what he'd thought to be a loyal servant of his.

"Isn't sad, losing such a good pet. Well, I will give you time to cry over it. I'm not too stingy."

"Little sister, your jokes go to far." Cainon glared at me; his eyes cold. "I would never cry over a worthless pet."

I sneered, "You speek with such arrogance older brother but if it were not for me. You'd be suffering from headaches two days times and within a month you'd be reduced to the intelligence of a nine-year-old, a stain on the Argyos name. And if you think for one second father would let you remain you're wrong. Gregory would have you in clutches and would take you out only for the nice occasions."

"And no matter how you told people he touched in the naughty places, they'd ignore your words because you're too dumb to know better."

"Dammit, Zorya!"

Slamming his hands on the table he stood. "I didn't come to be insulted."

I slap my own hand on the table. I, too, can be fierce and yell. "You came to me for help. You came to me, so that you'll not fall to foolish scams of greedy nobles who've forgotten their place. I am here to return to you the authority that belongs to our royal family. I could have abandoned you, the family and everything in this filthy place that holds the remains of those I hold dear."

We glared at each other until with a sigh he sat down, slumping. How unroyal like.

"What would have me do? I've plotted so much trying to keep control and now my most important piece has slipped form my hands," he raised his hand and closed it into a fist. "I've nothing now."

"Oh, stop pitying yourself. You've much, much more than some piss port peasant shucking corn for one meal," I snapped tossing a Madeline into my mouth.

He glared at me.

I rolled my eyes, "Look, you're problem is that you're trying to rule a country knowing nothing about it. A few people kiss your bottom, and you think they actually are loyal to you. No one would be loyal to anyone, without a reason whether it be selfless or selfish. My dear brother, it's time you left and experienced the world beyond the protection of the walls. You need to see people, experience life of dirt and tears."

I clapped my hands.

With barely a sound two men appeared behind me.

My brother stiffened his lips tightening as he sent me complicated look. One I decidedly ignored. If I wanted to train a secret group of assassins to carry out my orders it was my business not his...okay, maybe it was his because I vaguely thought about killing him but only for a moment.

...Okay it was pleasant hour but I decided against it.

One was the pale northerner, and the other was one of best warriors from the panther tribe.

"Tonight, you'll pack a bag with the bare essentials and two ways to identify yourself as royalty and travel with them. The northerner is Tru and the Southern is Seven."

I motioned to the two and they bowed. "My brother will be going with you to learn. You will protect him but if he gets all royal smack him."

"Sister, you can't possibly expect me to travel with them," He looked at the two with disdain.

I snorted, "You literally ate and drank at your stalkers house. How dare you show disdain to them," I half turned and demanded. "Tru, Seven have you ever had a man plot to poison you and make his little doll boy?"

Tru and Seven exchanged looks before both quickly shook their heads.

"In the north lovers, open meet each other and if they decided to marry they announce it and wrap wrist and it's done. No one would dare plot against each other," True added.

I faced my brother who glowered at me. "See, they haven't experienced such foolishness because they are better than you."

Cainon groaned, "And what happens when I go wouldn't this give an opening to others?"

"Who, the rapist?" Seeing his look, I burst out laughing. "He kidnapped the prime minister's son; father would poison him first before he let him even look at the throne. The other two are at an academy. You have good five years and in regard to the fifth princess a good four."

Cainon sighed and looked away. "And you, you don't want the throne?"

"Curse myself to serving the people, never trusting anyone and being underpaid and over worked. No thank you, I much rather kill people under the moon light and plot and scheme in the comfort of my soon to be finished palace. Thank you."

With a laugh Cainon covered his face in exasperation. "You're insane."

"Glad that you've noticed, in a few days father will be sending me to the academy. I've had to adjust my plans because of it."

I waved over Boros who barely glanced at Tru and Seven. "Give me the envelope."

Reaching inside his shirt jacket he pulled it out and handed it to me. I placed it on the table and pushed it across the table. "Here is list, I want you to complete for me. Trust me. If you do these things, the throne will be in your hands."

I'd debated over offering these things as foundations over and over.

But again, the memory of large hands caressing my cheeks and the whispered. "Don't cry, don't cry. Brother will save you."

Pushed me to do what I could for him.

He took the letter and didn't open it instead his gaze deepened as he stared at me. "Was it all fake? You're clumsiness before, did you hide yourself behind the pathetic princess appearance to fool us all?"

Silence filled up the space as I thought over my answer. Eventually lost my smile.

"How would a child know how to hide themselves?"

"Is that not what you've been doing?"

"I...was a child who'd lost her mother. Alone, abandoned to people who thought themselves superior. I'm sure you all wish that I was magically cleverer and was pretending to suffer. Wouldn't it be weight off your shoulders if every time you saw me trying my best and failing it was some scheme of my making."

"Zorya..."

I didn't know I was shaking. Cainon alarmed look should have been a clue, but it wasn't.

"The child who clung to her nannies clothes was real. The me who cried in fear at night alone was real. Everything that happened to me was real! I wish desperately every, single thing that happened to me was a nightmare. And that when I opened my eyes I was loved! Why couldn't anyone love me?! I was a child. Just a damn child!"

I didn't realize I was screaming until I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was then I realized I was standing staring with rage at Cainon. And the one who was touching me was Dalton, his expression filled with...pity.

I shoved him off and turned around. "Take the letter, and travel. Don't come back until you have some common sense."

With that I quickly walked away.

My head hurt so much, to many things moving around trying to take control. I rubbed it but the pain wouldn't abate.

I'd barely noticed I stopped when Scarlette called my name.

"Princess Zorya!"

My vision blurred as I looked back at her and standing in her place wasn't Zorya young but her older. The her who'd held my hand prayed as they dragged me from my home to be tortured for a crime I didn't commit.

"Dammit, my head hurts," I whispered before everything went dark.

~~

Pov Switch 

Cainon

I watched as my little sister fell her body falling in slow motion. The knigh Dalton ran forward and caught her. His expression holding worry, openly showing how he felt for her.

"Princess?!" The red-haired maid who is known to be my sister favorite hurried to her side and checked her. "Let's hurry her inside."

Seeing being surrounded by her guards and servant I could see that they cared about her greatly. Despite her madness that had suddenly come on.

I, myself felt thrown off kilter after watching my foolish question triggering her emotional outburst. Those purple eyes bright with rage and misery. The way her voice had grown louder and louder. I'd sat as she railed, feeling like her words alone pinned me to the ground.

"Why couldn't anyone love me?"

I couldn't think why I'd never looked her way. Maybe it was the guilt of knowing my parents were the reason her mother died. Maybe it was because she was the daughter of an enemy nations princess.

Or, could as she said, I have been so sure of my value that I naturally saw her as being beneath my notice. And now seeing her so confident and intelligent, I was desperate to find a viable reason for having missed the opportunity to use her.

The garden was empty and quiet.

The two men she'd given me still remained staring at me stoically.

"...It seems that my little sister is right. There is much for me to learn."

The two didn't speak.

"Are you not afraid that I'll have you both taken care of once you follow me," I asked not fully trusting the two of them.

The exchanged looks and the northerner frowned. "Are you not afraid that we won't use you to regain our freedom?"

I blinked and then laughed. "You're right, we're both threatening to each other."

Standing, I tightened my hand on the letter. "Well, it looks like I need to prepare myself for a bit of travel. And since I owe her for saving my sanity, I'll try my best to fulfill her request."

TBC

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Author Note: I wasn't planning on this chapter being so long. And I actually wasn't planning on updating this week due to...edits, book writing and pure exhaustion but it called to me. Here you go.