"I hope I didn't interrupt anything." The man smiles sinisterly stretching his thin lips into a smile. Groomed and organized attire showcasing the golden crest initial on his shirt, same coiffed hair and grey colored strands, polite attitude with the same rasp voice, but he was an entirely different man.

He raises a clean cut brow at me and I stop my staring. I feel Charlotte's staggering breaths behind me, small fingers clenching at the sleeves of my shirt.

"Uh sorry sir, we're going to head home now." I forced with a heavy breath.

"But why?" He questions stepping closer, "You both seemed pretty fascinated with these old buildings here" He chuckled darkly, answering one of my silent questions, we were never alone.

His smile brightened and he casts a small look to Charlotte behind me, a slight whimper escaped her throat and I furrowed my brows, why is she acting so afraid?

"Indeed" he breathes glancing over at the vacant homes, a glimmer in his eyes and a smile threatening to break, almost like he was reminiscing good times, "These homes have stories, each and every one of them, but I'm sure you know that now."

The sun was halfway submerged into the horizon, evening was soon approaching, "Uh yes sir, please we should be getting home now and -"

"Wait" he commands. "Haven't your parents taught you to respect your elderly?"

Charlotte's fingers Clenched my shirt tighter, an unspoken gesture that I understood loud and clear, even if it's a bold face lie, you must never admit of your living circumstances, make it seem as though if anything happens you, your parents would go through hell for you.

"Yes sir they did and they also wanted us to be home by sundown or they would come looking for us." I say confidently, grateful I didn't stutter but my voice softened tremendously.

"Really?" He questioned raising a brow.

"Yes."

Leisurely he turns to the horizon at the half hidden sun, sky darkening to a darkish purple color. I Jerk slightly to his sudden movement in turn earning a chuckle from him, gloved hand searching for something inside his vest pocket, anticipation prod at my nervous system questioning whatever it was and praying it wasn't detrimental, but out he tugged a compass like watch.

The end of the mini chain still hooked inside his vest pocket. Encrusted In gold it flicks open, a stern look on his face before it relaxes.

"Hmm" he huffs clicking the object close, "It would seem if we were to leave now, we'd be just in time for supper." He says matter of factly, a wide smile stretched out on his lips.

My heart leaps happily at the mention of food, yet Charlotte's fingers only tightened on the sleeve of my shirt forcing me to think logically. "It's ok we're not hungry".

By the end of the lie my stomach growled in anger, pinching a knot in the pit of my gut so deep I groaned before it numbed.

"It would seem you are" he huffs.

"It's alright thank you I'll have my parents cook us something" Charlotte whispers, her stomach as well begins to boil with need.

"Hmm, well tonight's menu is smoked pork with our famous macaroni special consisting of bacon bits, crisped to perfection." He boasts purposefully poking at the rumbling nerve of my stomach.

We step backwards hoping he can catch the gesture, awkwardly smiling at his glare, "I can have your parents join us as well if that is the worry?" he continues stepping closer, by than it was clear we would have no choice, my bluff would be uncovered.

"It's ok I'll go" I rushed.

The man's shoulders than slouched, brows relaxing at my compliance.

"Excellent" he huffs, "And company?" he questions sending a solemn glare to Charlotte right behind me with a raised brow.

She tenses up at his eyes, a light sparkling in the corners before huffing a smile at her reaction leaning down. Understanding the statement I interfered, "No, she is going home."

A glint of darkness quickly came but he blinks it away, "Very well" he breathes rising up. "Shall we then young man?"

Charlotte's fingers tightened to a ball, "No!" she whispers into my ear pulling back.

"What the heck" I seethed slapping her hands away from my shirt. Face to face we stand but the man is still in view as he huffs annoyingly.

"Is there a problem here children?"

"Uh one second sir." I beckoned, His stance stiffens in response, "Charlotte go home."

"No you can't trust him" she whispers, breath fanning my face. "He could be one of those people that sell you."

My hands fly to her mouth ceasing the remaining words, the man intently examining the scene with a glint in his eyes peering down at us.

"Go home Charlotte, now."

Spit bubbles foam at my palm as she muffles the answer, I roll my eyes. Stubborn girl, if only she could understand this was a divergen for my plan; agree to go with him while she gets far away enough and when he isn't looking I can make a run for it. Being in the streets most of my life I knew the ins and out and was quicker on my feet, It is no coincidence he just happened to be here at this time lingering around in a vacant property, he has been watching us from the beginning.

I caught the first movement of his shadow whilst Charlotte wasn't looking when we first arrived, he heard everything, and now is trying to keep us silent, permanently.

Again I push, "Go home Charlotte." This time protruding my eyes wide enough for her to read the silent language, Intently she looks into my eyes, her body than softens like an understanding motion.

Thinking that was the case my hand moves from her mouth.

"Don't do it, don't go!" she cries aloud, the man's jaw clenched tightly, patience thinning out. I thought this could be easy but it would seem we'd have to make a run for it.

"Charlotte -"

"No Nasir you can't go."

... "Nasir?"

Our heads turn to look at the man, a new change in his behavior as if he just saw a ghost, dark gleam shrinking from his pupils as his eyes widened to saucers, "Young Nasir?" in a state of shock he drinks in my body looking at me from head to toe. "Do forgive me sir, I was not aware it was you."

Charlotte and I meet eyes in question, our brows furrowed deeply before bringing it back to the man.

"Forgive me sir, the king has been asking to meet you for quite the longest time now, it would be an honor to have you join us at the palace."

"The king?" I think aloud, Tiana's father. I only saw him once and that wasn't even a proper meeting, nothing but a mere silhouette.

"I would very much love it if you joined me tonight sir," he bows. The whiff of a cologne blowing at us from his clothing.

In silence we await for him to rise up again, Charlotte meeting my glare with the same questioning expression, There was something oddly familiar about this awkward scene it wasn't something I could put a finger on but It is leaving a discomfort in my mood.

"Uh you know who I am?"

"Yes sir," he speaks in his bowed position. "The king has spoken highly of you young one, he has been Immensely impressed with how you guarded the princess on a specific day and has since praised you for it. Fortune tellers have said you have the blood of a lion and it would be his honor to meet you sir".

"Stand up"

Slowly he rose, blood rushing to his face as he sniffles repositioning himself, "Please accompany me tonight sir, I would love to brag to my coworkers how I have been the one to bring the young Nasir to the banquet tonight," he smiles. The gleam in his eyes disappeared; he is stoic and calm like that a butler should be. Actions speaks louder than words and right now none of his actions screamed a lie, he was speaking the truth.

"The king wants to meet you? for protecting his princess? you me her?" Charlotte's voice cuts in

I remembered my circumstance than, Charlotte now heard everything, my secrets. "Yes" I grit my teeth, anxiety spiraling with worry already making up scenarios of how she is going to hold this over my head, being friends with high class and yet I wallow in filth or not bothering to bring riches for any of the people, my secret is out and now Charlotte knew.

"That is so amazing!" she beams catching me off guard, blue eyes sparkling with glee, "How is she like? is she nice? I bet she is oh my goodness i'm a huge fan of her we have to go and meet her!"

I stare in confusion, caught off guard by her response, wasn't she just begging me to stay away just seconds ago and now is more eager than ever, running up to the man to ask him questions while I stare distantly, I was supposed to stay away for good reasons and now i will be in her home, how bad will she hate me this time?

"Apologies, but the princess has left town for a few days for royal matters." the butler says.

My heart softens from it's beatings, Suddenly I wasn't even interested in going any more, true being in the Royal palace and speaking to the king would have been remarkable, but what would even be the point if the real treasure isn't home.

"Nasir please, lets go" Charlotte whines stepping into my view.

I wanted to reject but my stomach threatened pinching my nerves, "Alright."

***

My hands feel up the smooth leather of the chairs around us, fresh sprayed perfume surrounds the carriage as the horses trots in rhythm on the cemented pathway, the hooves of their feet marching on the ground with a clop sound. I am in the back of a Royal carriage

"Water young master?" The man asks from the front.

"Uh, yes please" I respond "And one for my friend."

Cold water bottles presented to me and I nudge at Charlotte to take hers, she reaches out to the wrong direction refusing to tear her eyes away from the window. "Oh my goodness were in the back of a carriage" she whispers enthusiastically.

Placing the bottle in her hands, "Here."

Feeling the seat, "This is leather, oh my those are horses, I have never been close to a horse before." Squealing and pointing out every obvious object.

"Drink Charlotte" I inforce so it could give me a break from her squeals and voice. A part of me wants to celebrate with her, but yet my mind is only focused on one person. Where is she? is she safe? what was she doing?

"So how did you meet her?" Charlotte's asks scooting in closer to me. "I bet she smells like heaven, she is so beautiful and I hear she is the nicest human being on the planet eeek!"

"Yea, she is" I smiled.

Suddenly there was a shift, the carriage begins to tilt upwards no a cliff, gravity pushing us down sticking our back to the seats.

"Hang on Young Nasir we are climbing the hill." The man strains.

We made it onto the Royal grounds, gold encrusted gates breaking open at the carriages arrival, never before have I seen such healthy looking grass, the dim lights shining down on them as a few guards and butlers scatter around or towards the carriage, I feel soft fingers interlocking with mine, a worrisome look in Charlotte's eyes seeing how surrounded we are.

"It's ok" I whispered lokcing my fingers with hers gently. "They are here to help guide the horses and take us inside." I reassured whisperly,dark blue eyes glossed and she sniffles but nods.

Finally we are aligned with gravity and my strength returns. We sit still inside awaiting for instructions or the go ahead to step down, Men in green all running around first tending to the horses, and the Royal carriage; wiping off any scuff marks clean.

I stare out the window seeing lights in the distance, as if a car is pulling up slowly to the side of the palace.

My door suddenly swings open, "Alright Young Nasir" the same man breathes cooly, "Welcome to the palace."

My feet touch the ground instantly feeling the difference of rich soil and wheat, Inhaling a fresh aroma of trimmed grass, every butler aligns in a row before simultaneously bowing to me. "Welcome Nasir." They roared together.

My breath dissolves into the air at such a well rehearsed gesture and as did Charlottes who continues to cheer from behind me.

"Young Nasir" the man says stepping in between Charlotte and I, a palm on each side as he turns our bodies to the Castle itself. I could feel my neck snapping in two for craning it up so high, a masterpiece to behold, Dark green colors and gold outlines. A beauty that capture the eyes.

"Woah" Charlotte breathes.

The aura emanating riches and power, multiple windows and tiles polished to perfection, they even shimmer under the resting sun. Not a speck of mold anywhere with smooth outer layer. this indeed is the Royal palace.

"Wait until you get inside Young Nasir, it is grand" the man says slightly nudging us forwards, the men were still bowing on my left yet I captured something else at the scene furthest away, that car light still beams but another one approaches suddenly. Seeming like it was awaiting something, no color that bounces off from the light, my guess would be an all black car.

I almost fell stepping on a few misplaced rocks, "Oh apologies young Nasir" the butler quickly says rushing to check for any injuries. hands checking for any bruises but I couldn't take my eyes away from whatever I was looking at

A door suddenly opens on the wall of the palace stealing my attention, I can hear the butler in the distance spouting words to whoever was in charge of the pavement. "Hey Charlotte look"

"Hmm?" she steps closer, "What?"

"Over there at the car."

Together we watched the a light beam outside from an open door, shadows stretched on the ground and my breathe freezes, out they stepped onto the ground; a large person on a wheelchair and someone pushing behind it. Sickly and disabled dressed in black the person's head lays back with his head against the chair, mouth parted looking into the sky at nothing in particular.

"Nasir" Charlotte whispers, "Look behind them"

Just before the car, we watched the ground slowly part, as if an underground roadway was built, it lifts widely enough for the black car to slowly descend before disappearing, I squeeze my eyes shut but when I opened them the ground was still in the air. The figures before me suddenly moved like puppets following towards the car, neither peaking a word just blindly following the light.

"Come Young Nasir let's get going" The man nudged.

Charlotte went ahead forgetting the scene, but my eyes were glued, but it was an action I soon regretted, just as I stood by the Royal doors, the people reached towards the underground entrance. A white light beams onto their skin, an elderly man with ivory complexion, patches of white hair thin out on his head, eyes stripped of color leaving a white emptiness. As if a zombie it appears he looks dead until he blinked, head slowly narrowing towards me stretching out a nightmarish smile.