Setting out first thing in the morning, Nate and I headed into town to look at my new shop. It was situated in the center of town, the clean and impressive building fairly eye-catching compared to its surroundings. I stood outside the front of it for a few moments, impressed.
“This is a good spot.”
Nate grinned, stepping closer and spoke quietly into my ear. “Told you. Did you doubt me?”
My heartbeat sped up suddenly and confused, I moved further away, “Of course not. Your information has always been trustworthy.” I felt as if my cheeks were warm, and wondered if I had been out in the sun too long.
Nate didn’t speak further, simply grinning at me, the expression slightly mischievous. It made me feel off kilter. He was normally fairly quiet and serious, only smiling occasionally when joking with me during classes with Jim or running around wi
“The King made his move.” Rig frowned as he spoke, staring around the shop with a grim expression.Hallers, Lia, and Marile, who had just arrived to be present for the store’s grand opening, looked at each other with dismay. I leaned back in my chair, setting down the financial reports Henry had asked me to glance over and studied Rig closely.“What happened?” My voice was cold. I clenched my fists in my lap, remembering the King’s expression the day of the Queen’s birthday.“Bandits broke into the Duchy’s main residence. They ransacked a few rooms, stealing a few paintings and such, but the worst of the damage was in your room.” Rig’s gaze was filled with anger. “The objects they stole weren’t even worth much, they obviously weren’t thieves.”“He sent men to kill me.” It wasn’t a question. I f
“What are you doing here?” I tried to remain calm, but even the sight of Edith standing next to Nate was making me feel uncomfortable.“I’m here just to visit as a representative of Reterand’s royalty.” She smiled warmly, the expression making my stomach churn. “This kingdom is lovely, Nate. You’ll have to show me around tomorrow.”She stared at Nate, fluttering her eyelashes. My chest hurt as i watched her, my heart sinking as I felt an overwhelming sense of defeat._________________________“Make way for the Prince!” A loud voice called out, waking me from my stupor. I clutched the empty begging bowl in my hand, feeling humiliated, but I didn’t have the energy to run and hide. I could only lower my head, and hope he didn’t look too closely at a beggar on the street.The entourage made its way closer,
“Miss, do you really think the Queen is in danger?” Lia, sitting across from me in the carriage, looked pale and stressed.It was the second day of the trip, which had already been very uncomfortable, as I had only allowed minimal breaks, trying to make it back as quickly as possible. I shifted in my seat, feeling sore, and stared out of the window at the passing terrain.“Hopefully this is just a wasted trip.” I answered softly. “But something is wrong… I just don’t know what it is yet.”“What about Prince Nathaniel?” She twisted a handkerchief in her hands. “Do you think he’ll be safe?”I didn’t know what to say.I was worried about Nate, my thoughts shifting constantly to what dangers he might be facing. Multiple times I considered turning the carriage around and heading towards the bord
Sister? I stared up at Edith, a little dazed, my mind racing as I tried to put the pieces together. My silence didn’t frustrate her, however. It seemed to amuse her as she watched me, her smile growing wider. “Let me tell you a story.” She called out, and an expressionless man dressed as a bandit brought over a chair for her to sit on. She was so close that our knees were almost touching. It made me want to kick out, to hurt her, but my legs were too tightly bound to do more than shift the chair. “There once was a handsome young man, the only son of a Duke. He was smart and hard-working, caring deeply about those around him. His father, the Duke viewed him with great pride, thinking how his legacy would continue to grow under such a capable son.” She continued to smile, but her gaze was cold as she studied me slowly. “The young man fell in love, with a girl who grew up by his side. Her status was a little low, but she was beautiful and kind, an
“Will that be all your Majesty?”A servant bowed before the King of Reterand, his face solemn and respectful. The King, sitting in his chair by the fireplace, glanced around the empty, well lit room before gesturing for the servant to leave.“I do not wish to be disturbed.” At his cold tone the servant flinched, before backing quickly out of the room.“Yes, Your Majesty.”Click.The door closed behind him, and the King was alone. He stared into the fire, his hands clenched on the armrests of his chair.“Why couldn’t she just die?” He muttered, his face bitter. “Everything would have been settled if she were gone. I’ll have to figure out something new…”His voice trailed off as he blinked, a strange blue smoke was coming out of the fire, surrounding him. His eyes widened with shock and he opened his mouth to call out, but before
In a previous life…No one ever truly looked at me, despite being a prince, despite trying my best. Their gazes always slipped past me, to focus on someone else. I felt sometimes that i was shouting, screaming for someone to see me, see who i was… but it always came to nothing in the end.I noticed it early on.______________________________“Nate!” My older brother George called out as he crashed into my room without notice. “People are in trouble! We have to go help them!”I sighed loudly. George always said the exact same thing. Last time was because his favorite shop was out of sweets. “What is it this time?”“I saw some people didn’t have homes on the streets, I’m going to help them.”“You want to start a charity?” I stood, up, already thinking through the steps that would need to be accomplished.Geo
In a previous life…I was always a simple man, with a simple wish. I had secrets, more than most, but this fundamental thing about me never changed. Even in the underground world of spies and intrigue, my heart always yearned for one simple thing to be happy:A family.When I first met Helda, I didn’t know she was the daughter of the Lord of the estate I lived on. I came across her one day, standing in the gardens, a beautiful girl with a bright, kind smile. I felt nervous, having never seen such a pretty girl before.“Do you like flowers?” I asked her, my heart in my throat. Around her I felt foolish, tongue tied.“I love them!” She laughed at my question, and I couldn’t help but smile.We met frequently after that, despite the differences in our statuses. We spoke of many things, gradually learning about each other, our lives, of our hopes and dreams._____________
In a previous life…I was a professional. One of the best.I’ve always seen this as a good thing. I came from a family that had served the Duchy of Armeny for generations, I was born to run a household. It required knowledge, determination, and above all… professionalism.“You’re too cold.” The young woman I courted told me, before leaving me for another man. “No one wants to be with a man who is just an empty shell.”I wished her well, confused, and continued on in my life.“Tommy!” Jim, my brother, patted me on the back one day. “You have to loosen up! You can’t just live for your work.”“Some of us care about our work.” I frowned at his frivolous words. “Why should I change if I’m doing it well?”He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, groaning. “Just… find something… someone…