Chapter 1 - The King's Assassin

Whilst tidying up Alessia's leather boots after her sprained ankle was bandaged, a young soldier around her age came up to her. He sat next to her on the wooden bench and nervously scratched the tip of his nose. His freckles showed as his curly ginger hair stood in the way of his doe emerald eyes. 

"A-Alessia Roffa? Is that you? I mean, I know that's you but—" 

She cut him off, raising a brow at him. "What do you need?"

"Oh, uhm. . .I've heard you're off to a new mission soon," he dragged his words in nervousness, which only piqued Alessia's irritation more. See, she's not about socializing. She's more about solitude in one's own company. "And I have a troop to my name, we were hoping we'd assist you since it's a dangerous mission that demands more than one soldier."

"I need no more lives to take care of but mine." 

"I-I see, but, if you could just—" 

Her piercing jet black orbs made the young soldier's tongue cower in fear and swallow back all the words, all with just one dark gaze. "You may leave," she said with much threat laced in her low pitched voice.

"Well, uh, a-alright..." She didn't need to glance his way to know that he had a lot of hesitations in leaving. What did that boy want anyway? Promotion because that mission is a great boost for their rank? Exposure for the generals to notice them taking part in such a deadly mission? She could not ferret out exactly which, but it will surely not benefit her. 

 It took her a grueling few days to heal the wounds that cost her the death of her comrades. If not for the ambush, she could've saved the entire company and have managed to get it out of there with everyone alive. Fate slapped her then that she couldn't save everyone, which pushed her to decline that ginger boy's offer a few days ago. When a new week entered,  her heals have all healed and her state has never been better — she's ready for the mission. 

Clothed in her black top with puffed long sleeves, embraced by a tight leather corset belt and leather trousers. She hid her daggers in certain parts of her outfit, making sure to fill her boots with small yet deadly spices which might come in handy any time. Her small purse was slung over her shoulder containing healing potions and some gold for payment just in case. She brought her favorite slim steel sword, one that has pierced countless bodies. To complete it all off, Alessia took her blood-stained storm blue fur cloak and raised the hood to cover her face. 

Her tall fur boots were clanking at every step while strutting to the throne room. Each one who she passes by are fearfully yet respectfully making way for her, as they should. Despite all the domineering  presence she radiates, she never raised her head. Her hood remained over her head, dimming her face yet making her eyes glint with ominosity. 

 His Majesty, King Estefan, looked up from his grand throne as soon as the double doors creaked open. His dimples appeared as he smirked upon seeing her familiar figure. Despite being the youngest King to ever ascend the throne, his Highness remains spouseless and of jaw-dropping appearance. It was because his taste in women is very peculiar. 

"You healed fast, I see," he remarked, eyeing her from head to toe with his sparkling ocean blue orbs. "When will you set off?"

"Before dawn, your Majesty." 

"I see." He nodded to himself and pursed his lips. He rose from his seat, alarming the stationed guards, as well as Alessia. King Estefan's feet led him in front of her in his usual slow, dragging manner, and by looking at the two from a distance, their differences could easily be noticed. He was clad with costly cloths and sparkling gems, screaming luxury and wealth, while she was of a fur cloak stained with dried blood and worn-out footwear. But both of them reeked of power and menace. 

Undeterred by the King's towering body in front of her, Alessia didn't flinch at all. She remained motionless and stoic. His presence did not affect her, but the reaction of the royal guards around them did. 

"I assigned a troop with you. Try keep them alive this time," he spoke dangerously close to her, his breath fanning her face. "Slice the neck of those dragon-borns before they put their plans into motion and return as soon as you can." 

A troop? With her? Didn't he learn the first time? She won't promise about keeping anyone alive this time. He's just wasting his men to come with her. She sighed inwardly. 

"I understand, your Majesty." 

The King tilted his head to the side. "Bring in the men," he ordered as he returned to his throne. The doors behind her opened and in went about a dozen sets of footsteps. Alessia had to bite her lower lip to suppress another sigh from escaping her mouth. That's already too many headaches. Twisting her heels around, Alessia met eyes with the man in front of the troop and was mildly surprised by a familiar pair of emerald eyes and freckled face, with the same curly ginger hair. The only difference now is the long, slightly healed gash from above his left eyebrow to his ear. Most probably a sword cut. 

 Oh, how fate works in the most irking ways. 

"Good day, Lady A-Alessia," the tall man spoke and lowered his head. "I am Sir Parsley and these are my men. We are to aid you in your mission." 

A knight? This frail boy is a knight? How ridiculous. She thought. If he was a knight, how did he not act like it? Don't knights train for eternity? How was confidence not taught to him? 

Alessia ought to not respond and merely look back to the King to curtsy and pass by the soldiers. If they were to come with her, they should learn to keep up with her pace first. She's the person to value time and choose not to waste precious time on unimportant circumstances. Unfortunately, the troops were still following her until outside the palace. She quickly mounted a new war horse since her previous one died in battle, and didn't bother to wait for  the others as she kicked her steed's behind and galloped away. 

"Hiyah!" 

Unfortunately for her, they were right behind her trails. When dawn came, they had already almost passed two of the kingdom's towns. The downside of their speed is the quick deteriorating stamina of their steeds, so when dusk came, they had to camp out at an inn to let the horses rest for the night as well as the men. If it were only her, she would've lasted until before the next dawn. They bought a couple of rooms, where Alessia made sure to get a room by herself. 

When the moon was at its peak, she irritatedly stood up from bed and went outside to inhale that cold winter air. She thought the soldiers were still at the nearest bar but was proven otherwise when their Knight sat next to her on the bench. She had avoided an entire day of conversing with her, so she doubts she'd still be able to avoid this one. 

"Why are you still up?" His voice wasn't as shaky anymore, but his shoulders were still tense. He didn't seem like a Knight at all. 

"Why aren't you drunk yet?" She shot back. Truth be told, he didn't even stink of liquor. But who was she to assume that he wasn't drinking? Men are always in love with their rum. 

"I. . .was trying to stay sober for the long trip ahead." He shyly scratched the back of his head. "I didn't want our first mission together to leave a bad first impression to you." 

Alessia's right eyebrow twitched. She's familiar with his actions, she's seen it before. Hmm. 

"Would you like to meet my men first thing in the morning tomorrow? They're kind guys and they really look up to you," he continued. "It'd be our honor to have a small talk with you. Especially. . .me." 

Instead of answering, she rose up to her feet and heavily exhaled. "Go to sleep, Sir Parsley." 

There's no time for romance in her life. She could die any time with her line of work and with the last of her conscience, she'd like to not leave a scar on anyone's life when she dies. The Kingdom of Caelum is the only reason why she lives to this day — until it falls, she'll be there to fall with it. She's bound to her honor for the Kingdom.