“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” - Bernard M. Baruch

  ???

  The sharp clatter of steel against steel rang repeatedly through the training yard of Nightray Manor.

  Twin blades moved in a blur, parrying each strike that came, striking when an opening presented itself, and sweeping low whenever possible. The rhythmic clang of metal was broken only by the occasional sharp bark of instruction from Gareth Vyrell, who barely broke a sweat as he deflected each attack with his single blade.

  House Nightray’s infamous retainer had served the family of assassins since Lord Hamilton Nightray was a boy. No one was entirely sure how old Gareth Vyrell was, but the man carried a fearsome reputation as a former soldier long before he became House Nightray’s retainer. He even took on the occasional duty to train the youngsters of the House.

  His grey eyes were narrowed as he parried another strike from the heiress. His lean, muscular frame left no doubt about the strength and skill he still possessed. His short, once ash-brown hair was now streaked with silver. A faded scar crossed his left cheekbone, and another ran down the inside of his forearm, visible even through the sleeves of his training gear. The only physical hints of Gareth Vyrell’s past history, if one doesn’t count all the countless stories whispered about him across the kingdom.

  “Very good, my lady,” Gareth said. “Watch the footwork! You’re letting your left slide!”

  Seven-year-old Yuliana Nightray breathed heavily, but she didn’t let Gareth’s harsh training deter her in the least. Her dark hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, with strands sticking to her neck, damp with sweat.

  Her breathing came in shallow pants; she and Gareth had been training since before the sun rose over Evershade, as was their routine. She could barely feel her hands, with white cloth being wrapped around her palms to prevent the blisters from worsening, or compromising her sense of touch, which could prove fatal for an assassin. Still, the twin short swords in her grip moved with the same ruthless precision expected of a Nightray, especially one of Hamilton Nightray’s blood.

  Yulia gritted her teeth as she stumbled back from one of Gareth’s powerful strikes. But this time, her blades weren’t knocked out of her hands, so she considered it a win.

  Movement from the main corridor caught their attention, with the rapid thudding of footsteps against the wooden floor causing both Gareth and Yulia to halt. They paused, turning their attention toward the open hallway, just as a member of House Nightray jogged into view, his expression hovering somewhere between being amused and mildly panicked.

  “Apologies for the interruption, Gareth, my lady,” he said, nodding to them both. “But… We have a situation. And a guest.”

  Gareth and Yulia blinked owlishly at each other before turning back to the man, their arms dropping to their sides in unison. “What kind of situation exactly?” Gareth asked, frowning beneath his bushy brows. “And a guest?”

  Yulia, too, was confused, wiping the sweat from her brow with the edge of her sleeve. “We weren’t expecting any visitors today, are we?” she asked Gareth who shook his head. “Father’s still out inspecting the western border.”

  “Trust me, it is a surprise to us, too,” The Nightray man replied wryly, giving an awkward shrug of his shoulders, his lips twitching. “The maid nearly had cardiac arrest when she realised who’s standing on our doorstep.” He grinned. “Best you come and see, my lady.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Gareth and Yulia exchanged bewildered looks before Gareth nodded. “You’d better go and see, my lady,” he said, as Yulia began unwinding the cloth around her palms. “I’ll come along.”

  Yulia nodded and followed the Nightray man toward the main hall of Nightray Manor, with Gareth close at her heels, all the while trying to guess who this ‘mysterious visitor’ could be.

  Several of the maids have already gathered around the entrance of the main hall, but they parted wordlessly to let Yulia pass. And the moment she stepped across the threshold, she felt a headache coming on.

  There, standing in the middle of the room like a triumphant thief, was none other than Prince Lucien von Aubere, the heir to the throne. He was barefoot, dusty, and grinning at Yulia like a lunatic, being dressed in travelling clothes rather than royal regalia. Rather than a prince, he looks more like a vagabond.

  Several members of House Nightray were gathered in the hall, staring at the Crown Prince in disbelief at his sudden and abrupt appearance in Evershade. Some were whispering behind their hands, while others were eyeing the prince like he had grown two new heads.

  “What…are you doing here?” Yulia asked at last.

  Luca turned to her with an unrepentant grin, clearly unbothered by the fact that he’d most likely left half the Imperial Palace in an uproar. “Surprise visit! Caught a ride in the back of a merchant’s wagon heading this way. Thought I’d come see you!”

  Yulia, however, wasn’t moved by his grin, only raising an unimpressed eyebrow, tapping one foot against the floor. “Where is your Crownsguard?” She however had a sinking feeling she knew what happened to the poor man. Poor Jonah Mitchell is probably somewhere on the other side of Alathia by now, if she understood how Luca’s mind worked.

  “Probably halfway to the coast. Or maybe somewhere in District 16,” Luca replied cheerfully, and without a shred of remorse. “I ditched him.” He shrugged. “A king can’t know his kingdom if he’s never seen it, right?”

  Yulia felt her headache worsening, much to the amusement of her House. “Don’t use my words against me,” she muttered irritably, and Luca only grinned wider. “And you’ve been to Evershade before! At least a dozen times, in fact! Besides, I was going to be at the Imperial Palace in two more days. You couldn’t wait that long?” Yulia nearly groaned. She can already foresee what her life is going to be like as Luca’s guardian.

  A nearby Nightray man leaned toward the grinning woman next to him, muttering under his breath, though he, too, looked extremely amused, “The king better not think we’ve kidnapped the prince…”

  Yulia sighed heavily, much to the amusement of her watching House members. She resisted the urge to slap a hand against her face, instead turning towards the very amused-looking Gareth standing by the side.

  “Gareth,” she said wearily, “Send a message to the Imperial Palace and let them know that the Crown Prince is here. And another to Father.”

  “At once, my lady,” Gareth replied, looking far too amused for her liking.

  Luca’s grin faltered for just a second at the mention of the Imperial Palace. “I doubt the king will even notice that I’m gone,” he muttered. And though he masked it well, Yulia can hear the hurt in Luca’s voice. “Rem might, though.”

  Yulia’s expression softened. More than anyone, she knew just what Luca had endured at the hands of the king. “Oh, Luca…” she sighed.

  She, however, elected not to say out loud how the king is going to react once Luca returns to the Imperial Palace. She is fairly sure that Luca knew it. He knows he’s going to be punished the moment he returns to the Imperial Palace the moment he sneaked out. Again.

  Even still, Luca plastered a fake smile on his face. “Aren’t you happy to see me? I came all the way here.” He mock-pouted at Yulia, who is immune to his pout and puppy dog eyes.

  “That look doesn’t work on me,” Yulia said flatly, and the members of the House chuckled or giggled amongst themselves.

  One man nudged his neighbour, “This one’s got a death wish,” he whispered, smirking.

  Yulia sighed, shrugging her shoulders. “Fine. Since you’re here, you’re sticking with me,” she said. “You don’t leave my sight while you’re here.”

  “Deal,” Luca said brightly. “You’re more fun than Rem, anyway.”

  Yulia’s eyes narrowed at the mention of Luca’s twin, but she said nothing. She is fairly certain that Luca already knew what she thought of Rem’s lack of a backbone. “I got my studies with Gareth in a bit. Since you no doubt ditched your own tutors back at the palace, you’re joining in,” she warned.

  Luca wasn’t deterred. He only grinned and nodded happily, and Yulia narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion. She’d known him long enough to know that when Luca is being suspiciously obedient, it meant that he’s planning something. Right now, however, he doesn’t seem to be up to his usual tricks.

  “…Is this going to be my life from now on?” Yulia muttered, turning her eyes towards the ceiling like she was praying for divine intervention, much to the amusement of her House members. She then turned her gaze back toward Luca. “Well, since you’re here, and I’ve still got another hour of sword training with Gareth, you’re joining in. It wouldn’t do for the future king to fight like he doesn’t know how to hold a sword.”

  Luca, rather than feeling guilty, only beamed at Yulia. “Lead the way,” he said cheerfully. “Always wanted to take lessons from the Gareth Vyrell, than those poor excuses of arms tutors they have at the palace.”

  Yulia rolled her eyes as she tugged Luca by the wrist, dragging him back towards the training yard. The Crown Prince only grinned at her like he’d just won something, not acting like a boy who’d done something wrong.

  The members of House Nightray exchanged amused glances. The Crown Prince was the only person they’d ever seen their heiress go soft for.

  It’s going to make for several very interesting years in the future, they are sure.

  “…If I’m a betting man,” One Nightray man murmured the moment their heiress and the prince were both out of earshot, “I’d say that’s the man our lady is going to marry.”

  Looks were exchanged between the other members, before one of the younger members grinned. “Do I hear a bet?” he almost purred.