Chapter 2 - The Counsel

And, of course, no one suspected the nobleman, dashing with his words yet pitied for his disability. Her disguise was perfect and no one suspected it. Not the maids who led her to the corner seat of the ceremony. Not the guards, who did not even bother laying eyes on her for more than three seconds and then searching for more probable threats. Not even the king who looked the nobleman in the eye for an instance when he oversaw the preparations.

Everything was happening exactly as she planned. Her disguise, her acting, her broken and shriveled voice, everything remained perfect and unsuspicious... well, almost.

"Why, hello there, sir!"

The nobleman turned his head slowly while turning his body, supported with the cane. There she was �" the beauty whom all young and foolish wanted to marry - Princess Darcine von La ‘Vere.

"This old man greets, Queen Darcine von La 'Vere," the nobleman replied appropriately.

"Oh, there's still plenty of time before I am a Queen," she impatiently replied.

She wants something. But what? She could not possibly suspect the forlorn man.

Either way, the nobleman's posture, and his pitiful leg's demeanor did not waver.

Then the old man, out of curiosity, "Princess Darcine, why do you approach this pitiful old man, when others see no use of smiling at me?"

"Why?" she returned, confused, "You seem sad as if the whole world is on your shoulders."

The old man's eyes raised, as he became intrigued with the princess' insight.

The old man inquired, "What, might I ask, makes me look like that? I assume you do not mean my legs."

"Of course not, silly," Princess Darcine chuckled. "What I mean, is that your eyes seem focused, too focused. So much that, if you lose control of the grip you have in your mind even slightly, your whole world will crumble."

This princess is sharper than others think she is… the nobleman complimented reticently.

The nobleman chuckled, "The princess has quite an insight."

"Are you all right, sir?" she asked, concerned.

The girl in disguise of a nobleman did not want to answer the question. If she were to say what it is that is holding her down she will lose her emotional balance, lose her cover and her mission would fail. However, at the same time, she wanted to answer the question, so she could let go of the weight hidden in her chest.

Then, abruptly the nobleman said, "No, I can't say that I am all right, honestly."

The princess asked, "If that's so, what's troubling you?"

Before the nobleman could reply, even if he wanted to, a maid had called for the princess to come.

The maid stated, “Princess, it is time for you to come and get ready for the ceremony.”

Princess Darcine von La ‘Vere almost looked at the maid with killing intent, almost expressing her desire to unleash the monstrous instincts that she worked day and night to restrain.

“Princess,” the nobleman responded, sensing her instincts arising and the danger the maid was about to be put in, “today is not a normal day for just you, but the entire kingdom. I think it best that you follow the young lady there without causing her any trouble.”

Listening to his words, Darcine calmed herself.

She bowed her head apologetically before saying, “I apologize that you had to witness that. It would seem despite moments before my ceremony I am still immature.”

Distinguishing a chance to change the topic and gain some fleeting trust from the princess, the thief in disguise said, “For you to be mature does not mean to forget what it means to feel like a child, but to remember and learn from it to shape yourself into a mature adult.”

“Thank you,” the liberal princess appreciated, “I shall keep those words in mind.”

“Now, princess, you must show this kingdom that you will keep those words and many others in mind to become the kind of Queen you want to be.”

The princess nervously asked, “What if others do not like the kind of Queen I want to be? Am I not supposed to be the kind of Queen that the kingdom but not I want to be?”

The nobleman chuckled at the lack of reasoning the princess had, despite her insight.

“A Queen has only one duty. A significant, tiring, tedious, and difficult duty, but it is only one duty �" to ensure the welfare of her kingdom, her people, and the next generation. A Queen must mediate allies, eliminate threats, marry and bear new Heirs, and many other tasks. In the end, however, she does it all to accomplish her one duty. As long as you accomplish this duty in a way that does not cross your morals and your virtues, the kingdom will welcome that Queen.”

The princess smiled. “Thank you for your words. Those questions have been worrying me for quite some time now.”

“All right” the thief, realizing the longer this conversation holds up the longer her mission is delayed, said, “that will be enough stalling, princess. Your maid is waiting.”

“Yes,” Princess Darcine responded, “May we see each other again? I feel like your wisdom is something I can use in the future.”

“We shall see about that at a later time… now go,” the thief impatiently and the nobleman politely requested the princess.

With those last words, the princess bowed to the nobleman and followed her maid.

That could have been dangerous, the thief sighed with relief from the disappearing stress, but at least I was able to avoid any suspicion. The princess is said to only interact with people she believes mean no harm to others, so, if anyone did see us communicate, there will be no suspicion on me until I finish my task.

Thinking these thoughts as she found her seat and successfully portraying a struggle to even sit down. Anyone who looked at him pitied him. No one suspected him. She was getting back into her old habit again: overthinking every single, even unnecessary, factors and wasting her mental energy.

She had to calm down. She breathed deeply. It was a significant event for the La’ Vere Kingdom, even if it was a nobleman only witnessing it, it was bound to be nerve-racking. No one would suspect his breathing, as long as it sounded coarse.

Then, she sat in the same place and repeated every detail of her act as she waited for the moment to occur. As she waited, she inhaled and exhaled deeply to keep her calm. The crucial part of her plan was arriving and she could not make a mistake. Thankfully, no one saw the use of socializing with her, so it was all easier. It would have been mentally tiring to act in front of people that were close by and keeping her in their sight. The thief would not have much of an opening for the beginning of her plan if there was even one person next to her.

Just to be safe, should I try pretending I have a cold? she wondered. Fortunately, that would not be necessary, because Princess Darcine was announced to be arriving. No one would be leaving their seats and no one was sitting next to her. The thief had no hindrances… for now.

She might not have seen them in person, but she could sense that both the von La’ Vere princes, especially General Draxaal, would not let her off that easily. How she wished she could do this without anyone to witness this, however, for her wish to be fulfilled, she had no choice. This was to be done for their lives to be spared. If anything happened to them, she would never forgive herself. She would lose all hope… again.

She snapped out of her grieving and lifted her head because the Princess was soon to enter the chamber and her prey would soon be let out of its cage.

It was almost time.