Secrets of the Crown Assassins

62

NOTE: This is the fifth chapter in a five-chapter update. Chapters 58-61 and the "Code of Thieves" chapter have been published over the past two days. Please read those chapters first if you haven't already as they are integral to understanding and possibly enjoying this chapter. Thanks!

ARIELLE

Because I am.

What the actual fuck? Phoenix has lost her mind.

The throne room was silent again, broken only by Damien whispering, "Shit."

Shit indeed.

I tore my gaze away from Phoenix to look at Damien whose eyes were wide, flicking between the King and Phoenix, taking a tentative step back. It seemed he had finally broken out of his trance, that he had sorted through this mess, found the answer to his questions. That he had realized some very important information that I had not yet. I wanted to ask him, but I couldn't, not while the King was watching and Phoenix was screwing everything up instead of helping.

What am I missing?

I turned back to the front just in time to watch as the King broke out in laughter. It was humorless as it echoed through the hall. Still, I didn't miss the tension in his shoulders. Phoenix started to join in, laughing along, as if they had shared some kind of secret joke. Slowly, the King stopped as he regarded Phoenix with cold eyes.

"A lot of people have wild fantasies of becoming a King or a Queen or Princess. I have to admit, you're the first that has ever been brought before who genuinely believes them. Would you like admission to our mental facilities? I can provide a few recommendations."

"Oh, don't worry. This isn't a delusional fantasy. I appreciate your concern though."

"We would love your recommendations, Your Majesty," I added. I wrung my fingers together and swallowed. I needed to get Phoenix out of her before this turns into a full-blown disaster. At least now I could try to smooth things over. If this keeps going, I'm not sure if I would be able to in the future.

"Who did you say your companion was, again?" The King asked, leaning forward.

"Sof—"

"Phoenix Night," she announced, loud and clear. Proud.

My heart sank.

The King stilled, body going rigid. And then he rose, descending the steps slowly, his eyes alight with curiosity, danger. But they were also brimmed with something else. Caution.

"Phoenix Night," he repeated, the name rolling off his tongue. "Concorde's greatest thief."

Her grin deepened. "You've heard of me?"

"Of course. You are notorious amongst our ranks. After all, you're the one who had robbed the Zionese delegate to Cressida, were you not?"

I remembered the incident from a few years ago. A delegate from Zion visiting Cressida was robbed on his way to the city. Dozens of priceless gems and artifacts, all of which were carried over as gifts to the Crowns, were gone. Field operatives and Shadow Assassins had scouraged the entire nation to find the thief, though all they found were a few baseless rumors that the thief was a demon from hell who thrived in blood and chaos, that they were starting their own clan of monsters and demons. The rumors were regarded common Streeter gossip and horror stories and the operatives came up empty. The thief had never been found. There wasn't even a hint.

That was Phoenix?

"Glad you got my tip," she said.

Tip?