Royal Deception (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 16

HAWK

Robin finally came back. I wouldn't admit it to anyone, but I missed the little bird's company.

I petted his black feathers and slowly pulled the rolled letter from between his claws.

"Thanks, buddy," I said and smiled as he buried himself deeper in my hand.

I gently put Robin beside me on my bed and rolled open the letter that came from the Dark Royal of Vitalis. I didn't know what to expect. I feel like there must be a mistake.

Kingdom Gona is a smothering kingdom but I didn't feel like they were evil. Awful but not evil.

I read the letter as the dark ink was slightly smudged from the few day's travel.

I'm glad you had no trouble getting in. Being close to the Royals is the best place to be to find intel. Addressing your question, I was a little doubtful about Gonians taking my relatives but we got some more news that sets it in stone. This might be more insidious than we expect. I'm not sure how this search will go but I'm willing to double your pay as long as you finish this through.

A few of my other informants heard about an underground gathering inside Gona, I don't know where it is and I don't know what they're doing but they are keeping my relatives there with them. It involves the highest-ranking Royals linked to Gona. That's all I know.

Good luck and be careful,
- From your favorite Devil.

I rolled my eyes at the end. She's started embracing being the Dark Royal now that she's doing good. Crazy woman.

I read the letter once again. More insidious? Here in Gona? And she was willing to pay me double?

If I was being honest, I leaned more to the idea that they got the kidnappers wrong. I was fine serving breakfast to the Princess and listening in to the rumors until we learned that Gona was innocent, but after this letter, it felt more heavy. More dangerous.

An underground gathering? My heart clenched at the thought of what they could be doing in there. Based on my experience, secretive gatherings never seemed to do anything good.

The flashes of the illegal arena fights where I used to work as a cleaner passed my mind. All the blood I scrubbed off the arena, and all the bodies we have disposed for just a few coins.

I shook my head. Underground secret gatherings are never good.

I opened the drawer from my small bedside table and reached inside to take a box of matches. I put the letter in a clay bowl before lighting it on fire.

I watched as the letter slowly burned and turned black, slowly removing any evidence that I had any contact outside.

As the small flame reflected in my eyes, I started to feel the risk of this mission. If Malin was right about everything then I was going to get killed if I got caught.

I watched as the fire turned smaller and smaller until it fizzled out into a small column of smoke.

I was so distracted watching the smoke that I almost didn't hear a knock on my door.

"Shit." I waved around to get rid of the smell of smoke and went to the door after a last wild wave of my arm.

I pulled the door open to see Princess Faith looking flawless in her long golden dress and her dark hair flowing freely behind her.

She smiled as her blue eyes landed on me but suddenly frowned as she looked around the room.

I turned to look around with her.

"Do you smoke?" She asked with a tilt of her head and a frown on her plump lips.

I cleared my throat, "Um..." I don't smoke. Smoking pipes never appealed to me even when a lot of my peers did, but if I said I didn't smoke, she'd ask where that smell came from.

She narrowed her eyes, "You shouldn't. It would ruin your teeth," she said.

I nodded obediently.

"And you have really nice teeth," she continued and looked away with a wince like she felt like she shouldn't have said it.

"Oh... thank you," I replied. I was flattered by the compliment even though I couldn't agree, I felt like my canines were a little too sharp compared to theirs.

I cleared my throat, "Do you need something, Princess?" I asked to finally get the conversation away from the burning letter.

She turned to face me, "Oh, right. Well, there will be a big banquet tonight and I was wondering if you would accompany me."

I felt like I needed more information, like am I allowed to even be there? Or who is invited? But I felt like it wasn't my place to ask.

"Of course, Princess," I agreed with a little bow of respect.

I didn't know why she needed me there but I wouldn't let an opportunity to enter the Grand Hall and accompany a bunch of Royals go to waste.

She smiled, "Good, I'll ask Lady Marigold to bring you something to wear. See you later, I better get to lunch before Grace throws a fit," she waved and then turned to walk away.

I watched her disappear behind her door before I threw myself on the bed and looked up at the wooden beams on my ceiling with a heavy sigh.

I need to be more careful. Princess Faith seems very observant. I always felt her eyes on me when I was in the same room as hers, she was probably already suspicious and was waiting for me to make a mistake.

I don't think Princess Faith is that easy to be fooled. I need to be more cautious around her. Even though she's very nice and polite, she is still a Royal, and based on my experience, they are all very much the same.

I looked at Robin who was perched at the small window and looking outside. This banquet could be my turning point. I feel it. This is it.

I just have to wait a few more hours.

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A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter, sorry it's a little short. Thank you and see you on Monday :))