Deceit's Strategy: A False Prince FanFic

Chapter 6

Apparently I'm not worthy enough to yet know all of Conner's mysterious plans.

I pace my room, a small closet under the stairs on the third floor. The makeshift bed is a cot with a few blankets and a pillow made of hay, I've already found three spiders- which I named Billy, Bob, and Joe- and the dust I've stirred is so thick I can't see the other side of the closet. They definitely think I'm a princess. I don't really mind though. It reminds me of the room I had had back at the orphanage. The thing that got me irked me off was that they had the nerve to throw me on here.

They had plenty of extra guest rooms I could stay in, but I got the closet, of course.

I wasn't going to complain, this was my punishment. My mind flickers over to all the kids sleeping on the streets of towns. I don't even deserve this room. What have I done for the world? For Carthya?

I shake myself from my thoughts as a servant walks in. I scowl as I remember seeing her with Sage earlier. She has long brown hair and soft features, but I automatically want to hit her. She seems so preppy strutting like she owns the place when in reality she really is an indentured servant.

She looks up and smiles at me, I just glare at her. She frowns and wrinkles form around her small eyebrows, it seems she does that a lot. "I brought you a glass of water."

I smile sarcastically and snatch it from her.

"You know mystery girl, Conner is mad with you." She sits next to me on the cot and a slide over just slightly. "He's been grumbling about you ever since he came back a few days ago. More you then Sage."

I look up at her as she says Sage and notice she has a sheepish smile on her face. Do I have one of those on my face when I think about Sage? "Who are you?"

"Imogen. And you?" She asks turning the question back on me.

I stand up gruffly. "I don't have one." My lie is obviously not true, but she just shrugs. "Master Conner always gets his way, I found if you want to rebel it's better to do it silently. Oh and don't tell anyone I talked to you I'm supposed to be a mute" She smirks over her shoulder as she leaves the closet. Leaving a cloud of dust in her wake.

I'd have gone after her for more answers, but as I had learned earlier today, the door locks on the inside so I can't.

I stomp my foot and growl, pacing back and forth once more.

...

It is a long time before someone comes in again and this visit makes me livid. It is Conner. And it isn't him that makes me furious it is what he says to me.

"Good day, Gianna." The smile on his face is so infuriating I just want to claw it off, full angry chick.

I somehow maintain my composure retorting, "It's never a good day when I have to smell you." I grab the tip of my nose and stick my tongue out for affect. Though I do have to admit he smells ten times better then I do at the moment. Living on the streets is not good for ones hygiene.

He just continues smiling. "Come walk with me."

We leave the actual building quickly and I note the path, making a mental map. The weather outside is fine, but it seems that as soon as Conner steps out the sun darkens.

A lump forms in my chest and tightens slightly, why am I so scared?

"I'm sure Mott told you all about why I brought you here."

I shake my head, suddenly the knot tightens and a take a pace backward.

Conner doesn't seem to notice or if he does then he lets it be. "I saw you in town before you confronted me. I saw you skills, it seems you're a talented pick pocket."

I look up surprised nobody had caught me stealing, ever. "Obviously not if you saw me."

"Oh that's not what I saw." He chuckles to himself slightly. "But not only that I saw you had a weapon that might be the most valuable thing. You were good with words."

"Words mean nothing in a fight." I sigh and pull my hair to one side, my nervous habit.

"Oh, they mean the world. I needed someone like you if I wanted to complete my plan."

"Don't you mean scheme," I counter wanting him to know I would not cooperate.

He puts a hand on my shoulder to stop me, and a shrug it off while almost gagging. "You have no idea what my plans are for the kingdom."

"Please, enlighten me, brighten my mind." I kick at the dirt with my toes creating an "x."

Conner smiles at my comment. "All in time, but for now I want you training with the boys. Your task is very different, but you will need some of the same basic knowledge."

I sigh and roll my eyes, slightly blinding myself as my eyes look at the sun when they are at the top. Although I'm not mad because now I know that it is somewhere around noon. "And will I get to know what my "task" is." The sarcasm drips off my words.

"I feel that you are entitled to know it, actually." He replies.

I imagine him pushing glasses up his nose like a librarian might do as my eyes pop out of their sockets in surprise. When I'm done gaping and close my jaw I look up at him and again I see that he is smiling. 

This smile seems to be because he has bested me, I lean forward ears perked. He pauses for a long moment, most likely for dramatic affect before saying, "I want to pass you off as my long-lost daughter."