Noble Blood

Chapter X - Defeat

Lilianna picked up the endless skirts of her ball gown, running after the Danish Prince. She wasn't expecting him until next week, and she had also just witnessed that he knew exactly what he was doing and she would have to be cautious around him.

Rushing around the ball room, it was quickly apparent that the man in the dark blue mask had left the Hall altogether. He couldn't access much of the castle though, as guards lined every room and watched every door to contain the guests to the designated rooms.

The first place that popped into her mind was the Inner Courtyard, where very few people would be at this time.

"Flinn!" She shouted, exiting the Main Entrance and scanning the Inner Courtyard. She spotted his silhouette, leaning against the outer chapel wall in the shadows.

Squinting her eyes, she approached him cautiously, reaching for the dagger dissimulated in her skirts to protect herself.

"Your Highness." He said with a smile in his voice as he approached the princess in turn. His mask and cape glimmering in the moonlight as he stepped out of the shadows, he bowed to Lilianna before taking the hand she offered him and kissing it.

"I know where we can talk." She stated in a half-whisper, trying to keep a straight face despite all the feelings coursing through her. She led the way around the chapel, lining the ramparts of the castle to arrive in the Eastern Courtyard.

A wooden bench stood semi hidden in the shadows against the castle wall. The fair princess sat herself on it and the Danish king followed, keeping a polite distance between them on the wooden seating.

"What's the plan?" Flinn asked in a curious yet authoritative tone, getting right to the point.

"The Irish army will be joining the attack when they arrive in a week's time." Lilianna began firmly, "they will enter the castle and lock my father, brother and their soldiers in the Grand Hall. Then your army will storm in, kill any soldiers who refuse to obey me, and imprison my father and brother." She continued, trying to keep it as short and compressed as possible.

"I've drawn a map of the castle to help, as well as a more detailed description of the attack right here." The princess finished, handing a rolled up parchment to the Danish King.

He opened it out of intrigue, looking at the thorough drawings and text that covered it. After examining it in complete silence for a few minutes, Flinn looked back up at Lilianna.

"May I make a suggestion? I think if we entered partly through the Western Courtyard, the more direct access through the armoury would permit us to enter much faster" The masked prince explained, fascinated by this intriguing plot and the beautiful brains behind it.

-----

Dietrich stood up abruptly from his seat next to Gwendolyn. His ears rang out of rage and he saw red as he processed the words that had just come out of his beloved's mouth, addressed to another.

Christoff was approaching the pair swiftly, now wearing Dietrich's mask. He smiled at Gwendolyn, but quickly frowned when he noticed Dietrich standing next to her silently.

"Dietrich?" Gwendolyn asked Christoff confusedly, looking at both the prince next to her and the knight approaching them.

Just then, Dietrich lunged at Christoff catching him off guard and pushing him to the floor. In a swift move he stood and pulled his sword.

"You skamelar! Parasite! Trying to seduce my innocent beloved in your crooked games!" The German Prince shouted angrily, holding his sword to Christoff's head. "I'm finished with you! You are never to see her again!" He announced solemnly, as he heard the Irish princess coming a few steps closer.