Solenne ripped the blade off the assassin, blood dripping from her sword.
This has been the third time this month; they are getting bold.
A fact that must be rectified.
Her golden eyes glowed against the darkness surrounding her.
She gripped her sword and declared, "Anyone "
A dozen eyes glowed across the corridor before a dagger flew.
Solenne tilted her head as it flew past, cutting through her curls.
"I see, then you have left me no other choice."
With her words, the corpse before her convulsed.
Blood draining from its form.
Each drop, rising before it coiled around her sword, dancing as it burst into flames.
The assassins recoiled as light bathed the corridor.
They were unaware of her magic.
Another man to kill, how vexing.
The scars over her eye crept down to her sword.
Her hands clasped in prayer as her middle finger and pinky curled inward.
"Another chance will be granted to you. Leave now, and you may come out of this alive."
Her blade glinted against her flames as the assassins stepped out of the shadows.
"So be it." Her eyes closed, the door behind her coming into mind.
This was not the place where she would die.
The scars sucked into her blade.
Flames igniting, swirling, roaring into an unquenchable inferno.
And with a swing of her sword, it drowned the corridor.
She stepped between the roaring flames around her.
Every rise of her blade, blood splattered against the wall.
Every thrust, flames ignited.
Until one assassin was left.
Solenne stepped through the flames.
Her golden eyes glowed eerily against the flames as she asked. "Who sent you?"
The assassin opened its mouth and screamed, eyes wide with horror.
As a Solenne peered between the flames.
A monster of blood and fire.
Solenne sliced its throat, "How annoying."
With a quick flourish, the corpse ignited into flames as blood merged with her blade.
The scars crawled back up her skin once more.
As it did, the door opened just in time for her to smile.
"Sister, why did you knock?" A small voice asked.
Solenne smiled before she knelt, "Arthur. Sister just had a bad dream and was wondering if she could sleep with you."
The boy smiled, "Sister is always welcome!"
He buried himself in her arms as she carried him back to bed.
The carnage behind her, gone like a bad dream.
———————————
Lucien Blackwell. A commoner turned mercenary, turned warlord.
A man of unknown history, and even deeper powers.
He should be perfect, shouldn't he?
With his need for legitimacy and her need of backing.
A partnership can be formed between them.
No, she has to know more of him.
And she is severely lacking in information.
Though, she supposed this was as good a time as any other.
His confirmation is coming up.
A knock then took her off her thoughts. "Princess, Prince Arthur is here."
"Let him in." Solenne closed her notebook before it disappeared into flames.
The door to her quarters blasted open, and Arthur ran in excitedly. "Sister! I saw him!"
Solenne turned to him, jumping excitedly. "Saw who?"
"The Hero! He's super tall! With black everywhere!"
"Everywhere? Are you sure he isn't a shadow?"
"No! He has this awesome cane! And he's so big!"
"You're just short."
"I'm not short."
"She's quite short, isn't he, Elaine?" She glanced at the maid by his side.
Elaine bowed, "The Prince is short. But I'm sure he'll grow out of it."
Arthur puffed out his chest, "I'll grow really tall."
"I'm sure you will." She held out her hand.
And he grabbed it, excited for the coming dance.
"Oh right! We talked!"
"You talked with?"
"Like the Hero, what was his name?"
"It's Lucien, your majesty." Elaine remarked. "Though, it'd be fitting to use Earl Blackwell now."
"Yeah!" Arthur shouted, arms raised. "He visited the yard! He taught me how to aim my sword."
"He did?" Solenne chuckled, "How do you aim your sword?"
"He said something about predicting? Then about defending? Like points? I was kind of."
Solenne's smile widened, good to know he was capable.
She patted Arthur's head. "Swooning over your hero?"
"Princes don't swoon!"
"Well, you certainly did."
Arthur pouts and crosses his arm as the two walk towards the Imperial Hall.
Just to be met with a disdainful glare, ripping all the joy out of Arthur's smile.
"Oh, the traitor's children. How funny to see you here."
Arthur tensed, his eyes lowering to the floor.
Solenne's smile widened as she curtsied, "Crown Prince, it is a delight to see you."
Frederick snorted at her, "Cover your face, it disgusts me."
"Thank you." Her smile thinned, "And so does yours."
Frederick raised his hand, "You dare!?"
"Do you?" She asked, an innocent smile on her face.
He's a coward; he's always been a coward.
No position can change that, no backing can make him strong enough.
She stepped forward, to hide Arthur behind her. "Whatever shall Duke Calder think? For you to ruin his good name."
A flash of fear appeared on his face before he gritted his teeth and turned.
Arthur stuck his tongue out at the turned Frederick. "Asshole."
Solenne chuckled, "Who taught you that word?"
Arthur fidgets, "The knights."
"You were training with them, weren't you?" Solenne started walking, hand holding Arthur's.
"I have!" He started punching the air. "I've been learning how to punch!"
"That's good, that's good. You should learn how to defend yourself."
"Yeah!" Arthur
She pulled him out of his thoughts, dragging him to the hall
The moment she stepped into the Imperial hall. She tensed up.
The blood, they couldn't paint over.
The gold they could never wipe enough.
Every time a man kneeling in the center of it all came to mind.
"Sister there he is!" Arthur whispered excitedly.
Her eyes swivelled into him, as his eyes stared upon the Emperor.
Those same dead eyes, resigned against fate.
The eyes that have decided to damn the world it sees unfit.
Those eyes that held its head low as a familiar blade landed on his shoulder.
The flames that consumed her face.
Her scars almost glowed as she gripped her hand tight.
Until a soft whisper of pain, snapped her off her stupor.
Arthur looked up at her in worry and pain. As she let go of his hand.
Her eyes remained at Lucien's back. The familiar sight, gutting her.
She forced her eyes shut, calming the raging flames in her chest.
She must meet him now or he'll be the only thing she'll have in her mind.
———————————
"Sister, try some cake!" Arthur grinned, frosting over his face.
The sound of the orchestra humming about them.
She turned to him and opened her mouth wide.
He stuffed the fork over her mouth, before he gasped. "Look, he's there!"
He practically shook in his chair, "I can't believe he became a Margrave, that's so cool!"
"It is, isn't it?"
A loaded position nonetheless, he knows not what Grandf— the Emperor was thinking.
But to give the young man the ire of every duke and earl of the east did not bode well.
No, it simply meant she had a bigger leverage.
If he's smart enough, he'll be fine with her face.
No, if he's greedy enough he'll force himself into it.
A marriage of convenience, yes.
But enough to grant him the Imperial Throne was a marriage anyone would want.
"How about I talk to him for you?" Solenne turned to Arthur seemingly enamore with the man.
"You will!?" Arthur swallowed his cake, "Can you do that?"
"Sure, just wipe your face first so you'll look presentable."
"Yes, yes. Whatever sister wants."
Solenne smiled at him and patted his head, the spark in his eyes.
The spark that had forced her forward, the same spark she watched get snuffed out.
All for a purpose too much for her to bear.
She stood up, heels clicking against the floor.
Eyes locked unto his talk with Duke Fenwick.
The same backer that had elevated him into nobility.
Almost bursting with rage, with the unexpected appointment.
And yet, he smiled as the shadows around him shifted unnaturally.
Forcing a Duke of his caliber to back off, in a manner unbefitting of his position.
Meant one thing, power. Not political, not social, personal power.
She must smile, she must flirt, charm him in a way she had never done before.
A jest, perhaps, or an insult? She can do both.
"Duke Fenwick seems quite pissed with you." She let her voice trickle. "The first time I've seen him walk away like a duck."
Then her eyes locked with his, passing through his charming smile.
And into those pools of crimson that seemed to hold sins few could only imagine.
"It is a simple misunderstanding, Princess Solenne."
He knew of me? Then must have done his research well. A point in his favor.
"Oh? You know of me?" She pursed her lips and offered her hand.
It might be a bit forceful, but she needs to force his hand. "I was hoping I'd at least surprise the hero."
"To know of every member of the Imperial Family is a duty." His lips brushed upon her scar.
Then he didn't mind the scars, then an agreement can be built.
She grabbed his arm, throwing caution to the wind. "Does it involve granting this one a dance?"
"A duty, I am more than willing to do."
"Great!" She smiled and noticed his eyes.
Eyes that had resigned themselves burn at the edges.
That meant a man remained with whatever ash that had remained.
She needed to take this chance and pulled him to the center. "Then let us give your crowd something to talk of."
Solenne spun on her heels forcing him to hold her.
She intertwined her fingers with his as the court's eyes laid down upon them.
"Quite the commotion, you've made. Princess." he muttered into her hair.
He didn't mind, did he? He saw as much value in this as she did.
Her eyes narrowed, "I needed your attention, Your Grace."
"I suppose a letter wouldn't have sufficed?"
"A letter wouldn't be enough." Her eyes locked with his.
It was the same spark, same desire.
The spark Arthur has, the spark her father had and the spark now being smothered in his.
His voice trembled, low, "Whatever you need of me, Your Majesty."
Her brows furrowed before she breathed out. "Marry me."
Lucien Blackwell spun her on her heels and gripped her waist as she lay in his hand.
Helpless. She did not know what future awaits her.
Knew not what to do with it all.
But that gaze begged for her.
And if she must share her purpose.
Then she'd be a fool to deny it.
"Quite the introduction, Darling."
"Consider the taste of something new, Darling"