THE ONLY thing that disturbed the deadly silence was the clicking of our horses' feet against the stone road as we made our way to Kavan Castle.

We woke up at dawn the next day and continued to trek back home. No one has said a word. The queen said nothing to us but she did give us ugly side glances along the way. Throughout the course of our journey, her blazing fury seemed to settle down into a low simmering fire.

Kavan was a beautiful town, and I wish I had looked at it more when I came here the first time.

The town was littered in small brown homes and shops. Purple and yellow flowers decorated the flower boxes against the window shutters.

Men, women and children walked down the cobblestone roads with bright smiles on their faces. Big green trees stood tall on every corner.

We continued our way through the town and up to the castle gates, which opened upon our arrival.

"Finally. We are home." Evander groaned from inside his carriage. Even though this wasn't my home, I couldn't help but share his sentiment. What was meant to be a celebration had turned into a disaster. Each and every one of us was tired and grumpy.

I heard a sharp breath beside me. I looked at Leland who held an expression of relief on his face. His head was tilted back and his eyes were closed, soaking in the sun.

His pale skin seemed a shade darker from our trip and his white hair flopped into his face. As if he saw I was watching him through his closed eyes he spoke, "What?"

"Is your hair naturally white?" I blurted.

He opened his green eyes and looked over at me. His eyes held amusement as he shook his head no.

"Really? Then what's your natural color?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Light Brown."

"Really. I can't imagine it. Why white?" I asked, "How did you even get it white?"

He shrugged, "Back when I was doing my assassin work, I had to go undercover. So I searched and found someone who claimed they could change the color. They called it bleaching. So I got it bleached, realized I liked it, and decided to keep it."

"I like it too. It suits you." I said.

Looking forward, there was a guard standing at the castle doors awaiting our arrival. He stood confidently, his hands folded behind his back.

Our horses and carriages came to a stop in front of the doors. I lifted my leg up and over the horse, landing on the stone road.

I ran my hand up the horse's neck as I made my way to his face. His dark brown hair shimmered in the lighting and his black eyes held much depth. I look at the pendent held under his neck by the chest strap.

Price.

"Thank you, Price." I thanked the horse, rubbing his forehead, "You accompanied me well." He winnied in response. I walked far enough away that the grooms could return Price to his home and watched everyone unload themselves from their transportation. Queen Aria was the last to exit her carriage. She gracefully descended with a calm expression painter across her face.

"Welcome home, your Majesty. How was-" The guard was interrupted by Queen Aria's raised hand. One small movement caused such a sudden reaction. I felt a little smug knowing I tended to have the same effect.

"I am..." She paused, trying to find the right word, "completely and utterly appalled by your behavior at the Ecrin coronation. And for good reason. Do you understand that your actions affect everyone around you? You hold their lives in your hands! You may have just sent the entire realm into a state of war! This was a diplomatic event meant to bring unity among the kingdoms of the Realm. What on earth possessed you to attack the Crown Prince of Aberystwyth? You may not technically be under my reign," The Queen started. I knew she was talking to me. "But I would have thought you had grown up enough to handle big events with diplomacy!" Aria's voice was dripping with anger and disappointment, all directed straight at me. She was demanding an answer from the group of travellers that had circled around her. Senara trotted up to her mother and looped her arms through the Queen's, trying to calm her.

Leland and Evander stepped forward at the same time and opened their mouths to offer an explanation. I raised my hand to intervene. I stepped forward and looked the Queen square in the eye.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, but I am not subject to the laws of Kavan. I am not subject to the laws of any kingdom. I live in unclaimed territory. I was also doing the job you asked me to do. The "Crown Prince of Aberystwyth" as you called him was making inappropriate, and downright lewd suggestions to Princess Senara, Mèabh, and Kingsley, all of whom are royals from other kingdoms in the realm representing their nations at the coronation. My girls were putting up with it and keeping their tempers and distance perfectly well. However, Juniper didn't take the hint. He crossed the line when he approached Senara and Blakely-Rose. Willow was defending his little sister from a man he knows would do her harm if given the opportunity and Oislin was doing the same for his fiance, who, by the way, he had known for less than an hour."

I paused to catch my breath as my words sank in.

"Evander and Grey were just trying to protect their little sister. Leland, Zion and the others were doing their jobs; protecting the royals of their kingdoms. I did mine; make sure everyone comes out in one piece. Juniper was the one who brought an army to a diplomatic event, not me." I finished.

My words fell heavily on the group in the courtyard. Queen Aria began to speak in response, but just then the castle door slammed open and the future king, Prince Koa, ran out with a flushed face and a piece of paper in his hand.

"I found it!" Koa exclaimed. "I finally found it!"

My back went rigid and I felt a sickening swirl of anxiety in my stomach, the same sensation I felt when something wasn't right. I had wondered where Koa had gone during the coronation. He seemed to disappear before the ball and all the chaos happened. My suspicions of him seemed to fester as I caught Kingsley's eye. She was already looking at me with a look that only confirmed what I was thinking.

Everyone else seemed to be ignoring the questions that were brewing in their minds, so I left it alone for the time being even though my nerves twitched as more questions surfaced in my mind.

"Found what?" Mèabh asked, crossing her arms. Her tone only confirmed she was suspicious as well.

"I found the unclaimed sections of Laventhorpe's ruins!"

×××××××××××××

Author Note!

Hello My Mickey Mouse Club House Members!!❤️

I finally finished complete chapter! Look at me go!

Thoughts >

Random >

How is your day today? Was it bad? Good? In between?

QOTD: Pineapple of pizza?

for me it's a definite yesssss

Love you all thank you for reading! Xoxox 💋💋

- Mickey ✨