Episode 4

Titen watched his master, Captain Murinach Rotan, lace his fingers together and appraise Tibeden. The Captain and his family had arrived minutes after Titen and Tibeden. The royal family had ended the presentation due to a scene in the Prince Heir's chambers. Rumors were flying around the city that two maids had murdered each other. As the evening moved forward, the rumors went from a jealous murder to one maid being deemed an assassin and the other maid having stopped her from killing the Prince Heir.

Titen had quickly explained Tibeden's presence to his master, including Tibora's murder-suicide, in private. The boy had slept on the floor of Titen's room. When Titen dressed he did as instructed and dressed Tibeden in some of Felicias's plainer clothes. If the two boys knew each other, neither gave it away.

"You will train this lad to be Felicias's private butler. Understood?" Captain Raton waited for Titen to nod curtly before continuing. "Feed him. Train him. For the sake of The Emperor- dress him properly." The Captain sat back before adding on, "and either tie his hair back or cut it all off - he looks like a drowned rat."

"Of course Master Raton." Leaving his master's office, Titen towed Tibeden to the kitchen and waited as the malnourished boy ate everything placed in front of him. Finally, he was given one of the season's first apples as dessert.

The boy stared at the apple, rolling it between his skeletal hands. Pensive, he rested his hands on the counter. The apple taking all of his attention.

"Is there something wrong with that apple, Tibeden?" Titen hesitated, not sure what would cause such seriousness.

"My mum - she promised me an apple with this season's wages." After a taking a deep breath, Tibeden bit into the apple, the juice covering his chin. He finished it without another word and allowed the cook to take his dishes. Before he could stand, Titen began brushing his hair back. He used grease to lay the untrained strands down and tied Tibeden's hair back into a neat bun.

Stepping back from his new protege Titen surveyed him. Tibeden looked like an entirely new person with a freshly washed face, done hair, and clean clothes. He was still too skinny, but Titen would rectify that over time.

Titen allowed Tibeden to shadow him through his morning duties and tried to detect any familiarity between him and Felicias - again, there was none. No lingering looks, no secret messages; not a single attempt to speak privately.

Once his morning errands were done, Titen lead Tibeden to his favorite store - one that had outfitted him before his fall from grace.

"Andersy's Finest." Tibeden read the sign before they entered. The shop hadn't changed much in half a century. The window mannequin's still wore the latest fashions - some even creating new trends. Olive Andersy lit up at the sight of Titen. She set the parchment she had been holding down and rushed around the counter. "Lord Godrun!" She clapped excited.

"Olive, please, I've asked you to call me Titen, or at least Butler."

"Oh hush. Your clothes are still on the Godrun account and rumor has it: also in his will - so I'll call you as you are." Olive's dark brown hair was tied in a fashionable knot that pulled to her left ear and bloomed under it. Titen was sure he would see Leetha with the same style in a few days.

"I'm in need of a uniform for my protege." Titen gestured to Tibeden.

"Oh he's much too young to emulate you. Ah! I know!" She motioned for one of her assistants to measure Tibeden. The boy followed her to a set of mirrors and did as instructed.

"How is Lord Godrun?" Olive was the only source of information Titen had for his own adopted father. Before he'd been discovered, Titen had believed he would marry Olive. He found himself looking into Her brown eyes were flecked with blue, revealing the smidge of aristocracy in her blood, reminding him of the foolishness of that dream.

"I don't know, this is the first time he's stepped foot in my shop in years." Olive's chubby cheeks puffed with her dissatisfaction.

"Olive - please."

"Oh, alright." Olive lead Titen to a loveseat that faced Tibeden. She patted the cushion next to her. Titen sat gingerly, putting as much space between them as possible. "It's a wonder I ever thought you loved me."

"Olive!" Titen chastised. He was unsure how trustworthy her assistants were and didn't want to chance anyone catching wind of Olive's affections. "Enough."

"Fine. Your father is ill. He always wa s though. He inquires about you often. I was asked to remind you that you have full access to his funds. He added the Moore surname to his account several years ago. "

"He's still ailing? Did moving to the Glaciers not improve his health at all?" Titen found himself leaning into Olive. Her presence had always drawn him.

"No. Nor did the politics. He's no longer retired you know." Olive inched closer to Titen. "Put him in the marmello suit I created last week." She instructed and her assistant dashed off. Titen hadn't noticed the young girl waiting for instructions. "After all that... business with you... there was no one else to advise The Emperor. After several failed meetings, the Glacierians reformed The Blue Army."

"No." Titen straightened. The Blue Army had been disbanded after the Sunla Army had pledged their allegiance to The Emperor.

"Oh yes, they still believe The Lady Empress tried to assassinate Princess Hielo after she declined to marry Prince Evermore. Quite the scandal."

"Prince Hielo." Titen corrected. "I wouldn't put it past her. The assassin failed?"

"More than failed - captured and tortured for information. The Glacierian's retaliated - allegedly." Olive crossed her legs so that she was practically leaning on Titen.

"Allegedly?"

Olive's assistant cleared her throat drawing Titen's attention. Tibeden wore a charcoal grey suit. The sides were fashioned to allow room for his bony shoulders. The boy stood proudly, his chin jutting out.

"That will do. Fix the length and sew up two more. Be quick." Olive waited until her assistants scurried about. "Yes, allegedly. The entire Imperial platoon that was stationed near their Ice Palace went missing. Nothing was found - of course the Imperial Army had to wait for winter to end. When questioned, Duke Tealo - now General Tealo - said he had no idea about any of it."

"So they need my father to smooth out negotiations and treaties." Titen adjusted his gloves to avoid placing a hand on Olive. When he glanced back at her she had managed to lower the bust of her dress without him noticing.

"Correct." Olive's focus fell on Titen's gloves. "Would you let me see?"

"No." Titen stood and waited as a newly outfitted Tibeden joined him. "Thank you, Miss Andersy."

"It'll be charged to your house account, Lord Godrun." Olive crossed her arms in front of her. "Oh! I would avoid the center square - my assistants say there is something quite archaic transpiring."

As they left Andersy's Finest shop Titen surveyed the area, nervous from the previous day's encounter. He noticed wisps of smoke was beginning to rise from the center of the market place. Curiosity got the better of Titen and he lead Tibeden as close to the square as they could get, without fighting the crowd. Tibeden was too short to see over anyone's head, and for that Titen was thankful. He could barely make out Tibora's face in the flames. They had crucified her for her crimes.

"Can you believe the nerve of that maid?" someone whispered.

"Ha! To think she could get away with assassinating our Prince Heir?" Another cackled.

Titen gripped Tibeden's upper arm before the boy could dash into the crowd for a better view. Tibeden fought him for a moment before calming. Swallowing the lump in his throat, Titen decided they were done for the day. He needed to get Tibeden home.

***

Evermore crossed his arms over his knees and watched as the coroner's wrapped Silver's body in transparent silk. They'd already bathed her body in lavender and jade as was custom for an imperial lady. He ignored the titters from the elite and debated reaching out to see if Silver's skin held any of her warmth trapped in it for eternity. If it did - would he keep her above ground? The physician had pronounced her dead several times. And yet... The Prince Heir couldn't help but wonder if his lover would sit up one more time.

"Evermore," The Lady Empress stalked into the presentation room, her shoes clicking against the tile - a warning for weaker mortals. "I cannot allow you to shame our family this way."

The Prince Heir continued to perch on his throne, watching each detail the coroners added. They wrapped a veil of flowers around Silver's head. Fifty sullies, bright yellow flowers reserved for the death of a princess, were woven into a crown for her to wear in The After.

"Do not ignore me - I am your mother."

"You are not my mother." Evermore counted each pearla sewn into the center of Silver's chest - where her heart was resting. "You are not above me."

"I raised you since you were a small boy!" The Lady Empress's voice echoed around the chamber and the tittering stopped.

The Prince recalled a time when he was young - no more than eight years of age. His father had sent him to the market with his fiance, the future empress. Somehow Evermore had become separated from the royal party. Lost, he had wandered around the market, stumbling upon a road that lead onto Lord Godrun's land.

Lord Godrun's estate was so vast and large that Evermore was unable to find his way to a path that he could recognize. Giving up, he'd sat down and wailed. After some time a young man had appeared from the treeline wearing black and silver robes - reserved for the wealthy. The man had kneeled in front of Evermore and wiped his tears away.

"Are we lost?" He'd asked, unraveling his silver sash and wrapping it around The Prince. Evermore had cried so long that his voice was too raw to speak - so he merely nodded his head. "Then we'd better get you home, what is your name?"

"...Evermore."

"Good evening, Master Evermore - I am Lord Titen."

"...I have cared for you and you would disrespect me?" The Lady Empress continued her tirade. "No - I will not stand for this. Remove her body. Burn it in the square with the other's."

Evermore's head snapped up. His step-mother was draped in gold - a color of celebration. Her veil was a combination of doxies and lilies. More symbols of celebration. She was mocking him.

"Do not touch her." The Prince Heir stepped down from his throne and the coroners froze. "Lady Empress - who is the law of the land?" Evermore moved around the decorated Silver and waited at the top of the steps.

"The Emperor, of course." The Lady Empress crossed her arms into her sleeves.

"And who is after The Emperor?"

Instead of answering, his step-mother whipped around dramatically and left the presentation room, her entourage rushing after her.

Evermore turned, inspecting the finished body of Silver. Reaching out, he moved her flower veil to the side and settled the palm of his hand on her cheek. There was no warmth left - the pink in her cheeks was a masterful deception.

"Solotero! I know you are there in the shadows." Never again would he find comfort with Silver. Never again would she remind him of his roles to the empire. Evermore tried to fight the hysteria bubbling up inside of him.

"Your Highness?" The Sunla bowed deeply. His turban sweeping the floor.

"Has the village of the traitor been raized?"

"... Not as of yet, you see it is their cycle to serve our city and-"

"I could care less about the serve cycle. See it done." Prying his eyes away from Silver, The Prince Heir met Solotero's gaze. "Do you understand me?"

The Sunla stepped back, eyebrows raised. "Without question."

"While you're at it - there is a seamstress in the market - Olive Andersy." The image of Titen painted in the Survivor's portrait flashed in Evermore's mind.

"Would you like me to summon her, Prince Heir?"

"No - you won't request her presence.. You will have her brought to me. Immediately." Evermore watched Solotero leave the chamber before turning back to his love. He rested his other palm on the other side of her face and wished for a moment that she would speak - if not speak, then at least look at him.

Rubbing the sides of her face, Evermore used his thumbs to lift her eyelids. Light reflected off of her yellow irises, giving the illusion of life.

"You were right, The Lady Empress has no power over me." The prince kissed his lover's cold lips. "You are so wise. Solotero is nothing but a puppet. My father's puppet. Tell me... Galora-Silver, with your infinite knowledge - are you right about The Commons?" Evermore waited for her corpse to say something, but she remained silent. "I'm sure you're right. I'm positive The Commons will suffer for their insolence." Resting his head on her breastbone, The Prince Heir tried to remember the sound of her heartbeat.

***

Olive Andersy counted her earnings for the day. She was careful to exclude any payments that were overdue or part of a larger order. Lord Godrun's associates had delivered the pences to pay for Titen's account in full moments after the request had been sent to the bank. She recounted the total before packing it up and handing it to one of her assistants, Lulu, a half common half sunla girl with the ability to sew a ball gown in a single day's time.

"Be quick. Be safe." Olive instructed Lulu, who re-wrapped her headscarf, hiding the reddish common hair she'd inherited from her father, but leaving her eyes exposed. She disappeared out one of the shop's hidden exits and was gone. "Lock the front door, we are done selling for today."

Quixa, a glacerien girl who was having an affair with a lord of the elite, rushed to lock the shop's front door. Before she could turn the latch, the door was shoved open by none other than Solotero Sultan, the emperor's right hand.

Every assistant in the shop stilled, their eyes trained on either Solotero or Olive. All she had to do was flick her wrist, and they would get rid of him by any means necessary. Though Olive wasn't sure if that was necessary. Solotero, being an intelligent man, paused after shutting the door behind him. Olive wondered if he was aware of the dagger Quixa had slid into her hand from her sleeve.

"Solotero - we are closed." Olive accepted the glass of wine one of her newer assistants had brought her. A girl whose name Olive had yet to learn - she went through assistants quickly and often.

"The Prince Heir demands your presence." Solotero moved forward without invite. Quixa was as swift as she was sultry, sliding her dagger under Solotero's chin.

"No one demands me, Solotero." Annoyed, Olive swallowed the last of her wine and held out her glass for a refill. Solotero moved to disarm Quixa, but the Glacerien readjusted quickly. Olive's oldest assistants- Quixa, Lulu, Alora, and Evangeline, had all been trained by none other than the master of combat: Lord Titen Godrun. He'd trained them as a birthday gift for Olive - and that gift had repaid itself a thousand times over.

"I must find out who your teacher was." Solotero mused, holding up his hands in surrender.

Lulu reappeared from the back of the shop, her chest rising and falling rapidly. "We're surrounded by Imperialists."

"How many?" Alora, a commonwoman who kept permanent residence with Olive, stopped rearranging the displays .

"Too many, and they've brought fire." Lulu lifted her gown to reveal burns on her calves. "I jumped."

"You shouldn't have done that." Evangeline, an imperial bastard, paused her beading. "They'll be extra mad, now that you've evaded them."

"Enough." Olive sighed, rubbing her temples with her free hand. "What do you want, Solotero?"

"You are to come with us... alone." Solotero reached one of his hands out. "Preferably with all of your assistants still intact." He looked pointedly at Alora, who'd snapped her double sided ax together.

"I've no village to raize - Miss Ollie. It's already been flattened." Alora twirled her weapon and let it hover in front of Solotero's nose.

"No," Olive didn't have the patience to rebuild her shop - nor did she want to lose her most valuable assistants. "I will go with Solotero. Protect my shop."

"Miss Ollie, wait!" Lulu rushed to Solotero's side. She pushed Quixa's blade away and tiptoed to whisper in his ear. Solotero's gaze flicked over Lulu's body, lingering for a moment.

"Agreed." The Sunla rotated his shoulders and stretched his neck. "Olive?"

The seamstress chugged the rest of her wine before setting the glass down. Adjusting her skirts as she stood, she walked over and accepted Solotero's hand.

"Be quick!" Alora called.

"Be Safe!" Evangeline called.

The shop door shut and the latch was turned, clicking into place loudly. As they stepped out onto the street, over forty imperial soldiers revealed themselves.

"Do not interact with the women of the shop. We will return." Solotero waved his arm and a carriage bearing the seal of the emperor pulled up. "After you, Miss Ollie."

"See," Olive accepted Solotero's assistance as she climbed in. "It's that level of mockery that stopped Lulu from marrying you in the first place."

A muscle jumped in Solotero's jaw. "Speaking of failed engagements, have you moved on from your own?"

"No..." Olive re-arranged her skirts. "Never."

The rest of the carriage ride was as tense as it was silent. Solotero blamed Olive for Lulu ending their engagement. He wasn't wrong either. Though Olive couldn't convince Lulu to fall out of love, she did however, remind Lulu of the laws against mixing races.

The carriage stopped and the door was opened by Solotero's men, their capes whipping in the wind as they awaited instruction.

"Do not speak unless spoken to from this point, Lady Olive Andersy." Gripping her elbow, Solotero towed her into the castle. She expected them to turn towards the royal suites, but they went the opposite direction - towards the receiving rooms. He stopped outside of the presentation room, much to Olive's surprise. It was not the place for a private meeting. However; she hadn't seen a single worker on their trek. The oddness was almost disturbing.

"If I do not return alive - Lulu will kill herself." Olive's heart pounded in her ears, her blood rushing with adrenaline. Solotero tightened his grip and the doors were opened by two guards.

Biting back a scream, Olive fought to turn around.

"Cease or you will make matters worse." Solotero warned her. Shoving her further into the room.

"No," Olive shook her head trying to avoid the scene. "What is wrong with him?"

The Prince Heir Evermore was sitting at the top of the steps, a naked corpse of a woman sitting in his lap. Transparent silk - the kind The Andersy family farmed - was torn to shreds and lying around him. The steps were littered with sully petals and embalming fluid.

"Grief?" Solotero shrugged.

"Olive Andersy!" The Prince Heir called out to her. "Come closer, if you will."

"Perhaps we could converse from a distance, Your Highness." The chemical smell from the embalming fluid had Olive's stomach rolling. The Prince looked over at Solotero. The Sunla grabbed Olive and shoved her until she was at the base of the steps.

"If your goal is to leave this situation intact - you are not going about it the right way." Solotero hissed, keeping his hand on her lower back.

"Olive Andersy..." The Prince Heir adjusted the woman in his lap so that she was cradled like a child. "Silver would like to know where her cousin is."