Hope

I sat staring at my desk, the papers threatening to spill over with the new documents that had arrived. Even though the stack was just barely reaching the tip of my lap, I still felt like it was looming over me, threatening to topple and drown me in its wake. I could feel my eye twitch in annoyance, knowing for a fact now that my father was indeed assigning more paperwork as a punishment for my disobedience to return home. I suppose he could use the break though. After all that's all he these days was slave over paper work. I better get use to it, because once he steps down or passes on, it will become my full responsibility.

I picked up the first document and scanned diligently over the contents. It mostly explained the contents of the damage done by the Mercenary gang had caused thus far. Entry data log number 175 Bandit Attack After Math: Documented by Merrick Donswell. Her Majesty Crowned Princess Aria Steele and her General Bregus Fortwrite intervened an ambush attack on this day Monday July xx, xxxx. It seems that the merchant who was arriving at the time was carrying a shipment meant to be delivered straight to the castle. The owner of the carriage was Dante Michaels from the Western Kingdoms of Abrisha. Driver was found dead upon arrival and the cargo was completely looted. Stolen goods contained Fine Edge Long swords, high quality steel plated armor and a damaged crate that is still yet to be determined. The contents of the looted crate can not be specified, but our scientists have been conducting experiments to decipher the contents that had been left behind. So far, they have come up with nothing.

I placed the paper down on the desk and stared out the window. This paper was a few days old, I wondered if they could have made any progress on their findings since then. Although the importance of the matter was still questionable. If it's a powdered consistency than it could be any where from flour or sugar, to crushed herbs or even poison. These days it takes researchers days to conclude what the possible substances could be, and by the time the discoveries are made, it's already too late I have personally have never seen the Western Kingdom send something malicious to the Palace, but why would they send us flour or sugar when we basically thrived in it? I wondered what it was or who ordered it. I carefully placed the document off to the side and grabbed another.

Before I could even scan over the first sentence, there was a soft knock on my door. I knew the timid knock by heart, knowing it was my maid Terria. She normally always comes this early in the morning, because just like me I was an early bird. The sun had just barely began to rise of the mountains, casting the sky in a dark indigo blue coloring. It wouldn't be long now, soon the sky would be cast into gold, red, and pinks, signaling the day was ready to be started. It was out of habit that I would wake up this early. For the last six years I rose at this time to watch the sunset, just like Nicklos and I had done before we started courting. That warm hope feeling always rose in me, giving me the confidence, I needed to face the day.

"Come in Terria." I said dropping the document on the desk. It slowly fluttered and swayed in the air until it came to a rest on the desk surface. Almost like a feather would float in the air as it descended from the owner of its bird. The door squeaked quietly open and shut, but it was soon followed by a sudden gasp. I glanced over my shoulder at the horrified face of my maid. I couldn't help raised an eyebrow at her shocked expression. Both of her hands where buried over her mouth, bright sky-blue eyes briming with confusion as she stared at my bed. I glanced over to my bed, and I grew apprehensive of my surroundings. I completely forgot that Nicklos slept in my room last night. So of course, she was reading the situation out of context, just like any other unsuspecting human would.

"Terria, do not read the situation the wrong way. Nothing happened between us. I am just a soft-hearted woman and couldn't let the poor man sleep on the floor. Since no one brought me a cot last night, I let him sleep on my bed." I watched as her hands fell from her face, and sheepishly grab at her long-braided locks of brown hair. Given her reaction, I knew that father had interjected after all and was responsible for lack of the extra bed in my chambers. So, father had won last night, but he wouldn't so easily win again.

"Your Majesty, would you like me to make you some tea, or perhaps some coffee. I know you had a long journey home yesterday and you still must be tired." She pulled her eyes from Nicklos's sleeping form and offered me a warm smile, her way of apologizing. She was such an innocent and sweet girl; I couldn't ever stay mad at her for long. But I did feel a little betrayed she would listen to my father of myself. I guess that was to be expected since he still held authority over me.

"I would honestly ask for wine, but it's still to early in the morning to start that. Coffee for now is good my dear. Make sure you bring an extra cup just in case he wakes up by the time you arrive." I said with a dismissive wave of my hands. From the past I know for a fact he is a light sleeper. There is no way that he wasn't already awake, listening to the conversation until she had a chance to leave the room. Father would get a kick out of this, knowing that he was sleeping in my bed all nice and tucked in. I couldn't give him the satisfaction that his plan had worked. "Before you go Terria. Discretely bring up a cot to my room. I don't need father knowing about what you saw today, so keep that secret as well. If word gets out about what you saw today, I know it will be you." My voice had been light, but I narrowed them in warning. I didn't have a tolerance for drama, especially when the stress on my plate was already over flowing.

"Your Majesty I wouldn't even dream about gossiping about you. So, rest assured you will have your cot and your secret dies with me." She beamed before ducking out the door. I chuckled as she left. Her over eager to please attitude was always welcome in this harsh reality. It was comforting knowing that at least a few people listened to me despite my gender and what I had decided to do with my life. Unfortunately, the ratio to those who where open minded to those who where close minded was significant. I will over time win them over, even if it is done one by one.

Once again, I picked up the document, hoping that I could skim the contents before she would return. The more paperwork I got through now, would benefit me down the road. Not only was it to get rid of the clutter that was starting to pile on my desk, but any information could be useful information. Maybe these Mercenaries messed up somewhere, and the only way to catch it, was to see all the information laid out in front of you.

Date Entry Log 236: Scientist Discoveries. Documenter: Maxwell Donswell.

A sustenance was delivered by Merrick Donswell on the day Monday April xx, xxxx. It appears that a bandit over took a carriage full of goods that where suppose to be delivered here to the palace. Amongst other things, this fine white powder was found in a broken crate. At first, I thought it was flour given how grainy the feel of this product was. We conducted a few experiments just in case and found that the powder was reactant, but not in the ways flour normally would. Upon the contact of water, this substance actually boiled. The confirmed temperature was 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Eventually our beaker broke, and with the contents, evaporated into thin air. We can't concur as to what the substance actually is at this time, but it is highly dangerous. We will conduct more research and provide more information as we go.

A highly dangerous substance? Who could have ordered such a product, let alone from the Western Kingdom? Better yet, how did the Western Kingdom get a hold of such a product and who was the recipient? Something was not adding up. Was the Western Kingdom in cahoots with the Mercenaries that attacked our Merchants? If so, why not just have it delivered to them instead of to our Kingdom? Unless of course it was an individual attack, then they had to find a way to get it to the bandits discretely. Ironically, the Western Kingdom was also in the direction of the main base to these bandits, so it would only make sense that they would try and use transits to deliver these 'goods'. I should talk with the servant that was in charge of ordering items for the castle and question him. Maybe he good give me a list of the suppliers and I can bring these findings to father.

I didn't want to assume that there was someone working from inside the Palace, but the more I read these documents, the more I grew suspicious. The only thing is, where there is one spy, there are many more. Who ever is behind the scenes is also feeding them information about our knowledge of this situation, and that is how they are able to maintain staying ahead of us as well. That's the only explanation I can think of. It only makes sense that they are using spies to stay ahead of us and are turning the tides against us. If I don't snuff them out soon, it was only going to become more of a problem. Worse yet, anyone inside the castle could be the intended target. I am glad that as soon as I came home, I ordered extra protection for Illia. This was turning out to be quite the mess that had transpired over the last few weeks.

"You seem fairly upset this morning my Lady." Nicklos's sudden voice behind me, caused me to jump. As his two large hands rested upon my shoulders, I looked up at him, the back of my head resting on the chair. Leaning over me, he lowered himself to press a firm quick kiss on my forehead before righting himself. Despite my looming mood, I could feel a small smile form on my lips as I gazed up at him. His presence was very welcoming at this moment.

"I am just reading through some interesting documents." His thumbs pressed gently into the crevice of my shoulder blade, rolling over a knot in the process. It was tender and I let out a soft moan. Enjoying the sense of relief each caress of his fingers brought.

"Interesting or worrying? I only ever see this face on you when have found something you don't like. You are more of an open book than you realize Alliah." His deep rich voice further relaxed me in his hands. I swore if I weren't already busy with my plans, I would have just curled back up on the bed with him and let him pamper me.

"I suppose one of us has to be. You are normally so passive about everything. Sometimes even I have a hard time reading you." A chuckle escaped his lips, making my heart flutter in response. I couldn't help but open my eyes and gaze at him. How could I have been blessed enough to have a handsome man at my side? As if reading my thoughts, he winked and smiled at me before dragging his eyes over to the paper work now scattered about on my desk. He lingered upon the two papers I isolated on the left corner, brows furrowing before dragging them back to meet mine. He wouldn't let the situation go until I told him what was bothering me. It wasn't in his nature to let things go so easily, especially when it came to me. He truly could be a worry wart sometimes. With a sigh of defeat, I dropped my head back down to my chest and gathered the two papers I read so far and passed it to him. His fingers left my shoulders blades, leaving his warm touch upon them as he accepted my papers.

"I fear that our situation is worse off than I expected. It seems that an unknown dangerous substance was being smuggled to our Kingdom's, but not before getting attacked by our Mercenary enemies. I don't know if it is the Western Kingdom entirely, or just one in charge of sending such dangerous powders. But what I can confirm is that this isn't the only carriage. Multiple reports confirm that every other cargo carriage has this same busted open crate upon the arrival. We are always late to get it, and usually the thieving part of the Mercenaries are already gone by the time we get there." I crossed my arms over my chest, awaiting his response. It took him a few minutes, as he was carefully scanning over the two documents, I gave him, than setting them down and grabbing another one.

"How interesting. I wonder if the supply handler is even bothering to check the contents of each package before he delivers them. I have some close ties to the Knights that transferred to that Kingdom. Maybe I can see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary." That would be rather helpful, especially having a set of eyes over there to help the search. Unfortunately, with the knowledge that we where having difficulties containing an inner conflict could set us up for open attacks. We would have to be cautious on how much we tell them incase they ever opened their mouths.

"Hold off on the note until I can gather more evidence. I plan on talking with our supply handler today once the sun has fully risen. Then I want to check in on the guards to see if Emmanuel gave anything up yet. The more evidence I provide to my father that this is partly an inside job, the more jurisdiction I have with communicating with other Kingdoms. I may be the successor, but there is even a limit to how much I can even meddle." I placed my fingers upon my temples and rubbed them, trying to soothe the slowly forming headache. Nicklos stilled my hands with his, gently rubbing the knuckles of the back of my hands. The paper he held in his hands slowly fell to the floor.

"Come with me." He spoke gently, coaxing me out of my chair in the process. He walked around my chair, still holding my hands, and helped me to my feet. I let him guide me out to my marble balcony, a small smile on his face as he let my hands go to stand behind me. I gave him a questioning look, but he just quietly pointed out toward the mountain where the sun was already starting to peak out. Rays of sun beamed in ever which direction, the skies where starting to change from golds, yellows, and reds to dark and light blues. Big fluffy white clouds dotted the sky like puffed up and smushed together marshmallows. It really was such a beautiful sunset.

"Do you remember what I said about sunsets?" He whispered in my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist. Lightly he pressed his chest against my back, warmth seeping into the thin cotton fabric of my night dress. A smile played on my lips, knowing exactly what he was going to say.

"How could I not? It's the same reason I have watched the rising sunset every early morning for the past six years." Placing his chin on the top of my head, he gave me a soft squeeze in response.

"Then have hope Alliah. You have more people on your side than you think, and we will solve this issue together. You don't have to be the only one to shoulder this issue alone. I know you are trying to prove yourself to the others, but is there approval worth your mental health and survival? Acceptance comes with time, and the more you try to shoulder now, the more susceptible to mistake you are. Let us help you carry the burden." I understood what he was trying to say, and a huge part of me agreed with him. But he also didn't have to face the same judgement I did every day. He didn't have to hear the disapproval and unkind words from the mouth of my own family. It wasn't just something I felt like I had to do, but more of something that needed to be done so this unkind treatment would stop. But for now, I would agree with him, because I was starting to get in over my head. The last thing I needed right now, was to give the Council another reason to get rid of my title as a Knight.