Any Ideas?

Nicklos had instructed me on how to reach the dining room where everyone was sitting. It gave me time to truly examine what the inn looked like. It seemed similar every where in the building. Long white hallways with many oak wooden doors. Gold trim around the doors to give it an elegant look. Polished marble tiles that reflected your reflection. It shined brightly with the torch lights too. A few stray plants sat in the hallways, giving off this beatiful wild flower aroma as you walked. It was like walking through a garden without actually walking through one.

I had to walk down three flights of stairs to get to the dining hall, and with a freshly prodded wound, that wasn't exactly easy. By the time I reached the dining room, my leg was burning, and I was seemingly out of breath. I leaned against the golden door frame to the open dining room, and heaved quietly. I didn't want the others to see how weak I actually was. I was already starting to doubt myself and my self esteem was pretty low. If they saw me like this, they might even start doubting me if they weren't already.

So with one last long sigh, I gingerly limped into the dining room. I couldn't help but pause. This room was much different than the rest of the Inn. It seemed genuinely rustic. Wooden paneled walls with oak floor plannels to match. A small crystal chandelier with a few candles hung from it. They flickered with a draft, making the rainbow lights dance off the wall. A large oak table sat at the center. It seemed new as their was not even a single scratch on the surface, or the legs of the table. Six chairs sat around it, two at the ends and four at the sides.

Sitting at the table where Michael and Marquise, who sat somberly in their chairs. There heads where hung low over what I assumed was a hot piping cup of tea. The steam rolled in large swirls as it sat motionlessly on the table. Seria was leaning casually against the white walls of the room, her head also cast down as she bit her lip, worry written all over her face. Despite no bags under their eyes, they still seemed lifeless as I stepped into the room. A lot has happened in the last few days, and just like me, it was starting to wear them thin too.

I missed so many advantageous points because of my stubborn personality. I could have used my connections and called the Knights to aid us in apprehending these villianous criminals, but because of my pride I wasted too much time. Even if I called the Knights now, they wouldn't make it in time for us to apprehend the people who are about to poison the visitors in my Kingdom. I can only send a message to father in hopes that they can prevent any mishaps. If we fail to solve the problem, this would surely cause another war. It won't matter that we worked hard to stop the attack. I plopped down next to Marquise, feeling equally drained and defeated. I could only mirror their faces as we quietly sat together.

"Come now, I can feel the brooding atmosphere all the way from the lobby. I thought I heard you guys where these remarkable super soliders." A tall and middle aged man came walking in. He was tall, fairly slender with a bit of beef on his bones. I wouldn't describe him as muscular, but he was fit enough for hard labor. He wore a tight fitted white tunic that shaped to his body. Every small buldge and hill where decently shaped by this tunic. A deep cut in the tunic by the neck, revealed a deep set of black and white peppered chest hairs. A white single string loosely kept it together. Black leather pants hugged his legs, and other indecent places.

Trying to hide the blush creeping across my face, I met his gaze. Black rim wired glasses sat atop his nose, framing his golden bright eyes that gleamed playfully in the candle light. His expressions seemed soft, friendly even. Black and white curly peppered hair sat atop his head. It was so thick and long that the curls actually tucked into his ears. If I had to describe his demeanor, I would say he was a gentle father figure who was always happy when his son brough friends home. Over the top nice.

"You must be Doctor Tucks. I want to thank you for saving my life yesterday. I appreciate you going the long mile for my soliders and I." I said trying to return his enthusiams. But in the end it sounded just as defeated as I felt. Tucks snickered and brought a white mug to his lips as he sat down at the end of the table next to me. He carefully placed his calloused and rough hand on top of mine.

"Ah Princess, I don't think I have to say that any friend of my Nephew's is a friend of mine. But since I already said it, consider us friends," He said with a wink. "But let's get past the formalities. I hear you have quite a problem." He said withdrawing his hand from mine. Marquise sighed loudly, letting out his frustrations in one long sound. I nodded quietly, seconding his displeasure. But I proceeded to give him the long and short of the situation. With everything that has happened from the last two weeks caught up to speed, he was quiet. Staring at the table with pursed lips.

"I plan on sending a warning to my father and letting him know the poisoning will be happening soon. I can only hope that he will stop it before bodies start dropping, and a war ensues. I know we are a strong Kingdom right now, but with how many injured I have and have spread thin we are...it would spell disaster." We couldn't win with a quarter of our army. I guess that's what they wanted from the start. Offer something the mercenaries couldn't refuse so they could wear us thin. Then poison the nobles and royals under our roof, similtaneously starting a war to bring down our kingdom.

Although this is the enemies plan, it would be hard to trace their evil deeds without proof. But even if we found some, it would be too late by then. If my dad had as many enemies as I think he has, no one would help us either. Our Kingdom would be reduced to rubble, like it was never actually their. It was a great plan, despite how insideous it was.

"Sounds like you have quite the problem. I have known your father for a long time, and I can vouch that he was not always a great man. Your mother shaped him up once he got married. Although if what you say about Illia is true, some habbits aren't easily broken. But I think I know of your older step sister. There is a woman that presides in this city that looks similar to you, but only up close. Let's say she is hidden in plain sight." He sipped from his mug, seeming unphased.

"What do you mean hidden in plain sight? How do you know this woman?" I asked skeptically. How much did he actually survey while he was here? Could he help me uncover my sister's identity that easily?

"This is just a guess so don't get your hopes up Princess. I may be stationed here to assist my nephew in weeding out the bad service, but I am old and make mistakes. You technically already know her name and her reputation. The only way you will know for certain, is if you investigate things further. I have some close ties with some of the criminals here. They will do anything for the coin. I can have them dig up the information, as long as you are willing." He side eyed me as he sipped from his mug once again. His tone was hinting that there would be a price for this information. Nothing came free.

"What is it you are looking for?" I kept my voice level, despite feeling skeptical. The grin that appeared on his face after placing the mug on the table, told me that I was dead on. He wanted something in return. But I had a sinking feeling that it would be a price too big for me.

"You have two options my dear. I care very much for my nephew, like he was my own son. I believe you are too strong willed and wild for him. Either you break off the engagement with him, or you start listening to everything he says. Nicklos isn't strong enough to say these things to your face, but you have become quite a problem. It isn't right for a woman to endanger her life for a man. It will never be excepted by society. Which means you will step down as a Knight." So I either break off the engagement with my childhood friend and possibly never find a suitor, or I accept the standard norms and basically let a man run my life.

I hate the fact that I feel torn by this decision. It was true that I had already thought about stepping down, but that was because I was loathing myself. Now I was being forced once again to step down, for another reason. I had to be the obedient quiet Princess I was trying so hard not to be. If I was to step down, I want it to be my choice. On the other hand, I loved Nicklos. He always put his faith in me and picked up off the ground when I fell. Dusting me off, he would smile and tell me to try again, but harder. I can't say that I wasn't standing here without his efforts and help. His faith was what drove me to be this wild and strong-willed Princess he claimed me to be.

"Who are you to force her in making a choice?"