TWO

“I’m leaving,” I say audibly as I head downstairs.

April runs into the living room to say goodbye but stops when she sees me.

“Why do you look different?” she asks, frowning at me. I shake my head. "Take a wild guess."

She stares at me for a few more seconds before giving me a wide grin.

“Your hair is darker! I love it. It’s a badass look on you.”

I smile, leaning in and giving her a hug. Maybe turning my dark brown hair into a jet black colour wasn't necessary, but I guess straight dark hair would be more appropriate for getting into character.

“See you around.”

I arrive at the airport empty handed as instructed and I meet a group three guards who direct me towards the jet. We take off in no time, but not before another brief call with the king. I can't help it but feel a heavy weight on my shoulders, becoming more and more tense by the minute. As clean and easy it may seem when people hire me, no one has even the slightest idea what goes through the mind of a killer right before they finish it off. But this, this may take a while. And I have no idea how many lives I may have to end simply because they are stupid enough to get in my way.

And as we arrive at Ilta, his words ring though my mind, instructing me from a distance even though I may have lost contact with him.

"They will be expecting you. A wealthy noble lady from Corvina who has come to pay her respects to the royal family and join them in the events of the season."

Corvina is a small neighbouring country of ours, and I guess the kings have already developed a level of understanding.

"You will offer them gifts and charm them until they trust you," he said. But these people are cold-hearted. I have no idea how to accomplish this.

"Prepare for landing," the pilot's voice comes through the small speakers. I inhale sharply. 'I can do this,' I think to myself.

"You must make them believe that you are exactly who they think you are. Even the slightest misstep will make them question you."

How do I maintain this façade? To be ladylike, classy, elegant? This job isn’t for me.

I put a smile on my face as I descend from the aircraft. One that I’d been practicing the night before. One that makes me seem less like a threat. With my new outfit suffocating me, I approach a tall man dressed in a dark green leather coat.

That's what they are known for in the fashion industry, after all. The colour green, and the finest leather.

He is accompanied by four guards, all armed and standing readily behind them.

"Lady Hayes, welcome to Ilta. I am here on behalf of the king."

The name sounds as foreign as it is, and it take an actual second for me to realize that I must respond to that name for the next few weeks. But having my role in mind, I already know how to play this game. Up next, winning.

"And who exactly are you?" I say, giving the person in front of me a daring look.

"Sylvester Evans. Royal advisor to the king."

I give him a tight smile and bow lightly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sir."

"The king wants you to feel at home. I trust that you will find a pleasurable accommodation at any of our five-star hotels," he says with a practiced smile.

"And when do I get to meet the king?"

He looks taken aback by my question. But judging by the quick recovery, he already knows just what to say to dismiss me.

"To have a meeting with the king is nearly impossible these days. Especially because he is far too busy hosting the events of the season."

"Well, I hope I get an invitation soon. If not, my presence here is meaningless."

He opens his mouth to say something, but I push past him and walk away, hearing the three guards that were assigned by Zephyr to follow me around walk behind me. The ones I’d met at the airport.

One of them motions for me to get into a black car and then opens the door for me.

I climb in slowly and heave a sigh.

This mission might actually be the end of me.

The car pulls up at the hotel and the masked guards escort me in.

I notice a change in their uniform. This one has a different flag, that of Corvina of course, with black stripes to complement the milky white colour.

I catch a lot of people staring in the lobby as we walk in.

"Suite for Lady Scarlet Hayes," one of my bodyguards says to the receptionist.

She looks up at me and I smile at her.

"Of course," she says before placing a key card in his palm.

"Enjoy your stay."

We arrive at the suite and it's even larger than I expected.

I take my time to unpack, and my guards disappear to their own rooms.

I start with all the fancy clothes. I never thought I’d have to wear dresses like this but the idea of it doesn’t seem so bad.

Once they are all in place, I unbox my weapons.

Holy…

I thought the box was just unreasonably large. But now all I can do is appreciate its content and figure out how to use them.

But it’s not just guns. Explosives, pocketknives, daggers, poisons, and a translucent crossbow. I remember him telling me that they were customized for convenient use and efficiency. I smile to myself. Perfect.

In the other compartment I find ropes, fancy climbing tools and other gadgets for communication that make me wonder if I’ll be getting any help. I whip out the cell phone and laptop and set them down on my bed.

Once I’m settled in, I spend the rest of the day sorting out the plans and trying to figure out the strategy that they have given me, along with an instruction manual.

…

It is around lunchtime when I hear a knock on the door. I walk over and open it cautiously to see a young lady in a suit.

“Lady Scarlet Hayes?”

I nod.

She hands me a small envelop and walks away. I close the door behind me with a frown before ripping it open.

It’s an invitation. With my name on it.

It’s a black and white party. The first event of the season.

The card implies that the entire royal family will be there.

I look around the room, resting my hands on my waist as an idea pops into my mind.