Chp.15: Faith.

They both tucked the daggers away and looked at each other. "Who knew this palace was supposed to be the next place we were destined to meet." Lara said looking at the room they were seated in.

"But this still doesn't clear the fact that you are here." Lara said as she shifted her focus on Regina's face. "Why are you here Urara?" She asked, and this time with a worried tone.

Regina knew that she would somwday had to answer this question and so she thought might as well go along the flow -

"I fell in love. I fell in love with a man and he ran away. Until one day he came back and turned out he was the king of our kingdom." Regina said in a straight tone.

"Yeah?" Lara asked her sarcastically as it was clear that this story is the fakest story she had ever heard from someone.

"You need to improve your plot your majesty." Lara said with a sigh and as a sign of giving up.

She leaned back a little and said - "It's fine if you don't want to tell me. But remember there are lot of enemies you made before you even came here." Lara warned Regina.

Regina looked at Lara with a look in her eyes that made it clear that she was never supposed to disclose the information regarding to her mission.

Lara being in this same field for just as many or perhaps more years than Regina made it all so clear that she knew there were somethings better to be kept secret.

And Lara knew that even though Regina wasn't the one to follow the rules of Dashin - The assassins guild she worked for, she knew that Regina would never want her to know.

"I would have loved to tell the reason to you Lark." Regina said looking outside the window. The sound of the rain filled the atmosphere.

Both of them never even got to know when it actually started raining, and now it was pouring heavily without any limits.

Regina's eyes showed an expression of apology and Lara looked at her. "Hey..." Lara said as she got up and went over to Regina's side.

"I apologize Lark. If you would've never left Dashin, I would've told..." Regina was trying to apologize but Lara kneeled down before her.

"You majesty, there is no reason for you to treat me like a partner here." Lara said while bowing as she knelt.

"No.. Lark I am serious... I want to but...", Regina got flustered with the sudden gesture of Lara.

"That's what I am saying Urara, I will try sabotaging my mission. You don't have to feel obliged to tell me anything." Lara said with a determination in her voice as she looked with trust in Regina's eyes.

Regina suddenly felt warmth inside her heart.

"You know there was a reason why I left Dashin that year. There are mistakes we make, and sometimes ..." Lara took a small pause. Maybe trying to swallow her words. But she still went ahead and said, "And sometimes there is no need to apologize after making that mistake. Because that mistake suddenly makes everything fall in place." Lara said.

Her eyes were lined with tears but she had a smile. Regina found it hard to actually decode her smile and come to a conclusion if she was actually happy about her choice or was she just faking it.

But Regina shook that thought away and decided to listen to what Lara had to say.

"If that is what you say, I will forever be thankful to you Lark." Regina said.

Lara gave a honest smile and bowed. "So get up now." Regina made her get up with respect.

Since Lark was older than Regina than few years and since her experience was more as well. Regina respected Lark and thus when she fought as Urara she wanted to use all the techniques her idol taught her.

"Who knew she would be faster and more skilled than Lark, when Lark was her idol.", people said that evening after the battle between Urara and Lark. It was funny and ironical in many ways.

But sadly after that evening, Lark left. It was a mystery where she went and why she left Dashin. Many orders came in the guild for her, but she never came back to the guild.

Perhaps that was the only chance when Regina met and fought Lark as Urara. And now in the palace, she was working as a maid. Appointed to kill her.

Or precisely appointed to kill the queen. The next woman who comes into the palace to rule.

"I have a small favor I want to ask Lady Lara.", Regina said with a sombre expression on her face.

Lara immediately picked up the signal and went back to her role as the lady-in-waiting for the queen.

"Yes your majesty.", Lara said with an understanding nod.

"Please don't sabotage this mission." Regina said with her request reflecting in her eyes.

Lara was shocked at this sudden request. Although she was not very surprised as to why Regina would say so, she didn't expect it to come from her right away.

Regina noted Lara's expression. And said with a sigh, "I just don't want to stir the trouble now. It's not the time yet." She said.

Lara agreed and said, "I will do just as you asked, your majesty." Lara said in a polite and obedient tone just like any maid.

"I want you to stay with me. Should I consider you my friend in this mission?" Regina asked

Lara took a moment to think. The sound of the rain and the fade rusting outside in the balcony due to it maintained a bit of serenity in the room.

Regina was looking forward to an answer. Lara took a deep breath and said, "Since I am not sabotaging this mission, I will have to perform my tasks you majesty." She said with an uncomfortable expression .

But Regina knew there was something more to it and thus Lara said, "But I will make sure there will never be fatal attacks from me. I will try maintaining as much transparency as I can." Lara said.

Regina finally took a clear breath and smiled.

"Of course you will. You are diligent. You are Lark after all." Regina said as she said and looked at down.

And immediately there was a dagger around her neck.

"Damn. You move fast Lark." Regina said with a cunning and defeated smile.