Chp.16: Mirage.

"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 rustling 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.

Lara standing there behind Regina, with her dagger on Regina's neck took a moment.

"My goodness, I really can't attack you knowing that you are Urara." Lara said withdrawing her dagger.

She backed off and stood in front of Regina.

"So, since I went ahead and attacked you again, don't I deserve a punishment?", Lara said surrendering herself in front of Regina.

Regina on the other hand just scoffed and said, "I still can't make out what you are thinking Lark. I am dumfounded you know." Regina stood up and put her hand on the dagger.

The blue diamond dagger which Lara cleverly hid under her maid dress, on a waist leather belt.

"You will definitely be punished Lady Lara." Regina said with a smirk.

It was as if she was just enjoying Lara's expression. Lara was flustered knowing what exactly Regina was thinking.

Urara, Regina's assassin image was that of a powerful and cunning fox. She was never a straight thinker and her attacks were always sleek and at some point, very unexpected.

"Damn, I should've known." Lara thought as she looked at Regina's expression who was really happy to punish her.

"So Lady Lara De Gonstroght, I will gladly confiscate your dagger for now." Regina said, as she sleekly pulled the dagger out as if it was nothing, just like she pulled out air.

"You have a light hand you know." Lara said looking at Regina.

Regina who was busy feeling the blue diamond on the handle of the dagger looked up at Lara and smiled.

"Of course. I am sometimes given a mission to pickpocket documents from the coats of passing by nobles and aristocrats." She said with a giggle.

"Who dares to give such tasks to the mighty assassin Urara." Lara said making a light laugh.

"Oh, c'mon. Your buttering ain't going to work on me now, you know. You should've really thought about it before actually attacking me for the second time." Regina said with a serious expression and sarcastic tone.

"I apologize your majesty." Lara said lowering her head.

The atmosphere was light and they both were enjoying each other's company. They chatted a little besides the topics of killing and attacking. Laughed for sometime and noticed that the rain had almost stopped.

It was just drizzling now.

Regina felt happy. Her expressions really showed it. But then she took a deep breath.

"So I hope that this remains a secret. Since we both are here to do our jobs, let's do it with all our might." Regina said with a firm tone.

Lara knew what she exactly wanted to say and nodded her head. "Yes your majesty. I'll behave as if I don't know anything. I will be the lady-in-waiting and you are the queen I serve." She said.

"And the queen you are supposed to attack and who will strike back to protect herself." Regina said with a smile. They both laughed and suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Your majesty I have a message for you." A maid knocked the door once more as she said it.

Regina signalled Lara and she went to open the door. Regina gained her composure while Lara opened the door.

"Respect to your majesty. This is the letter I received." The maid said handing over the envelope.

Regina who was a little confused anyway went ahead and received the envelope from the maid.

The maid bowed and left. Lara closed the massive door behind her.

Regina took a butter knife from the set of her breakfast utensils and slit through the opening.

Lara came back and stood beside the chair Regina was sitting to see what exactly the letter was about.

Regina shuffled through the papers inside the envelope and found that there was a letter and money along with it.

She pretty much got to know who the sender was since it was clear from the seal on the envelope. But still she was a bit excited to read what was written in the letter.

"I greet your majesty the Queen." The letter started with a pretty much formal setting.

"So typical." Regina thought as she got ready to read further ahead.

"I hope your majesty is doing well. I am sorry for not being present on our first night after the wedding." The letter continued.

"Really? Doesn't seem so at all." Regina thought to herself yet again.

"But as a small token of apology, please accept this cash." The letter was reeking of rudeness and arrogance.

"Also please manage the servants who would say we did not have out first night together. Since I don't want to stir up rumours in the kingdom of leaving the queen alone on the first night after the wedding.

Please accept this cash and manage a few things in the Eastern palace.

And the thing is I am writing this letter to invite you as the host of the ball two days ahead of today.

I will like you to join me for discussion today at dinner in the Central Palace. I will ve looking forward to your presence."

The letter ended and left a sour taste in Regina's mouth. Lara decided to stay quite and not speak anything even though she also read the entire thing standing behind her.

"That bastard really has a knack for not showing up huh?" Regina thought gritting her teeth with an annoyed expression.