The Mission

I hide in my room to review the thin packet. It's a one page document. Noble Knight Guard of the Balls. Just as I suspected. I will be acting as if a normal noble, dressed and prepped as one, while being on guard for any possible concerns among the balls. I am to gather intel if possible for any threats to His or her Majesty. I am to support the guards of the house if requested for means of protecting the nobles there. I am there if any monster attacks would happen.

I am back guard, the last to act. I am to pretend I am nothing more than just a noble who is lucky to join the balls.

I drop on my bed with a loud sigh. Such a simple request. I would hope I gain missions more difficult later on. I exhale and look over who is my direct leader and if anyone is directly assigned to my team.

Lucas?

I sit up looking at his name there. No one is listed for my team. I only have a direct superior. Lucas. "I'm glad I don't have a bad relationship with him." Thinking it over... Will Daniel and Callie also be going? They could be given the same exact assignment as me.

I have no team mates, though. No one is to know I am entering the ball under the knights, then. I am entering the ball as the crown prince. "But Mom isn't even..." She'll be going. And it will look like she'll be taking me.

"At least it's an escape of these halls." I look out the window. It's been a pleasant experience not being trapped in the castle. I do have more freedom even if the expectation is higher. How can I mind going to the balls in question?

With awareness to the situation, I stand back up. A quick look in the mirror suggests I don't have much to do. I won't be dressed as a knight. I'll be going as crown prince. I touch the mirror where I am reflected. "Father is giving me this task without fully saying what I should be doing." That's why I have no teammates. Father would not offer that to me.

The door is knocked on. I stare at it a moment before opening it wide.

Lucas stands there looking solemn. "I knew why they had you join the test. Can I enter?" I close the door once Lucas is safely inside. He rubs his head looking exhausted and stressed over everything. "I was told to give the test before I had to join the balls circuits. I am expected. If Daniel or Callie could not pass the test in time, I was to give them to a new trainer. Hydrangea is always willing. I could trust her skills." He sighs dropping on to the extra bed. His eyes focus on my bed though without seeming to focus on anything.

"I'm going as crown prince. I don't know if everyone knows I'm a knight right now."

Lucas grunts. "His Majesty said you weren't to join, so most won't think you are. It's not truly strange for you to hold off on knighthood." He stands up again to pace my room. "By twenty, you are to join. If the royal castle does not think you'll handle the circumstances of the knights, it is only to everyone's benefit you wait a bit. That is how the nobles would see it. You were being held back from entering first chance because you lacked in some area." Lucas stops to stare at me directly. It's an intense stare. "You prove it only a curse that makes us question."

The laugh I offer is off. It's... How everyone has always treated me. "I am protected by the blessings. People won't think highly of me assuming I match to their original thoughts. It is more than just subpar looks curse. I know that. It takes many time to fully come to terms with who I truly am. I am always second guessed."

Lucas stares at me a moment before nodding. He moves to the window to look at the world beyond us. It's not much out there. "I am going to request your subpar looks curse be removed. If you truly have a second guessed curse as well, it would still suit us. But it is time everyone learns exactly what the crown prince looks like."

My head tilts as I think over the situation. It probably would be best if I had my looks curse removed before debuting. "Many..." I think of it. I've always been given distance. Denied a real chance to gain connections. A sigh hits me. I can't stop it. "I would be glad to have as many of my curses removed as possible. I am no longer a child who needs protection."

Lucas turns to look at me. He shrugs. "None of that is truly my place. I will give my reasons. If I succeed, you'll have the curse removed before we head for the Warton estate."

Warton... "I get to see Jessica's home without her present."

"You are on mission. The moment you step into the castle, the mission is on. Speak to no one of it. Many will think you'll be taking a leave of absence."

I stare at him. "No one here will truly believe that."

"You'll be on no one's team. This could literally be the king playing favorites. That's how several see it. I will even refrain from suggesting you are under my care."

"Then... How will I gain your orders?"

Lucas taps my shoulder. "I will be your friend. I am on guard for the royal persons. It is part of my place to be at your side if I have no where else to be."

"Who else is in that group?"

Lucas sighs. "Hydrangea handles the full team. I am just bonus. Whenever I join, I act as royal coverage because no one questions me there. Just as Hydrangea does. In this travel, her team will be the direct watch. You are my own knight in that circle."

I freeze. "We have a leak?"

Lucas grins at me. "How perceptive of you." He pats my shoulder and heads for the door. "Don't worry too much. I'll meet with you in your wings at the castle while readying. There will be several items you should have before tackling such a request."

I only watch as he leaves me in my room alone. I think back to the assassins... A leak would make sense. Those people seemed to know things. Lucas was expecting the battle without having a clear understanding of it. Because the knowledge of what happens inside is making its way outside.

I glance to the window. Freedom... "As long as my reign doesn't start any time soon." That's my only real concern. The rest I can hope the knights figure out.