Misconstrued Truths

I meet up with Ryan in the library shortly after Lucas left me. I only wanted to hide in my room to read the missive. I sigh while plopping into his chair. Time to play cards. "I can't believe this."

"Hm?" Ryan looks at me puzzled.

"The mission?" I wave my hand in the air. "My father is forcing me to have my debut. I'm not being used as a knight. I'm just there to be a pretty face."

Ryan scans me. "You're not a pretty face."

I grin. "Lucas may get that cursed removed. No idea what I look like actually." I only know it can't be what I see. That this point, I'd call the curse dangerous. "But seriously, I am walking around as crown prince."

"Your mother's going."

"Yeah. Father wants me making sure she doesn't do anything foolish. She'll be protective of me like always." That's going to be how things go. I hope Ryan doesn't hate the fact I'm misconstruing the truth. I won't be able to change things either. He'll realized I lied to get it known by everyone. Will he hate me for it?

I may lose a friend.

"Warton is having the first ball."

"Telligence is third on the list, I believe. Don't give my family a hard time." Ryan says while writing. "If they ask, I'm fine."

I'd give all the pleasant expectations for them. "I'll need to lie about Jessica while there. Act like I don't know her at all."

Ryan eyes me. "Think they'll believe you?"

"About as much as Mom does." Which is like not at all. That's why Mom keeps asking. She knows we're closer than I'm suggesting even if we're not at all romantically invested. "I know that contract isn't going anywhere, but I don't want them to think I want it."

"You can finally sign. I hope they don't pressure you."

"That would suck." I scan the work that Ryan is pouring over. "What's our next class?"

"First aid is in a few minutes, I think." He glances to the clock on the wall. "Yeah. Gonna go? You don't have to anymore."

"I think I'll bail. As to say I hate the forced treatment I'm getting here." I stand up scraping the chair on the floor. "If Jessica shows, let her know what I'm doing."

"Sure. Sorry if I'm stuck as a go between."

I pause watching Ryan. He doesn't seem to mind. "I hope I can prove to my mother she doesn't need to watch me so heavily."

"Me too. Good luck." Ryan waves at me.

Leaving him, I sink. Playing cards... I was trained to say certain things in certain ways. Ryan would've been too. Saying such things in the presence of others... It'll secure their thoughts on the matter. I won't look to be heading for a real mission. I look to be getting special treatment as crown prince.

That is something only I can do. I'll be within the royal guards because I am a royal.

I wasn't even told to do this. I just... Know... If there is a leak... I need to be ready for it.

"Let's see." I close my eyes thinking back to when I've traveled with my family before. The list of royal knights are always red or the top blues. "Maybe Raina is on the list." I can't gain access to that. I will have no idea who is a possible concern until we start on the meat of the mission.

I am just eyes and ears. My existence matters.

Jessica waves me down before I head into the stables. I thought a ride would suit. I know the safe trails. "Thomas."

I wait for her to reach me before saying, "Hi. I'm going to your ball."

"Not mine." Her eyes widen. "Thankfully I'll be here. Training. Like you should've been." She huffs. "My family shouldn't be a problem. Just ignore them if things occur. You know how to talk."

Yeah... And I just did that to Ryan. "So... What's up?"

"Here." She places an item in my hands. She hides it with her own hand while catching eyes with me. "I did not give this to you. Got it?"

I close my hand on the item. I can wait to view it. "Of course you didn't."

Jessica nods. "Good. Keep it on you, but don't let anyone see it."

"Okay..." I watch as she just walks off. Slipping into the stables, I look at the item in my hand. A locket? Should be magical, most lockets are. Opening it has me calmer. It's empty of pictures. Just a little note. Can't say what the magic is yet. Appraisal will be one of the first spells I aim to learn. Putting the locket on, I hide it under my clothes. I should have no trouble hiding it from eyes. I'm expected to have collared shirts after all. I slide further into the shadows to look at the note.

'I agreed to the contract already. Signing it was my only way to enter the knights. Please do nothing to make that activate.'

So it's more than what I thought. She was denying that knowledge. Acting like the contract was a distant concern. She knew there would be no way around it. That's why she pressured me to not get involved with her.

Even with signed contracts... It wouldn't mean anything yet. As long as we're not looking at titles. I hide the note away. I'll need to burn it. Contracts normally are for older adults. We'd be called kids in court if asking for marriage. "Thankfully." The torment of my parents besides, the contract is only a safety measure. I can live my life freely. And Jessica can do as she wishes for now.

"Not that I mind her." I step up to the horse I decided on. It doesn't take much to handle all the expectations of a squire. I don't need watch. I just get it.

As I step out of the traditional coverage of the knight hall, another knight shows behind me. Always watched. Although it helps in this case. If I step beyond the tracer's allowance, I won't glow red. I really do hate when it activates.