The old, slightly musky building was actually a restaurant, as opposed to any stranger, less reputable business. It looked better inside than I actually expected. In fact, I was partial to the place. It was homely and much more personal than the palace, because there were only four people including me inside.

The policeman stopped dragging me once he realized exactly what he was doing. He looked at me, than at my companion amulet, and then at an old man, presumably the owner.

He sat at a table, legs up, brandishing a restless grin. His yellowish teeth and old, feeble body was in contrast to the policeman, who was quite dashing himself.

Of course, I would have said something, but then my gaze automatically switched to a small hooded figure. The face was obscured and I couldn't quite discern his or her age or mood. It struck me fancy that he was allowed to be so rude. At best, he was no older than a teenager, and my royalty aside, I was much older than he.

Instead, it was the policeman who spoke first. "Your highness, please excuse us. This boy is troubled and mute. And my name. I'm Blake."

The old man was next, "Welcome to the Smith family restaurant. I'm Blake Smith Senior, and this is my son."

The boy did nothing, and instead just stared deeply at me. He was quite reserved and looked hurt, in other words, strangely off-put.

Junior spoke to me, approaching me, ignoring all the procedure in the world, "I knew it. You didn't leave us."

I was quite confused on this matter. He continued, and he added more and more information until I was no longer confused, "Forgive us, but we thought that you left the city. We do believe that Prince Darius committed some foul play. We know him not to be a good and fair ruler. My father and I belong to an anti-Darius faction."

I finally interrupted him once I got the idea, "Okay, but just how do you know about Darius?"

After all, it did in fact seem suspicious. From the outside, the regicide looked like an accident. I didn't mind speaking rudely to him just this once time.

"Well, this boy told us," Junior pointed to the young little guy, "He claims to be your brother."

I didn't know about this and I couldn't believe that I didn't look into it at all. It was a dear, dear misunderstanding, and for now, I passed off my ignorance as amnesia.

"Hmm, could it be? That episode at the beach. I'm sorry princess, I do hope you feel better soon."

He turned to his father and I could only make out parts of the conversation. They were quite animated, as if in quiet skepticism.

"Sure is convenient. Can we trust her?"

"Yes, she really is Celine."

After coming to a positive conclusion, they, strangely in unison told me, "That young boy there is in fact your older brother, Prince Jonathan."

There was no way I heard that right. They corrected me when I said, "Younger brother?"

Senior explained, "We've made sure. He doesn't talk very much, but indeed, he looks exactly the same as Prince Jonathan when he disappeared. He claims that it was an inside job by Darius, and that alone warrants the suspicion our faction has against him Before, we decided to do nothing when he was discarded. We knew that there were special circumstances in that you, Celine, would take the crown, so it wasn't like Darius would end up in charge, but here we are."

My chest became hot so I whispered, "Heph?"

In fact, he was so active that I had to pull him out of my cloak, "Hold on, let me try communicating with his companion amulet."

It was hidden as well, but the kid had one too, it seemed.

Something weird happened then. I usually hear Heph in my mind telepathically, but now I heard another. It was strained, "No. Not amulet. Is Keepsake."

My jaw dropped, but it seemed that Junior picked up on it, "He's a telepath. It might do some good to listen to him. After all, he doesn't do it very often."

"Cursed. Can't talk."

"Okay, I understand. I'll be patient. Instead, do you know anything about me, you know, seeing as I have 'amnesia'?"

"You and I, homunculus."

You see reader, I knew full well what a homunculus is. In fact, it might explain many, many things. This one piece of knowledge, I did not doubt.

"Can't use telepathy much. Strains self."

"Okay, I'll get more it out of you once I can help you. Before that, can you tell me exactly how you're cursed?" he was rather cute and it was hard not to talk to him as a child.

"Darius. Lich. We destroy phylactery. Frees me. Follow."

Hoh, this was news. After seeing so much magic, I was now half-accustomed to such ridiculous claims. I would have never imagine being told that telepathically. Of course, I didn't know which kind of 'follow' he meant. The other two went out and prepared travel and camping equipment, so I got the point.

It was actually a tough day. Jonathan didn't want to talk much and instead I had nothing to do but hide. The restaurant was closed for the day, and so had no interaction with anyone, and instead I tried to get some sleep. If I was seen outside, Darius would probably see me as a real threat and get rid of me. Actually, I had the impression that he thought that his fear magic would work indefinitely.

Laughable. If the hero Alexander had to take down a lich to return, then I would do it. Truth be said, there are no undead in my world, so it was a little bit scary.

Later, the only thing that they didn't get us was a weapon for me. That would be too suspicious. I quickly changed into the travelling gear, but I was worried that it also included leather armor.

After we left, I asked him how he knew where to go, "Sense it. Trust me," but I did less so as we travelled off-road.

For the first time, he added something extra, "Jealous. Juvenile Body," and then he didn't talk to me.