Dwight walked up to the prince’s chambers with a smile on his face. He paused and straightened his attire. Knocking twice, he leaned close to the wood door. “My prince,” he called.

“Enter,” Timothy called.

Walking inside, Dwight shut the door and looked at the room. The hearth crackled. Drapes covered the window. Bookshelves lined two walls, and the prince sat behind a large polished desk.

Walking over, Dwight sat on a padded chair in front of the paper-covered desk. “How was your run?”

“Dismal.” Timothy sighed. “You’re back sooner than I expected. How was yours?”

“You first,” Dwight said, looking over at the blazing hearth. “I’m curious because I know we took the strangest route. It will help.”

“Very well.” Timothy leaned back in his chair. “We went in and found the village. The wolves showed up, and the guards inconsiderately killed them.” He paused.

Dwight nodded. “Same.”

“We went into town and spoke with the town guard. He told us about some dire wolves that were harassing the village. We went out and hunted the wolves. I ended up with a perfect E-tier and two imperfects. Then we couldn’t find anything, so we returned to town.” Timothy paused.

“We did something different after the guards killed the wolves,” Dwight said. “Go ahead.”

“We went back into town. The guard mentioned some undead that had been sighted and a possible necromancer who was out there raising them. So, we went hunting, running into a nasty pack of zombies. We fought and killed them, but a few got infected. We returned to get help, and the undead overheard or something because they attacked while we tried to defend.” Timothy sighed. “That started fine until the two necromancers showed up, doused the flame, and broke the picket while some fresh monster attacked.”

Timothy shook his head. “How’d you do?”

A grin spread across Dwight’s face. “Two levels cleared. We butchered the wolves and sold the carcasses for crystals. Then, she robbed the butcher and was forced to kill him when she was caught. Somehow, she found the necromancers and murdered them while I was speaking with the guards. After that, we went and lit the forest on fire with the undead inside.” He pulled out a bag of crystals and hefted them with a massive smile. “You have no idea.”

Timothy reached out and grabbed them. He rapidly counted and looked back up. “Gods, I chose the wrong group.”

“I’ll say. The good news is that you had a lead on her, so you’ll be fine. The bad news is that your lead is going to be gone.” Dwight reached over and took the bag. He looked inside and happily counted them again.

“She split the stolen?” Timothy asked.

“Yes. We split everything.” Dwight looked up. “And don’t let that bookish appearance fool you. She killed the butcher so fast that I hardly saw it happen. She’s a bit scary when she’s fighting. Oh, and she solved Hassan’s problem and got a writ.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“She finished that?” Timothy asked and groaned. “He promised her a free run.”

Dwight’s smile faded. “Forbid her from using a horse. We can’t afford for her to go cash in.” He paused. “Oh. And I warned her we’d be quiet for the week, but that’d change with the next run.”

Timothy stood. “Thank you, Dwight. I need to stop her access to the stables now.” He strode out of the room with his thoughts racing. The perfect method to surpass his sister was in his grasp. Losing it wasn’t happening. He rapidly considered the best ways to ensure loyalty.

His boots thundered down the polished stone hall. Spinning a corner, he looked at the guards near the front door. “Lady Riley Milvsky is banned from using the noble stables without my permission. Ensure she doesn’t know the reason why,” he barked.

A guard saluted and strode out the door. Spinning, Timothy headed back for his room. I will need to offer her something. This week will be hard on her. He mused on it and walked back into his room.

Dwight was clutching a crystal to his chest. It fizzled into nothing, streaming into his chest.

Timothy ignored him and took a seat. I just need to ensure she stays loyal. How? He mused on it while he sat there.

~~~

A teenage girl with white hair and green eyes leaned against the side of the castle, listening to the prince’s actions. She smiled and squared her shoulders. Oh, Riley. You have opened the door. I suppose I should thank you for that.

Pulling out a knife, she idly tossed it up and down. What is the best way to thank you? The gleaming steel flickered up and down, and a tight smile spread across the girl’s face.

A guard walked around the corner. The girl turned and walked toward the back of the castle.

Moving across the lawn, she mused on the day. Things were in motion. Her time to act had finally arrived. Should I kill Baron Milvsky? She contemplated it while she walked.

Musing on that possibility, she sighed and tossed it away. That could wait. It all could wait until things were in place.

Turning back to her original mission, she considered her various options while her form flickered, shifting to a male boy with blond hair and green eyes. She looked down at the servant’s attire and nodded as she entered the servant’s entrance.

Striding through the palace halls, she avoided guards and walked up to the princess’s room, entering the room silently and looking down at the fancy red rug on the floor.

“… What do we do?” Lily asked the group in her room.

“We should just kill them all,” Terrance said, huffing in anger.

Lily nodded and turned to the girl next to her. “What if she’s good at them? What if she’s clearing tier two or more? I should put in a request just to be sure.”

Olivia scowled. “We’ll need to act soon.”

“Do it, Olivia,” Lily said with a nod. She looked around the silent room.

“I don’t know how,” Olivia said. She looked around the group. “Anyone?”

“Seriously?” Lily huffed. “None of you know how to contact competent assassins?”

No one replied. Each looked at each other.

The disguised girl stepped forward, straightening her uniform. “If I may, my princess, I’m willing to aid you on your quest for the throne.”

The princess turned, shock visible on her face. She scowled. “You’re a servant.”

The girl’s green eyes blazed. She launched a knife, sinking it into the princess’s desk with a thunk. “Make no mistake, I am no servant.” She willed her disguise to alter.

The princess gasped. “You will be killed. The guards… How did you get in the castle?”

“Easily. I intended no harm and am not here to steal. Rather, I’m here to make an arrangement.” The girl smiled. “I will keep your hands clean, and you will give me a duchy when you are queen.”

Lily paused and considered it. “Fine. Let us see if you have the skills required. Send my brother a message. If you do, I’ll make you a baron.”

The girl nodded. “We’ll discuss my duchy some other day then.” Turning, she walked out of the door. And the pieces are now mine. Let the games begin. She grinned widely and strode down the hall with a skip in her step.