Alanis awoke in the early morning, as the first streaks of dawn light shimmered through the curtains and traced soft patterns over her cheeks. She sat up slowly from her desk and found a fur blanket draped around her.

“Cassiel?”

But he was gone, the bed was made, and she was alone.

In haste she dressed herself, and hurried to the grand hall where several of the servants were busy cleaning the marble floors.

“Call together the household at once.” She called to them, “assemble them in the gardens for me.”

As they scurried about to gather the others, Alanis returned to the furthest reaches of the castle in search of Cassiel. But her efforts yielded nothing, and he was nowhere to be found.

Presently, she gave up her search and ventured to the front steps of the castle, which stretched into the extravagant maze of gardens.

A fountain in the likeness of a mermaid sprouted forth water into a mosaic pool, and around it congregated the entirety of her household, lined in orderly rows with neutral expressions.

Beyond them stretched rows of perfectly cut hedges, and arches enweaved with roses and ivy, but her attention lingered on the gardens only a fleeting moment, before she returned her gaze to her servants.

She paused, clasped her hands behind her back and spoke calmly. “Would those involved in the events of last night please step forward.”

Three of the servants stepped forwards, including Daphne.

Alanis frowned, “all those involved step forward.”

There was an uncomfortable shuffling amongst the servants, and hesitantly two more stepped up.

“You.” Alanis pointed to the woman with the bandaged hand, whom she remembered. “Explain to me what transpired.”

“Your Grace, I…” The woman swallowed nervously, “my mind isn’t as sharp these days, it was all a blur. I fear I am unable.”

There was a murmur of agreement from the others involved, and all save Daphne lowered their eyes.

“Are you defying a command?” Alanis felt her tone shift to threatening. Her hands tightened into fists behind her back, but she did not waver. “Tell me what conspired or…”

Or what?

She was the lady of mercy after all. The moral one.

But was there to be mercy for someone who did not repent?

And how was one to combat immorality without becoming immoral themselves?

If she were to threaten a drastic punishment, who would believe it would be carried out? She would not even believe it herself.

“Or I will have you sent as a gift to the Prince of Ecasia.” A gift it would be, a certain improvement in their social standing – at the expense of their dignity and comfort and security.

Those who served under the prince suffered greatly. It was well known that the prince received great pleasure in the torture of his household. And yet, it was also a great joy to be a part of his court, as the monetary benefits were substantial – despite few in his service making it past their thirtieth birthday.

“Your Grace!” The woman with the bandaged hand sunk to her knees, “I beg you have mercy!”

“Describe to me the events which unfolded, in clarity and honesty, and I will.”

“Your Grace will punish us severely when she discovers the truth.” The woman was crying now, tears running down her cheeks, her mouth was contorted into an ugly grimace, and she sobbed, hands clutching the necklace hanging over her heart.

“It was a mistake of drunkenness!” Offered another servant, falling to his knees as well. The rest began to follow suit.

“Have mercy, your Grace!”

“We are but captives of our foolish nature, you can not blame us for our perverted desires.”

“We are not as blessed as you are, your Grace.”

“Our hearts are unlike yours!”

They fell into silence; on their knees, heads bowed.

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“I command one of you to step forward,” Alanis said, “tell me in complete honesty with no masking or omission of any detail, what transpired with the man of the sea.”

“It began after an evening of heavy drinking…” Snuffled one of the servants, a stringy haired man with weasel eyes. “We were just playing cards, when Morna-” He thrust a finger towards the woman with the bandaged hand, “Morna mentioned the sea monster.”

“It was a harmless joke!” Morna protested, “I meant nothing of it!”

“Silence.” Alanis interrupted, “let the man continue.”

“Some of the guards were with us too.” Said the man, “some of them had seen this creature, this freak of nature, this…” He trailed off, calmed himself, and began again, “they said it was beautiful, and of course Morna couldn’t resist that.”

“Your Grace has not permitted us to venture inland for far too long.” Morna whimpered.

“And she set it on the rest of us to join her. With the guards, since they held the second keys to the tower.”

“We weren’t going to hurt it.” Cut in a servant.

“Just take a look.” Said another.

“Just touch it a little.” Said a third.

“Morna thought it would be asleep when we got there. It was midnight after all.” The man cleared his throat, “but when the guards opened the door, it was awake, like it was waiting for us.”

“Damned beast.” Came the murmur from several of the household, but it was an echo, and Alanis could not place the speakers.

“We weren’t expecting that.” The man put a hand to his forehead, wiping the sweat off his brow. “The guards tried to pin it down on the desk, and Morna almost got close enough but it stabbed her with a quill.”

Morna nursed her bandaged hand but said nothing.

“I tried to help, but there were too many of us to see much of what was happening. There was a lot of screaming, and I think it kicked a few of the guards. Elo fell down the stairs, and by the time I realised what was happening the monster jumped out the window.”

The man swallowed, and lowered his gaze, hands twiddling in front of him nervously.

The rest were silent. All that could be heard was the splashing of the fountain, and the crooning of seagulls.

“I see.” Alanis whispered. “I find it…rather treacherous… that my court sees it as acceptable to take what is mine.”

Silence.

“That man, that monster, you all took to be as free as the wine in the cellar. But which of you is the daughter of the King? Which of you determines what is free for you to do with as you please?”

Silence.

“Take this as a final warning.” She breathed in deeply to settle the rising anger in her spirit, “whoever touches him without my consent will not only lose their hand, but also their place at this castle.”

She let that sink in for a few minutes, before ushering them off to their duties.

In a panicked mess, the household dispersed from the gardens, hurrying off into the castle to prepare breakfast and finish cleaning the grand hall. Alanis was left alone. She sat at the base of the fountain, with her fingers in the water, lost in thought.

After a short while, it came to attention that she was in fact, not alone. She could feel someone watching her, and her gaze darted around the garden until it settled on him.

Cassiel was leaning against a rose archway beyond the fountain, clothed in white, observing her with a certain demeanor of peace.

“Good morning.” Alanis rose at once, for the sake of politeness. And then sat again for the sake of nervousness.

Suppose he had heard what the servants had said? What she had said?

Maidens of mercy do not threaten to cut people’s hands off.

“Good morning, Alanis.” Cassiel approached her leisurely and sat next to her on the edge of the fountain. “The sunrise was quite beautiful.”

Alanis nodded slowly; kept her eyes locked on him, searching his face for clues. But he did not look at her, his gaze was too enamoured by the shimmering waters.

“I apologize for last night.” She said at last, “I promise you it will never happen again. They will not try to-”

“It’s alright.” His voice was a whisper, “I may be weak now, but they are still weaker.”

“It shouldn’t have happened in the first place. It was my responsibility an-”

“Shh.” He shook his head, and his gaze met hers, stern, but also soft, “do not dwell on it. I forgive you.”

Her brow furrowed, “how much did you overhear this morning?”

“All.”

“Then do you forgive me for… my lack of mercy?”

“Lack of mercy?” Cassiel asked, bemused, “please elucidate.”

“Surely you must have heard that I threatened to cut off their hands.”

He paused, “what do you seek from me?”

“I seek the truth. I will not find it from them.”

“The truth? From a monster of the sea? Alanis, I find you are rather concerned with your morality.”

Alanis bit down on her tongue.

“You have been told that you are naïve. And you are. But you wish to justify it with…this idea of morality. Because at least you would have something of merit besides your appearance.”

“I…” She closed her mouth again, hesitated, then gathered her wits to speak, “those are very bold assumptions.”

“Did I not tell you the truth? And is the truth not what you claim to desire?”

“That’s not what I meant…how did you know they call me naïve?”

“I have heard of the Princess of Silthia. Locked away until she should succumb to the nature of her father and accept his way of life. Except she’s very stubborn.” A small smile played on his lips, but it was gone in a second, “many have heard of her.”

“How are your wounds healing?” She asked, hoping to divert the topic.

Cassiel also lowered his gaze to the water, “you put a spell on me.”

“Did it work?”

“It has. Only scars remain. I thank you for that.”

“Did you really mean it?”

He looked up at that, “pardon?”

“That you would be mine evermore.” Alanis suddenly regretted asking, “that’s what you said, don’t you remember?”

“Oh.” He turned back to the water, “yes, I meant it.”

“So does…” She trailed off, “what does that mean? Because when people say things like that on Silthia you know…I think it carries a different meaning.”

“It means whatever you would like it to mean, Alanis.” Cassiel rose slowly, smoothing out his cloak, “I am yours. Do with me what you will.”

He turned to leave, but she grabbed him by the sleeve of his garment, “wait, you haven’t eaten yet, come with me to breakfast, please.”

“Are you certain?”

“Yes. I don’t know what you eat, but there is much to choose from. I’ve had them prepare a good selection.”

“Thank you.”

“So, come.” And taking him by the arm, they made their way to the conservatory, where breakfast was waiting.