Things were not okay. Not even a month had passed before I received my first letter from Olivia, and she wasn't doing well. According to the letter, the selection process was a scam since it was obvious that Olivia was the one who was supposed to be selected and the royal family was only doing things like this to make it uncomfortable for everyone involved. They tried to turn the other candidates against her, but Olivia was able to smooth things over with everyone so nothing escalated beyond some harsh words said in the heat of the moment. Since it was obvious that their plan wasn't working, they gave up the farce, Olivia was selected, and she was forced to live in the capital under watch. The worst part, though, was that the crown prince barely paid attention to her! "She's your fiancé, you damned-"

"Language," Adam idly chastised from his seat next to me in the carriage. I managed to convince the Count to take me with him to the capital since he was called to attend a meeting there; it was about grain prices, I think. Adam was here because the Count wanted him to get used to the capital since Adam was the heir to the county and would need to get used to coming here.

"I won't say it out loud, once we get there," I replied and stared out the window. Because our county was a major food provider, we had enough money to own a mansion in the capital that we were currently staying at. The mansion wasn't nearly as big as the one back in Gauldrin, but it still held an air of noble elegance, and the servants there avoided me so things were peaceful. Aside from that, the capital itself was a bustling metropolis of brick, stone, and marble that put even Wortrest to shame. The style was similar to Wortrest, Renaissance Era as Olivia called it, but there were considerably more buildings made of marble. Metal poles caped with diamond-shaped crystals that glowed a gentle white light lined the streets and kept them lit day and night; crystals that were denied to those holdings who didn't endorse the wizard's tower.

"When we arrive," the Count said after clearing his throat to get our attention, "I'll need to go directly to the meeting. I don't imagine it will take too long since the nobles who spend all their time in the capital try to do this every year before the solstice." The Count sounded annoyed and Adam looked completely disinterested; he wasn't looking forward to inheriting this headache. "Lucina, since Adam is my heir he is allowed to wander the exterior of the main palace as well as some of the interior, to an extent, so stay with him or else the servants will harass you." Not a 'might', but a 'will'.

"Very well, Count." Getting kicked out too early would ruin my plan of finding Olivia. "I won't…?" My words trailed off as a bright light started to shine through the carriage's window, forcing me to shield my eyes. Looking outside, our carriage was approaching a massive building made of polished marble and decorated with reliefs made of gold; the royal palace. The palace looked to be four stories tall with an addition in the back that was six stories, and the road leading from the front gate to the entrance stairs was lined with marble pillars that were just as tall. The gold reliefs held by the approach pillars depicted famous victories of Urldrusk's past, the previous kings surrounded by their wife or wives, and a few were dedicated to wizards holding their staves and orbs high as if banishing something that was above them. Because of the freshly fallen snow and the beating sun, the palace was like a beacon of light that shined so brightly that my eyes hurt just looking at it.

"It's best not to look directly at the palace." Adam seemed to read my mind as he adjusted himself in his seat to not have the glare hit him in the face. As we finished our approach, a lion made of marble with a golden mane stood majestically atop an ornate fountain that we had to ride around to reach the entrance. Despite being the dead of winter, the fountain was still spewing water that steamed when it hit the cold air; another gift from the wizard's tower. "Let's go," Adam said as we exited the carriage and he held out a hand to help me down.

"Thank you." It was hard to move properly in my winter coat and dress, so I appreciated the help. The air bit our faces as a gust of wind howled through the palace courtyard we had to cross to enter the main building. Adam didn't let go of my hand, and even through our gloves, I could tell he was tense about being here. Servants and officials occasionally passed us by as we approached the building and I could feel curious stares from the windows on the upper floors.

"Count Felswore!" When we entered the massive entrance hall of the palace whose ceiling was four stories above us, a woman in her late fifties with long, wavy black hair and dull blue eyes approached us. Instead of a dress, she wore thick black dress pants and looked to be in a formal military uniform with a fur-lined cape trailing behind her. A neutral smile played on her lips as she saw us.

"Greetings, Duke Mordrist," the Count said and gave a bow, followed by Adam and myself. "Has the meeting started already?"

"No, they're still bickering about the military's budget, so you're plenty early," the Duke answered and waved her hand dismissively in the air. "We're at peace, but some of those old snakes are still demanding increases to the budget." Her eyes moved from the Count to my brother and I. "I recognize the young Lord, but the one next to him?"

"Lucina Felswore greets the Duke of Sevette," I said and gave a curtsy.

"So, the rumored daughter makes her appearance." There was a playfulness in the Duke's voice and her expression was unreadable with her neutral smile unchanging. The Count looked like he was about to say something, but I wanted to show that such statements didn't bother me.

"I'm glad I'm already famous despite not having debuted, yet." I gave her the practiced smile I used whenever I ignored the badmouthing I would hear at Wortrest during gatherings from the other nobles.

"They aren't good rumors." She cocked an eyebrow at me and looked amused.

"Then, I won't have to deal with annoying suitors when I come of age and can find someone who truly loves me despite the rumors."

"…Haha!" The Duke let out a laugh and her expression softened into an openly friendly one. "Your daughter's already got a good head on her shoulders, Count," she laughed and looked to the Count who was sighing into his hand. "You know, I've got a grandson who's unmarried, Lady Lucina," the Duke said while giving me a sly smile.

"Lord Harold is already eighteen, Duke," the Count cleared his throat to interrupt the Duke's flow.

"And he's still single!" the Duke exasperated before jokingly adding, "If I don't do something, he'll stay that way for the rest of his life since my son seems to be content with letting him be. Besides, their age gap wouldn't be the biggest in the kingdom." She seemed to be on good terms with the Count to openly joke about such topics, so I didn't mind.

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"Count Felswore!" A servant ran up to our group and bowed before continuing, "The meeting is about to begin, please follow me!"

"It seems I've kept you too long," the Duke chuckled as she turned to leave. "Please, send my regards to the Countess."

"Thank you, Duke." My father gave a bow before turning to us and saying, "This shouldn't take long, so don't wander too far."

"We won't," Adam replied and the Count headed off with the servant. As Adam led me down a separate corridor I felt a pair of eyes watching me from behind, and when I turned I saw Duke Mordrist meandering in the opposite direction while watching me from the corner of her eye. She gave me a confident smile before Adam and I disappeared down the hall from her sight, but I couldn't shake the feeling of her eyes watching me.

"Is the Duke usually this friendly?" I asked Adam to pass the silence we found ourselves in. The servants were giving hushed glances in my direction.

"Only if she likes you," Adam replied. "Duke Mordrist is friendly with the Ordrins, so we should mind ourselves with anyone from the Sevette duchy to not sour the relationship. Luckily, she likes spunky kids."

"How could you call your own sister spunky?"

"Because I don't want to lie to you." Even though his tone was dry, I knew Adam was joking. After all these years I finally got a read on and figured him out, and Adam just sucks at being expressive. It's not that he doesn't feel emotions, his face and voice just naturally remain neutral with only minor deviations. "I believe Lady Olivia is staying in the east wing, so just keep holding my hand and I'll take you there." I know he cares, and that's enough.

"You there, halt and show reverence!" Adam and I were interrupted going to the east wing of the palace by a boy who was my age defiantly standing in the middle of the hall. His clothes looked to be made of the most expensive fabrics and were a brilliant pure white accented with golden trim. He was about as tall as Olivia, so almost a full head taller than me, and the smugness of his expression could be smelled from where I was despite him being over twenty feet away. Both his hair and eyes glistened and shimmered a brilliant gold; the mark of the royal family. He approached Adam and I and stood a few feet away.

"Adam Felswore greets Urldrusk's Little Lion, Your Highness James Arlexton." Adam let go of my hand and gave a deep bow. So, this was the worthless fiancé who was ignoring Olivia. His face looks really punchable, but I can't openly attack a member of the royal family so let's see how good you are with your head, James.

"Lucina Felswore greets Urldrusk's Little Cub, Your Highness James Arlexton."

"!?!" James' face went from a smug smile to a confused frown, and I felt my brother flinch from fear while still bowing next to me. There were some servants in the hall with us and they all froze when I gave my greeting.

"How dare you!?" Suddenly, Derik Ordrin stepped out from behind James and took an aggressive step towards me.

"Greetings, Lord Derik," I kept my smile and showed no fear, "I didn't see you there, you were hiding behind the crown prince so well. Shouldn't his escorts be more proactive?" He had a shortsword sheathed on his belt.

"Wha-!?"

"Correct yourself!" James, seeming to not want the stupidity limelight taken from him, stepped forward and crossed his arms across his chest.

"Correct myself?" I said in as innocent a voice as I could. "I am sorry, Your Highness, but I don't know what I need to correct."

"Don't waste your time on a bastard, Your Highness," Derik spat in my direction and tried to distract James so he wouldn't pay me any mind.

"No!" But, James wasn't having it. "You called me a 'cub' when I'm a lion!" He puffed out his chest and proudly declared for all to hear, "I am the Little Lion of Urldrusk!"

"…But, Your Highness, that's what I said." Will he say the right thing, or blunder into an obvious trap? Even if we're both eight, he's the crown prince so he must have some semblance of a brain to not fall for such a simple wordplay.

"How are 'cub' and 'lion' the same!?"

"They're not!" Derik chimed in.

"…" Ah, I almost revealed my real smile for a second there. To think, these boys might one day take Olivia's life… How disgusting. At least I also get to embarrass Derik, too, in front of the watching servants. I gave a slight gasp and covered my mouth while looking at Derik and proclaimed, "Lord Derik! How could you lie to His Highness like that!?" Adam had risen from his bow and was giving me a cautious look out of the corner of his eye, but he wasn't stopping me.

"Lie? I have not lied to His Highness!" Derik growled and clenched his fist to appear intimidating. "Bastards like you are always playing tricks, it seems."

"Then, you're that ignorant at your age!?" I gasped.

"Wh-!?" Before he could try and refute me, I bowed deeply to James.

"Your Highness, I ask that you please be merciful as Lord Derik did not mean to lie to you. I just believed it was common knowledge that a young lion is called a cub." Both James and Derik had a dumbfounded expression on their faces. Come on, Derik, let your anger get the better of you like you usually do.

"O-Of course I know what a cub is!" James said before Derik could defend himself.

"Ah, I'm glad," I said with a warm smile. "I'm glad Urldrusk's Little Cub is so wise."

"Wait, no! You did it again!" James said while raising his voice even louder. More servants and even some officials were now taking notice of what was happening. "That's not right!"

"What's not right?" I tilted my head in confusion.

"I'm a little lion!"

"Yes, you are, Your Highness."

"Then call me properly!"

"But, a cub is a young lion."

"I know that!"

"That a cub is a little lion?"

"Yes!"

"So, you're Urldrusk's Little Cub?"

"Yes!...?" When James realized what he agreed to, his cheeks went red as it seemed like he finally understood his situation. If he continued to make a fuss while so many people were watching then it would only make him look naïve to lose such a simple wordplay to a young lady, but if he let it go then he would look weak for letting me openly call him a cub. He was a lot more gullible than I thought. I don't think Olivia would have trouble with someone of James' standards, so why was she having such a hard time wi-?

"Lucina!?" Ah, right, who needs brains when you have brawn. By the time I heard Adam's cry, I was already on the floor from Derik slapping me across the face with all his strength. It took him long enough to lose his cool.

"A lowly bastard child dares speak to His Highness like this!?" Derik stood over me with a murderous look in his eyes. Nervous whispering danced along the halls of the palace, whispers Derik seemed oblivious to as he remained where he was. Also, while I couldn't see my own face, I could tell he left a big mark on my cheek.

"Lord Derik, please, calm yourself!" Adam knelt down and started helping me to my feet. As I rose, I looked down the hall from where Adam and I came from and noticed some familiar figures rushing toward us. One more push should do it.

"!?!" I angled myself so that only Derik could see my face and I gave him a cocky smile. "Bastard!" Derik reached for his sword.

"Derik Ordrin!" Richard Ordrin's voice boomed through the hall as he, Duke Mordrist, and a few officials came to investigate the commotion. Judging by Duke Mordrist's smile, I guess she was the one who tipped off Duke Ordrin that something was happening.

"F-Father?" Derik's hand froze on the hilt of his sword as he finally realized the amount of eyes that were staring into him. His hand dropped to his side, but the damage was done. "I-"

"For what reason were you about to draw your sword on a mere child!?" the Duke's anger made Derik take a step back; even I had never seen him so angry before. "Is your skin so soft!?"

"S-She insulted His Highness!" Derik attempted to justify himself by hiding behind James. Everyone turned to James who looked like he had a frog in his throat. Too bad for Derik, but it seems like James is also a coward who dislikes unwanted attention from an angry Duke.

"…There was a slight misunderstanding, but it wasn't anything major," James said to the dismay of Derik. "Stand down, Derik."

"…" Derik grit his teeth in frustration and embarrassment before stepping behind James.

"It seems we've created a commotion, Duke Ordrin, and I was unable to properly teach your son the dignity befitting of a royal guard." Wow, the coward could be diplomatic, after all. "Please accept my apology, and allow me to summon the royal physician to check on the young Lady's wound. You there," he addressed one of the servants, "Escort the young Lady and Lord to a side room while they wait."

"At once, Your Highness," the servant gave a bow and hurried over to Adam and I. "Please, follow me."

"…Thank you." I wanted to say more, but I already achieved more than enough so I held my tongue and accepted the escort and physician. Since things seemed to have been solved, many of the gawkers started to disperse to begin spreading rumors around the palace which, while not originally in my plan, was a good thing since I knew these rumors would reach Olivia's ears. She would definitely find me.

"…I appreciate your maturity and grace, Your Highness," the Duke controlled himself and addressed James. He still looked heated and a little of it came out as he turned to Derik, "Derik, I would like to remind you that you not only represent the royal family as His Highness' guard, but you also represent the Holst duchy as my heir." The Duke's eyes burned with anger. "Lady Lucina is no bastard, she is a legitimate Felswore and this fact has been proven by Elder Arkin. This ends here."

"…" Derik didn't respond, but his knuckles were probably turning white under his gloves from how clenched his fists were. I couldn't help but smile to myself because of how well that went. Luckily, Adam didn't seem to notice my smile, or if he did then he didn't say anything, and just silently escorted me with the servant to the room.