“How about we make a deal?” I asked casually. I knew he might be a bad dude but I didn't want him to leave to tell his master what happened here. You never know what your enemy will be planning next. Never. Underestimate. Them. they might come back with something grand, like, i dont know, exploding cats and kill you with them. So I decided to be a little friendly with him. Normally I would do this to any spies who were sent--- simply because they might be innocent and actually have no skills, but this guy…. Was on a whole new level than the other people.

“What kind?” he asked. He seemed awfully at ease even for a spy. He most probably didn't care if he died here or he was full of himself with his skill. Or maybe there was a backup but if there were I would have noticed. Then again I doubted myself, since I didn’t notice him earlier. Maybe his backups were as good at camouflaging as him.

“If either of us manages to cut off one side of a mask and expose their mouths then they have to answer the question about who they are.”

“What if the other person was a bad person?” he asked, unsheathing his sword.

“I dont know.”

“Game on.”

He attacked.

We went forwards and backwards, trying to find the opponent's pattern. Sadly he didn't seem to have a certain pattern of which I knew which was slightly disappointing. It was hard to guess his next moves. Luckily he started panting and his moves were getting weak and sluggish.

Then out of the blue, he threw his sword to me, which was extremely dangerous which was a definite first for me.

He raised his hands up but before I could register that ‘I give up’ sign I angrily cut off one side of his mask, because of his dangerous move.

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Just as the wind blew softly, a cloud seemed to cover the moonlight as it became a shade darker. I might've had the chance to see his face but then I would have to step closer and I was not so bothered to do that.

“Hey, i surrendered-” he complained.

“Well, it was just a ‘To be sure.’” I snapped.

The dude just sighed.“Look, I swear to god that I am not a spy nor an assassin. I was just patrolling around the palace grounds hoping to catch one.” he explained, letting the one side of the mask flapping in the wind.

“And why would you try and catch one?”

“Mostly because I was bored. Plus maybe they have a bounty so I can get the money.” he didn't miss a beat when he answered. Probably not a lie unless he has been fully prepared for meeting someone who will question him. And that thought just made me doubt his answers even more.

Before I could ask who he really was, he spoke.

“Then what about you? Who are you?” he asked.

“Why do you ask? You didn't even….`` I faltered when I realized he cut nearly through all the mask sides. I decided to answer the same way as he did with a little lie. Or maybe not exactly a lie, since nobody managed to even cut a scratch on my belongings.

“Fine. I was just patrolling around just like you and I was planning on spying on spies. Or maybe killing assassins if necessary.” I kind of sounded suspicious so I quickly added, “And I was sent by the Empress herself.”

He opened his mouth to say something but before he could, we heard heavy metal footsteps. It was the knights. I turned around to check if they were any near us and they were quite near. Near enough for me to see the bright torches.

I turned back. Only to find myself alone. I cursed under my breath as I climbed the wall, silently going back to the Imperial Palace.

By the time I reached my room’s balcony I regretted the fact that I didn't follow him. But maybe I will figure it out sooner or later, I reminded myself. Maybe he won't be hard to find if he wasn't hiding in the shadows.

I turned around scanning the room to see if there were any marks of trespassing into my room. I knew very well that my brothers valued my privacy but just in case. I quietly put back the small traps I made back in the closets and changed back into my PJ’s and snuggled back into my bed. My tiredness seemed to catch up with me now. Before I could summarize my busy long day, exhaustion washed over me and I closed my eyes.