Aneira slept uninterrupted for the first time since their arrival at the palace. They woke with a start, afraid they’d overslept and missed dinner. Rolling off the bed and running to the door.

“Lady Bellaire?” Aneira asked. Lady Bellaire stood to attention but she flinched and held her injury. “I didn’t miss dinner did I? I told Roskva I’d be there.”

“No your majesty.” Lady Bellaire sat back down with a hiss of pain. “I haven’t been notified anyway.” Aneira sighed in relief.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you stand up.” Aneira said, “Does it hurt?”

“Yeah, but it’s all okay.” Lady Bellaire said, “Well worth it for your safety. How are you doing? Sounds like you got a bit of sleep.”

“I did yes,” Aneira admitted. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.”

“Almost being assassinated really takes it out of you.” Lady Bellaire smiled. “The captain’s looking into it, but the force is a bit weighed down by dealing with the undead.”

“Right.” Aneira nodded, then sighed exhausted again. “Another thing I need to work out a solution for.”

“Do you think it has anything to do with your powers?” Lady Bellaire asked, Aneira nodded wordlessly. “I guess if you had any real information the problem would be solved by now, huh?” Aneira offered a small smile in confirmation.

“It’d be too easy for it all to be in a handy guidebook or something,” Lady Bellaire said tiredly. Aneira laughed despite themself.

“Maybe I should write one.” Aneira said, but their attention was caught by a ghostly girl entering the room.

“Excuse me,” Aneira said to Lady Bellaire. Returning to the bedroom. They put themself back together. Smoothing out their clothes and putting their jet black hair back up.

“Your majesty, the traitor is willing to speak to you.” The ghostly girl said.

“Calm yourself.” Aneira said, “And may I know your name?”

“It’s Kaylee.” The girl said with a childish giggle, even blushing a little. “I’ll tell him you’d like to see him.”

“Thank you.” Aneira said. They waited as Kaylee disappeared through the door without opening it. Aneira took a breath and sat down to wait. They didn’t have to wait long, as the assassin came sheepishly into the room.

“I don’t have to say anything. I can haunt you to your death and then I still get paid.” He said determinedly.

“That is fair I suppose.” Aneira said diplomatically. “But who would tell your boss it was you that killed me? I’m the only one who can see and hear you.” The assassin’s face fell then bounced back.

“I can regain my body!” He said.

“And you’d be in custody.” Aneira reminded. “May I ask a question? You said you’d get paid, but I don’t think you can take riches into the afterlife, so why be so preoccupied?”

“I need it for my family.” The assassin admitted. He stared at Aneira but seeing their unchanged demeanor he sighed and collapsed. “My family is in the poor district and I wanted my younger siblings to have something more than me.”

“I can relate to that.” Aneira smiled. “That’s why I took the throne, so my baby sister can have everything. Can you tell me who your family is? I’ll have them cared for.”

“You mean that? You aren’t saying that to have them all executed are you?” The assassin asked. Aneira’s eyes widened in horror.

“Of course not!” They said shocked. “Why do you think I would do that?”

The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“Because the old king would. If you didn’t succeed in your assassination you’d be executed and so would your family.” The young man said, he sat on the floor. “I can’t tell you who hired me to kill you. All the correspondence was done through writing.”

“But I was your target.” Aneira said, “What about Roskva?”

“No. Roskva wasn’t on my list. Just you and Lady Callafon.” the young man said. “She’s okay, kinda glad I didn’t kill her. It’d be a lot harder being dead with her here too.”

“I’d be less receptive if you had killed someone.” Aneira said, “But if you give me that family name I’ll have them given a care package and condolences for their loss.”

“Thank you. And, I’m so sorry.” The young man said.

“That’s alright. Desperation makes us do silly things.” Aneira said, “While your death is unfortunate, it is fortunate you didn’t do anything you couldn’t take back.”

“Yeah. Is there anything you can do about the whole… being dead thing?” He asked.

“I’m not sure.” Aneira said. “But I’ll let you know if there is.” The boy nodded. He slowly floated up to his feet, still unsure how to navigate being a ghost.

“My family’s name is Trembly.” He said before he floated away. Aneira nodded, allowing a little shiver as they allowed themself to feel the fear they’d held back. Aneira walked out of the bedroom and past the confused Lady Bellaire. They went to the door and stepped out.

“Page?” They called, and a young teen appeared. “Organize a condolences package and a small sum for the family Trembly in the old town. Have them come to verify and claim the deceased assassin as well please.”

“Excuse me?” Lady Bellaire asked in disbelief. “The kid tries to kill you and your paying off the family? Doesn’t that seem like the wrong message to be sending?”

“I want to send the message that if you’re deperate you don’t need to resort to murder.” Aneira said. Then turned back to the page. “Call the council back again. We seem to have more to discuss regarding the old town.”

“Yes, your majesty.” The page bowed and ran off.

“Wow,” Lady Bellaire said. “You’re really dedicated to cleaning up this kingdom. Are you sure you aren’t going to stay?” Aneira paused.

“I don’t know.” They said finally. “Are you accompanying me to the war room?”

“Of course I am. You can’t escape me.” Lady Bellaire grinned, still holding her side.

“Even if I make the suggestion you should rest and not over exert yourself and your wound?” Aneira asked.

“Even then.” Lady Bellaire nodded. “But I will take your suggestion under advisement.”

“Well as long as you’re doing that, remind me to rename the war room. It’s a silly name for a meeting room.” Aneira said as they walked down the hall.

“I don’t think that’s something you can do.” Lady Bellaire said, following behind them. “I think that’s just what it’s called and you can’t really get everyone on board with calling it something else.”

“If we don’t try, we’ll never know.” Aneira said.

“Can I ask a more sensitive question?” Lady Bellaire asked, grabbing Aneira’s hand to stop them from walking away. “How do you know who the assassin is?” Aneira stayed silent. Trying to figure out how to answer the question. There didn’t seem to be a good way.

“Aneira. I know you have supernatural abilities. Is this one of them?” Lady Bellaire asked.

“Yes.” Aneira said quietly. “I can see and hear the dead.” Lady Bellaire’s eyes went wide.

“All of them?” She asked. Aneira nodded. “Are there many?”

“In the palace? Yes.” They said. “But we’ve come to an understanding and I’m given peace now.”

“I had no idea. I am so sorry.” Lady Bellaire said, squeezing Aneira’s hand. “Did you speak to the assassin?”

“Yes. He’s a nice kid. And sorry he hurt you,” Aneira said. “It might not mean much but-”

“Did he say who sent him?” Lady Bellaire asked.

“He says they never met. Only correspondence.” Aneira shook their head.

“I think we both know who it was.” Lady Bellaire said bitterly. Aneira shook their head.

“I don’t know what to think anymore.” They said. “What if we are misjudging?”

“He said he knew your secret. He’s openly wanted you gone.” Lady Bellaire huffed, she crossed her arms.

“Gone isn’t the same as dead.” Aneira said, “Come on, I want to be there before the rest of the council is.”

“I’m not changing my mind without proof.” Lady Bellaire said, walking alongside Aneira down the halls.

“I understand, but I have to remain as impartial as I can. It’s unbecoming of a King to condemn on emotion and not proof.” Aneira said, clenching their jaw but conceding. “And I guess as it stands, I am taking the throne.”

“Glad to hear it.” Lady Bellaire smiled. “We can agree to disagree for now. But in the end I will be telling you I told you so and I might even do a victory dance.”

“If that’s on the line, I hope I am right.” Aneira smiled. Lady Bellaire mockingly sneered at them.

“You want to see it, you know you do.” She laughed. Wincing as the laughter caused her pain. Aneira started but Bellaire cut them off. “I am fine and you aren’t going to convince me to sit down or relax.” Aneira shrugged and rolled their eyes.