“Report,” I demanded.

“Your Majesty, it appears that this Crow is attending the Winter Solstice pre-party as a plus-one for the son of the Lawerence family,” replied my most trusted subordinate.

I placed my chin upon my hand. “I see. Leon, I want you and your men to observe him from the shadows at the party. Watch his every move, no matter how miniscule.”

Leon kneeled. “As you wish, Your Majesty. My men and I will see to it that your request is fulfilled.”

***

I stood outside the doors, waiting for our arrival to be announced. As if on cue the courtier began.

“Now entering, His Royal Majesty, Nikolas Ivor Eskya and Her Royal Highness, Serena Burke Eskya, with their children, His Royal Highness, Kian Ivor Eskya and Her Royal Highness, Violet Faith Eskya.”

The doors opened, and we walked in. All my subjects were low in bows. My eyes immediately searched for ‘Crow’ and quickly found him. He was attached to the far wall, hunched over. Another attendant of the party, presumably the Lawerence’s son, was right by him, supporting him. One of Leon’s men wasn't too far from them and was observing the whole scene.

I’d have him report on this matter after the party. We walked to the front before turning around. A butler came and handed us all a drink. I raised my hands, and the musicians immediately ceased their music.

“It is a great pleasure to see you all on this fine evening. As you all know, the Winter Solstice Festival will be held tomorrow. With that in mind, I hope everyone enjoys their time tonight and comes to the festival tomorrow,” I said, raising my glass in a toast.

Everyone raised their own drinks, waiting. I took a sip from mine, and they followed my lead.

I placed my drink down on the table. “Start the music and we can have our first dance start.”

The musicians began playing their songs, and the nobles filled the floor, dancing away. I took a seat at the table with my family, not too interested in dancing.

“Father, is it alright if I go down to my friends?” Violet asked.

I turned to her with a smile. “Of course, the whole point of the party is to celebrate with friends and family.”

She shot up from her seat in joy, nearly knocking the table over.

“Violet, remember your manners. Don’t do anything unbefitting of the royal family,” Serena said. I nodded in agreement.

“I’m sorry Mother, it won’t happen again,” Violet replied with a small bow.

This earned Serena’s nod of approval and thus Violet went down to her friends.

I turned to my son. “Kian, do you not wish to socialize with some of the nobles? As the Crown Prince, it would benefit you to do so.”

“Father, they only want to offer their daughter’s hand in marriage to me. It’s distasteful, especially on a celebration such as this,” he replied with disgust on his face.

I sighed. “I understand your apprehensiveness, but you could formally decline them. Just say you aren’t looking for any marriage proposals until after the Winter Solstice celebration is over.”

“Very well, I’ll do as you say,” he replied before getting up.

I scanned the room, and without much effort I found Crow once more. He was leaning against the wall, talking with the Lawerence's son. I observed one of the ladies walk over to him. After exchanging a few words, she walked off. My guess is she asked him to dance.

“I heard he stole the attention of the nobles when he entered. I heard some of the ladies talking about him. Even some of the men were mentioning his looks. It pains my heart to see my husband staring at him as well,” Serena teased.

I looked at her and sighed. “Serena, must you tease me? I am only keeping an eye on him because he is potentially dangerous. He-”

“He resembles ‘him.’ That’s why you are watching him, no?” She interrupted.

“How did you know?” I asked, bewildered.

She looked away. “You seem to forget that I was around the two of you a lot. I know what he looks like; how could I not? But Nikolas, Lucian is dead. I know he was your best friend and what you had to do has plagued you all these years, but please don’t go this far into your grief. Assuming him to be Lucian won’t do anybody any good, nor is it fair.”

“What am I to do if he does end up being Lucian? The past could repeat itself, and more people will suffer. I will not allow that to happen again,” I responded, determined.

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

She sighed as she looked at me with terribly sorrowful eyes.

I turned back to Crow who began looking around. Does he sense Leon’s men? His eyes met mine, and, for a second, I thought he’d recognize me. All he did though was grimace before turning to the Lawerene’s son. Perhaps what Gabriel said about his memory loss was correct, or Serena is right and the two are different people.

I sighed and rested my head on my hand. I observed as the two of them left the party. I looked to Leon who nodded and signaled his men. Two of them left immediately, tailing Crow and his partner.

“Honey, let’s just enjoy the party. Leon’s men are tailing them, so just relax,” Serena said.

I nodded. “You’re right, let’s enjoy the party. I’m sorry to worry you.”

She smiled at me and stood up. I stood up as well, taking her hand and leading her to the dance.

***

The carriage ride to the inn was quiet for the most part. Ali didn’t say much and neither did I. I had the faint sense we were being followed, but there wasn’t much I could do. We soon arrived at the inn, and I thanked Ali for allowing me to attend the party and for him taking me back.

I got out and went up to my room where Asmara was waiting for me.

“Crow! Some more people have shown up!” she alerted me.

I nodded, “I’m aware, they followed me back here from the party.”

“Who do you think they are?” she asked.

“I’m not sure, let’s just get some rest. I don’t feel the best right now,” I responded.

She nodded as I changed out of my clothes and laid down. Like always, she laid on top of my chest and fell asleep. I was both tired and restless as multiple thoughts rushed through my mind. Why did the king seem so familiar? Why was he staring at me? Who are these people following me?

I sighed as my questions only worsened my headache. Before I knew it, I drifted off into a restless slumber.

I woke up the next morning, startled. The tail end of the dream was fading from my memory, and I held my head as I tried to recall what it was about with no luck. I changed into some more common looking but warm clothes.

“Asmara, today is the Winter Solstice Festival, so I’ll be taking you with me,” I said.

She jumped up and down in excitement, “Really?! Oh, thank you Crow! This is going to be so much fun!”

I laughed as I scooped her up and left the inn. I walked down the streets decorated in banisters and adorned with different stalls of food, clothes, and jewelry. I heard a collective gasp of excitement and looked to see people looking up. I did the same and saw snow falling.

I couldn’t help the sound of wonder that escaped my lips. I’m sure I’ve seen snow before, but I couldn’t remember.

Wow, it’s so pretty!” Asmara exclaimed.

I nodded in agreement as I continued to walk down the street. The chatter of the people and the shouts of joy from the children reverberated against the buildings and filled the open space. I eventually made my way down to the town square where a bunch of other people were gathering.

A platform was already set up for the king and his family. Asmara was now perched on my shoulder, looking around in excitement. More and more people filled the square as the day continued on. My stomach growled as the smell of food was carried by the wind.

“Crow, I’m hungry,” Asmara complained.

I smiled, “Alright, let’s go get some food.”

Asmara and I left the town square and went to one of the stalls with food.

“Hello sir, what would you like? We have this new festival food, chicken on a stick,” the vendor stated.

“Ooo, get that Crow!” Asmara demanded happily.

I smiled, “I’ll have two of the chicken on a stick.”

The vendor smiled as he grabbed two of them and handed them to me. I handed him the money for them and went back to the town square. I ate on one and held the other for Asmara to eat off. We made it back just in time to see the king and his family take their places up on the platform.

“Citizens of Orilon, it is with much joy that I stand here for the Winter Solstice Festival. I wish not to take up too much of your time, but please in this time of celebration, keep your loved ones in your thoughts. Enjoy the festival to your utmost ability. As you all know, this celebration is for the gathering of us all, and that is proven with how you’ve all worked together over these past few days preparing everything. With that said, I bid you all a good time,” King Nikolas announced.

This was followed by cheers and the clapping of hands. I watched as the king made his way down the platform with his family not far behind him. It was then that Asmara stopped eating and looked up to one of the buildings. I followed her line of sight and caught a glimpse of a person on top of the building.

“Is it the same people?” I asked.

“No, the others were great at hiding. They are not the same,” she answered.

A pit formed in my stomach as I felt something was wrong. Before I could say anything else, loud explosions sounded throughout the square. People screamed and they ran from buildings. I stood, frozen for a second, staring at the collapsing buildings. I shook my head as the first building fell.

I ran towards the center, hearing parts of people’s frightened conversations.

“IT’S TERRORISTS!” I heard someone exclaim.

Just as quickly as those people arrived, they disappeared all the same. I could actually take the time to look around and survey the surroundings. Multiple buildings were destroyed while some had minor damage. Who could do such a thing and for what purpose? These unknown terrorists, what was their goal causing this destruction?

I heard the crack and felt the ground shake as another building begun to fall. My attention, however, was focused on a mother and her three kids in the building's path. She had looked up as well, but quickly threw herself over her children’s bodies. They seemed to blurrily transform into the vestiges of the woman and children from my dream. As if I had been possessed, I sprinted to them.

Time seemed to slow around me as I ran, and I came before them in a flash, shielding them with my own body. I heard the desperate cries of Asmara who I had left behind as the building fell upon me.