"Sire, your mother requests your presence in the south court." My informant clad in the jester garbs of an honorable servant told me just as I woke up.

It had been a boring night, after a boring day, and so as all the days and nights before that. I simply have nothing to say, as I never do. My life is always the same as it always has been just like these times; and the word for it is to nobody's surprise, boring.

"I'll arrive shortly, what is the matter for which my presence is required?" I asked. I wish I didn't talk in these lame riddles all day, it seemed pointless but I doubt anyone could understand the outdated street tongue. A person with the knowledge of it was considered vulgar and uncultured, imagine what would happen to the great king if they knew he uses it.

"Captain Zarias has apprehended somebody that may be of interest to you from the Brooklyn borough last night."

"Who?" I impatiently asked. Why must I think of my reply every time I fucking-

Wait, I have never used that word in a long time, not since... Well, best to leave that for another time. No need to go down memory lane.

"... a young girl.... treason ...theft... murder... roguish little beast..." Was all I could hear through his mumbles. I paid it no mind, as he was rightfully scared. Today was my day off, and any complainers, admirers, askers, etcetera, were to be taken in for my scientist's test subject if he wished to perform any experiments today.

I smirked to myself. Well, I suppose I have myself an outlet to release these emotions. Another toy to play with and nobody having the authority to do anything about it.

I combed my long hair, which I recall I had to cut short when Father wished that I at least look civilized if I could not act as such, yet little did he know that my most uncivilized act was killing him. I didn't care much for my hair either, but the practice of keeping it as it was was a memorial to the only one that liked my hair long. The only one who's opinion mattered to me, no matter how erratic it was.

"Tell the team to move into the main court, I require access to all my resources. And see to it that the girl is uncontaminated, I recall Brooklyn is a badland now. Her blood being spilt on the floor may be hazardous if it's diseased. " I said as a handmaiden helped my coat on.

"But my lord, Lady Crane-

"Escort her back to her wing, I presume she has already bonded with the girl enough to probably offer her to me for marriage, and I would not want her to do so anymore. Those humans die out faster than fire these days and it would be a shame to see mother be disheartened over such trivial matters."

"Very well." He said in disdain, as if he wanted me to prance around throwing flower petals on everything instead of ruling the kingdom as everyone had burdened me so.

"Oh, and have Zarias and Grail present. I need their presence when I am interrogating Quinn. That'll be all."

As I was walking towards the north court, mother dearest just had to cross my path as she was walking around looking for me with widened eyes, as if she'd seen a ghost. She looked distraught, which immediately sparked my concern.

"Mother, what happened? Did the prisoner-

"It- it's her, it- it's Th-Theo d- dora!" My mother sputtered.

She's lying, it is not possible! Was the first thing that came to mind, just as it did when others referred to this. However, this was my mother who had said this and to not trust ones own mother is worse than trusting your father's killer. Since I do not trust myself and my mother is known for her honest and kind spirit, I knew she was telling the truth. Now, when I say that she was telling the truth still does not mean I believe her.

My forehead subconsciously formed worry lines as my eyes were staring into the floor, I was unsure of how to respond. Over these two years, there had been several sightings, mentions, and accusations against a girl by the name of Quinn who was said to have resembled the face of my Theodora. The Theodora who taught me the olden ways of the early second millennium, the damn street tongue which she herself by some means had the knowledge of. She was a mystery, a scorned one at that. She may have changed her name, and it may be that her alias could refer to an ancient fictional character but it just was not true. I wonder if she knew of her indiscreet reputation.

My mother is most likely confused, although I must see this Quinn for myself. I thought, and kept walking onwards without answering my mother.

Even then, a question still lingered in my mind. If for argument's sake, this Quinn or Theodora girl managed to stay hidden for two years even with a lousy job of covering her tracks, how was she apprehended in only a matter of one night now and who informed the royal guard about her? Because her capture was the only excuse Zarias's team had for being there.