Another day of training, another day of getting my ass whooped by Ulric and his ass getting equally whooped by yours truly. Not long after I had first figured out my portalling I had finally learned my last sword technique. Since then my training every day has been on incorporating all the components together and to really fight.

Combine this much-improved skill in sword fighting with a better application of magic to enhance my combat and my danger intuition, and sometimes I felt unstoppable. The danger awareness had grown so strong that I could now sense all attack moves, no matter the weapon before they happened. I was blocking blow after blow from Ulric, and even landing some well-placed hits back.

Although just because I sensed the attacks coming doesn't mean I could stop them. I had received plenty of blows from Ulric's practice sword during our training sessions because he was too fast and too strong for me to defend.

Today was a perfect example. It was the end of our session and I was already very tired. He used a simple ovenfra that I was just too tired to fully defend and it resulted in me being knocked to the ground in an attempt to save my head from being cracked open on the side of his blade.

I lay on the training mat, covered in sweat from the physical exertion I had put my body through. My blood pulsed heavily and I could tell that my skin was flushed. I gasped for breath and grinned up at Ulric. I had found somewhat of joy when it came to sparring with him, especially since we were using practice swords. I knew I couldn't kill him and that he couldn't kill me. But I had never felt so strong and powerful before. To simply use my body and a sword, that was an extension of me, to attack and defend. I didn't need anyone else, I could take of my own and I could even win. The feeling was addicting.

"Next time bring in more magical energy so you can keep your strength up." Ulric leaned down and offered a hand to me to help me up. As I grabbed a hold of his hand I pulled down and swung my leg at his ankle causing him to topple over next to me as well.

"Never let your guard down," I teased. It was a common order he barked at me, frequently followed by a smack by the flat of his sword.

He said nothing, but the familiar pressure grew on my side and lingered around my throat. I knew he was about to launch a sneak attack so the second he pushed himself off the ground, likely to try and strangle me I used the contact with the ground to pull in enough energy to push him back down again. The sound of the wind getting knocked out of him could be heard from the force of being thrown back to the ground and I held his chest firmly into submission as I leaned above him.

"My guard is never down." I tapped my temple. "Danger intuition."

Standing I grabbed my water container and took a few grateful steps. I was still very tired and a little dehydrated from sweating so much.

"A very good lesson today, you have improved greatly. We may even graduate up to real swords soon."

I felt a surge of excitement at the idea. Walking passed the training yards during our lessons I had been growing increasingly fascinated by the sound of the swords clashing. I was nervous to be wielding a real weapon, but I was excited to take the next step in my training.

Leaving Ulric in the training yard I headed back to my room to clean up and change. I would have another "family" dinner tonight. The only problem was that these people were no longer my family, and I don't think they ever were. It made me wonder who my family was? If not my adoptive parents, and if not my real parents, then who was supposed to be my home?

The only thing I was sure of was that I hated my parents with a passion. How could I not? They lied to me my entire life and only sought to kill me. I was not their daughter; I was a means to an end.

My fists clenched in anger as I walked, and I tried to focus on the echoing of my steps on the hard-stone floor. It was only when I heard the second set of steps that contrasted with mine that I finally looked up. The clack of Guinevere's heels felt too loud against my ears after the soft tap of the leather soles of my training boots.

She hadn't noticed my presence and walked into a room I knew to be her bedroom. I felt a small pang of sadness for Guinevere truly had no family either. I always saw us as polar opposites, but in reality, we were destined to the same fate. We were two sides of the same coin with vastly different experiences.

I knew, well I hoped that I knew, that I would be escaping before my death. Guinevere had no idea of such a plot and would be an easy target. She had been manipulated with magical pastries her entire life to bend to the will of those around her. She would die at the hands of those she trusted to be her parents, I was sure of it, and I couldn't let it happen.

I didn't even realize that I was standing in front of Guinevere's bedroom door and requesting entrance by the guard until it was happening. I was even more shocked when she didn't immediately send me away.

The door opened up a small way only allowing her face and a sliver of her dress to show. She wrinkled her nose at my sweaty state, "You look disgusting."

"I was training."

"I never trained that much, never really needed it. There's not much to fight around here."

"There's more than you realize," I muttered.

"What do you want? Why are you here?"

"I was hoping that I could speak to you for a few moments, privately." I glanced at the guards around us knowing that they could not hear a word I told Guinevere.

She paused and I wondered if she would allow me in, but she soon opened the door wider and walked away to sit down on a regal couch, her dress skirts displayed around her.

My eyes wandered around her room, the curiosity suddenly taking over. Guinevere had grown up her entire life in this palace, and it showed. There were nick-knacks and clothes and jewelry everywhere. It looked lived in, and homey. There was even a portrait of her with King Heinrich and Queen Luciana – a family portrait.

"Well don't just stand there gawking, what do you want?"

Turning my attention back to the girl in front of me I moved closer and whispered: "Can I trust you?"

She wrinkled her nose again, seemingly annoyed with the question. "Why does it even matter?"

"I need to tell you something, but I need to make sure you won't tell anyone at all. It's very important. I know we're not the biggest fans of each other, and I'm sorry that I came barging into your life. I never meant to take anything away from you. But I really need to know if I can trust you right now?"

"Fine, yes. I won't tell anyone."

"I came across some information recently. Something dangerous to us both."

She furrowed her pristine brows, confused at my vague reply. "What does that even mean?"

"Let me start over, do you remember those pastries Renatus always serves at breakfast?"

"Ya, what about them?"

"They have magic in them, I've sensed it. I think it changes whoever eats them to be more agreeable and more easily manipulated."

Guinevere outright giggled, "That's preposterous. Why would anyone need that?"

"When they have an agenda that won't be benefiting you."

She frowned. "Like how? Who has some evil agenda?"

"Heinrich and Luciana. I know they are your family, you grew up with them. But they are doing some shady things to gain power and make Elves the superior race."

"They wouldn't do that."

"They already are, and I've seen you agree to some of their policy after you ate the pastries."

She rolled her eyes at me. "This is stupid Amberleigh. I don't know what is running through your head, but you better strike it out soon or else you false the repercussions."

"Look, I don't have much time, I need to get back to my room. But the king and queen have a plot to sacrifice me, and if not me then you, to take all of our power so they can become supreme, unrivaled rulers of Erivale."

"I know."

I felt the air leave my body and my eyes widen. "You know? Then why haven't you said or done anything?"

"Because it's my duty, this is how I am to help my people and be a good queen. Or I guess how you are to now be a good queen."

"Guinevere, you realize you were agreeing to your death. You would have died if I hadn't come back."

"It's my duty, it's how I am to be a great queen," she repeated.

"This is the pastries talking. They have probably been manipulating you with them for years to make you think that this is some noble decision. But it's not. They are being selfish and killing you for their own gain. No parents or family kills one another for the sake of their own gain, that's just wrong."

A small crease formed on her forehead, "They wouldn't do that to me. This sacrifice is to help everybody, and the pastries don't manipulate me."

"But they do Guinevere, don't you see that? You wouldn't be saying any of this if you hadn't have been manipulated. Are you telling me you are really okay with dying? Of no more of the things you loved, the people you loved? I know we don't get alone, but I can honestly say I don't want you to die, Guinevere, especially not in this lie."

Guinevere sighed. "Look, I still don't like you. But I do appreciate that you are trying to help, but I already once accepted my fate and I'm ready to help serve my country in any way I can. I trust in Luciana and Heinrich's decisions, and if you don't go through with it, I will."

I knew there was no getting to her after that. She was lost in the lie; she was lost in the manipulation. It broke my heart even more. She had known this entire time. They made her think that this was okay, that this was right.

"I'm truly sorry," I whispered and left.

In my haste to get back to my room, I nearly ran into Renatus. Stepping away quickly I offered him a polite smile and he bowed to me in greeting.

"Crown Princess Amberleigh, it is quite the pleasure. I haven't seen you in a few weeks, the palace has kept us all busy. I see that your training has been progressing."

I let out a nervous laugh. "Yeah, Ulric is keeping me busy with sword practices and magic lessons. I'm afraid I'm not progressing as well as he would like." I lied.

"Ah, well. I'm sure you will pick it up soon. Magic always needs some type of release to truly understand its reach."

A tickling sensation began on the back of my head and moved inward until I could feel the tingling brush inside my mind. A small jolt of fear went through me, he was trying to read my mind; I couldn't have that. I immediately slammed the sensation out all while trying to keep a relaxed smile.

"Ulric has been trying very hard, but it is difficult to wrap my head around something I can't see."

"Keep trying, I'm sure you will get there soon. If not now, then your ceremony will reveal all. Erivale has big plans for you and you will need to be as powerful as you can if you want to do your duty and be a great queen."

I shivered in fear as I recognized that same phrase from Guinevere only moments before. It just reinforced my suspicion that she was being manipulated.

"I can only hope to be a great queen someday. Now I must go, I am running a little late. I hope you have a great day." Before the last word was even out of my mouth, I was hurrying away from him and his prying magic.