"Keep your cloak hood up, and hair tucked back. We cannot risk your identity being known as we move through the streets."

I was vibrating with nerves and excitement as Marco pushed my hair into the depths of my patched cloak, which matched his own. Killer, having insisting on coming, wore the same, and had abandoned his armour in favour of leathers, which suited him far more.

Marco had once told me of the pathways beneath the keep, but having just seen them for myself, I was blown away. Deep, dark tunnels, lit only by carried torches, spreading in every direction. Perfect for quick escapes or secret dealings.

I can finally see the city I will one day protect..!

"Stick close by us, no matter what. Have you instructed your handmaiden to keep visitors at bay-yoi?" The Lord asked me, adjusting a large back that was slung over his shoulder.

"Perona gladly agreed to turn away any who may wish to see me. For all they know, I am simply taking a lengthy bath." I smiled, proud of my risky deceit, however minuscule.

Nodding once, Marco turned and opened the stone door before us, revealing a loud, busy street, shadowed and dank. The sudden eruption of noise caused me to shrink back, bumping into the figure behind me.

"I'll be right behind you, Your Grace." Killer spoke to me in a hushed tone, and I felt a quick relief. It was funny, how easily he could calm me with so few words. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out behind Marco and braced myself.

The first thing that hit me was the horrific stench. A brew of shit and decay that assaulted my senses to the point where my eyes began to water.
"M..Marco, why does it smell so foul..?!" I hissed quietly, making sure I stayed almost sandwiched between the two men.

"I told you the reason. Poverty. Did you think the common people were blessed with maesters, baths, or even fresh water-yoi?" He turned to look at me, unphased by the stink. "Poor diet leads to distressed bowels, alcohol to drown their sorrows leads to vomit-streaked gutters, and when someone dies, it could be days before bodies are removed."

This cannot be true..?

Oh, but it could be. I was seeing it for myself. My shoulders bumped others as we made our way through the overcrowded street, and my borrowed boots stuck to thick, gunky puddles of gods knew what.

"Watch it, daft fucker!" A man barged my shoulder with his own as he pushed past, and I fell backwards into Killer, who caught me against his chest.
"You okay, Your Grace?" He whispered through his helm, but I could feel the faint warmth of his breath and it sent a tingle down my spine. One that rivalled the shudder of fear.

"Y..Yes..." I stammered in reply, gulping as I rushed to keep up with Marco, even though he had slowed to ensure we wouldn't be left behind. "I...would feel much safer if you were to perhaps hold my hand, Killer..?"

I felt a fool to ask such a thing. I was a grown woman, after all, but I had never experienced anything beyond the castle walls. I was scared, and he was my homely comfort. Without a word, Killer took hold of my hand and kept my close by his side, guiding the way so I could focus on not succumbing to panic.

"Where are we going?" He piped up once we got closer to Marco again, and the hooded Lord motioned ahead, down a narrow side street.
"Firstly, a safe place-yoi." He turned to me as he patted the bag he had brought along with him. "I have told you that I work around the city, but today I shall show you one of the many things I do without the crown's knowledge."

All I could do was follow. I was definitely curious about what Marco had been up to for so many years, whenever he ventured out into the world, but I still kept my hand tightly gripping Killer's. The leather of his gloves was warm, and I clung to it.

The Lord stopped in front of a rickety old door and rapped his knuckles against it thrice, and I flinched closer into my protector's side when it opened with a creak. A beautiful woman stood before us, though dishevelled and dirty, a smile lighting up her otherwise tired face.

"Oh, we weren't expecting a visit any time soon, My Lord!" The woman gasped, the loud screeches and hollers of pitched voices nearly drowning her out from within the building.
"I hope we're not intruding, Makino. Thought you could all use some good fortune-yoi."

So she knows who he is?

"Bless you, My Lord. You're such a kind soul. Please, come in. Excuse the state of things..." Stepping aside, the woman named Makino motioned for us to enter, and I followed my companions inside.

Children. At least fifteen, maybe twenty of them, of all different ages, running around and messing about. Their clothes were torn and stained, their hair knotted and unwashed.

Once the door was closed behind us, Marco removed his hood and cleared his throat. All of the children stopped to turn to him, and I could hardly begin to describe the excitement that spread across their faces.
"Marco!" They all seemed to shout in unison, rushing towards him like a swarm of locust.

"Sorry it's been so long, sweetlings!" He laughed, nearly being bowled over when they crashed into him, clinging to every limb he had.
"Where did you go this time?!"

"How many days did you ride on a ship?!"

"Do ya have a wife yet?!"

"Did you see any dragons?!"

It was an endearing sight, and Marco did his best to greet every single one of them. So this was what he had been up to?
"I've been to the east, two months, no, and again, no, I'm sorry-yoi." He laughed, picking up one of the smaller children. "I brought some friends with me this time, though, but you have to swear to me that you won't speak a word about them. Promise?"

The children all agreed in an instant, and Marco turned and nodded to me. A signal to take off my hood. Hesitant, I looked around the room for a few moments before I finally released Killer's hand, reaching to pull my hood down to my shoulders.

The only sounds to break complete silence were a few gasps, and I stood there unmoving, terrified of what would come. If the realm truly hated my father, then what would people think of me?

"Y..Your Grace..?!" Makino gasped loudly once my identity registered, clumsily trying to gather her skirt into a curtsey.
"P..Please! There is no need to be so formal!" I insisted, just as nervous.

"The Princess!" Several of the younglings rushed towards me, bouncing on their heels and grasping the skirt of my cloak.
"And it's Ser Massacre Soldier!" Another few swarmed Killer, who had joined me in removing his hood.

They're so adorable..!

"I..It is a pleasure to meet all of you." I tried to give them my most genuine smile, but I was still very skittish. I was completely out of my element.
"Please, Your Grace, take a seat! I feel so foolish for not recognising you sooner!" Makino began to fluster, and I turned to her.

"Not at all, My Lady! I expect no special treatment! Lord Marco here was kind enough to sneak me out to see the city for the first time, so I would much prefer to be treated as you would any other person!" I insisted, but still allowed her to usher me to a chair.

Whilst I was already numbing to the smell, it still soured my nostrils. These were no conditions for children, and the small size of the rooms I could see told me they were severely overcrowded.

"I want you all on your best behaviour-yoi! The Princess is very dear to both myself and Ser Killer here, so no roughhousing with her!" Marco warned them, jesting with a mildly stern tone. "Now, I have brought fresh bread, fruit and vegetables for all of you! Who's hungry?!"

I sat and watched as Marco pulled the bag from his shoulder and began handing out the food he had brought them. Guilt began to gnaw at my conscience, seeing him knelt there, surrounded by children in need. I had treated him so poorly, all without hearing him out.

"My Lady Princesss, Miss?" I blinked out of my thoughts as a young boy crawled up into my lap. He couldn't have been older than seven, maybe eight.
"Oh, hello there, good ser. What might your name be?" I asked him, helping him get comfortable atop my knee.

"Kitton, Your Princess Graceness!" He responded, puffing his small chest out proudly. "I saw you once, when I was real young! My grandfather was in the Royal Guard!" I was so glad that the child felt comfortable enough to come so close to me without hesitation.

"Oh, was he really? What might his name be? I may know him." I asked curiously, hoping that I had met him so we could further our conversation.
"Nah, he died pretty soon after that. That's why I'm here with Makino."

Oh...Wait, so all of these children are without families..?

My heart hurt deep within my chest. That explained why so many were living in such close quarters. Had they all lost parents and guardians to the duties of the Royal Guard?
"I heard you was looking for a man to marry. I'm super strong, and all of those Lords I saw heading to your castle are ugly. You should pick me!"

This is too cute. My heart cannot take it!

Smirking, I reached to ruffle Kitton's hair, uncaring that it was thick and sticky.
"Whilst I agree most of them are, I do not think I am worthy of such a gentleman as yourself."

As the boy laughed, I glanced over to Killer to see how he was faring. He was still standing where I had left him, however now he had a child in each arm, and one attempting to scale his leg to join them. It was a heart-warming sight to behold.

"I saw your fight at the Tourney, Ser! Some of us sneakeded in and watched from the stable entrance! You're so strong!" The little girl in his arms gushed, eyes sparkling with excitement at the memory. "That stupid King was so mean! He nearly took your head!"

Stupid King. That about sums him up.

"The Princess saved your life!" The girl in his other arm chimed in, one hand resting on the side of Killer's striped helmet. "You swore yourself to her after that, right? Do you love her? Are you two gonna get married and have a bunch of royal knight babies?"

My hand flew to cover my mouth and nose as I held back a snort of laughter, seeing Killer stiffen at the question. Children certainly had no filter, and I was curious to see how he would respond.

"I did swear myself to her..." He began, awkwardly standing there, slightly askew due to the little boy trying to climb his side. "There's nothing I wouldn't do to keep her safe and happy. Can't marry her though, I'm afraid. I'm no Lord. Sorry to, uh, disappoint, My Ladies..."

Why does Lordship matter..?

Killer's helmet turned, and when I realised he was looking at me, I smiled softly.
"Quickly, sweetlings! Anyone who hasn't gotten food yet better hurry-yoi!" Marco called out, and the children who had been suffocating Killer, along with Kitton, bounded towards him.

My blond guard approached me, to stand close by my side, as he usually did, and I maintained my smile.
"You are great with the children. It gladdens me." I complimented, hands clasped in my lap.
"When I was ten, I took on raising my brother, so I guess I just have practice..." He replied, rubbing at the faint hand print one of the girls had left on his helmet.
"I was unaware you had a brother, Killer?"

The two of us quickly straightened up when Makino came over to us, a small baby now in her arms.
"Your Grace, I want to assure you that your visit shall remain a secret. The children know not to mention Lord Marco's gifts and visits, so you can rest easy knowing they will keep yours to themselves as well."

I nodded my thanks, standing so I could fawn over the infant in her arms.
"I appreciate that, Lady Makino. I will also be doing everything in my power to ensure things will improve for all of you. If I had known sooner that Marineford was in such a state...I would have fought for better conditions..."

Orphaned children, death and disease on the streets, starving citizens...How could my father let this happen?

Makino's smile was so very kind, and it nearly brought me to tears. The exhaustion in her features was clear, and I couldn't imagine what she had been going through, trying to care for not only herself, but so many children in need.

"You truly are the jewel of Marineford, Your Grace. It's no wonder why the people adore you." She murmured, and I tilted my head to the side.
"I am curious...I have never met anyone outside of high-born families. However could they come to such a conclusion about me?"

Makino glanced to Killer, then over her shoulder to Marco before turning back to me, smile growing.
"My Princess, you do realise that the castle staff all come from where we are now? Word spreads of your kindness and compassion for those who serve you. It has been some time since someone of royal blood has shown respect towards people like us."

People like us? I see no difference, aside from thr families we were born to. This is not right.

Marco had been right. What my father was doing, or wasn't doing, was destroying what he had sworn to protect upon taking the throne. It was unforgivable, and I couldn't fathom how he could let people live in such a way.

Reaching out, I placed a hand on Makino's shoulder, my eyes locking onto hers and trying to show my sincerest resolve.

"I swear to you, on the old gods and the new, when I become Queen, no matter who I am forced to marry, I will fix this. You have my word..."

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***Wanted to pump out one more chapter before I have a LONG work week. Depending on how dead I am, I might be able to pump one or two more out during breaks or before I crash out xD

Also, my Killer arrived!

He flip.

Next Time: To End on a High Note***