"Sara, Sara come over here." the voice called from a distance but Sara didn't flinch, her eyes were fixed on the sword as she swung it about trying to get the perfect cut. She swung to the left, then to the right, adjusting her body each time to the movement. The air whooshed at the diagonal slash of the humid air.

"Sara? Sara come on." the voice called again, closer this time but she paid it no mind, whoever it was would get tired and go their way.

"Sara...." the voice shouted out the third time much closer to where she stood bare footed on the palace training grounds. Startled, the sword dropped from her hands with a clang. Fuming, Sara turned to see who the disturbance was.

Sara crossed her arms, "Richard, I almost perfected that move." she sighed at her second cousin who was already dragging her off the palace grounds.

"That isn't as important as what I'm about to show you." replied Richard.

Sara knew better than to object, so she put on her boots and quietly followed all the while wondering about what could drag Richard from his paintings.

A while later of dragging and following, they got to the market square, Sara's eyes widened at the gathered crowd all facing the lone fountain. Richard still held her hand as they moved closer to the crowd, a way through was immediately formed as soon as they were noticed.

With Richard leading, they got to the front where a bound man knelt with cracks and wounds all over his body—at least the parts that could be seen from his tattered and blood stained cloth. And towering over the man in his lanky form was Damien.

Sara could only guess the man was a prisoner, but why was he being held at the market square and not the dungeons? She turned to see Astrid and Alexander, both with confused and curious looks on their faces. She turned back to Richard who was already looking at her, he didn't look confused, instead he had a downcast look on his face.

"Whatever happens, act accordingly. This is necessary to keep Silva united." he said in a monotonous voice that sounded nothing like his, then turned away from her before she could ask him to explain.

Though, she didn't need to ask as Damien started speaking.

"People of Silva, I'm sure you are all confused about what is happening." he paused sweeping his eyes over the crowd, "this man here attempted to threaten the peace our great Silva is known for, that out forefathers built with their blood, and sweat, and tears."

Murmurs rose up from the crowd, but Damien shunned them with a raise of his hand, it was then Sara noticed the sword hanging on his waist as one hand held the hilt firmly.

"This treasonous fellow tried to attack our beloved king. The audacity of a lowly commoner, what say you to his punishment?" Damien continued, his voice rising above the square.

Not a single word could be heard as silence descended on the square, everyone seemed to be of like mind, as they all shuffled backwards cowering into themselves. Their actions left Sara, Richard, Astrid and Alexander standing at the forefront. Sara pursed her lips, she knew if given a chance, every person in Silva would gladly attack the king. Though, she was still confused about what Damien was up to.

The second prince chuckled loudly, "The people of Silva are really cowards, it doesn't matter though, I will be your executioner—a lesson to you all."

His eyes were colder than ever, his lips turned downwards, drawing out his sword, he raised it above his head, Sara felt her heart beat wildly. Just before the sword came down, her eyes met with the prisoner's, they looked lifeless.

"STOP" she screamed, as the sword came down on his neck severing his head from his body.

The strong feeling of Deja Vu washed over Sara, as she screamed on her knees. The sky opened that morning with a heavy thunder and the tears of the cloud began to drop. Perhaps, it felt the anguish Sara felt.

How much more blood would be spilt in Silva? How many more lives would be taken?

Sara felt someone trying to drag her away but she brushed them off, her eyes were fixed on the lifeless bodies, she watched as guards came and took the body away, the rain washed the pool of blood on the ground and perhaps too the stains on her. But still she knelt there even as everyone dispersed, she could hear Alexander's voice though she couldn't make out the words.

Suddenly, a pair of boots came into her vision, she looked up in the haze of the rain to see Damien, the stains of blood on him didn't wash off. She found the strength to stand up, pushing her soaked hair from her face, she looked at him as he took a closer step towards her and leaned in to whisper in her ears.

"I know why you're here, and I can help you. Meet me in the garden at midnight."

With a last cold look, he walked off with a trail of guards following behind. A chill passed through her and it wasn't from the rain.

*"*"**"

Sara had let Alexander carry her back to her room, the wound on her arm had begun to sting and though it didn't affect her legs, she found walking became a task. After a lot of insistence from her, Alexander finally left the room, she had the thought of being upset with him for not putting a stop to the guards' execution. But one look at him and she knew nothing could be done, compared to Damien, he was only a captain.

Sara sighed, as her maids peeled off her soaked dress, and ushered her to the bath where they began scrubbing and cleaning, taking care not to poke her wound. She was far gone in her thoughts, things were getting out of hand and more people would likely die.

She shuddered thinking about it. I know why you're here and I can help you. Meet me in the garden by midnight.

Damien's words rang in her ears, was he talking about the brotherhood? If so, then how did he know?

"You can come out now, your highness." a maid said.

Startled, Sara looked up at the doe faced maid, she looked to be about Sara's age but her eyes sparkled with something wiser and knowing.

"What is your name?" Sara asked as she came out of the bath wrapping a towel around herself.

"Millicent, ma'am."

Her eyes were still on the girl, "The rest of you can leave."

The other maids bowed and left the room, taking the bath with them.

Sara walked to the closet and opened it to reveal a layer of frilly laces and dresses, all the work of Ingrid. Sara shook her head, that would have to be remedied. Picking the most simple one, she handed it to the still Millicent.

"Help me with this, will you?" that seemed to have brought her to attention as she began helping Sara with the dress. "do you live with your parents?"

The girl shook her head, "No ma'am, my parents are dead. Just me and my twin brother, Adams." A pause, "he's a guard." she whispered.

Sara only nodded, when the corset of the dress had been tied and her hair braided back, she then looked at Millicent.

"You're aware of the murders." it wasn't a question but the girl nodded. "why don't we help each other?"

The girl raised her bowed head and Sara knew she understood, "From now on, you're on my side, everything you see or hear within these palace walls should be reported to me."

"Understood, ma'am."

Sara smiled briefly, she needed a trustworthy person to get information in the deepest corner of the palace, and maids knew every secret told within the palace. But whether, Millicent was trustworthy or not was yet to be seen.

Reaching for the paper on the vanity table, she dipped the quill in the ink and began writing. She loved Ingrid at that moment for preparing the things she needed. When she was done, Sara folded the note and sealed it with the candle wax, then she scribbled a name over it.

Sara handed the note over to the eager Millicent, who was ready to go on the most risky errand just to be on the princess's side. "Can you read, Millicent?" she asked.

"Yes highness, my brother taught me."

Sara nodded, "Take the note to that address, and only give it to the person whose name is written there."

Sara then took another look at her closet, "Also tell the royal dressmaker to make something suitable for me. She'll understand."

Millicent nodded and rushed off before Sara could ask what position her brother held.

Now that she was alone, the death of the guards came back to her mind, if only she had known?

What would you have done? You have no power here, Sara. Just like you had no power when your mother was killed.

Sara swallowed thickly, her eyes stung with tears but she held them back. She may have been a coward five years ago, but she had grown stronger and she would not only find her mother's killer but also the serial murderer.

And she knew just the place to start.

Sara left her room and the west wing quickly, walking straight ahead she got to the private library, pushing the huge oak doors, she found it empty as she had thought. It wasn't as huge as the ground floor library but it was an impressive sight as it was.

Divided into sections of shelves with books reaching up to the ceiling, and shiny floors, it was still a place of secrets.

Sara walked through the shelves, skimming through the titles, she had never been a reader having spent more time outdoors.

The opening of the door made her turn, to see who she had been waiting for.

"Gavin, you received my note."

"I did. When Selene told me that you had come, I found it hard to believe. But I'm glad you're here now." he said with his familiar cheeky smile.

"I wouldn't say the same." Sara muttered.

"You called me because of the murders right?"

"Yes, you work with the royal coroner, there's must be something else you know."

Sara ushered him to the couch in the middle of the library, then they both took a seat.

"Everything I know, I told Selene, she must have explained the situation."

Sara nodded, "Yes, but.."

She didn't get to complete her statement as Gavin interrupted.

"But don't you find it exciting, serial murder in Silva. Such a thing has never happened in the history of Silva. Whoever this person is, they have become famous for sure, without even being known." Gavin broke out, his eyes held a thrilled look.

Sara couldn't help but shift uncomfortably, "There's nothing exciting about people getting killed."

Gavin gave her a look, then laughed loudly, "I know that Sara, I only meant the killer has become quite popular." Shaking his head, he got to his feet, "sorry I have nothing else to tell you than what you already know."

He turned to leave.

"You can tell me the identities and families of the victims." she said stopping him in his tracks.

Gavin then turned back to her, "You're not planning to—"

"Yes I am."

"But that's—" he spluttered at a loss for words.

"Will you tell me or not?"

*"*"*"*

Sara huffed trying to drag her dress with her, it proved difficult with the overgrown bushes of the garden. She couldn't wait till she got the clothes she ordered.

Midnight meetings always came with an eerie feeling, even more eerie when the meeting was with a cruel hearted cousin claiming to know the reason for her arrival.

Sara finally reached the middle of the garden where a shade tree stood, from there she could see her room. Did my attacker watch me from here?

Shaking the thought, she found Damien with his back to her and his hands folded behind him.

"Damien." she called.

He turned slowly casting his cold gaze on her.