"Last stop; Roseya! Passengers please prepare to board!"

A ship sailed across the sea, the bitterly cold wind hitting its sails to push it towards its destination. Passengers had made their way to the deck to watch the kingdom of Roseya draw near, while others had already been there. One of these passengers was hooded, dressed warm for the weather conditions, and carrying at least three bags. She had been summoned to the kingdom suddenly by Prince Alphonse's son, who had briefly told her of an emergency that required her medical assistance. And who was she to refuse royalty? Who was she to refuse anyone?

The girl stepped onto the docks and stopped for a moment, gazing over the kingdom and at the palace she was to visit immediately. She was amazed, even though she had visited many kingdoms, and gazed upon many castles and palaces... it seemed this one held a beauty that made it stand out. She felt as if something of great importance would happen once she entered. She didn't waste another beat, speeding through town and occasionally glancing at shops and stalls to see if she could find somewhere to restock ingredients if it were needed. However, she found herself drawn to every little thing, even as little as a patch of snow on the ground - she had never seen so much of it before. It sparkled as if it were freshly fallen... maybe taking a little detour wouldn't—

Oh. She was already at the palace.

A guard noticed her approaching and stepped forward "Hello, ma'am. What business do you have here?"

The woman didn't flinch, and only smiled charmingly "I've been summoned by the king's nephew to treat someone in need."

"I see. And do you have any form of identification?"

"Just the letter the prince sent me."

She pulled out an envelope and handed it to the older man, who read through it intensely, checking for any form of forgery. It seemed legit enough, and was even stamped with the royal crest itself. He nodded in approval, and handed the letter back to its owner before opening one side of the gate "Very well, then. Please follow me to the throne room. The king will be expecting you."

"Thank you, sir."

—-

I didn't know why I had been dragged out of bed so early. Then again, my sleep pattern just hadn't been the same since what had occurred at the royal dinner... Shane was still stable, but he wouldn't wake up.

He needed help, and fast.

But anyway. Here I was, standing between Lizza and Alexei's throne, who I hadn't spoken to since I had accused him of pouring poison into my drink. Did I truly believe he'd done such a thing? Not as much anymore... But I didn't know who else could've without being caught.

But honestly, I didn't care who did it anymore... I just wanted my friend to be alright.

Suddenly the doors to the throne room opened, and two guards came in leading a hooded person. They politely stopped her in the middle of the room before stepping back, and she wasted no time bowing before the king. She hadn't looked up yet.

It's her.

Albert hummed, leaning against his heavily jewelled hand "I assumed you're the one they call 'Millicent' yes?"

"I am, your highness."

"I welcome you to my kingdom, however I wish it was under better circumstances... I hope you know why you're here."

Wow, he was being polite today... but I really paid no mind to him. I was too busy wishing she would just look up. I bet she didn't even notice me yet...

Millicent nodded again "I've been told there is a boy in critical condition, that must be treated with complete care and secrecy."

Albert's eyes narrowed "And I hope you intend to accept those conditions."

"I accepted them before I read them, your highness. This boy's condition and treatment will not be made known to the public, and I assure you that I have not told anyone about him on my way here." A hazel brown eye peeped out from under the hood "And I intend to keep it that way..."

"Hmm..." the king seemed to approve, and slowly turned to me with a... less hostile glare than usual, "It seems all you said about this one is true, Cynthia... for now anyway."

I grinned nervously. Of course everything I said was true, but I'd be lying if I said...

"Hold on... did you say Cynthia?"

...That there wasn't an ulterior motive...

I turned to lock hazel eyes with mine, and almost instantly recognition flashed through them as they widened more than I thought was possible. The woman's hand shot out, finger outstretched pointing at me as she let out a loud... long... remarkably unladylike gasp. All while I was grinning like a madman and bouncing off my heels as if I was an overexcited child. And I basically was.

"CINDY?!?!" She blurted.

"MILLIE!!!!" I squealed.

Without wasting a beat, I took off from my spot between Lizza and Alexei and bolted towards the woman, who was just as eager as she caught me in her arms and practically swung me around. The two of us were screaming into each other's shoulders, laughing and maybe crying a little as we clung to one another. We knew people were watching, but we did not care.

Millie pulled away and grasped my shoulders. At some point I had knocked her hood down, exposing her shoulder length chestnut coloured hair and freckled cheeks that stretched due to her shocked grin. She struggled to make out the words "I can't believe... I mean, what??"

I laughed sheepishly "Surprise...?"

"Don't 'surprise' me, you little—,"

"Ahem."

We flinched, grimacing when finally acknowledging that literally all eyes were on us. Almost everyone was surprised, and even confused, except for André, who already knew about everything, and therefore smirked in amusement. The king also didn't seem confused... but rather...

"What is the meaning of this...?"

Angry. He looked very angry.

Millie leaned towards me "Don't they know?"

I shook my head "I didn't tell them..."

"What? Why?"

"They wouldn't have let you come otherwise!"

"Why?! And more importantly, why are you even—,"

"I'm waiting, Cynthia..."

Jeez... you'd think a king could be at least a little patient.

Millie and I slowly turned to face the throne, hand in hand as I cleared my throat. I glanced up at Andrè, who nodded in encouragement, and then at  Alexei who looked so confused his brain could fry... if he was more willing to help, he might've known by now. With a sigh, I gestured to the girl next to me.

"This, as you may know, is Millicent... Millicent Livius. One of the best herbalists known to Belliak, and also... my older sister."

I could see Lizza's jaw drop from the corner of my eye, while André tried his best to hide his amused snort behind his hand from looking at everyone's reactions. Although unfortunately for him, King Albert turned to him in annoyance "Did you know about this?"

"I- Umm... y'see..." He blinked, and began running his hands through his hair nervously "Well, I knew they were sisters, but not because she told me."

"Then how?"

"They have the same last name, uncle."

The man opened his mouth, closed it, and glanced at Millie and I before rubbing his temple in exasperation "I hope you didn't suggest this, just so you could play happy family with your sister, Cynthia."

I straightened, and began waving my hands in dismissal "Of course not! Millicent really is one of the greatest herbalists known in Belliak - and she's helped so many of the sick in other kingdoms too! The fact we're related is just a bonus."

"Yeah, and if I knew you were here," Millie leaned into me slightly, eyes narrowed "I would have made more haste getting here. Now then... what's the story? Why exactly are you in Roseya, in a palace, standing with the royals? I thought you hated roy—!"

"ShhhShhSHH!" I slapped a hand over her mouth "Not so loud, will ya! They might take it as a threat, especially since I'm marrying Roseya's Prince."

"I knw, bwt—," she paused, and quickly slapped my hand away "You WHAT?!"

"Oh boy, here we go..." Lizza muttered, as she edged towards Alexei and nudged him "You might want to explain this one, your majesty."

The boy flinched "Bu—,"

"Come on, she's a woman, not a beast. She won't bite."

"There's a difference between the two?"

From that, he received a harsh pat from his aide, which pushed him off his chair. Lizza then opted to push him further towards us "Go on. Tell her."

King Albert sent her a glare "Do not tell my son what to—,"

"It's okay, father. She's right..." Alexei made his way towards my side, stiff as a board as he gazed up at my sister. An audible gulp came from his throat, even though his expression didn't change. "You... You're tall..."

Millie crossed her arms "But I suppose everyone's tall to you, eh shorty?"

"Millie!" I hissed, though I'd be lying if my lips didn't quirk up slightly. She was intimidating the little prince next to me, so how could I not be amused? The dark haired boy sighed, and hesitantly placed a hand on my shoulder.

"Your sister and I are ... betrothed, and are expected to be married in order to bring peace between our kingdoms." He glanced towards the throne, where the king was watching us intensely "King Elias has blessed this union, and has agreed to its intention, even though Cynthia is not Belliak's heir."

Millie was no longer smiling, and now listening intently to Alexei's explanation with her arms crossed over her chest. "What about our parents? Have they agreed to this? Because I swear, if you took Cindy away from the bakery against her will, I'm gonna—!"

I had seen the guards behind her begin to reach out to restrain her, as she began to step towards the Prince, and therefore I stepped in front of him with the most convincing smile I could muster "D-Don't worry! They know, and they've given their permission, right Alexei??"

Oh god, please don't cut off my head for addressing him by name!!!

Alexei blinked, his eyes widening after a moment as he stepped out of hiding and nodded as calmly as possible "Y-Yes. I... wouldn't have simply taken her away from her life and family."

Liar liar liar liar liar LIAR!!!

Oh how I wanted so badly to call him out with his lies, but if I knew anything about my sister, she would literally pounce on him if she knew I had no say in this, and that would end in her being thrown into a cell. Which would mean Shane wouldn't get the treatment he so desperately needs. I had to bite my tongue for now.

"So... what I hear you saying is..." Alexei and I held our breaths as my sister spoke slowly, a hand to her chin, when suddenly her voice raised "My sister is a princess?!"

The entire room fell silent.

"Umm..." Lizza cleared her throat, and slowly made her way down to us "Technically she has no title yet, but once she and Prince Alexei are married and crowned, she'll be queen of Roseya."

"Well whatever it is, as long as you're happy I'm fine with... this," Millie leaned in suddenly "But if you ever want out, however, just send me a letter, and I'll break you out faster than shorty over there can say 'I do'."

"That really won't be necessary, Mils."

"I don't care, I'm making the offer."

"M'kay."

I heard André snort yet again, as he leaned towards his uncle "I like this one. Hey, if Al gets Cindy, maybe—,"

"No!" Albert, Millie, Alexei and I shut him down almost instantly, which only made him laugh even more.

"I was kidding, calm down."

Albert sighed and rubbed his temple, clearly done with this "Can we just get to business?"

"Oh, right!" Millie gasped in realisation "Sorry, I guess my sister being here was a bit of the shock... man, next thing you'll tell me is that my patient is my long lost friend or something."

—-

"....How did this happen....?"

It hurt to watch when Millie saw Shane in that bed, pale and unmoving. It hurt because this was the first time she saw him in years, and yet he was too weak to see her back. My sister could hardly move, yet her body was trembling as she struggled to remain professional... this was the moment I was most afraid of when I first made the suggestion.

André was the one to break the silence, "Somebody tampered with his drink during dinner, and it's left him in this state. We haven't been able to identify the poison yet, so we hoped maybe you can help with that."

"I see..." The woman was silent for another long moment, but then she raised her hands and slapped her cheeks, putting on a brave face as she approached Shane "Well, no matter who he is, he's still my patient. There's not a moment to waste. Cindy, can you get me a bowl of cold water and a towel?"

I jumped to attention instantly "Of course!"

"Thank you," she turned to Lizza "Can I ask you to help, too?"

"Of course you can, that's what I'm here for," the redhead smiled softly at her, probably to make her feel more at ease.

"Thank you, Lizza, was it?" She nodded "Do you have anything that gives off a strong aroma? I want to see if Shane's senses can react at all."

"I think we have some freshly picked mint in the kitchen."

"That'll do."

Lizza did a mini salute and rushed out of the room, just as I finished preparing the water and handed it to Millie, who dampened the towel and lay it across Shane's forehead. As she began laying out her tools, André approached her.

"Can I help too?"

Millie turned in surprise "Oh, your highness! Um... are you even allowed to help in situations like these?"

"No idea, but..." his face fell slightly as he glanced towards Shane's still form "I can't just do nothing, when someone's in danger within these palace walls. I want to help, it's the least I can do after dragging you all the way out here."

My sister and I exchanged a glance, and she pointed at him with her thumb "Why aren't you marrying him instead?"

The boy laughed awkwardly "I unfortunately have to marry a princess, it's the only way I can ever have a claim on a throne."

"Is that what's important to you?"

"No, but it is important to my dad. Why do you think I'm here, staying with my king uncle? Certainly not on vacation."

"I..." I paused "Actually that makes a lot of sense - we're getting off topic, Millie. Is there anything the prince can do?"

Millie nodded "You said it was his drink that was tampered with?"

"Yes."

"Is the cup he drank from still accessible? If the poison came from a plant, it might be easier to figure out a cure."

—-

Alexei walked down the halls in silence. Lizza wasn't with him this time, as she had insisted on helping with Shane's treatment. He let her, of course, as he knew Cindy wouldn't trust him if he went to help instead. He had to keep his distance for now if he wanted any hope of regaining her trust - if he ever had it at all. Trust was essential if they were going to rule a kingdom together...

He flinched when rushed footsteps echoed from behind him, and he was quick to turn in case anyone was to plan an attack. However, all he saw was his own cousin speed walking in his direction, a wooden box in his hands. Alexei raised an eyebrow and slowed his walk slightly.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, Andrè?"

The older prince finally noticed him, and came to a stop beside him. However, now he was jogging on the spot "Sorry, cousin, I have to get this to Millicent so she can investigate the poison used against Shane."

Alexei hummed, his eyes on the box that held the goblet. They narrowed slightly "Does she know it was meant for Cynthia?"

André shook his head.

"Good, keep it that way. She might try and take my fiancé away if she finds out, and I'd rather not make any more threats. They make me feel too much like my father..."

The boy's expression soured, which André noticed immediately. From a very young age, Alexei had tried his hardest not to be like the king, and he had done a good job, until...

He mentally sighed; no use dwelling on the past. Slowly, his feet stopped moving.

"Why don't you come with me to the infirmary? The last thing your dad would do is directly help a sick commoner." He suggested curiously, but his little cousin was quick to decline.

"Cynthia still doesn't trust that I hold no ill will towards her friend, going there will only fuel the wall of fire she has placed between us." He crossed his arms, exhaling through his nose "How is it that she's so relaxed around you?"

"What? I don't know, maybe the fact that we're not engaged means there's less tension." André shrugged, which only made Al grunt in exasperation.

"That doesn't help at all..."

"Sorry..." this time the light haired boy actually thought about it "Well, from what I heard, the only time you two have had a normal conversation was when you were pretending to be a common boy - in other words, lying to her. So no wonder the tension is high."

Alexei tensed; like he had a choice. "...So what do I do?"

"I dunno, talk to her? And I mean actually have a conversation, not call her into your office and threaten to send her best friend away, or dress up and tell wishful lies. Talk to her as you, instead of as someone you're not. Not a common boy. Not your father. You. Who are you?"

The boy chuckled bitterly "I'm not sure even I know the answer to that anymore..."

"Yeah well you might want to figure that out, if you ever want this to work," The teenager spoke in a soft, yet firm voice as he walked away "She will never be happy if she's married to a stranger... and you'll never be happy if you keep walking down your father's road."

Alexei let him leave, and only watched in silence. The words his cousin spoke danced around his head, giving him no choice but to acknowledge them. He wanted to talk to Cindy, sure... but he was either too busy to do so, or she was too busy hating him to give him the time of day. That applied now more than ever... He really did want them to get along; it was better to suffer together after all, but how can he when he kept doing things that made her resent him?

If only once he could be thrown a bone - a chance to get on her good side... maybe he could actually do some good for once.

"Your majesty?"

He turned in surprise, unaware that there was anyone else in the hall. A maid stood before him, a pile of sheets in hand as she stared at him curiously. As if she realised something, she gasped and dipped her head down.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't speak to you! I don't have the right, I-I'll just leave!"

"Wait a moment." He called out to her as she was about to scurry away, and she turned in both confusion and fear "You're the maid that saw the culprit tamper with Cynthia's drink, aren't you?"

Her eyes widened. How could he remember her face, and acknowledge her like that? Could he really believe she was worth his time? Regardless, she gave a small nod. Alexei hummed, and gestured for her to approach.

"I know you've probably been asked about this a lot already, but... If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you myself. I would like to know more about this crime against my fiancé, can you do that for me?"

Gilda blinked in surprise. The prince was getting involved? She thought royals weren't supposed to get involved in matters like this. Just how important was Cindy to him?

"O-Okay." She agreed meekly, and Alexei had to fight the urge to show relief.

"Your compliance is appreciated, Miss." he began to walk down the hall, towards his office "Would you please follow me, so we can discuss this further.

—-

"Oh, let me help you with that!"

I gasped as my vision soon returned to me, as it had previously been blocked by a large pile of blankets in my arms. I turned my head to see half of the pile now being carried by Lizza, who smiled at me reassuringly. I smiled back and thanked her.

"So..." she began as we continued down the hall "Your sister, huh?"

I raised an eyebrow "Yeah? What about her?"

"She's a lot like you when we first met."

I blushed slightly. Millie and I had been told we reflect off each other well, which of course was a good thing. But the second part of her sentence confused me a little bit.

"Am I still not like that?" I questioned, and her eyes widened.

"Wait, I worded that wrong." She groaned to herself "Bugger, I'm sorry Cindy, I meant no offence. I'm just saying it was nice to see you smiling like that again, that's all."

I tilted my head further. How long had it been since I smiled? I hadn't noticed that I'd stopped... Although, my happiness levels had gone down since I got roped into this. Maybe that's what she was getting at.

In that case, maybe Millie's offer to get me out of this would benefit me after all.

... But what would happen to the people here if I did that? Lizza, André, and Gilda... Alexei shouldn't be a concern, but the image of that poor, vulnerable boy in my mind kept convincing me otherwise...

...Curse my modesty.

I sighed and pretended that I hadn't been thinking so deeply, and instead tried to chuckle "Yeah, Millie does bring the best out of people."

"Well, maybe with her around, this castle might get brighter. I'm sure Shane would appreciate being in good hands, too." Lizza exclaimed, me looking down at the floor as she did so.

"Yeah... the fact it's someone he's familiar with might help too. He definitely will trust an old friend."

"So they really do know each other."

"Yes - well they did, anyway... before Mils left Belliak to pursue her goal as an herbalist." I sighed "To tell you the truth, the whole reason Shane and I met was because of her, since he was her friend first."

"Really?" The redhead blinked in surprise "I never would've guessed, you two seem so close!"

I chuckled "Yeah, we are. Shane and Millie might have had more time to build up their friendship, which should've meant she was closer with him, however as soon as she introduced him to me, I dunno, we kinda just clicked. Our bond was inseparable; some even say Millie left Belliak because she was jealous of us!" My chuckle turned into a bubbly laugh. "I know that's not true though, she was ecstatic to see that her sister and friend were getting along so well, she kinda teased us by saying we made a cute couple too. Heh..."

"I'd be very surprised if she didn't think that, to be honest. To tell you the truth, I thought that."

"I mean, we did date for a little bit..."

"Wait really? What happened to end it?"

"I mean, the fact that it was under the influence of others instead of us was a big part of it. We kinda did it because our friends and family urged us into it, because they thought we were meant for each other." I rolled my eyes at the memory of my mother's romantic lectures "Turns out they were right, but not in the way they wanted. We were meant for each other as friends, and after we realised that, we were closer than ever. So if anything, I'm kinda glad we were encouraged to date. It showed us how much we mean to each other..."

Lizza listened silently with a smile. I didn't know exactly what she was thinking, but knowing something I said made her smile caused me to smile too. The woman let out a small, content sigh.

"No wonder you two are inseparable."

"Hehe, yeah..."

Her hand rested on my shoulder, while the other balanced the blankets on its own.

"That means he's bound to pull through, knowing you'll be here waiting for him."

The gesture was appreciated, although I did not know if her words would turn out to be true. Regardless, I smiled at her as convincingly as I could.

"I know he's damn well going to try. He's stubborn like that."

"That the spirit!" She gave me a firm pat "We just need to help Millicent until then, right? So let's hurry up and take these blankets to her!"

This time my smile was genuine, and I followed her down the hall after nodding in approval "Yes, let's go!"