After the ambassador and Nazam left, we scrambled to our feet. Before I could say anything, Tallis grabbed my arm and pulled me down the steps. He suddenly stopped and started coughing violently. With a quick look around, I spotted the remainder of Nazam's wine and held it to his mouth. He backed away from me still hacking.

"You are thirsty! Please drink!"

He snatched it from me and took a deep drink. Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, he exhaled in satisfaction.

We needed to get back and fast. The guards will be checking in on us any second if they haven't already done so. I dove under the table and through the small opening deciding that I had come back some other time to replace the grate.

We hurried down the passageways as fast as we could finally making it back to the room we escaped from. Without missing a beat, I stuck my head out into the hallway. "Do either of you care for any refreshments?"

"No, thank you, Your Highness. Are you done questioning the prisoner?" Sir Frazier asked.

There was something in the tone that made it sound the same as 'are you done playing dolls, princess?' I ignored that.

"Not quite. But we shall conclude our discussions shortly. You wouldn't happen to know where my father is today, at this moment, would you?"

"I believe he had several meetings with a few noble lords about this year's predicted harvest and grain distribution. Then he was to go out hunting after his midday meal."

"Thank you!" I quickly closed the door then raced over to the window. Placing one hand to my brow to shade my green eyes from the sun's stare, I used my other hand to measure the angle of the sun's position in the sky.

It is not yet midday. If the kitchen servants weren't ahead of schedule, which they never were, I should be able to get an audience with Father.

Tallis had sat down at the table laying his pieces out. When I turned back around and slammed my hands down on the surface, he jumped.

"Nazam and that slimy ambassador won't get away with this. I swear it! I am going to tell my Father exactly what I just heard and witnessed."

"Princess, I appreciate it but..." He just shook his head without finishing his thoughts. He seemed extremely focused on the pieces.

"If that's not part of the airship then what is it?" I asked. "You said it belonged to your mother?"

"It was a music box. It was the only thing of hers I had, the only thing she left me."

It did not look like a box and boxes don't play music. Maybe Maru has a different word for box? It must be some kind of instrument.

"Can you fix it?"

"No, I don't have the tools. I guess it doesn't matter anyway."

"I need to know something. Did you know?"

"Did I know what?"

"Did you know about the airship and the plans for it being approved and funded by Maru?"

"Yes..."

"How did you come about flying it?"

He looked around suspiciously. My thoughts were spoken out loud before I could stop myself. "Please tell me. What else do I not know? What else could there be?"

"I invented it," he finally said in a low voice. I lost my train of thought for a moment.

"You? But how? Why? Why would you do that?" I didn't understand. Was I wrong about everything? I was so convinced he had nothing to do with it.

"I didn't know..." He took a deep breathe. "I didn't know the plans they had for it. It was only meant for air travel. The first drafts were not even designed with the dragon aesthetic. That was added later. Then my Guild Master, Wayfyl, took it to the Council and presented it as his own. I was so angry."

He had his hands clasped together and his knuckles turned white. A storm brewed in those impressive grey eyes of his.

I placed my hand over his. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay." He narrowed his darkened eyes for a second before pulling his hands from mine hiding them from view under the table. "In the end, that turned into a blessing. I got suspicious when production began, and I was consulted about making it move and breathe fire like a real dragon. I didn't want to know any more than I already did. Just wanted to keep my head down. Well, what I really wanted was to just leave. I've been wanting to leave that hole for so long..."

"Why didn't you?"

"I couldn't. Ward desertion is a crime. I had nowhere to go either way. Then Wayfyl opened his drunk mouth and suddenly I did know too much. Just as I suspected, my invention was to be a weapon. Kingdoms close to or bordering the Dragon Teeth like Alderias and Valence would suffer heavy damages from dragon attacks making them dependent on outside help. And no one would know Maru was behind it."

"So, you flew it here to expose them?"

"Not exactly." His eyebrows furrowed and he looked down at the pieces on the table, suddenly looking out of sorts.

"But you did?"

"I did sabotage the plans... earlier on. I purposely made some errors to make it unsustainable. Mostly out of spite, I admit. And I stole the schematics so they could not see the errors or produce more. But, no, I came to ... to..." His face had become flush, beads of sweat dotted his temples, and his eyes shook back and forth.

"Tallis? What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Ha! That sorcerer's wine you made me drink has truth potion in it! No wonder I cannot stop rambling. I have been so careful to not accept any drinks from them, but you! I was so thirsty..." he panted jumping to his feet.

"Oh no! I swear I didn't know, Tallis!"

"Yeah, sure. It really doesn't matter. I've told you just about everything now!"

"But why did you come here?" I asked. He narrowed his eyes at me, and they had a feverish glaze to them. "Oh no! I'm sorry. You don't have to answer--"

"Easy for you to say. Ingested potions are harder to resist than chanted spells..." He sat back down and held his hands to his head in frustration.

And here I thought he was opening up because he finally trusted me.

"You need to tell my father all of this. He can--"

"No! Don't. Please. Don't tell your father about this."

"What? Why not? Don't you want to live?!" I knelt on the ground in front of him. He lifted his head, his eyes pleading with mine.

"Word can't get out that I am the creator. They are trashing the project because Wayfyl can't fix my invention. It is now just a liability. The ambassador spoke true. He drank Nazam's potion, remember? I am a liability. I am good as dead. Here or there. That is the truth," He said slowly as if testing the words out, the magic of the potion validating the statement.

~~♡~~

There have been many times I have done things I shouldn't have. I have been scolded, punished and have earned the stigma of being the most "irresponsible" sister. All my sisters are great at something. Often, I just don't quite measure up. Getting into mischief does not seem to be a winning achievement. But it is what I have. It is who I am, the girl always in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I do not mind for the most part. I would not have met Tallis Grey otherwise.

Now I was in this predicament. I knew things I shouldn't. This information can save a person's life! And I couldn't help but think it should be anyone else but me to make this decision. But it was me. And it was me whom Tallis Grey had urged not to save his life. I didn't understand it. He thinks he cannot walk away from this. Maybe he thinks his fate was sealed the moment he created those schematics unwittingly lending a hand to a sinister plot. Perhaps it was all a case of not just cynical insight but of misplaced guilt on his part.

I wrestled with the choice, but the fact of the matter was Tallis deserved to live. So, after sitting and marinating in my thought juices and seeking some counsel from the only sister who would not ask for details, Cerise, I decided I needed to see Father. He was out hunting and there was no way to catch up on foot. I swallowed my anxiety and saddled up a mare and followed his party's trail on the hunting grounds. I hated riding horses; the jostling motion was horrible, and my back and legs were always so sore afterwards. But the mare knew which way they were going down the well beaten path, so I just buried my face in her mane and held on tight.

When we caught up to the party, his men had to gallop and grab on to the mare's reigns to slow her down and stop her unchecked pace. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. They helped me down and my father immediately grabbed me by the shoulders roughly turning me to face him.

"Divinity! What did you think you were doing?! You could have killed yourself!" He shook me and tears threatened to break. His eyes were so huge, so full of anger.

He let me go and walked away seemingly to collect himself. For a millisecond I was afraid he was going to hit me when he was yelling in my face. But he has never hit me or any of my sisters or any of his wives as far as I knew. It was an irrational fear, one that quickly fled. He led me away from his party's listening ears and proceeded to apologize for grabbing me like that.

"I am sorry for scaring you, Enna."

"I am sorry for making you angry," I said softly, feeling the shade of his shadow.

"I wasn't... I was scared. When people get scared over those we love, they say and do irrational things. Remember that. Now what is important enough to risk breaking your neck and sending me into heart attack?"

I told him what Tallis Grey had told me. I asked if he could save him. He said he would. I also told Father what I witnessed with Nazam. He seemed only a bit surprised by this news. When I questioned him on his reaction, he said, "I have known Nazam for years. In fact, I probably trust him more than anyone else. He hates war. And he knows we are not ready for it. I'm sure he did everything in his power to give us time to prepare for that eventuality."

"He was ready to let Tallis Grey die!"

"We all have to make tough choices, some rather unfortunate ones in the name of the greater good. He did not truly know how innocent Tallis was in all this. But now we do. He is very young, so I promise to do what I can for him."

"He won't be safe in Maru. They'll think you let him go back because he committed treason."

"I am not going to send him back."

I grinned and hugged my father. "I knew you would do the right thing, Father! Thank you!" I released my hold on him and took a step back. "But I don't trust Nazam, and I don't think you should either."

"I know how you feel about him, and I know how unpleasant he can come across," he chuckled, "but trust me when I say that Nazam has a fondness for every one of you girls. He has made a sacred oath not just to Alderias but to me and my blood."

I tried to think of what else I could say to sway my father's misplaced trust but nothing came to mind. I told him all I knew.

~~♡~~

The trial took place soon after. I was not permitted to go. Father had arranged for it to be a closed-door affair. The only ones in the room were the king, Sir Arthur, Ruby, Nazam, the Maruvian ambassador, and Tallis Grey. I had been confined to my room under the watchful eye of Queen Amelia. She had me practicing needlepoint. I was terrible at it. She said if I practiced as much as I complained I would be quite accomplished.

I rolled my eyes and stabbed at the needlework picturing Amelia's face.

"Where is Amber?" I eventually asked, not liking the silence.

"She is taking her nap, Princess," the queen answered without looking up from her own needling.

"Can I play with her later in the gardens?"

"Perhaps. After she has completed her evening lessons."

"She is only four. Why does she have so many lessons?"

"She has a brilliant mind. Brilliant minds must be nurtured and must be shown a love of learning from an early age or they grow up to be..." she looked up at me then back down.

I chose to ignore that slight because I am all mature like that. And also my mind was trying to reason how anyone can be thought of as brilliant as early as four.

"This is so boring. Don't you ever do anything fun?" I complained.

She narrowed her eyes at me then sat aside her needles. "You do have a birthday coming up. You are to have a ball to celebrate your coming of age. Your father has just given me the budget to begin preparations. Would you like to discuss the particulars?"

"That sounds boring too," I deadpanned. "You may do as you do every year. I do not care. Just make sure there are plenty of numbers I can dance to."

"No, Sienna. This year is not like the other years. It is your fifteenth year. You will be introduced as an official Lady of the Court, at least in name. Certain customs are observed, and behaviors are expected."

I made a face, pulling the corners of my lips down dramatically and in an exaggerated sad, mocking tone said, "A Lady of the Court? No thank you. I would rather be a princess."

The remark did its intended purpose and Queen Amelia groaned ever so dainty and left me alone.

Or so I thought.

"This is as good of a time as any to inform you I will be personally overseeing your etiquette and education lessons since Mildred accompanied your sisters to Eldair."

She did? No wonder I was left to my own devices lately.
Wait---

"You can't be serious..."

She cleared her throat. "Unfortunately, I am. My focus will be to improve your mannerisms and make sure you will be able to engage in polite, intelligent conversation during your ball. Your education will be given to a new instructor, as soon as one is assigned."

"Why can't any of my sisters do this?"

"The exact question I asked. Carmine is not suitable as a role model and Cerise would be too easy on you. Saffron is away in Eldair and Jade already tends to Olive so only Ruby is truly qualified to oversee your education. Unfortunately, her duties as crown princess keeps her occupied."

"So, we are stuck with each other?"

"Precisely."

~~♡~~

My slippers slid across the marble floor as I made my escape. I had to lean my weight back last minute to prevent a turned ankle as I made a sharp turn. I flew down the stairs as I heard Amelia's footsteps sound. I crouched behind a statue out of view.

"Sienna! Princess Sienna, where are you?!" My stepmother called out.

I stifled a giggle and as a servant walked by and saw me. I placed a finger to my lips to stop his alarm.

You saw nothing, my eyes conveyed. Or at least I hope they did. The servant looked indecisive. But then he tucked his head down and went on his way. Phew!

It has been a week and Amelia has been nonstop with the lessons but today I was more than determined to go see Tallis. Once I was in the clear, I skipped across the courtyard and past the knight training grounds. They were preparing for the tourney that will accompany my ball.

I paused to survey the knights. Who shall wear my favor? There were some promising new ones, but Sir Arthur could easily defeat them. He sometimes did not participate just to give the inexperienced a chance for glory.

The new knight, Wilhelm, was a favorite. At first, I thought he had to be pretty weak to accept such a position that was more suited to an old lady with a ruler. But over the past week since training intensified, my sisters and I had occasion to go watch to size up who the competitors would be and we saw him in action. And wow... he was impressive. He moved with the grace and fierceness of a jacquin. And when he took off his shirt, Jade had sucked in her breathe so loud, and Ruby delicately steered us all away. I complained because I wanted to see him take on his next sparring partner, Sir Dontos, and see how he would match up against the knight's infamous dodge-roll-leg swipe maneuver.

I wonder if Carmine planned to give him her favor. We all try to call dibs so not just one favored knight gets every princess' favor. I get first pick since it will be all in honor of me, myself, and I.

I finally spotted Wilhelm over perusing the weapon rack while Carmine stood near. They appeared to be engaged in a discussion. Deciding that I would rather not risk Carmine seeing me and sending me back into the castle, I kept going until I reached my destination.

It was an old storage tower. It used to hold grain for the winter, but part of the structure had collapsed. It was left in that state of neglect for years, mostly out of sight. They needed bigger storage space and were already constructing a new tower in a more convenient location on the other side of the castle grounds, so they didn't waste any funds on repairing the structure.

Now the tower had a new occupant, the newest addition to the court, the first ever Royal Inventor Tallis Grey. My father had declared all evidence inconclusive, granted the maruvian full pardon of crimes above mere suspicion and then proclaimed Tallis Grey has accepted a new position in Alderiasi court. The deal was added to the trade agreement that the ambassador had signed. Tallis Grey, being a ward of Maru and their inventor's guild that had the long name I do not remember, was a resource Maru had to provide to advance our technologies.

So, I reluctantly had Nazam to thank for making that plausible, I suppose.

I pushed open the heavy door. There was no change in lighting, so my eyes didn't need to adjust. Daylight poured into the interior of the runinous tower. I looked around until I found on the stable side of the large room a door. Towers like this always had an office where they kept records of the harvest and whatever numbers that went into storing grain. I turned the knob, and it wasn't locked, so I just went on in.

Tallis had pulled his shirt on so fast I couldn't be sure if I even saw a hint of skin. "What is wrong with you?" He exclaimed.

"What do you mean?"

"You didn't knock!"

"Oh... I have seen shirtless guys before. I don't see what the big deal is. Anyways, you did not lock the door. You should do that if you're going to change."

"The lock is broken. I've been trying to fix it." He gestured to the dismantled lock on his workbench. I took in the room for the first time. There was a single bed shoved into the corner, a chest, and the workbench that had a few tools scattered on its scratched-up surface.

"You can't fix a lock? What kind of inventor are you?" I laughed. He didn't laugh with me and that's when I picked up the tension in the air. "What is wrong with you?"

"Why are you here?" He asked picking up the broken lock and another tool disregarding my questioning gaze.

"To see you. I wanted to congratulate you on your new position and to make sure you were settling into your new home. Would you like curtains for that window? I think that will really--"

"I don't want to see you."

"Huh?"

"I told you not to tell your father and you did."

"Yes, and look around," I said turning in a circle with my arms out. "You're not a prisoner anymore. You're not swinging from a death branch in Alderias or in Maru."

"That is where you're wrong. I am still a prisoner. My accommodations are a bit nicer but I am not free to leave."

My mind was spinning with this ungrateful attitude I was receiving. I was truly conflicted before I made the decision to tell Father everything but after what happened, I felt no guilt. My faith in Father had been rewarded. How can Tallis not see this?

My words were cut short with impatience. "You are not a prisoner. But of course you can't leave now, not after you agreed to be the royal inventor. My father graciously gave you that position to keep you here so that you won't face execution in Maru. Are you so keen on death that you would just scoff when someone gives you the gift of life?"

"You are so blind to what's happening," he scoffed.

"I do know what's happening. My father saved you."

"No, your father is using me."

"You ungrateful..."

"You told him I made the aircraft. I asked you not to because I knew this would happen. I escaped from Maru so I wouldn't be forced to make weapons. Now it doesn't matter!" He had picked up a small tool and threw it down to the ground in anger making me jump. Then he just sat on the bed with his head in his hands.

A silent moment passed by. I bit my lip then filled the silence, "I'm sorry you think that. But you are wrong. He made you a member of the court to keep you safe. And I am sorry I didn't keep quiet but not really. I'm not really sorry because I do not regret it. And I would do it all over again because you are here, alive, even if you do not think that is much. I'll leave you to your broken lock."

With that I walked out wondering what I could do to make Tallis feel more at home.