A ten years older, Rose.

She was standing at the door - she hadn't seen Alexandra yet, because she had just arrived. But in case she did... that would be a BIG problem.

'Ah, Lady Derk,' Said Eloise Quintery, in a voice of laced hatred, 'How charming to see you in our meeting- we are graced!' Lady Derk? Who was Rose married to? Was she no longer a princess?

'You shut up! And this nonsense is a club?!' Rose spat, walking ahead. She slammed her hat on the table and came nose-to-nose with Eloise Quintery. 'Round up this meeting! Stop fooling these naïve ladies! Or I will-'

'What?!' Asked Eloise Quintery, so low that only she, Alexandra and Rose could hear, 'What will you do? You lost favor the moment you fell for that good-for-nothing Fredrick. I can make your life difficult, Derk- don't meddle with Royal Orders!'

'What I do or I don't do,' Rose replied, staring daggers at her, 'Is my own choice. And what did you say? I can't do anything?! Watch your tax, Quintery- if it is not at five times your current due- I'll cut my tongue!'

Eloise Quintery gulped- who was this Fredrick Derk? What tax?! 'This meeting is getting recorded! Every word you speak is getting recorded, Derk!' Eloise said, turning to Alexandra. So did Rose.

Alexandra learnt her lesson that day. Never bring changes in Master George's instructions. NEVER. Rose frowned at her, like she was sure- still she was unsure- about who Alexandra was. If there was even a trace of uncertainty- it was a good thing. But the moment Alexandra would speak, all her plot would fall apart. Rose mightn't recognize her face alone, but a face- coupled with the voice- was quite enough.

Just pray don't run into the Dovish King. Worse. She had done worse. Rose always knew her best, because of their small age gap, because of their un-Olivia-ness, or because Alexandra's chatter lifted Rose's mind from everyday hustle-bustle. Whatever the reason, Alexandra was sure she was doomed.

'Isn't it, Brielle? You are noting down everything, aren't you?' Asked Eloise Quintery. Alexandra looked at her, then looked at Rose.

Whatever else their matters, whatever else had happened- today, Rose had come here and defended Alexandra- and she wasn't doing it for show. She was ready to go against Austin, who had always been her closest sibling- to stop Alexandra's insult.

Alexandra would do anything for somebody who stood up for her. Who spoke for her when she wasn't in the position to do so.

And then, would it be that bad to show herself? Rose was no fool.

'What is getting noted?' She asked standing up, 'I didn't note anything.' Rose got a full view of her and as she stood behind Eloise, her mouth opened and closed, she clutched her chest and was wide-eyed. But she didn't say anything.

'Stop joking now, Brielle! What is all this you have scribbled here, then?!'

'Oh this? I was writing a love letter,' Alexandra replied, smiling in a stupid-innocent way. Mutterings around them, the ladies were all confused as to what was going on. A few poked Rose's expensive hat. The rest were already gossiping and boasting about how many love letters they had got.

'SHUT UP!' Eloise roared, 'You wretched woman! Show that here!' And she snatched for the pad of parchment.

'Aha not so fast!' Alexandra replied, pulling it away from her grip, 'First watch.' And she pulled out whatever she'd written, tore it right from the middle then into quarters, into eighths and sixteenths, and finally throwing the torn pieces right on Eloise's face.

A second of nothing. Eloise Quintery's face grew pink, then red, then purple. She shook with rage. Rose had a that's my sister look on her face but a lot of shock too, like what happened with you?! How are you here?!

Alexandra shook her head slightly to her. Rose nodded, like she understood.

Eloise meanwhile, pulled out a silver bell from the scrutiny desk, and rung it twice. Rose's mouth opened up in horror, like she couldn't believe things had gone up to ringing of the Silver Bell. She stepped over the chair and grabbed Alexandra's hand. Facing the meeting she said, hurriedly, 

'THIS WOMAN HAD CALLED THE POLICE FORCE! IF YOUR LIVES ARE DEAR TO YOU, LEAVE, WOMEN!' Then she pulled at Alexandra's hand, 'Come on!' and ran for the exit, pushing Eloise aside, who was going on about what the Police would do with them, in a maniacal way.

'What will the police do?!' Alexandra asked, running behind her.

'Austin has asked them to throw, anybody who tries to interrupt these club meetings, behind the bars!' Rose replied, as about them, all the housewives stampeded for the exit. Rose and Alexandra stopped behind their crowd. Alexandra stood on her tiptoes. No, they couldn't leave through the door in time.

'Rose, we have to leave through the window!'

'How?!'

'Just follow me!' And Alexandra pulled her towards the window, 'Go first!'

'How?!' Rose asked,

Alexandra looked at the window... then she crouched low, 'Climb on me and go!'

'How will you?'

'Don't worry about me, Rose! Go!' Rose looked at her for a second, Alexandra could only imagine how many questions she had in her mind but was waiting for the right time to come- to ask them. Without further questions, Rose climbed upon her and with a lot of difficulty, managed to climb on the window sill.

'Jump!' Alexandra said.

'No! It's too hi-!' Rose didn't complete, because Alexandra straightened up and pushed her out. Then she climbed up herself, and jumped down.

'Alexandra!' Rose said, stamping her foot, 'What the he-' But she didn't complete. Twenty tall, heavily armed men had gathered around them.

'RUN!' Alexandra said, grabbing her hand and running.

'CATCH THEM!' Yelled one man. Alexandra didn't turn to look back. Rose was running behind her, a little out of breath.

'Where are we going?!' Asked Rose,

'You will tell!' Alexandra replied, 'Take us to a safe place!'

Rose pursed her lips and nodded. They arrived at a crossroad, 'Left!' She whispered. They took it. After what seemed like ten minutes, Rose slowed down. She doubled over, panting.

'No more! I can't run!' She said,

'Rose, please. Try a lit-' but even as she spoke, Alexandra felt the back of her neck tighten up familiarly. She could feel it- they were surrounded, 'Rose- move away.'

'Wha-' Then she understood- looking around them. Six men- who had broken free from the rest of the group had surrounded them.

'Sit down! Be ready to run!' Alexandra told her.

'You won't escape, woman!' Said one man - Alexandra caught the thick Dovish accent which didn't pronounce "w" very audibly.

'We'll see!' She said, unsheathing Moira. They had long, deadly swords. Alexandra had a small, toy-like dagger.

Skill matters.

They launched into war. Alexandra hit the Adam's apple of one Dovish, then elbowed him away. She kicked the sword out of another person's hand. Alexandra knew she was partly surviving because the police were shocked at her bold and foolish strategy.

Take advantage, all the advantage of it that you possibly can.

Alexandra picked up a fallen sword and slashed it blindly behind herself- somehow, it hit one of the men and blood sprouted. Rose screamed and walked backwards. Unwisely drawing attention to herself.

Three down, three left.

Two closed upon Rose, Alexandra threw Moira at one of them, it embedded into his back and the man collapsed. Alexandra rushed at the second man- empty handed and doing the only thing she could- she pulled him by his side and flipped him over. He fell on his butt and Alexandra heard something crack- possibly his tailbone. Rose was staring at Alexandra like she had just realized her sister was murdering men left, right and center.

The last man advanced. Alexandra pulled out Moira from the other man's back and slashed at his neck. He fell.

Silence.

'A-A-' Rose began, looking at the fallen bodies around them. Alexandra bent down and picked up three of their swords. She wiped some blood on them- so that it could look like a proper fight where she had been hurt as well.

'Not a word! Run!' She then said, Rose shut her mouth and nodded. The two sisters ran down the street, leaving the scenery behind.

* * *

'THERE!' Rose cried, pointing at a handsome mansion a few yards away. They skidded to a halt at its front door, Rose barged a key into its lock and pushed the door open.

The sisters collapsed on the ground. Panting and gasping.

'Alexandra!' Rose cried finally, she stared at her for a second from the ground, then grabbed the Spy in a rib-cracking hug. 'Oh dear! Alexandra- how?!'

'Rose- Rose- Rose you are choking me-h!' Alexandra cried.

'Oh, sorry!' Rose said, leaving her, as Alexandra exhaled, retching, 'Tell me everything!'

Alexandra took two deep breaths, looked around the house once. It was beautiful- cool, blue walls and polished wooden furniture. Ornamental vases and flowers adorned the hall, a few green, potted plants stood in some corners, and light filtered through the window blinds, falling on the stone floor, heating it.

'I- after the exile I...'

'Walked out of Doveland, through shortcuts- we surmised as much. Then? Where did you learn those- those fighting and-'

Alexandra exhaled, 'I made connections, Rose. With different people- they helped me.'

'Where did you go?!'

Alexandra looked at her for a second, 'Idgard.'

'That place? Which Olivia had a - problem with? You were there? What's it like?!' Rose asked standing up, her cheeks flushed with the extreme running.

'Hah, don't ask.'

'It's that bad?!'

'No!' Said Alexandra, 'It's that good- I mean, well- I'll tell you about it- but first, YOU tell me- Lady Derk? Huh?'

'Oh,' Rose said, turning redder, 'Yes... I mean, I'm- I married the... Head Tax Collector of ... Doveland. And... brother was not too happy.'

'Fredrick Derk! Ooooh,' Alexandra said,

'You don't need to make fun. I'm sure you are into somebody,'

'Nobody's that lucky, Rose. But I'm happy you listened to your heart and not... King Austin.'

'He isn't that bad, Alexandra...' Rose said, 'No, really!' She repeated when Alexandra stared at her, furiously, 'It was this treaty wit-' But Rose left her sentence hanging and turned to the door- there was somebody knocking on it.

'Quick, under the table!' Rose told her, Alexandra jumped to all fours and crawled underneath. Rose dusted her slightly dirty clothes, wiped her face and went to the door, 'Yes?' She said, opening it.

A tall, armored man barged in, 'Excuse me!' Cried Rose, 'You are barging!'

The man handed her a scroll, 'Search warrant. A criminal woman is rumored to be hiding in this house. Let me do my work, lady.'

Rose opened the scroll, read it- she exhaled. In a helpless voice, she said, 'Go on,' keeping her eyes anywhere other than on the table.