Stay Alert. The big moral crossroads in life may not come labeled as such.
- George Saunders

They left for the Shelter again, Betty in the lead.

'Betty, why are you so obsessed with Lia- this King?' Alexandra asked, when she could no longer contain herself. 

'I've heard that often.' Betty said, with the air of a war veteran, 'I don't know why ... everyone is. Until they are fourteen, we don't hear much of the Princes. They say till then, is for training them, polishing them. Only when they are fifteen, do they come out for public and ever since, he's had everybody's approval. He did visit a lot of places: the poorest shackles, the dirtiest slums. It was hard work, I must say. He was the only son, he didn't need the people's support, the throne was his already. But he still went for it, trying to understand our problems, our lives. Two years ago, he ascended the throne. Did I mention how many people at that time thought he was arrogant and unworthy? Quite a few Vedessans themselves! The wealthy felt threatened by his inclination towards us. But as I said, even as a prince he was everyone's favorite. He must have done something to win them over too, something I don't know of. The then king... I think his name was Ethan. Now he wasn't so fond of the Prince. However, King Liam ... he has this aura. I'm not kidding, he has it, that's why we say he is divine. You might hate him, you might love him. But you cannot ignore him. And if it was only the personality, it could be understandable. But even his work. So fine, so well done. He doesn't miss a thing!' She exclaimed.

Now, Alexandra did agree. Even now, she could hear the March and the chants, the unrelenting voices. Perhaps it would carry on for the whole day. She didn't feel Liam was any divine of sorts, it was only the poor who saw him that way... the poor saw any benefactor as a godsend. She just realized that Liam had something there wasn't in Doveland: loyalty.

When the Shelter came into view, the first thing they saw was some commotion at the door. The children of the Shelter were spilling out, a tall man with a fierce moustache and a sword attached to his belt stood at the gate. He was arguing with Mother Diana.

'...but why don't you give it to me?! I will give to Mabel! She has gone to the March!' Mother Diana exclaimed.

'No!' The guard declared. 'I have my orders, directly by the King himself, I shall hand it to no one but Mabel. I have to make sure she reads it. And - take the scroll back to His Majesty thereafter, with her consent or refusal.'

'I get you, Sir, but you can leave it with me! I will make sure no one but she reads it!' Mother Diana argued.

'Mother Diana!' Called Betty, 'We're here!'

'Are you Mabel?' The messenger asked Betty.

'No, I'm not. She is Mabel.' Betty said, pointing to Alexandra

He handed her a scroll, 'From the king.' He said rudely. Alexandra took it and broke the seal. Inside was a letter, in a loopy hand, asking her to come to the palace gardens after the feast and assuring her it would be safe. But the last part was peculiar:

You know you are not meant to stay in a Shelter forever. You are no longer a Princess. And because you are in Vedessa, you have to rebuild your life. The state will demand certain things of you: service, and loyalty. My conscience asks me to direct you. No help - only direction. You have a choice, remember, when I said we will see, it's time to see. I repeat, it will be safe - I give you my word. I repeat, I intend to do no favor. I'm obeying my conscience, and you must obey yours. And if it tells you so, I shall find you in the garden tonight. If you do not feel that necessary, tear up this sheet and blow it away. Live the way you want to. Do what your heart commands. And again, I'll give you my word, nobody (the Dovish) can touch you as long as you live in Vedessa.

In that case, it was smart of him. Alexandra despised favors. She anyhow listened to her heart, often. And true enough, Alexandra's heart said that she was not meant to live in a Shelter forever. I know you have questions to ask, he had written. So he knew. He must have written it the previous night, anticipating that she would be a part of the procession. And Alexandra half wanted to refuse. Yet, just after he had helped her so much, she couldn't decline this invite. Liam felt familiar more than the people behind her, not because of his portrait that Alexandra had seen. He had, in a single meeting, evoked some portion of Alexandra that had previously been jarred. His presence felt oddly reassuring, securing. He felt like an old friend, and old confidant - somebody whom Alexandra had known forever. 

But this was different. This choice wasn't for or against Liam. It was for or against her life.

Nevermind all the philosophy. I guess I'll just weigh the pros and cons.

Going to Liam, he said things about Service and Loyalty. To Vedessa, not anybody in particular. Good.

Not going, she could run away from the shelter, join a gang and... probably end up against the Liam. She didn't mind being in a gang, but Liam... it would be a shame to do that.

'Excuse me! I have to know your answer!' The messenger asked, even ruder, interrupting Alexandra's mulling. She looked at him, then back at the sheet...

She could tear it up. She could forget about it. Never include with these men and women. Live a happy, outcast life.

She exhaled, this was easy.

'Yes.' She replied. 'Yes I'll be there.'

The messenger nodded. He took the letter back, mounted his horse and went his way, perhaps so no one else read it.

'What was it about, Mabel?' Betty asked, as they watched the horseman ride away. Then it struck Alexandra - how did Liam know she was Mabel now?

'Oh... well,' she replied to Betty. 'I don't know if I'm supposed to say.'

'Meaning you can't tell me?' Betty asked, sounding a bit hurt. Alexandra bit her lips, Betty was good, but she was naïve. And was she supposed to tell her, really? After a long silence, she decided to give a bit in.

'He has called me.'

'Who?'

'Li- the King.' Alexandra conceded. That was enough. She wouldn't tell where, why or when.

It was enough for Betty too, as it seemed, who shot up instantly. 'Ooh! Called you? My goodness, he hasn't ever called anyone else!' She exclaimed, as Mother Diana shook her head and went indoors. It looked like she was used to Betty's obsession.

'Or so you think.' Alexandra said.

'No! Really, you are the first one.' Betty said. Indeed. Why such a special interest? Such ardent desire to help? Was he all sunshine and rainbows as he appeared? Alexandra knew there was something else at work, and she almost knew what it was. Her exile, or whatever she had done before, benefited Liam. But how could Nicholas affect him?

'That is no big deal if he hasn't, Betty, seeing he has been king only for two years.' She added to Betty.

* * *

When it was ten at night she secretly left the old brick building. Walked for half an hour, taking directions from odd-looking shopkeepers, to the Palace. The guards - she flinched seeing them. Alexandra subconsciously wondered if she had got some permanent fear of guards because of what had happened back in Doveland. But they let her in without any hassle. Alexandra waited in the garden. The last time she was in a garden ... well, she had killed someone. Right now, her heart hammered against her chest with anticipation. What would happen next?

She stared around the lush, well-cared-for plants. As far as she was concerned, she loved wildness a bit more.

After about five minutes, she saw a figure. Two, actually. One was taller than the other, they were talking. Soon, the taller one waved the other one aside and made his way to Alexandra.

"King" Liam looked no different than he had a month ago, in the forest, as "traveller Liam". He still smiled in that I know everything about you way. There was a youthfulness in his face, maturity all the same. She syrmised that he would be not be older to Olivia. Perhaps twenty two. But the uncomfortable fact was that he was more than a foot taller than her ... it made Alexandra feel like a kid. And though she was seventeen, she was quite short. Alexandra had forever been waiting for a growth spurt, but it had never come. She still had time, growth spurts had no age - she knew of a young Palace maid who had grown thirty inches in about a year at the age of nineteen. Then she had towered over everybody, especially Alexandra, and become stick thin.

'Shall we sit down?' Liam proposed, a crease appearing between his eyebrows. 'This feels a little awkward, doesn't it?'

Alexandra realized she was not the only one embarrassed of her height.

'As you command, Your Majesty,' she replied, smirking.

But Liam was unapologetic about not having introduced himself earlier. 'After you then, Your Exiled Highness.' he replied, gesturing to the left with a bigger smirk.

Alexandra turned her head to find a pretty, wooden bench surrounded by wilderness waiting for them. 'The elder must sit first.' she informed, enjoying the game of etiquettes.

'The lady must sit first.' Liam countered, 'And the guest must sit first. And poor bench hasn't had female company for quite some time.'

Alexandra could help smiling. 'Looks like you seek some company too. The bench is but an excuse.' she added, sitting down.

'You are in no position to flirt, Princess.' Liam replied, sitting down himself. 'But it was a far better try than those I encountered at the feast.'

'You are flirted with? At Royal Feasts?' Alexandra demanded, sitting up straighter. It astonished her that Liam chuckled.

'I am not a father of four children, Alexandra!' he exclaimed, 'And neither am I so focused on work as to appear unreachable.'

He had taken a dig at both King Adelard and Austin while laughing. Alexandra recognized a worthy opponent in Liam at that point. Or a worthy friend, was it?

'And you don't have three unmarried sisters either. A lot less responsibilities, isn't it?' she replied, smiling.

'You still seem to have a soft spot,' he registered, nodding slightly. 'I thought a month would have sufficed to erase it. It sufficed for me.'

'I am not made of stone, Sir.' Alexandra replied, calmly. 'Seventeen years of my life I have spent: loving them, respecting them, trusting them. I doubt if a year would suffice.'

Liam exhaled, looking down, and then back at her. 'I'm only glad, the child in you isn't dead. Innocence is a virtue I never appreciated. And now that I do, it's a little too late.' And before Alexandra could reply, he continued, 'So you forgive Doveland, Alexandra?'

'Forgive?' she asked, stunned. 'For the injustice they did to me? Forgive?'

'If you wish to...'

'Why!?' Alexandra demanded almost shouting. Then she coloured at the amused look on Liam's face. His composure made her feel like a fool. 'I mean - why, Sir? I don't have any intention to forgive.'

Liam shook his head with a smile - almost as if he was adoring some part of the childish outburst. 'Don't call me "Sir",' he said finally, crossing his arms and still smiling. 'I would love your friendship, as an equal.'

Alexandra nodded, in faint approval of the incredible thing that had just happened. One month into her exile and a powerful emperor was already her friend. 'But I do not forgive easily.' she added, reminding him of Doveland.

'I do not expect you to, either. But revenge is dangerous. Only the weak think of vengeance. And yet I know that a woman's desire for revenge never dies. I should clarify that I am willing to help you in getting even only because it suits my political stand right now. Forcing Doveland to submit is something I would gladly do. But if that happens, the world will know you are here.'

'And how is that revenge for me?' Alexandra asked, frowning.

'Let's see,' and Liam bent forward, locking eyes with her. An intoxicating perfume touched Alexandra as he did: subtle yet irresistible. She was tempted to lean in further and compliment his choice. It was so different from the overwhelming scents Olivia and Rose wore to functions. Everything about Liam was subtly exotic. Appealing. Some part of Alexandra was glad that he wasn't her brother-in-law already. 'You help me get Doveland on its knees effortlessly, Alexandra, and I leave it to you once done. I give you complete authority to do whatever you wish to, with Doveland and its Royal Family. That is cruel revenge. That will be a fitting payback.' then he straightened up again. The fragrance vanished and Alexandra felt as if some sorcery had been lifted of her. 'Or, you stay on as Mabel and forgive. Move on.'

'Is that why you didn't invite Doveland to the Feast tonight?' Alexandra asked him, frowning.

'Ah,' he replied, looking away and running a hand through his hair, 'No. No political reasons, Alexandra. I simply realized that if I did invite Doveland, your eldest sister would be sent to attend it. And even though she is no longer interested in me, it would be too awkward. She would feel I was somehow rubbing it into her face. Our ties with Doveland are worn beyond repair. It won't be prudent to invite them and risk a scandal, so to say, if you'll allow it.'

'Olivia would.' Alexandra nodded, 'And her perfume would make six innocent nobles inebriated...' she trailed off, wondering about how getting even with Olivia would feel. Not satisfying, by any means. Alexandra wondered if she would even have the heart to do it.

And was that what she wanted? That kind of a revenge?

Some part of Alexandra, her deepest feelings, disagreed. Liam himself seemed to not think much of the option. This was an easy choice. This was something she wanted.

'...and I think, Liam... I don't want to see them again. Even if it is for vengeance. I'll be Mabel for the world. And Alexandra for just the two of us.'

Liam raised his eyebrows and blinked, as if understanding the implications of what Alexandra has just said. 'Making new options, are we, now? That was quick.'

'That's what Idgardians do.' she replied, smiling and blushing at the same time.

'I wouldn't vouch for it. Idgardians are slightly robotic. And in any case, Alexandra, you are cleverer than the average Idgardian I'd see around. I can't say if that is how all the Dovish are, but you are admirably flexible. Almost like a Secret Agent.' and he stopped abruptly, looking at Alexandra as if she was a sword, and he was wondering how useful in combat she could be. 'Coming to think of it, that is a perfect job. A perfect job for an exiled princess who would want to stay low. But,' he leaned backwards this time. 'Are you sure about Doveland?'

Alexandra laughed alone this time. 'I am extremely sure, Liam.' and she leaned forward to pat him on the arm gently. 'But I've never met a Royal like you. All my life I hated royalty because they were haughty, unapproachable and seemed to have stones in place of their hearts. I find you so pleasantly different! Is it just you, or all of the Vedessa Royalty?'

Liam smiled, but he shook his head, 'The Vedessa Royalty consists of only a single person.'

'Oh,' Alexandra registered. 'I didn't-'

'It's enjoyable,' he assured, before she could go further.

'I don't see why it shouldn't be.' she replied, smiling. Nobody to nag - and the entire palace being yours - was indeed good. 'But you were talking about a Secret Agent. What is that?'

'I can't say all of this without feeling slightly guilty, Alexandra, because being an Agent is nice and empowering, but it involves risking your life each day. Despite that, I don't see why you can't be one.' he said, standing up. 'Look, for one thing, you are not a murderer. Just two slaps, at the hands of a seventeen year old girl, are never enough to kill anyone. No doubt, it was your mistake. But the mistake was too small for the punishment it was given. And just because I am not a traveler, and a king, it isn't that I cannot have a polite, human interest in somebody. So listen to my speech: I just know how it feels to not belong anywhere. Most of all, Alexandra, you have ruined the Ethoris-Dovish alliance with a single slap. Ethoris' gravest enmity is with us - the ruined alliance benefits me. Yes, it does. But I'm not so interested just because you did me an unintended favor, or because I am obliged to you in some way. From the moment I saw you, Alexandra, I knew I had to stop and... help you. We both are pretty sure you are not meant to live in the shelter for abandoned children and orphans, all your life.'

Alexandra let that "speech" sink in. She too didn't want to live in the shelter all her life. Now was the time to change everything.

'So Liam, you mean you are giving Idgardian citizenship.' she asked, getting up.

'You are getting clever by the minute. I can't say I am not a little unnerved right now.' he replied, eyes twinkling.

'As a Secret Agent?'

'Even if you chose not to be one, I definitely don't think Vedessa would ever regret housing a person like you. I realize that sisters can be poles apart.' then he raised his brows again, 'Oh, did I overstep?'

'Not at all,' she smiled. 'that's the compliment I had always wanted. But tell me more about the Business, because here's a fact: I don't belong to Doveland, I never did. Idgard, though it has just been a month, feels the place I truly belong to. I think that was reason I was never happy in Doveland.'

'That is touching.' Liam said, and he waited for half a second with an almost respectful gaze. 'But it's dangerous, I must add.'

'Do you think I mind?' Alexandra asked, 'I'm only short, not a kid.'

'Secret Agents, for one thing then, aren't murky and dark and unapproachable. But there are prejudices against them. Steep prejudices that I cannot erase. It will mean giving up your identity Alexandra.'

'You know the real me, don't you?' she asked.

'I do, but are you trusting me with that? Do you know me?' he questioned.

'Of course I do,' Alexandra replied.

Perfect.

'Tell me about it.' She asked, a thin smile curling up her lip. She wanted to be with him for longer, be close enough to breathe in that perfume again.

'Come, then.'