The sun had barely crested the horizon when Alleyni started to run across the countryside. Although she had not slept long the night before, she was brimming with energy. She was partially fueled by her rage against her father and Lyssa; their betrayal and animosity burned like a fire inside of her, urging her faster and faster. She needed an outlet for her rage before she was forced to face them and all of the men from the corners of Zeina.

However, her night with Kyald was enough to put a smile on her face if only for a moment. The mysterious nobleman had surprised her with his easy charm and disarming handsomeness.
Suddenly, Alleyni stopped as the realization hit her.

Kyald was one of Lyssa's men. One of the men called to woo her before she had been replaced by her sister. Kyald had probably been invited as some lesser noble to seek after her hand and had been fortunate enough to end up at a tavern with Lyssa's miscreant siblings. Stupid. She should have realized it immediately; any young, eligible bachelors would doubtless be after the crown. The idea of being second to Lyssa just one more time multiplied her anger tenfold. For one night, she had been good enough for someone, but as usual, it was all a lie. Perhaps he was even so cunning as to think he could manipulate Alleyni and Luiz to gain a favorable glance from the beloved princess. She should have known better than to trust anyone besides herself—herself, Corrina, and Evyn.

Without thinking, Alleyni took off in a dead sprint with renewed vigor. Her pale blue eyes focused straight ahead and she pushed herself as fast as she could go. Every ounce of animosity inside of her exploded in a burst of speed and energy.

She ran and ran and ran and ran until the stitch in her side grew so painful that she was forced to stop, panting. She bent over, arms propped against her knees, and drew in gasping breaths. She took a moment to empty her mind of all of the anger—she knew better. Every time she allowed her emotions to take hrt running, she lost focus and didn't pace herself correctly. Alleyni chided herself for her reckless emotions. Again.

After daydreaming for a while, she finally stood to her feet. While the sprint had done nothing to eradicate her anger, it had mollified it enough that she would not smite the first poor offender who offered her grievance. Unless, of course, it's Lyssa. Wouldn't her suitors love a black eye for her first ball? We could have matching bruises.

With a smirk at the thought, Alleyni made her way back towards the castle. The day was bright and sunny so Alleyni rolled her leggings to her knees and rolled her sleeves. She had nothing to gain by decency, so she may as well be comfortable. By the time she reached the castle portcullis, the sun had risen high in the sky and thoughts of betrayal, hatred, and revenge had emptied her mind, but the sight of the castle brought everything crashing back.

As she entered the castle's front gates, appearing like a vagabond street waif rather than a princess, she wondered for a moment if she would affront any unsuspecting party guests. It doesn't matter, she told herself, no one knows who I am anyways. Scandal avoided. She still used her fingertips to brush her hair so it veiled her face just in case.

She stepped through the castle doors, glancing sideways at the guards who watched her out of the corners of their eyes. They were familiar with her early morning antics, and smirked at her disheveled entrance. They also knew better than to raise their concerns about the princess anywhere outside of the castle walls.
The outer court was swarming with guests, and a sickening feeling filled Alleyni. They were here. Lyssa's men had arrived. She was suddenly self-conscious, but her appearance was irredeemable; her bare arm, tight pants, untamed hair, and discolored d bruise would have the nation revoking her crown. Alleyni quickly prayed that no one would recognize her as the princess of Savyl.

Her vanity was interrupted by the scene unfolding before her. While the crowd was not entirely male, the vast majority of the occupants were men, ranging from boys barely the age of squires to men more elderly than her father. They were all dressed lavishly with fine rings and crowns and garments and longswords, some portly and some lean, handsome and homely. Servants of all varieties swarmed through the crowd, passing out food and drink to the many visitors. These men were supposed to be here as her suitors, not her sister's. The reflection filled her with anger as well as slight relief at not having to face them.

Indignant, Alleyni sprinted through the crowd, shoving a few of the guests out of her way as she battled through. She sprinted up the stairs to her father's chamber, the guards knowing better than to inhibit her passage. Alleyni threw the doors open to her father's study where she knew he would be hiding. The heavy doors slammed against the stone wall, sending a deafening thunderclap through the room.

As usual, Ghael sat at his broad oak desk, Lyssa next to him, beaming from ear to ear. What a beautiful picture of fatherly love. Evyn also stood along the side, his eyes adoringly on Lyssa. The doors slammed shut behind her, startling all three. Alleyni shot an angry glare at Evyn who quickly became interested in the enchanting needlework of the rug under him.

"Alli! Good morning. You're looking positively stunning this morning." Lyssa always had the perfect words to sour a mood.

"Are you happy now?" Alleyni demanded
"What ever do you mean?" Lyssa's faked innocence was almost too much for her to handle.

"Are you happy now that there are a multitude of bachelors at your beck and call to fulfill your every whim and woo you with compliments? Are you ready to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, like a piece of meat? Are they lined up richest to poorest for you yet, or did you already eliminate the ones with only a few acres of land, less than one hundred knaves, and mediocre castles?" Alleyni could feel her face heating up as her tirade spilled out of her mouth.

Ghael interjected, "Alleyni, you know this isn't a strictly financial move."

"Well, I'm sure it was not inspired out of a fondness for romance."

"How do you know they all won't fall in love with me?" Lyssa winked saucily.

"So why did you even ask for my permission about all of this? My opinion was irrelevant; you decided long ago that Lyssa would be the one offered up to the masses."

Ghael frowned, lines deepening on his forehead. "Alleyni, quit making this all about you. You should feel honored that Lyssa felt it her responsibility to include you in the decision making."

"Oh, of course, Father, I've been making this about me the whole time. What ever was I thinking? This only means that I am destined to live out my days wandering this castle as a crazy spinster."

"Don't over exaggerate, Alleyni," Ghael growled. "Lyssa wants to marry and it's a wise move on behalf of our country. I'm sure that if you really want to, we could find some man who would wed you for a small dowry, but I thought we were saving you from a fate you despised."

Alleyni felt the heat rising to her face. Did her father think so little of her that he would have to pay someone to take her? Is that all the more she was, a nuisance to be bargained away?
"The truth is, Alleyni, I thought that all of this attention on me would remove the spotlight from your...lack of propriety," Lyssa murmured.

"Propriety?" Alleyni asked, her voice sullen, "Really, Lyssa? Look, maybe I should just leave Savyl like Corrina."

Ghael frowned and Alleyni felt a little satisfaction at her barb. At least I know you have a weakness. Was she unreasonable? Perhaps slightly, but they were taking her crown and privileges from her, and she had little to bargain. She felt helpless.

"Alright, Alleyni. You can end up old and alone if you really want to, but I'm finding a suitable husband. Enjoy your afternoon."

Lyssa smiled, twirling a strand of hair around her finger and motioning for Alleyni to leave with a flit of her wrist. Alleyni's eyes flashed and she whirled away, unable to look at Lyssa for another second. She ran back down the steps, her face flaming red. The crowd of men, probably a mix of lords, princes, barons, marquees, and any other rich bachelors, stopped and stared at her this time. Alleyni knew that they would have no idea that she was the princess of Savyl, but the way she stormed out of the king's chambers in a rage certainly excited their curiosity. She ignored the judgmental stares and started to push through the crowd of men.

Alleyni finally broke through the crowd and sprinted down the stone corridor, desperately wishing to escape her fate and those who had inflicted it upon her. As she turned to ascend the spiral staircase that led to her chambers, Alleyni suddenly collided with a leather jerkin. Startled, Alleyni backed up, her face flaming in embarrassment and outrage.

The man with hom she had collided smirked at her clumsiness. "Watch where you're going, princess."

His words and the misuse of her rightful title incensed her instantly. "Who do you think you are, speaking to me like that? What are you doing back here anyways? You do know that this area is private, right? Or do you lack respect in all regards?"
Alleyni felt little sympathy for the man though he was unfortunate enough to be standing there while her emotions were so fiercely boiling.

"Ouch. I'm sorry for the invasion; I was just exploring," he grinned again, his smile sideways and insidious. She wanted to smack it right off of his face. "It's a beautiful castle."

"You're one of them, aren't you? One of the princess's men?"
The man smiled again infuriatingly. "Indeed, I just got here today. We haven't been given lodging yet, so I was giving myself a tour. A splendid place, really."

"Guests are not to be wandering the halls. You should be awaiting the princess's command, and if you're not endowed with a king's treasury, you may as well pack your bags and leave before you're humiliated in front of your betters."

"Oh, I have no plans of leaving. I'm here for a princess who is supposedly incredibly wealthy, incomparably beautiful, and wears a crown of pure gold."

"My, your standards for wedlock are awe-inspiring." Alleyni scowled.

"And your jealousy is overwhelming."

"How could I be jealous? I am called to enter a convent." The sarcasm in her voice tasted of resentment and bitterness.

"I can see that you're already nurturing the virtues of gentleness and kindness."

"As if you're familiar enough with the virtues to serve as their judge."

"And these accusations, coming from the girl who is dressed as a man and is accosting a perfect stranger?"

"There's nothing perfect about you," Alleyni spat. "Now leave."

"Whatever you say, princess." The strange man grinned and winked saucily as he walked away.  

~~~~~

This chapter features a pic of Lyssa! The scene with the guy in the hallway is one of my all-time favorites. You have to admit, he could go swing-for-swing with our Al!

What'd you think of this chapter? Thanks for reading! More updates to come next week :) Vote, comment, and keep reading!

~ Hannah