Papa won't let me go outside so I have to cure my boredom in the confines of the palace. I decide to find Brycen to see what he is doing. He is most likely in the study with Papa, so I head down there. The door is slightly ajar and I can hear voices. I am about to knock on the door, when I hear my name.

"This incident with Elaerya today proves that it's not safe for them to be here anymore," I hear my father say.

"It was a one-time incident, Father," Brycen pipes up.

"He is a spy from Berirind!"

"But it was only one person."

"One person who could have taken your sister, Brycen Sage! You don't seem to understand the severity of this situation! We were lucky Tryan was there. Things could have gotten much worse. She could have been killed, Brycen!"

"It really was nothing, your Majesty," I hear Tryan say quietly.

"Nonsense. You saved my daughter's life, Tryan. For that, we are grateful. But we won't always be that lucky, which is why we need to get the girls away from here. I have already arranged for Jenisyn to go to the boarding school in Elveskold. Elveskold is neutral territory so she should be safe there. She leaves in three days."

"But is it really necessary to send Elaerya all the way to Lycera?"

"If I may, it is on the other side of the Bedivold Mountains and the ocean is on the opposite side. It is very secluded there. And she would be well taken care of," Tryan says.

So, Tryan is in on all of it too! They are all trying to send me away! Deciding my future without me! I can't take it anymore! I push open the door to the study.

"How dare you! I can't believe all of you are standing here deciding my future behind my back! I don't even get a say in the matter? I don't get to choose where to spend my banishment? And you expect me to go along with it like a good little princess. I won't! I will not stand here and accept exile like a common criminal!" I turn on my heel and leave the study.

"Elaerya Cecily Rochelle! Get back here!" I hear my father's voice boom, but I ignore him.

It is probably a bad idea to disobey a direct order from the King, but at this point, I don't really care. I'm just so angry! I have to get away from here; to clear my head. I hear footsteps behind me and start to run, but Brycen is faster and catches my arm.

"Let me go, Brycen!" I say, sobbing. "I won't go! I won't!"

"Cecy, you have to listen! Please!" he begs. His eyes frantically search my face. I've never seen him so…so…desperate. "Please."

I nod, stifling my tears and reluctantly let him take me back to the study and he shuts the door tight behind us.

"Elaerya, you have to understand that what happened today cannot be taken lightly," Papa says. "I'm not exiling you. I'm only trying to keep you safe. There was only one man today, but where there's one, there is bound to be more. Now, you will be staying in Lycera."

"But Papa, it takes three days to get to Lycera!"

"All the better to keep you safe. Tryan will be accompanying you. You will be staying with his family in Lycera."

I furiously glare at Tryan, feeling betrayed. He was not only going along with all of this, he was playing a major part!

"You will not be Princess Elaerya. You will be Cecily Arrin Mondeburgh, daughter of Sir Laurence Mondeburgh. Sir Laurence is my most trusted knight and has already agreed to be your cover. You must not let anyone know who you really are or where you're from under any circumstances. Do you understand, Elaerya?"

"Yes, Father. When do I leave?"

"Three days."

"Good. At least I can still spend my birthday here," I say, icily.

Papa sighs and walks over to wrap his arms around me. "Elaerya, you have to understand that I am doing this to protect you. I can't lose you." His voice cracks slightly and all my resolve crumbles. It was so rare for Father to let his emotions show.

I almost feel guilty for losing my temper.

"I know, Papa," I whisper. "I can't say I'm happy or I will go along willingly, but I will do it for you, Papa."

"Thank you, Elaerya," he says, kissing me on the head. "Now, only the four of us and Sir Laurence know about this, and I would like to keep it that way." We all nod.

"I will send word to you when it is safe to come home," says Brycen. "I don't know how long it will be so prepare to be away for as long as it takes. Don't take anything that will give you away. No clothes, no jewelry, nothing that would give any hint that you are a princess."

"What about my necklace?" I say, my hand going up to it.

Brycen thinks for a minute. "I suppose that is fine. It is simple and it already says Cecy. You can just say that Cecy is your nickname if anyone asks. If you want, I can give you some more combat lessons."

"Combat lessons?" asks Father, raising an eyebrow. "And what do you mean by more?"

Oh, goodness. Now he's done it.

"I have been giving Elaerya combat lessons while you've been gone, Father. I thought they would be useful when we were both gone."

"Really? And what else don't I know about my oldest daughter?"

"Well, she is pretty handy with a bow and arrow and she makes a mean snare."

"Oh, I'm not that good, Brycen," I say, my cheeks turning red. It is weird to be hearing praise for my combat skills, especially in front of my father, who thinks I've just been sitting at home doing my studies like a proper princess should.

"Don't sell yourself short, Cecy. You caught more rabbits that first day out than I have ever caught in all my hunting days!"

"I guess it would be a good idea for her to learn some combat. She might be more convincing as a knight's daughter that way."

"Brycen, why is Tryan escorting me? What about you? You won't have an esquire while we are gone."

"I will manage. Tryan would do anything to protect me. I know he will take just as much care for your safety, if not more."

My eyes meet Tryan's and in that short moment, I can see it. He is going to do everything in his power to keep me safe.

That boy is making it awfully hard for me to stay mad at him.