The hall was filled with people. There were five guards at the front who were looking at everyone one by one before they let them go. Two palace guards stayed at the back, silently observing the inspection.

Their bright blue uniforms and red sash across their chests were evident as I scan the crowd. The people looked bored as they waited in line for the inspection.

At the other side of the room with his arms crossed was our boss, Samuel, who was scanning the crowd as though looking for someone.

And that someone was obviously me and Tony.

"Let's get this over with," Psyche stated and pulled me to the line.

"There's a line at each guard," Hudson commented.

"We aren't blind, genius," Derek told him.

"Then let's go to the line with the least people," Tony suggested.

Amadeus strolled forward without another word. Adrian and Alyssa followed him. The others followed and I noticed that Heather stayed at the back.

Was she trying to avoid Amadeus?

Amadeus led us to the line with the least people and waited in line. Since we were nineteen, the line instantly became long because of us. I was behind Psyche who was behind Adrian who was behind our leader who was behind Amadeus who was behind of six people.

"Next," the guard bellowed.

The next person went in front full with boredom.

"Name?" The guard asked.

"Aisha Tremor," the woman replied.

The guard muttered the name to the man in white beside him. The man typed something into his laptop then nodded at the guard, "Citizenship confirmed. Code 25."

My heart pounded quicker, "They're going to check our citizenship?" I whispered to Psyche.

She shrugged, "I think it's an effective way to know where the former prince and lady is."

I pursed my lips and glanced discreetly at Tony's way. He had the same look of fear in his eyes but he hid it well.

I took a deep breath, never show a thing you feel inside.

The line was moving fasted than what I was hoping for. Luck isn't on my side.

"Amadeus Salesbury," Amadeus stated.

"Confirmed, code 13."

"Aliciana Summers," Alyssa stated.

"Confirmed, code 30."

"Adrian Wang."

"Confirmed, code 17."

"Psyche de Caprio."

"Confirmed, code 1."

I took a deep breath, "Sophie Reese."

The man in white typed the name then frowned when a beep sounded, "Denied."

My heart pounded fastly as the guard glared at me, "Who are you?"

I gulped, "I'm from France. I was transferred here to train," I said.

The guard raised an eyebrow and turned to the man in white, "What are we going to do with her?"

"I'm going to contact the king of France and confirm her identity," the man answered, "though this might take a while since I still have to wait for the reply."

The guard grunted, "We'll have to come back here to confirm it. For now, miss, you're safe."

"Code 36," the man in white stated.

I released a breath and smiled at them, "Thank you."

The guard didn't acknowledge my gratitude and said, "Next."

The others passed by without a single question, Tony lied too. I didn't know what he told them but the guard nodded and let him through.

Before I could ask Tony what he told them, a man's voice resonated around the room, "To every citizen who received code 36, please proceed to the office now. I repeat, to all who received code 36, please proceed to the office now."

"Code 36?" Psyche asked.

My eyebrows furrowed, "I got 36."

"I got code 1," Psyche said.

I turned to the others, "Did anyone else get a code 36?"

Tony raised his hand. My heart pounded rapidly because of it. I gulped, "Alright, let's go."

"Just come back to the room when you're done," Alyssa stated.

I nodded, "Alright."

"Come on," Tony said and offered me his arm the way he always did at the palace.

I shot him a warning look and instead, grabbed his hand, denying his arm. I pulled him to the group of people gathering at the office chatting animatedly about useless things.

"Yeah so I heard that Gabriel will be crowned king tomorrow," one girl stated.

"Really? There wasn't an announcement about that."

"Whenever his coronation is, I'm sure to cheer him on," the girl stated and sighed dreamily, "imagine him wearing royal clothing and a crown on his head."

The other girl nodded in agreement, "It totally fits him."

"Of course it does! It's his birthright."

I glanced at Tony worriedly. He was watching the girls talk with a blank face. He hid his sadness well. Nonetheless, I squeezed his hand to comfort him. He turned to me and gave me a smile.

"Everyone you all have been gathered here because you have one thing in common," the man announced over the microphone, "all of you have claimed that you came from another country and chose to live here. We still do not have an assurance that what you have said is true. Until then, the crown prince invites you all to the palace and live there under his observation."

I gulped and inched closer to Tony. His warmth comforted me but my heart was still racing.

The people commented their excitement and happiness about this new order. In order to blend in, I forced a smile and looked at Tony who looked as happy as I am.

"Aren't you so excited?" I asked him with a fake happy tone.

"I can't wait to see the place," he replied and gave me an almost convincing smile.

"Imagine living there!" I exclaimed, "it's like a dream come true."

"You would have lived there with me if that stupid Gabriel just gave up," he muttered silently so only I could hear.

I frowned, "Tony, you know I don't need to live in a fancy place."

He smiled, "I know."

I sighed, "But what are we going to do there?"

"Good question, ma'am," the man stated.

My eyes widened when I realized that he was referring to me.

"Until you are proven of your citizenship, the crown prince has ordered that you shall be treated as guests in his palace. Be proven that you aren't, and consequences shall be sequenced."

"What kind of consequences?" A man asked from behind me.

The man's face contorted into a malicious smirk, "Nothing unnecessary. Maybe eternal slavery, years of torture, death, or all of it if you're lucky."

I gulped at his reply. Tony squeezed my hand comfortingly. It did little help. I pursed my lips and stared in front.

"Good thing I'm really from New Asia," a girl beside me sighed in relief.

"I'm sure I won't get any sort of punishment," another man stated, "the king of Spain and my father are friends."

"My birth certificate is still with my mother in Italy," another woman stated, "hopefully the government has a copy of that."

I gripped Tony's hand tightly, "I'm sure the king of France knows me."

Tony nodded, "Yeah and it's a good thing my brother is in Italy right now."

I forced myself not to feel too relieved. It was a good thing he said he was from Italy. Also, it was only then that I found out that William and Celestiana moved back to Italy.

"He went to Italy?" I asked.

He nodded, "Yup, to join his wife. Her father said that he didn't like the environment here and told them to move there."

"You never told me," it was obvious that I was disappointed since it was heard at the tone of my voice.

"Sorry," he apologized, "he's trying to keep in touch these days. He thought we died."

I laughed a little, "Oh that boy. Still as optimistic as ever."

He grinned, "Some people never change."

"You will receive a letter from the palace informing you of the date when you will stay there," the man said, "until then, you may resume your activities."

The people left the office after that. Tony and I followed, walking rather slowly than the pace of others.

"What are we going to do now?" I asked him slowly with my arm linked with his.

He sighed, "I guess we keep pretending."

"Nothing's new there," I commented with a sigh of my own. "Don't you think we should do something?"

He pursed his lips and hung his head low in a defeated manner, "Of course I do, but these past few days I've been trying to come up with a plan. But with every plan I make, there's always a flaw which would lead us to our deaths."

"We'll think of something," I supplied with a little determination, "Gabriel might be the right heir to the throne but he isn't the right king these people need."

Tony nodded, now feeling a little hope, "You're right. The people need me and I won't let them down."

I smiled and nodded, "That's the spirit."

He smiled, "Let's go back to practice now. They're probably wondering why we took so long."

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They're almost back to the palace!! 😆 Exams are coming up and I'm not studying :< hello to cramming!