"Here you go, my lady."

Lily set the envelope on the table next to Summer's plate. Summer chewed on the savory breakfast cake that came with her meal this morning and eyed Lily out of the corner of her eye. The maid's eyes were puffy and red, her face pinched. She looked nothing like the bright young woman Summer had grown accustomed to.

Summer opened the letter, a response from Rose. That was quick. She invited Summer to her new house for brunch with her friends.

The meeting with Conan would be in the afternoon, so Summer had the entire morning to herself. She would go meet Rose.

Summer put aside the letter and studied Lily. "Are you okay?"

Lily pursed her lips, looking like a disgruntled kitten. "Yes, my lady."

"I think you're lying."

Lily's shoulders grew even more tense. "Why ever would you think that? I'm perfectly fine."

"I'm sorry you got dragged to my mess," Summer said.

"It's not your fault, my lady. Some people are just too suspicious for their own good," Lily said, her hands squeezing the life out of her apron.

Hmm. Who could've had Lily in such a state- Oh.

Summer leaned forward in her seat. "Did Logan say something to you yesterday?"

And the dam broke. Lily covered her face with her hands, loud sobs escaping her muffled hands and shaking her shoulders. Oh dear.

Summer stood up and gathered the girl in her arms. She had enough experience comforting Rose, so she let Lily cry her heart out before urging her to sit and giving her a napkin. Lily blotted her cheeks and blew her nose.

"Better?" Summer asked.

"No," Lily squeaked. "He thought I was the one who put the note in your room. He actually suspected me! Can you believe it, my lady?"

Summer could. But she simply said, "what a turd." and patted Lily's shoulder.

"I always thought he was a gentleman. But he turned out to be just another arrogant, self-important... b-bastard! There, I said it! To think I ever thought he was..."

Summer sat down across from Lily and buttered a piece of bread, listening to the maid's ranting. It seemed Logan had dropped a notch or two down in Lily's affection ladder.

"...and he didn't even let me speak! He looked at me like I soiled his beloved boots when I started crying. Well! I don't cry because I want to. I just can't help myself when I'm cornered! That-that mean b-bastard! What a twit!"

Or maybe he had completely left the ladder. Well then. Summer handed the bread to Lily, who snatched it and bit into it, chewing hard like she wished she could chew a certain someone instead. Logan better watch his behind.

"Men are such idiots," Summer said on autopilot, leaning on her experience with Rose. At times like these, the best thing to do was to let her vent and help her curse the other party to the devil. Reason would come later.

It took two pieces of bread, a chocolate and another bout of ranting before Lily finally looked like she could breathe easier. And so did Summer.

Standing up, Lily sniffed and brushed her apron off. "I apologize, my lady. I'm obnoxious this morning. I'm sorry for burdening you with my problems."

"Please, Lily. What are friends for?"

Lily's face brightened. "Friends?"

"Of course. I'm very fond of you. So if you are really miffed at Logan and want to exact some revenge, let me know, and we'll figure something out. I'm very talented." Sumer winked.

Lily giggled. "Oh, I don't know, my lady. Let me think about it."

"You do that."

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Lily clapped her hands together. "Very well. If you're done with breakfast, would you like me to do your hair? I-"

Summer shot up. She was already late for her play date with the little boy. So she made an excuse and fled Lily's tender cares. Her two guards were easy enough to evade. Walking through a bustling part of the castle, she lost them and went to her lake rendezvous. Thankfully, Ida hadn't arrived yet. Otherwise, Summer would've had a harder time evading her as well.

The boy was already there, practicing the routine she'd tailored for him. The early morning sun rose over the tree line beyond him, hitting the lake with its golden rays and drawing hints of auburn from his dark hair. He turned, the brilliant blue of the lake highlighting his profile. And Summer was struck by a vague sense of familiarity.

She lingered back, hiding in the shadow of a tree, and watched him in an effort to understand why, exactly, he seemed to draw that feeling out of her.

The boy struck his leg to perform a high kick, but his form was wrong. He paused, frowning to himself and repeated the kick in perfect form, then nodded to himself, his expression severe.

That was when she saw it. Leon.

Oh God, how could she have not seen it?! Of course. A child living in the castle. A child who knew the secret maze in its walls. His expressions were all pure Leon. Now that she saw it, she couldn't understand how she'd missed it before.

What was it that Leon said his son's name was? Right. Ari. Hence the A that the boy wanted her to call him.

For some reason, however, Ari didn't want her to know his true identity. He was second in line to the throne. Someone so young and important, he shouldn't be wandering around all on his own, meeting strangers. If Summer had had any malicious agenda, Ari would've been easy pickings.

She remembered him saying he was treated like a child. Sneaking out must be his form of rebellion.

Summer sighed. Bother, bother. Should she tell Leon? Should she not?

She didn't want to betray the kid's trust, but she couldn't keep encouraging him to sneak out, now that she knew he could be a target to wicked schemes, especially with the castle admitting more outsiders as the yearly assembly of lords approached.

The boy stopped and looked around with a frown. Summer's mind had been too loud, he must've picked on her presence. The kid was talented, she would give him that.

Deciding to let matters rest for now, Summer emerged. The boy, Ari, saw her and breathed out in relief. He gave her an innocent smile, blue eyes clear and wide. His features were softer than Leon's, more delicate. His mother must've been a beauty.

For the first time, Summer was curious about Leon's late wife. All she knew was that the princess had been killed in a bandit attack a couple of years back. But why was the boy quiet? There had to be more to the story.

They went about their training. Climbing up trees went better than the previous attempts. He was still shaky when climbing down, but he did it anyway.

When their shadows were almost twice as big as they were, the boy gave Summer a quick salute and made his hurried return to the castle. Summer pondered trailing him to confirm her suspicions, but decided against it. He came to her in confidence, and until he wanted to tell her who he was, she would let him keep his secrets.

Unfortunately, her morning escapade hadn't gone unnoticed.

The guards, Leon and Ida stood near her room. The guards were professional enough not to look disgruntled at her escape, but she could sense their displeasure with her. Leon didn't bother to hide it.

He looked especially dapper this morning. His tunics and jackets were usually in subdued colors, embroidered in the same shades. But this morning, he opted for a forest green jacket edged and embroidered in golden threads over a crisp black shirt, his hair brushed back and his face clean-shaven. And yet, the elegant gold and green seemed incapable of containing his wilderness.

"Where have you been? You're not supposed to wander around without guards," he rumbled.

Summer wanted to say that she couldn't possibly be any more important than an heir to the throne, and that he was wandering around on his own, but she held her tongue and smiled teasingly. "I had a romantic rendezvous this morning."

Ida raised her eyebrows.

Leon blinked, his brows furrowed. Was it her imagination, or had the temperature suddenly dropped?

When no one spoke, Summer chuckled. "A joke. It's a joke. I just went on a walk to the lake. I was properly within the protection of the castle's inner walls."

Leon rubbed his temple. "Summer. You're a target. Please refrain from losing your guards from now on."

Summer gave him a salute. "Yes, your highness."

"And don't move outside the castle without Ida by your side."

"As you wish, your highness."

"Summer..." he growled.

"Yes, your highness?"

A vein pulsed in Leon's temple. Uh-oh. He looked at Ida and pointed at Summer. "Do not lose her."

Then he stalked off. Summer stared after him, puzzled. "What-"

She wanted to ask "what crawled up his behind", but the guards stood close, and Summer had to be a law-abiding citizen, so she asked instead, "What has him worked up?"

For whatever reason, Ida looked immensely pleased. "He has a dreadful meeting this morning."

What could possibly be dreadful for Leon? His brother, the king? But Leon didn't seem to be scared of many things.

Before she could inquire, Ida added, "and the little mouse seemed to have struck a nerve with the bear. I think he's growing close to figuring out why the mouse often has him unsettled."

What in the world was she on about?

Ida grinned. "Let's go. Rose must be waiting."

*** **** ***

Before leaving the castle, Ida honored Leon's promise by taking Summer to the armory to pick out weapons. Summer pondered over the massive collection, which was only one small part of the castle's arsenal, and picked up a set of throwing daggers, a machete with a medium length blade, small enough to conceal under her long tunic, a small dagger in a forearm sheath and two ankle daggers.

Weapons strapped on, Summer felt considerably more safe. And riding between Ida and the two guards, she felt like royalty herself.

Trees lined the empty road to Felix's house, their branches reaching skyward, almost twining to shade their path from the sun's assault. Felix's neighborhood was located a short ride from the castle, a forested area separating the two. Birds twittered and a nearby river burbled, the sounds carrying Summer to her old home in the forest where she had lived. Closing her eyes, the tense set of her shoulders relaxed.

Once the trees thinned, Summer sat up straight on her horse and studied the houses popping out of the green plain like lavish moles.

"That's Felix's house," Ida said, pointing to a sprawling residence surrounded by a pale stone wall. Awaiting carriages bordered the road in front of the gate.

"Is Felix from a rich family?" Summer asked.

"Not really. His father was a fisherman and his mother a maid. He comes from a very modest family. Everything you see, he made it himself. He's a genius in all matters pertaining to medicine and chemistry. The king recognized that and had him working for the court. He's very generously compensated."

"So he's a medic for the king?"

"One of several, but his most lucrative work is research. Developing medicines for new illnesses and antidotes for poisons, things like that. He often travels all around the kingdom, especially to locations of sickness outbreaks where he could use his experience and talent to help develop cures."

"Hmm."

It seemed there were many things Summer didn't know about the Springwood kingdom. She was now curious about Leon's brother. Clearly, Ida thought highly of him, painting him as a man who could see farther ahead and who would utilize his people's skills for the good of the kingdom.

Summer didn't know what to think of him as of yet. True, her earlier instinct to dislike him had abated since she'd met Leon. Still, she didn't think she would like him very much. Which was a prejudice she had to check.

A man dressed in dark blue livery greeted them at the gate and took their horses, another showed them to the house, leading the way through a neatly trimmed garden, up a flight of steps and to a big, intricately carved wooden door.

Rose burst out of the door before they finished the steps.

"Summer!"

Dressed in a flowy dress the color of a clear summer sky with full sleeves and silver embroidery, her hair piled in glossy curls, Rose's face glowed. She gathered Summer in a tight hug and greeted Ida with a light curtsy.

"Welcome! Everyone is already inside. Will you be joining us, lady Ida?"

"I'm here as Summer's guard today. I'll stay on the fringes if you don't mind."

"Oh, that's a shame," Rose said. "Why don't-"

"Aunt Summer!"

Summer's eyes bugged. She almost didn't recognize the boy who ran out of the door. His skin had a healthy flush, his hair shorter and brushed back to reveal bright clear eyes. Summer had rarely seen those eyes except hazy with illness.

"Berry! Did you grow taller or am I seeing things?" Summer said, putting her hand on top of the child's head. He grinned and stood on his tiptoes.

"Really?"

The boy chattered away, and guilt hit Summer in a vicious blow.

They looked so happy, so healthy. Summer had never known her friend could smile so brightly, she had never before thought the boy who'd been riddled with disease his entire young life could be so lively.

Rose had left their old town behind in the past, where it belonged. That included the plans that she and Summer had always dreamt of.

Summer shouldn't begrudge Rose her happiness. Maybe it was time to let go of old dreams that involved other people. It was time for Summer to find her own path.

That thought scared her even more.

The house wasn't as grand as the royal palace, of course, but it was impressive nonetheless. Lush carpets and polished stone, sunlight and plants in every corner. It felt like Felix tried his best to bring the garden inside as well. Summer loved it.

Rose led the way inside to a parlor that opened to the back of the house. A crisp breeze blew from the garden outside, and the white walls and curtains would have given the room a peaceful mood, if not for the cluster of ladies occupying the pale green settees, drinking tea and twittering away.

The conversation stopped when Summer and Ida entered the room on Rose's tail. The guards parked themselves right outside the door.

Rose made the introductions, though some of the women recognized Ida. Felix's older sister, an elegant woman who looked to be in her late thirties, smiled tightly at Summer when Rose introduced her.

"Ah, your... friend," the woman, Fiona, said, blinking at Summer's wild hair. "You two are certainly different, aren't you?"

Rose chuckled. "We are. Summer is more-um- wild. But she can be very put-together when she wants to."

"I see," Fiona said, stretching the word. Summer held back her tongue and smiled. She could do that for her friend.

"Please, make yourself comfortable," Fiona turned to Ida and her smile brightened considerably more. "Lady Ida. It's such a pleasure to meet you again. How's his highness doing?"

Ida replied, but Rose leaned closer to Summer and whispered, "I wish you'd done something to your hair. It's so pretty when you put it up."

"You know it makes me feel suffocated when I tie it up," Summer whispered back.

"I know. It's just... it would've been nice. For me?" Rose said with a small smile.

"Next time," Summer replied, letting go of the dagger she'd gripped in her pocket. She hadn't even realized she'd done it.

Fortunately, Fiona and Ida ended their polite conversation. Ida stood against the wall, assuming guard, and Rose installed Summer next to a group of young women.

Summer could tell most of them didn't know what to make of her. Summer's clothes were of the finest material and make- Because she was riding this morning, she had opted for a long tunic and trousers the color of daffodils embroidered and stitched in pale purple- but her hair was still a halo of curls around her head, her face was bare of anything except her loud freckles, and she didn't wear any jewelry.

After a moment of brief awkwardness, the room settled into its previous rhythm of chats and giggles. Rose fluttered among the clusters of females to be a gracious hostess to everyone.

"... but I think a dark red would suit you much better. Bold colors are all the rage this summer."

"I'll see. My father says that their fabrics have a variety of patterns. I can't wait to see what he'll bring me next time."

One of the girls looked at Summer with a smile. "Jasmine's father is traveling east. Have you ever been?"

She was obviously trying to include Summer so she wouldn't feel left out. Summer rather wished the woman didn't, but she appreciated her kindness.

"No," Summer replied, accepting the cup of tea the other woman held out. "Have you?"

"No, I-"

"I heard about you."

Summer and the kind girl looked at the dark-haired beauty standing over them. She swiped the seat of her dress and gracefully lowered herself in a chair nearby. The girls all shared uneasy glances. From those looks alone, Summer could tell the new woman's presence wasn't entirely comforting.

Summer raised her eyebrows. "I see. I'm sorry, I'm terrible with names. You are...?"

The woman's hair was so black it almost glinted blue under the sunlight. Her eyes were a hazel that turned to green when the light hit them just right, and it was the exact shade of her silk dress and the gemstones adorning her neck and ears.

"I'm General Bordrick's daughter, Lady Iris," she said with an arrogant tilt of her chin. Ah. Blake's sister. How lovely.

Summer was inclined to sympathize with Iris considering the poor woman had a misogynistic lout for a brother and a father. But Iris' bearing seemed rather hostile to her.

"A pleasure to meet you," Summer said.

"I heard about you," Iris said, once again.

"That makes one of us, because I haven't heard about you," Summer said and took a sip of her tea.

One of the girls choked on her tea. Summer didn't look away from Iris, whose lips had disappeared out of displeasure. Summer picked up a delicious looking pastry with what looked like red fruits on its crumbly face.

"You live in the castle, under his highness' benevolence," Iris said. "With no escort and no chaperone. Your family couldn't possibly be pleased with that."

Summer had no doubt that Iris knew everything there was to know about her. Summer had beat up her brother, a general's son, after all.

She also knew what the other woman was implying.

"Fortunately for me, I have no family, so no chaperon or escort. Do you volunteer?" Summer asked.

Iris blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Since you're obviously so very concerned about my reputation, would you like to become my chaperon? I'm sure his highness would accommodate you in one of his wings."

Summer took a bite of the pastry. Hmm. Delicious.

Iris made a face, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "You are more insolent than I thought. You do know his highness would never marry someone like you. You're only wasting time."

"Is that so? And why are you worried about his highness' marriage? Oh, or do you intend to ask for his hand? I can put in a good word for you, if you'd like." Summer blinked innocently.

Someone gasped. Another choked back a laugh. A flurry of whispers. Everyone in the room suddenly seemed interested in their conversation.

Iris' cheeks glowed red. She shot to her feet, indignation twisting her elegant features. She looked Summer up and down like she was dirt on her favorite pair of slippers. Rose approached hesitantly.

Iris looked at her. "Rose, I thought you were a nice, polite girl. But if this," she motioned to Summer with a sweep of her hand, "dishonorable woman is your friend, I'm afraid I've misjudged you. Have a good day."

She left in a swish of her skirts. Her words didn't bother Summer. It was the look of shame on Rose's face that twisted her insides. Her friend's cheeks tinged with red, her shoulders tight. But she quickly masked her expression and gave the guests a smile.

"Please, excuse me." Then she went after Iris.

Summer took another bite of the pastry, but it didn't taste as delicious as the first bite. Across the room, Fiona looked at Summer with barely concealed disapproval.

"She's general Bordrick's daughter, you know," one of the girls sitting beside Summer whispered.

"I'm aware."

Her friend nudged her with her elbow. Summer raised a brow.

"Is it true that you beat up her brother, Blake?"

News sure traveled fast. Summer saw no reason to lie, so she nodded.

The girls giggled. "I wish I could've seen it!"

"He's always been such a turd," her friend said, her name was Jasmine, if Summer remembered correctly.

"I agree," Summer said.

"If we're ever in the castle, can we visit with you?" Jasmine asked, her eyes bright. She looked to be around Summer's age, maybe younger. Yet Summer felt eons older than her.

She could sense the young girl's sincerity, however, so she agreed. "Of course. That would be lovely."

A short while later, Rose hadn't returned yet. Summer knew Rose enough to have read the look on her face earlier.

She put the tea down, brushed her hands and pushed to her feet. "I'm afraid I can't stay any longer. It was nice meeting you all."

"Likewise. We'll see you later, Summer!"

She smiled and left. Her smile dropped as she left the room. Ida fell into step beside her, the guards trailing them.

They met Rose in the hallway. "Oh, you're leaving?" Rose asked.

"Yes. I have some things to take care of," Summer said and saw the evident relief on her friend's face. Summer's throat closed up.

"Sorry for what happened there. I didn't mean to make a scene," Summer said.

Rose laughed. "You're not sorry at all. I know you enough to know that." Rose sighed. "I wish you could've gotten along with her. She's been nice to me."

But she hasn't been nice to me.

Summer held back the words and smiled. "Right. Well, we can't all have what we want."

Rose walked them to the door. There, she faced Summer with a small smile.

"I love your new house," Summer said. "Congratulations."

Rose beamed. "It's lovely, isn't it. I haven't officially moved in yet. But I've been spending more time here. You're welcome to visit anytime you want, Summer."

"Thank you."

Summer turned and walked away, dropping the smile.

Her heart broke. Grief for losing her once-only friendship weighing her heart down already. They rode their horses and left the estate.

She was holding Rose back, she realized. Summer would never be the proper lady Rose would love her to be.

But who was she to deny her friend her happiness? Just because they didn't share the same dreams and interests, didn't mean that one of them was wrong and the other was right.

Summer wasn't interested in jewelry and fashion and embroidery the same way Rose was. And that was okay. The world would've been boring if all women were one and the same.

And that was what hurt Summer the most. The fact that her friend wanted her to be something she was not.

Summer slowed her horse down, memories of their past playing before her eyes. Rose had always pointed out Summer's quirks. Summer had always thought it was benign teasing. But today made it clear she truly wished Summer was a proper lady, whatever the hell that meant.

"Summer?" Ida said, reigning her horse next to Summer's. She had stopped.

"Sorry," Summer said and urged her horse forward. The hoofbeats merged with the distant noise of the bustling city.

"Some friendships are born out of convenience," Ida said out of the blue. "That doesn't mean that you've wasted your time on it. But when it's time to let go, you should just let go."

Summer twisted her lips in a smile. "I should, shouldn't I? I just keep holding onto the past..."

"Give yourself some grace," Ida said. "You've been through a lot lately. You'll figure things out in due time."

That's right. Rose had been there for Summer when her entire town shunned her. And Summer had been there for Rose when her son fell sick. Their times together hadn't been meaningless. Now that life was easier for both of them, maybe it was time to gracefully let go of the past?

Summer smiled and looked at Ida. Her sharp profile, her dark skin, her straight posture. She'd grown familiar with Ida. And wasn't that telling enough?The fact that she felt more at ease with a woman she knew for a few months compared to the one she'd known her entire life?

Summer sighed. She wanted to go back to the castle where it was familiar.

Summer urged her horse to a canter. Look at her, Summer, the little unlucky thief, found home in a royal palace. Life was funny that way.

Her state of mind must've affected her more than she thought, because she hadn't seen the arrow until she heard its zip through the wind. Instinctively, she pulled Ida down, almost toppling her off her horse. The arrow went right where Ida's head had been.

"Down!"

*** **** ***

Thoughts?

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for the cliffhanger! I just can't resist :p

Don't forget to vote and comment! I appreciate it.

Much love <3 <3 <3

M.B.