"This is death."

"Get up; we don't have time for your death."

"Never thought I'd hear that sentence."

"This is still your first week of training and you've claimed to have died at least twenty five times, Vic."

"It's hard!"

"You know what's harder?" Clara raised an eyebrow at the prince who was sprawled on the ground for the thousandth time. "My fist. Now get up and finish those lunges!"

With a fake cry, Victor got up and continued to do lunges. His muscles burned like fire was running through every fiber of his being. The slight breeze was cold against his sweaty face, making shivers go down his spine. 

He glanced at Clara, who was now sat on a bench a few steps away from him. She was tinkering with a long cuff bracelet. He couldn't understand exactly what it was she was doing to it, all he knew was that she was working on new weapons and had yet to get them right.

"Any updates on the bandits?" He asked.

Clara stopped what she was doing, looking up at the prince. Her eyes were glazed and her jaw was clenched. 

"I have a few theories." She answered with a small nod as she put away her tools. "There's a chance Rowan has turned some of my knights against me; he could be planning a coup."

"But why would he attack his own kingdom?" He furrowed his eyebrows, standing straight.

"Don't stop the exercise." She reminded him. "But to answer your question; it could be because he wants it to be his kingdom."

"I can't believe that bastard." He grumbled, doing lunges just like he was instructed. "What are we going to do?"

"For starters," Clara stood up and walked over to him, slightly fixing his posture so he wouldn't hurt himself. Victor pushed down his thoughts. "I'll be investigating him secretly, as well as my knights."

"What can I do to help?"

"I don't think there's much-" She cut herself off as an idea formed in her head. "Actually...there might be something you can do. Training is done for today, go back and get ready for the day, I'll come find you."

Clara quickly walked over to the bench and gathered her things before she turned to him one last time.

"Tell no one what we know; we can't let Rowan know we suspect him."

With that, the brunette left. Victor watched her retreating figure for a moment longer than he wanted to and then made his own way to the castle, now wrapped in his dark cloak to not get recognized.

"Edith, stop!" The middle aged man yelled in frustration. "You know she's not capable of protecting us!"

"How can you say that?" She argued, her voice rising. "We know her, Stefan! Clara is strong; stronger than any of us ever will be!"

"She's not strong enough to be the general!" He yelled, throwing his arms up. "We have to demand for another one! You saw what happened that day; we lost so much!"

"You can't possibly be blaming Clara for the attack!" she yelled back in anger.

"I'm blaming her because she let it happen!"

"You're ridiculous, Stefan, really." His wife let out a huff and crossed her arms, looking away from him. "You act as if you could've done better."

"I probably could have." He grumbled. "If she did it, how hard could it be to become a knight? Edwin probably just favored her because she's his daughter."

"Now you're disrespecting Edwin?" She scoffed, turning away. "Just get out; I can't even look at you anymore."

"Fine, I will!"

"Good!"

He slammed the door shut.

Edith flinched at the loud noise and dropped herself onto their couch, anxiously shaking her knees and pinching the skin of her lips. Her breathing was ragged and her face was red from fury. She couldn't believe how her husband could disrespect the girl who had always been there to help them and many others whenever she was in the area.

She was so happy and proud when they announced her knighting; even more when she was named the new general. Though she and many others who had known her ever since she was young noticed the absence of a certain glint in her eyes the day she became general.

Her husband was not the only one who had turned against Clara. Many of her neighbors felt the same. She was disgusted by their words towards her.

Not too long after Stefan's departure, a soft knock was heard. Edith got up and opened the door, greeting her friend with a smile and welcoming her in.

"I heard yelling, is everything alright?" The strawberry blonde woman asked.

"Yeah, it's just Stefan being an arse." She huffed again. "I can't stand him sometimes."

"Arguing about Clara, I assume?" She asked with a sad smile. Edith nodded with a sigh. "I get it; Michael is the same."

"I just can't fathom how they could turn against her for such a thing; they're not seeing sense!"

"Oh believe me, I know." Miriam laughed dryly with no humor. "God forbid they believe a woman is better than them at a 'man's job' whatever that is."

"It's as if they completely forgot that it was Clara who fought in the war, not them."

"And the fact that we mostly have to rely on them our entire lives? Barbaric, if you ask me." Esme rolled her eyes. "Men are so high and mighty yet we do all the work? Then they get the credit of providing for us. It's pathetic!"

"I'm proud of Clara for not letting society stop her." Edith smiled. "I can't imagine the strength it must take to handle all those men everyday; no doubt they don't make it easy for her."

"Just look at our husbands, for example." Miriam flailed an arm. "They're just about ready to start a revolution just to remove her from her status!"

"We can't let that happen, Miriam."

"What can we do, though?" She asked. "It's not like they'll listen to us. The only way they might listen to us is if we had a sword above their heads."

An idea popped into Edith's head. She smiled gleefully.

"Then let's do that!"

"What do you mean?" She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"I say let's gather our friends and pay Clara a little visit later today."

Miriam then understood why Edith was grinning and mirrored her expression. It was finally time to end a certain part of the world; starting in Avelyn. Though Clara was younger than them; she had inspired them to start a new path in their lives.

Leaving the training field with Alan supervising, Clara walked into the castle, heading to the kitchen to get Hazel.

"Morning, ladies!" She smiled at them all.

"Clara!" Molly grinned, walking over to hug her. "I missed having you here."

"I miss being here too." She smiled and pulled away. "I promise I'll come by to annoy you more often."

The older woman laughed lightly and went back to her work. Hazel looked up from the dough she was kneading and smiled at Clara. The brunette laughed at the flecks of flour all over her best friend.

"I'm kidnapping you, come on." Clara said.

"Molly, can Clara kidnap me?" They looked at the woman in question and she rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Sure, go ahead."

"Glad to know you'll let people kidnap me so easily." Hazel pouted jokingly as she washed her hands.

"Thanks, Molly. Have a nice day everyone!" Clara waved and left with her friend.

"To what do I owe this?" Hazel asked.

"Remember what we talked about last night?" Clara started, looking around at the castle workers and smiling politely at them. Hazel nodded. "I've got a plan. First we need to find Victor."

"He'll probably be at the library by now." She said, walking faster now that she knew their destination.

"Library?" Clara furrowed her eyebrows. "Since when does he read?"

"He's been spending a lot of time there, actually." Hazel gave her a knowing look that left her confused. "You rarely see him without a book anymore."

"Huh." Clara smiled. "That's nice."

"Mhmm." Hazel giggled.

Clara narrowed her eyes at her best friend playfully before breaking out into laughter as well. Soon they arrived at the library and walked in, their eyes scanning the room for the prince. Clara stopped in her steps while Hazel continued to make her way towards a specific aisle where she knew Victor would be. Following Hazel, Clara was finally in front of him.

Victor was sitting at a table with a hefty book in front of him and it had seemed that he was more than halfway done with it. Clara's eyebrows rose as she was impressed.

"Hey, Vic."

He finally broke out of his trance and looked up at the two girls, offering them a charming smile. Clara and Hazel took a seat in front of him and leaned forward.

"Okay so," Clara started. "I came up with a plan, and it's probably dumb, but we have no other choice."

"A dumb plan?" Hazel grinned. "Count me in."

Victor laughed.

"So what is this grand plan of yours?" He asked with intrigue lacing through his voice.

"We're going to sneak into Rowan's house and look around." 

"You were right," Victor deadpanned. "that is dumb."

"Hear me out!" She put her hands up. "You've been there before, right?"

"Yeah, but there's nothing there."

"Have you been to the basement?"

"Basement?" Victor looked confused. "His house doesn't have a basement."

Hazel and Clara exchanged looks.

"There is a hidden basement." She said. "A house that big always has a basement. We just have to find the entrance to it. Why would he have it hidden if he has nothing to hide?"

"Well I can't sneak in, can I?" Victor said. "I'll be easily recognized."

"That's exactly what I need you to do." Clara smiled sheepishly. "We need you to distract him while Hazel and I look around."

"Find a secret basement, that sound easy." Hazel said sarcastically with a teasing smile.

"I have Alan in charge of distracting Julian, too." Clara added.

"Why?"

"Because this is a dumb plan; he wouldn't let me do it if he knew." She laughed. "Shall we?"

"Here's to dumb plans!" Victor clapped with a small laugh. Hazel repeated his actions. The trio then left the library with a mission planted in their minds.

A crestfallen Julian walked onto the training field, finally done with his turn to teach horseback riding to some recruits. There was an opened letter in his hand. His eyes never left it and they began to sting with unshed tears.

His ears picked up on Alan's voice as she shouted instructions. Taking slow steps towards the sound, he could only focus on the feel of his heart cracking; small shards falling with every passing minute.

"Alan, have you seen Clara?" He asked, his red eyes meeting the brown ones of his friend.

"I haven't, no." He lied. "What's wrong?"

"It's Rose..." His head fell and he shut his eyes tightly.

"Is she alright?" Alan stepped closer, putting a comforting hand on Julian's shoulder.

Julian shook his head.

"I'm so sorry." Alan shook his head, a deep frown on his face. "I wish we could do something."

Julian took a deep breath to keep the tears from falling. "I can't even get her to come to Avelyn, she's too weak."

Alan pulled his friend; his brother, into a hug. He couldn't bear to look at the pain on his face. He could feel his own heart breaking along with Julian's.

"Does this mean..." He trailed off, his voice cracking with sadness.

"I might have to." Julian nodded, his eyes brimming with tears. 

Alan gulped, nodding his head, trying to push away his own tears. He had to be strong for him. He wondered why the world had to be so cruel to the kindest people. They didn't deserve all this pain.

"It'll be okay, Julian." He tried to sound sincere, but he couldn't even convince himself.

He knew his heart wouldn't be the last one to break.

Clara, Hazel and Victor made their way to the duke's house. Clara was no longer wearing armor to avoid making any sound. The two girls had to take another path to get to the house from behind; where Clara knew no guards would be positioned at the time.

Victor walked into the house and towards his uncle's office.

"Dear uncle Rowan!" He greeted with a beaming smile, catching the old man off guard. "The weather is great today, isn't it?"

"What do you want?" He grumbled.

"I was hoping to talk to you more." He shrugged. "Can't a boy just spend time with his uncle?"

"Go away, I'm busy." He went back to reading reports.

"Please, uncle." He sighed. "Let's take a walk, I could use someone with more knowledge to help me with my duties."

At this, the duke raised his head and smirked, taking any opportunity to be involved in the kingdom's affairs.

"Lead the way, nephew." He faked a kind smile.

Victor smiled sincerely, happy that his trap had worked. Now he just had to find a fake task that would take a very long time.

He decided to go to every house and ask a few questions about their life conditions.

Rowan would never accompany him again.

Meanwhile, Clara and Hazel were waiting for Victor to open a window for them as he left. Clara motioned for Hazel to use her hands as leverage to get up to the window first.

"I don't get why you didn't just order your guards to leave." Hazel whispered as she struggled to reach the window. 

"I can't let them know I was here, I don't know who is on my side anymore!" She whispered back. "Did you get it yet?"

"I can't reach it!"

Clara lowered Hazel swiftly; making her let out a startled yelp. Their eyes widened and Hazel put her hands in front of her mouth, looking terrified. Clearly the sound attracted the attention of a guard.

"Hide!" Clara mouthed to her friend before she ran over to a large tree and motioned for Hazel to hurry and climb it. Giving her a boost, Hazel was able to climb the tree much faster than they expected and Clara followed after her, sitting on a higher branch and holding Hazel's hand tightly.

They watched the guard make his way behind the large house and scan around to no avail. As if the universe was working in their favor, a small fox jumped out from behind a bush, making a sound similar to the yelp Hazel let out.

"Oh, it was just you." He said with a chuckle. "Go on, get out of here, buddy."

Clara stifled her laughter as Hazel glared up at her, knowing exactly why she was laughing. She then moved her thumb across her neck and pointed at Clara with narrowed eyes, making the girl want to laugh even harder.

Once the guard was gone for a while, Clara made her way down the tree silently, reaching for Hazel to help her down.

"My skirt is stuck!" She whispered frantically with a panicked face.

"Damn it, Foxy!" Clara sighed. "I told you to wear pants but nooo you had to prove me wrong, didn't you?"

"What do I do?" She asked, ignoring the scolding with a sheepish smile.

Clara looked around and noticed the same tree had a branch very close to the window they had been trying to reach.

"Climb higher, we can use that branch to get into the house!" She whispered, ushering for her to climb while she followed after her; praying that she wouldn't get a splinter.

"I can't jump that!" Hazel panicked upon seeing the distance between the open window and herself.

Clara sighed and closed her eyes momentarily before telling her to hold on tight. She then dropped herself from the branch and lifted her legs to wrap around the branch, now holding onto it upside down as she moved closer to the window. She instructed Hazel to move behind so she could fully come up in front of her.

The branch shook when Hazel moved back and the two girls let out small yelps in fear of falling. Clara was finally able to perch on the branch again and turned to Hazel with a grin, breathing heavily.

"Watch what I do closely, I'll catch you once I'm there."

Clara moved her feet so they were on the branch and her knees were bent in a squat. With a quick breath she stood up and quickly jumped forward, catching the edge of the window and climbing up, landing herself safely inside.

"I actually did it!" She grinned, eyes wide with excitement as she stared at a horrified Hazel.

"You didn't know it would work!?" Hazel whisper yelled, her hands shaking more now.

"...It was a working theory?" Clara chuckled sheepishly, shrugging slightly.

"Clara, I will murder you."

"I completely understand, but you have to jump first."

"I can't!"

"Yes, you can!"

"Bitch, I'm not a knight with years of training!"

"...but you're best friends with one, that means something, right?"

"No!"

"Okay fine, but you have to jump." Clara leaned out of the window, holding her arms out. "I'll catch you."

"Oh god oh god oh god..." She mumbled as she got into the same position as Clara before. "I'm going to die..."

"You won't die, I'll catch you!"

"Promise?"

"I promise, Hazel." Clara offered a smile. "You can trust me."

Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Hazel decided to take a leap of faith and actually leap in the air. She ended up jumping so high that she fell through the window and on Clara; dropping the two of them on the ground with a loud thud.

"Told you I'll catch you..." Clara mumbled, her voice rough from the pain she was in. "My back, ow!"

"Oh my god oh my god, are you okay?" Hazel quickly stood up and helped her friend up.

"I'm good." She laughed lightly, rubbing her jaw where Hazel's elbow had hit her. "You did it!!"

"I did!" Hazel beamed, hugging her. "I'm so incredible. I can't wait to tell Alan!"

"You're really good at jumping!" Clara whispered impressed. "I've never seen anyone jump that high or far, you're a natural!"

"I might actually take you up on your offer after all." Hazel nudged her with a sly grin and Clara's own lips parted in a wide grin, putting her teeth on display.

They heard heavy footsteps coming their way and they exchanged panicked looks.

"Hide!"

Hazel found a large coat rack with many pieces of clothing hanging on it. She quickly walked towards it and pulled her dress up enough so her head was fully covered and she hung the hem of it on the rack. She then pulled her hands in, leaving the sleeves of her dress dangling. Clara noticed her feet showing slightly took one of the coats, bundling it up at her feet to completely hide her, shaking her head at her choice of hiding.

Clara noticed an open vent above her and used a bench to climb into it, crawling deeper into it so she wouldn't be seen.

The door to the room opened and the two girls heard someone walking around, checking behind pieces of furniture and large vases of flowers. After a few minutes they heard the guard leave the room and the door closed. Both girls waited a minute longer until they could no longer hear the rattle of the guard's armor.

Hazel peeked from her place and decided it was safe to come out of hiding. She quickly adjusted her dress and whispered Clara's name, jumping slightly and covering her mouth when Clara's head popped out of the vent in the wall.

"You hid in the vents?"

"You hid as a dress on the coat rack!?" Clara laughed.

"I learned that from Lila." Hazel's cheeks darkened from embarrassment, but she smiled nonetheless. "She's amazing at hide and seek."

"Can't argue with that." Clara laughed.

The two dark haired maidens walked quietly around the manor, with Hazel holding her skirt up so she wouldn't trip. They arrived at a narrow hallway when Clara stopped abruptly and narrowed her eyes around the room.

"Why'd you stop?"

"This hallway..." Clara whispered back. "It's too narrow; it's much more spacious from outside."

"I reckon there's a secret staircase or something here." Hazel mumbled and felt around the walls, slightly moving objects to see if anything would open up.

Clara joined Hazel in looking for anything out of the ordinary to open a secret door that would lead to the basement. Hazel's hand accidentally hit a small vase placed on a dainty table and panicked as she turned to grab it before it fell to the ground, but to her surprise the vase hadn't moved at all.

It was stuck.

Seeing as trying to lift it did nothing; Hazel turned it sideways and the wall cracked open. She gasped and called Clara who was searching the other side of the room. The general walked over to her best friend as she turned the vase more and the crack widened enough for Clara to be able to push it open; revealing a hidden staircase going down.

"Hazel, you're brilliant!"

"Tell me something I don't know." She smiled jokingly.

They went down the staircase and Clara closed the wall behind them; only leaving a small crack open so they could leave it again.

Once they arrived at the bottom of the staircase they realized they were not only in a secret basement; but that it was designed as a small dungeon.

On the farther left was a cell with chains built into the stone wall. It looked horrifying.

The only light source was a small ember still flickering in one of the lamps. Clara took it with her and began to walk around with Hazel by her side. They quickly walked away from the cell and walked over to the desk on the farther right which had a wall of weapons behind it as well as some parchments of articles and letters pinned to it.

A certain letter caught Clara's attention and her heart dropped at the memory. The letter had a familiar crest stamped into the wax seal. The crest had been burned into her memory since the first time she'd seen it.

It haunted her nightmares.

The crest of the first man she killed.

The crest of the assassin.

"Clara?" Hazel put a hand on her shoulder noticing how pale she suddenly turned. "What is it?"

"Rowan hired the assassin..." She mumbled before she scanned the other letters and maps on the table. "He planned everything...The attack on Shuroo, the recruits not taking my orders...He's trying to take over."

"But he can't!"

"I have to tell the king..." Clara's breathing had become more frantic the more she read and searched around. 

Hazel too felt her stomach churn with fear at what the duke had planned. She feared he would try to harm Clara just so he could get to the throne. He seemed to have no problem hurting people to get what he wanted. She was disgusted at how he wanted to murder his own nephew.

The girls left the dungeon and ran up the staircase before looking through the crack to make sure no one was around before they left the hidden room and closed up the wall. Clara led them to the same room they came in from and looked out the window.

"Time to jump out."

"You've got to be kidding me..." Hazel mumbled in fear.

Victor began to ramble nonsense as soon as he noticed Rowan grumpily walking back to his manor; afraid that Hazel and Clara had yet to find what they wanted.

"You've wasted my day, boy!" He yelled at him frustratedly. "A prince doesn't go around town to ask if people are happy; you have people to write you reports!"

"I like to be more involved with my people." He shrugged, trying not to show his hurt.

"Your people..." Rowan muttered under his breath with a dry laugh. "Don't waste your time on them, it's useless."

Victor uncrossed his arms, slightly alarmed by the tone of his voice and the smile creeping up on his face. To his relief, Clara walked up to the pair; now dressed in armor once again.

"Your presence is required at the castle, your highness." She said to Victor before her eyes met Rowan's and darkened with hatred. "Your grace."

"General." The words were like poison on his tongue.

"I'm sorry for wasting your day, uncle." Victor said before leaving with Clara.

"Did you find it?" He leaned down to her height and whispered in her ear.

"It's worse than we thought, Vic." Her voice was soft and vulnerable. Her eyes were glistening.

Victor's heart broke slightly at the sight; he could see the exhaustion in everything she did. He knew how much weight she carried on her shoulders with every new situation that presented itself.

"We have to tell your father!" She pleaded, gripping his hands in fear. 

Victor had to push away the soft flutter of his hard to focus on calming her down. He squeezed her hand and nodded.

"We will." He said. "It'll be okay."

Clara gulped, still unconvinced the same words she's been hearing a lot lately.

They made their way back to the castle and were heading to the king's chambers when Julian called for Clara. As much as she wanted to avoid him for the time being to talk to the king, she couldn't look away from his face that held a broken expression.

"You go, I'll be right there." She told Victor without looking away from Julian as he approached her. With one last look; the prince nodded and hurried to find his father.

"Clara, thank god I found you." He sighed tiredly, pulling her into a desperate hug.

"What's wrong?"

"My sister..."

"Rose?" She asked, pulling away to look him in the eyes, holding his face gently. "Is she alright?"

"No." The tears threatened to fall from his eyes.

Clara's eyes softened and felt her heart crack at the sight. She wiped away his tears gently, pushing his hair away from his face.

"She's getting worse, Clara."

She didn't know what to say. Instead she pulled him into another hug as he shook with silent sobs. Clara's own tears began to stream down her face at seeing him so devastated. After a few minutes of them just holding onto each other, Clara put her hand under his chin and guided his eyes to look into hers.

"Tell you what," she offered a small smile. "You go with the king to Donoa; visit your sister."

"I thought you were going?" He furrowed his brows, his voice raspy from crying. "I have to train the knights-"

"I'll take care of it." She cut him off. "I have a lot to take care of here; I want you to accompany the king for the peace treaty."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." She smiled.

She didn't have the heart to tell him about Rowan; not when his heart was so heavy with his sister falling ill. She hated seeing him so sad and couldn't bear to not do anything about it.

"I guess I better pack then; the king decided to leave early."

Clara's eyes widened at his words and left his embrace as she began to sprint towards the castle. "I have to go talk to him, I'm so sorry."

She stopped in her tracks, ran back to him and gave him a quick peck on the lips before she ran again.

"I love you, take care, please!"

Julian stared after her curiously, unaware why she panicked upon hearing the king wanted to leave to Donoa earlier. He shook his head and made his way to his home to pack what he needed for the trip, unaware what it had in store for him.

Clara barged into the king's room, startling him and his son.

"We have to talk!" She exclaimed urgently.

"I know, Victor told me." He said calmly. "We'll talk on the way to Donoa."

"No, you don't understand!" She stepped in front of him. "I can't go to Donoa! Julian will be leading the trip instead; he has to visit his sister. Besides-"

"Clara, calm down!"

"I can't!" She yelled. "Your brother is trying to take over Avelyn and he-"

"Clara, we'll talk about this when I'm back." The king interrupted her, making Victor roll his eyes at him.

"Dad you really have to listen to her-"

"This treaty is far more important than anything right now. I have to leave now."

With those as his final words, the king walked out of his room. Clara and Victor watched him leave with their jaws agape.

"I can't believe him sometimes." Victor shook his head. "He still doesn't listen!"

"At least you do." She sighed and turned to him. "Come on, we have a lot to think about."

Victor was terrified to learn what she found out about Rowan.

Oh boy was this chapter packed lmao

A lot will be happening soon, so buckle up!!

The king can be an idiot sometimes I swear to god...I know I wrote him but he really annoys me sometimes.

Question of the day: 
Where are you reading from?

I dream about my stories reaching people all over the world; and I'm very much intrigued to know where you're all from!