Roanna wiped her brow, leaning on a broom. Her dark red hair, once in a neat braid, was now a messy mob. She had swept the main corridor, but there was still more to go. She watched as a few servants scurried about, sweeping, dusting, adding flowers, and scrubbing their hearts away. Many of the other servants were busy preparing a feast for the noblemen who were coming to the palace. It was the annual meeting where representatives from each province gathered to discuss issues of importance. Roanna had prepared for this event ten times, and the work still astounded her. Beth, her friend who was sweeping with her, grunted and threw the broom on the floor.

"Beth?" Roanna asked hesitantly, extending a hand to her shoulder.

"I'm...fine." Beth huffed out, regaining her composure. She reached for her broom. "It's just..."

Roanna sighed, "Just tell me."

Beth glared at something down the corridor. Roanna turned, and grunted. Travis, the unofficial huntsman was striding down the corridor, his boots leaving a trail of dirt on the swept floor. No doubt he was 'lost'. The kitchens were in the opposite direction, and Travis knew that. Travis was tall, lean, and had curly brown hair that bounced when he walked. He had a slight stubble, and a smile that made girls fall left and right. Roanna would have considered his rugged appearance handsome had he not always go out of his way to make her life miserable. His constant jesting grated on her nerves. He was known to toy around with women, especially the servants. He was hired recently, due to the extra noble mouths to feed, and he wasted no time getting comfortable to his new surroundings. Roanna and Beth avoided him at all costs, and often got each other out of undesirable situations. This one wouldn't end well, especially because Beth was armed. Her knuckles whitened, threaten to snap the broom.

Travis slowly smiled. "Fancy seeing you here. I was actually looking forward to see you." He directed his gaze to Beth, his eyes wandering.

Beth's posture stiffened. "The kitchen is in dire need of meat, you best be on your way."

Travis feigned surprise, raising his hand to his heart. "I'm hurt that you'd get rid of me so quickly." He smirked. "Perhaps I'll catch you another time."

"The kitchen is that way." Roanna said, pointing down the corridor, a smile plastered on her face.

Travis' expression didn't change. "Perhaps I wouldn't get lost if someone were to escort me." His eyes flickering to Beth.

Beth opened her mouth but Roanna was faster. "That doesn't work anymore, so you'd better go elsewhere." She didn't know why she couldn't come up with anything more intelligent, but what was said was said.

"The fish don't get bigger than this." Travis replied, his smile growing as Beth squirmed under his gaze.

"Speaking of fish." A new voice said behind Roanna, "You need to get some. Now."

"Alex..." Roanna smiled.

Travis scowled, glaring at Alex. "Another time then." He muttered before stalking back down the corridor.

Roanna and Beth sighed when Travis became out of sight. "Thanks Alex." Roanna turned to him.

"Of course." He gave her a lopsided smile.

"Yeah, that was too close." Beth chimed in.

Alex chuckled. "I'm no prince, but I can still save damsels in distress."

Roanna have Alex a knowing look. No one knew who they were. No one even knew that her and Alex were related. Instead, to keep their secret, they were friends. Lord Varweth, the steward, had made it very clear that if they did any behavior that hinted to their lineage, their family line would end. That threat had hung over their heads for ten years and would for the rest of their life. They knew now that Lord Varweth had no intention of making Alex king. After their father's death, the prince and princess 'vanished'. Little did the kingdom know that their missing royal persons were in the very castle they were destined to rule. The only people that knew was the steward and select guards under his command. People who knew the names and appearances of Roanna and Alex were discretely removed until all hope of being recognized was eliminated. Now, they worked for Lord Varweth. While Roanna was a servant, Alex was the huntsman.

Alex's dark lashes flashed, his blue eyes met hers. His dark wavy hair was messy from the mornings hunt. Under his stubble and dirty clothes, no one would ever think a king was hiding. He was always there for her, no matter what she needed. And in return, she smuggled him extra food from the kitchen. That was one of the few times she could see him. Most of the time he was hunting, and she was cleaning or attending to a noble's needs. But they found other ways to meet, like this encounter. It would last a few moments, but they couldn't dwell, for fear they would be discovered by one one Lord Varweth's guards.

"And I thank you for the rescue." Beth smiled and curtsied, oblivious to Roanna and Alex's unspoken conversation.

Roanna saw a large bag slung over Alex's back. Alex followed her gaze. "I have a large kill that I could use assistance bringing in, could you spare a moment?"

Beth's face brightened. "Of course--"

Roanna cut in, "I can help him. I've been hunched over sweeping for hours now. I could use a break." She added. Beth looked at her like she told her to jump off of a cliff. "I'll be right back, I promise!"

Alex nodded, "I need to drop this off, then I'll meet you by the game entrance." He walked off toward then kitchen. Roanna practically ran toward the game entrance. Leaving Beth with a newly dirtied floor to clean. Part of her felt bad, but then she justified it by saying she would go back.

"Come back soon! I don't want him to forget something." Beth hollered after her.

Roanna smiled, then turned the corner. The servant hallways weren't as extravagant as the main ones. They were large enough for four people to stand shoulder to shoulder, contrary to the spacious, and elegantly crafted grand halls. Roanna passed servants carrying baskets of clothes to the washing room.

"Roanna? Is the grand hall prepared?" One of them said.

Roanna halted and turned to the voice. "Oh Tina! Not quite yet."

Tina frowned. "What are you doing here then? Do you need something?" Tina was Roanna's friend, but had a nosey personality. Not quite a gossiper, but made sure everyone was doing their job.

"It's fine, I got it!" Roanna said, slightly annoyed. She would miss her brother if she didn't hurry.

Tina didn't look convinced. "You need to be--"

"Sorry Tina, but I need to go." Roanna interrupted before rushing down the hall. The game room was the huntsmen entered the castle, and since it would smell like raw meat, was located at the far side of the castle. Roanna picked up her skirts as she flew down some stairs, being careful not to be too loud. Eventually, she came to the game room. No one was there. Yet. Roanna caught her breath, leaning against the wall. She closed her eyes. Then she felt the air in front of her heat up.

"Glad you didn't get stopped this time."

Roanna gave an exhausted laugh. "Tina couldn't stop me this time." She opened her eyes. Alex stood before her, lopsided smile and pine scented aura. She took deep breaths.

"You alright?" Alex cocked his head to the side.

"Heh. You try running around the castle."

"I do every day, running that is." He put a hand on her head, and tousled her hair.

She pulled back. "Hey! You'll mess up my braid."

"Braid?" Alex rose an eyebrow.

Roanna sighed, "Never mind." She pulled her hair over to one shoulder and began to undo what was left of her braid.

Alex peeked into the halls, then motioned that they were clear. This was the only place they could have a decent conversation without the walls having ears. "Well?"

Roanna looked up. "Well what?"

"Are you going to help me move the meat?"

"There's actually meat!" Roanna stopped. "You know, if it means being away from a broom, you'll get no complaints from me."

Alex leaned against a table, where a large doe was sprawled on. He drew his knife and began to cut at the hide. "That bad huh?"

Roanna grunted, extending her hand. Alex took out another knife and they began to skin the deer. "Not just that. Travis is always pestering us. Today, he singled out Beth."

Alex shook his head, so Roanna continued. "Does no one tell him to use the back door?" She pointed with her knife to the entry way behind them.

"I did. And he didn't listen." Alex said calmly.

"You've been here longer! Why can't he--"

"Because he is his own man, and can do whatever he wishes. He can come when he wants, goes when he wants..." Alex trailed away, his calm voice turned cold. "He can eat without people watching over his back, he can-- he can ride away whenever he wants to! But I can't." Alex was now viciously cutting the deer.

Roanna put her unoccupied hand on his arm. "We'll be able to do that some day."

Alex laughed darkly. "We will, will we? Let me remind you that Lord Varweth would never allow it. He'd rather kill us."

"He is not the king, you are." Roanna turned toward him, giving him a hug.

Alex wrapped one arm around her. "No one would believe us."

"No one?" Roanna said, then gasped, letting go of Alex. "The nobility that are coming."

"Ro, nobility always comes, what's different about this time?" Alex sighed. "Nothing we tried has worked."

"Someone has to notice us. Then they'll know that we've been here the whole time!"

Alex rubbed his face. "It's been ten years. We're dead to them."

Roanna scoffed. "Since when have you need so optimistic."

"I don't know...maybe since I got beaten at every attempt at escape?" Alex flung his arms around, knife in one hand. "Or," he turned to her, "maybe because whenever I step foot out of the castle, I'm being watched? Or maybe because if I mess up one more time they--"

"They'll what." Alex froze.

"Forget it." He went back to the deer.

"No, tell me!"

"I said...forget it." Alex's shoulders dropped.

"I want to know if their going to do something to the only companion I have, and I hope, always will have."

Alex clenched his jaw. "He said that one of us was going to die the next time I slip up." He looked to Roanna.

Roanna gulped.

Alex grunted, leaning his head back. "I told you to forget it."

She chewed on what he just said. "If you did something." She creased her brow. "What if I were to do something?"

Alex suddenly hugged her. He whispered in her ear. "Remember that your all I have left too."

She was going to reply when they heard footsteps. Alex let go of her and went back to the deer. He cleared his throat and said, "Tell the kitchen that I'll take a while." Roanna nodded, and rushed out. Two guards were making their rounds, and she slipped to the side to let them pass. She put a hand to her stomach.

"That was too close." She murmured, before making her way back to Beth. Her brothers words ring in her ear. She could do something, she just needed to the perfect plan.

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