Melichor, Niko’s town of residence, was right on the border of Larch City, which meant she wouldn’t have to travel much. That was one bonus to this situation.

She often visited the capital, usually when the market near her house was out of something she needed, but she’d never gone near the heart of the city where the palace was. She’d had no reason to until now. For the first time, she watched the tall spires of the royal home pull into view, towering over the crowded streets. Behind an ornate metal gate lay Larch Palace, with its walls carved from smooth white stone and crystal that glimmered in the sunlight.

As she stared at the majestic structure, she whistled slowly. She was going to live here. In Larch Palace, home of the royal family.

Okay, so maybe that was another bonus.

The carriage rolled through the front gates and stopped in the main courtyard. After paying the driver, she hauled her luggage out of the back seat and strolled up the massive front steps.

A servant was waiting to greet her as soon as Niko entered. “Hello, miss. I’ll go fetch Her Majesty.”

“Um, thanks,” Niko mumbled as the girl rushed away.

She stood awkwardly in the foyer, feeling out of place among all the elaborate decor. A few minutes later, Queen Elaryse glided across the marble floors, graceful as ever. “Miss Kalmar! Welcome to the palace. Did you get here alright?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Niko replied with a quick bow. Unlike their last encounter, she’d had a bit more time to prepare herself.

“Come, I’ll show you to your room, and then you can meet the prince.” The queen took off down a wide hallway, motioning for Niko to follow.

Soon enough, they stopped at a room at the mouth of one corridor. “This is where you’ll be sleeping.”

Niko cracked open the door and looked inside. Her bedroom was simple but elegant, and twice the size of her dorm at Bryar. She set her suitcase down on the floor.

“The prince’s office is down the hall,” Queen Elaryse announced, leading her along. “I told him you would be arriving today, but I doubt he did much to prepare himself. He can be rather obstinate, as you’ll see soon enough.”

Niko raised an eyebrow curiously, but before she could reply, they reached the office door. Elaryse knocked and didn’t wait for a reply before opening it.

Unlike the rest of the palace, the office was more practical than decorative. Two walls were lined with bookshelves, and a third had a large bay window. In the middle of the room, Prince Orion sat at the messiest desk she’d ever seen. Like his mother, he had dark hair, brown eyes, and sharp features. He glanced up from a stack of paperwork as they entered.

“Orion, could you stop working for one second?” the queen said exasperatedly.

The prince set down his pen and sighed. “Mother, we’ve discussed this. I don’t need a secretary.”

Elaryse frowned. “And as I’ve told you, I’m not sending her back. I am your sovereign and your mother, and you will listen to me.”

Apparently this had been a topic for argument long before Niko’s arrival. She shifted uncomfortably.

“Is that Ori’s new secretary?” asked a voice behind them, and Niko turned around to find a girl poking her head into the doorway.

Orion gave the girl a stern look. “Leave, Gwynnoven. This doesn’t concern you.”

Gwynnoven looked the queen. “I want a secretary, Mother. Can I have one?”

“You don't need one,” Elaryse answered tiredly. “Wait until you’re an adult.”

“I’m sixteen. That’s close enough to an adult.”

Orion snapped his fingers and pointed to the hall. “Gwynn! Get out!”

“Fine, whatever.” The princess rolled her eyes and disappeared, slamming the door shut.

“Look, Orion, there’s no point in arguing. She’s already here,” Queen Elaryse insisted. “I’m leaving now, and I’m not changing my mind, so you’d better stop acting a child and give her something to do.” In a flash of fabric, she swept out of the office, leaving Niko alone with the prince.

Orion took a deep breath, looking for a moment like he would throw something, but when he turned to Niko, his expression was schooled into a polite smile. “I apologize for the lack of a formal introduction. You’re Nikoletta Kalmar, correct?”

Niko nodded. “Just Niko is fine, actually.”

“Well, Nikoletta, I have an important task for you,” he told her.

Niko tilted her head. “Yes, Your Highness?”

He grabbed the chair in front of his desk and dragged it to the corner. “Sit here and be quiet.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Seriously? That’s it?”

“I don’t like to be disturbed while I’m working, so right now, that’s the best you can do for me,” he said, ignoring her glare. “I advise you don’t talk. The quieter, the better.”

“Excuse me?” Niko demanded. “I’m not getting paid to just sit around all day and--”

“Shh. What did I just tell you? You’re not very good at this.”

Seething, Niko turned around and sat in the chair. Forget rebels and assassins. She would murder the prince herself.