“Is this your house?” the princess asked timidly. Benny opened his mouth to answer, but a door slamming open behind him made all three of us jump. I was on my guard quickly, keeping the princess close to me. A man with sloppy dark hair and sleepy eyes came out of the room, his face contorted with displeasure. He was shirtless in sweatpants, his muscles rippling as he raised his hand to push back his hair from his eyes. The princess blushed, averting her eyes from him.

“This is my house. Who the hell are you people?” he said curtly.

“Hey Ash! Sorry to bother you, but--” Benny started to explain, but the man called Ash interrupted him promptly.

“You’re bothering me by bringing strangers into my home in the middle of the night,” said he.

“Yes, but…”

“I don’t appreciate uninvited guests.”

“Asher…”

“You all need to leave. Now.”

“There is no place for them to go!”

“That is not my problem.” I thought it was about time that I interjected. Gentle Benny was no match for the wrath of this stranger.

“Actually, Mr. Asher, it is your problem. According to the Statute of the Throne, you must open your doors in a time of crisis to any nobility or military personnel,” I said calmly, my tone more than professional. Asher scoffed at me, looking me over from head to toe, before turning his gaze to the petite princess next to me, who was clutching onto her white fur coat, which had been dirtied from our trip.

“I’m supposed to believe you’re nobility or military personnel?” Asher said with a roll of his vivid orange eyes.

“This is the Princess Eloise De’Claire and her personal bodyguard, Agent 5260,” Benny finally got the chance to explain.

“The princess?” said Asher doubtfully. “And what is the crisis that allows you to barge into my home?”

“The city and the palace have been ransacked. They need someplace safe to stay the night,” said Benny. The princess was still averting her eyes from the half-naked owner of the house.

“Please, Mr. Asher. It’s just one night, and then Blackbird and I will be on our way,” said she.

“Unless you want to be arrested for treason, of course,” said I coolly. I watched as Asher’s jaw tightened in anger. I could see him getting ready to boil.

“You will not threaten me in my own home,” he said.

“On the contrary, I will. After all, I’m sure an infamous thief like yourself wouldn’t want to be under the watchful eye of the throne.

“Thief?” said the princess, startled. Benny laughed awkwardly.

“I can explain," he said, rubbing the back of his head nervously. 

“I can’t believe this!” said Asher, his voice raising. “You're forcing your way into my home, threatening me, and telling me you’re going to arrest me!”

“I have the power of the throne behind me, and I know exactly who you are, Asher Underling. You thought you could hide here out of sight from the authorities, but it was a futile attempt for freedom. However, I’m positive the good King would be appreciative if you provided his cherished daughter with a safe place to sleep. So much so, in fact, that he may expunge your crimes,” I said. That had caught Asher’s attention.

“Expunge my crimes?” he asked.

“All we ask is a place to sleep for the night,” said I. He looked between us again, but I could see his expression softening as he considered a chance to no longer be a wanted criminal.

“Come on, Asher, it’ll be worth it,” said Benny.

“Fine. You can sleep in there,” said Asher, pointing to a door at the end of the hall. I took the princess by the hand and brushed passed Asher, his gaze lingering on me.