Josephine hadn't slept, not one bit after the assassination attempt at Rave. Even more so because Darei was involved. What was she even doing? She'd very nearly started a war. If Rave had died, who would have stopped the Bellans from killing them as payment? Josephine had sent a letter to Fredrick about arresting Darei and her family that very night.

When rave finally appeared to announce they'd ride soon. Josephine had asked her what they would do to the maid, she had replied coldly that it had become a Bellan matter now. Josephine stayed far away after hearing that.

Lina didn't seem half as upset as Josephine wanted her to be. Lina only seemed annoyed. Josephine had dismissed all of them from her personal carriage, leaving them to find their own lodgings. Josephine had tried to talk to Rave earlier, before her announcement, but Prim and Ib guarded her like hawks. Not to mention, Leo was always in her shadow. He was in full leather armor now.

Josephine wanted to gawk at his wonderfully sculpted body.

Rina had stayed with Josephine the entire night, terrified of every little sound they heard. Now she was with her personal ladies-in-waiting, away from Lina and Sonia.

Josephine grew tired of waiting, she'd go look for Rave. They'd been sitting around for her all day, Josephine got out of her carriage. Thinlinytes riding clothes were itchy and annoying. Josephine just wanted to get this trip over with already.

She crossed from the Thinlin end of the camp to the Bellan one. While every Thinlinyte bowed and looked down as she walked past, the Bellans did nothing of the sort. They continued with their jobs as though she were no more than a commoner.

She was shocked to see Rave and Leo outside their tent, talking to Prim and Ib quietly before noticing her. Josephine tried not to gasp at the princess. Josephine had heard of Bellan women being warriors, but she had personally never seen a woman in warrior clothing.

Rave looked good, her hair tied back in a tight braid, long pants that cuffed at her ankles. She wore a tight blouse, with a fur-lined cloak over it.

"I apologize for the lateness, but we will depart soon your majesty." She looked at Josephine with an unreadable expression.

Josephine just nodded as Rave turned to Leo. They seemed to have a silent conversation before Rave turned to Prim. "Please guide her majesty to her carriages." Prim turned to Josephine and smiled sharply.

"Follow me, your majesty."

--

"Your mother won't be happy, you know?" Ib said. Rave knew. "She'll throw a fit." Rave knew that too.

"We are fine, no need for anyone to worry," Rave replied tightly.

"You say that, yet we are riding faster than before." Ib quirked her brow.

"Maybe I just want to get this over with," Rave turned to Ib, "You and I both know, one attempt could very well follow another," Rave said.

"We weren't prepared before, now we are." Ib insisted.

"Why do you care if we go quicker?" Rave snapped, "I am sorry," she quickly replied. "I know I shouldn't have snapped at you."

"It's alright, I understand. And I don't. Care about going quicker, at least. I am grateful for it." Ib said. "But the Thinlinytes can barely keep up. We'll lose them and increase the chances of danger."

"Why?"

"If we leave them behind, we can't keep an eye on them." Ib said, "Let's camp for the day, we covered nearly half the route already. Any more and the Thinlinytes will be lost."

"Fine," Rave replied, "Even though I feel like we can cover more ground." Rave bit her lip. "Do you think there might be more attacks?"

"I don't know. I don't see any reason for Darei to kill you." Ib shrugged. "Lina doesn't have the authority to order an assassination. I'd say Darei was either working alone or she had outside help."

"There has to be a reason, though." Rave knew it. Why risk it in such a public place? Why risk it at all with an illiterate maid who would have failed anyway?

"Once we get home, you can ask the maid yourself."

--

Darei shivered as she cursed the rain. She had made it through Bellayong, and into its port. Just like they had told her to. They told her to go towards Bellamin instead of Thinlin, that they would protect her and take her to Duaetive again. They had taken her parents out of Thinlin already.

"Are you the lady?"

"Yes! Is he here?" Darei asked.

"The prince isn't gonna get himself in trouble for filth like you." The man replied.

"What?"

He grabbed her hand, "Come on now, we can't have you and your loud mouth out there."

"No! Hel-" The man covered her mouth. Darei struggled against the huge man as much as she could, but he dragged her onto a ship.

The night was dark and it was raining, no one was there to see as Darei was dragged onto the ship, or as the ship anchored off and disappear in the stormy seas.