The chilly night wasn't as unpleasant as Felix expected, but compared to the luxury he grew accustomed to sleeping in, the splintered deck was no royal treatment.

He was certain he had been attacked by the wood's shards during his slumber, but the faint marks on his skin weren't anything he couldn't endure.

During their journey overseas, Felix and his brother had rid themselves of their royal garments and disposed of them into the roaring ocean. With the modern fashion they wore now, they blended in with the everyday citizens of this new country.

The United States of America.

England and America had close ties to one another due to the heavy trading that occurred between the two nations and so naturally, Felix had been here to visit some times in the past.

Now that he was on American soil once again, he was grateful for his past decision to invest some money in the bank under a pseudonym. Now, the duo wouldn't go hungry while they waited for Finnely to be able to securely access their royal funds.

The first goal for the pair was to extract a little of that money Felix had saved, before they attended the President's masquerade ball in a few days.

It seemed simple enough, finding a way to attend, but Felix knew he couldn't waltz into the ballroom with how he looked now. His appearance was just too striking and identifiable. He would draw too much attention to himself, and possibly reveal his identity, if he didn't alter his appearance in some way.

He sighed with disappointment, he knew just how to do it. But he wouldn't enjoy it.

Felix turned to his brother and watched as he arranged his technical gear on the dusty table of this shabby motel room.

"Finn, lend me your blade."

He turned his head and his lean chest puffed out as he sighed, "We've barely just entered the hotel room and you're already making such demands. For what reason do you need it?"

Per his brother's inquiry, Felix removed his baseball cap to reveal the salt cover strands that cascaded down his back. The knowing look on Finnely's face only raised an amused smile on Felix's own lips.

"Now do you understand? I can't blend in if I parade around with such a noticeable feature."

Finnely lifted his reflective glasses with a disapproving head shake. "Will you really get rid of it?"

When he then frowned, Felix was certain his brother had feelings he didn't share.

He attempted to appeal to his displeasure. "I won't cut all of it, just until it reaches my ears."

That didn't seem to ease his dissatisfaction as Felix hoped.

"Don't forget the reason you grew your hair so long anyway." Finnely mentioned flatly.

A wave of memory created a sad movement in his mind as he recalled what Finnely referred to.

How could he have forgotten?

For as long as Felix could remember, his hair had displayed beautiful length. But the extraordinary length of his hair now wasn't due to his own preference, but for the sake of someone dear to him instead.

Someone who no longer existed in this world.

The duo Nightingale brothers were once a trio of three, but their youngest brother fell suddenly ill. Because of that, he lost all of the pretty dark hair he was blessed with.

The youngest Prince used to be the most dashing of them all, but because of his illness, he was reduced to pale skin and common looks. He was miserable no longer being unique.

So Felix took it upon himself to help restore his brother's confidence, and he grew out his hair so that one day, it could be turned into a synthetic cap.

That was six years ago when he had just reached his twenties…but their brother was no longer with them now.

"Thank you for reminding me." Felix smiled genuinely.

But he had to manage his hair somehow because a simple cap couldn't guarantee his protection for long. Perhaps he would dye it?

"Here, take this."

Finnely, who was now by Felix's side, began to undo the milky white ribbon from around his defined neck, and he handed it forward with slim fingers.

Felix accepted it cautiously, "Why give me something so special for a menial issue? I can find another way to tie my hair. Here, I'll return it."

Their late brother, Fabian, had gifted Finnely that ribbon.

"It was a gift for the both of us." His brother said, correcting his thoughts.

Felix glided the satin fabric through his fingers and smiled sadly at the memory of him and Finnely fighting over it in the past. He turned to face the mirror again and he used the ribbon to tie his hair in a way that made it appear drastically shorter.

He eyed his appearance, trying to convince himself that he was satisfied, but even with his hair hidden, he was too striking. Too noticeable.

Compared to his brother who had received simple and subtle features from his father, the King, Felix was granted the looks of his late mother.

He had her amber hair, brightly open hazel eyes, and a seductively prominent nose bridge. Of course, he also had sleek thin brows to match. If he were to compare himself to his adoptive father, the King, Felix would think that his own voice was much softer and more appealing.

The King's voice was rough and occasionally hoarse due to his cigarette addiction.

Felix didn't enjoy smoking, and perhaps that was how he maintained such a sweet voice all these years.

He placed the white hat back on his head.

"Remember to be careful when you head out." Finnely reminded gently, but his voice always had a usual firmness to it. He always spoke as a teacher would to his students. And he had the handsome but studious appearance to match.

"Don't speak to anyone if it isn't necessary. We need to be wary of others, especially now." He then added, looking down at Felix from his taller height of a few inches.

Felix reassured the worry Finnely failed to conceal, "The bank is only about an hour's walk. I'll be back well before the day ends."

Though he wished he could call a cab to take him at least half of the way

Felix was only two years his brother's junior and yet, Finnely was still so protective over him, as was he with their sister Levinia. She was the oldest of the Nightingale children. At the moment, she remained safely in the castle, though she wasn't ignorant of their plan. Upon their arrival back to the kingdom, Felix would make sure to see her first.

He walked to the door and as he placed his hand on the doorknob, a jolt of fear panicked his heart. He immediately turned to Finnely who was seated and working on the many computers he had set up.

Felix didn't like the idea of being separate from his brother, even for a moment. Because though Felix was the one with the warrant over his head, Finnely would still be considered an accessory for not handing Felix over to the police when he had the chance to do so.

To himself, he sighed. 'Oh Finnely' he thought sadly. 'Why did you have to get involved with me?'

Now Felix had no choice but to bring his brother down with him.

After taking the moment to himself, Felix finally left the room and headed down the rusted stairs that led to the first floor.

"Going out already?" The receptionist asked as Felix was prepared to walk out.

He smiled and greeted the elderly woman properly, "I feel younger when I walk every day. I see the activity has been working wonders for you."

She cupped her paling cheek and blushed profusely, "No need to flatter me young man. I'm aware that I'm well past my prime."

He offered her a charming smile, revealing his teeth painted white in perfection, "Well, there is one thing you should know about me, Miss."

She leaned across the desk with pudgy arms, "Hm? What is that?"

His head tilted positively to the side, "I'm not a liar."

The woman, who Felix learned was Ms. Hu, smiled silently and shook her head in a dismissive fashion.

Well, off to business now.

The objective was to exit the bank as soon as he entered, and though Felix was a conversational individual, he had to limit the interactions he had with the people of this land. For even English spies roamed the streets of America, and there were bound to be more coming once the police were certain they couldn't find Felix's body.

In Washington D.C, the capital city of America, was where the President's ball was to be held. Felix and his brothers had attended only once on one of their visits in the past. Even then, they had made sure not to stay so long that they would steal the spotlight.

The President's ball was a very exciting event with games, trivia, and more, held amongst celebrities and those with handsome wealth. At the end of every ball, the winners of the games would become the sponsors of the year and donate their funds for the use of reconstruction of new official buildings, charities, and more.

Felix felt too privileged to attend when those of the working class couldn't afford tickets or clothes to attend. He would spare his money to those unfortunate individuals, but this time around, there wasn't much he could share. Especially when he wasn't sure how long he and his brother would grace this country.

They had flung to America for one, to escape with their lives, and two, to find a very important person. Margaret Marie Pierce.

She was a London-born woman who was divorced from the head marshal of the English military. From her, all Felix needed to acquire was an access badge that would grant him entry into the head military base. There, Felix and his brother could learn the secret to the 'Judgment Day' scheme one of the officials let slip upon interrogating Felix.

"Ah, here we are." Felix gasped to himself.

He was a fit man with a slim build and average height, but even so, his body wasn't used to walking so frequently.

He tipped his hat to the woman exiting the Capital One bank and he then stepped inside. To his misfortune, it was unusually crowded today, and long lines of silent customers, distracted with devices, formed in front of reflective windows.

Felix stepped up to the first window, noticing how it was completely vacant of a line.

"I would like to withdraw 3000 pou-"

He quickly corrected himself and did a rough conversion in his head, "I mean, $4,000, if I may."

"Sign here." The hefty man who looked much too big for his tightening suit said.

Felix accepted the slip and wrote down the pseudonym he went under. Oliver Heart.

There was significance behind the name.

"Here you are-"

BANG BANG

Even being accustomed to sounds of roaring shots, Felix was still startled seeing the few masked men enter the bank with firearms and spacious duffle bags.

This was happening now, at a time like this?! Felix was completely unfortunate, and he grumbled internally.

He was very punctual with how he spent his time and because of this incident, his schedule would be pushed back a few minutes.

He craned his neck to both sides and stretched it.

Just a few.