Leticia gasped for air, as her hands reached for her neck. She felt her head spin as she got up abruptly from laying on the bed. She took a moment to calm herself before she opened her left eye then her right to see an unfamiliar site. Even her own hands were not soft but rough with calluses.  

This wasn’t her room that was adorned with jewels and riches though it was luxurious in its own right. It carried a very intricate designed bed with cabinets of wood. A few sofas that looked solid in color with a light touch of simplicity. A man's room...  

She looked down to see she was not wearing her usual gown of a dress, but a light white cotton tunic top and pants. In alarm she touched her chest quickly up and down to notice she was missing the most essential piece of being a woman, boobs.  

A soft knock on the door caught her by surprise, as the words “master” had been murmured before the door opened.  

Several servants with very plain grey suits had entered holding onto a tray with what looked to be refreshments of some sort. They looked at her perplexed for a while, as they stood wide eyed to her standing in an awkward position with her legs open revealing quite a package down below. Leticia immediately let go of her top, and then closed her legs to cover her package and gave an awkward smile.  

“Are you alright, master?” they questioned, as they looked at one another. 

“I am fine.” She had been caught red handed. “I do need a mirror. I don’t recall where it is.”  

They merely pointed to the far-left corner of the room where a long cheval mirror was slightly tilted in an angle. Leticia without hesitation took off towards it, frantically with her arms out to reveal a light feminine well-toned man probably in his late twenties staring back at her. Her hair dark brown slightly frizzy, with green emerald eyes, with a slight pert nose, and parted pink lips.  

In horror, the mirror reflected her emotions in full view with both her hands over her face to this predicament. She had become Sir Fredrick Von Burton, her Royal Brothers most trusted right hand man.

Can she deceive her brother?  How is she supposed to live? All these thoughts began to cross her mind, before she slowly pieced herself back together with each deep breath she took. She had to remain calm.

First off, she knew her brother was the epitome of perfection when it came swordsmanship, and Leticia was fortunate to have learned to wield the sword at a young age due to family tradition. All royal children and royal knights that served under the king were given full rights to carry the sword under the Braxton banner.

Would she be capable of hiding any imperfections when both Fredrick and her brother had such a long-lasting friendship?  Unlikely.

“Master, are you alright?” The servants hammered and she had forgotten that she had an audience. She turned slowly towards them and gave them orders. “Leave me.” 

They all stood there slightly aloof to her orders due to her earlier behaviour. Yet, they could not decline what she asked of them, so they simply made a gesture upon their chest and then bowed before leaving through the front door. Her body as if it had a mind of its own followed them, till the door was closed behind them and all she could hear were the servants whispering amongst one another.  

“Shouldn’t we call for the doctor... He doesn’t seem to be in his right mind.” 

“I was going to suggest the same, since he had been unconscious for the past few days.” One whispered.  

“He just drank too much like usual. When will he get his act back together? It has been years.”  

Leticia upon hearing this, leaned her back against the door and slid to the floor. There conversation confirmed that she had died a few years ago. It broke her.

 Did they have a celebration when both her and Royal Mother were executed? Leticia wondered as she gave herself ample time to readjust herself, as her thoughts would waver from time to time on her old memories and her childhood. It was either she wallow in despair or, make do with the situation that had been handed to her. She chose the latter and decided to cope with the hand she had been given.  

“Master, would you like your meal in your room again?” They had asked from outside the door. 

Leticia, who had been preparing herself to step outside of her quarters, placed the last piece of her attire on and buttoned it up. She gave her hair a brush over with her hand, as she stepped towards the door.   

"No, I will have my meal at the dining hall.” Leticia replied.