Destroying one single building per week...It couldn’t be so bad, could it? Yet even though it was only one, Emelyn felt bad about doing so. Kordania tore apart Mayain, and she was going to do the same with Kordania, so both kingdoms were going to be even, no? Not really. What about the happy citadians back there in Kordania, the innocent ones? The young woman was wise enough to feel bad about it- yet Frederick wasn’t.  

The man broke her apart ruthlessly, before coming back at her. The only reason why he didn’t attack Pyril first was for his own good, once again. To look like the perfect King that everybody likes, so he doesn’t look heartless. Just because Emelyn told Frederick that “her family” was there, he thought it would be a great idea to make it up to his civilians. Was he a good King? He wasn’t, and the young princess didn’t have a single doubt about it. 

That cruelty. His ancestors gave him an inheritance, as every family did. Yet that inheritance wasn’t worth the actions he has done. Frederick was the first of is league to decide to tear apart a kingdom, even though he wasn’t the worst. That John, the first one of those leagues of tyrants, was taken by the sins of pride, greed, and envy. And that John felt like he needed more. Just like his descendants did after him. 

Emelyn wasn’t a talkative girl, yet her mind was constantly running. The why, the who, the how and simply the way the things were going- she's thought about everything possible. The soon-to-be-queen had her hypotheses about everyone around the castle, perhaps was she wrong, perhaps she was right. That brilliant mindset of hers was great to work in the royal community. To seek opportunities. To break the enemy. 

That inheritance was perfect. Yet every time her thoughts turned to Edward; she couldn’t help but feel a dagger pierce through her heart. That man was an innocent one born in a family that didn’t fit his ambitions and his dreams. One that didn’t care about what he genuinely wanted to be. The prince’s mother died when he was much younger, as the woman knew perfectly how it felt. To lose someone important to you. You can believe that since she now is alone. Alone in the big old filled with bad guys ready to battle for a single dollar. Anything about Edward was messed up. 

She had mixed feelings about him, everything was confusing about him. He kept his poker face in front of her, seemingly happy around anyone else but her. Well, if we forget the King. That look of hatred the prince sent to his father- she noticed it. Of course she did. Emelyn saw what she saw and knew everything by a single glance. 

As he walked next to her, hiding the potions in his costume, the soon-to-be-queen couldn’t help but throw him a glance. That expression of his was cold, yet there was something about him that was sending a tingle down her stomach. His eyes were an ice blue color, almost grey as he always seemed tired.  

The prince’s nose was a button nose, his bottom lip slightly plump as his face was always lifted to the sky slightly. A part of his nose along with his left cheek had a small scar, and the man always wore multiple earrings on his left ears. Emelyn didn’t notice that scar earlier, yet she didn’t ask any questions. It could’ve been related to a traumatizing event, who knows? 

“So, Sarah, ready to go and explode some buildings? I already having a few ideas concerning the place and the potion to use. I want you to keep watch as I’ll put them in, so you better do as I say.” The man spoke in a cold tone, keeping an unreadable expression as he watched straight ahead blankly. 

“O-Of course, Your Majesty, where do you want to go first?” “Sarah” asked hesitantly, blinking a few times as they came closer to the King’s palace. 

Brutally, Edward started speaking in a lower voice. He didn’t want his father to hear them both gossiping about this, obviously. His Highness shifted to Emelyn and joined his hands together, looking into her eyes with a serious expression. His eyebrows narrowed as he bit his lip, showing the princess how nervous he secretly was- hidden by his poker face that she easily saw through. 

“Shush, speak lower, will you? I don’t want His Grace to hear us.” 

“...”  

“Great. I’m glad we’re on the same page, Miss Gray.” 

Emelyn clenched her jaw and looked away, feeling a bit annoyed. His behavior was utterly confusing her, as she didn’t have a word about anything he was doing that included her. The fact that he had a higher status than she had struck her pride, yet she couldn’t retort. The woman’s plan was to make him fall in love with her, so that’s what she was going to do until the end. No way will she leave her pride take over and ruin the mood. 

Yet most importantly...Edward enlightened her anger in such a way, simply with the way his words came out of his mouth, his irritating manner of cutting everyone while they’re talking to say his word about everything... Emelyn was mad at herself from knowing this much about him, yet she knew she had to, for her plan to work. 

“I’ll answer your question now, Sarah, if you may.” The man started. “I’ll go by the church and enter inside, and you’ll remain outside to watch if anyone’s coming. I’ll set up a bomb with a timer, then quickly head back. Afterward, we’ll both walk away and enter the palace at the same moment that it will explode. Understand? We must be really focused on that task.” 

“Yes, I understand.” Miss Gray promised with a small nod. 

Why would they be going to the church? The young woman had no idea; Edward had his own ideas and his proper reasons. Were they justified? More than his father’s, that’s known. Perhaps the prince thought they’d be destroying an important part of that cruel legacy. Perhaps. 

*** 

At the second glance of it, it wasn’t such a great plan. At first, Emelyn thought it would be fine, as she simply ran away with him. All those religious people were outnumbered, and their interest was caught by the two royals walking inside. Normally, the Meyer family wouldn’t be stepping into the church as it was for the children’s education. Most of all, they didn’t expect the famous Sarah Gray to enter here with her husband. The gullibility was overrated, at this point. 

All eyes were on both, as they whispered to themselves quietly. “Queen,” “King” or “Husband and Wife” would they say. The “Queen” swallowed hard and let Edward enter, before staying outside, leaning against the wall. The church was seemingly solid, black colored with the symbol of Kordania. She tried to act like she didn’t notice the glares the women sent at her, yet it was almost impossible. 

Her poker face was breaking apart, yet she kept her composure. Look straight ahead, the corner of your lips shall not twitch, your eyebrows shall not arch, and your eyes are unreadable. That’s what Sarah’s mother used to say. At the simple thought of her, the woman felt her tongue stick out in annoyance, trying to keep herself from frowning. It was hard, with everyone looking at her. That’s great, at least they won’t be searching for Edward, she thought. 

“Is she Sarah Gray? The soon-to-be-queen of Kordania?” A woman whispered. 

“She looks a lot like Emelyn Windsor, the lost princess of Mayain” A second one spoke 

“Britney, that goofball died by throwing herself on the fields!” The first woman reminded. 

The concerned one felt her breath catch in her throat, so she closed her eyes. Soon the women’s conversations faded, and she focused on staying still. That is not related to me, I am not having any problems and Edward is fine, she thought. That’s when it hit her. Edward. Where was he? He has been inside the church since five minutes, yet he’s not back still. 

Emelyn tried consoling herself by thinking he might be searching for the perfect place, yet her mind was running at a million thoughts per second. What if he had a problem? What if he dumped her there just to see her reaction? What if everything she believed she saw in him was...fake? The soon-to-be-queen shook her head. She was overthinking it, and it was obvious. She couldn't let her thoughts take over just because he was five minutes late. 

So the princess stood there, her eyes wide, her breathing heavy from anxiety. She felt like she was reviving a nightmare. The war that happened eleven years ago...Now she would be part of the ones that would be starting it. The lady's throat tightened as she realized what she was a part of. A rebellion. 

An arm then pulled her out of it, shoving her out of the way. A strong muscular grip. Emelyn didn’t have the time to say “booh” that she was out of the way, pulled by an odd force. Edward. He was late, and he looked like he was having a problem. His breathing was heavy as he tried to carry her away, snapping her out of her trance. 

“Come on, Sarah, follow along! The bomb’s gonna explode soon!” 

“W-wha-? Already?” The princess suggested in surprise. 

“Yes, now I’ll release your arm, so run the fastest you can to the castle because I won’t hold you back!” Edward screamed, before sprinting away. 

It took her a long moment to process what had just happened, yet she quickly got over it. The soon-to-be-queen increased the pace and began catching up with him, her eyes fluttering with anticipation. She ran and ran, and soon she felt herself bump into something. Edward’s back, she noticed. 

Embarrassed, the young princess pulled away from him and cleared her throat, backing up a little bit. Her gaze wandered up to the sky then back up to the palace, noticing they had just arrived. She could breathe. Finally. Fortunately for her, the prince didn’t seem mad at the thought that she had just hit his back. Instead, he was smiling sheepishly, raising his hand, seemingly asking for a high-five. 

“Come on, Sarah, we did it! Next time, you better be more focused because I won't be carrying you along. It’s your fault if we got into that much difficulty!” He stated with a frown. “We’re there, keep a good expression until my father figures out. He needs to understand how bad what he’s doing is.” 

Edward walked off and led her through the walls, letting her step through her chambers. The woman sat on her bed and sighed deeply, her mind wandering in consecutive directions. They had just blown the church. By her window, she could seek women screaming and jumping around anxiously, begging for help and mercy to their God. 

Emelyn didn’t know why, yet she felt like Mayain got a remedy by the simple explosion of this. And it felt great. Yet also like a nightmare that came back to life... Her husband’s crowning was in two weeks, when she’d also become the Queen. She couldn’t wait for it to happen.