*Silence fills the room. All the nobles fled the room, leaving only Felix, the princess and a sea of dead bodies. Flyers for the ball and various pieces of papers fly across the room like bushes in a desert. One of them catches Felix attention, and what was drawn on it changed Felix expression from confidence to terror. He catches the paper mid-air and burns it right away. In a nervous dash, Felix roll up the sleeves of the assassin, checking his shoulders*

Felix, whispering to himself: It's not there, so that means he wasn’t sent by “them”.

Eleonore, still happy: so… does that mean you can't… die?

Felix: Not unless you meet some conditions, which of course I'm not gonna disclose.

Eleonore: Want to join me on some night-sky observing? The view is particularly beautiful on the wa…

Felix: I'm busy tonight princess, see you again tomorrow.

Eleonore, mumbling: Cold…

________________________________________________

*The King is relaxing in his secret-meeting office, today was a tiring day. The snipers were all 3 arrested, their location had been provided by the mercenary. Many nobles were sent to the infirmary, poisoned by the buffet. His daughter had been kidnapped again… he was rejoiced tough by the fact that he finally found a guard for his daughter that would last more than a week this time. Poor Eleonore, she did many times had some romantic relationships with her guards. After all, high-ranking knights are the ideal partners for a princess, but they always died before they could ever go further than dating and romantic compliments exchanges. After having her heart's broken so many times, she started to grow depressed and generally neutral, never smiling to anything. When he saw her smile again, when she told him about Felix miracle at the ball, the old king shed a tear of happiness at the glowing light that was emanating of his daughter as she was relating the events. A light that he thought had faded forever. It's just a shame that he seems so cold toward the princess. Felix…*

King: *gulp* The King Slayer.

*This was the reason he didn’t call for his service earlier. The man was known to be able to kill the strongest men in the world. Fear of him was what kept kings from exploiting their people out of greed. The King had a sudden chill down his spine*

King, to himself: What if he is here right now?

*He could feel a presence crawling in the darkness, did he make a mistake when enrolling him? he did try to trick him with the contract, but he didn’t have a choice! The princess needs protection! He suddenly stopped fearing death, his life didn’t matter to him anymore. He heard that Felix might be scary, but was a man of his word. His only concern was if he would keep protecting his daughter even after death. He could sense someone behind his back. He started recalling his most fond memories. To his dismay, he realized with his flashbacks that he didn’t spend enough time with his daughter than he should have, his royal obligations where the cause*

King, still in his mind: Is this why? Why I must die tonight?

*He could feel it, on his neck. The cold blade that was now lodged in his neck. He was taking his time, savoring the moment? What a twisted kind of joy… then, a scream… The pain struck him violently*

King: ...

*It wasn’t HIS scream, and the pain came from the shout that was too close to his ear. He turns around, a hooded figure stands in front of him, before collapsing to the floor, revealing Felix with a bloodied dagger in his hand*

King: Why… did you save me?

Felix: The reason why I'm the best choice for the job is that I sometimes come with certain benefits when I judge my contractors worthy. Seems like this one couldn’t wait just a little bit longer.

King: I thought you were here to kill me!

Felix: I choose carefully my contracts, my liege. Only corrupt kings who cross the lines should fear me. If a contractor decides to make a contract for the sole reason to steal the throne, He must watch out as I may accept a contract for HIS head instead. You are a noble king, loved by his people, so you have nothing to fear.

King: *sigh of relief*

Felix: You also don’t have long to live anyway.

King: What do you mean!?

Felix: Tomorrow is your last day on mortal lands.

King: I thought you just said you were not gonna kill me!

Felix: Your inner flame, your life energy, you have enough for one day still. I suggest you use this time to spend it with your daughter.

*Felix heads to the door, while the king is still shocked by the revelation of how long he has to live*

Felix stopping before the door: By the way, If I really wanted to assassinate you, you wouldn’t have seen it coming, I could sense by your tension that you knew he was there, that's bad craftsmanship

*”He is right” though the king, he only sensed one man in the room with him. Though that information was far from helpful to help him feel better*

Felix: goodnight!

*The King's mind was rushing, he needs to prepare the perfect day to compensate for the time lost. Equitation, food tasting, shopping, “fishing maybe?”... He was running out of ideas. Tomorrow, he will need to prepare a well-crafted schedule to maximize his time with her. maybe he will need the help of some of his best consular, or even the population if need be! *

King: The kingdom can survive one day without my help, they will understand the next morning!

________________________________________________

*It's 10 in the morning, the King worked on his schedule all night, and barely had any sleep. In excitation, he rushes to his daughter quarters to start the last day of his life… she’s, not there…*

King: Maybe… she’s already at her favorite shop?

*The king sends his best man's in search of the princess, but he knew it would be in vain. She had disappeared again, to her “hideout”. From time to time, she would disappear, and come back a few hours later. He knows that she is not kidnapped in those situations, but the fact that the way to determine if she was abducted or just gone to her hideout is a lack of a note can be a bit nerve-racking*

King: Any idea’s where she could be?

Felix: I think I spotted her leaving the castle, but I don't know her enough to know exactly where. I suspect she goes there to get some privacy, so I decided to not be tracking her.

King: Now of all times!

*Even the King never managed to learn what this spot was, the secret was shared only with her mother, and now that she passed away, only God knows where she went.*

King: *Walking in circles* I'm... running out of time!

*Four hours later, Felix spotted her coming back to the castle. The King was nervous but relieved. His daughter really was safe. He does need to cross fishing from his schedule now tough.*

Guard: The King desire to meet you, milady!

Eleonore: Tell him he can wait, I'm not interested in another “how to rule” class of his. I'm going to my quarters.

*The King rushes to the royal stables, the news that brought his messenger filled him with despair. He ran as fast as his old age let him. When he finally arrived in front of the princess, she was getting off her horse. Felix is guarding her from his corner since*

King: Daughter, *huff* we need to speak *cough* *cough*.

Eleonore: Not now father! I am not interested in speaking with you right now. I have matters to attend to.

*Eleonore didn't understand why her father suddenly took interest in her. The only time they spend together is when he wants to teach her how to be the future queen. Eleonore was not in the mood for that. The recent events were pretty charged in emotions and she needed a day to rest. Work was definitely not in her definition of “resting”.*

King: Please, *cough* it's important *cough*.

*The King started to feel a terrible pain in his stomach. His breath was not coming back either. his heart was racing in his chest, the run, the anxiety, it was too much to bear. Until... it just... stopped. The king no longer felt his heart, he felt less and less energy. how could it be? It is still 13h30! He still has time! The king slumped on the floor, the princess yelled in shock. Once again, the King felt like those were his last seconds on earth. While the princess was panicking, Felix was walking calmly toward the King. Fire lit up in his hand, he then strongly pressed his hand on the king chest. His body convulsed like he was hit with a defibrillator. After two more hits, the King heart started beating again*

King: What happened? You said I had...

Felix: Yes, one more day of life energy. But the stress of not be able to spend time with your daughter was too much for your old heart and it malfunctioned. Princess, savor those last moments with your father, as today is his last day.

Eleonore, still in tears from seeing her dad almost die: Can’t… can’t you keep him alive?

Felix: I'm afraid I cannot do that princess. Your father internal organs will not last for long, and I only reactivated his heart using focused energy. Also, Even if I could keep him alive though, I fear it is not my role to play with life and death. Even with the little I did, I fear I stepped over the line. But I am a man of my words and I promised you one last day.

*Felix looked up in the sky, dark clouds formed a circle around his head. The rest of the sky was a clear blue, like the clouds were all dragged on top of him. They seemed charged with electricity, giving the impression of anger. They weren't there before…*

Felix: Seems like I pissed “Him” off…

________________________________________________

*The rest of the day happened without an itch, the King and her daughter had fun while riding on horseback, exploring the beautiful landscapes around the castle. The forest, the lake, the far-away mountains, it was the first time they spent so most fun time together. From a distance away, Felix was guarding them. He didn’t want anyone to ruin this moment for them*

Felix, addressing the royal family: I sent my spies to patrol the sector, they didn’t signal anyone. The enemy must have suffered a big blow during the ball, but I know they will come back. It seems like you can enjoy some time together in peace though.

Eleonore, to herself: Wait, what spies? We don't have any, so he can’t be using ours? I thought that he always worked alone! well, that's what father said.

*Has the sun settles down, the King felt his forces leaving him. they rushed to the castle and made him rest on his bed, the room was lit with only a dim light, barely enough for the whole room. The beautiful paintings of glorious battles now looked bloody and morbid, the figures of proud  *

King: I don't have much time left… daughter, I wish for you to leave my room this instant.

Eleonore: Father! I must stay by your side! You are ill, I must…

King: Eleonore! Please listen to my plea. I don’t want you to see me die. May your last memories of me be of a *cough* healthy father, may they be about the time we just spent together.

Eleonore, sad: I… understand father. I shall go to my quarters.

*Eleonore leaves the King chambers, only the King, lying in his bed. Felix, sitting next to him is the only one left.*

King: What is the situation, Felix? I fear she might not be ready to take the throne, and it might be to…

Felix: I think she is ready to take care of her royal duties, but she is not ready to deal with the attacks. With your death, they will only get stronger, and they won’t just send assassins anymore. My spies brought back rumors about the neighboring kingdoms. They think that if she stays on the throne, they will finally break the peace treaty and send an army to attack. If she leaves, they might be forced to re-evaluate their plans, buying us time. While I don’t doubt her ability to reign over the kingdom, I fear that an all-out war might be too much for her first challenge. I might be strong, but even I can’t protect a castle against an entire army.

King: Will you continue to protect the princess? Even if I, the contractor, will be gone? Won't be able to pay you?

Felix: The contract shall be completed only when the princess will be completely safe. Until then, I shall stay by her side.

King: Your words reassure me, Felix, I shall be able to leave the mortal realm knowing that my daughter will be safe. But what do you plan to do next?

Felix: I have already made the preparation. Tonight, I shall escape with the princess!

*The King was worried, but knew he could trust Felix. Drawing his last breath, the King's forces quit him quietly. Felix then proceeds to close his eyes, before rushing out of the room. In her quarters, the princess could not sleep*

*knock* *knock*

Eleonore: Yes? Who is knocking?

Felix: Grab your stuff princess, were leaving, and we are not coming back for a while.