The palace was awake before the sun.
Aveline knew because somebody had been running past her room for the last ten minutes.
Boots.
Voices.
A door slammed.
Then someone shouted, "Move!"
Aveline sat up in bed.
She waited.
Another pair of footsteps went past.
"What now?"
She pushed the blanket aside and went to the door.
The moment she opened it, a guard nearly walked into her.
He stopped so quickly that his boots scraped against the floor.
"Sorry, miss."
"What happened?"
"Nothing."
Aveline stared at him.
He looked at the ceiling.
"Nothing?"
"Nothing that concerns you."
"That's a very strange way to say nothing."
The guard glanced down the corridor.
"Please stay in your room."
"Why?"
"Orders."
"Whose?"
He hesitated.
"The king's."
That got her attention.
"Is he all right?"
The guard's expression changed.
"He's alive."
Aveline stared at him.
"You can't say that and then walk away."
"I have orders."
"So do I."
"What orders?"
"I haven't decided yet."
The guard looked as though he regretted stopping.
Then another guard called from the other end of the corridor.
He took the opportunity.
"Stay here."
He hurried away.
Aveline watched him disappear.
"Very reassuring."
She shut the door.
Then opened it again.
"No. Absolutely not."
She stepped into the corridor.
⸻
She found Alaric outside the council chamber.
He was talking to two guards.
He looked as though he hadn't slept.
When he saw her, his expression changed.
"You weren't supposed to leave your room."
"I know."
"Then why are you here?"
"Because your guards are terrible at explaining things."
One of the guards suddenly became very interested in a spot on the floor.
Alaric rubbed his forehead.
"Aveline."
"What happened?"
"My father was attacked."
She stared at him.
"Again?"
He nodded.
"Is he badly hurt?"
"No."
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
She looked at the closed doors behind him.
"Then why is everyone running around?"
"Because this wasn't an ordinary attack."
"What does that mean?"
Alaric glanced at the guards.
"Later."
"No."
"Aveline—"
"You keep saying later."
"Because we're standing in a corridor full of people."
She looked around.
The guards were pretending very hard not to listen.
"Fine."
She lowered her voice.
"What happened?"
Alaric leaned closer.
"Someone got into my father's chambers."
Aveline's face tightened.
"How?"
"We don't know."
"Who?"
"We don't know that either."
"And what did they want?"
Alaric hesitated.
"To leave a message."
She touched her locket without realizing it.
"What message?"
Before he could answer, the council chamber doors opened.
A servant hurried out.
"Your Highness. His Majesty wants you inside."
Alaric nodded.
He looked at Aveline.
"Stay here."
She gave him a look.
"I wasn't planning to climb through a window."
"Good."
He walked inside.
Aveline followed.
He turned.
"I said stay here."
"I heard you."
"Then—"
"I'm staying."
She pointed at the doorway.
"Technically."
Alaric stared at her.
Then shook his head.
"You are exhausting."
"I've been told."
⸻
The council chamber was crowded.
Aveline recognized most of the people from the palace, although she still had trouble remembering their names.
There was Lord Harren.
Lady Meriel.
Two generals.
Several councillors.
And Duke Lennox.
Lennox was leaning against the window with his arms folded.
He looked unusually serious.
That alone made Aveline nervous.
The king sat at the head of the table.
His arm was wrapped in a white bandage.
There was a small tear in his sleeve.
Aveline noticed it.
He noticed her noticing.
"I'm fine," he said.
"I didn't ask."
The king looked at her for a second.
Then, unexpectedly, smiled.
"Fair enough."
Alaric sat beside him.
Aveline remained standing.
"Sit," the king said.
She sat.
For a few seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Lord Harren began.
"Your Majesty, the guards have been doubled at every entrance."
"Good."
"We've also searched the western wing."
"And?"
"Nothing."
The king nodded.
"Of course."
Aveline looked at Alaric.
He was watching his father.
Not the guards.
Not the councillors.
His father.
She knew that look.
He was worried.
Then Duke Lennox spoke.
"The attack wasn't meant to kill the king."
Everyone looked at him.
Lennox shrugged.
"If the attacker wanted him dead, we'd be discussing a funeral."
"That's a charming thought," Lady Meriel muttered.
Lennox ignored her.
"He wanted us to know he could get inside."
The king's face hardened.
"Yes."
Aveline touched her locket again.
Lennox noticed.
His gaze lingered on it.
Alaric noticed that too.
"Don't."
Lennox looked at him.
"I haven't said anything."
"You were about to."
"I was going to ask about the necklace."
"It's none of your business."
Lennox smiled.
"There he is."
Aveline looked between them.
"What?"
"Nothing," Alaric said.
Lennox laughed quietly.
"You really have changed."
Alaric's expression tightened.
"Drop it."
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"You're a prince. That's usually your favorite reason."
Aveline bit the inside of her cheek.
She really didn't want to laugh.
Lennox saw it.
"You find this amusing?"
"No."
"You do."
"A little."
Alaric looked at her.
"Don't encourage him."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm sitting here."
"That counts."
She smiled.
Then the king cleared his throat.
Everyone straightened.
"Enough."
Silence.
The king looked at Aveline.
"The attacker left a message."
She waited.
"What did it say?"
The king didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Alaric.
Alaric reached into his coat.
He pulled out a folded piece of paper.
He handed it to Aveline.
She unfolded it.
Five words.
The lost Valemont has returned.
Her fingers tightened around the paper.
She read it again.
Then looked up.
"What does 'returned' mean?"
Nobody answered immediately.
That was becoming a habit she hated.
She looked at the king.
"You know something."
The king leaned back.
"We have reason to believe your family was never completely destroyed."
Aveline stared.
"Never completely?"
"Your father disappeared."
"My mother died."
"Yes."
"And me?"
The king looked at her.
"You survived."
Aveline laughed once.
It wasn't a happy sound.
"Apparently."
Alaric reached toward her.
She moved her hand away.
Not because she was angry with him.
She just didn't want anyone touching her.
Not then.
The king continued.
"The people responsible for what happened to your family may have believed you were dead."
"And now they know I'm not."
"Yes."
Aveline looked down at the message.
"So what happens now?"
The king answered quietly.
"We find out who sent it."
⸻
After the meeting, Aveline escaped to the kitchen.
She didn't really have a plan.
She just wanted somewhere nobody was staring at her.
The kitchen seemed safer.
People were too busy cooking to care about royal secrets.
A pot was boiling.
Someone was chopping vegetables.
Two cooks were arguing over whether the soup needed more salt.
Aveline stood near the table.
A cook looked at her.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yes."
"Good."
The woman pushed a loaf of bread toward her.
"Eat."
Aveline took it.
"Thank you."
She tore off a piece.
Then another.
By the time Alaric found her, half the loaf was gone.
He stopped at the doorway.
"That's mine."
Aveline looked at the bread.
Then at him.
"No, it isn't."
"It was."
"Was."
He walked over.
"You're eating my bread."
"You have servants."
"So?"
"They can get you another one."
He looked at the loaf.
Then at her.
"That's not the point."
"What is the point?"
"I wanted that bread."
Aveline stared at him.
"You have an entire palace."
"That's irrelevant."
"You have cooks."
"Also irrelevant."
"You have money."
"You're being deliberately difficult."
"Yes."
He sat down opposite her.
The cook placed another loaf on the table.
"There."
She walked away.
Alaric looked at Aveline.
Aveline looked at Alaric.
Then she pushed the new loaf toward him.
"Problem solved."
He broke off a piece.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
They ate.
For a while, neither said anything.
It was strangely comfortable.
Aveline looked at him.
"You really haven't eaten?"
"I was busy."
"Doing what?"
"Arguing with my father."
"Who won?"
"My father."
"Obviously."
He looked offended.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
He smiled.
She took another piece of bread.
"Do you think your cousin hates me?"
"Lennox?"
"Yes."
"No."
"Then why does he keep looking at me?"
"Because he's nosy."
"That's it?"
"Mostly."
"Does he always talk like that?"
"Yes."
"He's annoying."
"Very."
"Do you like him?"
Alaric thought about it.
"Unfortunately."
Aveline smiled.
"That's probably the nicest thing you've ever said about him."
"Don't tell him."
"I won't."
"Good."
They continued eating.
Aveline suddenly noticed him looking at her.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You were staring."
"I wasn't."
"You were."
"I was looking at the bread."
"The bread is here."
"I know."
"So you were looking at me."
He paused.
"Maybe."
Aveline looked away.
She suddenly found the bread very interesting.
"You're becoming annoying."
"Becoming?"
She laughed.
"Don't ruin it."
⸻
By late afternoon, the palace had settled into an uneasy routine.
Guards were everywhere.
Doors were locked.
Nobody was allowed into the western wing without permission.
Aveline had been told three separate times not to wander.
She wandered anyway.
She ended up outside the old chapel.
The door stood slightly open.
She looked around.
No guards.
"That's reassuring."
She pushed the door.
It creaked.
Inside, everything was dusty.
Old wooden benches.
A cracked stone floor.
A few faded paintings.
Aveline walked slowly down the aisle.
She didn't know what she expected to find.
She only knew she didn't trust the palace anymore.
There were too many locked doors.
Too many people who knew things they wouldn't explain.
She stopped when she saw the symbol.
It had been carved into the stone wall.
The same symbol as her locket.
Aveline took the necklace out.
She held it against the carving.
Nothing happened.
She frowned.
"Well, that was disappointing."
She tried again.
Still nothing.
She was about to put it away when she noticed a tiny indentation beneath the symbol.
She pressed it.
A section of the wall moved.
Aveline jumped back.
"Oh."
A narrow opening appeared.
Inside was a small wooden box.
She reached in.
The box was dusty.
She opened it.
There was a folded letter and a small iron key.
Aveline unfolded the letter.
One sentence.
If she has returned, give this to the king.
She stared at it.
"Who is she?"
Obviously, the letter wasn't going to answer.
She folded it.
Footsteps.
Aveline looked toward the door.
Someone was walking outside.
She quickly slipped the letter into her dress.
"Hello?"
The footsteps stopped.
Nothing.
Aveline waited.
Nothing.
She stepped toward the door.
A shadow moved across the gap.
Aveline grabbed the knife from her waistband.
"Who's there?"
No answer.
Then a voice.
"Run."
Aveline blinked.
"What?"
The voice came again.
"Run."
A figure appeared at the far end of the chapel.
Aveline couldn't see the face.
"Wait!"
The figure turned and ran.
Aveline ran after them.
She was halfway down the corridor when the figure disappeared around a corner.
Aveline followed.
Nothing.
Just an empty passage.
She looked around.
"Where did you go?"
No answer.
She kicked the wall.
"Brilliant."
Then she saw something on the floor.
A piece of black cloth.
She picked it up.
The symbol was stitched into it.
She stared at it.
"Of course."
⸻
Alaric found her a few minutes later.
"Aveline!"
She turned.
He was out of breath.
"You disappeared."
"I was here."
"I noticed."
He looked around.
"What happened?"
"Someone was in here."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"What did they look like?"
"I couldn't see."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No."
"Did they touch you?"
"No."
"Did they say anything?"
She hesitated.
"They told me to run."
Alaric stared at her.
"What?"
"I know."
"You chased them?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
He looked at her.
"That was stupid."
"I know."
"You could've been hurt."
"I know."
"Then why—"
"Because I'm tired of being frightened!"
The words came out louder than she intended.
Alaric stopped.
Aveline looked away.
"I'm sorry."
He lowered his voice.
"I know."
She wiped at her face.
"I found something."
She gave him the black cloth.
He looked at it.
Then at her.
"Where?"
"On the floor."
She gave him the letter too.
He read it.
His expression changed.
"We need to take this to my father."
"That's what I thought."
"Come on."
They started walking.
Aveline stopped.
"Alaric."
He turned.
"What?"
She looked down at the knife in her hand.
"I think I'm getting used to carrying this."
He looked at it.
"That's not comforting."
"It's not meant to be."
He nodded.
"Fair."
⸻
The king read the letter twice.
He didn't ask where Aveline had found it.
Not immediately.
He simply sat there, holding the paper.
Finally, he looked at her.
"Your mother knew."
"Knew what?"
"That someone might come looking for you."
Aveline folded her arms.
"That's becoming a very popular sentence around here."
The king almost smiled.
Almost.
"She wanted you hidden."
"Why?"
"Because she believed your life was in danger."
"From whom?"
"I don't know."
Aveline stared at him.
"Again."
"I'm sorry."
"Everyone knows something."
The king said nothing.
"Everyone."
Her voice cracked.
She looked away.
"I don't even know my own mother."
The king's expression softened.
"Elara loved you."
Aveline wiped her cheek.
"I know that's supposed to make me feel better."
"It isn't?"
"No."
She took a breath.
"It makes me angry."
The king nodded.
"Why?"
"Because if she loved me so much, why did she leave me?"
He didn't answer.
There wasn't a good answer.
Aveline looked at the floor.
"Forget it."
She turned away.
The king spoke quietly.
"She didn't leave you because she wanted to."
Aveline stopped.
"Then why?"
"She was trying to keep you alive."
Aveline didn't turn around.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then she nodded.
"Okay."
It wasn't forgiveness.
It wasn't acceptance.
It was just the only word she had.
⸻
That evening, Alaric found her sitting on the palace steps.
She was holding the locket.
He sat beside her.
"You're supposed to be in your room."
"I know."
"Do you ever follow instructions?"
"Sometimes."
"When?"
"When they're good."
He smiled.
"Fair."
They sat quietly.
The palace gardens were dark beyond the steps.
Aveline looked at the locket.
"I keep thinking about my mother."
Alaric waited.
"I don't remember her properly."
"You don't have to."
"I know."
She rubbed the edge of the locket.
"I remember a red scarf."
He looked at her.
"You're sure?"
"No."
She gave a small laugh.
"That's the problem. I don't know what's real anymore."
Alaric nodded.
"I understand."
"You don't."
"No."
He looked down.
"But I know what it's like to have people decide who you're supposed to be."
She looked at him.
"Do you?"
"Yes."
"Because you're a prince."
"Exactly."
Aveline smiled faintly.
"Poor prince."
"Don't start."
She laughed.
He laughed too.
Then the laughter faded.
Aveline's hand rested beside his.
Their fingers touched.
Neither moved away.
After a moment, Alaric turned his hand over.
Aveline looked at him.
He didn't say anything.
She put her hand in his.
Simple.
A little awkward.
But she didn't pull away.
"You're still annoying," she said.
"You're still here."
"I know."
"Good."
She looked down.
"If I really am a Valemont…"
"Then you're still Aveline."
"And if I become some awful princess?"
"I'll remind you."
"Of what?"
"Who you were before all this."
She looked at him.
"Promise?"
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Promise."
Aveline squeezed his hand.
Neither noticed the guard approaching until he was almost beside them.
"Your Highness."
They both jumped apart.
The guard looked between them.
Then wisely looked at the ground.
Alaric stood.
"What happened?"
"The king."
Alaric's expression changed.
"What?"
"He's been attacked again."
Aveline stood too.
"Is he alive?"
"Yes."
"Then what's wrong?"
The guard handed Alaric a folded piece of paper.
Alaric opened it.
His face changed.
Aveline watched him.
"What?"
He handed it to her.
She read it.
We know where she is.
She looked up.
Nobody spoke.
Then she gave the paper back.
"That's rude."
Alaric stared at her.
"What?"
She shrugged.
"I don't know what else to say."
For a second, he almost laughed.
Then he didn't.
He looked toward the dark garden.
"We need to move."
"Where?"
"Somewhere safe."
"Is there anywhere safe?"
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
Aveline nodded.
"That's what I thought."
⸻
They were halfway to the council chamber when the bells began.
One.
Two.
Then all at once.
Guards poured into the corridors.
Doors slammed shut.
Servants were ordered back to their rooms.
The palace was being locked down.
Aveline looked at Alaric.
"What's happening?"
"Security."
"Because of the message?"
"Yes."
She touched her locket.
"Do they know I'm here?"
"They know."
She looked around at the palace.
All those people.
All those doors.
All those secrets.
And somewhere outside was someone who knew exactly who she was.
Aveline suddenly wished, very badly, for her little room in the village.
Even with the leaking roof.
Even with Mara shouting at her.
Even with the goat.
Especially the goat.
She looked at Alaric.
"I want to go home."
He didn't tell her she couldn't.
He simply said, "I know."
And that was somehow worse.
⸻
Far below the palace, in a passage that hadn't been used in years, someone lit a candle.
The person unfolded a piece of paper.
A sketch.
A young woman.
Aveline.
Beside the drawing was the symbol from the locket.
The figure studied it for a moment.
Then folded the paper.
"She's here."
Another voice answered from the darkness.
"Are you sure?"
"I saw her."
A pause.
"And the prince?"
"With her."
The second person was quiet.
Then:
"That complicates things."
The first figure smiled.
"Only if we let it."
The candle was blown out.
And the passage went dark.