The child, Alice, had long been asleep, slumped backwards onto me. It had to have been a terribly uncomfortable sleeping position, but it had been a long and unexpected day in her life. We were almost to our destination, the inn where the betrothed princess was likely to be staying glimmered in the distance from the candles placed in its front windows. It was the only decent inn I could recall in the area between the wilderness and the castle and I couldn't imagine that they would allow a future queen to stay in anything less, even if it was still not up to royal standards.

  I dismounted and pulled the child down with me. She stirred enough to rub her eyes and walk with me, though still half-asleep. Through the entrance door, a startled man shot up from his hunched position at a desk by the door. The middle aged man looked like he should have gone to bed long ago as his surprised expression turned into a long, drawn out yawn. His sandy colored hair was tosselled and messy and his eyes seemed strained, likely something to do with the large stack of papers piled before him. He assessed us through bleary eyes, casting a gaze that I did not appreciate.

  “No rooms,” he said tersely and waved me off like I was some mutt coming in from the streets. “You should have come hours ago if you had any hope of securing something.”

  “Not even for a member of the house Yser?” Frankly, I wanted to kill the man where he stood for his initial disrespect, but I was too tired and saddle-worn to want to deal with stabling my horse and carrying my own bags. “I have never been so soundly disrespected before I’ve even opened my mouth to say something to warrant such treatment.”

  “Humpf,” he grumbled, throwing open the ledger. “End of the hallway, Seven.” He tossed his quill aside and resumed his slumped stance.

  “Help with my horse and bags,” I commanded. He was really testing my restraint. “I am a respected lady.”

  “Of course,” he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Come in far past reasonable time and expect me to kiss her feet,” he grumbled to himself.

  “You are the help,” I boomed. With an intense flair of anger, I drew upon the magic resting in the core of my spirit. I used it to draw myself taller and loom over him, looking down at him like the lesser he was. “You will attend to my demands and be grateful that you are currently more useful to me as a beast of burden rather than a charred husk.”

  His eyes widened and he hopped from his chair, giving into my demands while staring at me with a mixture of confusion and fear. He stumbled out the door, giving me one last look as if to judge if his eyes were playing tricks on him or I had really suddenly gained a half’s head in height in the blink of an eye.

  I relaxed the magic from my limbs and stored it back away with a silent sigh. It really was bothersome to have had to use it while already exhausted, but it could not be helped. Some people had to be reminded of their place like a disobedient dog. Usually the Yser name was enough to get people to snap to attention, but there were sometimes the odd few that foolishly chalked up all the whispered warnings as just idle gossip with no basis. Sometimes it was necessary to refresh those rumors and hopefully if I needed to pass through this village again, people would automatically be much more compliant.

  A few moments later, the innkeeper appeared again with my bag in his hands. He looked relieved that I had decided to remove the imposing mantle.

  “This way, ma'am.” His voice and demeanor were still not exactly as sincere as I would have liked, but it would do for now.

  Led to a room, I dismissed him with a flick of my hand. “One last thing,” I commanded, “I wish to be woken the moment the princess is available.”

  I could tell he had held back a complaint and agreed instead. The man must not have had much experience around people of higher intellect or magical abilities, his emotions were obvious in his features despite his desire to hide them. He wouldn't have lasted a single day under my command.

  Finally able to get some rest, I pushed the girl forward until her shins hit the armchair in the room. She curled up into it gratefully, head buried into the upholstery. Not even bothering to undress, I collapsed onto the mattress, trying my best to ignore the deep ache in my bones from pushing myself far beyond what my body was capable of nowadays. The ride had been long, but just a few years ago I still would have been able to function and still have wind after such a journey.

  It did not escape me that my body would not last as long as I desired. It had been a very long time since I had dared to drop my glamour, though ideas of what I actually looked like had haunted my dreams ever since Evonia's death. She had only been four years older than me, surely I could not be so far behind. It was true that I had ensured to drink less and celebrate less enthusiastically, and I had assuredly had less lovers, but would those differences add up to any noticeable life extension? The unknown variables about the approach of my own death made me afraid in a way that nothing else in my life ever had. As strong and sure of myself as I was in the daytime, the questions never failed to haunt me until the relief of sleep mercifully swept me away.

  All too early, there was a knock upon the door. It repeated until I was able to stiffly convince myself to rise and open the door.

  “The princess had agreed to see you.” It was the same man from earlier, his eyes bloodshot from the lack of sleep. “She will meet you in room three.”

  Without a response, I closed the door to prepare to make the desired first impression. So much of my desired outcome relied on her first thoughts when she set her eyes on me. I needed to look matronly, yet stately and in charge. Perhaps appearing a little exotic would help as well, something out of some fairy tale might do nicely. With that intent in mind, I pulled out one of the clean, plain beige dresses to start the design in my mind. The fantastic part about being skilled with illusions is that every piece of clothing, including the most plain and boring, could become the most extravagant and breathtaking pieces.

  With a flex of my will, the plain garment shimmered briefly before casting off its previous appearance and became a flowing white and gold dress with long sleeves and an unfortunately high neckline. The dress was patterned with roses and leaves, the edges of the foliage gilded with gold thread. It was tasteful, matronly, and exuded the image of “good.” I personally hated it, but to prepare for war, espionage was necessary.

  I donned the garment and checked that Alice was still fast asleep, before grabbing the tattered doll. The last thing I needed was my young ward to awaken and wander around, potentially alerting the princess' escorts to my plan. Assured that she was still deep in some dream, I stepped out into the hallway, closing the door gently behind me. It was not difficult to find the girl's room, a man armed with a sword stood outside her room, watching me carefully as I approached.

  "Are you the woman who demanded to see the Princess?" he barked.

  I placed my hand on my chest like he had frightened me and gave a painfully apologetic smile.

  "I don't think I would say that I demanded anything." My voice was syrupy sweet, the exact opposite of my normal, imperious self. "I merely want to give the Princess a gift that was sent with me to wish her a happy marriage from the late former queen's family."

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  The man's shoulders dropped slightly and his right hand left its hovering position over the sword's hilt. Not that I would have given him a chance to use it.

  "You are related to the late queen?" he questioned. He looked over my features and my elaborate dress, coming to the conclusion that I did indeed appear to be of royal blood.

  "Yes, she was my niece," I answered. "It was so tragic to learn of her passing. Queen Rela was such a lovely woman."

  My heart still burned with hatred for that woman. I would never forgive her for betraying everything we had ever taught her.

  "I did not have the pleasure of meeting her, but I heard that she was very beautiful. Many people wondered why she ever agreed to the marriage with King Leon. Don't let anyone know I said this, but he is not exactly the most handsome man Queen Rela could have picked."

  "Oh, she never cared for looks, I think. She always cared that the person had a pure heart and good intentions," I replied.

  "That does make sense," he agreed, stepping out of the way of the door. "Do not let me stop you any longer. I think the princess will love to know that there are no hard feelings from the previous queen's family."

  With a nod of my head, he pulled open the door for me. Inside was a red-headed girl with wide blue eyes, hands clenching the pale peach dress that draped shapelessly over her young form. Anger simmered beneath the sweet expression I wore, the girl looked barely a teenager, certainly not old enough to be throwing her youth away on some elderly man.

  "It's nice to meet you," I said once the door had closed behind me. "I hear that you are to marry King Leon."

  The girl nodded her head so slightly that I questioned for a moment if I had actually seen it or not. Her lips drew into a line like she was about to speak, but then relaxed as she decided against it.

  "I am the aunt of the late Queen Rela. My name is Mari. I just wanted to meet you and give you a gift from one of your future subjects." My voice was soothing and light, matching the way a mother would soothe a scared child. It seemed to be effective as I watched her tense shoulders slowly relax. "You have nothing to fear from me, my dear."

  The girl's posture further loosened and she afforded me a small smile, lips turning up into a cute little bow. It astonished me that they thought anyone would even begin to believe that the delicate teenager in front of me was anywhere near ready for the situation she was about to walk into. I offered her the doll, which she hesitantly took. She held it awkwardly, like it may have been too dirty to hold safely.

  "A peasant gave that to me to deliver to you," I explained. "She thought you might be scared of coming to a new kingdom and it might make you feel more comfortable and welcome. The word amongst the peasants is that you are quite young and may feel a bit… nervous about the situation you’ve found yourself in."

  The girl said nothing, but gave a quick nod of her head.

  "If I may, what is your name?" I inquired.

  Apprehensively, she parted her rosy lips and answered, "Tiffany."

  "Well, Princess Tiffany, has anyone explained what the kingdom you're about to rule is like? Anything about your new husband and family?'

  When she spoke it was barely above a whisper, I had to strain to hear her. "Only that he is handsome and will provide me a good life and that I will bear him many sons in the future," she replied.

  "I see, what do you imagine it will be like?" I questioned. "Surely you must have imagined your married life?"

  "He is handsome with dark hair and soft features and I will do my very best to take care of his little boy." Her face lit up into a small smile as she began to talk about the boy. "I took good care of my youngest sister, she is barely two summers old and is like a living doll."

  I kept the smile on my face, though there was nothing to smile about. The poor girl obviously had never seen who she was to marry and been told lies to keep her placid. She didn't have any idea what she was being sold into.

  "Tiffany, I'm afraid you might not have been told the whole story," I said gently.

  Her eyes scrunched into a confused look.

  "King Leon's youngest child is just a few years younger than you and his eldest is no longer a teenager. He himself I would not call young at all. In fact, I’m certain he would have been considered middle aged when the late queen bore his first child. King Leon is at least older than seventy."

  The young girl's mouth dropped open slightly and her eyes widened. "Surely you are mistaken. My father did not describe him that way."

  "Oh, I'm afraid not," I replied as I stepped towards her with a concerned look. "My niece married him when he was around fifty and that was over twenty years ago now. I would have thought they would have told you everything you needed to know. I'm sorry to be the bearer of such news."

  The Princess looked like she had just seen a ghost, face pale and body trembling. "Perhaps you are mistaken and I am intended to marry the son then. He is at least around my age as you have said."

  "But you were told that you are to replace the late queen, my dear. Marrying her son would not make you the new queen, so I'm afraid they mean you for King Leon. Is that the name they gave you for your husband?"

  "Yes… but…" Her blue eyes were glassy and distant. "My father promised me that he was handsome and young. He even talked about how tragic it was for him to have lost a wife so young."

  "Oh my poor child," I cooed. I opened my arms to her and she walked towards me in a daze, a shocked expression on her face. In my arms she cuddled close, her breathing rapid, reminiscent of a terrified rabbit caught in a snare.

  "I can't.." she sobbed. Her entire body began to shake and the bodice of my dress became damp.

  "Oh, but you have been told that you must. Your father knew the truth and he has still sent you with his blessing."

  She went quiet for a moment, her shaking intensifying. It became necessary for me to hold up her weight or she would have collapsed to the floor.

  "It's not fair…" she wailed softly.

  As soon as the words left her lips, I knew she would agree to my plans. Just as predicted, those in charge of her care had neglected to treat the girl like she should have any control over her own life. This idea for recruiting young girls was going to be even easier than I had first assumed.

  "It is not fair at all to you," I agreed. "You deserve a better life than to share a marital bed with a man that might as well be your great grandfather. I would like to take you away from this."

  Looking up to me with tears flowing down her cheeks, she nodded her head eagerly. "Can you do that?"

  "Of course my child. My house is powerful and willing to take you in and raise you to be the woman you deserve to be. Though you will have to be brave and do exactly as I say."

  "Anything!" she cried, wiping her tears away with the back of her hand.

  I could not help the smile that appeared on my lips. This had all gone to plan, there was no necessity to secret her away while stifling her protests. The girl had a good enough head on her shoulders to understand the travesty her marriage would be.

  "Your entourage will be wanting to leave soon, have you been traveling by carriage or horse?"

  "Carriage," she answered.

  That made things even easier. The stars were aligning for a smooth process. Perhaps this all was fated.

  "When they get you in the carriage, you will act like you are going along with them, but as soon as the door closes behind you, open and exit the other side. You will not see me, but you will feel me touch your hand, then you will know that you are safe. We will then stand silent and still until the carriage is out of sight. Do you think you are brave enough to do that?"

  She nodded her head, but looked confused. "But won't they see us?"

  "Trust in me, child," I soothed. "Just do as I say and all will be well."

  Gently pulling the girl's arms from my waist, I stepped back and wiped her tears with the edge of my sleeve. "Pull yourself together, no more tears. There is nothing left to cry about, you are not going to end up married to that old man."

  My words provided her with confidence and she took a deep breath to steady her emotions. She went to the washing pitcher and washed the tear stains away from her face and briefly soaked her eyes to reduce their puffiness.

  "I will be waiting," I said and turned towards the door. Before leaving, I illusioned the stain on my bodice to fade away and stepped out with a smile on my face.

  "Is the lady well today?" her guardian asked.

  "Very well," I said, "though I have to admit that I did not expect her to be so young."

  The man's lips quivered slightly like he had to hold back a comment and instead inclined his head in a gesture of understanding. "I have been assured that she is of appropriate age."

  "I'm sure you have," I replied politely, yet curtly. There would be nothing suspicious about any reasonable woman being untrusting about the situation the girl found herself in. "I merely remarked that it seems there will be a great age difference between the King and his betrothed."

  "It is not so unusual," he said carefully, no longer willing to meet my questioning eyes. "There are many kings who choose to take younger brides, it makes sense when you think about how many more children a younger woman is likely to have."

  "I suppose." I waved my hand to signal the interaction was over and turned to return to the room. There was no use in trying to reason with a man. Had her escort been a woman, perhaps I would have been able to concern them of the atrocity being committed, but men would only protect one another.