"The Albest diplomat? When did we get an Albest diplomat in our midst? Didn't we have a partnership with them not to interfere in each other's continents?" Princess Neha asked with an almost pained voice.

Her mind flashed back to all the diplomatic meetings she had to sit in. It had been a painful process for her since it had cut off her personal time but it had been a sacrifice she had been willing to make to lower her load. Having another continent, one which was much more advanced than them, not interfere with their working load was a big relief.

But apparently, it had all been a hoax and Albest had done what they had wanted from the start. And it had happened at the worst possible time as well. They were not ready for the political implication this will be bringing them.

"Luckily for us, the other party seemed to be of individual interest. I poked around a little and found no document that assigned them as having been sent by their government" Alester's words finally caused Neah to breathe out a sigh of relief.

As long as this incident did not involve Albest's government, they could handle it. But it also made one wonder how a 'fake' diplomat had entered their kingdom. There was only one official way and that could only be accessed by high-ranked nobles.

"And what about Trishula? Why did he appear now?" Ashura asked in a calm voice. Neha had even forgotten the old man's presence or the first part of the news Alester had presented them with. In her opinion, it had been far less important than the political fallout this 'ambassador' could have brought.

But it seemed like her companions had other ideas. And it was not like Neah could blame them either. She had grown up in the shadows of the past generation so she did not have a good grasp of their strength or influence. But these people had grown up at the same time as the others and had a much better idea.

"He's content to lay still for now but I'm not sure what he's planning. My sources were keeping an eye on him for quite a while now but he caught on to me a while back. However, I have a feeling he would come to visit Lady Karin at least once before he begins his plan" Alester sounded sure.

It made one wonder just how close the two might have been for Alester to say those words with his twisted smile. It gave Neah chills just looking at him.

"Do what you want but don't let him interfere in our plans. Also, it's time to pick up pace in project N" Again, project N was something Neha only had passing information about. She had chosen not to get involved with it once she had other responsibilities in the mix.

"Sure will do. Oh, and princess, I met the Oracle and I have to say that she's a charmer. I can see why you like her so much. Too bad she managed to escape this continent" Aleater's words gave Neah a whiplash and she felt her head turn toward the teen.

But he was already escaping the scene, having delivered the disturbing news to her. His steps had a cheerful jump to them and the skipping motion was a given trademark of his happiness.

"Hey, wait. What do you mean to escape? Did you do something? Alester-?" But the teen had disappeared as soon as he had crossed the threshold. He had left the scene and left Neha behind with a head full of questions.

..................

"P-Princess Trisha? H-How did you... What are you doing outside your room? Didn't you say you were not feeling well?" A soldier asked as Trisha entered his line of sight.

Their plan had officially begun and all that was left was to cause a little confusion. They had finally managed to enter the inner corridors and it was finally timed for the princess to begin her act. She had to stay strong and pretend as if she had escaped her room.

"I'm still feeling a little sick but staying locked up will only make me feel sicker. I just need some fresh air into me" Trisha replied, cringing inside at the corny line she had to speak.

She hated that she had to pretend to be someone she was not but she had to do it for Kagemori. The other had already taken up the role as the princess and now it fell on Trisha to keep up the role. Even more so when she was handicapped due to her over usage of magic.

"I.., of course not. You're not free to roam around princesses. Please go back to your room. I'll even escort you there" the guard squeaked out those words. It became more and more clear that he found the situation to be difficult but not impossible.

Darn it, Trisha had been right about Kagemori. She was causing trouble all over and making it difficult for the guards to be able to maintain the calm inside the palace.

"Fine. But I'm not happy about it '' Trisha almost pouted, the same way she had seen Kagemori do when she had not been happy about something. And the guard caved into the pressure.

Maria, who had taken to hiding nearby, gave her a sign that said 'good job' as the guard began leading her away. The princess felt bad about what she was about to do to the poor guard but not bad enough to stop. Nothing could stop her from rescuing the only remainder of her family from this hell-hole of a place.

The corridor changed as Trisha was led around to her confiding quarters and she felt her face pale more and more as they walked. This wing, she recognized it but she could not believe this was happening.historical

Why of all places had they chosen this section to house her? Did they not have any decency? Any humanity? Why did they think that the princess would want to be in her childhood section where memories could assault her each and every waking moment.

"Hey, by the way. Did you not say that you weren't going to come out just a few hours ago? What are you doing out now?" The guard asked and the answer he got was in the form. If a fist to his face that knocked him out cold.

The princess had a small tremble wrecking her body and her fist shook in rage.

"Don't talk about things you have no idea about. I cannot stand it when you all talk like you know me" the princess whispered as she stood over the unconscious body with a hard expression on her face.