A/N: An idea of mine that cropped up on me. This one is more romance targeted than my other one. Anyway, here is the first chapter. Feel free to let me know what you think of it so far.

Hated Facade

Chapter One

She could feel the warm water in her mouth, the smell of the tea in her nostrils. A small contented smile crossed her face as she swallowed her mouthful of warm tea, just simply holding the cup under her nose for a few moments to inhale the sweet aroma.

Rachel Park's mother, Esther, smiled warmly at her daughter. It was rare to see her sitting, holding a cup of tea in her hands, dressed in woman's clothing for once. She looked like the woman that she was supposed to be. Though, Esther wished that her husband would just let her be as such, but it was far too late to change it.

Rachel was their secret that only showed her true self as their daughter in the comfort and safety of their home. To the outside world, she was known as Richard Parks, their "son". Rachel's father had wanted her to bare a son, one that he could train and eventually introduce to the Order. Esther was only able to bare one child, Rachel.

Her brown eyes looked over her daughter's face, Rachel too absorbed in her tea to notice her staring. She had a rather boyish face, which her father had used to his advantage once her realized that she was much more adventurous and wild than girls at her age. Of course, only a few people knew of Rachel's true identity, but with her father's power and intimidation, not very many people spoke out about such things.

They usually didn't live long enough to tell.

Rachel glanced up at her mother, a small smile crossing her face, "is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Esther just smiled at her, "I enjoy seeing you like this. I wish your father would let you be the woman you are becoming."

"I do wish it as well, but I cannot change it," Rachel said, taking a sip from her teacup. Esther frowned, letting out a small sigh through her nose as she looked down at her folded hands resting on her lap. She was about to comment on what Rachel had said when the door to the room was opened, her husband stepping inside.

Rachel sat up straighter, placing her cup down as she looked over at him. "Father," she greeted, the older man just nodding in return and walked towards the two of them.

"There is something I wish to discuss with my daughter," he said, Esther gesturing towards the table that she was sitting at.

"We were just having some tea, I am sure it can wait-"

"It is urgent," her father stated, his eyes moving from his wife to his daughter, who studied him for a few moments, then just nodded and stood.

"I apologize, mother," Rachel said, "I am sure our tea can wait."

Esther frowned, looking slightly dejected. She just simply nodded, allowing the two of them to walk out of the room.

Once Rachel reached her father's study, she turned to face him. A small smile crossed her face, folding her hands in front of herself.

"What is it you wished to discuss with me?" she asked, watching him carefully as he shut the door to the study, turning to face her.

"I have some news that may come as a surprise to you, but I insist that you take this opportunity," her father explained, walking towards her, "I have gotten word that Master Birch is allowing you to be mentored by a more experienced member than myself."

Rachel nodded, glancing down, "this is...great news, father. May I ask who my mentor will be?"

"Haytham Kenway."

She blinked, furrowing her brow. She had heard of the Templar in question, but had yet to put a face to the name. Her father seemed like he wanted to add more, Rachel sensing a catch to the whole thing.

"Yet, Mister Kenway is being sent to the colonies. If you are to train under him, you must go with him. Which means leaving here for an undetermined amount of time."

"Ah..." Rachel said, taking that in. She had never left her home before, at least not as far as the colonies, which was more than a month's journey. She knew that her mother wouldn't take the news all that well, and Rachel wasn't too sure she could keep up her facade as Richard for that long before rousing suspicion.

"I suggest that you take this opportunity," her father said, placing a hand on his daughter's shoulder, "there is only so much I can teach you. If you were to expand your knowledge, there is no telling what you may accomplish."

"Are you sure I am ready for such a thing?" Rachel asked, "I have been able to keep up my disguise, but I am not sure I will be able to keep pretending to be something I am not. Especially in front of someone who will most likely notice the small things that I am not able to cover with an overcoat and trousers."

"You will be fine," her father said, "I have faith in you."

Rachel glanced down towards the floor once again, where her dress swayed just above her ankles, she knew she would miss being able to wear such things. Yet, she had given up such things when her father had trained her and introduced her as his son.

He had taught her how to act, how to speak and walk so that she wouldn't be able to give herself away. She was the perfect gentleman.

"You are twenty-five," her father said, "it is best you move on from here."

"I cannot simply move on when I am forced to be someone I am not," Rachel stated in that calm voice of hers, though she had to work to keep her anger out of her voice. She shook her head, placing her hands on her hips as she let out a sigh.

"Yet, you have convinced me," she said with a defeated sigh, "I will work under Haytham Kenway and leave for the colonies."

"Wonderful," her father said with a smile, "now, it is best you get yourself ready. Your ship leaves at dawn."

Rachel gaped at him slightly, her eyes widening, "you should have told me that I was to leave so soon! I will barely have enough time to say my farewell to mother."

"I will tell your mother of your decision," her father said, Rachel nodding as he left his study. She started to head up to her bedroom, her mind buzzing with questions.

The first being: why? Why did she even agree to this?

The bandages were tight around her torso, as tight as they had always been. Rachel pulled the white undershirt over her head, making sure that the bandages didn't show through the material. She watched herself in the mirror as she pulled her brown hair back into a pony tail at the base of her neck, pulling on the dull grey overcoat, buttoning it up. Finally, she placed the tricorn hat on her head to complete the whole outfit.

She had barely any sleep the night before, the lack of sleep seeming to reflect back in her stare. She fixed the collar of her coat, bending down to pick up her case and headed downstairs. She took a moment to look around her home, taking it into her memory for comfort sake. She had yet to see her mother or father, though she was almost expecting to not be greeted as she was leaving.

Rachel continued out into the early morning, it was still rather dark outside. She was surprised to see her mother standing just at the base of the front stairs. Rachel approached her, her face expressionless as she approached her.

Esther sighed, pulling her into a quick embrace. "I wish you would leave this path you are on," she said softly, "I worry for if you are spotted, these men are dangerous."

"I will be fine, mother, I assure you," Rachel said, giving her a small smile. Esther didn't return it, her face still hard and troubled. Rachel could tell that she was strongly against this, and the idea of forgetting the whole thing seemed like a rather good idea at the moment. Yet, Rachel just placed her hand on her mother's shoulder.

"I will be fine," she repeated, her mother just nodding.

"Write to me," she said, Rachel removing her hand from her shoulder.

"You know that you can't reply back. It is too risky, someone could find the letters."

"I will not reply then, but ease my worry with a letter when you are able. Just so I know that you haven't perished," Esther said, her voice catching. Rachel just sighed, nodding her head after a few moments.

"Fine," she said, "I will write when I am able."

"Thank you," Esther said, "you should leave now, you don't want to make a bad impression by being late."

Rachel expected the statement to be made with a smile, maybe a proud look, but her mother said it blankly, like she had been rehearsing it. Rachel wanted to chuckle and give her a warm smile. The idea that such a gesture would pry a smile out of her mother, but she just nodded her head.

"I will try my best."

The ride to the docks felt like the longest one of her life, Rachel's heart was racing and she was worried about her voice being too high when she spoke. The driver still believed that she was male, at least. Rachel sighed, watching as the ocean came into view. The sun was just starting to rise over the waters, and already the dock was bustling with life and activity.

As the driver stopped just at the docks, he jumped off and opened the door for her to step out.

"Have a pleasant trip, sir."

"Thank you," Rachel replied, making sure to keep her voice low, quiet. Like her father had taught her, something she thought she had mastered. Yet, she was questioning it now. None the less, she picked up her case and started towards the boat. The Providence, if she remembered correctly.

She walked quickly down the dock, her eyes scanning the people she passed. A lot of them seemed to be crew members, though when she found her mentor, he stood out pretty clearly. He stood with his hands behind his back, most likely looking for her as well.

The moment of truth...Rachel thought to herself as she approached, Haytham's gaze finally meeting her own. Her heart started to race, she hoped her anxiety didn't show too clearly on her face.

"Richard Parks?" Haytham asked, his voice was smooth and intimidating. Rachel nodded as she approached, placing her bag down and extended her hand.

"Master Kenway," she greeted as he shook her hand. She tried not to shrink under his gaze, she just stared back at him with a polite smile. He pulled his hand back, Rachel backing up a bit.

"You are late," he stated, Rachel bowing her head slightly.

"I apologize, sir," she said, Haytham not replying as he turned towards the ship and started to walk, leaving Rachel to follow behind him. A small part of her wanted to sneak away while his back was turned, make a run for it.

But, the time to change her mind had passed the moment she walked onto the dock.

Now, it was all about keeping up her facade.