"It's always amazing how beautiful the view of Polis is from your window."

The Princess raised her head from her task to look in her guard's direction. He stood tall and proud in front of her window, staring off into the distance. The small strip of hair on top of his head seemed to glisten in the morning glow. He was always so content at this time of the day. She wished she could feel as happy as he did when he stared out of her window. Whenever she did, she felt like a captive. Held back from the world calling out to her for help. For protection. To keep her people safe.

She cleared her thoughts and returned to her task. "You say that every day." She pointed out as she tightened the laces on her black boots. "It's not going to make me want to stare out of it every day for the rest of my existence."

He smiled, releasing a small, breathy laugh. "I am well aware, Princess." The guard turned to her with his hand resting on his sword. "You would much rather be defending Polis in the mud and dirt then riding your horse in the bright green grass."

The Princess straightened and stared at her reflection in the tall mirror. She tilted her head and tugged roughly at the buckles holding her shoulder pad straight. She leaned a bit closer to the mirror to inspect her hair ensuring she had done her braids correctly. "Am I about to get a speech, Lincoln?"

He chuckled lightly. "Of course not, Princess Alexandria."

The Princess wrinkled her nose. "I hate when you call me that." She stepped away from the mirror and walked toward her dresser.

"Well, I can't really call you Lexa around here, now can I?"

"I supposed not." Her brow furrowed as she began shifting items around. "Have you seen my paint?"

Lincoln took a step beside her and followed her movements along the table. "Maybe you left it in your bathroom?"

She chewed on the corner of her lip in thought. "Maybe."

"Would you like me to go look?"

Lexa looked at him strangely for a moment then waved her hand. "I'm perfectly capable of looking on my own."

He smirked and bowed slightly. "Whatever you choose, your highness."

Lexa rolled her eyes and shoved him as she passed. "You're really in a mood today." She noted, walking toward her bathroom.

"Today we pick a new member of our group." He responded, his eyes following her movement. "I'm just a little anxious to get back to the academy." Lincoln exhaled heavily and wiped his hand down his face. "Lexa, are you sure this is still a good idea?"

"I found the paint!" She returned to the room with a dark glass jar in her hand. "And do I still think what is a good idea?" She positioned herself in front of her mirror and unscrewed the top.

"This." He held his hand out toward her, moving it up and down. "You pretending to be Lexa, Royal Guard in training."

"Commander in training." She corrected, placing the back paint around her eyes. She stared at her reflection. It always amazed her how much of a brighter green her eyes were behind the mask of paint.

"Pardon me. Commander in training."

"And I'm not pretending, Lincoln. This is who I really am."

Lincoln crossed his arms against his chest. "We've been lucky." He watched as Lexa dripped the paint under her eyes. Her transformation always intrigued him. How she could go from the refined, beautiful Princess Alexandria to the beautiful badass Lexa with just a little charcoal paint. "I mean, really lucky. I'm surprised no one in the academy has recognized you yet."

"This stuff helps." She held up the jar then returned to her work. "And the outfit too. I mean, what Princess would be caught wearing these many buckles."

"This Princess." He said, motioning his chin in her direction with a tiny smile.

The same smile appeared on her lips, but it held the sadness she felt in her heart at being forced to live her life by her father's rules. She wanted to do so much more for her people. For her country. Her strength was unparalleled. Her skills in combat were unmatched. She was being wasted sitting in diplomat meetings debating things she couldn't even keep straight anymore.

Just as Lincoln went to speak again, there was a knock on her door. Their attention shot in the direction of the noise as another knock sounded. Lexa's eyes widened in worry as she turned to Lincoln. Her expression silently asked the question of who it was. Lincoln simply shrugged his shoulder in response but placed his hand on his sword again. A natural reaction when you were chosen as the Princess' protector.

"Alexandria, it's your father. May I come in?"

"Shit…" Lexa breathed as she looked to Lincoln who was just as clueless on what to do as she was. She hurried around her room, gathering her things. She fumbled as she frantically pulled a few items from her closet. "I'll go hide in the bathroom. You answer the door."

Lincoln's jaw dropped slightly. "You're going to make me deal with this?" He questioned, in a harsh whisper.

"Alexandria? Are you in there?" He jiggled the door handle as the duo argued in hushed tones. "Alexandria, open this door at once!"

"You heard the King." Lexa stated, holding her items close to her chest. She motioned her head toward the door. "Open the door at once." She scurried off to the bathroom closing the door behind herself.

Lincoln clenched his teeth and muttered a few curse words in her direction. He marched toward the door, still muttering under his breath as he placed his hand on the knob. He took in a deep breath to compose himself and pulled the door open. King Gustus stood before him with his arms crossed against his chest and eyebrow raised in question. His own Royal Guards flanking his left and right side. Their spears standing as straight as they were.

"Your Majesty." Lincoln greeted, taking a knee. "Princess Alexandria is indisposed, sir."

"Rise, Lincoln." The King ordered.

Lincoln did so quickly, stepping to the side to allow the King to enter. The two men followed behind him. The guard to his right glanced at Lincoln then shook his head. Lincoln swallowed nervously and nodded. "Father." He greeted.

"Son." The man responded, taking his place behind the King.

King Gustus cupped his hands behind his back and turned to the younger guard. "Where is my daughter?"

Lincoln could feel the knot in his stomach tightening. "She's… uh... in the bathroom, your Majesty." He paused for a moment in an attempt to keep his nervousness in line. "Preparing for her day, sir."

The King took a step closer. His eyes narrowed as he studied Lincoln for a moment. "Please. Knock on the door and have my daughter speak with me."

Lincoln nodded. "Yes, your Majesty."

Before he could take a step toward the bathroom, Lexa stepped out. Her outfit now a green flowing dress that she looked completely uncomfortable in. Her braids were gone, and the black war paint had been scrubbed away. Her hair was straight and laid softly over her shoulders underneath her tiara. "Hello, Father." She greeted with a small curtsey.

"Alexandria." He greeted with a smile. He extended his arms beckoning her to come closer for a hug.

Lexa forced a smile and stepped into her father's embrace. She felt the press of a kiss to her temple and she sighed in her father's arms. "What brings you here?" She questioned, taking a step away to look at him.

King Gustus looked to the three men in the room. "Leave us, please."

"Yes, your Majesty." They barked in unison before marching toward the door. Lincoln and Lexa exchanged a look before he closed the door behind them.

Once they were gone, the King returned to his former stance. His hands cupped behind his back as he turned and made his way to the window Lincoln was so enamored with. "I hear you will not be overseeing the academy recruitment today."

Lexa lowered her head as stepped closer to her father. She joined him at the window, looking out at the country she was born to lead. She mirrored his stance as she spoke. "I don't want to watch teams formed at an academy I am not allowed to attend." She lied, feeling her father's gaze turn to her. Her attention remained focused on the outside world. "My drive to learn and fight alongside the other guards is too great to just stand there and watch."

"Alexandria…" He sighed. "We've discussed this many times…"

"I know." She interrupted, taking one final look at Polis before stepping away from the window. "And I still don't understand why you won't let me join."

He closed his eyes for a moment trying to gather his thoughts. When he opened them again, he felt his body sink at the sight of confused, sad green eyes staring back at him. "Alexandria, what if something happens to you? You are next in line for the throne and…"

"Technically, Anya is."

A solemn expression crossed King Gustus' face at the mention of his oldest daughter. "Well, Anya isn't here. We don't know if she's even…"

"She's not dead, Father." Lexa interjected, immediately.

"We don't know that, Alexandria."

"I know that." Lexa proclaimed, resting her hand over her heart. "I can feel it." She stepped forward, resting her hands on her father's broad shoulders. "If you would just let me join the academy. Let me fight alongside Lincoln and the others, I could go on a mission and find to find her. To bring her home."

The King shook his head. "No, Alexandria, it's too risky." He looked deeply into her eyes. "I can't lose you too."

Lexa felt all her resolve leave her body. She slowly removed her hands from his shoulders. "I wish you would have more faith in me." She wrapped her arms around herself. "I want to be a leader, father."

The King reached out and took her hand in his own. "A Princess is a leader."

"Not the type of leader I want to be." She stated, removing her hand from his grasp. "I can do this. I can protect our family…"

"Enough, Alexandria." He father order, in an oddly calm tone. He exhaled heavily, lowering his head for a just a moment. He raised his attention to his daughter again and stepped closer, placing his hands on her cheeks. "I hope one day you will understand that I am just trying to protect you the way you feel you need to protect our people." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Lexa closed her eyes at the contact. When her father pulled away, she raised her eyes to meet his. "And I hope one day you will understand why this means so much to me."

"Are you sure I can't change your mind? Your mother and I have to leave for Arkadia shortly and won't be able to attend the recruitment." King Gustus said, pushing his daughter's plea to the back of his mind. "One of us should really be present."

Lexa forced a smile. "Enjoy Arkadia, Father. Be careful. Cage and his soldiers are still lurking out there somewhere."

He flashed a disappointed smile then pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I shall." He made his way toward the door. He opened it and was immediately greeted by the three guards. "Lincoln, if Alexandria changes her mind, please escort her to the Royal booth before you join your team."

Lincoln nodded. "Yes, your Majesty." As the King exited the room, Lincoln stepped back inside with a nod to his own father. He closed the door quickly and turned to the Princess. "Jesus, that was close." He took a step toward her. "How did you get out of that outfit so quick?"

Lexa blew out a breath. "I didn't." She raised the bottom of the dress showing the black pants and high black boots. "The paint was the hardest thing to get off though."

Lincoln breathed out, taking a seat in the chair by her dresser. "That was close, Lexa." He repeated, concern lacing his features.

Lexa nodded. "I know but it's fine."

Lincoln raised an eyebrow. "Is it really?"

The Princess held his gaze for a long period of time. She picked up the edge of her dress and started toward the bathroom. "My parents will be gone in an hour." She said, evading his question. "I should be ready before then and we can leave for recruitment."

Lincoln smirked and waved his hand in a circular motion. "As you command, your highness." He teased as Lexa shot him an evil glare and closed the bathroom door behind her.