Vayne: Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Don't forget to check out DevilWolf641's profile to see our collab. It's still in progress but it'll be awesome!

Chapter Two: The Unmasking

The morning sun cast its calming rays upon the frozen city, but to no avail. The castle remained cold and tense as the residents began to wake up. Eve slowly crawled out of bed. She noticed her things from home were in her new room, and she got up to get dressed. She found her dresser, a special birthday present from Nemesis, and ran her fingers over the smooth oak wood. She sighed, and stared at herself in the mirror. She noticed a letter was stuck to the frame of the dresser, and opened it. It was a letter from Nemesis. She read it slowly.

Dear Eve,

I received the news from your mother. I am so sorry, I shouldn't have pressed Seraph to go through with this negotiation. If only I hadn't then this would never have happened. I know you can't forgive me, but please, don't take your anger out on Chung. I've met him before, and he's not like other boys. He's one of the most caring, kind, and trusting men I've met in my life, and I hope you will see that. Please try to make the most of what you have.

P.S. I packed all your favorite things for you, they're in the bottom drawer.

love

Auntie Nemesis

Eve smiled as she set the letter down, then opened the bottom drawer and took out her favorite winter gown. It was white as snow, as were all her other dresses, and had a silver necklace with a deep blue El shard in the center. After she put on the dress, she stared at the shard. It looks just like his eyes. Eve frowned, and placed the necklace back in the drawer. As she left her room, she saw her old bed laying against the wall of the large hallway. As she walked down the stairs, she heard things being moved in her room as the servants exchanged the beds. She turned the corner, and jumped as she heard someone yell.

"God damn it! Just shut up you purple midget!" An unfamiliar voice echoed from further down the hall, followed by another, much more cherished voice.

"What did you call me Righty?!" Aisha shrieked, and Eve ran down the hall to see Aisha standing, staff in hand, in front of a red haired warrior. She realized it was Chung's bodyguard, Elsword.

"A purple midget! Or do you prefer being called a gnome?!"

"I'll hurt you!" Aisha's hands began to crackle with electricity. Eve smiled. Foolish boy, you're toast. Without hesitation, Elsword drew his blade. Eve was surprised, as simply removing his sword he performed numerous fluid, elegant motions and ended in a ready position in but a second.

"Bring it!" Just as Eve was ready to see Elsword beaten into the ground, something happened, although Eve wasn't sure what. Elsword suddenly lost his sword, and Aisha was laying flat on her back. Eve noticed Raven walk up to Elsword and hand him his sword, and then help Aisha up off the floor. Then, she felt someone behind her.

"Elsword!" Eve turned to see Chung walking past her, "What is the meaning of this?" Elsword glared as Aisha made herself look innocent and defenseless. Chung stared at her, "Don't bother Aisha, I know it was really you who started this. I'm asking Elsword because I know you'll lie about this." Aisha began to speak, but shut up as everyone here knew it was true. Elsword took another glance at Aisha, then sighed.

"It was nothing sir. We were just having an argument, and we overreacted to one another's insults." Aisha looked at Elsword, somewhat amazed. He was letting her off easy. Chung smiled.

"Very well. I don't want you people fighting all the time, you're living together now, so get used to it. Raven."

"My lord?"

"This applies to you and Rena as well." Raven bowed, his metal hand on his chest.

"Certainly." As Aisha, Elsword, and Raven left, Chung turned to Eve.

"I'm sorry for Elsword's behavior to your guard Eve. He can get really wound up. Shall we get to breakfast?" Chung held out his hand, and Eve just glared at it.

"Fine." Chung sighed, and they walked through the main hall to the dining hall. Chung sat down next to his mother, and Delilah motioned for Eve to come sit next to them. They ate in silence, Chung not wishing to say anything in fear he would somehow upset Eve. Eve finished her food first, and after wiping her mouth with her napkin, looked at Delilah.

"Majesty, might I be excused?" Delilah smiled.

"Of course, and please call me mother." Eve stood up.

"Thank you mother." Eve turned and walked out the glass door embedded in the giant window behind them, and disappeared into the garden. Eve strolled along, the lovely scents soothing her. She kneeled down next to a patch of white roses, and inhaled deeply. She felt someone suddenly touch her shoulder, and she jumped. She turned around quickly, "Oh! Rena, you scared me."

"I'm sorry ma'am, but I noticed something last night that I think you should know of." Rena looked around, making sure they were alone, then in a hushed voice, "It's about the prince."

"Go on." Eve wanted to know, hoping she could use it to embarrass the prince.

"Last night, while you were in the royal bath, I heard from some of the servants that Chung was supposed to bathe with you . After all, the royal bath is meant for multiple people." Eve shivered. No wonder that bath was the size of a swimming pool. "But, I followed Chung through the castle, and noticed he was going in the opposite direction of the bath. I couldn't follow him any further, as Raven spotted me and we ended up getting into a fight with each other, but he certainly wasn't going to the royal bath. I asked one of the guards this morning, and he said that Chung uses the royal bath just like the other nobles that stay here occasionally as guests. So I guess not even the guards know the truth."

"Hmm..." Eve closed her eyes, thinking. She wasn't even that interested in embarrassing him now, she was just curious.

"Milady?"

"I think," Eve smiled deviously, "I'm going to follow him tonight."

"Okay." Rena wasn't going to question her, then she saw Raven further down the way. She smiled, and slowly walked towards him. Eve sighed, and retired to the castle.

"Lady Eve?" Eve got up from her chair, and answered the door. A young maid was there, her long blonde hair tied into two pony tails. She's pretty cute. Eve thought, then dismissed it.

"Yes?"

"Her highness wishes to see you."

"Very well, where is she?"

"In her quarters. She said she wished to have tea with you as the sun sets." Eve nodded her head, and the maid escorted her to the queen's room. The queen's quarters were literally the whole giant northern tower. The tower was at least as wide as a large house, and Eve was taken all the way to the top, where there was a long hallway with two doors, one to the queen's room, and one to the queen's bath. As Eve stepped into the queen's room, the maid opened another door to another, smaller flight of stairs, "Her highness is at the top."

"Thank you." Eve ascended the stairs, and stared as she walked onto a walkway that circled the tower. Heavily supported, the platform extended at least fifty feet, and it was filled with hanging plants. In front of her, Eve saw Delilah sipping on tea as she waited for her. She turned as Eve approached.

"Ah, hello Eve."

"Hello mother." Eve sat down, and Delilah poured her a fresh cup of tea.

"Have you been getting used to staying here?" Eve gently set her tea on her lap, careful not the spill the hot liquid on her legs. She looked down to the courtyard, noticing Aisha and Elsword in the courtyard. They were no doubt insulting each other. You go girl. Eve smiled.

"It's...different. I'm going to miss home." Eve looked down, staring at the minute waves produced by the gentle breeze, "And auntie."

"You mean Nemesis?" Eve looked up at her, "Your mother told me she would tell Nemesis that she is welcome to come visit whenever she likes."

"Thank you." Eve looked at the setting sun, then breathed in awe, "Wow..."

"Brilliant, isn't it?" Delilah smiled, and sipped her tea. The sea that circled the city was literally glowing. It was as if Eve was standing on the shore, that and having enhanced vision also helped. Eve pointed, feeling very childish, into the distance. A large whale was breaching the surface of the water, and let loose a geyser of water. Eve felt herself almost jumping up and down like a little girl, and quickly sat back down. Delilah smiled, and with a hand over her mouth, laughed softly. Eve looked away from the sea, blushing, and saw Elsword and Aisha literally fighting in the courtyard. Eve watched, impressed that a man was able to hold his own against Aisha. The queen stood up.

"Aisha!" She called out, making Eve jump. Elsword and Aisha stopped, and turned to where the queen was, "I will not tolerate you fighting my son's guardian! Return to your quarters, and do not leave there until the next day!" Eve saw Aisha steal a hateful glare at Elsword, then she ran into the castle. Eve cursed silently as Elsword was let off completely and continued to train several initiates in the fading light.

"Ma'am, why did only Aisha get in trouble? Should Elsword not be punished for attacking my bodyguard?" Delilah calmly looked at her.

"Aisha not only attacked Elsword, she struck first, and also interrupted important duties that Elsword was in the midst of attending to. Aisha was entirely in the wrong."

"Very well." Eve looked at the sun, only a sliver remaining as it was devoured whole by the gorgeous ocean. Eve stood up, "Mother, I want to turn in early tonight."

"Very well dear. Sleep well." Eve curtsied, and left the queen's tower. As she walked through the western corridor, the west wall made of glass that provided an excellent view of the garden, she noticed Chung walking to the castle from a small hill with a giant willow tree. She noticed he was looking over his shoulder constantly, as if nervous someone would follow him. Eve smiled, and activated her cloaking field, disappearing from view.

"Time for some answers."

Eve followed Chung silently through the darkened castle. Chung had retired to his room, and waited for everyone to fall asleep. Even the guards, the guards who protected his own home, did not notice him, as he made sure no one saw him. Little did he know of Eve's presence. Eve grew more excited as Chung began to walk up the stairs towards the queen's room. He bathes in the queen's bath? I could so bust him for this! However, Eve was confused as Chung was walking up the stairs normally, not stealthily, it was as if he was allowed to do this. As he reached the bathroom door, he pushed it open as if nothing was wrong. The door was left open, and Eve heard Chung rummaging through the nearby cabinet for soap. Eve slipped inside the bathroom, just as Chung gently closed the door. The bath was huge, just like the royal bath it was big enough to swim in. Chung set the soap and towel next to the edge, and walked over to the mirror, right where Eve was hiding. Eve knew he couldn't sense her, and was only a few feet away from him. She suppressed a giggle as Chung ran his fingers through his long hair, freeing it of the bands that he used to keep it tied in a ponytail. He sighed.

"God. Why does my life have to be so complicated?" Eve tilted her head, confused. Complicated? You just live in a castle, in comfort, and that's complicated? "They'll all find out eventually, so what's the point? 'One has to keep up appearances my dear' she says." Eve killed another rising laugh as Chung impersonated his mother, "Maybe I should just tell the world myself? Oh, let's not think about that right now." Chung took off his shirt, and Eve stared at the strange glowing rune on his chest. It reminds me of something in a book Aisha showed me. Was he hurt and the rune keeps him alive? I can't remember the exact purpose. Chung sighed as he picked up a piece of paper, it shined slightly in the moonlight from the large ceiling window, "Finally, I can take this off." Off? Chung turned to the bath, his back facing her, and she saw him place the paper on his chest. When he placed the paper on the floor, she saw the rune was on the paper now. As Chung began to slip out of his pants, Eve quickly turned around. She turned back as she heard Chung sigh as he got into the water. A mechanical hum was heard as the water began to bubble. Chung poured soap into the water, and it quickly filled with soapy bubbles. Chung tilted his head back, and closed his eyes, "That's what I call relaxation." Eve, for some reason, was curious. She silently stepped out of her heels in order to move silently. She crept around the edge of the pool, and muffled a gasp as she saw Chung from the side. Chung turned around and faced the door, submerging up to the neck in the soapy water, "Hello?" I...he...why does...he is...a she? Chung turned around, and submerged her head beneath the water. She came back up, and began to wash her hair. Eve couldn't take her eyes off Chung's chest, staring at her supple breasts in disbelief. Whoa...her breasts are pretty big...D cup maybe? I think so. She almost as big as Rena, that's for sure. Oh man...I'm feeling warm now. I can't deny it, Chung is a nice guy, well I guess girl. She was so...understanding of my hate for men, not even asking why I hate them. I think I like her, now that she's a her. Why does she act like a man then?

"Why?" Eve covered her mouth as she breathed the words, but Chung didn't noticed. In fact, she began to talk as if Eve's words were words in her head.

"Why? Why do I act like a guy? Hmph, what choice do I have? Mother told me to, so I have to. What does it matter? I'll never inherit the throne, so why does it matter if I'm a girl? If she really wants me to take over, why not have me be a girl and marry the prince of Velder?" Chung stopped there, shocked by what she had said, "What am I saying?! He's such an ass, always hitting on the maids when he's here on business, and especially on pleasure. And...the other things. He makes me sick." Eve smiled as Chung said this, they had similar views on men. Eve gasped slightly again as Chung suddenly began to massage her large breasts. She squished them around, "Hah...always so sore after a day of being suppressed." Both girls jumped as suddenly someone knocked on the door. Eve crept to the door, and quietly picked up her heels.

"Chung?" Eve heard Chung breathe in relief.

"Come in Elsword." Elsword stepped into the room, leaving the door open slightly. Chung! He'll find out! "Is the coast clear?"

"That it is. Do you need me to keep watch?" Eve wasn't expecting that. Elsword knows? Maybe Raven does as well. They are her bodyguards after all, so they would have to know.

"No, it's okay." Eve sighed, Chung's voice was now like music to her ears, "I'm just finishing up. Wait outside while I get dressed."

"Alright." Before Elsword turned to leave, Eve had left the room, putting the door back in the exact position Elsword had left it in. Elsword left the room, and Eve leaned against the wall next to him, proud of her invisibility. Elsword opened the door, and let Chung out. Hmm, Elsword's not that bad after all. I don't know how long he's been helping Chung keep her identity a secret. Same goes for Raven. Chung and Elsword began to move down the stairs, Eve following in hot pursuit.

"Took your time tonight Milady?" Eve heard Raven's voice, and noticed he was waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

"Had a lot on my mind." Raven nodded, and took point. As they walked by several guest rooms, Raven suddenly flew one of the doors open and Chung and Elsword ran inside. Eve was confused, and froze solid. Raven acted like he was patrolling as a pair of guards approached. They saw Raven, and saluted. Raven returned the gesture.

"I have the queen's quarters covered. Head to the eastern ramparts and keep an eye out for anything suspicious. I recently received another death threat, so eyes open men."

"Sir!" As the guards walked off, Raven turned to open the door. He stopped, and stared directly at where Eve was standing. She realized she was in front of an open window, and there was a cross breeze. A trained swordsman like Raven could easily detect abnormal shifts in the wind. Eve felt like she was screwed, but then Raven did something unexpected. He smiled, and winked. He opened the door.

"All clear, let's go."

"Really? Another death threat?" Elsword wasn't sure if Raven was lying or not.

"Indeed, got it last morning. Sounds like an individual working alone, but this time it's different."

"What?" Chung was used to being subject to assassins, so she wasn't much bothered.

"This threat, is made against Lady Eve." Chung gasped.

"Please, make sure she stays safe!" Raven held up a hand to calm her.

"I will inform Rena and Aisha tomorrow, and request they stay with Lady Eve at all times."

"Thank you Raven." They finally reached the eastern tower, Chung's quarters.

"Sleep well majesty." Raven bowed, as did Elsword.

"You too, guys." Chung hurried up the stairs. Eve then slowly made her way back to her room in the western tower. The servants had done an excellent job of arranging her things, and Eve quickly slipped into a thick night gown, as the winter air was freezing her to the bone. She jumped as she heard a knock. Nervously, like a mouse trying to take cheese from a rat trap, Eve opened the door. It was Raven.

"Oh!"

"Lady Eve, I know you followed mistress Chung."

"Please, I won't tell anyone!"

"Please, calm down. This does not matter, as Chung soon plans to reveal her true identity, despite her mother's orders."

"Raven, I don't care that Chung's a woman. It makes me want her more!"

"I know this. However, this might all depend on what the queen thinks. Perhaps, you can influence this."

"Raven, do you happen to know where Oberon and Ophelia are? They're my servants."

"I believe your mother took them home with her, but I received word that they should be here soon, possibly before morning comes. I will stay guard outside until they arrive."

"Thank you Raven. Good night."

"Sleep well Milady." Raven turned on his heel, and stood at attention, sword in hand, by the side of the door. Eve closed it, and crawled into bed. It's just like they say. The worst tragedies are the greatest blessings.

Vayne: Yay for Eve!

Chung: Why do you make us guys into chicks so often?

Vayne: Shit, I don't know. But hey, they usually turn out really good, so maybe it's a specialty I have! Hmm...I should make a FemRaven in the near future.

Raven: Please don't.

Chung & Elsword: WE'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH IT SO YOU WILL TOO!

Vayne: Hmm...how dirty should it be? *perverted gears begin to turn*

Raven: I'm so screwed.

Eve: Indeed.

Vayne: Don't forget to review, and check out my profile and vote on the poll!