~ Leonhard ~

I'm scared. I don't think really I knew what fear meant before.

I've been scared of being laughed at. Of being beaten, of thunderstorms. Of being left alone, of disappointing people, but… that's not real fear. Because this is my heart hammering hard enough to break my ribs, my lungs not working, and my whole body shaking. This is being terrified.

'Comfortable?' I flinch, and Ralphien sighs, behind me. 'Careful, Prince. I've still got the knife.'

I know who he is now. Ralphien Graaz. One of many previous royal tutors. I was mainly responsibly for my brothers and I going through so many of them.

'L-Let me go.' I try to regain my poise, my pride. 'When my father finds out what you've done, he won't stop until he has your head!'

Ralphien laughs. 'Still naive, White Lily of Glanzreich. You're alone. Your hands are literally tied, I've got a blade, and the sun's starting to set. No one's coming for you. You should at least be trying to reason with me.'

I squeeze my eyes shut and yell, 'Just shut up!' I feel him shrug behind me. The horse carries us even further from Wienner. From home. I swallow. He's right. I don't think anyone knows where I am. But maybe… I can buy some time. At least. '…What do you want?'

'I want you dead, Prince. I'd say it's not personal, but it is.'

'But why?!' I protest.

Ralphien grips my arm. I wince. 'Why do you think? Because of you, I was fired and publicly disgraced. It's simple. Even you should be able to under—'

'You beat me with a riding whip, you idiot!'

'Because you ran away from your lessons and needed punishment!'

'You can't abuse a student like that — it isn't right!' I snap. 'A teacher's task isn't to harm the heart!' Heine's words flash off my tongue before I know it. I blink in surprise.

Ralphien says nothing. 'What pretty words. I'm almost moved. Perhaps you've found a teacher that spares the rod and spoils the child rotten. Well? Do you think it's made a difference?'

'Yeah, and he's a better teacher than you'll ever be because he cares about his students — '

A stinging blow. I gasp. My hand flames with red. With shame. 'That's enough, Prince.'

Tears pool, and blur my vision. Stop it. Don't cry. Don't cry!

'Don't cry, Prince. I'll get this over with soon.'

Get it over with. I want you dead. The words throb. He means… dead. Truly. Dead. No. No!

I yank my arms from his grip and scream until my voice breaks. 'HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME! PLEASE!'

Forlorn echoes. That's all. Ralphien laughs. 'There's no one out here to save you, Prince.'

But… Heine. The thought surprises me. I look over my shoulder, at the empty trail. He doesn't know where I am. He couldn't rescue me. The sky loses its colour and light, leaving the glow of amber eyes in my head. Amber in the grey. But it just makes me feel worse.

We go the less-trodden path. Riding through the dust.

…Am I going to die?

To be continued…