Wow, I didn't realize this thing was so unpopular. Not that I have people pleading for me to take it off like DenIce fans. Ugh, pickiest fan base ever. But I say it's unpopular because I only had four reviews last I checked.

Oh well. Enjoy!~

Chapter 4: Complicated Relations

Dragging my fingers through my hair I look at the runes on Sovereign Slayers spine once again. I could hear Antonio snoring lightly in the next room. It should be simple. Just sneak in, whisper the daggers name, and tap his head with it. He would be dead instantly.

So why did it bother me so much even just thinking about it. Instead I was thinking about killing Richard. Which was something else I didn't quite grasp, considering Antonio never said anything about paying me. Hell, if I killed him now I could probably rush to Gilbert's and Francis' rooms and kill them as well. That way I knew for sure no one knew my secret.

The sound of feet slipping across the dusty floor next door makes me sit bolt upright. Slipping from the bed I rush over to the door, careful as to not make a sound. I push the door open silently and peak in, my dagger at the ready. A hooded figure stood over the sleeping Antonio, raising its hand. Whoever it was held ill intent for the prince for they held a silver knife above their head.

Rushing forward I press my dagger tip at the back of the assailant's neck. "Tell me, whom do you serve?" I whisper, deathly quiet.

"The one true heir." They whisper back.

"Wrong answer." I chuckle lightly, plunging my dagger tip upward into where the person's skull should have started. Should have because the black robes fall limp over my dagger. As I peer at the shadowy heap at my feet Antonio blinks awake. He soon becomes aware of the dagger in my hand but doesn't appear to be remotely bothered by it.

"What's going on?" He asks sleepily as I duck down next to the robes, carefully shifting them between my fingers. I knew where this came from, mainly due to the fragrance and structure of the cloth.

"Western Desert assassins. One of them broke in when you were sleeping and attempted to kill you. My guess is that it was a witch, otherwise there would be a body on the floor instead of just cloth." I let out a tired sigh and rock back on my haunches. So I wasn't the only one Richard had hired.

Above me Antonio starts to laugh gently. I look up with a puzzled expression. "I guess not every prince can call the Rogue King his body guard." He chuckles out and I even manage to crack a smile.

"Looks that way, doesn't it?" His laughter peters out at my question and he climbs out of his bed to kneel with me.

"So, why didn't you take the chance to kill me? You had the perfect opportunity." I sigh and sit down, wondering the same thing.

"I'm still trying to decide who to side with." I finally mutter out.

"How's this for motivation? Richard supports the illegal slave trade in the eastern cities and port towns. I've heard him say that if he ever became king he would make slavery legal." My stomach churns at this information. 90 percent of slave trading was children and Antonio probably knew from following that I detested child slavery. But despite this I was still unsure. The money from this job would be enough for a large estate on some of the richest land.

"Even though just the thought makes me sick I'm still unsure. I've got to think about my people first." I tiredly lean forward, finally feeling the days drain on me. My damaged shoulder didn't help either.

"I forgot how selfless you were. You're tired, you should get some sleep." Feeling a hint of childishness surfacing in my head I draw my knees up and grumble.

"Don't wanna. Besides, we have to get up in about six hours." I mumble out, letting my eyes slide shut. A moment later thought I was tugged up into the air and I feebly push at Antonio's chest. "Stop doing that and put me down." Expecting him to cart me off to my room I am half pleased half displeased to be dropped in his bed instead.

Half pleased because it was close and he put me down almost immediately. Displeased because it was his bed I was lying in, giving me dirty thoughts. He gets in next to me and wraps his arms around my waist, making sure to drop my dagger on the floor. "I can sleep just fine in my bed god dammit! Fucking bastard, let go!" I growl at him sleepily, struggling faintly.

"Nope, safety precaution. Can't have you killing me in the middle of the night now can I?" He says after closing his eyes and nuzzling my forehead. Deciding I was too tired to care I shift in closer to him and tuck my head under his chin, almost instantly falling asleep.

~ Next Morning ~

Taking in a deep inhale my nose is greeted with an intoxicating smell, my brain instantly claiming it as its favorite scent. It smelled like warm, summer fields, filled with lush tomatoes with a foreign hint of ground ginger. Opening my eyes slowly I feel something squeeze my waist gently. "Good morning." Someone says softly to me and I allow myself a smile.

But the smile instantly drops as I place the voice with Antonio. Which meant I was sleeping with my target. In a nonsexual way of course but still. Pulling myself back I manage to pull out of his hold. But as soon as I do he rolls on top of me. "So, come to a decision yet? Or do I need to make love to you before you can decide."

I glare up at him and shift my wrists which he had pinned. "Actually, that's rape since I would never willingly fuck you. Or let you fuck me as it were. And I have made up my mind. And I'm only killing your brother because of the fucked up slavery thing. My ladies would prefer it if I chose that route anyway." Antonio lowers his face to mine and I try my hardest not to blush or back away further into the pillow.

"You sure about that first part?" He asks quietly, a devious smile on his lips. Then he pulls back before I can say anything. "Sorry, I let myself go too far again. I leave you alone from now on." He climbs off the bed as the morning bell tolls for wake up. Sliding out of the bed I fast walk to my room, closing the door behind me.

What was I feeling right now? Could I be… disappointed? No, couldn't be. But the more I argued that point the less sure I was. It didn't matter. I would get over it sure enough. A knock sounds at my door as I finish getting dressed and the door opens a moment later to reveal Shirley, my newest lady.

She was a small woman, her head just clearing my shoulder. Today she wore her waist long, red, wavy hair in a half braid. Her green eyes sparked with curiosity as she stepped inside. "What's up Shirley?" I ask. She gives me a small curtsy then straightens again.

"The other ladies wish to be informed of a meeting. We need to work out a type of strategy." I motion for her to walk outside with me and we walk down to breakfast.

"The south library. Noon today." She nods at my words and changes direction, racing off to the farthest targeted area, the smithy, to inform Anders. A moment later I walk into the dining hall. Hardly anyone was there at the moment and I take a solitary seat to work on some way of defining the assassin from last night. Letting out a sigh I give up. Mara, another of my ladies, would know more.

~ Noon ~

Sticking my nose in a book, I head down to the south library. Just as long as someone assumed I was reading there wouldn't be a problem. Finally reaching my destination I slip quietly through the door to find my group waiting inside. Renée locks the door behind me and I walk over to the head of the table they were seated at, Gefahr on my right, Anders on my left.

"First things first. We're switching targets." All at once my ladies break into whispered chatter. Gefahr taps a dagger on the table and the other six go quiet. "Our new target is Richard. Several reasons. First, my identity has been compromised. Antonio already knew who I was. Second, Richard is crown prince and let's just say that I don't like his view on things. Third, Richard crossed us and hired another group to off Antonio. Desert assassins. Mara, I'll need information later." Mara dips her head in acknowledgement.

"Might I ask what Richard's views are?" Satu asks from her spot at the table.

"He plans to make the slave trade legal throughout the country." As if on cue Shirley, Mara, and Gefahr rub their necks and wrists. Every time the slave trade was mentioned they did just this, feeling themselves just to make sure they didn't have any chains strapped to them. Anders leans forward.

"How did Antonio figure out who you were?" He asks, his brows furrowing.

"I suspect he's known for some time. He's not nearly as airheaded as you'd guess. And before you ask, he's refusing the crown because he won't marry a woman." Several of my people look at each other then back at ne with smirks. "Fuck off, like I would sleep with him." Thank god the light was low in the room so they couldn't see the light blush on my face.

After about ten minutes more discussion we adjourn our meeting and part ways. Heading back to the rooms I rub my shoulder. Mother fucking albino needed to learn how to shoot. Slumping on the door upon getting in the rooms I sigh and let my body relax.

~ Two Weeks Later ~

"Lovi, hey Lovi. Wake up." Someone whispered enthusiastically in my ear. It was seriously too early for this shit. After having my side poked repeatedly I finally flip over and push at Antonio's face.

"What's the fucking deal? Morning bell hasn't even rung yet." Antonio smiles through my fingers, unnaturally energetic for this early in the morning. So far he had kept to his promise to not touch me in a sexual way, but whenever he got close he started to slip.

"This morning we're going hunting with Francis. Gilbert won't go because he sucks at archery, as you know." I touch my shoulder as he speaks. Luckily, it had healed fine without doing damage to the muscles. "Hurry up and get dressed so you can go eat." With this he pulls away and skips out the door. Who the fuck skips anymore?

I get dressed in sixty seconds and walk out my door to find Antonio waiting for me. "I thought you had already left dipshit." He smiles at me and I feel my insides start to melt.

"I just wanted to walk with my most trusted adviser. Shall we?" We walk out the door and head down the hall side by side. Taking in little side notes I noticed Antonio's hands twitching a little. He was probably struggling with trying not to touch me.

I no longer get to think on this as we sit down to an early morning breakfast. A moment later Francis sat down across from us with a smile. "Good morning comrades. Ready to hunt down some game?" I roll my eyes and help myself to a bit of breakfast. "Something wrong Romano? Don't tell me, you can't shoot a bow."

"I can shoot a bow dumbass. A whole lot better than you if I might add." He winces playfully at my tone and I feel my upper lip twitch a little.

"Not a morning person are you?" Francis asks as I pack up the rest of my breakfast.

"Hell no. But I guess you already knew that didn't you fucker? If you didn't then Antonio does." Antonio chuckles nervously and follows me out of the hall, Francis close behind as well.

A/N

Man, sorry for taking forever with this thing. Lately I've been trying to catch up on all my art work. That and I'm going to beta my last chapter for OPP because my beta has gone missing.

Well next chapter we run into a spot of trouble. Hope ya'll enjoy it!

Ciao!~