Author's Note: Hello, beautiful people!

As you gathered from the synopsis, this is part of my Juliet and Cinderella Chronicles! As with Broken Juliet, this can be read without reading Blood Rose, a main novel in the series. Some world building might be lacking, but otherwise you will be fine. :)

As for where this take place in the universe, Determined Alice acts as a bridge novella between Blood Rose and its upcoming sequel. Nothing mandatory to read, but gives insight to some of the many new characters we get to meet in book two. I'm so excited for what's to come!

Whether you're a fan of the Juliet and Cinderella Chronicles or just want a decent Meiko fic, I hope you enjoy this story! If you really like it, I hope you will join in the eager wait for the continuation of Meiko's story in Blood Rose Book Two! I have so much planned for this series, you can't begin to imagine what's going to happen. ;)

Have a great day/evening/night!

- Fantastical

It was very clear to Meiko that Big Al wasn't particularly fond of her. Honestly, she couldn't blame him. After all, most people tended to remain bitter towards the person who stabbed them.

The bandages on his upper arm served as a reminder to everyone in this side of the Fighters: Don't, under any circumstances, touch Meiko. After that stunt she pulled, some of the group accepted her, some resented her, and some feared her. Meiko was just happy nobody tried to send her away again, regardless what their feelings towards her were.

Feet on the table, Meiko casually rolled the pencil between her index finger and thumb. Hio, sitting at the same table with his feet notably kept on the floor, stared at her. Meiko grinned. He looked away. Freaking coward.

Holding back a groan, Meiko wondered when the meeting would finally begin. The room was filled with only the toughest Fighters and herself, very few of whom Meiko knew by name. All anticipated what they were soon going to hear. After what happened in the Equinox Continent a week ago, nobody doubted that the Benevolence had indeed returned. Meiko's father served in the last war, and her brother was supposed to be his heir in this upcoming one. Only Meiko's brother wasn't going to fight. Meiko was.

That didn't mean anyone was happy about it, of course. Even Meiko herself wasn't happy about it. Not that she would tell anyone else that, lest they use it as an excuse to try to dismiss her again.

About time, Meiko thought when the leader of this section of freedom fighters, Zatsune Mikuo, stood at the front of the room. He glared at everyone before speaking. Meiko didn't fail to notice how the older man's gaze lingered on her for a second longer than the others.

"I have received word from our brother Opera Tonio this morning," was how he began, not bothering to explain who the hell Opera Tonio was when Meiko was the only one in the room unfamiliar with the name. "He and a few of his most trusted comrades will be leaving later today to arrive here to help investigate. What happened in his district's Cinderella Academy, as tragic as it was, is a horrid reminder of what the Benevolence will do to the rest of Artemis if we do not stop them."

"The Benevolence won't have to lift another finger if all of Artemis keeps going down this self-destructive path," Rei pointed out. "That stunt has led to a mass execution of Juliets, which in turn has led to Juliet riots, which results in more Juliet executions which leads to more Juliet riots, and so the bloody circle continues. We'll destroy ourselves before they will destroy us."

"I agree with ghostie," Meiko added, calling the extremely pale Rei by a nickname he never approved. Rei snarled at her, and Mikuo kept going as if Meiko didn't speak.

"Yes, Rei, you're right. I don't think this was part of the Benevolence's plan, but I don't think they are displeased with the results. However, that is not the only reason I called you all here.

"As some of you already know, one of our top operatives was captured in the Capital shortly before the Cinderella Academy Attack. He was working as a spy to investigate our Governess's involvement, and he's set to be executed in three days' time. We can't allow that to happen. The information he has gathered is very useful, and we can't allow such a great operative and his knowledge to be disposed of. As a result, we shall be sending two legions to break him out of prison. Not to mention I'm sure he wouldn't mind missing out on his own execution."

Meiko was ready to tune Mikuo out by this point. It wasn't as if they would send her on a rescue mission. Still, Meiko listened intently as Mikuo briefly discussed what they knew about the prison in which this operative was kept captive. For one thing, Meiko always found rescue mission stories, especially true ones, exciting. For another thing, if Meiko was to prove herself and convince everyone that she belonged, she had to make it obvious to those around her that she did take this war seriously and did have what it took to fight in the cause.

Just to prove her point, Meiko even took notes. Paper pressed on top of her knees, Meiko scribbled down some of the information Mikuo spat. It wasn't as if she would need any of it, but she figured it would be better to get into the habit of taking notes sooner rather than later.

"Now," Mikuo said after taking a deep breath, "I and some of my men spent all last night forming these teams. However, I elected to make some last minute changes. If your name isn't called, it's because I find it better suited for you to remain here for when Tonio and his men arrive."

Or your name is Meiko, and I'm not going to give you any sort of chance in the first place, Meiko bitterly thought.

"In your place, I have selected someone else to go in place. Please remember that no matter where you are assigned in this mission, you are there to serve an important role only you can fill. Anyway, the first legion shall be led by Loid Arls. The ones joining his team are . . ."

Now Meiko tuned him out as he droned the list of names. She folded her notes and tucked them into her coat pocket. Her eyes were locked onto Mikuo, but she scarcely heard a word he said even as he began naming the second legion and its members.

"Kagene Rei. Loid Hio. Sakine Meiko."

Losing her balance, Meiko squeaked as she nearly fell from her chair. After regaining her balance, she noticed everyone looking at her. Meiko hoped against hope her cheeks weren't as red as they felt.

"Is something wrong, Meiko?" Mikuo asked, the corner of his lips rising slightly.

"Nothing, sir," Meiko answered. "It's my own fault for leaning my chair back so far."

"I see." Mikuo was trying and failing to hide his amusement. "Well, I suggest you be more careful. Your fleet leaves first thing tomorrow morning, and I highly doubt Big Al would want one of his men injured before the mission starts."

Right. Meiko forced herself to nod instead of shout. The second legion was Big Al's, and of course Mikuo would put her on it when he knew just as well as everyone else that Meiko and Big Al didn't exactly get along.

Meiko maintained eye contact with Mikuo, and she could almost swear she knew what he was thinking.

You have wanted to prove yourself since the moment you stepped through our hideout's doors. Well, here's your chance, little girl. Is your bite as big as your bark, or are you all talk and no walk?

Another nod was all Meiko could force herself to do to tell Mikuo that she accepted her role in this mission. In a lot of ways, she was eager for the opportunity to prove to everyone that she was not just some pretty girl. However, that didn't stop her from wishing she was put on Arls's legion instead of Big Al's. At least he knew how to be nice to her.

Forcing her attention onto the older man as Mikuo wrapped up the meeting, Meiko knew Big Al felt the same. His golden eyes were narrowed, his gaze locked onto hers. He was in charge of Meiko now, and Meiko couldn't begin to imagine what he had planned for her.

Determined, Meiko took a deep breath and looked away. Nobody, especially not some nearly seven-foot-tall man old enough to be her father, was going to scare her into backing down. Meiko was her father's heir, and she was going to use this opportunity to prove it to everyone.

Besides, if it ever came down to it, she could always stab Big Al again.