So I was just starting to write the last chapter of this fic and then my google drive just decided to stop working so that's great. I'm looking for other programs now and I think I've decided on one, so the rest of the chapters should still come out on schedule. The final chapter is chapter 23, so we've still got a few more to go :)

Enjoy!

It was a beautiful day, though the winds were slowly becoming colder and colder with each passing day. Winter was just around the corner, and the weather did not fail to remind the princess every single time she dined on her veranda. It did not bother her much; she was accustomed to cold winters in Khaesea. What did bother her, however, was the unwelcome presence of her betrothed and his mother. Never in her life did she think she could despise a meal outside as much as she did that evening.

Tohoku drew her shawl closer around her shoulders. "Really, princess, you do not wish to go inside? I feel as though my fingers are about to fall off."

"Please, my queen," Rin feigned concern. "If you are cold, go sit by the fire. I'm sure my father would love to speak with you-"

She waved the girl off, annoyed. "No, no. I will stay as long as you and Kaito do."

Rin hoped that was not true.

"It's not too bad, mother," her son interjected. "Though I, too, miss home."

"The river is lovely," Tohoku commented, gazing at its running waters.

The princess offered her a smile. "I think so, too. I used to play along it all the time when I was a girl."

"You will love the ocean, then," Kaito added, seemingly unable to think of anything but home. "When we were younger, we used to do the same along the beaches."

"We?" Rin raised an eyebrow.

"My brothers and I."

"You have brothers?" She had never heard any talk of younger Tohoku children.

He nodded, taking another bite of his meal. The cooks had prepared fresh fish just for him and the queen. "Sisters, too."

"How many?" A small flicker of hope lit in her chest. Perhaps she could find friends among them, assuming they were less like their mother and brother.

"Three girls," Tohoku answered, her eyes lowering to the table. "And four other boys."

"Wow," Rin said, unable to hide her admiration. "You've had eight children."

She took a deep breath. "Not all of them were… mine," she answered.

Rin's heart dropped. As much as she hated the queen, it did not bring her any pleasure knowing that her husband had fathered children with other women. "I-I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright, girl," she said softly. Her tone was one Rin had yet to witness since the two had met; a somber, reminiscent one.

Kaito did not seem bothered at all by the topic, continuing to stuff fish into his face. "It doesn't matter anyway. They're all gone, now."

Rin furrowed her brow. "Gone?"

"Married, dear," the queen answered. "And the boys have high places in the city guard."

The light in her chest burnt out. "...Do you miss them?" She asked Kaito.

"What, my sisters?" His mouth was half full of food.

She nodded slowly.

He shrugged. "Not really. They've all gone to great places. Besides, it's their duty."

"Their duty?"

"To marry."

Rin snapped her eyes back to her food, feeling an unexpected burst of rage in her chest.

"Well," Tohoku brushed nonexistent crumbs from her dress. "I am stuffed. I imagine the two of you are as well."

Kaito nodded, rubbing his mouth with his napkin. Rin said nothing.

"Why don't we send Rin with her guards and turn in for the night?" She suggested. "We have some exciting days coming soon."

The princess could not have been escorted to her room fast enough. She knew her nights with Len were coming to an end, and she was desperate to enjoy every last moment with him.

The sun was setting as Luka and Miku guided her into the room. Both of them had been present at dinner, standing silently and at a distance as to not upset their guests. They could just barely hear their conversations and said nothing to Rin on the way back to the room. Comforting words were simply not enough anymore.

"It will be cold tonight, princess," Luka advised her as they changed her out of her dress and into her nightgown. "Do you want me to bring you extra blankets?"

"That would be nice," Rin answered. "Thank you."

It was Miku who left the room. Ever since the Tohokus had arrived, the three had completely halted their friendly chit chat. Now, the room was full of awkward silence nearly every moment they were together. She was thankful to escape it. As well as the two daunting guards that jumped at every movement in the hallway outside of Rin's chambers.

When she returned, Rin was changed, sitting at the edge of her bed, gazing out the window. "Do you think it will snow before I leave?"

The maids exchanged glances. "I… I don't think so, princess," Luka answered.

The princess sighed. Miku set her blankets down on the bed next to her. "Do you need anything else before bed?" She asked.

"No, thank you," Rin responded, eager for them to leave. The sooner they were gone, the sooner Len would find it safe enough to make himself known. However, it was still early for him to arrive, so she would have some waiting to do. "Goodnight."

They bowed to her. "Goodnight."

And then they were gone.

She had only four days until she was supposed to leave. In a week, she would not be cuddling down into her own bed to sleep, but Kaito's. She frowned, dismissing the thought.

It did not snow in Casburg Bay. Perhaps she would never see snow again.

She found herself pacing around her room as the sun slowly disappeared over the horizon. Her feet padded softly against the floor. Rin stepped lightly as to not alert the guards; it was important for her and Len that they believed her asleep long before he arrived.

Eventually, the light from the sun was completely overcome by the darkness of night. The stars glittered overhead. Rin cast glances towards her gardens every few seconds, eagerly awaiting his arrival.

As she had become accustomed to doing in the past week, her mind wandered to thoughts of what could be if the events of the festival had never happened. Or, even better, if her father had never arranged her marriage in the first place. Or, better yet, if she had the same power as Tohoku had; the power to rule a kingdom all on her own. If she had the opportunity to follow her heart instead of her father's orders, she would be able to stay in Khaesea and rule. And, perhaps, her and Len…

It was embarrassing for her to think about and she felt ashamed at just the thought of it as if worried someone could read her mind. It was not a good idea to let her feelings surface, but the thought of him beside her in the throne room felt like the happy ending of a fairy tale.

A shadow moved on her balcony.

Her heart leaped. She suppressed a gasp of joy, dancing over to her doors to greet him. She opened them carefully, opening her mouth to welcome him in.

But she did not have the chance to. A large hand flung over her mouth. The shadow pulled her forcefully from her room.

"You're coming with me, girl," an unfamiliar voice said.

Panic exploded in Rin's chest as she began to thrash in the stranger's arms, but he was much stronger than her. She tried to scream. Her wails came out as nothing more than muffled sobs.

It all happened so fast. She was unable to see the man who pushed her against the walls, trying to restrain her. It was dark, too. All she knew was that he was wearing a long-sleeved tunic made of smooth leather, the kind that assassins often wore. Easy to move in, easy to stay silent in.

She pushed against him, tears forming at her eyes, as she tried her best to free herself from his grasp.

"Stay quiet!" He whispered harshly. "And I won't hurt you."

The words did nothing to stop her attempts. She turned swiftly to her right, catching his jaw with her elbow, and made a break for her room. He was quicker than her, yanking her wrist so hard that sparks of pain emitted from her shoulder. The cold marble of her balcony slammed against her body as she fell to the ground, emitting a loud whimper at the impact. Her breath was stolen from her lungs. She gasped, preparing for another scream, but felt the man push a piece of fabric against her mouth, trying to tie it behind her head. He was on top of her, holding her arms down with his knees, and she found it difficult to breathe with his weight on her chest. She shook her head furiously, making every movement for him as difficult as possible.

Then, just as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone.

She took another breath as the weight was suddenly lifted from her and opened her mouth.

"Guards! Guards!" She screamed as loud as she could.

She pushed herself up to her elbows, scrambling backward until the back of her head hit the railing.

Her eyes adjusted.

Len was standing in front of her, holding the kidnapper in a headlock. The two struggled against each other as Len slowly pulled the stranger towards the edge of the stairs. The man raised an elbow, slamming it down on the prince's side.

"Len!" She yelled, trying to ger her trembling legs to support her.

He let out a gasp of pain, letting the kidnapper slip from his grasp. He moved fluidly and professionally, turning on the prince in an instant. Only his dark eyes were visible under the mask he wore.

He pushed Len against the railing, trying with all of his strength to get his hands around his neck. Len was stronger but taken completely by surprise. The ache in his side weakened him, trying, but failing, to push back against the attacker.

Finally, Rin willed herself to stand, wincing at her shoulder as she pressed herself to her feet. She ran over to the two, wrapping her good arm around the stranger's and trying to pull him off. He grunted in annoyance, swatting her away with an elbow to her cheek. She flew back to the ground once more.

But the distraction was enough. Len took advantage of it, flipping the attacker so it was his back pressed against the railing, and, with a roar, he pushed him over the edge.

The attacker let out a yell as he fell. It ended abruptly with a sickening crunch as he landed on the grass below. His body went limp.

It all happened in less than a few seconds. Len's shoulders heaved with every breath as he stared down at the dead kidnapper.

The guards had burst into the room merely seconds after Rin shouted for them, revealing the sight of the injured princess, with Len standing over her.

"No, no!" She screamed at them before they could even move towards the prince. "Not him! It was… It was-" She looked towards the stairs.

Len turned around. "Down there," he told them, pointing to the ground below them.

The guards exchanged a few confused looks. Of the four men that had heard her calls, two of them rushed down the stairs to see who they were meant to attack. The other two remained, watching the prince closely.

"Are you okay?" He asked, falling to his knees beside her.

She nodded, holding her bad shoulder. "I think… I think he did something to my arm-"

"Your face, too," he added, running his fingertips along the bruise that was beginning to form on her cheek.

The guards rushed down the stairs, meeting the dead body with wide eyes. His assassin's tunic was unmistakable, but he had not come here to kill the princess. That much was clear. The body lay sprawled on the grass stomach first, his neck twisted at a sickening angle with blood beginning to pool from it. The guards flipped him over, revealing the crest on his chest.

It was a snake.

Ooooooooooh Yuzuki is up to no good.

Thanks for reading! :)