A/N: Yeah, I'm back, after two years...sorry? Anyway, hope you like the chapter. I've actually been using Ao3 more often this past year, and I posted Ch 4 and 5 on there a few months ago and forgot to post here...sorry again?

After talking it through, I decided to wait until after dinner to escape the palace. Delora did say it would be easier to escape under cover of darkness. And Varg did mention Mythros wanted to have dinner with the family, and I still have no idea what he wants, nor why he is helping Alcaster. Until then, Delora left the room in her doll form to "gather intel."

I sigh. I hate the thought of depending on a witch, especially one who snuck into the palace as a doll and fooled me for a year, to help me escape, but what other choice do I have?

But where will I go once I escape? The few times I have left the palace grounds, I only ever wanted to return as soon as possible, so I know almost nothing about the town. Does Delora plan to take me to the witches? But she did say she was allied with a fairy, and not other witches. It sounds too outlandish to be true, but if it isn't true, why try to feed me that story?

My thought wanders to the rest of the royal family. If the others are also locked in their rooms, or somewhere else? The dungeons underneath the palace? Or maybe…dead, too? After all, Alcaster really only needs mine and the king's cooperation to gain the throne. On the other hand, if Ophelia, Rod, and Emelaigne resist, or, say, try to escape on their own, would Alcaster be so ruthless as to kill them?

It shouldn't matter to me. They're just some commoners that managed to become important to the king.

But all the same…

Fritz would say they're just innocents caught in a crossfire.

Besides, Alcaster would want them to be alive if he wants the king to cooperate with his plan to have him publicly abdicate and hand the crown over to himself. I doubt the king would care very much, if at all, if Alcaster only tried to threaten me.

He cares so much about them…

I refuse to finish that thought. I've long since acknowledged his lack of love for me, there is no reason for me to feel jealous at the love he holds for his new family.

It's a few hours later when the door opens once again and Varg enters. He smirks when he sees my face.

"You look worried about something, Your Highness."

I glare at him. "What do you want?"

Varg's smile widens, and it takes a predatorial quality to it. It almost looks…wolfish, in a way. There's no other way to describe it.

"I'm escorting you to dinner. Did you forget about Mythros wanting dinner with you all?"

I huff. Delora has still not returned, and I can only conclude that the decided to break our agreement and escape on her own. Or maybe some knight found her and took her to Alcaster. I cannot say I feel bad, but now my only way to escape is gone. I'll have to come up with a plan on my own.

I've always had Mother to help me. Ever since she died, I've had to rely on only myself, and this just proves that it is useless to depend on others.

"What does Sir Mythros even want? Why have dinner with the family? So he can threaten us all even more?"

Varg shrugs. "Ask him yourself."

I grit my teeth. "Fine. I will."

I push past him out the door, trying not to show fear at walking past him. There's something about him that puts me on edge, besides the fact that he's only here to keep me in line. And yet, when I walk past him, there's something about his presence that feels…familiar, in a way I can't explain.

When I get to the dining room, Mythros is already there, with everyone else. There are knights lining the walls and doors, so there's no chance of escape. Instead of the king sitting at the head of the table, that seat is left empty while he sits on the side, next to Ophelia.

Sir Mythros sits at the other end of the table, his usual smile in place. I've never fully trusted him; I know he admired Mother from the way he talks to Mother's portrait when he thinks no one is looking.

Even so…it has still always felt a bit strange to me. The little comments he makes when he is around me, knowing I hear him but not elaborating on what he is saying, as if he knows something I don't and finds that amusing in some way.

Sir Mythros smiles when he sees me. "Ah, and here's the princess. Please join us," he says, gesturing to the seat next to him. Varg pulls out my chair, and I grit my teeth and sit down. I look up and make eye contact with the king, who, for the first time since I've known him, seems…lost.

"Are you alright, Lucette?"

What?

I didn't think that would be the first thing the king would say to me.

But, before I can respond, or even decide if I am alright or not, Mythros answers the king for me. "Of course she's alright, she's been in her room quietly minding her own business, unlike your stepchildren."

Rod shifts uneasily in his chair. Emelaigne turns pale, and for the first time I notice her eyes are a bit puffy and red.

I scoff. She's so sensitive.

Well, yes, I did just cry in my own room, but that was after Varg told me Fritz was gone. Of course I was upset.

Still, Mother would be disappointed in me crying over some knight. It was my mistake for letting myself get so close to him in the first place.

"Something funny, Princess Lucette?" Mythros asks. I shrug. "I suppose you're wondering what I meant by that. You see, Prince Rod somehow bypassed the guards placed outside his room and made it to Princess Emelaigne's. They were both wandering around the castle when they were found." His lips curl. "Of course, they neglected to account for Varg. Amusing, isn't it?"

I raise my eyebrows. So they did try to escape.

"What do you want, Sir Mythros?" I demand.

"What do you mean, princess? I merely want to share a meal with you."

I clench my fists under the table. His habit of speaking in riddles and never simply being straightforward has always been something I disliked, but now it's more than annoyance. The whole palace has been upended, Alcaster has lead a coup against the king, and apparently Mythros has helped, and he is just sitting here acting as if nothing has happened?

"Why are you with Alcaster?"

Mythros chuckles. "How frank of you to ask that. And here I am trying to make this dinner as comfortable as I can for all of you."

"My daughter is asking the right questions, Sir Mythros," the king finally says. I look towards him in surprise. He leans forward and places his hands under his chin. "Sir Alcaster lead the coup, and from what I understand, he intends to take the throne from me, or…give it to Lucette, if she cooperates," he continues, glancing at me. It is brief, but I see the uneasiness in them.

Is he scared I'll turn on him? Of course, even my own father is afraid of me too. Just like everyone else. The only one I need is Mother. If she was still here, we wouldn't be in this mess.

"I find that talk so unpleasant for dinner conversation, Your Majesty," Mythros responds. "Are you so against the idea of your daughter on the throne? She was always going to take it eventually, isn't that right?"

The king narrows his eyes. "But what do you want, Mythros? Do you agree so wholeheartedly with Alcaster that you would follow him?"

Mythros' eyes darken. "I am not his follower! I have and always will faithfully serve the rightful queen!" He snaps.

The king looks confused for a moment, but then his gaze sharpens. Ophelia lets out a gasp and then I understand.

"My mother?" I ask quietly. Mythros nods his head, looking composed again.

"You cannot be serious," the king protests.

What? She was definitely the rightful queen. Why is this a bad thing?

"Of course I am. Why do you think I was here for these past four years?"

The king's gaze lands on me once again. It's more probing this time, and…is that fear again? "Because of Lucette. Because you're one of them."

One of what? What would make him say that with so much derision?

Mythros chuckles. "I would say I'm surprised it took you so long to realize that, but frankly, I'm not. You didn't even notice Alcaster's plan until it was right in front of you."

"Realize what?" Everyone turns to look at me. The king's eyes are pained. "Lucette…" he murmurs sadly. I glance back and forth across the table, but no one seems willing to answer me.

Emelaigne looks especially frightened by everything being said, and I cannot understand why. Isn't it a good thing Mythros admired my mother? That he was loyal to her? She might be gone now, and Ophelia might be queen now, but Mother ruled the realm for years. She was an actual queen.

So why are they all acting as if it's so shocking that Mythros was loyal to Mother? Doesn't that mean that he will continue to be loyal to the crown?

But there's that them that the king mentioned. How did whatever Mythros said indicate he was part of this…this group of people the king apparently despises?

Is he really a witch, then?

And was Mythros really here all these years for me?

I have so many questions I don't even know where to start.

"Is that why you're with Alcaster?" I ask finally. "Because you and he both agree that you want Angielle to return to what it was like when Mother was here?"

"Alcaster and I have a few…similar goals, perhaps," Mythros says, smiling, "But there is something else. You are quite similar to your mother, Princess Lucette."

"Are you trying to confuse her?" The king demands. "That's what you want then, isn't it? Another Great War?"

"How does being like Mother have anything to do with the Great War?" I interject. The king and Mythros both turn to look at me.

Mythros smiles, then turns back to the king. "You may tell her yourself, but we both know you won't. You're too cowardly, too weak. Queen Hildyr is what made Angielle, and we would've won if it wasn't for that traitor witch. But the princess doesn't know any of that. I wonder if you'll tell her now, or if she'll even believe you?"

What are they talking about?

"Why does everyone insist on keeping secrets from me?"

Mythros chuckles. "All in due time. I give you my word that I will tell you, if your coward of a father can't bring himself to tell you first. But now I must apologize, for it seems I've caused an undue amount of drama tonight. My humblest apologies. Please, enjoy your meal."

I look down, at my plate that's still untouched, while more questions swirl in my mind. Neither the king nor Mythros will tell me anything, will they? They see me as just some child.

I assume Mythros' words to mean he's done talking for now, so I'm surprised to hear Rod speak up for the first time tonight (or, well, the stuffed bunny anyway).

"Why continue this charade? What's the point of it?"

"I don't know what you are talking about, Prince Rod," Mythros says. "There is no charade. We are merely sharing meals together until the princess comes of age, and only then it will be decided what to do with all of you. Alcaster's put his plans into place quicker than I would have liked, but he is useful, and he can keep the crown if it so suits him for the time being."

For the time being? What?

"Why do I need to be of age? What are you planning?"

Mythros gestures towards the king. "Your father knows. Isn't that right, Your Majesty?" He sneers the last two words. "Perhaps he will tell you if you ask nicely. Or perhaps not."

"Your Majesty?" I ask, turning to the king. "What is it you're not telling me?"

The king is silent for a few seconds. I scoff.

Of course.

Just this morning he wanted to tell me something supposedly important about Mother (lies, I'm sure), but now that I actually ask, he won't tell me?

"Nevermind then. I won't listen to you anymore."

"As if you ever did," Rod says. I look at him with some surprise. What did he care that I didn't listen to the king? It's not as if the king is his own father.

I suppose you're more like Emelaigne than I thought. Defending him to try to get into his good graces, even in a situation like this…

"Rod!" Ophelia says, shocked, but I ignore them both after this. It's not like either of them matter to me.

"The princess is smart to doubt you, Your Majesty," Mythros grins. "No matter. Everything will be resolved soon."

I'm surprised to find Delora on my shelf again when Varg escorts me back to my room.

"Had a nice dinner?" Delora asks, once I'm sure Varg is gone. I look at her suspiciously.

"You were supposed to come back before dinner."

"I'm sorry, Princess, but I had to hide for a bit. Ran into a bit of trouble."

"I thought you'd left…without me." I mumble the last part. Even though I've only known her in her actual form for a few hours, somehow part of me still believed she was telling the truth.

"Oh, I'm sorry you thought that, princess. You're forgetting that the whole reason I'm here is because of you. I won't leave this palace until I get you to a safe place."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. Delora is as untrustworthy as anyone else in this palace, but she's my best chance of escaping. And once I do escape…I will…

I will what? I'm still crown princess, even with Alcaster trying to force the crown away from the king and Mythros being unclear as to his own intentions.

"Princess?"

"What will happen once I leave? I can't just let Alcaster become king."

Delora looks strangely serious for the first time in the few hours I've known her. "The biggest priority is keeping the royal family alive and safe. Especially you."

"Why me?"

Delora purses her lips. "You are…the heir to the throne. I don't think I have to explain to you that Alcaster has already tried to mold you to his will. Don't worry. My allies and I have been preparing for this for some time, and we have every intention of ridding of Alcaster as soon as possible and restoring your family."

I narrow my eyes at her, still finding it hard to believe that a witch of all people is trying to help, but for now, she's the only one I have.

Part of me wants to stay, to hear what Mythros wants to tell me, what the king has been keeping from me, but…

Mythros and Alcaster replaced Fritz. How can I trust what either of them has to say?

"What did Mythros say at dinner, princess?" Delora asks, changing the subject.

I cross my arms. "Tell me what you found out first."

Delora raises her eyebrows. "Still unwilling to work with me, are you?"

"Did you find out anything important?" I say, refusing to let her taunts get to me.

Delora sighs. "Not as much as I would like to. But Alcaster's witch ally seemed to have put spells on all the knights that wouldn't support him. I could try to reverse them, but I have to conserve my energy. Your family are all in their own rooms, being guarded like yourself. However, the man you all had dinner with, Mythros…"

"What about him?"

"He might be the witch," she says, as if it's some big revelation. I narrow my eyes.

"I already suspected that. I told you myself."

Still, if Mythros is a witch, then what does he want from me?

Delora hmm's to herself, before seeming to come to some decision. "I couldn't get close enough to be sure, but he is very similar to someone I knew once. And believe me when I tell you he was not a good witch."

"You think Mythros is the same person?"

Delora nods. "And that makes it even more important we get you out as soon as possible."

"There's something I don't understand," I admit. "Mythros said, during dinner, that he was loyal to my mother. Why is he doing this, then? If he is a witch, why is he acting like he'd support me? You said you have your own reasons for supporting the royal family as it is now, but I don't get what Mythros wants."

Delora's eyes widen. "He said that?"

I nod.

"Then he very likely is the same witch I once knew."

"How is that a bad thing? You say he's a bad witch, but if he's bad, why is he loyal to Mother? The actual queen?"

Delora rubs her head. "Princess, there are some things you don't know-"

I throw my hands in the air. "Everyone keeps saying that! First the king, then Mythros, and now you! What is it about Mother everyone seems to want to keep me from knowing?!"

"Princess-"

"I might as well simply stay here and wait until Mythros tells me. He, at least, has promised he will tell me."

"But if I know him, I know what he wants. He'll just use you to get what he wants. We need to get you out of here-"

I cut off her protests. "There is no reason for me to trust you. I agreed to let you help me escape because then, I saw no other choice. But now I have another choice. In all likelihood, you want to use me too."

Delora shakes her head. "I do want to tell you too. But I won't, not without Parfait. Come with me, and I'll take you to her. I promise you."

Parfait? The fairy ally she mentioned?

Well, Delora doesn't speak in riddles like Mythros.

And while it's clear she's trying to gain my trust, she still did tell me about her original reason for being here; namely, to curse me, even while knowing that would make me less likely to trust her…

"Fine," I concede. "I'll leave with you. But I will come back if you break your word."

"That won't be necessary, Your Highness," she says, grinning.

Delora waits until it starts to become dark outside before casting her spell on the both of us. I shut my eyes and grit my teeth before she performs it on me.

I have to do this.

I open my eyes and everything around me is bigger. I refuse to look at my dolls, knowing they'll be the same height as me now. Delora joins me a second later. "Ready, princess?"

For some reason, my mind flashes back to the king.

"Is there a plan to get the king out as well?"

Delora grins. "So you actually do want to know what happens to them?"

I huff and cross my arms. "Just tell me. And what 'them'? I only asked about the king."

She frowns. "Not quite. We had plans in place but we didn't account for whatever witch ally Alcaster has on his side. That will make it a lot harder for the royal family to leave. We'd accounted for Prince Rod and Princess Emelaigne as well, but…right now I'm mostly improvising. I'll have to come back for them with some others."

I sigh. "If this gets me killed…"

Delora smirks at me. "Don't worry, Your Highness. I've met some very dangerous people and been in worse situations than this, and I'm still alive."

"I'm sure I can depend on your ability to protect yourself," I say, rolling my eyes. "But can you protect others?"

Her face falls at this. She's quiet and solemn when she answers, "I can't guarantee anything, princess, but I will try my best."

I'm not sure what to say at this. For the few hours I've known her (as a person and not a doll), the only other time I've seen her this serious is after Varg left and I started crying. I'm embarrassed to remember that I cried in front of her, let her have the advantage of seeing me vulnerable, and yet… I didn't mind the comfort she offered.

"Let's leave, then," I say finally.

Being as small as we are, it is quite easy to open the door a minuscule amount and slip past the guards' feet.

"This will work, Your Highness," Delora whispers to me. "I promise you that."