(Jack's POV)

I stepped into the streets as the first morning light illuminated the sleeping districts. Shopkeepers were just beginning to place goods on shelves and open doors. The dunkards were finding their ways home, and the unsuccessful harlots walked dejectedly back to whatever hole they crawled out of.

The business of the street mocked me as what I was about to do loomed over me, like a storm cloud threatening to strike. As I walked to the great castle which suddenly seemed darker and more ominous, I couldn't help but stare at the people I passed.

I could have been you! I thought looking at a mildly happy shopkeeper preparing to sell Jewels to the wealthy nobles that frequented higher streets like this. You don't have to lie to the emperor who may easily cut your head off if he found out.

Alice jumped into my mind, and it felt as if she were walking beside me. Her presence seemed to fill me with strength, and I hastened my walk. There is nothing good that can come out of thoughts like that. She said and the truth in her words was self-evident. There was no use wishing and wanting for impossible realities. I had only my life to lead, and I could make it what I wanted. Just focus on the people you are trying to protect, the slaves you will free, the people who depend on you for their freedom.

Yeah? How did rampaging through the countryside blasting at anything with a pulse help to defend your people. I snapped unnecessarily harsh. I regretted it as soon as I thought it. The wave of self-loathing that ebbed off of her even as she tried to prevent it was overwhelming. I didn't even think that with every kill she was tearing a piece of her soul and burning it with them. The true weight of what she had done pressed down on her as much as the crown that she was never given a choice if she wanted to wear. I remember the little girls that ran through the castle screaming that they wanted to be a princess, I only now see how much weight that crown carries.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean it. I see now how much you regret it.

She snorted but even through our link I could tell that she was crying. Of course you meant it. The funny thing about our mind link is that we don't have a filter. Anything that you think, even for a moment, I hear. So don't lie me. I can feel your anger and disgust when you talk about the innocent people I killed, and you believed that I felt no remorse. That I didn't see the thousands of faces that will never smile again before I sleep. That I don't dream about them.

I ducked into an alley as my vision blurred away, replaced by the dull, blurred, reality of dreams.

I stood alone, surrounded by fire. Everywhere that I looked was either still burning or smoldering wreckage and I knew that I had caused it. Surrounding me were faceless bodies, each one distorted or contorted in extreme pain, but I couldn't help them. Nobody could help them now.

Slowly one by one the faces fell into shape, and they began to rise from their permanent bodies stood up, and stared, they did nothing but stare. Thousands of men and women rose to bear witness to their murderer, faces a mix of rage and agony. All of them aware of what I had done to them. A few children pushed their way to the front of the crowd and frowned.

I looked at all of them and tried to speak but I couldn't find my voice. I tried to move my legs but I remained rooted in place. Silently watching my victims. The crowd in front of me parted to reveal a graceful women gliding forward as if on air, carrying a body over her shoulder. She walked forward a white silk dress billowing around her, and a crown rested comfortably on her head, as if she had been born wearing it. She stopped a few feet from me, and allowed the body to fall. It hit the ground and rolled to face me.

My father, immortalized in agony. His face contorted in only the way that the dying can. The last hints of betrayal still on his face. He did not rise as the others did, he merely lay, accusing me of my crimes. I looked back up to see my mother's face, grief etched across every feature. A perfect pain that I could never emulate.

"You've killed him." She said softly. An accusation, filled with the deepest mourning. She didn't sound angry or betrayed, she didn't need to. I knew that I was responsible, what I had done. Then without a word more, my mother turned and walked away. The crowd of my dead parting to let her through one last time, leaving me alone with the pain that I wrought.

The alley reformed as her dreams faded. I was briefly disoriented as I adjusted to my own eyes. Alice remained with me the entire time, watching as well as I. I could only sit speechless as her suffering and guilt continued to wash over me, drowning out everything else.

How do you live with yourself every day? It wasn't an insult, not after what she felt.

I do what I can to survive. Look, you're about to go lie to the most powerful man in the empire, let's focus on that. We can talk about this later. She said, although I felt that she had no intention of bringing this up again.

I walked in silence, and apprehension for what I was about to do settled in once more, although it was nothing compared to what Alice was feeling. I silently reprimanded myself, preventing even Alice from hearing it, and continued on.

I reached the gates of the castle and the guards silently let me in. They knew who I was, or at least what I did for the emperor. I smiled smugly at their concealed fear when they looked at me, to them I was a vengeful force that couldn't be stopped. I threw open the doors to the main hall, and a strange sight awaited me.

My father was arguing with a noble, and wasn't calling to have him hanged. The noble snapped something and gestured to my father's chest, and my father grew even more furious. He whispered something, and the noble nodded. He walked away solemnly and my father stomped back to the throne room, throwing the doors open widely in his wake. He didn't even notice me.

I followed him through the doors as he threw himself down upon his golden throne, and looked at me. It may have been my imagination but he looked bigger. His body seemed to take up the entire throne as he looked down upon me. If he was surprised at my presences he didn't show it, he just waved for me to give my report. I had practiced most of the night and the words fell easily off of my lips when I began.

"Alice has been conspiring with a group of rebels against the empire."

The emperor sat up in his seat and looked far more interested, and impressed.

"She has located and begun operation s with a group from the western kingdom operating here in Vellhaven. I have located and eliminated their stronghold, and disposed of the bodies. Although Alice escaped before I could deal with her."

"I have to admit my son-" Ever since I had proven my worth by completing his first assignment, he has had no problem calling me his son. "-you have impressed me. I gave you this assignment to see where your true loyalties lie, and you have passed my test. I have a large contract that I would like you to take out, but first there is a problem I wish for you to deal with. I have received reports of a growing rebel movement in the north that I wish for you to assess, and if possible eliminate. I cannot allow these insurgents to destabilize my empire. Your payment is in your chambers, and I heavily insist that you begin searching for a home outside of this castle. The amount of effort that goes into making sure that you never see your mother and sister is incomprehensible."

Taking that as dismissal, I bowed and turned to walk away. I made it to the door and relief was coursing through me when he spoke again.

"And son, next time you go lusting after a girl, make sure that she is of noble blood."

Please kill him Alice spoke in the back of my mind.

"If you must take a woman under your care, please be sure that she is bringing a name and wealth to your kingdom. I cannot begin to feel the shame if you were to marry a filthy peasant."

Don't kill him. Tear him to pieces but leave him alive. I bowed once more and said "Yes father." and left.

I can't just kill my father, he's too powerful. I told Alice.

Don't care. She huffed I'll show him my noble blood if he shows me his, preferably spilling out of a stab wound.

I smiled at that. Now a fight between you two I would pay to see.

Shame and self-loathing passed through her again, and I knew that they had faced off at some point, and she had done something she hated herself for. Sharing her mind was not as unpleasant as originally believed, but there was still a lot for me to learn.