Another day, another blood splatter, another group of coins added to your pouch. You wipe the blood of your latest victim off of your dagger with a cloth that you then toss in a pile of garbage in the filthy streets. You still don't know why the man who hired you wanted that woman dead. All you knew was that he offered you fifty gold pieces to get it done, and that was enough for you. Such is the life of the kingdom's most wanted assasin. You slide your dagger into a sheath on your hip, alongside other weapons that you carry, before walking into your favorite tavern. No one questions you, even as you walk in with your hood up and barely concealed weapons under your stained cloak. This place is full of criminals, and they practically scatter out of your way. You sit down in your usual spot and tap your fingers on the bar. The bartender slides you your usual without a word. You nod to him and then sip your drink, content to sit in peace for a while. Well, as much peace as you can get in this kingdom as a wanted criminal.

Freedom, finally! As the king's youngest child, you were kept inside all. the. time. So, you also snuck out all the time. It pisses your dad off, sure, and of course your siblings are irritated by how much you got away with, but you don't really care. It's not like it actually matters. Well, except for one small detail... the guard your father assigned to you. Sullivan. Though, you started calling him "Sully" because it annoyed him. He's not a bad guy, just... always following you around, infuriatingly calm. All your usual routes to sneak out ended up with you face-to-face with him and his stupid half-amused face. It's been almost two months since you've made it out successfully, but you're smart and creative. It was only a matter of time. So now, you are happily walking down the docks of the village, eating some kind of candy that you not so subtly stole from a local vendor. Well, until something catches your foot and you go tumling into the water.

*I didn't evem try on the voice, so if you use it, good luck!* Ah, the spring festival. , food, laughter, music.... and yet, here you were, watching it all from your balcony, instead of being down there with the people. Your people. You would absolutely love to be down there, having fun and celebrating, but no. Your father, the king, insisted you can't go anywhere without a guard. Much to your dismay, the guard that was supposed to accompany you is ill, and his replacement is only a trainee, so you're stuck here. Not for long. You've snuck out before, it's no big deal. Just wear a simpler dress, no jewelery, and hair done so it'll hide most of your face. And avoid guards and nobles and anyone who might recognize you... yeah, no big deal. It's not long before you're on the streets, walking and mingling with people unsuspectingly. Someone hands you a drink, and before you know it you're laughing and twirling to the music with other festival goers. But you don't notice the man that handed you the drink slipping something into it. You don't notice the pirate leaning against a pole with a smirk. You don't notice the danger you're in.

"You're never gonna amount to anything. Commoners don't do magic, learn your place. Learn to be content where you are. You're nothing." That is what you've been told your whole life. Well, you sure as Hell proved them wrong. You always had a natural affinity for magic, but growing up in a small, poor village meant that nobody ever believed you could get anywhere with it. It wasn't uncommon for people to be able to do some magic, but what was uncommon was for them to be as naturally good at it as you were. Your parents encouraged you to ignore your talent and focus on the quiet farming life of the village, but you had a different idea. As soon as you were 18, you moved out. You moved to the capital, working in a small apothecary shop until, somehow, you were offered an intern position for a royal mage. You still don't know how you happened across that offer, but five years later, you don't question it. You quickly became one of the strongest mages in the palace, earning you a position close to the king and queen as one of their most trusted. With that came the attention of their son, Kade. The second-born prince. He was nice, almost annoyingly so. He never knocked, constantly just appearing behind you in your study. Terribly distracting. Maybe it had something to do with you being the only other person in the palace that is his age, maybe he's just lonely. But he's. always. there. And you hate distractions from your work.

You watched helplessly from the window of your bedroom - where your father, the king, had insisted you be placed under guard until it was safe - as your world began to shatter. Your kingdom has been locked in a brutal war with the neighboring kingdom of Chasan for the past three years, but never did you imagine the enemy would be at your gates. How had the tides of war turned so quickly? As far as you knew, it had always been an endless back and forth where neither side had gained any ground. Until now, that is. You stayed standing at your window with your hands folded behind your back, even as the shouts of panic and sounds of clashing blades made it to your bedroom door. A single, silent tear fell down your cheek. Your kingdom had lost. Your door was thrown open and you struggled against the men - clad in the armor of the enemy - that dragged you to the throne room. You were led to stand beside your little brother , only 12 years old, and waited. Then you saw him. Adder, the king of Chasan. You knew little of him besides his reputation, one of violence and cruelty and conquered nations. You hardley remember the execution of your father, just the halfhearted "Restrain her" spoken by Adder as you lunged forward, then the sword coming down on your father's head. You were hauled to your feet by two guards - you didn't even remember falling to your knees - as King Adder approached you. "I have been advised," he drawled, his voice deep and smooth, "that since your kingdom has been so resistant, it might ease the transition of power to take you as my bride." You felt rage and disgust grown in your gut. "No," you spit, hoping he hears every ounce of your hatred in your voice. "Oh, princess," he drawled once more, a cruel smirk spreading across his face, "I'm afraid I wasn't asking. You will marry me, one way or another." Your face contorted with rage and defiance, but no words came out of your mouth.