Prince's Plan I

-Then I will make my move... Thank you Ge-

-Mhn... Be careful- he nods putting down his cup -I shall leave you some time to get everything ready... I'll be looking forward for your news tomorrow- he stand up and I lead him to the gate door.

As he's about to leave, he stops walking turning slightly to me -If you happen to find something important... It dould change many things, did you consider that?-

-What are you trying to say Ge?-

-Just that... If it's something too big for you, then let it be... I don't want you to fight something you can't win-

-You know I won't give up, Pei'Ge...-

-You're right- he taps on the door looking at me -I'll be going now-

I spend the remaining hours memorizing the Guards localizations and change of shifts, trying to make a track in my mind...

-Mhn... That should be it- I close the papers and take a candle to burn them

-What are you doing?- questions the Prince, coming from behind me

-We wouldn't want anyone to find these if we fail, right?-

-Yeah... So, are you ready?- ask XianLen, now seating on the terrace handrail

-Yes, I'll go get my weapons ready-

-Mhn- he nods while standing up -Let me...- he ask for permission reaching out his hand to touch my face.

-That should be it... Just pray for my powers, well Wan's powers, to be enough-

He looks away unsure so I take his delicate hand, forcing him to face me

-It will be alright XianLen, stop thinking this is your fault... It is much better that it happened while you were with me, who knows... Maybe we will be able to help someone or the Crowd Prince himself-

He nods -I'll be waiting anxiously-

...

I wear some tight clothes, tie my hair as a maid and hide one longe knife in my boot, then make sure to grab some small tools whichncould be useful if I have to open a locked door...

I pack a maid outfit in a small backpack and head out with my face covered.

I arrive at the residence from behind...

There's still some lights on from the corridors, a few servants are getting the house ready for the night, but that shouldn't be a problem...

I climb on a tree since the walls around the quarter are too flat to climb them...

The guards inside the courtyard are walking around the perimeter and soon after their path cross, they stop to have a little chat

-Isn't this stupid tho? There are already guards at the main gate and at the front door...-

-What can I say... Now that he is officially the Heir, he must be feeling scared twice as more-

-Well that's right too...- sighs one of the man

This is my time to enter unobserved...

Once reached the same level of the wall i walk on some branches to touching near one of the roofs of the main building and jump off the tree...

On the roof there's a small balcony leading inside the 2nd floor...

I walk past the handrail and approach the door taking out a knife for precaution...

"It's open...? Unusual for such a heavily guarded house" I think, not finding the lock closed while lowering the handle... "It saved me some time at least..."

As I turn around I find an old man staring at me and I freeze...

"What to do now...? I cannot kill anyone or I'm screwed"

I hold higher my knife, seeing the sword of the guard shine, and take a defensive position... But nothing comes.

"What the...?" I approach the man to hear a low snoring sound "He's seriously sleeping?! What a useless soldier!"

Using this opportunity, I get changed in the maid clothes I prepared and secure the little bag under my skirt... I put away the knife and place a sharp hairpin in my hair before leaving the room, closing the door softly and locking it...

"One less guard around it's always better..." I think while fidgeting with the tools in my hand, to hide them in the sleeves as I walk down the hallway...

Once I reach the lowest floor a woman points at me calling me closer

-Ehy listen... I was sleeping and got woken by a guard, apparently the Prince asked for some shooting tea... He got an headache or something but guess what? I will have one too if I don't sleep tonight either...

I swear, the Prince is hysterical lately and we can't keep up with him anymore- she keep yawning as she looks around her with puffy eyes

-Please since you don't look as sleep deprived as me, could you do it in my stead? I'll make sure to repay the debit... Please!-

-Mhn yeah- I keep it short, not wanting my voice to betray me, as a Guard by the main door stare at us

-By the way... You know how to do it right? You look new-

I nod

-Ah! You saved me! Gosh I'm so tired I wouldn't even distinguish a tea cup from a flower... Thanks again!- she bows running outside, toward the servant's building as the guards close the door behind her

"Well then... Lucky me I guess" I think heading to the kitchen which is still enlightened

-You're here for the tea? Then please blow off the candles when you're done... I'm leaving- says a woman cleaning her hands on the apron

-Mhn Sure- I try too look away, the less the notice me the better my plan goes...

-Oh by the way! The Prince is still in his office, I don't know if they told you... Well goodnight now- she waves leaving the room and I begin getting the tea ready...

If the Prince is in his office it means he still has some business to finish and it may take some time before he leaves... So I need something to help me gain more of it.

As I opens the storage I find Senna leaves and Mint...

-Well well... A shoutout to the idiots saying herbals studies are useless- I smirk, taking an extra amount of leaves as the water begins to boil...

After the tea is done I add one or two plum biscuitsz, rich with oil, om the dough on a vassoil and head out...

-Oh there you are! Let her in...!- says the Prince as the Guards open the door from outside

I bow down and approach his desk going behind him, I begin pouring the tea as he mumbles over his work papers and hand him the cup

-If I may... I suggest Your Highness to have these too... It's really late now and Your Highness might start to feel hungry before he heads to bed-

-Mmh... Yeah yeah, put them there and don't talk anymore now- he points to his side so I obey, before stepping back in silence... Waiting to refill his cup once he orders me.

-Ah... I'm so frustrated and tired...- he sighs massaging his temples

I begin to look around me, trying to not be noticed.

All he's reading now is irrelevant informations about countability and so... One thing that get my attention is the little box over his desk closed up with a locker

"It must be it!"

-I need a break...- he lays back on his chair and take the cup, sipping pleased -It's really strong... What's inside?-

-Mint, Your Highness... It has refreshing proprieties, to help Your Highness relieve him from his stress-

Its not actually a lie... Mint does have such proprieties, apart from a strong smell which is perfect to cover up Senna leaves... And those two plants combined will surely buy me some time.

-Mmh... It's good- he comments as his eyes fall on the box, he reach out to open it and take out a letter...

-This little piece of paper is giving me an headache... I should throw it away, I don't know why I still keep it around- he sighs straightening his back up and soon after he freezes -Oh no... Oh no no! I knew getting nervous would have done me no good...! Damn.

You there! I'll be heading out, clean all this up and go away- he quickly stands up, passing the letter over a candle and throwing it in my vassoil as he begin to leave holding his abdomen -My oh my... How painful... Bathroom...!-

I stare at him walking away, before going back to the paper twisting... "It's burning!"