The Mark

Reyn looked up from her ninth pastry of the hour. "Go away."

The boy froze, hand hovering near her, then decided against it. He bowed, retreating.

"What was wrong with him?" Alexis picked at her lacy dress, trying not to scratch.

"He's not my type," Reyn's eyes trailed a young woman as she brushed past. "Now that..."

Alexis smirked.

Reyn looked beautiful as always with purple silk complementing her ebony skin. She could have any man under her spell.

Unfortunately, she was chaotic when it came to women.

"Do you think she wears sensible shoes?"

[ Euphemism for being gay ]

"Does it matter?"

The pair exchanged a snicker at this.

"Alright. I'm going in," She smoothed her gown, wiping her hands on it. "Wish me luck."

Alexis held up a phallic symbol as the princess made a beeline for the pretty brunette.

She was about to relax when she spotted Markus standing guard.

"I thought you were my date." She sidled up to him, cheeky smile on her face.

Markus sighed. "Captain had to tighten security. Anonymous tip.."

"Why and who." Alexis straightened, eyes alert.

He hesitated before lowering his voice, "The court archivist, Arden. I don't know everything but.. It's just shady."

"Why is the archivist under fire? He's basically a librarian."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "Since someone exposed the treasurer yesterday, the captain has it out for anyone with access to the court." He paused, running a hand through his cropped hair. "And right now, she's looking at the one who knows all the kingdom's secrets."

Alexis resisted the urge to gasp dramatically.

"You want me to check it out?"

Markus's body physically rejected the offer. "No! He's not a threat right now. We're just being cautious. For all we know, the tip's a hoax."

Alexis hummed. Her vigilante heart desperately wanted to get a crack at this. But if Markus said no...

Just kidding. She was gonna check it out.

You know what, Markus," She looped her arm through his. "Let's just enjoy the party right now."

"You're already making a plan, aren't you?"

"I'm thinking 'T' for tattler."

He shook his head, smiling exasperatedly as he allowed her to lead him into the crowd.

***

"Noah, you're a nerd," Alexis was back at her usual morning market, stocking up on princess feed. "Do you know things like the archivist?"

Noah frowned, tilting his head. "Um... if you mean the court archivist, then no. They tend to keep information to themselves."

"Like the kingdom's dirty secrets?" She leaned in conspiratorially.

He started, a blush creeping into his face as he moved away. "I-I don't think the kingdom has any... dirty secrets. And it's not like I can ask."

Alexis chuckled. "Yeah, we don't really know the archivist so I guess-"

"Lexi, you know I work for him, right?"

She grabbed the boy by his petite shoulders. "What?"

"Haan.." Noah blushed right down to his neck at the sudden contact. "I told you yesterday, before the fruit stall."

"Noah, love, you didn't happen to notice anything weird about him, did you?" Alexis leaned in even closer, oblivious to his condition.

"Well, he's kind of a shut-in but he's nice to me..so.." He exhaled as she let go of him. "Wait, why do you ask?"

"Oh, uh, the princess and I have a bet going: Who's more eligible, the archivist or the guard captain."

Alexis silently cursed herself. Lying to Noah felt like garrote wires on her heart but the fact that he believed her every word made it worse.

"The guard captain's scary.." He muttered, shifting the bag on his shoulder.

She had to use every bit of willpower not to hug him right then.

She settled for holding his arm protectively as they steered through the crowd.

"You really didn't have to walk me," Noah smiled, trying to get away from his friend.

"Just returning the favour." She scanned the archivist's three- storey.

'Three possible entrances.

That's what she said.

Damn it.'

"I'll see you later then?" His sweet voice broke her out of her disgusting disgusting thoughts.

"Yeah," She gave him a hug, overcome by the sudden urge to do so. "Take care of yourself."

As he waved her off, Noah wished Alexis wouldn't think of him as a child.

'The hug was nice though.'