Chapter 4: This Is a Trap for You

Luna stares hard at the newspaper in her hand. She spent the whole day looking for information, and yet Gear got such vital information just like that. Just how does he do it when he loses his memory?

Luna clicks her tongue at him.

Gear narrowed his eyes at her, "Did you just click your tongue at me?"

Luna ignores his question and looks back at the blueprint. She taps on the table, "It's a trap..."

"The newspaper?"

"The arrangement... Ugh! If only you have your memories back I can just lecture you about why this happened!"

"...I'm pretty sure that I'm older than you," said Gear.

"Guess you won't know until you have your memory back."

Gear raises up his hand, "Okay. Seems like this happened because of me. First of all, the birthday celebration is only held in private. How bad could that be?"

"Bad," said Luna, "This is a trap for you... All because you had to decapitate a princess right in front of her citizens."

"How does that relate to this?"

"Princess Eloise is the closes to where Princess Zerlia was murdered by you," said Luna, "This may be a way for them to found out if your real or not... Maybe someone is trying to connect all of the incidents of the princess so far to this.... Did someone dig the princesses body out of the grave? But that's not possible..."

Luna went off muttering to herself again. If she didn't tell Gear that she was a twelve year old girl, he wouldn't believe her. She acts too mature for her age.

Luna glances back at the blue print again, "Guess we'll have to leave here... Make them think that the princesses' case so far was all but a coincidence."

"Why are we targeting Princess Eloise? From what I've been hearing, she's a good princess," said Gear.

She shrugs at him, "You only told me that we target princesses who are well known for their good grace and blessing to the kingdom."

"...Sounds like we're the bad guys," said Gear with a depressing voice.

"You could say that," said Luna.

"Don't agree so easily like that," said Gear, "If we leave, will it really change anything?"

"What do you mean?"

Gear taps his head, "I can't remember anything at the moment because of the number. And there's no guarantee that I won't do the same thing again once my memory returns. All we'll be doing is delay the fact that there is someone murdering the princesses out there."

"It's better than letting them know right now," said Luna.

She thought to herself for a while before nodding her head.

"But I see what you're saying... Even if you don't show up, there's also no guarantee that they'll think you don't exist... How annoying," said Luna as she scratched her head.

She turns back to the blueprint again. As she quickly scan through them, and she points out, "As soon as we get Princess Eloise head, this will be our escape route."

The part where Luna pointed at was at the far end wall near an outpost of a gate. Gear looks at it, "Is the security there weak?"

Luna shakes her head, "It will be the strongest."

``Then why there?"

"The most dangerous place is the safest," said Luna with a wink.

After a few days of preparation, Gear and Luna were ready for the assasination. On the day of the birthday celebration, Luna awaits at the gate of the castle while wearing a maid's outfit. She served guests in the ballroom. Gear was undercover as a waiter. He held the wine cup plate in his hand. Many were anxious for the arrival of Princess Eloise.

For this was a private celebration, only those who were VIP could come. While waiting for the princess, an old drunk man starts to cause a ruckus. His bright red face showed that he had too many to drink. Many of the guests were bothered by him. One of the knights there was about to take him outside until they heard an announcement from one of the close maids of Princess Eloise.

At 6:30 PM sharp, princess Eloise will be arriving at the castle from the carriage surrounded by her knights.

Gear and Luna exchanged looks and ready themselves. The time was drawing near.

King Ferunda sat in the king room with a dark expression. Words that were exchanged in the Royal Court were still lingering in his mind. Suddenly, a knock at the door caught his attention.

He looks up, "Princess Eloise."

A beautiful girl with an elegant air walks in. Her eyes were that of a gentle breeze and a smile of warm sunshine.

"Father," she said with a bow, "Mother told me that you would like a word?"

King Ferunda had forgotten that he had asked his queen to get Princess Eloise. He sighs out heavily, remembering what happened at the Royal Court.

Princess Eloise looks at her father with concern, "Father?"

"Princess Eloise, your birthday celebration will be in a few days correct?"

"Yes father."

"My dear child, we will have to hold it as a private celebration."

Princess Eloise looks at him a bit shocked, "Pardon?"

King Ferunda told Princess Eloise what was said in the Royal Court. Eloise's expression slowly turned grim by the second. King Ferunda understood her expression. No one in their right mind would want to be a bait to lure out a murderer.

"Father," Princess Eloise finally said.

"Yes?"

She bows to him as she cups her hand together, "I shall do as father asks of me."

King Ferunda's eyes widened at her words. His hand starts to tremble as tears fall from his eyes. He walks over to her and hugs her.

"Forgive me my child... Forgive me."

Princess Eloise patted his back to comfort him. She bids her father farewell and leaves. As she reaches her room, the servants around her start to serve her tea and food. She sits down and sips in her tea. One of the maids walks up with a scroll in her hand.

"Princess, lists of materials for your birthday celebration."

She takes the scroll from the maid and sends her away. After looking through them, she wrote down the items that were no longer needed and gave them to one of her maids. Princess Eloise dismisses everyone in the room. She wanted some quiet time to herself. Thoughts ran in her head of being a bait to lure out a killer they have no idea is real or not. She slammed her hand on the table with anger.

"Of all days and of all people it had to be me," said Princess Eloise.

She ruffles her hair and pulls them out in frustration. Every year, the only thing she looked forward to was her birthday celebration. The glam and lux and even the flatteries from her people were what kept her going. She loved the looks on them, and the way they addressed her. And now?

A private celebration, only where the rich could come?

No!

She is a princess. And the princess is here to see her people, the people who worship her. Not disgusting riches who only want something for themselves. Why was this happening!?

Princess Eloise took in a breath and slowly breathed it out. She leans back in her chair with a few seconds before snapping her finger. A shadow appears behind her. A young man with black clothing wrapped all over his body as he kneels before her.

"At your service, princess."

Princess Eloise stares off into the distance. She slowly turns and looks at him.

"Is Princess Zerlia really dead?" she asked.

He nods at her question.

She sighs out, "That idiot must have screwed up..."

Princess Eloise grabs a puff cake and shoves it in her mouth.

"Foolish woman... Does she not remember how many times we were reminded to be careful," said Princess Eloise, "Ever since Carliana's death, Queen Gelatine knew that something was off. Everyone died one by one, and so we were told to be extra careful. Just what was that idiot doing..."

Princess Eloise throws her arm in the air, "What do you suggest, Ras?"

"Pardon?"

"How should we catch these bastards that ruined my glorious day?" Princess Eloise said with a threatening tone.

Ras stands up with his arm placed over his chest. As she stands and stone like expression slowly turned murderous with a deadly smile.

"Princess Eloise is the glorious light that attracts all. The killer can do nothing to you when entranced by your beauty."

Princess Eloise smiles at his flattery. She grabs the wine glass and slowly shakes it, "Death by beauty... A wonderful touch."