The Princess' Choice

Flock of Shadows mercenary guild

I followed the mercenary guild and quickly became their errand boy. Due to the constant physical bullying and starving, the changes that might reveal my gender came a lot later than for other girls. The leader of the guild was a terrifying, but fair man. After he took me in and noticed my skills, I got smaller and bigger errands to take care of, when I turned thirteen the war started. - The Second Prince nodded, since he actively took part of that war. He was only seventeen when due to his incredible swordsman ship and inherited healing skills he had to join the war instead of his older brother.

- During the war I followed the guild wherever they were hired. Soon the guild leader, Jerome decided to give me a different kind of job. I was getting ready to departure when what happened to every young woman happened. Jerome caught me right in that moment and he hit the carriage wall hard before dragging me inside. He closed the door and in a low but scary voice he asked.

- WHEN WERE YOU PLANNING TO TELL ME THIS BARRY?! - he named me Barry himself due to my red hair it fitted me. I stood firmly against his anger.

- I'm sorry Jerome. I'm not sure what else to say. - he sighed and kneeled so we would be at the same height. He put his huge and strong hands on my shoulders and looked into my eyes deeply.

- Listen kiddo, I understand, really. But, what should I do with you now? - I shrugged.

- There are other women in the guild as well, and I hope I've already proved my value for not to be disposable. - Jerome's eyes filled with sorrow. He truly cherished me as if I was his own child. He felt betrayed and a little disappointed, but what I said was true. He put his coat on me and said.

- You must still keep this in secret, no one could know about it except me and Kara okay? - Kara was his partner. One of our best fighters and most respected member of the Flock of Shadows mercenary guild. She was almost as tall as Jerome, she wore her black hair short like other man but her facial features immediately proved that she was a lady, unlike in my case back then.

- I wasn't planning on announcing it anyway. - Jerome laughed and stood up pinching my cheeks before he opened the door.

- Let's go to Kara. - once we were in their carriage Kara scolded me for not telling her the truth but right after it she helped me out. After this little incident we departed as planned to the real battlefield. Your Highness hired our guild as well to help protect the barracks and the wounded. - The Second Prince's eyes widened like when someone realizes that he was going in the wrong direction.

- That's right, we hired that guild, you did an amazing job by the way.

- Thank you for the compliment your Highness.

- What was the new job you got assigned to? - we arrived to the part of my story where I had to be careful about how to interpret my tale before I found myself hanging from the palace walls.

- I had to spy, your Highness. Jerome tainted my hair black and due to my silent and careful personality, he gave me the task to spy on the enemy, and... Also on the empire's own Lords, your Highness. - the expression of the Prince clouded. He leaned closer, and as if he was trying to pierce my mind through with his gaze, he said.

- You are walking on a really thin ice Berke. I recommend you to consider wisely your words. - I bowed my head and felt the gaze of the knights in the room.

- I understand your Highness! - I said and continued my story.

- As I said, I became a spy and was sent constantly to the barracks of the enemy. Where I obtained important information about their movements and their flaws. Regarding the nobels, I censured the information for my master. I have never told them the issues of those nobles who supported the empire, unlike the traitors. Since we are here, I must confess your Highness that I took Baron Rosario's life on the battlefield, due to the fact that he conspired against the empire with the enemy.

- If you were there, why haven't you asked for audience and reported this to my general directly, instead of taking things into your own hands?! - the Prince shouted and I felt that the tension could've been cut by a knife. I jumped up from my seat and hit his desk with both of my fists.

- I've tried! They sent me away because I was a lowlife mercenary with a scary appearance! What should've I done?! - the knight's sword stopped right at my throat but I looked straight into the Prince's eyes and I forgot about his looks immediately. He was a war hero, I saw it with my own eyes, but at the same time he was an aristocrat! He signed to the knight and he put his sword away, pushing me back down to the chair.

- Continue. - he ordered and with anger I nodded. My heart beat so fast that I could hear it in my ears.

- Once the battle was over we left to other tasks. But Jerome and Kara were betrayed by his right hand man Clint... Clint killed both of them in their sleeps and found out about my secret. I found him in Jerome and Kara's carriage when I went to ask help from Kara in the middle of the night. I had to cover my appearance and I ran out of the bandages. So Clint saw me being a young woman and since I wore a nightgown, he also saw my skin condition. His next decision was, to close me in a cage and planned to sell me alive in the capital. Luckily, he didn't even thought about laying a hand on me. He knew that Jerome taught me himself and also what I did during the battle. I tried to escape several times but unfortunately, failed. Clint was like a rat... Careful, disgusting and sly. He quickly realized that he won't be able to sell me. So he decided to poison me and skin me alive, selling only my skin.

- Monster... - I heard a soft murmur from behind me. The knight's face distorted by what he heard, and I saw his hand twitching like he wanted to grab his sword and m******e Clint.

- I heard that the Flock of Shadows Guild was dissolved half year after the war. What happened? - the Prince asked and his face remained emotionless this time. I felt a smile spreading on my face.

- I didn't let myself to get killed and skinned like an animal. So with what I learned from Jerome, I took care of Clint. The night he tried to poison me, I made him taste his own medicine. After the guild dissolved I came to the capital and started to work at the Baker street bar, where your Highness' knights dragged me here from. To answer the original question your Highness, I disarmed those filthy men because they wanted to take advantage of me. The three of them touched me during my job. Although I warned them, they didn't care about it. When my shift was over I took out the trash and they cornered me in the ally. I had no other weapon, so I grabbed the top of the garbage bin and knocked them out. That's all your Highness. - the Prince looked at me without saying a word and after a few minutes he called the knight next to me and said.

- I need to reconsider my decision, please take Berke to one of the empty staff rooms, gave her something to eat and lock her up. In a few days, I'll let you know my decision. - I bowed and followed the knight. Once I was in the room, he closed the door behind us slightly and bowed. I felt my eyebrows running up on my forehead.

- Excuse me Sir but what are you doing? - he lifted his head and smiled.

- I wanted to thank you for saving the Prince during the war. - I couldn't fake anymore and crossed my arms in front of my chest with a slight smile.

- How did you know? - he grinned.

- I was guarding his Highness when you tried to report the incident, also I saw Baron Rosario trying to stab the Prince in the back when he fall from his horse. I was about to warn him, - his clouded expression smoothened and a smile curved on his face

- When a knife stopped in the forehead of the Baron, sending him dead into the filth where he belonged. If there's anything I can help you with, please don't hesitate to let me know.

- I suppose you cannot get me out of here. - he laughed and blushed a little.

-Unfortunately, I don't have the power to do so. But I'll try to speak a few good words about you to his Highness.

- That is more than nothing! Thanks Sir Dave! - he bowed slightly again and left the room. But as soon as he closed the door, he opened it again.

- How does Berke know my name? His Highness never called me by it in your presence. - I smiled back at him and pointed at his shoulder.

- His Highness wasn't the only one who experienced my loyalty that day. - his eyes became as big as saucer plates and left the room. I heard the lock closing and looked out of the tiny window into the sunset.