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Queen’s look made it clear she was not buying what I was selling, but she would indulge me anyway. “When my son came of marriage age a year ago, I had a list drafted and delivered to me of every young lady within the Noble Houses that were of age or would be coming of age soon. The House of Alastair was absent from that list.”
                  I allowed an edge of bitterness to color my voice. “My branch of the family is a distant relation. We became even more estranged after my father married my mother, a common girl. I am the only girl of age of the House of Alastair, but I am not surprised my name did not show up on your list. The Alastairs like to pretend we do not exist.”
                  “Do they now?”
                  I moved to say something more to convince her, but she held up her hand to silence me. “It matters not. My son appears to have taken a liking to you and insists you remain in the competition. However, we both know why you are really here so let us cut to the point. You leave without a word to my son and I will see to it that you do so much wealthier than when you arrived.”
                  “With all due respect, Your Majesty , you have no idea why I am here. I may be a lesser noble, but I do have my dignity and it cannot be bought.” My voice came out sharper than intended.
    The Queen’s face contorted in disbelief at my audaciousness. “You will not win this competition and you certainly will not marry the Prince. Even if you are who you claim to be, a lesser noble will never be good enough to stand beside the Heir of the House of Roth.  So how about you sleep on my offer. Be smart, Lady Alastair, or I may be forced to take more extreme measures.” Her tone was haughty and grandiose and meant to make me feel all of three feet tall.
    She should have saved her breath. I lived my entire life as a Common Person. I was used to nobles looking down their noses at me. One of the few things I actually enjoyed about being a part of the Assassin’s Guild was the elevated status and sense of empowerment that came with it. Even those people who did not know me as an assassin afforded me a wide berth and respect. In Anthame money was status, and I spent more than enough of it to not be treated like a part of the Common People.
    The Queen dismissed me after insulting then threatening me. I returned to my room to find it free of my roommate. I sent a silent thanks up to whatever god was listening. I liked her, but I could not deal with her and the dozens of questions she would have. A glint of something sparkly caught my eye. A large box wrapped in an oversized shiny silver bow sat on my bed. I cautiously approached it, halfway expecting it to explode. I shook off the absurd vision my overactive imagination conjured up. I was in the High Palace. It was probably the most secure place in the kingdom. It’s not that secure if they let an assassin slip through the door unnoticed, my lovely subconscious reminded me. Shove it! I told it. I slid the bow off the box and lifted its lid. A beautiful bouquet of long-stemmed white roses lay delicately inside with a note attached. Slightly bewildered I picked it up. The only notes I was used to receiving were the kind that came with directions to kill. It read:
    Have breakfast with me again tomorrow? Same place, same time.
                                ~Zander
                  To my complete abhorrence I found myself clutching the note against my chest and smiling. I was turning into one of those girls.

Chapter 15
     
                   “ L et’s play a game,” Zander proposed. He wore his mischievous look. No doubt he was up to no good.
                  “What game?” I eyed him over the now clean table. A servant had just finished clearing the last of our plates away.
                  “Truth or Dare.”