The Kingdom of Sondassa (private)

Polluxa merely nodded, her face a brighter red.

Y-yes, milord." she said with a slight squeak to her voice. "I-I trust I d-didn't harm you...?"

Great, way to go, Pol... she growled at herself. You're such a damned klutz... but of all people it had to be Ares...! He probably thinks you're some brainless ditz. And for Lupus' sake. Stop. Stuttering!

Brutus smiled.

"Come to my chambers. I'll tell you all you need to know and what you have to do." he said, leading the way, a glaring, snarling Alcastor following in his wake.

But Brutus was right about one thing... Alcastor would do whatever he could to protect Guinevere from the truth... even if it meant he had to betray her trust.

Xavier finally found Guinevere in the gardens and was about to walk up to her when he realized she was eavesdropping on his father and Alcastor's conversation. Xavier's expression darkened.

So, the pieces have been set... and so the game begins. he thought to himself, walking up to his cousin as his father and Alcastor's footsteps died away. "Gwenn...?"

He kept his voice soft not to startle her.

Polluxa smiled at Ares.

"U-um... okay." she said softly. "What did you want to talk about...?"

Xavier's face took on an arrested look.

No... nonononono.... he thought to himself, trying to gather his wits. It's too soon..... dammit, I'm being too obvious...!

He shook his head, forcing his face into a concerned look.

"Helping... my father...?" he asked, confused. "What... are you talking about, Gwenn? Why would you say that...?"

He lightly gripped her hands.

"It'll be alright, Gwenn. But I want you to remember two very important things..." he said, his dark eyes serious as he took in her unshed tears. "One, and this is the most important thing... I love you like a little sister. And no matter what this looks like to you, I want you to remember that... and the fact that I never do anything without a reason."

He drew a deep breath.

"The other thing is... forget what you know or think you know about our family, our people and the kingdom." Xavier's eyes were guarded. "From now on... it's best to remember... things aren't always what they seem."

He then smiled at her.

"Come, your presence is being missed." he said lightly, holding out his arm for her so he could escourt her back to the ballroom.

Alcastor glared at Brutus.

"You want me to what!!!?" he snarled.

"I want you to pretend to be a descendant of the original ruler of this land, Ignatius." Brutus said. "That way, no one will be able to deny your right to rule."

"You mean your right to rule." Alcastor snapped back. "If you want a puppet, why not use your sons!?"

"Because Ares would never go for it." he snarled back, his expression darkening. "And... I don't trust Xavier..."

Xavier frowned lightly.

"I guess it's alright not to trust me..." he said softly, looking away from Gwenn. "But just remember what I told you... You'll always be like a sister to me... and nothing is as it seems."

Polluxa smiled at Ares as she nodded to him, blushing lightly as she took his arm. She turned to Lord Ross, then frowned slightly at his facial expression.

"Is something wrong, milord?" she asked him quietly.

Alcastor gritted his teeth.

"Fine, I'll do as you want." he growled.

"I knew you'd see it my way." Brutus smirked. "Oh, and another thing... get rid of that annoying sibling of yours..."

Alcastor gawked at Brutus.

"Kill... Polluxa...!?" he gasped out. "I would sooner rip out my own heart!"

Brutus shrugged.

"I said get rid of her... how you do so is your own affair." he said. "If you can't kill her... get rid of her some other way. But she must be out of the picture. Either you get rid of her..."

His smirk grew cruel.

"Or I will."

Polluxa pressed her hand against the sheath of the dagger at her hip.

"I-it was given to me by my mother." she said softly. "An heirloom from my father. Why do you ask?"

Xavier looked at Gwenn then pulled out a handkerchief with a sigh and softly dried her tears.

"Remember, dearest cousin... all is not as it seems." he said yet again. "No matter what that man says or does to you... I truly believe he loves you..."

He looked down.

"But sometimes... we are forced to do things we abhor..." he said softly. "For the greater good."

Polluxa's eyes widened, her gaze a mix of emotions.

"How do you know...?" she sputtered. "Wait... what you asked...!?"

She stared at the older male in front of her for a few moments as what he had said sank in.

"F-f-fa-father...?" she asked softly, a hint of hope in her voice.

Xavier watched Guinevere run off and sighed deeply. He just hoped things were righted before they went too far.

Polluxa reached out a shaking hand and gingerly took hold of the sword Lord Ross held out to her. She traced her fingers over the scabbard, seeing it was the exact same as the dagger's sheath. And apart from that, there was two openings in the belt, by the sword's hilt. It seemed something had been removed from the belt. Undoing the clip of the dagger at her hip, Polluxa slipped it into the belt of the sword. It was a perfect fit. She gazed at Ross, tears in her eyes.

"Father..." she said softly again.

Xavier returned to the ballroom to see his cousin wasn't there yet and he sighed. He stopped a maid and told her to go see if the Princess was ready. He then sighed as he saw Ares. Not wanting to make his brother any more suspicious, and wanting time to gather his wits, Xavier made his way out the ballroom and to the balcony. He leaned against the railing and sighed softly again as he looked out over the castle-town.