Cerra waited for Oak to calm down and take a trot before relaxing a little. Oak followed the path Cerra laid out, a route written with shimmering walls, his pace gradually quickening. Cerra slowly let the walls expand, giving Oak more and more freedom, leading to a the vast plain. Then, she stopped building the walls entirely, letting Oak roam wherever he pleased. Cerra felt that feeling again; she felt as if she could go to the edges of the world.

"Wow," Prince Jay said as Oak trotted back with Cerra on his back. "I didn't expect you to do that." Cerra grinned.

"I wonder how you thought it was a good idea to hire me then," she replied. Prince Jay realized suddenly that she seemed more carefree now, as if she were glowing. He told himself that he'd take her horseback riding often.

Prince Jay and Daniel both mounted their horses. Jay's horse was as white as fresh snow, its mane like the bright foam of ocean waves. Prince Daniel's horse's complexion was the inverse of the prince's. It's pelt was black like the night sky, a bright star twinkling on its forehead. They explored the edge of the lake, occasionally pausing to enjoy the scenery. Cerra felt a pang of annoyance. Such a beautiful place shouldn't be kept to this 0.00001 percent of society.

"Tell me again why you need a bodyguard like me," Cerra said. "There must be something big you guys need protection from."

"Actually," Prince Jay said. "It's nothing that's happening right now. It's something we predict that is going to happen."

"Which is?" Cerra asked. The princes stopped their horses, and Cerra did the same. They hopped onto the soft grass, walking towards the shimmering water. Then they both began to talk, taking turns.

First Daniel, the story of their mother flowing from his delicate lips, the story of her gentleness, her passion, and finally her demise. Then Jay spoke of Queen Jami, of her greedy nature, of her sons, one particular one they were worried about. He was born a year before Jay, after the king returned from a vacation in the neighboring kingdom of Jole. They tell her about the things they believe he will go to to obtain the throne. It frightened Cerra, that there were people like this in the world. Yet, it made her want to stay. She wanted to see this prince. She wanted to see what lengths he would go to. She wanted to save them.

Suddenly, as they were walking back with their horses trotting behind them, Cerra felt a strange and strong chill down her spine. It was both from a sudden burst of cold wind, and also from something deep within. Her insides froze and her heart contracted, her breath a frozen gust in her throat.

"What is this smell?" a thin voice spoke. A man stood on the lake, a layer of ice beneath his feet. A strange aura came from him. It floated and swirled in the shivering air. When it reached Cerra, she felt sick. It was unlike anything she'd felt before. Her insides felt like burning and wilting.

"Oh of course, there's a commoner" the man, his lips moved into a snarl. Cerra could not defend herself, only stood in her place, staring at the man that disgusted her.

"Leo, what are you doing here?" Jay asked. His tone was something that surprised Cerra. She had never expected him to speak with such coldness to anyone. His green eyes were hard with suspicion.

"What? I can't walk around in my palace?" Leo cocked his head, as if he were actually asking a question. But Cerra knew it wasn't actually a question. It was a threat.

"Shouldn't you kneel?" Leo addressed Cerra, his voice hard, like a dagger of ice. Cerra stood her ground. She would not kneel to such a man. Suddenly, a jab of pain spread at the back of her knees. She collapsed onto the ground, a piece of ice dropping to the ground beside her. She bit her lip so she wouldn't swear at him. Her fingernails dug into her hand. Nobles had treated her with much of the same behavior, yet somehow she felt a wave of unspeakable anger at the prince that stood before her. His visage, his unfeeling blue eyes.

Daniel reached down and pulled her up. "If you'll excuse us, we'll be going." Leo made a gesture as to send them on their way, his face still pulled into that nasty smile. When they returned to the stables, Cerra leaned against the wooden frame, her stomach turning.

"I'm sorry," Jay said.

"What are you apologizing for?" Cerra asked. Jay shrugged.

"He's our brother," he said, spitting out the word. "But I never saw anyone stand their ground against him before." Cerra shook her head.

"I couldn't move," she explained. "It wasn't bravery."

"You had two choices, then," Daniel said as he got his horse settled. "To stand or to collapse. You chose to stand." Cerra shook her head again. It wasn't courage that kept her standing.