The Royal Deception

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<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/69/89/2c/69892c7588f1b0bf110b71e821ecd93f.png" height="400px" width="600px"> You are about to embark on a mission that could change the course of history forever. Are you ready to [[begin]]?

<<audio "carriage" play>> You sit within a carriage, about to embark on your latest and most ambitious mission yet. The cobblestones in the street beneath you jostle the carriage from side to side, but you hardly notice. You're focused on your goal: infiltrating the royal masquerade ball in order to take out the heir to the throne, Prince Cassius. You've never met the prince before, only seen him from afar once many years ago, when the royal procession swept through your little village. You remember standing on your tiptoes, trying to see over the many heads of those who had gathered in hopes of catching a glimpse of the prince. As his carriage rumbled past, however, all you managed to see was a flash of raven hair. You've heard tales of Prince Cassius's handsomeness, and by all accounts he is an honorable and just ruler. Unfortunately, none of these favorable qualities have stopped the anti-royal faction from hatching plots to depose him before his coronation day. Toppling the monarchy has long been the goal of the group that hired you to assassinate the prince; to you, however, this is no different from any other mission - it is simply what you have to do in order to survive. As your carriage nears the palace, you go over the mission in your head one last time. You have been tasked with entering the masquerade ball posing as a guest, compliments of the fake invitation that was given to you by your employer. This ball is where Prince Cassius will choose his royal spouse, according to rumors swirling among the noble houses. Under the guise of a potential suitor, your job is to get close to the prince and - without betraying your true identity to anyone - assassinate him before the end of the [[night]].

<<audio "crowd" play>> <<audio "ballroom" play>> <img src="https://www.governor.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/Article-image-State-Apartments-Under-Ballroom-section.jpg" width="600px" height="400x"/> As soon as you enter through the great double doors, you are hit with the sights and sounds of the ball. Nobles dressed in their most ornate finery cluster cluster together in small groups, no doubt gossiping about when the prince will make his entrance. In the corner of the ballroom, a band strikes up a spirited tune, the lively notes floating over the noise and chatter. Feeling slightly overwhelmed, you try to move further into the room and blend in. However, you can't help but feel that the eyes of the other nobles follow you through the crowd, their appraising glances piercing through the masks - both literal and figurative - that they wear. Your heart starts to beat faster and, spotting a curtained alcove on one side of the room, you quickly duck behind it for a quick break from it [[all]].

<<audio "crowd" fadeout>> <<audio "ballroom" fadeout>> Bursting through the curtain, you stumble to a surprised stop as you find yourself standing on a secluded balcony overlooking the palace gardens. The sounds of the ball fade behind you as you walk further onto the balcony, resting your hands on the smooth marble for a moment and taking in the sprawling grounds. You know you have a job to do, but for now, you let your eyes drift shut, enjoying the cool night air against your skin. "Tired of the ball already?" Your eyes fly open and you jump, whirling around to face the source of the voice. Leaning against the wall with his arms crossed is a startlingly handsome man, his lips quirked in a slightly teasing smile as he watches you. From the distinct raven hair and the royal colors he wears, you know that this is none other than Prince Cassius himself - the man you have been tasked with killing. Your cheeks flush in embarrassment as you curse yourself for not noticing his presence straightaway; some assassin you are. Trying to hide your flusteredness, you drop into a low bow, saying humbly, [["Your highness. My apologies, I did not mean to disturb you."]] [["Of course I tire of the ball. And pardon me, but it seems like I'm not the only one."]]

<<audio "balcony" play>> "You were not disturbing me," Prince Cassius says with a small sigh. "I was merely getting a breath of fresh air." He walks over to join you by the balcony, staring out into the night, and the wind tugs gently at his dark hair. You can't help but stare a little, almost unable to comprehend that you are standing next to the heir to the throne. Suddenly, Prince Cassius turns his head to face you, making you jump a little. "So what brings you out here?" he asks. [[Be honest and say this is your first ball.]] [[Make up an excuse.]]

<<audio "balcony" play>> The prince raises an eyebrow at you, then barks out a surpised laugh. "I suppose you're right," he says sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "The truth is, I'm not much one for masquerade balls. Or any kind of ball, for that matter." "We have that in common," you reply, trying to pretend that this isn't your first ball. Fortunately, it seems to work, as the prince smiles at you and walks over to join you by the balcony. "What brings you to this ball, then?" he asks, resting his arms on the ledge and turning his curious gaze on you. "I'm here for the same reason as everyone else, your highness - to win your heart," you respond smoothly. The prince laughs again, though this time there is a hint of derision in his voice. "I suppose that was a silly question on my part," he says, casting his eyes to the ground. "You're right, of course - this entire ball has been dedicated solely to the goal of my eventual [[marriage]]."

You sense a hint of bitterness in Prince Cassius's voice when he speaks about his marriage, and decide to probe him for more information. "I can't help but notice that you do not speak of this marriage with much pleasure," you say carefully. "Is this not something that you desire?" "It's not that I do not wish to get married," the prince says slowly, after a moment's hesitation. "I know that it is an important and necessary step to establishing my rule. But truthfully, I worry that all of these nobles who are vying for my hand are merely after my position, not...me." He breaks off, looking slightly embarassed by his revelation. You can't help but feel surprised; you did not expect such transparency from the prince. "I'm sorry," Prince Cassius says, misinterpeting your silence for discomfort. "I did not mean to unload all of that onto you. But truthfully, you are the first person who has asked me how I feel about this marriage." He meets your eyes with a rueful smile, and you can't help but smile back. "I'm sorry, I haven't even asked for your name. I can see that you are a knight from your attire, but I don't believe we've met before," Prince Cassius says eventually, breaking the silence. "Rowan Devereux." You supply your fake identity readily, and the prince smiles, inclining his head in a polite nod. "A pleasure, Knight Devereux." Looking out into the night again, he sighs, then straightens up again with some reluctance. "I suppose I should not hide from my guests forever; the king will have my head. But if you don't mind, I would like to continue our conversation later. Would you...would you save a dance for me?" he asks, with something bordering on shyness. "Of course, your highness," you say, dropping into another low bow. You wait until you hear his footsteps disappear back behind the curtain, then straighten up, amazed at your good fortune. Already, it seems that you have made headway in earning the prince's trust. You take a moment to process everything, then finally sigh and make your way back into the [[ballroom]].

"To be honest, I was feeling a little overwhelmed by everything. This is my first ball," you say, deciding that there's no point in lying. Surprisingly, the prince nods in understanding. "Don't worry, I'm not much one for balls myself. And I've been to thousands of them," he replies wryly. "But I suppose I'll have to get used to it. After all, this entire masquerade ball has been dedicated solely to my eventual [[marriage]]."

"I just wanted to see the palace gardens firsthand," you lie smoothly, gesturing to the view below. "I've heard so much about them." "They are quite breathtaking, aren't they?" the prince replies, readily accepting your excuse. "I have often walked through those gardens when in need of a break from my royal duties." He sighs, leaning over the balcony as he says almost to himself, "Or a break from talks of my impending [[marriage]]."

<<audio "balcony" fadeout>> As you re-enter the palace, you find the masquerade ball in full force. Prince Cassius, lost among the crowd of dancing nobles, is nowhere to be seen. Steeling yourself, you weave your way between twirling skirts and legs, planning to observe the ball and its guests from the relative safety of the far corner of the room. However, this hope is soon dashed as a feminine voice says from behind you, "Excuse me." <img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71SM2gzxYqL._SY450_.jpg" height="600px" width="500px"> Turning around, you find yourself face-to-face with a young woman in a deep red ballgown. Her striking green eyes pierce through her mask, and as you stare down at her, she sweeps into a low curtsy. "Would you please grace me with this next [[dance]]?"

<<audio "katarina" play>> Unable to procure a sufficient excuse to refuse, you instead incline your head politely and say, "It would be an honor, my lady." As the next song begins, you take the woman's hand and lead her toward the center of the ballroom, where the other nobles are dancing. As the two of you join them, the woman smiles up at you and says, "I am Lady Katarina of House Cabrera. And you are...?" "Rowan Devereux, Knight of Moorfield," you reply cautiously, trying to gauge what this woman could possibly want. Her light tone is innocent enough, but you have lived long enough to know when someone holds an ulterior motive - and it is clear to you that this woman hides steel behind her soft-spoken words. Indeed, as if to confirm your suspicions, Katarina's next question is far less innocuous. "Knight Devereux, what is the nature of your relationship with the [[prince]]?"

Your training helps you to maintain your composure as you guide Katarina into a spin, buying you time to formulate your response. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, my lady," you say, once the two of you are facing each other once more. "I have no special relationship with the prince, no more than anybody else here." "Is that so?" Katarina replies with an arched eyebrow, all the while keeping perfectly in time with the music. "For unless my eyes were very much mistaken, I believe I just saw you and Prince Cassius return from the balcony together not moments ago." [[Deny it.]] [[Admit it.]]

"You must have mistaken me for someone else, my lady," you respond smoothly. "I have never personally met the prince before tonight." Strictly speaking, this is not a lie, and you do not wish to invoke the ire of any nobles competing to win the prince's hand. Fortunately, Katarina seems to accept this answer, and the two of you spend the rest of the dance in silence. As the song comes to an end, however, Katarina draws close to you and whispers in your ear, "Do not think you can so easily fool me, Rowan Devereux. I know an outsider when I see one - and nothing is more clear to me than the fact that you do not belong at this ball." Before you can respond, Katarina draws back and drops into a graceful curtsy. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Knight Devereux," she says sweetly, without any hint or acknowledgment of her earlier words. "If you should find yourself without a dancing partner later in the night, do not hesitate to search for me." Her piercing emerald eyes meet yours once more, as though in unspoken challenge...and then she sweeps away into the [[crowd]].

"You have sharp eyes, my lady," you say steadily, not letting your voice betray any discomfiture at having been spotted with the prince. "However, our meeting on the balcony was nothing more than a coincidence. Both of us merely thought to seek some fresh air." "Truly?" Katarina replies, as the two of you continue to step in time to the music. "I must admit, I am relieved. For a moment, I feared that perhaps the prince had already made his choice." Her tone remains light enough, but you sense the threat that lies beneath the pleasant words. Smiling innocently, you dip Katarina towards the ground. "I see," you say, matching her casual tone. "Then I can assure you that you have nothing to worry about, my lady. To my eternal disappointment, no sudden declarations of love took place on the balcony." As you lift her back to an upright position, Katarina studies you for a moment, as though trying to decide whether you are making fun of her. At last, she replies stiffly, "I am glad to hear it," and the two of you spend the rest of the dance in silence. As the song comes to an end, however, Katarina draws close to you, her hair brushing the side of your face. "Do not think you can so easily fool me, Rowan Devereux," she whispers in your ear. "I know an outsider when I see one - and nothing is more clear to me than the fact that you do not belong at this ball." Before you can respond, Katarina draws back and drops into a graceful curtsy. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Knight Devereux," she says sweetly, without any hint or acknowledgment of her earlier words. "If you should find yourself without a dancing partner later in the night, do not hesitate to search for me." Her piercing emerald eyes meet yours once more, as though in unspoken challenge...and then she sweeps away into the [[crowd]].

<img src="https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/print/posters/charles-natoire-masquerade-ball-drawing_a-G-12101502-8880731.jpg" height="400px" width="600px"> Unsure what to make of that conversation, you spend the next few hours watching from the side of the room as the prince dances with noble after noble, each of whom try their best to make an impression on him during the short time that they hold his attention. As the sky darkens outside of the castle, you know that the deadline for your mission is quickly approaching. This makes you feel... [[Relieved. You can't wait to get this whole thing over with.]] [[Anxious. You're starting to have some doubts about this mission.]]

<<audio "katarina" fadeout>> You just want to get out of this ballroom full of stuffy nobles who look down their noses at you, as though somehow intuitively aware that - as Katarina said - you don't belong. Prince Cassius seems nice enough, but you have a mission to complete...and unfortunately, that mission requires his death. As you remind yourself of your goal with firm resolve, you suddenly become aware that the music has stopped playing. You look up and see Prince Cassius standing before you, a small smile on his lips. "Knight Devereux," he says, extending a hand. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with [[me]]?"

<<audio "katarina" fadeout>> You know that nothing has really changed - your goal is still to take out the prince, no matter how nice he may be. But you can't help feeling as though perhaps...perhaps the anti-royal faction has gotten it wrong. Prince Cassius has done nothing to deserve death, other than be born into a monarchy that has existed for centuries. Is it really fair for you to punish him for something he has no control over? Deep in thought, it takes you a moment to become aware that the music has stopped playing. You look up to see Prince Cassius standing before you, a small smile on his lips. "Knight Devereux," he says, extending a hand. "Would you do me the honor of dancing with [[me]]?"

A hush falls over the room as, in one collective movement, you feel the weight of every single noble at the ball turning their gaze on you. Meeting the prince's eyes, you take a deep breath and step forward, accepting his hand with a smile. "I would love to, your highness." Prince Cassius guides you toward the center of the room, and as you wait for the music to begin, he says playfully, "Has your impression of the ball improved since the last time we spoke?" "It has, now that I'm with you," you reply coyly. Prince Cassius's cheeks flush pink, confirming your suspicions - for all his good looks, the prince is no more experienced at romance than a blushing maid. You can make use of this knowledge, you think with a secret smile. But the truth is... [[...you are genuinely falling for Prince Cassius.]] [[...you've got your eye on Katarina.]] [[...you aren't interested in romance.]]

"An invitation? Do you even know who I //am//?" you sniff, putting on the affronted air of a slighted noble. "Doesn't matter who you are. No one is allowed past these gates without an invitation," the guard replies, her dispassionate tone a testament to the scores of difficult nobles that she must encounter on a daily basis. You sigh, deciding that it's not worth pushing the matter, and hand your invitation over. Holding your breath, you watch as the guard glances it over, then looks up to study you. "You may proceed," she says at last, returning the invitation and stepping aside to let you pass. You breathe a sigh of relief, sitting back in your seat as your carriage rolls past the gates. <img src="https://previews.123rf.com/images/yucatana/yucatana1801/yucatana180100007/93389444-medieval-castles-isolated-on-white-background-graphic-drawing-.jpg" width="600px" height="400px"/> As you join the line of those waiting to be announced, you get your first glimpse of the royal palace. It rises high into the sky above you, blotting out the early evening stars. You catch your breath, wondering what it would be like to live in such luxury. As an orphan who grew up in one of the poorer districts of the kingdom, you have never known such opulence before. After what feels like an eternity, your carriage stops before the entrance to the palace. A royal servant helps you to disembark, then takes a look at your invitation. "Announcing the Knight of Moorfield, Rowan Devereux!" he calls out, reading off the fake title and alias that you were assigned. You take a deep breath and, after making sure your mask is secured, walk through the doors into the [[palace]].

You decide not to risk it and hand the guard the fake invitation. Holding your breath, you watch as she glances it over, then looks up to study you. "You may proceed," she says at last, returning the invitation and stepping aside to let you pass. You breathe a sigh of relief, sitting back in your seat as your carriage rolls past the gates. <img src="https://previews.123rf.com/images/yucatana/yucatana1801/yucatana180100007/93389444-medieval-castles-isolated-on-white-background-graphic-drawing-.jpg" width="600px" height="400px"/> As you join the line of those waiting to be announced, you get your first glimpse of the royal palace. It rises high into the sky above you, blotting out the early evening stars. You catch your breath, wondering what it would be like to live in such luxury. As an orphan who grew up in one of the poorer districts of the kingdom, you have never known such opulence before. After what feels like an eternity, your carriage stops before the entrance to the palace. A royal servant helps you to disembark, then takes a look at your invitation. "Announcing the Knight of Moorfield, Rowan Devereux!" he calls out, reading off the fake title and alias that you were assigned. You take a deep breath and, after making sure your mask is secured, walk through the doors into the [[palace]].

<<audio "cassius" fadeout>> Prince Cassius's eyes light up, and he offers you his arm. "Then let's not waste any more time." You take his arm, and as the two of you make your way to the doors of the ballroom, the other nobles hastily make way for you. You feel a frisson of satisfaction at the jealous glares and murmurs that are thrown your way, and hold your head high with the knowledge that no matter how this night ends, at least you've managed to beat the nobles at their own game. As you step outside of the palace, you close your eyes and inhale the fresh evening air, taking a moment to simply enjoy the stillness of the night. When you open your eyes, you see Prince Cassius watching you with a smile. "It feels nice to finally be out of that dreadful ballroom, doesn't it?" he remarks dryly. You laugh and nod, allowing the prince to guide you further into the [[gardens]].

Prince Cassius's face falls slightly, but he replies, "Of course. If you still wish to meet me afterward, I will be waiting in the gardens." With one last bow, Prince Cassius takes his leave of you, melting back into the crowd. You turn and weave your way between the nobles, stopping before the curtain to the balcony that Katarina slipped behind just moments before. The sensible part of you is saying that you've lost your mind - that you may have just given up your best chance of completing your mission to assassinate the prince. But the other part of you can't stop thinking about the mysterious woman who managed to make such a large impression on you in one short dance...the woman who awaits behind that curtain. Stilling your heart, you push the curtain aside and step out onto the [[balcony]].

<<audio "cassius" play>> You can't help it. You know this is a serious violation of one of the cardinal rules of the assassin trade: don't get attached to your target. And yet, the way Cassius so readily warmed to a stranger like you - the way his presence makes you forget the prying eyes and sharp whispers of the nobles all around you - is making it harder and harder for you to deny the truth. Which is, you admit to yourself as the two of you glide across the floor, that you are genuinely falling for the prince. As the dance draws to a close, Prince Cassius bows, then says softly to you, "The ball may be ending soon, but I'm afraid I'm not ready to part ways just yet." Breaking off, he hesitates for a moment, then tentatively asks, "Would you care to join me for a stroll through the palace gardens?" Your heart pounds in your chest as competing thoughts rush through your head. This is it - your chance to take out the prince. But as you meet his hopeful gaze, you feel a pang run through you at the very thought of hurting him. Trying to calm the tumultuous feelings swirling within you, you force your lips into a smile and reply, [["I would love to, your highness."]]

<<audio "cassius" play>> Despite your best efforts to focus on the task at hand, you can't stop thinking about the alluring young woman you danced with earlier in the night. As you dance with Prince Cassius, your eyes roam through the crowd of watching nobles, until at last you see Katarina standing near the wall, her gaze following you and the prince with a strange intensity. She notices you looking at her and cocks her head to one side, her expression impossible to read through her mask. Suddenly, you become aware that the dance has come to an end, forcing you to wrench your eyes away from Katarina. "Thank you for dancing with me, Knight Devereux," Prince Cassius says formally, bowing low. He hesitates for a moment, then leans in to add softly, "The ball may be ending soon, but I'm afraid I'm not ready to part ways just yet. Would you care to join me for a stroll through the palace gardens?" You feel a rush of adrenaline shoot through your body as you realize that this is it - your chance to take out the prince. But over Prince Cassius's shoulder, your eyes can't help but follow Katarina as she moves across the room, looking back over at you before disappearing behind the curtain to the balcony. You bite your lip, conflicted, as the prince continues to wait expectantly for your answer. [["I would love to, your highness."]] [["I'm sorry, your highness, but there is something I must take care of first."]]

<<audio "cassius" play>> With the weight of the mission pressing down on you, romance is the last thing you are thinking about tonight. However, it is clear from the way that Prince Cassius is looking at you that he does not share this feeling - something that you can use to your advantage. As the dance draws to a close, Prince Cassius bows, then says softly to you, "The ball may be ending soon, but I'm afraid I'm not ready to part ways just yet." Breaking off, he hesitates for a moment, then tentatively asks, "Would you care to join me for a stroll through the palace gardens?" This is it, you realize with a rush of adrenaline - your chance to fulfill your mission and take out the prince. Putting on your most radiant smile, you respond, [["I would love to, your highness."]]

<<audio "cassius" fadeout>> The cool night air hits you as you emerge onto the balcony and immediately spot Katarina, who stands facing away from you, looking out over the gardens. "It's a nice view, isn't it?" she says without turning around, gesturing to the grounds spread out below. "Lovely," you agree, walking over to join her by the balcony. "Though the loveliest sight I've seen all night is standing right beside me." Katarina turns her head slowly to face you, and you meet her gaze head on, raising an eyebrow in challenge. Her lips quirk slightly, as if fighting a smile, before she turns to face the gardens again. "It seems you've spurned the prince." You follow her gaze to see a small figure leaving the castle, heading toward the gardens with a dejected gait. "It can't be helped," you say with a regretful sigh. "All throughout my dance with Prince Cassius, I could not seem to keep my eyes off of you." You hear a sharp intake of breath from beside you, and look over to see Katarina staring at you with that strange intensity from before. Her sharp green eyes seem to cut straight through your mask, leaving you feeling exposed and vulnerable. Slowly, Katarina takes a step closer to you and asks, in a voice so soft that you have to strain your ears to hear, "Rowan Devereux...who are you really?" [[Tell her the truth.]] [[Don't.]]

<<audio "fountain" loop play>> <<audio "night" loop play>> <img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/gs-geo-images/6dcd16b7-9189-40e2-bfbc-0c792ac27772.jpg" height="400px" width="300px"> As you emerge into the heart of the gardens, your breath is momentarily stolen away by the beauty of the sight before you. In the center of the courtyard is a fountain which sends up a gentle stream of water, and all around you are flowering trees, infusing the air with a pleasantly sweet scent. Prince Cassius guides you over to sit by the fountain, and as you take your seat beside him, you say, "What a lovely courtyard. Do you come here often, your highness?" "Not often, but I have always wanted to bring someone here with me. I find it to be the most romantic spot in the entire palace," Prince Cassius replies, a little bashfully. You smile, laying a hand on his arm. "Though I have not seen much of the palace, I think you must be right." Feeling suddenly mischievous, you add, "I imagine you have brought many admirerers here in your time." The prince's cheeks flame red as he quickly snaps his head around to face you, his eyes wide. "You are mistaken," he bursts out, looking decidedly flustered. "I have never brought anyone here before - you are the first." "Is that so?" you tease him, unable to hide your amusement. "Yes," Prince Cassius says firmly, the seriousness in his face and voice stilling your laughter. Taking both your hands gently in his, the prince meets your eyes. "You are the first, and - dare I hope - the last." You swallow, the intensity in his low voice stealing away your witty response. Strapped against the inside of your thigh is the dagger with which you planned to kill the prince, its cold steel pressing like an insistent reminder against your skin. In that moment, staring back into Prince Cassius's earnest gaze, your decision suddenly becomes clear. [[Confess the truth.]] [[Kill him.]]

<<audio "betrayal" play>> "My true name is not Rowan Devereux," you reply, "and I am no knight." Unable to lie to Katarina any longer, you swallow down your fears and meet her eyes. "I am an assassin who was hired to kill Prince Cassius at tonight's ball." Katarina blinks and stumbles backward, her shock palpable even through her mask. "You...are an //assassin//?" she repeats in disbelief. You nod, fighting the immediate and powerful urge to supply some kind of justification for your actions. Katarina steps away from you, breaking your gaze to look back at Prince Cassius's distant form in the gardens below. At last, she says quietly, "I should have known. I could tell immediately that you were no noble. And yet - like a fool - that was exactly why I felt so drawn to you." She laughs bitterly, and your heart aches at the sound. "I'm sorry for keeping my true identity from you. But," you implore, taking a step closer to Katarina, "everything that I said just now - the way that I feel about you - that was no lie." You break off, seeing the conflict that swirls in her eyes at your words. "And do you...do you still mean to go through with your mission?" she asks, her voice shaking slightly. You hesitate. This is it - the time has come for you to make your final decision. [["Yes."]] [["No."]]

Katarina searches your eyes for one long moment and, seeing the resolve in them, exhales slowly and steps away. "Then do you what you have to," she whispers, hugging herself and turning her back to you. You hesitate, taking a step forward and reaching for her shoulder. "Katarina-" "Don't," she interrupts sharply, whipping around to face you. "I won't turn you in; I doubt you'd just stand there and let me. But I cannot associate with a...with a murderer." Her voice trembles slightly as she meets your eyes one last time, then turns and brushes past you, disappearing back into the ballroom. You stand there on the balcony for a moment, trying to fight the urge to run after her. Your eyes wander back down to Prince Cassius's distant form in the heart of the gardens, and you feel a calm sense of determination settle over you. Leaving the balcony, you head for the gardens with one goal in mind - to finish what you came here to [[do]].

Katarina searches your eyes, and her voice trembles slightly as she asks, "Truly?" "Truly," you respond, unable to fight the smile that spreads across your face. A mixture of relief and happiness washes over you as you feel the weight of your mission, which has hung over you the entire night, leave your shoulders at last. Seeing that you are genuine, Katarina breaks into a radiant smile as well. "I'm thankful to hear it," she says softly, stepping closer to you until her face is right before yours. "But that still doesn't tell me who you really are." "Why don't you find out for yourself?" you respond playfully. Laughing, Katarina reaches up to untie your mask, and you do the same to hers. Beholding her fully uncovered face, bathed in the pale glow of the moonlight, confirms what you only suspected earlier - that Katarina is a breathtakingly beautiful woman. "You're not so bad yourself," she whispers, making you realize that you must have spoken your thoughts aloud. Before you can feel too embarrassed about it, however, Katarina reaches up and pulls you in for a kiss. Without hesitation, you kiss her back, your arms sliding around her waist to draw her in closer to you. When at last she breaks away, Katarina's cheeks are flushed and her emerald eyes bright as she asks, a little breathlessly, "And what will you do - about the people who hired you?" "I suppose I'll have to warn the prince of their treason...and mine," you answer, realizing for the first time what this will all mean, what the fallout from this night may be. But Katarina places a hand gently against your cheek, turning your face toward hers once more. "Don't worry; you'll have at least one noble house vouching for you," she says, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "Between the two of us, I'm sure we will be able to make Prince Cassius see reason. He's obviously quite taken with you, after all." "He's not the only one," you say teasingly. Katarina's cheeks flush an even deeper red, and she slaps your arm, making you break out into laughter again. "You'll pay for that," she murmurs, in that same soft, threatening way that so intrigued you before. And, as she draws you in for another kiss, all thoughts and worries about what may transpire after tonight leave your mind as you know that it would all have been worth it just to experience this moment, right here, with her. THE END

<<audio "night" loop play>> <<audio "fountain" loop play>> <<audio "betrayal" fadeout>> As you emerge into the courtyard at the heart of the gardens, you immediately spot Prince Cassius sitting by the fountain, staring up at the stars. He sees you coming toward him and jumps up in surprise, his face betraying his surprise and delight. "Knight Devereux," he says, smoothing down his shirt nervously. "You came." "Of course I did, your highness," you say smoothly, making your way over to him. "I couldn't exactly leave royalty hanging, could I?" The prince laughs, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I suppose not." He hastily beckons for you to sit beside him, and the two of you sit there for a moment in silence, enjoying the night. Then abruptly, the prince turns to face you, his cheeks turning pink as he blurts out, "Pardon me, but there is something I must say." You turn to him expectantly, and the prince hesitates, gently taking your hands in his. "I...I must confess that I have never this strongly about someone before, in such a short amount of time," he begins, his voice shaking a little. "However, before anything else, I must know if you feel it too." He breaks off, a little breathless, and meets your eyes with a hopeful and earnest gaze. You swallow, realizing that this is it - your last chance to change your mind. As you stare back at the prince, your decision becomes clear. [[Confess the truth.]] [[Kill him.]]

<<audio "betrayal" play>> "I'm sorry, I...I can't tell you that," you answer haltingly, breaking her gaze and stepping away. Your hands grip the banister as you look out into the night, fighting the temptation to compromise your identity and expose your mission. Glancing over at Katarina, you see a flicker of hurt in her eyes before she turns her head away. "So be it, then," she says, with her back to you. "I suggest that you leave." You hesitate, then take a step forward and reach for her shoulder. "Katarina-" "Don't," she says softly, turning to face you once more. "Just...leave me be. Please." Your heart in your throat, you slowly turn away and return to the ballroom, leaving Katarina standing alone on the balcony. As you try to still the emotions raging within, you remember that Prince Cassius awaits you outside, and a calm sense of resolve settles over you. Leaving the ballroom, you head for the gardens with one goal in mind - to finish what you came here to [[do]].

<<audio "night" unloop fadeout>> <<audio "fountain" unloop fadeout>> <<audio "truth" play>> "Your highness-" "Please, call me Cassius," the prince says. You nod, then take a deep breath. "Cassius, there is something I must tell you," you begin again, trying to keep your voice steady. "I...I'm not who you think I am." "What do you mean?" Cassius asks softly, still holding your hands in his. Biting your lip, you force yourself to meet his eyes. "I am an assassin who was hired to kill you at tonight's ball." Silence hangs in the air at your words. You see the shock in Cassius's eyes, as well as a flurry of other emotions - confusion, hurt, fear. Wordlessly, he withdraws his hands from yours, turning his face away from you. "Is this the truth?" he says at last, his voice quiet in a way that somehow frightens you. You hesitate, weighing your response because... [[...you have feelings for the prince.]] [[...you need to look out for yourself.]]

<<audio "night" unloop fadeout>> <<audio "fountain" unloop fadeout>> <<audio "truth" play>> "I'm sorry, your highness," you say, withdrawing your hands from his. "But I have a job to do." Before Cassius can respond, you whip out your dagger and, in one deft movement, slice his throat open. Prince Cassius chokes out a surprised gargle, his eyes widening as he clutches at his neck and feels the blood spilling from it. You stand up and wipe your dagger clean, then watch as the prince's life fades from his body, his blood darkening the water of the fountain behind him. When at last he comes to a still, his eyes are locked on you in an eternal expression of bewilderment and betrayal. <img src="https://previews.123rf.com/images/lhfgraphics/lhfgraphics1112/lhfgraphics111200054/11575037-doodle-style-knife-or-murder-vector-illustration.jpg" height="400px" width="500px"> You sigh, putting your dagger away and murmuring, "Nothing personal, your highness." Then, after a quick scan of your surroundings to confirm that there were no witnesses, you choose a path out of the gardens that will enable you make the quickest getaway. As you steal away from the palace under the cover of night, you know that the guests at the ball will soon notice that the prince has not returned and send guards after him. And when they do, you think to yourself with a smile - when all hell breaks loose in the kingdom because of one lowly assassin - you plan to be far, far away. THE END

You know that Cassius may never forgive you for what you are about to say. But you genuinely care about the prince, and you cannot bear to keep the truth from him any longer. "Yes, it's true," you say steadily, trying to suppress the emotions that threaten to burst out of you. "I'm so sorry for keeping this from you, your highness. But after meeting you, I just couldn't-" You break off as Cassius begins to laugh, a mirthless sound that fills your heart with despair. "You must have thought me such a fool," he says bitterly, standing up and turning to leave. "Opening my heart up to an assassin so readily, without suspecting a thing-" "No," you blurt out, the urgency in your voice making Cassius freeze in place. Taking a deep breath, you continue speaking, your voice trembling with emotion. "You trusted me because you are //good//. Even though you're a prince - even though you're the heir to the throne - you still talked to me like we were equals. You...you made me feel as though I //mattered//." You break off, surprising even yourself at the passion with which you speak the words. Prince Cassius stands a few feet away, his face still hidden from you. Slowly, he turns around to look at you once more, his expression unreadable. "Do you mean it?" he asks. Unable to speak through the lump in your throat, you nod instead, your eyes fixed on his face. He takes a step toward you, then another, until at last he stands right before you. "Then take off your mask," he commands. You reach up to comply, and as the mask falls away from your head, Cassius's eyes rove your face, as if searching for something. Finally, he smiles, and your heart soars with hope. "Then all is forgiven," he says simply. "Truly?" you gasp, leaping to your feet. Cassius smiles even deeper in response, and you laugh in joy and disbelief. Then, catching yourself, you drop your eyes to the ground, ashamed at your outburst. "Thank you, your highness. However, my actions were truly unspeakable, and I-I understand if you no longer want anything to do with me-" You break off as Cassius gently places a hand against the small of your back and pulls you in close, pressing his lips to yours. You return his kiss, looping your arms around his neck, and in that moment all of your cares and worries seem to melt away. When at last the prince pulls back, he says with a smirk, "Didn't I tell you to call me Cassius?" You laugh, your heart racing with exhilaration. "My apologies, Cassius. For this, and for everything else. Though," you say suddenly, cocking your head in pretend thought, "I believe uncovering a plot to assassinate the prince would make me some kind of a hero." Cassius raises an eyebrow. "Don't push your luck," he says softly, leaning in to kiss you again. And as you stand there in the garden with him, the stars sparkling overhead, you know that that no matter what happens after tonight, at least you will face it together. THE END

You don't know how the prince might react, and you need to be able to make a quick escape in case things go awry. Preparing yourself to run, you reply, "Yes, it's the truth. I'm sorry to have kept this from you, but I can't go through with it anymore." The prince absorbs this in silence, and you sit there tensely, awaiting his reaction. Finally, Cassius turns to look at you, his lips trembling. "And what about all this?" he demands, gesturing between himself and you. "Was it all an act - to get close to me? So that you could //assassinate// me?" His voice breaks. You bow your head, unable to meet his eyes. "You are a good man, Prince Cassius," you respond at last, your voice as gentle as you can make it. "I did not mean to hurt you." The prince exhales sharply, turning his head away from you. Finally, he says in a stiff voice, "Thank you for telling me the truth, Knight Devereux - or whoever you are. For your honesty, I will not call my guards on you. However," he says, turning to look at you with hurt and betrayal flashing in his eyes, "I suggest that you leave immediately, before I change my mind." You nod and stand up, bowing to the prince, who averts his gaze from you. Then you turn and make your way out of the garden, leaving him sitting alone by the fountain. As you steal away from the palace under the cover of night, you sigh, knowing that your employers will //not// be happy when they find out that you failed your mission. However, you think to yourself with a smile, they'll have to catch you first. THE END

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<img src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/d7/da/3b/d7da3b963b8664fcf42fcdc52fefa0a5.jpg" height="400px" width="600px"> <<audio "carriage" fadeout>> The carriage suddenly rolls to a stop, and you peer through the window to see that you have reached the outer gates of the palace. "Halt! Do you have an invitation?" one of the guards at the gate calls out. You begin to reach for your fake invitation, but then pause. Truth be told, you're not entirely sure how well it will hold up under scrutiny, and with your training, you might be able to convince the guard to let you in anyway. What do you do? [[Hand the guard the fake invitation.]] [[Try to talk the guard into letting you pass.]]