The Enemy's Ambassador ⚜ Ch. 8

Later one evening before curfew, Rolf was in the common area with Nico and his friends. They all sat around the fireplace reading and doing homeworks (and drying off after a day of the Assassin game). All was quiet until around six o'clock.

People started running and shouting in the hall.

"What's going on?" Rolf asked as someone burst into the common.

The student's face was pale. "There's an intruder in the castle. They're saying a princess has been kidnapped."

Nico and Rolf both got to their feet at once, their military background coming through.

"Any idea where they went?" Nico asked.

The student shook their head. "They're not sure. She disappeared around a music classroom."

With a determined nod, Rolf and Nico both went out of the common. "You look to the east wings, I'll take the west," Rolf said. His friend nodded. They parted ways and headed towards the music areas.

Rolf's heart beat quickly as he looked into every classroom, waiting to see someone looking back. He had no weapon, but hoped the little bit of training his father had forced him to do would be a help if necessary.

He went down hall after hall, looking for any sign of the intruder or the princess. As he rounded a corner, something on the floor caught his eye - a tiara. He picked it up, looking around anxiously. At least he knew he was going in the right direction.

A sudden noise startled him and he ducked into an open classroom. Soon there were shouts and the sound of swords meeting.

Not knowing if the princess was still in danger, he slipped out and went to the end of the hall. He heard the sword fight happening to his right, and looked to the left. Someone was on the ground, either injured or knocked out.

Cautiously, he approached, then saw that she was wearing a school uniform. He bent down and shook her shoulder. "Hey, are you alright? Wake up."

Other people heard the commotion too and entered the hall. Seeing the two on the floor, a guard shouted, "Hey! What's going on? Where's the princess?"

The girl blinked and started to raise her sword defensively. "Where's Rae?" she muttered. They both looked back to the room behind them where people were fighting. Grabbing Rolf's arm, she tried to get up. "Help me."

Rolf helped her to her feet and she hobbled into the room, supposedly to help. Looking back to the guards, he held up the tiara. They pointed their swords and pistols at him. "Woah, woah, I found this in the hall. I was helping look for her."

"Sure. Now come forward with your hands up."

He went down the hall to them, finding a group of students and professors anxiously watching the room at the end.

"Where's Jetsun?" a girl cried, tears staining her cheeks. "What did you do?"

"I always knew you were trouble. They should have never let you into the school," a nobleman hissed.

Rolf huffed and held out the tiara to the girl. "I found this in the hall. I only went to help look for her."

A guard scoffed. "Likely story. Now tell us, did you conspire with these intruders? Tell us where the princess is!"

His anger surged a little. "Come on, do you really think I had anything to do with this? Do you think I came here to start a war? I only ever wanted to be a normal kid. But I guess because my father's associates have done terrible things, I must want to do that too. Well I don't. Now there is a princess out there who is afraid and in need of help. Can you please stop accusing me and help look for her before it's too late?"

"No need. She's right here."

Everyone turned to see Nico, a young man, and a trembling girl.

"Jetsun!" the crying girl ran to the princess, hugging her tightly.

Nico looked to Rolf and frowned. "Is everything alright?"

He ground his teeth. "They think I was one of the conspirators."

Nico practically snarled. "Hey, this kid had nothing to do with this. Do you understand me? If he did, he wouldn't have let me find the princess." Hearing the swordfight happening further away, he nodded. "It looks like you've got your man. You've got your princess. Now everyone clear out."

Given his edgy reputation, people listened the moment he raised his voice even a little. Students and professors started back towards the stairs while the guards advanced on the room.

"Thank you-" Rolf began, only to be interrupted by the sound of a breaking pot. "Um, thanks Nico."

The nobleman nodded. "I know how to do the right thing too, you know." He smirked. "It's rules that I'm not as fond of."

Rolf rolled his eyes. "Come on. Let's get back."