The Dragon's Kiss

Spencer Regan.

Like many other nobles of his generation, he'd been given two names at his birth. With his unique hair color, good looks and wealth, he'd always been an important figure in the empire's high society.

As a young man, the emperor at the time had taken a special interest in him. He saw a potential in Spencer Regan that his own children lacked. It wasn't the potential to rule a nation on the surface per se, but to rule the underground.

Spencer Regan grew to adulthood learning the ways of all things dark and dangerous. By the time he came of age to inherit his father's title, he already possessed a much more prestigious one: the king of the underworld.

When the current emperor slaughtered the royal family and took over the empire, the underground had been damaged but not destroyed. The only king the Dragon Emperor was incapable of dethroning, it seemed, was Spencer Regan.

In his latest attempts to regain the underworld's former glory, Spencer Regan began hosting disgusting lavish parties. These parties targeted nobles with an overabundance of both wealth and curiosity. All kinds of sinful and illegal behavior occurred at the gatherings, branding every attendee a criminal.

And thus, with their own criminal record hanging over their heads, Spencer Regan threatened, bribed and blackmailed many well-intending people into joining his unholy organization.

Getting the right evidence to take down the underworld was nearly impossible, as Spencer Regan managed to pull off stunts nearly as crafty as those of the Dragon Emperor. As the emperor had learned the first time, he'd have to set an intricate and elaborate trap if he wanted to successfully clean out the empire's dirty back streets.

***

"They're called the Pantheon Masquerades," Ira explained, after giving Kel a detailed overview of the situation.

"I see…" Kel left off, pondering the information she'd just received. "Forgive me for asking," she added, glancing sideways toward the emperor, "but why would you need my help to take him down?"

"He's proven to be a much more capable opponent than we initially gave him credit for," Ira sighed.

"It's because that horrible previous emperor taught him all his awful tricks!" Thane threw in.

Kel had never met the empire's previous ruler; even stories about him were hard to come by thanks to the Dragon Emperor's purge. Still, she had a hard time imagining a foolish man like Spencer Regan had been able to outsmart the cunning emperor. Especially considering that his mentor had succumbed easily to the Dragon's sword.

As if he'd heard her doubts, the emperor spoke up. "That man has another backer. Neither he nor my predecessor were ever that clever."

"You don't mean…" Thane said quietly and the three men fell silent.

After several moments, Ira commented, "So you believe she's caught the eye of the backer as well?"

The emperor didn't reply.

"I'm against this," Thane suddenly declared, standing up. "You can't throw the princess into a wolf's den just because you've tried everything else."

"It's not like there's any other way she can help us," Ira rolled his eyes, pulling Thane back down. "Don't be so dramatic."

The emperor turned to Kel. "I don't believe this woman is weak enough to be phased by something like a den of wolves. Isn't that right?"

Kel, who had been silent until now, nodded thoughtfully. Two versions of herself argued with each other as she considered her next words.

Why would she ever agree to help the people who kidnapped her?

To be fair, it was her own country that sent her to be kidnapped in the first place.

But the empire was still the enemy.

When she was a Mevani citizen, the empire was definitely the enemy. But now, those lines were blurred beyond all recognition.

On the other hand, her imminent execution due to her identity being exposed loomed closer every day.

However, if she did manage to make herself useful first, maybe she wouldn't have to die after all?

"I'll do it." Kel declared finally.

The squabbling between Thane and Ira stopped, and both looked at her.

"Princess…." Thane whimpered.

"Hmph. Good choice." Ira snorted.

"Then," the emperor remarked, clearly pleased with her compliance, "please go out and accept Spencer Regan's invitation."

"Oh… you mean right now?!'

For the second time that evening, Kel found herself unwillingly setting foot in the ballroom. Like a hunting dog, Spencer Regan sniffed her out as soon as she came back into view, and it was only a matter of minutes before he'd trapped her into conversing once again.

"It's a relief to see you unharmed," he smiled. "I was worried when I noticed you disappear out onto the same terrace the emperor had gone to."

Kel took a deep breath, returning the man's smile. Thankfully, Ira had prepared her thoroughly for every attempt this man would make to feel her out.

"I agreed to make an appearance here in order to help my knight that was taken hostage with me," she said pitifully. "I had to ensure the emperor would keep his end of the bargain and.."

"And.. what happened?" the man asked, his smile drooping with feigned sympathy.

Either Kel was a better actor than she thought, or this man's perception was as weak as his own acting.

"And.. he agreed to give my poor subordinate some food, but only if I gave up my own daily rations."

Do I look weak and pathetic enough? Kel wondered, wishing she was capable of producing tears on command.

Spencer Regan, who looked as if he was close to tears himself, earnestly laid one hand on Kel's shoulder. "I swear to protect you, Princess! I will help you!"

"I appreciate it," Kel began, "but how could you possibly-"

"Shhhh," the man put a gloved finger to her lips. "Here," he added, producing another red paper flower.

Kel blinked several times, trying not to let her façade slip due to her disgust at the man's touch. Reluctantly, she reached out and grasped the flower.

"I saw you on the streets that night," the man whispered. "If you manage to get out again, go to the Seven Lions Inn and give them that flower. They'll bring you to me."

With a soft squeeze on her shoulder, he bowed and drifted back into the crowd. In less than ten seconds, Kel saw him conversing with another young lady.

"Blegh." Kel felt bile rising in her throat. Would she be able to do this after all?

She turned her back to the repulsive man, only to find her face nearly buried in a broad chest.

"What are you doing with a greasy scoundrel like him?" Barclay questioned in a low tone.

Kel took a few steps back, startled at his sudden hostility. "The emperor asked me to-"

"You're doing favors for Serin's Emperor now?" the burly man interrupted, clicking his tongue.

"Well it's not exactly a favor…" Kel said softly.

Barclay had all but ignored her since they were brought back to the palace. She understood his reasons, but that didn't mean it hadn't been painful. She'd been so lonely and afraid, trying to deal with the knowledge that she'd been thrown away. He'd left her to come to terms with it on her own, so why would he have a say in her actions now?

"Why are you so close with him anyway?" Barclay hissed. "Did you forget where your home is? Who your family is?"

"Home…" Kel trailed off, a bitter smirk spreading across her face. "I suppose I don't have one of those anymore."

The man said nothing in response. There was nothing he could say. Instead, he pressed his lips together and dropped his gaze to the floor.

"And family?" Kel continued, feeling waves of resurfacing emotions that she thought her body had long forgotten. "I never had one of those anyway. I'm an orphan from the streets."

She spat the last words as she brushed past the man, into the crowd. She'd already come to terms with her life now. Being abandoned was painful, but she was one of Mevani's best knights and the perfect double for one of the most difficult positions in the kingdom.

She was strong.

She knew how to handle emotions and how to push them aside.

So why was she unable to stop her tears from welling up?

"... you have a family." Barclay's soft voice barely reached her ears as she stomped away. "We are your family."

With those last words hanging heavily over her, the exhausting night finally came to an end.