"It's done," Chase said flatly. "Flora is dead."

Chase and Reese were in the forest, near the Nissisa household. Chase still had his black assassin outfit on, but the crow mask was no longer on his face.

Reese nodded, "Thank you, Chase. You've done us all a favor."

Chase turned to leave and said, "Well, I'm going to head off. We'll be in touch."

"Wait," Reese called. Chase turned back curiously. "Where do you live now? Your house is still burnt down."

Chase shrugged, the corners of his lips curling into a smile. "I dwell in the forest now."

Reese frowned. He offered, gesturing his hand in a general direction behind him. "We have room in our hideout."

Chase laughed, "It's fine. I can take care of myself. Thanks, though."

Reese sighed, "Okay, the offer's still open, though. If things don't work out..."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind," Chase nodded. Before he left, he added, "I want to thank you, Reese."

"Me?" Reese pointed to himself, "What for?"

Chase turned and replied, "I never understood why Flora killed my family, I still don't. I was still mourning my family before you approached me, but hearing about your father's death encouraged me to stand up to Flora." He gave another look to the ground before saying. "To be honest, I think I was also a little bit anxious to go against Flora."

Reese raised his eyebrows. "Why would you be anxious?"

Chase gave a dry laugh. "Assassins have a weak spot when it comes to fire. I guess whenever I thought of Flora, I just remember the large flames." Reese noticed that Chase shuddered slightly when he mentioned fire.

Reese scoffed and chuckled, "Well, no need to thank me. I'm just glad Flora is out of the picture."

Chase nodded and was about to say goodbye again, until he heard a faint voice from the Azalea castle.

"Citizens!" Amaryllis's voice faintly rang in Chase's ears. Chase frowned. His enhanced hearing must have picked up something important that was happening at the castle.

"Reese, Amaryllis just addressed the citizens. I think we should check it out," Chase said.

Reese asked, confused, "How do you know?"

"I heard her, let's go," Chase beckoned.

They dashed through the forest and reached the clearing that lead to the central town that was near the castle.

Chase and Reese stood in the shadows and saw Amaryllis on the central balcony. She was the only one there, as none of the other Azaleas were present on the other balconies.

Amaryllis raised her voice for all to hear. "Citizens! It gives me no pleasure to tell you that my sister-in-law, Queen Flora, is dead!"

Many gasps were heard throughout the crowd, but Chase and Reese couldn't help but smirk in triumph.

Amaryllis continued with a bold face, "She was murdered last night. Her funeral shall take place this afternoon." She took a deep breath and said, "I will be your new queen as of tomorrow morning, and I will tell all of you this. The person who killed Queen Flora will be found and dealt with!"

Some of the citizens in the crowd cheered, satisfied by Amaryllis's speech. Others looked at each other uncomfortably. Amaryllis had always been a headstrong person. She and Flora mixed really well, sharing the same elements and similar personalities.

Amaryllis held up her hand, and the crowd fell silent. "In addition to this news, we invite all citizens to attend Princess Rose's twenty first birthday party tomorrow evening. All forearms will be checked and weapons will be discarded. No Red Phoenixes or weapons shall be allowed in the castle. That is all, and I thank all of you for your support."

Amaryllis scanned the crowd briefly before retreating back inside.

"Rose's birthday is tomorrow?" Chase asked Reese curiously.

Reese shook his head, "I think it's today. I didn't realize at first since I was so busy with other things, but yeah, I guess Rose's birthday is today."

Chase couldn't help but think, I killed Flora right before Rose's birthday. I didn't know... well, it wouldn't have mattered anyway. I still would have killed Flora yesterday even if I did know, but Rose must feel so... how can she agree to a birthday party after losing her mother?

Chase snapped out of his thoughts when he heard Reese say in a frustrated tone, "Amaryllis is going to be the next queen. Shoot, I thought the crown would go to Rose."

"Is that bad? I don't know much about all the Azaleas even though I technically live in their kingdom," Chase asked.

"Of course that's bad!" Reese smacked himself in the forehead. "Amaryllis and Flora are like two peas in a pod. If anything, Amaryllis is just as crazy as Flora, maybe even more."

Maybe I'll have to kill her too, Chase thought, slightly tired.

--

The palace gates opened and a pale purple carriage strode inside. Rose had came outside to greet her Aunt Fern, Flora's younger sister, and her cousin, Iris. The driver stepped down from his horse and opened the carriage door. A woman wearing a royal green dress climbed out first with elegance. A girl around Ivy's age climbed out next before the driver closed the carriage door.

"Aunt Fern, welcome," Rose addressed her aunt. Her eyes then set on the girl dressed in royal blue. "Iris," Rose greeted.

"Hi, Rose," Iris beamed. "Happy Birthday!" Rose bit her lip as Fern lightly but strictly slapped Iris in discipline. Iris smile immediately fell, casting her eyes to the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry, Rose. I was just excited to see you."

Rose shook her head, "It's okay. Thanks, Iris."

Fern gave Rose a hug, "I'm sorry, Rose. Out of all the days this could have happened, it chose now."

Rose didn't know how to respond to that. "I'm sorry I dragged you here."

"No no, Heath is running the kingdom while I am gone," Fern said. "Let's head inside."

Fern's husband, Heath, was the king of the Saffron kingdom. Fern and Iris didn't possess magic like the Azaleas did. Flora didn't have any magic before actually, only after she married Basil did she gain fire magic. Magic was an Azalea gift, which was why the Red Phoenixes had no problems with the Saffron kingdom.

"Ah, Fern, so nice to see you," Marguerite had came out and saw Fern and Iris. "I'm glad you both could join us for this afternoon."

"It's good to see you too, Marguerite," Fern replied.

Rose smiled and said, "I have to get ready, but I'll see you all later."

Iris waved and Rose waved back before walking to her room. She saw Ivy in the hallway, walking towards her. Ivy's eyes were a little red, most likely from crying about Flora's death.

"Ivy, Iris is here," Rose gestured her head downstairs.

Ivy's eyes filled with excitement. Rose laughed when she saw a smile grow on Ivy's face. Ivy muttered a thanks to Rose before rushing past her and down the stairs. Rose stared longingly at where Ivy had been standing. She was glad that Iris was here to cheer up Ivy. Ivy and Iris were cousins, but they seemed more like twin sisters.

When Rose opened her bedroom doors, Amber was there waiting for her. It looked like she had been pacing in a worried manner.

"Rose, I was wondering where you were," Amber addressed, feeling relieved that Rose came back.

"I was greeting Aunt Fern and Iris," Rose replied, sitting in the chair. "I'm here now, though. The funeral starts in about a half an hour. I'll be ready by then."

Amber said, exasperated, "Rose... are you sure you want to do this?" Amber walked to the closet to pick out a black dress for Rose.

"What do you mean?"

"Burn your mother's body on your birthday, I mean?" Amber reminded her.

Amber didn't notice, but Rose flinched slightly. "Yes," she said. "It's fine."

"Rose, don't be unreasonable," Amber protested. "I know you, Rose. You keep your pain to yourself."

Rose stood up from her chair to face Amber, slightly frustrated. "If I don't do it, then who will?"

"Amaryllis...?" Amber suggested.

Rose shook her head, "No, Mother would have wanted me to do it."

"It's your birthday, though!" Amber said again. Amber sighed, "You know... fire isn't the only way. I know that in the past earth was used to bury the body rather than burn it."

"No," Rose said firmly. "Mother would have wanted to be honored by fire, and I will not allow Ivy to take my place just because it's my birthday. How can you suggest such a thing, Amber?"

Amber gasped, "I'm sorry, Rose! I just... you have no idea how it feels seeing you in pain. Forgive me for putting Ivy on the stand, I wasn't thinking clearly."

Rose could only shake her head as Amber helped her to get ready. A while later, Rose and Amber heard a knock on the door before it opened. A boy with blond hair dressed in blue peeked his head inside. It was Aster, Rose's cousin.

"Aster," Rose greeted. "What can I do for you?"

Aster replied, "First, happy birthday. Second, Mother told me to tell you that Aunt Flora is outside on the pyre of wood. We're ready whenever you are."

Rose forced a smile and nodded, "Thanks, Aster. I'll be there in a moment."

Aster bowed his head before closing the doors behind him.

--

Chase and Reese gathered along with the crowd to see the funeral, again remaining in the shadows so that they weren't seen. Flora's body rested on top of a pile of wooden sticks. Some people among the crowd had already started to mourn for her.

Everyone fell silent when they saw Lily, Violet, Ivy, Acacia, along with Fern and Iris come out and stand respectfully on one of the side balconies. Amaryllis, Aster, and Marguerite came out to stand on the other side balcony.

Rose slowly walked out, dressed in a black dress and her wavy blonde hair tied in a bun.

Reese knit his eyebrows in confusion. "That's odd," he said. "I thought Amaryllis would be running the funeral."

Chase warily glanced at Reese before looking at Rose again. Rose proceeded to give the eulogy. Once again, she was the only one out of the Azalea children who didn't cry, but her voice was filled with sorrow.

"May you rest in peace," Rose finished. She closed her eyes, and then all of a sudden pink and red roses started to appear, coloring the balconies and the wooden sticks. When she opened her eyes, a fire was lit and Flora's body started to burn.

Chase and Reese widened their eyes when they realized what just happened.

"I can't believe I nearly forgot. Rose has fire too," Reese commented, staring at the fiery flames.

The flames... they're just like the flames at my house. They look and feel exactly the same, Chase thought, a million things running through his mind.

"Reese, why do you hate the Azaleas so much again?" Chase asked.

Reese instantly replied, as though saying something that was drilled into his mind. "Their magic will one day destroy this kingdom."

"You thought Amaryllis would be running Flora's funeral?" Chase asked.

Reese could only nod, "Yeah, Amaryllis has fire. I just didn't know that Rose would be crazy enough to burn Flora's body on her own birthday..."

Chase gritted her teeth, "I've decided. I'm going to go to Rose's party tomorrow. I remember seeing Flora at my household, but after today I just realized that she could have had help, from Amaryllis or Rose."

Chase stared at the flames that were burning Flora's body. His gray eyes set on Rose, who merely watched the flames with a masked expression.

Yes, the fire's magical aura feels exactly the same. Chase thought, narrowing his eyes. If Rose had helped Flora kill his family, he would make sure to kill her too.