Saige bit her lip as she threaded the string through the needle. Every moment she felt an intense stare watching her every move. Saige breathed in deeply before bringing the needle closer to the shoulder wound.

She nearly dropped the needle when she heard the assassin say, "You seem nervous."

Saige stopped and calmly placed the needle onto the tray of tools. "I'm trying to concentrate." She winced inwardly at what she said. How can I concentrate when he can kill me for making the smallest mistake? This was so much easier when he was unconscious.

Chase seemed to notice Saige's stress. It was indeed late at night, and watching the poor girl trying to heal him with shaky hands and subtle droopy eyes made him reconsider threatening her.

Chase said calmly but not in a menacing way, "It seems that I have frightened you." Another flinch from the girl. "There's no need to rush. As long as you don't call the guards, then I won't kill you."

Saige glanced at the gray eyes that were visible from behind the crow mask. His eyes currently held no ill intentions. That seemed to have calmed Saige down. Her eyes suddenly sparked with resolve as she began to close the wound.

Saige stood up and opened a drawer filled with bandages. She took a roll and closed the drawer. Saige then asked cautiously, "How do you know my sister?"

Chase's head snapped up. He replied, "She's one of the head maids of the castle. Besides, not a lot of people have ginger colored hair."

Saige curtly nodded, noting to herself to talk with Amber later. Saige grabbed the scissors and began cutting a large chunk of the gauze bandage.

"If you're not Amber, then what is your name?" She suddenly heard the assassin ask warily.

Saige pursed her lips. She had hoped the assassin would not ask her that question.

"What's yours?" Saige replied defensively. Her eyes were still on the gauze. When no reply came, she then said, "Exactly."

Chase sighed. "I'm called Crow."

Saige snipped off the last bit of gauze. She said, "My name is Saige." She knew that Crow was just an alias, but at least he gave her something to call him by. Saige had a small feeling that conflict would arise if she continued to withhold her name.

Chase nodded, remembering to make note of that. He then remembered that he had been unconscious for quite some time. Anything could have happened within that time frame.

"You didn't take off my mask, right?" Chase asked, his voice dangerously calm.

Saige shook her head. "Lily said not to take it off. I don't know what the harm is, but I trust Lily."

Lily... Chase thought longingly. Lily's face flashed in Chase's mind. The princess I danced with... she caught me by surprise. I still don't know why she didn't turn me in. I'm glad no one took off my mask, though. All assassins shared a common ideal. He would have to kill anyone who unmasks him without his permission. No excuses. He didn't really have much emotion when it came to assassinations, but he'd rather choose his targets than be forced to kill someone.

Saige went to tape the bandage on top of Chase's wound, but then frowned when she noticed that she had cut it too short. Saige sighed, blaming her tiredness, before grabbing the roll of gauze again.

"So, why did you kill Queen Flora and Queen Amaryllis?" Saige asked, not really sure what else she should say.

Chase pointed his eyes to the ground, his voice barely audible. "They killed my family."

"Killing them won't bring your family back," Saige remarked.

Chase looked up and saw Amaryllis's corpse lying mere meters from him. He clenched his fists in anger. "No, it won't, but I would never forgive myself if I let them go."

Saige was silent for a moment. True, Flora and Amaryllis were both bold women and often tended to make rash decisions. She could see why they would be targeted. To be honest, she was glad that Amaryllis's reign hadn't been that long.

She finally asked, "Now that both of them are dead, is your quest of vengeance finished?" Realizing that she needed thicker gauze, she set the roll down and made her way over to the drawers again.

"I'm not sure," Chase admitted. After all, Marguerite knew that I was a Nissisa assassin. That's pretty suspicious. I don't know if there are still people out there that were involved with killing my family. "All the other Azaleas were close with Flora and Amaryllis."

Saige shrugged. She didn't know the whole story, unfortunately, but she could see why Crow killed Flora and Amaryllis. If someone killed Amber, Saige probably would attempted to avenge her too.

"All of the Azalea royals are kind, including Aster, even though he doesn't come across that way at first. I don't think you should kill someone just because they're related to the people who killed your family," Saige said longingly. She grabbed a thicker roll of gauze and turned back to face him. "I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your quest of vengeance has ended."

Saige grabbed the scissors and measured the right length. Chase watched as she finished snipping and sat down to bandage his shoulder.

Saige finally sighed and stood up from her seat, wiping some sweat from her forehead. "You're lucky Lily asked me to heal you. You can remove the bandage after a day." She bit her lip anxiously before saying, "Y-You're free to go."

Chase smiled lightly to himself. He hoisted himself up and made his way towards the door. Before he opened it, he called back, "You and Princess Lily have my thanks."

Saige winced at that statement. It was another reminder that she healed the assassin that killed Flora and Amaryllis.

When she heard the door close, she relaxed slightly. Saige then turned back and saw Amaryllis on the other table.

Right, I still have to clean up Amaryllis's body. Saige groaned to herself.

--

Aster was still miserable the next day. He didn't sleep well at all. The sound of Crow's claws slashing his mother's throat still rang in his ears, and he could still see Amaryllis's dying body whenever he closed his eyes.

His hands shook from anger. He had been walking to his bedroom. He had just turned the corner when all of a sudden salt water had sprayed him in the face, and then the claws were at his throat.

I was careless. Mother wouldn't have died if I was just more careful. It's my fault that things happened that way. A million thoughts rushed through Aster's mind like a bullet. His shaky hands finally calmed themselves, and his vengeful expression morphed into a neutral mask. Crow... Nissisa assassin... that's what I remember from last night. No use being so angry. When he comes again, he'll pay for what he's done. I just have to be patient.

"Aster," he heard Marguerite call from behind him. He turned to see Marguerite had opened the door. "It's time, dear."

Aster nodded and calmly strode out. Marguerite escorted him towards the throne room. The holy bishop was waiting at the top of the small steps. His cousins were seated in the front while the castle staff were all seated behind them.

Aster took a deep breath before kneeling before the holy bishop. The holy bishop nodded and hovered a crown above Aster's head.

"By the verdict of the late Queen Amaryllis Azalea, you are the first successor to the Azalea kingdom." The holy bishop started. "Do you, Aster Azalea, swear to love and protect the people of this kingdom?"

"I swear," Aster replied firmly.

"Then I crown you, King Aster Azalea. Please rise," the holy bishop proclaimed as he placed the crown on Aster's head.

Rose and Marguerite were the first to stand up and applaud. Everyone joined mere moments after, shouting "Long live the King!" with pride.

--

The sun was now at its peak, signifying afternoon. Word had quickly spread that Amaryllis had died. Once the coronation ceremony was over the castle staff gossiped like crazy.

The Azalea citizens murmured when they saw a few guards carry Amaryllis and set her on a pile of logs. She looked as though she was merely sleeping. Saige had covered up the grotesque sight from before fairly well.

Everyone silenced themselves when they saw Aster step onto the balcony, the sun reflected on his crown.

"My people," Aster started. "I bring you the unfortunate news that my mother, Queen Amaryllis, is dead." There were a few gasps from the crowd, but they quieted quickly, curious to hear what an eighteen year old king had to say. "My mother was a fair and bold queen, and I do not intend to let her death be in vain. May you rest in peace, Mother."

He turned his head to the left see his cousins on the left balcony. He gave a nod and Rose stepped forward. She closed her eyes briefly, allowing roses to bloom around her feet. The logs were set on fire a few moments later, burning Amaryllis's body. The citizens bowed their heads in respect.

Aster swallowed before continuing. "My mother vowed to bring justice on Queen Flora's killer, but she never got the chance. I intend to continue her path to justice." He paused before continuing again. "We have identified the killer. The assassin goes by the name 'Crow', and he is a surviving member of the Nissisa family." His voice wavered slightly, but he recomposed himself. "Anyone who knows any information about Crow should come forward. Thank you, my people."

The citizens all applauded and just like the coronation ceremony, more chants of "Long live the King!" filled the air. Aster glanced at the burning pyre one last moment before heading back inside, turning his back on his mother for the last time.

--

Chase had listened to Aster's speech from the forest. With his enhanced hearing he could sit back and relax. He had spoken with Reese that morning. Reese had been so overjoyed to hear that Amaryllis was finally dead. Chase had left after that. He decided not to tell Reese that Lily had managed to impale him in the shoulder, and then had brought him to a physician. Chase thought it was for the best. Reese would ask too many questions if Chase said anything about it.

Chase sat in a tree, massaging his shoulder. He carefully thought back to what had happened the night he killed Amaryllis.

He had Aster hostage, and Amaryllis ordered Thierry to set Devin free. After that, he killed Amaryllis, causing Aster to declare vengeance. Before he made a break to the window, though, Marguerite burst through the doors...

"N-Nissisa! You're supposed to be dead!" Marguerite had said. She had been talking to him.

At the time, everyone believed all the Nissisa assassins were dead. Everyone thought they died in an accidental fire, but as far as I know only Flora and Amaryllis themselves knew that they set the fire. Marguerite managed to identify me as a Nissisa assassin that fast, and was shocked that there was a survivor... Chase thought. Which means...

Marguerite knew something about how his family died.

Chase gritted his teeth. It didn't add up, though. He only saw Flora walk away from his burning home. Amaryllis must have slipped his vision. If Marguerite aided Flora and Amaryllis, Chase was sure he definitely would have seen at least two of them.

He thought back to part of his conversation he had that morning with Reese.

"Reese," Chase called.

Reese turned back. "Yeah?"

"What do you know about Marguerite?"

"Marguerite?" Reese raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Chase replied. "What element does she have?"

Reese took a moment to think, and then he said, "I'm pretty sure she has ice."

Chase groaned in frustration, getting a little stressed from thinking too much.

I have to confront Marguerite. She knows something. Chase thought eagerly. I'll have to wait, though. Aster is in a dangerous mood right now. He's not like his mother. Amaryllis would be bold and arrogant. Aster was calm but firm during his speech.

Amaryllis's arrogance had been her downfall. It had been the same case with Flora. Chase narrowed his eyes. Aster, seeing that he's a calmer person, would prove to be a more dangerous enemy. Even though Aster didn't sound angry during his speech, Chase could sense Aster's blood lust from the forest. If he burst in and confronted Marguerite, Aster and Thierry would probably be nearby. Both of them gave Chase an unsettling feeling. Dealing with both of them would be a headache.

Chase finally glanced up, his eyes filled with resolve.

If Marguerite helped Flora and Amaryllis, I'll make sure she suffers the same fate.