Lost Memories : Together With You

Prologue

At the palace of Nolver... Night

A black shadow crossed over the fence, landing against the inner grounds of the palace with a soft thud of one that had been to too many homes without the owner's invitation. The figure crossed the grounds of the palace, dodging from the sights of the guards and maids who passed by, with professional ease.

Disguised in shadows, the figure approached the West Wing, where the Women's Pavilion was located, specifically the second Queen's abode.

The female assassin, sword in hand knocked softly on the second Queen's inner chambers. The doors slid open on the second knock and the personal maid who attended to the Queen ushered the assassin in.

Her Royal Highness, the second wife of the crown, Queen Selena, sat graciously in her chambers. A soft opaque curtain originally made to keep the Queen's facials a secret, now served as the only hindrance between her and the assassin.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Your Highness." The female assassin bowed. "Katin, at your service."

Queen Selene gracefully readjusted her skirts around her ankles, and regarded her maid with a doubtful look. One that said, would a woman really do what I wish for.

The maid moved to whisper subtly to her, "In this whole town, as far as contract killers is concerned, this woman is the best, Your Highness, I did my research well and found none who ever complained about her services. A woman, she is, but nonetheless, the best in her field." She reassured.

The queen finally turned to the woman who stood unfazed before her and spoke, "Indeed, I hope you have been well informed by my maid here of what you're being hired to do?"

"Aye, Your Highness." Katin responded, voice devoid of all emotions, "I've been told I am to abduct the princess to a faraway town where she would not be recognized. And that she is to meet her demise there."

---

The doors to Princess Melissa's chambers sighed open. The messenger of death did not knock. It entered without invitation.

The two guards outside didn't even hear it.

Princess Melissa slept like royalty. Mouth slightly open, small fists curled around a silk rabbit. She'd never needed to learn how to run.

Katin crossed the room in four swift strides. On the fifth, she was above the princess. On the sixth, her hand came down fast with a laced handkerchief to muffle any protest from the princess. Melissa struggled at first, but soon fell unconscious to the tonic in the handkerchief.

And like that, the princess was carried away from the peace and luxury she'd always known. Into a world where mercy was forbidden.

Katin's horse sprinted away from the palace, and further away from the town. The horse stopped where the city ended and another started. Katin slid Melissa from the saddle like a sack of grain. The girl's head lolled. Still breathing. Still existing. That was the problem.

Melissa's eyes fluttered open as her feet touched the ground. The first thing she saw was Katin's sword, unsheathed and bared. Its blade glinted in the moonlight as it rose to end her life.

Melissa shut her lids closed in horror and placed her palms together before her. She pleaded for her life, breath coming faster, tears stinging the back of her eyes.

No, she did not wish to die. She was nine. She was scared of the dark. Death was darker.

She burst into tears. "Please, save me... Save m-me..." Her sleeves rolled down her elbows, revealing the crystal blue bracelet against her wrist as she pressed her palms together and sobbed.

Katin's hand shook. But she only tightened her grip on the sword, wishing the pang in the middle of her chest away.

This situation was not new to her. She'd had many people down on their last breath, begging desperately for her to spare them. But they'd all been adults. Grown men and women. And their pleas were all "Spare me. Do not kill me." But she'd never killed a child, not many hired assassins to end the life of one who had only begun to live.

And "Save me." That was the first time Katin had ever heard that word.

She was a killer, aye, a ruthless one at that. No one had ever plead to her to save them. Something broke in the middle of her chest at those words. Save me.

Could she, a killer with blood on her hands, actually save someone? Katin's hand shook again on her sword. But she let out a breath and lowered it anyways.

She could not save Melissa.... So she killed her instead.

Mercy was the first sin Katin ever committed.

It would not be the last.