Murder in the Castle

I sat in the cafe, my eyes glued to a book.

I wasn’t sure what book it was exactly, and I didn’t care.

I was on the job. Dirty work.

I lifted my eyes from the page long enough to see Princess Emma-Lynn West with her youngest brother, Prince Flynn West.

Flynn was causing a ruckus, and Emma-Lynn was trying to calm the poor thing down.

Oh, focus, Dorothy Reese! I couldn’t get attached the them AT ALL.

Emma-Lynn glanced over at me, and my eyes shot back down to the page I was on.

I couldn’t get caught. God knows this job could make or break what my father’s always dreamt of me doing.

I was an assassin. Family business. The Queen’s cousin, Duke Edward Cunningham West III, had hired me to get to know the Royal Family, and then kill then so that the Duke could take the throne.

Did I like it? No.

Did it pay the bills? Hell yes. I hadn’t lost power or heat in over a year, thanks to this job.

My first official job was killing this fisherman, his neighbor who was LOADED had payed me for getting rid of him, so he could have the best fishing spot.

This was my second job. I don’t know how the Duke had heard, my dad had probably bragged to someone who passed it along.

I heard footsteps coming over to the table, and then I heard someone say, “Why are you watching me and my brother?”

Inside, I groaned. But, I placed my book down, and set a smile to my face. “I’m sorry, I was trying to read the menu, but you and your brother were in my way. Apologies.”

Emma-Lynn smiled, and sat down across from me.

“I know you probably know this, but I’m Emma-Lynn West. And this is Flynn West. He’s cranky because he missed breakfast.”

‘So did I, you don’t see me grumping.’ I thought to myself.

“I’m Beth Oscar. I have half of a croissant left, would he like to finish it?” I asked, trying to ignore the pain of hunger in my stomach.

Flynn smiled, and reached his hand out.

“Flynn, manners!” Emma-Lynn said. “We say please and thank you, don’t we?”

“It’s fine, he can have it.” I gave the croissant to Flynn, and put my napkin on my plate.

“I must be going.” I stood up, and headed for the exit.

“Wait!” Emma-Lynn stood up, and followed me out the door.

“Please stop by the castle later, you’ll need to tell them that Princess Emma-Lynn invited you. If they don’t believe you, they’ll ask for a password. Tell them butterscotch.”

She turned, and walked down Main Street, towards her family’s castle.

“I hope you can make it,” she said, turning her head. She flashed me a smile, and ran off with Flynn.

I shook my head, thinking I was crazy for considering this.

But I thought of the Duke’s orders. Befriend the Royal Family, figure out their weaknesses. Then, when they least expect it, you’ll go for the kill.

I grinned. I may hate this life, but at least it payed the bills.