Iris took in a deep breath, fist held up to the large wooden door which Jade had informed her was the Commanding Officer's main study. He apparently never left the room before midnight. Something about heaps of paperwork and typical war-like drawing boards and plots and sketchy plans and border patrol committees.

"Very time consuming and a complete waste of time, but it makes him feel important" was how she had put it.

Iris's knuckles wrapped on the slender wood, and she waited nervously for an answer, which came a few seconds after.

"Enter," his tired voice rang through, and Iris momentarily considered bolting back to her own room. After her extremely awkward encounter with Braedon, she had left Raena and him to rejoice in privacy. She had waited for dinner, which she had assumed she would be having with the Jasper again, but one of the maids had told her that Jasper would have to reschedule their talk as he would be running late. So, a beautiful smoked salmon and salad along with a large, rich piece of chocolate cake was brought up to her room for dinner, instead. She had taken a quick nap after, the food making her content but sleepy, and then she later awoke to find the city lights turning on one by one as the artificial lights dimmed to resemble sunset and the horn was sounded, and nightfall finally arrived. There was no damn clock in this entire mansion, it seemed, so she waited what she assumed was perhaps an hour after that, taking the time to have a bath and admire her own clean reflection in the mirror – a real sight to behold – before finally asking for directions to the Commanding Officer's whereabouts.

To be perfectly honest, Iris wasn't even sure why she had come here, only that she wanted – no, needed more information. That bond that she had felt with Raena... it was even stronger than the last one with Mazikeen. This one had less resistance, less spark, as if the zap that had occurred between her and Raena had almost flowed.

"You can enter," Jasper's voice sounded weary now, and before Iris could change her mind, she squared her shoulders and opened the door, walking in with more confidence than she felt.

Jasper didn't even look up from his paperwork. "Just place the tea tray by the chair. I have papers everywhere and I can't afford to move them right now. I may be on the brink of a discovery."

Iris blinked, looking around the brightly lit room that probably shone brighter than the entire hallway outside. The ceiling above was high, three medium-sized chandeliers hanging down at equal intervals across the large study. Dark, velvet curtains were drawn across a large window, giving the illusion that the room was even bigger than it already appeared to be. A large, wooden table stretched along the width of the space, so wide, that it looked to be disproportionately elongated. Half-a-dozen chairs were placed around the table, but all were stacked high with papers and official-looking documents. To the right, a coffee table and two cushioned chairs were situated against the far wall with a backdrop of some ancient-looking botanical garden that filled the room with swirling colours of reds, pinks, greens, blues, yellows and purples. A clear, cloudless sky artistically painted with watercolours. A red rug lay beneath the wooden coffee table – also stacked with manila folders and thick binders – contrasting well with the dark, cushioned chairs.

When she turned her attention back to the C.O, it was as if she could almost sense the aura of bundled nerves and stress that radiated from his hunched posture. Jasper was pouring over a large, A3 sized paper that, upon closer inspection, appeared to be a map.

Iris might not have been well-educated growing up, but she was absolutely certain after squinting at it for a good minute or so that she truly did not know a single city or state on that parchment. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he was hurriedly writing down what appeared to be coordinates on a notepad.

He ran a hand through his short-cropped hair, clearly flustered while he muttered something incoherent under his breath, pointing and drawing imaginary lines between places on the map.

Iris was just taking note of the perfectly aligned portraits behind him all the officers wearing the same uniform as the one Jasper adorned – the last officer looking uncannily similar to Jasper.

"Are you still here?" He glanced up briefly before returning his attention to the map. "I said just leave..." He stopped abruptly and met Iris's curious gaze, noticing her for the first time, it seemed.

He cleared his throat, clearly taken aback as he put down his notepad and pen on the table and straightened himself.

"Princess..." Jasper hurried to correct himself. "Iris. What can I do for you? Is there an issue with your bedroom? Are you finding the mattress uncomfortable? There are about a dozen other rooms that can be prepared for you in a moment's notice, if you would just..."

"The room's fine," Iris quickly intervened. "Everything is fine. Perfect, actually. Can't complain. Your home is more than I could ever hope for." She gestured around her, and Jasper seemed to ease a little, though the wary glance never left his eyes.

"I'm glad everything is to your liking. So, what can I help you with then? Actually, I am quite busy at the moment but I'm sure one of the maids would be happy to..."

"This is actually something only you can answer, I think," Iris said carefully. "I won't take up much of your time, I promise."

Jasper took one last glance at his own work before motioning towards the coffee table. Iris walked over to the chair and sat in one of them. Jasper took the seat opposite, leaning comfortably into the plush, cushioned back and sighing.

"You'll have to excuse the mess. Unfortunately, there's a lot more strategical planning on paper during a war than one may initially think. It's certainly not all action."

Iris glanced down at her palms, rubbing the sweat onto her dress. She wasn't sure why she was nervous. She had no reason to be. She was a princess. Apparently. She should be able to get whatever she wanted. Including answers. So why didn't it feel that way?

"What are you going to do with them?"

When she looked up, Jasper wore an expression about as readable as a blank wall.

She crossed her arms. "Well?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with such matters. You only just arrived in Caedus, your highness. I'm sure there are much bigger concerns in your mind then these recent... events. You do not need to fret."

"With all due respect, I think I do."

The two met in a hard stare, neither refusing to give way.

"They will be looked after," he said eventually. Almost a dismissal.

Iris didn't appreciate his tone, and her annoyance boosted her confidence ever so slightly. "Looked after how?" she insisted.

"I'm not your enemy, Iris," he let out a sigh through his nose and rested his elbows on the armrests. For such an uptight figure, he looked almost relaxed in that chair. His green uniform was crinkled and roughly buttoned up, his sleeves rolled up to reveal fairly muscled forearms. His black boots looked recently polished and his pants appeared well-ironed and pressed. "You and I are of one and the same element. We are on the same side."

"That," Iris said blandly, meeting his dark brown eyes. "Is stupid. That's like saying all human beings are one and the same just because of their anatomy, but one could be a freaking saint whilst the other is a murderer. Is that one and the same?"

"So you're comparing me to a murderer?"

"That's not what I'm saying," Iris bit back, tucking her hair behind her ears in frustration. "But you can't exactly be a saint if you're C.O of some ongoing war. So, forgive me if I have a hard time believing your credibility. Especially since I've been given little to no answers since arriving."

"Your presence will be honoured, your highness. People will celebrate your return. But war waits for no one. Forgive me if my busy schedule has made you think ill of me."

"I don't want to be celebrated," Iris frowned. "I'm just asking for answers."

"What is it that you want to know, specifically?" he asked slowly, uninterested.

"I want your word that my sister and that other guy are going to be safe here."

He met her gaze lazily before glancing back towards his desk, his thoughts having already clearly wandered elsewhere. "Whatever made you think they were not?"

"Because she's a Lymphan. And the four districts are at war with each other."

Jasper let out a small chuckle. "Do forgive me, Princess Iris, but that is enough evidence to chuck accusation in my face? I have not visited them once since their arrival, and I have ensured the citizens know nothing of her presence here."

Iris raised an eyebrow. "Yet."

"I have been nothing but kind, your highness. I have not lied once to you."

"It doesn't mean you aren't hiding something. And for someone who apparently spends most of his days in this room, going over battle plans and strategies, I find it odd that you wouldn't use this 'recent event' to your advantage." Iris knew she was playing with fire right now. She didn't know if any of her suspicions were true, or if she was sounding like an utter fool right now. But she did remember Tyrone's words. The way he would talk about people in power, the government. It wasn't what they said, that made them untrustworthy. It was more what they didn't say. And Iris had a feeling that Jasper was keeping a lot more to himself than he was letting on.

The Commanding Officer sighed, breaking her thoughtful silence. "Your highness, I guarantee that she is much safer here than if she had been caught by the Lymphans. Their princess has been in hiding for fifteen years, untraceable to anyone. That being said, it means she's had limited to no access to her powers, rendering her useless in protecting her own people. I doubt she matters much to them whether she's dead or alive. And I would bet good money they would rather see her dead than alive, considering the Lymphans' unfortunate history with the previous monarch."

Iris narrowed her eyes at him. "What happened with the previous monarch?"

"Many Lymphans were enslaved during Queen Freya's rule," Jasper replied shortly. "I doubt they are looking for another monarch to rule them any time soon. Especially a fifteen-year-old girl."

"So, what are you going to do with her?"

"Me?" he shrugged. "Nothing. Her being here, of course, will cause some disruption if the civilians learn the truth, but for now, there are more pressing matters than her arrival. She and the boy will be accommodated to, and from there, it is yet to be decided."

Iris found it ironic that Jasper referred to him as 'the boy', considering they were of similar age, but she pressed on. "Meaning what?"

He let out another weary sigh. "Meaning, your highness, that I have much work to complete before I can even think of sleep, let alone what to make of this situation, so if you don't mind..." he gave her a nod, gesturing to the door. Another dismissal. More direct this time.

Iris slowly stood, contemplating whether to insult him or press him further, before deciding on neither. For now, it was better to remain on the pompous prick's side. And anyway, what more was there to say, really? He was an ass, no doubt, but he didn't seem to necessarily be an immediate or obvious danger, either. The Terra District wasn't a prison, it was a safe zone.

But for Terrans, Iris reminded herself. Terrans here may be safe, but what's the rule for a Lymphan? More specifically, the princess of Lympha?

She had to keep a close eye on Raena. Tyrone's advice drummed in her head, and she remembered another piece of advice the King of the Street Rats had taught her. A person in power could spin half-truths as naturally as a spider spun its web. For all she knew, this whole conversation with Jasper had been a waste of time. What was true and what wasn't? He was hiding something, clearly. But getting straight answers from him was a definitive no. She would have to do some snooping around by herself, it seemed. Perhaps her the stealth the streets had taught her might actually come in handy.

"Oh, and Iris?"

She turned as she got to the door, and Jasper stood, straightening his uniform before meeting her eyes with a firm stare.

"Should I hear that you've left the Terra District again..."

"I thought you said I was free to come and go as I pleased," Iris said flatly.

He held up a hand and Iris had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing. What did he think she was? One of his soldiers to boss around? Or maids? The mere fact that the housecleaners wore costumes atypical to a maid repulsed her. Sexist, egotistical bastard.

"I was merely going to say, you might want to inform me the next time you try and pull a stunt like that."

"A stunt?" Iris rolled her eyes. "Right, so you would've just let me frolic in the land up above? Doubtful."

Gosh, she was asking for it. The icy stare he gave her was evidence enough that there was so much he wanted to voice, to put her in her place. But sense was probably the only thing holding him back. And the fact that, ultimately, she was supposedly higher ranking than he was. Not that these hierarchical shenanigans mattered much to her, but by the way he kept referring to her as princess, and the way he ran his household, she made an educated guess that hierarchy was on the forefront of his mind.

"It's dangerous," he said calmly, slowly. As if talking to an infant. "War is not a place for a girl to be wandering about unarmed and unawares. You can think of yourself as a prisoner, but I am merely trying to keep you safe. It would be a shame to lose you just as you returned to us again."

Iris's eye twitched ever-so-slightly. A girl? The words tumbled out before she could think twice.

"And I didn't think a boy could or should be in charge of the lives of a whole population, but hey, you'd be surprised what you can find in this world."

The Commanding Officer was either too taken aback to reply, or he didn't deem her worthy enough of a response. Either way, the conversation between the two of them was officially over, Iris sensed that much. So, with a curt nod, she left the room, closing the door a little harder than necessary.

***

Iris had been tempted to wander back to the Nursing Room a few floors below to see Raena and Braedon. There were so many questions swimming around in her head, unanswered and stirring. Frankly she was giving herself a headache. From discovering this new place, to having powers, to being a long-lost princess. She almost didn't want to believe it. It seemed so fake, like a cliché movie. And what? Was she expected to save the world now? To reclaim her throne? So many questions to dabble over, and maybe she might have been stubborn enough to refuse believing it all, had it not been for the other thing she refused to believe even more so... the daunting thought and terrible tragedy that had occurred back on Earth... her best friend...

She cut off the thought before she could analyse it any deeper. She was a princess. She was on a different world entirely. She had sisters. She had magic. That was plenty to ponder over for now.

Iris had been aimlessly wandering the halls of the mansion, taking in its grandiosity and observing each floor. Apparently, this wasn't Jasper's 'home' per say. It was more like a workplace.

The first floor, she had found, was full of offices, containing similar furniture to the one she had previously been in with Jasper. The only big difference was that they were a lot smaller, and people seemed to hurriedly come in and out of them. She had peered through a few glass windows, squinting through the blinds, and was surprised to see that, unlike Jasper's study, all documentations seemed to be kept neatly on piles by desks or in filing cabinets. When she had gotten to the last office, the lady at the desk caught her snooping and instantly stood from her chair, giving her a glare.

Iris was used to seeing that look. Living on the streets as a slum wasn't exactly the most appealing sight to see for many pedestrians. A pang of nostalgia hit her as the lady furrowed her eyebrows at her, closing the blinds with a snap. Iris noticed the doorknob turning and, not wanting to cause a commotion, scuttled off quick and easy, like the Street Rat that she was.

The lady obviously didn't know who she was supposed to be. No one around here seemed to really know, and no one bothered to check her uncovered, tattooed arm. Which was just as well. Iris wondered how many people would really be happy to have her as their princess. She sure wouldn't be. What could she do, after all? Wave her magic wand and make the war go away? Hell, if she had a magic wand, she'd cease the constant hunger within her and each of her friends' bellies back on Earth. She'd wave that want and wish for a home and water and clothes and good health. But mostly... she'd wish for her friend back.

Iris's face impacted with a hard, flat chest, and she grunted inwardly, stumbling backwards. Strong hands gripped her shoulders and she looked up to find familiarly calm, green eyes staring down at her.

"By the Gods," Trevet let out a small sigh. "You scared the daylights out of me. I'm so sorry, I didn't even see you in the dark. What are you doing here using the emergency staircase?"

Honestly, Iris hadn't even noticed what door she had pushed open. She had just snuck toward the nearest doorway when slipping away from that lady.

"Exploring," Iris shrugged. "Seems like a cosy place. How many stories, exactly?"

"Six," Trevet said. "Yeah, it takes some getting used to, but you'll find your way around in no time."

Iris narrowed her eyes, a sudden thought trickling in only now. "What are you doing taking the emergency stairway?"

Trevet hesitated for a second too long. "I always use these stairs."

"Because you don't want to be seen?" Iris crossed her arms. She couldn't believe it. The one person she thought she could trust, and he was hiding something, too.

"Iris..."

"What? Trevet what are you holding back?" she snapped suddenly. "Why does everyone in this mansion seem to have some freaking secret?"

"I heard you went up above." It was Trevet's turn to cross his arms. "What were you thinking?"

"Stop changing subjects," Iris hissed. "Answer my question!"

He shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry, Iris. It's all too complicated."

"What is complicated, Trevet? What is everyone hiding? What are you hiding?"

The sound of footsteps echoing from a flight above cut the conversation short, and Trevet let go of her, peering up the spiral of stairs.

Two distinct voices rang out in hushed whispers, and Iris blinked as the two figures jumped down two steps at a time, only noticing Trevet and Iris in the nick of time, narrowly avoiding a collision.

Raena gave out a small yelp and Braedon held her arm tightly, protectively.

"Raena," Iris stuttered. "What are you doing?"

"Get out of our way," Braedon said, quietly but firmly.

Trevet straightened, stepping up onto the same stair as Braedon so that the two met eye-to-eye.

"I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you two to please make your way back up to the Nursing Room."

Braedon made to move past him, but Trevet remained solid as a rock, still and unmoving. "Look, we don't have time for this, so get out of my way."

"Unauthorized personnel cannot go above ground. You're in our care now and I insist..."

Iris knew what was coming but didn't have time to shout a warning before Braedon's fist connected with Trevet's jaw.

Caught off-guard, he tripped backwards, slamming into Iris, who in turn, hit the iron railing.

"Braedon!" Raena cried, but Braedon only tightened his grip on her wrist before they sped off down the remaining steps. Trevet was off Iris and bounding after them seconds later, and Iris cursed under her breath, her back still aching at the sudden impact with metal. Her mind flashed to Amira. To her back being slammed repeatedly against the wall by those two men. She shook the thought from her head and turned.

"Trevet, wait!" Iris pushed off the railing and jumped down the stairs three at a time, determined to catch up before any unnecessary drama was created.

Too late.

Trevet leaped down the remaining steps just as Braedon reached the ground floor, an arm's length away from the exit door, before Trevet's body slammed into his, pinning him against the wall. Braedon released Raena, who let out a small gasp before she rammed into Trevet.

"Let go of him!" she screamed.

Iris ran down the remaining steps and went to grab Raena. "Wait..."

She was cut off as one of Raena's flailing arms struck her mouth, and Iris stepped back, her teeth singing.

Braedon grunted, pushing against Trevet, but the two appeared equally matched in strength, and Trevet's veins on his forearms pulsed as he struggled to keep Braedon against the wall, his biceps bulging beneath his green, uniformed t-shirt.

"Trevet, just let go of him!" Iris gritted her teeth, ignoring the throbbing pain. "Raena, please, just wait a second." She went to grab her sister's arm again just as the emergency exit door swung open, revealing a very unimpressed Jasper and two security officials beside him.

Everyone momentarily froze as they took note of the three officials blocking their only escape.

Jasper's dark eyes met Iris's as he said, "You just seem to love attracting trouble tonight, don't you?"