*Warning: Contains a very creepy criminal and mentions of past murders.
Hero could only manage a pained, wet gasp as they lay bleeding on their kitchen floor.
It had all gone so wrong.
The case was a typical undercover deal. Hero got the missions handed to them from the police themselves. A simple bag and tag of a drug dealer. Not even big time, just little things here and there. Normally, something this small wasn’t even on Hero’s radar, but they were told the Criminal had a type and Hero fit the bill perfectly.
Hero had the looks and countenance Criminal would respond to.
And oh how Criminal had responded…though they certainly weren’t a drug dealer.
Well they were…but they were something much worse as well.
“I don’t want this to last all night dear,” Criminal cooed from above. They had a look of concentration as if trying to memorize every agonizing moment of Hero bleeding out. “You gave a good fight…truly the best I’ve seen…but now I really must move on. Can’t have you be the only victim this week now can we?”
Criminal knelt down beside them. Despite every fiber of Hero’s being telling them to move, run, flee, they could only give a pained whine, their hands clutched over their abdomen.
“Yes,” Criminal continued. They reached out and stroked Hero’s hair. “You really are perfect aren't you? It’ll be difficult to find someone else who fits so well…but it really can’t be helped.”
How could they have been so blind? All the victims had all looked the same…all looked like Hero. When the police told them the drug dealer had a type…how had they not seen? How had any of them not seen?
The serial killer they had been hunting for months now stood over them, a smile spreading on their lips as Hero’s eyes struggled more and more to stay open.
“Come now,” Criminal took both of Hero’s hands in theirs and gently pulled, taking the pressure off the wound and letting the blood spread across both their hands. “Let’s not prolong this dear.”
Hero could only whimper as they felt the blood flow freely. A tear escaped, despite their best efforts.
“That’s it,” Criminal grinned as they watched Hero cry. “My favorite part.”
“Yeah?” Came a voice from behind them, “Mine too.”
A grunt and suddenly Criminal wasn’t above Hero anymore. A new strong pair of hands clamped over their abdomen and an icy feeling spread through them viciously.
Hero cried out and jerked, only to have the same hands hold them down by the shoulders.
“Easy,” Came a voice. “Easy now, that was a lot to heal. You’ll need to eat and sleep for a week before you move around.”
“Villain?” Hero rasped. Their vision had cleared and the pain in their stomach had ebbed to only a throb. Their entire body was heavy though, as if they had used every last ounce of their energy and then some, leaving only the power to breath and whisper a few words.
A hand ran through their hair, sweeping it from their sweat covered forehead. Unlike before, this touch only conveyed concern and comfort rather than sadistic pleasure.
“Yeah buddy, it’s me. I’m sorry I was late, but you should be alright in a couple weeks.”
Hero gazed up at them in confusion. “But how?”
“Like I don’t know what the police are up to at any given moment. When they called you in for a minor drug deal I got a little suspicious…and here we are.” Villain gave them a rueful smile.
“But…Criminal…” Hero struggle to keep their eyes open.
“No longer a problem.” Villain said. Then they looked a little troubled, pausing in their ministrations of Hero’s hair. “Best not to look to your right though…you have too fair a disposition to look at Criminal now.”
Hero could only open their mouth in response before darkness took them.
*This contains heavy mentions of domestic violence/abuse. Please be safe my darlings! I love you all!
I apologize for the delay, but this one ended up turning into a long one, so it took me a bit of time. Hope y’all enjoy!
In hindsight Hero knew they should not have gone out.
In their frantic state, after everything that had happened, going out on patrol seemed like the only option. It was normal…it was routine…it was safe…
At least until now.
Hero slid down the rough brick wall which lined the roof of the building. Their side ached, their head pounded, the bruising on their neck was probably a sight to behold and overall they could feel the panicked sadness which they had suppressed for the past two years threaten to overflow.
It had never been this bad.
When did it get this bad?
Maybe….Maybe it was just the job…that’s it….the job. The villains have been out in droves lately and Hero’s Spouse has clocked more than one overnight. Little sleep and high emotions was all it was…right?
Hero felt the tears slip past their mask as they repeated that in their head.
It was just the job and little sleep.
Just the job and little sleep.
They could go on a vacation and start again…like they did last year.
Oh god, like they did last year…
With shaking hands, Hero brought their knees to their chest. They knew it was undignified and childish, but they didn’t care. Right now all they wanted to do was be as small and protected as possible.
It was all a cycle wasn’t it? Spouse would be good for a while, and when they were they were so good it was perfect…but then they would start to get stressed…stressed at the job…stressed at Hero…at everything…then it would degrade into months of terror and walking on eggshells…only for them to take a vacation to the lake and start again…start the cycle again.
Before they knew it, Hero was sobbing. They clung to their suit, the symbol of justice and power, and let their tears fall and stain it. They felt so stupid. They felt so trapped. Part of Hero knew they needed to figure out how to leave…but another part, the scared part, also didn’t know how to live without Spouse or what would happen to the city if Hero ever left them.
“Hero?”
Hero abruptly choked on the sob and froze. Oh god, someone saw them curled up, crying like an idiot in the middle of the night. This must look terrible for the city’s symbol of justice. Hero’s were meant to be strong all the time, not sobbing on the rooftop.
“Hero? Are you…is every…what’s wrong?”
They knew that voice…but from where?
Taking a deep breath to hopefully decrease how red and blotchy their face was, Hero summoned the courage to lift their head and look up.
Looking over at them from only a couple feet away was Villain’s Henchman. They had a hand outstretched as if debating whether or not to touch Hero and a look of confusion/concern on their face. As Hero made eye contact, that look only intensified.
“Geez Hero, I know my boss got the best of you last week, but there’s no need to cry about it…” Henchman chuckled in an attempt at levity.
Hero gave no response and continued to watch Henchmen with weary eyes. In all honesty, Hero couldn’t afford a fight right now. In their current state, Hero doubted they’d win against a common mugger, let alone a highly trained Henchman.
“Come on, what’s the deal? Villain hasn’t even planned anything for tonight…don’t have to be nervous.”
Like Hero was ever nervous about fighting Villain. As much as their pride wanted them to voice that outloud, Hero found themselves unable to answer…something stuck in their throat when they moved their tongue to try. Instead Hero just laid their head back down on their knees. Henchman wasn’t attacking, so Hero didn’t have to waste energy on conversing with them.
“Hero?” This time Hero did feel a hand on their shoulder. They tried to ignore it, but their body betrayed them as their entire frame seized up and their shoulders hunched in a flinch.
Henchmen abruptly let go.
“Ah, okay…Hero? Seriously, what’s wrong? It’s weird seeing you like this.”
Isn’t it? Thought Hero. Spouse was always so careful that Hero never acted like this in public…they were probably losing their mind now that Hero had gone out before calming down.
Still Hero did not acknowledge Henchman.
“Okay…alright…” Said Henchman, more to themselves than to Hero. “I’ll just…be over here then.”
Hero heard them walk over a few feet ahead of them. Then Hero heard the light ringing over the speaker of a phone. Henchman was calling someone.
After a moment, that someone picked up.
“Hey, it’s me…yeah, I think you should come to my location…no, I’m fine but Hero’s not…I don’t know…Well, they’re just in a fetal position…They were crying, but now their not doing anything…No, I tried they’re not talking…I think they might be hurt, but I don’t know…I’m sorry, I just wasn’t sure what to do. I don’t want to leave them here…Thanks Villain.”
Oh no…oh god…Villain was coming?! Of course they were! Hero tried to get up, leave, find another place to hole up until Spouse was calm enough for them to go home…but then they realized the reason for their current situation in the first place. Their side had hurt so much during patrol that they had just collapsed here. Now they were stuck. Stuck and waiting for Villain and come and do whatever it is villains do when a hero was down for the count. Kidnap? Murder? Experient? Who knows.
They didn’t have to wait long, them staying curled up and Henchman watching from afar, as Villain was there within minutes.
“They’ve been like that the whole time?” Hero heard them ask.
“Yeah, won’t move and not a peep…you think it’s like Past Hero?” Henchman responded uneasily.
“Nah,” said Villain. “They were way different than this. Couldn’t handle the job…never as good as Hero.”
Hero heard Villain approach, but didn't move. Their side was on fire now and their neck felt so full that speaking was out of the question.
“You dead or do I still need to kill you?” That was Villain’s idea of an opening line?
Hero knew how this was going to go. First Villain would demand Hero stand, Villain would then see the damage and finish off the job that Spouse started. Seeing as how Hero felt they couldn't move and their throat was killing them, Villain would just have to lead this conversation on their own.
Instead, Hero felt Villain kneel down next to them. Strange.
“Are you hurt?” Villain asked softly and Hero did pick their head up for that. It was so strange hearing Villain this soft…Hero had never thought them capable.
Looking over their knees and making eye contact, Hero saw Villain take a sharp breath and their face pinch. Hero was sure they looked a mess. Tear stains coming from under their mask, the dark bruise on their cheek, their high collar covered most of the damage to their neck…at least they thought so.
Villain reached over, bringing their fingers towards Hero’s collar. Of course, Villain never missed anything.
Like with Henchman, Hero flinched violently, but Villain was undeterred. They gently nudged Hero’s chin out of the way and tugged the collar down.
Villain let out a low growl.
“I can see why you’re not talking,” Villain gently pulled the collar back in place. “Well, I wasn’t operating tonight and these look fairly recent. Who?”
Hero gave them an exasperated look.
“Yeah, I know, but you have a phone don’t you?” Before Hero could stop them, Villain reached over and snatched the phone from their pocket, “Just type it for god’s…”
Villain had trailed off and Hero could guess why.
Hero had put their phone on silent the moment they went out on patrol and hadn’t looked at any of the texts Spouse was sure to have sent. Now Hero could only crumple more as they saw Villain looking at them through the lit up phone screen.
Shit, this was so humiliating. God only knows what Spouse had sent.
After a moment Villain looked up from the screen, a new somber look was on their face, one hero had never seen before in all the years they had fought Villain for this city. It was a strange mix of sadness, anger, and stone.
“Would you give me your hand, Hero?” Villain whispered. Henchman inched forward at this new tone from their boss, curious as to what had caused it.
Hero lifted their right hand only to have Villain push it back down. “The other hand, Hero.”
Hero didn’t look away from Villain as they gently took Hero’s left hand and removed the glove, focusing on the small gold band around the ring finger.
Henchman gasped in surprise.
“How long have you been married, Hero?” Villain asked, still in that soft dangerous tone, but attempting to sound conversational.
Taking their hand back, Hero lifted four fingers.
“Four months?” Henchman asked.
“No,” Said Villain, still looking at Hero, “four years.” They said it as a fact.
“Wait,” Henchman’s eyebrows knitted together, “So you’ve been married this whole time? Like even before coming to the city?”
Hero looked down in confirmation.
Villain looked down at the phone once more before asking, “And they’re the one who did this aren't they?”
At those words Hero broke out into new sobs, curling into themselves once more.
“Oh my god,” said Henchman. “But Hero’s so…nice. How could…”
“Doesn’t matter,” Villain cut them off. “What does matter is where Hero’s going tonight. Which is with us.”
Hero looked up sharply, tears still falling. What were they playing at?
“We’re going to get you looked at and when you’re able you’re going to tell me everything,” Villain held up a hand at Hero’s confused expression. “No, this isn’t a kidnapping and no, this is not a trap. I might be a villain, Hero, but I know where the line is.”
Their voice took a softer tone, lowering so only Hero could hear.
“Dammit, Hero, you’re the best this city’s had in decades, I’m not about to let a piece of shit Spouse ruin that…or you.”
Hero couldn’t explain it, but they believed Villain. For the first time in years they felt a weight that had always been present, lift a bit.
They nodded their affirmation and took Villain’s outstretched hand.
Hero didn’t look at the messages still lit up on the screen.
Part 2: https://www.tumblr.com/creadigol/738205290309287936/iff-you-want-could-you-maybe-continue-this-this
iff you want could you maybe continue this? this ask is a request ofc and idk if you do continuation, so if you don't want to then it's okay
"If you let it leak the water bill will be horrendous. Trust me, I know."
Conversations like this had recently become the norm for them ever since villain found out about their secret identity.
Hero remembered the day vividly. Villain had just appeared out of nowhere, looked them over, mumbled "school teacher, huh?" and proceeded to walk away without a fight.
Now villain just kept showing up at hero's house and hero's classroom with homeowners tools. They would always begin the visit with a "Door's a bit loose" or "windows sticking again...can't be good for the kids."
Whenever hero inquired about this new interaction they would get the same response..."Not like you can afford it on a teachers salary anyway.”
*Warning: This snippet contains thoughts of unhappiness about ones body. Please be safe my darlings! Love y’all!
Hey all! Here’s a little snippet I thought of today! Hope y’all enjoy!
New Hero had many things going for them in the field.
Their skills were unparalleled and many agencies had rallied to get New Hero on their payroll and in their city. They were unmatched in strength, their intelligence was superior to most (except maybe Hero themselves), they had a kind heart and a pure soul, and overall they were an all around great hero.
If only it wasn’t for their looks.
New Hero was ugly, like unbelievably ugly. The hunchback of Notre Dame was more of a biography for New Hero than a fiction novel.Their back was hunched, their eyes uneven, and their arms an unusually large size. It made them intimidating, it made them unapproachable…it made them scary.
Children would run after just one look, mothers would frown in disapproval, and men would look one step away from reverting back to the pitchfork and tar days. New Hero didn’t mind that so much, after all they had dwelt with that their entire lives; what really hurt though, what truly cut deep, was when their own team would have the same reactions.
New Hero had hoped, expected really, for other heroes to accept them for who they were and their skills, seeing past the looks and onto what really mattered.
No such luck.
New Hero dipped their head as they walked through the agency’s hallway. After every turn and every doorway they heard the gossip being spoken about them.
God, have you ever seen anything like it?
I can’t look, not if I want to eat lunch today.
Those eyes! It’s like they see everything yet nothing…it’s creepy.
A monster.
Maybe we should warn Hero…I mean we can’t have someone like that seen with our Hero…
God, they didn’t even try to say them under their breath anymore. At least when New Hero first started the others had the courtesy to say those awful things after work or behind closed doors.
Not to mention the last comment, spoken by Other Hero while standing in the control room…Hero, the great and perfect Hero, was coming back from a long mission today. Hero had been gone the entire time New Hero had been there and the two had never met, but New Hero had heard enough to know what to expect.
Hero was, for all intents and purposes, perfect.
Hero was everything a hero dreamed of being and more. They were lithe, strong, kind, brilliant, confident, a born leader, and…and…simply beautiful. Hero was aesthetically pleasing in every way. Strong, but not too bulky. Tall, but not too towering. Eyes bright, but not too intrusive. Skin flawless, but not in an artificial way. Hero was the perfect poster-person for the agency…Hell, for any agency. Not only were they charismatic and handsome on screen, but their work as a hero was unparalleled. They got the hardest assignments and gave back the best results. New Hero knew that pretty much every agency in the world was vying to get Hero in their city, even though Hero had pledged to be in theirs.
Hero really was perfect.
And they were coming back today…to the agency…after months of undercover…and they were going to see New Hero…the exact opposite of Hero.
Shit, New Hero wasn’t looking forward to this. They could handle the mockery and slander from the rest of the agency, but if Hero…THE HERO…agreed with them…well that would just prove it, wouldn’t it? New Hero was a monster.
“Hey freak!”
New Hero closed their eyes in resignation.
“Freak! Yeah you! I have something for you.” New Hero turned and saw three lower level heroes standing behind them.
“Yes?” New Hero asked, ice in their voice.
The Low Hero who was in front spoke, “SuperHero has a new assignment for you. Said we need to bring you to the training room for the debrief.”
New Hero furrowed their brows, “Why the training room? Why not the war-room?”
The other two heroes scoffed.
“Because the systems are down in there! God, don’t you know anything or do those eyes and clay ears only pick up the occasional piece of information?”
“I…I knew that! I just forgot is all,” New Hero countered. Well, that was a lie. In truth New Hero had no idea about the systems being down, but they had been out on patrol all morning and the systems were always on the fritz.
God, just because they looked like a nightmare didn’t mean they were stupid.
The three led them down the stairs to the underground training room. Well, room was an understatement. It was more like a vast cavern the size of several football fields.
New Hero looked around for SuperHero, but couldn’t see them. Actually they couldn’t see anyone. Only the emergency lights were on in the room, casting long shadows and filling the corners with darkness. If SuperHero was here, then they must have been standing in one of the shadows, but New Hero doubted it.
Dammit, they really wouldn’t go this far would they?
The door closed behind them.
They would.
“You can’t really think we would let you be seen during Hero’s homecoming,” Came a voice from the other side of the reinforced door. “The News will be there. We want Hero smiling and looking confident, not like they’re holding back disgust. Just stay down here until it’s done.”
New Hero heard them walk away from the door. They tried to open it, but of course it was locked. Not only locked, but designed to hold back even SuperHero powers during training. There was no way out. They would have to wait it out.
The emergency lights cut off.
Oh…oh that changes things. New Hero disliked the dark, it was mysterious and who knows what was hiding in it, but they absolutely could not handle pitch darkness.
The training room was underground, no windows or they couldn’t contain heroes’ powers when practicing.
No, no, no! They really couldn’t handle this! So many memories of complete darkness…so many terrors lurking within…all to hide their face!
New Hero felt their control slipping, their fear taking over…and next thing they knew they were pounding ruthlessly on the door with all their immense strength. Screaming obscenities, begging for light, freedom…anything to escape.
They stayed in that state for what felt like hours. Nothing but fear, screaming, hitting, and darkness. All consuming darkness. They felt their mind falling into it.
But, then suddenly, it was broken.
A stream of warm light sliced through the darkness accompanied by the sound of the heavy door opening.
New Hero squinted in the light. They knew they must look even more terrible than usual, tears covering their blotchy face, blood all over their fists…but they didn’t care. They scurried into the light as quickly as possible.
It was then that they noticed something coming out of the light. A figure that seemed to give off light themselves. Surrounded by the warm glow a person New Hero didn’t recognize at first, stood tall in the doorway.
“New Hero?” Came a soft voice came from the brightness. “It’s alright. Everything’s alright.” It was a nice voice, the kind that instantly calmed and disarmed. Melodic.
The figure crouched down to New Hero’s level. A hand came up, holding a pure white handkerchief. It was slowly wiped across New Hero’s dirty, tear covered face.
“I’m sorry,” the voice continued. “I didn’t know…I’m sorry.”
The handkerchief was put down once New Hero’s tears were dried and soft hands clasped theirs and brought up their bloody knuckles.
“Oh my,” the voice said. “How scared you must have been.”
Then, slowly, non intrusively, arms were wrapped around them. The warm embrace was something New Hero was not expecting, yet they melted into it instantly. There was something welcoming about these arms. Something which just radiated unconditional caring.
“Let me know when you’re ready and we can go upstairs.”
New Hero stayed in the arms for longer than what social convention would strictly allow, but after a few minutes they pulled back. Now that their senses were back to normal, they wondered who in the world was with them. Everyone at the agency flinched back when New Hero approached. Some even sanitized the keypad after New Hero typed in their pin…no one would willingly touch them, let alone hold them like this.
They leaned back and looked into the strangers eyes.
Hero’s eyes
Oh god it was Hero! The Hero! The beautiful, perfect Hero. Still in their uniform, though their gloves and mask had been removed. They had a look on their face which didn’t suit their good looks. They looked kind, yet angry, with a touch of sadness in the corner of their eyes.
“You want to go up now? I’d understand if you wanted to wait,” Hero said. They must have been confused at New Hero’s staring because then they said, “Are you okay? Do you need anything? I have a weighted blanket and water in my room…would that help? That usually helps me…maybe something hot? Or perhaps food…”
“Why are you here?” New Hero interrupted.
“What?” Hero leaned back more, though kept their hands on New Hero’s elbows.
“Why are you here? Talking to me? Letting me out?”
Hero scrunched their eyebrows together, “Why wouldn’t I be?”
New Hero looked down, “It’s not good for you to be seen with me…you have an image to maintain.”
“Nonsense.” New Hero looked up at Hero’s tone. “Can’t be seen? I have an image? Is that what they told you?”
New Hero nodded.
“New Hero, I’ve read your file. I read all the files of those who come to this agency…and I have never seen one as exemplary, as caring…” Hero took a breath, “New Hero, I don’t care what the other’s have told you or what they said about me… I would be honored to have someone like you seen with me. You’re a fantastic hero.”
New Hero felt their tears come anew. Only this time it wasn’t in fear.
“You think you’re ready to go upstairs? Your face isn’t as red anymore.”
New Hero nodded and Hero helped them up.
“Sorry about that,” New Hero said when they saw the dirty hanky on the ground.
Hero shrugged, “Don’t worry about it. It’s only cloth. And I get it. You would not believe how I get in enclosed spaces…not so pretty.”
New Hero smiled at that. They never thought Hero would be so personable. It was nice, it made them seem human.
As they walked up the stairs, Hero commenting here and there about stuff in New Hero’s file or what their mission was like, New Hero felt a sense of kinship they had never experienced before.
Let’s just say, if anyone ever tried to put Hero in an enclosed space, they would answer to New Hero.
“It’s really a beautiful place; I put the down payment aside the moment I saw it. I just knew you’d love it!”
“Um…”
“What? What’s the matter with it? Is it the Queen Anne? Dammit, that is it isn’t it? You’ve never liked that style. I thought you’d be able to look past it for the wrap around porch, I know how you love your hot chocolate in the evenings while sitting on the porch watching the sun go down…”
Third Prince Penley of Amlawdd signed the question to the guard. Garson, who was large in stature with dark hair and a stern face, looked down at his young charge and interpreted the words easily.
“It’s hard to say. After what the poor man has been through it would be a hard thing to like it anywhere.” The prince nodded in understanding at Garson’s reply. His long white-blond hair lifted softly off his shoulders as the wind hit them at the top of the north tower. His piercing blue eyes were full of empathy and sadness, a look that Garson thought all too old for nineteen years. Then again the young prince always seemed to have a look on his face that could rival that of the high priest himself. In all the years Garson had been assigned to accompany him, he still could not understand Prince Penley. Even with his nine years ahead of Pen, Garson knew the Prince was far wiser than he.
They are quite certain his sister could not accompany him? It would be better if they traveled together.
The second part of his signing was not a question, but a statement. Garson decided to answer the first part.
“It is safer this way. With only two heir’s left they could not risk them both being killed in one assassination attempt. She will be quite safe in Drexton’s land.” He looked at the prince, waiting for his hands to go up and continue the conversation. After all these years Garson found it quite easy to read the signs that the prince used to communicate with. Garson had always suspected that was why King Wyndam often assigned him to his youngest son. Someone to interpret the signs the old monk had taught the prince long ago.
As it was, Garson didn’t technically need to be guarding the prince right at this moment, but seeing as there was a big event happening he had a feeling the silent young man would want the company.
It would have been nice to be a part of the greeting, but I imagine Prince Brayden will be quite overwhelmed as it is.
“Indeed.” Replied Garson. He found it humorous that Pen had already made a sign for the visiting prince. When given a name, Pen often found it easier to make a specific sign associated with that person’s characteristics rather than spell their name every time. Since they had yet to meet Prince Brayden his sign was currently a light tap of the nose. This was due to the fact that Prince Brayden was known throughout many kingdoms as being a hard nosed, cold, authoritarian, difficult to get along with, man.
His stay was surely going to be interesting.
Don’t make that face, said Pen as if reading Garson’s mind. I’m sure it will be fine. He’ll get along with Ransford if anything.
Garson chuckled and Pen suppressed a smirk. The idea of having the infamously stubborn Prince from the newly conquered Cadwaladyr getting along with their very own cold and snobbish Prince Ransford of Amlawdd was too much to hold in. They would be unstoppable, able to freeze an entire room with a single glance.
Here they come! Pen signed excitedly and pointed out the window.
Garson looked out the window and down toward the road that led through the city and to the palace's main gate. Sure enough an entourage of horse backed soldiers were escorting a gilded carriage which must have held the disposed prince. Already he could see the guards inside the palace walls frantically making ready to receive such an honored guest. The north tower truly was the best place to see everything from. No wonder Pen spent so much time up here.
A poke at his arm had him looking back at the prince.
You should be down there. They look lost without you.
Garson grimaced at Pen’s observation of the soldiers down below.
“I rather like my vantage point up here,” He replied stubberly. He had already given his orders, his men should be fine following them without his observation.
An airy sound escaped the prince’s mouth. His way of laughing.
I believe the captain of the guard should be heading the guard and not showing pity to a prince.
Garson opened his mouth to protest, but Pen put up a hand to stop him.
I appreciate the gesture, but truly, I am fine. Please, Pen gestured his hand to the door of the small tower room.
Knowing this would only turn into an order, Garson bowed. “Of course your highness.”
As he made his way out a realization struck him. He turned back to the prince.
“You wouldn’t want me gone so you could sneak down yourself?” He questioned slowly.
A sly smile played across the Prince’s face.
Ask me not a difficult question and I shall not be forced to lie. He signed a line from his favorite play.
