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Originally, she'd only planned on meeting dash for ten or fifteen minutes at most. The flimsy excuse about her ex boyfriend wouldn't have bought her more time than that.Â

"How troublesome," she grumbled, trudging toward the door. She'd have to invent a stronger alibi on her way back. Though, it would probably just arouse even more suspicion.

This was certainly not the start she had envisioned for her plan.Â

"Kel," Dash stopped her, coming up behind her with the incriminating parchment.Â

"Ah, you can keep that," Kel shrugged, reaching for the door handle. "Use it to join me or to end me; I really don't care."

Ignoring her request, Dash caught her wrist before she could open the door.

"You have to be careful spreading fire, Kel. Surely you know that better than anyone," he murmured, tucking the paper into her hand.

".. Does this mean you won't help me?" Kel asked quietly, slipping the page back into the waist of her skirt.

She'd boldly asserted that she was fine either way--that she didn't really need Dash's help--but now that it had come down to it, she felt a subtle aching in her chest.Â

"I never said that I wouldn't," Dash responded, slowly releasing her arm. "I will help you, if only to make sure you don't burn yourself."

"Fine." Kel rushed out the door to hide the smile growing on her face.Â

She hated that her heart felt lighter at the thought of Dash being on her side, but at least it did feel lighter.Â

Standing in front of Dash's house, she took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the murk that had gathered in her mind. She did the right thing asking Dash for help, after all.Â

"You went to the wrong person," a man sitting on the front steps of the neighboring house remarked.

Eh? Had she accidentally said what she was thinking out loud?

With her most polite business smile, she turned toward the man. "I'm not sure what yo- You?!"

"Good to see you again too, Princess," Soren smirked. "Though, I feel like you tend to greet me with the same shocked tone every time."

"Well, if you didn't always show up at the most random times and places," Kel muttered.

Soren flashed her a toothy grin in response and bounced up to her.Â

"I wouldn't have to surprise you if you'd just come to me in the first place," he said softly, wrapping an arm around her waist in an awkward hug.

"You should have come to me," he hissed into her ear as he pulled her closer.

"Wha.. what?" Kel stuttered, dazed from the sudden physical contact.

"Now let's see what we have here!" The man cooed, regaining his original joyful facade as he stepped back.

"How-" Kel stifled a surprised yell as she watched the man unfurl the paper containing the entirety of her revenge plot.

"If you were one of my people, I'd scold you for being so unaware of your surroundings," the man chuckled darkly. "Honestly, do you get pick-pocketed every time you set foot out of that palace?"

"Please give that back," Kel panicked, ignoring his taunting.

"Hmmm," the man pursed his lips. "Nah, I think I'll take a look."

"No!" Kel screeched, lunging at his stomach.Â

She slammed against him with enough force to knock most men to the ground. Soren managed to stay on his feet, but he was stunned just enough to lower the hand holding the page. Kel instantly latched onto it before he could regain his composure.

"Oh my," Soren snickered, immediately releasing his hold on the paper. "If it's that important to you, just take it back then."

"Hmph!" Kel huffed as she brushed her skirt, sliding the parchment safely back into its place. "Well then, I'll be on my-"

"You know," Soren interrupted, taking a step closer as he rubbed the left side of his ribcage, "I've been trying to meet you for quite a while now."

"I-I don't know why you would.." Kel hesitated, feeling torn. She was curious about the mysterious man, but she knew from the incident with the underworld that he was a dangerous person. Also stinging at the corner of her mind was the fact that she had to hurry back to meet Lucy as soon as possible.

"It's a good thing you didn't leave before I got here," Soren continued, skillfully drawing her attention.

Kel flinched as he moved to take another step closer. Noticing her distress, he smiled knowingly and stayed put.

"How did you even know I'd be here?" she demanded, bracing herself to make a break for it if he got to close.

"Your ex told me," Soren winked.

Kel's heart started pounding. Was he speaking nonsense, or did he actually know what happened back at Madame Mae's? Word could have traveled, but there was no way it could travel that fast.

"Who are you, really?" Kel barked. "Why are you following me?"

"You can imagine my surprise," Soren continued, relishing in Kel's aggravation, "when the underling I sent to find you told me you ran away at the mere sight of him."

Kel froze. That seemingly innocent bystander at the dress shop actually worked for this guy?Â

She'd sent Lucy away eagerly with the thought of escaping, but she never considered that she could actually be putting herself in danger. How many others of Soren's supposed 'underlings' had she encountered without knowing?

"I'll be sure to send someone more to your liking next time, Princess," Soren joked. "I'm sure you'd prefer me, but I can't just show my face anywh-"

"Do you have spies stationed in the palace as well?" Kel blurted.

"Of course!" Soren answered quickly before bringing his hand to his mouth in feigned surprise. "Gasp! I've said too much!"

Kel took a small step back.Â

Just what was he playing at? Clearly he'd revealed that information on purpose. Was it a warning?

"Oh, that's right," Soren's lips twisted into a devilish smirk as his gaze focused on Kel's retreating figure.Â

"I know one of your secrets, too. I guess we're even."