A/N: I made the chapter longer so make sure you pick up where you left off before 17/2/2021.

I wait patiently for Lady Nessie to enter the dining hall, my plate set with a singular breakfast pastry. She's late, not by much, maybe a minute or two. I look down the table at all of the girls. So, so many to choose from. My father checks his pocket watch as my mother checks her wristwatch.

"One of your girls is late. That's not very ladylike," mother scoffs.

At the perfect moment, Nessie walks through the door. Her small figure consumed by her torn dress, beautifully decorated with a tiara. 

She curtsies at my mother and father, "I apologize for my lateness. I was given a task by the prince."

"Your dress--" my father exclaims, "What--Try not to be late again and please...ming your clothing. A princess does not wear torn clothing. 

"Once again, my apologies," she curtsies again. I hear her mumble, quite inaudibly, "Good thing I'm not a princess."

My parents complete their meals and exit the room, leaving me alone with The Chosen. When I am sure everyone has finished eating, I stand. That instantly gets all the girl's attention.

Except for Lady Nessie...

"Everyone, I have an announcement...Today I will give you all tasks. Should you fail these tasks, you will be eliminated," a few of the girls gasp. Lady Nessie continues eating her croissant, "I have been informed that, and I quote, 'you have the moral backbone of an eclair.'

Lady Nessie laughs and all eyes turn to her. She wipes the corner of her mouth and looks around the room, "Don't look at me like that, it's true."

Shocked expressions fill the room. She obviously doesn't realize that this breakfast is being recorded.

I roll my eyes, "Lady Nessie already completed one of her tasks today. Round of applause," The girls politely clap, obviously not wanting to. Lady Nessie glares at me, "I wish you all the best in your tasks. Please see Major Criss in the back once I leave."

I gently bow my head and back out of the room. As soon as the doors close, a wave of chatter fills my ears. 

Major Criss's voice booms over everyone else's, 'Ladies, please lower your volume so you can hear your task."

MAJOR CRISS

The chatter comes to a stop as the ladies quietly remain in their seats.

"I will read off your name and you will come to me then. Does everyone understand?" 

Nods of agreement reassure me as I read off the names.

"Beasty Cunningham," she slowly gets up and walks over with extreme grace, "The prince believes that you are too tense and you must learn to get your hands dirty. Today, you will learn how to clean the stables," 

Her eyes widen with horror. 

"Your maids already have your working outfit."

"Aurora Libman, you are to assist Madame Pomfrey in a minor surgery. Since you have nursing experience, I expect this to be an easy task." 

"Talia Wilkins, cleaning the kitchens."

"Jallena May, assist the queen in a minor dispute."

"Lily Evans, polish and sharpen ten of the soldier's swords."

"Denu Ali, replacing horseshoes."

"Maria Poppin, help prepare lunch."

"Tasmin Smith, purchase new chinaware for the guests this weekend."

NESSIE SPRITZ

I sit, waiting for Major Criss to finish. Obvious boredom radiates from his tone but his posture stays perfect. The list drags on, laughable task after laughable task until I am the only one left in the room.

"And finally, Nessie Spritz, a day in the life of a warrior. You must go on a mission today, assigned to you specifically by The General." 

I get up and make my way over to him, laughing at the task, "Wonderful. Thank you, Major Criss."

"Follow me," Major Criss leads me out of the dining hall and down a dark corridor of the castle. 

I hear a thick metal door slam open, a burst of lights burning my eyes. A shadowy shapes silhouette rests in the doorway. 

The ominous figure speaks, "Lady Nessie, come in. You will be given a more suitable outfit for combat."

"Combat?"

"Oh yes. You will be fighting today. If you're good, you can become a member of the field team. If that's what you wish, of course. Combat is a daily thing, we protect mainly the castle. But we also protect the cities and their people. We stop robberies, prison escapes, unlawful public executions, etc."

"Woah...so...I'll actually be doing real work. I'll be a real warrior?"

"That is what I'm saying, Lady Nessie."

"Amazing. Where's the outfit?"

I am escorted into the small room, lights shining too brightly for space. Ther are no decorations, just a bare room with white stone walls. Well, a single bed sits on the left wall next to a sink, but that's it.

An outfit and shoes lay on the bed next to the now visible person.

"Hello, General," I address him. 

He lets out a dark laugh, pointing to the clothes, "Get dressed. You have two minutes."

"No chance. You know how long it takes to untie a corset?"

"Not long."

"Wha--"

"Trust me. You can do it."

"Give me ten minutes."

"No," he reaches for the strings of my corset and tugs. The entire thing comes loose. The dress conceals my body still.

"Holy shit. I can breathe," I gasp.

"There's no corset in the uniform. Get dressed. Two minutes. Go," he exits the room with Major Criss.

Fucking weird-ass handsome soldier man who can take off a corset impressively fast. I wonder if he's had "Experience."

Probably not...

THE GENERAL

I knock on the door at the end of the two minutes, impatiently, "Lady Nessie."

The door opens and she stands there in the uniform, looking formal and warrior-like.

I keep my eyes on hers, her gaze never leaving mine, "It's still a bit feminine but it'll work."

"Are you two engaging in a starring contest?" Major Criss chimes in.

She smooths her shirt and shakes her head, "No, that would be childish."

I pull a small black box out of my pocket, opening it slowly. The shiny metal of the nametag clings to my eyes. Lady Nessie cranes to see the inside of the box as I pull it out.

I clear my throat, The prince ordered this nametag especially for you. It is made with an indestructible metal and engraved with a diamond dagger. Private Spritz, this is for you." I hand her the rectangular clip, watching as she beams.

A small, shaky laugh escapes her lips and she covers her mouth. A singular tear escapes her flooded eyes, "Thank you, General. I will humbly accept this and place it upon my uniform. I am thoroughly excited to be working with you."

"As am I. Are you ready to get out onto the field?"

"Yes, sir, I am."

"Do not call me sir, I find it weird. Prepare for combat, Spritz."

"Thank you, General."

I pull out a bag from a compartment next to the door. I hand it to her, watching as she pulls out four throwing knives, a derringer, a pistol, a bow with a sheath of twenty poison arrows, and twenty blow darts. Her eyes light up.

"Why do you get so excited about weapons, Spritz?"

"All I've ever wanted was to be a...soldier. Well, a soldier and a wi--nevermind..."

"Why did you stop before you said, soldier?"

"Uh...because I can."

"Reason?"

"I actually wanted to be an assassin but I never told anyone that."

"Interesting. Well, let's see how good of a soldier you can be."

I lead her out of the room, Major Criss following not far behind. We pass a few of the girls on our way to the loading docks, all of them looking fearfully towards the fully armoured Spritz. I grin under my mask as she holds her derringer tighter. She's clipped the weapons to her waist in a utility-type belt. SPRITZ shines off of her lapel.

Lady Jallena stops in her tracks, "Nessie? Oh my...you look amazing! I wish I could wear pants..."

Spritz laughs while Lady Jallena continues the conversation.

I clear my throat and speak, causing her to jump, "Lady Jallena, Private Spritz must be on her way. We have places to be, as do you."

"My apologies," she quickly back away, running in the other direction. Spritz looks up at me, obviously annoyed. An exasperated huff leaves her lips.

"You're too small to be so angry," I say, instantly regretting it as she flips me onto the floor, twisting my arms behind my back.

"Don't. Fuck. With. Me."

"Okay...Okay!" I give out a breathless gasp. It takes everything in me not to smile at her controlling urges. She unpins me, allowing me to stand, "That could get you kicked out of the castle, you know."

"I know. I don't care. I don't want to be here anyway."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. I was persuaded to enter. By stupid circumstance, I ended up here. I'm not trying to be a princess," she sighs.

"I can tell that bit. A princess doesn't show up to a meal twenty minutes late with a cut-up gown."

"Obviously not."

"You should at least try. If the public sees that you aren't as ladylike as they expect, they might have suspicions as to why you're still in the competition.

"True..."

"Of course it is. You may not be attending the manners classes but maybe you should consider studying the topics. If you read and practice, you could get ahead and impress the Queen."

"If I impress the queen, that means I impress everyone."

"Exactly."

She smiles up at me, the height difference laughable. A foot, at the most, but still kinda funny.

"Stop looking at me like that, General."

I laugh, "Like what? You can only see one of my eyes. I have on my eyepatch and my effin mask, bozo."

"Name calling? Really?"

"Oh yeah. Really."

"Fine, butthead."

"Butthead? Are we in the second grade?"

"Asshat."

"Classic comeback, bitch."

"That's the worst you can do?"

"You can't handle the worst."

"I can handle much more than you think."

"Than this conversation is over."

"Asshat," she mutters under her breath.

"Bitch," I say back, not looking at her.

A/N: VOTE YOUR TEAM! Love you guys.