Chapter 1: Diamond in the Rough

The sunset of Port Vernon was a delightful view. Calm and quaint with the simple dashes of pink and coral against the azure sky. Benita, enjoying the serenity, dipped her feet into the waters and eyed the sun sinking into the sea. What a wonderful end to the day. Having spent most of the heated afternoon gunning criminals who tried to rob the national bank, she found the moment soothing as if all the pain of trotting around in her boots were melting away, carried by the tide into the open sea.

"Good job Beni," said Adrien, her fellow clansmen. He sat down beside her and fanned open a newspaper, running his fingers through his long black hair. "The whole town is talking about what you did today. More so, they're completely awe stricken by the way you used your guns!"

"You make it seem as if it's the first time they've seen me work."

"Well," Adrien said, flipping a page, "People here have only seen videos and pictures of you. Seeing you live in action is a different story. Especially with the announcement of your next mission."

"I'm sorry, what?" Benita said, straightening her back as she turned to face Adrien. Her body tensed, her breathing shallowed.

Adrien smirked and turned to look at her. He wrapped his arm round her shoulders and pulled her closer. 

"I know how much you love Queen Christine, and I'm happy to tell you that she was amazed at the way you dealt with those criminals."

"She was watching?" Benita squealed. " Where was she watching from? Why?"

"She was in the Bell Tower. During the meeting, as we proposed various candidates who'd escort me during my mission, I suggested that she see you in action and decide if you and your team were suitable to accompany me. And let me just say, she was pleased at the way you wielded your gun with such elegance and grace. Despite your rugged exterior and messy curly hair, she said that you bedazzled her, like a diamond in the rough. Unbreakable, but holding so much unknown potential."

Benita didn't think much of what had transpired that afternoon. If anything what had happened was mere childs play.

And she remembered it crisp as well.

In her neat waistcoat, with her revolvers cased to her thighs, the way her nimble fingers made quick work during the hostage crisis in the bank was normal.

Her slow walk into the bank hall had everyone's heart stop. The sound of rapid fire that ensued, and terrified screams followed. So much for the passerby's, who scurried into alleys to find cover from the rain of bullets' shattering windows. Blood stained the banks wall, splattered like freshly picked tomatoes. Then, the low thud of dropping bodies, rolling out into the street for everyone to see. The unharmed civilians held their breaths, clutching onto one another for dear life. As the police force carefully swooped in to deal with the corpses lain on the street, Benita emerged, a cheery smile spread across her cheeks as she untied and escorted the civilians safely out. They were welcomed by the parade of town folk applauding her bravery and skill as one of the fastest Hired Guns with almost perfect aim. 

The Queen had seen it all. 

That, in the evening sun, was what made her a bashful mess. Sniffling into Adrien's chest as she thought back to the moment.

"My shirt was dusty. My lips were chapped and....and.....my hair!" she sobbed. "I looked like a troll in front of the Queen. I should just jump into a ditch and die!"

"No time for that," said Adrien. " Listen, you weren't in the most presentable state at the time, so I went ahead and collected the mission letter for you already." He reached into his blazer pocket, but as he was about to pull the letter out, Benita gripped onto his arm.

"I don't think I should go. Isn't there anyone else? I mean, this is the Queen of Coventry we're talking about. Beautiful people should collect beautiful things for a beautiful woman. Not to mention, what if I utterly bomb this mission. I've never done this before."

"First of all, she's Queen consort, so she's not that big of a deal. Second of all, you make it seem like you've never met or worked for a Royal."

"Well," she pondered. " Nilla is just like a regular girl in my eyes. And my time in Intan is a different story. But Queen Christine is an icon. Everyone who works for her has an impeccable reputation for being good-natured and working for the Peace Corps. I'm a killer. I don't want to sully her image. And you can't convince me otherwise. I'm not going with you."

Benita pulled her feet out of the water, dried them with her handkerchief, and put her boots on. She stood up and turned to face the city. "I suggest Lexi Good. A lot of people don't know about her and she's a really sweet person. Plus, she's meticulous, and I know that'll help you." 

Benita began walking away into the streets jammed with traffic as exhaust fumes clouded the air. The theatre across the street was opening, ready to show her favourite musical,'Flaming Hearts.' As she crossed the lane; she couldn't help but think about the mission. It's not that she didn't want to go. Oh, no. It was simply because she knew herself all too well. She may be good at disposing of enemies, but she was also a klutz whose godfather was a man well known for his nefarious activities in gun dealing. Besides, if the mission was for a good cause, she definitely wasn't good enough to handle it. Not after making the choice to become a contract killer without proper training to function in high society.

As she entered the theatre, an usher pulled back the velvety ropes and escorted her to the VIP booth. As they made their way through the hall, she kept thinking about all sorts of pending dooms that might happen if she accepted the mission. What if she lost the diamonds? What if she ate the oysters containing the precious pearls. What if she offended the jewel companies with her boorish and naive behavior. Not to mention her simple-mindedness, as if she'd be able to comprehend the complexities behind choosing gems worthy for a queen. 

She sat down on her seat and listened to the murmuring crowd as they all waited for the show to begin. 

"Benita~," a raspy voice sang. She could feel his smirk against her ear, his fingers tugging at her studs. "I'm not going to let you watch this show in peace if you don't say yes," Adrien sang.

Benita glared at the usher, "Why is he here? Isn't this a private booth?"

"It is," the usher said, " But he is the owner of the theatre madame. And I'm afraid to say no to him."

She turned to Adrien, grimacing at the proud smile he had as he leaned back into the seat and ordered a bottle of tequila. "You know better than anyone that no one can say no to me in Vernon. Just give in, say yes, and let's have a merry time watching 'Lonely Hearts.'"

"It's 'Flaming Hearts'!"

"Whatever," he said. The Usher brought a tray with two shot glasses, a bucket of ice, lime wedges, and one tall bottle of strong booze. Adrien gladly popped the bottle open and poured it gently into the glasses. He watched the iced sweat glaze the glass and raised one cup up to Benita. 

"Take a shot to say yes."

She turned away and kept her eyes pinned to the curtain, arms folded as she huffed and pushed it away.

"Benita, don't leave me hanging. I need you. Please, just come along with me for the mission. You don't have to worry about what you don't know. Hell, if any of us knew everything, we wouldn't be Selati Clan now, would we?"

She pruned her lips.

"I'll teach you everything you need to know about the world of heirs. A crash course on the finer things in life that symbolize status, wealth, and royalty. That, and you'll make a spectacular debut in society. No one will look down on you. And I'll make it easier and fun for you."

"But this isn't an educational tour! It's a mission. If I screw up, what am I going to do?"

"You won't," he said. Pointing to the dimming lights and the rising stage curtains. Adrien clasped onto his shot glass and said, " If every actor worried about what they didn't know, they wouldn't learn to be the world's greatest pretenders. I bet you the main leads don't actually know how to fight with swords, but hey, the audience believes what they see, and no one even bats an eyelash about their wrong techniques or whatever."

He picked the other shot glass and held it up to her, " All you need to do is pretend you know. I'll show you how. Once the mission is over, the Queen will adore you. You might even gain favour with her. And she wouldn't even know that you're a cute, simple-minded girl who just wants to have fun. Now, what do you say?"

The orchestra began playing the first score, a haughty tune of flutes and bass as the lights dimmed to scarlet red and flashes of pink, blue, and purple. Benita looked into Adrien's eyes, charmed by the reassuring smile he wore. She quickly took the shot and gulped down the burning liquor. 

"You always do this," she whispered. " But fine, I'm in."