There is doubt

"Forgive me, Sire, but it seems to me that you must have been deceived," Sir Reginald says, stepping forward and deliberately turning his eyes from Liesel. "The Ingolstadt house was wiped out some twelve years ago - the only survivor was the son of King Luther's sister, now crowned King Stefan the First. I visited his kingdom on the way here, and I assure you, the grave of Liesel von Ingolstadt has not been disturbed."

You feel Liesel's fingers stiffen on your arm, and you don't blame her; it must be a difficult thing to hear word of one's own grave! "I assure you, Sir Reginald, this is the Princess. She has been in hiding these long years, but circumstances have compelled her to reveal herself. My First Advisor, Lord Duncan, examined a ring with the family seal, which she carried with her; it is quite genuine."

"That does not mean she came by it honestly, Your Majesty."

"Do you accuse this young woman of theft, Sir Reginald? Before she has even had a chance to speak? I thought you a more chivalrous man than that!" The words come from your mouth borne of righteous anger, but even as you say them, you realize how absurd they are - of COURSE Liesel is guilty of theft, many times over! After all, she is the Vixen of the Elyssian Woods, the most notorious thief in the kingdom... and in that moment, a terrible thought comes to your mind.

Is it possible that she has cleverly defrauded you, from start to finish? After all, you have no real proof that she is who she says - she could certainly have stolen the ring, perhaps from one of Velimir's men. It is not impossible that she could have known of what befell the Ingolstadt house, and used the fact that she is about the age that Princess Liesel would be (and her own considerable charms) to play you for a fool. Could she have planned everything from the start? The initial meeting, designed to pique your curiosity... a tale crafted to win your sympathy... a "disguise" which could have easily been a signal to a confederate who staged a duel with her in the woods... even a skillful seduction by a maid who merely pretended to be both innocent and bold, which along with her exquisite beauty and the adrenaline rush of the fight would be irresistible to any man or King.

Is it all a lie?

Momentarily flustered by your comment, Sir Reginald does not notice your hesitation - but Liesel does, and deep sea-green eyes turn to you, questioning. You realize that all the blind trust you have placed in her, without really even thinking about it, has come down to this moment; and here and now, it must be put to the most severe test. After all is said and done, there is only one thing you have to go on: to look her in the eyes, and decide what you see there. Is she a Princess... or is she a Thief?