Anemone's brows furrowed in confusion. "Yes, many covet the position of the bride for the crown prince. But... the queen and I never released the news you would be. Do you remember the words the queen told you?" her mother asked.
~"Anemone, I will give you a month to think about it."~
Anemone nodded to her mother. She had thought the queen didn't consider her words. "Why... Why me then?"
"The queen didn't say the reason. She only told us to go when she came over... When you fainted..." Her mother looked at her, her eyes seeming to look for something in her. "Unless someone knows...?"
Anemone watched her mother whispering and getting nervous. It alarmed her. "What is it, mother?"
"Anemone... Anemone, I can't tell you this for sure. This will change everything. Oh my god, I have to tell Derek!" Her mother stood to leave. As she touched the door handle, a loud boom was heard and the carriage jerked sideways. Screaming, they clutched each other. Her mother held Anemone's head to prevent damage to her.
The carriage had fallen on it's left side, their bodies above the door. Frightened, Anemone checked to see if her mother was okay. Her mother's head had hit the frame. "Mother! Mother, are you okay?"
Her mother groaned as she held Anemone close. "Yes... Yes, I am okay," her voice came out shakily. "Anemone, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" Anemone shook her head. They could hear shouting and fighting. Her mother slowly stood up and pulled her with her. "Anemone, we need to go. We can't stay here."
"Father?" she asked, her voice also trembled from the scare. She had never been flipped in a carriage before. Her mother shook her head and stood to open the door.
"He'll find us later. You must listen to me, Anemone," her mother said as she lifted her out of the door. "We have to go now."
Anemone struggled up as her gown hindered her movements. She had always hated the wideness of the skirt. She reached down for her mother's hand. While her mother reached for her hand, an arm wrapped around Anemone's waist. Shocked, she turned to see her father.
"Anemone, where's your mother?" he asked. She pointed down and he easily lifted her mother out with one hand. "We have to hurry. The guards are keeping them at bay but we don't know how long. They're stronger and have more troops than us." He lifted Anemone on his black horse.
Her mother rode behind her. He took hold on a dappled grey colored horse. Urging the horse forward, his black horse followed. Her mother held the reigns tightly, her arms around Anemone. They rode fast, the wind blowing their loosen hair back.
"Derek, do you know who the pursuers are?" her mother asked, focusing on his back. Her father shook his head.
"They have no insignia or crest on their armor or shield. It's hard to know who is attacking us. It's too well organized for mercenaries."
"Derek, I think they know about Anemone! We have to go to that place now!"
"Know?" he asked before realizing what she meant. "Okay, we'll go there now!" He urged the horses to run faster. Anemone kept looking at her parents in confusion. She wished she knew what they were talking about. Her mother's words kept her mouth closed though.