The whole castle is busy this day. They are preparing for some sort of festivity. All the maids and servants are composed of women. The masters, lords, and higher-ranking officials are men. King Silas is roaming around to oversee the preparations together with Aztec.
"My King, everything is going well with the preparations," Aztec reports.
"Very well then!" King Silas replies. "This day must be perfect."
King Silas continues to roam the castle. The female servants bow down and kneel as they see the King walks past them. One of the female servant is too busy doing his chore that she doesn't notice the king is getting close. When the king is already in front of her, the particular female servant accidentally looked at the king's face. She is startled and begins to kneel down and cry.
"Your majesty! Please forgive me, I didn't mean to look at your face," the female servant weeps.
The king bellowed, "What you did was despicable! You must be punished at once!"
Aztec signals to his men. Two armed men approaches the female servant and is forcefully taken by her arms. "Take her to the dungeon," Aztec tells them.
The woman is still wailing while being pulled away. All the other servants are horrified by the turn of events, including Leilah, a beautiful young maid, who have witnessed everything. As the king leaves, everyone goes back to their own business as if nothing happened, except for Leilah who is seemingly affected by what she had seen.
"Do you want to go next to that servant, or you'd rather go back to your business?" an older female servant sarcastically asks Leilah who is still stuck from where she's standing. "Keep moving now, young lady!"
Leilah starts moving and tries her best to ignore everything.
-----
Leilah is walking in the corridors of the castle, carefully carrying a ravishing gown in her arms. She stops by a room which is guarded by two soldier guards.
"I must bring this dress to the princess," Leilah tells the two guards. The two guards let her pass and accompany her as she enters the room.
One of the guards call for the princess, "Princess Mizhka, the maid is here."
Princess Mizhka is by the window, looking at the outside world. Princess Mizhka looks stern as she turns her face towards the guards. She gazes at Leilah. Leilah bows down as she offers the dress to the princess.
"Your highness, I brought the dress that you'll be wearing for today's festivity," said Leilah.
"Guards, you can leave us now," Princess Mizhka orders the guards. The guards bow down before leaving.
Princess Mizhka then looks at Leilah seemingly with disdain. Leilah is not moving an inch, still bowing down to the princess. The guards bow down as they storm out of the room. As soon as the guards are gone, Mizhka and Leilah starts giggling as they hug each other.
"I missed you so much, Leilah!" the princess blurts out.
"I missed you too, Princess Mizhka!" Leilah replies. "I'm glad that I have been designated as your maid again."
"So am I! How's everyone outside?"
"It has been very busy these past few days, everyone is preparing for your 18th year of birth," Leilah says excitedly. "In fact, I brought your dress," she adds.
Princess Mizhka suddenly turns sad.
"Why, my princess? Are you not happy that such a big celebration is waiting for you?" Leilah says in a gentle manner. She picks up a hair brush and starts brushing Princess Mizhka's hair in order to comfort her.
"What good is such festivity, Leilah? I feel like a prisoner in this castle," Princess Mizhka says sadly. "How I wish I was born not as a princess, but as a commoner, so that I can be as free as I want."
"Every girl in the kingdom envies to have a life like yours," Leilah stays while still trying to convince Princess Mizhka to cheer up.
"I can always trade my life with them in a snap," Princess Mizhka instantly responds. She stands up and walks towards the window. "I wish I could carelessly in the forest like a deer, feel the breeze of the air like a bird, and swim to the like a fish."
Leilah sympathizes with Princess Mizhka. She knows how Princess Mizhka feels as she practically have seen her grow up. Princess Mizhka has never been outside the castle in her entire life, and she spends most of her time in this grandiose bedroom. Princess Mizhka has been out of this room only for several times, mostly for several occasions. She needs the permission from the king, whenever she wants to go out, and she must always be escorted by the guards.
"Princess Mizhka, the king must have a good reason doing this. He loves you so much and wants to protect you," Leilah says.
Princess Mizhka doesn't respond anymore. Leilah is thinking of something that would help eases Princess Mizhka's pain.
"Princess Mizhka, I have something that will surely cheer you up!" declares Leilah.
"And what could it be?" Princess Mizhka asks.
Leilah draws closer to Princess Mizhka and whispers, "I have heard a rumour that a prince is arriving during the festivity."
Princess Mizhka's eyes widens. Her gloomy face glows with excitement, "Prince Merick! My brother!" she bellows.
"Princess Mizhka, lower down your voice. It should be a surprise," Leilah whispers.
"I'm sorry Leilah. I'm just excited to see my twin brother again. It has been years since he left on a voyage. I can't wait to hear his stories, " Princess Mizhka exclaims.
"That's why you shouldn't feel unhappy. Today should be a wonderful day for you and Prince Merick!"
"Indeed!"
"Quick, let's change those robes into this gorgeous dress!"
Princess Mizhka happily agrees with Leilah.
-----
A group of horsemen arrives in front of the castle. Prince Merick stands in front of the gate. He is a strikingly handsome lad that has great resemblance with his twin sister Princess Mizhka.
"Open up the gate! I have arrived! This is your prince, Prince Merick!" he shouts.
The guards have recognized him and opens up the gate at once.
"Alas! I'm home," he blurts out as he enters the castle.
END OF CHAPTER 1