The sun was setting, yet my heart still couldn't accept my father's death. I stood silently at his grave, feeling somewhat angry at my brother, who had yet to come back. He'd been gone for two years now, saying travelling was his passion. He never came home, but frequently wrote to us. Father died, and he's still not here.
I stare at the one grave out of the many in the cemetery. The one grave decorated with gold at its edges and silver at its surface.
But what good is a fancy grave, when the one that's resting within is dead?
What good is it for the dead?
Father's death was quite sudden and mysterious. He had been having muscle aches for a month and it slowly became worse. He became weaker by the day and soon enough, he couldn't walk. We called doctors from all across the kingdom, but they all said they didn't understand why it was happening. Perhaps father overworked himself. Even after his legs became weak, he would do his paperwork on his bed and have audiences in his room. But he passed away this morning.
I had written to brother about Father's deteriorating health, but he hadn't sent a response to my letter.
Is he going to come back?
I look at the sky painted with shades of orange and red, which were slowly fading to purple and blue.
From behind, I heard the clinking of swords and turned to see two knights standing behind me.
"Your Highness, you are to come with us." One of them ordered with a demanding tone.
"Excuse me? What do you want from me?"
The tone they're using sounded awfully disrespectful to a princess.
Mother is still mourning while cooped up in her room, so she couldn't have called for me. I look at the knights exchange glances.
"My lady, please."
I saw a hint of fear in their eyes as he asked me. This time in a more respectful tone.
I sighed and decided to go with them. Father gave me the liberty to learn swordsmanship, so if something went wrong, I could use their blades against them. I eyed the scabbards tied to their hips before following them to their destination.
****
"Welcome, my sweet little niece!"
My uncle sat-or should I say laid on the throne with the golden crown resting on his black hair and a wineglass in his left hand.
"U-Uncle Theo… What is-"
The door to the throne room opens once more and mother marches inside as well.
Beside the throne stood two influential figures, Duke Lejaris and Captain of the Blue Dragon. The captain being in his knight uniform with a sword placed at his side. The duke being in his noble-like clothes. Several knights stood beside the walls of the throne room waiting for orders.
"What is the meaning of this, Theodore?" Mother glared at Uncle and by now I had grasped the situation.
"Since George is no more, I shall lead the kingdom as the king." He says, swaying the wineglass in his hand.
"George might be gone, but my son still lives!" Mother shouted in anger.
"Your son? Oh him? isn't he dead yet?"
"Uncle!" I shout. How dare he say my brother is dead. I mean sure he hasn't visited but he sent letters! I glare at uncle who seems to have lost the mood for wine, and throws the glass down, shattering it to pieces while spilling all the wine.
He stands up from the throne and proceeds towards me and my mother.
"This is supposed to be a joyous occasion. I am the king now! Let us hold a banquet for my coronation!"
"Have you lost your mind, Theodore?!"
"Uncle! Father passed away today and you want us to celebrate!?" I fisted my hands. I was ready to attack him at any moment.
"Well, he's dead. Everyone dies. And if you keep speaking to me in that tone, then, sweetie, you're next." He smiles wickedly at me before proceeding back to the throne and ordering, "Take the princess and the Queen to their chambers and don't let them leave."
I turn to the duke, "Duke Lejaris! How can you just stand there?!"
"With all due respect my lady, What do want me to do? King George is dead. It is natural for Lord Theodore to ascend the throne." The duke spoke, as me and my mother were dragged out of the room.
And with that, they trap mother and me in our chambers. I don't understand why they're doing this. Father was always a kind ruler, so then why is Duke Lejaris supporting Uncle? Since when?
This is such a big mess. What do I even do? Brother hasn't returned. He's the rightful heir to the throne. Father is gone as well. Brother, he would know what to do. I need to write him a letter and tell him about what just happened, but he hasn't even responded to my previous letters. I don't have time to worry about that.
I frantically search my chambers for my writing supplies, but to no luck, Uncle probably had them removed. I fall on my bed and think of what to do. I just need a piece of paper and a pen. I just need to talk to mother about this.
***
Meanwhile, Queen Elaine was visited by Theodore. He marched inside her chambers and asked her, "How have you been, my dear?"
The Queen had been sitting on her bed and looking at a family portrait hung on her chamber walls. She fully ignored the self-proclaimed king who barged in.
The king sat on the bed beside her and tried to place his hand on her cheek, but she slapped his hand away, and stood up.
"What do you want from me?" She asks as she glares at the man. Her caramel eyes burning with pure hatred.
"Elaine, I want you to marry me."
"You really have lost your mind."
The king chuckled.
"You're right, I've lost my mind from seeing you with another man."
"Theodore-"
The king grabs the Queen's hands and brings them to his face.
"Elaine, I've loved you ever since I've laid my eyes on you. That night of the founding celebrations banquet. I felt as if I had laid eyes on a fairy. I couldn't forget you. We even danced back then. Don't you remember?" He asks as he kisses the Queen's hands.
"That was merely out of formality."
"Not for me. Elaine, I've loved you since that night and have never once found any woman as perfect as you. I truly love you."
"I love Geor-"
"But… you married George."
The grasp on the Queens hands become tighter to the point it hurt.
"Let go, Theodore."
"Not until you accept my proposal."
"I…will never marry such a disgusting man."
The Queen pushes him away.
"You leave me no choice."
The king snaps his fingers and two knights come in the chambers. "Lock her in prison, and as for the princess, Bring her to me."
The knights go and grab the arms of the Queen.
"Theodore, don't you dare touch my daughter!"
"What If I do?" Theodore's blue eyes glowed mischievously as he went out from the chambers.
"Elaine, you can protect her, by becoming my wife. There's still time. Choose." He smiled.
"… Never."
"BRING THE PRINCESS TO ME RIGHT NOW. AND LOCK THIS WOMAN IN THE CRYSTAL TOWER."
The knights dragged the Queen away, but even as she's being taken, she kept shouting.
"Theodore, if you hurt my little girl!"
"ELAINE! What can you do ? George is dead and I am the king now. You can't do anything about it."
A look of despair overcame the Queen before she was taken away.
Theodore marched to the princess's chambers with two knights following him.
***
I hear a knock on the door. A maid comes inside with a tray of food and water. She places the tray on my table and bows before going back to the door.
But before she leaves I grab her from the back and point a dagger to her neck.
"P-Please h-have mercy!" She pleads.
"I won't hurt you. Tell me where is Uncle Theodore. What is he doing?"
"I-I don't know! He, he was heading to the Queen's Chambers."
I push the maid out of my chambers and lock the door.
Mother. . .
I need to get out. I need to go. I look around the room and pack my things, the money I've saved up till now, my dagger and clothes.
I quickly change out of my black funeral dress and into my hunting outfit, which is a light brown dress to my knees, with dark brown pants and boots. I tie a thigh belt to my leg and insert my dagger in its position. I tie my hair into a ponytail and pick up my bag.
I look out the window and see how high I am from the ground. Nevertheless, I get out and cling to the bricks and climb down.
Right as I am beneath the window, I hear a loud bang from within my room.
Theodore had just barged in and seen no signs of the princess in the room.
"WHERE IS SHE?" he shouts at the guards standing outside my chambers.
"S-Sire! She was here!" The guard pleaded.
"The windows!" The other guard shouted before running towards it.
This is bad, very bad. I look around, I'm still several feet away from the floor beneath my room.
"She's climbing down!"
I look up to see the guard staring back at me.
"Well, you buffoon, STOP HER!"
"Ah-Yes!"
He took out his sword and was about to stab it in my direction, but before he could I grabbed my dagger and let go of the bricks.
****
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