"I wonder what's beyond the wall." Altheia said as she leaned unto the window sill looking down below. Seeing the bustling streets filled with common folk. Turning to look at Storm who was laying down on the ledge.
"I envy you." Looking at her cat who was looking at her as though he understood every word she said. "You have the freedom to go out and about. I wish I could see the world outside. Why am I talking to a cat again?"
She pulled a few tricks on people today but just the simple ones as she did not wish to trouble their work. So now she was left in her room with a few hours before the ball began. Carrying Storm by her arm as she went to lay down by the bed. Laying the cat down beside her.
"Where do you go to anyways when you disappear from here?" Sh1e leaned on her side as she looked at her cat who simply looked back at her. Petting the cat's ears. "Even though you just randomly appeared in the courtyard when I adopted you, it doesn't mean you can get your paws dirty and hunt dirty rats."
The cat just rolled unto his back as though asking for belly rubs. Altheia complied as she gave the cat what it wanted. Playing with Storm for the remaining hours until the sun started to set.
A knock on her door caused Storm to jump out of her bed and for her to sit up right.
"Come in~" She said in a sing-song tone.
The maids came in with a dress a red gown that had a thin sheen pink fabric on top of it giving a gradient color in their hand. It had delicate lavender and a few gem designs embroidered unto it. It gave a youthful and elegant vibe. It was accompanied with shoes that was red with an intricate design of elegant vines on the side. Another maid was holding a box that showed a golden moon shaped barrette with chained stars attached to it
"Happy Birthday princess. Your Mother, the Queen, had this specially tailored for today. While Princess Avery had these shoes crafted and Prince Alexis bought this barrette from a kingdom in the south." The maid said as she presented the gifts that her family wished for her to wear.
The corners of her mouth turning up into a smile as stood up excited for the ball. About to stand go behind the screen so she can change unto her undergarments with the help of one of the maids. Before she disappeared behind the screen she called out to her cat.
"Storm, no peeking or you'll be sleeping outside tonight." She said playfully to the cat that was grooming itself. The maids simple chuckled at the thought of the princess talking to cat.
They helped unto her undergarments and the gown. Leading her in front of the mirror as they brushed and fixed her hair into a half braided bun around the barrette.
"You look beautiful as always your highness." The maids said as they helped her to stand. Smiling shyly at their compliment saying a silent thank you feeling suddenly shy. She was poised with grace and elegance that showed her status in society.
"Now please, welcome the lady of the evening. Princess Altheia Fridur." As her name was called all attention turned to her as she walked down the stairs of towards the ballroom. As all attention was focused on her and as people were busy celebrating, those in the shadows started to put their plan into motion.
Climbing over the wall the disarming all the guards situated outside the palace and by all the passages. While other guards who saw acted as though nothing happened. Showing the way to the ball to the intruders.
Their leader signalling their men to get into positions and wait for the signal. Watching as the elite and noble danced across the floor making a display of what seemed like multicolored flowers blooming in the spring.
Her father had given her his gift the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs. He had given her a pendant with their family crest in front, which was a shield with a deer with wings on the center with their family name on the bottom, as a gift.
"If you ever feel lonely just look at that and know we're always with you " She giggled at what her father said.
"Why are you going to marry me off now father? Shouldn't you marry Avery off first before me?" She joked at him as he laughed at what she said.
"Nope, you'll always be my favorite little princess. Don't tell your sister I told you that." He then offered his hand to her so they may dance, she was giggling as her father spun her around. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
She smiled at her father as she looked up to him but that smile disappeared as she saw a flash hitting the candle chandelier. Her father hearing the fall of the piece as it pierced through the air like a nail scrapping stone. Immediately embracing his daughter protecting her head as he jumped out of harms way. Altheia was shaking in his arms as she saw the chandelier hit a few unfortunate people who were not able to react quickly. Seeing their lifeless bodies crushed with blood painting the white marble floor. Her father immediately covering her eyes, but it was to late the image was now etched in her memory.
"Altheia, look at me. Focus only on me." Theodore said as he tried to divert his daughter's attention. Checking to see if she was alright. His attention was stolen though before she could answer as he heard rapid footfalls and panic screams through the hall, standing abruptly as he hid his daughter behind him.
"Ah...yes, Happy Birthday Princess Altheia. I hope you enjoyed my wonderful gift to you." A man with wearing a red coat and pants emerged through the crowd.
He was a sight for sore eyes, he had a straight nose accompanied with his thin lips that turned into a devilish smirk. His eyes though that seemed like two black holes that would swallow anything he set his eyes upon, was something Altheia would never forget and would haunt her forever as she peeked from behind her father. His smile sent shivers down her spine as she felt fear and dread for the first time. Clutching unto her father tightly afraid of the man who was walking towards the chandelier that had fallen, now standing in a puddle of blood.
The guards immediately coming to their aid as they unsheathed their swords and faced the intruders. Her father unseathing his own sword as he faced against the man.
"I guess you are wondering who I am." The man said as he looked at the child hiding behind the king. Smiling widely when she showed fear. Bowing mockingly. "Myrkur Aevilok at your service. You're daughter's sure are pretty your highness. The black market would pay a hefty price for them."
The statement made Theodore's blood boil in rage. He did not expect to see the man here as he had sent troops to the north to reclaim Langen. Giving an order through his eyes to the other guards to protect the queen and his children.
"You must have a death wish Myrkur for coming here." He said holding his sword tightly ready for battle. Before speaking in a whisper. "Go with your mother. I'll handle this."
Feeling the gravity of the situation and with Altheia not moving, her mother had removed to step forward and remove her grip from her father, before carrying her daughter and using one of the doors near them to run away from the scene followed by a couple guards.
"You lost the moment I stepped foot in Palais du Vitrolly." Myrkur laughed as he lunged into an attack. With that all hell broke loose; sounds of metal hitting metal was heard, sounds of flesh opening and blood had decorated the ballroom. Now becoming a performance of a waltz of life and death.
Theodore was about to disarm Myrkur before an arrow hit him by the shoulder. Shocked of the impact made him stagger and loose focus to the fight. Feeling another arrow hit him by the chest this time, making him kneel and cough blood. Myrkur laughing at the image before him, the once powerful and arrogant king now kneeling before him.
Ready for death thinking his family was, he smiled at Myrkur. The smile was soon replaced by a painful groan as the man glad in red stabbed him. Laughing because he may have lost the fight but at least his family was alive and could reclaim their kingdom.
"Still smiling I see. I have a gift for you too you know." His sadistic grin growing bigger. Until an explosion shook the palace which turned Theodore's smile into a look of anger and rage. "The merchant said it would do the job, big boom he said. That was way bigger than just a boom, I should buy more of these weapons from the east."
As he said that he removed his sword from the king's body and swang it, aiming for his neck. Successfully beheading the king. He laughed in satisfaction before turning towards his men.
"Find them, kill the son but keep the women alive. We can still have a use for them." He said as he went to get the head of the king.
Meanwhile the explosion had happened in the north and east wing. The guards and Alexis killing those who were following. They were about to go through the secret passage by the armory in the south wing. The explosion had caused them to stop in their tracks.
Avery who was about to enter the secret passage stopped and looked at their mother with worry. Alexis had the same feeling as well.
"Go with Altheia and Mother, I'll go back to father." Alexis stated as he gave a stern look his sister who had no choice but to follow since she did not know how to fight anyways. Going inside the tunnel and telling Altheia to continue unto the path.
Alexis was about to walk out of the armory when his mother stopped him. Shocked by her action he turned to her in a questioning manner.
"Protect your sisters. I'll buy you sometime." She said as she pushed him towards the tunnel. He was resisting and insisting to go look for their father until his mother slapped him across the face and hugged him.
"I am not asking you. I am ordering you. Their chances of surving is higher with you by their side." She said as she pushed him towards the tunnel. Giving him a few small blades and arrows for extra weapons. He looked at them with a torn expression before nodding and going in after his siblings. Felicity then closing the passage sealing it shut and hiding it by hanging a sheild in front of it. Walking out of the armory bringing the guards with her so they cam lure the intruders away from the passage.
Knowing her fate if she was to be caught and brought before Myrkur. She placed a nightshade berry into her mouth as they lured the men away. Killing as much intruders as she can. Only when she was already surrounded with her guards dead and about to be caught did she chew the poisonous berry in her mouth causing her to die.
Avery holding Altheia tightly as they waited for their mother surprised to see their brother emerge from the pathway.
"Where is mother?" Avery asked as she looked back into the passage her brother's grimm expression told her everything. They ran towards the forest, seeing their father's right hand and their brother's second in command on horses with an extra horse in hand.
Avery riding with their father's right hand, and Altheia riding with Alexis. They rode into the forest disappearing into the night as they left their burning home without turning back.