"Excuse me, sir." Nicholas abruptly stopped a gentleman. "Can you please tell us what's happening?"
"The palace," said the man in a panicky tone. "There're intruders in the palace, and they've taken over," he explained bitterly as he sprinted away for his dear life.
Elizabeth felt her heart racing violently at the disclosure from the man, her long lashes glistening with tears. "No, it's not true," she cried as she shook her head vigorously.
"Calm down, my love, please," Nicholas comforted her. "It will be alright." He pulled her close to his chest.
She disembarked from the hug after a few seconds and made to leave. "Where are you going?" asked Nicholas in a weary tone.
"I can't stay here," she cried bitterly. "I've got to go to the palace regardless."
"Then I shall go with you." Nicholas wiped her tears with his hand. "Let's go," he announced, leading her to their horse and straight to the palace.
Elizabeth's mind was all over the place; she'd never forgive herself if anything ever happened to her family while she was out here having the time of her life. God knows she wouldn't, the guilt of such an event would be too much for her to bear. She prayed fervently that the gentleman had been mistaken, and that nothing along those lines had occurred . She knew it was farfetched, judging from the way everywhere was in disarray and thrown into panic, with none of their military men on sight.
As they arrived at the entrance to the palace, they were taken aback and astounded to find unfamiliar soldiers stationed as guards.
" NO!" Elizabeth exclaimed in terror as she hurriedly dismounted her horse and hastily made her way towards the palace.
"Hey, stop there," one of the scary soldiers said, halting her steps. "Who are you and where do you think you're going?" shouted the furious man as he shoved her aside.
Nicholas was quickly by her side. " Leave her alone; don't hurt her," he shouted.
Ignoring their actions, Elizabeth rose like an irate lioness. "Let me in," she demanded furiously, causing the soldiers present there to be taken aback. "I'm the princess," she stated through tears, surprising the man who had just shoved her.
Without hesitation, he stepped aside to let her through as she bolted in without any regard for safety, Nicholas called after her but she ignored him. The soldier sadly shook his head. He contemplated to himself that she ought to have fled since she was aware of the troubles that awaited her.
While she was inside the palace, she observed numerous deceased soldiers from their kingdom scattered on the ground. This was a well-thought-out plan, Elizabeth contemplated.
She quickly reached the main hall of the palace and observed some of the Kingdom's remaining soldiers kneeling down. Elizabeth suddenly became frightened when she spotted a menacing-looking man with a lengthy beard sitting on the throne. Frantically scanning the surroundings for her loved ones, her eyes eventually settled on the floor where her family knelt before the throne.
Everyone focused their gaze on Elizabeth. Her parents had a fearful expression fixed on their faces. Her parents had hoped that their daughter would not be present at this dreadful scene in the palace, but unfortunately, she was here to witness it.
"Who's she?" the large man questioned, staring at one of his soldiers.
"She's the princess," he replied. "She was out and had only just returned."
The big man stood up. "Excellent," he uttered as he walked swiftly towards Elizabeth. "So you're the famous princess," he said, caressing her smooth skin, prompting Elizabeth to slap his hand away.
The man erupted in hysterical laughter. "You're a feisty one, ain't you?"
"Let her go!" the King shouted angrily. "I'll kill you if you touch her."
The man scoffed at the King as he ordered, "Kill the King and Queen along with the remaining soldiers." He paused as he directed his gaze towards Elizabeth. "We'll take her along with the prince," he added gruffly.
Elizabeth panicked as she watched the soldiers approaching her parents. "No!" she shouted. "Please no."
Arthur, on the other hand, struggled against their hold as he was being held up by ten hefty soldiers who were still finding it hard to hold him down.
One of the soldiers quickly gripped their father's head and immediately positioned the sword in front of his throat. The King cast a last look at his children and, signaling with a nod, shut his eyes in expectation of impending peril. The king's head was briskly severed by the soldier, causing Elizabeth and her brother to let out a piercing shriek. The soldiers of the King also let out a piercing cry while the Queen seemed stunned and struggled to find the right words.
Afterwards, the man signaled for the queen's demise, and without any delay, she met the same end. Elizabeth was deeply distraught and wept uncontrollably, unable to control herself. Had she been aware that it was her mother's final day, she would have exhibited more kindness and refrained from departing the palace at all today.
Filled with rage, she strode purposefully towards the towering man. And in a display of fury,she violently tugged at his jacket while standing in front of him, causing him to push her down to the ground, Arthur let out a furious roar.
"Kill them all except the prince and princess,"he commanded his men. "And bring that one too," he pointed at a distraught Aurora, who was kneeling in a secluded corner.
At this declaration, Elizabeth experienced a profound sense of debilitation and powerlessness. As she felt her soul leaving her body, her vision started to blur and she felt weaker. Collapsed onto the ground, darkness and agony were the only sensations she could perceive. She gradually lost consciousness due to the overwhelming emotional strain.
Glancing at her, the man ordered his men to quickly take her into the carriage. "We ride for home tonight," he announced in a fulfilled tone.