Charlotte and Katty lighted like a candle on seeing him. We all did a curtsy and said in a unison,
"Greetings, Your highness."
He looked towards me and said, "Greetings, Princess Madeleine and ladies."
He was smiling like a maniac.
" I will win this time..So,prepare to give me your Rose." He said and went away.
" I will give him my Rose." Katty said.
" Rose...." I asked.
" Every year, the one who wins will recieve a rose from any lady he likes. The winner and the lady will be considered as the most powerful man and the most beautiful lady." Charlotte explained.
After some time, We took our seats.There was a throne for me in a vip lane. Beside me there were other thrones. They must be for other guests . A girl my age came and sat beside me. Her hair was unusually short. She was taller than me and had sharp features. She had green eyes.She saw me staring at her. I got flustered and looked down. I really should stop staring at people like that.
" Hello." She said.
I looked at her and she had a warm smile on her face.
" Hello" I replied.
" I am Akshita Campbell." She introduced herself.
So, she was Akshita campbell. Indeed, her image exceeded the rumours.
" I am Madeleine Lancaster." I said.
" I have heard about you. You are here for peacemaking."
" Yeah, you heard that right. I also have heard about you."
" What did you hear?" She said suspiciously.
"Nothing.....Just some rumours."
" What kind of? Do tell me, please."
" Then please tell me if the rumours are baseless or not. I promise I won't tell anyone."
" Okay."
"I heard that there is something going on between you and the crown prince Balder."
She smiled a little but didn't say anything.
" They are right." She confirmed it.
" Really...." I said a bit loudly. I was so excited to hear that.I lowered my voice and said," Really, that's so nice. I am so happy.I........"
I got interrupted by loud voices . People were screaming and running. Akshita got up and asked," What's happening?"
People were running around and it was a chaos.
" A wild elephant is coming this way. " Someone shouted.
I and Akshita stared at each other with horror masking our faces.
" We should go." She said.
I nodded and we strated moving. It was so crowded. Everyone was pushing and shoving each other. My heart was in my throat. Everyone was panicking. Where was Amy?
I saw a soldier coming towards crowd. He was coming from forest and was injured. Blood was leaking from his wounds.Blood was dripping from his mouth. Suddenly, my mind went numb.On seeing him, my senses dulled.Every voice dulled in background. It was pin drop silent. I couldn't move. My brain was showing me shadows. Blood was there. So, many blood. My brain was showing me fragments from past.
Mother collapsed while vomiting blood. Everything was happening before me. My mind was playing tricks with me. I was rooted to my place.
I heard a voice. It was distant, so far away. Everyone was looking at me with wide eyes. They were screaming but I didn't hear anything. I saw a wild giant angry elephant coming towards me. A shadow came before me and slit that elephant's skin with long silver sword before it could reach me. Blood splashed every where. It leaked like a river stream from its wound. The elephant screamed loudly.
There was blood on me. He slit again and blood splashed on ground. It looked like a pond of blood was formed. That elephant collapsed and the ground vibrated.
I saw black dots flying everywhere. My world was spinning.
Someone shaked me hard. He was Alaric. He was saying something but I couldn't hear him. My limbs were cold. I was shaking.Darkness curtained my view and I fell into unending dark abyss.
Author's POV-
After killing that elephant, Alaric shaked her hard and screamed,
" Have you gone mad? I told you to get away...But you were standing like a statue."
He was shakened by this while event. He thought he would lost her.
" Say something. " he shouted again.
But, she was not even listening. She wasn't reacting. He knew somthing was wrong.
" Madeleine..." He said in a anxious voice. He was anxious for her.
Suddenly, she collapsed but before she could touch the ground .He caught her. She passed out on him. He was afraid. He lifted her in arms and ran to medical chambers. She was passed out cold and motionless in his arms. While he had all kind of scary expressions on his face. He was worried and scared.He bursted into medical chambers and shouted,
"Doctor, doctor......."
Everyone gathered on seeing the prince. They saw Madeleine in her arms and told him to lie her in bed. He lie her on bed and started rubbing her cold hands. He knew he liked her from the day he saw her. He accepted his feelings easily. Amy came running in the chamber. She was crying and looked like she must had fell on her way. Her clothes were dirty and her face had mud on it. Traces of tears could be seen easily. On seeing her, he got up and went out. He knew he could love her easily. But, he didn't want her to be his habit. He won't be able to live without her if she will leave him. He feared the politics between the two kingdoms won't accept their love. So, he thought their love that had no future, it was better not to make it bloom and saw it die. It was better to prevent it.
Madeleine
I opened my eyes to see Amy crying. Where am I ? My head was aching badly.My limbs were cold. I was feeling so weak. Amy saw me and said," Princess, Are you okay? Should I call the doctor?"
" I am fine." I said with a dry throat.
" When I saw that elephant coming towards you. I was so scared and why you didn't move?" She sobbed.
" I am sorry. I saw that soldier and .....b...blood. So much blood was there. I saw mother.....and blood. " My voice choked and tears spilled their way out my eyes. " It's alright. Everything is fine now princess." Amy cried with me.
I hugged her.
" I am useless. If madam Kelly was here, she would know what to do." She said while putting her head on my shoulder.
"D...Don't say that.You are with me. W....We are in this together. We will face everything together." I sniffed and we stayed there like that until we both calmed down.
Due this incident, the hunting competiton was cancelled and a horse racing competition was arranged. It was also announced that Princess Akshita campbell and Crown prince Balder will be getting engaged. The horse race will take place after one week of their engagement ceremony. Several Tea parties and balls will be arranged to celebrate the engagement and horse racing competition.