Dahlia's

Have you ever experienced something that you least expected that would occur in your entire life?

Because that's how it was for me.

I looked at my callouses hand, lifting my head to examine the sky which was nothing but peace and beauty - devoid of what was happening below it. It was ironic. How could the sky be so pretty when land is the entire different description of it?

"Dahlia, go out.... G-go out, and sa-save--" her eyes widened, blood ripped through her stomach as it gushed out and blurred my vision. I stumbled on the floor, frightened at the sight as well as for my life. She mouthed, "Go.... And live."

My tears won't stop falling. I tried to prevent my sentiments but with this unexpectedly situation, no one would be so calm and sane. Just fifteen minutes ago, a fire broke out in the empress's bedroom and soon after that, assassin's came from every corner and killed everyone they saw in their way.

It was bloody, eerie, and terror for all of us. I was only five years old but I had to take this much. My heart was pounding so loud I could not hear anything else at all. I felt like I would go deaf by the shrieks and the screams from the people around me.

I looked around and yelled, "Dexyn, De-Dexyn, where are you?!" I called out his name but he was not coming out.

No, he must come out otherwise the assassins may come to him.

My hands were shaking due to nervousness. I was flustered what I just witnessed, could not remove it from my head. I gulped my saliva, trying to compose myself but I just could not be at ease.

My granother died while protecting me. I must... I must live.

With my overflowing tears, I kept searching or Dexyn until I heard noises from the assassins. I hid under a big basket, covered my mouth while shaking all over. I don't know if anyone could point it out but I am sure the basket from outside must have been noticably moving due to my fright.

Thankfully, after ten minutes, the assassins went away from my area without discovering me. So I quickly ran away ans continued looking for Dexyn. A few minutes passes when I saw Dexyn hiding in his favorite spot so I held him and covered his mouth to stop him from screaming, lest only earning anyone's eyes which is not good for tonight.

I held his hand in my grasp, assuring him.

"Dexyn, everything... Will be fine. I am-am here, your older sister i-is here..." I forced a smile, the picture of my grandmother dying in front of me was vivid.

But I should have left there.

Because I was so loud, the assassins heard me and immediately aimed their swords at me.

I hugged Dexyn, both of us were trembling in terror. I kept on panting, glaring at them despite my instability while Dexyn peed on his pants.

"Die!"

•

I opened my eyes, stopping myself from remembering it anymore. I bitterly lowered my hands and sighed. After escaping from the Palace, I thought someone would come to save us and eventually have us reunited with our family, but no one did.

Which led me to think - they abandoned us under the pretext that the empress died.

"Dana!", I heard Dexyn called out for me with a smile on his face. He caught six fishes today. He grinned and resumed, "Not only did I catch this, Aunt Jelly also gave me carrots and beetroot. You know her, always thinking we couldn't live without her help now."

I smiled at him, patting his shoulder to praise him. "Don't say that. Aunt Jelly is someone who brought us up when no one did. She is attached to us especially when she doesn't have children. I know that until now, she must still be clenching her fists and worried for you on your way back here."

Dexyn laughed, saying with a nod. "I could tell what she looks like. She has this frown while moving her hand up and down to ease her worry. Then Uncle Steve will come to her and massage her arms to help her fell at ease."

I laughed out loud, amused that he still remembered the favorite mannerism of the married couple. Ever since as children, Aunt and Uncle Fhast basically raised us up. They bandaged us and made us feel how it was like to be loved by people who doesn't share the same blood with us but they genuinely love us regardless.

Unlike those crude in the Palace who did not come for me and Dexyn once again. The left us saving our life in terror and uncertainty - basically leaving us to die on our own.

If someone saved us, Dexyn would have been the Crown Prince while I should be the First Princess. Yet I knew that would not happen - because no one from my family ever reached out to neither of us.

When night came, I was alone in the street to buy some groceries. The vendors always sell their products on cheaper prices when night comes so buyers use this to their advantages and buys a lot to save more money.

"I'll have all of these, Aunt," I smiled at the Aunt who was about to close down her store and then pursed her lips at me, smiling afterward. She handed me the basket after packing them up while I gave her my payment.

"Accck!"

But right after buying what I needed, someone hastily snatched my basket and ran away with it. I frowned, speechless.

I pointed at the thief, "What the heck?! Come back here you thief!"

I ran after him and eventually he went to a dead-end alley which made me happy. I knew all the ways and smallest paths you can go around this village, so he would never match up with me. I smirked, positioning myself before running faster than earlier. Noticing this, the thief yelled in surprise and could not run anymore when he suddenly sprained his ankle in the process of getting away. I furrowed, judging his skills as a thief.

What a boomer.

After seeing what happened to him, I slowed and bent down to give myself the time to calm down.

"Hey, y-you... Haa, what in the world was that... Haaa!" I panted, looking up when someone raised his hand with my stolen basket.

And I instinctively looked down, glancing at the thief who was now in the hands of the Knights lingering around in casual clothes.

I glimpses at the man in front of me but I froze in my position, in disbelief.

The man in front of me was none other but the Commander of the Knights, Handell, my supposed to be fiance. I swallowed my saliva, and looked away after realizing that I must have been looking in an offensive manner.

"I apologize for the lack of manners, Sir. Thank you for catching my basket. Then, I will take my leave..."

But he blocked my way and seriously asked. "Have we met before, Miss?" He curously sounded.

I awkwardly chuckled. "We never did, Sir."

Which was a lie since we used to play around so much when we were children.

"... Crown Princess, I didn't know you like such things."

I froze, my thoughts stopped in an instant.

... I am doomed.