Your Highness!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the lively chatter and laughter like a blade. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to him, and the clinking of cutlery fell silent.
"What is it?" my father, the king, asked, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of concern.
"We are under attack!" the commander announced, his words sharp and jarring. "The kingdom from the south has surrounded us. They've already breached the outer defences, and many of our soldiers have been killed."
The gravity of his words landed like a thunderclap, and panic rippled through the room. Gasps and murmurs erupted as the weight of the situation sank in. Servants froze where they stood, their faces drained of colour, while my own heart began to race.
"They are killing the subjects mercilessly," the commander continued, his voice breaking slightly. "We are being overpowered, Your Highness. The situation is dire."
My father, ever the composed leader, exchanged a grim glance with my mother. No words were needed to convey their shared determination. Without hesitation, they both stood from the table, their movements swift and purposeful. My younger brother, Daniel, followed suit, his expression a mix of anger and resolve. Though young, he had always been fiercely protective of our family and kingdom.
"Lilian, take the princess to her chambers and lock the doors," my mother instructed sharply, her voice steady but urgent. She turned to me, her gaze softening for a moment. "Stay hidden, my love. No harm must come to you."
"I'm not leaving!" I protested, rising from my chair. My legs felt unsteady beneath me, but I refused to let fear take hold. "I can help
"No," my father interrupted, his tone firm and commanding. He stepped toward me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You are the future of this kingdom, and you must be protected at all costs. Do as we say, my daughter."
I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak. The thought of leaving my family to face such danger without me was unbearable, but I knew my father's words were final. He turned back to the commander.
"Ensure the princess's safety above all else," he ordered. "Take her to the secret tunnels if necessary. Do not let her fall into enemy hands."
"Yes, Your Majesty!" the commander replied,
bowing swiftly.
I stood frozen, paralyzed by a fear so intense it felt like a cage around me. My legs trembled violently beneath me, and my hands were cold as ice, numb to the reality unfolding before my eyes. I couldn't even muster the strength to save myself, let alone my family or the people counting on us. My breathing was shallow, each breath a struggle against the oppressive weight pressing down on my chest.
Before I could fully comprehend the chaos, a group of enemy soldiers burst into the room where I was hiding. My heart leapt into my throat, and I stumbled backwards, pressing myself against the cold stone wall. Their eyes darted around, searching for any sign of life. But before they could spot me, the commander and his men stormed in, intercepting them with swift and brutal efficiency.
I watched in terror as swords clashed, the metallic clang reverberating in the confined space. Blood splattered across the floor, and the air was thick with the acrid smell of sweat and iron. The soldiers fell one by one under the commander's blade, but their presence only deepened my fear. My legs buckled beneath me, and I sank to the floor, trembling uncontrollably. I had never felt so helpless.
Princess, stay hidden!" the commander barked, his voice a sharp command that snapped me out of my daze. But the words felt distant, muffled by the pounding of my heart.
Through the partially open door, I could see the outside where the battle raged on. My family fought valiantly, My father stood tall at the centre of the battle, his sword cutting through the enemies with unmatched precision. My mother moved with equal ferocity, her every strike fueled by a mother's protective instinct. My brother, though younger and less experienced, fought alongside them with unwavering determination.
But the sight of so many lifeless bodies strewn across the floor made my stomach churn. Soldiers who had sworn loyalty to our kingdom lay motionless, their blood pooling around them. Subjects who had once laughed and celebrated in these very halls were now reduced to casualties of war. My vision blurred with tears, and I struggled to process the horror before me.
Then, as though time slowed, the masked figure of Emperor Tristan emerged from the carnage, his presence commanding and terrifying. He cut through our remaining soldiers with terrifying ease, his movements calculated and brutal. The clang of his sword against my father's echoed like a death knell in my ears.
My father met the Emperor's blows with all the strength he could muster, their swords colliding in a deadly symphony. But the Emperor was relentless, his strikes gaining momentum with each passing moment. Then, in a heart-stopping instant, his blade found its mark, slicing through my father's chest. My father gasped, his sword slipping from his grasp as he crumpled to the floor.
"No!" I screamed, my voice raw with anguish. I tried to rush forward, but the commander blocked my path, his arms outstretched. "Stay back, Princess!" he shouted, his tone desperate. "You must survive this!"
Tears streamed down my face as I watched my mother take up her sword, facing Emperor Tristan with a resolve that made my chest ache. Her movements were sharp and precise, her blade flashing in the dim light. For a moment, it seemed she might gain the upper hand. She struck him on the shoulder, drawing blood. But her victory was short-lived. The Emperor roared in fury, his retaliation swift and merciless. His sword slashed through her arm, and she stumbled backwards, her face twisted in pain.
"Mother!" I cried, the sound ripping from my throat like a wounded animal.
The Emperor raised his sword, his intentions clear. My mother, weakened and defenceless, stared up at him, her breaths laboured. But before he could deliver the final blow, my father, bleeding and battered, summoned the last of his strength. With a guttural cry, he lunged forward, placing himself between the Emperor and my mother.
"No!" I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief. My father's body absorbed the fatal blow, the sword piercing through him. He coughed, blood staining his lips, and collapsed to the ground beside my mother. His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, a silent plea for me to stay hidden, to survive.
I was frozen, unable to move, my mind spiralling into chaos. The scene before me felt like a nightmare, one I couldn't wake up from. My father's lifeless form, my mother's cries of agony, the Emperor's cold, unyielding presenc, everything blurred together in a haze of fear and despair.
I clutched the wall for support, my knees threatening to give way. For the first time, I truly understood the fragility of life and the weight of the crown I bore. And yet, I was powerless, a spectator in my family's darkest hour.