The morning sun was livelier this morning. After a week full of rain and thunderstorms, the sun had finally decided to reveal itself from the safety of the clouds, shining brightly and filtering out the gloomy atmosphere that had captured the Kingdom of Rovamer in its clutches.
The streets were filled with laughter and the smell of freshly baked bread, with little children running around the cobbled pathways without having to worry about getting wet. Indeed, it was a wonderful day, given how the whole Kingdom was bathing in newfound excitement. But no one could match the excitement of a certain girl. A certain girl in the King's Palace.
"Your Highness!" Anna called out, or more like pleaded, her eyebrows knitted together in worry as she hiked her skirt up and took off. "Your Highness, slow down! You'll only hurt yourself!"
But the said Her Highness was too far away to hear a word, and even if she did hear, she did a good job in pretending otherwise. With her eyes dancing with mirth and lips filled with a broadened smile, she skidded through the hallways in a speed that would be considered 'unlady like'. While the passerby's seemed surprised at the girl, it came to them as a normal occurrence, for seeing the young Princess skidding through the Palace floors was something they were all used to since her birth.
"Your Highness, stop!"
Princess Aurora Evanov finally brought her legs to a halt, breathing heavily because of the energy she spent in her little run as she let go of her heavy skirt that she had pulled up to her knees to run faster. Yet, no limit of exhaustion could keep the smile away from Aurora's face, for today was an important day for her. Turning towards her hand maiden, Anna, Aurora grinned, completely oblivious to the girls suffering. "Anna! Oh Anna, I'm so very excited!"
"I can see that." Replied a tired Anna who placed her hands against her knees, catching her breath in the process. "Your Highness made it very clear through this torture that you put me through."
"Nonsense! You had fun too. Admit it." Aurora scolded childishly, to which all her hand maiden did was nod. "Of course, My Lady. I am bursting with excitement."
Anna had been with Aurora ever since they were children, given Anna's mother was Aurora's nanny and had passed away along with Aurora's mother, the late Queen, during the great plaque. Aurora had been but twelve years old, and ever since then, Anna had stuck beside her more than ever, finding comfort and solace in their little friendship.
So, when Anna said she was bursting with excitement, not all of it was sarcasm. For Anna was always excited about whatever Aurora did, because that way they could both have fun. Only this time, the fun Aurora had in mind came with a lot of risks and breaking rules set by Aurora's father, the King.
"My Lady," Anna began again, when her mistress seemed too lost in thought. "Are you sure about this? His Majesty will be-"
"Of course, I am sure! Must you ask that?" Aurora exclaimed, feeling rather offended that Anna even had to ask such a question. "It's been a week since I've been to the slums! I haven't seen him in so long!"
"Right." Was all Anna could say, as she looked at the dreamy face of Aurora, a blush slowly creeping onto her face. "But His Majesty-"
"Won't know a thing. I promise." Aurora cut in yet again, placing a firm hand on Anna's shoulder as she smiled. "We have been going to the slums for so long, he hasn't noticed once. I'm sure everything will be alright."
That is what worries me, My Lady. Anna thought to herself, the words dying down in her throat. The slums are nowhere near safe for someone so ill in self-defense as yourself. We are lucky trouble hasn't found us yet, but should it ever do so, we'll be dead in a heartbeat. And you won't even let us take a single guard along!
"Perhaps if we could-"
"We have been through this before, Anna. We are not taking any guards with us. Unless you want father to know about this." Aroura cut in for the third time that day, making Anna grimace internally.
It is my fault. It is my fault for agreeing to your mischief in the first place, My Lady.
It had happened by sheer luck. Aurora and Anna were on one of their little adventures of venturing into the market without an escort when suddenly, Anna's money satchel disappeared. It was only after they noticed a boy of perhaps nine years of age running towards the slums, did they realize they were robbed, and like the foolish girls they were, they gave chase, entering inside the territory of people they were not at all familiar with.
Of course, the little boy was just a trap for a much bigger danger that was lurking at the end of an alley, dirt and grime covering every inch of it. There, Aurora and Anna came face to face with three bulky men that looked anything but gentle, their intentions written clear as day on their faces without them having to utter a word.
Things would have definitely taken an ugly turn, if not for a mysterious man and his two friends that saved the damsels in distress from the men that looked like oak trees. The satchel of money was returned, gratitude was offered, and the mysterious man began to walk away, until a hand grabbed onto his tattered cotton shirt, turning him around again.
There stood Aurora in her own tattered cotton skirt and messy bodice with a smile as gentle as the morning dew in a flower staring up at his hazel eyes before she offered him her hand, beckoning him to give his hand as well.
Silently, the man did as told, and in his palm she placed a little sugar candy.
"Thank you, good sir. You saved my life."
From that moment on, a new friendship had formed, and everyday Aurora, or as the man knew her to be Aria, would venture out to meet her newly made friend, Julias.
Three months had passed, and Julias and Aurora were ever so close, that the one week of thunderstorms that kept her away from meeting him felt like ages. She knew he was waiting for her at the slums, and it made her feel guiltier for not sharing her identity with him. Yes, Julias had no idea that Aria, the slum girl was actually Aurora, the youngest princess of Rovamer.
But now, the long-awaited time had come. They were soon going to see each other again. Nothing mattered anymore.
So taken with her thoughts. Aurora doesn't notice the door to their right left ajar, until Anna inches closer to it, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place inside.
"Anna? What are you-"
"Ssh! Quiet!" Anna whisper yelled, beckoning with her hand to Aurora to follow her, and soon the duo was pressing their ears against the door together.
"Do you really believe it's the only best choice, Your Majesty?"
At the mention of her father, Aurora and Anna share a look of shock and horror, for if they were caught eavesdropping on the King they'd be killed, at least Anna would.
"We should go, Anna. We should-"
"Ssh! Let me listen" Anna wouldn't budge. Let the King come for her head, but she had to hear what was being told. For what she was listening didn't seem to be just any political discussion, but something related to her own Lady.
King Henricus was at his study, his head in his hands as his chief advisor Laurence looked down at him with concern. "We could always find another way-"
"What other way, Laurence?" The King asked, finally looking up at the man. "Rovamer is under suspicion of forming a rebellion against Lanterbur. If Emperor Tesarius starts believing in the rumors, not a soul in Rovamer will be safe. And that includes Aurora. The only way to keep both Aurora and this Kingdom safe, is to send her to Lanterbur, right under the Kings wing, so he'll know our loyalty lies with him."
The king… wants to send Aurora… to Lanterbur?
Eyes turning towards her lady who seemed to have not a care in the world, Anna couldn't help but wonder what the King was planning.
"It is settled then." King Henricus said again. "The Queen Dowager had asked for Aurora to become the King's concubine, so we shall do just that. That's the only way she'll be safe."
"M-My Lady." Anna suddenly called, lips quivering in fear as she grabbed Aurora's hand, startling the girl, "Let us… g-get out of her."