She watched as her life became planned out in front of her. Dinner parties, dances, social gatherings, and hour long portraits with the royal painter. Despite the numerous chandeliers in the palace, her life seemed to become only darker. As the crown princess to her father’s kingdom, Degalla, everything was planned out before her. All she need to do was follow her father’s wishes. How boring.
A quiet sigh escaped her lips.
“Excuse me father, I need some air to myself.”
She stood from her chair, curtsied her leave, and walked down the hall away from the dinner party. The guests consisted mostly of nobles from the royal court and their suitors as well as a few generals from the kingdom’s army and their sons. Her father had planned this particular party for her to mingle with the scions of wealthy families within the kingdom. But, she had no interests in finding a suitor for herself just yet, however her father insisted on prattling on about her eighteenth birthday being soon. Hanalea didn’t see the connection of her crowning age to having to find a suitor.
Another restless sigh escaped her lips.
As she walked further down the carpeted hall, the sounds of music, idle chit chat, and heels clicking on a dance floor faded out from her ears. She was left to her own thoughts and the sound of her gown dragging on the floor behind her. A small creak brought her out of her musings.
“Is someone there?” She called out to the empty hallway. “There’s no use hiding, I can feel your presence.” Perhaps she was just paranoid. There had been talk of a war brewing them and the neighboring kingdom Crucia. Apparently they were targeting members of the royal court and family. She had good reason to be paranoid.
Shaking her mind clear of such thoughts she continued to her room at a brisker pace. It took a few minutes for her to finally reach the doors to her chambers, but nonetheless she was happy to be away from the social constraints of the dinner party. Upon entering her room she closed the doors behind her and made her way to her bathing quarters. It was time for her to wipe the makeup off and slip into more comfortable clothes.
However, something seemed different in the atmosphere of her room. She didn’t feel like she was quite alone.
Crucia’s war was no longer only talk; plans that would change history forever had
been set in motion. That night would mark the beginning of something tremendous,
and he would be the start of it all. Oh, the very idea sent a chill down his spine, thin
lips curving in a smile that would leave anyone uneasy. Fingers twitched as they
hovered over his dear weapon, eyes glued to the girl just inches away from him.
He used her momentary panic to make his way past her ( something so easy it was
completely laughable ) slipping into her quarters and concealing his presence. A hungry
tongue danced over chapped lips as he watched the girl walk in, fingers digging into his
palms as he forced them to stay at his side. How badly he wanted to proceed with the
plan, how badly he wanted to sink his fangs into the delicate flesh of her neck.
But it was far too soon. He needed to time this correctly; a move that wouldn’t cause
alarm until he’d made his escape and was far away from the scene.
He watched her until her attention seemed to be elsewhere, until her movements became
more relaxed and until her guard was lowered just enough…
His movements were quick and calculated and in an instant he had his fingers digging
into her arms, knife resting comfortably against her neck.
❝ Sorry Princess, but your time here has come to an end. ❞
