The Dontreal Kingdom's Tragedy

I went straight to my chamber right after dinner, preparing myself to meet the Queen. Question by question kept popping up in my mind, making my head throb because of overload thoughts. The uneasiness intensified tenfold as I stood in front of a set of meticulously carved wooden double doors of the appointed room: The King's Study.

Pleading to my racing heart to calm down, I planted a soft knock on the door. Cold sweat began to form in my skin as something unpleasant crawled in my veins. I said a silent prayer that whatever the Queen had to say, it would not be something critical or worse, something to do with the secret training.

Little did I knew, that things would not go as easy as I wished them to be.

I gathered every ounce of confidence in me, banishing all negative thoughts out of my mind. Everything is going to be alright, I kept chanting to myself. I was about to inhale a good amount of air into my lungs when the doors creaked open, revealing the last person I would want to see. My breath hitched in my throat, and I was sure my face was as white as brand new chalk.

Standing in front of me was Prince Arthion, looking distinguished and elegant in his dark two-pieces royal suit. The light of lit up candles danced in his crystal grey eyes, and his pale skin glowed with soft orange. I stood idly at the door staring at him, not knowing what to say or what to do.

The more I looked at him, the more I realised that the adorable little Arthion had turn into this dashing, extremely attractive young man. Womens' heart would easily melt by just one of his single glance. But his fineness would not affect me, of course, not when all he did was glaring at me every single time.

I pursed my lips. Did we not meet in person for more than seven years, he was still holding onto his grudge. "Your Highness," I curtsied, trying to put our silent war into a break.

"What are you doing here?" he said in condescending tone.

"I was summoned to see Her Majesty the Queen."

His jaw tensed, an unreadable emotion flashed through his eyes. "She's not-"

"Is that Aerelynn, Arthion?" said a sweet yet demanding voice from inside, "If so, please, let her in."

The look of pure shock crossed his face, as if someone had just splashed a bucket of cold water over him. "But Mother," he protested over his shoulder, "we are-"

"Oh, it's you indeed. Do enter, Aerelynn dear," the Queen cut him in once more, "we've been expecting you."

"You've been expecting her?" the Prince said, baffled. A sound of Emeryn's familiar giggle made him frown, but when he opened up his mouth to speak something, he closed it immediately.

It seemed that the Queen was throwing a look at him or mouthing something I could not see nor hear, for he groaned audibly, looking defeated. I stiffed a giggle. Some things never change. He looked back at me, glaring harder than before.

"Well?" I arched eyebrow. "Are you going to let me in?"

He did not say anything. Instead, he threw me one last glare before turning around to get back inside.

I suppressed an amused smile, not expecting his childish tantrum. Shrugging, I walked into the study and closed the doors behind. "Your Majesty," I held my dress, curtsying to the Queen as soon as her glorious figure came into view.

I never ceased to admire her features even if we had met quite often. She was a perfect definition of grace; with silky caramel hair cascading down to her waistline, and delicate fair skin tinged with red. Her face was kind and charming, but could be scary and demanding whenever she wanted to. She was sitting behind a huge impressive mahogany desk, which was framed by a window on the back wall with luxurious blue drapes drawn across.

"Your Highness." I curtsied to Emeryn, who was sitting across from the Queen. The Princess was a younger version of her mother, with darker hair and brighter eyes. She was not the type of fragile princess who need to be protected. She was more like beautiful but tough one who was able to defend herself. She looked up at me, before rolling her eyes and looking back at the book she was reading. I smiled, knowing that she always found it irritating whenever I regarded her by her status.

"Aerelynn dear," said the Queen with a dismissing hand, smiling at me, "this is family time, no need for formality. Please, take a seat."