Cursed

Chapter 1

The empty halls echoed as I walked down them, my dress gently sweeps the floor as I walk. I stopped in front of a set of huge oak doors, I hesitated for a moment but then pushed them open. The ballroom was full of people dancing, chatting, and laughing. They were completely unaware of the awful news I was about to bring. I straightened my position and walked in through the doors, the talking died immediately as everyone turned to look at me. My stomach turned over as I thought about what might happen to all these people.

 "Princess, what are you doing here?" asked one of the servants. 

"I have come to inform you that the Northern prince has killed the former king and has now raged war on the other kingdoms. The east has already fallen under his command while the war is still going in the west, I have heard that his armies have also set out towards our kingdom, they are expected to arrive here in a month's time." A quiet murmur went through the room when I finished. "Thank you Irene, but why must you tell us now? Surely you could have waited."  my father asked, he was sitting at a table to the side of the room talking with some of the guests. 

"I am terribly sorry father" I tried my best to keep my voice calm and steady, but I was fully aware of the many eyes watching me speak "I have no pleasure in interrupting your party, but we must act now. The war in the west is harsh, many have died and the kingdom is falling, I'm afraid if we don't act soon the same thing may happen to us." 

The king didn't say anything for several moments, he seemed to be thinking about what to make out of this information. "Very well then," he said " Irene, send a message out to the troops and tell them to start preparing. The troops should head out of the kingdom as soon as they can, and make sure that everyone is safe and ready for the attack. If we are lucky we may be able to stop his army before it reaches us." 

"Thank you father, I shall make sure everything is done." I curtsy and then swiftly walk out of the room leaving everyone to talk about what might happen to them.

                                                                      * * *

 I felt tenser as I entered my room, I sat down on the bed and looked at myself in the mirror that was hanging on the wall. My light brown curls rested on my shoulders, and my black eyes looked back at me with sorrow, I couldn't help but think of all the people in the kingdom, the children, the shopkeepers, the guards, they may all die in a little while. The Northern army is strong, much stronger than us, I didn't want to admit it but we would lose, there is no way we could survive.