Of Sky and Stars

Chapter 2: The Betrayal

"General Kai," Chloe greeted Kai with surprise as they met on the hallway.

"Chloe," he greeted back. "Are you on your way to the princess' room?"

"Yes. I went to fetch some scented candles for the princess," Chloe put up the basket of candles for Kai to see.

"I am also heading that way," Kai said and he took the basket from Chloe.

"Thank you, General Kai" she shyly said with a smile. "I am surprised that you are not by Princess Aria's side right now. You, two, have been inseparable since you became her personal protector."

"Lord Francis is protecting the princess right now. I had to make the night rounds since a lot of people came in today," Kai said with a straight face.

"Then, Princess Aria's feelings have reached Lord Francis?" she asked with delight.

Kai looked down as they continue walking, "I don't know but it's only a matter of time since the princess have already come of age."

"You understand those two really well, don't you?" Chloe asked Kai.

Kai remained silent for a few moments before saying, "It's because...I have watched them since we were kids. Those two...how should I put it..."

They have reached the corner going to the princess' room when he continued with a sigh, "I want them to be happy."

I stared into Francis' eyes as I looked up at him towering over me with a sword in hand, "F-Francis."

I gulped and look down at my mother and father's bodies. My dress had also became crimson from their blood. My mind was in chaos and clearly in denial of what is clearly in front of me, "H-Hurry...Mother and f-father...c-call the...p-physician."

A cold voice that I did not recognize came from Francis. It filled the room with dark menace, "I don't think that's necessary. They are dead...I killed them."

"W-What are...you saying, F-Francis? You..would never...d-do something...l-like that," my voice was now trembling. Lots of emotions were jumbling inside me right now--sadness, disbelief, hurt, and above all, I am scared.

"You don't know?" He said, "I have lived for this day. Do you remember when the Cosmo Kingdom attacked us 10 years ago? You were too young at that time. But, my mother was killed by those Cosmos bastards."

His back was facing me when I looked up at him. "And what did your father do?" he suddenly faced me and I saw hatred in his eyes. "He cowardly succumbed to Cosmo Kingdom's wishes and gave up Aqua City...after my mother died!"

My tears won't stop flowing now as I hear his grievances, "Astral Kingdom was once the strongest and most feared. Look at it now. We only have 4 cities left with Cosmos always at our throats threatening to invade our lands."

He continued, "Your father was a coward. And Alexander was anything but. If only he did not intervene with my plans, he now would have been the king of Astral."

I cannot believe what I am hearing right now.

He also killed Alexander?

"That is why, Princess Aria," he faced me and continued, "I have lived for this day...the day I have avenged my mother. And the day I will change the future of this kingdom...by becoming it's King."

This...

I am dreaming.

A nightmare.

He was just smiling at me earlier. And, the necklace...You gave me this necklace.

I touched the necklace hanging around my neck that now felt like a noose choking me to death.