"Irene! Wake up!"
She slowly opened her hazel eyes and found herself staring into a pair of cold green ones. His eyes were as cold as winter ice, impossible to read and even harder to challenge.
She wasn't surprised. After six months, she had grown accustomed to those piercing eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked. "We have to start moving."
"Good morning, Ravor," she replied.
"Here."
Without acknowledging her greeting, he tossed a sack containing food toward her.
Ravor turned away without waiting for a response. Irene tightened her grip on the sack and sighed. Six months, and he had never once returned her morning greetings.
"Living with him or kidnapped by him?" she murmured.
SIX MONTHS AGO...
(ASVKY CASTLE)
Only minutes earlier, an explosion had echoed from the throne room. At first, I thought I was dreaming until I saw Lydia, Tina, and Eve, my personal maids, running hastily toward me.
"What's happening? Where are the guards?" I asked, a mixture of fear and confusion filling me.
"They're waiting outside. His Majesty asked us to prepare you, my lady. We have to leave immediately. The palace is no longer safe," Lydia, the oldest of the maids, replied.
Before I could ask any further questions, the maids hurried into my dressing room and began packing.
I sat down, trying to make sense of everything. What could have caused such chaos in the palace? Knowing my father, he would never willingly involve himself in conflict with the neighboring kingdoms.
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching my chamber.
The maids froze, exchanging fearful glances before turning to me.
Then came a loud bang on the door.
With fear evident on her face, Lydia slowly rose to answer it. Every step she took seemed painfully heavy, as though she were walking on thorns.
We all held our breath, expecting the worst.
The door opened.
"Daniel!" Lydia cried in relief.
"Where is the princess?" the guard asked urgently.
"She's inside, but why are you..."
He didn't let her finish before barging into the room.
"My lady," he said, bowing respectfully.
I nodded.
"The palace soldiers have been killed. Only a few of us managed to escape."
"What about my father and the Crown Prince?" I asked immediately.
"My lady..."
I noticed he was avoiding my gaze.
"Where are they?" I demanded, my voice rising.
That wasn't like me, but I couldn't help it.
"I'm sorry, my lady, but the Crown Prince has been killed, and His Majesty has been captured."
The words hit me like a blade to the chest.
For a moment, I could barely breathe.
But this was not the time to break down.
I had to stay strong for my father and for the kingdom.
"We have to leave, my lady," Daniel urged.
"Princess, I don't think you'll be comfortable traveling in that dress," Lydia said gently.
She was right.
This journey was not for a celebration or royal event. Comfort would be more important than appearance.
I quickly changed into the clothes the maids had prepared.
It was time to leave.
Taking one last look around my room, I sighed.
We moved through the corridors with Daniel leading the way. Instead of heading toward the main exit, he turned left toward the servants' quarters.
"It'll be safer this way," he explained. "The routes leading out of the castle are already under enemy control."
Before he could say anything else, we were met with a horrifying sight.
Blood covered the stone floor, and its metallic scent hung heavily in the air.
Bodies lay scattered across the corridor.
"This is not good," I whispered.
"Run!" Daniel shouted.
But it was already too late.
Soldiers emerged from every direction, surrounding us.