Her Throne

{ C H A P T E R 1}

The sky was so blue and the clouds were as white as the snow and as soft as a feather. The birds blessed Octalieen's ears with lovely melodies that jumped up and down as she sat on the soft grass, reading one of her favourite books - " The Power of  a Fragile Rose". She wasn't one romantic girl, but from time to time she did daydream of love's adventures. But most of the time, she tried to knowledge herself with subjects such as women power or warriors. Octalieen had always been the stubborn one, who always fought for whats right.
Her one weakness were her closest friends, which really included her maid - Arpina, her other friend, that came from another Kingdom of  Mellostar, was Lyra. But the only friend, that she daydreamed about, was her Knight - Jericho. He wasn't a Prince of any sort, but he was someone she couldn't resist. Her mind  was filled with his face all the time. His dark shining black hair, those green eyes, that reminded her of  the lake that she and him sat near by and swam in when they were kids, the softest grass and the deepest woods. His fair skin and shoulders, rough soldier  hands that to her didn't seem to be as rough as he always implied them to be.  His intoxicating cent and his voice. Whenever he talked it sent shivers down her spine. However, he didn't seem to find her as a mature, grown-up woman, only as a responsibility, a priority, a weak  princess that needed someone's hand to protect her. The thought of him thinking of her that way, made her skin boil. She wasn't just a weak little girl, and she would prove it to everyone who doubted her. At least that's what she always says.
- My lady, your King has a wish upon seeing you.
My King. How stupid.
- Yes, Arpina, I'll be there.
Not because I wish to, but because I have to.
- Thank you, My lady. Shall I help you?
- No, your hand isn't needed right now, but thank you Arpina.
Again with the helping hand and all of these stupid assumptions about women like myself being weak JUST because I'm a royalty. It isn't fair and I wish for them to see that.
- Arpina, do you know if my father has any plans for tonight?
- Well, not that I know of any. I don't think so, may I ask why?
- Unfortunately, I cannot tell, but thank you.
Arpina lowered her head down with a little bow. She felt as the conversation is meant to be over with.
Octalieen clearly doesn't seem to show much interest in going to see her father, as she would prefer to stay in the garden, and sit on the soft grass. Maybe there is still a chance for her to stay. Or maybe that's just her desperate wish.
- Arpina!
A voice suddenly appeared.
- Sir Eris... - Arpina slowly said.
- I have finally found you, have you see the- OH! My lady, my apologies for shouting, I was just looking for Arpina im hope that she has seen your presence.
- Well she has and so have you. Can I help with anything?
-Well, yes. The King is being visited by the Knights, they have returned from the patrols in the South Greenarcia.
Suddenly, Octalieen jumped up as she was hit with the realisation. If all the Kinghs have come back than that means so has Jericho.
- O-oh, alright, thank you Eris! I'll be going now-
Arpina looked at Eris with her face turning pink.
- One word of him and she's gone. - Eris said.
- Y-yes, I guess that's all she needs in order to come back to the castle.
- We should head back as well if we don't wish for any trouble.

* * * * * *

Octalieen ran back as fast as she could. The thought of him being back here and standing tall in her castle made her excitement go over board. And though it sounds and looks like an obsession that needed to be fixed as the facts proved of him not feeling the same, it only proves how much she loves him.
- Open the gates please! - She shouted while trying to catch her breath.
- We are sorry your highness, but these gates cannot be open as they are being fixed.
Amazing that's just what I needed.
I swear if they won't let me through then I might lose my only chance in seeing him today.
- W-well, aren't there any other ways for me to enter back to MY castle?
- Oh yes, of course there are! Here your highness, if you turn left and walk straight, you will get to the other garden, that's where you will see the summer, spring breakfast and lunch area, there you will find another doors that will lead you to the west corridor-
- Thank you! - Octalieen said before the guard could finish.
She ran even if her breath didn't catch up with her.
She turned left as the guard said and soon enough saw the garden when suddenly she ran into something or rather someone.
- Ugh, my head- she said, feeling her forehead.
- Oh my, are yoy alright miss- Octalieen?! - a deep, soft voice said surprised.
- J-jericho? - Octalieen opened her mouth as he stood in front of her in all of his glory, as she would say.
- Well, it is great to see you after a long time. - he smiled.
Oh, that smile, and those soft eyes that I would gladly take for myself, in fact, all of him, all for myself.
- It is indeed. How have you been - Octalieen asked as she fixed her dress and stood in a straight posture.
- Well, it was indeed hard being so far away from everyone in here, so I dare say that I have missed people and this place. It is good to be finally back.
He has missed people, hopefully I am on that list. And selfishly, the first one on it.
- I understand, it is good to finally have you back, we all have missed you- I mean, everyone that had to leave.
- Ah yes, right. Well I'm glad to be back - he smiled gently, but a bit awkwardly.
Come one, keep the conversation smooth , can't you Octalieen.
- Well, I better head inside to meet the others. They are waiting after all - he said as he turned away.
- Oh, right, then I won't be keeping you any longer - she  said as she smiled gently, not knowing if he could see a bit of sadness and disappointment on her face.
- Alright, I'll speak with you later? - he asked.
- Of course, I'll see you later then - Octalieen smiled and turned around to walk away from the face that drove her insane and caused so much hurt.
At this point, I can see that he isn't interested in talking with me. Oh what would I give to know the reason, behind his anxious face and the awkward atmosphere.
As Octalieen walked around in the breakfast area, she noticed something strange. Almost out of the ordinary, something that should be in its place, but isn't.
- A book? - she asked out loud.
She looked around to see if anyone might have left it, but not seeing anyone around a d her curiosity getting the best of her - she picked it up and took a closer look.
The cover of the book was old and black, it had little silver thorn and a dagger, rapped around by the thorns.
There was no name of the auther nor a name of the book.
How bizarre... She thought to herself.
Octalieen still kept her gaze on the book and after some passing moments of thinking, she slowly openedit up. The first page of the book was blank  and old, but the next one had weird, unseen and unfamiliar symbols.
Really strange.. She thought.
She touched the symbols with her soft fingers when suddenly she felt a sharp electric wave shake her body, sending shivers down her spine.
She dropped the book as her hands suddenly went numb. She took a few steps back when her head stared spinning and her vision got blurry. She stumbled backwards, trying to reach anything to hold onto, but failing horribly as her heavy body brought her down to the ground.
- Octalieen. - a voice called.
- W-who's there... P-please help.. - she struggled to speak.
- Octalieen, don't be afraid of the darkness - the voice called her again, more softly and dreamy.
- N-no... Please..
She saw someone or rather something . A figure, a beautiful figure of a woman who's hair was as white as the snow and  her face as blank as a sheet of paper.
- Octalieen, listen to me . - the woman said. - Do not be afraid .
Octalieen was too weak to say anything at all, but she heard the woman's voice for the last time before she gave her consciousness to the darkness and her body to the concrete ground.
- The throne will be yours.