a kingdom of light and lies

ii. chapter two

She discovered the sun streaming through the thin crimson curtains flowing in the small breeze when she opened her bedroom doors wide.

She took a step over to the window and peered out. Beyond the castle's entryway, the city was already buzzing. When she heard the door swing open, she jumped. She hurriedly whirled around, expecting to see her lady-in-waiting, but instead discovered her father standing in the doorway. When her mouth formed a pout, he laughed.

"Well, someone must be hungry," he said as he walked up to her bed and sat on the edge. When he invited her to him, she gave him an inquisitive look.

Aeryn sat next to her father, still unsure as to why he had entered her room.

He looked at her and said, "You want to know why I'm so busy today, and why I'm in your bedroom in the first place."

She nodded.

"Now you're aware of the plan I've been discussing with you and, of course, the general. I've determined that tonight will be the night when we put our strategy into action. I'm throwing a ball and sending out invitations to Echor's royal family."

With a look of disbelief on her face, she looked at her father. "What?"

He let out a sigh. "Yes, Aeryn," he said. I've decided that we'll start putting our strategy into action tonight. Echor is becoming increasingly agitated. It's now or never."

He put his hand on her shoulder and patted it. "By 8:30 tonight, I expect you to be ready."

Her father stood up and walked to the open door, stopping in the entryway before returning to his daughter.

"Good luck."

He returned his gaze to the view of the castle from her doorway before closing the doors behind him.

•

The room was bathed in golden light as the afternoon sun rushed in through the enormous windows. It was completely silent. This was how Aeryn wished to spend her days, never talking to anyone and the books her only companions. Her gaze swept over the pages in front of her. She was so engaged in the book's words and setting that she didn't hear the doors creak open or someone rush to her side.

"Your Majesty!"

Aeryn leapt to her feet, snapping the book shut and swinging it high above her head, ready to fight, only to find her lady-in-waiting.

"Lily! You scared the living daylights out of me!"

"Please accept my apologies, Your Highness-"

"How many times have I told you to refer to me as Aeryn, Lily?"

"I apologize for the interruption, Your- Aeryn, but your father has ordered that you begin preparing for the ball."

"Oh. Thank you very much. I'll be there right away."

Lily turned around and went out of the library, and Aeryn could sense she was about to say something. She could see why her father wanted her to get ready when she looked out the windows. The sun was sinking, and the sky was bathed in a rainbow of warm hues and scattered clouds.

She straightened out her day dress as she stood up from the chair she'd been sitting in all day. She took a few steps forward before turning around and staring wistfully at the book on the table.

She glanced at the door, then returned her gaze, seized the book, and bolted.