Second Names (Temporarily discontinued)

Chapter 9 -People aren't very vague when they talk also my castle is flammable

Isabelle's POV

Not now, I thought, brushing away the tears that threatened to fall, now I had to worry about the crown hide it somewhere! Somewhere safe.

I rushed through more confusing halls till I made it to my father's office, making sure it was empty I slipped unnoticed  inside. 

I knew my father kept a key here somewhere...

I searched everywhere and after a few minutes, found a key which had been in the wall, like a decoration, around the fireplace. 

I pulled it out and quickly did a bee-line to a wall at the back of the room.

It was covered in paintings, done in detail the dragons and the forest it described came alive. On a normal day I would have stopped to admire the beautiful craftsmanship.

 But not today, today I looked at the wall examining it very closely, while tracing my fingers on the surface, checking for anything unusual. 

Finally I noticed something familiar on the wall. On one of the trees my finger felt a slight resistance and then an outline. Holding my breath I traced it, It was an outline of a key hole, it would have been impossible to find if I had looked at it visually.

 Ever so carefully ever so quietly, I took out the silver key placing it over the outline. 

Without thinking I slid the key inside, pushing it into the wall, something clicked and the key slid sideways subtly making half of it disappear behind the wall then I twisted it sideways propelling a drawer forward beside it.

 Peeking inside I saw a small box, I pulled it out my hand trembling, and carefully closed the now empty drawer of the wall. Slowly I opened the box, inside was the crown.

 It was golden with green gems decorating it in patterns of swirling leaves, and in the center was a diamond shaped like a five-petaled flower.

I marveled at it for five seconds, before shaking my head and moving towards the door, before I could even take two steps, I heard the soft sound of muffled footsteps, I quickly put back the key in its place in the wall and hid behind the nearest curtain with the crown. 

"Search for that key" I heard prince Standard say, "Check the walls, I heard it was hidden like a decoration"

 "Why do we need this crown so much again , your highness" said what I remembered was on of the generals. 

"Because, even if it's part of a probably fake prophecy it still has a remote chance of destroying the sunstone and we can't have that can we?"

"But barely anyone knows about the prophecy, let alone that it is said to be written on a scroll in Zallin!"

"Keep your voice down! Princess Isabelle, is very snoopy lately, can't have her figuring out our plans!"

"She's so annoying, I mean honestly if it hadn't been for the fact that she'll make me king of this land, Kūmarr! I would totally stay away from her as much as possible, I mean it's a good thing we're going to get rid of her soon!''

I heard them rustling through papers

 "Yes, very soon your highness, the fire should have started by now"

 I stopped myself just in time from giving out a strangled scream

"And you're absolutely sure we won't get caught?"

"Yes, your highness, the back door is being guarded by a guard of Zallin, it should all go smoothly"

Smoothly?! They were about to burn down the whole castle and they called that smooth?!

"It's a pity, really, this castle is quite a beauty, but small sacrifices for the greater good, I suppose"

"Ah! Found it!" The general said with excitement.

I froze, the curtain was right next to the crowns compartment, they would surely see me!

 Suddenly I began smell a slight tinge of smoke in the air.

 Oh no! I'd been so concentrated on what they'd been saying, I forgot they were burning, this, castle, all the people! All I could do was hope they would make it. 

"Your highness!" I heard the someone's voice say,

"The fire has spread quicker than anticipated, it's coming our way! Turns out this castle is pretty flammable!"

 "What?! I'm getting out of here now—"

"But the crown—"

"Oh forget the crown! I don't want to be burnt alive! You stay if you want, but not I" 

Then I heard the patter of feet as they left the room in a rush. 

Seriously?! Why did my day have to be like this, they wanted to kill me?! 

I tried to leave the room as fast as I could, but that's when she realized that Cole had been right.

It made her feel horrible agreeing with that— that person! The castle was flammable, and I'd almost been crushed by a flaming beam, which blocked my exit.

Eyes wide with worry and fear, I scanned the room and saw the only other option; the window.