The Secrets of the Castle

Chapter 2

Aryn

Learning propriety is never fun. But for some reason Mum doesn't understand why I don't like going over dancing every day. In fact she doesn't understand why I hate the large ball gowns and being polite to older men. Though the ball gowns are pretty, if I'm being honest. I danced around the open room, trying to match the same moves as the instructor. Mum made her low sound of displeasure as I messed up again. I didn't have to look over to know that she had her hands folded over her lap, clenched into fists. Mouth set in a tight line as she wished I wasn't her daughter. I bet she wanted Arwin to be born a girl.

"That's enough," Mum stood up, her voice sharp, "Why don't we move on to something else?"

"The dress for Princess Aryn is ready," Mum's servant said.

"Perfect! Let's see how it looks."

I walked beside her as we followed the servant up to my room. There, two other servants stood. A pastel pink dress lay on the bed. Mother said nothing, the servants undressing me.

"We should lay off the food, Aryn," Mum remarked with a light laugh, "You're already heavy enough."

I didn't respond, keeping my eyes on the floor as the servants helped me into the dress.

"Oh, no need to get upset, I was just joking."

I looked in the mirror, staring at the reflection. It was pretty, but not my type. Her lips finally turned upward into a smile. The mythical satisfaction has finally appeared.

"Gorgeous," she said, standing in front of me, "but a more slender face would be nice."

Her hands cupped my cheeks, squishing them. Cold eyes told a different story than the less than warm smile on her face.

"I believe that's it. Now I have some business to tend to with your father."

Mum left the room, shutting the door behind her. The servants helped me out of the dress and set out my own clothes. They exited the room .

I put on the much looser and shorter dress, grateful to be out of the heavy thing. It was already midday and exhaustion had already taken over.

I headed out of my room and down to the library. Arwin and I both shared a love for literature. They preferred foreign books, though no one knows how they learned the languages. Meanwhile, I leaned towards our own stories. Heroes would travel across the world to save their homes and fall in love with the damsel.

Slipping inside the library, I saw Arwin's book discarded on the table. They were nowhere in sight. They must've left. I browsed the shelves, stocked with the stories and history of our kingdom. Stopping at a shelf, my eyes caught the familiar cover of my favorite book.

The hero needs to rescue the princess after people have kidnapped her. He travels across the world and ends up having an epic fight, which ends with him rescuing her. They grow old together and live happily ever after.

I pulled it off the shelf and took a seat on the floor. Opening it up to the first page, I let myself become absorbed in the book.

~~~

I opened the doors to the throne room, stepping inside. Mum and Dad sat on their thrones at the back of the room. Both with such stoic expressions on their faces. Ajay and Arwin were already there, standing off to the side. Arwin gave a tight-lipped smile, a concerned look on their face. Thankfully, they weren't caught. Ajay ignored my presence, staring at the ground. I would have to ask him what was wrong later. Mom narrowed her eyes for a split-second before a smile appeared on her face.

"How nice of you to join us," she teased.

"I was busy-"

"It doesn't matter," Mom cut me off, waving her hand to dismiss the matter, "We have someone for you to meet."

I paused, clenching my jaw, "Meet?"

I've heard that sentence before, and that time it ended poorly. The doors to the throne room opened. Escorted by two guards was an elven woman. Unusual for an elf to be within castle walls. She wore the Rose Soldier's chest plate, the insignia shining from the sunlight streaming in. Blonde hair sat on her shoulders, loose curls bouncing as she walked.

"This is your personal guard. Eroi, this is who you'll protect with your life," Dad said.

The young woman - Dad called her Eroi - walked forward, stopping a few feet in front of me. Her gaze trailed over me, green eyes filled with curiosity. I shifted, crossing my arms over my chest. A personal guard, huh. Her sun kissed skin was a contrast to the lighter tones of our kingdom. Warning bells rang in my head. A foreigner.

"Greetings, Princess," She said softly, her eyes finally meeting mine.

"Hello," I smiled back, "Eroi."