Daybreak

Etherion Festival

“L-Leo?” Tears run down from my eyes as I see the corpse of Leo. Those evils! “Come on! Let’s just finish digging up. Stop doing stupid things!” I immediately run inside— back in the archive room.

***
3rd Person
Ysa sat down and hugs herself. She blames herself for what happened to Leo and also to Bella. She cries silently for a while and stood up to go back in her room. “Something’s odd” She noticed the door of the secret passage slightly opened. “I’m sure I closed this” She picked up the torch she used and lighted it walking quietly. “Is it Nigel? But he doesn’t have a key”

“Who are you?” She saw a man’s back opening the door that will lead to her room. “Who are you and how did you know this passage?” Her eyes widen as she saw who the man is. “Hi.” “Chief? What are you doing here? How did you know this passage? I thought only the three of them knew about this?” Chief RJ chuckled and opened the door thoroughly. “There’s nothing the queen and princess knew that I don’t” “How did you escape the cellar?” He chuckled again before answering “I’ve been living here since I was a kid. I know every passage, secrets, and even the number of bricks used to build this place.” Ysa couldn’t control her amazement to the chief. They entered the room and Chief RJ told their plan.

“I knew you guys have a plan.”
“Yes we have. No matter what, the wedding couldn’t succeed. Now listen up...” Ysa listens carefully and made sure that she won’t miss any detail.

After the chief told her the plan he went back to the cellar without the guards noticing that he escaped.

***
It’s already dawn but Ysa is still up. She watched the light of the sun as it gives light to the sky. “I will avenge you all, your majesty. Bella, Leo, princess Gwen, you, and all the people that suffered from the king’s evilness.”

On the other hand, the rebels in the camp are also preparing for their attack.

“The wedding will happen this afternoon! The palace is busy preparing for the wedding and the festival! We have to make sure that this plan will not flop or else…” Eric, one of the most skilled man in the camp will be leading the attack as the chief was locked up. “…it will be the end of us all. Let’s not think of revenge, but of revealing the true colors of King Magnus.” The camp people was gathered in the field to prepare for their attack. “How about chief RJ?” One man asked. “He’s the chief, he knows the palace than any of us here. He will meet us there.” Eric answered. Nigel and his friends will also participate in the attack. “After the princess say her vow, Nigel’s team, you have to be alert and prepared to get her and secure her. Ones you do that, royal guards will be after you—that will be our cue to attack.” They nodded and thumbs up. “Children and other women will stay here in the camp. Wait for us to come and get you ones the fight is over.”

“This has to end today…” They all look at the sunrise as its rays started to fill their land. “…let the sunrise symbolize our hope for our kingdom’s future.” “For our kingdom’s future!” Thomas shouted and followed by the others in the camp “FOR OUR KINGDOM’S FUTURE!” they all shouted in unison. They then prepared to suit up.

***

“You’re already up? Aren’t you too excited for your wedding?” Her personal maid said as she enters the room and saw Ysa looking out at her balcony. “Good morning.” She greeted and went straight to her bathroom to take a bath. The personal maid was confused on her sudden behavior because Ysa doesn’t greet her. She just thinks that maybe Ysa didn’t have enough sleep and doesn’t realize what she’s saying. As she was done preparing the dress and other accessories, Ysa came out wearing a robe and towel on her head. “Your dress is ready. I’ll go and prepare also, I’ll be back later. I will leave these two maids to assist you.” Ysa just looked at her different from her behavior a while ago. “Prepare? As if you’re the one getting married.” She said in her head.

Fireworks, drum rolls, and other noises can be heard all around the town. Horns of different boats are also arriving at the docks and berths. Ysa is preparing and so is the rebels.

***
The Etherion Festival started with parades. Street dancers started it off with their colorful clothes inspired by flowers especially the Etherion flower. Followed by the different authorized people of the town such as high ranking royal guards.

On the last line of the parade is the vehicle of King Magnus together with the Knightly’s followed by the vehicle of Charlton and Ysa. “Wow! Etherion Festival is really the greatest festival. This is nothing compared to any festivals of other kingdom.” Mrs. Knightly said while waving to the people. “King Magnus really have a blessed kingdom, don’t he?” Says Mr. Knightly and also waved to the people. King Magnus looked back at the vehicle behind them and saw Ysa looking straight at him. He smiled and waved to her that made her roll her eyes and look away.

“Why don’t you try to smile? Your people are looking” Charlton teased Ysa. “I’m not like you. I don’t fake what I want to show to people.” Charlton was offended and grabs her shoulders tightly. “Why don’t you behave? My people are looking.” She said and smirked before sitting on her sit.

Their vehicle stopped signaling them to step out and socialize with the people. “Your majesty” A woman with her child reached out for her. Royal guards stopped them from getting close but Ysa ordered them to move. She lifted up the child and the child tucked a small Etherion flower behind her ear. “Oh. Thank you.” She said and smiled before putting the child down, back to her mother. “Your majesty, congratulations to your wedding later. I’m sure you will be just as beautiful as the queen” A lady said that made her uneasy and just force to smile. After some socialization they are now getting back to their vehicle when she spotted familiar faces of the rebels. They nodded at her and she did the same.

After the parade, the people gathered on the palace ground for the opening of the festival. “Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for your usual participation in our Etherion Festival. Her goddess Demeter will surely shower us a lot of blessings!” The announcer shouted that made the crowd give an applause. “To officially open the Etherion Festival, let us welcome the one and only King Magnus!” The people shouted, whistled, and clapped as he steps in front of them.

“Thank you so much! Thank you, my dear people of Agartha for your never ending support and love for me and my family.” He looked back at Ysa and grinned. “As you all know, my dear daughter here ones escaped because of her depression due to queen Gwyneth’s death” He stopped again and wipe his fake tears. “But I am sure that wherever she is. She’s very happy for our kingdom. As your king, I’ll make sure that Etherion Festival will always be the best and greatest festival of all time!” The crowd clapped again before he continued. “Lastly, I would like to invite you all on the wedding of my daughter and the 23rd prince of Swigea Kingdom, Prince Charlton Knightly.” Charlton step forward and waved to the people. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Now, I officially open Etherion Festival! Let us have fun like there’s no tomorrow!” He shouted that made the people more excited and fireworks was sent off.