Hadassah

Coup d'état

Year 618

Winter

Kingdom of Witherfeld

Betrayal. 

It is the greatest weapon an enemy or a friend who envies someone who’s stronger than him shall resort to act. Through smooth calculations, anyone can stab a knife in one's grasp. Anyone can put someone into danger by means of manipulation, whether it may be in an emotional, mental or physical aspect of a mere being. Anyone can pretend as an innocent lamb, but a filthy demon later on. Anyone can be careful not to fall into one’s trap unless the use of inevitable forces of evil already conquered by men.

I do not understand why such a being commits a crime to others, yet here I am, witnessing such a disaster before my golden eyes and blazing in the utmost fury of terror. Looking out from the windows of the ballroom, I am alone with the harp gifted by my future fiance (not anymore due to this damaging day), and am playing a romantic song I love to listen to. 

Trying to put myself into the shoes of this usurper who I think of as an ally, still I cannot comprehend his monstrous measures.

A coup d'état. It now ensues throughout the palace my father and his family built for hundreds of years. Oh Witherfeld, my and our subjects’ humble home little by little vanishes into thin air. The jollies of laughter I used to hear from my beloved people turns into loud screams, cries, and shrieks for a better living, I promise to offer them as I grow up. Now, gone. Bloods flush from their veins shower upon the sacred floors of the kingdom; plunging swords cut through the innocent knights’ exhausting figures that take years of sacrifice in protecting the House of Corinthius. Thus, they put up their lives in vain like flies from a dirty lake.

My guilt keeps growing, watching them suffer from realities. I’ve performed my part as a sole princess, too. Surrendering my own freedom to choose whom I love to spend my life with, I do my very best to ease the pain of the people from hunger and poverty. Yet, these humble deeds I undertake turn out to be a farce for me. They undergo pain, hurt, and thus perish for good.

“What a waste,” I say, moving away from the instrument. I remove the costly ornaments from my raven hair, place them on the table, and tread through the door to leave behind the soon to be ruined area. If only I know it shall end like this, I will never take these foolish lessons from the tutors who basically follow His Majesty’s orders’ for fame and protection’s sake ever again! As I pass through the eerie hallway, I recognize the unfamiliar footsteps of hers; I unconsciously touch the pendant Mother gifted me. “Your Highness, Her Majesty The Queen wishes to see you this instant,” Lydia, Mother’s loyal lady-in-waiting, requests in a calm manner. I nod and let her lead the way through Her Majesty’s bedroom.

…

Not long after, the lady-in-waiting speaks on behalf of me who stays quiet and opens the door for us to freely enter. Coughing in severity, Mother attempts to get up from the mattress, yet fails. For my sight isn't capable of seeing such a saddening scene, my feet walk toward their sick momma’s feet to massage them for a bit while Lydia caresses her back and assists the Queen. 

Utter silence. 

No one utters a single word, we can wistfully pray in our hearts that we will not be caught by the groups of rebels and mercenaries and face our deaths through their sharp weapons. But then, a soft voice breaks the stillness. “Darling, how have you been? Are you doing well with your studies?”

I close my eyes, losing my temper. I stand up and pour in warm tea for her to drink. This wench does not know how to read a room. There’s an ongoing chaos outside the palace, yet unwariness fumes throughout her sleeping place! Besides, she only listens to Father who I never have an inch of idea about his whereabouts nor my brother’s. I assume they’re in the middle of a tough fight against the foes. “Mother, I implore you, we shall run and hide somewhere. Our home’s unsafe for you and your health.”