Back Stabber By: Carly

Chapter 1

The corset cinched tightly around my waist, creating an ache in my ribs, and a tightening in my gut. A sleek green dress laced with gold flowed down my sides. My orange hair fell in front of my face, pulled up into a loose messy bun. A dagger sat, perched atop my desk. It was covered in emeralds, I had purchased it from a merchant coming through town. Picking it up by the hilt, I studied it carefully. Its pummel was replaced with a ruby. Twisting it around, it was very well balanced, clearly made by a master. I delicately placed it into my top drawer.

"Princess?" I shot up swiftly, turning around and closing the drawer with my hip. A young servant girl stood at the entrance of my room.

"Oh, my goodness you scared me!" I said my face burning.

"Very sorry, your highness, I didn't mean to disturb you," she bent down into a graceful curtsy, "The king has requested you for dinner, I was to fetch you." Right, I pulled myself up and turned back to the mirror, fixing the stray hairs on my forehead.

"Tell my father I will be down in a minute,"

She rushed out, I sat down on my bed. What if she had seen the knife? I would most certainly be in big trouble, if my father knew what I was doing every night, I would be disowned certainly. He is the type of man that thinks women shouldn't possess such deadly weapons. I stood and walked to my window. My room towered over the large kingdom. I turned and left my room, entering the hall. Big pillars lined the walls that stretched up to the ceiling. The floor was blanketed by red carpet. Intricate designs covered vases. Two soldiers posted at each door, they stood up taller as I walked by. They held the heavy crossbow at attention, acting as though I wasn't aware they slung them over their sides when they thought no one was looking. I didn't blame them, I knew from experience that they were heavy, and holding them at salute all day would be excruciating for the muscles. I kept my head up high. Devlin stood at the beginning of the staircase, he sarcastically bowed low.

"Oh, your highness," he looked up and grinned.

"I should have you thrown out for your behavior," I looked at his dark brown hair.

"Oh Krasna, please do, I have been standing at this post all day," he looked down at his hands, "where are you off too?"

"To eat dinner, I suspect another stupid boy will be there," I sighed, "again."

"Oh," he rubbed the back of his neck, "well, are we still on for tonight?" I shot him a wink and continued down the stairs.

The broad doors of the dining room opened to exactly what I expected. A short and stubby man was standing with a wine glass, passing the room. He stopped his little conversation with my father, and turned to me.

"Ah, Princess Krasna! Come, come," he motioned with his hand dramatically, "Meet my son, Albert!"

I shot a glare at my dad, he grimmised apologetically. An equally short, and stubby boy sat at the table, he smiled, and stood. He walked over to me and took my hand.

"Finally, a girl that is worth my boy," He kissed my hand, I yanked it away, and unintenchaly stepped back. To try and ease the tension now in the room, I smiled warmly.

"Sorry, I'm starved, shall we eat?" My father nodded.

"Good idea," I sat and watched as a plate was placed in front of the father and son. Albert grabbed a fork, and shoveled mash potatoes into his mouth. He chewed loudly with his mouth open. His father bellowed, leaning back in his chair, and placing his hand on his stomach.

"Don't inhale it, my boy!" He looked at me, "Albert loves his food, I am sure once you marry you will learn to make big meals," He paused, "As long as you want some for yourself!" his laughter continued.

"There must be a misunderstanding," I said, staring at the boy in front of me, "I am not ready to marry!" His bellowing stopped suddenly.

"Nonsense, of course, you are."

"I am not."

"Well, you will be."

"No," I stood up from my seat, "If you will excuse me, I am quite full," I hurried back up to my room. I shuddered as Alberts's face showed up in my mind. What a disgrace of a person, and to think that he thought I would marry him, ha! A knock on my door startled me. My dad opened the door, not bothering for me to tell him he could come in.

"Krasna, you must understand, these kingdoms need to be allied, we need their support. You know the upcoming war is for certain, so please, just give him a chance."

"Are you joking? No way!" He sighed and shook his head firmly.

"You are just like your mother," he looked at the door, "She is down at the stables, won't you go talk to her? She is better at these things than me," I looked down, my father really wanted me to do this. I got up and walked to the door.

The cool autumn breeze hit my face. I saw the barn in the distance, mom was outside, grooming Angus, my back quarter horse. We had ferries for that, but my mother and I always preferred to do it ourselves. The moon was just peeking through the tree line when I walked up to them.

"Krasna, care for an evening ride?" I shook my head, though it did sound appealing. I had to meet Devlin.

"Dad wants me to marry a pig," I said. She chuckled.

"That is no way to describe a prince," she said smiling. Her eyes were a stunning blue, sparkling in the faint moonlight, her bright orange hair down. It curled and curved down to her waist. A green tiara atop her head, and a matching gown. She was utterly beautiful, no wonder father chose her to marry him. She was just a farmhand until he found her, and they both fell in love. The king and queen at the time didn't like his affair with her and tried to forbid him from ever seeing her again. It didn't work very well, of course. When his father died, and he was pronounced king, he married her quickly, but I soon realized that their love wasn't what it seemed to be, and she told me after many times of asking why she married him.

"Mom?" she looked at me, "Do you think I should marry him?"

"Krasna, I married your father for my family, you know that. I think he is a very good man, and he loves me, but I have long regretted leaving my friends and family behind. I always wondered what it was like to fall in love, and not be pressured by family. If you don't want to marry this man, don't. Trust me when I say this, it is not worth it," She looked back at the horse's side, and contend brushing in large circles.

"But what about dad, he has always wanted an alliance with their kingdom! I can't just turn my back on him!"

"Don't marry him," she was firm, "Look, you will be miserable for the rest of your life, and your father wants them for war, he can find his weapons." I grabbed a brush from inside the small bucket and started to help mom with Angus. She put an arm around my shoulder and leaned her cheek on my head.

"I know you love someone else," I stared at her, shocked, "Don't trade that for the world." She pulled away and took Angus's lead in her hand. She smiled at me and started to lead him back to his stall.

"Put those brushes away for me! Will you?" she yelled back behind her shoulder.

I walked into a small area, it was shielded by bushes and flowerbeds. It was our little secret spot. Devlin stood in the middle, holding two swords. He smiled when he saw me. "Ready?" he asked, holding out a weapon. I snatched it away and smirked.

"Always." He lunged at me which I easily blocked, holding it to the side of me. After a few tries, my body ached. I hadn't fought in almost a week, and I was paying the price.