The Awaken Castle |suthewriter|

Chapter 1

   *yawn* When Aura got up, she thought she was in her bedroom on the comfy mattress that swallowed her while she slept soundly. But she realized she wasn't as soon as she felt the coldness under her skin.

   "Uh", she said confused.

   In front of Aura's eyes, the room was filled with cobwebs and dust that collected while the room was unattended. Aura got up from the floor and dusted off the debris from her dress. Wondering why her family didn't find her sleeping here, Aura walked down the stairs to reach the dining hall, hoping she might find someone. To her surprise, Fauna was sleeping on her plate filled with food.

   "That's weird, Fauna never naps", Aura exclaimed to herself. Aura walked over to the dining table and tapped on Fauna's shoulder.

   "Fauna. Wake up", Aura said softly. But Fauna didn't.

   "Fauna!", Aura said a bit more aggressively.

   "FAUNA!!", Aura screamed as she violently shakes Fauna's shoulders

   But Fauna didn't seem to hear because she was snoring soundly. Aura took the glass of water next to the plate and poured it onto Fauna.

   "I'M AWAKE", Fauna yelled grumpily. As Fauna took in her surroundings, she realized who had woken her up.

   "Oh princess. Please excuse my manners"

   "Fauna. I said no formalities. Anyway, why didn't you wake me up from my nap?"

   "Nap?" Fauna asked in confusion. "Princess, you asked me where the West Wing doors were. I didn't know you wanted to take a nap there".

   "The West Wing?", Aura asked in confusion. She couldn't recall asking about the West Wing quarter of the castle. She always knew where it was. In fact, the quarter never had any beds there because it was used for storing traded goods and gifts.

   "Yes, the West Wing. Where did you even nap? That place is colder than the arctic home"

   Aura was dumbfounded. She realized that she would never sleep on the floor let alone a very cold attic floor.

   "Did I faint then?"

   "PRINCESS!! This is why you need to eat your vegetables. Look, the low iron levels caused you to faint".

   "Fauna. I do eat my vegetables. Since when did I not?"

   "Oh remember when you picked the brussels sprouts out of my stew?"

   "That was ages ago. Plus who even likes brussels sprouts?"

   "Princess, it's not about like. It's about eating to be healthy"

   "Well open your eyes and look. I'm healthy alright"

   "Oh yes yes. Healthy enough that you don't even remember asking about a question and then slept in the attic like a lunatic"

   "I AM NOT A LUNATIC!"

   "Forgive me. I should have chosen my words more wisely. You're just very crazy..."

   As Fauna continued to call Aura names and point out her mistakes, Aura realized that she really does not remember how she ended up in the West Wing. All she remembered was talking to an old lady in a black cloak who told her to meet her outside her garden.

   "Fauna"

   "Yes. By the way, I hope you were listening"

   "Yes I was. Anyways, did you see an old lady wearing a black cloak walking nearby?"

Aura recalling what she thinks the old lady looks like

   "An old lady? Yes, your grandmother did. She went to her room, no?"

   "Not grandmother Fauna. The lady. I don't remember seeing her before. She had lots of wrinkles around her eyes. And oh! She had green eyes. Green eyes Fauna."

   "GREEN EYES!!"

   "Yes, green eyes. Fauna why are you yelling?"

   "No this can't be. Was she wearing a black pendant?"

   "A black pendant? Hmh. I can't remember. Oh, she was walking with a stick that had a skull on the top"

   "NOOOO! Princess, did you talk to her?"

   "Yes. Why is something wrong?"

   "Oh no! Everything is wrong! Queen Leah's going to kill me!!"

   "Why's mother going to kill you?"

   "Oh you don't know princess. You were not supposed to speak to her. Wait. NOOOO!!"

   Aura was in confusion. Why was Fauna overreacting. All she did was speak to an old lady. She didn't kill anyone did she? 

Note: Chapter 2 coming very soon. Stay tuned!!! :))