Aurelia ~ The Order Of Fates

CHAPTER 1

LAVINIA

I engraved the symbol of our family, a pair of wings connected at the center with three bands, on her forearm and all I could hear while doing this was her loud shrieks and screams. That broke my heart. She was just a two-year old back then and it was unfortunately the last time I ever saw her. I still dream of it almost every night although it was around 12 years ago. I wish I could see her again, my little sister and tell her why I left her alone that night but honesty I don't have a clue where she is. I don't understand how our parents left so easily, the hope of finding her even though I had told them about the mark that I left on her arm. Apart from the mark there's no way we could ever recognize her even if shes in front of us, all her baby like features would have been faded by now, her beautiful round face, bright caramel eyes and her golden hair for which she was named Aurelia; meaning golden.

A knock at my bedroom door brought me back to my senses, it was Blair, my maid. She came in with a warm smile, "good evening" she greeted, I replied with a smile matching hers, we've been together in this palace for so long she's almost like a sister to me; like Aurelia, however, she might be a bit older than her. "The dinner is served, princess and the king is willing to talk to you regarding your ceremony tomorrow.", she said. "I'll be there in a while, thankyou". She went out and I got off of my bed, moved to the window on my right, the ocean was as beautiful and serene as ever, it's one of the few places in this palace where I could be myself, without the fear of being seen vulnerable or judged. I don't really know how I would manage the whole kingdom by myself, I've seen my father do this almost all my life but that isn't making me any less nervous about tomorrow but at least, I will have both my parents beside me. I wouldn't be alone and finally when I'm the queen I can search for my sister again. I left out a deep sigh maybe once I know she's safe, that night would stop haunting me. I left for the dining hall.

I was heading to the hall where I knew I wouldn't be able to contain back my memories of Aurelia. Her memories come flooding every time I pass this dim-lit corridor, I hear my footsteps on the stone floor the same way I did when I was young but the only thing that's changed is that these movements are more composed now and careful like a queen's, filled with the guilt of having lost her when I could've just left her safe with Pamela, her caretaker. She was right there, confronting me along with minister Jacob telling me everything will be fine. I knew I couldn't keep her safe with me but....sighs... I need to stop. I try to look around in the hope of finding something new but it's all been the same for the past 5 years. I remember this place was so bright and full of life but ever since those seven long years, the Gremaldians ruled our kingdom, this place never really felt like home apart from a few places that were left untouched and still feel like home; although, there are some decorations that they've added like animal skins on these corridor walls and banners of their kingdom, we replaced them with ours later. At the end of the hallway, the two guards open the doors and announce my arrival, I realize, these two men are a part of the few things that didn't change, while they did age for sure. I see my parents already waiting for me and servants ready to serve the supper. I reach out to the table.

"How is our soon-to-be queen feeling?" My father asks as I take my seat next to him.

"Im not sure, really." I admit and that's the truth, I don't know how will I be able to handle the kingdom my father has kept so flourished throughout these years. He was the one who brought back it's rule to our family from the Gremaldians.

"You will certainly become a great queen, Lavinia." My mother put her hand on my shoulder. She always seems so comforting and certain, her gold eyes so deep and fierce yet so calm: a perfect queen.

"I will try my best to stay even with the accomplishments of our kingdom." I say , looking into her eyes with utmost determination before I hear my dad chuckle , "My little queen seems ready now", he adds.

We smiled and I think I felt more assured now. The dinner was served while we had our little conversation and it was just the three of us at this time, rest of the court joins us only on occasions or festivals which was a good thing. I can't imagine the rumors they'll cause if even one of them had heard our conversation. We began eating after saying our prayer and I looked up to the windows right in front of me, covering the whole wall. I could easily see the moon shining so bright that it made me feel full inside, like everything was whole. Soon as I take my last bite, my father had already finished and I wanted to ask him something that was bothering me for quite a while now but before I could say a word the door opens in a loud thud behind me, it was Blair and in panic. I wonder what's wrong? She never really joins us in the hall and above all she's panting as if she has seen something utterly horrible. "Your highness'" she was addressing my father, still breathless "I..i..I found minister Jarod d..dead in his room." she was shuttering so helplessly that I could barely catch up to what she said. "Are you sure it was him?" His voice came so naturally calm and composed as if he had expected this but I guess he barely trusts her words; although, I hope she knows that she may be executed if this news was incorrect. However, Blair wouldnt lie. Shes been loyal and true to us for ever but that only means that one of the oldest and most trusted members of our court has been murdered. He certainly wouldnt commit suicide at this age for any reason.

My father begins to move towards his quarters before I ask to join him, he thinks a bit then allows me to accompany him along with four of his personal guards. We enter the room in a hurry but as soon as I enter, I realize I shouldn't have accompanied him. The walls that were once a delightful shade of ivory were now smeared in blood, like I expected, a murder. It's not that I've seen this room before but like most it was painted with the same ivory and had dark wooden furniture that contrasted it. As my eyes searched the place I turned and immediately froze, in front of me was a wall inscribed with a message in blood that made me gasp, SHE IS ALIVE, THE REAL... and before I could register the last word my father was towering in front of me, "You should leave, I will take care of this" he said.

"But father, I.. " I tried to insist but I could already see in his face that he wasn't going to let me stay here anymore. I complied and moved out of the room to see my mother. She must have gone back to her room by now. As I ventured through the halls and corridors my mind went back to the room, it had blood sprinkled all over it like someone had bleed and tried to run. There were blood-stained hands on the walls and a pool of blood next to the wall where the message was laid. Is it possible that the minister was left to die which gave him enough time to leave a note?

I knock the door to my mothers room and she answers in a light voice "come in", maybe she knew it was me. I enter and see her sitting next to her table where she usually writes and to my surprise, I've never really understood much of her writings but she still likes me to read them. I took a seat next to her and after a moment of silence passed, "I understand he was quite close to both of you", I said.

"Yes, in fact he has been one of our most trusted people in the court" she admits and I could hear she was sorry for what had happened to him but she couldn't have known better. Her fingers were intertwined on her desk while she stared at them.

"I saw something there. He had left a message and maybe you would know what it meant." I declare. She didn't say anything but now she looked at me with deep curious eyes, perhaps it was my approval to continue. "The walls in his room,they were covered in blood and one of them had something written on it" I add.

"And what did it say?" She looked more serious now.

"She is alive, the real." I stopped midway and she stared at me in anticipation but I didn't know what was written next. "I couldn't read the last word but maybe father would let you know." I added.

She simply nodded and suggested me to get some rest. I had completely forgotten about the ceremony tomorrow ever since I saw that wall. I got up and wished her a good night before heading to my room. Tomorrow was quite important already and now we even have some conspiracy going on in the palace, I thought or maybe I said it out loud.

My room was sheer comfort if not a queens chamber, to me. I've stayed in this room as long as I can remember and to my delight it wasn't even occupied during the seizure. Aurelia had just started to share this room with me; although, she was just a child, I loved talking to her and telling her stories about my lessons. She would smile at me as though she understood every word I said.

"Memories" I sighed. Neither do they come true nor do we let go.