Chapter 5: Rose
He led me through the forest. The air started becoming crisp and cool, welcoming the night. The wind blew leaves around me, tickling my bare skin. We went so deep into the forest; I had never even thought this part had existed until now. What was he trying to hide away? I quietly followed him, keeping all these questions bottled inside me.
Alexander stopped suddenly; lost in thoughts I didn’t notice and bumped right into him. He turned around and looked at me. I was sure he wanted to yell; instead he smiled and looked back. I could get use to this. I peeked over his shoulder. He had bent down and was moving a great amount of leaves from the path in front of him. I felt awkward standing there watching him do all the work, so I helped him. When I reached for more leaves my hand felt something hard. Slowly I discovered two wooden gates on the ground.
Alexander didn’t seemed surprise, he act as if he sees gates buried under a pile of leaves very often. He pulled them opened and relieved a stairways that lead down, into the pitch blackness. I hate the dark. It reminds me of the past-my past.
“Come on,” Alexander calls from over his shoulder, he was already walking down. I couldn’t move. I could just stand there and stared down at the darkness. Alexander looked back and noticed me standing. “You don’t trust me do you?” Well, if he hasn’t noticed the fact that I just met him like an hour ago. Alexander made a confused face and it looked as if he just figured that was a weird question to ask. “Okay,” he said climbing back up. He took both my hands in his. “Look, I know you just met me and all, but I need you to trust me. I am not trying to lure you into some kind of trap. I don’t know how to prove to you that I am helping you not hurting you.” Slowly he started moving down the stairs, still holding my hand.
The air down was damp and dry, making me gag. It smelled strongly of sand and mud. The step were uneven, I fell twice and was helped by Alexander before falling onto the hard floor. A chamber. That is what lied at the bottom of the stairs. A dusty old, wore out door. Alexander opened the door which creek as it relieved the inside.
A small candle was placed on a wooden table, lighting up the whole room with its little spark of fire. At first I didn’t notice that we weren’t alone. My eyes settled in with dark and I began seeing the silhouettes of many men. I started backing up. I knew it, this was a trap.
“Welcome, your highness.” I heard one say. This made me pause. Did they all know who I was? A cloaked man walked up to me. He had a bald head and small wrinkled up eyes. He first looked down at Alexander’s hand. Alexander left my hands and quickly stepped to a corner. I wanted him to stay, but I did not dare call for him.
“W-who are you?” I asked
“Your fathers most trusted men.”
“Who was my father?” I challenged.
“Our beloved king of Martalis, second ruler, married to Maria De Martalis.” Clear cut answers.
“What do you want with me?”
“Princess Rose, have you never thought of what happened to your parents? Your people?” I flinched. Yes, I have; but I wasn’t going to tell him that. His rock hard face broke into a smiled, as if he read my mind. “This is a secret chamber your father has built knowing something bad would happen. We want to help you take revenge. Don’t you want to kill those people who murdered your family and made a fool of your kingdom?” I could get revenge? Would it be wrong, to kill? But, these were my parents and my kingdom. Because of some people here, in this world, I don’t have a family, a home, love. I don’t even have love. Without even thinking or knowing, I shook my head.
