Heavy is the Crown

12

"It could just be a coincidence." Irene said as she studied the symbol. "Might mean nothing."

Anetra shared a look with Marcia before shaking her head a little. "I don't know. It's a little too...strange. Especially with how Sasha's been acting."

Marcia tilted her head as she looked up at her. "What do you mean?"

Anetra hesitated. She wanted to believe that Sasha was just being a little dramatic and overprotective, but she had a feeling she knew way more than she was giving away. "She's been acting strange ever since the night of the ball." She explained to the princess. "She says there's a storm coming. And that I don't know what I'm messing with. And she's fallen sick and that doesnt happen very often..."

Marcia shifted uncomfortably, wrapping her arms around herself. The girls looked into the distance, where more unusual clouds were gathering. "Oh..."

Irene shivered when a cold breeze hit them, picking up Bosco and balancing her on her hip when she started to whine. "I think we're going to have to press Sasha for some answers."

"Please. Nothing feels very safe anymore." Marcia's voice was small as she huddled closer to Anetra's side. Instantly, a strong need to protect hit the taller girl. She didn't know much about this king or his intentions yet, but she knew none of it was good. And she knew she was going to keep Marcia safe from him.

"It'll be okay." She said as confidently as she could, gripping the bow tightly in her hand. "He's not going to win. I can do this."

Marcia smiled a little as she gazed up at her, and when Anetra met her eyes, she knew she'd do absolutely anything for her. She only looked away from them when hearing hoofsteps approaching.

"Marcia?" A quiet voice called out, and Anetra looked up to see another girl riding over. "We should probably get you back to the castle to before the queen starts searching for you."

Marcia nodded, hesitating before grabbing onto Anetra in a tight hug.

"Keep practicing, please..." She pleaded in a quiet whisper. "I don't want to go with that man."

"I won't let that happen." Anetra said, hesitantly letting her go when she had to pull away. She watched as she mounted her own horse and exchanged a look with her friend.

"Just be careful." Marcia said softly to the others as she took the reins in her hands. She knew she had to help in any way she could as well, and she was planning to do just that.

Anetra nodded, taking a deep breath as she faced the target again and raised the bow. The other girls were silent as she pulled the arrow back before letting it go, watching as it hit the middle of the target.

Marcia hoped she could keep it up.

----

The castle felt so cold and unfamiliar, and almost distorted in a way. Marcia led Aura through the corridors, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Where are we going?" Aura asked. "You know how your mom feels about you snooping around-"

Marcia hushed her, opening one of the large doors that led to a long spiral staircase. She looked around before taking Aura by the arm and leading her inside, looking down from the top of the stairs.

It looked as if it went on forever. Marcia had only ever been down there once a very long time ago, but she knew if there were answers she needed, they'd be somewhere down there.

"The library." She said, her hand gripping the cold metal railing as she started their descent. The stairs creaked and dust flew up with every step from lack of use. "I need to look for something."