The Hidden Princess

Chapter Twenty-seven

"The war was here, it was starting."

The air outside was cool and crisp, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the ballroom, but as Liora closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, the scent that greeted her was sharp and acrid, stinging her nose. She furrowed her brows in confusion, her senses suddenly alert, and when she opened her eyes, panic gripped her heart. Before her lay the forest, engulfed in flames, the orange glow dancing wildly among the trees, casting eerie shadows that flickered against the darkening sky.
Thick plumes of smoke billowed upward, swirling and twisting in the wind, the harsh reality of the blaze creeping ever closer. Her eyes watered as the wind carried the smoke toward her, bringing with it an uncomfortable warmth that felt suffocating. With wide, terrified eyes, she instinctively lifted her skirt, the fabric pooling in her hands as she turned on her heel and bolted back toward the safety of the ballroom.
Inside, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and music, but Liora spun around in frantic circles, her heart racing as she searched desperately for her father or Gareth. The lively chatter around her became a blur as she navigated through the crowd, her heart pounding in her chest.
At last, she spotted them near the drinks table, deep in conversation. Relief washed over her, but it was short-lived; the urgency of the situation urged her on. Skirt still held high to avoid tripping, she dashed toward them, weaving between elegantly dressed guests, calling out, "Father! Father!"
As she pushed past a woman in a shimmering gown, her father turned at the sound of her voice. The moment their eyes met, worry etched itself across his features, his brow furrowing as he took in her disheveled appearance and the fear shining in her eyes.
"Liora, what is it?" her father asked, concern flooding his voice as she collapsed before him, breathless and trembling. Gareth, standing close by, swiftly stepped in to catch her, guiding her gently to the ground.
Rowen, having witnessed her frantic entrance, rushed to her side, kneeling down to offer support. "Liora, breathe," he urged, his voice steady and calm in the chaos.
"Outside-there-we-" Liora struggled to form the words, each syllable a battle as she gasped for air, her chest heaving with the effort. Fear clutched at her heart, making it difficult to focus on anything but the image of the forest burning.
Before she could convey the gravity of the situation, a piercing scream erupted from the other side of the room, shattering the momentary silence. The sound echoed off the high ceilings, sending a ripple of panic through the crowd, drawing their attention toward the windows. Liora's heart raced again, dread tightening in her stomach as she exchanged worried glances with her father and Gareth.
Her father rushed to the window, his expression darkening as he saw the smoke and flames curling into the night sky. Reality set in with a chilling clarity: the war was here, and it was beginning. Within moments, guards poured into the ballroom, their faces grim as they began to usher the guests toward the lower parts of the castle-those fortified areas with thick walls designed to withstand any siege.
Liora felt a jolt of panic as she was pushed into one of those rooms, the heavy door slamming shut behind her. She instinctively tried to push her way back out, desperation clawing at her. But Gareth stood firm, blocking her path. "Gareth! Let me go! I can help!" she protested, determination igniting her words as she continued to struggle against him.
But Gareth had been given orders: keep her safe at all costs. "No! I will not let you put yourself in danger," he said sternly, his voice resolute as he held her back.
Liora's mind raced, a terrible thought emerging from the chaos. She had to help; there was no way she could stay hidden while others were in peril. "I'm sorry, Gareth," she mumbled softly, guilt pooling in her stomach.
Gareth's eyes widened in confusion as he processed her words, but it was too late. In a swift motion, Liora raised her hands, feeling the familiar surge of power coursing through her. Vines erupted from the ground, snaking around Gareth's legs and arms, binding him in place. The shocked gasps from those nearby echoed in her ears; none had known of the gift the princess possessed. Stunned silence filled the room as she darted past Gareth, lifting her skirt once more and sprinting down the dimly lit halls.
As she rounded a corner, Liora collided with someone, the impact sending her stumbling backward. But before she could hit the floor, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her.
"Liora? What are you doing?" Rowen's voice cut through the chaos, his brow furrowed with concern. He must have been coming to check on her and the others. His eyes searched hers, seeking understanding amidst the fear that clouded the air.
"I have to help!" Liora shouted, her voice ringing out above the clamor of the castle, the sounds of chaos and urgency swirling around them. She pulled herself away from Rowen's grip, her determination burning brightly within her as she fought against any hesitation.
"Liora!" Rowen called out, reaching for her once more, but she was already lifting her skirt and sprinting down the hall. The weight of the moment pressed heavily on him; if he couldn't stop her, then he would go with her. He had to protect her, no matter what.
With long strides, Rowen matched her pace, his heart racing as they navigated through the darkened corridors. The flickering lights cast ominous shadows on the stone walls, and the distant sounds of panic only fueled their urgency. "You can't just rush into danger!" he shouted, his voice strained as he tried to keep up. "It's not safe!"
Liora glanced back at him, her eyes fierce and determined. "I won't stand by while others are in peril!" she shot back, her breath coming in quick bursts. The fire outside was more than just flames; it was a call to action that resonated deep within her.
Rowen felt a mix of admiration and frustration as he ran alongside her. He knew she had strength, but this reckless bravery could lead her straight into harm's way. "At least let me help you! We can do this together!" he urged, hoping to reason with her, but her focus was unwavering.
As they rounded another corner, the reality of their surroundings became increasingly apparent-the air was thick with smoke, and distant shouts echoed ominously, the urgency of the situation urging them onward.
With every step Liora took, a searing pain radiated from her side, a harsh reminder of the constricting fabric of her dress. She needed to escape this ridiculous attire; it was suffocating her. When she reached the courtyard, the sight of the closed gates added to her growing anxiety. No one had entered the grounds yet, leaving her feeling painfully exposed.
Desperation surged through her as she began to turn in small circles, scanning the area for any signs of danger. Without a second thought, she hastily fumbled with the buttons of her bodice, the fabric feeling like a prison around her.
"Liora, what are you doing?" Rowen exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock and concern as he watched her struggle with the dress. Panic clawed at her insides, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Each inhale felt like it was being choked out of her; her side throbbed painfully, and the overwhelming fear of the chaos outside pushed her further into a spiral.
"I need out of this dress! I-I can't breathe!" she gasped, the tightness in her chest growing as panic filled her. Her mind felt foggy, drowning in anxiety as she finally managed to wrest the bodice from her body, tossing it to the ground in a flurry of frustration. But the corset remained, tightly bound, and her fingers fumbled with the knots, urgency mounting as they refused to yield.
Seeing her struggle, Rowen felt a surge of anger and concern. He couldn't bear to watch her fight against the constraints of her dress while danger lurked outside. Without hesitation, he pulled out his knife, a flash of steel in the dim light. "Hold still!" he said, his voice steady as he approached her.
With a swift motion, he cut through the laces of the corset, the tension giving way as it fell to the ground in a heap. Liora let out a shaky breath, relief washing over her as she finally felt the constriction ease. The cool air hit her skin, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, she could breathe freely.
But even with the corset gone, the ballgown skirt still clung to her, hindering her movement. Liora took a moment to steady her breaths, grounding herself before making a decision. With a determined flick of her wrist, she discarded the heavy layers of fabric, letting the skirt fall to the ground in a crumpled heap. Beneath the elaborate dress, she wore her working pants-simple, practical cotton trousers that clung snugly to her legs, allowing her to move freely and comfortably.
She kept her thin white tank undershirt tucked into the waistband, mindful not to let it get caught on anything as she prepared for what lay ahead. Thankfully, she hadn't opted for heels; the dress had concealed her footwear, revealing sturdy riding boots instead. They were well-worn but reliable, perfect for running and navigating the unpredictable terrain of the castle grounds.
As she stood there, now clad in her practical attire, Liora felt a surge of confidence. The fire that had ignited within her was not just about helping others; it was also about reclaiming her strength. She glanced at Rowen, whose expression reflected a mixture of admiration and concern.
"Ready?" she asked, her voice steady, the remnants of fear replaced with a fierce resolve. She took a step toward the courtyard's exit, heart pounding with the urgency of the moment. The sounds of chaos had not faded; they only seemed to grow louder, a reminder that every second counted.
Rowen nodded, his determination mirrored in his eyes. Liora could feel the energy surging within her, a tumult of fear and adrenaline fueling her resolve. With a deep breath, she focused her mind and reached out to the earth beneath her feet.
Drawing on her powers, she pushed against the massive gates of the castle, feeling the weight of them shift as the ground responded to her call. The gates creaked and groaned, heavy iron grating against stone, before finally swinging open wide with a gust of wind. The smoke billowed into the courtyard, swirling around them like a living entity, a stark reminder of the chaos unfolding just beyond the walls.
Liora may not have complete control over the energy swirling in her, but she knew she could manipulate the earth, and in this moment, that had to be enough. She felt the ground ripple slightly under her feet, a connection that steadied her resolve as she stepped forward into the unknown.
The night air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke, but it also carried a flicker of hope-the chance to make a difference, to fight back against the encroaching darkness. Rowen fell into step beside her, his presence a comforting reminder that she was not alone in this battle.