The crowned veil

Chapter 2: Dorian

I finished training without her, she's never late to anything, especially training. We agreed to meet at 6 just as the sun started to rise. Lora isn't someone to not say anything, or at least she would tell me if she couldn't make it though I received nothing. I'm probably overthinking this, she probably forgot or got stuck in one of her books. I make my way back to the palace, choosing to train outside with the guards instead of the egotistical nobles that show off. I reach the courtyard, the palace is stunning at this time of morning. The sun reflects off the window panes as if they were crystal, I wouldn't doubt if some of them were. The palace is a tall, elegant structure but it still is simpler to most castles, tucked away by a short forest before the city close by. I walk past the blooming flowers, their buds opening to the beckoning call of the warm sun. The flowers are a mixture varying in colour, shape and size.

Reaching the doors the guards bow to me opening the doors simultaneously, I nod to them offering a smile to which they return as I walk through the entrance. I turn off into one of the servant corridors making my way back to my chambers to change. I pass a few servants and guards along the way busying themselves as usual. Each bow to me as they pass, and I nod in return. No one stops or questions me as to using the servant's passage, everyone is used to me and my sister using them every now and then to avoid the nobility when they stay. Or in my sister's case for us to sneak out at night to go to the neighbouring city to visit some friends of hers. I turn off to a spiral staircase walking the steps at a steady pace, the action reminds me of how me and my sister would run around and play hide and seek, or go out to the city to celebrate alongside them- in disguise of course. We could never be found outside the palace walls without a guard at our side, and besides the people would act differently around us. I think that's what Valoria enjoys most about sneaking out, she gets the chance to be normal, not the crown princess for all to bow down to; she particularly hates that part. She got her maid to stop bowing a few years ago but she never got the title, the maid wouldn't allow it, settling to call her miss instead of highness.

The thought of my little sister makes me remember her failure to turn up at training. I quicken my pace a little, in hopes that she's left me a note. I reach the top of the stairs and exit the passageways daring the main halls the remaining way. I almost made it without bumping into anyone, but with the amount of nobles present in the palace it was inevitable. Perhaps this was why my sister didn't turn up, to escape the chance of having to meet any noble on the way. Whether she likes it or not she'll meet them all anyway. I push thoughts of my sister aside, taking a deep breath before greeting the nobles, a smile plastered on my face.

"You look so stupid when you do that Dorian." I hear Torin say snidely.

I turn to face him, Erias at his side both dressed in their fine clothes ready to represent their houses at court. I can't help sighing relief knowing it's just them, I'm really not in the mood to deal with court today. I chuckle at his remark and daringness to not use my title so openly with the nobles filling the palace they could easily be punished for it. Erias notes this quickly filling the silence with a bow, over enunciating.

"Your Highness" Torin looks at Erias playfully mimicking his bow in an exaggerated manoeuvre.

"Why, I am so blessed to have the honour of your presence, your Royal Highness." I grimace at them both whilst Erias glares at Torin's brashness. I quickly wave my hand dismissively allowing them to rise, I grab their wrists to which Torin complains and drag them down the last hall to my chambers, slamming the door closed behind them. Once we are inside I release them of their leashes, walking over to take a seat in the salon. They follow in silence taking seats opposite me, Torin of course is the one to break the silence.

"Honestly Dorian, if you want us to come here you just have to ask, you don't need to drag us. I think you broke my wrist. " He says lazily, holding a limp hand up for show, at this me and Erias laugh in unison.

"It's not like you need your wrist Torin, you aren't going to the battlements." Erias says a slight dimness in his eyes.

Torin is quick to realise what he means, Torin has a brother born and bred warrior currently serving as one of the palatial guards. If his house sends a son to fight or lead, it won't be him. Erias however has only sisters, who unlike Valoria do not know how to fight nor want to. They prefer the amour of a gown and a blade of tongue rather than steel. Whilst I will most likely go, becoming a general, leading them to victory. Or so I'm told. I look towards them and Torin is first to respond, to Erias retort.

"Yes well, we can't all leave our houses. Your family has only one male heir, if you go that means that one of your sisters have to marry, allowing another house control of yours they won't allow that to happen." We all know this to not be true but it gives Erias a bit of hope, most of the dimness in his eyes fading. Erias smiles slightly, looking at the empty chair at my side.

"And wherever might your sister be? We've been wandering the palace for hours trying to track her down only to find you instead. And yes we did check the libraries. She's not there either."

This reminds me of our training. I stand and go to my study looking on the desk for a note or letter, anything to indicate her absence but nothing. I burrow my eyebrows, confused as to why she's missing. I returned to the study, Torin and Erias still sat in their chairs used to my chain of thought by now.

"I truly don't know. I need to dress for court and then I'll go seek her, you two should do the same" Torin laughs, and Erias grimaces.

"We've been ready for court for the past 2 hours, and honestly you'd think that they would find a way to not cut our throats off with the fabric." We all laugh, and they raise from their seats Erias at the lead. They leave the room, a smile on both faces and I am glad for it. Once I hear the door shut I make my way to my dressing chambers putting on the torcherous clothes. I truly can not understand how Erias' sisters wish to do nothing but this all day.

Once I'm ready it's coming up to 9. I hook my pocket watch, a gift from Valoria, onto my clothes and leave my room. I walk down the main corridors towards her chambers hoping her guards will know where she went, though knowing that if she left she wouldn't be in the palace. I continue anyway, knowing it's a good place to start. I arrive at her door, the guards greeting me moving slightly to grant me entry.

"Has she not left?" I am curious as to her choice to remain in her room this entire time and not send me a note. The guard to my left responds with a nod of his head, I nod in return and enter her chambers.

The room is drenched in darkness, she never woke up then. I shake my head in disapproval, she most likely stayed up all night reading a book or worrying about court. I go to her window, opening the curtain slightly so when she wakes, she's not blinded. I look out of it for a moment, the view serene, I turn from it going to my sister who lays still in her bed. I shake her shoulders slightly quietly speaking lest I scare her.

"Lora, time to wake up." She does nothing, remaining effortlessly still. I start to worry, shaking her a little harder, my grip tightening slightly trying again to make my voice less quiet.

"Lora, you need to wake up" Still she does nothing, I stare at her face sodden in sweat and tears. She's been crying. I try again my grip not changing, speaking at a normal but firm volume.

"Valoria, Valoria, you need to wake up. It isn't real, wake up." All of a sudden she screams, trying to break free of my grip. I tighten it if only to make her wake up and realise she's safe.

"NO" she shouts at something. I try again, hoping she'll wake up. Before I get a chance her eyes fly open, and she sits up abruptly. Tears roll down her face, as she gasps for air. I let go of her shoulders, embracing her from behind, leaning down to whisper in her ear.

"Shh Valoria. It's alright. You're here, you're safe." And I repeat this, over and over. After a while her breathing evens and I stop, allowing her a moment's silence to process what's happened. We sat like this for a while, and I never let her go.