He Was Lost (To The Waves)

xxxChapter 1: 

Alexia's POV: 

"Alexia!" A voice called out, catching my attention. I'd been walking through the corridor leading to the balconies overlooking the kingdom; the view up there, at this time of day, was beautiful, and I was intending on painting it. Thus, the utensils I was holding in my arms. 

"Melanie?" I asked, confused yet happy; she never came out of her room without someone urging her to eat a bit or two; it'd been like that for years. 

"Alexia, come quick." The princess huffed, her blonde hair astray and her eyes alive with fright and dismay. "Dante says that Bukoe is attempting an ambush!" 

"I...what?!" I cried out, scared. An ambush?! Were we ready? "Where is he?" 

"He's about to leave the castle, hurry!" 

Without a second thought, I dropped everything I'd been holding and grabbed my skirts before sprinting down the hallway, Melanie hot on my heels. 

Rounding a few corners (and almost falling), we finally ran into the grand entrance hallway, where troops were standing on every inch of the marble flooring, Dante standing in front of the doors. 

"Dante!" I cried out, waving my arms frantically in the air. Melanie followed my lead, and the two of us called out to the older man until he turned and walked through the sea of soldiers. 

"What?" He asked warily, running a hand through his hair. 

"They're attacking?" I whimpered, gazing up at him with glassy eyes. Right away, his own gaze softened and he took me into his arms; Dante was the older brother I never had. 

"They are." His words confirmed my worst fears. "We are preparing ourselves, and I called for my father to come down, so don't you worry, Princess." 

"Alright..." I mumbled into his shirt uncertainly. "You better come back to Melanie and I in one piece!" 

He chuckled, ruffling my hair playfully. "Your wish is my command, Princess." 

"Dante, my son." A booming voice echoed through the room, vibrating with worry. "Is it true? The time has come?" 

"Yes, father." Dante turned whilst speaking to face his dad, who'd come striding through the door to our right. 

King Adrian was a fit man, despite his age. At the age of 48, he stood healthy and strong. 

He turned to face us, his face set grimly. "Girls, get your mother and head down to the bunker. Stay there, and stay safe. Alexia, take your sword with you, please." 

"Of course, father." I obediently took my sword from its sheath; my sword, Artemis, always hung by my side, no matter what. 

"Now, go, quickly!" King Adrian shouted, pointing in to somewhere behind us. "Queen Aleesia is already waiting at the bunker door. Be careful, all of you!" 

"We will!" I called over my shoulder as Melanie and I started running back the way we came. Together, in somewhat awkward silence, we ran down the long, winding hallway towards the bunker door, which was hidden in the secluded back areas of the castle. 

When we got there, Queen Aleesia was waiting, frantically pacing. When she saw us, she ran up to us, her blonde hair flying around her shoulders. "Girls, hurry hurry! We have to go!" 

So, we descended into the bunker, tripping over our skirts and such. The servants, god bless, were patiently waiting for us at the bottom of the stairwell, holding necessities.