The Hidden Princess and the Sword

Chapter 2

The next week flashed by. Annika actually spent more time scrubbing plates in the kitchen than in her rooms - despite her royal status. Every hand was needed to get the castle in tip-top shape for the gala. Even Anabel, to Annika's surprise, was recruited to wax the floors.

The King was likely the only one in the palace who did not do any cleaning; the Queen was kind enough to help out. Anabel was rushed to the kitchens or the Great Hall as soon as the clock tower outside struck one, after her lessons. Fittings, cooking, scrubbing. Even Annika got a new gown, although more out of formality than any need. After all, she was supposed to be in her rooms during the gala, and everyone knew it would appear the next morning soiled and torn.

They expected it.

As the gala drew nearer, Annika roamed the passages more; mainly looking for new places in which to see the Great Hall, but also out of sheer boredom. There was one directly above the chandelier, but it looked recently used so she left quickly.

At last it was here.

Anyone who was anyone was camped out in the castle with their various entourages, maids, and guards, preparing and waiting.

Annika, on the other hand, was laying on her bed with a book.

The door swung open a crack.

"Excuse me? Princess Annika?"

It was one of the newer guards; he couldn't have been more than two or so years older than Annika, with a smooth chin and far too large armor. He wasn't wearing a helmet, and she could see the white aura glowing out of his curly blond hair.

"I'm supposed to lock you in. The gala starts in ten minutes." He winked at her and closed the door. She heard a soft click as the lock turned.

It hadn't even been ten seconds when she threw down her book and scrambled towards the tapestry. Annika flew through the passageway towards the Great Hall, great bubbles of excitement flowing from her toes to her fingers.

Through the lone uncolored piece of glass, hidden in a mural of a feast created with a thousand colored wedges, she could see with pride the sparkling floors and totally dust-free chairs.

Annika held back a squeal as the guests flooded into the hall joking, laughing, and looking around in awe.

The room was aglow with their auras; mostly yellow and pink, with green and red and violet. With a sigh, Annika lay down in a more comfortable position and watched with her head propped up by her hands.

She shook herself awake some time later, without even knowing she'd fallen asleep.

The gala was still in full swing below her, with both intoxicated and sober guests chatting and dancing.

Annika could hear the laughter, but - was that movement?

No, she chided herself. It was only empty space.

The little bubble of space approached the King and Queen where they stood in the center of the room. The King was holding a delicate champagne glass in his white-gloved left hand as he talked to the Duke of Isveria. Tonight, he was wearing an elegant royal blue coat over a yellow shirt and his nicest white trousers. The Queen was at his side, looking as youthful as ever in an emerald green gown embellished with gold and silver threads. She put her arms around one of his and rested her head on his arm. The King patted her arm. He was easily a foot or more taller, but the gestures of love and tenderness made Annika's heart hurt.

The space was going around behind them.

There was a flash of metal - just for a split second - and Annika screamed. Screamed until her ears hurt from the rebound in the narrow corridor and her throat ached from it and her lungs demanded air. Screamed as the King and Queen collapsed onto the beautiful floors and screamed as blood spurted out of their stomachs. Screamed as the pool of red grew impossibly fast and reached farther than such a pool should ever be.