The War Within

Chapter 5

Families are like branches on a tree, we grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one- Unknown 

Never had I ever seen, a girl look so beautiful that I would ask her to dance with me. It seemed almost impossible, but I did. It was the most conceived dance ever, it seemed so fake yet so realistic. I placed my arms around her waist as I stared into her deep blue ocean eyes, drowning in them yet again. Her smile wiped me off the face of the earth, I returned a smile. Her eyes twitched down to my lips, staring at them, before looking back up at my eyes, she grinned. She leaned in, I was so ready, so prepared, then it all ended. The ballroom was torn apart by shadows, the room was covered in darkness and she was torn away from me. My grip faltered and she just like that she was gone. 

I awoke, startled, but relieved that I was still in my bedroom, in my bed, the last place where I had closed my eyes. I examined my room nervously, that dream felt like it had actually happened, or like it was going to happen. Nether the less I shook that thought out of my mind, a dream is just a dream, nothing ridiculous like that is going to happen. "Master Anakin, are you quite alright?" Francis peeked his head into my room, his eyebrows furrowed. Still shocked, I nodded and beckoned for Francis to leave. He was about to leave before he snorted "Oh and Master Anakin if this girl in your dream, which I'm assuming is her highness, looked so beautiful , I wouldn't be wrong to say that you have a crush on her highness." My mouth dropped and I groaned, did I seriously sleep talk? That's so ludicrous. "I do not!" I defended.

"Don't get so defence Master, almost making it sound like you're trying to protect the truth." Francis snickered as he left my room, but he came back again. "By the way, it's the royal ball today Master , so you best start your preparations for later tonight." I nodded in agreement, biting my lip in stress. I totally forgot about the royal Gala. I shift quickly on my bed, "Shit my meeting with Liora!" I threw the duna off, and hoped out of bed, starting to get ready. "Francis can you please pack my-" I was cut off as Francis shoved a backpack into my face, smiling. "I also need my-" I was yet again cut off, as Francis handed me my daily schedule, "Already made Master." "Francis, how can I ever pay you back." I patted his shoulder, he felt tense. He seems more cautious today, anyways I pull him into a one- arm hug before running out the door, squeezing in a wave to Francis as I sped off towards the castle. I have a provoking feeling about today.
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The whole way to the castle I had a haunting feeling that I was being followed but I shook it off when I had entered the castle premises. I need to be happy, at least for Liora cause today is a special day for her. As a matter of fact, today is very important to all the royals. It was the royal ball. A gala. It rarely occured, because this special event was to find a prince for the throne. A husband. And it made me jealous.

The tedious shine of the sun through the stained glass windows caused the hallway to blush a torrid red colour. It created a thorny atmosphere as I escroted myself to Liora's bedroom. I knocked three times, this was my especial knock, so that she would know it was me. The door squeaked open revealing her highness, looking as fair as ever. I swear I felt my cheeks turn the shade of the window, but I smiled widely hoping it would hide my cheeks. "Ahh finally took you long enough." Her voice broke my thoughts, but I noticed something was missing. I raise an eyebrow, smirking "No nickname not even something like babe or honey or cutie?" I studied her blue orbs. She looked exhausted. "Idiot" She muttered at me. Damn it. Resilient girl. "Anyways. My father wanted to see you. So go carry on your duties. Servant boy!" I watched in dismay as she tossed her hair and marched back into her bedroom. "Servant boy," I repeated muttering underneath my breath, head bent over ,"idiot was one word, but servant boy, nah ah." My head collided with a wall, and I hear a snicker behind me.

"Stupid brother, can't even walk like a proper human, are you even human at all, I would say not." I could detect my head gyrating. If looks could kill, this guy would have been dead centuries ago. "Don't give me that pathetic look, I'm not the moron who decided to play head boxing with the wall." He carries on like I give a shit. "And I'm guessing your the fucking wall?" I smirked. "Shh where's the brotherly love, no wonder I was mum's favourite, I guess she had realised what a dick head you were." I could almost see him glowing. "Oooo. The wolf has a bark! But where's the bite? Did mom decide that your ass was bigger than your head? Or did she accidently send you to the garbage man. Your... What was he again. Adoptive dad? Sad. Isn't it." He looked astray for words, his lip curling up in anger but he didn't attempt to hit me. "The wolf has lost its bark. Looks like the sparrow wins." "The wolf's leaving." His voice trailed off as he descended down the lumiscience hallway. I scoff with victory, guess he couldn't think of a comeback. I win, for once.

"I need you to scrub the dishes, wash all the laundry, iron the clothes, and vacuum and mop the floors. I want this done as soon as possible and I want it to be spot-less." My brain threatened to explode, as I stared aggravatingly at the maid who divulged me about my chores. "I'm a bodyguard not a servant." "Do you think I care about who you are, I have been told that you are to do these chores or else I will not dither to fire you Servant Boy!" Her name was Elansta, I figured as I just read her name tag. "Fine," I grumbled ,"I'll be the one firing you old woman." I conscientiously let my eyes drift on her to see if she had heard me. She had not. I breathed out laboriously not realising I was holding my breath. I set out to complete what she told me and with my improbable speed I was done within an hour. Little did I know I was not finished.

"Okay now go into the ballroom and decorate the place with streamers, glamorous lights, ribbons and any thing else that says je suis la mode." I glower, bewildered, I have no idea what that means. " I need you to polish the king and queen's throne and the golden trimmings along the wall, now get a move on Servant boy." Elansta waved me off, but I gritted my teeth, "My name is Anakin, say that or I will be doing nothing for you." "Are you threatening me boy, be careful what you say especially during today for what you see, let not it deceive, for all is not as it seems, while the sun still gleams, know that darkness is here, and the end is near." I couldn't help but notice the rhyming and the tone of Elansta that made her sound not like Elansta, but instead like a voice I had heard before. My thoughts devoured my brain, and by the time I snapped out of it, she was gone. Darkness is here... the end is near?? What does she mean by that? Is the world going to end? Who is the darkness? Why am I taking words of advice from a stranger, I have a ballroom to decorate.

The room was scanty, but the little amount of marbles in the room made it seem colossal. A wine red tuxedo was draped over a couch- the only couch in the room. I picked it up, noticing that the vest, pocket and lower sleeves was white and a minor black bow was positioned on the highest button. On the floor, was a nice dazzling pair of well groomed shoes. It was a cloudy black to match the bow. "I hope this will be the only time, I'll have to where clothes like this." I said to myself, hearing a scurry inside the closet, I freeze. Seconds later, it was quiet again and I shrugged it off, changing hastily into my tuxedo.

"If I do say myself, I look quite handsome" I uttered to myself as I studied the man in the mirror. Then I heard it again. The scarmbering of feet on wooden planks. Something wasn't right... I took steady steps towards the large wardrobe. Ignoring how unrealistic it looked. Taking hold of the handle, I swinged the door wide open. There it was... "Nothing... that's strange." Furrowing my eyebrows, I turned and closed the door. "What is going on?"