The Hidden Truth

The Big Blue Mess

The air of Kahleen's gallery smelled of turpentine. Oil paints. Painting was one of her only escapes from the outside world. Although she did not get breaks often, painting was always on her mind. The walls of her gallery were hidden behind canvases full of bright colored flowers, self-portraits, and paintings resembling the forest bordering the lavish castle she lived in. Concentrating on her newest art piece, Kahleen did not yet notice the dark figure standing, watching her closely from the corner of her gallery.

The mysterious shape slowly crept up behind Kahleen. Kahleen heard a break in her silence. A creak in one of the wooden floorboards caused her to suddenly turn around with a paintbrush in hand coated in blue paint. Standing in her "battle stance" as she called it, Kahleen was prepared to kick some ass. To her surprise, Kahleen was greeted by a close friend with blue paint now splattered all over the lower half of his face.

Thomas was attempting to scare Kahleen from behind when his plans were ruined by a big blue mess. Kahleen and Thomas stood in front of each other, neither of them speaking until Kathleen's contagious laughter filled the room.

"Why are you standing like that?" Thomas asked with a smirk paired with the blue paint on his face, releasing a small giggle at the ridiculous stance Kahleen was standing in.

Kahleen studied the pose she was in. "This is my battle stance!" she replied, with excitement and humor laced in her tone. "I was about to take you down with my trusty weapon!" she said waving the paintbrush in his face like a sword.

Thomas only laughed while taking a nearby cloth and removing the blue oil paint from his face revealing a chiseled jawline and soft dimples. Fierce but gentle hazel eyes accompanied his messy auburn hair. For the age of 16, he was exceptionally handsome and well built resulting from his daily knight training. "I wouldn't call that a battle stance," he said setting down the cloth now covered in paint. "well, at least not a good one. Whatever that is, it wouldn't do you any good at taking me down", he snorted in a playful way. "Holding your "weapon" like that doesn't allow you any grip. Haven't I taught you anything?!" Kahleen snickered and rolled her eyes in response. She loved having these playful conversations with Thomas. He was one of the few people who saw her for more than just a princess. Yes, of course, she was important as the only heir to the throne, but Thomas always found a way to make her feel normal in a sense.

"Why are you here Thomas?" Kahleen asked finally setting down the paintbrush while wiping her paint covered hands on her apron. Seeing Thomas for anything other than self-defense lessons and the occasional surprise visit was rare.

"Can't a princess' best friend visit her in her gallery from time to time without being questioned?!" he answered with a scratch to his neck.

Kahleen's eyes narrowed as she crossed her arms. "Why don't you tell me the real reason for this visit?" Kahleen added.

Thomas hesitated as he said, "For reasons that I cannot share with you," he paused as if he was scared to continue but straightened as he said, "I've been assigned to be your attendant, Your Highness." Thomas bowed his head as he ended his response. Kahleen was taken aback by this. Thomas only addressed her royally when her parents were present.

Kahleen snickered, "Very funny Thomas, stop messing around." Kahleen laughed as she punched his arm lightly.

Thomas looked into Kahleen's soft blue eyes, "I wish I was messing around, princess." Kahleen's smile suddenly faded as she realized the gravity of whatever this situation was.

Kahleen thought for a moment. "What happened to my previous attendant, Mr. Warren?" she asked, now realizing that her childhood guard was not present in her gallery during her time painting. She was required to have an attendant with her at all times though, Kahleen was oblivious to most things so failing to notice the lack of 'Mr. Warren', as she called him, was not particularly surprising.

Thomas was again hesitant to answer. He chose his words carefully. "...All of the other guards, including Mr. Warren, are...preoccupied at the moment and are not available. I am the only knight in training prepared and trusted enough to be your attendant at this moment." Kahleen knew there was more to this than Thomas was letting on.

"Is the threat so serious that all the guards are on duty somewhere else?" Kahleen asked this expecting to have all of the questions swirling around in her head answered.

To Kahleen's surprise, Thomas didn't respond. Kahleen and Thomas are very close since there aren't many kids her age in the castle to talk to. Kahleen isn't allowed to venture outside of the palace grounds due to all of her responsibilities and high stature. She is told stories of the outside world from Thomas so she expected him of all people to answer her questions.

"Is there really nothing else you can tell me?" Kahleen desperately asked. Since she was only a princess, Kahleen felt like she was shielded from any information because of her "safety". The only information she normally received about anything was the small details Thomas could share with her occasionally.

Thomas stared blankly at Kahleen as he said, "I apologize, Your Highness. I was given specific instructions by your father that I was not to share any of the details with you at this time regarding your safety." Kahleen froze. She didn't know how to respond to her father's orders. If Kahleen's father, the king, got involved that meant that there was an actual danger in the kingdom. But what could that be?