Burden Ridge

Powerful. Vain. Misunderstood. Mental. These were the remarks that were spread along the lanes of Burden Ridge. Although, only one of those words are correct. The people spread their dear Princess' name around like she's a laborer. Like she is the same standard at them. As though I am anywhere close to them.

One day they will have me as their Queen. One day they will adhere to me like I warrant. Today is not that day. And that day won't be for a while. Considering that today is my older sister's crowning.

"Princess Ayleth," I hear my name being called beyond my door as I raise my head from the satin pillow. I shift my head toward Jaymes who lay asleep under my covers.

"Jaymes, get up." I murmur as he stirs. His big grey eyes open tiredly, as he turns to me and smiles his beautiful smile. He stopped and straggled out of the white blankets. I watched disappointedly as he yanked on a tunic and harnessed his dagger back around his waistline.

"See you at the coronation, Ayleth." Jaymes whispers and kisses my cheek tenderly. My heart flutters and I examine him wander out to my terrace. I stumble out as soon as he seals the back door. I make my way to my main door and opening to see the maids.

"Princess, good morning. We need to ready you for the coronation." The head maid, Meriall states with my drapes hanging over her arms.

As the maids undress me, I could hear the bells of the gate opening to grant the individuals of Burden Ridge to tread into the castle's ballroom. My drapes consisted of my kingdom's colors of White and Crimson. White to match the snow that settles every winter and Crimson to match the bloodshed of this kingdom.

"Milady, may I ask how you'd like your hair today?" Meriall asks bowing her head in respect. If only all the maids were like Meriall. So devoted and passionate about her job.

"I would love for it to be left down." I declare and Meriall shakes her head disapprovingly.

"Milady, may I remind you that after your sister's crowning you're to be at the ball, and only at the ball?" She asks as the other maids brush through my long black hair.

"Meriall, please. You know I can't do that. The woodlands are calling and I must go." I say stepping down from the stool I remained on. I grab Meriall's hands and take her to my balcony.

"Milady, this is no behavior for a Princess!" Meriall yells and pulls her hands away.

"Meriall, just look," I say ushering her to look at the view from the balcony. Trees covered the horizon with the red and orange sunrise. "Breathtaking." I say and look at Meriall's reaction. Her face flashed at me in awe.

"One hour, Ayeth. More than that and I'm sending the guards to get you." She says and I smile and hug her.

"Does that mean hair down?" I ask laughing.

"Har-Har. No." she answers sternly.

The coronation was just like any other coronation. Boring. We all know my sister will die in the battling of Odelia. Just like my mother, my father, my eldest brother, and now my eldest sister. Afterwards Meriall shot me a look and I knew my "hour" had begun. I ran out of the castle doors and through the gate. Ripping off my drapes and leaving my corset and linens.

Once in the protection of the wooded sanctuary, I pull my hands up and release my hair out of its bindings and feel it all fall to my ankles. I brush my hands through it, hearing a crunch throughout the trees. I sprinted counting every tree until I reached The angel statue on my mother's grave. Now this you may think would be a sentimental place for me. You couldn't be more wrong. I grab my Bow that hung on the Angel's arm and the pack of arrows behind her.

Pointing the loaded Bow toward the location of the sound, I shoot. Hit. I smile and walk toward my prize. I look to see if I had caught a deer or a person, hopefully not Jaymes. I walk toward it. Human. Arrow straight through the shoulder. Her clothing was Blue and Black. An Odelia soldier.