Whispers of Blood

chapter 1

I can still hear the loud bang comming from the hallway, it's like it's happening again, the death of our King, and my father. I still see his lifeless, bloody body laying on the ground, the guards taking him away and my mother sobbing on the floor. The mystery of who did it still remains unsolved. But I, Cenobia, will find the killer and avenge my father's death.

Two weeks have passed since the incident. I was just walking back from the funeral. I hated to see how many people where around. They all thought they knew him, but in reality they don't have any idea about the secrets that lure within the palace. They are hidden, so so hidden no one really knows about them, but where there is wealth, there are always secrets. I take back what I said, wealth or not, everyone has their own secrets, even if they want to admit it or not.

The snow was now covering the ground with a very thin layer, footsteps marking the ways people went, most of them followed the guards with the casket, other stayed on the side, not bothering to walk.

I was now running away from the funeral, my black dress flowing behind me, the cold air of hitting my face. I couldn't bare it anymore, why him? I get that he's the king, that someone would want him dead, but why the timing? Its a few days time till Christmas, isn't that day about spending time with your family? Why would anyone want anyone dead on that day.

I finally got to the spot, a balcony that has a beautiful view of the ocean. It made me forget about all my problems, that is until I heard the snow crunch beneath someone's steps. I quickly wiped by tears that have formed in my eyes just in time as a hand was placed on my shoulder.

"You don't have to hide your tears, we all feel awful for what happend" I heard the soft voice of Alya say.

I turned around and was embraced in a warm hug by her. No words where spoken, I just sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed, until there were no tears left to cry.

*

I went up to my room quite shortly after that. I need to rest, however sleep just didn't come, so I got out of my bed, and went to look out the window.

The snowflakes where slowly falling from the sky, the dim light comming from between the sky of clouds making the landscape look more alive. Everyone was gone now, everyone had returned to their jobs, their little shops by the road, or going to set up stalls at the market, selling diferent vegetables and fruits for people lacking them.

How I wish I could go there withought being recognised, all of the times I tried there is always that one person who ruins it all, either it being a seller asking me too loud or a lousy kid pointing it out to their mom. Of course, there are exceptions, like when the wind wants to mess up my plan by blowing by hood away.

The city was a much quiet and peaceful place than the palace. As good as it sounds, it's not as good as living somewhere in the woods, by a river, and having the birds sing everyday of the year. Or growing your own vegetables in your little garden. I would like that better than having people tell you what to do everyday, or wear stupid clothes, not only are they heavy, but painful sometimes. Honestly, you can't even breathe properly in those things called corsets! Or having to follow all one trillion rules, because 'we women have to be delicate'.

That's why I take fighting lessons in secret, I don't want to be just some girl that is considered by most people annoying, or a brat just by my status. I want to know how to defend myself, given that most men think of us as just objects.

My thoughts where interrupted by a very loud knock on my door. I waited for a moment before opening the door, needing to get everything off my mind so I could have an actual dialogue with someone.

The door squeaked as I slowly opened it, it was Alya, she must have saw I went in my room.

"I thought you'd change out of that dress" she said, sitting on my bed.