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I shoot out of my bed after I hear sudden knocking on the door. I take the unlit candlestick, go to the door and wield it as a weapon. I open the door with one hand and raise the candlestick in the other. To my surprise, it is a castle guard and Martha, both panting, as if they ran to tell me whatever news they wanted to convey. I lower the candlestick.
"Your Highness, you must see this at once."
"What is it? Tell me."
"The King and Queen were murdered, your Highness."
"What!?", I explode.
The three of us go to my parents' room and sure enough, Rosalinda's parents are murdered. The castle guards are gathered around. I survey all of their faces. All of them look sad and they look like they are grieving.
Hmm, so no one present here is responsible for this atrocious crime.
"Everybody, out of this room. I command you.", I say in the best regal voice I could muster. The guards filter out from the room one by one. Once they are all out of the room, I survey the bedchamber of the king and the queen. Nothing is out of place. But I see the open window. I go towards it and look down. The enemy must have entered through the window. With guards posted out the door, there is no way, he can enter into the room. There might be two explanations. Either, he is working alone and somehow got access to the window or there is a spy amidst us. Both of the possibilities do not sit well with me.
News of the murder of the King and Queen should not spread. The enemies will find us vulnerable. My plan of action first needs to solidify my defense. With the decision made up in my mind, I seek out the captain of the guards. I go out of the room and a see a man of big stature walking towards me. I think I found the man.
"Your Highness, I am Captain Abrigello.", he takes a deep bow. My guess is correct. I smile inwardly.
"You may rise, Captain."
"Your Highness, you may punish me as you see fit. I have failed my King and Queen."
Hmm. He is a man of integrity and faithfulness. I need to have him on my side. Show authority and he will swear loyalty, my inner self echoes.
"Captain, punishing you for the enemy's crime is not justice. I shall let you live and you shall capture this fiend who has killed my parents. This will be your penance. I need you to swear your loyalty to me and me alone until the day you are relieved from your service."
Abrigello looks astounded but relieved.
"Words cannot express my gratitude towards you, my Queen.", he says still bowed down.
"Not yet."
"Your Highness?", he looks up.
I am not the Queen yet, Abrigello. But tomorrow you shall have a new Queen on that throne.
"Rise Captain."
"Tomorrow a new Queen shall sit upon that throne. We will avenge my parents and send forth a message to the enemy- that they shall never see Oredrion fall, not while I have living breath in my body.", I exclaim loudly.
The entire corridor of soldiers and servants cheer.
The soldiers beat their fists on their breastbones in a rhythmic thump and everyone bows down and I know now that they have sworn allegiance to me.
With my head held high, I turn towards Abrigello.
"Triple the number of guards and security in and around the palace. The coronation will take place tomorrow. Make sure that no one can get in and get out of the palace without your men's notice. Fail this duty Captain, there will be dire consequences."
"Your wish is my command."
"You are dismissed. Everyone return to your beds. Tomorrow is a day of celebration."
"Abrigello, handle the bodies with care. Preserve them. You will await my directions regarding the funeral. ", I say to Abrigello.
"Yes, your Highness.", he says without a doubt in his mind.
I head towards my room with soldiers following behind me.
When I reach my room, I close my door and pace.
Word of the coronation ceremony will travel fast and reach the enemies' ears. I must be prepared. I need to stay strong. They must never see the uncertainty and doubt of my actions.
The next day, the castle is flurry with activity in preparations for the impromptu coronation ceremony.
Hmm.. security will not be a problem. Any fool who tries to kill this 'sheltered and meek' princess will have sealed his fate. Remember Rosalia, no weakness.
The priest drones on and on.
Ugh, just give me that damn crown already.
I start to feel nervous and uneasy. So far so good. Abrigello and the guards are doing a good job. But I just cannot shake the feeling that something dreadful is going to happen.
Deep breaths.. one
I speak my oaths.
two..
Just as the priest is about to place the crown on my head, there is a commotion in the crowd.
A cloaked man stands up and removes his garment. He is a very huge man- not just a man, but a warrior. The crowd gasps and becomes silent. After a while, murmured whispers begin to race among the crowd. I look at my guards, all of them are held at sword-point by enemy soldiers. The public are afraid.
"QUIET!!", the unidentified warrior-man booms. The room becomes silent once again, save for a baby or two still crying.
I stand frozen. I am out of my element. He walks towards the front- towards me with jet-black shoulder-length hair, intense green-eyes focused on me. His muscles and chest are defined. His waist ending in a perfect V. His face looking solemn and stern, as if drawn from granite. He was not exquisitely handsome per se. His face having battle-drawn scars. One wicked-looking scar starting at his forehead and running through his right eye. His abdomen having scars, healed long ago, but leaving marks bearing resemblance of his endurance and bravery.
He reaches us. The priest is unmoving. Everyone's gaze is riveted on us. He takes the crown from the priest's hands and reaches up to place it on my head. All this while, my blue eyes looking into his green ones.
"Long live the Queen.", he says loudly.
The crown is still suspended in the air, held firm by his tawny hands. He draws closer, until a hairsbreadth is the only distance that separates us. 126Please respect copyright.PENANAxWdBhQ8JCs
"Long Live My Queen.", he whispers in my ear. His warm breath tickling my ear.
He places the crown on my head.
"King Cosmo", I whisper, my eyes gaping wide.126Please respect copyright.PENANATgJNUuheQ2
He smirks in response. Goosebumps erupt all over me.
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