EMILY POV
"I will be back soon, wife," Eron said. As he left the dining garden, I felt a strange sting in my chest. I wished he would not go, but it was the king, his own father, who called him.
The meeting might be important. I was left alone, and I lost my appetite immediately. The way he talked to me earlier and cared for me—I couldn't believe it.
Thinking about it, I could feel some butterflies in my stomach. I was happy that he's the opposite of what people say about him. But something in me still tells me that he's more than that.
I picked up the small silver bell and rang it to call for the maids. Immediately, Evenly entered, dressed in a simple white long gown that matched her perfectly shining Florence skin. Sometimes I wondered how someone so beautiful like her could be working as a maid; she looked more like a princess.
"Prin—I mean Emily, what can I do for you?" she asked, her voice sweet and calm. If I were a man, I would fall for her charm, but I was happy she was my friend.
"Where is Esther?" I asked. It had been a long time since I saw her after our last conversation. It's rare for me not to see her in a day since I got here.
But after our last conversation about Eron, I hadn't seen her again. Maybe if Eron comes back, I will ask him.
"I don't know, ma. She's not in the palace," Evenly replied, her brow furrowed slightly.
"Well, maybe she has something to take care of," I thought to myself, trying not to dwell on her absence and shifting my thoughts to why I called her here.
"I am done here; can you help me pack this up? And did you know anything that might be happening for the king to ask for a meeting so late like this?" I asked curiously.
I gestured for her to sit down. I wanted to know more about the king and this palace; I wanted to be a good and loving princess.
I watched her as she hesitated for a moment, but she later sat down beside me. "Well, Emily, it's not common for the king to call for a meeting at this hour, but rumor has it that The Golden Island, one of our strongest allies, wants to rebel against the crown. They want their independence. That's not good; it will cause the country to go to war."
"War?" I echoed, feeling my heart sink. War is not child's play, and it's not a joke. People die during war.
I hoped Eron would be safe. I looked down, feeling worried. My heart was pounding very fast, and I couldn't breathe.
"Ma, are you okay? Are you thinking about Prince Eron? Don't worry; he will be fine," Evenly said. I think she noticed the way I was scared upon hearing that the kingdom might go to war and that Eron could be in danger.
I didn't want him to go to war; I was just getting to know him. What if I lost him to the war? I thought to myself.
"Are you sure Eron will be fine?"
"Yes, my princess. He's the best swordsman in the kingdom. Everyone fears him; even hearing his name makes people faint and freeze. And ma, you need to be careful beside him," she warned me. I didn't like the way she talked about him.
But that's what people believe about Eron; I know he's different. He's not the person people think he is.
"Thank you, Evenly. You can pack the plate; I am done eating," I said reluctantly.
I needed to go find Esther; I needed to know more about Eron this time. As I left the dining garden, I walked down the hall to Esther's quarters. Maybe she's sick and can't come out. I need to find out, or I can find something about where she is in her room.
Everywhere was dark, and the only light source was the candlelight dimly lit through the corridor. As I neared the servants' quarters, I could hear their whispers and gossip.
I moved slightly because I didn't want them to know that I was there. I didn't have time for any explanations. I was surprised not to see any guards along the way; maybe they were all in the meeting. But why was the meeting taking so long? I wondered.
In front of me stood the door to Esther's room. I placed my hand on the door handle to open it. I couldn't believe I found it. If I had not been here before, I was now sure that I had lost my memory.
As I opened the door, everywhere was dark, showing the sign that no one was inside the room. In every room in all the places, the candles were always placed beside the door. I found the matches to light one.
"What you're doing is not good," I said to myself. I should not be searching another person's room like this. If I get caught, I could be in trouble.
But something was still keeping me going. I noticed a small door beside the window, and something was pushing me closer to it. I wanted to stop, but I couldn't; it was like some force was taking over my body.
I didn't know when I opened the door.
I let out a gasp as I was surprised by what I saw in front of me. I couldn't believe it—Sarah, my maid. She was chained, and her mouth was gagged.
"Sarah," I called, removing the gag from her mouth.
She looked up, surprised to see me. Her eyes wide with a mix of fear.
"Princess, please save me," she cried out, her voice was trembling. A cold wave swept over me, making my skin crawl and leaving me in fear.
I didn't know what to do. What was she doing in Esther's room? I could see her clothes torn, and the odor coming from the room was terrible.
The smell of blood and sweat filled the room very thick and suffocating. I try not to cover my nose, focusing on her instead, how I can help her escape from this horrible place.
"What are you doing here? Who did this to you?" I asked firmly. My voice steady, even with the confusion inside me.
"Please leave me alone and run away from here. You're a sacrifice; you will be killed soon. Run away if you see Esther and Eron. Run back to our kingdom; save yourself, princess," she said.