Chapter4

#Chapter4

A Stag stared right into her eyes as she approached him, she flinched stepping back as he lifted his leg stomping them on the ground. She gathered up the courage to walk near him, her mouth forming in a smile as she took the branches aside freeing his antler out of the thorns.

He huffed running towards the deep woods, stopping once to look back and disappearing into the mist eventually. Her eyes moved to stare at the one blossoming tree full of cherry flowers between the dark trees and she smiled as the wind carried petals to her. Her ears picked a sound right behind her and she gasps turning around.

/"Rose !/" She flinched as the guards and The king yelled her name from the boards of the forest and she ran towards them. /" I saw a deer!/" The horrified expression of the guards and the king stayed as the little princess ran into her father's arms.

/"It can't be,/" One of them said as the king stared at him. /"No one should know about this incident/" The king started picking his daughter up and cut the hunting short returning to the castle. From that day, no one spoke about that day.

The mere surprise that girl gave the men as she walked out the dark woods with no injuries over her body started the rumors of the devil being inside her. However, anyone who spoke about it was executed.

Eventually making them fade away until today.

A loud thump fell up to everyone's ears the former King's guard was beaten by Edmund's men. /"Yes! Yes! she walked into the forest,/" Edmund clenched his jaw turning around as his guards followed him.

Down at the dungeons Vincent tried to break the gates of the chamber but all his efforts were in vain. He fell on the ground groaning in pain as his arms felt like they were on fire, The clanking of metal keys was heard by him and he stood up to face the wrath of guards ready to fight them.

Only for saving the Queen and the Princess when he saw a similar face as the doors opened.

/"Sir/" He whispered as he hastily ran towards Vincent, grabbed him by his elbows, and dragged him out the dark cell. /"We could hear you from above. /"Lord Edmund asked us to guard the cellar. I happened to have the keys, Here -/" Said Sir handing Vincent a key.

/"The key to the bottom-most dungeon, The queen is kept in there, Forgive me, but If she escapes, the lives of our family will be threatened, I can only let you go. She wishes to see you. I will keep a watch on the gates underground, make your escape from there./"

Vincent stared at the man in utter thankfulness, but before any words were spoken he pushed Vincent to the cellar underneath and closed the doors, for good.

He ran towards the cellars underneath as the constant drips of water could be heard from far away. His hands shivered at the cold as he unlocked the gate and the door creaked open, His eyes filled in remorse as they settled over a shivering Queen.

The once women filled with a brave body sat at the corner of a cellar, breathing heavily to live.

/"Your Grace/" He kneels to her and she lifted her eyes and the tears came around. /"I prayed to the god I would see you before I go to him/" he lifted his head before taking her hand and bowing her head. /"Command me, my Queen. I'll give my life up for you/" She smiled shaking her head.

/"I have already taken off from this castle. I have only one wish that you have to ful-fill no matter what/" he clenched his jaw seeing her dull eyes, her weak body.

/"I'll do anything,/" He said. She took out a ruby brooch from her grown handing it to him Along with an envelope, sealed with the kingdom's crest

/"The brooch belongs to my Rose, keep the future Queen safe for us, ride to the King Of Winsber hand him this, Ask him for help before Edmund takes over the entire kingdom. Before he destroys more lives. Spread the word to the nobles across our land. Do anything you can to help/" He broken down nodding holding the ruby brooch to his chest, /"I will/" He whispered, He stood up putting it in his trousers.

/"Your highness?/" He asked as she closes her eyes. /"Don't bother with me, Vincent. I have been poisoned. /" He sucks in a deep breath, /"Do what you are told,/" She said leaning against the cold wall.

He felt his throat go dry, his heart beating faster as before running out the door he went back to Sir, /"She is dying, She-she is/" He put his hands over Vincent's. /"You shouldn't be here. Get out/".

/"But- The queen!/" He said leaving a frustrating groan. /"I will make sure she is safe, Go, They are taking The princess to the hall. In front of all the nobles. Do what it takes to rescue her/"

Vincent frowned confused. /"W-why,/" he asked out of breath. That man could only look at the ground in complete shame. /"They are, they are taking her to the forest/" Vincent stopped breathing.

/"No/" He whispered running to the castle but he was stopped. /"No! Let go/" But he did not.

/"Anyone objecting shall be executed. You need to run away Vincent/" He remembers what duty he had to fulfill for the Queen, but he could not let this happen. He took out the castle border to save the Princess.

On the other hand, Rose was sobbing in her bed as the doors opened slamming over the walls making her gasp. /"You have been called to the assembly /" She frowned as they grabbed her. She struggled but all in vain.

The princess was dragged down the halls of the castle towards the assembly head by Lord Edmund with the utmost disgrace she was to ever receive. She winced the harsh push she was given to send her off near the hall.

/"Our kingdom is in grave danger, I have seen the sorrow in the king's eyes as he gave his last breath, only wanting the good for his kingdom. His lasting wish was for me to rule this kingdom with the utmost respect towards the royal family until a suitable heir takes over/" Spoke Edmund as Rose lifted her eyes to see him speak such hollow heart, All his lies were heard by the nobles.

The Lords and Nobles were such shallows hearted to be credulous.

How could they believe him?

Rose whimpered as she was pushed to fall right under the stairs of the throne.

/"Your Only heir, the princess, has committed one of the most offensive, sinful, and devilish crimes/" She could see many subjects standing up in fear, as the princess laid over the ground.

/"Lord Edmund!/" One yelled, /" We have a testimony, My people, We all know what the woods are, we all know what happens if One shall enter them, however !/" Edmund paused glancing at the Princess.

/"This young heir to the kingdom had been seen stepping her foot in the forbidden forest when she was only a child!/"

The hall went silent, /"That is a serious accusation/" Edmund rose his eyebrows as he flicked his fingers to his guards. The man from before who gave his words was pushed forwards towards the noblemen.

He did not lift his eyes up, his head bowed in fear as he glanced at Lord Edmund’s foot and his body trembled. /"Speak !/" He flinches, /"Y-yes My lord. I-I have witnessed a crime, the princess is cursed by the devil. We saw no blood from her body as she stepped out of the woods, S-She was only a child. She crossed our land and trespassed to the woods./"

The people's face was filled with utter shock, some refused to believe, some questioning the subjects of the previous.

/"Silence,/" The Lord said, /"As told by the king, I shall be taking the throne until - a proper heir is given the responsibility, As for the Princess, I believe her presence shall impact badly upon this kingdom/", /"No!/" Rose yelled as she was tied back. Her teeth grith together as she groaned in pain.

/"I will not put any accusations over the Princess, However. She was the last woman to see her father/" The subjects stood up yelling profanities and utterly confused.

/"My only advice is that we hear from our Royal priest, Which I was honored to speak with, and have been advised so, that-/" Edmund paused, /"The princess should be sacrificed /"