3 Chapter 2: A Nightmarish Reunion

An infuriating whimsicle is coming towards Diana. A broad man with a spear held on his right hand. A childhood friend many say. For he was Diana's only friend and playmate during her childhood. Due to being the princess and the only child of the king. She was also next in succession to the throne, thus the many restrictions had been placed onto her. Throughout her childhood, Diana met countless people in those few years, yet only one truly piqued her interest, and his name was Joshua.

They met two years after the death of her mother and her meeting with Sion. Many say it was fate, some say it was coincidence, but in truth? They met up in the most unusual way possible.

Diana was in her room, playing with her toys. A small table placed on the center, with teacups on it. Cushions were placed at four different directions as dolls used as people. She was happy with that set up and proceeded onto playing. Her room was big, with a bed made out of dark wood that had been placed on the far end center, filled with dolls of different kinds. A curtain hovering over at the sides with a somewhat roof on top. Then, at the right side near the window, was a table with a journal on its center. An ink and a quill perched on the right corner, waiting to be used by anyone who was willing to write. Lastly, at the left, stood a big wardrobe, filled with dresses of different designs and color. The walls itself were painted in rose beige, signifying simplicity and innocence.

As Diana was playing with her toys, someone knocked on the door. She laid down her doll and stared at the door, wonderig who will it be. The person knocked again and she quickly opened it. There, stood her father. He was wearing a tuxedo outlined with intricate lines of gold near the buttons while wearing what seems like a black bottom made out of smooth, blended fabric.

"What is it, father?" She asked in a courteous manner. As her father sometimes visits her. When he visits though, it means something important will happen that involves Diana.

"Well, I sent the king of Farcrest a proposition of becoming allies a few days ago. He reluctantly agreed, saying that this will be a great way of proposing peace and neutrality between the two kingdoms. He is now on his way and will be arriving at nightfall." He said. As if she struck gold, she almost jumped out of excitement but controlled it by the last second. She clasped her hand and formed a fist, trying to resist the excitement of talking to a foreigner. The only ones she talks too are his father and the head maid. She doesn't want her teacher, the head maid, to see her immodest and "unfeminine" behavior, according to her. After the death of her mother, the head maid tookover as her caretaker and educator. For years, she was taught how to act like a girl. For years, Diana had never received any word from the boy. For years, Diana hadn't spoken to anyone except from the head maid and her father. For years, Diana had suffered from tyranny. Yearssss.

She was now cautious of her movements. Because if the head maid found out, she will be subjected to a long term preach about how it should be this and that and how rude she's been, etc. After receiving a lifestime worth of preaching, she will be punished. Her punishment is she must put five encyclopedias on her head and walk straight. The books must not fall and if it did, she'll start over. The first time she did this, it took her till noon before she walked across the corridor. The head maid scowled for as she says "Posture!". Remembering that, she is now conscious about how she'll act or react. Not wanting to redo that horrible experience.

"I heard you've been scaring a lot of your suitors lately" said her father. "forcing them to give up or do terrible tricks to stay away." He said with a deep voice, a voice that scares her deeply that sends shivers down her spine. Lately, she's been getting a lot of suitors from all around the continent. Knowing that if she to be wed, the husband will be the new king of the kingdom. Nobles and princes purge on to an unrelentless chase for the crown, which she, the princess herself, is disgusted by this and hopes to stop any boy from achieving their goals. "Like really?" She said to herself. "I'm barely even twelve years old, can you please give me a break? And please, for the love of the light, let the king bring a daughter, not a son." She hoped. Not wanting to act as if nothing's wrong.

As if the king read her daughter's mind, he continued. "Now, the king will be bringing his son with him" He said as she rotated her eyes, unsurprised by the news. "and I expect you to show an excellent behavior, young girl. If only you were nice to them, maybe someone would've already --------- " he said. He never finished it as he contemplated if whether to say it to her daughter or not. A look of love and worry past through his face. As if wondering what will happen next if he finished.

"Well, that will be all." He said, not bothering to finish what he said last time. "Get ready as a maid will call you to dinner at noon." He said. Then, after a pat on the head, he closed the door with a small bang. A sound of shoes tapping on the floor as he walked off towards the corridor. Diana, irritated by the news she had heard, dressed up and gone through the gardens, where her favorite place is. A place where she can clear her mind, where she can calm herself. A place of tranquility.

After hours of pondering, thinking of what to do, she had thought of a briliant plan. A plan that will let her escape the meeting and let's her see the outskirts of the castle for the first time. "Two birds in one stone" she said to herself, as she grinned at the briliant idea she had thought. She had gone back through her room, rummaged for the cloak she had smuggled in a couple of days ago, hidden beneath the bed. She opened her wardrobe, pulled out the maid outfit she "borrowed" and worn her cloak after. As minutes passed by, she is now ready to set off. After replaying the plan in her mind, she opened the door and had set off.

She scanned the outlying corridor, wary of guards patroling the palace. The corridors were painted of pale ivory as priceless artworks were hung at the walls. Potted plants spotted every one block or so, and red carpet placed at the center. She looked around and silently walked, finding her way towards the exit, trying to not make a sound. While walking, she stopped at an intersection, hearing voices at the right side. She panicked as shelooked for somewhere to hide, somewhere she cannot be seen. Luckily, a stand wearing iron armor was right beside her. She hid behind it, waiting for the maids to pass over the other isle. The maids moved closer and stopped closely to where she was secretly hiding. Her heart, as if fulminating an explosive, was beating faster than ever before. The maids started chattering, while Diana was inching closer to hear what they're talking about.

"Have you heard? The king of Farcrest is coming to the palace by nightfall!" Said by a maid in a high pitched voice, as if excited by this particular event.

"Rumor has it, that the king's son is extremely handsome and muscular, just like her father. Oh, how I wish for the prince and princess to be married! For sure, the children they bore will be phantasmagoric!" The other maid said.

Diana, irritated by the topic, decided to know who those two maids are and make their lives miserable for atleast a day. Sadly, she cannot see, only hear. As moving the iron armor will arouse suspicion. She hid and waited, hoping the maids will walk off. Then, to her surprise, the maids walked away towards the left corridor. Diana waited until the footsteps were imperceptible. Then, after a few minutes, she decided to go out of her hiding spot, relieved as sweat trickled down her temple as there was no air behind the armor. She fixed the armor to its original form, then scanned the area again to see if anyone was still there.

Afterwards, she slowly moved towards the exit, thrilled to see what it is outside the castle walls. The doors were now in front of her, the exit in her grasp. Then, before she even touch the handle, someone opened the door. A man wearing a red tunic and brown bottoms stood before her. A boy with exceptional looks and a broad chest stood in front of her. He must've been older than her as he was tall, looking as if a giant stood in her way. The boy looked shocked, but amused in seeing the girl in front of him. Silence hung in the air until the boy spoke first.

"If I may ask, who are you, milady?" Said the boy, making a grin that irritated Diana deeply, thinking that this boy's up to no good. Till she noticed that he called her milady. Anxiety filled her as she remembered that she didn't fixed her bunks. She cursed the maids for standing in her way last time, making her fix her hair while she was behind the stand. A few seconds passed by and she remembered her maid outfit. Actually thanking herself she didn't fixed her hair, and silently laughed for her own contradicting stupidity.

"I am only a but a maid sir, ordered to buy ingredients at the market" she lied. Thinking that if she revealed herself, the boy might know her and she will be returned back to her room, making all her plans for the past several months rendered useless. Making it harder for her to go outside, as security will be more strict than before.

"Then, may I see your beautiful face under that cloak before I let you pass?" He said. A look of suspicion and glee evident on his face. Trying to make Diana show herself before him.

"But sir, I am nothing but a commoner, for I am not worthy of your presence." She lied again. Thinking that if she fooled him with words, maybe she'll let her go.

Sadly, it didn't work. "Then, there'll be no trouble revealing your face then?" He said.

Anxiety now crept over Diana as she thinked. Thinking of something to say, something to do to get out before the maids realize she was gone in her room. She thinked for a while till she had none. There was no more options to fool him. Outrunning him will be difficult as he looks he is ready for anytime she tries to run. There was only but one option left and she took the gamble, hoping he doesn't know her.

She lowered her cloak, revealing her charming face. Her scarlet hair flown down her back. As if glad to be free after being caged inside her cloak. Her blue eyes looking intently at him. Her gesture as if trying to maintain a serious look, trying not to smile to make the lie seem like the truth. While Diana hoped he doesn't know her, the boy was stunned by her beauty. He was amazed by the beautiful girl in front of her. He frozed out of admiration and fear, fear of doing something foolish. For Diana though, he was looking already very foolish, she thought that maybe he was dazed by her beauty, as if he was seeing something valuable.

A few minutes passed by till the boy regained his courage and tried to talk to the girl again.

"What's your name oh fair maiden" He said, trying to look astonishing but was now becoming more dumber than he was a few minutes ago.

Diana, wanting to just escape already, answered "well, my name's Diana. What's yours?" She asked, as a saying come through her mind. "First impression is everything!"

"Well, my name's Joshua" as he held out his hand. "Most pleasure to meet you, milady" he said as he bowed respectfully.

Diana, already disgusted by it all, immediately said "Yes, yes, o look at the time, I must go now, as the cook will be displeased if I am late to deliver what he needs" she said, hurriedly walking towards the door. She didn't bother to look back. Her heart filled with excitement as she is now only a few inches away going outside till...

"Ah yes, yes, my king. Everything will be arranged as you requested. I will be certainly delighted to ---- DIANA!! WHAT IN BLAZES ARE YOU DOING HERE!?" A woman said. The person she least expected was right in front of her. The head maid. Along with her father and a man dressed in a long blue robe and black shoes, walking alongside him. They were chatting about plans for the future but was alarmed by the head maid's voice. The head maid was a woman in her forties. Her hair fixed in a bun, wearing glasses and a frown evident in her face, displeased for seeing what Diana's trying to do. Her eyes glaring at her, staring as if daggers were piercing Diana's whole being. She never expected to see Diana trying to escape, right in front het father and the guest itself!

Diana, filled with fear, unable to utter even a single word. As the head maid pinched her in the ear, leading her to her room to dress up.

While Diana was getting the worst time of his life. The boy asked his father, a question so simple yet so important. "Father, if I may ask, who was that girl?". A face of utter curiousity spread throughout his face. His father answered "Well, Joshua, that's Diana, Diana Sylverion, the princess of Sylveria." Joshua, astounded by what he heard, frozed for a second. The beautiful girl he actually talked to mere minutes ago, was actually the princess of the kingdom. He was lucky not to do anything foolish or he might've been executed on the spot.

After that incident, Joshua and Diana met daily as the two kings encouraged the two to befriend each other. The two met almost everyday. While Joshua is thrilled about his meeting with Diana. Diana is only irritated for the forced meetings that her father ordered her too. For if she ever tried to escape or disobey again, a more severe punishment will be waiting her, to which she doesn't want too know.

After several weeks, the walls Diana made slowly crumbled to dust, as she saw that there's no other way around this, and agreed to become friends with him. Joshua, thrilled by this sudden progress, came more often than ever before, disregarding his own feelings to avert anything that might destroy their friendship. He is glad enough for what he got and waited, building up the courage to someday confess to his one true love.

Present day....

"Good afternoon Princess spaghett? Thought you'll never come" Joshua sneered. As he came up and grabbed Diana in the back.

"I could go if you don't stop calling me Princess spaghett" Said Diana. Her face beet red, enraged for the nickname she was called for several years.

"Oh, please no!" He said sarcastically "As what can we do if we lost princess spaghett!?" He cried. Putting his hand on his chest as if he was hurt by that certain thought. Diana, already enraged, just walked inside the inn. Thinking to herself "To why I was even excited to meet this clown!".

She walked to the inn and was surprised by silence. Usually, when she visits, drunktards yell at the waitresses to bring more booze. Then, when the waitress delivers their order, one drunktard always tries to grope anything. But, to his bad luck, the waitress was experienced enough to dodge and goes to the next table, enlisting another sheet of orders. With the drunktard leaving enraged by this.

A lot of people also greet her for when she visits. For everyone is in an ecstatic mood. Now, the place was filled with an eerie silence. Roundtables, that were always dirty, are now clean of filth. Chairs arranged in a formal manner, with the stools looked as if it was never sitted upon. The wooden shelves, full of liquor and booze, were left untouched by the bartender. A chandelier of torches hanging at the ceiling, with the stairs at the left leading towards the rooms.

It was very unusual for the inn to be like this. Diana looked around, walking around the chairs along the way, to see where is the owner. She spotted him at the counter. The counter was made only by oak wood, with a flat table on top and stools in front of it for the customers to sit. The owner was at the counter, polishing a glass cup, looking morbid by how depressing the place is.

Diana stood in front of the counter but he never noticed him, still left in a wistful mood. Diana decided to talk, with Joshua silently cheering her from behind.

"Excuse me, Mister" She said in her most seducing voice, trying to awaken the owner's spirits. "Can we have two rooms please?" She said, biting her lip when she finished.

The owner, surprised by this sudden turn, looking up to see who the beautiful lady was, only to see Diana in front of him. "Oh, greetings Diana!" He said, looking elated to see her. "What brings you here?"

"Sorry, but I think its better if we keep it to ourselves" She said, thinking that it's better that he doesn't know.

"Let me guess?" He said, his voice filled with despair. "An assassin is killing most of the officials. It led them to hiding in fear of getting killed? Now, you're here to try and kill it" he said, looking grief-stricken. Diana, shocked by how precise he knew what was happening, asked. "Who told you?" She said, anxious about how the surprise attack was revealed. "Ah, it was Joshua. He's been telling me since last week" he said as he sighed. "While he was telling me how excited he is of working with you after almost a decade. Someone heard and spread it around the town. Now, no one's visits the inn, in fear of getting killed themselves" He finished as he stared down again, distressed by the situation. Diana glared daggers at Joshua as he whistled and went towards the exit, hoping to evade Diana's wrath.

After he left, she held the owner's hand "Don't worry, the day after tomorrow, the assassin will be gone before you know it" She said as she winked as she finish what she said. The owner, delighted by this news.

"Ah yes, yes, please kill that assassin for me and I'll make sure you have a day's worth of the finest booze" He said, looking chipper than he was a few minutes ago. "The two rooms will also be free, just make sure to kill him for me. Now, if you may excuse me" he said as he took off his hands from Diana's, gave her two keys, written with a number 201 and 202, and walked off towards the cellar. Diana, joyful for the money she has saved, has gone outside and called Joshua. Then, she went and gone upstairs towards the rooms, looking for her room. Room 201 was placed at the very corner of the corridor, with only a metal sign on top written with the number, did Diana know it was hers. After giving Joshua his key, she has gone inside, detached her armor, locked the door, changed to her night gown, and had fallen asleep.

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A girl was standing in front of her, wearing a blue dress, with frills at the bottom, holding a doll. Diana looked around to see what's going on. She could've sworn she had fallen asleep right after laying at the bed. "Why am I here?" She asked to herself. She pondered as she recognized where this was, the central market. She turned around to see the door of the inn at her back. She tried to moved around to no avail. It was like she was trapped to where she was standing. Frozen, only to look at the girl in front of her. After a few minutes, the girl spoke. "Welcome Diana" she said in a devilish voice. "What you see here is what will happen to your precious kingdom, and there is nothing you can do to stop it" she said as she snapped her finger. Laughing horrendously, as all at once, the scenery changed. Houses broken and burned. Corpses lay idle on the floor, the blood pouring out on their back, flowing endlessly at the stone pavements. Demons stabbing everything they see, amused to be killing livestock. People screaming at the chaos that was happening everywhere, running, only to find death by the hands of a demon. The dead rise again, devouring at the flesh of the living as the person was screaming at the top of his lungs. The castle crumbling, as the tower crumbles, falling down to its unsuspecting victims. The kingdom itself was a living hell Diana never expected it to be. She thought that no enemie can ever conquer the kingdom. She screamed but no voice came out. Fear and despair crept onto her like a virus. Torturing her to her last breath. "Embrace yourself mortal" Said the little girl. "For death has come to claim you, and your puny little kingdom" she said as she made a devilish grin, a grin that made her fell into madness. Then suddenly, she woke up.