Ch 2

I didn't die. Instead, a few seconds after letting go of the brick wall, I stab my dagger into one of the shallow parts between bricks. Thus regaining stability, as for why the dagger didn't break, it did. But I dug my nails into the bricks edges before the dagger completely broke. And yes the pain was excruciating. I broke a few nails.

But forgetting the pain and focusing on the shouts of my uncle, "HURRY CATCH HER!" I looked up and saw myself quite some distance from my room. I was almost at the ground, so I impulsively jumped. And my legs got major trauma from that little jump. No kidding.

After recovering from the jump, I made my way across the halls.

Mother. . .

I need to find her. Her room, including all royal chambers and guest chambers are situated on the third floor. But currently, that place is swarming with guards who will either kill or imprison me at sight.

And if I don't leave soon, they'll close the gates of the Palace and station guards at every wall to prevent me from leaving. I only have time to either leave or get to mother.

I hear footsteps from the hallway, light steps, not like those of trained soldiers. And as expected a pair of maids walked into the hallway, where I stood, with a tray of food and water.

"Ah!" Although I was expecting them to look at me with relief, they instead had a wave of shock and fear wash their face. The tray fell to the floor and they were about to shout. I stepped in before they could though. Knocking out one of them unconscious with a hit to the pressure point of her neck. The other maid fell to the floor with a more intense expression of fear.

"U-Uhh-P,PLEASE HAVE MERCY!", She prostrated at my feet.

"Where were you taking that food?"

"T-The Crystal Tower."

"For who?"

"That…"

This stupid woman, I won't hesitate to kill a traitor. I glare at her with all my bloodlust and thankfully her stupid brain realizes the sensible thing.

"The Queen." She speaks quietly.

Two words is all it took for my legs to move at full speed, toward the Crystal Tower. The Crystal Tower was a gift from my Grandfather to my Grandmother. It's actually an exquisite place, meant for stargazing and has an indoor garden. Of all places to imprison my mother why would he lock her up there? Plus wasn't she supposed to be in her chambers?

Wait, why did Uncle even come looking for me? Did he speak with mother before coming to me? What happened? There's so much I need to know. They've switched all the Palace staff with people who work under them. From the maids to the guards to every single person I can see.

How-or when did they have the time to do this?

Father died this morning. They couldn't have done all this within a few hours. Did they expect father to die soon and had prepared long before? Or worse, were they somehow connected to father's sudden passing? Well seeing as how Uncle feels like celebrating today, I can imagine him poisoning father's food.

Finally I stop a few feet away from the tall tower. The tower is rather near one of the Palace walls. If I find a good window I can try jumping straight towards the wall. My attention returned to the entrance of the tower, which is guarded by four guards.

The tower itself is probably swarming with guards. How do I get in safely? Time's running out! What do I do! And then it hit me. The Palace staff has been switched. They won't recognize me as the princess. I didn't make too many public appearances and when I did, I prettied myself up so much that even my parents wouldn't recognize me. That being said, the outfit I'm wearing…

I look at myself toe to chest.

Ugh! I can just pretend to be a noble called in by that stupid Duke Lejaris, that guy does have a reputation of being a womanizer.

***

I wasted five whole minutes, speaking to those guards and convincing them that ' I am Madam Cecily Lefrick, called by Duke Lejaris. And that the Duke sent me to wait for him and the King here. Apparently, the little princess is playing hide-and-seek and the whole Palace is looking for her. The king ordered for all guards to search the main Palace and the duke sent me here to keep an eye on the Queen .'

It was a very well crafted lie. Since the guards were new, they were all eager to prove their worth and loyalty, so those fools ran to the main palace after discussing whether or not to trust me.

I easily made my way to the top of the tower to see my mother sitting on the bed with her and looking up. It was nighttime. The stars shone and the moon accompanied them.

"Mother…" I mumbled. She turned her head towards me and her eyes widened.

"Katerina!" She ran up to me and hugged me, before pushing me away and scanning me from top to bottom.

"Thank Heavens! You're okay!"

She held my cheeks in her hands.

"Theodore didn't hurt you, did he?!"

"I escaped before he could do anything."

Mother's eyes widened further. "You what?"

"There's not much time. We need to escape! All the staff is on his side. We need to leave. You're not safe here. We can make it if we jump to the wall beside the tower!" As I spoke, mother slowly let go of me and sat back on the bed.

"Mother! We have to hurry!"

"No." She said her face now staring at the floor.

" You have to leave."

"What?"

"Theodore confessed he loves me and asked me to marry him." Mother spoke quietly.

"What!"

"Yes, and so he won't hurt me. But you… he will use you to force me to marry him. So you must leave. Leave and-"

"I'm NOT leaving without you!"

"Sweetie, It's me he wants, not you. If I go with you, he won't stop until the both of us are captured. But if you go alone, I can protect you by distracting him from within." She stood up and held my shoulders.

I tried to fight against her reasons, but I couldn't. Deep down I knew she was right. What would brother have done if he were here?

"Fine." I uttered quietly, barely containing my tears.

Mothers face brightened up.

"My little Katy, you have to survive, survive and-"

"I'll be back. I promise. I'll bring brother. He'll know what to do! I won't leave you with a man like him, mother." I rubbed my eyes and saw my mother's sad but gentle smile.

***

I, although had planned to escape by jumping, my nails said otherwise. So no climbing for today! I ran all the way down the tower and ran to the Palace gates. There was a chance that the guards stationed there still didn't know about a running princess, or at least her description.

Reaching midway of my destination it hit me, I hadn't seen a single guard or soldier on my way. All of them must be gathered at the front gates of the Palace. Princess or not they wouldn't let anyone leave the Palace. I had to do something else. Find another way.

Think Katy, Think! You grew up behind these walls. You know this Palace way better than some newly assigned staff and a self-proclaimed king!

Right then, a memory which I had buried deep in my heart climbed up.

"Brother, where are you going?"

I asked looking at my brother wearing a brown cloak.

"To see my people. Do you wanna come Katy?"

I nodded in excitement.

"Then, two things! First, don't tell mother and father we sneaked out! Second, you have to stick close to me! Got it?"

I once again nodded.

"Then", Brother grabbed my hand and took me to a certain part of the Palace walls, where the bricks were not permanently stuck to each other. He took out the loose bricks one by one, until there was enough space for a human to crawl out.

"Tada! A trip to the city it is!" My brother then began to crawl out.

But, that was ten years ago, I was seven and brother was ten. Surely father instructed someone to fill up that hole in the wall, right?

My thoughts aside I still ran to that spot. I didn't know whether to feel disappointed that my father hadn't repaired that hole or glad. I ended up taking out the bricks one by one. 

But, as I expected, the hole was small enough to fit human-sized children but not a grown human.

Disappointment overcame me as I stared at the hole. What do I do now? What would brother have done?

The moon that was hidden behind the clouds once again revealed itself and it's light illuminated the wall. And that's when I saw cracks on the wall.

Right, this wall hasn't been repaired for ten whole years. It's old and damaged from all the snowstorms and rainstorms in the past ten years. So, if I was to-

I slammed myself against the cracked wall. I slammed myself really hard with my right arm. A few more bricks fell down from around the hole. Two more slams and the hole was big enough for me to fit. I quickly crawled out and rearranged the bricks so that I could use this as a secret passage.

***