Sunrise

Naria was standing outside the door, her hand outstretched to close it when suddenly, it was stopped by a woman who barged in with force. Naria stumbled back, feeling startled and confused by the sudden intrusion.

The woman glared at Naria and said, "You trying to take my spot, are you crazy?"

Naria was taken aback by the woman's aggressive tone and didn't know how to respond. She took a deep breath and gathered her courage to reply, "Excuse me, I don't understand what you mean. I'm not trying to take anyone's spot."

The woman stepped closer to Naria, her face contorted with anger. "Don't you lie to me! I know what you're up to. You think you can just waltz in here and take over? Well, I won't let you!"

Naria felt a surge of fear and frustration. She didn't know this woman and had no idea what she was talking about. She stood her ground and said firmly, "I'm sorry, but I have no idea what you're talking about."

The woman's expression softened slightly, but her voice remained sharp. "Well, you better watch your back, because I'm not going to let you get away with anything."

Naria felt a mix of relief and indignation. She didn't deserve this kind of treatment, and she wasn't going to let this woman intimidate her. She looked the woman in the eye and said, "People usually introduce themselves first. My name is Naria. What's yours?"

The woman hesitated for a moment before replying, "your biggest enemy!" And walked out of Naria's room, leaving Naria by herself again.

"What's wrong with these people…" She muttered as she went back to bed.

***

As the first light of dawn filtered through the window, the warm rays of the sun gently caressed Naria's face, coaxing her from the clutches of sleep. She blinked her eyes a few times, adjusting to the brightness of the new day, and stretched her arms lazily. The soft rustle of the sheets beneath her was the only sound in the room.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, interrupting her peaceful thoughts. Naria felt a strange sensation in the pit of her stomach, wondering who could be calling on her at this early hour. She called out, "Come in," her voice slightly groggy.

The door creaked open, and in walked a man with short red hair, dressed in a military armor. He stood tall and firm, his voice low and commanding as he spoke. "I'm here to escort you to the main palace," he announced without preamble.

Naria was taken aback. Why would she need an escort to the palace? She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of the situation. It all seemed so strange and confusing to her.

As she stood up, trying to gather her thoughts, the same maid who had attended to her the previous night walked in, carrying a bowl made of gold. She smiled cheerfully at Naria and said, "Let's wash you first."

Naria nodded, grateful for the familiar face. She followed the maid to the washroom, feeling a little more at ease with the prospect of a refreshing bath. Yet, her mind was still racing with questions. What was going on? Why did she need an escort? And why was the palace summoning her at such an early hour?

Naria allowed the maid to help her wash and dress up, feeling grateful for her assistance. The maid helped her into a long white dress that felt loose but comfortable, with a flowing skirt that swayed elegantly as she moved. The dress was simple, yet elegant, and Naria felt a sense of calm wash over her as she slipped it on.

"Thank you," Naria said softly as the maid tied her long blonde hair into a ponytail, using a golden accessory to make it stand out. The maid smiled warmly, taking care to make sure that every strand of hair was in place.

"You look beautiful, my lady," the maid said, admiring her handiwork. "The sun will shine on you today."

Naria felt a pang of nervousness at the maid's words. What did she mean by that? Was there something significant about this day that she didn't know about? She took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

The maid helped Naria slip on a pair of comfortable sandals, then stepped back to admire her handiwork. Naria felt a little self-conscious under the maid's scrutiny, but she knew that she looked presentable.

"Now, let us go," the maid said, taking Naria's hand and leading her towards the door.

Naria hesitated, feeling a sudden surge of anxiety. "Wait," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "What is going on? Why do I need to go to the palace?"

The maid looked at her kindly. "I'm afraid I don't know, my lady," she said. "But I'm sure everything will become clear soon enough. The palace has requested your presence, and we mustn't keep them waiting."

Naria nodded, still feeling uncertain. She took one last look around the room, wondering if she should bring anything with her. But her mind was too frazzled to think straight.

She took a deep breath and followed the maid out of the door, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

Naria walked out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. The guard was waiting outside, his red hair shining in the morning light. He nodded curtly at her, then set off down the hallway at a brisk pace.

Naria hurried to keep up, feeling small and insignificant beside the imposing figure of the guard. As they made their way through the castle, Naria couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the opulence and grandeur of her surroundings. The walls were expensive, adorned with intricate carvings and precious stones. The high ceilings were supported by marble pillars, and the floors were made of polished stone that shone like glass underfoot.

Naria felt like she didn't belong in such a place of class and richness. She had grown up in surrounded by fields and forests. The castle was a world away from anything she had ever known, and she couldn't help but feel confused and out of place.

As they walked, the guard didn't say anything, and Naria was left to her own thoughts. She wondered why the palace had summoned her, and what they wanted from her. She had never been involved in politics or courtly affairs, and the thought of being thrust into the middle of it all made her feel even more anxious.

Finally, they arrived at the main palace, an imposing building that loomed over the courtyard. The guard led Naria inside, and she was struck once again by the luxuriousness of her surroundings. The halls were lined with tapestries and fine art, and the air was heavy with the scent of incense and perfume.

Naria felt a pang of homesickness, longing for the simplicity of her dancing life. But she knew that she had to be brave and face whatever lay ahead. She straightened her shoulders and followed the guard deeper into the heart of the palace, ready to face whatever fate had in store for her.