a horrible nightmare

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The night was late, the breeze was crisp with a beautiful toasty autumn scent that started just barely carrying a winter note. The girls had just finished another ball for a who knows what celebration. These balls were almost daily for them, they just rushed right by with no distinct event to remember them by. It almost became boring actually. The five had just said goodnight to their parents and turned to their rooms.

The maids were preparing all of them for bed. As young girls, they all shared one room, albeit a massive one. It was large enough to hold a full-functioning restaurant. It almost looked like it had come from a fairytale. The room was a beautiful dusty peach, with hand-made lace draped all along its floor-to-ceiling windows. Toys were neatly laid all along cabinets and on the floor for easy play. Five beds were spread an equal distance from one another, all placed on the edge of the wall. Each is paired with a vanity and desk on either side. The crystal chandelier emitted thousands of dazzling light particles to fully light the room, but the moon was beating it with its rays coming from the gorgeous surface.

The twins were debating on which boys were the cutest at the ball, Waleria was picking her nightgown to sleep in, and little Wayna was reading a book in her bed, ready to doze off for the night. While Wayna was the youngest, she never held back her enthusiasm for learning, and boy did it show. Even though she was five years younger than the eldest, she seemed to have the highest intellect out of all of them, far outreaching any college-taught mathematician or scientist. She bore a similar resemblance to the rest of her elder sisters, with a little more fat on her cheeks and fluff on her body. She was adorable as can be but had a sharp tongue and a tough mind.

Winema was brushing her hair at her vanity as she was watching all the energy her sisters gave throughout the room. There were only two of Waleria's personal attendants with her helping pick out her nightwear while also gossiping about things that were happening around the castle. This nightly routine soothed her and helped her feel safer at night.

"Are you excited about your ninth birthday Waleria?" Win said with a small grin. The castle had been bustling preparing for the princess's ninth birthday. The castle was fully decorated in orange, her favorite color. Waleria also didn't seem to mind the attention from the kingdom and staff.

"Goodness, it's sooo stressful dear sister," She said with sarcasm, "I'm booked with cake tastings, gown fittings, menu planning... which by the way," She said while turning to face the room, "mushroom foie gras or brie filled cherries? For party snacks."

"Cherries."

"Mushrooms."

"Both." Multiple answers were shared across the room, not helping with decision-making.

"Why would you say mushrooms? They are so mushy and gross." Wilda said to a displeased Walda.

"Like having cheese smooshed in a flipping berry sounds any better." Walda fought back.

Wayna began to innocently chime in, "Actually cherries aren't berries. they're considered drupes, which are much closer to peaches because they have a singular see-"

"Shut it." They both snapped, cutting her off.

Wayna rolled her eyes and just went back to her book. There was a reason why she never said anything and just observed from afar.

Winema lightly chuckled as the room went back to its original state. She finished brushing her hair and began to sit on her bed. Suddenly there were loud screams and crashes that could be heard outside in their secluded hallway.

They all looked at each other confused. The sleeping chambers of the nobility were usually kept separate from areas of heavy traffic from workers and people who came to visit. Most servants didn't even know where they slept, as they had a small team that works to directly help the royal family with their nightly and morning routines.

The maids ran to bolt the doors from the impending intruders, but it was already too late. bullets began to crash through the door, hitting one of the maids in the shoulder. She hissed in pain and grasped onto it.

Walda screamed in panic while Waleria was hiding behind her bed. Wayna looked almost as if she were a statue. petrified within her state. Winema ran to the maids to help them as the door barged open. Multiple tough-looking men with peculiar symbols on their jackets came rushing in.

All they could do was stare at them, confusion and fear sprawled along each of their young faces. As the silence deepened, a man who seemed to be the leader of this deadly pack spoke up.

"You're coming with us."

Winema gulped in shock, hoping this was just a horrible nightmare.