Chapter 4: Goodnight Darius

He held the reins of the horse and pointed his finger to my left.

" That alley, it leads to Mekish, one of the cities of Brocrest. I'm sure you can find your way from there. " With that said, he rode away. Strange! I mumbled and mounted my horse.

I rode through the alley and all through the ride, I couldn't get him off my mind. He was the man in my dreams and he helped me won the war. Not only that, he helped me find my way home. Was he some kind of a guardian angel?

An hour later, I arrived at the city he talked about. Mekish.

" How far is the castle from here?" I asked a woman who was bearing a basket filled with fruit in her hand.

"The castle is two cities away from here and it will take you about three hours to get there. " She answered and I thanked her before riding away.

Three hours, I should be able to get to the castle before midnight. I stopped at the next city and asked for water. I was given two bottles of water by a kind-hearted man and continued my journey.

I arrived at the castle two and half hours later after asking for directions from countless persons.

I stood outside the castle wall and let out a sigh. Not that of relief. I just don't know. I had left this walls some days ago for a battle I wasn't prepared for with my heart in my throat.

Someone even wished me death but now, here I am, standing tall outside the castle. I wondered what their reactions would be when they see me. Especially Elena.

" Your highness,!" One of the guards outside the castle exclaimed in amusement. He rushed forward and went on his knees.

" Take me inside " I ordered and he quickly stood up to open the gate. I don't have time for drama's.

The large steel gate cracked open and the other guards went on their knees as I entered the castle on my horse.

I had a straight look on my face and for the first time, I experienced how it felt to make oneself proud and to prove others wrong.

My red hair fell over my face as I watch each and every member of the royal household rush out of their quarters.

I saw father, he was in his sleeping robe. His white beards still looked the way they were before I left. I could see the joy and surprised look on his face and I wasn't surprise that he didn't have any high hopes of me returning alive.

One thing I was grateful for was that, I met him alive. He wasn't dead yet like Elena had promised.

I climbed down from the horse and ran towards father. I gave him a tight hug and he wrapped his hand around me slowly.

I expected him to say something but he didn't say anything so I disengaged from the hug and pushed my hair backward. Father surely knows how to act weird sometimes.

" I won the war!" I screamed and threw my hands in the air.

" I defeated the Baldish armies!" I couldn't help the proud smile that crept on my face that moment. I survived the suicide mission they sent me on.

I could see the disbelief in my stepmother's face and they were the least of my concerns.

" All hail crown princess Valerie!" The servants, king's concubines, guards, royal council's, general's and everyone around fell on their knees. I felt like a god seeing the respect I commanded. No one ever took me serious as the crown princess of Brocrest but now, I could see there was a change. They're going to respect me the way they all respect the king.

" All hail crown princess Valerie!" They chanted and I made my way proudly to where my sweet sister was standing.

I stopped before her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear gently.

" You look like you have just seen a ghost sister," I smirked and she flinched. I bet she wasn't expecting to see me so soon. Not even alive.

"I just want to let you know that, you can't get rid of me." I paused and caressed her cheek gently and I could tell that she was holding her breath. I don't care if she suffocate herself to death. I just need to prove to her that the Valerie before her wasn't a ghost but her sister.

" I won the war and I even killed Prince Jack of Baldish." I said with pride, not taking my eyes off hers and placed my hand on her shoulder. I could tell that she was screaming " impossible!" In her head mere judging from her look. I could tell that her lips were trembling but it wasn't my fault that she had a thing with every crown Prince's.

" He gave me his last words to you, Do you know what it is?" I asked with a sinister smile and she shook her head slowly. Wasn't her mouth restless like that of a parrot some days ago? Why did she looked so scared to the marrow?

" He said you should respect me!" I groaned and dug my nails on her shoulder thereby earning a wince from her and she fell to her knees. My spirit hated what I was doing but my body wanted it. I wanted to taunt and punish Elena so bad but I just can't bring myself to do it.

I felt conflicted when I saw the red marks on her shoulder and the painful look on her face. I shook my head and walked straight to my Chambers as fast as my legs could take me. Whatever that needed to be done can wait for tomorrow. All I needed was to get my wounds treated, have a very warm bath and rest.

" I'm glad that you're alive your highness," Yvonne beamed as she comb my hair. I could see the glitter in her green eyes and I could tell that they were tears. It's so sad that all of them believed that I wouldn't make it back alive.

The other maids brought my meals but immediately I picked my fork, I suddenly lost appetite. The scene of the armies flesh's on the floor flashed through my mind and got up from my seat furiously. The maids fell to their knees and j could see the fear in their eyes.

" Bring me apples," I ran into the bathroom and threw up. Good Lord, I wasn't told it was going to be like this.

I walked out of the bathroom and sat on my bed. Stella handed me an apple and I chewed on it quickly. There was no way I was going to go to bed without food.

After eating three apples, I pulled the blanket over my chest and stared blankly at the ceiling. I tossed back and forth on the bed, waiting for sleep to envelope me.

I pulled the blanket off my body and climbed down from the bed. Why couldn't I sleep?

' Maybe you're still recovering from the war, ' I told myself and walked to the window. I pulled the curtains sideways and the cool night breeze blew on my face, sending my hair in the air.

Why wasn't it there? I asked myself and looked into the garden, hoping to see him there but all I could see were the lilies, heleniums and darkness.

Why was I dissapointed? I scold myself and pulled the curtains. I found myself leaving my bedroom even when I didn't intended to.

" Your highness," the guards guarding the entrance of my bedroom called in unison when they saw me.

" I will like to take a walk," I said when I saw the questioning look on their face.

" Alone," I added because I knew they would follow me.

They heard their swords and I walked to the stairs but I could hear their footsteps behind me. What was I expecting anyway. I walked out of my Chambers and walked through the path that lead to the throne hall.

Even if the guards were trailing behind me, I appreciate the fact that they gave me enough space and not stalk me.

" Your highness," the guards guarding the entrance of the throne hall curtsied and I just wave my hand at them in dismissal. Can't they just keep their mouths shut?

They opened the throne hall door and I walked inside while they locked it behind him.

I exhaled a sigh of relief when I noticed that my guards were locked outside. The lamps were lighting and the hall was illuminated by yellow lights.

I saw a paper on the floor and I bent down to pick.

" BROCREST," It content read and I threw it on the floor. It wasn't important anyway that was why it was on the floor in the first place.

I stopped pacing around when I heard father's voice from behind the throne. My heart skipped a beat and I hide behind one of the pillars. Father had a secret chamber or my like a study at the back of the throne seat.

" Why is father not asleep yet?" I asked myself silently and tiptoed towards the throne. I arrived at the door of his secret study and placed my ear against the door.

" Who does this belong to?" I heard a familiar voice and shivers ran through me. The voice was cold and serious that I could sense the danger in them. Why was he here? What business does he have with the king? I was curious to know so I leaned closer even when I knew it was risky.

" Well, I think this belongs to Valerie. I don't just remember. " My heart skipped when I heard my name. I placed my hand on my mouth and held my breath.

" This is just a sketch of it. Where is the shell?" The voice asked menacingly and my legs trembled.

Shell?

I rambled through my memories but I don't remember having any shell.

Why was this man bent on knowing where the shell is? Was it really that important?

I gulped the lump in my throat and pushed the door slowly to see the sketch they were looking at if it can bring the memories of the shell.

I gulped when I saw him. I wasn't wrong when I believed the voice belongs to him. He had the same black cloak on and his hair was covering his face. He was the silver eyed man.

" I don't know where it is. Maybe Valerie have it." Father answered and I almost screamed but I controlled myself. I covered my mouth with my palms and took a step back.

I don't know what shell they're talking about and it isn't with me!

" Goodnight Darius," With that said, he plunged a dagger Into Father's belly and a loud scream left my mouth.

He turned to face me swiftly and his silver eyes fell on me as he pulled the dagger out of father's belly and he fell to the ground.

My body trembled at the sight. This man just killed my father. He just killed the king. He cleaned the dagger with a white handkerchief and stalled towards me with it in his hand.

I moved my legs to rug but he grabbed me before I could take a step. Without saying a word, he scooped me on his shoulders and I remained still. To shock to fight him as I watch the lifeless body of father on the floor while he walked towards the entrance with steady steps.

Tears slipped down my eyes and blurred my vision but I could still see the lifeless bodies of the guards on the floor. My head throbbed and darkness engulfed me.