Chapter II

I woke up with some noise coming out of my chamber since the walls were thick so they could not transport much noise but this little disturbance was enough for me to know that there is something wrong. My eyes landed on the big window that led me to the balcony since the curtains were open so I was able to see the outside view and the beautiful garden which was full of flowers, was not the thing I was watching, but smoke, a lot of smoke.

That smoke was now entering my chamber through the window. I am used to sleeping with my window open because it let all the fresh air come into my chamber at night. I was in my thoughts when someone barged in my room, I quickly turned my head to see Gunwoo, whose face is marrying a worried expression and that was my time to be worried. First smoke and now a worried Gunwoo. 

"We need to get out of here princess Hei, as soon as possible"

Worry is evident in her voice but I could not do anything but to ask her what is happening. 

"Gunwoo, what is all with this smoke and why do we have to get out of here and why are you so worried?" 

I said in one breath. 

"Princess Hei, we do not have any time for this, you have to get out of here and it is my duty to keep you safe." She said with pleading eyes, as to tell me to stop questioning her and oblige as to what she says.

"Okay"

That was my only answer before I hurried towards my chest which contained my clothes and changed into one that was comfortable while the whole time Gunwoo was standing behind me with her face turned to another side to give me some privacy. As soon as I finished, Gunwoo grabbed my wrist and started dragging me towards the library. 

"Gunwoo, why are we going towards the library, I thought there is something wrong that made you worried" I questioned while she kept running towards the library with me beside her.

She stopped for a second and turned towards me,

"Princess Hei, we are under attack"

I widened my eyes at the sudden information, she quickly turned around and again started dragging me towards the library. There are so many questions I have on my mind now but I know I am not getting the answers right now so I knew that it will be better for me if I shut my mouth.

On reaching the library she dragged me to the farthest corner of the library while searching for something under the whole carpeted room while patting her foot hurriedly on the floor. She stilled at one place and like satisfied with herself, she smiled and tore the carpet away with the knife she pulled out of her waistband. After the carpet was out of sight, she pushed onto the floor a little and the floor fell back a little, underground, indicating that it was a secret door.

I saw a flight of stairs and then a straight path ahead of it, leading to God knows where.

"Princess, please get inside and follow the path, it will lead you towards a lake, there you will find a boat with some other guards, go with them where they take you because they know what they are doing and they will be there all the time to protect you and when everything will be settled here, then you will come back here again, now goodbye princess Hei, there is not any more time left, take care"

And then she pushed me towards the secret way, with one last look she closed the secret small door on the ground again but not before I ask,

"But why are you not coming, Gunwoo?" 

"Please take care of yourself, princess, you are the one that is dear to us more than our lives"

That was the last thing she said to me before she completely closed the door but I did not miss that single tear that fell from her doe eyes. After stepping through each stair carefully, not to trip and fall, I reached the ground. The path was eliminated with fire sticks that hang on the opposite sides of the wall. I grabbed one and started following the path, trusting it completely, where it will take me. On the way, I could not do anything but to think about past events, our empire, our palace was under attack, I do not know where my father and Gunwoo are, and I do not know when I am going to come back. That was the thought which was enough for that tear to escape that was welling in my eyes. I am a princess, I should have stayed there and should have stood beside my father and I should have taken part in the war. But no, I am here knowing that my father, Gunwoo and all the people I love are in that palace or in the city fighting for and with their lives.

Guilt washed over me but the time was not enough for me to blame myself as another flight of stairs appeared that motioned above the ground and after crossing it, I founded a door. I opened the door and as Gunwoo said there are four guards there standing beside a boat. They bowed their heads as they saw me and gestured me to come towards the boat. The guards were patiently waiting for me to reach them when all four widened their eyes and before they could make a move something was put onto my nose. I tried to not breathe into the cloth but after some time my lungs started to protest, my heartbeat accelerated, my eyes started to water because of the lack of oxygen, my throat tightened but I tried to hold my breath for a little while longer because my guards are now fighting with the enemy but before they could have freed me from the person who has captured me, I inhaled. As I inhaled the air, black spots started to appear in front of my eyes and the last thing I remember is the running of the guards towards me before darkness completely took over me.