It took a fortnight for Kyle Brennan and Princess Iona to arrive at Erinburgh on their visit to the Duke and Duchess.

After traveling for days, sleeping out in the cold with barely anything to survive on, they finally got to Erinburgh, met with the least they expected.

Citizens laid outside the castle walls, dressed in rags, begging for food, some struck by a plague which had now circulated around the kingdom.

Iona was dumbfounded to find her Uncle's kingdom in a state like this, compared to the goodness Erinburgh boasted of.

Some villagers made way for Kyle and Iona to pass through, mainly because they were healthier looking than the villagers, despite the state Iona and Kyle were in.

Some crippling villagers held onto Iona's garment, pleading to be helped, but hurried back immediately at the sight of Kyle Brennan's weapon.

Tears dropped from her eyes as she stared at dying children surrounded by their wailing mothers. Some bodies which were already killed off by the plague were tattered all over the pathway that led to the castle.

Erinburgh was in a state of mess, beyond redemption.

Hurrying towards the Large Castle gates, Iona found some guards stood outside with their swords threatening people who came anywhere close to them.

"I demand to see the Duke and duchess" Iona yelled at the palace guard stood outside the gate.

"It would be wise for you to retreat now and go back to the village. The kingdom isn't safe for anyone" The man responded.

"You're making a mistake-" Iona began, but swallowed the rest of her words as she saw the shiny blade pointed her way.

Kyle drew his weapon out immediately, threatening the palace guard with it. At the sight of this all, the rest of the guards stepped out, aiming arrows directly at Kyle and Iona.

"How dare ye walk in here, threatenin' the guards of Erinburgh with your weapons?!" The guard yelled at the duo.

Iona was silent for a while staring at them all with tears in her eyes and parted lips.

"I'm Iona. Daughter of King Amreth and Queen Veda of Zorllonah"

At the sudden revelation, the guards drew their weapons back, shocked at her statement.

They all went down one knee immediately, Bowing and laying their respects to her.

"Forgive me your highness" The guard spoke in a low voice, with his hands placed together on his chest.

"I wish to pass through" Iona said to him.

"At once, my lady"

"Open the gates!" The man yelled to the other guards.

The gate was rolled up by a mechanism which one of the guards controlled, making way for Kyle and Iona to walk in. They proceeded further into the castle, going through the doors with no questions asked, and finally into the throne room.

"Aunt?!" Iona called out for the Duchess, but instead, the person she saw sat on the throne, made her heart race.

The man got up immediately, moving towards her, with some guards tagging behind him.

"What good have I done to host such beauty in my presence?" The man spoke, grabbing the hands of Princess Iona, and planting a kiss right on it.

She stared at him, with shock in her eyes and as soon as she noticed the crest on his tunic, she yelled.

"How outrageous!" She spat.

He stared at her, wondering why she spoke in such manner.

"How dare you sit on that throne?!" She questioned.

"You are, but a knight!"

"You've violated your code of nobility, your oath of loyalty and the trust Erinburgh placed in you" She said to him.

"And who are you?" The man asked immediately, his smile fading as he stared at Iona.

Without saying a word, she took out her royal crest, laying it forward, revealing her identity to everyone present in the room.

His jaw dropped as he stared at the royal crest of Zorllonah held in Iona's hands.

He went down on his knees immediately, with the rest of guards doing the same, placing his hands on his chest and pledging his loyalty to her.

"My lady, forgive my stupidity. I am Sir Willard, knight of Erinburgh" He muttered, with his head bent low.

"Where's the Duke and Duchess?" Iona asked.

The man got to his feet, hesitating and swallowing hard, he broke the news to her.

"They're dead"