Darkness....

It's all I can see. It captures me in its vile clutches as I'm in a place of utter pain. Except, I'm numb. I don't feel anything. Physical or emotional. I suddenly hear a soft voice coming from the endless darkness, saying "Save him. Trust in the King, and save him." The only thing I can feel is loneliness with the smell of biscuits.... Wait, biscuits?

I immediately open my eyes with the smell of the heavenly glories fresh in my nostrils. The room is extremely blurry, with the sun leaking from the window onto my face, making me almost blind. I groggily moan as I try to focus my eyes again, attempting to move my head out of the sun.

Soon I see a tall figure walk up to me, saying "Sweetie, she's awake!"

It sounds like... Jack's voice! I must've passed out in front of their house.

"Jack, I told you to close that window! It's too bright for her right now." Mincy yells at Jack, placing a warm towel over my head, the sweet smell of lavender instantly radiating from it.

"Sshh, don't worry sweetie pie."

She sits on the couch, where I am apparently settled.

My eyes finally focus, seeing Mincy with her curly black hair in a bun with a lemon yellow bandanna to match her yellow polka dot dress. She has some biscuits neatly placed on a plate, which explains the smell.

"Haha, I knew these would wake you up!" She says, handing one to me.

"How long was I out?" I ask, my voice practically gone as I drape my hand over my face.

"Well when we found you passed out in front of the house, it was very late at night. It's 11 AM now, so you've been out for a few hours," She explains, lifting my arm to put an anointment on my burn.

It runs down my forearm, almost reaching my wrist. It was a light red last night, but now it's a very dark red with scabs to match.

"11 AM?!" I exclaim, jumping up from the couch in a panic.

"Woah woah woah, you're not going anywhere, young lady! You need to rest!"

"I can't rest now, Mincy! Fredrick's in trouble!"

I have this weird gut feeling that the Queen's planning something big, something bad. I just don't know what yet. The voice said to save him... Why? Whatever it is, I have to find out before it's too late.

"Sweetie, what are you going to do? Do you not see what that foul woman did to you? Who knows what she's going to do next!"

I pause for a moment, taking in what she had just said.

"How did you know she did this?"

"Vicky came over last night to tell us. She filled us in about why this is happening and what happened last night."

"Mincy, I've never cared for someone as much as I care for Fredrick. I won't be able to live with myself, knowing that he could be in trouble because of me. I need to fix this. I know that my parents wouldn't want this."

My heart swells at the mention of my parents, knowing that they are looking down on me to do the right thing.

"Well, the wedding starts in a couple hours, so you better get going." Jack says with a smile on his face.

"You're encouraging this?" Mincy questions with shock present in her voice.

"I know that she can do it. I believe in her" He says, putting his large hand on her shoulder.

She nods with tears clouding her eyes, looking deeply into mine.

"Be careful," She embraces me tightly, with Jack joining the sentimental hug.

With that, I eat some breakfast, put on a dress that's very common town's wear. It's tight up until my mid section with criss-cross laces going down the top, stopping at the middle where the dress loosens to the bottom. I slip my forever rose into the hidden dress pocket, making sure that it's not squished. I put my hair in a loose braided crown, and leave my shawl behind as I walk out the door. Barely anyone has seen me without my work clothes or my shawl, so not many should recognize me.

It's strange to not have to look over my shawl, I feel so exposed without it.

I run through the market, getting a couple looks as I dash past people. My breath catches up to my throat as I spot a couple of royal guards marching around the market, as if they're looking for someone. As I take a small step, I hear a crinkling sound come from the floor. I look down to see a piece of paper with a picture of me filling half of it! The other half says, "WANTED" Oh no, no wonder there are guards walking around. I spot even more guards spreading the word by giving all the town's people the wanted picture of me.

How do I pass these guys?

Just then, someone pulls me into an enclosed area. Before I can say anything, she puts a hand over my mouth. I look up to see Cara in her waitress outfit. One of her many jobs is working at the outdoor sandwich shop, which explains why she's outside at this hour instead of in the castle.

"Lily, what is this?" She holds up the wanted poster, a confused expression on her face.

"I can't explain right now-"

"Well yeah, you're kind of being hunted down by the ROYAL GUARDS."

"I know this is a bit weird, but I promise that I didn't do anything!"

She gives me a small smile, laughing slightly.

"I know you didn't. That'd be very out of character for you,"

"Cara, I need to get to the castle." I say bluntly, not wasting any time.

"How on earth are you supposed to do that?"

Just then, her face lights up with an idea. She unwraps her scarf and puts it over her head.

"What are you doing?" I ask, panic filling my voice.

"Helping my friend." With that, she runs away, not leaving any room for me to protest.

I see her bolt in front of the guards, with them thinking it's me, as they're on her tail. She jumps on top of wooden carts and makes an absolute mess of the market, catching everyone's attention. How could I have been blessed with such a good friend?

I run past the people, eventually getting to the castle. I tip-toe my way to the gates, where I see James and Chris guarding it.

"Dude, she's totally into you!" James expresses to Chris, punching him in the arm.

"Pssst!" I whisper, trying to get their attention.

I roll my eyes, and slap James' armor, which causes him to whip his head around, pointing his sword at me.

"Who are you?!" He says in his deep voice with the look of intimidation in his face.

"No no, wait! It's me, Lily!"

His expression becomes confused, which doesn't really indicate if he believes me or not.

"Lily?" Chris utters, squinting his eyes.

I nod at his question, putting my hands up in surrender as I look up at James.

"It really is you!" He exclaims, putting his sword back.

But he quickly draws it again with a realization.

"Wait, aren't you on the wanted poster?"

Chris then draws his sword as well, realizing that his friend has a valid point.

"Guys, I promise I didn't do anything-"

Before I know it, I see two more guards walking up to the gate with menacing steps.

"Please, I need to help someone! His life is in great danger, and if I don't go in there to help him, say good bye to the lowering of taxes."

They arch their eyebrows and glance at eachother, not moving their swords away from my face. I look up the thin metal and into their eyes as the guards move closer and closer with every word that spills from my mouth.

"Please"

Chris is the first to surrender, then James as he lets out a deep sigh. They creak open the gates, making just enough space for me to sneak in.

"I'm eternally grateful for the both of you!"

"Yeah yeah, just go!" James hurries, making me run like there's no tomorrow.

Once I enter the castle, I sneak past the buzzing guests and make my way to Fredrick's room. I know every nook and cranny of this castle like the back of my hand, so I know my way around without being noticed. As I walk up to the garden window, I notice the person that I want most to see. Before I can run up to him, his father comes up behind him. I quickly hide behind a pillar as I watch the scene unfold.

Fredrick's face is emotionless as he blankly stares out the window, with his posture on point and his hands behind his back.

"You knew." He says with hurt lacing his words.

The King stutters, appearing to be dumbfounded.

"You knew she was hurting her, and you did nothing."

"My son-"

"Don't call me your son. I am utterly ashamed the be the son of a man who hurts others, especially the way that you hurt Lily!"

"I never hurt her-"

"Did you ever do anything to stop mother from hurting her?"

The King looks down to the ground, appearing as if he's guilty for never taking action. Why does he look so guilty? He's watched Madia whip me senseless and completely destroy my body! And NOW he's feeling guilty?

"Fredrick, it's complicated." He lamely states.

Fredrick spins his head toward his father, now facing him.

"Father, you have so much power and you have never once stood up for her! How is that complicated?"

"It's complicated for many reasons, Fredrick! Look, I did not come looking for you so that we could argue. I came to tell you something about-"

"Save it," He interrupts, looking out the window once more.

Queen Madia then appears out of nowhere with her royal guards following her.

"Fredrick, let's go! You're big moment is dawning upon us!" She says in her sickeningly happy tone.

With that, Fredrick leaves with the guards right behind him, probably making sure that he doesn't run.

I start to cautiously step back and for the second time today, I get pulled into someone's arms. Except this time, it's rough with a strong arm around my neck and another holding my arms down.

"My Queen! This servant is not in her uniform!"

Madia is very strict about what the maids wear but this guy obviously doesn't know who I am. Unfortunately, the Queen does as she gasps once she spots me.

"That's the girl we've been looking for, you imbecile! Bring her over to me this instant!"

The man's grip tightens as he literally drags my feet across the floor as he brings me over to her. She uses her claw like nails to trace my face as her dark smile lingers on her lips.

"You stupid girl. Thinking you could save him from his inevitable death."

Death?

"Come, guard! Follow me." She says with her long purple dress dragging on the marbled floor with every step she takes.

"I don't want you to miss your precious prince marry the love of his life!"

That's when a realization hits me like a ton of bricks. As she continues to walk, she turns her head around and gives me an evil grin.

"Til death do us part, right?"

It all makes sense now! Her always being nice to Fredrick, making him get married so suddenly, the secret meetings with Lady Adora! She's too power hungry to give Fredrick all the power over the kingdom. But it's law that the child of the King and Queen takes over the throne at a curtain age and time. Unless something happens to the child, then they stay in power... Today, her plan will go full circle!

Queen Madia is going to assassinate Fredrick!

~Love