Chapter 2 Fragile Petals
An iron taste flooded my mouth and dripped down my chin, clogging my airway as I coughed up scarlet flecks.
Blood? I’m… bleeding?
The agonizing, searing pain in my chest stole my breath. I looked down. An iron sword pierced through my chest, stabbed from behind. Blood soaked my ivory and gold dress, drenching my chest.
I silently screamed when the sword was ripped out, and a boot kicked me to the ground. My blood splattered on the garden’s white roses.
I’m so cold…
I struggled to sit up off the dirt path, but my body wouldn’t move. Blood poured from the hole in my chest, forming a scarlet pool around me. I barely had enough strength to move my platinum blonde hair out of my face.
My attacker was shrouded in a black cloak, their face veiled in shadow. I couldn’t even tell the gender. The full moon glowed behind their head. They lifted their bloodied sword high; it reflected in my dilated eyes.
I lifted my hand but choked on my blood, unable to utter a word.
They swung it down, and I shut my eyes tight.
My silent scream turned into an echoed ear-splitting terror, arms flying over my head to shield myself. But the blade never came. I peeked open one eye, and the night’s darkness was replaced with dawn’s gentle light. My tense muscles went limp as I struggled to catch my breath. I clutched my nightgown’s chest, body still trembling with a cold sweat.
It was just a dream… Just a dream…
“Princess Liliana!” My lady-in-waiting burst through my bedroom door, eyes wide. “Are you okay? What’s going on? What happened?”
“I’m fine, Maribel. Just a nightmare,” I breathed, sitting up.
Maribel looked me up and down and wrinkled her nose. “Your Highness, you’re covered in sweat.”
“H—huh?” I glanced down. Sure enough, my nightgown and sheets were soaked with sweat. Ew. I awkwardly smiled. “The nightmare was—”
Maribel threw up her hands. “Nope, I don’t want to know.” She then smiled. “I’ll prepare a bath. Shake off that nightmare.”
I returned the smile with a nod. When she left, my smile faded. I heaved a sigh and swung my legs over the bed. Soft carpet greeted my feet. The ivory, diamond-patterned curtains were mostly for show, doing little to block out the sunlight. From the silky blankets to the fluffy pillows, the white bed canopy, pale marbled walls, polished furniture, and huge bookcase, my bedroom was beautiful.
Too beautiful.
When Maribel came out of the bathroom, her smile turned affectionate. “Take your time, Princess.”
I nodded again and stepped past her. How does she do it? Some days, I envied her carefree happiness.
The bathroom’s warm mist eased my tension as I undressed in front of the mirror. Despite being 18 now, my body was still dainty. My pale, creamy skin glistened with sweat. Bags discolored my skin beneath my silver eyes, and my platinum blonde eyelashes hung low. I practiced my smile and curtsies. My lush, peachy lips stretched into a pretty smile, and my curtsies were perfected, but it never felt enough.
I hissed and recoiled from the hot water before entering the tub more slowly. A shaky sigh slipped past my soft lips and I rubbed my chest, the same place I was stabbed in my dream. Why… Did I do something wrong? My throat tightened as I hugged my knees. No, it’s just my thoughts messing with my dreams. A good book outta help.
After washing with lilac scented soap and brushing makeup over the bags beneath my eyes, I put on my white dress, braided both sides of my head, and pulled them back into a bun above the rest of my long, wavy platinum blonde hair. With one more practiced smile, I head out back to Maribel.
“Maribel, want to go to the library with me?” I asked.
“Library? You mean the one in the palace?”
“No, the one downtown.”
Maribel winced. “I think there’s construction, Lily… It might not be safe.”
“There’s a book I’ve really been wanting to read. C’mon! It’ll be fine,” I pressed.
Maribel sighed, hanging her head. “Alright, alright. Just keep in mind that I’m the one who gets chewed out if things go south.”
A real smile finally came to my lips as I led the way out to the long hallway. Sunlight poured through the polished windows, making the palace glow with opulence. Maids dipped their heads as I passed, smiling at me with sparkles in their eyes, seeing the perfect princess I was meant to be.
My silver eyes lit up when I saw a tall woman leaning against her doorway.
“Ami! Oh—“ I gasped, tripping over my heels in my haste and Amina caught me.
“Whoa there,” my older sister chuckled. “And where are you off in a hurry?”
“The library,” I said, steadying myself. Maribel joined my side and bowed to Amina.
“The library?” Amina asked, quizzically looking me up and down.
“Downtown,” Amina added, frowning. “Your Highness, convince her otherwise? I don’t think it’s a safe place to—”
“No, no,” Amina interrupted her and smiled down at me. “My little sister is a big girl now. Besides, the knighthood should be around in case there’s an accident.” She swiped some of my bangs behind my ear and brushed her thumb beneath my eye. “Some of your makeup is smeared. Did you stay up late?”
I flinched, glancing away. Amina’s smile softened as she murmured, “Never mind. Go get yourself a good book.”
As Amina walked away, I watched her enviously. Her long, silky jet-black hair gleamed under the sunlight and her full rose-red lips looked as soft as cushions. Unlike me, she had a slender body, small waist, and voluminous breasts twice the size of mine. A real woman. Standing next to her, I still felt like a mere girl. Angelic they’d call me, but never sexy.
“Princess?” Maribel poked my shoulder.
“C—coming.” I cleared my throat and led the way out.
When we left the palace and walked through Embercrest, like the maids, the citizens greeted me with warm smiles and bows of their heads. Their eyes shone with awe and the children gawked up at me, whispering to each other about my beauty.
I returned the smile with small nods. My ears burned. I wanted to find a small alleyway to take instead, but construction blocked the way.
A group of men caught my attention. They wore silver armor that gleamed under the sunlight, dented from battles. The burly men marched in a group down the street, their helmets covering their faces and swords tightly strapped to their hips. One glanced back at me as a hand snatched my wrist.