The Arrow

Present-day:

The moon shone brightly overhead as a fast figure of a person flipped through the air silently and landed softly on the rooftop of the next house. A whooshing noise cut through the silent night as an arrow shot through the air, landing in an empty flower pot. Unseen by anybody, a gloved hand reached out from the shadows for the arrow. The hand quickly retracted after snatching up the arrow, which disappeared into a dark pocket.

As fast as it had come, the figure disappeared just as quickly. No hint that it was ever there could be found. A blur of the figure could barely be seen as it darted from shadow to shadow avoiding the moonlight streaming through the air. The figure made not one sound as it hurried through the chilly night, twisting and turning through the maze of streets.

The figure slowed as it reached a towering structure, encircled by a tall, stone wall. There seemed to be no way to enter but the closed gates, which were heavily guarded, yet the figure wasn't deterred. It snuck up to the stone wall of the structure and ran a hand along the rough stones before it reached a loose one. The loose stone was wrenched from its position in the wall to reveal a hidden lever. After pulling it, the figure quickly replaced the stone block and cupped their hands around their mouth. Hoot, hoot. An owl call echoed through the desolate night air, breaking the silence.

After a few moments, a similar call was mirrored back and a hidden section of the stone wall opened. The figure stealthily slipped in through the opening and climbed into an open balcony on the second floor of the structure. Entering the brightly lit room, the figure carefully removed the ornate mask that was obscuring their features to reveal a girl with striking golden eyes and warm ivory-colored skin. Her soft, strawberry blonde colored hair slipped out of her hood as she took off her black clothes and hurriedly shoved them into a chest hidden under her bed with the arrow. She was the perfect example of a fairy tale princess with her flawless features and graceful posture.

Striped down to her underclothes, the girl then draped herself artfully onto the sofa not a moment too soon.

"Princess Lila!" A plump, middle-aged woman exclaimed, bursting into the room. She was wearing a simple gown and her hair was put in a bun.

"Yes, Mrs. Brown?" Lila asked, acting confused.

"We've been looking for you everywhere, Your Highness!" Mrs. Brown said, propping her hands on her hips. "Where have you been?"

"I've been here the whole time," Lila answered, her eyes widening innocently.

"Never mind where you've been, you naughty girl. You need to get ready for the dining party! Your father is hosting tonight to welcome the new lord to our kingdom." Mrs. Brown clapped her hands together, and a line of maids carrying dresses and hair accessories rushed into the room.

The room fell into mayhem as the maids began rushing around to get Lila ready as Mrs. Brown shouted instructions over all the chaos. Lila sighed as the two maids in front of her squabble about which dress she should wear.

All this nonsense is giving me a headache, Lila thought, rubbing her temples. She was quickly helped into a lilac silk gown that fell to the floor and dragged a few inches behind her. Multiple tiny purple flowers lined the dress, and only her right shoulder was covered by a loose sleeve. Her other shoulder remained uncovered to reveal an elaborate mark branded onto her shoulder.

The process she went through to receive it was a process she didn't wish to relive. She might have access to the most expensive and extravagant services in this kingdom, but all of it was a farce. The life of a princess in the royal family of the Kingdom of Everlon is not the easy life you believe it to be. Just like everything, she had to work for the respect of the people as well.

As soon as Lila slipped into the dress, the maids started fussing over her hair. After much discussion, they pinned her hair up in a loop waterfall braid. After the maids insisted that because Lila had "natural beauty" and didn't need makeup she was hurried to the grand ballroom where the herald would announce her fashionably late arrival.

Acting on instinct, Lila glided through the halls like a ghost, her steps making not a single noise as she padded silently through the halls. The soft red carpet that ran down the hallway gently embraced her feet, making her want to sink into the carpet. Before she knew it, she had reached the entrance to the ballroom. Fresh potted plants were placed next to the doorway, their lush green leaves springing up livelily.

Fake, all fake. Everything in this castle was just a cover. The plants look as fresh as the day they were brought in years ago. It was all just a show of money and power. Every decoration, delicacy, action, and person in this castle hid something. The cover for the mountain of lies that is about to crush this kingdom.

Although Lila had her secrets, she never Lila was, what you can say, a perfectionist. She knew that with the burden she carries, every little detail must not be overlooked. She was a rule follower, down to the bone, until she couldn't be.

The guards stood at alert with the herald pacing next to them but failed to notice her as she silently approached them, hidden in the shadows.

"Good Evening," Lila spoke, startling them.

"Your Highness!" The guards saluted immediately, once they realized who it was.

"Your Highness," The herald said with obvious relief. "We were expecting you."

"I was caught up with royal duties," Lila said, keeping her face impassive.

"Of course. Your highness, if you may." The herald gestured toward the door. Lila forced her face into a soft smile as the doors to the grand ballroom opened, revealing a grand oval room filled with chattering party guests. A silence fell over the room as Lila glided in with the grace expected of a princess and began her trek down the staircase.

This same stupid process over and over again, Lila sighed. I've walked these stairs so many times that I've lost count.

"Daughter!" The King boomed from his place on his throne in the front of the room. Lila reached the end of the steps and the crowd parted as she made her way toward her father. Whispers swept through the crowd as everyone eyed her like a hawk eyes their prey. But here, in this castle, only she would be the one doing any hunting.

"Hey, did you hear that she got caught sneaking out to meet someone?" Lila heard someone say as she passed by a group of ladies.

"Oh wow?" The lady with the pink fan said, fanning herself.

"Ooh, someone got caught in the middle of a court scandal." Another one added. The whole group erupted into quiet giggles. Lila passed by them as if she had not heard at all and headed directly to her father. She showed no reaction to the comment as she walked along, which clearly ruffled the ladies. Their huffs echoed after her as she strode to the throne.

"Good evening, father." Lila curtsied as she reached the step of the dais.

"No need for formalities daughter." Her father said jovially. Lila kept her head bowed low as she rose from her curtsy, afraid of seeing that cold dead look in her father's eyes. "Come stand next to me." He patted the side of his throne. She gilded up next to her father, as silent as a feather drifting to the ground.

"Continue the festivities, everyone." The King proclaimed, and soon, chatter filled the room and the music started up again.

"Is there a reason why you were late today?" Her father asked quietly. Even though his tone was warm, Lila could hear the chilling undercurrent. Lila froze for a second, panic setting in.

"Got caught up with writing a letter to Princess Katherine." The lie spilled out of her mouth smoothly as her years of experience lying kicked in. She hadn't seen nor talked to Princess Katherine since she was a child, but her father didn't need to know that. Fear swarmed like a hornet's nest inside of her as she waited for his reaction, but Lila kept her perfect princess mask on.

"You know I hate it when you lie Lila." His cold voice was like a sharp knife to her heart as she barely contained her reaction.

"Father, I have not lied." Lila didn't need to control her expression. Years of practice places the mask of serenity on her face almost subconsciously.

"Speaking back is no way for a princess to act." Lila could feel his piercing glare on her as she kept her head bowed.

"Your manners aside, the only reason why we are having this ball in your favor is because of your upcoming engagement."

Lila's jaw dropped in shock. "My what?"

"Your ENGAGEMENT." The King's eyes narrowed as Lila met his eyes for the first time all evening. "As you are useless to this kingdom anyway, why not marry you off?" At those words, all hope in Lila shattered. The loving father she had known as a child had completely disappeared. In his place remained an old empty shell of what he used to be.

"Yes, father." No matter how much Lila tried, she couldn't hide the note of resignation in her voice as she curtsied.