Discovering secrets part 1

Few days have passed since the news of Cashimir's father's death. He felt hollow inside and all he did was staring at the wall. He didn't even choose his own costume for the ball so they chose the most obvious choice. A white swan. His outfit was neatly placed over a chair with a mask on the table. He looked away and quickly buried his head into his hands.

"Why Theelia… Why did this fate have to come so soon?" He whispered and sighed. No matter how much he begged for her father to come back, Theelia doesn't bring people back from the dead. The wind was howling outside and it only made Cashimir feel more empty and cold. He soon laid down in his bed, wanting to go back to sleep to avoid feeling and thinking. Right when he curled himself in the blankets and closed his eyes, the windows burst open and the wind blew right through him. He wanted to ignore it but he was already beginning to feel ice cold. Sighing even more he got up and made his way towards the window. When he closed it he noticed the wind had blown over the chair where his bag was on. And from the bag, his father's journal had fallen out and flipped open. He crouched down to pick it up and his eyes glanced over the pages.

"In case something happens to me… I have to share this with someone. I have done something horrible… Eventually the king will silence me when he sees the danger of me still being alive. And to my son… In case I don't get the chance to tell you. I love you dearly. Both you and your mother. I'm sorry I rarely came home but I didn't want you to get in trouble for my mistakes." Cashimir felt his tears build up. Seems like this was Theelia's way of making him finally read his father's journal. At least he is somehow still here… Through his writing.

He sat down on a chair and continued to read. The truth was not what he was expecting…

"The king was madly in love with one of his servants and did everything to catch her attention and make her fall in love with him. However, she was already in love with someone else. A seane where she sneaked out to meet everyday when she had free time. This angered the king and ordered his men to… Kill all of them. Every single seane they could find. At the time I was in Frosa and also participated in this by searching for them… I used my power as a priest in the wrong way but I didn't know it back then. It was the king after all who was blessed by Theelia. And everyone who opposed him would disappear…And to be extra safe, the king froze the ocean so that not even a single sea creature could get into his pure kingdom. I quickly moved away from there and decided not to return home, regretting what I did. I will be punished eventually…" Cashimir felt his heart beating quickly. The king… He couldn't think straight. But there is someone who deserves to know this and that is the princess. He didn't know whenever or not she knew already. He got up and took his sword with him just in case. His daughter might be in it too… But he doubted that.

He opened his door slowly and made sure there were no guards around. Then it hit him he had no idea where the princess was even. But he took his chances and hoped Theelia would lead him there. Which she did. The princess was making her way towards Cashimir with a relieved smile on her lips.

"You seem to feel better! I'm so sorry for your loss I-"

"We have to talk, princess. In private. It's about… your father." Her face froze before nodding and led the way. They arrived at some sort of bedroom or study room. It had a large bed, a cupboard and a bookshelf. Unlike most of the castle, this room wasn't out of ice either.

"This was my mother's bedroom. My father rarely comes here…" She sat down on the bed with a sigh before looking up.

"What did you want to tell me?"

"I finally began to read my father's journal… My father was murdered by none other than the king. It turns out he… Commited genocide and killed my father because he was aprt of it and didn't want any witnesses or evidance of it." The princess didn't seem surprised by it however and just looked down.

"I know my father isn't a good man. I fear him to be honest. He never hurt me however but… He feels like a shell. His only emotion is towards the woman in the sculpture. Which isn't even my mother, the queen. But a servant girl who he killed for." She bit her lip and began to rub her arm before looking towards the bookshelf. Cashimir sat down beside her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm truly sorry…" She pulled away and shook her head before standing up and walked towards the bookshelf.

"I'm used to it. He never showed any joy towards me since I was a baby. My only job is to marry and keep this corrupt kingdom alive. I have all the dresses I can dream of, I'm rich… I shouldn't complain." Her hand touched the back of the books, trying to think of her mother. Which books she read and why.

"Shame you can't trade lives with someone else. That way we don't have to feel guilty about our own lives. I'd rather live as a farmer, back in my village. Have a simple life… With a wife and two or four kids… But my fate lies elsewhere. Protecting everyone else, spreading kindness and purity." She turned around to face him and a small smile was seen. They never thought they could find someone else who felt just like them. Then she turned back around towards the bookshelf and noticed a book about knights. She remembered how her mother usually read stories about female knights saving princesses, but when father found out he forbade it. She pulled on the book but it was stuck, she pulled on it more forcefully and the bookshelf began to move to the side. She stepped backwards and behind the bookshelf was revealed a staircase downwards. Cashimir slowly stood up in surprise and they looked at each other before deciding to go down the stairs.