The Attack

"PRINCESS! PRINCESS, YOU MUST RUN!!" I'm immediately awoken from my deep slumber by my hand-maiden, Raya, screaming and barging into my room.

"What is this insolent behavior, Raya?" My supposedly threatening voice comes out deep and scratchy, mainly because of my sleep. A disheveled Raya comes into the view, as she scurries around the room lighting some lamps for me to see clear.

Tears were streaming down her pale and fear-stricken face. "Princess, you must leave right away! The palace's under attack!" She shoves a satchel on my hands, and covers me with a black robe, pulling the hood up to hide my face.

"What do you mean by, it's under attack?! Its nightfall right now, there are no rules to attack at night!" I quickly get up from the bed and stand in front of her and clutched her shoulders as worry filled my entire being.

"You do not understand, Princess! Its not any neighboring countries but the most feared ruler up until now-- Emperor Alexander Richmond." Her quivering tone did not help the fact that I felt utter fear crawl down my spine at his name.

He was known for his ruthless ruling and flirty ways around women. He had a harem with about a hundred of concubines but no Empress until now. Most of them had been won over by war and rest threw themselves over him. He is also known for his handsome and unique facial structures.

How someone can find him attractive despite knowing his cruel ways is out of my mind.

"But why do I need to escape like a thief? Where's father and brother Kane, did they say anything?" Raya immediately fell silent at my questions and burst into tears. A haze of fear surrounded me, robbing me off speech. "A-are they d-dead?" My voice quivered, as all sorts of frightening thoughts crossed my mind.

"I'm not sure, Princess, but the drums of their victory and our forfeit has been sounded already, I'm afraid they might be..." Her words were left hanging in the air as the dread we both felt had started to become overpowering.

"Please, Princess we need to leave. The Emperor must be coming to claim the throne, hurry up we need-"

"No." I cut off her un-ending rambles and removed the cloak, throwing it on the ground. "I will not run away like a coward, I'm the princess of this Kingdom and I will not bring shame to my people by escaping." I said, moving towards the huge bed and sitting right in the middle.

"But, Princess-"

"I don't want to hear anything else, Raya. If you want you may leave, I won't stop you." I said with a final tone, as Raya looked into my eyes and smiled. "I swore to protect you, Princess. I'm staying right here with you." I could see the emotion in her eyes that I'd longed to see it in my people ; respect. I gave a firm nod as she quickly left the room, only to come back with a sword. She closed the door, locking it and ran towards me to stand beside me.

"Give the sword to me." I ordered and she handed it to me. Due to me being a Princess, I was not allowed in the training grounds but my older brother, Kane, did teach me some tricks that was enough to slay that Emperor ; and that was exactly what I intended to do.

Silence enveloped the room as both of us held our breaths, awaiting the presence of the enemy.

Now we wait.