Chapter 3: Auristela

Auristela had been planning and preparing for her escape from the palace for several years, and with a little help, she had also managed to accumulate a small fortune with stolen gold and jewels from her ceremonial gowns over the years. She was never allowed to keep the actual gowns, but she would still manage to sneak at least a few parts of it away. It was what she would use to support herself later.

The princess had been planning to save up a bit more before leaving or planning her escape to live a “normal life,” but with her impending marriage to the count, she was growing short on time. Maggie, the princess’s nursemaid, and her son Alan (the princess’s only guardian knight) had been doing their parts as well, trying to help secure her way out of the palace.

She would leave this damned here even if it killed her.

The biggest problem lay with the two innermost rings of the city. Within the third ring of Acheron sat the largest temple on the entire continent, along with several smaller shrines and convents for the priests and the paladins of the temple. It was one of the most protected areas within the entire empire, outside of the imperial palace.

Everything beyond the third ring was believed to have been built on holy land and thus, the land itself was dubbed “The Temple of Dawinn.” It was an Eden, a little piece of paradise, only available to a select few. The Temple of Dawinn was very different from the bustle of the rest of the city, and the grounds had special properties, which was great for any mage on the path of cultivation.

People from around the continent made the pilgrimage to the Temple of Dawinn once every fifteen years, during the time of The Festival. It was the only time in which anyone besides a few nobles, clergy, or the imperial family were allowed beyond the third ring. Even non-believers would make the trip, if only to get a rare look at the holy paradise within.

Under normal circumstances, Auri probably would have lived there too as the Saintess of the Empire, but she also -perhaps unfortunately- held the title of the last imperial princess. All of her other siblings, save one brother, had died or been killed over the past decade, and she was now the sole remaining female heir. As such, she was forced to reside within the walls of the imperial palace for her own “protection.”

Not that it really mattered much, as she was still a princess with no power or allies.

The last and the biggest obstacle was located in the fourth and final ring, also called, [The Acropolis]. It was a city within the city, and at its heart sat the imperial palace. It was one of the most ancient, yet also the most well maintained complex in the entirety of the empire. Though it was centuries old, just like the walls of the city, the palaces’ tall spires and sturdy walls seemed to only become sturdier as they aged.

To Auri, the palace -in all of it’s finery and grandeur- was simply her gilded prison. She had spent a lifetime trapped within the walls of the palace, and she was burdened with all of its secrets. Now she wanted freedom. However, her road to freedom would be very difficult. These two “inner rings” were well guarded, and not even a rat got in or out without being detected.

If she was caught in the process, her fate would be worse than death, and that wasn’t just speculation. Extensive planning was necessary, but her resources were limited.

The princess was startled out of her thoughts as a soft knock sounded from her chamber doors. She rose from her seat, her frail body swaying unsteadily for a moment, before rushing to answer. Auristela opened the door and grinned widely.

“Maggie!” She pulled away momentarily to get a good look at the surprised older lady before pulling her back into a death grip.

“I’m so glad you are here! It’s been a while. Are you well? How is Alan?”

Maggie sighed and pried Auri’s arms from around her with gentle eyes.

The elderly woman cared for the princess like her own daughter, and was heartbroken to see her current state. The little princess lost a lot of weight since she had last seen her, almost to the point of severe emaciation. It was obvious that she had not been well taken care of and the state of the princess’s court yard had Maggie fuming. It couldn’t have been good for her lady’s health.

Had she been allowed, Maggie would be here everyday to serve her rightful lady. However, the queen didn’t like the princess having some very loyal to her so close. So, she gave the former lady-in-waiting a demotion and duties elsewhere. The Empress Prior, Arianwen, had left her only daughter in Maggie’s care, but Maggie couldn’t help but feel like she had failed.

She brushed the princess’s cheek as she spoke with a tenderness that Auri had not felt in a long time. However, her eyes now showed amusement. She would stay positive for her lady.

“I have been well, Your Highness,”said Maggie.

“And what have I told you about your manners? It isn’t proper for a princess to throw herself at other people, let alone a lowly servant.”

“Oh please!” Auri snorted in response. “It is only you, and you are not a lowly servant. You were once my mother’s first rank lady-in-waiting, and you are now my nanny. You are basically a second mother to me. Why should I hold myself back in front of you? If not you, then who else? Plus, it’s not as if there’s anyone around to see my manners, or lack thereof.”

Auri meant every word she said. Maggie was the only person at court whom she trusted without reservation. She was also the only person with whom she could be her normal carefree self with, besides, Alan, Maggie’s son. She rarely saw them, but when she did -or when it was allowed- the princess was grateful.

The old woman’s heart was warmed by the princess’s words, but she did not show it. Maggie wasn’t a very expressive woman to begin with, but her eyes spoke volumes. The love she felt for the princess was immeasurable.

Shaking her head with a small and rare smile, Maggie adjusted the large, neatly wrapped box -that Auri hadn’t noticed she was carrying- and passed it to her. The princess’s grin widened in anticipation. She always loved the gifts that Maggie brought when she visited.

“A princess should have manners whether she is being watched or not.”

“ ‘A princess’ this, ‘manners’ that. Why is it everytime I see you, we only discuss my manner?” Auristela pouted as Maggie pushed the large box into her hands.

“Because, if I do not teach you who will, you bratty child!” Maggie chided.

Auri’s nose crinkled when Maggie tapped her nose teasingly. Her face reddened a little at Maggie’s treatment. Only she would treat her like this, like a child.

They both sobered up after a moment, and Auri turned her focus back to the box. She shook it lightly. It was quite heavy and didn’t make much noise.

“What is this, Maggie?” The old woman’s face grew slightly weary.

“I’m afraid it is not a gift this time, Your highness. Please open it.”

Auri’s brows scrunched together in confusion as she ripped the silk ribbon from around the box, and pulled off the top. Her mouth dropped open slightly as she pulled out it’s contents. It was a dress made of a silky, white fabric, and the most intricate gold and crystal beading that Auri had ever seen. It even outshined most of the ceremonial dresses she was required to wear when she had to make an appearance in court.

She brushed her fingers over the bodice as she held the dress before her. She couldn’t help but wonder what it was for. Looking into the box, she noticed that there was an accompanying head piece, and gold jewelry.

Maggie couldn’t afford something like this, and her own palace’s meager allowance certainly couldn’t. Dread filled her stomach as she placed the dress on the bed beside her.

“What is this?”

The princess’s voice was somber as her eyes began to tear up. She wasn’t normally one to cry so easily, but the only situation that she could think of that would require her to wear such attire was her own wedding. She felt utterly hopeless. Did this mean that the queen had decided to execute her plans sooner? Had she missed her opportunity?

Maggie sighed again as she moved to comfort her.

“These are the ceremonial robes of the Saintess,”

Auri let out a shaky breath of relief when she realized that she wasn’t getting married just yet. That meant she still had time! Maggie faced the princess and gently grabbed her hands with worried eyes.

“I know that you are reluctant in taking up your duties as that Saintess, especially with what is required of you. H-however,” Maggie turned her head away from the princess so she couldn’t see her twisted expression.

“Her Majesty has moved up the day for the opening ceremony.”

Shock coursed through Auri’s body as she removed her hands from Maggie’s and backed away. When the back of her knees brushed the bed, her legs gave way.

The opening ceremony for the Festival wasn’t supposed to begin for another week. It was meant to happen three days before the actual solstice. And there were still many envoys unaccounted for. It didn’t make sense to change it so suddenly, nor was it a simple thing to do.

“When?” Auri’s voice was shaky. Maggie’s expression was grim.

“Tonight.”