A Bad Omen

 " Did you hear that?" Elena asked,

 "Wait, stay here. I'll check what's going on." 

 "Not a chance. You're not going to leave me in the dark."

 A light commotion was happening in the hallway and Elena was curious about it. Not because she loved to gossip, but because she was scared - something scared her.

 "You're not supposed to leave this chamber. Queen's orders." 

 "Fine, I'll stay by the door."

 "Don't go anywhere. I'll be back."

 Immediately after Prince Jael left, Elena found herself walking towards the voices. Even if her brother had come to lighten the mood, she still felt like something was off. Something was going to happen, something bad. Maybe nervousness. 

 As Elena dragged her wedding dress to the door, what she saw made her heart skip. Although she wasn't the type to believe in superstitions, this wasn't something to just pass.

 On the floor, which was previously decorated with flowers, lay the broken pieces of the family portrait which once stood high on the wall. 

 "What happened here!" 

 The Prince demanded with so much authority that everyone quivered. The maids were all silent, till the culprit finally came out.

 She fell on her knees,

 "Forgive me, my prince. I was carrying a garland of flowers to keep when a black pigeon flew directly into the portrait, making it fall to the ground." 

 That was when Elena noticed the dead bird lying there. Pure black, to the tip. 

 Prince Jael prayed his sister hadn't witnessed this but it was too late, for she stood there, watching the scene unfold, with so much horror in her eyes. He wanted to calm her down, to make her understand it meant nothing. This was just the beginning for her, he wished she hadn't seen the commotion.

 "Make sure you clean this up. Find something to replace that part of the wall, no one must know of this, at least, till the wedding is over." 

 After giving his orders, he turned to go back to her but was stopped by the Queen. 

 The Queen was a woman different from the rest. She was strict in her doctrines and reserved. She did her duty as a Queen and sometimes, forgot to be a mother.

 Queen Naphtha was already heading to her daughter's chambers when she heard the noise going on in the hallway. She saw the broken portrait and she knew immediately what it meant. This was something she was afraid of - the sign. Thankfully, Jael had everything in control. 

 "Where do you think you're going?" The Queen asked, stopping him from going to Elena's chambers. 

 "I need to ask Elena for something, mum." 

 He was lying. He wanted to visit her. 

 " You shouldn't be here. Men aren't supposed to be in the Princess's chambers while she dresses up." 

 He pointed at her, 

 " She's done. "

 That was when Naphtha saw her there. Elena was beautiful - she felt a sting in her chest. 

 "Go now, you will see her some other time." 

 "But... "

 " Queen's orders. "

 Jael wanted to protest, to make the Queen understand, but Elena's eyes told him otherwise. He winked at her, mouthing the words "I'll be back" before leaving.

 As the Queen entered, Elena bowed in courtesy. She walked in, ignoring her daughter's greeting.

 "I told you not to step outside." 

 "I heard a commotion." 

 When Elena stood up, the Queen got one more glance at her, 

 " You have gotten dirt on your dress. Why can't you just obey my instructions?" 

 Elena was hurt. She wanted at least a compliment from her mother. She was used to it though. 

 " I'm sorry." 

 She walked back to her seat. 

 "The groom's family has arrived. I was requested to give you this." 

 She unfolded the gift she was holding - it was a dashing diamond pendant the shape of a heart. Elena was short for words.

 "A family heirloom. You're to wear it for your wedding. Replace the one you're wearing." 

 The Queen handed the piece to a maid. She gave one last glance at her daughter,

 "Be on your best behaviour. The wedding will begin soon. Your father will be here to walk you down the aisle."

 Elena gave her final bow and watched her mother leave the room. In a minute, Mariana walked in and collected the jewellery piece. She stood behind the Princess as she helped her replace the jewellery. 

 "You look beautiful, Princess." 

 Elena blushed, 

 "I'll miss you, Mari. The first thing I'll do is beg the Prince to bring you with me. I wouldn't want to leave you with Jael. "

 Mariana blushed,

 " I thought you might need Jael's company. I had to bring him here. "

 " I know. Thank you. "

 As they talked, time went by and they were soon interrupted by the graceful entrance of King Benedict. Her father wasn't like the Queen. He was jovial and loving. Elena loved her father as he was always with her even when he had many duties as king.

 The King stood, his mouth agape, watching his daughter. 

 "Ravishing," he could only say. 

 Elena fought the tears in her eyes. 

 "I never thought I'd be doing this. I'm handing you over." 

 She rushed to hug him, not minding the time it took to fix her hair. 

 "I'll miss you, Dad." 

 "Say the word, El, and I'll cancel this wedding. Look how fast you've grown." 

 "Dad! "

 " I'll visit you every time. At least, your future father-in-law is my good friend. I trust him. "

 " I know, Dad."

 " Don't cry, baby. It's your big day. There are thousands of guests waiting to watch you walk down the aisle. Shall we? "

 She removed herself from his embrace and took a deep breath, 

 " Let's go. "

 With the help of Mariana and a few other maids, her veil was installed.

 As Elena walked with the King to the wedding venue, they talked and laughed about many things, but she couldn't get the sick feeling out of her mind. Especially when they approached the grand double doors. Elena could now hear the wedding song being played from the inside. This was it. 

 As the door opened, the first person Elena set her eyes on was Prince Frederick, who stood there, as handsome as he was, waiting for his bride. 

 Elena found solace in his eyes, and she didn't care about the many eyes that gazed at her. But that was the last thing she saw. 

 The grand doors closed behind her and Elena locked her eyes with Frederick. Immediately, Elena took one more step; a bomb exploded right in front of her, and her beloved groom, together with quite a number of the guests, was blown to pieces.