Hands dipped in blood

Mirabella was busy instructing the workers on the design when a maid arrived to inform her that the king had summoned her. At first, she assumed he had called her just to tease her, something he seemed to enjoy. 

But halfway to the king's chambers, a guard intercepted her and silently led her toward the palace's base.

As she followed the guard, her heart pounded in her chest. She even wondered if she was about to be kidnapped right under the king's nose. But when another guard appeared carrying Pipo, her racing heart gradually settled. She silently trailed after them.

The further they descended, the darker the corridor became. The light dimmed and few fire torches flickered dimly, their flames casting distorted shadows along the stone walls. It wasn't until they reached the halfway that Mirabella realized where they were heading.

Her feet abruptly halted. She hugged Pipo tightly against her chest, her amber eyes wide with fear.