Chapter 2.

Unfortunately, she didn’t walks away and signed a pact by blood on a parchment to give the sorceress a home.

A quickening in her once still belly and the queen was asked by the sorceress to leave the cave and await the cry of her baby.

Happy, Queen Renelda left the cave, her heart filled with elation.

“What have you done, sister?” The sorceress heard a sweet voice say behind her.

The sorceress smiled menacingly and turned to face the owner of the voice. The only one who still saw her as she once was. The only one who still knew all her dark secrets.

“I just gave a dear queen what she desired.”

“But in doing so, you have doomed her to woe…”

"Have I?" The Sorceress asked sarcastically.

Her sprites and monster, snarling in the darkness at this intruder. The intruder flicked the creatures a look, before turning to the sorceress again, ignoring the smug look on the sorceress' face.

"You have doomed that kind Queen to eternal damnation. A mistake, which would cost the lives of many kingdoms." A surreal light glowed as a halo on the head of this intruder.

The Sorceress gave a dark smile.

"I have no regrets. I would gladly watch how this all plays out."

***

Queen Renelda sneakers back into the castle and entered her chambers. She was happy the King was expected to visit her tonight.

Gathering her cloak, she tossed it aside and stood before her gilded looking glass. Her hand was placed on her belly, as hope surges through her.

Her entire heart latched unto the words of the sorceress. Her heart suddenly beat fast as she thought of the sorceress. Panic climbing her.

Has she done wrong going to the woman, or was she just paranoid?

She shook that voice off her head and embraced the thoughts of being a mother soon.

***

Nine moons later, in the wet spring, the cry of a little one finally filled the castle walls.

The entire kingdom was filled with celebrations. A holiday was declared by the king to usher in the birth of the baby. A daughter was born to the McLeod house. A beautiful princess that thrilled the hearts of everyone in the kingdom. A princess that would someday rule alongside her King as ruler of Elywoods.

But such happiness didn’t last for long.

In the following month after the birth of the princess, the kingdom was in full swing preparations to welcome her into the McLeod clan.

The King had waited to ensure that both his Queen and Princess were well, before he made announcement for the celebrations. A ball was to be held in honor of the princess, where everyone in Elywoods kingdom and neighboring kingdoms would meet the new Princess, formally.

Kingdoms far and wide prepared enthusiastically for the party. Everyone was visiting the dressmakers to get their garments in order. The jewelry makers were all in full bloom, creating new designs for their rich patrons.

Even the kings and queens of the fairy kingdoms were invited to attend the ball. All the markets were in full swing, displaying exotic foods that could be bought in preparations for the party. The farmers were all constantly supplying their fresh products to the markets, so that there would be surplus to eat and drink at the party.

For days on end prior to the party, the castle’s kitchen was busy making wine, apple ciders, cheeses, breads and other delicious sweets that would be eaten during the party.

The grounds of the castle were bustling with different activities; knights were all training for upcoming occasion, ladies were all dancing, the maids were all cleaning every nook and cranny of the castle. It was wonderful. The windows all shone like crystals and all the hanging chandeliers were brought down and properly cleaned.

The castle was turning out beautiful already. And to crown it all, the king and queen, couldn’t get their happy eyes away from their beautiful baby.

But at the same time all these was happening, a debt was about to be paid.

On the eve of the party, the king was in his council room checking all the affairs of the kingdom, sealing important letters which were to be sent out immediately to other destinations.

It was a dark and cold night outside. The rain had fallen all day but that did not explain the sudden cold that filled the enormous council room. Even the warm golden glow from the candles in the room, could not quell the sudden chill that seeped in to the king’s bones.

Slightly upset, the king rose from his chair and walked up to pull the bell-pull, so that a servant could come add more wood to the fire, burning in the hearth.

Just when he turned back to return to his chair, he came face to face with a beautiful woman, who didn’t give him any chance to protest. In no time, she sang in his right ear, in the most beautiful voice that the King had ever heard.

Oh he had heard of the songs of the fairies before and how wonderful their voices sounded. A million tiny bells chiming in the wind. But this one was melodious, ringing delightfully. The King was enamored and soon lulled back his head and drifted into a deep sleep.

***

The ball was finally here. Everyone in the kingdom was happy and full of merriment. The entire castle was filled from the outside to the inside with guests, both poor and rich. All the visiting kingdoms that were in attendance were marveled at the extent of preparations that had been carried out for the party.

Decorations of flowers were all displayed as arches around the ballroom. Everyone was happy for the king and queen. There was food everywhere. Enough food to feed the entire kingdom for days on end.

Everyone was dressed in their bests, looking radiant and merry for the party. Music was played in melodious tunes on end, causing the guests to dance and dance away.