As the moon dipped beneath the horizon and before the first rays of dawn could break through the clouds, the sky rumbled overhead. Soon, gentle droplets of rain began to fall upon the earth. Throughout the castle, candles were lit and fireplaces crackled to life, filling the halls with warmth and golden light against the gloomy morning.
Among those flickering lights moved Abby, hurrying down the corridors with a tray of freshly prepared fruits balanced carefully in her hands. She knew well that the princess never began her day without them.
Reaching the royal chambers, she stopped before the door and adjusted the tray against one arm before knocking.
Silence.
No answer came from within.
Abby released a weary sigh.
"Must we do this every morning, Your Highness?" she muttered under her breath.
Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.
The princess's chamber was unusually dim and cold. Abby frowned at once. Normally, a fire would have been burning long before now.
