"You are the Duke of the North Gate?"
"I am his son, and you are Princess Izrina."
On the other side of the palace, the two people who were not yet aware of the situation outside shook hands for the first time. The besotted princess met the duke's son.
"Izrina Kensleigh."
"Karlmann Wratislaw." The young marquess gave her a princely bow. He leaned closer and pecked the back of her hand in courtesy.
The princess gave him charming smile, her cheeks flushed pink at the same time. "I've been told we will get married before the next season."
"So I've heard." Karlmann replied with a soft hum. His eyes searching the princess's face. "But if you wish for it to be delayed...we can get to know each other better before the wedding proper."
Izrina's personal guard stood at a reasonable distance, but his eyes stayed with precision of an eagle. Every step and body movement, Cora didn't let it slip. Even if the princess looked comfortable, the young guard was still cautious of the young lord. The duke's guard did same.
"We can get married, it is my duty to make sure I protect the throne." The Princess replied, stealing a quick glance at the duke. She was charmed by his sea-blue eyes.
As the conversation of marriage went on, Cora noticed a movement behind him. He turned with speed to attack but found the Queen's trusted friend.
"Lady Spinola."
The woman shushed the guard, her eyes betraying her anxiety. She whispered something to Cora.
"We move on my signal," the woman muttered after she glanced at the princess and sighed. The girl looked excited to see her espoused.
Spinola walked up to the duo. "My Lord," a brief bow to the young noble, then to the princess. "I'm afraid I'd be the one to interrupt, but the princess needs to change into a better dress for the party."
The duke's son shook his head. "I already find her enchanting in these...there would be no need."
Izrina blushed. She moved her fingers together in a funny manner, her eyes glued to the young man's smooth shiny black shoes.
The lady glanced at the two birds possibly in love. And the princess who had no idea what was coming for her.
Spinola hated to ruin the moment for the girl too. It might be the last time she smiled the way she did. In spur of the moment, the queen had asked her to flee with the princess before the general and his army could seize her.
"I know, but I'm sorry the queen has asked her to change." Spinola grabbed the girl's hand, then gave Cora a nod as signal.
As they hastened their step, Izrina turned waving at the duke. She couldn't wait to be his wife.
"See you soon, my lord." she muttered.
"And you too, my princess." The duke replied. "She is the most beautiful thing I have ever touched." he whispered under his breath before turning back towards the hall.
Izrina now clear eyes and no longer charmed by her duke, settled her eyes on her governess. "Lady Spinola, will you tell me now exactly what happened? I saw you speaking to Cora earlier, it isn't about the dress it it?"
Spinola exhaled. She wanted to take a brief rest and also process what was happening but now wasn't the time.
"What of mother?" Izrina received no response and when she looked at Cora, the guard had a look she'd never seen on his face. Uncertainty.
"Fire! Fire!"
It was then, Izrina heard the noise. The palace was on fire and people were clamoring in fear.
"What is- mother...where is my father." Izrina pulled her hand away from Spinola's grip. "Why are we going through this....are we on the run?"
Spinola could no longer hold her tears, she had seen her best friend dragged away with her husband. They were going to be killed, there was no stopping it. Their kingdom showed no mercy to traitors.
"Find the princess! And kill her on sight, her blood is stained with evil."
Izrina heard this and turned, "I am...stained with...What are they talking about? Take me to my mother, this instant!" she ordered.
Spinola took out the sash on her waist, tied it around the girl's hair. "This isn't the time, little pea. Your mother asked that we keep you alive no matter what. And yes, we are running. That is the only way we can live to fight."
"Not without my mother, no." Izrina turned to Cora, "I order you to restrain Spinola. I'll go find my parents myself." Her voice was shaking. She wasn't sure if she wanted to do that.
Cora clutched his sword tightly, but didn't move.
"Do you also disobey my orders?"
Spinola wiped her eyes; time was against them. "Cora, lift her up if she won't walk." The woman turned, her hands on her chest, her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Cora, you won't dare-"
"I'll apologize later, my princess." With a soft groan, the young man heaved the princess onto his shoulder.
"Put me down! Cora! You will be punished for this." Izrina knew her orders didn't hold water. Her heart raced with fear, worried about her parents as they fled the palace.
The trio hadn't gone far when they saw the king and queen now dressed in rags, their hair disheveled and faces stained with ashes as they were being dragged like slaves.
"The traitors are being dragged to the gates, their heads will be hung there as a lesson for others."
Izrina could no longer keep still, she wriggled her body. "Please...please let me see them. Just this once. Please."
Spinola was thorn in between right and wrong. It was cruel to forcefully separate the girl from her family without giving her the opportunity to see them even once. But it would be better than letting her witness her family's death. Spinola chose grey.
"LET HER DOWN!"
Cora raised his brows, "Are you sure?"
Izrina forced herself down when Cora let his guard down, and she followed the crowd. Seeing her parents now reduced to nothing, she put her hand over her mouth.
"Serves them right!"
"The royal family should be punished."
Izrina heard people throwing accusations at her parents. Same people she studied all the years of her life to serve. According to her mother.
'A Queen only lives to serve her people, and the King to protect his queen and the kingdom.'
Same people now praised for their death. The irony of life.
The nightmare that would haunt Izrina for the rest of her life was this moment. And for all the days she lived, it froze her heart. She turned just in time to see her parents made to kneel, their heads bowed.
The executioners danced with their swords, their blades kissing the sky. The sun was slowly kissing the horizon, illuminating the sky with shades of different colors. As if to say there was a color for everything.
One for celebration, as in the orange ball that danced in the sky. And another for death, the indigo that barely kissed the end of the earth. Also, faint pink, one that could mean hope or woe.
Karissa and Guildford held each other, their eyes closed. They were ready to accept their death. Once the blade almost reached their neck Izrina screamed from the crowd.
"No!"
Karissa and Guildford looked up from where the voice came from. As if recognizing it they smiled in the faced of death. And before the blade took their life, the couple leaned in for a final kiss.
"No-ummm." Spinola used her hand to cover the girl's mouth, tears, saliva and pain mixed with despair came undone.
"It's the princess!" someone exposed, when she saw Izrina's dress.
"Cora, take her."
"RUN!"