Fear

Victoria had finally found sleep for just an hour when Mallory burst in at the crack of dawn. She bounced in with her usual bubbly attitude and a tray of Alcazarian food which would have been enough to feed three people. Her smile didn't falter even when she saw Victoria still hidden underneath the thick royal green duvet that matched the green aesthetic of the room.

"Wakey, wakey!" She yelled, putting down the tray of food that smelled amazing, she went over to the large silver curtains and pulled them apart revealing the grey sky above.

"Few more minutes…" Victoria mumbled, still half asleep. "Please…"

Mallory placed her hands on her hips, "there's no time for that, as we speak the other ladies are already preparing for the welcome ball this evening. You should do the same!"

Victoria rolled over and continued her slumber like Mallory hadn't said anything. Making Mallory sigh, "Really? You had all night to sleep!"

"...I couldn't sleep." Victoria made herself even more comfortable in her bed. "Was afraid someone would burst in and try to kill me."

Mallory didn't have anything to say to that, even she was terrified throughout the night, she practically slept with one eye open. The looks she got while getting food for Victoria in the kitchens showed that she and her Lady weren't welcomed here. They were in enemy land, if they would be fools if they felt relaxed. The reason why she was even up and almost ready to run a mile was because she was a servant, she was used to working with little rest.

"Alright, just a few minutes." Mallory relented. "Then we'll have to sort through all of your dresses to find the perfect one for this evening, you'll have to look your best."

Mallory helped herself to a pastry knowing that Victoria wouldn't mind before leaving the room, she would back in an hour.

When Victoria was finally awake, she took her bath and got ready without any help from Mallory as she was busy ranting about Victoria's lack of epicurean outfits.

"I saw that girl, Freya through the crack of her door yelling to her handmaidens that she didn't like the dress they had prepared for her this evening." Mallory began, "the thing is, that dress was unbelievably beautiful."

"She sounds like a spoiled brat." Victoria said with her mouth full with a piece if steak.

"A beautiful spoiled brat," Mallory agreed with a nod. "She's obviously planning to wear something that would catch the eye of the Demon King. I have no doubt that the other girls are doing so as well, we need to find something that would look gorgeous on you."

Victoria shook her head. "Mallory, how many times have I told you? I'm not planning on winning the heart of the Demon King…if he even has one, we won't be here for long."

"I know, I know… but my point is, the Queen called you a commoner yesterday, in front of your competition! This is your chance to show them that you can be just as good as those snotty rich girls even without a fancy background." Mallory glanced at Victoria who was watching her thoughtfully, "you're beautiful yourself. And you're also graceful and elegant, but what you need is a gown that will make you stand out."

"As if to say to the King, 'you might have conquered Elveria, but you haven't conquered our greatness.' Mallory, you're a genius!"

Mallory beamed with pride, "I am, aren't I?" She pulled out golden material with white roses embroidered all over several yards long and gasped. "How beautiful, this is perfect!"

Victoria grimaced, "you're not saying I should wear a dress that hasn't even been sewed yet to the ball, are you?"

"Of course not, the ball isn't until 7:30 pm, it's just 10 am! I'll can whip up something wonderful with this material in no time!"

Victoria smiled, she knew Mallory could do so. She was good at making dresses, so good that she would easily would have been one of the best seamstresses Elveria had to offer and she was fast as well, but for some reason…Mallory chose to serve Victoria and the Light Temple. "I know you will…"

Victoria left the room after listening to Mallory's ramblings about her plans for the gown she would make. The said girl was even cutting up the material when Victoria left for some 'fresh air'.

She wasn't going to get some fresh air, she was going to map out the castle. Looking for possible escape route for after she killed the king. It was best if she started getting used to the layout early.

The castle was large, very large. She had almost gotten lost not once but three times. The castle was buzzing with guards and servants alike, all rushing to put things in order for the ball. Everyone of them ignored her as she wondered around, looking at priceless sculptures and paintings and keeping her eyes peeled for a secret passage way or entrance.

It was almost noon when she found herself out of the bustling castle and into the seemingly endless acres of land behind the castle. Despite the gloomy atmosphere brought about by the gray clouds. It was obvious how breathtaking the view was.

Not far from her was a pond with Lily pads floating on top, with flowers littered around the body of water and a wooden yet elegant arched bridge running through it. This place some how felt very familiar, like she had taken a stroll her dozens of times in the past. That was beyond strange, because she was sure there wasn't really a place like this back at the Light Temple where she lived.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

Victoria jumped and turned around immediately brandishing her regular dagger hidden underneath her cloak at lightening speed.

But behind her wasn't really a threat, it was just a child. A boy not more than ten years old, maybe seven years of age. He had black hair which had been wind swept and red eyes looking up at her with such innocence Victoria wanted to cry and punch herself for pulling out a blade to him.

She immediately hid the dagger while checking to see if anyone saw her almost about to stab a mere child due to paranoia.