Chapter 1 - The Nightmare Begins

The Queen passed away. Unexpectedly. It was a mysterious death. She wasn't sick. As a matter of fact, she was perfectly in good health until yesterday. It was so sudden. No one knew what happened.

I was taken aback to see Princess Sabine. She received the bad news better than I expected. She did not grieve for her royal mother's death or looked shocked. It almost looked like she has predicted this thing to happen.

At the late Queen's funeral, she was the last to leave. She just stood near the grave and stared at the name of her royal mother on the tombstone. She stood there like a broken doll without noticing that it was pouring.

I waited for her. Together. While holding the umbrella to shield her from the rain.

It had been exactly six years since that event took place. My princess changed since then. She was not as cheerful as she used to be. But she grew up becoming a fine young lady. She became mature. But I could not see her sincere smile since then. Not even once. What happened on that unforgettable night was to remain our little secret. I hurt her once and I wish no more. But it seems like she had forgotten about how we got back to the castle. Yet, she didn't bother to ask and never care.

Since that day, I never leave her side. And I didn't intend to.

The rain became worse than before. Yet Princess Sabine didn't move an inch. Finally, the shocking thunder from a distance woke her up from her long daydreaming.

"Let's return, shall we?" I asked her. And she nodded.

On our way back, I finally could ask her what was playing in her mind.

"I beg your pardon, your royal highness. But you don't look surprised at all. May I ask the reason?"

Princess Sabine chuckled. She looked into my eyes before finally answered.

"Royal Mother was still young, but she suddenly passed away. Don't you wonder? Can't you understand?"

"I'm afraid I don't." I looked at her.

Then Princess Sabine stopped walking, so I did too.

"I saw this coming. This is the beginning..." she whispered.

"Of what?" I still could not understand.

She closed her eyes and said, "... the nightmare."

***

It hasn't been a year since the late Queen passed away, and yet... the kingdom is welcoming a new Queen. A daughter of the proud family of Ainsworth. Lady Emmeline Della Ainsworth. Or should I say, Her Royal Highness Queen Emma?

Unlike the late mother of Princess Sabine, this new Queen knew her ways to make the subjects love her. She was quite infamous for being a generous and kind-hearted queen. She possessed a beauty that is far greater than Aphrodite as some subjects claimed, a heart made of solid gold, and younger than the King. She almost the same age as Princess Sabine, for goodness' sake!

I hate this news. But what could I do? The kingdom was not financially stable since the plague broke out. The citizens required a lot of care and for that to happen, the kingdom needs a lot of money to support them. The Ainsworth Family is well known for being the owner of some gold mines in the kingdom. Only they could aid the people. But they would only help in a condition to wed their eldest daughter into the royal family as the next regent Queen. And the King accepted the request.

Six months passed by quite fast, and the plaguing issue finally settled down. The people were overjoyed! But that wasn't the only good news.

Queen Emma is pregnant. The next monarch of the kingdom is going to be born soon. Now, the spotlights are directed to Queen Emma and the unborn baby.

Instantly, the people in the castle seem to forget about Princess Sabine as if she doesn't even exist. I was the only one left by her side. Still, Princess Sabine doesn't care. And I believe she loves it to be that way. She finally has her time to read the books. No more stupid dance or etiquette classes, she said.

We overheard some servants talking outside the room, how they wished for it to be a boy. Princess Sabine, who heard that, stopped reading her book and told me.

"Noah... there are twins inside Queen Emma. One boy, and one girl. The girl will be born, but the boy will never make it." said her before continuing her book.

My jaws dropped. What?!