Prologue
The sun was finally setting, giving the alabaster stone castle a beautiful amber glow. The townspeople were winding down, families retreating to their homes for supper and bed, the drunkards staggering into the awakening pubs, and the tweeting birds nestling in for the night. Even on the royal grounds, the excitement from the day's activities was beginning to calm. Today had been the day of redemption. Their princess had finally taken the throne as queen. The villagers and royal court all rejoiced throughout the day, hosting parties, meals, gatherings, and more. The day had brought an end to the country's month-long wait. All the documents signed and stored, all the changes finally made. At last their leader had been restored and crowned.
The previous rulers – the young princess's wrathful parents- were ruthless and purely vile. Their iron grip over the faction was deathly. They sent their province's villages and families into an economic downward spiral, caused countless famines, and drowned the people in horrifying laws and punishments. All the while, blockading the country's borders and sucking every cent they could from the villagers. The people were bound. They could do nothing.
Life under the King and Queen was torturous, and not only for the unroyal. The villagers wept also for the young princess and prince. The King and Queen did not hide their distaste for youth. Moreover they showed it off – killing children for anything even the tiniest bit scandalous or improper. This also applied to their poor children. They would beat and scream on them whenever they felt the need, even in public and during royal announcements. The children were bruised and broken things. The villagers cried for their abused souls.
"God have mercy. For them…for us all."
However, the rulers were eventually dethroned when they were found dead in their chambers a month ago. There was no trial or investigation of the mishap, nothing. To be honest, the townspeople were glad the King and Queen were dead. Many were extremely relieved, but there was still the need for a new ruler. The princess was next in line. That long month was then spent organizing burials (to which, no one attended), managing accounts (and the accountants themselves, having been affiliated with the king and queen), writing documents, signing laws, certificates, clauses and requirements. That month was also spent preparing the princess for her soon-to-be-queen obligations.
For the stale villages, that month had been excruciatingly slow. The sun setting now on this glorious day sealed the placement. They now had a proper queen who would bring them all to light.