Revenge is Sweet and Best Served Cold

Chapter One: This is your life

By: FallenYuki

"Release her, when she awakens I want her in the room designated for her." The man smiled coldly. "I want you in the room with her." He pointed out a maiden who nodded in understanding. "Say nothing about her past life; speak only of her new life." He left the room without another word but his laughing could be heard as he walked the length of the hallway. The maiden watched as the liquid slowly drained and the young girl collapsed onto the ground. A cloak was put on her in order to conceal her identity. She was carried to the other end of the castle and placed in a room. The maiden lay out several pairs of clothes on one of the chairs in the room and placed herself at another that sat at the foot of the bed.

&

"Milady," the young girl opened her eyes to see a woman hovering over her. "How are you feeling?" She smiled softly but the little girl only looked at her in confusion.

"Where am I?" She sat up quickly and backed away from the woman.

"Milady, you are in your room." The maiden tried to reason with the girl. "Oh my, it seems your condition is far worse than originally estimated." The maiden ran to the door and opened it, "please send for the king." She spoke quickly to one of the guards who had been stationed outside of the door.

"My condition?" Fear was evident in the young girls voice.

"From your accident." The maiden spoke softly.

"What accident? What happened to me?" She looked down at her hands. "Who am I?" The tears that brimmed her eyes threatened to fall as she looked up at the maiden.

"Princess Illiria. You fell off a horse during a trip through the market."

"Who are you?" Illiria suddenly became fearful of her own lack of knowledge.

"I'm your caretaker, I've spent every day with you since you were born." She brought her knees to her chest and cried into them. Her head shot up when the door suddenly burst open and a man came in and knelt by her bed.

"I'm so glad you have awoken." The man looked old, as though he had endured much and held great wisdom.

"Sire, she has no memory." The maiden brought her hands to her mouth as several tears fall from her eyes. The man looked from the maiden and into the young girls eyes.

"Do you know who I am?" More tears fell from Illiria's eyes as she saw the man's concerned expression.

"No," she shook her head. The man stood up and clutched the small girl to his chest.

"I'm your father." Illiria looked into the man's eyes and threw her arms around his neck. He held her close as a malicious glint shone in his eyes.

&

Her furthest memory dated back to six years ago, all that she could remember since was happiness. Ever since her accident, her father never let her leave the castle but she had never minded since she had everything she could possibly need. The entire East Wing of the castle belonged to her and she was free to roam it as she pleased. It came equipped with its' own garden as well as stable. She didn't have much time to think about what existed outside of the castle since her days were filled with education and training. Her father had always lectured her about how education was the best weapon so every day she had a different lesson, which varied from learning the history of Alagaesia to learning the ancient language. To her father's reluctance, she had also learned sword fighting as well as archery. It took several years of her bugging him for this to even be considered though as he did not think it lady-like for her to wield any form of a weapon.

She woke up from her sleep as one of the servants knocked on her door. Unlike every other day, Illiria got up from her bed and dressed quickly. Today was different; it was the celebration of her seventeenth birthday. She picked up the hair clip that was supposedly her inheritance from her mother, which had been passed down to each generation. She pulled up the top portion of her golden hair and pinned it into place. She was eager to see what her father had planned for her but knew that he would not allow her even a glimpse of it until she had eaten a healthy breakfast. She slipped her feet into her shoes and left her room.

"Are you ready for breakfast milady?" The Keratin was awaiting her as she did every day.

"Yes." Illiria smiled happily. "Do you know what my father has planned for me?" She hoped she could pry the woman for information.

"Of course, King Galbatorix tells me everything." She laughed. "No princess, he knows all too well not to trust me with information. My tongue is too loose for my own good." She smiled at Illiria who pouted at her. "You know it would work if I actually knew." They reached the small dining hall and both ate in silence.

"Can we please go now?" Illiria pleaded with Keratin.

"You know what your father would say if he saw you like this." Illiria rolled her eyes.

"Yes, of course I do." She cleared her throat, "it's not lady-like to behave in such a manner, please try to calm down and carry yourself in a respectful manner." Illiria straightened her shoulders back and walked with grace, which caused Keratin to giggle. "Now let's go." The young girl took off running with her maiden in tow.

"Illiria." The girl stopped suddenly at the sound of her father's voice.

"Yes father." She curtsied politely and smiled up at him innocently.

"I'm not going to lecture you today, but you know what I would say." He eyed her as she giggled mischievously. "Follow me." Illiria and her maiden followed the king as he made his way out to the garden. Illiria's eyes glowed as she saw a chestnut mare standing on its hind hooves while the soldiers struggled to hold it down.

"It's perfect." Illiria ran over to the horse and it immediately calmed down. It was true that she had everything she had ever wanted, but ever since her accident her father had not allowed her to have a horse for any purpose other than show. She had been desperately pleading with her father to give her a horse that she could ride but he continually refused. "Can I ride it now?" She turned around to her father who smiled and nodded. She ran to him and gave him a hug. "Thank you." She kissed his cheek and ran back to her room to change. As soon as she was out of range he laughed loudly. Every ounce of happiness faded from the maiden's eyes as she watched Illiria's retreating form.

Take this horse and run away. A single tear fell from Keratin's right eye.

Author Note: Please review and tell me what you think!!!!!!