The beginning of the end.

How did I end up in the horrible place amongst the swears and grim of the underworld? When did God decide he was going to punish me for being so fortunate and content with my life? Did I do something to deserve this disgusting mans presence and grace? Maybe, I have brought this upon myself. Possibly, I had this coming the whole time. Every time I laughed, every time I smiled, every time my face lit up with joy. They were all leading me towards this, this evil place that belongs to the worlds most vile creature, and his pets.

The kingdom being under attack, while I sit here in a tattered silver gown made from the country's best silk. I hear nothing but the rain, while the people I love are listening to each other scream and cry out for help. I stare at a blank wall, while my father stares out at his people dying on the streets of Lxaity. I deserve the same pain and suffering, if not more for being responsible for this in the first place. It was my fault now…

If only I had listened when father told me to come home on time.

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My seventeenth birthday was approaching rapidly as the new spring flowers sprung up from the soil. I loved having my day of birth in the beginning of spring. It was the most beautiful time of year, or so I thought it was. The flowers were what gave the world around my fathers kingdom a certain glow of reassurance in this time of suffering. We were in a war with our neighboring country, Rixsap, lead by a very powerful and manipulating man. His morals and demands made my fathers skin crawl, and make sure that he never set foot on our land. This whole war was his fault, the king of Rixsap was Briag, the king who claimed my father's family stole his families land long ago, before any of our times. Of course, my father knew this was utter bullshit and closed contact with the confused sole.

Besides him, it was my time of the year. I was turning seventeen and I was beginning to sprout from a teenage girl to a woman. I was excited, but also very nervous about getting older. Getting a new age, meant I was getting closer to marriage and ruling the kingdom myself one day. I wasn't going to lie, it terrified me to no end to think one day this will all be mine. I wanted to remain a princess, a child with no worries or threats. Seeing my father stress out over ruling the kingdom only made me fear the position even more.

"Princess! Princess!"

I turned from my spot on the window still to look over at Lea. He was one of my servants, but also my best friend in all the kingdom. I brushed my silver dress over before smiling up at him, also having to move my blonde hair away from my face. He smiled back, giving a quick bow before presenting my glittering crown. I sighed and rolled my eyes, turning back to glance out the window. The window presented something more promising than Lea, it showed me the beauty of the world. Lea on the other hand, was showing me the horrors to come one day.

"Oh, come on." He sighed, a hint of attitude in his soft voice. I was almost able to picture him with a look of distress on his face, almost.

Lea was older than me, taller than me, smarter than me, and I believed more beautiful than me. He had stunning, electric filled green eyes that every girl got lost in. His hair was strikingly, amazing to put it at its least, it was a vibrant red. Knowing it was natural made my heart race every time, to know he held such rare beauty made me wonder why he was only a servant. Lea held so many talents, he knew how to draw, write, and had an odd obsession with fire. In summary, Lea was amazing. He was loyal to me and my father, and has been nothing under perfect to me. He treated me like a real person not a princess, like a normal teen age girl just trying to get by in life.

I glanced over my bare shoulder at him, giving him 'the look' before he sighed again. Slowly, Lea walked up to me, sitting himself beside me on the soft window still. He placed his larger, soft hand over my folded ones. He gently laid my crown down on my dress, letting it rest on my knee. A knowing smirk graced his features, his almond shaped eyes moving up to look me in the eye as he spoke. Lea wasn't afraid to look me in the eye, unlike most servants who thought I'd have them decapitated if they did.

"You know, you've got to grow up one day. We all have too…I mean, look I did it and I'm alive." He laughed softly, my hazel eyes searching his for a better form of comfort.

"Lea…You don't have the country on your shoulders to worry about. You don't have to get married right away…It's different between us and you know that…" I gave him a sad smile, watching as he turned to look out at the worlds nature as well. I knew he agreed with me, and not because he had too, but because he knew I was right about that.

"You're right…" See? "But, I know you'll be fine." He turned again to look at me, I looked back with a sudden surprise.

"What? What do you mean?" I asked, feeling his fingers run slowly over my skin, a little sign that meant he was being honest and meant every word.

"I know you better than you know yourself," He began, "You're confident, you'll never let anything get in your way. You're smart, you'll know what to do by simply gazing out this window for an hour or so. You're kind hearted, you won't let the people of your kingdom down. You're a giver, I believe you'll make this country a better place for everyone." His eyes sparkled, in a manly way? I'm not sure, but they lit up as he spoke to me, his words sinking deep into me.

I stared into his eyes, believing everything he had said, because it came from him. Lea, never let me down or lied to me, I trusted his word. In all honesty, he gave me the best comfort in times like these. But, I never told him that, instead I said something wise back to him…He must never know how much I treasure him.

"Lea…You're such a kiss ass." I laughed, loving the way his face dropped at my statement. He mocked depression before slightly pushing at my shoulder. Lea always was the playful type who never took my comments to heart, the more reason to love him.

"I take that back, you're a mean princess." He pouted before I busted out laughing, he laughed along as well. God, I'd give up all the worlds beauty in exchange to hear his laughter whenever I pleased. It was so real compared to the other people I associate with. Lea, was just…too real for his own good.

"I'm sorry, Lea." I gave him an innocent smile before moving forward, my dress making its silky noise as I moved, and embraced him in a hug. He hugged me back, whispering that it was okay and taking the crown off my dress.

"May I?" He asked politely, gesturing the crown towards my head.

"If you must." I sighed with the same smile he had, allowing him to place my crown atop my messy blonde hair.

"Perfect." He said softly, looking back out the window again to enjoy the glorious first day of spring.