I watched the beautiful scenery go by. 'Something isn't right...' I thought, staring down at my hands which were in my lap. I was usually cheerful, but this day...this eventful day was different...

Suddenly, a blinding light filled my line of vision and my world turned white. "They're here!" Father yelled, flinging his door open. He grabbed me and threw me over his shoulder. "Richard! Get Seth back to the castle at all costs!" He barked at the driver. "But your highness! The princess!" Father shook his head. "There's no time! She'll have to go with us! It's too dangerous there!" Thus, he took off running, me still on his shoulder. Seth's frightened green eyes gazed into my emotionless aquamarine ones as father ran. It was like a goodbye, saying farewell forever. I had no idea what was going on, but I had a feeling what was coming for me.

Father sprinted nonstop until he reaches a camp in the middle of nowhere. It had soldiers posted everywhere. 'This...no'

I should probably tell you about myself. My name is Kye Chernenkov, Princess of Gardania, a kingdom far north. My father is king Hisato and my older brother is Prince Yakov. I'm 10 years old and I have black hair (this is a different Kye. She looks like the cover pic), going down a few inches below my breast. My eyes are a beautiful electric blue and are the same color as the clear water here in Gardania. My butler's name is Seth. He is 12 years old and has bright green eyes and jet black layered hair.

I didn't care about social status. I always fought to keep people equal so it came with no surprise from my father that Seth was my best friend. Him, and Prince Glenn of the Oriens kingdom, were the only two people I preferred to hang out with the most. Of course, the other princes are my great friends too but being the same age as Glenn and everybody else being older, it formed a special bond between us.

I was a black belt in karate and a master in kickboxing. I was the best archer in the castle and by far the stealthiest and I was the second best with a sword, my brother being the first. When I wasn't using those, I had hidden blades on the insides of my arms. I was the fastest swimmer and runner, outgoing everybody, including my brother. I was also a master in gymnastics. "Flexible as a wet noodle" they would say.

My older is 17 and has long blonde hair that he never cuts. He normally keeps it braided on his shoulder. Yakov only cares about two things. Me, and making alliance so this country can be safe. He's always had a soft spot for me. Even though our mother died giving birth to me, that never stopped him from loving me, although he was never around anymore. He was always out, preparing to lead the military into war.

Sergei was Yakov's best friend. Sergei is funny and carefree (sorry if OOC. I don't know who Sergei is). He always would crack a joke to make me feel better...I'm the only one though. Sergei was normally cold and emotionless but he warmed up to me and treated me like his own sister. Sergei would always talk about how I was "the sister he never had". He would come to the castle regularly to hang out with Yakov and, of course, check in on me.

Soldiers surrounded us and took me off of my father's shoulder. I didn't resist. 'What's the point? My life will only go downhill from here...' "Your highness?! What in gods name happened?!" One of the soldiers asked. Father was panting, struggling to catch his breath. "We...We were ambushed. I...grabbed Kye and ran." Father was being bombarded with questions when the soldier who was holding me was ordered to get me cleaned up.

The doctor washed me up and checked me for injuries. Thankfully, I was fine. Well...with the exception of a nasty gash, slanting all the way across my stomach that was definitely going to leave a scar, and some burn marks on my face that would heal in a few days.

The tent door flew open. "Kye!" Yakov rushed in and hugged me fiercely. I didn't respond. I didn't hug back. "Doctor! What's wrong with her?!" Yakov snapped, grabbing the man's shoulders. "S-She's probably in shock, y-your highness..!" Yakov softened ever so slightly and kneeled down so he was on eye level with me, who was sitting on a table. "Kye, I know it was scary-" I shook my head and gave a fake smile. "I'm fine. I was just trying to process it all". He stared into my eyes. "Your lying. Your face is smiling but your eyes aren't..." 'I should've known Yakov would be able to see right through me...but I know what I want' I stared back at him. "I want to fight" his eyes widened, shock written on his face. "You...what?" I raised my voice and looked at him with confidence. "I want to fight!"

He didn't hesitate to answer. "No" I kept my poker face. "Your not good enough to fight. It's too dangerous" I stopped him right there. "That's not true and you know it. I'm almost as good as you." He hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay then...you can fight. Just...be careful"

That moment changed it all. I rose through the ranks until I was deputy commander (second in command). I served as decoys, lead the military into war one time when Yakov got captured, and several other things. And before I knew it, 8 years had passed. But one thing never changed. I would not kill a person.

Age 18...

I sat on the back of my pure white horse. 'Something's up...' I thought. "Yakov!" He turned his attention to me. "Something's not right. Keep your troops on high alert" he nodded. People had learned to trust my senses, as they were always right. Yakov was about to run off and tell the soldiers to take caution but I called out. "Brother! Wait..." He skid to a stop. I squinted, looking out over the lifeless horizon. "Yakov! Get your troops stationed! Now!" He didn't hesitate to run full sprint. I heard shouting from our camp, signaling that they were getting in position.

Yakov had gotten on a black horse and trotted up to me. "They're waiting for our command" my eyes never left the horizon. 'They're planning something...' About that time, a deafening boom and a blinding light erupted. I held up my sword, telling them to hold. They were panicking and the horses were finicky but we managed to keep our cool.

And let me tell you, there was smoke everywhere. Yakov seemed to be thinking the same thing as I and he raised his sword as well. 'If we're going to win this this, we need to use our weakness to our advantage...' "Kye, break it down" Yakov demanded. "Vulpes Vixen Lupin, master of explosives, stealthy, smart as a whip, and...leader of the enemy" Yakov glared at nothing in particular then muttered under his breath. "This is our chance..." He looked at me and smiled. "We got this far because of you, Kye. You give the signal." I looked at him exasperated, then nodded.

Yakov lowered his sword but I kept mine held high. I angled my sword so the light would catch it. It was the only way the soldiers could see it. I sat unmoving. It was faint, but I could see several figures in the smoke in front of us. 'They're not around them...' I could see the enemies trying to find their way through the smoke. 'Perfect' Then, I yelled at the top of my lungs. "GIVE IT EVERYTHING YOU GOT! ATTACK FRONT! GO, GO, GO!" I swung my sword forward and made my horse rear.

At once, everybody attacked. Yakov and I ran forward on our horses. When we escaped the smoke, we started searching for Lupin. And that didn't take long. He attacked Yakov's horse from behind, killing it in the process. "Yakov!" I shouted. Lupin held his sword up to Yakov's neck. "Hey there, Princess. If you want your brother to live, surrender." He hissed. For the first time in this 8 year war, I felt truly scared.

"Kye..." Yakov looked into my eyes. "Don't do it. You have to run!" My eyes wavered. 'If I don't do something, Yakov is-' I cringed at the thought. 'I know what I need to do...' I had made up my mind.

Hesitantly, I dropped my sword. "Kye, no!" Yakov shouted. "Now, little lady, come on over here, and I'll let him go. We all know you don't have the guts to kill me" I did as he commanded and slowly walked over to him. He pushed Yakov away and replaced him with me, one hand holding the sword against my hand, the other holding my hands behind my back.

"Kye..." Yakov looked at me, anger and sadness in his eyes. 'Don't worry, brother, I haven't let you down yet' I flicked my wrists and the twin blades came out, stabbing Lupus deep in the stomach. When his grip loosened, I turned around and stabbed him as hard as I could in the forehead. Lupus started coughing up blood and eventually fell to the ground. I stared at him, emotionlessly. At last, the 8 year long war...has ended.

We turned to the enemy troops. Without anybody to lead them, they fell back immediately.

Yakov smiled, blood staining his cheek. I probably looked worse. My hands were covered in blood and I could smell it on my face. "It's over..." Yakov said. "It's finally over"

A few days later...

Yakov, father, and I were waiting for the limo to pick us up. Father's smile was permanent, not being able to leave his face. "I can't believe it's finally over! It doesn't feel real!" Yakov nodded. "Yes, father. It was a long and gruesome fight. We lost many men...it's a relief to see their efforts were not put to waste." I stayed silent, just staring forward.

Father's eyes turned concerned. "I'm worried about Kye..." Yakov matched his expression. "Agreed. War is the only life she's known. It's going to get some taking used to...however, we should be thankful for Kye. She really stepped up in the end. We would've lost if it wasn't for her." I held my right hand up made the blade extend. It had been cleaned of Lupin's blood and I could see my reflection. Then it hit me. "This..." Brother and father turned toward me, surprised I was talking again.

"This is the first time I've seen my face since the war started..." A tear slid down father's face. "Is this really how the princess of Gardania grew up? Fighting a blood filled war?" 'It's the only life I've known...'. A loud screech filled my ears. I extended my blades, ready to fight.

Yakov touched my shoulder. "Kye, it's okay, it's just the limousine" I looked up and saw he was right. Father sighed. "It's going to be a loooonnngggg day" I stood my ground. "Kye, come on!" Yakov picked me up and I reluctantly got dragged into the limo.

"What's your problem, brother?!" I barked. "What if he's a bad guy?!" Father hugged me close. "Kye...it's Richard. Do you remember Richard?" My ragged breaths slowed down. "Yeah...but if he tries anything, I slit his throat" I could see the driver tense up. "Killing isn't as bad as I thought it'd be! Especially if it's for a good cause" I glared at Richard through the mirror.