We were strolling in the woods. It was daytime, a sunny day. The old woman seemed weak but she was pacing faster than I have thought she could. I couldn't see anything past the trees.

"Hey…is there a name of place where you are taking me?" I asked but she didn't answer.

Then, we kept on walking silently. All I could hear was the sound of leaves that were being crushed down our feet. It was a bit difficult to pace up with her but I managed somehow. After walking for an hour, we reached somewhere out of the forest. I was panting but she didn't even stop for a minute. Her legs kept moving like a robot. I was afraid that I may get lost so; I tried to keep up with her. The sun was burning on our head; I looked up and saw a huge palace. It was extremely beautiful. I thought as if, it came out of the blue because until now, we were walking aimlessly. I kept looking at the palace with my mouth wide open and kept following her lead. Now, I knew where she was taking me. It was a palace. There was so much greenery around the palace and I would really love to be in that palace, to roam in the gardens….

When we reached the gate, the old woman whispered something in the guard's ear and he opened the massive gate and I let out a gasp.

We reached the hall and there were four chairs in front of me but I could see only three people sitting in front of me.

"That on, in the middle is King Darkins. On his both sides are his sons. One of them, sitting on his left, is Prince Christopher. Other one is Prince Gerad. You must show respect to each of them." She spoke.

"Where is the queen and the princesses?" I asked curiously.

"The queen has died last year and there is no princess." She said.

The King seemed experienced, bold, strong and a bit wrathful too. The prince looked charming and calm. I couldn't assure by just looking at their faces. But why did she bring me here?

"You wait here…." She said

"But…." She didn't listen to me and went towards the king and the princes. There was a short conversation between them and then they all started to face me like I was an alien. I wondered what she could have said to them. The king stood up and the princes too.

"Come in front." He spoke.

I was startled at the bold and intense voice and as I guessed, he was perhaps, wrathful too.

I went towards them. The eyes of all those people along with Anastasia were fixed on me. I felt quite awkward and was afraid if I may slip something due to my nervousness.

"Your highness." I bowed before the king.

I caught both of the Princes staring at me with awe fluttering in their eyes. I rolled my eyes as I noticed those silly expressions of them.

"Princess Emerald, we accept your request but in my thinking, a challenge between the choices would be more suitable." The king said.

He looked sideways towards his sons and they nodded while looking at me and didn't look at the king. The old woman spoke something again. I tried to hear but I couldn't.

"What are you talking about?" I asked facing the king.

Anastasia looked at me with terror as if I had done something really bad, probably, disrespected the king, in her opinion.

"I know, dear, you are worried about the rules. Don't worry as you are the only girl, the choice is between my sons." He spoke and grinned at me.

I knew there was something very bad being planned with me. Were they planning a conspiracy? I couldn't let this happen. I had to get to the root of it. What was it exactly?

"What choice and what rules?" I asked, a bit louder this time, my voice echoing through the walls of the palace.

"Anastasia, you may leave." The king ordered.

As she started to leave, a tint of dread went back through my spine. I was alone in this hall with these strangers which didn't even seem to have their mental control.

I stared at Anastasia who didn't look at me for a second and kept on walking. It seemed as we were strangers and didn't know each other.

"Anastasia, where are you going? You brought me here and you are the one…." I spoke.

I kept walking behind her in order to get rid of this situation and this palace but she didn't even turn.

"Shut up and get back to your place." The king demanded.

I didn't stop and kept on running. My plan was to get out of this palace somehow and hide in the woods. But it didn't seem to work out because I was captured beforehand by some people. They grabbed me by my hand. Those people came from behind the door and captured me. I felt like a prisoner.

"Release me…release me at once." I demanded.

I could feel my face burning hot red with anger.

The king laughed, "If you behave like yourself, you'll get the same in return."

"So, what's exactly that you want?" I asked.

"We want a lot but right now, we want you to be silent and try not to run." He said grinning.

I stopped struggling and the guards released me.