Chapter 9

Princess Genevieve

"I know it will be hard, but we should be heading off to bed; we won't be at any use if we are all tired." Said Edaline as Genevieve and Fallon nodded.

"I don't want to go to bed! I know I won't be able to sleep," exclaimed Janessa.

"What if they come back to get us? I'm scared to go to sleep." Said Lacey as Edaline and Fallon seemed worried.

"It's alright, girls. I'll go with them; you girls can go rest." Said Genevieve as she saw her sisters headed off to bed.

"let's go, girls." She said as the girls led the way to their bedroom; when they arrived, they quickly changed into their nightgowns and hopped into their bed.

"What about Kathleen?" asked Lacey.

"Will we ever see her again?" asked Janessa.

"Of course, you will, and don't worry about that; let the adults worry about that. I'm sure wherever she is, she is fine; this is Kathleen; she is smart like you too, and we have guards everywhere looking for her right now." Said Genevieve.

As she tucked them in and kissed them, "Everything will be alright, I promise." She said as she watched her sisters drift off to sleep; she then closed the door and headed to her bedroom; she didn't want her sisters to see, but she too was worried.

She passed by one of the main guards and asked him about her family's safety, but one of the knights assured them they'd place guards around each of their rooms. With that, she felt a little better; as she arrived at her room, she went in, and as she changed, she kept thinking about how the safety was before.

She wished all her sisters had shared a big room again, just like the old days; she wanted everything to be like the old days. Each of her sisters would get their own guard to escort them everywhere.

Once Derek came in, Genevieve rushed to him and threw her arms around him. He caught her, and finally, she let it all out and sobbed into his shoulder. He said nothing, but his embrace and kisses were enough to show her he cared.

"Derek, what are we going to do?" she asked while sobbing.

"Shh, it's okay; we will get through this and come out stronger." He told her as he kept comforting her.

Princess Courtney

Prince Levi handed her a cup of something hot. She clutched it in her hands, shivering as the tears fell freely down her face.

"Drink, my love," he said.

"I'm not thirsty," she choked.

"It will help to calm your nerves. It's tea from Thraas. My mother used to give it to us after we'd had a nightmare," Levi said kindly. "Please drink it. For me." She finally gave in and tipped the cup into her mouth. The carriage bounced as they sped away from her home and towards the kingdom of Thraas.

She still couldn't believe what had happened. When the attackers entered, Prince Levi had wasted no time grabbing her and getting her safely to the carriage outside. He insisted that her sisters were all right and that Courtney would be targeted as the new Queen of Thraas.

When they reached his country, they'd send backup to Glidonia. Of course, they wouldn't arrive in Thraas for another two weeks. By then, more attacks could occur. The tea certainly did help to calm her nerves, though. It was strangely satisfying and blurred her memories.

"What's in this drink?" She asked.

"Extraordinary herbs," Levi answered. "Drink more. It will help." This stuff was for nightmares, but she'd never be able to wake up from this nightmare. She was just glad she had her husband with her.

Princess Genevieve

It had been four days since the attack they had, and her father was still resting in his room, trying to regain strength again. Her father didn't think he would get any better since they also took one of his daughters. He decided to crown Derek now to cover for him till he got better, but she knew there wasn't much time for him.

That's why every minute she got to spend time with him was a blessing, and she hoped they hurry to find Kathleen. Since then, everything edible was prepared in front of the knights. Then the one preparing the food would be forced to sample it.

No one would want to poison themselves, and everybody was highly cautious also; the kingdom was in mourning. All the banners had been changed to black. As a symbol of the kingdom's weakness, they needed more soldiers if they were going to win this war that was coming upon them.

Sure enough, the coronation came, and she and Derek were placed in front of their subjects, purple with high necked collars. Derek held the scepter, and she had the globe, and the crowns were placed upon their heads.

"Presenting King Derek and Queen Genevieve of Glidonia! May they reign with wisdom! May they reign with the support of their people! May they reign with protection! Long may they reign!" A man announced.

"Long may they reign!" The whole room echoed and lowered to their knees. Genevieve flushed at sight.

She felt her knees go weak and like she would collapse; she never envisioned herself as Queen growing up, yet she stood here. When the people rose, they cheered and applauded but still wondered why the King passed the throne to its following rulers.

But we're happy that the King was still alive and would help the new rulers by guiding them to success.

King Willard

He stiffened upon reading the letter he had received from several dukes, kings, and Queens along with Levi. The late King Laurent's idiot son had done what he set out to do; lucky thing, the next ruler to be King of Glidonia was there and acted fast and saved the King. Glidonia was weak, and Levi was now King of Thraas; he should have given the boy more credit; anyone who was willing to kill his own father and his father-in-law had ambition.

At the same time, though, King Willard knew he needed to be cautious around him. He'd use him like a beast in combat, take advantage of him, but be very, very careful too. There was a knock at the door.

"Come in," King Willard said in his deep voice. The door opened, and there stood the captain of his knights. His armor made him look like he'd never seen battle, but this wasn't true; the captain was just an excellent fighter.

"Your majesty," said the captain.

"Captain Robespierre," King Willard acknowledged.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" He then tossed the letter in front of him.

"Have you read this? It won't take long, and I think you'll be amused by the contents." Captain Robespierre picked up the letter and read it.

He smiled at the end. "Someone should have warned us better of the son-in-law of the King and next ruler," he said, snickering.

"So, they should have. But Derek isn't an idiot, even if he is completely inexperienced. We must keep that in mind," said the King.

"The people still mourn, though." King Willard's face twisted.

"Yes, and her sisters have been scattered." He fingered the letter and grinned at the wall.

"Send the men out for an attack. Barricade Glidonia's castle. Tell King Derek that you will kill one of the Queen's sisters until he agrees to our terms if he doesn't surrender to us. I want Glidonia for myself. It's time I got back what was rightfully mine." Captain Robespierre bowed his head and said,

"Yes, sir." Then he offered a bow and left the room, shutting the door behind him. The candle had nearly gone out. King Willard's face twisted into a horrible sneer. Glidonia would be his by the end of winter.