A/N: Thank you for your reviews, this chapter is for those who reviewed. ^^ Anyways I'm sorry updating is going to be slower but I'm determined to finish it. Enjoy! R&R!  

The Initial  Flames

"She died in the fire, didn't she?" she said facing out the window.

            "Aileen, we couldn't save her. It was too late," said the king while placing his hand on her shoulder. Aileen flinched from his touch, and brushed his hand away.

            "I wish to be alone."

            "I understand you're hurt, but I what I don't understand is why you won't let me console you. I am after all your father… It just perplexes me so. You used to be such a happy child, so content and lively… What happened to the loving relationship you had between you and your mother…"

            "SHE is not MY mother," Aileen interrupted.

            "I thought we already went through this. She may not have given birth to you, but she loves you nonetheless."

            "She does not love me. She loves you and Melanie, but she does not love me."

            "What makes you say such things? She comes to me many a times, to teach her how she may please you and how to let you know she loves you. And then… You scorn her efforts and push her away even further."           

            "I don't need her love…."

            The king sighed and looked at his stubborn daughter. She was so much like her mother that it hurt him inside.

            "I just want to help you…"

            "I just want to be alone," she said, unmoved by his plea to help her. Tristan knew better though. She was just like her mother, even in hiding her emotions. The king embraced his daughter and held her close, as she silently cried on his shoulder. She pulled away from him and wiped her tears.

            Tristan looked at her in defeat, "Very well then, I'll leave. But Aileen…"

            The girl faced the window, never taking her eyes off the sky.

            "…never mind," he whispered as he left her.

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            Viola rushed away from the door and ran to her own safe quarters. She had stood listening onto the conversation between the father and daughter. She was out of breath and her mind was in panic. Did Tristan suspect her of hating Aileen? Would he get rid of her for Aileen? No, she thought, he loved her and would never leave her. But what if he did not love her? Viola shook her head violently to erase the thought. These suspicions and doubts gnawed her mind and made her fearful of losing Tristan. Ever since that day, four years ago, Aileen avoided her and expressed hatred towards her, thus severing the once loving relationship. She could have been a good mother to Aileen. They could of had such a wonderful life, in peace. However, there was competition, hatred and jealousy between them. That wonderful life Viola always dreamed of was not to be, for Aileen's animosity towards Viola would not allow it.

            "If only she were gone," whispered Viola staring into the mirror, "…No, how could you think such things?! … However, I wonder, how life would be without her… All my life I have always wanted to be a princess, to be rescued by a prince and to live happily ever after. My dream has come true, somewhat. I've become a queen married to a wonderful King… who has a daughter of his own, who hates me… However, what power does she really have over her father? What is there for me to fear from this small child? Her father loves me more than her, for I am… beautiful, " Viola resumed staring at her reflection, "Your mother may have been a witch, your father a poor man, but you… are as beautiful as a queen. And it is your beauty that still captivates your king. "  Viola smiled as she gazed upon her lovely reflection. Suddenly she heard a noise just outside her room. Viola opened the door to see Elidor, the king's mute brother, on the floor. He had evidently fallen by her door on his way to see Aileen.

            "Elidor, are you all right?" asked Viola. Elidor stood and stared deeply into Viola's eyes causing her to feel uncomfortable. She backed away from him and smiled.

            "Are you on your way to console the princess?" Elidor gave her an icy stare and resumed his way to Aileen's room. Viola exhaled in relief after she went back into her room. Elidor's presence always caused Viola to feel nervous. Maybe it was his silence or his soul-searching eyes, whatever it was she always felt that he did not trust her.

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            A few days ago, the royal family stopped by a village by the dark forest, on their journey back home. They had just come from the kingdom of Ilithia to renew alliances made between the two kingdoms. Because the princesses were tired from the long journey, the king decided to stay the night in a village. The commoners warmly welcomed the royal family and held a celebration in their honor. After the merriment died down and when everyone went back to their homes, and the royal family to the inn, a quiet silence settled in the village. And when they slept unsuspectingly in their beds, tragedy struck. A fierce fire began to engulf the village. Though many were saved, others such as Cara were lost to the flames. Though it was suspected that a drunken villager had probably dropped his lantern, the real cause of the fire was unknown.