Celina's POV

The color drained from my face. Her proclamation echoed through the hall like a thunderclap, and the air grew thick with a sudden tension that was almost palpable. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"Your majesty! This is preposterous!" a voice exclaimed. The voice belonged to Snow White, and the queen did not take that outburst well.

"What did you say, Princess Snow White?" the queen responded, cold as ice.

Snow White took a step forward, straightening her back.

"I said that this is preposterous, your majesty. Celina would never do such a thing."

"That's bold of you to claim, Princess Snow White, considering we have a witness."

"A servant. One that is clearly very traumatized to fully understand what she is saying."

"Are you saying that we should ignore her statement?"

"I am saying that we might be too quick to uphold her statement as evidence. This is a very traumatic experience for everyone here as well. Being quick to condemn in the heat of the moment, will allow the culprit to get away with the crime, especially if it isn't Princess Celina, and especially in the presence of all the guests that have arrived today."

The queen was quiet, in a way, she was considering my idea. I was positive that Celina didn't do it. Or at least, she wouldn't have done it in such an oblivious way, especially with a servant that she didn't know, but the real issue is why the queen decided to get rid of Celina through this way. Perhaps, she had wanted her disapproval of Celina to be announced in public.

"You make a good point, Princess Snow White. I trust you to be wise, despite your young age. But you know what they say, the higher they rise, the harder they fall," the Queen responded. I swallowed, hearing that threat.

"At the wise consideration of Princess Snow White, Princess Celina's banishment will be postponed. Please, my dear guests, follow the direction of our trusted knights as we direct you to a safe exit." There were whispers all around, but my heart beat was so loud that I couldn't focus on it. I looked around frantically for Celina, but I couldn't find her. I crossed my fingers, hoping that she found her way out of the ballroom at least. I started to make my way towards an exit closest to our shared room, only to be stopped by the queen.

"I understand that you were taken back by this revelation today, but do not be blinded by your fondness for your sister," the queen said, not even making eye contact with me.

"Thank you for your advice. I will always remember this," I responded. I turned around to watch her approach the other guests, before making a break for my room. I opened the door to our bedroom, revealing Celina pacing.

"I didn't do it," she said.

"I believe you," I said, going through her things.

"Really? It doesn't look like it." I found her travel bag.

"Hey!" I shoved her bag to her, and went to open her wardrobe, grabbing all her commoner disguises she hid in the corner. I tossed it to her.

"Pack." I went through my wardrobe this time, grabbing all the minor jewelry that would not go missing.

"What?" she asked, shocked.

"Pack, you can't stay here for long. It looks like she has her sights set on you leaving, and Baron Morris was the unfortunate victim in the crossfire. I'm giving you some jewelry. Sell it when you need it, don't sell it all at once. Remember to keep it to yourself too." She grabbed my hands, "Wait, do you not believe me," Celina said, tears forming in her eyes. I slowed down just a tad. I took a deep breath, "Celina, I do believe you. And the queen knows you didn't do it either, but it will not stop her. What I did was delay the inevitable. And unfortunately, we don't have much time. Pack."

"R-right," she said, wiping her eyes, before shoving her clothes into the sack along with the jewelry I put in a smaller bag for her.

"I'm going to change too." I think it is registering for her. I nodded and continued to grab an extra pair of shoes for her as well. I also grabbed two maps, one of the kingdom and one of the continent and shoved it into the sack.

Celina finished changing. She was dressed in plain brown trousers, and a plain white blouse with some black boots.

"Come here, I will braid your hair all the way back, and hide it in a hat. Your hair is a big giveaway and we don't have time to dye it."

"Okay, and I am packing dad's dagger." My hands that were holding Celina's hair paused for a second.

"Yes, and bring another one for protection. I couldn't find your bow and arrows," I said as I resumed braiding.

"It's hidden outside the castle."

"I'm happy that she likes you at least." I scoffed. "She tolerates me."

"That's not what I see." I finished braiding her hair into a crown and hid it in a cap. I also grabbed a beaten up clock that I had used whenever I wanted to sneak around the castle at night and wrapped it around her.

"You're finished."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and I heard heavy footsteps.

"You have to go," I told her, rushing to open the door to our balcony. "I know you can climb down the vines, like you've always done to sneak out-" Celina wrapped her arms around me, and I could feel her breath on my ear.

"Thank you. I love you."

"I love you too," I choked out, hoping that the tears that were starting to form went away as I wrapped my arms around her. The footsteps got closer, and we quickly broke away before she left and disappeared. I waved my face, letting the air generated to try and get rid of any evidence of tears forming, before I rushed around the room, hiding anything that looked like Celina was there.

The bedroom's doors slammed up, revealing some knights and the queen.

"Where is Princess Celina?" she asked.

"I am not sure. She wasn't here when I came in," I quickly responded.

The queen's eyes narrowed.

"I see. I was hoping to ask her more questions, but it seems it may have to wait. But only the guilty flee, I hope you know that Princess Snow White," she said, not breaking eye contact. I swallowed and nodded my head.

"Well, continue to search the area, and bring her to me once she is found," the queen said to the knights.

"Have a nice night, Princess Snow White," she said to me before closing the door and leaving.

I released the breath that I didn't know I was holding. I took a few more deep breaths. Then, I heard a knock on my door.

"Who is it?"

"Mira, my lady."

"You can enter." She walked in, and despite everything, she still looked put together, just like this morning, like nothing had changed. And next thing I knew, there were tears streaming down my face. Mira wrapped her arms around me.

"None of this was your fault," Mira said, but that didn't stop my sobbing. After a few minutes, I sniffed and rubbed my face on my arm.

"Mira, you need to go. Follow Celina. Help her out, because I know you know how the world outside this castle works. And she needs all the help that she can get."

"And what about you? If I leave, you will be on your own."

"I managed to get some allies at the ball."

". . . Don't lie to me."

"I know the castle. I know my allies and my enemies. Celina cannot say the same. She doesn't know anyone outside the castle that can aid her as well as you do. I know that you are not just a maid. So you need to go with her, since she is the main person in danger." Mira looked at me, genuinely. She smiled softly, and kissed my forehead.

"You are so strong. Don't forget that. I will do my best to protect Celina, and promise me you'll do your best here."

"I will."

"And then we will figure it all out, my lady." Mira hugged me again, before quietly leaving. It was already late at this point, and I had no idea how tomorrow would turn out, but I knew that I needed some rest for the day if I wanted the energy to face tomorrow. And as I slowly forced myself to change and get ready, I felt detached from my own body. My heart had already beaten enough for the day, and when I got into bed, I just cried. I cried until I ran out of tears, until sleep finally welcomed me, even if it was just for a moment.