...𝕴𝖓𝖈𝖍𝖊𝖔𝖓 𝕻𝖆𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖊...

'Guards! Block the door! Make sure no on gets in!'  The king ordered as he slashes his sword out. 'No one must hurt my family! '

They complied and ensured that the bedroom in which his wife and newborn daughter were hiding, was well-protected.

The queen draped a white cloth around the kid and embraced him..

She never imagined they'd be attacked like this.

When the baby wailed, she hugged him even more, ensuring that he felt safe and secure.

'It's okay, it's okay.' The queen repeatedly said with her angelic voice. 'Everything will be ok'.

'Mommy's he—

A unexpected sound of panes cracking stunned her. Glass shards were strewn across the cold ground.

A fully armored man entered the room. Because of the mask covering his mouth, he was unrecognizable.

He went closer to her.

'Well, well, well.' He crouched down to her level, causing her to see the scar on his left eye.'What do we have here?'

'Don't hurt us.' She begged but just caused him to cup her face with his hand, covered with fresh blood. 'Begging won't work, your majesty'

He grabbed a small knife from his pocket.

Fear was written in her eyes. She made sure the cloth is covering the young one so it is completely hidden.

Her eyes widened as the man tried to grab the cloth off which she eventually stopped him.

'Please'

Her hand was shaking, tightly gripping the man's wrist. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

'One more word and you're dead'

She sobbed. She had nothing to defend her. She was helpless. All she wanted  at this moment was to save her daughter.

'I'm giving you a chance to say your last words'

'I'm begging you, don't kill my daughter' She cried it, choking from her tears. He scoffed in response.

'I'm begging you? When did those words ever work? Where was your mercy when we were the ones begging!?'

'You have no rights to live! None of you does! You are all murderers' He screamed on top of his lungs as the veins his neck popped out.

He wanted revenge.

Revenge for the people like him.

For his family.

Anastasia!

The king's voice could be heard behind the door. He was kicking the door heard, trying to break the door.

Posei—

Blood dripped down her dress. She turned pale and breathless.

'Sorry, my queen. I've had enough'

PRESENT

I glanced at the mirror. Seeing my reflection, I remembered my mother.

My father told me that we had a lot of similarities. He described my mother as "as lovely as a budding rose inside though" and "soft-hearted."

He adored my mother so much that when she was murdered seventeen years ago, he was devastated.

He lost the only woman she loved; that is way he became protective of me.

He wouldn't let me see the beauty of the kingdom.

I was trapped—

—trapped in a castle which I thought was the only world that existed.

Yes, was.

I couldn't bare it anymore.

I may have the fortune and title but that's it. I couldn't meet new people nor my people. I couldn't see the real world.

Even though it's a risky move. I sneak out of the castle to explore the kingdom, every day.

Now's the time to step out again.

I dragged a box from beneath the bed and opened it. Inside was my brown hooded coat, which I sewed to keep myself hidden because I know how much trouble I'd be in if they found out what I'd been up to.

—and my bow and arrows for defense.

Even if the attack 17 years ago has passed, there would still be people who are against the superiors.

Brutality is still present.

I was wearing a night dress that reached til my knee. I wore the coat but soon got startled as a voice was suddenly heard.

'Princess, It's time for your breakfast'

Sh*t! I'm too late!

I cussed in my mind.

I guess I'll do this later.

'Coming!' I shouted for the maids to hear even though they would not budge because they will wait for me to come out.

What a great life I have

I wore my long brown dress with my ash brown hair tied into a braid. I stepped inside the dining room to see my father already sitting down.

He smiled to see me.

'Good Morning my beautiful princess.'

A few minutes later we are already eating our meal. It was silent until I spoke.

'Father?' He raised his eyebrow and glanced at me. 'It's almost my 18th birthday's'

'Of course I know that dear.'

'In that case, there's only want thing that I want for my birthday father. I want to—

'No.'

No? I wasn't even speaking yet.

'You're not going anywhere. You know how dangerous the outside world is, dear.'

He always says that. He can't even do it for my birthday. How does he expect me to be a queen if he won't let me out freely?

'Instead—

—I have something in store for your 18th birthday'

I scrunched my brow.

'You will be introduced to the prince of  Daegu'

'And?' I asked waiting for his response. 'You will be married to him.'

My eyes widened and I immediately stood from my chair.

'Father! I never asked for this!'

'Sit down, Amira' I calmed myself and soon obeyed. 'He is a great prince and soon to take my position'

'Don't tell me your will leave your throne'

'Soon. He will replace me soon.'

I sat down my bed with a my head hung low.

I had no choice. He is my father. He is the king. I can't be against him.

I stepped out the border, wearing my coat and my weapon inside a bag, hung on me. I started walking away from the border, not wanting to be caught.

I ended up in a village where I've been before.

'I've been here, I should go somewhere different'

I headed towards a direction I've never been. I followed a trail made of stone.

After a few minutes, I was completely in the middle of the forest. The trail seemed so far and I don't know if I should go back or not.

'If I go on it might be hassle to come back if it's far, if I come back—

I heard a loud growl behind my back. I slowly took my arrow and prepared to hit.

I looked back and my eyes widened to see a pack of wolves ready to attack me. I slowly walked back whilst pointing the arrow towards what seemed to be the leader of the pack.

I was ready to release and...I did.

The wolf's foot bled. I was unlucky. First, the foot isn't a right place to hit. Second, I made them more angry.

I got caught of guard when a wolf jumped towards me then—

I opened my eyes to see all the wolves bleeding dead on the ground.

I covered my mouth with both my hands and looked at the man in front me.

I can't believe I almost died.

The man turned to look at me and he was wearing a mask. I can only see his eyes.

He walked towards me and crossed his arms.

'This isn't a good place to explore, princess'

How did he—

'I'd suggest you go home' I pursed my lips and shyly looked at him. 'Can you go with me? I'm scared they'd attack me again'

'They won't, as long as you're quiet.' I sighed. 'Okay, thank you by the way.'

He didn't respond but just kept giving me a stare. I slowly walked away as he watched my every move.

I ended up walking alone again but my heart started to beat faster. As I heard something behind me.

Please don't be a wolf

I looked turned back and took a step although I regretted doing so. I tripped—

—but I didn't feel the ground. Instead, I felt a hand wrapped around me.

I opened my eyes to see two pairs of dark brown eyes looking at me.

'Nevermind'

'I'll protect you'