Chapter 1 - The Beginning of Loss

"Ooekk.. Oekk.."

The cries of a baby filled Selly’s chamber, Queen of the Roseman Kingdom. It was a joyful day at the palace. The second child of King Habel and Queen Selly had been born. He was Melvern, the long-awaited little prince.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty,” said the royal physician as he handed Melvern to King Habel. The moment King Habel held Melvern, the baby stopped crying. The King smiled.

“Welcome, my son,” he said warmly. Then he looked at Queen Selly.

“Thank you, my love.” Queen Selly smiled and nodded.

“Mother…” called Flori, their first daughter. Three-year-old Flori entered the chamber and approached them.

“Flori, look at your baby brother! Isn’t he adorable?” said King Habel. Flori gently held Melvern’s tiny hand. Suddenly, Melvern gripped her finger. Flori smiled happily.

“I will protect you, my little brother Melvern,” promised Flori.

“May happiness always be with our kingdom,” said King Habel. Everyone smiled and agreed—including baby Melvern, who smiled for the very first time.

...****************...

Seventeen years later…

Flori woke from her sleep. She heard noises outside.

“May?” she called. Usually, her personal maid would come when called. Flori was the princess of the Roseman Kingdom.

“May?” she called again, but still no response. Something must be wrong. Flori gathered her courage and stepped out. What’s going on?

In the distance, she heard the clash of swords and the screams of people.

“Coup!! Protect His Majesty!”

Thud! Flori’s heart felt like it stopped. A coup? Is this real?

Flori was terrified. She never imagined a coup would happen in her kingdom. If this is a coup, then her father, mother, and Melvern are in danger. She had to get to the royal shelter.

She ran through the secret passage—one known only to the royal family and the King’s guards. In times of danger, they were to hide there.

Flori arrived at the royal shelter door. Each royal family member had a key around their neck. All she had to do was unlock the door—

Wait!

Flori trembled. The door was already unlocked. Blood stains covered its surface. Had someone already been here? But why was it so quiet?

With a shaking hand, Flori pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit. Her eyes took time to adjust to the darkness.

“Father, Mother, Melvern,” she called, her voice trembling.

“Flori…”

She recognized the voice that called her.

“Father!”

Flori searched for the voice and found her father lying on the floor, covered in blood. Nearby, her mother and brother lay soaked in blood. They were all...

“Flori…” called King Habel. Flori clutched his hand.

“Father, what happened? Why is everyone—” Flori choked on her words. Her chest tightened.

“Flori, no matter what happens, you must survive! Only you can protect the key to the kingdom!” said King Habel urgently.

A warm light shone from King Habel's hand to Flori’s. She felt a warmth seeping into her right hand. After a moment, the light faded.

Flori saw the royal crest appear on her hand. It meant her father had passed the kingdom to her.

“Trust no one! Believe in yourself!” he commanded.

“Don’t leave me, Father,” Flori sobbed. King Habel closed his eyes. No! This must be a dream. This can’t be real! Flori cried uncontrollably.

“Princess Flori!”

Someone grabbed both of Flori’s hands to snap her out of it.

“Princess Flori, are you alright?” he asked. Flori looked up at the man in bloodstained armor. It was one of the royal guards—and her closest friend.

“Diego,” she whispered.

Diego nodded and hugged her.

“I’m sorry… I couldn’t protect His Majesty,” he said regretfully.

“What happened?” Flori asked.

“The commoners attacked our kingdom. It’s a coup. They want to wipe out the entire royal family,” Diego answered with a trembling voice full of rage.

Diego let go of her and saw the crest on Flori’s hand. He realized Flori was now the Queen of Roseman.

“We can’t stay here long! Come with me! I’ll protect you, Your Majesty.” Diego helped her up and pulled her from the shelter.

Suddenly, someone attacked Diego. He swung his sword to deflect it.

“Princess, go! You must escape the kingdom!” May, Flori’s maid, rushed in and pulled her away.

“But Diego—?” Flori looked back, seeing him still fighting.

“There’s no time, Princess!” urged May. Flori ran, following her maid. She looked back—more enemies were closing in on Diego. He was the only one left.

“Whatever happens, don’t stop! Don’t look back. You must keep moving forward!” May said firmly. She helped Flori mount her horse.

I don’t want to leave them like this, but… Flori held the key necklace close to her chest.

“Whatever happens, you must protect the key to the kingdom.” She remembered her father’s final words.

“I’ll come back. I promise I’ll save you all,” vowed Flori.

May didn’t respond—she just smiled and slapped the horse to make it run.

The horse galloped forward. Behind her, Flori still heard people chasing. She urged her horse to go faster.

Where? Where do I go?

Is there anywhere safe? Will I survive?

Flori was scared, but she couldn’t stop. Not after witnessing the sacrifices of those she loved.

She had been riding for a while, yet the enemies still pursued her. Dawn was breaking. Beyond the forest, she saw a gate up ahead.

It was the gate of another kingdom. The Ezbert Kingdom—frequent enemies of her own.

What do I do? They’ll never let me in. They might even kill me.

Flori had heard tales of the cruelty of their king. Spies sent there were often executed brutally. Her father eventually gave up trying to deal with them.

“Stop or we will attack!”

Flori heard the warning as war horns blared.

What should I do? If she stopped, she’d be killed by her pursuers. But if she didn’t, the Ezbert guards would kill her too.

Before she could decide, an arrow struck her back. Flori’s horse reared, and she fell off. She tried to get up, but her body ached all over. She looked back—another arrow was ready to be fired. Flori closed her eyes. So this is the end… I’m sorry, everyone…

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