Finding a way into tricky situations has never been a problem for me - although I still haven’t learned the art of getting out of them. This by far is the most tricky situation I have ever found myself in. Let me explain.

I pull back the bow string and align my shot. I’m about to release and let the arrow fly towards the target when my mothers voice from behind me makes me flinch. I miss. I curse and spin around. “Mother. You scared me half to death. You know better than to scare me like that. I could have injured someone with that shot.” I keep my temper down and try not to show my disappointment. I set my bow down in the grass and turn back to see my mothers face scowling at me, “Lenore, how many times must I tell you that archery and sword fighting is,” I finish the sentence with her, “Improper for a princess. I know mother.” I want to walk away at that moment after saying a rude remark but I must be that “perfect” princess with “perfect” deportment if I want to be queen someday. Little does she know, I don’t want to be. “I do apologize but quite frankly I want to enjoy my life before getting married off by force to some ignorant prince.” My mother gasps but I clear my throat to speak again before she can get mad, "Now if you will excuse me I need to go to my room." i hurry off trying to get away from my mother before she mentions that I need to try on that dress she has been bugging me about for weeks.

As I sit on my bed I brush my wavy, fiery orange hair, I stereotypically think about my future. It’s sad but true.

The kingdom of Aetheria is the biggest of the Five Pillars. It’s also the kingdom I am the heir to. My mother is queen right now but my father passed away when I was eight, it was an incident in town with bombers. Ever since then I jump at the slightest noises. Unlike the other four, our kingdom is ruled by humans. Antaria is the second biggest kingdom, ruled by Angels, also the most strict kingdom. Then there is Infernia, the closest kingdom to Aetheria, and also the third biggest kingdom. Ruled by demons. Next to them is Crysterius, ruled by Faeries, which even though is one of the smallest kingdoms, has been in power for longer than Aetheria. Lastly, Aetheria’s other neighboring kingdom, Nerropolis. An underwater city ruled by a family of sirens. And despite being underwater they are the richest kingdom in the Five Pillars of Fantasia. All of the kingdoms are seperated by a lush forest that is rumored to have bloodthirsty beasts roaming the grounds so the kingdoms have never necessarily came in contact with each other.

I hear a knock at the door and I am jarred from my thoughts. “Come in.” And with that my mother walks in holding that god forsaken jade green, ball gown. “I have told you a million times, I shall try it on when I have time. I am running into town in about five minutes. I promise I will know if it fits by the time the ball comes around.” For the first time in history my mother is hosting a ball and every kingdom is invited. She says it’s a chance for me to find a husband but I’m not planning on it. “It would look fantastic on you dear,” she sets it neatly on my bed, “But very well. When you get back try to find time to put it on.” She gives me a small smile and exits the room.

I pick up the dagger I have hidden in my desk drawer and hide it in my corset, then I walk down the corridor and out into the cloudy afternoon.

As I walk into the village after a brisk half a mile walk, I get many looks of people recognizing me but I keep my head down and head to the local cobbler. Before I can reach the shop I notice a sound coming from a near alleyway. It sounds like the scraping of metal against metal and my curiousity gets the best of me. I look but am met with nothing but a dead end. I turn around to walk away but I feel a sudden sharp pain in the back of my head and everything goes black.

When I awake, I am in a dark room with my hands cuffed to a wall, it smells of mold and the atmosphere feels dank. I look around immediately planning how to escape but the door infront of me opens smoothly and a figure of a person steps inside. The figure lights a lantern and the room illuminates. It’s a man. Around my age, eighteen or more likely nineteen, with dark black hair, eyes that I mistook for black but are instead deep blue, like the ocean of Nerropolis. “What do you want from me.” I keep my tone steady as to not reveal my panick. When he speaks, his voice is low and smooth, “Nothing much. I’ll possibly use you for ransom.” He has a black suit on that fits him too perfectly and I’m almost caught off guard by his presence. _No. Don’t get distracted. _

He suddenly meets my gaze and his expression looks shocked and takes a step closer, eyes filled with recognition, “The princess of Aetheria.”

(Part 2 coming soon)