Step One: Marry the Prince

Step Two: Murder the King and Queen

I wasn’t at all prepared for Step Three.

“Have you lost your mind, Arnold?!”, I screamed. Arnold slowly backed away.

“I don’t really see the problem?”, Arnold reasoned. I shoved the list on his chest.

“Step Three: Invade the Kingdom of Sabel!”, I recited from memory ,”Are. You. Out. Of. Your. Mind!?” I poked him in the chest at every word.

“Seriously, I really don’t get why your so upset?”, Arnold said again. I bite my lip and stared out the window. I couldn’t and wouldn’t invade my home Kingdom. I didn’t even want to be apart of this act of treason anyway. I’m not a murder. But Arnold had threatened me, saying that if I didn’t cooperate, then he would kill my little sister, Amelia. I could let that happen.

I glanced over at Arnold. His expression gave me the feeling that he was more than ready to throw me away if I didn’t agree. I sighed.

“I’m not upset. I’ll do it”, I muttered, tucking a piece of my black hair behind my ear. Arnold gave me a grin, his red eyes gleaming.

“Excellent”, said Arnold ,”You start as a maid tomorrow”. And with that, Arnold left my small house. Just then, Amelia came walking out of her room. Her innocent ocean blue eyes radiated fear

“What we’re you and that man talking about?”, she asked nervously. I gave her a faint smile.

“Nothing Mel”, I soothed ,”Just go back to sleep”. Amelia pressed her small lips together.

“Okay, I’ll go back to bed”, she muttered. Then she opened the door and went inside. Slowly my smile faded. I leaned back against the door and sunk to the floor. This wasn’t me. I wasn’t a murder. I wasn’t a toy so Arnold could get to the Salta throne. But here I was. Why was there always a price so that we could protect those we love.

I straightened my spine and looked at the door of Amelia’s room. This was for her. I had to remember that. I stood up. Let the battle begin.