I immediately noticed that everything on the table was poison. I didn’t share that information.

Four men sat around me. I knew their faces and titles, but not their names. I glanced around the room. Every set of eyes was cold, dark. I knew I wasn’t welcome. I also knew the poison was meant for me. I am the princess of the Forest Grove. Though we were a peaceful kingdom, we were not accepted by our neighbors. They hated us, called us fawns, said we didn’t deserve our home. Nobody dared call our kingdom valid. I was angry. A rage had grown inside me ever since I was a girl. These sick kings would not trample on me ever again. They would not scorn my mother ever again. They would not threaten my father ever again. They would NOT disrespect my kingdom ever again.

I had come to the light kingdom knowing it would cause a stir. Everyone in the room wanted to burn my home to the ground. I couldn’t let their corrupt monarchies destroy the earth any longer. So I came in place of wounded father, who had been stabbed by his own subject. One of the bitter servants sent to our castle by a more prestigious kingdom. I was angry.

I was careful too. The moment I walked through the door I could see the glint of the sharpshooter’s arrow. I had an advantage. They thought I was dim, stupid even. I was not. I carefully took a small sip of the broth in front of me. I couldn’t go without eating or they would become quickly suspicious. I felt the poison sink into me. I urged myself not to grimace. Though I didn’t know who, one man at this table was attempting to assinate four kings. What he didn’t plan for, was my unexpected appearance. They wanted a king, not a seventeen year old girl. This man, I knew was the fire king. He had always been an offensive man. But he was self righteous. He thought he could easily trick the others at the table to die an embarrassing death. This I knew, because he was the only one who didn’t eat, other than me. I had plans.

The Light King wanted an alliance. I knew the intention for the Forest Grove kingdom was a hoax. The sharpshooter’s arrow was pointed at my head.

The Sea king choked. He quickly apologized, but went pale soon thereafter. It was almoast time. The light king followed suit. Next, the wind king. Showtime.

The fire king stared at me, dumbfounded. I could feel an illness deep inside. I quickly stuck my fingers into my throat and gagged. The poison was no longer in my stomach, but on my plate. I politely cleaned off my face and drew my sword. A three of the other men were convulsing on the floor. Servants and guards panicked and shouted. I quickly made my way to the fire king, who could react fat enough. I severed his head. I was not dim, or stupid. My kingdom was not useless. I said all of this, and the kings and their servants listened intently, then bowed. The sharpshooter revealed himself. I used the expertise healing skill of the Forest Grove kingdom to save the other kings.

Never again was my kingdom mocked. Never again was it called useless, or attacked. Never again was my home, my family, nor I disrespected. This right I had to earn. No one would try to poison me again.