The Bloody Crown

THEA RIVALDI

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Knock

Knock

Knock-knock

My heart was pounding against my rib cage with such force that it threatened to break it.

Having kicked off my shoes in the room, I quietly tiptoed along the icy tiled floor of the dark corridor. Grabbing the hem of a long, uncomfortable dress higher so as not to step and fall, I trotted through the darkness of the sleeping castle at a brisk pace.

Not to make a sound, to be your own shadow.

”Yes, Thea, you will succeed, today you will escape! ” – this mantra was with me all the way, so it was easier to distract from the devastating fear.

I knew the corridors of the castle by heart, my childhood here bore fruit, which is why I knew exactly the shortest way to my salvation. I couldn think about anything other than my goal right now because of the piercing feeling that everything would fall apart again, but fleetingly touching the cold walls with my hands, I felt regret that everything turned out that way and now I can be in my fathers house. I just can , it will destroy me from the inside.

I ran faster and faster, and the light slaps of my bare feet echoed hollowly in the empty space. Just a little more.

And here before my eyes is that very door, saving. I hurriedly push her with my hands and…

And nothing!

Absolutely! She doesn move. Locked!!!

Panic, a lump rises in my throat. My head goes blank for a moment, but then, like a wave, the howl of an alarm siren notifying of an invasion attempt covers me, and I shake with withering horror.

Everything is gone. Im finished!

Loud, rapidly approaching footsteps, murmurs, the ringing of steel and armor are heard from all sides. And Im in a panic rushing around.

What to do? Think, think, think, Thea! Use your brain. Hurry up.

A sharp U-turn, a brisk movement and I brag about the door handle of the next room. A click and I press my back against this very door already from the inside. My breath is knocked out, my heart is dancing a cancan, an unruly curl has escaped from my bangs and stuck to my sweaty forehead. A soft sigh escaped from my lips with a slight tremor somewhere inside my chest.

The room is dark and very quiet, no movement after my audacious intrusion into someones chambers. Empty. Its good. I didn have time to assess the situation with a cool head, I didn have time to think that this room was already occupied by anyone, I acted spontaneously, chaotically, rapidly, but now deep in my soul I felt relieved that everything was going smoothly so far. But we have to get out, the guards will turn everything upside down now to find the one who tried to invade the kings private office. Well, either they already realized that it was me. Looking around. There are no adjoining rooms, only a bathroom, the ventilation hole is high – I can get it. And whats too narrow, I can get through. Only the window remains. My complexion is thin, the cornice should withstand. Stretching out my hands, I easily opened the window, lavishly decorated with exquisite stained glass and reached up, grabbing the frame. Since childhood, I loved to look at these stained glass drawings on the glass, they were ornate, elegant, mostly with geometric figures or monograms, but also some had images of people and birds. Sparkling, bright, juicy drawings attracted the eye. But not today, I was in a hurry. A light cool breeze gently touched my face, and I absorbed in one deep breath the scent of night violets coming from the flower garden that is broken right under the windows. Sweet.

The noise outside the door was getting louder, I was getting more nervous.

”Find her and return her in any way! ” – I will not confuse the formidable voice of my father with anyone.

I would be surprised how quickly I was declassified, but not now. Theres no time, and its not the first time Ive tried to escape. Expected. And then the realization hits, and whats next? I wanted to use the portal in my fathers office, to escape wherever my eyes look, to any place where a whirlwind magic stream would throw me, but who would have thought that it would be protected. Surely the lock on the door can be opened with an ordinary key. Well, Im a dumbass, the most ridiculous from the absurdity of the situation. Did I think that they would lay